body.htm
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 15,
2010
Registration
No. 333-_________
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UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
DC 20549
_____________________
Form
S-4
REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CCH
II, LLC
and
CCH
II Capital Corp.
(Exact
name of registrants as specified in their charters)
Delaware
Delaware
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4841
4841
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03-0511293
13-4257703
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(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation
or organization)
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(Primary
Standard Industrial
Classification
Code Number)
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(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
Number)
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12405
Powerscourt Drive
St.
Louis, Missouri 63131
(314)
965-0555
(Address,
including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
registrants’
principal executive offices)
Gregory
L. Doody
Executive
Vice President and General Counsel
12405
Powerscourt Drive
St.
Louis, Missouri 63131
(314)
965-0555
(Name,
address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
code,
of
agent for service)
Copies
to:
Christian
O. Nagler
Kirkland
& Ellis LLP
601
Lexington Avenue
New
York, New York 10022-4611
(212)
446-4800
Approximate date of commencement of
proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after the
effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the
securities being registered on this form are being offered in connection with
the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General
Instruction G, check the following box. o
If this
form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule
462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration
statement for the same offering. o
If this
form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the
Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title
of Each Class of Securities to
be
Registered
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Amount
to be
Registered
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Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per
Unit
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Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price
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Amount
of
Registration
Fee (1)
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13.50%
Senior Notes Due 2016
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$976,826,462
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100%
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$976,826,462
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$69,648
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(1) The
amount of the registration fee paid herewith was calculated, pursuant to Rule
457(f)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
The
Registrants hereby amend this Registration Statement on such date or dates as
may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrants shall file a
further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement
shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this Registration Statement shall
become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section
8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be
changed. We may not sell these securities until the
registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these
securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in
any state where such offer or sale is not
permitted.
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SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JANUARY 15, 2010
PROSPECTUS
CCH
II, LLC
CCH
II Capital Corp.
Offer
to Exchange
$976,826,462
in Aggregate Principal Amount
of
13.50% Senior Notes due 2016
which
have been registered under the Securities Act
for
certain outstanding 13.50% Senior Notes due 2016
Issued
by CCH II, LLC and
CCH
II Capital Corp. on November 30, 2009
•
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This
exchange offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
______________, 2010, unless
extended.
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•
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No
public market currently exists for the original notes or the new notes. We
do not intend to list the new notes on any securities exchange or to seek
approval for quotation through any automated quotation
system.
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_____________________________
CCH II,
LLC and CCH II Capital Corp. hereby offer to exchange any and all of the
$976,826,462 aggregate principal amount of their 13.50% Senior Notes due 2016
(the “new notes”), which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, pursuant to a Registration Statement of which this prospectus is
part, for a like principal amount of their 13.50% Senior Notes due 2016 (the
“original notes”) outstanding on the date hereof upon the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the accompanying letter of
transmittal (which together constitute the exchange offer). This exchange offer is only being
made for those original notes that were issued pursuant to Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended and which are indentified by CUSIP No. 12502C
AT8. The terms of the new notes are identical in all material respects to
those of the original notes, except for certain transfer restrictions and
registration rights relating to the original notes. The new notes will be issued
pursuant to, and entitled to the benefits of our indenture, dated as of November
30, 2009, among CCH II, LLC, CCH II Capital Corp. and The Bank of New York
Mellon Trust Company, NA, as trustee.
You
should carefully consider the risk factors beginning on page 11 of this
prospectus before deciding whether or not to participate in the exchange
offer.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or
accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The date
of this prospectus is __________________, 2010.
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ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
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i
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DISCLOSURE
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
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ii
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SUMMARY
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4
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RISK
FACTORS
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11
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SELECTED
HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
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26
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MANAGEMENT'S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
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27
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BUSINESS
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51
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REGULATION
AND LEGISLATION
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63
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MANAGEMENT
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68
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SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
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72
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CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
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76
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DESCRIPTION
OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
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80
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THE
EXCHANGE OFFER
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89
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DESCRIPTION
OF NOTES
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95
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IMPORTANT
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
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131
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PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
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136
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LEGAL
MATTERS
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137
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EXPERTS
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138
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WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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139
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INDEX
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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F-1
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______________________________
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
We have
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on
Form S-4 (Registration No.
333- )
with respect to the securities we are offering for exchange. This prospectus,
which forms part of this registration statement, does not contain all the
information included in the registration statement, including its exhibits and
schedules. For further information about us and the securities described in this
prospectus, you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits and
schedules. Statements we make in this prospectus about certain contracts or
other documents are not necessarily complete. When we make such statements, we
refer you to the copies of the contracts or documents that are filed as exhibits
to the registration statement, because those statements are qualified in all
respects by reference to those exhibits. The registration statement, including
the exhibits and schedules, is on file at the offices of the Securities and
Exchange Commission and may be inspected without charge. Our Securities and
Exchange Commission filings are also available to the public at the Securities
and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.
You may
also obtain this information without charge by writing or telephoning us at the
following address and phone number: Charter Plaza, 12405 Powerscourt Drive, St.
Louis, Missouri 63131. Our telephone number is (314) 965-0555. To
obtain timely delivery, you must request this information no later than five
business days before the date you must make your investment decision. Therefore,
you must request this information no later than _____________________,
2010.
DISCLOSURE
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This
prospectus contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which we refer to as the
Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act, regarding, among other things,
our plans, strategies and prospects, both business and financial, including,
without limitation, the forward-looking statements set forth in the section
titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations” in this prospectus. Although we believe that our
plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these
forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will
achieve or realize these plans, intentions or
expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to
risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, without limitation, the factors
described in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this
prospectus. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this
prospectus may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as
“believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “will,” “may,” “intend,”
“estimated,” “aim,” “on track,” “target,” “opportunity” and “potential,” among
others. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this prospectus are
set forth in this prospectus and in other reports or documents that we file from
time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as
the SEC, and include, but are not limited to:
·
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the
availability and access, in general, of funds to meet our debt obligations
and to fund our operations and necessary capital expenditures, either
through cash on hand, cash flows from operating activities, further
borrowings or other sources and, in particular, our ability to fund debt
obligations (by dividend, investment or otherwise) to the applicable
obligor of such debt;
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·
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our
ability to comply with all covenants in our indentures and credit
facilities, any violation of which, if not cured in a timely manner, could
trigger a default of our other obligations under cross-default
provisions;
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·
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our
ability to repay debt prior to or when it becomes due and/or successfully
access the capital or credit markets to refinance that debt through new
issuances, exchange offers or otherwise, especially given recent
volatility and disruption in the capital and credit
markets;
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·
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the
impact of competition from other distributors, including but not limited
to incumbent telephone companies, direct broadcast satellite operators,
wireless broadband providers, and digital subscriber line ("DSL")
providers;
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difficulties
in growing and operating our telephone services, while adequately
meeting customer expectations for the reliability of voice
services;
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our
ability to adequately meet demand for installations and customer
service;
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our
ability to sustain and grow revenues and cash flows from operating
activities by offering video, high-speed Internet, telephone and other
services, and to maintain and grow our customer base, particularly in the
face of increasingly aggressive competition and the weak economic
conditions in the United States;
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·
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our
ability to obtain programming at reasonable prices or to adequately raise
prices to offset the effects of higher programming costs (including
retransmission consents);
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·
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general
business conditions, economic uncertainty or downturn and the significant
downturn in the housing sector and overall economy;
and
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·
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the
effects of governmental regulation on our
business.
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All
forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf
are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary
statement. We are under no duty or obligation to update any of the
forward-looking statements after the date of this prospectus.
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SUMMARY
This
summary contains a general discussion of our business, the exchange offer
and summary financial information. It does not contain all the information
that you should consider before making a decision whether to tender your
original notes in exchange for new notes. For a more complete
understanding of the exchange offer, you should read this entire
prospectus and the related documents to which we refer.
For
a chart showing our ownership structure, see page 5. Unless otherwise
noted, all business data included in this summary is as of September 30,
2009.
CCH
II, LLC (“CCH II”) is a direct subsidiary of CCH I, LLC (“CCH I”), which
is an indirect subsidiary of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC
(“Charter Holdings”). Charter Holdings is an indirect subsidiary of
Charter Communications, Inc. (“Charter”). CCH II is a holding company with
no operations of its own. CCH II Capital Corp. (“CCH II Capital”) is a
wholly owned subsidiary of CCH II. CCH II Capital is a company with no
operations of its own and no subsidiaries. CCH II and CCH II
Capital, which are the co-obligors with respect to both the original notes
and new notes, are sometimes referred to in this prospectus collectively
as the "Issuers" and individually as an "Issuer."
Unless
otherwise stated, the discussion in this prospectus of our business and
operations includes the business of CCH II and its direct and indirect
subsidiaries. The terms “we,” “us” and “our” refer to CCH II and its
direct and indirect subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
Our
Business
We
are among the largest providers of cable services in the United States,
offering a variety of entertainment, information and communications
solutions to residential and commercial customers. Our infrastructure
consists of a hybrid of fiber and coaxial cable plant passing
approximately 11.9 million homes, through which we offer our customers
traditional video cable programming, high-speed Internet access, advanced
broadband cable services (such as high definition television, OnDemandTM
(“OnDemand”) video programming, an interactive program guide and digital
video recorder, or digital video recorder (“DVR”) service) and telephone
service. See “Business -- Products and Services” for further
description of these terms and services.
As
of September 30, 2009, we served approximately 5.3 million
customers. We served approximately 4.9 million video customers,
of which approximately 65% were digital video customers. We
also served approximately 3.0 million high-speed Internet customers and we
provided telephone service to approximately 1.5 million
customers. We sell our cable video programming, high-speed
Internet and telephone services primarily on a subscription basis, often
in a bundle of two or more services, providing savings to our
customers. Approximately 56% of our customers subscribe to a
bundle of services.
Through
Charter Business®, we provide scalable, tailored broadband communications
solutions to business organizations, such as business-to-business Internet
access, data networking, fiber connectivity to cell towers, video and
music entertainment services and business telephone. As of
September 30, 2009, we served approximately 180,000 business customers,
including small- and medium-sized commercial customers.
Our
principal executive offices are located at Charter Plaza, 12405
Powerscourt Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63131. Our telephone number is
(314) 965-0555 and we have a website accessible at www.charter.com. The
information posted or linked on this website is not part of this
prospectus and you should rely solely on the information contained in this
prospectus and the related documents to which we refer herein when
deciding whether or not to tender your original notes in exchange for new
notes.
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Legal
Entity Structure
The
chart below sets forth our legal entity structure and that of our direct
and indirect parent companies and subsidiaries. This chart does not
include all of our affiliates and subsidiaries and, in some cases, we have
combined separate entities for presentation purposes. The equity
ownership, voting percentages and indebtedness amounts shown below are
approximations as of December 31, 2009 and do not give
effect to any exercise, conversion or exchange of then outstanding
options, preferred stock, convertible notes and other convertible or
exchangeable securities.
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(1)
CCH II, LLC (“CCH II”):
13.500%
senior notes due 2016 ($1.8 billion principal amount
outstanding)
Guarantee: None.
Security
Interest: None.
(2)
CCO Holdings, LLC (“CCO Holdings”):
8
¾% senior notes due November 15, 2013 ($800 million principal amount
outstanding)
CCO
Holdings Credit Facility ($350 million principal amount
outstanding)
Guarantee: None
Security Interest: The obligations of CCO Holdings
under the junior credit facility are secured by a junior lien on CCO
Holdings’ equity interest in Charter Communications Operating, LLC and all
proceeds of such equity interest, junior to the liens of the holders of
the notes listed under item (3) below.
(3)
Charter Communications Operating, LLC (“Charter Operating”):
8.000%
senior second-lien notes due April 30, 2012 ($1.1 billion principal amount
outstanding)
8.375%
senior second-lien notes due April 30, 2014 ($770 million principal amount
outstanding)
10.875%
senior second-lien notes due September 15, 2014 ($546 million principal
amount outstanding)
Charter
Operating Credit Facility ($8.2 billion principal amount
outstanding)
Guarantee: All
Charter Operating notes are guaranteed by CCO Holdings and those
subsidiaries of Charter Operating that are guarantors of, or otherwise
obligors with respect to, indebtedness under the Charter Operating credit
facilities. The Charter Operating Credit Facility is guaranteed
by CCO Holdings and certain subsidiaries of Charter
Operating.
Security
Interest: The Charter Operating notes and related note
guarantees are secured by a second-priority lien on substantially all of
Charter Operating’s and certain of its subsidiaries’ assets that secure
the obligations of Charter Operating or any subsidiary of Charter
Operating with respect to the Charter Operating senior secured credit
facilities. The Charter Operating Credit Facility is secured by
a first-priority lien on substantially all of the assets of Charter
Operating and its subsidiaries and a pledge by CCO Holdings of its equity
interests in Charter Operating.
RECENT
DEVELOPMENTS
On
March 27, 2009, we filed voluntary petitions in the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Bankruptcy
Court”), to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy
Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”). The Chapter 11 cases were jointly
administered under the caption In re Charter Communications, Inc., et al.,
Case No. 09-11435. We continued to operate our businesses and owned and
managed our properties as a debtor-in-possession under the jurisdiction of
the Bankruptcy Court in accordance with the applicable provisions of the
Bankruptcy Code until we emerged from protection under Chapter 11 of the
Bankruptcy Code on November 30, 2009.
On
May 7, 2009, we filed a Joint Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan") and a
related disclosure statement (the “Disclosure Statement”) with the
Bankruptcy Court. The Plan was confirmed by the Bankruptcy
Court on November 17, 2009, and became effective on November 30, 2009, the
date on which we emerged from protection under Chapter 11 of the
Bankruptcy Code.
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The Exchange Offer
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Original
Notes
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13.50%
Senior Notes due 2016, which we issued on November 30, 2009.
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New
Notes
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13.50%
Senior Notes due 2016, the issuance of which will be registered under the
Securities Act of 1933.
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Exchange
Offer
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We
are offering to issue registered new notes in exchange for a like
principal amount and like denomination of our original notes. We are
offering to issue these registered new notes to satisfy our obligations
under an exchange and registration rights agreement that we entered into
with the initial purchasers of the original notes when we sold the
original notes in a transaction that was exempt from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act as part of the Plan. You may tender
your original notes for exchange by following the procedures described
under the caption “The Exchange Offer.”
This
exchange offer is only being made for those original notes that were
issued pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
and which are indentified by CUSIP No. 12502C AT8.
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Tenders;
Expiration Date; Withdrawal
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The
exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on ______,
2010, which is within 21 business days after the exchange offer
registration statement is declared effective, unless we extend it. If you
decide to exchange your original notes for new notes, you must acknowledge
that you are not engaging in, and do not intend to engage in, a
distribution of the new notes. You may withdraw any original notes that
you tender for exchange at any time prior to the expiration of the
exchange offer. If we decide for any reason not to accept any original
notes you have tendered for exchange, those original notes will be
returned to you without cost promptly after the expiration or termination
of the exchange offer. See “The Exchange Offer — Terms of the Exchange
Offer” for a more complete description of the tender and withdrawal
provisions.
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Accrued
Interest on the New Notes and Original Notes
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The
new notes will bear interest from _______ (the date of the
last interest payment in respect of the original notes). Holders of
original notes that are accepted for exchange will be deemed to have
waived the right to receive any payment in respect of interest on such
original notes accrued to the date of issuance of the new
notes.
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Conditions
to the Exchange Offer
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The
exchange offer is subject to customary conditions, some of which we may
waive. See “The Exchange Offer — Conditions to the Exchange Offer” for a
description of the conditions. Other than the federal securities laws, we
are not subject to federal or state regulatory requirements in connection
with the exchange offer.
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Certain
Federal Income Tax Considerations
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The
exchange of outstanding notes for exchange notes in the exchange offer
will not be a taxable event for United States federal income tax purposes.
See “Important United States Federal Income Tax
Considerations.”
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Exchange
Agent
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The
Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, NA is serving as exchange
agent.
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Use
of Proceeds
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We
will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer.
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Consequences
of failure to
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Original
notes that are not tendered or that are tendered but not accepted
will
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exchange
your original notes
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continue
to be subject to the restrictions on transfer that are described in the
legend on those notes. In general, you may offer or sell your original
notes only if they are registered under, or offered or sold under an
exemption from, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.
Except in limited circumstances with respect to specific types of holders
of original notes, we, however, will have no further obligation to
register the original notes. If you do not participate in the exchange
offer, the liquidity of your original notes could be adversely
affected.
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Consequences
of exchanging your original notes
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Based
on interpretations of the staff of the SEC, we believe that you may offer
for resale, resell or otherwise transfer the new notes that we issue in
the exchange offer without complying with the registration and prospectus
delivery requirements of the Securities Act if you:
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· acquire
the new notes issued in the exchange offer in the ordinary course of your
business;
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· are
not participating, do not intend to participate, and have no arrangement
or undertaking with anyone to participate, in the distribution of the new
notes issued to you in the exchange offer, and
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· are
not an “affiliate” of our company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities
Act.
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If
any of these conditions is not satisfied and you transfer any new notes
issued to you in the exchange offer without delivering a proper prospectus
or without qualifying for a registration exemption, you may incur
liability under the Securities Act. We will not be responsible for or
indemnify you against any liability you may incur.
Any
broker-dealer that acquires new notes in the exchange offer for its own
account in exchange for outstanding notes which it acquired through
market-making or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will
deliver a prospectus when it resells or transfers any new notes issued in
the exchange offer. See “Plan of Distribution” for a description of the
prospectus delivery obligations of broker-dealers in the exchange
offer.
Summary
Terms of the New Notes
The
terms of the new notes we are issuing in this exchange offer and the terms
of the original notes of the same series are identical in all material
respects, except the new notes offered in the exchange offer:
· will
have been registered under the Securities Act;
· will
not contain transfer restrictions and registration rights that relate to
the outstanding notes; and
· will
not contain provisions relating to the payment of additional interest to
be made to the holders of
the outstanding notes under
circumstances related to the timing of the exchange offer.
A brief description of the material terms of the new notes
follows:
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CCH
II and CCH II Capital.
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$976,826,462 million aggregate
principal amount of 13.50% Senior Notes due 2016.
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Maturity
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Interest
Payment Dates
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February
15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on February 15,
2010.
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The
form and terms of the new notes will be the same as the form and terms of
the original notes except that:
· the
new notes have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and,
therefore, will not bear legends restricting their transfer;
and
· you
will not be entitled to any exchange or registration rights with respect
to the new notes and the new notes will not provide for additional
interest in connection with registration defaults.
The
new notes will evidence the same debt as the original notes. They will be
entitled to the benefits of the indenture governing the original notes and
will be treated under the indenture as a single class with the original
notes.
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Ranking
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The
new notes will be:
· our
senior unsecured securities;
· effectively
subordinated in right of payment to any of our secured indebtedness, to
the extent of the value of the assets securing such
indebtedness;
· equal
in right of payment to any future unsubordinated, unsecured
indebtedness;
· senior
in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness;
and
· structurally
subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade
payables) of our subsidiaries, including indebtedness under our
subsidiaries’ credit facilities and senior notes.
As
of September 30, 2009, the indebtedness of CCH II and its subsidiaries
reflected on our consolidated balance sheet totaled approximately $14.2
billion, and the new notes are structurally subordinated to approximately
$11.7 billion of that amount.
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The
new notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time on
or after November 30, 2012 at the redemption prices specified in this
prospectus under “Description of the Notes — Optional
Redemption.”
At
any time prior to November 30, 2012, we may, on one or more occasions,
redeem up to 35% of the new notes on a pro rata basis (or as nearly to pro
rata as practicable), at a redemption price of 113.50% of the principal
amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date,
with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that
(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes remain
outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding
original notes held by the Issuers and their Subsidiaries, and (2) the
redemption must occur within 60 days of the date of the closing of such
Equity Offering.
At
any time prior to November 30, 2012, the new notes may be redeemed, in
whole or in part, at our option upon no less than 30 nor more than 60
days’ prior notice at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal
amount of
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such
new notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the applicable
redemption date and a make-whole premium. See “Description of the Notes –
Optional Redemption.”
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Restrictive
Covenants |
The
indenture governing the new notes will, among other things, restrict our
ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries
to:
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· incur
additional debt;
· repurchase
or redeem equity interests and debt;
· issue
equity;
· make
certain investments or acquisitions;
· pay
dividends or make other distributions;
· dispose
of assets or merge;
· enter
into related party transactions; and
· grant
liens and pledge assets.
These
covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications as
described under “Description of the Notes — Certain Covenants,” including
provisions allowing us, as long as our leverage ratio is below 5.75 to
1.0, to incur additional indebtedness.
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Following
a Change of Control, as defined in “Description of the Notes — Certain
Definitions,” we will be required to offer to purchase all of the new
notes at a purchase price of 101% of their principal amount plus accrued
and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase thereof.
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For
a discussion of events that will permit acceleration of the payment of the
principal of and accrued interest on the new notes, see “Description of
Notes — Events of Default and Remedies.”
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Absence
of Established Markets for the Notes
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The
new notes are new issues of securities, and currently there are no markets
for them. We do not intend to apply for the new notes to be listed on any
securities exchange or to arrange for any quotation system to quote them.
Accordingly, we cannot assure you that liquid markets will develop for the
new notes.
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United
States Federal Income Tax Considerations
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For a discussion of
the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding the new notes, see
“Important United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.” |
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You
should carefully consider all of the information in this prospectus. In
particular, you should evaluate the information beginning on page 11 under
“Risk Factors” for a discussion of risks associated with an investment in
the new notes.
For
more complete information about the new notes, see the “Description of the
Notes” section of this prospectus.
10
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RISK
FACTORS
The new notes, like the
original notes, entail the following risks. You should carefully consider these
risk factors, as well as the other information contained in this prospectus,
before making a decision to continue your investment in the notes or to tender
your original notes in exchange for the new notes. In this
prospectus, when we refer to “notes,” we are referring to both the original
notes and the new notes.
Risks Related to Our Emergence From
Bankruptcy
Our actual
financial results may vary significantly from the projections filed with the
Bankruptcy Court.
In
connection with the Plan, Charter was required to prepare projected financial
information to demonstrate to the Bankruptcy Court the feasibility of the Plan
and our ability to continue operations upon emergence from
bankruptcy. Charter filed projected financial information with the
Bankruptcy Court most recently on May 7, 2009 and furnished it to the SEC, and
as part of the Disclosure Statement approved by the Bankruptcy
Court. The projections reflect numerous assumptions concerning
anticipated future performance and prevailing and anticipated market and
economic conditions that were and continue to be beyond our control and that may
not materialize. Projections are inherently subject to uncertainties
and to a wide variety of significant business, economic and competitive
risks. Our actual results will vary from those contemplated by the
projections for a variety of reasons, including the fact that, given our
emergence from bankruptcy, we have adopted the provisions of Financial
Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”)
852, Reorganizations (“ASC 852”), regarding fresh start
accounting. As indicated in the Disclosure Statement, the projections
did not apply fresh start accounting provisions and as a result, variations from
the projections may be material. The projections have not been
incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and neither the projections nor
any version of the Disclosure Statement should be considered or relied upon in
connection with the notes offered hereby.
Because our
consolidated financial statements will reflect fresh start accounting
adjustments made upon emergence from bankruptcy, and because of the effects of
the transactions that became effective pursuant to the Plan, financial
information in our future financial statements will not be comparable to our
financial information from prior periods.
Upon
our emergence from bankruptcy, we adopted fresh start accounting in accordance
with ASC 852, pursuant to which our reorganization value, which represents the
fair value of the entity before considering liabilities and approximates the
amount a willing buyer would pay for the assets of the entity immediately after
the reorganization, will be allocated to the fair value of assets and
liabilities, other than deferred taxes, in conformity with ASC 805, Business
Combinations. The amount remaining after allocation of the
reorganization value to the fair value of identified tangible and intangible
assets will be reflected as goodwill, which is subject to periodic evaluation
for impairment. In addition, under fresh start accounting the
accumulated deficit will be eliminated. In addition to fresh start
accounting, our consolidated financial statements will reflect all effects of
the transactions contemplated by the Plan. Thus, our future
statements of financial position and statements of operations data will not be
comparable in many respects to our consolidated statements of financial position
and consolidated statements of operations data for periods prior to our adoption
of fresh start accounting and prior to accounting for the effects of the
reorganization.
Risks Related to the Exchange Offer
and the New Notes
There is currently no public market
for the new notes, and an active trading market may not develop for the new
notes. The failure of a market to develop for the new notes could adversely
affect the liquidity and value of the new notes.
The new
notes will be new securities for which there is currently no public
market. Further, we do not intend to apply for listing of the new
notes, on any securities exchange or for quotation of the new notes on any
automated dealer quotation system. Accordingly, notwithstanding any existing
market for the notes, a market may not develop for the new notes, and if a
market does develop, it may not be sufficiently liquid for your purposes. If an
active,
liquid market does not develop for the new notes, the market price and liquidity
of the new notes may be adversely affected.
The
liquidity of the trading market, if any, and future trading prices of the new
notes will depend on many factors, including, among other things, prevailing
interest rates, our operating results, financial performance and prospects, the
market for similar securities and the overall securities market, and may be
adversely affected by unfavorable changes in these factors. The market for the
new notes may be subject to disruptions that could have a negative effect on the
holders of the new notes, regardless of our operating results, financial
performance or prospects.
We may not have the ability to raise
the funds necessary to fulfill our obligations under the new notes following a
change of control, which would place us in default under the indenture governing
the new notes.
Under the
indenture governing the new notes, upon the occurrence of specified change of
control events, we will be required to offer to repurchase all of the
outstanding new notes. However, we may not have sufficient funds at the time of
the change of control event to make the required repurchases of the new notes.
In addition, a change of control would require the repayment of borrowings under
credit facilities and publicly held debt of our subsidiaries. Our failure to
make or complete an offer to repurchase the new notes would place us in default
under the indentures governing the new notes.
If we do not fulfill our obligations
to you under the new notes, you will not have any recourse against our parent
entities, any of our shareholders or their affiliates.
None of
our direct or indirect equity holders, directors, officers, employees or
affiliates, including, without limitation, Charter and Charter Communications
Holding Company, LLC ("Charter Holdco"), are an obligor or guarantor under the
new notes or the original notes. The indentures governing the new
notes and original notes expressly provide that these parties will not have any
liability for our obligations under the new notes or the original notes or the
indentures governing these notes. By accepting the new notes, you
waive and release all such liability as consideration for issuance of the new
notes. If we do not fulfill our obligations to you under the new
notes, you will have no recourse against any of our direct or indirect equity
holders, directors, officers, employees or affiliates including, without
limitation, Charter and Charter Holdco.
If you do not exchange your original
notes for new notes, you will continue to have restrictions on your ability to
resell them.
The
original notes were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the
securities laws of any state and may not be resold, offered for resale or
otherwise transferred unless they are subsequently registered or resold pursuant
to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933
and applicable state securities laws. If you do not exchange your original notes
for new notes pursuant to the exchange offers, you will not be able to resell,
offer to resell or otherwise transfer the original notes unless they are
registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or unless you resell them, offer to
resell them or otherwise transfer them under an exemption from the registration
requirements of, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act of 1933.
In addition, once the exchange offers have terminated, we will no longer be
under an obligation to register the original notes under the Securities Act of
1933 except in the limited circumstances provided in the exchange and
registration rights agreement. In addition, to the extent that original notes
are tendered for exchange and accepted in the exchange offers, any trading
market for the untendered and tendered but unaccepted original notes could be
adversely affected.
Risks
Related to Our Significant Indebtedness
We
have a significant amount of debt, and we and our parent companies may incur
significant additional debt, including secured debt, in the future, which could
adversely affect our and our parent companies’ financial health and our and
their ability to react to changes in our business.
As of
September 30, 2009, our total debt was approximately $14.2
billion. We initiated a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding on March 27,
2009 and consummated the Plan on November 30, 2009 resulting in a
reduction
in the principal amount of our debt of $708 million and elimination of our
parent companies’ debt in the principal amount of approximately $7.5
billion. However, we continue to have a significant amount of debt
and may (subject to applicable restrictions in our debt instruments) incur
additional debt in the future.
Because
of our significant indebtedness, our and our parent companies’ ability to raise
additional capital at reasonable rates, or at all, is uncertain, and our and our
parent companies’ ability to make distributions or payments to our and their
respective parent companies is subject to availability of funds and restrictions
under our applicable debt instruments and under applicable
law.
Our
significant amount of debt could have other important consequences. For
example, the debt will or could:
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require
us to dedicate a significant portion of our cash flow from operating
activities to make payments on our debt, reducing our funds available for
working capital, capital expenditures, and other general corporate
expenses;
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limit
our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business,
the cable and telecommunications industries, and the economy at
large;
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place
us at a disadvantage compared to our competitors that have proportionately
less debt;
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make
us vulnerable to interest rate increases, because as of September 30,
2009, approximately 60% of our borrowings are, and may continue to be,
subject to variable rates of
interest;
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expose
us to increased interest expense to the extent we refinance existing debt
with higher cost debt;
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adversely
affect our relationship with customers and
suppliers;
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limit
our and our parent companies’ ability to borrow additional funds in the
future, or to access financing at the necessary level of the capital
structure, due to applicable financial and restrictive covenants in our
debt;
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make
it more difficult for us and our parent companies to obtain financing
given the deterioration of general economic
conditions;
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make
it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations to the holders of our
notes and for us to satisfy our obligations to the lenders under our
credit facilities; and
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limit
future increases in the value, or cause a decline in the value of
Charter’s equity, which could limit Charter’s ability to raise additional
capital by issuing equity.
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A default
by us under our debt obligations could result in the acceleration of those
obligations, which in turn could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements
governing our long-term indebtedness. In addition, the secured
lenders under the Charter Operating credit facilities, the holders of the
Charter Operating senior second-lien notes and the secured lenders under the CCO
Holdings credit facility could foreclose on the collateral, which includes
equity interests in certain of our subsidiaries, and exercise other rights of
secured creditors. Any default under our debt could adversely affect
our growth, our financial condition, our results of operations and our ability
to make payments on our debt. We and our parent companies may incur
significant additional debt in the future. If current debt amounts
increase, the related risks that we now face will intensify.
The
agreements and instruments governing our debt contain restrictions and
limitations that could significantly affect our ability to operate our business,
as well as significantly affect our liquidity.
Our
credit facilities and the indentures governing our debt contain a number of
significant covenants that could adversely affect our ability to operate our
business, as well as significantly affect our liquidity, and therefore
could adversely affect our results
of operations. These covenants restrict, among other things, our ability
to:
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repurchase
or redeem equity interests and
debt;
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make
certain investments or
acquisitions;
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pay
dividends or make other
distributions;
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dispose
of assets or merge;
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enter
into related party transactions;
and
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grant
liens and pledge assets.
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The
breach of any covenants or obligations in our indentures or credit facilities,
not otherwise waived or amended, could result in a default under the applicable
debt obligations and could trigger acceleration of those obligations, which in
turn could trigger cross defaults under other agreements governing our long-term
indebtedness. In addition, the secured lenders under the Charter Operating
credit facilities, the holders of the Charter Operating senior second-lien notes
and the secured lenders under the CCO Holdings credit facility could foreclose
on their collateral, which includes equity interests in our subsidiaries, and
exercise other rights of secured creditors. Any default under those credit
facilities or the indentures governing our debt could adversely affect our
growth, our financial condition, our results of operations and our ability to
make payments on our notes and our credit facilities, and could force us to
seek the protection of the bankruptcy laws.
We
depend on generating (and having available to the applicable obligor) sufficient
cash flow to fund our debt obligations, capital expenditures, and ongoing
operations. Our access to additional financing may be limited, which could
adversely affect our financial condition and our ability to conduct our
business.
We are
dependent on our cash on hand and cash flows from operating activities to fund
our debt obligations, capital expenditures and ongoing
operations. Our ability to service our debt and to fund our planned
capital expenditures and ongoing operations will depend on our ability to
generate and grow cash flow and our and our parent companies’ access (by
dividend or otherwise) to additional liquidity sources. Our ability to
generate and grow cash flow is dependent on many factors,
including:
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the
impact of competition from other distributors, including but not limited
to incumbent telephone companies, direct broadcast satellite operators,
wireless broadband providers and DSL
providers;
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difficulties
in growing and operating our telephone services, while adequately meeting
customer expectations for the reliability of voice
services;
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our
ability to adequately meet demand for installations and customer
service;
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our
ability to sustain and grow revenues and cash flows from operating
activities by offering video, high-speed Internet, telephone and other
services, and to maintain and grow our customer base, particularly in the
face of increasingly aggressive
competition;
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our
ability to obtain programming at reasonable prices or to adequately raise
prices to offset the effects of higher programming
costs;
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general
business conditions, economic uncertainty or downturn, including the
significant downturn in the housing sector and overall economy;
and
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the
effects of governmental regulation on our
business.
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Some of
these factors are beyond our control. It is also difficult to assess
the impact that the general economic downturn will have on future operations and
financial results. The general economic downturn has resulted in
reduced spending by customers and advertisers, which has impacted our revenues
and our cash flows from operating activities from those that otherwise would
have been generated. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash
flow or we and our parent companies are unable to access additional liquidity
sources, we and our parent companies may not be able to service and repay our
debt, operate our business, respond to competitive challenges, or fund our and
our parent companies’ other liquidity and capital needs. It is
uncertain whether we will be able, under applicable law and restrictions in our
subsidiaries’ debt instruments, to make distributions or otherwise move cash to
the relevant entities for payment of interest and principal. See
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Limitations on Distributions” and
“–Because of our holding company structure, our outstanding notes are
structurally subordinated in right of payment to all liabilities of our
subsidiaries. Restrictions in our debt instruments and under
applicable law limit their ability to provide funds to us or our various debt
issuers.”
Because
of our holding company structure, our outstanding notes are structurally
subordinated in right of payment to all liabilities of our subsidiaries.
Restrictions in our subsidiaries’ debt instruments and under applicable law
limit their ability to provide funds to us or our various debt
issuers.
Our
primary assets are our equity interests in our subsidiaries. Our operating
subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and are not obligated to
make funds available to us for payments on our notes or other obligations in the
form of loans, distributions, or otherwise. Charter Operating’s and
CCO Holdings’ ability to make distributions to us or the applicable debt issuers
to service debt obligations is subject to their compliance with the terms of
their credit facilities and indentures, and restrictions under applicable
law. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Limitations on
Distributions” and “— Summary of Restrictive Covenants of Our High Yield Notes –
Restrictions on Distributions.” Under the Delaware Limited Liability
Company Act, we and our subsidiaries may only make distributions if the relevant
entity has “surplus” as defined in the act. Under fraudulent transfer
laws, we and our subsidiaries may not pay dividends if the relevant entity is
insolvent or are rendered insolvent thereby. The measures of insolvency
for purposes of these fraudulent transfer laws vary depending upon the law
applied in any proceeding to determine whether a fraudulent transfer has
occurred. Generally, however, an entity would be considered insolvent
if:
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the
sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, was greater than the
fair saleable value of all its
assets;
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the
present fair saleable value of its assets was less than the amount that
would be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts,
including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and mature;
or
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it
could not pay its debts as they became
due.
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While we
believe that our relevant subsidiaries currently have surplus and are not
insolvent, there can otherwise be no assurance that these subsidiaries will not
become insolvent or will be permitted to make distributions in the future in
compliance with these restrictions in amounts needed to service our
indebtedness. Our direct or indirect subsidiaries include the borrowers
under the CCO Holdings credit facility and the borrowers and guarantors under
the Charter Operating credit facilities. Charter Operating is also an
obligor and guarantor under senior second-lien notes and CCO Holdings is an
obligor under senior notes. As of September 30, 2009, our total debt was
approximately $14.2 billion, of which approximately $11.7 billion was
structurally senior to the CCH II notes.
In the
event of bankruptcy, liquidation, or dissolution of one or more of our
subsidiaries, that subsidiary's assets would first be applied to satisfy its own
obligations, and following such payments, such subsidiary may not have
sufficient assets remaining to make payments to its parent company as an equity
holder or otherwise. In that event:
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the
lenders under CCO Holdings’ credit facility and Charter Operating's credit
facilities and senior second-lien notes, whose interests are secured by
substantially all of our operating assets, and all holders of other
debt of CCO Holdings and Charter Operating, will have the right to be paid
in full before us from any of our subsidiaries' assets;
and
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the
holders of preferred membership interests in our subsidiary, CC VIII, LLC
(“CC VIII”), would have a claim on a portion of its assets that may reduce
the amounts available for repayment to holders of our outstanding
notes.
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All
of our outstanding debt is subject to change of control provisions. We and
our parent companies may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to
fulfill our obligations under our indebtedness following a change of control,
which would place us in default under the applicable debt
instruments.
We and
our parent companies may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to
fulfill our obligations under our notes and our credit facilities following a
change of control. Under the indentures governing our notes, upon the
occurrence of specified change of control events, the applicable note issuer is
required to offer to repurchase all of its outstanding notes. However, we
may not have sufficient access to funds at the time of the change of
control event to make the required repurchase of the applicable notes, and all
of the notes issuers are limited in their ability to make distributions or other
payments to their respective parent company to fund any required
repurchase. In addition, a change of control under the Charter Operating
credit facilities would result in a default under those credit facilities.
Because such credit facilities and the CCO Holdings and Charter Operating
notes are obligations of our subsidiary, the credit facilities and the CCO
Holdings and Charter Operating notes would have to be repaid by CCO Holdings and
Charter Operating, respectively, before their assets could be available to us to
repurchase our notes. Any failure to make or complete a change of
control offer would place the applicable issuer or borrower in default under its
notes. The failure of our subsidiaries to make a change of control offer
or repay the amounts accelerated under their notes and credit facilities would
place them in default.
None
of Charter’s shareholders are obligated to purchase equity from, contribute to,
or loan funds to us or any of our parent companies.
Charter
has shareholders with significant ownership in its equity, and as a result of
such ownership, several of these shareholders have exercised their right to
appoint members of Charter’s board of directors. None of Charter’s
shareholders nor any of its affiliates are obligated to purchase equity from,
contribute to, or loan funds to us or any of our parent companies.
Risks
Related to Our Business
We
operate in a very competitive business environment, which affects our ability to
attract and retain customers and can adversely affect our business and
operations.
The
industry in which we operate is highly competitive and has become more so in
recent years. In some instances, we compete against companies with
fewer regulatory burdens, easier access to financing, greater personnel
resources, greater resources for marketing, greater and more favorable brand
name recognition, and long-established relationships with regulatory authorities
and customers. Increasing consolidation in the cable industry and the
repeal of certain ownership rules have provided additional benefits to certain
of our competitors, either through access to financing, resources, or
efficiencies of scale.
Our
principal competitors for video services throughout our territory are DBS
providers. The two largest DBS providers are DirecTV and
Echostar. Competition from DBS, including intensive marketing efforts
with aggressive pricing, exclusive programming and increased high definition
broadcasting has had an adverse impact on our ability to retain customers. DBS
has grown rapidly over the last several years. DBS companies have
also recently announced plans and technical actions to expand their activities
in the multiple dwelling unit (“MDU”)
market. The
cable industry, including us, has lost a significant number of video customers
to DBS competition, and we face serious challenges in this area in the
future.
Telephone
companies, including two major telephone companies, AT&T and Verizon, and
utility companies can offer video and other services in competition with us, and
we expect they will increasingly do so in the future. Upgraded
portions of these networks carry two-way video and data services (DSL and
FiOS) and digital voice services that are similar to ours. In
the case of Verizon, high-speed data services (FiOS) operate at speeds as high
as or higher than ours. These services are offered at prices similar to
those for comparable Charter services. Based on our internal
estimates, we believe that AT&T and Verizon are offering these services in
areas serving approximately 24% to 28% of our estimated homes passed as of
September 30, 2009 and we have experienced increased customer losses in these
areas. AT&T and Verizon have also launched campaigns to capture more
of the MDU market. Additional upgrades and product launches are
expected in markets in which we operate. With respect to our Internet
access services, we face competition, including intensive marketing efforts and
aggressive pricing, from telephone companies and other providers of
DSL. DSL service is competitive with high-speed Internet service and
is often offered at prices lower than our Internet services, although often at
speeds lower than the speeds we offer. In addition, in many of our
markets, these companies have entered into co-marketing arrangements with DBS
providers to offer service bundles combining video services provided by a DBS
provider with DSL and traditional telephone and wireless services offered by the
telephone companies and their affiliates. These service bundles
substantially resemble our bundles. Moreover, as we expand our
telephone offerings, we will face considerable competition from established
telephone companies and other carriers.
The
existence of more than one cable system operating in the same territory is
referred to as an overbuild. Overbuilds could adversely affect our
growth, financial condition, and results of operations, by creating or
increasing competition. Based on internal estimates and excluding
telephone companies, as of September 30, 2009, we are aware of traditional
overbuild situations impacting approximately 8% to 9% of our estimated homes
passed, and potential traditional overbuild situations in areas servicing
approximately an additional 1% of our estimated homes
passed. Additional overbuild situations may occur in other
systems.
In order
to attract new customers, from time to time we make promotional offers,
including offers of temporarily reduced price or free service. These
promotional programs result in significant advertising, programming and
operating expenses, and also may require us to make capital expenditures to
acquire and install customer premise equipment. Customers who
subscribe to our services as a result of these offerings may not remain
customers following the end of the promotional period. A failure to
retain customers could have a material adverse effect on our
business.
Mergers,
joint ventures, and alliances among franchised, wireless, or private cable
operators, DBS providers, local exchange carriers, and others, may provide
additional benefits to some of our competitors, either through access to
financing, resources, or efficiencies of scale, or the ability to provide
multiple services in direct competition with us.
In
addition to the various competitive factors discussed above, our business is
subject to risks relating to increasing competition for the leisure and
entertainment time of consumers. Our business competes with all other sources of
entertainment and information delivery, including broadcast television, movies,
live events, radio broadcasts, home video products, console games, print media,
and the Internet. Technological advancements, such as
video-on-demand, new video formats, and Internet streaming and downloading, have
increased the number of entertainment and information delivery choices available
to consumers, and intensified the challenges posed by audience fragmentation.
The increasing number of choices available to audiences could also negatively
impact advertisers’ willingness to purchase advertising from us, as well as the
price they are willing to pay for advertising. If we do not respond
appropriately to further increases in the leisure and entertainment choices
available to consumers, our competitive position could deteriorate, and our
financial results could suffer.
We cannot
assure you that the services we provide will allow us to compete
effectively. Additionally, as we expand our offerings to include
other telecommunications services, and to introduce new and enhanced services,
we will be subject to competition from other providers of the services we
offer. The impacts of competition to our revenue growth in 2009 along
with its expected impact to future revenue growth contributed to the preliminary
franchise impairment charge of $2.9 billion incurred in the third quarter of
2009. Competition may further reduce
our expected
growth of future cash flows and additional impairments may occur. We
cannot predict the extent to which competition may affect our business and
results of operations.
Economic
conditions in the United States may adversely impact the growth of our
business.
We
believe that the weakening economic conditions in the United States, including a
continued downturn in the housing market over the past year and increases in
unemployment, have adversely affected consumer demand for our services,
especially premium services, and have contributed to an increase in the number
of homes that replace their traditional telephone service with wireless service
thereby impacting the growth of our telephone business and also had a negative
impact on our advertising revenue. These conditions have affected our
net customer additions and revenue growth during the first three quarters of
2009, all of which contributed to the preliminary franchise impairment charge of
$2.9 billion incurred in the third quarter of 2009. If these
conditions do not improve, we believe the growth of our business and results of
operations will be adversely affected.
We
may not have the ability to reduce the high growth rates of, or pass on to our
customers, our increasing programming costs, which would adversely affect our
cash flow and operating margins.
Programming
has been, and is expected to continue to be, our largest operating expense
item. In recent years, the cable industry has experienced a rapid
escalation in the cost of programming. We expect programming costs to
continue to increase, and at a higher rate than in 2009, because of a variety of
factors including amounts paid for retransmission consent, annual increases
imposed by programmers and additional programming, including high definition and
OnDemand programming, being provided to customers. The inability to fully
pass these programming cost increases on to our customers has had an adverse
impact on our cash flow and operating margins associated with the video
product. We have programming contracts that have expired and others that
will expire at or before the end of 2010. There can be no assurance
that these agreements will be renewed on favorable or comparable terms. To
the extent that we are unable to reach agreement with certain programmers on
terms that we believe are reasonable we may be forced to remove such programming
channels from our line-up, which could result in a further loss of
customers.
Increased
demands by owners of some broadcast stations for carriage of other services or
payments to those broadcasters for retransmission consent are likely to further
increase our programming costs. Federal law allows commercial
television broadcast stations to make an election between “must-carry” rights
and an alternative “retransmission-consent” regime. When a station
opts for the latter, cable operators are not allowed to carry the station’s
signal without the station’s permission. In some cases, we carry
stations under short-term arrangements while we attempt to negotiate new
long-term retransmission agreements. If negotiations with these
programmers prove unsuccessful, they could require us to cease carrying their
signals, possibly for an indefinite period. Any loss of stations
could make our video service less attractive to customers, which could result in
less subscription and advertising revenue. In retransmission-consent
negotiations, broadcasters often condition consent with respect to one station
on carriage of one or more other stations or programming services in which they
or their affiliates have an interest. Carriage of these other
services, as well as increased fees for retransmission rights, may increase our
programming expenses and diminish the amount of capacity we have available to
introduce new services, which could have an adverse effect on our business and
financial results.
We
face risks inherent in our telephone business.
We may
encounter unforeseen difficulties as we increase the scale of our telephone
service offerings. First, we face heightened customer expectations for the
reliability of telephone services as compared with our video and high-speed data
services. We have undertaken significant training of customer service
representatives and technicians, and we will continue to need a highly trained
workforce. If the service is not sufficiently reliable or we otherwise
fail to meet customer expectations, our telephone business could be adversely
affected. Second, the competitive landscape for telephone services is intense;
we face competition from providers of Internet telephone services, as well as
incumbent telephone companies. Further, we face increasing
competition for residential telephone services as more consumers in the United
States are replacing traditional telephone service with wireless
service. All of this may limit our ability to grow our telephone
service. Third, we depend on interconnection and related services
provided by certain third parties. As a result, our ability to implement
changes as the service grows may be limited. Finally, we expect advances
in communications technology, as well as changes in the marketplace
and the regulatory and
legislative environment. Consequently, we are unable to predict the effect that
ongoing or future developments in these areas might have on our telephone
business and operations.
Our
inability to respond to technological developments and meet customer demand for
new products and services could limit our ability to compete
effectively.
Our
business is characterized by rapid technological change and the introduction of
new products and services, some of which are bandwidth-intensive. We
cannot assure you that we will be able to fund the capital expenditures
necessary to keep pace with technological developments, or that we will
successfully anticipate the demand of our customers for products and services
requiring new technology or bandwidth beyond our expectations. Our
inability to maintain and expand our upgraded systems and provide advanced
services in a timely manner, or to anticipate the demands of the marketplace,
could materially adversely affect our ability to attract and retain customers.
Consequently, our growth, financial condition and results of operations
could suffer materially.
Our
exposure to the credit risks of our customers, vendors and third parties could
adversely affect our cash flow, results of operations and financial
condition.
We are
exposed to risks associated with the potential financial instability of our
customers, many of whom have been adversely affected by the general economic
downturn. Dramatic declines in the housing market over the past year,
including falling home prices and increasing foreclosures, together with
significant increases in unemployment, have severely affected consumer
confidence and caused increased delinquencies or cancellations by our customers
or lead to unfavorable changes in the mix of products purchased. The
general economic downturn has also affected advertising sales, as companies seek
to reduce expenditures and conserve cash. These events have adversely
affected, and may continue to adversely affect, our cash flow, results of
operations and financial condition.
In
addition, we are susceptible to risks associated with the potential financial
instability of the vendors and third parties on which we rely to provide
products and services or to which we delegate certain functions. The
same economic conditions that may affect our customers, as well as volatility
and disruption in the capital and credit markets, also could adversely affect
vendors and third parties and lead to significant increases in prices, reduction
in output or the bankruptcy of our vendors or third parties upon which we
rely. Any interruption in the services provided by our vendors or by
third parties could adversely affect our cash flow, results of operation and
financial condition.
We
depend on third party service providers, suppliers and licensors;
thus, if we are unable to procure the necessary services, equipment,
software or licenses on reasonable terms and on a timely basis, our ability to
offer services could be impaired, and our growth, operations, business,
financial results and financial condition could be materially adversely
affected.
We depend
on third party service providers, suppliers and licensors to supply some of the
services, hardware, software and operational support necessary to provide some
of our services. We obtain these materials from a limited number of
vendors, some of which do not have a long operating history or which may not be
able to continue to supply the equipment and services we desire. Some of
our hardware, software and operational support vendors, and service
providers represent our sole source of supply or have, either through contract
or as a result of intellectual property rights, a position of some exclusivity.
If demand exceeds these vendors’ capacity or if these vendors experience
operating or financial difficulties, or are otherwise unable to provide the
equipment or services we need in a timely manner and at reasonable prices, our
ability to provide some services might be materially adversely affected, or the
need to procure or develop alternative sources of the affected materials or
services might delay our ability to serve our customers. These events
could materially and adversely affect our ability to retain and attract
customers, and have a material negative impact on our operations, business,
financial results and financial condition. A limited number of vendors of
key technologies can lead to less product innovation and higher costs. For
these reasons, we generally endeavor to establish alternative vendors for
materials we consider critical, but may not be able to establish these
relationships or be able to obtain required materials on favorable
terms.
In that
regard, we currently purchase set-top boxes from a limited number of
vendors, because each of our cable systems use one or two proprietary
conditional access security schemes, which allows us to regulate subscriber
access to
some services, such as premium channels. We believe that the proprietary
nature of these conditional access schemes makes other manufacturers reluctant
to produce set-top boxes. Future innovation in set-top boxes may be
restricted until these issues are resolved. In addition, we believe that
the general lack of compatibility among set-top box operating systems has slowed
the industry’s development and deployment of digital set-top box
applications.
Malicious
and abusive Internet practices could impair our high-speed Internet
services.
Our
high-speed Internet customers utilize our network to access the Internet and, as
a consequence, we or they may become victim to common malicious and abusive
Internet activities, such as peer-to-peer file sharing, unsolicited mass
advertising (i.e., “spam”) and dissemination of viruses, worms, and other
destructive or disruptive software. These activities could have adverse
consequences on our network and our customers, including degradation of service,
excessive call volume to call centers, and damage to our or our customers'
equipment and data. Significant incidents could lead to customer
dissatisfaction and, ultimately, loss of customers or revenue, in addition to
increased costs to service our customers and protect our network. Any
significant loss of high-speed Internet customers or revenue, or significant
increase in costs of serving those customers, could adversely affect our growth,
financial condition and results of operations.
For
tax purposes, Charter experienced a deemed ownership change upon emergence from
Chapter 11 bankruptcy, resulting in a material limitation on Charter’s future
ability to use a substantial amount of Charter’s existing net operating loss
carryforwards. Charter could experience another deemed ownership
change in the future that could further limit Charter’s ability to use its net
operating loss carryforwards.
As of
September 30, 2009, Charter had approximately $8.9 billion of federal tax net
operating losses, resulting in a gross deferred tax asset of approximately $3.1
billion, expiring in the years 2009 through 2028. In addition, as of
September 30, 2009, Charter had state tax net operating losses, resulting in a
gross deferred tax asset (net of federal tax benefit) of approximately $331
million, generally expiring in years 2009 through 2028. Due to
uncertainties in projected future taxable income, valuation allowances have been
established against the gross deferred tax assets for book accounting purposes,
except for deferred benefits available to offset certain deferred tax
liabilities. Such tax net operating losses can accumulate and be used
to offset Charter’s future taxable income. The consummation of the Plan
generated an “ownership change” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), upon emergence from Chapter
11. As a result, Charter is subject to significant annual limitations
on the use of its net operating losses. Further, Charter’s net
operating loss carryforwards have been reduced by the amount of any cancellation
of debt income resulting from the Plan that was allocable to
Charter. The limitation on Charter’s ability to use its net operating
losses, in conjunction with the net operating loss expiration provisions,
reduces its ability to use a significant portion of Charter’s net operating
losses to offset any future taxable income which may result in Charter being
required to make material cash tax payments. Charter’s ability to
make such income tax payments, if any, will depend at such time on its liquidity
or its ability to raise additional capital, and/or on receipt of payments or
distributions from Charter Holdco and its subsidiaries, including
us.
If
Charter were to experience a second ownership change following its emergence
from Chapter 11, its ability to use its net operating losses could become
subject to further limitations. In accordance with the Plan,
Charter’s common stock is subject to certain transfer restrictions contained in
Charter’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation. These
restrictions are designed to minimize the likelihood of any potential adverse
federal income tax consequences resulting from an ownership change; however,
these restrictions may not prevent an ownership change from
occurring. These restrictions, which are designed to minimize the
likelihood of an ownership change occurring and thereby preserve Charter’s
ability to utilize its NOLs, are not currently operative but could become
operative in the future if certain events occur and the restrictions are imposed
by Charter’s board of directors. However, there can be no assurance
that Charter’s board of directors would choose to impose these restrictions or
that such restrictions, if imposed, would prevent an ownership change from
occurring.
If
we are unable to attract new key employees, the ability of our parent company to
manage our business could be adversely affected.
The
operational results of the Company during the recent prolonged economic downturn
and the
Company's
bankruptcy have depended, and our future results will depend, upon the retention
and continued performance of the Company's management team. Our
parent companies' ability to hire new key employees for management positions
could be impacted adversely by the competitive environment for management talent
in the telecommunications industry. The loss of the services of key
members of management and the inability to hire new key employees could
adversely affect our parent companies' ability to manage our business and our
future operational and financial results.
Risks Related to Ownership Positions
of Charter’s Principal Shareholders
The
failure by Paul G. Allen to maintain a minimum voting interest in us could
trigger a change of control default under our subsidiary's credit
facilities.
The
Charter Operating credit facilities provide that the failure by (a) Mr. Allen,
(b) his estate, spouse, immediate family members and heirs and (c) any trust,
corporation, partnership or other entity, the beneficiaries, stockholders,
partners or other owners of which consist exclusively of Mr. Allen or such other
persons referred to in (b) above or a combination thereof to maintain a 35%
direct or indirect voting interest in the applicable borrower would result in a
change of control default. Such a default could result in the acceleration
of repayment of our and our subsidiary's indebtedness, including borrowings
under the Charter Operating credit facilities.
Pursuant
to the Plan, on November 30, 2009, Charter, Charter Investment, Inc. (“CII”) and
Mr. Allen entered into a lock up agreement (the “Lock-Up Agreement”) pursuant to
which Mr. Allen and any permitted affiliate of Mr. Allen that will hold shares
of New Class B Stock, from and after the Effective Date to, but not including,
the earliest to occur of (i) September 15, 2014, (ii) the repayment,
replacement, refinancing or substantial modification, including any waiver, to
the change of control provisions of the CCO Credit Facility and (iii) a Change
of Control (as defined in the Lock-Up Agreement), Mr. Allen and/or any such
permitted affiliate shall not transfer or sell shares of New Class B Stock
received by such person under the Plan or convert shares of New Class B Stock
received by such person under the Plan into New Class A Stock except to Mr.
Allen and/or such permitted affiliates.
Mr.
Allen maintains a substantial voting interest in us and may have interests
that conflict with the interests of the holders of our notes; Charter’s
principal stockholders, other than Mr. Allen, own a significant amount of
Charter’s common stock, giving them influence over corporate transactions and
other matters.
As of
December 31, 2009, Mr. Allen beneficially owned approximately 40% of the
voting power of the capital stock of our manager, Charter, and he has the right
to elect four of Charter’s eleven board members. Mr. Allen thus has
the ability to influence fundamental corporate transactions requiring equity
holder approval, including, but not limited to, the election of Charter’s
directors, approval of merger transactions involving Charter and the sale of all
or substantially all of Charter’s assets. Charter’s other principal
stockholders have appointed members to Charter’s board of directors in
accordance with the Plan, including Messrs. Zinterhofer and Glatt who are
employees of Apollo and Mr. Karsh who is the president of Oaktree Capital
Management, L.P. Funds affiliated with AP Charter Holdings, L.P.
beneficially hold 31% of the Class A Common Stock of Charter representing 20% of
the vote. Oaktree Opportunities Investments, L.P. and certain
affiliated funds beneficially hold 18% of the Class A Common Stock of Charter
representing 11% of the vote. Funds advised by Franklin Advisers, Inc.
beneficially hold 19% of the Class A Common Stock of Charter representing 12% of
the vote. Charter’s principal stockholders may be able to exercise
substantial influence over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including
the election of directors and approval of significant corporate action, such as
mergers and other business combination transactions should these stockholders
retain a significant ownership interest in us. If two or more of
these stockholders vote their shares in the same manner, their combined stock
ownership may effectively give them the power to elect our entire board of
directors and control our management, operations and
affairs.
Charter’s
principal stockholders are not restricted from investing in, and have invested
in, and engaged in, other businesses involving or related to the operation of
cable television systems, video programming, high-speed Internet service,
telephone or business and financial transactions conducted through broadband
interactivity and Internet services. The principal stockholders may also
engage in other businesses that compete or may in the future compete with
us.
The
principal stockholders’ substantial influence over our management and affairs
could create conflicts of interest if any of them were faced with decisions that
could have different implications for them, us and the holders of our
notes. Current and future agreements between us and either Charter’s
principal stockholders or their affiliates may not be the result of arm's-length
negotiations. Consequently, such agreements may be less favorable to us
than agreements
that we could otherwise have entered into with unaffiliated third
parties.
Risks
Related to Regulatory and Legislative Matters
Our
business is subject to extensive governmental legislation and regulation, which
could adversely affect our business.
Regulation
of the cable industry has increased cable operators' operational and
administrative expenses and limited their revenues. Cable operators are
subject to, among other things:
·
|
rules
governing the provision of cable equipment and compatibility with new
digital technologies;
|
·
|
rules
and regulations relating to subscriber and employee
privacy;
|
·
|
limited
rate regulation;
|
·
|
rules
governing the copyright royalties that must be paid for retransmitting
broadcast signals;
|
·
|
requirements
governing when a cable system must carry a particular broadcast station
and when it must first obtain consent to carry a broadcast
station;
|
·
|
requirements
governing the provision of channel capacity to unaffiliated commercial
leased access programmers;
|
·
|
rules
limiting our ability to enter into exclusive agreements with multiple
dwelling unit complexes and control our inside
wiring;
|
·
|
rules,
regulations, and regulatory policies relating to provision of voice
communications and high-speed Internet
service;
|
·
|
rules
for franchise renewals and transfers;
and
|
·
|
other
requirements covering a variety of operational areas such as equal
employment opportunity, technical standards, and customer service
requirements.
|
Additionally,
many aspects of these regulations are currently the subject of judicial
proceedings and administrative or legislative proposals. There are also
ongoing efforts to amend or expand the federal, state, and local regulation of
some of our cable systems, which may compound the regulatory risks we already
face, and proposals that might make it easier for our employees to unionize.
Certain states and localities are considering new cable and
telecommunications taxes that could increase operating expenses.
Our
cable system franchises are subject to non-renewal or termination. The failure
to renew a franchise in one or more key markets could adversely affect our
business.
Our cable
systems generally operate pursuant to franchises, permits, and similar
authorizations issued by a state or local governmental authority controlling the
public rights-of-way. Many franchises establish comprehensive facilities
and service requirements, as well as specific customer service standards and
monetary penalties for non-compliance. In many cases, franchises are
terminable if the franchisee fails to comply with significant provisions set
forth in the franchise agreement governing system operations. Franchises
are generally granted for fixed terms and must be periodically
renewed. Franchising authorities may resist granting a renewal if
either past performance or the prospective operating proposal is considered
inadequate. Franchise authorities often demand concessions or
other
commitments as a condition to renewal. In some instances, local franchises
have not been renewed at expiration, and we have operated and are operating
under either temporary operating agreements or without a franchise while
negotiating renewal terms with the local franchising authorities.
Approximately 6% of our franchises, covering approximately 7% of our video
customers, were expired as of September 30, 2009. Approximately
1% of additional franchises, covering approximately an additional 1% of our
video customers, expired on or before December 31, 2009.
The
traditional cable franchising regime is currently undergoing significant change
as a result of various federal and state actions. Some of the new state
franchising laws do not allow us to immediately opt into statewide franchising
until (i) we have completed the term of the local franchise, in good standing,
(ii) a competitor has entered the market, or (iii) in limited instances, where
the local franchise allows the state franchise license to apply. In many
cases, state franchising laws, and their varying application to us and new video
providers, will result in less franchise imposed requirements for our
competitors who are new entrants than for us until we are able to opt into the
applicable state franchise.
We cannot
assure you that we will be able to comply with all significant provisions of our
franchise agreements and certain of our franchisors have from time to time
alleged that we have not complied with these agreements. Additionally,
although historically we have renewed our franchises without incurring
significant costs, we cannot assure you that we will be able to renew, or to
renew as favorably, our franchises in the future. A termination of or a
sustained failure to renew a franchise in one or more key markets could
adversely affect our business in the affected geographic area.
Our
cable system franchises are non-exclusive. Accordingly, local and state
franchising authorities can grant additional franchises and create competition
in market areas where none existed previously, resulting in overbuilds, which
could adversely affect results of operations.
Our cable
system franchises are non-exclusive. Consequently, local and state
franchising authorities can grant additional franchises to competitors in the
same geographic area or operate their own cable systems. In some
cases, local government entities and municipal utilities may legally compete
with us without obtaining a franchise from the local franchising
authority. In addition, certain telephone companies are seeking
authority to operate in communities without first obtaining a local franchise.
As a result, competing operators may build systems in areas in which we
hold franchises.
In a
series of recent rulemakings, the FCC adopted new rules that streamline entry
for new competitors (particularly those affiliated with telephone companies) and
reduce franchising burdens for these new entrants. At the same time,
a substantial number of states recently have adopted new franchising
laws. Again, these new laws were principally designed to streamline
entry for new competitors, and they often provide advantages for these new
entrants that are not immediately available to existing operators. As
a result of these new franchising laws and regulations, we have seen an increase
in the number of competitive cable franchises or operating certificates being
issued, and we anticipate that trend to continue.
Local
franchise authorities have the ability to impose additional regulatory
constraints on our business, which could further increase our
expenses.
In
addition to the franchise agreement, cable authorities in some jurisdictions
have adopted cable regulatory ordinances that further regulate the operation of
cable systems. This additional regulation increases the cost of operating
our business. We cannot assure you that the local franchising authorities
will not impose new and more restrictive requirements. Local franchising
authorities who are certified to regulate rates in the communities where they
operate generally have the power to reduce rates and order refunds on the rates
charged for basic service and equipment.
Further
regulation of the cable industry could cause us to delay or cancel service or
programming enhancements, or impair our ability to raise rates to cover our
increasing costs, resulting in increased losses.
Currently,
rate regulation is strictly limited to the basic service tier and associated
equipment and installation activities. However, the FCC and Congress
continue to be concerned that cable rate increases are
exceeding inflation.
It is possible that either the FCC or Congress will further restrict the
ability of cable system operators to implement rate increases. Should this
occur, it would impede our ability to raise our rates. If we are unable to
raise our rates in response to increasing costs, our losses would
increase.
There has
been legislative and regulatory interest in requiring cable operators to offer
historically bundled programming services on an á la carte basis, or to at least
offer a separately available child-friendly “family tier.” It is possible
that new marketing restrictions could be adopted in the future. Such
restrictions could adversely affect our operations.
Actions
by pole owners might subject us to significantly increased pole attachment
costs.
Pole
attachments are cable wires that are attached to utility poles. Cable
system attachments to public utility poles historically have been regulated at
the federal or state level, generally resulting in favorable pole attachment
rates for attachments used to provide cable service. The FCC
previously determined that the lower cable rate was applicable to the mixed use
of a pole attachment for the provision of both cable and Internet access
services. However, in late 2007, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
in which it “tentatively concludes” that this approach should be
modified. The change could affect the pole attachment rates we pay
when we offer either data or voice services over our broadband
facility. Any changes in the FCC approach could result in a
substantial increase in our pole attachment costs.
Increasing
regulation of our Internet service product adversely affect our ability to
provide new products and services.
There has
been continued advocacy by certain Internet content providers and consumer
groups for new federal laws or regulations to adopt so-called “net neutrality”
principles limiting the ability of broadband network owners (like us) to manage
and control their own networks. In August 2005, the FCC issued a
nonbinding policy statement identifying four principles to guide its
policymaking regarding high-speed Internet and related
services. These principles provide that consumers are entitled
to: (i) access lawful Internet content of their choice; (ii) run
applications and services of their choice, subject to the needs of law
enforcement; (iii) connect their choice of legal devices that do not harm the
network; and (iv) enjoy competition among network providers, application and
service providers, and content providers. In August 2008, the FCC
issued an order concerning one Internet network management practice in use by
another cable operator, effectively treating the four principles as rules and
ordering a change in network management practices. This decision is
on appeal. In October 2009, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking seeking additional comment on draft rules to codify these principles
and to consider further network neutrality requirements. This Rulemaking
and additional proposals for new legislation could impose additional obligations
on high-speed Internet providers. Any such rules or statutes could
limit our ability to manage our cable systems (including use for other
services), to obtain value for use of our cable systems and respond to
competitive competitions.
Changes
in channel carriage regulations could impose significant additional costs on
us.
Cable
operators also face significant regulation of their channel
carriage. We can be required to devote substantial capacity to the
carriage of programming that we might not carry voluntarily, including certain
local broadcast signals; local public, educational and government access (“PEG”)
programming; and unaffiliated, commercial leased access programming (required
channel capacity for use by persons unaffiliated with the cable operator who
desire to distribute programming over a cable system). The FCC
adopted a transition plan in 2007 addressing the cable industry’s broadcast
carriage obligations once the broadcast industry migration from analog to
digital transmission is completed, which occurred in June 2009. Under
the FCC’s transition plan, most cable systems will be required to offer both an
analog and digital version of local broadcast signals for three years after the
digital transition date which occurred on June 12, 2009. This burden
could increase further if we are required to carry multiple programming streams
included within a single digital broadcast transmission (multicast carriage) or
if our broadcast carriage obligations are otherwise expanded. The FCC
also adopted new commercial leased access rules which dramatically reduce the
rate we can charge for leasing this capacity and dramatically increase our
associated administrative burdens. These regulatory changes could
disrupt existing programming commitments, interfere with our preferred use of
limited channel capacity, and limit our ability to offer services that would
maximize our revenue potential. It is possible that other legal
restraints will be adopted limiting our discretion over
programming
decisions.
Offering
voice communications service may subject us to additional regulatory burdens,
causing us to incur additional costs.
We offer
voice communications services over our broadband network and continue to develop
and deploy voice over Internet protocol (“VoIP”) services. The FCC has
declared that certain VoIP services are not subject to traditional state public
utility regulation. The full extent of the FCC preemption of state and
local regulation of VoIP services is not yet clear. Expanding our offering of
these services may require us to obtain certain authorizations, including
federal and state licenses. We may not be able to obtain such
authorizations in a timely manner, or conditions could be imposed upon such
licenses or authorizations that may not be favorable to us. The FCC has
extended certain traditional telecommunications requirements, such as E911,
Universal Service fund collection, CALEA, Customer Proprietary Network
Information and telephone relay requirements to many VoIP providers such as us.
Telecommunications companies generally are subject to other significant
regulation which could also be extended to VoIP providers. If additional
telecommunications regulations are applied to our VoIP service, it could cause
us to incur additional costs.
SELECTED
HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The
following tables present summary financial and other data for CCH II and its
subsidiaries and has been derived from the audited consolidated financial
statements of CCH II and its subsidiaries for the five years ended
December 31, 2008 and the unaudited consolidated financial statements of
CCH II and its subsidiaries for the nine months ended September 30, 2008
and 2009. The following information should be read in conjunction with
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations,” and the historical consolidated financial statements and related
notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.
The
following table presents selected consolidated financial data for the periods
indicated (dollars in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statement
of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
4,760 |
|
|
$ |
5,033 |
|
|
$ |
5,504 |
|
|
$ |
6,002 |
|
|
$ |
6,479 |
|
|
$ |
4,823 |
|
|
$ |
5,045 |
|
Operating
income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
(1,942 |
) |
|
$ |
304 |
|
|
$ |
367 |
|
|
$ |
548 |
|
|
$ |
(614 |
) |
|
$ |
643 |
|
|
$ |
(1,956 |
) |
Interest
expense, net
|
|
$ |
(726 |
) |
|
$ |
(858 |
) |
|
$ |
(975 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,014 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,064 |
) |
|
$ |
(783 |
) |
|
$ |
(682 |
) |
Loss
from continuing operations before
income
taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
$ |
(2,597 |
) |
|
$ |
(455 |
) |
|
$ |
(633 |
) |
|
$ |
(568 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,763 |
) |
|
$ |
(147 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,108 |
) |
Net
loss
|
|
$ |
(3,506 |
) |
|
$ |
(425 |
) |
|
$ |
(402 |
) |
|
$ |
(588 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,723 |
) |
|
$ |
(153 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,960 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
Sheet Data (end of period):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment
in cable properties
|
|
$ |
15,988 |
|
|
$ |
15,626 |
|
|
$ |
14,404 |
|
|
$ |
14,014 |
|
|
$ |
12,343 |
|
|
$ |
13,967 |
|
|
$ |
9,317 |
|
Total
assets
|
|
$ |
16,979 |
|
|
$ |
16,101 |
|
|
$ |
14,854 |
|
|
$ |
14,470 |
|
|
$ |
13,764 |
|
|
$ |
15,032 |
|
|
$ |
10,840 |
|
Total
debt (including debt subject to compromise)
|
|
$ |
9,895 |
|
|
$ |
10,624 |
|
|
$ |
11,062 |
|
|
$ |
12,311 |
|
|
$ |
14,244 |
|
|
$ |
13,509 |
|
|
$ |
14,181 |
|
Loans
payable – related party
|
|
$ |
29 |
|
|
$ |
22 |
|
|
$ |
108 |
|
|
$ |
123 |
|
|
$ |
13 |
|
|
$ |
115 |
|
|
$ |
13 |
|
Temporary
equity (b)
|
|
$ |
197 |
|
|
$ |
188 |
|
|
$ |
192 |
|
|
$ |
199 |
|
|
$ |
203 |
|
|
$ |
204 |
|
|
$ |
179 |
|
Noncontrolling
interest (c)
|
|
$ |
459 |
|
|
$ |
434 |
|
|
$ |
449 |
|
|
$ |
464 |
|
|
$ |
473 |
|
|
$ |
477 |
|
|
$ |
417 |
|
Members’
equity (deficit)
|
|
$ |
4,913 |
|
|
$ |
3,402 |
|
|
$ |
1,553 |
|
|
$ |
(368 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,090 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,009 |
) |
|
$ |
(6,013 |
) |
(a)
|
In
2006, we sold certain cable television systems in West Virginia and
Virginia to Cebridge Connections, Inc. We determined that the
West Virginia and Virginia cable systems comprise operations and cash
flows that for financial reporting purposes meet the criteria for
discontinued operations. Accordingly, the results of operations
for the West Virginia and Virginia cable systems have been presented as
discontinued operations, net of tax, for the year ended December 31, 2006
and all prior periods presented herein have been reclassified to conform
to the current presentation.
|
(b)
|
Temporary
equity represents Mr. Allen’s previous 5.6% preferred membership interests
in our indirect subsidiary, CC VIII. Mr. Allen’s CC VIII interest is
classified as temporary equity as a result of Mr. Allen’s previous ability
to put his interest to the Company upon a change in control. Mr.
Allen has subsequently transferred his CC VIII interest to Charter
pursuant to the Plan.
|
(c)
|
Noncontrolling
interest represents CCH I’s 13% membership interests in CC
VIII.
|
Comparability
of the above information from year to year is affected by acquisitions and
dispositions completed by us. See Note 4 to our accompanying December
31, 2008 consolidated financial statements and “Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in this
prospectus.
Upon
application of fresh start accounting in accordance with ASC 852, we will adjust
our assets and liabilities to reflect fair value. This adjustment
will be material.
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Unless otherwise stated, the terms
“we,” “us” and “our” used in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations” refer to CCH II and its direct
and indirect subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
Reference
is made to “Risk Factors” and “Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements,” which describe important factors that could cause actual results to
differ from expectations and non-historical information contained herein. In
addition, the following discussion should be read in conjunction with the
audited consolidated financial statements of CCH II and subsidiaries as of and
for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 and the unaudited
consolidated financial statements of CCH II and its subsidiaries as of and for
the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
Overview
We are a
broadband communications company operating in the United States with
approximately 5.3 million customers at September 30, 2009. CCH II is
a holding company whose principal assets at September 30, 2009 are the equity
interests in its operating subsidiaries. CCH II is a direct
subsidiary of CCH I, which is an indirect subsidiary of Charter
Holdings. Charter Holdings is an indirect subsidiary of Charter. We
offer our customers traditional cable video programming (basic and digital,
which we refer to as "video" service), high-speed Internet access, and telephone
services, as well as advanced broadband services (such as OnDemand, high
definition television service and DVR). See " Business — Products and
Services" for further description of these services, including
"customers."
Approximately
88% and 86% of our revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and the
year ended December 31, 2008, respectively, are attributable to monthly
subscription fees charged to customers for our video, high-speed Internet,
telephone, and commercial services provided by our cable
systems. Generally, these customer subscriptions may be discontinued
by the customer at any time. The remaining 12% and 14% of revenue for
the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and the year ended December 31,
2008, respectively, is derived primarily from advertising revenues, franchise
fee revenues (which are collected by us but then paid to local franchising
authorities), pay-per-view and OnDemand programming (where users are charged a
fee for individual programs viewed), installation or reconnection fees charged
to customers to commence or reinstate service, and commissions related to the
sale of merchandise by home shopping services.
The cable
industry's and our most significant competitive challenges stem from DBS
providers and DSL service providers. Telephone companies either
offer, or are making upgrades of their networks that will allow them to offer,
services that provide features and functions similar to our video, high-speed
Internet, and telephone services, and they also offer them in bundles similar to
ours. See “Business — Competition.” We believe that
competition from DBS and telephone companies has resulted in net video customer
losses. In addition, we face increasingly limited opportunities to
upgrade our video customer base to a new video product now that approximately
65% of our video customers subscribe to our digital video
service. These factors have contributed to decreased growth rates for
digital video customers. Similarly, competition from high-speed
Internet providers along with increasing penetration of high-speed Internet
service in homes with computers has resulted in decreased growth rates for
high-speed Internet customers. In the recent past, we have grown
revenues by offsetting video customer losses with price increases and sales of
incremental services such as high-speed Internet, OnDemand, DVR, high definition
television, and telephone. We expect to continue to grow revenues
through price increases and high-speed Internet upgrades, increases in the
number of our customers who purchase bundled services including high-speed
Internet and telephone, and through sales of incremental services including
wireless networking, high definition television, OnDemand, and DVR
services. In addition, we expect to increase revenues by expanding
the sales of our services to our commercial customers. However, we
cannot assure you that we will be able to grow revenues at historical rates, if
at all. We believe that the weakening economic conditions in the
United States, including a continued downturn in the housing market over the
past year and increases in unemployment, and continued competition have
adversely affected consumer demand for our services, especially premium
services, and have contributed to an increase in the number of homes that
replace their traditional telephone service with wireless service thereby
impacting the growth of our telephone business and also had a negative impact on
our advertising revenue. These
conditions
have affected our net customer additions and revenue growth during the first
three quarters of 2009, all of which contributed to the preliminary franchise
impairment charge of $2.9 billion incurred in the third quarter of 2009.
If these conditions do not improve, we believe the growth of our business and
results of operations will be adversely affected and additional impairments may
occur.
Our
expenses primarily consist of operating costs, selling, general and
administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization expense, impairment of
franchise intangibles and interest expense. Operating costs primarily
include programming costs, the cost of our workforce, cable service related
expenses, advertising sales costs and franchise fees. Selling,
general and administrative expenses primarily include salaries and benefits,
rent expense, billing costs, call center costs, internal network costs, bad debt
expense, and property taxes. We control our costs of operations by
maintaining strict controls on expenses. More specifically, we are
focused on managing our cost structure by improving workforce productivity, and
leveraging our scale, and increasing the effectiveness of our purchasing
activities.
For the
nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, our loss from operations was $2.0
billion and our income from operations was $643 million,
respectively. We had negative operating margins of 39% for the nine
months ended September 30, 2009, and positive operating margin of 13% for the
nine months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease in income from
operations and operating margins for the nine months ended September 30, 2009
compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was principally due to
impairment of franchises incurred during the third quarter of 2009 offset by
increased sales of our bundled services, improved cost efficiencies and
favorable litigation settlements in 2009. For the year ended
December 31, 2008, our operating loss from continuing operations was $614
million and for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, income from
continuing operations was $548 million and $367 million,
respectively. We had a negative operating margin (defined as
operating loss from continuing operations divided by revenues) of 9% for the
year ended December 31, 2008 and positive operating margins (defined as
operating income from continuing operations divided by revenues) of 9% and 7%
for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. For the
year ended December 31, 2008, the operating loss from continuing operations and
negative operating margin is principally due to impairment of franchises
incurred during the fourth quarter of 2008. The improvement in
operating income from continuing operations in 2007 as compared to 2006 and
positive operating margin for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 is
principally due to increased sales of our bundled services and improved cost
efficiencies.
We have a
history of net losses. Our net losses are principally attributable to
insufficient revenue to cover the combination of operating expenses and interest
expenses we incur because of our debt, impairment of franchises and depreciation
expenses resulting from the capital investments we have made and continue to
make in our cable properties.
Beginning
in 2004 and continuing through 2009, we sold several cable systems to divest
geographically non-strategic assets and allow for more efficient operations,
while also reducing debt and increasing our liquidity. In 2006, 2007,
2008, and through nine months of 2009, we closed the sale of certain cable
systems representing a total of approximately 390,300, 85,100, 14,100, and
13,200 video customers, respectively. As a result of these sales we
have improved our geographic footprint by reducing our number of headends,
increasing the number of customers per headend, and reducing the number of
states in which the majority of our customers reside. We also made
certain geographically strategic acquisitions in 2006 and 2007, adding 17,600
and 25,500 video customers, respectively.
In 2006,
we determined that the West Virginia and Virginia cable systems, which were part
of the system sales disclosed above, comprised operations and cash flows that
for financial reporting purposes met the criteria for discontinued
operations. Accordingly, the results of operations for the West
Virginia and Virginia cable systems (including a gain on sale of approximately
$200 million recorded in the third quarter of 2006), have been presented as
discontinued operations, net of tax, for the year ended December 31,
2006.
Critical Accounting Policies and
Estimates
Certain
of our accounting policies require our management to make difficult, subjective
or complex judgments. Management has discussed these policies with the Audit
Committee of Charter’s board of directors (the “Audit Committee”), and the Audit
Committee has reviewed the following disclosure. We consider the
following policies to be the most critical in understanding the estimates,
assumptions and judgments that are involved in preparing our
financial
statements, and the uncertainties that could affect our results of operations,
financial condition and cash flows:
·
|
capitalization
of labor and overhead costs;
|
·
|
useful
lives of property, plant and
equipment;
|
·
|
impairment
of property, plant, and equipment, franchises, and
goodwill;
|
In
addition, there are other items within our financial statements that require
estimates or judgment that are not deemed critical, such as the allowance for
doubtful accounts and valuations of our derivative instruments, but changes in
estimates or judgment in these other items could also have a material impact on
our financial statements.
Capitalization of
labor and overhead costs. The cable industry is capital
intensive, and a large portion of our resources are spent on capital activities
associated with extending, rebuilding, and upgrading our cable
network. As of September 30, 2009, December 31, 2008 and 2007,
the net carrying amount of our property, plant and equipment (consisting
primarily of cable network assets) was approximately $4.8 billion (representing
44% of total assets), $5.0 billion (representing 36% of total assets) and $5.1
billion (representing 35% of total assets), respectively. Total
capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and the years
ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 were approximately $819 million,
$1.2 billion, $1.2 billion, and $1.1 billion, respectively. Effective
December 1, 2009, we will apply fresh start accounting in accordance with ASC
852, which requires assets and liabilities to be reflected at fair value. Upon
application of fresh start accounting, we will adjust our property, plant and
equipment to reflect fair value. We expect these fresh start
adjustments will result in material increases to total property, plant and
equipment.
Costs
associated with network construction, initial customer installations (including
initial installations of new or advanced services), installation refurbishments,
and the addition of network equipment necessary to provide new or advanced
services, are capitalized. While our capitalization is based on
specific activities, once capitalized, we track these costs by fixed asset
category at the cable system level, and not on a specific asset
basis. For assets that are sold or retired, we remove the estimated
applicable cost and accumulated depreciation. Costs capitalized as
part of initial customer installations include materials, direct labor, and
certain indirect costs. These indirect costs are associated with the
activities of personnel who assist in connecting and activating the new service,
and consist of compensation and overhead costs associated with these support
functions. The costs of disconnecting service at a customer’s
dwelling or reconnecting service to a previously installed dwelling are charged
to operating expense in the period incurred. As our service offerings
mature and our reconnect activity increases, our capitalizable installations
will continue to decrease and therefore our service expenses will
increase. Costs for repairs and maintenance are charged to operating
expense as incurred, while equipment replacement, including replacement of
certain components, and betterments, including replacement of cable drops from
the pole to the dwelling, are capitalized.
We make
judgments regarding the installation and construction activities to be
capitalized. We capitalize direct labor and overhead using standards
developed from actual costs and applicable operational data. We
calculate standards annually (or more frequently if circumstances dictate) for
items such as the labor rates, overhead rates, and the actual amount of time
required to perform a capitalizable activity. For example, the
standard amounts of time required to perform capitalizable activities are based
on studies of the time required to perform such activities. Overhead
rates are established based on an analysis of the nature of costs incurred in
support of capitalizable activities, and a determination of the portion of costs
that is directly attributable to capitalizable activities. The impact
of changes that resulted from these studies were not material in the periods
presented.
Labor
costs directly associated with capital projects are
capitalized. Capitalizable activities performed in connection with
customer installations include such activities as:
·
|
Dispatching
a “truck roll” to the customer’s dwelling for service
connection;
|
·
|
Verification
of serviceability to the customer’s dwelling (i.e., determining whether
the customer’s dwelling is capable of receiving service by our cable
network and/or receiving advanced or Internet
services);
|
·
|
Customer
premise activities performed by in-house field technicians and third-party
contractors in connection with customer installations, installation of
network equipment in connection with the installation of expanded
services, and equipment replacement and betterment;
and
|
·
|
Verifying
the integrity of the customer’s network connection by initiating test
signals downstream from the headend to the customer’s digital set-top
box.
|
Judgment
is required to determine the extent to which overhead costs incurred result from
specific capital activities, and therefore should be capitalized. The
primary costs that are included in the determination of the overhead rate are
(i) employee benefits and payroll taxes associated with capitalized direct
labor, (ii) direct variable costs associated with capitalizable activities,
consisting primarily of installation and construction vehicle costs,
(iii) the cost of support personnel, such as dispatchers, who directly
assist with capitalizable installation activities, and (iv) indirect costs
directly attributable to capitalizable activities.
While we
believe our existing capitalization policies are appropriate, a significant
change in the nature or extent of our system activities could affect
management’s judgment about the extent to which we should capitalize direct
labor or overhead in the future. We monitor the appropriateness of
our capitalization policies, and perform updates to our internal studies on an
ongoing basis to determine whether facts or circumstances warrant a change to
our capitalization policies. We capitalized internal direct labor and
overhead of $153 million, $199 million, $194 million, and $204 million,
respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006.
Useful lives of
property, plant and equipment. We evaluate the appropriateness
of estimated useful lives assigned to our property, plant and equipment, based
on annual analyses of such useful lives, and revise such lives to the extent
warranted by changing facts and circumstances. Any changes in
estimated useful lives as a result of these analyses are reflected prospectively
beginning in the period in which the study is completed. Our analysis
completed in the fourth quarter of 2007 indicated changes in the useful lives of
certain of our property, plant, and equipment based on technological changes in
our plant. As a result, depreciation expense decreased in 2008 by
approximately $81 million. The impact of such changes to our results
in 2007 was not material. Our analysis of useful lives in 2008 did
not indicate a change in useful lives. The effect of a one-year
decrease in the weighted average remaining useful life of our property, plant
and equipment would be an increase in depreciation expense for the year ended
December 31, 2008 of approximately $356 million. The effect of a
one-year increase in the weighted average remaining useful life of our property,
plant and equipment would be a decrease in depreciation expense for the year
ended December 31, 2008 of approximately $244 million.
Depreciation
expense related to property, plant and equipment totaled $971 million, $1.3
billion, $1.3 billion, and $1.4 billion for the nine months ended September 30,
2009 and for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively,
representing approximately 14%, 18%, 24%, and 26% of costs and expenses for the
nine months ended September 30, 2009 and the years ended December 31, 2008,
2007, and 2006, respectively. Depreciation is recorded using the
straight-line composite method over management’s estimate of the estimated
useful lives of the related assets as listed below:
Cable
distribution systems
|
7-20
years
|
Customer
equipment and installations
|
3-5
years
|
Vehicles
and equipment
|
1-5
years
|
Buildings
and leasehold improvements
|
5-15
years
|
Furniture,
fixtures and equipment
|
5
years
|
Impairment of
property, plant and equipment, franchises, goodwill and other intangible
assets. As discussed above, the net carrying value of our
property, plant and equipment is significant. We also have recorded a
significant amount of cost related to franchises, pursuant to which we are
granted the right to operate our cable distribution network throughout our
service areas. The net carrying value of franchises as of September
30, 2009
and
December 31, 2008 and 2007 was approximately $4.5 billion (representing 42% of
total assets), $7.4 billion (representing 54% of total assets), and $8.9 billion
(representing 62% of total assets), respectively. Furthermore, our
noncurrent assets included approximately $68 million of goodwill as of
September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 and $67 million of goodwill as of
December 31, 2007.
ASC 350,
Intangibles – Goodwill and
Other (“ASC 350”), requires that franchise
intangible assets that meet specified indefinite-life criteria must be tested
for impairment annually, or more frequently as warranted by events or changes in
circumstances. In determining whether our franchises have an
indefinite-life, we considered the likelihood of franchise renewals, the
expected costs of franchise renewals, and the technological state of the
associated cable systems, with a view to whether or not we are in compliance
with any technology upgrading requirements specified in a franchise
agreement. We have concluded that as of September 30, 2009, December
31, 2008 and 2007 substantially all of our franchises qualify for
indefinite-life treatment under ASC 350.
Costs
associated with franchise renewals are amortized on a straight-line basis over
10 years, which represents management’s best estimate of the average term of the
franchises. Franchise amortization expense for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 and the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was
approximately $1 million, $2 million, $3 million, and $2 million,
respectively. Other intangible assets amortization expense for the
nine months ended September 30, 2009 and the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007
and 2006 was approximately $5 million, $5 million, $4 million, and $4
million, respectively.
ASC 360,
Property, Plant, Plant and
Equipment (“ASC 360”) , requires that we evaluate the recoverability of
our property, plant and equipment upon the occurrence of events or changes in
circumstances indicating that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable. Such events or changes in circumstances could include
such factors as the impairment of our indefinite-life franchises under ASC 350,
changes in technological advances, fluctuations in the fair value of such
assets, adverse changes in relationships with local franchise authorities,
adverse changes in market conditions, or a deterioration of current or expected
future operating results. Under ASC 360, a long-lived asset is deemed
impaired when the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the projected
undiscounted future cash flows associated with the asset. No
impairments of long-lived assets to be held and used were recorded in the nine
months ended September 30, 2009 and years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and
2006. However, approximately $56 million and $159 million of
impairment on assets held for sale were recorded for the years ended December
31, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
We are
required to evaluate the recoverability of our indefinite-life franchises, as
well as goodwill, on an annual basis or more frequently as deemed necessary.
Under ASC 350, if an asset is determined to be impaired, it is required to be
written down to its estimated fair value as determined in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
(“GAAP”). We determine estimated fair value utilizing an income
approach model based on the present value of the estimated future cash flows
assuming a discount rate. This approach makes use of unobservable factors such
as projected revenues, expenses, capital expenditures, and a discount rate
applied to the estimated cash flows. The determination of the discount rate is
based on a weighted average cost of capital approach, which uses a market
participant’s cost of equity and after-tax cost of debt and reflects the risks
inherent in the cash flows.
Franchises
are aggregated into essentially inseparable asset groups to conduct the
valuations. The asset groups generally represent geographic
clustering of our cable systems into groups by which such systems are
managed. Management believes that such groupings represent the
highest and best use of those assets.
Franchises,
for ASC 350 valuation purposes, are defined as the future economic benefits of
the right to solicit and service potential customers (customer marketing
rights), and the right to deploy and market new services (service marketing
rights). Fair value is determined based on the discrete estimated
discounted future cash flows of each unit of accounting using assumptions
consistent with internal forecasts. The franchise after-tax cash flow
is calculated as the after-tax cash flow generated by the potential customers
obtained (less the anticipated customer churn) and the new services added to
those customers in future periods. The sum of the present value of
the franchises’ after-tax cash flow in years 1 through 10 and the continuing
value of the after-tax cash flow beyond year 10 yields the fair value of the
franchise.
Customer
relationships, for ASC 350 valuation purposes, represent the value of the
business relationship with our existing customers (less the anticipated customer
churn), and are calculated by projecting future after-tax cash flows from these
customers, including the right to deploy and market additional services to these
customers. The present value of these after-tax cash flows yields the
fair value of the customer relationships. Substantially all our
acquisitions occurred prior to January 1, 2002. We did not
record any value associated with the customer relationship intangibles related
to those acquisitions. For acquisitions subsequent to January 1,
2002, we did assign a value to the customer relationship intangible, which is
amortized over its estimated useful life. Effective December 1, 2009,
we will apply fresh start accounting in accordance with ASC 852 and as such will
adjust our customer relationships to reflect fair value and will also establish
any previously unrecorded intangible assets at their fair values. As
such we expect the value of customer relationships to materially increase from
that recorded at September 30, 2009.
Our ASC
350 valuations, which are based on the present value of projected after tax cash
flows, result in a value of property, plant and equipment, franchises, customer
relationships, and our total entity value. The value of goodwill is
the difference between the total entity value and amounts assigned to the other
assets. Effective December 1, 2009, we will apply fresh start
accounting in accordance with ASC 852 and as such will adjust our goodwill to
reflect fair value. We expect the value of our goodwill to materially increase
from that recorded at September 30, 2009.
The use
of different valuation assumptions or definitions of franchises or customer
relationships, such as our inclusion of the value of selling additional services
to our current customers within customer relationships versus franchises, could
significantly impact our valuations and any resulting impairment.
As a
result of the continued economic pressure on our customers from the recent
economic downturn along with increased competition, we determined that our
projected future growth would be lower than previously anticipated in our annual
impairment testing in December 2008. Accordingly, we determined that
sufficient indicators existed to require us to perform an interim franchise
impairment analysis as of September 30, 2009. We determined that an
impairment of franchises is probable and can be reasonably
estimated. Accordingly, for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, we
recorded a preliminary non-cash franchise impairment charge of $2.9 billion
which represents our best estimate of the impairment of our franchise assets.
We currently
expect to finalize our franchise impairment analysis during the quarter ended
December 31, 2009, which could result in an impairment charge that differs from
the estimate.
We
completed our impairment assessment as of December 31, 2008 upon completion of
our 2009 budgeting process. Largely driven by the impact of the current economic
downturn along with increased competition, we lowered our projected revenue and
expense growth rates, and accordingly revised our estimates of future cash flows
as compared to those used in prior valuations. As a result, we recorded
$1.5 billion of impairment for the year ended December 31, 2008. We
recorded $178 million of impairment for the year ended December 31,
2007.
We
estimated discounted future cash flows using reasonable and appropriate
assumptions including among others, penetration rates for basic and digital
video, high-speed Internet, and telephone; revenue growth rates; and expected
operating margins and capital expenditures. The assumptions are
derived based on our and our peers’ historical operating performance adjusted
for current and expected competitive and economic factors surrounding the cable
industry. The estimates and assumptions made in our valuations are
inherently subject to significant uncertainties, many of which are beyond our
control, and there is no assurance that these results can be achieved. The
primary assumptions for which there is a reasonable possibility of the
occurrence of a variation that would significantly affect the measurement value
include the assumptions regarding revenue growth, programming expense growth
rates, the amount and timing of capital expenditures and the discount rate
utilized. The assumptions used are consistent with internal
forecasts, some of which differ from the assumptions used for the annual
impairment testing in December 2008 as a result of the economic and
competitive environment discussed previously. The change in
assumptions reflects the lower than anticipated growth in revenues experienced
during the first three quarters of 2009 and the expected reduction of future
cash flows as compared to those used in the December 2008
valuations.
While
economic conditions applicable at the time of the valuations indicate the
combination of assumptions utilized in the valuations are reasonable, as market
conditions change so will the assumptions, with a resulting impact on the
valuations
and consequently the impairment charge. At September 30, 2009, a 10%
and 5% decline in the estimated fair value of our franchise assets in each of
our units of accounting would have increased our impairment charge by
approximately $446 million and $223 million, respectively. A 10% and
5% increase in the estimated fair value of our franchise assets in each of our
units of accounting would have reduced our impairment charge by approximately
$446 million and $223 million, respectively.
Income Taxes.
All operations are held through Charter Holdco and its direct and
indirect subsidiaries. Charter Holdco and the majority of its
subsidiaries are generally limited liability companies that are not subject to
income tax. However, certain of these limited liability companies are
subject to state income tax. In addition, the subsidiaries that are
corporations are subject to federal and state income tax. All of the
remaining taxable income, gains, losses, deductions and credits of Charter
Holdco are passed through to its members: Charter, CII, and Vulcan Cable III
Inc. (“Vulcan Cable”). Charter is responsible for its share of
taxable income or loss of Charter Holdco allocated to it in accordance with the
Charter Holdco limited liability company agreement (“LLC Agreement”) and
partnership tax rules and regulations.
Prior to
Charter’s emergence from bankruptcy, the LLC Agreement provided for certain
special allocations of net tax profits and net tax losses (such net tax profits
and net tax losses being determined under the applicable federal income tax
rules for determining capital accounts). Under the LLC Agreement,
through the end of 2003, net tax losses of Charter Holdco that would otherwise
have been allocated to Charter based generally on its percentage ownership of
outstanding common units were allocated instead to membership units held by
Vulcan Cable and CII (the “Special Loss Allocations”) to the extent of their
respective capital account balances. After 2003, under the LLC
Agreement, net tax losses of Charter Holdco were allocated to Charter, Vulcan
Cable, and CII based generally on their respective percentage ownership of
outstanding common units to the extent of their respective capital account
balances. Allocations of net tax losses in excess of the members’
aggregate capital account balances were allocated under the rules governing
Regulatory Allocations, as described below. Subject to the Curative Allocation
Provisions described below, the LLC Agreement further provided that, beginning
at the time Charter Holdco generated net tax profits, the net tax profits that
would otherwise have been allocated to Charter based generally on its percentage
ownership of outstanding common membership units, would instead generally be
allocated to Vulcan Cable and CII (the “Special Profit
Allocations”). The Special Profit Allocations to Vulcan Cable and CII
were generally continued until the cumulative amount of the Special Profit
Allocations offsets the cumulative amount of the Special Loss
Allocations. The amount and timing of the Special Profit Allocations
were subject to the potential application of, and interaction with, the Curative
Allocation Provisions described in the following paragraph. The LLC
Agreement generally provided that any additional net tax profits were to be
allocated among the members of Charter Holdco based generally on their
respective percentage ownership of Charter Holdco common membership
units.
Because
the respective capital account balances of each of Vulcan Cable and CII were
reduced to zero by December 31, 2002, certain net tax losses of Charter
Holdco that were to be allocated for 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005, to Vulcan Cable
and CII, instead were allocated to Charter (the “Regulatory
Allocations”). As a result of the allocation of net tax losses to
Charter in 2005, Charter’s capital account balance was reduced to zero during
2005. The LLC Agreement provided that once the capital account
balances of all members had been reduced to zero, net tax losses were to be
allocated to Charter, Vulcan Cable, and CII based generally on their respective
percentage ownership of outstanding common units. Such allocations were also
considered to be Regulatory Allocations. The LLC Agreement further
provided that, to the extent possible, the effect of the Regulatory Allocations
were to be offset over time pursuant to certain curative allocation provisions
(the “Curative Allocation Provisions”) so that, after certain offsetting
adjustments were made, each member’s capital account balance would be equal to
the capital account balance such member would have had if the Regulatory
Allocations had not been part of the LLC Agreement. The cumulative
amount of the actual tax losses allocated to Charter as a result of the
Regulatory Allocations in excess of the amount of tax losses that would have
been allocated to Charter had the Regulatory Allocations not been part of the
LLC Agreement through the year ended December 31, 2008 was approximately
$4.1 billion.
As a
result of the Special Loss Allocations and the Regulatory Allocations referred
to above (and their interaction with the allocations related to assets
contributed to Charter Holdco with differences between book and tax basis), the
cumulative amount of losses of Charter Holdco allocated to Vulcan Cable and CII
was in excess of the amount that would have been allocated to such entities if
the losses of Charter Holdco had been allocated among its members in
proportion
to their respective percentage ownership of Charter Holdco common membership
units. The cumulative amount of such excess losses was approximately
$1.0 billion through December 31, 2008.
In
certain situations, the Special Loss Allocations, Special Profit Allocations,
Regulatory Allocations, and Curative Allocation Provisions described above could
result in Charter paying taxes in an amount that is more or less than if Charter
Holdco had allocated net tax profits and net tax losses among its members based
generally on the number of common membership units owned by such
members. This could occur due to differences in (i) the
character of the allocated income (e.g., ordinary versus capital), (ii) the
allocated amount and timing of tax depreciation and tax amortization expense due
to the application of section 704(c) under the Internal Revenue Code,
(iii) the potential interaction between the Special Profit Allocations and
the Curative Allocation Provisions, (iv) the amount and timing of
alternative minimum taxes paid by Charter, if any, (v) the apportionment of
the allocated income or loss among the states in which Charter Holdco does
business, and (vi) future federal and state tax laws. As a result, it
is possible under certain circumstances that Charter could receive future
allocations of taxable income in excess of its currently allocated tax
deductions and available tax loss carryforwards.
Effective
with Charter’s emergence from bankruptcy on November 30, 2009, Charter Holdco’s
LLC Agreement was amended such that section 704(b) book income and loss are to
be allocated among the members of Charter Holdco such that the members' capital
accounts are adjusted as nearly as possible to reflect the amount that each
member would have received if Charter Holdco were liquidated at section 704(b)
book values. The allocation of taxable income and loss should follow
the section 704(b) book allocations and generally reflect the member’s
respective percentage ownership of Charter Holdco common membership interests,
except to the extent of certain required allocations pursuant to section 704(c)
of the Internal Revenue Code.
In
connection with the Plan, Charter, CII, Mr. Allen and Charter
Holdco entered into an exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”),
pursuant to which CII has the right to require Charter to (i) exchange all or a
portion of CII’s membership interest in Charter Holdco or 100% of CII for $1,000
in cash and shares of Charter’s Class A common stock in a taxable transaction,
or (ii) merge CII with and into Charter, or a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Charter, in a tax-free transaction (or undertake a tax-free transaction similar
to the taxable transaction in subclause (i)), subject to CII meeting certain
conditions. In addition, Charter has the right, under certain
circumstances involving a change of control of Charter to require CII to effect
an exchange transaction of the type elected by CII from subclauses (i) or (ii)
above, which election is subject to certain limitations.
On
December 28, 2009, CII exercised its right, under the Exchange Agreement with
Charter, to exchange 81% of its common membership interest in Charter Holdco for
$1,000 in cash and 907,698 shares of Charter’s Class A common stock in a fully
taxable transaction. Charter expects to receive a step-up in tax
basis in Charter Holdco’s assets, under section 743 of the Code,
substantially equal to the portion of CII’s negative tax basis capital account
Charter acquired in the transaction. Based upon the taxable exchange
which occurred on December 28, 2009, CII has fulfilled the conditions necessary
to allow it to elect a tax-free exchange at any time during the remaining term
of the Exchange Agreement. If CII elects to exchange its remaining
interest in Charter Holdco in a fully or partially non-taxable transaction, then
Charter’s deferred tax liabilities would be increased by the amount of taxable
gain inherent in CII’s remaining Charter Holdco interest.
As of
September 30, 2009, Charter had approximately $8.9 billion of federal tax net
operating losses, resulting in a gross deferred tax asset of approximately $3.1
billion, expiring in the years 2009 through 2028. In addition, as of
September 30, 2009, Charter had state tax net operating losses, resulting in a
gross deferred tax asset (net of federal tax benefit) of approximately $331
million, generally expiring in years 2009 through 2028. Due to
uncertainties in projected future taxable income, valuation allowances have been
established against the gross deferred tax assets for book accounting purposes,
except for deferred benefits available to offset certain deferred tax
liabilities. Such tax net operating losses can accumulate and be used
to offset Charter’s future taxable income. The consummation of the Plan
generated an “ownership change” as defined in Section 382 of the Code upon
emergence from Chapter 11. As a result, Charter is subject to
significant annual limitations on the use of its net operating
losses. Further, Charter’s net operating loss carryforwards have been
reduced by the amount of any cancellation of debt income resulting from the Plan
that was allocable to Charter. The limitation on Charter’s ability to
use its net operating losses, in conjunction with the net operating loss
expiration provisions, reduces its ability to use a significant portion of
Charter’s net operating losses to offset any future taxable income which may
result in Charter being required to make material cash tax
payments. Charter’s ability to make such income tax payments, if any,
will depend at such
time on
its liquidity or its ability to raise additional capital, and/or on receipt of
payments or distributions from Charter Holdco and its subsidiaries, including
us.
As of
September 30, 2009, December 31, 2008 and 2007, CCH II has recorded net
deferred income tax liabilities of $104 million, $179 million and
$226 million, respectively. As part of our net liability, on
September 30, 2009, December 31, 2008 and 2007, CCH II had deferred tax
assets of $91 million, $99 million and $119 million, respectively, which
primarily relate to financial and tax losses generated by our indirect corporate
subsidiaries. We are required to record a valuation allowance when it
is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax
assets will not be realized. Given the uncertainty surrounding our
ability to utilize our deferred tax assets, these items have been offset with a
corresponding valuation allowance of $50 million, $60 million and $70 million at
September 30, 2009, December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
No tax
years for Charter or Charter Holdco, our indirect parent companies, are
currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Tax years
ending 2006, 2007 and 2008 remain subject to examination.
Litigation. Legal contingencies
have a high degree of uncertainty. When a loss from a contingency
becomes estimable and probable, a reserve is established. The reserve
reflects management's best estimate of the probable cost of ultimate resolution
of the matter and is revised as facts and circumstances change. A
reserve is released when a matter is ultimately brought to closure or the
statute of limitations lapses. We have established reserves for
certain matters. If any of these matters are resolved unfavorably,
resulting in payment obligations in excess of management's best estimate of the
outcome, such resolution could have a material adverse effect on our
consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or our
liquidity.
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2008
The
following table sets forth the percentages of revenues that items in the
accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations constituted for the
periods presented (dollars in millions):
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REVENUES
|
|
$ |
5,045 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
4,823 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COSTS
AND EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
(excluding depreciation and
amortization)
|
|
|
2,164 |
|
|
|
43 |
% |
|
|
2,089 |
|
|
|
43 |
% |
Selling,
general and administrative
|
|
|
1,044 |
|
|
|
21 |
% |
|
|
1,059 |
|
|
|
22 |
% |
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
977 |
|
|
|
19 |
% |
|
|
981 |
|
|
|
21 |
% |
Impairment
of franchises
|
|
|
2,854 |
|
|
|
57 |
% |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Other
operating (income) expenses, net
|
|
|
(38 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
%) |
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,001 |
|
|
|
139 |
% |
|
|
4,180 |
|
|
|
87 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) from operations
|
|
|
(1,956 |
) |
|
|
(39 |
%) |
|
|
643 |
|
|
|
13 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER
INCOME (EXPENSES):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense, net
|
|
|
(682 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(783 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Change
in value of derivatives
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Reorganization
items, net
|
|
|
(467 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
Other
income (expense), net
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,152 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(790 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
before income taxes
|
|
|
(3,108 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(147 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME
TAX BENEFIT
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
net loss
|
|
|
(3,040 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(135 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less:
Net (income) loss – noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss – CCH II member
|
|
$ |
(2,960 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(153 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues. Average
monthly revenue per basic video customer increased to $113 for the nine months
ended September 30, 2009 from $104 for the nine months ended September 30,
2008. Average monthly revenue per basic video customer represents
total revenue, divided by the number of respective months, divided by the
average number of basic video customers during the respective
period. Revenue growth primarily reflects increases in the number of
telephone, high-speed Internet, and digital video customers, price increases,
and incremental video revenues from OnDemand, DVR, and high-definition
television services, offset by a decrease in basic video
customers. Asset sales in 2008 and 2009 reduced the increase in
revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the nine
months ended September 30, 2008 by approximately $13 million.
Revenues
by service offering were as follows (dollars in millions):
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
over 2008
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
%
of
Revenues
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
%
of
Revenues
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
%
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video
|
|
$ |
2,606 |
|
|
|
52 |
% |
|
$ |
2,599 |
|
|
|
54 |
% |
|
$ |
7 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
High-speed
Internet
|
|
|
1,098 |
|
|
|
22 |
% |
|
|
1,009 |
|
|
|
21 |
% |
|
|
89 |
|
|
|
9 |
% |
Telephone
|
|
|
529 |
|
|
|
10 |
% |
|
|
399 |
|
|
|
8 |
% |
|
|
130 |
|
|
|
33 |
% |
Commercial
|
|
|
330 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
289 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
14 |
% |
Advertising
sales
|
|
|
180 |
|
|
|
4 |
% |
|
|
223 |
|
|
|
5 |
% |
|
|
(43 |
) |
|
|
(19 |
%) |
Other
|
|
|
302 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
304 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
5,045 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
4,823 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
222 |
|
|
|
5 |
% |
Video
revenues consist primarily of revenues from basic and digital video services
provided to our non-commercial customers. Basic video customers
decreased by 244,600 customers from September 30, 2008 compared to September 30,
2009, 29,700 of which were related to asset sales. Digital video
customers increased by 56,300 during the same period, reduced by asset sales
with 8,800 customers. The increase in video revenues is attributable
to the following (dollars in millions):
|
|
Nine
months ended
September
30, 2009
compared
to
nine
months ended
September
30, 2008
Increase
/ (Decrease)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incremental
video services and rate adjustments
|
|
$ |
50 |
|
Increase
in digital video customers
|
|
|
35 |
|
Decrease
in basic video customers
|
|
|
(70 |
) |
Asset
sales
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
Residential
high-speed Internet customers grew by 151,900 customers, reduced by asset sales
with 5,900 customers, from September 30, 2008 to September 30,
2009. The increase in high-speed Internet revenues from our
residential customers is attributable to the following (dollars in
millions):
|
|
Nine
months ended
September
30, 2009
compared
to
nine
months ended
September
30, 2008
Increase
/ (Decrease)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
in high-speed Internet customers
|
|
$ |
65 |
|
Rate
adjustments and service upgrades
|
|
|
25 |
|
Asset
sales
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
89 |
|
Revenues
from telephone services increased by $130 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 and $21 million of the increase was the result of higher
average rates. The remaining increase was the result of an increase
of 261,000 telephone customers, reduced by asset sales with 700
customers.
Commercial
revenues consist primarily of revenues from services provided to our commercial
customers. Commercial revenues increased primarily as a result of
increased sales of the Charter Business Bundle® primarily to small and
medium-sized businesses, as well as growth in our fiber-based data services,
offset by asset sales of $1 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2009.
Advertising
sales revenues consist primarily of revenues from commercial advertising
customers, programmers, and other vendors. Advertising sales revenues
for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 decreased primarily as a result of
significant decreases in revenues from the political, automotive and retail
sectors. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2009
included $2 million, respectively, as a result of asset sales. For
the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, we received $30 million and
$25 million, respectively, in advertising sales revenues from
vendors.
Other
revenues consist of franchise fees, regulatory fees, customer installations,
home shopping, late payment fees, wire maintenance fees and other miscellaneous
revenues. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008,
franchise fees represented approximately 45% and 46%, respectively, of total
other revenues. The decrease in other revenues for the nine months
ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008
was primarily the result of decreases in home shopping. The decrease
for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 included $1 million as a result of
asset sales.
Operating
expenses. The increase in
operating expenses is attributable to the following (dollars in
millions):
|
|
Nine
months ended
September
30, 2009
compared
to
nine
months ended
September
30, 2008
Increase
/ (Decrease)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Programming
costs
|
|
$ |
74 |
|
Maintenance
costs
|
|
|
13 |
|
Vehicle
costs
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
Franchise
and regulatory costs
|
|
|
7 |
|
Other,
net
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
Asset
sales
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
75 |
|
Programming
costs were approximately $1.3 billion and $1.2 billion, representing 60% and 59%
of total operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and
2008, respectively. Programming costs consist primarily of costs paid
to programmers for basic, premium, digital, OnDemand, and pay-per-view
programming. The increase in programming costs is primarily a result
of annual contractual rate adjustments and increases in amounts paid for
retransmission consent, offset in part by asset sales and customer
losses. Programming costs were also offset by the amortization of
payments received from programmers of $20 million and $25 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. We expect
programming expenses to continue to increase, and at a higher rate than 2008,
due to a variety of factors, including amounts paid for retransmission consent,
annual increases imposed by programmers, and additional programming, including
high-definition, OnDemand, and pay-per-view programming, being provided to our
customers.
Selling, general
and administrative expenses. The decrease in
selling, general and administrative expenses is attributable to the following
(dollars in millions):
|
|
Nine
months ended
September
30, 2009
compared
to
nine
months ended
September
30, 2008
Increase
/ (Decrease)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee
costs
|
|
$ |
(9 |
) |
Stock
compensation costs
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
Other,
net
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
Asset
sales
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(15 |
) |
Depreciation and
amortization. Depreciation and
amortization expense decreased by $4 million for the nine months ended September
30, 2009 compared to September 30, 2008, primarily as the result of certain
assets becoming fully depreciated, offset by depreciation on capital
expenditures.
Impairment of
franchises. As a result of the continued economic pressure on
our customers from the recent economic downturn along with increased
competition, we determined that our projected future growth would be lower than
previously anticipated in our annual impairment testing in December
2008. Accordingly, we determined that sufficient indicators existed
to require us to perform an interim franchise impairment analysis as of
September 30, 2009. We determined that an impairment of franchises is
probable and can be reasonably estimated. Accordingly, for the
quarter ended September 30, 2009, we recorded a preliminary non-cash franchise
impairment charge of $2.9 billion which represents our best estimate of the
impairment of our franchise assets. We currently expect to finalize
our franchise impairment analysis during the quarter ended December 31, 2009,
which could result in an impairment charge that differs from the
estimate.
Other operating
(income) expenses, net. For the nine months ended September
30, 2009 compared to September 30, 2008, the increase in other operating income
was primarily attributable to favorable litigation settlements in 2009, as
opposed to unfavorable litigation settlements in 2008. For more
information, see Note 12 to the accompanying September 30, 2009 condensed
consolidated financial statements contained in this prospectus.
Interest expense,
net. For
the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to September 30, 2008, net
interest expense decreased by $101 million due to a decrease in the weighted
average interest rate during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared
to September 30, 2008, excluding the effect of interest being calculated at a
prime rate compared to LIBOR and 2% penalty interest, the incremental cost of
which is being recorded in reorganization items, net.
Change
in value of derivatives. Interest rate swaps were
held to manage our interest costs and reduce our exposure to increases in
floating interest rates. We expensed the change in fair value of
derivatives that did not qualify for hedge accounting and cash flow hedge
ineffectiveness on interest rate swap agreements. Upon filing
for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the counterparties to the interest rate swap
agreements terminated the underlying contracts and, upon emergence from
bankruptcy, will receive payment for the market value of the interest rate swap
agreement as measured on the date the counterparties terminated. We
recognized a loss from the change in value of the interest rate swaps of $4
million and $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008,
respectively.
Reorganizations
items, net. Reorganization items, net of $467 million for the
nine months ended September 30, 2009 represent items of income, expense, gain or
loss that we realized or incurred while in reorganization under Chapter 11
of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. For more information, see Note 2 to the
accompanying September 30, 2009 condensed consolidated financial statements
contained in this prospectus.
Income tax
benefit. Income tax benefit for
the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was realized as a result of the
decreases in certain deferred tax liabilities attributable to the write down of
franchise assets for financial statement purposes and not for tax purposes,
offset by current federal and state income tax expense of certain of our
indirect subsidiaries. However, the actual tax provision calculations in future
periods will be the result of current and future temporary differences, as well
as future operating results. Income tax benefit for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2009 included $78 million of deferred tax benefit related to
the impairment of franchises. Income tax benefit was recognized for the nine
months ended September 30, 2008 through a change in state income tax laws,
offset by current federal and state income tax expense of certain of our
indirect subsidiaries.
Net loss –
noncontrolling interest. Noncontrolling interest includes the
2% accretion of the preferred membership interests in CC VIII plus approximately
18.6% of CC VIII’s income, net of accretion.
Net loss – CCH II
member. Net
loss – CCH II member increased by $2.8 billion for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2008
primarily as a result of the impairment of franchises. The impact to net loss
for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 of the impairment of franchises,
net of tax, was to increase net loss by $2.7 billion.
Year
Ended December 31, 2008 Compared to Years Ended December 31, 2007 and
2006
The
following table sets forth the percentages of revenues that items in the
accompanying consolidated statements of operations constituted for the periods
presented (dollars in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
6,479 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
6,002 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
5,504 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs
and Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
(excluding depreciation and amortization)
|
|
|
2,792 |
|
|
|
43 |
% |
|
|
2,620 |
|
|
|
44 |
% |
|
|
2,438 |
|
|
|
44 |
% |
Selling,
general and administrative
|
|
|
1,401 |
|
|
|
22 |
% |
|
|
1,289 |
|
|
|
21 |
% |
|
|
1,165 |
|
|
|
21 |
% |
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
1,310 |
|
|
|
20 |
% |
|
|
1,328 |
|
|
|
22 |
% |
|
|
1,354 |
|
|
|
25 |
% |
Impairment
of franchises
|
|
|
1,521 |
|
|
|
23 |
% |
|
|
178 |
|
|
|
3 |
% |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Asset
impairment charges
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
|
|
159 |
|
|
|
3 |
% |
Other
operating (income) expenses, net
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,093 |
|
|
|
109 |
% |
|
|
5,454 |
|
|
|
91 |
% |
|
|
5,137 |
|
|
|
93 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
(614 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
%) |
|
|
548 |
|
|
|
9 |
% |
|
|
367 |
|
|
|
7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense, net
|
|
|
(1,064 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,014 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(975 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Change
in value of derivatives
|
|
|
(62 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(46 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(32 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Other
expense, net
|
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
from continuing operations, before income tax expense
|
|
|
(1,763 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(568 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(633 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Income
tax benefit (expense)
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
from continuing operations
|
|
|
(1,723 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(588 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(640 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Income
from discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
238 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$ |
(1,723 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(588 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(402 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Revenues. Average monthly
revenue per basic video customer, measured on an annual basis, has increased
from $82 in 2006 to $93 in 2007 and $105 in 2008. Average monthly
revenue per video customer represents total annual revenue, divided by twelve,
divided by the average number of basic video customers during the respective
period.
Revenue
growth primarily reflects increases in the number of telephone, high-speed
Internet, and digital video customers, price increases, and incremental video
revenues from OnDemand, DVR, and high-definition television services, offset by
a decrease in basic video customers. Cable system sales, net of
acquisitions, in 2006, 2007, and 2008 reduced the increase in revenues in 2008
as compared to 2007 by approximately $31 million and in 2007 as compared to 2006
by approximately $90 million.
Revenues
by service offering were as follows (dollars in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video
|
|
$ |
3,463 |
|
|
|
53 |
% |
|
$ |
3,392 |
|
|
|
56 |
% |
|
$ |
3,349 |
|
|
|
61 |
% |
|
$ |
71 |
|
|
|
2 |
% |
|
$ |
43 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
High-speed
Internet
|
|
|
1,356 |
|
|
|
21 |
% |
|
|
1,243 |
|
|
|
21 |
% |
|
|
1,047 |
|
|
|
19 |
% |
|
|
113 |
|
|
|
9 |
% |
|
|
196 |
|
|
|
19 |
% |
Telephone
|
|
|
555 |
|
|
|
9 |
% |
|
|
345 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
137 |
|
|
|
2 |
% |
|
|
210 |
|
|
|
61 |
% |
|
|
208 |
|
|
|
152 |
% |
Commercial
|
|
|
392 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
341 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
305 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
15 |
% |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
12 |
% |
Advertising
sales
|
|
|
308 |
|
|
|
5 |
% |
|
|
298 |
|
|
|
5 |
% |
|
|
319 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
3 |
% |
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
%) |
Other
|
|
|
405 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
383 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
347 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
10 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6,479 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
6,002 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
5,504 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
$ |
477 |
|
|
|
8 |
% |
|
$ |
498 |
|
|
|
9 |
% |
Video
revenues consist primarily of revenues from basic and digital video services
provided to our non-commercial customers. Basic video customers
decreased by 174,200 and 213,400 customers in 2008 and 2007, respectively, of
which 16,700 in 2008 and 97,100 in 2007 were related to asset sales, net of
acquisitions. Digital video customers increased by 213,000 and
112,000 customers in 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in
2008 and 2007 was reduced by the sale, net of acquisitions, of 7,600 and 38,100
digital customers, respectively. The increases in video revenues are
attributable to the following (dollars in millions):
|
|
2008
compared
to
2007
|
|
|
2007
compared
to
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Incremental
video services and rate adjustments
|
|
$ |
87 |
|
|
$ |
88 |
|
Increase
in digital video customers
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
Decrease
in basic video customers
|
|
|
(72 |
) |
|
|
(41 |
) |
Asset
sales, net of acquisitions
|
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
(63 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
71 |
|
|
$ |
43 |
|
High-speed
Internet customers grew by 192,700 and 280,300 customers in 2008 and 2007,
respectively. The increase in 2008 and 2007 was reduced by asset
sales, net of acquisitions, of 5,600 and 8,800 high-speed Internet customers,
respectively. The increases in high-speed Internet revenues from our
residential customers are attributable to the following (dollars in
millions):
|
|
2008
compared
to
2007
|
|
|
2007
compared
to
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase
in high-speed Internet customers
|
|
$ |
113 |
|
|
$ |
149 |
|
Rate
adjustments and service upgrades
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
Asset
sales, net of acquisitions
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
113 |
|
|
$ |
196 |
|
Revenues
from telephone services increased by $220 million and $209 million in 2008 and
2007, respectively, as a result of an increase of 389,500 and 513,500 telephone
customers in 2008 and 2007, respectively, offset by a decrease of $10 million
and $1 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively, related to lower average
rates.
Commercial
revenues consist primarily of revenues from services provided to our commercial
customers. Commercial revenues increased primarily as a result of
increased sales of the Charter Business Bundle® primarily to small and
medium-sized businesses. The increases were reduced by approximately
$2 million in 2008 and $6 million in 2007 as a result of asset
sales.
Advertising
sales revenues consist primarily of revenues from commercial advertising
customers, programmers and other vendors. In 2008, advertising sales
revenues increased primarily as a result of increases in political advertising
sales and advertising sales to vendors offset by significant decreases in
revenues from the automotive and furniture sectors, and a decrease of $2 million
related to asset sales. In 2007, advertising sales revenues decreased
primarily as a result of a decrease in national advertising sales, including
political advertising, and as a result of decreases in advertising sales
revenues from vendors and a decrease of $3 million as a result of system
sales. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, we
received $39 million, $15 million, and $17 million, respectively, in advertising
sales revenues from vendors.
Other
revenues consist of franchise fees, regulatory fees, customer installations,
home shopping, late payment fees, wire maintenance fees and other miscellaneous
revenues. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006,
franchise fees represented approximately 46%, 46%, and 51%, respectively, of
total other revenues. The increase in other revenues in 2008 was
primarily the result of increases in franchise and other regulatory fees and
wire maintenance fees. The increase in other revenues in 2007 was
primarily the result of increases in regulatory fee revenues, wire maintenance
fees, and late payment fees. The increases were reduced by
approximately $3 million in 2008 and $7 million in 2007 as a result of asset
sales.
Operating
expenses. The increases in
our operating expenses are attributable to the following (dollars in
millions):
|
|
2008
compared
to
2007
|
|
|
2007
compared
to
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Programming
costs
|
|
$ |
90 |
|
|
$ |
106 |
|
Labor
costs
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
49 |
|
Franchise
and regulatory fees
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
Maintenance
costs
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
Costs
of providing high-speed Internet and telephone services
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
Other,
net
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
Asset
sales, net of acquisitions
|
|
|
(22 |
) |
|
|
(49 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
172 |
|
|
$ |
182 |
|
Programming
costs were approximately $1.6 billion, $1.6 billion, and $1.5 billion,
representing 59%, 60%, and 61% of total operating expenses for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. Programming
costs consist primarily of costs paid to programmers for basic, premium,
digital, OnDemand, and pay-per-view programming. The increases in
programming costs are primarily a result of annual contractual rate adjustments,
offset in part by asset sales and customer losses. Programming costs
were also offset by the amortization of payments received from programmers of
$33 million, $25 million, and $32 million in 2008, 2007, and 2006,
respectively. We expect programming expenses to continue to increase,
and at a higher rate than in 2008, due to a variety of factors, including
amounts paid for retransmission consent, annual increases imposed by
programmers, and additional programming, including high-definition, OnDemand,
and pay-per-view programming, being provided to our customers.
Labor
costs increased primarily due to an increase in employee base salary and
benefits.
Selling, general
and administrative expenses. The increases in
selling, general and administrative expenses are attributable to the following
(dollars in millions):
|
|
2008
compared
to
2007
|
|
|
2007
compared
to
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketing
costs
|
|
$ |
32 |
|
|
$ |
60 |
|
Customer
care costs
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
Bad
debt and collection costs
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
Stock
compensation costs
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Employee
costs
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
Other,
net
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
Asset
sales, net of acquisitions
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
112 |
|
|
$ |
124 |
|
Depreciation and
amortization. Depreciation and
amortization expense decreased by $18 million and $26 million in 2008 and 2007,
respectively. During 2008 and 2007, the decrease in depreciation was
primarily the result of asset sales, certain assets becoming fully depreciated,
and an $81 million and $8 million decrease in 2008 and 2007, respectively, due
to the impact of changes in the useful lives of certain assets during 2007,
offset by depreciation on capital expenditures.
Impairment of
franchises. We recorded impairment of $1.5 billion and $178 million for
the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The impairment
recorded in 2008 was largely driven by lower expected revenue growth resulting
from the current economic downturn and increased competition. The
impairment recorded in 2007 was largely driven by increased competition. The
valuation completed in 2006 showed franchise values in excess of book value, and
thus resulted in no impairment.
Asset impairment
charges. Asset impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2007
and 2006 represent the write-down of assets related to cable asset sales to fair
value less costs to sell. See Note 4 to the accompanying December 31,
2008 consolidated financial statements contained in this
prospectus.
Other operating
(income) expenses, net. The change in other operating (income)
expenses, net are attributable to the following (dollars in
millions):
|
|
2008
compared
to
2007
|
|
|
2007
compared
to
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increases
(decreases) in losses on sales of assets
|
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
$ |
(11 |
) |
Increases
(decreases) in special charges, net
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
86 |
|
|
$ |
(38 |
) |
For more
information, see Note 16 to the accompanying December 31, 2008 consolidated
financial statements contained in this prospectus.
Interest expense,
net. Net
interest expense increased by $50 million in 2008 from 2007 and by $39 million
in 2007 from 2006. The increase in net interest expense from 2007 to
2008 was a result of average debt outstanding increasing from $11.9 billion in
2007 to $12.8 billion in 2008, offset by a decrease in our average borrowing
rate from 8.1% in 2007 to 7.5% in 2008. The increase in net interest
expense from 2006 to 2007 was a result of an increase in average debt
outstanding from $10.9 billion in 2006 to $11.9 billion in 2007 and was
partially offset by a decrease in our average borrowing rate from 8.6% in 2006
to 8.1% in 2007.
Change in value
of derivatives. Interest rate swaps are held to manage our
interest costs and reduce our exposure to increases in floating interest
rates. We expense the change in fair value of derivatives that do not
qualify for hedge
accounting
and cash flow hedge ineffectiveness on interest rate swap
agreements. The loss from the change in value of interest rate swaps
increased from a gain of $6 million in 2006 to a loss of $46 million in 2007 and
a loss of $62 million in 2008.
Loss on
extinguishment of debt. Loss on extinguishment
of debt consists of the following for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007,
and 2006.
|
|
Year
Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CCO
Holdings notes redemption
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
Charter
Operating credit facilities refinancing
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
(27 |
) |
CCH
II tender offer
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
(32 |
) |
|
$ |
(27 |
) |
For more
information, see Notes 9 and 17 to the accompanying December 31, 2008
consolidated financial statements contained in this prospectus.
Other expense,
net. The change in other expense, net are attributable to the
following (dollars in millions):
|
|
2008
compared to 2007
|
|
|
2007
compared to 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease
(increase) in minority interest
|
|
$ |
9 |
|
|
$ |
(2 |
) |
Increase
in investment income
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(15 |
) |
Other,
net
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
(20 |
) |
For more
information, see Note 18 to the accompanying December 31, 2008 consolidated
financial statements contained in this prospectus.
Income tax
benefit (expense). Income tax benefit for
the year ended December 31, 2008 was realized as a result of the decreases in
certain deferred tax liabilities of certain of our indirect subsidiaries,
attributable to the write-down of franchise assets for financial statement
purposes and not for tax purposes. Income tax benefit for the year
ended December 31, 2008 included $32 million of deferred tax benefit related to
the impairment of franchises. Income tax expense in 2007 and 2006 was
recognized through increases in deferred tax liabilities and current federal and
state income tax. Income tax expense for the year ended December 31,
2007 includes $18 million of income tax expense previously recorded at our
indirect parent company.
Income from
discontinued operations, net of tax. In 2006, income from
discontinued operations, net of tax, was recognized due to a gain of $200
million recognized on the sale of the West Virginia and Virginia systems.
Net
loss. The
impact to net loss in 2008, 2007, and 2006 as a result of asset impairment
charges, impairment of franchises, extinguishment of debt, and gain on
discontinued operations, net of tax, was to increase net loss by approximately
$1.5 billion and $264 million and decrease net loss by approximately $52
million, respectively.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Introduction
This
section contains a discussion of our liquidity and capital resources, including
a discussion of our cash position, sources and uses of cash, access to credit
facilities and other financing sources, historical financing activities, cash
needs, capital expenditures and outstanding debt.
Overview
of Our Debt and Liquidity
We have
significant amounts of debt. As of September 30, 2009, the accreted
value of our total debt was approximately $14.2 billion, as summarized below
(dollars in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro
Forma Principal
Amount
(b)
|
|
Semi-
Annual
Interest
Payment
Dates
|
|
|
CCH
II, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.250%
senior notes due 2010
|
|
$ |
1,860 |
|
|
$ |
1,857 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
3/15
& 9/15
|
|
9/15/10
|
10.250%
senior notes due 2013
|
|
|
614 |
|
|
|
584 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
4/1
& 10/1
|
|
10/1/13
|
13.5%
senior notes due 2016
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
1,766 |
|
2/15
& 8/15
|
|
11/30/16
|
CCO
Holdings, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
3/4% senior notes due 2013
|
|
|
800 |
|
|
|
797 |
|
|
|
800 |
|
5/15
& 11/15
|
|
11/15/13
|
Credit
facility
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
9/6/14
|
Charter
Communications Operating, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.000%
senior second-lien notes due 2012
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
4/30
& 10/30
|
|
4/30/12
|
8
3/8% senior second-lien notes due 2014
|
|
|
770 |
|
|
|
770 |
|
|
|
770 |
|
4/30
& 10/30
|
|
4/30/14
|
10.875%
senior second-lien notes due 2014
|
|
|
546 |
|
|
|
529 |
|
|
|
546 |
|
3/15
& 9/15
|
|
9/15/14
|
Credit
facilities
|
|
|
8,194 |
|
|
|
8,194 |
|
|
|
8,194 |
|
|
|
varies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
14,234 |
|
|
$ |
14,181 |
|
|
$ |
13,526 |
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
The
accreted values presented above generally represent the principal amount
of the notes less the original issue discount at the time of sale, plus
the accretion to the balance sheet date. However, the current
accreted value for legal purposes and notes indenture purposes (the amount
that is currently payable if the debt becomes immediately due) is equal to
the principal amount of notes.
|
(b)
|
The
Pro forma Principal Amount reflects the amount outstanding pro forma for
the consummation of the Plan. The debt of CCH II was refinanced
in accordance with the Plan, by paying a portion of the principal and
interest with the proceeds from the Rights Offering and by exchanging the
CCH II Notes for New CCH II Notes in the Exchange Offer. Upon
application of fresh start accounting in accordance with ASC 852, the
Company will adjust its long-term debt to reflect fair
value. This adjustment may be
material.
|
(c)
|
In
general, the obligors have the right to redeem all of the notes set forth
in the above table in whole or in part at their option, beginning at
various times prior to their stated maturity dates, subject to certain
conditions, upon the payment of the outstanding principal amount (plus a
specified redemption premium) and all accrued and unpaid
interest. For additional information see Note 9 to the
accompanying December 31, 2008 consolidated financial statements contained
in this prospectus.
|
The
following table summarizes our payment obligations as of December 31, 2008 under
our long-term debt and certain other contractual obligations and commitments
(dollars in millions.) The table does not reflect consummation of the Plan
and the resulting elimination of approximately $708 million of debt.
Following consummation of the Plan, $70 million of our debt matures in each of
2010 and 2011. In 2012 and beyond, significant additional amounts will
become due under our remaining long-term debt obligations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contractual
Obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term
Debt Principal Payments (1)
|
|
$ |
14,286 |
|
|
$ |
70 |
|
|
$ |
2,000 |
|
|
$ |
3,969 |
|
|
$ |
8,247 |
|
Long-Term
Debt Interest Payments (2)
|
|
|
3,880 |
|
|
|
903 |
|
|
|
1,554 |
|
|
|
1,317 |
|
|
|
106 |
|
Payments
on Interest Rate Instruments (3)
|
|
|
443 |
|
|
|
127 |
|
|
|
257 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Capital
and Operating Lease Obligations (4)
|
|
|
96 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
Programming
Minimum Commitments (5)
|
|
|
687 |
|
|
|
315 |
|
|
|
206 |
|
|
|
166 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Other
(6)
|
|
|
475 |
|
|
|
368 |
|
|
|
88 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
19,867 |
|
|
$ |
1,805 |
|
|
$ |
4,140 |
|
|
$ |
5,551 |
|
|
$ |
8,371 |
|
(1)
|
The
table presents maturities of long-term debt outstanding as of
December 31, 2008. Refer to Notes 9 and 22 to our
accompanying December 31, 2008 consolidated financial statements contained
in this prospectus for a description of our long-term debt and other
contractual obligations and
commitments.
|
(2)
|
Interest
payments on variable debt are estimated using amounts outstanding at
December 31, 2008 and the average implied forward London Interbank
Offering Rate (LIBOR) rates applicable for the quarter during the interest
rate reset based on the yield curve in effect at December 31,
2008. Actual interest payments will differ based on actual
LIBOR rates and actual amounts outstanding for applicable
periods.
|
(3)
|
Represents
amounts we will be required to pay under our interest rate swap agreements
estimated using the average implied forward LIBOR applicable rates for the
quarter during the interest rate reset based on the yield curve in effect
at December 31, 2008. Upon filing of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy,
the counterparties to the interest rate swap agreements terminated the
underlying contract and, upon emergence of Charter from bankruptcy,
received payment for the market value of the interest rate swap agreement
as measured on the date the counterparty
terminated.
|
(4)
|
We
lease certain facilities and equipment under noncancelable operating
leases. Leases and rental costs charged to expense for the
years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, were $24 million, $23
million, and $23 million,
respectively.
|
(5)
|
We
pay programming fees under multi-year contracts ranging from three to ten
years, typically based on a flat fee per customer, which may be fixed for
the term, or may in some cases escalate over the
term. Programming costs included in the accompanying statement
of operations were approximately $1.6 billion, $1.6 billion, and $1.5
billion, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006,
respectively. Certain of our programming agreements are based
on a flat fee per month or have guaranteed minimum
payments. The table sets forth the aggregate guaranteed minimum
commitments under our programming
contracts.
|
(6)
|
“Other”
represents other guaranteed minimum commitments, which consist primarily
of commitments to our billing services
vendors.
|
The
following items are not included in the contractual obligations table because
the obligations are not fixed and/or determinable due to various factors
discussed below. However, we incur these costs as part of our
operations:
·
|
We
rent utility poles used in our operations. Generally, pole
rentals are cancelable on short notice, but we anticipate that such
rentals will recur. Rent expense incurred for pole rental
attachments for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006,
was $47 million, $47 million, and $44 million,
respectively.
|
·
|
We
pay franchise fees under multi-year franchise agreements based on a
percentage of revenues generated from video service per
year. We also pay other franchise related costs, such as public
education grants, under multi-year agreements. Franchise fees
and other franchise-related costs included in the
|
|
accompanying
statement of operations were $179 million, $172 million, and $175 million
for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006,
respectively.
|
·
|
We
also have $158 million in letters of credit, primarily to our various
worker’s compensation, property and casualty, and general liability
carriers, as collateral for reimbursement of claims. These
letters of credit reduce the amount we may borrow under our credit
facilities.
|
Our
business requires significant cash to fund debt service costs, capital
expenditures and ongoing operations. We have historically funded
these requirements through cash flows from operating activities, borrowings
under our credit facilities, proceeds from sales of assets, issuances of debt
and equity securities, and cash on hand. However, the mix of funding
sources changes from period to period. For the nine months ended
September 30, 2009, we generated $1.0 billion of net cash flows from operating
activities, after paying cash interest of $657 million. In addition,
we used $819 million for purchases of property, plant and
equipment. Finally, we used net cash flows from financing activities
of $52 million, as a result of repayments of long-term debt. As of
September 30, 2009, we had cash on hand of $1.1 billion. We expect
that our mix of sources of funds will continue to change in the future based on
overall needs relative to our cash flow and on the availability of funds under
the credit facilities of our subsidiaries, our access to the debt and equity
markets, the timing of possible asset sales, and based on our ability to
generate cash flows from operating activities.
We have
utilized $1.4 billion of the $1.5 billion revolving credit facility under our
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 18, 1999, as amended
and restated as of March 6, 2007 (the “Credit Agreement”). Upon
filing bankruptcy, Charter Operating no longer has access to the revolving
feature of its revolving credit facility and will rely on cash on hand and cash
flows from operating activities to fund our projected cash needs.
We expect
that cash on hand and cash flows from operating activities will be adequate to
meet our projected cash needs through at least the next 24
months. Our projected cash needs and projected sources of
liquidity depend upon, among other things, our actual results, and the timing
and amount of our expenditures. We continue to monitor the capital
markets and we expect to undertake refinancing transactions and utilize cash
flows from operating activities to further extend or reduce the maturities of
our principal obligations.
Limitations
on Distributions
Distributions
by our subsidiaries to a parent company for payment of principal on parent
company notes are restricted under any indentures and credit facilities
governing the indebtedness of the subsidiaries, unless there is no default under
the applicable indenture and credit facilities, and unless each applicable
subsidiary’s leverage ratio test is met at the time of such
distribution. Distributions by Charter Operating for payment of
principal on parent company notes are further restricted by the covenants in its
credit facilities.
Distributions
by CCH II, CCO Holdings, and Charter Operating to a parent company for payment
of parent company interest are permitted if there is no default under the
aforementioned indentures and CCO Holdings and Charter Operating credit
facilities.
In
addition to the limitation on distributions under the various indentures
discussed above, distributions by our subsidiaries may be limited by applicable
law, including the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, under which our
subsidiaries may only make distributions if they have “surplus” as defined in
the act. It is uncertain whether we will have sufficient surplus at
the relevant subsidiaries to make distributions, including for payment of
interest and principal on the debts of the parents of such
entities. See Risk Factors — “Because of our holding
company structure, our outstanding notes are structurally subordinated in right
of payment to all liabilities of our subsidiaries. Restrictions in
our subsidiaries’ debt instruments and under applicable law limit their ability
to provide funds to us or our various debt issuers”.
Historical Operating, Investing, and
Financing Activities
Cash and Cash
Equivalents. We held $1.1 billion in cash and cash equivalents
as of September 30, 2009 compared to $953 million as of December 31,
2008.
Operating
Activities. Net cash provided by
operating activities increased $110 million from $891 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 2008 to $1.0 billion for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009, primarily as a result of a decrease of $105 million in cash
paid for interest, and revenues increasing at a faster rate than cash
expenses. These amounts were partially offset by cash reorganization
items of $368 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
Net cash
provided by operating activities increased $96 million from $1.1 billion for the
year ended December 31, 2007 to $1.2 billion for the year ended December 31,
2008, primarily as a result of revenue growth from high-speed Internet and
telephone driven by bundled services, as well as improved cost efficiencies,
offset by an increase of $43 million in interest on cash pay obligations and
changes in operating assets and liabilities that provided $29 million less cash
during the same period.
Net cash
provided by operating activities increased $93 million from $1.0 billion for the
year ended December 31, 2006 to $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31,
2007, primarily as a result of revenues increasing at a faster rate than cash
operating expenses, offset by an increase of $44 million in interest on cash pay
obligations and changes in operating assets and liabilities that provided $7
million less cash during the same period.
Investing
Activities. Net cash used in
investing activities was $841 million and $980 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The decrease is primarily
due to a decrease of $119 million in purchases of property, plant, and
equipment.
Net cash
used in investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and
2006, was $1.2 billion, $1.2 billion, and $65 million,
respectively. Investing activities used $1.1 billion more cash during
the year ended December 31, 2007 than the corresponding period in 2006 primarily
due to $1.0 billion of proceeds received in 2006 from the sale of assets,
including cable systems.
Financing
Activities. Net cash used in
financing activities was $52 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2009 and net cash provided by financing activities was $642 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 2008. The decrease in cash provided during
the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to the corresponding period
in 2008, was primarily the result of no borrowings of long-term debt in
2009.
Net cash
provided by financing activities was $938 million and $26 million for the years
ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and net cash used in financing
activities was $935 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The
increase in cash provided during the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to
the corresponding period in 2007 and in 2007 as compared to the corresponding
period in 2006, was primarily the result of an increase in the amount by which
borrowings exceeded repayments of long-term debt.
Capital
Expenditures
We have
significant ongoing capital expenditure requirements. Capital
expenditures were $819 million, $938 million, $1.2 billion, $1.2 billion, and
$1.1 billion for the for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 and
the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. See
the table below for more details.
Our
capital expenditures are funded primarily from cash on hand and cash flows from
operating activities. In addition, our liabilities related to capital
expenditures decreased $18 million and $41 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 and 2008 compared to year end, respectively, and decreased by
$39 million and $2 million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007,
respectively. Liabilities related to capital expenditures increased
by $24 million for the year ended December 31, 2006.
We have
adopted capital expenditure disclosure guidance, which was developed by eleven
then publicly traded cable system operators, including Charter, with the support
of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association
(“NCTA”). The disclosure is intended to provide more consistency in
the reporting of capital expenditures among peer companies in the cable
industry. These disclosure guidelines are not required disclosures
under GAAP, nor do they impact our accounting for capital expenditures under
GAAP.
The
following table presents our major capital expenditures categories in accordance
with NCTA disclosure guidelines for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and
2008, and the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 (dollars in
millions):
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
For
the years ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer
premise equipment (a)
|
|
$ |
460 |
|
|
$ |
480 |
|
|
$ |
595 |
|
|
$ |
578 |
|
|
$ |
507 |
|
Scalable
infrastructure (b)
|
|
|
141 |
|
|
|
185 |
|
|
|
251 |
|
|
|
232 |
|
|
|
214 |
|
Line
extensions (c)
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
105 |
|
|
|
107 |
|
Upgrade/rebuild
(d)
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
Support
capital (e)
|
|
|
149 |
|
|
|
173 |
|
|
|
236 |
|
|
|
277 |
|
|
|
230 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
capital expenditures
|
|
$ |
819 |
|
|
$ |
938 |
|
|
$ |
1,202 |
|
|
$ |
1,244 |
|
|
$ |
1,103 |
|
(a)
|
Customer
premise equipment includes costs incurred at the customer residence to
secure new customers, revenue units and additional bandwidth
revenues. It also includes customer installation costs and
customer premise equipment (e.g., set-top boxes and cable modems,
etc.).
|
(b)
|
Scalable
infrastructure includes costs not related to customer premise equipment or
our network, to secure growth of new customers, revenue units, and
additional bandwidth revenues, or provide service enhancements (e.g.,
headend equipment).
|
(c)
|
Line
extensions include network costs associated with entering new service
areas (e.g., fiber/coaxial cable, amplifiers, electronic equipment,
make-ready and design engineering).
|
(d)
|
Upgrade/rebuild
includes costs to modify or replace existing fiber/coaxial cable networks,
including betterments.
|
(e)
|
Support
capital includes costs associated with the replacement or enhancement of
non-network assets due to technological and physical obsolescence (e.g.,
non-network equipment, land, buildings and
vehicles).
|
Recently Issued Accounting
Standards
In April
2009, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 805-20, Business Combinations – Identifiable
Assets, Liabilities and Any Noncontrolling Interest (“ASC 805-20”), which
addresses application issues raised by preparers, auditors, and members of the
legal profession on initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement
and accounting, and disclosure of assets and liabilities arising from
contingencies in a business combination. This guidance included in
ASC 805-20 is effective for assets or liabilities arising from contingencies in
business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the
beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December
15, 2008. We
adopted this guidance included in ASC 805-20 effective January 1,
2009. The adoption of this guidance included in ASC 805-20 did not
have a material impact on our financial statements.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 810-10, Consolidation – Overall
(“ASC 810-10”), which provides guidance on the accounting and reporting
for minority interests in consolidated financial statements. ASC 810-10
requires losses to be allocated to non-controlling (minority) interests even
when such amounts are deficits. This guidance included in ASC
810-10 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We
adopted this guidance included in ASC 810-10 effective January 1, 2009 and
applied the effects retrospectively to all periods presented to the extent
prescribed by the standard. The adoption resulted in the presentation of
Mr. Allen’s previous 5.6% preferred membership interest in CC VIII as temporary
equity and CCH I’s 13% membership interest in CC VIII as noncontrolling interest
in our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 as
presented, which were previously classified as minority
interest.
In April
2009, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 820-10-65, Fair Value Measurements and
Disclosures – Overall – Transition and Open Effective Date Information
(“ASC 820-10-65”), which provides additional guidance for estimating fair
value in accordance with ASC 820-10 when the volume and level of activity for
the asset or liability have significantly decreased. This ASC also includes
guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not
orderly. This guidance included in ASC 820-10-65 is effective for
reporting periods ending after
June 15,
2009. We adopted
this guidance included in ASC 820-10-65 effective April 1, 2009. The
adoption of this guidance included in ASC 820-10-65 did not have a material
impact on our financial statements.
In April
2009, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 825-10-65, Financial Instruments – Overall –
Transition and Open Effective Date Information (“ASC 825-10-65”), to
require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim
reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial
statements. This ASC also requires those disclosures in summarized financial
information at interim reporting periods. This guidance included in
ASC 825-10-65 is effective for reporting periods ending after June 15,
2009. We adopted
this guidance included in ASC 825-10-65 effective April 1, 2009. The
adoption of this guidance included in ASC 825-10-65 did not have a material
impact on our financial statements.
In May
2009, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 855-10, Subsequent Events – Overall
(“ASC 855-10”), to establish principles and requirements for the
evaluation and disclosure of subsequent events. This guidance
included in ASC 855-10 is effective for interim or annual financial periods
ending after June 15, 2009. We adopted this guidance included in ASC
855-10 effective April 1, 2009 and have included the appropriate disclosure in
our financial statements for the nine months ended September 30,
2009.
In
June 2009, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 105-10, Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles – Overall (“ASC 105-10”). ASC 105-10 is intended to
be the source of GAAP and reporting standards as issued by the FASB. Its
primary purpose is to improve clarity and use of existing standards by grouping
authoritative literature under common topics. ASC 105-10 is effective for
financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after
September 15, 2009. We adopted ASC 105-10 effective September 30,
2009. The Codification does not change or alter existing GAAP and
there was no impact on our financial statements.
In August
2009, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 820-10-65 which states companies
determining the fair value of a liability may use the perspective of an investor
that holds the related obligation as an asset. This guidance included
in ASC 820-10-65 addresses practice difficulties caused by the tension between
fair-value measurements based on the price that would be paid to transfer a
liability to a new obligor and contractual or legal requirements that prevent
such transfers from taking place. This guidance included in ASC
820-10-65 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after August 27,
2009, and applies to all fair-value measurements of liabilities required by
GAAP. No new fair-value measurements are required by this guidance. We adopted
this guidance included in ASC 820-10-65 effective October 1, 2009 and there was
no impact on our financial statements.
In
October 2009, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 605-25, Revenue Recognition –
Multiple-Element Arrangements (“ASC 605-25”), which requires entities to
allocate revenue in an arrangement using estimated selling prices of the
delivered goods and services based on a selling price hierarchy. The
guidance eliminates the residual method of revenue allocation and requires
revenue to be allocated using the relative selling price method. This
guidance included in ASC 605-25 should be applied on a prospective basis for
revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years
beginning on or after June 15, 2010. We will adopt this guidance
included in ASC 605-25 effective January 1, 2011. We do not expect
the adoption of this guidance included in ASC 605-25 will have a material impact
on our financial statements.
We do not
believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting
pronouncements, if adopted, would have a material effect on our accompanying
financial statements.
BUSINESS
For
a chart showing our ownership structure, see page 5.
Introduction
We are
among the largest providers of cable services in the United States, offering a
variety of entertainment, information and communications solutions to
residential and commercial customers. As of September 30, 2009, our
infrastructure consists of a hybrid of fiber and coaxial cable plant passing
approximately 11.9 million homes, with 96% of homes passed at 550 MHZ or greater
and 95% of plant miles two-way active. A national Internet Protocol
(IP) infrastructure interconnects all Charter markets.
For the
nine months ended September 30, 2009, we generated approximately $5.0 billion in
revenue, of which approximately 52% of our revenue was generated from our
residential video service. We also generate revenue from high-speed Internet,
telephone service and advertising with residential and commercial high-speed
Internet and telephone service contributing the majority of the recent growth in
our revenue.
As of
September 30, 2009, we served approximately 5.3 million customers. We sell our
cable video programming, high-speed Internet and telephone services primarily on
a subscription basis, often in a bundle of two or more services, providing
savings to our customers. Triple Play is available to approximately
89% of our homes passed, and approximately 56% of our customers subscribe to a
bundle of services.
As of
September 30, 2009, we served approximately 4.9 million video customers, of
which approximately 65% were digital video customers. Digital video
enables our customers to access advanced services such as high definition
television, OnDemandTM
(“OnDemand”) video programming, an interactive program guide and digital video
recorder, or digital video recorder (“DVR”) service.
As of
September 30, 2009, we also served approximately 3.0 million high-speed Internet
customers. Our high-speed Internet service is available in a variety
of speeds up to 60 Mbps. We also offer home networking service, or
Wi-Fi, enabling our customers to connect up to five computers wirelessly in the
home.
As of
September 30, 2009, we provided telephone service to approximately 1.5 million
customers. Our telephone services typically include unlimited local and long
distance calling to the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, plus more than 10
features, including voicemail, call waiting and caller ID.
Through
Charter Business®, we provide scalable, tailored broadband communications
solutions to business organizations, such as business-to-business Internet
access, data networking, fiber connectivity to cell towers, video and music
entertainment services and business telephone. As of September 30,
2009, we served approximately 180,000 business customers, including small- and
medium-sized commercial customers. Our advertising sales division,
Charter Media®, provides local, regional and national businesses with the
opportunity to advertise in individual markets on cable television
networks.
We have a
history of net losses. Our net losses are principally attributable to
insufficient revenue to cover the combination of operating expenses and interest
expenses we incur because of our debt, impairment of franchises and depreciation
expenses resulting from the capital investments we have made and continue to
make in our cable properties.
Recent
Events
On
March 27, 2009, we filed voluntary petitions in the Bankruptcy Court, to
reorganize under the Bankruptcy Code. The Chapter 11 cases were
jointly administered under the caption In re Charter Communications, Inc.,
et al., Case No. 09-11435. We continued to operate our businesses and
owned and managed our properties as a debtor-in-possession under the
jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court in accordance with the applicable
provisions of the Bankruptcy Code until we emerged from protection under
Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code on November 30, 2009.
On May 7,
2009, we filed the Plan and Disclosure Statement with the Bankruptcy
Court. The Plan was confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court on November 17,
2009, and became effective on November 30, 2009, the date on which we emerged
from protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.
For more
information on the events that occurred and securities issued upon our emergence
from bankruptcy, see Charter’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
December 4, 2009.
Products
and Services
Through
our hybrid fiber and coaxial cable network, we offer our customers traditional
cable video services (basic and digital, which we refer to as “video” services),
high-speed Internet services, and telephone services, as well as advanced
broadband services (such as OnDemand, high definition television, and DVR
service). Our telephone services are primarily provided using VoIP
technology, to transmit digital voice signals over our systems. Our
video, high-speed Internet, and telephone services are offered to residential
and commercial customers on a subscription basis, with prices and related
charges that vary primarily based on the types of service selected, whether the
services are sold as a “bundle” or on an individual basis, and the equipment
necessary to receive the services, with some variation in prices depending on
geographic location.
The
following table approximates our customer statistics for video, residential
high-speed Internet and telephone as of September 30, 2009 and
2008.
|
|
Approximate
as of
|
|
|
|
September
30,
|
|
|
September
30,
|
|
|
|
2009
(a)
|
|
|
2008
(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Residential
(non-bulk) basic video customers (b)
|
|
|
4,616,100 |
|
|
|
4,860,100 |
|
Multi-dwelling
(bulk) and commercial unit customers (c)
|
|
|
263,000 |
|
|
|
263,600 |
|
Total
basic video customers (b) (c)
|
|
|
4,879,100 |
|
|
|
5,123,700 |
|
Digital
video customers (d)
|
|
|
3,174,800 |
|
|
|
3,118,500 |
|
Residential
high-speed Internet customers (e)
|
|
|
3,010,100 |
|
|
|
2,858,200 |
|
Telephone
customers (f)
|
|
|
1,535,300 |
|
|
|
1,274,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Revenue Generating Units
(g)
|
|
|
12,599,300 |
|
|
|
12,374,700 |
|
After
giving effect to sales of cable systems in 2008 and 2009, basic video customers,
digital video customers, high-speed Internet customers, and telephone customers
would have been 5,094,000, 3,109,700, 2,852,300, and 1,273,600, respectively, as
of September 30, 2008.
|
(a)
|
Our
billing systems calculate the aging of customer accounts based on the
monthly billing cycle for each account. On that basis, at September 30,
2009 and 2008, “customers” include approximately 33,300 and 42,100
persons, respectively, whose accounts were over 60 days past due in
payment, approximately 5,700 and 7,700 persons, respectively, whose
accounts were over 90 days past due in payment, and approximately 2,500
and 3,800 persons, respectively, whose accounts were over 120 days past
due in payment.
|
|
(b)
|
“Basic
video customers” include all residential customers who receive video cable
services.
|
|
(c)
|
Included
within “basic video customers” are those in commercial and multi-dwelling
structures, which are calculated on an equivalent bulk unit (“EBU”)
basis. In the second quarter of 2009, we began calculating EBUs
by dividing the bulk price charged to accounts in an area by the published
rate charged to non-bulk residential customers in that market for the
comparable tier of service rather than the most prevalent price charged as
was used previously. This EBU method of estimating basic video customers
is consistent with the methodology used in determining costs paid to
programmers and is consistent with the methodology used by other multiple
system operators (“MSOs”). As of September 30, 2009, EBUs decreased by
12,400 as a result of the change in methodology. As we increase our
published video rates to residential customers without a corresponding
increase in the prices charged to commercial service or multi-dwelling
customers, our EBU count will decline even if there is no real loss in
commercial service or multi-dwelling
customers.
|
|
(d)
|
"Digital
video customers" include all basic video customers that have one or more
digital set-top boxes or cable cards
deployed.
|
|
(e)
|
"Residential
high-speed Internet customers" represent those residential customers who
subscribe to our high-speed Internet
service.
|
|
(f
)
|
“Telephone
customers” include all customers receiving telephone
service.
|
|
(g
)
|
"Revenue
generating units" represent the sum total of all basic video, digital
video, high-speed Internet and telephone customers, not counting
additional outlets within one household. For example, a
customer who receives two types of service (such as basic video and
digital video) would be treated as two revenue generating units and, if
that customer added on high-speed Internet service, the customer would be
treated as three revenue generating units. This statistic is
computed in accordance with the guidelines of the National Cable &
Telecommunications Association
(“NCTA”).
|
Video
Services
For the
nine months ended September 30, 2009, video services represented approximately
52% of our total revenues. Our video service offerings include the
following:
·
|
Basic
Video. All of our video
customers receive a package of basic programming which generally consists
of local broadcast television, local community programming, including
governmental and public access, and limited satellite-delivered or
non-broadcast channels, such as weather, shopping and religious
programming. Our basic channel line-up generally has between 9
and 35 channels.
|
·
|
Expanded
Basic Video. This expanded
programming level includes a package of satellite-delivered or
non-broadcast channels and generally has between 20 and 60 channels in
addition to the basic channel
line-up.
|
·
|
Digital
Video. We offer digital video services including a
digital set-top box, an interactive electronic programming guide with
parental controls, an expanded menu of pay-per-view channels, including
OnDemand (available nearly everywhere), digital quality music channels and
the option to also receive a cable card. We also offer our customers
certain digital tiers of programming including premium channels (for
example, HBO®, Showtime® and Starz/Encore®) as well as tiers that offer
customers a variety of programming and some tiers that emphasize, for
example, sports or ethnic programming. In addition to video
programming, digital video service enables customers to receive our
advanced broadband services such as OnDemand, DVRs, and high definition
television. Recently, Charter bundled its digital sports tier with
premium sports content on
charter.net.
|
·
|
Premium
Channels. These channels
provide original programming, commercial-free movies, sports, and other
special event entertainment programming. Although we offer
subscriptions to premium channels on an individual basis, we offer an
increasing number of digital video channel packages and premium channel
packages, and we offer premium channels bundled with our advanced
broadband services.
|
·
|
Pay-Per-View. These channels
allow customers to pay on a per event basis to view a single showing of a
recently released movie, a one-time special sporting event, music concert,
or similar event on a commercial-free
basis.
|
·
|
OnDemand
and Subscription OnDemand. OnDemand service
allows customers to select from hundreds of movies and other programming
at any time. These programming options may be accessed for a
fee or, in some cases, for no additional charge. In some
systems we also offer subscription OnDemand for a monthly fee or included
in a digital tier premium channel
subscription.
|
·
|
High
Definition Television. High definition
television offers our digital customers certain video programming at a
higher resolution to improve picture quality versus standard basic or
digital video images.
|
·
|
Digital
Video Recorder. DVR service enables customers to digitally record
programming and to pause and rewind live
programming.
|
High-Speed
Internet Services
For the
nine months ended September 30, 2009, residential high-speed Internet services
represented approximately 22% of our total revenues. We currently
offer several tiers of high-speed Internet services with speeds ranging up to 60
megabytes to our residential customers via cable modems attached to personal
computers. We also offer home networking gateways to these customers,
which permit customers to connect up to five computers in their home to the
Internet simultaneously.
Telephone
Services
For the
nine months ended September 30, 2009, telephone services represented
approximately 10% of our total revenues. We provide voice
communications services primarily using VoIP technology to transmit digital
voice signals over our systems. Charter Telephone includes unlimited
nationwide and in-state calling, voicemail, call waiting, caller ID, call
forwarding and other features. Charter Telephone® also provides
international calling either by the minute or in a package of 250 minutes per
month.
Commercial
Services
For the
nine months ended September 30, 2009, commercial services represented
approximately 6% of our total revenues. Commercial services, offered
through Charter Business™, include scalable broadband communications solutions
for business organizations, such as business-to-business Internet access, data
networking, video and music entertainment services, and business
telephone.
Sale
of Advertising
For the
nine months ended September 30, 2009, sales of advertising represented
approximately 4% of our total revenues. We receive revenues from the
sale of local advertising on satellite-delivered networks such as MTV®, CNN® and
ESPN®. In any particular market, we generally insert local
advertising on up to 40 channels. We also provide cross-channel
advertising to some programmers.
From time
to time, certain of our vendors, including programmers and equipment vendors,
have purchased advertising from us. For the nine months ending
September 30, 2009 and 2008 we had advertising revenues from vendors of
approximately $30 million and $25 million, respectively. These
revenues resulted from purchases at market rates pursuant to binding
agreements.
Pricing
of Our Products and Services
Our
revenues are derived principally from the monthly fees customers pay for the
services we offer. We typically charge a one-time installation fee
which is sometimes waived or discounted during certain promotional
periods. The prices we charge for our products and services vary
based on the level of service the customer chooses and the geographic
market.
In
accordance with the Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC”) rules, the
prices we charge for video cable-related equipment, such as set-top boxes and
remote control devices, and for installation services, are based on actual costs
plus a permitted rate of return in regulated markets.
We offer
reduced-price service for promotional periods in order to attract new customers,
to promote the bundling of two or more services and to retain existing
customers. There is no assurance that these customers will remain as
customers
when the promotional pricing period expires. When customers bundle
services, generally the prices are lower per service than if they had only
purchased a single service.
Our Network
Technology
Our
network utilizes the hybrid fiber coaxial cable (“HFC”) architecture, which
combines the use of fiber optic cable with coaxial cable. In most
systems, we deliver our signals via fiber optic cable from the headend to a
group of nodes, and use coaxial cable to deliver the signal from individual
nodes to the homes passed served by that node. On average, our system
design enables typically up to 400 homes passed to be served by a single node
and provides for six strands of fiber to each node, with two strands activated
and four strands reserved for spares and future services. We believe
that this hybrid network design provides high capacity and signal
quality. The design also provides two-way signal capacity for the
addition of future services.
HFC
architecture benefits include:
·
|
bandwidth
capacity to enable traditional and two-way video and broadband
services;
|
·
|
dedicated
bandwidth for two-way services, which avoids return signal interference
problems that can occur with two-way communication capability;
and
|
·
|
signal
quality and high service
reliability.
|
The
following table sets forth the technological capacity of our systems as of
September 30, 2009 based on a percentage of homes passed:
Less
than 550
|
|
|
|
750
|
|
860/870
|
|
Two-way
|
megahertz
|
|
550
megahertz
|
|
megahertz
|
|
megahertz
|
|
activated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4%
|
|
5%
|
|
45%
|
|
46%
|
|
95%
|
Approximately
96% of our homes passed are served by systems that have bandwidth of 550
megahertz or greater. This bandwidth capacity enables us to offer
digital television, high-speed Internet services, telephone service and other
advanced services.
Through
system upgrades and divestitures of non-strategic systems, we have reduced the
number of headends that serve our customers from 1,138 at January 1, 2001
to 260 at September 30, 2009. Headends are the control centers of a
cable system. Reducing the number of headends reduces related
equipment, service personnel, and maintenance expenditures. As of
September 30, 2009, approximately 91% of our customers were served by headends
serving at least 10,000 customers.
As of
September 30, 2009, our cable systems consisted of approximately 200,000 aerial
and underground miles of coaxial cable, and approximately 63,200 aerial and
underground miles of fiber optic cable, passing approximately 11.9 million
households and serving approximately 5.3 million customers.
Management of Our
Systems
Our
corporate office, which includes employees of Charter, is responsible for
coordinating and overseeing overall operations including establishing
company-wide policies and procedures. The corporate office performs
certain financial and administrative functions on a centralized basis and
performs these services on a cost reimbursement basis pursuant to a management
services agreement. Our field operations are managed within two
operating groups with shared service centers for our field sales and marketing
function, our human resource and training function, finance, and certain areas
of customer operations.
Customer
Care
Our
customer care centers are managed centrally, with the deployment and execution
of end-to-end care strategies and initiatives conducted on a company-wide
basis. We have eight internal customer care locations plus several
third-party call center locations that through technology and procedures
function as an integrated system. We provide service to our customers
24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also utilize our website to
enable our customers to view and pay their bills online, obtain useful
information, and perform various equipment troubleshooting
procedures. Our customers may also obtain support through our on-line
chat and e-mail functionality.
Sales
and Marketing
Our
marketing strategy emphasizes our bundled services through targeted marketing
programs to existing and potential customers. Marketing expenditures
were $206 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Our
marketing organization creates and executes marketing programs intended to
increase customer relationships, retain existing customers and cross-sell
additional products to current customers. We monitor the
effectiveness of our marketing efforts, customer perception, competition,
pricing, and service preferences, among other factors, to increase our
responsiveness to our customers.
Programming
General
We
believe that offering a wide variety of programming influences a customer’s
decision to subscribe to and retain our cable services. We rely on
market research, customer demographics and local programming preferences to
determine channel offerings in each of our markets. We obtain basic
and premium programming from a number of suppliers, usually pursuant to written
contracts. Our programming contracts generally continue for a fixed
period of time, usually from three to ten years, and are subject to negotiated
renewal. Some program suppliers offer financial incentives to support
the launch of a channel and/or ongoing marketing support. We also
negotiate volume discount pricing structures. Programming costs are
usually payable each month based on calculations performed by us and are
generally subject to annual cost escalations and audits by the
programmers.
Costs
Programming
is usually made available to us for a license fee, which is generally paid based
on the number of customers to whom we make such programming
available. Such license fees may include “volume” discounts available
for higher numbers of customers, as well as discounts for channel placement or
service penetration. Some channels are available without cost to us
for a limited period of time, after which we pay for the
programming. For home shopping channels, we receive a percentage of
the revenue attributable to our customers’ purchases, as well as, in some
instances, incentives for channel placement.
Our cable
programming costs have increased in every year we have operated in excess of
customary inflationary and cost-of-living type increases. We expect
them to continue to increase, and at a higher rate than in 2009, due to a
variety of factors including amounts paid for retransmission consent, annual
increases imposed by programmers and additional programming, including
high-definition and OnDemand programming, being provided to
customers. In particular, sports programming costs have increased
significantly over the past several years. In addition, contracts to
purchase sports programming sometimes provide for optional additional
programming to be available on a surcharge basis during the term of the
contract.
Federal
law allows commercial television broadcast stations to make an election between
“must-carry” rights and an alternative “retransmission-consent”
regime. When a station opts for the retransmission-consent regime, we
are not allowed to carry the station’s signal without the station’s
permission. Continuing demands by owners of broadcast stations for
carriage of other services or cash payments to those broadcasters in exchange
for retransmission consent will likely increase our programming costs or require
us to cease carriage of popular programming, potentially leading to a loss of
customers in affected markets.
Over the
past several years, our video service rates have not fully offset increasing
programming costs, and with the impact of increasing competition and other
marketplace factors, we do not expect them to do so in the foreseeable
future. In addition, our inability to fully pass these programming
cost increases on to our video customers has had and is expected in the future
to have an adverse impact on our cash flow and operating margins associated with
the video product. In order to mitigate
reductions of our operating margins due to rapidly increasing programming costs,
we continue to review our pricing and programming packaging strategies, and we
plan to continue to migrate certain program services from our basic level of
service to our digital tiers. As we migrate our programming to our
digital tier packages, certain programming that was previously available to all
of our customers via an analog signal may only be part of an elective digital
tier package offered to our customers for an additional fee. As a
result, we expect that the customer base upon which we pay programming fees will
proportionately decrease, and the overall expense for providing that service
will also decrease. However, reductions in the size of certain
programming customer bases may result in the loss of specific volume discount
benefits.
We have
programming contracts that have expired and others that will expire at or before
the end of 2010. We will seek to renegotiate the terms of these
agreements. There can be no assurance that these agreements will be
renewed on favorable or comparable terms. To the extent that we are
unable to reach agreement with certain programmers on terms that we believe are
reasonable, we have been, and may in the future be, forced to remove such
programming channels from our line-up, which may result in a loss of
customers.
Franchises
As of
September 30, 2009, our systems operated pursuant to a total of approximately
3,200 franchises, permits, and similar authorizations issued by local and state
governmental authorities. Such governmental authorities often must
approve a transfer to another party. Most franchises are subject to
termination proceedings in the event of a material breach. In
addition, most franchises require us to pay the granting authority a franchise
fee of up to 5.0% of revenues as defined in the various agreements, which is the
maximum amount that may be charged under the applicable federal
law. We are entitled to and generally do pass this fee through to the
customer.
Prior to
the scheduled expiration of most franchises, we generally initiate renewal
proceedings with the granting authorities. This process usually takes
three years but can take a longer period of time. The Communications
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act”), which is the primary federal
statute regulating interstate communications, provides for an orderly franchise
renewal process in which granting authorities may not unreasonably withhold
renewals. In connection with the franchise renewal process, many
governmental authorities require the cable operator to make certain commitments,
such as building out certain of the franchise areas, customer service
requirements, and supporting and carrying public access
channels. Historically we have been able to renew our franchises
without incurring significant costs, although any particular franchise may not
be renewed on commercially favorable terms or otherwise. Our failure
to obtain renewals of our franchises, especially those in the major metropolitan
areas where we have the most customers, could have a material adverse effect on
our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or our liquidity,
including our ability to comply with our debt
covenants. Approximately 6% of our franchises, covering approximately
7% of our video customers were expired at September 30,
2009. Approximately 1% of additional franchises, covering
approximately 1% of additional video customers expired on or before December 31,
2009. We expect to renew or continue to operate under all or
substantially all of these franchises.
Proposals
to streamline cable franchising recently have been adopted at both the federal
and state levels. These franchise reforms are primarily intended to
facilitate entry by new competitors, particularly telephone companies, but they
often include substantive relief for incumbent cable operators, like us, as
well. In many states, the local franchising process under which we
have historically operated has been replaced by a streamlined state
certification process. See “— Regulation and Legislation — Video
Services — Franchise Matters.”
Competition
We face
competition in the areas of price, service offerings, and service
reliability. We compete with other providers of video, high-speed
Internet access, telephone services, and other sources of home
entertainment. We operate in a very competitive business environment,
which can adversely affect the result of our business and
operations. We cannot predict the impact on us of broadband services
offered by our competitors.
In terms
of competition for customers, we view ourselves as a member of the broadband
communications industry, which encompasses multi-channel video for television
and related broadband services, such as high-speed Internet, telephone, and
other interactive video services. In the broadband industry, our
principal competitor for video services throughout our territory is direct
broadcast satellite (“DBS”) and our principal competitor for high-speed Internet
services is DSL provided by telephone companies. Our principal
competitors for telephone services are established telephone companies, other
telephone service providers, and other carriers, including VoIP
providers. Based on telephone companies’ entry into video service and
the upgrades of their networks, they will become increasingly more significant
competitors for both high-speed Internet and video customers. We do
not consider other cable operators to be significant competitors in our overall
market, as overbuilds are infrequent and geographically spotty (although in any
particular market, a cable operator overbuilder would likely be a significant
competitor at the local level).
Our key
competitors include:
DBS
Direct
broadcast satellite is a significant competitor to cable systems. The
DBS industry has grown rapidly over the last several years, and now serves more
than 31 million subscribers nationwide. DBS service allows the
subscriber to receive video services directly via satellite using a dish
antenna.
Video
compression technology and high powered satellites allow DBS providers to offer
more than 250 digital channels from a single satellite, thereby surpassing the
traditional analog cable system. In 2009, major DBS competitors
offered a greater variety of channel packages, and were especially competitive
with promotional pricing for more basic services. In addition, while
we continue to believe that the initial investment by a DBS customer exceeds
that of a cable customer, the initial equipment cost for DBS has decreased
substantially, as the DBS providers have aggressively marketed offers to new
customers of incentives for discounted or free equipment, installation, and
multiple units. DBS providers are able to offer service nationwide
and are able to establish a national image and branding with standardized
offerings, which together with their ability to avoid franchise fees of up to 5%
of revenues and property tax, leads to greater efficiencies and lower costs in
the lower tiers of service. Also, DBS providers are offering more
high definition programming, including local high definition
programming. However, we believe that cable-delivered OnDemand and
Subscription OnDemand services, which include HD programming, are superior to
DBS service, because cable headends can provide two-way communication to deliver
many titles which customers can access and control independently, whereas DBS
technology can only make available a much smaller number of titles with DVR-like
customer control. However, joint marketing arrangements between DBS
providers and telecommunications carriers allow similar bundling of services in
certain areas. DBS providers have also made attempts at deployment of
high-speed Internet access services via satellite, but those services have been
technically constrained and of limited appeal.
Telephone
Companies and Utilities
Our
telephone service competes directly with established telephone companies and
other carriers, including Internet-based VoIP providers, for voice service
customers. Because we offer voice services, we are subject to
considerable competition from telephone companies and other telecommunications
providers. The telecommunications industry is highly competitive and
includes competitors with greater financial and personnel resources, strong
brand name recognition, and long-standing relationships with regulatory
authorities and customers. Moreover, mergers, joint ventures and
alliances among our competitors have resulted in providers capable of offering
cable television, Internet, and telephone services in direct competition with
us. For example, major local exchange carriers have entered into
joint marketing arrangements with DBS providers to offer bundled packages
combining telephone (including wireless), high-speed Internet, and video
services.
Most
telephone companies, which already have plant, an existing customer base, and
other operational functions in place (such as billing and service personnel),
offer DSL service. DSL service allows Internet access to subscribers
at data transmission speeds greater than those available over conventional
telephone lines. We believe DSL service is competitive with
high-speed Internet service and is often offered at prices lower than our
Internet services, although often at speeds lower than the speeds we
offer. However, DSL providers may currently be in a better
position
to offer data services to businesses since their networks tend to be more
complete in commercial areas. They may also have the ability to
bundle telephone with Internet services for a higher percentage of their
customers. We expect DSL to remain a significant competitor to our
high-speed Internet services, particularly as telephone companies bundle DSL
with telephone and video service. In addition, the continuing
deployment of fiber optics into telephone companies’ networks (primarily by
Verizon Communications, Inc. (“Verizon”)) will enable them to provide even
higher bandwidth Internet services.
Telephone
companies, including AT&T Inc. (“AT&T”) and Verizon, offer video and
other services in competition with us, and we expect they will increasingly do
so in the future. Upgraded portions of AT&T’s and Verizon’s
networks carry two-way video and data services. In the case of
Verizon, high-speed data services (DSL and fiber optic service (“FiOS”)) operate
at speeds as high as or higher than ours and provide digital voice services
similar to ours. In addition, these companies continue to offer their
traditional telephone services, as well as service bundles that include wireless
voice services provided by affiliated companies. Based on internal
estimates, we believe that AT&T and Verizon are offering video services in
areas serving approximately 24% to 28% of our estimated homes passed as of
September 30, 2009. AT&T and Verizon have also launched campaigns
to capture more of the MDU market. Additional upgrades and product
launches are expected in markets in which we operate.
In
addition to telephone companies obtaining franchises or alternative
authorizations in some areas and seeking them in others, they have been
successful through various means in reducing or streamlining the franchising
requirements applicable to them. They have had significant success at
the federal and state level, securing an FCC ruling and numerous state franchise
laws that facilitate their entry into the video marketplace. Because
telephone companies have been successful in avoiding or reducing the franchise
and other regulatory requirements that remain applicable to cable operators like
us, their competitive posture has often been enhanced. The large
scale entry of major telephone companies as direct competitors in the video
marketplace could adversely affect the profitability and valuation of our cable
systems.
Additionally,
we are subject to competition from utilities that possess fiber optic
transmission lines capable of transmitting signals with minimal signal
distortion. Certain utilities are also developing broadband over
power line technology, which may allow the provision of Internet and other
broadband services to homes and offices. Utilities have deployed
broadband over power line technology in a few limited markets. In
some cases, it is the local municipalities that regulate us, which own cable
systems that compete with us.
Broadcast
Television
Cable
television has long competed with broadcast television, which consists of
television signals that the viewer is able to receive without charge using an
“off-air” antenna. The extent of such competition is dependent upon
the quality and quantity of broadcast signals available through “off-air”
reception, compared to the services provided by the local cable
system. Traditionally, cable television has provided higher picture
quality and more channel offerings than broadcast
television. However, the recent licensing of digital spectrum by the
FCC now provides traditional broadcasters with the ability to deliver high
definition television pictures and multiple digital-quality program streams, as
well as advanced digital services such as subscription video and data
transmission.
Traditional
Overbuilds
Cable
systems are operated under non-exclusive franchises historically granted by
local authorities. More than one cable system may legally be built in
the same area. It is possible that a franchising authority might
grant a second franchise to another cable operator and that such franchise might
contain terms and conditions more favorable than those afforded
us. In addition, entities willing to establish an open video system,
under which they offer unaffiliated programmers non-discriminatory access to a
portion of the system’s cable system, may be able to avoid local franchising
requirements. Well-financed businesses from outside the cable
industry, such as public utilities that already possess fiber optic and other
transmission lines in the areas they serve, may over time become
competitors. There are a number of cities that have constructed their
own cable systems, in a manner similar to city-provided utility
services. There also has been interest in traditional cable
overbuilds by private companies not affiliated with established local exchange
carriers. 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 and businesses in the overbuilt area with equal or better
service quality, on a more cost-
effective
basis than we can. Any such overbuild operation would require access
to capital or access to facilities already in place that are capable of
delivering cable television programming.
As of
September 30, 2009, excluding telephone companies, we are aware of traditional
overbuild situations impacting approximately 8% to 9% of our total homes passed
and potential traditional overbuild situations in areas servicing approximately
an additional 1% of our total homes passed. Additional overbuild
situations may occur.
Private
Cable
Additional
competition is posed by satellite master antenna television systems, or SMATV
systems, serving MDUs, such as condominiums, apartment complexes, and private
residential communities. Private cable systems can offer improved
reception of local television stations, and many of the same satellite-delivered
program services that are offered by cable systems. SMATV systems
currently benefit from operating advantages not available to franchised cable
systems, including fewer regulatory burdens and no requirement to service low
density or economically depressed communities. The FCC recently
adopted regulations that favor SMATV and private cable operators serving MDU
complexes, allowing them to continue to secure exclusive contracts with MDU
owners. The FCC regulations have been appealed, and the FCC is
currently considering whether to restrict their ability to enter into exclusive
arrangements, but this sort of regulatory disparity, if it withstands judicial
review, provides a competitive advantage to certain of our current and potential
competitors.
Other
Competitors
Local
wireless Internet services have recently begun to operate in many markets using
available unlicensed radio spectrum. Some cellular phone service
operators are also marketing PC cards offering wireless broadband access to
their cellular networks. These service options offer another
alternative to cable-based Internet access.
High-speed
Internet access facilitates the streaming of video into homes and
businesses. As the quality and availability of video streaming over
the Internet improves, video streaming likely will compete with the traditional
delivery of video programming services over cable systems. It is
possible that programming suppliers will consider bypassing cable operators and
market their services directly to the consumer through video streaming over the
Internet.
Legal
Proceedings
Patent
Litigation
Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing,
L.P. v. Charter Communications, Inc. et. al. On September 5,
2006, Ronald A. Katz Technology Licensing, L.P. served a lawsuit on Charter and
a group of other companies in the U. S. District Court for the District of
Delaware alleging that Charter and the other defendants have infringed its
interactive telephone patents. Charter denied the allegations raised
in the complaint. On March 20, 2007, the Judicial Panel on
Multi-District Litigation transferred this case, along with 24 others, to the
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California for coordinated and
consolidated pretrial proceedings. Charter is vigorously contesting
this matter.
Rembrandt Patent
Litigation. On June 6, 2006, Rembrandt Technologies, LP sued
Charter and several other cable companies in the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern District of Texas, alleging that each defendant's high-speed data
service
infringes three patents owned by Rembrandt and that Charter's receipt and
retransmission of ATSC digital terrestrial broadcast signals infringes a fourth
patent owned by Rembrandt (Rembrandt I). On
November 30, 2006, Rembrandt Technologies, LP again filed suit against Charter
and another cable company in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of
Texas, alleging patent infringement of an additional five patents allegedly
related to high-speed Internet over cable (Rembrandt
II). Charter has denied all of Rembrandt’s allegations. On
June 18, 2007, the Rembrandt
I and Rembrandt
II cases were combined
in a multi-district litigation proceeding in the U.S. District Court for the
District of Delaware. On November 21, 2007, certain vendors of the equipment
that is the subject of Rembrandt I and Rembrandt II cases filed an
action against Rembrandt in U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
seeking a declaration of non-infringement and invalidity on all but one of the
patents at issue in those cases. On January 16, 2008 Rembrandt filed an
answer in that case and a third party counterclaim against Charter and the other
MSOs for infringement of all but one of the patents already at issue in Rembrandt I and Rembrandt II
cases. On February 7,
2008, Charter filed an answer to Rembrandt’s counterclaims and added a
counter-counterclaim against Rembrandt for a declaration of non-infringement on
the remaining patent. On October 28, 2009, Rembrandt filed a Supplemental
Covenant Not to Sue promising not to sue Charter and the other defendants on
eight of the contested patents. One patent remains in litigation, and
Charter is vigorously contesting Rembrandt's claims regarding
it.
Verizon Patent Litigation. On
February 5, 2008, four Verizon entities sued Charter and two other Charter
subsidiaries in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas,
alleging that the provision of telephone service by Charter infringes eight
patents owned by the Verizon entities (Verizon I). On
December 31, 2008, forty-four Charter entities filed a complaint in the U.S.
District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia alleging that Verizon and
two of its subsidiaries infringe four patents related to television transmission
technology (Verizon
II). On February 6, 2009, Verizon responded to the complaint by
denying Charter’s allegations, asserting counterclaims for non-infringement and
invalidity of Charter’s patents and asserting counterclaims against Charter for
infringement of eight patents. On January 15, 2009, Charter filed a
complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
seeking a declaration of non-infringement on two patents owned by
Verizon (Verizon
III). Charter is vigorously contesting the allegations made against
it in Verizon I and
Verizon II, and is
forcefully prosecuting its claims in Verizon II and Verizon III.
We are
also a defendant or co-defendant in several other unrelated lawsuits claiming
infringement of various patents relating to various aspects of our
businesses. Other industry participants are also defendants in
certain of these cases, and, in many cases including those described above, we
expect that any potential liability would be the responsibility of our equipment
vendors pursuant to applicable contractual indemnification
provisions.
In the
event that a court ultimately determines that we or our parent companies
infringe on any intellectual property rights, we may be subject to substantial
damages and/or an injunction that could require us or our vendors to modify
certain products and services we offer to our subscribers, as well as negotiate
royalty or license agreements with respect to the patents at issue. While
we believe the lawsuits are without merit and intend to defend the actions
vigorously, all of these patent lawsuits could be material to our consolidated
results of operations of any one period, and no assurance can be given that any
adverse outcome would not be material to our consolidated financial condition,
results of operations, or liquidity.
Employment
Litigation
On August
28, 2008, a complaint, which was subsequently amended, was filed against Charter
and Charter Communications, LLC (“Charter LLC”) in the US District Court for the
Western District of Wisconsin (now entitled, Marc Goodell et al. v.
Charter Communications, LLC and Charter Communications, Inc.). The
plaintiffs seek to represent a class of current and former broadband, system and
other types of technicians who are or were employed by Charter or Charter LLC in
the states of Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri or California. Plaintiffs
allege that Charter and Charter LLC violated certain wage and hour statutes of
those four states by failing to pay technicians for all hours worked.
Charter and Charter LLC continue to deny all liability, believe that
they have substantial defenses, and are vigorously contesting the claims
asserted. We have been subjected, in the normal course of business,
to the assertion of other wage and hour claims and could be subjected to
additional such claims in the future. We cannot predict the outcome
of any such claims.
Bankruptcy
Proceedings
On March
27, 2009, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., for itself and as Administrative Agent
under the Credit Agreement, filed an adversary proceeding (the “JPMorgan
Adversary Proceeding”) in Bankruptcy Court against Charter Operating and CCO
Holdings seeking a declaration that there have been events of default under the
Credit Agreement. On November 17, 2009, the Bankruptcy Court entered
an order ruling in favor of Charter in the JPMorgan Adversary Proceeding and
allowing Charter to consummate its Plan. JPMorgan attempted to stay
the consummation of the Plan pending appeal. The request for the stay
was denied by the Bankruptcy Court and the US District Court for the Southern
District of New York. Charter consummated its Plan on November 30,
2009 and reinstated the Credit Agreement and certain other debt of its
subsidiaries. JPMorgan continues to appeal the confirmation order and
decision of the Bankruptcy Court. We cannot predict the ultimate
outcome of the appeal.
Other
Proceedings
On or
about March 16, 2009, Gerald Paul Bodet, Jr. filed, but did not appropriately
serve, a class action against Charter and Charter Holdco (Gerald Paul Bodet, Jr. v. Charter
Communications, Inc. and Charter Communications Holding Company,
LLC). This suit was filed in the US District Court for the
Eastern District of Louisiana. Plaintiff alleges that the defendants
violated the Sherman Act and Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act by tying the
provision of premium cable programming to the purchase or rental of a set top
box from us. A similar suit, Derrick Lebryk and Nicholas Gladson
v. Charter Communications, Inc., Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC,
CCHC, LLC and Charter Communications Holding, LLC, was filed on June 26,
2009, in the US District Court for the Southern District of
Illinois. We understand similar claims have been made against other
MSOs. At the appropriate time, Charter and Charter Holdco intend to
deny any liability, are advised that they have substantial defenses, and intend
to vigorously defend this case.
We also
are party to other lawsuits and claims that arise in the ordinary course of
conducting our business. The ultimate outcome of these other legal matters
pending against us or our subsidiaries cannot be predicted, and although such
lawsuits and claims are not expected individually to have a material adverse
effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or
liquidity, such lawsuits could have in the aggregate a material adverse effect
on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or
liquidity. Whether or not we
ultimately prevail in any particular lawsuit or claim, litigation can be time
consuming and costly and injure our reputation.
Employees
As of
September 30, 2009, we had approximately 16,700 full-time equivalent
employees. At September 30, 2009, approximately 80 of our employees
were represented by collective bargaining agreements. We have never
experienced a work stoppage.
REGULATION
AND LEGISLATION
The
following summary addresses the key regulatory and legislative developments
affecting the cable industry and our three primary services: video service,
high-speed Internet service, and telephone service. Cable system
operations are extensively regulated by the federal government (primarily the
FCC), certain state governments, and many local governments. A
failure to comply with these regulations could subject us to substantial
penalties. Our business can be dramatically impacted by changes to
the existing regulatory framework, whether triggered by legislative,
administrative, or judicial rulings. Congress and the FCC have
frequently revisited the subject of communications regulation often designed to
increase competition to the cable industry, and they are likely to do so in the
future. We could be materially disadvantaged in the future if we are
subject to new regulations that do not equally impact our key
competitors. We cannot provide assurance that the already extensive
regulation of our business will not be expanded in the future.
Video Service
Cable Rate
Regulation. The cable industry has operated under a federal
rate regulation regime for more than a decade. The regulations
currently restrict the prices that cable systems charge for the minimum level of
video programming service, referred to as “basic service,” and associated
equipment. All other cable offerings are now universally exempt from
rate regulation. Although basic service rate regulation operates
pursuant to a federal formula, local governments, commonly referred to as local
franchising authorities, are primarily responsible for administering this
regulation. The majority of our local franchising authorities have
never been certified to regulate basic service cable rates (and order rate
reductions and refunds), but they generally retain the right to do so (subject
to potential regulatory limitations under state franchising laws), except in
those specific communities facing “effective competition,” as defined under
federal law. We have already secured FCC recognition of effective
competition, and become rate deregulated, in many of our
communities.
There
have been frequent calls to impose expanded rate regulation on the cable
industry. Confronted with rapidly increasing cable programming costs,
it is possible that Congress may adopt new constraints on the retail pricing or
packaging of cable programming. For example, there has been
legislative and regulatory interest in requiring cable operators to offer
historically bundled programming services on an à la carte basis, or to at least
offer a separately available child-friendly “family tier.” Such
mandates could adversely affect our operations.
Federal
rate regulations generally require cable operators to allow subscribers to
purchase premium or pay-per-view services without the necessity of subscribing
to any tier of service, other than the basic service tier. The
applicability of this rule in certain situations remains unclear, and adverse
decisions by the FCC could affect our pricing and packaging of
services. As we attempt to respond to a changing marketplace with
competitive pricing practices, such as targeted promotions and discounts, we may
face Communications Act uniform pricing requirements that impede our ability to
compete.
Must
Carry/Retransmission Consent. There are two alternative legal
methods for carriage of local broadcast television stations on cable
systems. Federal “must carry” regulations require cable systems to
carry local broadcast television stations upon the request of the local
broadcaster. Alternatively, federal law includes “retransmission
consent” regulations, by which popular commercial television stations can
prohibit cable carriage unless the cable operator first negotiates for
“retransmission consent,” which may be conditioned on significant payments or
other concessions. Broadcast stations must elect “must carry” or
“retransmission consent” every three years, with the election date of October 1,
2008, for the current period of 2009 through 2011. Either option has
a potentially adverse effect on our business by utilizing bandwidth
capacity. In addition, popular stations invoking “retransmission
consent” increasingly have been demanding cash compensation in their
negotiations with cable operators.
In
September 2007, the FCC adopted an order increasing the cable industry’s
existing must-carry obligations by requiring cable operators to offer “must
carry” broadcast signals in both analog and digital format (dual carriage) for a
three year period after the broadcast television industry completed its ongoing
transition from an analog to digital format, which occurred on June 12,
2009. The burden could increase further if cable systems were ever
required to carry multiple program streams included within a single digital
broadcast transmission (multicast carriage), which the recent FCC order did not
address. Additional government-mandated broadcast carriage
obligations could disrupt
existing
programming commitments, interfere with our preferred use of limited channel
capacity, and limit our ability to offer services that appeal to our customers
and generate revenues. We may need to take additional operational
steps and/or make further operating and capital investments to ensure that
customers not otherwise equipped to receive digital programming, retain access
to broadcast programming.
Access
Channels. Local franchise agreements often require cable
operators to set aside certain channels for public, educational, and
governmental access programming. Federal law also requires cable
systems to designate a portion of their channel capacity for commercial leased
access by unaffiliated third parties, who generally offer programming that our
customers do not particularly desire. The FCC adopted new rules in
2007 mandating a significant reduction in the rates that operators can charge
commercial leased access users and imposing additional administrative
requirements that would be burdensome on the cable industry. The
effect of the FCC’s new rules was stayed by a federal court, pending a cable
industry appeal and a finding that the new rules did not comply with the
requirements of the Office of Management and Budget. Under federal
statute, commercial leased access programmers are entitled to use up to 15% of a
cable system’s capacity. Increased activity in this area could
further burden the channel capacity of our cable systems, and potentially limit
the amount of services we are able to offer and may necessitate further
investments to expand our network capacity.
Access to
Programming. The Communications Act and the FCC’s “program
access” rules generally prevent satellite cable programming vendors in which a
cable operator has an attributable interest and satellite broadcast programming
vendors from favoring cable operators over competing multichannel video
distributors, such as DBS, and limit the ability of such vendors to offer
exclusive programming arrangements to cable operators. Given the
heightened competition and media consolidation that we face, it is possible that
we will find it increasingly difficult to gain access to popular programming at
favorable terms. Such difficulty could adversely impact our
business.
Ownership
Restrictions. Federal regulation of the communications field
traditionally included a host of ownership restrictions, which limited the size
of certain media entities and restricted their ability to enter into competing
enterprises. Through a series of legislative, regulatory, and
judicial actions, most of these restrictions have been either eliminated or
substantially relaxed. Changes in this regulatory area could alter
the business environment in which we operate.
Pole
Attachments. The Communications Act requires most utilities
owning utility poles to provide cable systems with access to poles and conduits
and simultaneously subjects the rates charged for this access to either federal
or state regulation. The Communications Act specifies that
significantly higher rates apply if the cable plant is providing
“telecommunications” services rather than only video
services. Although the FCC previously determined that the lower rate
was applicable to the mixed use of a pole attachment for the provision of both
video and Internet access services (a determination upheld by the U.S. Supreme
Court), the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
(“NPRM”) on November 20, 2007, in which it “tentatively concludes” that
such mixed use determination would likely be set aside. Under this
NPRM, the FCC is seeking comment on its proposal to apply a single rate for all
pole attachments over which a cable operator provides Internet access and other
services, that allocates to the cable operators the additional cost associated
with the “unusable space” of the pole. Such rate change could likely result in a
substantial increase in our pole attachment costs.
Cable
Equipment. In 1996, Congress enacted a statute seeking to
promote the “competitive availability of navigational devices” by allowing cable
subscribers to use set-top boxes obtained from third parties, including
third-party retailers. The FCC has undertaken several steps to
implement this statute designed to promote competition in the delivery of cable
equipment and compatibility with new digital technology. The FCC
expressly ruled that cable customers must be allowed to purchase set-top boxes
from third parties, and it established a multi-year phase-in during which
security functions (which allow a cable operator to control who may access their
services and would remain in the operator's exclusive control) would be
unbundled from the basic channel navigation converter functions, which could
then be provided by third party vendors. The first phase of
implementation has already passed, whereby cable operators began providing
“CableCard” security modules and support to customer-owned televisions and
similar devices equipped to receive one-way analog and digital video services
without the need for an operator-provided set-top box. Effective July
1, 2007, cable operators were prohibited from acquiring for deployment
integrated set-top boxes that perform both channel navigation and security
functions.
The FCC
has been considering regulatory proposals for “plug-and-play” retail devices
that could access two-way cable services. Some of the proposals, if
adopted, would impose substantial costs on us and impair our ability to
innovate. In April 2008, we joined a multi-party contract among major
consumer electronics and information technology companies and the largest six
cable operators in the United States, to agree on how technology we use to
support our current generation set-top boxes will be deployed in cable networks
and in retail navigation devices to enable retail devices to access two-way
cable services without impairing our ability to innovate. This
voluntary agreement may preclude the need for additional FCC regulation in this
area but there can be no assurance the FCC will not regulate this area
notwithstanding this agreement.
MDUs / Inside
Wiring. The FCC has adopted a series of regulations designed
to spur competition to established cable operators in MDU
complexes. These regulations allow our competitors to access certain
existing cable wiring inside MDUs. The FCC also adopted regulations
limiting the ability of established cable operators, like us, to enter into
exclusive service contracts for MDU complexes. Significantly, it has
not yet imposed a similar restriction on private cable operators and SMATV
systems serving MDU properties but the FCC is currently considering extending
the prohibition to such competitors. In their current form, the FCC’s
regulations in this area favor our competitors.
Privacy
Regulation. The
Communications Act limits our ability to collect and disclose subscribers’
personally identifiable information for our video, telephone, and high-speed
Internet services, as well as provides requirements to safeguard such
information. We are subject to additional federal, state, and local
laws and regulations that impose additional subscriber and employee privacy
restrictions. Further, the FCC, FTC, and many states regulate and
restrict the marketing practices of cable operators, including telemarketing and
online marketing efforts.
Other FCC
Regulatory Matters. FCC regulations cover a variety of
additional areas, including, among other things: (1) equal employment
opportunity obligations; (2) customer service standards; (3) technical service
standards; (4) mandatory blackouts of certain network, syndicated and sports
programming; (5) restrictions on political advertising; (6) restrictions on
advertising in children's programming; (7) restrictions on origination
cablecasting; (8) restrictions on carriage of lottery programming; (9)
sponsorship identification obligations; (10) closed captioning of video
programming; (11) licensing of systems and facilities; (12) maintenance of
public files; and (13) emergency alert systems. Each of these
regulations restricts our business practices to varying degrees.
It is
possible that Congress or the FCC will expand or modify its regulation of cable
systems in the future, and we cannot predict at this time how that might impact
our business.
Copyright. Cable
systems are subject to a federal copyright compulsory license covering carriage
of television and radio broadcast signals. The possible modification
or elimination of this compulsory copyright license is the subject of continuing
legislative and administrative review and could adversely affect our ability to
obtain desired broadcast programming. There is uncertainty regarding
certain applications of the compulsory copyright license, including the royalty
treatment of distant broadcast signals that are not available to all cable
system subscribers served by a single headend. The Copyright Office
is currently conducting an inquiry to consider a variety of issues affecting
cable’s compulsory copyright license, including how the compulsory copyright
license should apply to newly-offered digital broadcast
signals. Current uncertainty regarding the compulsory copyright
license could lead to legislative proposals, new administrative rules, or
judicial decisions that would increase our compulsory copyright payments for the
carriage of broadcast signals including legislation that is now pending in
Congress.
Copyright
clearances for non-broadcast programming services are arranged through private
negotiations. Cable operators also must obtain music rights for
locally originated programming and advertising from the major music performing
rights organizations. These licensing fees have been the source of
litigation in the past, and we cannot predict with certainty whether license fee
disputes may arise in the future.
Franchise
Matters. Cable systems generally are operated pursuant to
nonexclusive franchises granted by a municipality or other state or local
government entity in order to utilize and cross public
rights-of-way. Although some recently enacted state franchising laws
grant indefinite franchises, cable franchises generally are granted for fixed
terms and in many cases include monetary penalties for noncompliance and may be
terminable if the franchisee fails to comply with material
provisions. The specific terms and conditions of cable franchises
vary significantly between jurisdictions. Each franchise generally
contains provisions governing cable operations,
franchise
fees, system construction, maintenance, technical performance, customer service
standards, and changes in the ownership of the franchisee. A number
of states subject cable systems to the jurisdiction of centralized state
government agencies, such as public utility commissions. Although
local franchising authorities have considerable discretion in establishing
franchise terms, certain federal protections benefit cable
operators. For example, federal law caps local franchise fees and
includes renewal procedures designed to protect incumbent franchisees from
arbitrary denials of renewal. Even if a franchise is renewed,
however, the local franchising authority may seek to impose new and more onerous
requirements as a condition of renewal. Similarly, if a local
franchising authority's consent is required for the purchase or sale of a cable
system, the local franchising authority may attempt to impose more burdensome
requirements as a condition for providing its consent.
The
traditional cable franchising regime is currently undergoing significant change
as a result of various federal and state actions. In a series of
recent rulemakings, the FCC adopted new rules that streamlined entry for new
competitors (particularly those affiliated with telephone companies) and reduced
certain franchising burdens for these new entrants. The FCC adopted
more modest relief for existing cable operators.
At the
same time, a substantial number of states recently have adopted new franchising
laws. Again, these new laws were principally designed to streamline
entry for new competitors, and they often provide advantages for these new
entrants that are not immediately available to existing cable
operators. In many instances, the new franchising regime does not
apply to established cable operators until the existing franchise expires or a
competitor directly enters the franchise territory. In a number of
instances, however, incumbent cable operators have the ability to immediately
“opt into” the new franchising regime, which can provide significant regulatory
relief. The exact nature of these state franchising laws, and their
varying application to new and existing video providers, will impact our
franchising obligations and our competitive position.
Internet
Service
Over the
past several years, proposals have been advanced at the FCC and Congress to
adopt “net neutrality” rules that would require cable operators offering
Internet service to provide non-discriminatory access of customers to their
networks and could interfere with the ability of cable operators to manage their
networks. The FCC issued a non-binding policy statement in 2005
establishing four basic principles to guide its ongoing policymaking activities
regarding high-speed Internet and related services. These principles
provide that consumers are entitled to: (i) access lawful Internet
content of their choice; (ii) run applications and services of their choice,
subject to the needs of law enforcement; (iii) connect their choice of legal
devices that do not harm the network; and (iv) enjoy competition among network
providers, application and service providers, and content
providers. In August 2008, the FCC issued an order concerning one
Internet network management practice in use by another cable operator,
effectively treating the four principles as rules and ordering a change in
network management practices. This decision is on appeal. In
October 2009, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking
additional comment on draft rules to codify these principles and to consider
further network neutrality requirements. This Rulemaking and additional
proposals for new legislation could impose additional obligations on high-speed
Internet providers. Any such rules or statutes could limit our
ability to manage our cable systems (including use for other services), to
obtain value for use of our cable systems and respond to
competition.
As the
Internet has matured, it has become the subject of increasing regulatory
interest. Congress and federal regulators have adopted a wide range
of measures directly or potentially affecting Internet use, including, for
example, consumer privacy, copyright protections (which afford copyright owners
certain rights against us that could adversely affect our relationship with a
customer accused of violating copyright laws), defamation liability, taxation,
obscenity, and unsolicited commercial e-mail. Additionally, the FCC
and Congress are considering subjecting high-speed Internet access services to
the Universal Service funding requirements. This would impose
significant new costs on our high-speed Internet service. State and
local governmental organizations have also adopted Internet-related
regulations. These various governmental jurisdictions are also
considering additional regulations in these and other areas, such as pricing,
service and product quality, and intellectual property ownership. The
adoption of new Internet regulations or the adaptation of existing laws to the
Internet could adversely affect our business.
Telephone
Service
The 1996
Telecom Act created a more favorable regulatory environment for us to provide
telecommunications services than had previously existed. In
particular, it limited the regulatory role of local franchising authorities and
established requirements ensuring that providers of traditional
telecommunications services can interconnect with other telephone companies to
provide competitive services. Many implementation details remain
unresolved, and there are substantial regulatory changes being considered that
could impact, in both positive and negative ways, our primary telecommunications
competitors. The FCC and state regulatory authorities are
considering, for example, whether common carrier regulation traditionally
applied to incumbent local exchange carriers should be modified and whether any
of those requirements should be extended to VoIP providers. The FCC
has already determined that providers of telephone services using Internet
Protocol technology must comply with 911 emergency service opportunities
(“E911”), requirements for accommodating law enforcement wiretaps (CALEA),
Universal Service fund collection, Customer Proprietary Network Information
requirements, and telephone relay requirements. It is unclear whether
and how the FCC will apply additional types of common carrier regulations, such
as inter-carrier compensation to alternative voice technology. In
March 2007, a federal appeals court affirmed the FCC’s decision concerning
federal regulation of certain VoIP services, but declined to specifically find
that VoIP service provided by cable companies, such as we provide, should be
regulated only at the federal level. As a result, some states have
begun proceedings to subject cable VoIP services to state level
regulation. Also, the FCC and Congress continue to consider to what
extent, VoIP service will have interconnection rights with telephone
companies. It is unclear how these regulatory matters ultimately will
be resolved.
MANAGEMENT
Board
of Directors
CCH II is
a holding company with no operations. CCH II Capital is a direct, wholly owned
finance subsidiary of CCH II that exists solely for the purpose of serving as
co-obligor of the original notes and the new notes. Neither CCH II nor CCH II
Capital has any employees. We and our direct and indirect subsidiaries are
managed by Charter. See “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions —
Transactions Arising Out of Our Organizational Structure and Mr. Allen’s
Investment in Charter and Its Subsidiaries — Intercompany Management
Arrangements.”
Set forth
below are the name, age, position and a description of the business experience
of each director of Charter as of December 30, 2009.
Director
|
Position(s)
|
Robert
Cohn
|
Director
|
W.
Lance Conn
|
Director
|
Darren
Glatt
|
Director
|
Bruce
A. Karsh
|
Director
|
John
D. Markley, Jr
|
Director
|
William
L. McGrath
|
Director
|
David
C. Merritt
|
Director
|
Neil
Smit
|
Director,
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
Christopher
M. Temple
|
Director
|
Eric
L. Zinterhofer
|
Director
|
Robert Cohn, 60, was elected
to the board of directors of Charter on December 1, 2009. Most
recently, Mr. Cohn has served as an independent investor and advisor to growing
companies. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Cohn was a partner with Sequoia
Capital, a high-tech venture capital firm in Silicon Valley. Mr. Cohn
was the founder of Octel Communications Corporation, the leading manufacturer of
voice mail equipment, and was the company’s Chairman and CEO from its inception
in 1982 until it was purchased by Lucent Technologies in 1997. Mr.
Cohn has served on various boards of public and private companies, including
Octel, Trimble Navigation, Electronic Arts, Digital Domain, Ashford.com and Blue
Lithium. Mr. Cohn currently serves on the board of directors of Right
Hemisphere, Market Live and Taboola and is a Trustee of Robert Ballard’s Ocean
Exploration Trust. Mr. Cohn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in
Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Florida and an MBA from
Stanford University.
W. Lance Conn, 41, was
elected to our board of directors of Charter on November 30,
2009. Mr. Conn has served as a member of the board of directors of
Charter since September 2004. From July 2004 to May 2009, Mr. Conn
served as the President of Vulcan Capital, the investment arm of Vulcan,
Inc. Prior to joining Vulcan Inc., Mr. Conn was employed
by America Online, Inc., an interactive online services company, from March 1996
to May 2003. From September 1994 to February 1996, Mr. Conn was an attorney with
Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbrige LLP in Washington, D.C. Mr. Conn
is a director of Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., Plains GP Holdings, L.P.
and Vulcan Energy Corporation, where he previously served as
chairman. Mr. Conn also serves as an advisory director to Makena
Capital Management and an advisor to Global Endowment Management.
Darren Glatt, 34, was elected
to the board of directors of Charter on November 30, 2009. Mr. Glatt
is a Principal at Apollo Management, L.P. and has been with Apollo since
2006. Prior to joining Apollo, Mr. Glatt was a member of the Media
Group at Apax Partners from 2004 to 2006, a member of the Media Group at the
Cypress Group from 2000 to 2002, and a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions
Group at Bear, Stearns & Co. from 1998 to 2000.
Bruce A. Karsh, 54, was
elected to the board of directors of Charter on November 30,
2009. Since 1995, Mr. Karsh has served as President and co-founder of
Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., formerly Oaktree Capital Management, LLC, a
Los Angeles-based investment management firm with over $67 billion of assets
under management as of September 30, 2009. Prior to co-founding
Oaktree, Mr. Karsh was a Managing Director of Trust
Company
of the West (“TCW”) and its affiliate, TCW Asset Management Company, and the
portfolio manager of the Special Credits Funds for seven years. Prior to
joining TCW, Mr. Karsh worked as Assistant to the Chairman of Sun Life Insurance
Company of America and of SunAmerica, Inc., its parent. Prior to that, he
was an attorney with the law firm of O’Melveny & Myers. Mr. Karsh
holds an A.B. degree in Economics from Duke University and a J.D. from the
University of Virginia School of Law. Mr. Karsh serves as the Chairman of
the Board of Directors for Duke University’s investment management company and
serves as a director of Oaktree Capital Group, LLC, LBI Media Holdings, Inc. and
LBI Media, Inc.
John D. Markley, Jr., 44, was
elected to the board of directors of Charter on November 30,
2009. Since 1996, Mr. Markley has been affiliated with Columbia
Capital, a communications, media and technology investment firm, where he has
served in a number of capacities, including portfolio company executive, general
partner and venture partner. Prior to joining Columbia Capital, Mr.
Markley served at the Federal Communications Commission, where he developed U.S.
Government wireless communications and spectrum auction policy. He also held
positions in corporate finance for Kidder, Peabody & Co. in both New York
City and Hong Kong. Mr. Markley is a director of Telecom Transport
Management, Inc., Broadsoft Inc., and Millennial Media, Inc.
William
L. McGrath, 46, was elected to the board of directors of
Charter on November 30, 2009. Since October 2007, Mr. McGrath has
served as the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Vulcan
Inc. Prior to joining Vulcan, Mr. McGrath held senior legal positions
with a number of private and public technology companies. He has also
worked for two national law firms in Washington, D.C. and
Seattle. Mr. McGrath is a director of TowerCo LLC.
David C. Merritt, 55, was elected to the board
of directors of Charter on December 15, 2009, and was also appointed as Chairman
of Charter’s Audit Committee at that time. Mr. Merritt previously served on
Charter's board and Audit Committee since 2003. Effective March
2009, he is a managing director of BC Partners, Inc., a financial advisory
firm. From October 2007 to March 2009, Mr. Merritt served as
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of iCRETE, LLC. From October
2003 to September 2007, Mr. Merritt was a Managing Director of Salem
Partners, LLC, an investment banking firm. Mr. Merritt is a director of Outdoor
Channel Holdings, Inc. and of Calpine Corporation and currently serves as
Chairman of the Audit Committee of each company. From 1975 to 1999,
Mr. Merritt was an audit and consulting partner of KPMG serving in a
variety of capacities during his years with the firm, including national partner
in charge of the media and entertainment practice. Mr. Merritt holds a
Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Accounting from California State
University — Northridge.
Neil Smit, 51, was elected to
the board of directors of Charter on November 30, 2009. Mr. Smit has
served as a director and President and Chief Executive Officer of Charter since
August 2005. Prior to joining Charter, Mr. Smit worked at Time Warner, Inc. in
various capacities, most recently serving as the President of Time Warner’s
America Online Access Business. He also served at America Online (“AOL”) as
Executive Vice President, Member Development, Chief Operating Officer of AOL
Local and Chief Operating Officer of MapQuest. Prior to that Mr. Smit
was a Regional President with Nabisco and was with Pillsbury in a number of
management positions.
Christopher M. Temple, 42,
was elected to the board of directors of Charter on November 30,
2009. From September 2008 to December 2009, Mr. Temple was affiliated
with Vulcan, Inc., most recently as Executive Vice President, Investment
Management. Also during 2008, Mr. Temple served as a managing
director at Tailwind Capital, a New York-based private equity firm. Prior to
joining Tailwind, Mr. Temple was a Managing Director at Friend Skoler &
Company from 2005 to 2008, and at Thayer Capital Partners from 1996 to
2004. From 1989 to 1993, Mr. Temple worked as a staff accountant in
both the audit and tax departments for KPMG LLP and held a CPA certification
during that time. Mr. Temple is a director of Plains All American GP
LLC, and the managing general partner of Plains All American Pipeline,
L.P.
Eric L. Zinterhofer, 38, was
elected to the board of directors of Charter on November 30, 2009. Mr.
Zinterhofer serves as a senior partner at Apollo Management, L.P. and has been
with Apollo since 1998. From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Zinterhofer was a member of the
Corporate Finance Department at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter &
Co. From 1993 to 1994, Mr. Zinterhofer was a member of the Structured
Equity Group at J.P. Morgan Investment Management. Mr. Zinterhofer is
a director of Affinion Group, Inc., Central European Media Enterprises Ltd.,
Dish TV India Ltd., IPCS Inc. and Unity MediaSCA.
The following persons are executive officers of Charter and also hold similar
positions with CCH II and CCH II Capital:
Executive Officers
|
Position(s)
|
Neil
Smit
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
Michael
J. Lovett
|
Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
|
Eloise
E. Schmitz
|
Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
Marwan
Fawaz
|
Executive
Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
|
Ted
W. Schremp
|
Executive
Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
|
Gregory
L. Doody
|
Executive
Vice President and Senior Counsel
|
Joshua
L. Jamison
|
President,
East Operations
|
Steven
E. Apodaca
|
President,
West Operations
|
Kevin
D. Howard
|
Senior
Vice President - Finance, Controller and Chief Accounting
Officer
|
Information
regarding our executive officers who do not serve as directors is set forth
below.
Michael J. Lovett, 48,
Executive Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Lovett
was promoted to his current position in April 2005. Prior to that, he served as
Executive Vice President, Operations and Customer Care from September 2004
through March 2005; as Senior Vice President, Midwest Division Operations;
and as Senior Vice President of Operations Support, since joining Charter in
August 2003 through September 2004. Mr. Lovett was Chief Operating Officer
of Voyant Technologies, Inc., a voice conferencing hardware/software solutions
provider, from December 2001 to August 2003. From November 2000 to December
2001, he was Executive Vice President of Operations for OneSecure, Inc., a
startup company delivering management/monitoring of firewalls and virtual
private networks. Prior to that, Mr. Lovett was Regional Vice President at
AT&T from June 1999 to November 2000 where he was responsible for
operations. Mr. Lovett was Regional Operating Vice President on and after
October 1989 at Jones Intercable and became Senior Vice President at that
company in 1997 and continued in that position to June 1999.
Eloise E. Schmitz, 45, Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer. Ms. Schmitz was promoted to her current
position in July 2008. Ms. Schmitz has been employed in several
management positions with Charter since July 1998, when she joined as Vice
President, Finance & Acquisitions and Assistant Secretary. Prior
to joining Charter, Ms. Schmitz served as Vice President, Group Manager, of the
Franchise and Communications Group for Mercantile Bank, now US Bank, in St.
Louis from 1992 to 1998. Ms. Schmitz received a bachelor's degree in
Finance from Tulane University.
Marwan Fawaz, 47, Executive Vice President and Chief
Technology Officer. Mr. Fawaz
joined Charter in his current position in August 2006. Prior to that, he served
as Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer for Adelphia Communications
Corporation (“Adelphia”) from March 2003 until July 2006. From May 2002 to March
2003, he served as Investment Specialist/Technology Analyst for Vulcan, Inc.
Mr. Fawaz served as Regional Vice President of Operations for the Northwest
Region for Charter from July 2001 to March 2002. From July 2000 to December
2000, he served as Chief Technology Officer for Infinity Broadband. He served as
Vice President — Engineering and Operations at MediaOne, Inc. from January
1996 to June 2000. Mr. Fawaz received a B.S. degree in electrical
engineering and a M.S. in electrical/communication-engineering from California
State University — Long Beach.
Ted W.
Schremp, 38, Executive
Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. Mr.
Schremp was promoted to his current position in July 2008. Prior to that,
he served as Senior Vice President, Product Management and Strategy from
February 2008 to June 2008 and Senior Vice President and General Manager of
Charter Telephone from October 2005 to February 2008. Mr. Schremp joined Charter
as Vice President of IP Product Management in May 2005. He served as
Segment Manager for Hewlett-Packard from February 2001 to May 2005, where he
co-founded its Cable, Media and Entertainment division. Mr. Schremp
graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a double-major in economics and
business and earned an M.B.A. from Penn State University.
Gregory
L. Doody, 45, Executive
Vice President and General Counsel. Mr. Doody was appointed to
his current position on December 1, 2009. Prior to that, he served as
Charter's Chief Restructuring Officer and Senior Counsel in connection with its
Chapter 11 proceedings being appointed on March 25, 2009. Prior to
coming to work for Charter, Mr. Doody served as Executive Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary of Calpine Corporation from July 2006 through
August 2008. Calpine Corporation filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
reorganization in December 2005. From July 2003 through July 2006,
Mr. Doody held various positions at HealthSouth Corporation, including Executive
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Mr. Doody earned a J.D. degree
from Emory University School of Law and received a bachelor's degree in
management from Tulane University. Mr. Doody is a certified public
accountant.
Joshua
L. Jamison, 54, President, East
Operations. Mr. Jamison was promoted to his current position
in July 2006. He joined Charter in May 1999 as Vice President of
Operations for the company’s former Northeast Region and was promoted to
divisional leadership in January 2003. Prior to joining Charter, Mr.
Jamison held several management positions during his 18 years at Time Warner
Cable. Mr. Jamison received a bachelor’s degree in human development
from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and a master’s degree in business
administration from the University of New Haven.
Steven
E. Apodaca, 42, President, West
Operations. Mr. Apodaca was promoted to his current position
in December 2008. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of
Operations Support from September 2005 to December 2008, Interim President of
the former West Division from February 2007 to May 2007 and Interim Senior Vice
President – Operations for the former Great Lakes Division from April 2005 to
September 2005. Mr. Apodaca joined Charter as Vice President of
Marketing for the former Great Lakes Division in 2003. Prior to
joining Charter, Mr. Apodaca served as Senior Director of Marketing for nCUBE
from 2002 to 2003 and Executive Director of Marketing for AT&T Broadband
from 1998 to 2002. Mr. Apodaca received a B.S. degree in marketing
and an M.B.A from Colorado State University.
Kevin
D. Howard, 40, Senior Vice President - Finance, Controller
and Chief Accounting Officer. Mr. Howard
was promoted to his current position in December 2009. Prior to that, he served
as Vice President of Finance from April 2003 until April 2006 and as Director of
Financial Reporting since joining Charter in April 2002. Mr. Howard began
his career at Arthur Andersen LLP in 1993 where he was an auditor in the audit
division until leaving in April 2002. Mr. Howard received a B.S.B.A. degree
in finance and economics from the University of Missouri — Columbia and is
a certified public accountant and certified managerial accountant.
COMPENSATION
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
During
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, neither CCH II, LLC nor CCH II
Capital Corp. paid any cash or other compensation. The affairs of issuers are
managed by Charter. Because Charter maintains principal responsibility for
managing the affairs of the issuers of the notes, we do not have employees or
other full-time personnel. The officers of the issuers (who are employees of
Charter) perform the responsibilities of officers, such as executing contracts
and filing reports with regulatory agencies.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
CCH II is
a holding company with no operations. CCH II Capital is a direct, wholly owned
finance subsidiary of CCH II that exists solely for the purpose of serving as
co-obligor of the original notes and the new notes. Neither CCH II nor CCH II
Capital has any employees. We and our direct and indirect subsidiaries are
managed by Charter. The following table sets forth information as of
December 30, 2009 regarding the beneficial ownership of Charter’s Class A Common
Stock by:
·
|
each
holder of more than 5% of Charter's outstanding shares of Common
Stock;
|
·
|
each
of Charter's directors and named executive officers;
and
|
·
|
all
of Charter's directors and executive officers as a
group.
|
Beneficial
ownership for the purposes of the following table is determined in accordance
with the rules and regulations of the SEC. These rules generally
provide that a person is the beneficial owner of securities if such person has
or shares the power to vote or direct the voting thereof, or to dispose or
direct the disposition thereof or has the right to acquire such powers within 60
days. Common Stock subject to options that are currently exercisable
or exercisable within 60 days of December 30, 2009 are deemed to be outstanding
and beneficially owned by the person holding the options. These
shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the
percentage ownership of any other person. Percentage of beneficial
ownership is based on 112,576,262 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding as
of December 30, 2009. Except as disclosed in the footnotes to this
table, we believe that each stockholder identified in the table possesses sole
voting and investment power over all shares of common stock shown as
beneficially owned by the stockholder. Unless otherwise indicated in
the table or footnotes below, the address for each beneficial owner is 12405
Powerscourt Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63131.
|
|
Shares
Beneficially Owned(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5%
Stockholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul
G. Allen(2)
|
|
|
8,654,722 |
|
|
|
7.21 |
% |
|
|
39.91 |
% |
Funds
affiliated with AP Charter Holdings,
L.P.(3)
|
|
|
35,691,388 |
|
|
|
31.44 |
% |
|
|
19.68 |
% |
Oaktree
Opportunities Investments, L.P.(4)
|
|
|
20,153,649 |
|
|
|
17.83 |
% |
|
|
11.15 |
% |
Funds
advised by Franklin Advisers, Inc.(5)
|
|
|
21,656,332 |
|
|
|
18.80 |
% |
|
|
11.83 |
% |
Funds
affiliated with Encore LLC(6)
|
|
|
11,071,525 |
|
|
|
9.83 |
% |
|
|
6.14 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive
Officers and Directors:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
Cohn
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
W.
Lance Conn
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Darren
Glatt(7)
|
|
|
35,691,388 |
|
|
|
31.44 |
% |
|
|
19.68 |
% |
Bruce
A. Karsh(8)
|
|
|
20,153,649 |
|
|
|
17.83 |
% |
|
|
11.15 |
% |
John
D. Markley, Jr.
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
David
C. Merritt
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
William
L. McGrath(9)
|
|
|
212,923 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Christopher
M. Temple
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Eric
L. Zinterhofer(10)
|
|
|
35,691,388 |
|
|
|
31.44 |
% |
|
|
19.68 |
% |
Neil
Smit(11)
|
|
|
343,675 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Eloise
E. Schmitz(12)
|
|
|
84,009 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Michael
Lovett(13)
|
|
|
152,744 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
Marwan
Fawaz(14)
|
|
|
76,372 |
|
|
|
* |
|
|
|
* |
|
All
executive officers and directors as a group (18
persons)(15)
|
|
|
56,947,325 |
|
|
|
49.89 |
% |
|
|
31.18 |
% |
____________________
(1)
|
Shares
shown in the table above include shares held in the beneficial owner’s
name or jointly with others, or in the name of a bank, nominee or trustee
for the beneficial owner’s account. The calculation of this
percentage assumes for each person the acquisition by such person of all
shares that may be acquired upon exercise of warrants to purchase shares
of Class A Common Stock.
|
(2)
|
Includes
2,241,299 shares of Class B Common Stock (which are convertible into a
like number of shares of Class A Common Stock) entitled to thirty-five
percent (35%) of the vote of the Common Stock on a fully diluted basis;
and 0.19 of a Charter Holdco Unit that is exchangeable for 212,923 shares
of Class A Common Stock on or prior to November 30,
2014. Includes 5,056,614 shares of Class A Common Stock
issuable upon exercise of warrants held by Mr. Allen. The
address of Mr. Allen is: c/o Vulcan Inc., 505 Fifth Avenue South, Suite
900, Seattle, WA 98104.
|
(3)
|
Includes
shares and warrants beneficially owned by the listed
shareholder. Of the amount listed, 32,858,747 shares and
745,379 CIH warrants are held by AP Charter Holdings, L.P. Of
the amount listed, 1,264,996 shares and 121,989 CIH warrants are held by
Red Bird, L.P. Of the amount listed, 450,653 shares and 45,001
CIH warrants are held by Blue Bird, L.P. Of the amount listed
185,268 shares and 19,355 CIH warrants are held by Green Bird,
L.P. (together with Blue Bird, L.P. and Red Bird, L.P., the
“Apollo Partnerships”).
|
|
The
general partner of AP Charter Holdings, L.P. is AP Charter Holdings GP,
LLC. The managers of AP Charter Holdings GP, LLC are Apollo
Management VI, L.P. and Apollo Management VII, L.P. The general
partner of Apollo Management VI, L.P. is AIF VI Management, LLC, and the
general partner of Apollo Management VII, L.P. is AIF VII Management,
LLC. Apollo Management, L.P. is the sole member and manager of
each of AIF VI Management, LLC and AIF VII Management, LLC. The
general partner of Apollo Management, L.P. is Apollo Management GP,
LLC.
|
|
The
general partner of Red Bird, L.P. is Red Bird GP, Ltd. and the general
partner of Blue Bird, L.P. is Blue Bird GP, Ltd. The general
partner of Green Bird, L.P. is Green Bird GP, Ltd. Apollo SVF
Management, L.P. is the director of each of Red Bird GP, Ltd. and Blue
Bird GP, Ltd., and Apollo Value Management, L.P. is the director of Green
Bird GP, Ltd. The general partner of Apollo SVF Management,
L.P. is Apollo SVF Management GP, LLC, and the general partner of Apollo
Value Management, L.P. is Apollo Value Management GP,
LLC. Apollo Capital Management, L.P. is the sole member and
manager of each of Apollo SVF Management GP, LLC and Apollo Value
Management GP, LLC. The general partner of Apollo Capital
Management, L.P. is Apollo Capital Management GP, LLC. Apollo
Management Holdings, L.P. is the sole member and manager of each of Apollo
Management GP, LLC and Apollo Capital Management GP, LLC, and Apollo
Management Holdings GP, LLC is the general partner of Apollo Management
Holdings, L.P.
|
|
The
sole shareholder of Red Bird, L.P. is Apollo SOMA Advisors, L.P., the sole
shareholder of Blue Bird, L.P. is Apollo SVF Advisors, L.P., and the sole
shareholder of Green Bird, L.P. is Apollo Value Advisors,
L.P. The general partner of Apollo SOMA Advisors, L.P. is
Apollo SOMA Capital Management, LLC, the general partner of Apollo SVF
Advisors, L.P. is Apollo SVF Capital Management, LLC, and the general
partner of Apollo Value Advisors, L.P. is Apollo Value Capital Management,
LLC. Apollo Principal Holdings II, L.P. is the sole member and
manager of each of Apollo SOMA Capital Management, LLC, Apollo SVF Capital
Management, LLC and Apollo Value Capital Management,
LLC. Apollo Principal Holdings II GP, LLC is the general
partner of Apollo Principal Holdings II,
L.P.
|
|
AP
Charter Holdings, L.P. does not have voting or dispositive power over the
shares owned of record by any of the Apollo Partnerships, and none of the
Apollo Partnerships have any voting or dispositive power over the shares
owned of record by AP Charter Holdings, L.P. or any of the other Apollo
Partnerships. AP Charter Holdings, L.P. has granted a proxy to
Apollo Management VI, L.P. and Apollo Management VII, L.P. to vote the
shares of Charter Communications Inc. that AP Charter Holdings, L.P. holds
of record. Leon Black, Joshua Harris and Marc Rowan are the
principal executive officers and managers of Apollo Management Holdings
GP, LLC and Apollo Principal Holdings II GP, LLC, and as such may be
deemed to have voting and dispositive powers with respect to the shares
that are beneficially owned or owned of record by the Apollo
Partnerships. Each of Messrs. Black, Harris and Rowan, and each
of Apollo Management VI, L.P. and Apollo Management VII, L.P., and each of
the other general partners, managers and sole shareholders described above
disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares of common stock beneficially
or of record owned by any of AP Charter Holdings, L.P. or the Apollo
Partnerships, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest
therein.
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The
address for AP Charter Holdings, L.P., AP Charter Holdings GP, LLC, Apollo
SOMA Advisors, L.P., Apollo SVF Advisors, L.P., Apollo Value Advisors,
L.P., Apollo SOMA Capital Management, LLC, Apollo SVF Capital Management,
LLC, Apollo Value Capital Management, LLC, Apollo Principal Holdings II,
L.P. and Apollo Principal Holdings II GP, LLC is One Manhattanville Road,
Suite 201, Purchase, NY 10577. The address for Red Bird, L.P.,
Red Bird GP, Ltd., Green Bird, L.P., Green Bird GP, Ltd., Blue Bird, L.P.
and Blue Bird GP, Ltd. is c/o Walkers Corporate Services Limited, Walker
House, 87 Mary Street, George Town, Grand Cayman, KY1-9905. The
address for Apollo Management VI, L.P.; Apollo Management VII, L.P.: AIF
VI Management, LLC: AIF VII Management, LLC; Apollo Management, L.P.;
Apollo Management GP, LLC; Apollo SVF Management, L.P., Apollo Value
Management, L.P., Apollo SVF Management GP, LLC, Apollo Value Management
GP, LLC, Apollo Capital Management, L.P., Apollo Capital Management GP,
LLC, Apollo Management Holdings, L.P.; Apollo Management Holdings GP, LLC,
and Messrs. Black, Rowan and Harris is 9 W. 57th
Street, 43rd
Floor, New York, NY 10019.
|
(4)
|
Includes
shares and warrants beneficially owned by the listed
shareholder. Of the shares included, 19,725,105 are held by
Oaktree Opportunities Investments, L.P. Of the warrants
included: 95,743 are held by OCM Opportunities Fund V, L.P.;
215,108 are held by OCM Opportunities Fund VI, L.P.; 104,553 are held by
OCM Opportunities Fund VII Delaware, L.P.; 13,140 are held by Oaktree
Value Opportunities Fund, L.P. The mailing address for the
holders listed above is c/o Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. 333 S. Grand
Avenue, 28th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071. The shares being
offered are held by Oaktree Opportunities Investments, L.P. The
general partner of Oaktree Opportunities Investments, L.P. is Oaktree Fund
GP, LLC. The managing member of Oaktree Fund GP, LLC is Oaktree
Fund GP I, L.P. The general partner of Oaktree Fund GP I, L.P.
is Oaktree Capital I, L.P. The general partner of Oaktree
Capital I, L.P. is OCM Holdings I, LLC. The managing member of
OCM Holdings I, LLC is Oaktree Holdings, LLC. The managing
member of Oaktree Holdings, LLC is Oaktree Capital Group,
LLC. The holder of a majority of the voting units of Oaktree
Capital Group, LLC is Oaktree Capital Group Holdings, L.P. The
general partner of Oaktree Capital Group Holdings, L.P. is Oaktree Capital
Group Holdings GP, LLC. The members of Oaktree Capital Group
Holdings GP, LLC are Kevin Clayton, John Frank, Stephen Kaplan, Bruce
Karsh, Larry Keele, David Kirchheimer, Howard Marks and Sheldon
Stone. Each of the general partners, managing members, unit
holders and members described above disclaims beneficial ownership of any
shares of common stock beneficially or of record owned by Oaktree
Opportunities Investments, L.P., except to the extent of any pecuniary
interest therein. The address for all of the entities and
individuals identified above is 333 S. Grand Avenue, 28th
Floor, Los Angeles,
CA 90071.
|
(5)
|
Includes
shares and warrants exercisable for shares of Class A Common
Stock. Of the amount listed, Franklin related funds hold
4,926,010 shares of Class A Common Stock and warrants exercisable for
2,610,619 shares of Class A Common Stock. The business address
for all entities listed in the preceding sentence is Franklin Parkway, San
Mateo, California 94403.
|
(6)
|
The managing members of Encore,
LLC are Crestview Partners, L.P., Crestview Partners (PF), L.P., Crestview
Holdings (TE), L.P., Encore (ERISA), Ltd., Crestview Offshore Holdings
(Cayman), L.P. Crestview Partners (ERISA), L.P. is the
manager of Encore (ERISA), Ltd. The general partner of
Crestview Partners, L.P. Crestview Partners (PF), L.P., Crestview Holdings
(TE), L.P., Crestview Partners (ERISA), L.P., and Crestview Offshore
Holdings (Cayman), L.P. is Crestview Partners GP, L.P. The general partner
of Crestview Partners GP, L.P. is Crestview,
LLC.
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The
managing members of Encore II, LLC are Crestview Partners II, L.P.,
Crestview Partners II (FF), L.P., Crestview Partners II (PF), L.P,
Crestview Partners II (TE), L.P., Crestview Offshore Holdings II (Cayman),
L.P., and Crestview Offshore Holdings II (FF Cayman), L.P. The
general partner of the managing members of Encore II, LLC is Crestview
Partners II, GP. The general partner of Crestview Partners GP, L.P. is
Crestview, LLC.
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Crestview
LLC is managed and owned by the following four members, Volpert Investors,
L.P., Murphy Investors, L.P., DeMartini Investors, L.P. and RJH Investment
Partners, L.P. Each of these four limited partnerships is owned
solely by family members of its related senior manager, who are: Barry
Volpert, Thomas S. Murphy, Jr., Richard DeMartini and Robert J. Hurst,
respectively. The officers and directors of Crestview LLC have voting and
dispositive powers with respect to the shares by beneficially owned by the
Encore
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partnerships
above. The officers and directors of Crestview LLC are as follows, Barry
Volpert, Chief Executive Officer, Thomas S. Murphy, Jr., President, Robert
J. Hurst, Managing Director, Richard DeMartini, Managing Director, Jeff
Marcus, Managing Director, and Bob Delaney, Managing
Director. The officers and directors of Crestview LLC above
disclaims beneficial ownership of any shares of common stock beneficially
or of record owned by the Encore partnerships except to the extent of any
pecuniary interest therein.
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The
business address for Encore, LLC, Encore II, LLC, Crestview
Partners, L.P. Crestview Partners (PF), L.P., Crestview Holdings (TE),
L.P., Crestview Partners (ERISA), L.P., Crestview Partners II, L.P.,
Crestview Partners II (FF), L.P., Crestview Partners II (PF), L.P,
Crestview Partners II (TE), L.P, Crestview Partners GP, L.P,
Crestview Partners II, GP and Crestview, LLC is c/o Crestview
Partners 667 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, New York
10065.
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|
The
business address for Encore (ERISA), Ltd., Crestview Offshore Holdings
(Cayman), L.P., Crestview Offshore Holdings II (Cayman), L.P., and
Crestview Offshore Holdings II (FF Cayman), L.P. is Maples Corporate
Services, Limited, PO Box 309 GT, Ugland House, George Town, Grand Cayman,
Cayman Islands.
|
(7)
|
By
virtue of being a principal at Apollo Management, L.P, Mr. Glatt may be
deemed to have or share beneficial ownership of shares beneficially owned
by AP Charter Holdings, L.P., Red Bird, L.P., Blue Bird, L.P.; and Green
Bird, L.P. Mr. Glatt expressly disclaims beneficial ownership
of such shares, except to the extent of his direct pecuniary interest
therein. See Note 3.
|
(8)
|
By
virtue of being a member of Oaktree Capital Group Holdings GP, LLC, Mr.
Karsh may be deemed to have or share beneficial ownership of shares or
warrants beneficially owned by Oaktree Opportunities Investments, L.P. or
certain of its affiliated funds. Mr. Karsh expressly disclaims
beneficial ownership of such shares or warrants, except to the extent of
his direct pecuniary interest therein. See Note
4.
|
(9)
|
By
virtue of being the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Vulcan
Inc., Mr. McGrath may be deemed to have or share beneficial ownership of
shares beneficially owned by CII. CII currently holds 0.19 Holdco Units
that may be exchanged for 212,923 shares of Class A Common Stock. Mr.
McGrath expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares, except to
the extent of his direct pecuniary interest
therein.
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(10)
|
By
virtue of being a senior partner at Apollo Management, L.P, Mr.
Zinterhofer may be deemed to have or share beneficial ownership of shares
beneficially owned by AP Charter Holdings, L.P., Red Bird, L.P., Blue
Bird, L.P.; and Green Bird, L.P. Mr. Zinterhofer expressly
disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares, except to the extent of his
direct pecuniary interest therein. See Note
3.
|
(11)
|
Includes
343,675 shares of restricted stock issued pursuant to the 2009 Stock
Incentive Plan that are not yet vested, but eligible to be
voted.
|
(12)
|
Includes
84,009 shares of restricted stock issued pursuant to the 2009 Stock
Incentive Plan that are not yet vested, but eligible to be
voted.
|
(13)
|
Includes
152,744 shares of restricted stock issued pursuant to the 2009 Stock
Incentive Plan that are not yet vested, but eligible to be
voted.
|
(14)
|
Includes
76,372 shares of restricted stock issued pursuant to the 2009 Stock
Incentive Plan that are not yet vested, but eligible to be
voted.
|
(15)
|
Includes
shares of restricted stock issued pursuant the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan
that are not yet vested, but eligible to be voted, and the shares of our
Class A Common Stock beneficially owned described in footnotes (7), (8),
(9), (10), (11), (12), (13) and
(14).
|
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The
Company maintains written policies and procedures covering related party
transactions. The Audit Committee reviews the material facts of
related party transactions. Management has various procedures in
place, e.g., Charter's Code of Conduct which requires annual certifications from
employees that are designed to identify potential related party
transactions. Management brings those to the Audit Committee for
review as appropriate.
The
following sets forth certain transactions in which we are involved and in which
the directors, executive officers and affiliates of Charter have or may have a
material interest. A number of our debt instruments and those of our
subsidiaries require delivery of fairness opinions for transactions with
affiliates involving more than $50 million. Such fairness opinions
have been obtained whenever required. All of our transactions with
affiliates have been deemed by Charter's board of directors or a committee of
the board of directors to be in our best interest. Related party
transactions are approved by the Audit Committee or another independent body of
Charter's board of directors.
Recent
Development – Restructuring
Paul
Allen
In connection with the Plan, Charter,
Mr. Allen and CII entered a separate restructuring agreement (as amended, the
“Allen Agreement”), in settlement and compromise of their legal, contractual and
equitable rights, claims and remedies against Charter and its subsidiaries, and
in addition to any amounts received by virtue of their holding other claims
against Charter and its subsidiaries, upon the effective date of the Plan, CII
was issued a number of shares of the new Class B Common Stock of Charter equal
to 2% of the equity value of Charter, after giving effect to the Rights
Offering, but prior to issuance of warrants and equity-based awards provided for
by the Plan and 35% (determined on a fully diluted basis) of the total voting
power of all new capital stock of Charter. See "Security Ownership of
Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" for specific ownership
information. Each share of new Class B Common Stock is
convertible, at the option of the holder, into one share of new Class A Common
Stock, and is subject to significant restrictions on
transfer. Certain holders of new Class A Common Stock (and securities
convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable therefor) and new Class B Common
Stock will receive certain customary registration rights with respect to their
shares. Upon the effective date of the Plan, CII received: (i)
warrants to purchase shares of new Class A Common Stock of Charter in an
aggregate amount equal to 4% of the equity value of reorganized Charter, after
giving effect to the Rights Offering, but prior to the issuance of warrants and
equity-based awards provided for by the Plan, (ii) $85 million principal amount
of new CCH II notes, (iii) $25 million in cash for amounts owing to
CII under a management agreement described below, (iv) $20 million in cash
for reimbursement of fees and expenses in connection with the Plan, and (v) an
additional $150 million in cash. The warrants described above have an
exercise price per share based on a total equity value equal to the sum of the
equity value of reorganized Charter, plus the gross proceeds of the Rights
Offering, and shall expire seven years after the date of issuance. In addition,
on the effective date of the Plan, CII retained a minority equity interest in
reorganized Charter Holdco and a right to exchange such interest into new Class
A Common Stock of Charter. Further, Mr. Allen transferred his preferred equity
interest in CC VIII to Charter. Mr. Allen has the right to elect up
to four of Charter's eleven board members.
Holdco
Exchange Agreement
On
November 30, 2009, Charter, Charter Holdco, CII and Mr. Allen entered into an
exchange agreement (the “Holdco Exchange Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr.
Allen and certain persons and entities affiliated with Mr. Allen (together, the
“Allen Entities”) have the right and option, at any time and from time to time
on or prior to November 30, 2014, to require the Company to (i) exchange all or
any portion of their membership units in Charter Holdco (the “Holdco
Units”) for $1,000 in cash and up to 1,120,649 shares of Class A Common Stock in
a taxable transaction, (ii) exchange 100% of the equity in such Allen Entity for
$1,000 in cash and 1,120,649 shares of Class A Common Stock in a taxable
transaction, or (iii) permit such Allen Entity to merge with and into the
Company, or a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, or undertake tax-free
transactions similar to the taxable transactions in clauses (i) and (ii),
provided that the exchange rights described in clauses (ii) and (iii) are
subject to certain limitations. The number of shares of Class A
Common Stock that an Allen Entity receives is subject to certain adjustments,
including for certain distributions received from Charter Holdco prior to the
date the option to
exchange
is exercised and for certain distributions made by the Company to holders of its
Class A Common Stock. In addition, no sooner than at least 120 days
following the Effective Date, in the event that a transaction that would
constitute a Change of Control (as defined in the Lock-Up Agreement) is approved
by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company not
affiliated with the person(s) proposing such transactions, the Company will have
the right to require the Allen Entities to effect an exchange transaction of the
type elected by the Allen Entities from subclauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above,
which election is subject to certain limitations.
As of
November 30, 2009, there was an aggregate of 100 Holdco Units outstanding, of
which 99 were held by Charter and one (1) was held by CII. As
permitted by the Holdco Exchange Agreement, on December 28, 2009, CII exchanged
0.81 Holdco Unit for 907,698 shares of Class A Common Stock plus
$1,000. As a result, as of December 31, 2009, Charter holds 99.81
Holdco Units and CII holds 0.19 Holdco Unit. Pursuant to the terms of
the Exchange Agreement, CII can exchange its 0.19 Holdco Unit for an additional
212,923 shares of our Class A Common Stock on or prior to November 30,
2014.
Noteholders
Our Plan was funded with cash on hand,
cash from operations, an exchange of certain CCH II debt and estimated proceeds
of an equity rights offering (the “Rights Offering”). In addition to
separate restructuring agreements entered into with certain holders of certain
of the Company’s subsidiaries’ notes (the “Noteholders”), the Noteholders
entered into commitment letters with Charter pursuant to which they agreed to
exchange and/or purchase, as applicable, certain securities of
Charter. The Rights Offering resulted in holders of CCH I notes
electing to purchase approximately $1.6 billion of Charter’s new Class A Common
Stock and certain of the Noteholders electing to exercise an overallotment
option to purchase an additional approximately $40 million of Charter’s new
Class A Common Stock. The Plan also provided that upon emergence from
bankruptcy each holder of 10% or more of the voting power of the reorganized
Company would have the right to nominate one member of the initial board of
directors for each 10% of voting power. Certain of the Noteholders
met the 10% requirement and appointed members to Charter’s board of directors in
accordance with the Plan, including Messrs. Zinterhofer and Glatt
who are employees of Apollo Management, L.P.; Mr. Karsh who is an employee of
Oaktree Capital Management, LLC; and Mr. Cohn who was appointed by Funds advised
by Franklin Advisers, Inc. As set forth in "Security Ownership of
Certain Beneficial Owners and Management," funds affiliated with AP Charter
Holdings, L.P. beneficially hold 31% of the Class A Common Stock of Charter
representing 20% of the vote. Oaktree Opportunities Investments, L.P.
beneficially holds 18% of the Class A Common Stock of Charter representing 11%
of the vote. Funds advised by Franklin Advisers,
Inc. beneficially holds 19% of the Class A Common Stock of Charter
representing 12% of the vote.
Transactions Arising Out of Our Organizational
Structure Intercompany
Management Arrangements
Charter
is a party to management arrangements with Charter Holdco and certain of its
subsidiaries. Under these agreements, Charter provides management
services for the cable systems owned or operated by its subsidiaries, including
subsidiaries of CCH II. These management agreements provide for
reimbursement to Charter for all costs and expenses incurred by it for
activities relating to the ownership and operation of the managed cable systems,
including corporate overhead, administration and salary expense.
The total
amount paid by Charter Holdco and all of its subsidiaries is limited to the
amount necessary to reimburse Charter for all of its expenses, costs, losses,
liabilities and damages paid or incurred by it in connection with the
performance of its services under the various management agreements and in
connection with its corporate overhead, administration, salary expense and
similar items. Payment of management fees by Charter’s operating
subsidiaries is subject to certain restrictions under the credit facilities and
indentures of such subsidiaries. If any portion of the management fee
due and payable is not paid, it is deferred by Charter and accrued as a
liability of such subsidiaries. For the year ended December 31, 2008
and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the subsidiaries of CCH II paid a
total of $156 million and $101 million, respectively, in management fees to
Charter.
Mutual
Services Agreement
Charter
and Charter Holdco are parties to a mutual services agreement whereby each party
shall provide rights and services to the other parties as may be reasonably
requested for the management of the entities involved
and their
subsidiaries, including the cable systems owned by their subsidiaries all on a
cost-reimbursement basis. The officers and employees of each party
are available to the other party to provide these rights and services, and all
expenses and costs incurred in providing these rights and services are paid by
Charter. Each party will indemnify and hold harmless the
other party and its directors, officers and employees from and against any and
all claims that may be made against any of them in connection with the mutual
services agreement except due to its or their gross negligence or willful
misconduct. For the year ended December 31, 2008 and nine months
ended September 30, 2009, Charter paid approximately $135 million and $88
million, respectively, to Charter Holdco for services rendered pursuant to the
mutual services agreement. All such amounts are reimbursable to
Charter pursuant to a management arrangement with our
subsidiaries.
Previous
Management Agreement with Charter Investment, Inc.
Prior to
November 12, 1999, CII provided management and consulting services to our
operating subsidiaries for a fee equal to 3.5% of the gross revenues of the
systems then owned, plus reimbursement of expenses. Any deferred
amount of this management fee was accrued with payment at the discretion of CII,
bearing interest at the rate of 10% per year, compounded annually, from the date
it was due and payable until the date it was paid. As previously
noted, in connection with the consummation of the Allen Agreement under the
Plan, CII was paid at closing $25 million in cash in full satisfaction of
amounts due and owing to CII under this management agreement.
CC
VIII, LLC
Charter
acquired certain cable systems owned by Bresnan Communications Company Limited
Partnership in February 2000. As part of a subsequent settlement in
2005 regarding an issue as to whether the documentation for the Bresnan
transaction was correct and complete with regard to the ultimate ownership of
the interest in CC VIII (the “CC VIII Settlement”), CII retained 30% of the CC
VIII preferred membership interest (the “Remaining
Interests”). CCHC, LLC (“CCHC”) (a direct subsidiary of Charter
Holdco and the direct parent of Charter Holdings) also issued to CII a
subordinated exchangeable note with an initial accreted value of $48 million,
accreting at 14% per annum, compounded quarterly, with a 15-year maturity (the
“CCHC note”).
Charter
settled certain litigation with its former law firm to recover damages arising
from the Bresnan transaction and the CC VIII Settlement. Charter and
its subsidiaries had agreed to reimburse CII and affiliates for all reasonable
expenses incurred as a result of its cooperation with Charter in the
litigation. In early 2009, Charter reimbursed Vulcan Inc.
approximately $3 million in legal expenses.
As
previously noted, in connection with the consummation of the Allen Agreement
under the Plan, Mr. Allen transferred the Remaining Interests to Charter
and the CCHC note was cancelled.
Third
Party Business Relationships in which a Principal Shareholder has or had an
Interest
Cingular
Wireless
A
subsidiary of Vulcan. Inc. ("Vulcan") has entered into an agreement with New
Cingular Wireless National Accounts, LLC (“Cingular”) to receive discounted
wireless services for use by Vulcan and its named affiliates. Charter
was previously named as one of Vulcan’s affiliates to receive discounted
wireless services. Charter was billed directly by Cingular with the
discounts applied, and Charter’s portion of the discounted wireless services
under the agreement resulted in approximately $1 million per
year. Charter paid to Cingular approximately $1 million for the year
ended December 31, 2008 in connection with the discounted wireless
services. Charter made no payments to Vulcan in connection with the
Cingular wireless services. Charter no longer participates in this
arrangement with Cingular.
9
OM, Inc. (formerly known as Digeo, Inc.)
Mr. Allen, through his 100% ownership
of Vulcan Ventures Incorporated ("Vulcan Ventures"), previously owned a majority
interest in a company formerly known as Digeo, Inc. and indirectly owns a
subsidiary of same, a company formerly known as Digeo Interactive,
LLC.
On June
30, 2003, Charter Holdco entered into an agreement with Motorola, Inc. for the
purchase of 100,000 digital video recorder (“DVR”) units. The
software for these DVR units was being supplied by Digeo Interactive, LLC under
a license agreement entered into in April 2004. The license granted
for each unit deployed under the agreement is valid for five
years. In addition, Charter paid certain other fees including a
per-headend license fee and maintenance fees. Maximum license and
maintenance fees during the term of the agreement were expected to be
approximately $7 million. The agreement included an “MFN clause”
pursuant to which Charter was entitled to receive contract terms, considered on
the whole, and license fees, considered apart from other contract terms, no less
favorable than those accorded to any other Digeo customer. Charter
paid $1 million in license and maintenance fees for each of the year ended
December 31, 2008 and nine months ended September 30, 2009.
In May
2004, Charter Holdco entered into a binding term sheet with Digeo Interactive,
LLC for the development, testing and purchase of 70,000 Digeo PowerKey DVR
units. The term sheet provided that the parties would proceed in good
faith to negotiate, prior to year-end 2004, definitive agreements for the
development, testing and purchase of the DVR units and that the parties would
enter into a license agreement for Digeo’s proprietary software on terms
substantially similar to the terms of the license agreement described
above. In November 2004, Charter Holdco and Digeo Interactive. LLC
executed the license agreement and in December 2004, the parties executed the
purchase agreement, each on terms substantially similar to the binding term
sheet. Total purchase price and license and maintenance fees during
the term of the definitive agreements were expected to be approximately $41
million. The definitive agreements were terminable at no penalty to
Charter in certain circumstances. Charter paid $1 million for capital
purchases for the year ended December 31, 2008 under this
agreement. In November 2007, Charter entered into a statement of work
with Digeo for the development, testing and delivery of its proprietary software
over a switched digital video set-top box environment in a number of our western
division systems. The maximum amount of fees during the term of the
statement of work was expected to be approximately $300,000. Charter
has paid approximately $27,000 pursuant to this statement of work.
In May
2008, Charter Operating entered into an agreement with Digeo Interactive, LLC
for the minimum purchase of high-definition DVR units for approximately $21
million. This minimum purchase commitment was subject to reduction as
a result of certain specified events such as the failure to deliver units timely
and catastrophic failure. The software for these units was supplied
under a software license agreement with Digeo Interactive, LLC; the cost of
which was expected to be approximately $2 million for the initial licenses and
on-going maintenance fees of approximately $0.3 million annually, subject to
reduction to coincide with any reduction in the minimum purchase
commitment. For the year ended December 31, 2008 and nine months
ended September 30, 2009, Charter purchased approximately $1 million and $15
million, respectively,of DVR units from Digeo Interactive, LLC under these
agreements.
In October 2009, substantially all of
Digeo, Inc. and Digeo Interactive, LLC's assets were sold to ARRIS Group, Inc.,
an unrelated third party. In connection with this sale of assets,
Digeo, Inc. changed its name to 9 OM, Inc. and Digeo Interactive, LLC changed
its name to 9 OM, LLC. Ms. Jo Lynn Allen was a director of Charter
and a director and Vice President of Vulcan Ventures. Mr. Lance Conn
is a director of Charter and was Executive Vice President of Vulcan Ventures
until his resignation in May 2009. Mr.
William McGrath is a director of Charter and is Vice President and Secretary of
Vulcan Ventures, a director and Vice President of 9 OM, Inc. and a manager and
Vice President of 9 OM, LLC.
DESCRIPTION
OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
The
following description of indebtedness is qualified in its entirety by reference
to the relevant credit facilities, indentures and related documents governing
such indebtedness.
As of
September 30, 2009, our actual and pro forma total debt was approximately $14.2
billion and $13.5 billion, respectively, as summarized below (dollars in
millions):
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro
Forma Principal
Amount
(b)
|
|
Semi-
Annual
Interest
Payment
Dates
|
|
CCH
II, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.250%
senior notes due 2010
|
|
$ |
1,860 |
|
|
$ |
1,857 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
3/15
& 9/15
|
9/15/10
|
10.250%
senior notes due 2013
|
|
|
614 |
|
|
|
584 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
4/1
& 10/1
|
10/1/13
|
13.5%
senior notes due 2016
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
1,766 |
|
2/15
& 8/15
|
11/30/16
|
CCO
Holdings, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
3/4% senior notes due 2013
|
|
|
800 |
|
|
|
797 |
|
|
|
800 |
|
5/15
& 11/15
|
11/15/13
|
Credit
facility
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
9/6/14
|
Charter
Communications Operating, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.000%
senior second-lien notes due 2012
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
4/30
& 10/30
|
4/30/12
|
8
3/8% senior second-lien notes due 2014
|
|
|
770 |
|
|
|
770 |
|
|
|
770 |
|
4/30
& 10/30
|
4/30/14
|
10.875%
senior second-lien notes due 2014
|
|
|
546 |
|
|
|
529 |
|
|
|
546 |
|
3/15
& 9/15
|
9/15/14
|
Credit
facilities
|
|
|
8,194 |
|
|
|
8,194 |
|
|
|
8,194 |
|
|
varies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
14,234 |
|
|
$ |
14,181 |
|
|
$ |
13,526 |
|
|
|
__________________
(a)
|
The
accreted values presented above generally represent the principal amount
of the notes less the original issue discount at the time of sale, plus
the accretion to the balance sheet date. However, the current
accreted value for legal purposes and notes indenture purposes (the amount
that is currently payable if the debt becomes immediately due) is equal to
the principal amount of notes.
|
(b)
|
The
Pro forma Principal Amount reflects the amount outstanding pro forma for
the consummation of the Plan. The debt of CCH II was refinanced
in accordance with the Plan, by paying a portion of the principal and
interest with the proceeds from the Rights Offering and by exchanging the
CCH II Notes for New CCH II Notes in the Exchange Offer. Upon
application of fresh start accounting in accordance with ASC 852, the
Company will adjust its long-term debt to reflect fair
value. This adjustment may be
material.
|
(c)
|
In
general, the obligors have the right to redeem all of the notes set forth
in the above table in whole or in part at their option, beginning at
various times prior to their stated maturity dates, subject to certain
conditions, upon the payment of the outstanding principal amount (plus a
specified redemption premium) and all accrued and unpaid
interest. For additional information see Note 9 to the
accompanying December 31, 2008 consolidated financial statements contained
in this prospectus.
|
Description
of Our Outstanding Debt
Overview
As of
September 30, 2009, December 31, 2008 and 2007, the blended weighted average
interest rate on our debt was 8.4%, 7.0% and 7.9%, respectively, including 2%
penalty interest as of September 30, 2009. The interest rate on
approximately 40%, 70% and 76% of the total principal amount of our debt was
effectively fixed, including the effects of our interest rate hedge agreements,
as of September 30, 2009, December 31, 2008 and 2007. The fair value
of our high-yield notes was $6.1 billion, $3.5 billion and $5.0 billion at
September 30, 2009, December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The
fair value of our credit facilities was $8.1 billion, $6.2 billion and $6.7
billion at September 30, 2009, December 31, 2008 and 2007,
respectively. The fair value of high-yield was based on quoted market
prices, and the fair value of the credit facilities was based on dealer
quotations.
The
following description is a summary of certain provisions of our credit
facilities and our notes that remain outstanding upon the consummation of the
Plan (the “Debt Agreements”). The summary does not restate the terms of
the Debt Agreements in their entirety, nor does it describe all terms of the
Debt Agreements. The agreements and instruments governing each of the Debt
Agreements are complicated and you should consult such agreements and
instruments for more detailed information regarding the Debt
Agreements.
Credit
Facilities – General
Charter
Operating Credit Facilities
Following
consummation of the Plan, the Charter Operating credit facilities remain
outstanding although the revolving line of credit will no longer be available
for new borrowings and remains substantially drawn with the same maturity and
interest terms. The Charter Operating credit facilities provide
borrowing availability of up to $8.0 billion as follows:
·
|
a
term loan with an initial total principal amount of $6.5 billion, which is
repayable in equal quarterly installments, commencing March 31, 2008, and
aggregating in each loan year to 1% of the original amount of the term
loan, with the remaining balance due at final maturity on March 6, 2014;
and
|
·
|
a
revolving line of credit of $1.5 billion, with a maturity date on
March 6, 2013.
|
The
Charter Operating credit facilities also allow us to enter into incremental term
loans in the future with an aggregate amount of up to $1.0 billion, with
amortization as set forth in the notices establishing such term loans, but with
no amortization greater than 1% prior to the final maturity of the existing term
loan. In March 2008, Charter Operating borrowed $500 million
principal amount of incremental term loans (the “Incremental Term Loans”) under
the Charter Operating credit facilities. The Incremental Term Loans have a final
maturity of March 6, 2014 and prior to that date will amortize in quarterly
principal installments totaling 1% annually beginning on June 30,
2008. The Incremental Term Loans bear interest at LIBOR plus 5.0%,
with a LIBOR floor of 3.5%, and are otherwise governed by and subject to the
existing terms of the Charter Operating credit facilities. Net
proceeds from the Incremental Term Loans were used for general corporate
purposes. Although the Charter Operating credit facilities allow for
the incurrence of up to an additional $500 million in incremental term loans, no
assurance can be given that we could obtain additional incremental term loans in
the future if Charter Operating sought to do so.
Amounts
outstanding under the Charter Operating credit facilities bear interest, at
Charter Operating’s election, at a base rate or the Eurodollar rate, as defined,
plus a margin for Eurodollar loans of up to 2.00% for the revolving credit
facility and 2.00% for the term loan, and quarterly commitment fees of 0.5% per
annum is payable on the average daily unborrowed balance of the revolving credit
facility. If an event of default were to occur, such as a bankruptcy
filing, Charter Operating would not be able to elect the Eurodollar rate and
would have to pay interest at the base rate plus the applicable
margin.
The
obligations of Charter Operating under the Charter Operating credit facilities
(the “Obligations”) are guaranteed by Charter Operating’s immediate parent
company, CCO Holdings, and subsidiaries of Charter Operating, except for certain
subsidiaries, including immaterial subsidiaries and subsidiaries precluded from
guaranteeing by reason of the provisions of other indebtedness to which they are
subject (the “non-guarantor subsidiaries”). The Obligations are also
secured by (i) a lien on substantially all of the assets of Charter
Operating and its subsidiaries (other than assets of the non-guarantor
subsidiaries), to the extent such lien can be perfected under the Uniform
Commercial Code by the filing of a financing statement, and (ii) a pledge
by CCO Holdings of the equity interests owned by it in Charter Operating or any
of Charter Operating’s subsidiaries, as well as intercompany obligations owing
to it by any of such entities.
CCO
Holdings Credit Facility
In March
2007, CCO Holdings entered into a credit agreement (the “CCO Holdings credit
facility”) which consists of a $350 million term loan
facility. Following consummation of the Plan, the CCO Holdings credit
facility remains outstanding. The facility matures in September
2014. The CCO Holdings credit facility also allows us to enter into
incremental term loans in the future, maturing on the dates set forth in the
notices establishing such term loans, but
no
earlier than the maturity date of the existing term loans. However,
no assurance can be given that we could obtain such incremental term loans if
CCO Holdings sought to do so. Borrowings under the CCO Holdings
credit facility bear interest at a variable interest rate based on either LIBOR
or a base rate plus, in either case, an applicable margin. The
applicable margin for LIBOR term loans, other than incremental loans, is 2.50%
above LIBOR. If an event of default were to occur, such as a
bankruptcy filing, CCO Holdings would not be able to elect the Eurodollar rate
and would have to pay interest at the base rate plus the applicable
margin. The applicable margin with respect to incremental loans is to
be agreed upon by CCO Holdings and the lenders when the incremental loans are
established. The CCO Holdings credit facility is secured by the
equity interests of Charter Operating, and all proceeds thereof.
Credit
Facilities — Restrictive Covenants
Charter
Operating Credit Facilities
The
Charter Operating credit facilities contain representations and warranties, and
affirmative and negative covenants customary for financings of this type. The
financial covenants measure performance against standards set for leverage to be
tested as of the end of each quarter. Additionally, the Charter
Operating credit facilities contain provisions requiring mandatory loan
prepayments under specific circumstances, including in connection with certain
sales of assets, so long as the proceeds have not been reinvested in the
business.
The
Charter Operating credit facilities permit Charter Operating and its
subsidiaries to make distributions to pay interest on the indebtedness of its
parents and the Charter Operating second-lien notes, provided that, among other
things, no default has occurred and is continuing under the credit facilities.
Conditions to future borrowings include absence of a default or an event of
default under the credit facilities, and the continued accuracy in all material
respects of the representations and warranties, including the absence since
December 31, 2005 of any event, development, or circumstance that has had
or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our
business.
The
events of default under the Charter Operating credit facilities include among
other things:
·
|
the
failure to make payments when due or within the applicable grace
period;
|
·
|
the
failure to comply with specified covenants, including, but not limited to,
a covenant to deliver audited financial statements for Charter Operating
with an unqualified opinion from our independent accountants and without a
“going concern” or like qualification or
exception;
|
·
|
the
failure to pay or the occurrence of events that cause or permit the
acceleration of other indebtedness owing by CCO Holdings, Charter
Operating, or Charter Operating’s subsidiaries in amounts in excess of
$100 million in aggregate principal
amount;
|
·
|
the
failure to pay or the occurrence of events that result in the acceleration
of other indebtedness owing by certain of CCO Holdings’ direct and
indirect parent companies in amounts in excess of $200 million in
aggregate principal amount;
|
·
|
Paul
Allen and/or certain of his family members and/or their exclusively owned
entities (collectively, the “Paul Allen Group”) ceasing to have the power,
directly or indirectly, to vote at least 35% of the ordinary voting power
for the management of Charter
Operating;
|
·
|
the
consummation of any transaction resulting in any person or group (other
than the Paul Allen Group) having power, directly or indirectly, to vote
more than 35% of the ordinary voting power for the management of Charter
Operating, unless the Paul Allen Group holds a greater share of ordinary
voting power for the management of Charter Operating;
and
|
·
|
Charter
Operating ceasing to be a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of CCO Holdings,
except in certain very limited
circumstances.
|
CCO
Holdings Credit Facility
The CCO
Holdings credit facility contains covenants that are substantially similar to
the restrictive covenants for the CCO Holdings notes except that the leverage
ratio is 5.50 to 1.0. See “—Summary of Restricted Covenants of Our
High Yield Notes.” The CCO Holdings credit facility contains
provisions requiring mandatory loan prepayments
under
specific circumstances, including in connection with certain sales of assets, so
long as the proceeds have not been reinvested in the business. The
CCO Holdings credit facility permits CCO Holdings and its subsidiaries to make
distributions to pay interest on the Charter convertible senior notes, the CCHC
notes, the Charter Holdings notes, the CIH notes, the CCH I notes, the CCH II
notes, the CCO Holdings notes, and the Charter Operating second-lien notes,
provided that, among other things, no default has occurred and is continuing
under the CCO Holdings credit facility.
Notes
Provided
below is a brief description of the notes in place after giving effect to the
consummation of the Plan.
CCH
II Notes
On
November 30, 2009, CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp. issued approximately $1.8
billion in total principal amount of new 13.5% senior notes. The New CCH II
Notes pay interest in cash semi-annually in arrears at the rate of 13.5% per
annum and are unsecured. The New CCH II Notes will mature on November 30,
2016.
CCO
Holdings, LLC Notes
In
November 2003 and August 2005, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp.
jointly issued $500 million and $300 million, respectively, total principal
amount of 8¾% senior notes due 2013 (the “CCOH 2013 Notes”). The CCOH
2013 Notes are senior debt obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital
Corp. They rank equally with all other current and future unsecured,
unsubordinated obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp.,
including the CCO Holdings credit facility. The CCOH 2013 Notes are
structurally subordinated to all obligations of subsidiaries of CCO Holdings,
including the Charter Operating notes and the Charter Operating credit
facilities. Following consummation of the Plan, the CCO Holdings
notes remain outstanding.
Charter
Communications Operating, LLC Notes
In April
2004, Charter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp.
jointly issued $1.1 billion of 8% senior second-lien notes due 2012 and $400
million of 8 3/8% senior second-lien notes due 2014. In March and
June 2005, Charter Operating consummated exchange transactions with a small
number of institutional holders of Charter Holdings 8.25% senior notes due 2007
pursuant to which Charter Operating issued, in private placement transactions,
approximately $333 million principal amount of its 8 3/8% senior second-lien
notes due 2014 in exchange for approximately $346 million of the Charter
Holdings 8.25% senior notes due 2007. In March 2006, Charter
Operating exchanged $37 million of Renaissance Media Group LLC 10% senior
discount notes due 2008 for $37 million principal amount of Charter Operating 8
3/8% senior second-lien notes due 2014. In March 2008, Charter
Operating issued $546 million principal amount of 10.875% senior second-lien
notes due 2014, guaranteed by CCO Holdings and certain other subsidiaries of
Charter Operating, in a private transaction. Net proceeds from the
senior second-lien notes were used to reduce borrowings, but not commitments,
under the revolving portion of the Charter Operating credit
facilities.
Subject
to specified limitations, CCO Holdings and those subsidiaries of Charter
Operating that are guarantors of, or otherwise obligors with respect to,
indebtedness under the Charter Operating credit facilities and related
obligations are required to guarantee the Charter Operating
notes. The note guarantee of each such guarantor is:
·
|
a
senior obligation of such
guarantor;
|
·
|
structurally
senior to the outstanding CCO Holdings notes (except in the case of CCO
Holdings’ note guarantee, which is structurally pari passu with such
senior notes), the outstanding CCH II notes, the outstanding CCH I notes,
the outstanding CIH notes, the outstanding Charter Holdings notes and the
outstanding Charter convertible senior
notes;
|
·
|
senior
in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such
guarantor; and
|
·
|
effectively
senior to the relevant subsidiary’s unsecured indebtedness, to the extent
of the value of the collateral but subject to the prior lien of the credit
facilities.
|
The
Charter Operating notes and related note guarantees are secured by a
second-priority lien on all of Charter Operating’s and its subsidiaries’ assets
that secure the obligations of Charter Operating or any subsidiary of Charter
Operating with respect to the Charter Operating credit facilities and the
related obligations. The collateral currently consists of the capital
stock of Charter Operating held by CCO Holdings, all of the intercompany
obligations owing to CCO Holdings by Charter Operating or any subsidiary of
Charter Operating, and substantially all of Charter Operating’s and the
guarantors’ assets (other than the assets of CCO Holdings) in which security
interests may be perfected under the Uniform Commercial Code by filing a
financing statement (including capital stock and intercompany obligations),
including, but not limited to:
·
|
with
certain exceptions, all capital stock (limited in the case of capital
stock of foreign subsidiaries, if any, to 66% of the capital stock of
first tier foreign Subsidiaries) held by Charter Operating or any
guarantor; and
|
·
|
with
certain exceptions, all intercompany obligations owing to Charter
Operating or any guarantor.
|
In the
event that additional liens are granted by Charter Operating or its subsidiaries
to secure obligations under the Charter Operating credit facilities or the
related obligations, second priority liens on the same assets will be granted to
secure the Charter Operating notes, which liens will be subject to the
provisions of an intercreditor agreement (to which none of Charter Operating or
its affiliates are parties). Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence,
no such second priority liens need be provided if the time such lien would
otherwise be granted is not during a guarantee and pledge availability period
(when the Leverage Condition is satisfied), but such second priority liens will
be required to be provided in accordance with the foregoing sentence on or prior
to the fifth business day of the commencement of the next succeeding guarantee
and pledge availability period.
The
Charter Operating notes are senior debt obligations of Charter Operating and
Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. To the extent of the
value of the collateral (but subject to the prior lien of the credit
facilities), they rank effectively senior to all of Charter Operating’s future
unsecured senior indebtedness. Following consummation of the Plan,
the Charter Operating notes remain outstanding.
Redemption
Provisions of Our High Yield Notes
The
various notes issued by us and our subsidiaries that remain outstanding pursuant
to the Plan included in the table may be redeemed in accordance with the
following table or are not redeemable until maturity as indicated:
Note
Series
|
|
Redemption
Dates
|
|
Percentage
of Principal
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CCH
II:
|
|
|
|
|
|
13.5%
senior notes due 2016
|
|
December
1, 2012 – November 30, 2013
|
|
106.75
|
%
|
|
|
December
1, 2103 – November 30, 2014
|
|
103.375
|
%
|
|
|
December
1, 2014 – November 30, 2015
|
|
101.6875
|
%
|
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
100.000
|
%
|
CCO
Holdings:
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
3/4% senior notes due 2013
|
|
November
15, 2008 – November 14, 2009
|
|
104.375
|
%
|
|
|
November
15, 2009 – November 14, 2010
|
|
102.917
|
%
|
|
|
November
15, 2010 – November 14, 2011
|
|
101.458
|
%
|
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
100.000
|
%
|
Charter
Operating:
|
|
|
|
|
|
8%
senior second-lien notes due 2012
|
|
At
any time
|
|
*
|
|
8
3/8% senior second-lien notes due 2014
|
|
April
30, 2009 – April 29, 2010
|
|
104.188
|
%
|
|
|
April
30, 2010 – April 29, 2011
|
|
102.792
|
%
|
|
|
April
30, 2011 – April 29, 2012
|
|
101.396
|
%
|
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
100.000
|
%
|
10.875%
senior second-lien notes due 2014
|
|
At
any time
|
|
**
|
|
|
*
|
Charter
Operating may, at any time and from time to time, at their option, redeem
the outstanding 8% second lien notes due 2012, in whole or in part, at a
redemption price equal to 100% of the principal
|
|
|
amount
thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date,
plus the Make-Whole Premium. The Make-Whole Premium is an
amount equal to the excess of (a) the present value of the remaining
interest and principal payments due on an 8% senior second-lien notes due
2012 to its final maturity date, computed using a discount rate equal to
the Treasury Rate on such date plus 0.50%, over (b) the outstanding
principal amount of such
Note.
|
|
**
|
Charter
Operating may redeem the outstanding 10.875% second lien notes due 2014,
at their option, on or after varying dates, in each case at a premium,
plus the Make-Whole Premium. The Make-Whole Premium is an amount
equal to the excess of (a) the present value of the remaining interest and
principal payments due on a 10.875% senior second-lien note due 2014 to
its final maturity date, computed using a discount rate equal to the
Treasury Rate on such date plus 0.50%, over (b) the outstanding principal
amount of such note. The Charter Operating 10.875% senior
second-lien notes may be redeemed at any time on or after March 15, 2012
at specified prices.
|
In the
event that a specified change of control event occurs, each of the respective
issuers of the notes must offer to repurchase any then outstanding notes at 101%
of their principal amount or accrued value, as applicable, plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any.
Summary
of Restrictive Covenants of Our High Yield Notes
The
following description is a summary of certain restrictions of our Debt
Agreements that remain outstanding following consummation of the Plan. The
summary does not restate the terms of the Debt Agreements in their entirety, nor
does it describe all restrictions of the Debt Agreements. The agreements
and instruments governing each of the Debt Agreements are complicated and you
should consult such agreements and instruments for more detailed information
regarding the Debt Agreements.
The notes
issued by certain of our subsidiaries (together, the “note issuers”) were issued
pursuant to indentures that contain covenants that restrict the ability of the
note issuers and their subsidiaries to, among other things:
·
|
pay
dividends or make distributions in respect of capital stock and other
restricted payments;
|
·
|
consolidate,
merge, or sell all or substantially all
assets;
|
·
|
enter
into sale leaseback transactions;
|
·
|
create
restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make certain
payments; or
|
·
|
enter
into transactions with affiliates.
|
However,
such covenants are subject to a number of important qualifications and
exceptions. Below we set forth a brief summary of certain of the
restrictive covenants.
Restrictions
on Additional Debt
The
limitations on incurrence of debt and issuance of preferred stock contained in
various indentures permit each of the respective notes issuers and its
restricted subsidiaries to incur additional debt or issue preferred stock, so
long as, after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence, the leverage ratio
would be below a specified level for each of the note issuers. The
leverage ratios for CCH II, CCO Holdings and Charter Operating are as
follows:
Issuer
|
|
Leverage
Ratio
|
|
|
|
CCH
II
|
|
5.75
to 1
|
CCOH
|
|
4.5
to 1
|
CCO
|
|
4.25
to 1
|
In
addition, regardless of whether the leverage ratio could be met, so long as no
default exists or would result from the incurrence or issuance, each issuer and
their restricted subsidiaries are permitted to issue among other permitted
indebtedness:
|
·
|
up
to an amount of debt under credit facilities not otherwise allocated as
indicated below:
|
·
|
CCO
Holdings: $9.75 billion
|
·
|
Charter
Operating: $6.8 billion
|
|
·
|
up
to $75 million of debt incurred to finance the purchase or capital lease
of new assets;
|
|
·
|
up
to $300 million of additional debt for any purpose;
and
|
|
·
|
other
items of indebtedness for specific purposes such as intercompany debt,
refinancing of existing debt, and interest rate swaps to provide
protection against fluctuation in interest
rates.
|
Indebtedness
under a single facility or agreement may be incurred in part under one of the
categories listed above and in part under another, and generally may also later
be reclassified into another category including as debt incurred under the
leverage ratio. Accordingly, indebtedness under our credit facilities
is incurred under a combination of the categories of permitted indebtedness
listed above. The restricted subsidiaries of note issuers are
generally not permitted to issue subordinated debt securities.
Restrictions
on Distributions
Generally,
under the various indentures each of the note issuers and their respective
restricted subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends on or repurchase equity
interests, or make other specified restricted payments, only if the applicable
issuer can incur $1.00 of new debt under the applicable leverage ratio test
after giving effect to the transaction and if no default exists or would exist
as a consequence of such incurrence. If those conditions are met,
restricted payments may be made in a total amount of up to the following amounts
for the applicable issuer as indicated below:
·
|
CCH
II: the sum of 100% of CCH II’s Consolidated EBITDA, as defined,
minus 1.3 times its Consolidated Interest Expense, as defined,
cumulatively from October 1, 2009 plus 100% of new cash and appraised
non-cash equity proceeds received by CCH II and not allocated to certain
investments, cumulatively from November 30,
2009;
|
·
|
CCO
Holdings: the sum of 100% of CCO Holdings’ Consolidated EBITDA,
as defined, minus 1.3 times its Consolidated Interest Expense, as defined,
plus 100% of new cash and appraised non-cash equity proceeds received by
CCO Holdings and not allocated to certain investments, cumulatively from
October 1, 2003, plus $100 million;
and
|
·
|
Charter
Operating: the sum of 100% of Charter Operating’s Consolidated
EBITDA, as defined, minus 1.3 times its Consolidated Interest Expense, as
defined, plus 100% of new cash and appraised non-cash equity proceeds
received by Charter Operating and not allocated to certain investments,
cumulatively from April 1, 2004, plus $100
million.
|
In
addition, each of the note issuers may make distributions or restricted
payments, so long as no default exists or would be caused by transactions among
other distributions or restricted payments:
|
·
|
to
repurchase management equity interests in amounts not to exceed $10
million per fiscal year;
|
|
·
|
regardless
of the existence of any default, to pay pass-through tax liabilities in
respect of ownership of equity interests in the applicable issuer or its
restricted subsidiaries; or
|
|
·
|
to
make other specified restricted payments including merger fees up to 1.25%
of the transaction value, repurchases using concurrent new issuances, and
certain dividends on existing subsidiary preferred equity
interests.
|
Each of
CCO Holdings and Charter Operating and their respective restricted subsidiaries
may make distributions or restricted payments: (i) so long as certain
defaults do not exist and even if the applicable leverage test referred to above
is not met, to enable certain of its parents to pay interest on certain of their
indebtedness or (ii) so long as the applicable issuer could incur $1.00 of
indebtedness under the applicable leverage ratio test referred to above, to
enable certain of its parents to purchase, redeem or refinance certain
indebtedness.
Restrictions
on Investments
Each of
the note issuers and their respective restricted subsidiaries may not make
investments except (i) permitted investments or (ii) if, after giving effect to
the transaction, their leverage would be above the applicable leverage
ratio.
Permitted
investments include, among others:
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·
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investments
in and generally among restricted subsidiaries or by restricted
subsidiaries in the applicable
issuer;
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· investments
aggregating up to $650 million at any time
outstanding;
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· investments
aggregating up to 100% of new cash equity proceeds received by CCH II
since November 30, 2009 to the extent the proceeds have not been allocated
to
the restricted payments
covenant;
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· investments
aggregating up to $750 million at any time
outstanding;
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· investments
aggregating up to 100% of new cash equity proceeds received by CCO
Holdings since November 10, 2003 to the extent the proceeds have not been
allocated
to the restricted payments
covenant;
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· investments
aggregating up to $750 million at any time
outstanding;
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· investments
aggregating up to 100% of new cash equity proceeds received by CCO
Holdings since April 27, 2004 to the extent the proceeds have not been
allocated
to the restricted payments
covenant.
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Restrictions
on Liens
Charter
Operating and its restricted subsidiaries are not permitted to grant liens
senior to the liens securing the Charter Operating notes, other than permitted
liens, on their assets to secure indebtedness or other obligations, if, after
giving effect to such incurrence, the senior secured leverage ratio (generally,
the ratio of obligations secured by first priority liens to four times EBITDA,
as defined, for the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial
reports are available) would exceed 3.75 to 1.0. The restrictions on
liens for each of the other note issuers only applies to liens on assets of the
issuers themselves and does not restrict liens on assets of
subsidiaries. With respect to all of the note issuers, permitted
liens include liens securing indebtedness and other obligations under credit
facilities (subject to specified limitations in the case of Charter Operating),
liens securing the purchase price of financed new assets, liens securing
indebtedness of up to $50 million and other specified liens.
Restrictions
on the Sale of Assets; Mergers
The note
issuers are generally not permitted to sell all or substantially all of their
assets or merge with or into other companies unless their leverage ratio after
any such transaction would be no greater than their leverage ratio immediately
prior to the transaction, or unless after giving effect to the transaction,
leverage would be below the applicable leverage ratio for the applicable issuer,
no default exists, and the surviving entity is a U.S. entity that assumes the
applicable notes.
The note
issuers and their restricted subsidiaries may generally not otherwise sell
assets or, in the case of restricted subsidiaries, issue equity interests, in
excess of $100 million unless they receive consideration at least equal to the
fair market value of the assets or equity interests, consisting of at least 75%
in cash, assumption of liabilities, securities converted into cash within 60
days, or productive assets. The note issuers and their restricted
subsidiaries are then required within 365 days after any asset sale either to
use or commit to use the net cash proceeds over a specified threshold to acquire
assets used or useful in their businesses or use the net cash proceeds to repay
specified debt, or to offer to repurchase the issuer’s notes with any remaining
proceeds.
Restrictions
on Sale and Leaseback Transactions
The note
issuers and their restricted subsidiaries may generally not engage in sale and
leaseback transactions unless, at the time of the transaction, the applicable
issuer could have incurred secured indebtedness under its leverage ratio test in
an amount equal to the present value of the net rental payments to be made under
the lease, and the sale of the assets and application of proceeds is permitted
by the covenant restricting asset sales.
Prohibitions
on Restricting Dividends
The note
issuers’ restricted subsidiaries may generally not enter into arrangements
involving restrictions on their ability to make dividends or distributions or
transfer assets to the applicable note issuer unless those restrictions with
respect to financing arrangements are on terms that are no more restrictive than
those governing the credit facilities existing when they entered into the
applicable indentures or are not materially more restrictive than customary
terms in comparable financings and will not materially impair the applicable
note issuers’ ability to make payments on the notes.
Affiliate
Transactions
The
indentures also restrict the ability of the note issuers and their restricted
subsidiaries to enter into certain transactions with affiliates involving
consideration in excess of $15 million without a determination by the board of
directors of the applicable note issuer that the transaction
complies with this covenant, or transactions with affiliates involving over $50
million without receiving an opinion as to the fairness to the holders of such
transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or
investment banking firm of national standing.
Cross
Acceleration
Our
indentures and those of certain of our parent companies and our subsidiaries
include various events of default, including cross acceleration
provisions. Under these provisions, a failure by any of the issuers
or any of their restricted subsidiaries to pay at the final maturity thereof the
principal amount of other indebtedness having a principal amount of $100 million
or more (or any other default under any such indebtedness resulting in its
acceleration) would result in an event of default under the indenture governing
the applicable notes. As a result, an event of default related to the
failure to repay principal at maturity or the acceleration of the indebtedness
under the New CCH II notes, CCO Holdings notes, Charter Operating notes or the
Charter Operating credit facilities could cause cross-defaults under our
subsidiaries’ indentures.
THE
EXCHANGE OFFER
Terms
of the Exchange Offer
General. We
issued the original notes on November 30, 2009 in a transaction exempt from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
In
connection with the sale of original notes, certain holders of the original
notes became entitled to the benefits of the exchange and registration rights
agreement, dated November 30, 2009, among us and the purchasers.
Under the
exchange and registration rights agreement, we became obligated to file a
registration statement in connection with an exchange offer on or before January
15, 2010 and to use our reasonable best efforts to have the exchange offer
registration statement declared effective on or before June 30, 2010. The
exchange offer being made by this prospectus, if consummated within the required
time periods, will satisfy our obligations under the exchange and registration
rights agreement. This prospectus, together with the letter of transmittal, is
being sent to all beneficial holders of original notes known to us.
Upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the
accompanying letter of transmittal, we will accept for exchange all original
notes properly tendered and not withdrawn on or prior to the expiration date. We
will issue $1 principal amount of new notes in exchange for each $1 principal
amount of outstanding original notes accepted in the exchange offer. Holders may
tender some or all of their original notes pursuant to the exchange
offer.
Based on
no-action letters issued by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission
to third parties, we believe that holders of the new notes issued in exchange
for original notes may offer for resale, resell and otherwise transfer the new
notes, other than any holder that is an affiliate of ours within the meaning of
Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, without compliance with the
registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act of 1933.
This is true as long as the new notes are acquired in the ordinary course of the
holders’ business, the holder has no arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate in the distribution of the new notes and neither the
holder nor any other person is engaging in or intends to engage in a
distribution of the new notes. A broker-dealer that acquired original notes
directly from us cannot exchange the original notes in the exchange offer. Any
holder who tenders in the exchange offer for the purpose of participating in a
distribution of the new notes cannot rely on the no-action letters of the staff
of the Securities and Exchange Commission and must comply with the registration
and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection
with any resale transaction.
Each
broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in exchange for
original notes, where original notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a
result of market-making or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it
will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. See
“Plan of Distribution” for additional information.
We shall
be deemed to have accepted validly tendered original notes when, as and if we
have given oral or written notice of the acceptance of such notes to the
exchange agent. The exchange agent will act as agent for the tendering holders
of original notes for the purposes of receiving the new notes from the issuers
and delivering new notes to such holders.
If any
tendered original notes are not accepted for exchange because of an invalid
tender or the occurrence of the conditions set forth under “— Conditions”
without waiver by us, certificates for any such unaccepted original notes will
be returned, without expense, to the tendering holder of any such original notes
as promptly as practicable after the expiration date.
Holders
of original notes who tender in the exchange offer will not be required to pay
brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the letter of
transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of original notes,
pursuant to the exchange offer. We will pay all charges and expenses, other than
certain applicable taxes in connection with the exchange offer.
Expiration Date;
Extensions; Amendment. We will keep the exchange offer open
for not less than 21 business days, or longer if required by applicable law,
after the date on which notice of the exchange offer is mailed to the holders of
the original notes. The term “expiration date” means the expiration date set
forth on the cover page of this prospectus, unless we extend the exchange offer,
in which case the term “expiration date” means the latest date to which the
exchange offer is extended.
In order
to extend the expiration date, we will notify the exchange agent of any
extension by oral or written notice and will issue a public announcement of the
extension, each prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the next business day
after the previously scheduled expiration date.
We
reserve the right
(a) to
delay accepting any original notes, to extend the exchange offer or to terminate
the exchange offer and not accept original notes not previously accepted if any
of the conditions set forth under “— Conditions” shall have occurred and shall
not have been waived by us, if permitted to be waived by us, by giving oral or
written notice of such delay, extension or termination to the exchange agent,
or
(b) to
amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner deemed by us to be
advantageous to the holders of the original notes.
Any delay
in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be followed as promptly
as practicable by oral or written notice. If the exchange offer is amended in a
manner determined by us to constitute a material change, we promptly will
disclose such amendment in a manner reasonably calculated to inform the holders
of the original notes of such amendment. Depending upon the significance of the
amendment, we may extend the exchange offer if it otherwise would expire during
such extension period.
Without
limiting the manner in which we may choose to make a public announcement of any
extension, amendment or termination of the exchange offer, we will not be
obligated to publish, advertise, or otherwise communicate any such announcement,
other than by making a timely release to an appropriate news
agency.
Procedures
for Tendering
To tender
in the exchange offer, a holder must complete, sign and date the letter of
transmittal, or a facsimile of the letter of transmittal, have the signatures on
the letter of transmittal guaranteed if required by instruction 2 of the letter
of transmittal, and mail or otherwise deliver such letter of transmittal or such
facsimile or an agent’s message in connection with a book entry transfer,
together with the original notes and any other required documents. To be validly
tendered, such documents must reach the exchange agent before 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the expiration date. Substantially all of the
Notes eligible for this exchange offer are in certificated form and must be
physically tendered.
The
tender by a holder of original notes will constitute an agreement between such
holder and us in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal.
Delivery
of all documents must be made to the exchange agent at its address set forth
below. Holders may also request their respective brokers, dealers, commercial
banks, trust companies or nominees to effect such tender for such
holders.
The
method of delivery of original notes and the letter of transmittal and all other
required documents to the exchange agent is at the election and risk of the
holders. Instead of delivery by mail, it is recommended that holders use an
overnight or hand delivery service. In all cases, sufficient time should be
allowed to assure timely delivery to the exchange agent before 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the expiration date. No letter of transmittal or original
notes should be sent to us.
There
will be no fixed record date for determining registered holders of original
notes entitled to participate in the exchange offer.
Any
beneficial holder whose original notes are registered in the name of its broker,
dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who wishes to tender
should contact such registered holder promptly and instruct such registered
holder to tender on its behalf. If such beneficial holder wishes to tender on
its own behalf, such registered holder must, prior to completing and executing
the letter of transmittal and delivering its original notes, either make
appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the original notes in such
holder’s name or obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered
holder. The transfer of record ownership may take considerable
time.
Signatures
on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, must be guaranteed by a
member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company
having an office or correspondent in the United States referred to as an
“eligible institution”, unless the original notes are tendered:
(a) by
a registered holder who has not completed the box entitled “Special Issuance
Instructions” or “Special Delivery Instructions” on the letter of transmittal
or
(b) for
the account of an eligible institution. In the event that signatures on a letter
of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, are required to be guaranteed, such
guarantee must be by an eligible institution.
If the
letter of transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder of
any original notes listed therein, such original notes must be endorsed or
accompanied by appropriate bond powers and a proxy which authorizes such person
to tender the original notes on behalf of the registered holder, in each case
signed as the name or names of the registered holder or holders appear on the
original notes.
If the
letter of transmittal or any original notes or bond powers are signed by
trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of
corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such
persons should so indicate when signing, and unless waived by us, evidence
satisfactory to us of their authority so to act must be submitted with the
letter of transmittal.
All
questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, including time of receipt, and
withdrawal of the tendered original notes will be determined by us in our sole
discretion, which determination will be final and binding. We reserve the
absolute right to reject any and all original notes not properly tendered or any
original notes our acceptance of which, in the opinion of counsel for us, would
be unlawful. We also reserve the right to waive any irregularities or conditions
of tender as to particular original notes. Our interpretation of the terms and
conditions of the exchange offer, including the instructions in the letter of
transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any
defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of original notes must be
cured within such time as we shall determine. None of us, the exchange agent or
any other person shall be under any duty to give notification of defects or
irregularities with respect to tenders of original notes, nor shall any of them
incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of original
notes will not be deemed to have been made until such irregularities have been
cured or waived. Any original notes received by the exchange agent that are not
properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been
cured or waived will be returned without cost to such holder by the exchange
agent to the tendering holders of original notes, unless otherwise provided in
the letter of transmittal, as soon as practicable following the expiration
date.
In
addition, we reserve the right in our sole discretion to
(a) purchase
or make offers for any original notes that remain outstanding subsequent to the
expiration date or, as set forth under “— Conditions,” to terminate the exchange
offer in accordance with the terms of the registration rights agreement
and
(b) to
the extent permitted by applicable law, purchase original notes in the open
market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The terms of any such
purchases or offers may differ from the terms of the exchange
offer.
By
tendering, each holder will represent to us that, among other
things,
(a) the
new notes acquired pursuant to the exchange offer are being obtained in the
ordinary course of business of such holder or other person,
(b) neither
such holder nor such other person is engaged in or intends to engage in a
distribution of the new notes,
(c) neither
such holder or other person has any arrangement or understanding with any person
to participate in the distribution of such new notes, and
(d) such
holder or other person is not our “affiliate,” as defined under Rule 405 of the
Securities Act of 1933, or, if such holder or other person is such an affiliate,
will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act of 1933 to the extent applicable.
We
understand that the exchange agent will make a request promptly after the date
of this prospectus to establish accounts with respect to the original notes at
The Depository Trust Company for the purpose of facilitating the exchange offer,
and subject to the establishment of such accounts, any financial institution
that is a participant in The Depository Trust Company’s system may make
book-entry delivery of original notes by causing The Depository Trust Company to
transfer such original notes into the exchange agent’s account with respect to
the original notes in accordance with The Depository Trust Company’s procedures
for such transfer. Although delivery of the original notes may be effected
through book-entry transfer into the exchange agent’s account at The Depository
Trust Company, an appropriate letter of transmittal properly completed and duly
executed with any required signature guarantee, or an agent’s message in lieu of
the letter of transmittal, and all other required documents must in each case be
transmitted to and received or confirmed by the exchange agent at its address
set forth below on or prior to the expiration date, or, if the guaranteed
delivery procedures described below are complied with, within the time period
provided under such procedures. Delivery of documents to The Depository Trust
Company does not constitute delivery to the exchange agent.
Withdrawal
of Tenders
Except as
otherwise provided in this prospectus, tenders of original notes may be
withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration
date. However, where the expiration date has been extended, tenders of original
notes previously accepted for exchange as of the original expiration date may
not be withdrawn.
To
withdraw a tender of original notes in the exchange offer, a written or
facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be received by the exchange
agent as its address set forth in this prospectus prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the expiration date. Any such notice of withdrawal
must:
(a) specify
the name of the depositor, who is the person having deposited the original notes
to be withdrawn,
(b) identify
the original notes to be withdrawn, including the certificate number or numbers
and principal amount of such original notes or, in the case of original notes
transferred by book-entry transfer, the name and number of the account at The
Depository Trust Company to be credited,
(c) be
signed by the depositor in the same manner as the original signature on the
letter of transmittal by which such original notes were tendered, including any
required signature guarantees, or be accompanied by documents of transfer
sufficient to have the trustee with respect to the original notes register the
transfer of such original notes into the name of the depositor withdrawing the
tender, and
(d) Specify
the name in which any such original notes are to be registered, if different
from that of the depositor. All questions as to the validity, form and
eligibility, including time of receipt, of such withdrawal notices will be
determined by us, and our determination shall be final and binding on all
parties. Any original notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly
tendered for purposes of the exchange offer and no new notes will be issued with
respect to the original notes withdrawn unless the original notes so withdrawn
are validly
retendered.
Any original notes which have been tendered but which are not accepted for
exchange will be returned to its holder without cost to such holder as soon as
practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the exchange
offer. Properly withdrawn original notes may be retendered by following one of
the procedures described above under “— Procedures for Tendering” at any time
prior to the expiration date.
Conditions
Notwithstanding
any other term of the exchange offer, we will not be required to accept for
exchange, or exchange, any new notes for any original notes, and may terminate
or amend the exchange offer before the expiration date, if the exchange offer
violates any applicable law or interpretation by the staff of the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
If we
determine in our reasonable discretion that the foregoing condition exists, we
may
(1) refuse
to accept any original notes and return all tendered original notes to the
tendering holders,
(2) extend
the exchange offer and retain all original notes tendered prior to the
expiration of the exchange offer, subject, however, to the rights of holders who
tendered such original notes to withdraw their tendered original notes,
or
(3) waive
such condition, if permissible, with respect to the exchange offer and accept
all properly tendered original notes which have not been withdrawn. If such
waiver constitutes a material change to the exchange offer, we will promptly
disclose such waiver by means of a prospectus supplement that will be
distributed to the holders, and we will extend the exchange offer as required by
applicable law.
Exchange
Agent
The Bank
of New York Mellon Trust Company, NA has been appointed as exchange agent for
the exchange offer. Questions and requests for assistance and requests for
additional copies of this prospectus or of the letter of transmittal should be
directed to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, NA addressed as
follows:
For
Information by Telephone:
[__________]
[__________]
Fees
and Expenses
We have
agreed to bear the expenses of the exchange offer pursuant to the exchange and
registration rights agreement. We have not retained any dealer-manager in
connection with the exchange offer and will not make any payments to brokers,
dealers or others soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer. We, however,
will pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and
will reimburse it for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with
providing the services.
The cash
expenses to be incurred in connection with the exchange offer will be paid by
us. Such expenses include fees and expenses of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust
Company, NA as exchange agent, accounting and legal fees and printing costs,
among others.
Accounting
Treatment
The new
notes will be recorded at the same carrying value as the original notes as
reflected in our accounting records on the date of exchange. Accordingly, no
gain or loss for accounting purposes will be recognized by us. The expenses of
the exchange offer and the unamortized expenses related to the issuance of the
original notes will be amortized over the term of the notes.
Consequences
of Failure to Exchange
Holders
of original notes who are eligible to participate in the exchange offer but who
do not tender their original notes will not have any further registration
rights, and their original notes will continue to be subject to restrictions on
transfer. Accordingly, such original notes may be resold only
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to
us, upon redemption of these notes or
otherwise,
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so
long as the original notes are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A
under the Securities Act of 1933, to a person inside the United States
whom the seller reasonably believes is a qualified institutional buyer
within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements
of Rule 144A,
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in
accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, or under
another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act
of 1933, and based upon an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to
us,
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outside
the United States to a foreign person in a transaction meeting the
requirements of Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933,
or
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under
an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of
1933,
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in
each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state
of the United States.
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Regulatory
Approvals
We do not
believe that the receipt of any material federal or state regulatory approval
will be necessary in connection with the exchange offer, other than the
effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement under the Securities
Act of 1933.
Other
Participation
in the exchange offer is voluntary and holders of original notes should
carefully consider whether to accept the terms and condition of this exchange
offer. Holders of the original notes are urged to consult their financial and
tax advisors in making their own decision on what action to take with respect to
the exchange offer.
DESCRIPTION
OF NOTES
General
On March
27, 2009, CCI and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively,
the “Debtors”)
filed voluntary petitions in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern
District of New York (the “Bankruptcy Court”)
seeking relief under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. On
November 17, 2009 the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the Plan of
Reorganization, and on November 30, 2009 (the “Effective Date”), the
Debtors consummated their reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code and the Plan
of Reorganization became effective. On the Effective Date, the
Issuers issued $1,766,206,512 in aggregate principal amount of 13.5% senior
notes due 2016 (the “Initial Notes”)
pursuant to an indenture, dated as of the Effective Date, by and among CCH II,
CCH II Capital Corp. and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as
trustee (the “Indenture”).
Approximately $977 million in aggregate principal amount of the Initial Notes
(the “Initial
Restricted Notes”) were issued pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities
Act (identified with CUSIP No. 12502C AT8) and as a result contain terms with
respect to transfer restrictions.
In
connection with the issuance of the Initial Restricted Notes, the Issuers,
certain holders of the Crossover Committee (as defined in the Plan of
Reorganization) and Charter Investment, Inc. entered into an Exchange and
Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights
Agreement”). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, among other
things, the Issuers agreed to use their commercially reasonable efforts to file
under the Securities Act, on or prior to January 15, 2010, a registration
statement relating to an offer to exchange all Initial Restricted Notes at the
time such registration statement is declared effective by the SEC, for a like
aggregate principal amount of unrestricted notes issued by the Issuers,
substantially identical in all material respects to the Restricted Initial Notes
(except that such unrestricted notes will not contain terms with respect to
transfer restrictions).
This
Description of Notes relates to the 13.50% senior notes due 2016 of CCH II, LLC
and CCH II Capital Corp to be issued hereby (the “Notes”) in exchange
for the Initial Restricted Notes. We refer in this Description of Notes to CCH
II, LLC and CCH II Capital Corp., which are the co-obligors with respect to the
Notes, as the “Issuers”, and we sometimes refer to them each as an “Issuer.” We
may also refer to CCH II, LLC as “CCH II.” You can find the definitions of
certain terms used in this description under the subheading “— Certain
definitions.” The definitions of terms set forth in this section “Description of
Notes” shall apply in this section.
The Notes
will be issued pursuant to the Indenture under which the Issuers previously
issued the Initial Notes. The Notes will be issued on terms
substantially identical to those of the Initial Notes and vote together as a
single class on any matter submitted to noteholders. The Notes offered hereby
have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and, therefore, will not
bear legends restricting their transfer. You will not be entitled to
any exchange rights with respect to the Notes. The terms of the Notes
will include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture
by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
The
following description is a summary of the provisions we consider material of the
Indenture. It does not restate that agreement in its entirety. We urge you to
read the Indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as
holders of the respective Notes. Copies of the Indenture are available as set
forth under “— Additional Information.”
Brief
Description of the Notes
The Notes
will be:
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senior
unsecured obligations of the
Issuers;
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effectively
subordinated in right of payment to any future secured Indebtedness of the
Issuers, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such
Indebtedness;
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equal
in right of payment to the Initial Notes and any other future
unsubordinated, unsecured Indebtedness of the
Issuers;
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senior
in right of payment to any future subordinated Indebtedness of the
Issuers; and
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structurally
subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade
payables) of the Issuers’ subsidiaries, including indebtedness under our
subsidiaries’ credit facilities and the senior notes of CCO Holdings and
CCO.
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As of
September 30, 2009, the total outstanding Indebtedness and other obligations of
CCH II and its subsidiaries, reflected on its consolidated balance sheet, was
$16.4 billion, of which approximately $13.9 billion was Indebtedness and other
liabilities of the Issuers’ Subsidiaries and, therefore, structurally senior to
the Notes.
Substantially
all of the Subsidiaries of CCH II (except certain non-material Subsidiaries) are
“Restricted Subsidiaries.” Under the circumstances described below under “—
Certain Covenants — Investments,” CCH II will be permitted to designate
additional Subsidiaries as “Unrestricted Subsidiaries.” Unrestricted
Subsidiaries will generally not be subject to the restrictive covenants in the
Indenture.
Principal,
Maturity and Interest
The Notes
will be issued in denominations of $1.00 and integral multiples thereof. The
Notes will mature on November 30, 2016.
Interest
on the Notes will accrue at the rate of 13.50% per annum. Interest on the Notes
will accrue from and including November 30, 2009 or, if interest already has
been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest will be payable
semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15, commencing on February
15, 2010. The Issuers will make each interest payment to the holders of record
of the Notes on the immediately preceding February 1 and August 1. Interest will
be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day
months.
The Notes
were issued in an initial aggregate principal amount of $1,766,206,512. Subject
to the limitations set forth under “—Certain Covenants — Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” the Issuers may issue an
unlimited principal amount of Additional Notes under the Indenture. The Notes
and any Additional Notes subsequently issued under the Indenture would be
treated as a single class of securities for all purposes of the Indenture. For
purposes of this description, unless otherwise indicated, references to the
Notes include any Additional Notes subsequently issued under the
Indenture.
Optional
Redemption
At any
time prior to November 30, 2012, the Issuers may, on any one or more occasions,
redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes on a pro rata
basis (or nearly as pro rata as practicable), at a redemption price of 113.50%
of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the
redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings;
provided that
(1) at
least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes remain outstanding
immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held by the
Issuers and their Subsidiaries), and
(2) the
redemption must occur within 60 days of the date of the closing of such Equity
Offering.
Notwithstanding
the above paragraph, at any time prior to November 30, 2012, the Notes may be
redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of CCH II upon no less
than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each
holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of such Notes redeemed plus the relevant Applicable Premium as
of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the
applicable redemption date, subject to the right of holders of record on the
relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment
date.
On or
after November 30, 2012, the Issuers may redeem all or a part of the Notes upon
not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, at the applicable redemption
prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount of the Notes) set forth
below plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the applicable
redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on
November 30 of the years indicated below:
Year |
|
Percentage |
|
2012 |
|
|
106.750 |
% |
2013 |
|
|
103.375 |
% |
2014 |
|
|
101.6875 |
% |
2015 and
thereafter |
|
|
100.000 |
% |
Repurchase
at the Option of Holders
Change
of Control
If a
Change of Control occurs, each holder of Notes will have the right to require
the Issuers to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1.00 in principal amount,
or in either case an integral multiple thereof) of that holder’s Notes pursuant
to a “Change of Control Offer.” In the Change of Control Offer, the Issuers will
offer a “Change of Control Payment” in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate
principal amount of the Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest
thereon, if any, to the date of purchase.
Within
ten days following any Change of Control, the Issuers will mail a notice to each
holder (with a copy to the trustee) describing the transaction or transactions
that constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase Notes on a
certain date (the “Change of Control Payment Date”) specified in such notice,
pursuant to the procedures required by the Indenture and described in such
notice. The Issuers will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any successor rules, and any other securities
laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are
applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a
Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or
regulations conflict with the provisions of this covenant, the Issuers’
compliance with such laws and regulations shall not in and of itself cause a
breach of their obligations under such covenant.
On the
Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers will, to the extent
lawful:
(1) accept
for payment all Notes or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the
Change of Control Offer;
(2) deposit
with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in
respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered; and
(3) deliver
or cause to be delivered to the trustee the Notes so accepted together with an
officers’ certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or
portions thereof being purchased by the Issuers.
The
paying agent will promptly mail to each holder of Notes so tendered the Change
of Control Payment for such Notes, and the trustee will promptly authenticate
and mail, or cause to be transferred by book entry, to each holder a new Note
equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered,
if any; provided that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $1.00
or an integral multiple thereof.
The
provisions described above that require the Issuers to make a Change of Control
Offer following a Change of Control will be applicable regardless of whether or
not any other provisions of the Indenture are applicable. Except as described
above with respect to a Change of Control, the Indenture will not contain
provisions that permit the holders of the Notes to require that the Issuers
repurchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or
similar transaction.
The
Issuers will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of
Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the
times and otherwise in compliance with the
requirements
set forth in the Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the
Issuers and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such
Change of Control Offer.
The
definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the sale, lease,
transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of the
assets of CCH II and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or of a Parent and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law
interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established
definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a
holder of Notes to require the Issuers to repurchase Notes as a result of a
sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of the
assets of CCH II and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or of a Parent and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to another Person or group may be
uncertain.
Asset
Sales
CCH II
will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate
an Asset Sale unless:
(1) CCH
II or such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration at the time of such
Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or Equity
Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of;
(2) such
fair market value is determined by the Board of Directors of CCH II and
evidenced by a resolution of such Board of Directors set forth in an officers’
certificate delivered to the trustee; and
(3) at
least 75% of the consideration therefor received by CCH II or such Restricted
Subsidiary is in the form of cash, Cash Equivalents or readily marketable
securities.
For
purposes of this provision, each of the following shall be deemed to be
cash:
(a) any
liabilities (as shown on CCH II’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent
balance sheet) of CCH II or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent
liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes)
that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary
novation agreement that releases CCH II or such Restricted Subsidiary from
further liability;
(b) any
securities, notes or other obligations received by CCH II or any such Restricted
Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the recipient thereof into
cash, Cash Equivalents or readily marketable securities within 180 days after
receipt thereof (to the extent of the cash, Cash Equivalents or readily
marketable securities received in that conversion); and
(c) Productive
Assets.
Within
365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, CCH II or a
Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II may apply such Net Proceeds or an amount equal
to such Net Proceeds at its option:
(1) to
repay or otherwise retire or repurchase debt under the Credit Facilities or any
other Indebtedness of the Restricted Subsidiaries of CCH II (other than
Indebtedness represented solely by a guarantee of a Restricted Subsidiary of CCH
II); or
(2) to
invest in Productive Assets; provided that any such amount of Net Proceeds which
CCH II or a Restricted Subsidiary has committed to invest in Productive Assets
within 365 days of the applicable Asset Sale may be invested in Productive
Assets within two years of such Asset Sale.
The
amount of any Net Proceeds received from Asset Sales that are not applied or
invested as provided in the preceding paragraph will constitute Excess Proceeds.
When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25 million, CCH II will
make an offer to purchase Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to all holders of Notes
and will repay, redeem or offer to purchase Indebtedness that is of equal
priority with the Notes containing provisions requiring repayment, redemption or
offers to purchase with the proceeds of sales of assets, to purchase, repay or
redeem, on a pro rata basis, the maximum principal amount of Notes and such
other Indebtedness of equal priority
that may
be purchased, repaid or redeemed out of the Excess Proceeds, which amount
includes the entire amount of the Net Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset
Sale Offer will be payable in cash and equal to 100% of the principal amount of
the subject Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of
purchase. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered into such Asset
Sale Offer and such other Indebtedness of equal priority to be purchased, repaid
or redeemed out of the Excess Proceeds exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds,
the trustee shall select the Notes tendered into such Asset Sale Offer and such
other Indebtedness of equal priority to be purchased, repaid or redeemed on a
pro rata basis.
If any
Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, then CCH II or
any Restricted Subsidiary thereof may use such remaining Excess Proceeds for any
purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture. Upon completion of any Asset
Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
Selection
and Notice
If less
than all of the Notes are redeemed at any time, the trustee will select Notes
for redemption as follows:
(1) if
any Notes are listed, in compliance with the requirements of the principal
national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed; or
(2) if
the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as
the trustee shall deem fair and appropriate.
No Notes
of $1.00 principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part. Notices of
redemption shall be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60
days before the redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at its
registered address. Notices of redemption may be conditional.
If any
Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to
that Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be
redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the
original Note will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon cancellation
of the original Note. Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and
payable on the date fixed for redemption at the redemption price. On and after
the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of them
called for redemption.
Certain
Covenants
Set forth
in this section are summaries of certain covenants contained in the
Indenture.
During
any period of time that (a) any Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both
Rating Agencies and (b) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing under the Indenture, CCH II and the Restricted Subsidiaries of CCH II
will not be subject to the provisions of the Indenture described
under:
·
|
“—
Limitation on Asset Sales,”
|
·
|
“—
Restricted Payments,”
|
·
|
“—
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred
Stock,”
|
·
|
“—
Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting
Subsidiaries,”
|
·
|
clause
(D) of the first paragraph of “— Merger, consolidation, or sale of
assets,”
|
·
|
“—
Transactions with Affiliates” and
|
·
|
“—
Sale and Leaseback Transactions.”
|
If CCH II
and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to these covenants for any
period of time as a result of the above paragraph and, subsequently, one, or
both, of the Rating Agencies withdraws its ratings or downgrades the ratings
assigned to the Notes below the required Investment Grade Ratings or a Default
or Event of Default occurs and is continuing, then CCH II and its Restricted
Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to these covenants. The ability of
CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries to make Restricted Payments after the
time of such withdrawal, downgrade, Default or Event of Default will be
calculated as if the covenant governing Restricted Payments had been in effect
during the entire period of time from the Issue Date.
Restricted
Payments
CCH II
will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly:
(1) declare
or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of its
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without
limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving
CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect
holders of CCH II’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in
their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable (x) solely
in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of CCH II or (y), in the
case of CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries, to CCH II or a Restricted
Subsidiary thereof);
(2) purchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation,
in connection with any merger or consolidation involving CCH II or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries) any Equity Interests of CCH II or any direct or
indirect Parent of CCH II or any Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II (other than, in
the case of CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any such Equity Interests
owned by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries); or
(3) make
any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise
acquire or retire for value, any Indebtedness of CCH II that is subordinated in
right of payment to the Notes, except a payment of interest or principal at the
Stated Maturity thereof (all such payments and other actions set forth in
clauses (1) through (3) above are collectively referred to as “Restricted
Payments”), unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted
Payment:
(a) no
Default or Event of Default under the Indenture shall have occurred and be
continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; and
(b) CCH
II would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma
effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of
the applicable quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of
additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Leverage Ratio test set forth in the
first paragraph of the covenant described below under the caption “— Incurrence
of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock”; and
(c) such
Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted
Payments made by CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries from and after the Issue
Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4), (5),
(6), (7) or (10) of the next succeeding paragraph), shall not exceed, at the
date of determination, the sum of:
(1) an
amount equal to 100% of the Consolidated EBITDA of CCH II for the period
beginning on the first day of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the Issue
Date to the end of CCH II’s most recently ended full fiscal quarter for which
internal financial statements are available, taken as a single accounting
period, less the product of 1.3 times the Consolidated Interest Expense of CCH
II for such period, plus
(2) an
amount equal to 100% of Capital Stock Sale Proceeds less any amount of such
Capital Stock Sale Proceeds used in connection with an Investment made on or
after the Issue Date pursuant to clause (5) of the definition of “Permitted
Investments.”
So long
as no Default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing or would be
caused thereby, the preceding provisions will not prohibit:
(1) the
payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if
at said date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions
of the Indenture;
(2) the
redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of any
subordinated Indebtedness of CCH II in exchange for, or out of the net proceeds
of, the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of CCH II) of
Equity Interests of CCH II (other than Disqualified Stock); provided that the
amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such redemption,
repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition shall be excluded from
clause (3)(b) of the preceding paragraph;
(3) the
defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of subordinated
Indebtedness of CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with the net cash
proceeds from an incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
(4) regardless
of whether a Default then exists, the payment of any dividend or distribution
made in respect of any calendar year or portion thereof during which CCH II or
any of its Subsidiaries is a Person that is not treated as a separate tax paying
entity for United States federal income tax purposes by CCH II and its
Subsidiaries (directly or indirectly) to the direct or indirect holders of the
Equity Interests of CCH II or its Subsidiaries that are Persons that are treated
as a separate tax paying entity for United States federal income tax purposes,
in an amount sufficient to permit each such holder to pay the actual income
taxes (including required estimated tax installments) that are required to be
paid by it with respect to the taxable income of any Parent (through its direct
or indirect ownership of CCH II and/or its Subsidiaries), CCH II, its
Subsidiaries or any Unrestricted Subsidiary, as applicable, in any calendar
year, as estimated in good faith by CCH II or its Subsidiaries, as the case may
be;
(5) regardless
of whether a Default then exists, the payment of any dividend by a Restricted
Subsidiary of CCH II to the holders of its common Equity Interests on a pro rata
basis;
(6) the
repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value, or the
payment of any dividend or distribution to the extent necessary to permit the
repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value, of any
Equity Interests of CCH II or a Parent of CCH II held by any member of CCH
II’s, such Parent’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s management
pursuant to any management equity subscription agreement or stock option
agreement entered into in accordance with the policies of CCH II, any Parent or
any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such
repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests shall not exceed $10
million in any fiscal year of the Issuers;
(7) payment
of fees in connection with any acquisition, merger or similar transaction in an
amount that does not exceed an amount equal to 1.25% of the transaction value of
such acquisition, merger or similar transaction;
(8) Restricted
Payments made in order to pay interest (including accreted or PIK interest) on
(but not principal of) Specified Parent Indebtedness or Refinancing Specified
Parent Indebtedness, so long as CCH II, at the time of the making of such
Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such
Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable quarter
period, would have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional
Indebtedness pursuant to the Leverage Ratio test set forth in the first
paragraph of the covenant described below under the caption “— Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock”; and
(9) Restricted
Payments directly or indirectly to a Parent of (A) attorneys’ fees, investment
banking fees, accountants’ fees, underwriting discounts and commissions and
other customary fees and expenses actually incurred in connection with any
issuance, sale or incurrence by a Parent of Equity Interests or Indebtedness, or
any exchange of securities or tender for outstanding debt securities, (B) the
costs and expenses of any offer to exchange privately placed securities in
respect of the foregoing for publicly registered securities or any similar
concept having a comparable purpose, or (C) (i) fees, taxes and expenses
required to maintain the corporate existence of a Parent, (ii) income taxes to
the extent such income taxes are attributable to the income of CCH II and its
Restricted
Subsidiaries
and, to the extent of the amount actually received from the Unrestricted
Subsidiaries, in amounts required to pay such taxes to the extent attributable
to the income of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries, provided, however, that in each
case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount
of income taxes that CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be required to
pay for such fiscal year were CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay such
taxes as a stand-alone taxpayer; and (iii) general corporate overhead and
operating expenses for such direct or indirect parent corporation of CCH II to
the extent such expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of CCH
II and its Restricted Subsidiaries (which amounts pursuant to this subclause (C)
shall not exceed $25 million in any fiscal year);
(10) payments
contemplated by the Plan of Reorganization, including, without limitation,
Specified Fees and Expenses;
(11) additional
Restricted Payments directly or indirectly to CCH I or any other Parent for the
purpose of enabling CCI to redeem, or pay dividends on, the Series A Preferred
Stock so long as (i) such dividends do not exceed, and (ii) such redemptions do
not exceed, the dividends and liquidation preference,
respectively, contemplated in the certificate of designation
governing the Series A Preferred Stock as in effect on the Issue Date;
and
(12) additional
Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount of $50 million.
The
amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the fair market
value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities
proposed to be transferred or issued by CCH II or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any
assets or securities that are required to be valued by this covenant shall be
determined by the Board of Directors of CCH II, whose resolution with respect
thereto shall be delivered to the trustee. Such Board of Directors’
determination must be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an
accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing if the
fair market value exceeds $100 million.
Not later
than the date of making any Restricted Payment involving an amount or fair
market value in excess of $10 million, the Issuers shall deliver to the trustee
an officers’ certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is permitted and
setting forth the basis upon which the calculations required by this “Restricted
Payments” covenant were computed, together with a copy of any fairness opinion
or appraisal required by the Indenture.
Investments
CCH II
will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly:
(1) make
any Restricted Investment; or
(2) allow
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to become an Unrestricted Subsidiary, unless,
in each case:
(a) no
Default or Event of Default under the Indenture shall have occurred and be
continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; and
(b) CCH
II would, at the time of, and after giving effect to, such Restricted Investment
or such designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary,
have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant
to the applicable Leverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the
covenant described below under the caption “— Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Preferred Stock.”
An
Unrestricted Subsidiary may be redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary if such
redesignation would not cause a Default.
Incurrence
of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock
CCH II
will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly
or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively,
“incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and CCH II will not issue
any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to
issue any shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, provided that CCH II
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness, CCH II may issue
Disqualified Stock and subject to the final paragraph of this covenant below,
Restricted Subsidiaries of CCH II may incur Preferred Stock if the Leverage
Ratio of CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries would have been not greater than
5.75 to 1.0 determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application
of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been
incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the
case may be, at the beginning of the most recently ended fiscal
quarter.
So long
as no Event of Default under clauses (1), (2), (7) or (8) under “— Event of
Default and Remedies” shall have occurred and be continuing after giving effect
to the incurrence thereof (and the use of proceeds therefrom), the first
paragraph of this covenant will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the
following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):
(1) the
incurrence by CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness under the
Credit Facilities; provided that the aggregate principal amount of all
Indebtedness of CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding under this
clause (1) for all Credit Facilities of CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries
after giving effect to such incurrence does not exceed an amount equal to $1.0
billion
(2) the
incurrence by CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries of Existing Indebtedness
(including under the Credit Facilities);
(3) the
incurrence on the Issue Date by CCH II of Indebtedness represented by the Notes
(but not including any Additional Notes);
(4) the
incurrence by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness
represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money
obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part
of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement (including, without
limitation, the cost of design, development, construction, acquisition,
transportation, installation, improvement, and migration) of Productive Assets
of CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount
not to exceed, together with any related Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness
permitted by clause (5) below, $75 million at any time outstanding;
(5) the
incurrence by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used
to refund, refinance or replace, in whole or in part, Indebtedness (other than
intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by the Indenture to be incurred
under this clause (5), the first paragraph of this covenant or clauses (2), (3)
or (4) of this paragraph;
(6) the
incurrence by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany
Indebtedness between or among CCH II and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
provided that:
(a) if
CCH II is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness must be expressly
subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations with
respect to the Notes; and
(b) (i) any subsequent issuance or
transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by
a Person other than CCH II or a Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II and (ii) any
sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either
CCH II or a Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II, shall be deemed, in each case, to
constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness that was not permitted by this
clause (6);
(7) the
incurrence by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging
Obligations that are incurred for the purpose of fixing or hedging interest rate
risk with respect to any floating rate Indebtedness that is permitted by the
terms of the Indenture to be outstanding;
(8) the
guarantee by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of a
Restricted Subsidiary that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of
this covenant;
(9) the
incurrence by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional
Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding under this
clause (9), not to exceed $300 million; and
(10) the
accretion or amortization of original issue discount and the write up of
Indebtedness in accordance with purchase accounting.
In the
event that an item of proposed Indebtedness (a) meets the criteria of more than
one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (10)
above or (b) is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this
covenant, CCH II will be permitted to classify and from time to time to
reclassify such item of Indebtedness in any manner that complies with this
covenant. Once any item of Indebtedness is so reclassified, it will no longer be
deemed outstanding under the category of Permitted Debt, where initially
incurred or previously reclassified. For avoidance of doubt, Indebtedness
incurred pursuant to a single agreement, instrument, program, facility or line
of credit may be classified as Indebtedness arising in part under one of the
clauses listed above or under the first paragraph of this covenant, and in part
under any one or more of the clauses listed above, to the extent that such
Indebtedness satisfies the criteria for such classification.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in no event shall any Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II consummate
a Subordinated Debt Financing or a Preferred Stock Financing. A “Subordinated
Debt Financing” or a “Preferred Stock Financing,” as the case may be, with
respect to any Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II shall mean a public offering or
private placement (whether pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act or
otherwise) of Subordinated Notes or Preferred Stock (whether or not such
Preferred Stock constitutes Disqualified Stock), as the case may be, of such
Restricted Subsidiary to one or more purchasers (other than to one or more
Affiliates of CCH II). “Subordinated Notes” with respect to any Restricted
Subsidiary of CCH II shall mean Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary that
is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of
such Restricted Subsidiary (including, without limitation, Indebtedness under
the Credit Facilities), provided that the foregoing shall not apply to priority
of Liens, including by way of intercreditor arrangements. The foregoing
limitation shall not apply to:
(a) any
Indebtedness or Preferred Stock of any Person existing at the time such Person
is merged with or into or becomes a Subsidiary of CCH II; provided that such
Indebtedness or Preferred Stock was not incurred or issued in connection with,
or in contemplation of, such Person merging with or into, or becoming a
Subsidiary of, CCH II, and
(b) any
Indebtedness or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued in connection
with, and as part of the consideration for, an acquisition, whether by stock
purchase, asset sale, merger or otherwise, in each case involving such
Restricted Subsidiary, which Indebtedness or Preferred Stock is issued to the
seller or sellers of such stock or assets; provided that such Restricted
Subsidiary is not obligated to register such Indebtedness or Preferred Stock
under the Securities Act or obligated to provide information pursuant to Rule
144A under the Securities Act.
Liens
The
Indenture will provide that CCH II will not, directly or indirectly, create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness or
trade payables on any asset of CCH II, whether owned on the Issue Date or
thereafter acquired, except Permitted Liens.
Dividend
and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries
CCH II
will not, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective
any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to:
(1) pay
dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to CCH II or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or
participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any Indebtedness owed to
CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(2) make
loans or advances to CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
or
(3) transfer
any of its properties or assets to CCH II or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries.
However,
the preceding restrictions will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions
existing under or by reason of:
(1) Existing
Indebtedness, contracts and other instruments as in effect on the Issue Date and
any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements,
refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof; provided that such amendments,
modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings,
replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a
whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those
contained in the most restrictive Existing Indebtedness, contracts or other
instruments, as in effect on the Issue Date;
(2) applicable
law;
(3) any
instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by CCH
II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such
acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness was incurred in connection
with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction
is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person,
other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired;
provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by
the terms of the Indenture to be incurred;
(4) customary
non-assignment provisions in leases, franchise agreements and other commercial
agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(5) purchase
money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that
impose restrictions on the property so acquired of the nature described in
clause (3) of the preceding paragraph;
(6) any
agreement for the sale or other disposition of Capital Stock or assets of a
Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary
pending such sale or other disposition;
(7) Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the
agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially
more restrictive at the time such restrictions become effective, taken as a
whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being
refinanced;
(8) Liens
securing Indebtedness or other obligations otherwise permitted to be incurred
pursuant to the provisions of the covenant described above under the caption “—
Liens” that limit the right of CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to
dispose of the assets subject to such Lien;
(9) provisions
with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint
venture agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary
course of business;
(10) restrictions
on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts
entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(11) restrictions
contained in the terms of Indebtedness or Preferred Stock permitted to be
incurred under the covenant described under the caption “ — Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock”; provided that such restrictions
are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the terms contained
in the most restrictive, together or individually, of the Credit Facilities and
other Existing Indebtedness as in effect on the Issue Date; and
(12) restrictions
that are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than customary
provisions in comparable financings and that the management of CCH II
determines, at the time of such financing, will not materially impair the
Issuers’ ability to make payments as required under the Notes.
Merger,
Consolidation or Sale of Assets
Neither
Issuer may, directly or indirectly, (1) consolidate or merge with or into
another Person (whether or not such Issuer is the surviving Person) or (2) sell,
assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its
properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to another Person;
unless:
(A)
either:
(i) such
Issuer is the surviving Person; or
(ii) the
Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than
such Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other
disposition shall have been made is a Person organized or existing under the
laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia,
provided that if the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or
merger with such Issuer is a Person other than a corporation, a corporate
co-issuer shall also be an obligor with respect to the Notes;
(B) the
Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than
such Issuer) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance
or other disposition shall have been made assumes all the obligations of such
Issuer under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to agreements reasonably
satisfactory to the trustee;
(C) immediately
after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists; and
(D) such
Issuer or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if
other than such Issuer) will, on the date of such transaction after giving pro
forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had
occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period,
(x) be permitted to incur at least
$1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Leverage Ratio test set forth
in the first paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption “—
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;” or
(y) have a Leverage Ratio immediately
after giving effect to such consolidation or merger no greater than the Leverage
Ratio immediately prior to such consolidation or merger.
In
addition, neither of the Issuers may, directly or indirectly, lease all or
substantially all of their properties or assets, in one or more related
transactions, to any other Person. The foregoing clause (D) of this “Merger,
Consolidation, or Sale of Assets” covenant will not apply to a sale, assignment,
transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among an Issuer
and any of its Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries.
Transactions
with Affiliates
CCH II
will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any
payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its
properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into
or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan,
advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each, an
“Affiliate Transaction”), unless:
(1) such
Affiliate Transaction is on terms, taken as a whole, that are not less favorable
to CCH II or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been
obtained in a comparable transaction by CCH II or such Restricted Subsidiary
with an unrelated Person; and
(2) CCH
II delivers to the trustee:
(a) with
respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions
involving aggregate consideration given or received by CCH II or any such
Restricted Subsidiary in excess of $15 million, a resolution of the Board of
Directors of CCH II or CCI set forth in an officers’ certificate certifying that
such Affiliate Transaction complies with this covenant and that such Affiliate
Transaction has been approved by a majority of the members of such Board of
Directors; and
(b) with
respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions
involving aggregate consideration given or received by CCH II or any such
Restricted Subsidiary in excess of $50 million, an opinion as to the fairness to
the holders of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued
by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national
standing.
The
following items shall not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore,
will not be subject to the provisions of the prior paragraph:
(1) any
existing employment agreement and employee benefit arrangement (including stock
purchase or options agreements, deferred compensation plans, and retirement,
savings or similar plans) entered into by CCH II or any of its Subsidiaries and
any employment agreement and employee benefit arrangements entered into by CCH
II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
business;
(2) transactions
between or among CCH II and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(3) payment
of reasonable directors fees to Persons who are not otherwise Affiliates of CCH
II;
(4) customary
indemnification and insurance arrangements in favor of directors and officers,
regardless of affiliation with CCH II or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries;
(5) payment
of Management Fees;
(6) Restricted
Payments that are permitted by the provisions of the covenant described above
under the caption “— Restricted Payments” and Restricted Investments that are
permitted by the provisions of the covenant described above under the caption “—
Investments”;
(7) Permitted
Investments;
(8) transactions
pursuant to agreements existing on the Issue Date, as in effect on the Issue
Date, or as subsequently modified, supplemented, or amended, to the extent that
any such modifications, supplements, or amendments comply with the applicable
provisions of paragraph (1) of this covenant;
(9) transactions
contemplated by the Plan of Reorganization, including, without limitation, the
payment of Specified Fees and Expenses;
(10) contributions
to the common equity capital of CCH II or the issue or sale of Equity Interests
of CCH II;
(11) the
assignment and assumption of contracts (which contracts were entered into prior
to the Issue Date on an arms-length basis in the ordinary course of business of
the relevant Parent, reasonably related to the business of CCH II and the
assignment and assumption of which would not result in the incurrence of any
Indebtedness by CCH II or any Restricted Subsidiary) to a Restricted Subsidiary
by a Parent; and
(12) transactions
with a Person that would otherwise be deemed Affiliate Transactions solely
because any Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary owns Equity Interests in such
Person.
Sale
and Leaseback Transactions
CCH II
will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into
any sale and leaseback transaction; provided that CCH II and its Restricted
Subsidiaries may enter into a sale and leaseback transaction if:
(1) CCH
II or such Restricted Subsidiary could have
(a) incurred
Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt relating to such sale
and leaseback transaction under the Leverage Ratio test in the first paragraph
of the covenant described above under the caption “— Incurrence of Indebtedness
and Issuance of Preferred Stock”; and
(b) incurred
a Lien to secure such Indebtedness pursuant to the covenant described above
under the caption “— Liens” or the definition of “Permitted Liens”;
and
(2) the
transfer of assets in that sale and leaseback transaction is permitted by, and
CCH II or such Restricted Subsidiary applies the proceeds of such transaction in
compliance with, the covenant described above under the caption “— Repurchase at
the Option of Holders — Asset Sales.”
The
foregoing restrictions do not apply to a sale and leaseback transaction if the
lease is for a period, including renewal rights, of not in excess of three
years.
Limitations
on Issuances of Guarantees of Indebtedness
CCH II
will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to
Guarantee or pledge any assets to secure the payment of any other Indebtedness
of CCH II (the “Guaranteed Indebtedness”), unless
(1) such
Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes and delivers a supplemental
indenture providing for the Guarantee (a “Subsidiary Guarantee”) of the payment
of the Notes by such Restricted Subsidiary, and
(2) until
one year after all the Notes have been paid in full in cash, such Restricted
Subsidiary waives and will not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the
benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation
or any other rights against CCH II or any other Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II
as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Subsidiary
Guarantee; provided that this paragraph shall not be applicable to any Guarantee
or any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a
Restricted Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in
contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary.
If the
Guaranteed Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes, then the Guarantee of such
Guaranteed Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Subsidiary Guarantee at
least to the extent that the Guaranteed Indebtedness is subordinated to the
Notes.
Any
Subsidiary Guarantee shall terminate upon the release of such guarantor from its
guarantee of the Guaranteed Indebtedness.
Limitations
on Layering
(1) At
all times, CCOH shall be a direct Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II or of a
Restricted Subsidiary that Guarantees the Notes on an unsubordinated, full and
unconditional basis.
(2) CCH
II shall not permit any members of the CCOH Group to guarantee or otherwise
become an obligor with respect to any Indebtedness (“CCOH Guaranteed
Indebtedness”) of CCH II or any Parent or any
Subsidiary
of a Parent other than a member of the CCOH Group without Guaranteeing the Notes
on an unsubordinated basis pursuant to the above “—Limitations on Issuances of
Guarantees of Indebtedness” covenant (treating all references therein to
“Guaranteed Indebtedness” as references to “CCOH Guaranteed
Indebtedness”).
(3) CCH
II shall not permit any member of the CCOH Group to create a Lien on any of its
assets or properties to secure the repayment of the Indebtedness of CCH II or
any Parent or any Subsidiary of a Parent who is not itself a member of the CCOH
Group, unless:
(i) in
the case of Liens securing Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment
to the Notes, the Notes are secured by a Lien on such property or assets that is
senior in priority to such Liens;
(ii) and
in all other cases, the Notes are equally and ratably secured;
provided
that any Lien which is granted under this covenant shall be automatically
discharged at the same time as the discharge of the Lien (other than through the
exercise of remedies with respect thereto) that gave rise to the obligation to
so secure the Notes or Guarantees.
Payments
for Consent
CCH II
will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of
any holder of Notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment
of any of the terms or provisions of the Indenture or the Notes unless such
consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all holders of the Notes that
consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation
documents relating to such consent, waiver or amendment.
Reports
Whether
or not required by the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuers
will furnish to the holders of the Notes, within the time periods specified in
the SEC’s rules and regulations:
(1) all
quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be
contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Issuers were
required to file such forms, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section and, with respect to
the annual information only, a report on the annual consolidated financial
statements of CCH II of its independent public accountants; and
(2) all
current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if
the Issuers were required to file such reports.
Notwithstanding
anything contained herein, so long as CCI or another entity that is a guarantor
of the Notes and is a Parent, consolidated reports at such Parent level in a
manner consistent with this covenant for CCH II shall satisfy this covenant;
provided that (x) such reports at such Parent level do not reflect the financial
information or assets of any material operations other than those of the Issuers
and their Subsidiaries; (y) such Parent includes in its reports information
about CCH II that is required to be provided by a parent guaranteeing debt of an
operating company subsidiary pursuant to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X or any
successor rule then in effect; and (z) such reports include reasonably detailed
information regarding the outstanding Indebtedness and preferred stock
(including, without limitation, any such instruments held by Parents or their
Subsidiaries) of CCH II.
For any
fiscal quarter or fiscal year at the end of which Subsidiaries of CCH II are
Unrestricted Subsidiaries, the quarterly and annual financial information
required by the preceding paragraph shall include a reasonably detailed
presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes
thereto, and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations, of the financial condition and results of operations of
CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and
results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of CCH II.
In
addition, after effectiveness of a registration statement registering either the
exchange or the resale of the Initial Notes, whether or not required by the SEC,
the Issuers will file a copy of all of the information and reports referred to
in clauses (1) and (2) above with the SEC for public availability within the
time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations, unless the SEC will
not accept such a filing, and make such information available to securities
analysts and prospective investors upon request.
Events
of Default and Remedies
Each of
the following is an Event of Default with respect to the Notes:
(1) default
for 30 consecutive days in the payment when due of interest on the
Notes;
(2) default
in payment when due of the principal of or premium, if any, on the
Notes;
(3) failure
by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions of
the Indenture described under the captions “— Repurchase at the Option of
Holders — Change of Control” or “— Certain Covenants — Merger, Consolidation, or
Sale of Assets”;
(4) failure
by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 consecutive days after
written notice thereof has been given to the Issuers by the trustee or to the
Issuers and the trustee by holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal
amount of the Notes outstanding to comply with any of their other covenants or
agreements in the Indenture;
(5) default
under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or
by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed
by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is
guaranteed by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such
Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the Issue Date, if
that default:
(a)
is caused by a failure to pay at final stated maturity the principal amount on
such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such
Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”); or
(b) results
in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity, and, in
each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the
principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a
Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates
$100 million or more;
(6) failure
by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments which are
non-appealable aggregating in excess of $100 million, net of applicable
insurance which has not been denied in writing by the insurer, which judgments
are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days; and
(7) CCH
II or any of its Significant Subsidiaries pursuant to or within the meaning of
Bankruptcy Law:
(a) commences
a voluntary case,
(b) consents
to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary
case,
(c) consents
to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its
property, or
(d) makes
a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(8) a
court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy
Law that:
(a) is
for relief against CCH II or any of its Significant Subsidiaries in an
involuntary case;
(b) appoints
a custodian of CCH II or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or for all or
substantially all of the property of CCH II or any of its Significant
Subsidiaries; or
(c) orders
the liquidation of CCH II or any of its Significant Subsidiaries;
and the
order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive
days.
In the
case of an Event of Default described in the foregoing clauses (7) and (8) with
respect to CCH II, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately
without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
the then outstanding Notes may declare the Notes to be due and payable
immediately.
Holders
of the Notes may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in
the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, the holders of a majority in
principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the trustee in its
exercise of any trust or power. The trustee may withhold from holders of the
Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default under the Indenture
(except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or
interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their
interest.
If a
Default is deemed to occur solely because a Default (the “Initial Default”)
already existed, then if such Initial Default is cured and is not continuing,
the Default or Event of Default resulting solely because the Initial Default
existed shall be deemed cured, and will be deemed annulled, waived and rescinded
without any further action required.
The
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding by notice to the trustee may on behalf of the holders of all of the
Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under
the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of
interest on, or the principal of, or premium, if any, on, the
Notes.
The
Issuers will be required to deliver to the trustee annually a statement
regarding compliance with the Indenture. Upon becoming aware of any Default or
Event of Default, the Issuers will be required to deliver to the trustee a
statement specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the
Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.
No
Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees, Members and
Stockholders
No
director, officer, employee or incorporator of the Issuers or any Parent
Guarantor, as such, and no member or stockholder of the Issuers or any Parent
Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers
or any Parent Guarantor under the Notes, the Indenture, any Note Guarantee or
the Registration Rights Agreement, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or
by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by
accepting a Note and any Note Guarantee waives and releases all such liability.
The waiver and release will be part of the consideration for issuance of the
Notes and any Note Guarantee. The waiver may not be effective to waive
liabilities under the federal securities laws.
Legal
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
The
Issuers and any Parent Guarantor may, at their option and at any time, elect to
have all of their obligations discharged with respect to any outstanding Notes
and any Note Guarantee (“Legal Defeasance”) except for:
(1) the
rights of holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when such payments are
due from the trust referred to below;
(2) the
Issuers’ obligations with respect to the Notes concerning issuing temporary
Notes, registration of Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the
maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments
held in trust;
(3) the
rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee, and the Issuers’
obligations in connection therewith; and
(4) the
Legal Defeasance provisions of the Indenture.
In
addition, the Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have the
obligations of the Issuers and any Parent Guarantor released with
respect to certain covenants that are described in the Indenture and any Note
Guarantee (“Covenant Defeasance”) and thereafter any omission to comply with
those covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect
to the Notes or any Note Guarantee. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs,
certain events (not including non-payment, bankruptcy, receivership,
rehabilitation and insolvency events) described under “Events of Default” will
no longer constitute an Events of Default with respect to the Notes or any Note
Guarantee.
In order
to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
(1) the
Issuers or any Parent Guarantor must irrevocably deposit, or cause to be
deposited, with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders of the
Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a
combination thereof, in such amounts as are expected to be sufficient, in the
opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to
pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Notes on
the stated maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be,
and the Issuers and any Parent Guarantor must specify whether the Notes will be
defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;
(2) in
the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuers shall have delivered to the trustee an
opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming
that
(a) the
Issuers and any Parent Guarantor have received from, or there has been published
by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or
(b) since
the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax
law,
in either
case of (a) or (b) immediately above to the effect that, and based thereon such
opinion of counsel shall confirm that, the holders of the outstanding Notes will
not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result
of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same
amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if
such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(3) in
the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuers or any Parent Guarantor shall have
delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel confirming that the holders of
the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income
tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to
federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times
as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not
occurred;
(4) no
Default or Event of Default under the Indenture shall have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default
resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and the
grant of any Lien securing such borrowing);
(5) such
Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation
of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (other
than the Indenture) to which the Issuers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries
is a party or by which the Issuers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries is
bound;
(6) the
Issuers or any Parent Guarantor must deliver to the trustee an officers’
certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent
of preferring the holders of the Notes over the other creditors of the Issuers
or any Parent Guarantor with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or
defrauding creditors of the Issuers, any Parent Guarantor or others;
and
(7) the
Issuers or any Parent Guarantor must deliver to the trustee an officers’
certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been
complied with.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the opinion of counsel required by clause (2) above with respect
to a Legal Defeasance need not be delivered and the conditions set forth in
clause 4(b) shall not apply if all applicable Notes not theretofore delivered to
the trustee for cancellation
(a) have
become due and payable or
(b) will
become due and payable on the maturity date or a redemption date within one year
under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of
redemption by the trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the
Issuers.
Amendment,
Supplement and Waiver
Except as
provided below, the Indenture, the Notes or any Note Guarantee may be amended or
supplemented with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the then outstanding Notes. This includes consents obtained
in connection with a purchase of Notes, a tender offer for Notes or an exchange
offer for Notes. Any existing Default or compliance with any provision of the
Indenture, the Notes or any Note Guarantee (other than any provision relating to
the right of any holder of a Note to bring suit for the enforcement of any
payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the
scheduled due dates expressed in the Notes) may be waived with the consent of
the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding
Notes. This includes consents obtained in connection with a purchase of Notes, a
tender offer for Notes or an exchange offer for Notes.
Without
the consent of each holder affected thereby, an amendment or waiver may not
(with respect to any Notes held by such holder):
(1) reduce
the principal amount of such Notes;
(2) change
the fixed maturity of such Notes or reduce the premium payable upon redemption
of such Notes;
(3) reduce
the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on such
Notes;
(4) waive
a Default or an Event of Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if
any, or interest on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes
by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes
and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such
acceleration);
(5) make
such Notes payable in money other than that stated in such Notes;
(6) make
any change in the provisions of the Indenture relating to waivers of past
Defaults applicable to any Notes or the rights of holders thereof to receive
payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on such
Notes;
(7) waive
a redemption payment with respect to such Notes (other than a payment required
by one of the covenants described above under the caption “— Repurchase at the
Option of Holders”); or
(8) make
any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions. Notwithstanding the
preceding, without the consent of any holder of Notes, the Issuers, any Parent
Guarantor and the trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture, the Notes or
any Note Guarantee:
(a) to
cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
(b) to
provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated
Notes;
(c) to
provide for or confirm the issuance of Additional Notes or any Exchange
Notes;
(d) to
provide for the assumption of the Issuers’ or any Parent Guarantor’s obligations
to holders of Notes in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or
substantially all of the Issuers’ assets;
(e) to
add a Note Guarantee;
(f) to
release any Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of the
Indenture;
(g) to
make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the
holders of Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the
Indenture of any such holder;
(h) add a
guarantor; or
(i) to comply
with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of
the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act or otherwise as necessary to comply
with applicable law.
Governing
Law
The
Indenture and the Notes will be governed by the laws of the State of New
York.
Concerning
the Trustee
If the
trustee becomes a creditor of the Issuers, the Indenture will limit its right to
obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property
received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will
be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any
conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to
the SEC for permission to continue or resign.
The
holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes will
have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for exercising any remedy available to the trustee, subject to certain
exceptions. The Indenture will provide that in case an Event of Default shall
occur and be continuing, the trustee will be required, in the exercise of its
power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own
affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to
exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any
holder of Notes, unless such holder shall have offered to the trustee indemnity
satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
Additional
Information
Anyone
who receives this prospectus may obtain a copy of the Indenture without charge
by writing to the Issuers at Charter Plaza, 12405 Powerscourt Drive, St. Louis,
Missouri 63131, Attention: Corporate Secretary.
Certain
Definitions
This
section sets forth certain defined terms used in the Indenture. Reference is
made to the Indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as any
other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is
provided.
“Acquired
Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) Indebtedness
of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or
into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such
Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other
Person merging with or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, such specified Person;
and
(2) Indebtedness
secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified
Person.
“Additional
Notes” means the Issuers’ 13.50% senior notes due 2016 issued under the
Indenture in addition to the Initial Notes (other than Notes issued in exchange
or replacement for the Initial Notes).
“Affiliate”
of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly
controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with
such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with
respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such
Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or
otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock
of a Person shall be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the
terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” shall have
correlative meanings.
“Applicable
Premium” means the excess of (x) the present value at such redemption (or
deposit) date of the sum of the redemption price of such Note at November 30,
2012 (such redemption price being set forth in the table under the caption
“—Optional Redemption”) plus all required interest payments due on such Note
through November 30, 2012 (calculated based on the interest rate and excluding
accrued but unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to the
Treasury Rate as of such redemption (or deposit) date plus 50 basis points over
(y) the then outstanding principal amount of such Note.
“Asset
Acquisition” means
(a) an
Investment by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any other Person
pursuant to which such Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or shall be merged with or into CCH II or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or
(b) the
acquisition by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of the assets of any
Person which constitute all or substantially all of the assets of such Person,
any division or line of business of such Person or any other properties or
assets of such Person other than in the ordinary course of
business.
“Asset
Sale” means:
(1) the
sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights, other than
sales of inventory in the ordinary course of the Cable Related Business;
provided that the sale, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of CCH II and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be
governed by the provisions of the Indenture described above under the caption “—
Repurchase at the Option of Holders — Change of Control” and/or the provisions
described above under the caption “— Certain Covenants — Merger, Consolidation,
or Sale of Assets” and not by the provisions of the Asset Sale covenant
described above under the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset
Sales”; and
(2) the
issuance of Equity Interests by any Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II or the sale
by CCH II or any Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II of Equity Interests of any
Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II.
Notwithstanding
the preceding, the following items shall not be deemed to be Asset
Sales:
(1) any
single transaction or series of related transactions that:
(a) involves
assets having a fair market value of less than $100 million; or
(b) results in
net proceeds to CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries of less than $100
million;
(2) a
transfer of assets between or among CCH II and its Restricted
Subsidiaries;
(3) an
issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II to CCH II or
to another Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II;
(4) a
Restricted Payment that is permitted by the covenant described above under the
caption “— Certain Covenants — Restricted Payments,” a Restricted Investment
that is permitted by the covenant described above under the caption “— Certain
Covenants — Investments” or a Permitted Investment;
(5) the
incurrence of Liens not prohibited by the Indenture and the disposition of
assets related to such Liens by the secured party pursuant to a
foreclosure;
(6) any
transaction contemplated by the Plan of Reorganization; and
(7) any
disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents.
“Attributable
Debt” in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at the time
of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net
rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and
leaseback transaction, including any period for which such lease has been
extended or may, at the option of the lessee, be extended. Such present value
shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit
in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Bankruptcy
Code” means Title 11 of the U.S. Code.
“Bankruptcy
Law” means the Bankruptcy Code or any federal or state law of any
jurisdiction relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, winding up, liquidation,
reorganization or relief of debtors.
“Beneficial
Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5
under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of
any particular “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the
Exchange Act) such “person” shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all
securities that such “person” has the right to acquire, whether such right is
currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent
condition.
“Board of
Directors” means the board of directors or comparable governing body of
CCI or if so specified CCH II, in either case, as constituted as of the date of
any determination required to be made, or action required to be taken, pursuant
to the Indenture.
“Cable Related
Business” means the business of owning cable television systems and
businesses ancillary, complementary and related thereto.
“Capital
Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be
made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at
that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with
GAAP.
“Capital
Stock” means:
(1) in
the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) in
the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests,
participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate
stock;
(3) in
the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or
membership interests (whether general or limited); and
(4) any
other interest (other than any debt obligation) or participation that confers on
a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or
distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
“Capital Stock
Sale Proceeds” means, without duplication, the aggregate net proceeds
(including the fair market value of the non-cash proceeds, as determined by an
independent appraisal firm) received by CCH II or its Restricted Subsidiaries
after the Issue Date, in each case
(x) as
a contribution to the common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity
Interests (other than Disqualified Stock and other than issuances or sales to a
Subsidiary of CCH II) of CCH II after the Issue Date, or
(y) from
the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or
convertible or exchangeable debt securities of CCH II that have been converted
into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or
Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of CCH
II).
provided,
however, that there shall be excluded from (x) and (y) any such contribution,
issuance or sale made from or attributable to “Net Proceeds” under and as
defined in the Plan of Reorganization.
“Cash
Equivalents” means:
(1) United
States dollars;
(2) securities
issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States
government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full
faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) having
maturities of not more than twelve months from the date of
acquisition;
(3) certificates
of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of twelve months or less
from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding
six months and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any domestic
commercial bank having combined capital and surplus in excess of $500 million
and a Thompson Bank Watch Rating at the time of acquisition of “B” or
better;
(4) repurchase
obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of
the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial
institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3)
above;
(5) commercial
paper having a rating at the time of acquisition of at least “P-1” from Moody’s
or at least “A-1” from S&P and in each case maturing within twelve months
after the date of acquisition;
(6) corporate
debt obligations maturing within twelve months after the date of acquisition
thereof, rated at the time of acquisition at least “Aaa” or “P-1” by Moody’s or
“AAA” or “A-1” by S&P;
(7) auction-rate
Preferred Stocks of any corporation maturing not later than 45 days after the
date of acquisition thereof, rated at the time of acquisition at least “Aaa” by
Moody’s or “AAA” by S&P;
(8) securities
issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, or by any
political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, maturing not later than six
months after the date of acquisition thereof, rated at the time of acquisition
at least “A” by Moody’s or S&P; and
(9) money
market or mutual funds at least 90% of the assets of which constitute Cash
Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses(1) through(8) of this
definition.
“CCH I”
means CCH I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor Person
thereto.
“CCH II”
means CCH II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor
Person thereto.
“CCHC”
means CCHC, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor Person
thereto.
“CCI”
means Charter Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor
Person thereto.
“CCO”
means Charter Communications Operating, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company and any successor Person thereto.
“CCOH”
means CCO Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor
Person thereto.
“CCOH
Group” means (i) CCOH (or any successor thereto) and (ii) each Subsidiary
thereof that is a Restricted Subsidiary.
“CCOH Group
Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of any member or members of the CCOH
Group, so long as such Indebtedness does not constitute a Guarantee of, or other
credit support for, any Indebtedness of any Person other than a member of the
CCOH Group.
“Change of
Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) the
sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or
consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or
substantially all of the assets of CCH II and its Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, or of a Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any “person”
(as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than a
Parent, CCH II or a Restricted Subsidiary;
(2) the
adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of CCH II or a
Parent (except the liquidation of any Parent into any other
Parent);
(3) the
consummation of any transaction, including, without limitation, any merger or
consolidation, the result of which is that any “person” (as defined above) other
than a Parent becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than
50% of the Voting Stock of CCH II or a Parent, measured by voting power rather
than the number of shares;
(4) after
the Issue Date, the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors of CCI are not Continuing Directors; or
(5) CCH
II or a Parent consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any
Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, CCH II or a Parent, in any
such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Voting
Stock of CCH II or such Parent is converted into or exchanged for cash,
securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the Voting
Stock of CCH II or such Parent outstanding immediately prior to such transaction
is converted into or exchanged for Voting Stock (other than Disqualified Stock)
of the surviving or transferee Person constituting a majority of the outstanding
shares of such Voting Stock of such surviving or transferee Person immediately
after giving effect to such issuance.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, (A) a “person” shall not be deemed to have beneficial ownership
of securities subject to a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement or similar
agreement (or voting or option agreement related thereto) until the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by such agreement and (B) any holding company
whose only material asset is Equity Interests of CCH II or any Parent shall not
itself be considered a “person” for purposes of clause (1) or (3) of this
definition.
“Charter
Holdings” means Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company, and any successor Person thereto.
“Charter
Refinancing Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect wholly owned
Subsidiary (and any related corporate co-obligor if such Subsidiary is a limited
liability company or other association not taxed as a corporation) of CCI or
Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC, which is or becomes a
Parent.
“CIH” means
CCH I Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor
Person thereto.
“Consolidated
EBITDA” means with respect to any Person, for any period,
the consolidated net income (or net loss) of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period calculated in accordance with GAAP plus,
to the extent such amount was deducted in calculating such net
income:
(1) Consolidated
Interest Expense;
(2) income
taxes;
(3) depreciation
expense;
(4) amortization
expense;
(5) all
other non-cash items, extraordinary items and nonrecurring and unusual items
(including without limitation any restructuring charges and charges related to
litigation settlements or judgments) and the cumulative effects of changes in
accounting principles reducing such net income, less all non-cash items,
extraordinary items, nonrecurring and unusual items and cumulative effects of
changes in accounting principles increasing such net income;
(6) amounts
actually paid during such period pursuant to a deferred compensation plan;
and
(7) for
purposes of the covenant described above under the caption “— Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” Management Fees;
all as
determined on a consolidated basis for such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP, provided that Consolidated EBITDA shall
not include, without duplication:
(x) the net
income (or net loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary (“Other
Person”), except
(i) with
respect to net income, to the extent of the amount of dividends or other
distributions actually paid to such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
by such Other Person during such period; and
(ii) with
respect to net losses, to the extent of the amount of investments made by such
Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person in such Other Person during
such period;
(y) solely for
the purposes of calculating the amount of Restricted Payments that may be made
pursuant to the second clause (3) in the first paragraph of the covenant
described under the caption “— Certain Covenants — Restricted Payments” (and in
such case, except to the extent includable pursuant to clause (x) above), the
net income (or net loss) of any Other Person accrued prior to the date it
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with such
Person or any Restricted Subsidiaries or all or substantially all of the
property and assets of such Other Person are acquired by such Person or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(z) any effects
of fresh-start accounting adjustments.
“Consolidated
Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of
determination, the sum, without duplication, of:
(1) the
total amount of outstanding Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, plus
(2) the
total amount of Indebtedness of any other Person that has been Guaranteed by the
referent Person or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries, plus
(3) the
aggregate liquidation value of all Disqualified Stock of such Person and all
Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person, in each case,
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated
Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period,
without duplication, the sum of:
(1) the
consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for
such period, whether paid or accrued (including, without limitation,
amortization or original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the
interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component
of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or
bankers’ acceptance financings, and net payments (if any) pursuant to Hedging
Obligations); and
(2) the
consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries
that was capitalized during such period; and
(3) any
interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is guaranteed by such
Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of
such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (whether or not such Guarantee
or Lien is called upon); in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance
with GAAP, excluding, however, any amount of such interest of any Restricted
Subsidiary of the referent Person if the net income of such Restricted
Subsidiary is excluded in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to
clause (z) of the definition thereof (but only in the same proportion as the net
income of such Restricted Subsidiary is excluded from the calculation of
Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (z) of the definition
thereof).
“Continuing
Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the
Board of Directors of CCI who:
(1) was
a member of the Board of Directors of CCI on the Issue Date; or
(2) was
nominated for election or elected to the Board of Directors of CCI with the
approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such
Board of Directors of CCI at the time of such nomination or election or whose
election or appointment was previously so approved.
“Credit
Facilities” means, with respect to CCH II and/or its Restricted
Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, in
each case with banks or other lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term
loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such
lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders
against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended,
restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in
part from time to time.
“Default”
means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or
both would be, an Event of Default.
“Disposition”
means, with respect to any Person, any merger, consolidation or other business
combination involving such Person (whether or not such Person is the Surviving
Person) or the sale, assignment, transfer, lease or conveyance, or other
disposition of all or substantially all of such Person’s assets or Capital
Stock.
“Disqualified
Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any
security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each
case at the option of the holder thereof) or upon the happening of any event,
matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or
otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in
part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes
mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would
constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right
to require CCH II to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a
change of control or an asset sale shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if
the terms of such Capital Stock provide that CCH II may not repurchase or redeem
any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or
redemption complies with the covenant described above under the caption “—
Certain Covenants — Restricted Payments.”
“Equity
Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights
to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible
into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
“Equity
Offering” means any private or public offering of Qualified Capital Stock
of CCH II (other than to a Parent or one of its Subsidiaries) or a Parent of
which the gross cash proceeds to CCH II or received by CCH II as
a capital
contribution from such Parent (directly or indirectly), as the case may be, are
at least $25 million, other than public offerings with respect to CCH II’s
membership interests or a Parent’s membership interests or common stock, as
applicable, registered on Form S-8, provided that the offering of Qualified
Capital Stock issued pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization shall not constitute
an “Equity Offering”.
“Existing
Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of CCH II and its Restricted
Subsidiaries in existence on the Issue Date, until such amounts are
repaid.
“GAAP”
means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and
pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial
Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as
have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which
are in effect on the Issue Date.
“Guarantee”
or
“guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable
instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or
indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of
assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect
thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness, measured as the lesser of the
aggregate outstanding amount of the Indebtedness so guaranteed and the face
amount of the guarantee.
“Hedging
Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such
Person under:
(1) interest
rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar
agreements;
(2) interest
rate option agreements, foreign currency exchange agreements, foreign currency
swap agreements; and
(3) other
agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations
in interest and currency exchange rates.
“Indebtedness”
means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person,
whether or not contingent:
(1) in
respect of borrowed money;
(2) evidenced
by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or
reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);
(3) in
respect of banker’s acceptances;
(4) representing
Capital Lease Obligations;
(5) in
respect of the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any
property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade
payable; or
(6) represented
by Hedging Obligations only to the extent an amount is then owed and is payable
pursuant to the terms of such Hedging Obligations, if and to the extent any of
the preceding items would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the
specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term
“Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any
asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by
the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the guarantee
by such Person of any indebtedness of any other Person.
The
amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be:
(1) the
accreted value thereof, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original
issue discount; and
(2) the
principal amount thereof, together with any interest thereon that is more than
30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.
“Investment Grade
Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent)
by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P.
“Investments”
means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other
Persons, including Affiliates, in the forms of direct or indirect loans
(including guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations), advances or capital
contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and
employees made in the ordinary course of business) and purchases or other
acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other
securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as
investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.
“Issue
Date” means November 30, 2009.
“Leverage
Ratio” means, as to CCH II, as of any date, the ratio of:
(1) the
Consolidated Indebtedness of CCH II on such date to
(2) the
aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for CCH II for the most recently ended
fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available (the
“Reference Period”) multiplied by four.
In
addition to the foregoing, for purposes of this definition, “Consolidated
EBITDA” shall be calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect
to
(1) the
issuance of the Notes;
(2) the
incurrence of the Indebtedness or the issuance of the Disqualified Stock by CCH
II or a Restricted Subsidiary or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (and
the application of the proceeds therefrom) giving rise to the need to make such
calculation and any incurrence or issuance (and the application of the proceeds
therefrom) or repayment of other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred
Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, other than the incurrence or repayment of
Indebtedness for ordinary working capital purposes, at any time subsequent to
the beginning of the Reference Period and on or prior to the date of
determination, as if such incurrence (and the application of the proceeds
thereof), or the repayment, as the case may be, occurred on the first day of the
Reference Period; and
(3) any
Dispositions or Asset Acquisitions (including, without limitation, any Asset
Acquisition giving rise to the need to make such calculation as a result of such
Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including any person that becomes
a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Acquisition) incurring,
assuming or otherwise becoming liable for or issuing Indebtedness, Disqualified
Stock or Preferred Stock) made on or subsequent to the first day of the
Reference Period and on or prior to the date of determination, as if such
Disposition or Asset Acquisition (including the incurrence, assumption or
liability for any such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock and
also including any Consolidated EBITDA associated with such Asset Acquisition,
including any cost savings adjustments in compliance with Regulation S-X
promulgated by the SEC) had occurred on the first day of the Reference
Period.
In
calculating the Leverage Ratio, the Consolidated Indebtedness of CCH II on such
date shall not include Indebtedness incurred pursuant to paragraph (1) under the
caption “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” that is or
was incurred in connection with the transaction for which the calculation is
being made.
“Lien”
means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security
interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not
filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature
thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in
and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform
Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.
“Management
Fees” means the fees (including expense reimbursements) payable to any
Parent pursuant to the management and mutual services agreements between any
Parent of CCH II and CCO or between any Parent of CCH II and other Restricted
Subsidiaries of CCH II or pursuant to the limited liability company agreements
of certain Restricted Subsidiaries as such management, mutual services or
limited liability company agreements exist on the Issue Date (or, if later, on
the date any new Restricted Subsidiary is acquired or created), including any
amendment or replacement thereof, provided, that any such new agreements or
amendments or replacements of existing agreements, taken as a whole, are not
more disadvantageous to the holders of the Notes in any material respect than
such agreements existing on the Issue Date and further provided, that such new,
amended or replacement management agreements do not provide for percentage fees,
taken together with fees under existing agreements, any higher than 3.5% of
CCI’s consolidated total revenues for the applicable payment
period.
“Moody’s”
means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency
business thereof.
“Net
Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by CCH II or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without
limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash
consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the direct costs relating to
such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment
banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a
result thereof or taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (including amounts
distributable in respect of owners’, partners’ or members’ tax liabilities
resulting from such sale), in each case after taking into account any available
tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements and amounts required
to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness.
“Non-Recourse
Debt” means Indebtedness:
(1) as
to which neither CCH II nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
(a) provides
credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument
that would constitute Indebtedness);
(b) is
directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise; or
(c) constitutes
the lender;
(2) no
default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may
have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit
upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness (other
than the Notes) of CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a
default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be
accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity; and
(3) as
to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any
recourse to the Capital Stock or assets of CCH II or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries.
“Note
Guarantee” means the unconditional Guarantee by any Parent of the
Issuers’ payment Obligations under the Notes.
“Obligations”
means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications,
reimbursements, damages, Guarantees and other liabilities payable under the
documentation governing any Indebtedness, in each case, whether now or hereafter
existing, renewed or restructured, whether or not from time to time decreased or
extinguished and later increased, created or incurred, whether or not arising on
or after the commencement of a case under Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar
federal or state law for the relief of debtors (including post-petition
interest) and whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such
case.
“Parent”
means CCH I, CIH, Charter Holdings, CCHC, Charter Communications Holding
Company, LLC, CCI and/or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the foregoing 100%
of the Capital Stock of which is owned directly or indirectly by one or more of
the foregoing Persons, as applicable, and that directly or indirectly
beneficially owns 100% of the Capital Stock of CCH II, and any successor Person
to any of the foregoing.
“Parent
Guarantor” means any Parent that executes a Note Guarantee in accordance
with the provisions of the Indenture, and their respective successors and
assigns.
“Permitted
Investments” means:
(1) any
Investment by CCH II in a Restricted Subsidiary thereof, or any Investment by a
Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II in CCH II or in another Restricted Subsidiary of
CCH II;
(2) any
Investment in Cash Equivalents;
(3) any
Investment by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Person, if as a
result of such Investment:
(a) such Person
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II; or
(b) such Person
is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys
substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, CCH II or a
Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II;
(4) any
Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an
Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant
described above under the caption “— Repurchase at the Option of Holders — Asset
Sales”;
(5) any
Investment made out of the net cash proceeds of the issue and sale (other than
to a Subsidiary of CCH II) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock)
or cash contributions to the common equity of CCH II, in each case after the
Issue Date, to the extent that such net cash proceeds have not been applied to
make a Restricted Payment or to effect other transactions pursuant to the
covenant described under “— Certain Covenants — Restricted Payments” (with the
amount of usage of the basket in this clause (5) being determined net of the
aggregate amount of principal, interest, dividends, distributions, repayments,
proceeds or other value otherwise returned or recovered in respect of any such
Investment, but not to exceed the initial amount of such
Investment);
(6) other
Investments (which Investments shall not be used for the payment of dividends or
distributions with respect to Equity Interests of CCH II or for the repayment,
prepayment, purchase, defeasance or other retirement of indebtedness that is
subordinated in right of payment to the Notes) in any Person (other than any
Parent) having an aggregate fair market value when taken together with all other
Investments in any Person made by CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries
(without duplication) pursuant to this clause (6) from and after the Issue Date,
not to exceed $650 million (initially measured on the date each such Investment
was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value, but reducing
the amount outstanding by the aggregate amount of principal, interest,
dividends, distributions, repayments, proceeds or other value otherwise returned
or recovered in respect of any such Investment, but not to exceed the initial
amount of such Investment) at any one time outstanding;
(7) Investments
in customers and suppliers in the ordinary course of business which
either
(A) generate accounts receivable, or
(B) are accepted in settlement of bona fide disputes.
(8) Investments
consisting of payments by CCH II or any of its subsidiaries of amounts that are
neither dividends nor distributions but are payments of the kind described in
clause (4) of the second paragraph of the covenant described above
under the caption “— Certain Covenants — Restricted Payments” to the extent such
payments constitute Investments;
(9) regardless
of whether a Default then exists, Investments in any Unrestricted Subsidiary
made by CCH II and/or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with the proceeds of
distributions from any Unrestricted Subsidiary; and
(10) any
Investment by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries so long as the
proceeds of such Investment are used to pay Specified Fees and
Expenses.
“Permitted
Liens” means:
(1) Liens
on the assets of the CCOH Group securing CCOH Group Indebtedness and related
Obligations;
(2) Liens
on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into
or consolidated with CCH II; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to
the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any
assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with CCH II
and related assets, such as the proceeds thereof;
(3) Liens
on property existing at the time of acquisition thereof by CCH II; provided that
such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such
acquisition;
(4) Liens
to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds,
performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary
course of business;
(5) purchase
money mortgages or other purchase money Liens (including, without limitation,
any Capitalized Lease Obligations) incurred by CCH II upon any fixed or capital
assets acquired after the Issue Date or purchase money mortgages (including,
without limitation, Capital Lease Obligations) on any such assets, whether or
not assumed, existing at the time of acquisition of such assets, whether or not
assumed, so long as
(a) such
mortgage or lien does not extend to or cover any of the assets of CCH II, except
the asset so developed, constructed, or acquired, and directly related assets
such as enhancements and modifications thereto, substitutions, replacements,
proceeds (including insurance proceeds), products, rents and profits thereof,
and
(b) such
mortgage or lien secures the obligation to pay all or a portion of the purchase
price of such asset, interest thereon and other charges, costs and expenses
(including, without limitation, the cost of design, development, construction,
acquisition, transportation, installation, improvement, and migration) and is
incurred in connection therewith (or the obligation under such Capitalized Lease
Obligation) only;
(6) Liens
existing on the Issue Date and replacement Liens therefor that do not encumber
additional property;
(7) Liens
for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet
delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
promptly instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other
appropriate provision as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have
been made therefor;
(8) statutory
and common law Liens of landlords and carriers, warehousemen, mechanics,
suppliers, materialmen, repairmen or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary
course of business and with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or being
contested in good faith by appropriate legal proceedings promptly instituted and
diligently conducted and for which a reserve or other appropriate provision, if
any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been
made;
(9) Liens
incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with
workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social
security;
(10) Liens
incurred or deposits made to secure the performance of tenders, bids, leases,
statutory or regulatory obligation, bankers’ acceptance, surety and appeal
bonds, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other
obligations of a similar nature incurred in the ordinary course of business
(exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);
(11) easements,
rights-of-way, municipal and zoning ordinances and similar charges,
encumbrances, title defects or other irregularities that do not materially
interfere with the ordinary course of business of CCH II or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries;
(12) Liens
of franchisors or other regulatory bodies arising in the ordinary course of
business;
(13) Liens
arising from filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding
leases or other Uniform Commercial Code financing statements for precautionary
purposes relating to arrangements not constituting Indebtedness;
(14) Liens
arising from the rendering of a final judgment or order against CCH II or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries that does not give rise to an Event of
Default;
(15) Liens
securing reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit that
encumber documents and other property relating to such letters of credit and the
products and proceeds thereof;
(16) Liens
encumbering customary initial deposits and margin deposits, and other Liens that
are within the general parameters customary in the industry and incurred in the
ordinary course of business, in each case, securing Indebtedness under Hedging
Obligations and forward contracts, options, future contracts, future options or
similar agreements or arrangements designed solely to protect CCH II or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries from fluctuations in interest rates, currencies or
the price of commodities;
(17) Liens
consisting of any interest or title of licensor in the property subject to a
license;
(18) Liens
on the Capital Stock of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;
(19) Liens
arising from sales or other transfers of accounts receivable which are past due
or otherwise doubtful of collection in the ordinary course of
business;
(20) Liens
incurred with respect to obligations which in the aggregate do not exceed $50
million at any one time outstanding;
(21) Liens
in favor of the trustee arising under the Indenture and similar provisions in
favor of trustees or other agents or representatives under indentures or other
agreements governing debt instruments entered into after the date
hereof;
(22) Liens
in favor of the trustee for its benefit and the benefit of holders of the Notes,
as their respective interests appear; and
(23) Liens
securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, to the extent that the Indebtedness
being refinanced was secured or was permitted to be secured by such
Liens.
“Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of CCH II or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are
used within 60 days after the date of issuance thereof to extend, refinance,
renew, replace, defease or refund, other Indebtedness of CCH II or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that
unless permitted otherwise by the Indenture, no Indebtedness of any Restricted
Subsidiary may be issued in exchange for, nor may the net proceeds of
Indebtedness be used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund,
Indebtedness of CCH II; provided further that:
(1) the
principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted
value, if applicable) plus accrued interest and premium, if any, on the
Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded
(plus the amount of reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith),
except to the extent that any such excess principal amount (or
accreted value, as applicable) would be then permitted to be incurred by other
provisions of the covenant
described
above under the caption “— Certain Covenants — Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Preferred Stock.”
(2) such
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date no earlier than the
final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or
greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being
extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and
(3) if
the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or
refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity
date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes on terms at least
as favorable to the holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation
governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced,
defeased or refunded.
“Person”
means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association,
limited liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization, government or agency or political subdivision thereof or any other
entity.
“Plan of
Reorganization” means the Plan of Reorganization of Charter
Communications, Inc., et al. dated March 27, 2009 and confirmed by the United
States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on November 17,
2009.
“Preferred
Stock,” as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital
Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which, by its terms, is
preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets
upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person,
over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.
“Productive
Assets” means assets (including assets of a Person owned directly or
indirectly through ownership of Capital Stock) of a kind used or useful in the
Cable Related Business.
“Qualified
Capital Stock” means any Capital Stock that is not Disqualified
Stock.
“Rating
Agencies” means Moody’s and S&P.
“Refinancing
Specified Parent Indebtedness” means, with respect to Specified Parent
Indebtedness, new Indebtedness incurred by a Parent to refinance (a) such
Specified Parent Indebtedness or (b) Refinancing Specified Parent Indebtedness
in respect of such Specified Parent Indebtedness; provided that while
such new Indebtedness is outstanding, the Specified Parent
Indebtedness being refinanced (if it had remained outstanding) would continue to
qualify as Specified Parent Indebtedness.
“Restricted
Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted
Investment.
“Restricted
Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that
is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“S&P”
means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service, a division of the McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business
thereof.
“SEC”
means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Series A
Preferred Stock” means the 15% Series A Preferred Stock of CCI issued
pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, including any Series A Preferred Stock
issued, or deemed issued pursuant to the terms thereof as they exist on the
Issue Date.
“Significant
Subsidiary” means (a) with respect to any Person, any Restricted
Subsidiary of such Person which would be considered a “Significant Subsidiary”
as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and (b) in
addition, with respect to CCH II, Capital Corp.
“Special
Interest” means special or additional interest in respect of the Notes
that is payable by the Issuers as liquidated damages upon specified registration
defaults pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Specified Fees
and Expenses” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Plan of
Reorganization.
“Specified Parent
Indebtedness” means Indebtedness incurred by a Parent whose proceeds are
contributed to CCH II (whether as an equity investment or in the form of an
exchange for Indebtedness of CCH II) and used to benefit the business of CCH II
and its Restricted Subsidiaries and not used directly or indirectly to pay a
dividend from CCH II; provided that CCH II shall, within 5 business days of such
incurrence, deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate specifying such
Indebtedness as “Specified Parent Indebtedness” and disclosing the use of
proceeds therefrom.
“Stated
Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal
on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which such payment of interest or
principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such
Indebtedness on the Issue Date, or, if none, the original documentation
governing such Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent obligations to
repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date
originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
“Subsidiary”
means, with respect to any Person:
(1) any
corporation, association or other business entity of which at least 50% of the
total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the
occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or
trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by
such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a
combination thereof) and, in the case of any such entity of which 50% of the
total voting power of shares of Capital Stock is so owned or controlled by such
Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person, such Person and
its Subsidiaries also have the right to control the management of such entity
pursuant to contract or otherwise; and
(2) any
partnership
(a) the
sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or
a Subsidiary of such Person, or
(b) the only
general partners of which are such Person or of one or more Subsidiaries of such
Person (or any combination thereof).
“Treasury
Rate” means, as of the applicable redemption date, the yield to maturity
as of such redemption (or deposit) date of the United States Treasury securities
with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal
Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at
least two business days prior to such redemption (or deposit) date (or, if such
Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of
similar market date)) most nearly equal to the period from such redemption (or
deposit) date to November 30, 2012; provided, however, that if the period from
such redemption (or deposit) date to November 30, 2012, is less than one year,
the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities
adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.
“Unrestricted
Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of CCH II that is designated by the
Board of Directors of CCH II as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a board
resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:
(1) has
no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;
(2) is
not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with CCH II
or any Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II unless the terms of any such agreement,
contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to CCH II or such
Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II than those that might be obtained at the time
from Persons who are not Affiliates of CCH II unless such terms constitute
Investments permitted by the covenant described above under the caption “—
Certain Covenants — Investments,” Permitted Investments, Asset Sales permitted
under the covenant described above under the caption “— Repurchase at the Option
of the Holders — Asset Sales” or sale-leaseback transactions permitted by the
covenant described above under the caption “Certain Covenants — Sale and
Leaseback Transactions”;
(3) is
a Person with respect to which neither CCH II nor any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation
(a) to
subscribe for additional Equity Interests or
(b) to maintain
or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve
any specified levels of operating results;
(4) has not
guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any
Indebtedness of CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(5) does
not own any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II.
Any
designation of a Subsidiary of CCH II as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be
evidenced to the trustee by filing with the trustee a certified copy of the
board resolution giving effect to such designation and an officers’ certificate
certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was
permitted by the covenant described above under the caption “— Certain Covenants
— Investments.” If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet
the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter
cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the Indenture and any
Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted
Subsidiary of CCH II as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted
to be incurred as of such date under the covenant described under the caption “—
Certain Covenants — Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,”
CCH II shall be in default of such covenant. The Board of Directors of CCH II
may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted
Subsidiary; provided that such designation shall be deemed to be an incurrence
of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of any outstanding Indebtedness of
such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation shall only be permitted
if:
(1) such
Indebtedness is permitted under the covenant described under the caption “—
Certain Covenants — Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,”
calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the
beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and
(2) no
Default or Event of Default would be in existence immediately following such
designation.
“Voting
Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such
Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the board of
directors or comparable governing body of such Person.
“Weighted
Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any
date, the number of years obtained by dividing:
(1) the
sum of the products obtained by multiplying
(a) the amount
of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other
required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect
thereof, by
(b) the number
of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such
date and the making of such payment; by
(2) the
then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
“Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiary” of any Person means a Restricted Subsidiary of
such Person all of the outstanding common equity interests or other ownership
interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at the time
be owned by such Person and/or by one or more Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiaries of such Person.
IMPORTANT
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
General
The
following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the new notes by a
person who acquires new notes pursuant to this exchange offer. Except where
noted, the summary deals only with the new notes held as capital assets within
the meaning of section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the “Code”), and does not deal with special situations, such as those of
broker-dealers, tax exempt organizations, individual retirement accounts and
other tax deferred accounts, financial institutions, insurance companies,
holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, or persons holding new
notes as part of a hedging or conversion transaction or a straddle, or a
constructive sale. Further, the discussion below is based upon the provisions of
the Code and Treasury regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as
of the date hereof, and such authorities may be repealed, revoked, or modified,
possibly with retroactive effect, so as to result in United States federal
income tax consequences different from those discussed below. In addition,
except as otherwise indicated, the following does not consider the effect of any
applicable foreign, state, local or other tax laws or estate or gift tax
considerations. Furthermore, this discussion does not consider the tax treatment
of holders of the new notes who are partnerships or other pass-through entities
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or who are former citizens or long-term
residents of the United States.
This
summary addresses tax consequences relevant to a holder of the new notes that is
either a U.S. Holder or a Non-U.S. Holder. As used herein, a “U.S. Holder” is a
beneficial owner of a new note who is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
either an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a
corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax
purposes created in, or organized in or under the laws of, the United States or
any political subdivision thereof, an estate the income of which is subject to
U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or a trust the
administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court
and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to
control all substantial decisions of the trust or that was in existence on,
August 20, 1996, was treated as a United States person under the Code on that
date and has made a valid election to be treated as a United States person under
the Code. A “Non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of a new note that is, for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, not a U.S. Holder or a partnership or other
pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The U.S.
federal income tax treatment of a partner in a partnership (or other entity
classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that holds the
new notes generally will depend on such partner’s particular circumstances and
on the activities of the partnership. Partners in such partnerships should
consult their own tax advisors.
PROSPECTIVE
INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH REGARD TO THE
APPLICATION OF THE TAX CONSIDERATIONS DISCUSSED BELOW TO THEIR PARTICULAR
SITUATIONS, AS WELL AS THE APPLICATION OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN, ESTATE,
GIFT OR OTHER TAX LAWS, OR SUBSEQUENT REVISIONS THEREOF.
United
States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders
Exchange
Offer
Pursuant
to the exchange offer holders are entitled to exchange the original notes for
new notes that will be substantially identical in all material respects to the
original notes, except that the new notes will be registered and therefore will
not be subject to transfer restrictions. Accordingly,
(1) no
gain or loss will be realized by a U.S. Holder upon receipt of a new
note,
(2) the
holding period of the new note will include the holding period of the original
note exchanged therefor,
(3) the
adjusted tax basis of the new notes will be the same as the adjusted tax basis
of the original notes exchanged at the time of the exchange, and
(4) the
U.S. Holder will continue to take into account income in respect of the new note
in the same manner as before the exchange.
Payments
of Interest on the New Notes
Subject
to the bond premium rules discussed below, interest on the new notes constitutes
qualified stated interest and will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary
income at the time such interest is accrued or actually or constructively
received in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s regular method of accounting for
U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Bond
Premium
If a
holder has a tax basis in a new note immediately after the new note is acquired
that is greater than the stated redemption price at maturity, the holder has
acquired the new note with “bond premium.” A holder may elect to
amortize such bond premium over the life of the new note to offset a portion of
the stated interest that would otherwise be includible in income. Such an
election generally applies to all taxable debt instruments held by the holder on
or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies,
and may be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. If a U.S.
holder does not make this election, such U.S. holder must include the full
amount of each interest payment in income as described in “Payments of Interest
on the New Notes” above. The U.S. holder will receive a tax benefit
from the premium only in computing gain or loss upon the sale or other
disposition or retirement of the note. Holders that acquire a new
note with bond premium should consult their tax advisors regarding the manner in
which such premium is calculated and the election to amortize bond premium over
the life of the instrument.
Effect
of Optional Redemption on Yield to Maturity
At any
time prior to November 30, 2012 we may redeem up to 35% of the new notes upon
the occurrence of certain Equity Offerings. Computation of the yield and
maturity of the new notes is not affected by such redemption rights if, based on
all the facts and circumstances as of the date of issuance, the stated payment
schedule of the new notes (that does not reflect the equity offering event) is
significantly more likely than not to occur. We have determined that, based on
all of the facts and circumstances as of the date of issuance, it is
significantly more likely than not that the new notes will be paid according to
their stated schedule.
We may
redeem the new notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after November 30,
2012 at redemption prices specified elsewhere herein plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any. The Treasury Regulations contain rules for determining the
“maturity date” and the stated redemption price at maturity of an instrument
that may be redeemed prior to its stated maturity date at the option of the
issuer. Under such Treasury Regulations, solely for the purposes of the accrual
of original issue discount, it is assumed that an issuer will exercise any
option to redeem a debt instrument only if such exercise would lower the yield
to maturity of the debt instrument. Because the exercise of such options would
not lower the yield to maturity of the new notes, we believe that we will not be
presumed under these rules to redeem the new notes prior to their stated
maturity.
Sale,
Redemption, Retirement or Other Taxable Disposition of the New
Notes
Unless a
non-recognition event applies, upon the sale, redemption, retirement or other
taxable disposition of a new note, the U.S. Holder will generally recognize gain
or loss in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the amount of cash and
the fair market value of other property received in exchange therefor and (2)
the holder’s adjusted tax basis in such new note. Amounts attributable to
accrued but unpaid interest on the new notes will be treated as ordinary
interest income as described above. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in a new
note will generally equal the purchase price of the new note (or the original
note exchanged therefor) increased by any market discount, if any, that the U.S.
Holder elected to include in income and decreased by any bond premium amortized
by the holder and the amount of any payment on such new note other than
qualified stated interest.
Except as
discussed below with respect to market discount, gain or loss realized on the
sale, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a new note will be
capital gain or loss and will be long term capital gain or loss at the time of
sale, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition, if the new note has
been held for more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject
to certain limitations.
Market
Discount
The
resale of new notes may be affected by the impact on a purchaser of the market
discount provisions of the Code. For this purpose, the market discount on a new
note generally will be equal to the amount, if any, by which the adjusted issue
price of the new note immediately after its acquisition exceeds the amount paid
for the new note. To the extent a U.S. holder had market discount on an original
note, the U.S. holder will have market discount on a new note exchanged
therefor. Subject to a de minimis exception, these provisions generally require
a U.S. Holder who acquires a new note at a market discount to treat as ordinary
income any gain recognized on the disposition of such new note to the extent of
the accrued market discount on such new note at the time of disposition, unless
the U.S. Holder elects to include accrued market discount in income currently.
In general, market discount will be treated as accruing on a straight line basis
over the remaining term of the new note at the time of acquisition, or at the
election of the U.S. Holder, under a constant yield method. If an election is
made, the holder’s basis in the new notes will be increased to reflect the
amount of income recognized and the rules described below regarding deferral of
interest deductions will not apply. The election to include market discount in
income currently, once made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired
on or after the first taxable year to which the election applies and may not be
revoked without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service.
A U.S.
Holder who acquires a new note at a market discount and who does not elect to
include accrued market discount in income currently may be required to defer the
deduction of a portion of the interest on any indebtedness incurred or
maintained to purchase or carry such new note.
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding
Backup
withholding and information reporting requirements may apply to certain payments
of principal and interest on a new note and to certain payments of the proceeds
of the sale or redemption of a new note. We or our paying agent, as the case may
be, will be required to withhold from any payment that is subject to backup
withholding tax at a rate of 28 percent if a U.S. Holder fails to furnish his
U.S. taxpayer identification number (“TIN”), certify that such number is
correct, certify that such holder is not subject to backup withholding or
otherwise comply with the applicable backup withholding rules. Unless extended
by future legislation, however, the reduction in the backup withholding rate to
28 percent expires and the 31 percent backup withholding rate will be reinstated
for payments made after December 31, 2010. Exempt holders (including, among
others, all corporations) are not subject to these backup withholding and
information reporting requirements.
Any
amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a U.S.
Holder of the new notes will be allowed as a refund or a credit against such
holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required
information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
United
States Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders
Exchange
Offer
The
exchange of original notes for the new notes pursuant to this exchange offer
will not constitute a taxable event for a Non-U.S. Holder.
Payments
of Interest
Subject
to the discussion of information reporting and backup withholding below, and
assuming that the DTC’s book-entry procedures set forth in the section entitled
“Description of the Notes — Book-Entry, Delivery and Form” are observed upon
issuance and throughout the term of the Notes, the payment to a Non-U.S. Holder
of
interest
on a new note will not be subject to United States federal withholding tax
pursuant to the “portfolio interest exception,” provided
that:
(1) the
interest is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in
the United States;
(2) the
Non-U.S. Holder (A) does not actually or constructively own 10 percent or more
of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of CCH II Capital Corp
entitled to vote nor 10 percent or more of the capital or profits interests of
CCH II, LLC and (B) is neither a controlled foreign corporation that is related
to us through stock ownership within the meaning of the Code, nor a bank that
received the new notes on an extension of credit in the ordinary course of its
trade or business; and
(3) either
(A) the beneficial owner of the new notes certifies to us or our paying agent,
under penalties of perjury, that it is not a U.S. Holder and provides its name
and address on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or a suitable substitute
form) or (B) a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial
institution that holds the new notes on behalf of such Non-U.S. Holder in the
ordinary course of its trade or business (a “financial institution”) certifies
under penalties of perjury that such an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or
W-8IMY (or suitable substitute form) has been received from the beneficial owner
by it or by a financial institution between it and the beneficial owner and, in
case of a non-qualified intermediary, furnishes the payor with a copy
thereof.
If a
Non-U.S. Holder cannot satisfy the requirements of the portfolio interest
exception described above, payments of interest made to such Non-U.S. Holder
will be subject to a 30 percent withholding tax, unless the beneficial owner of
the Note provides us or our paying agent, as the case may be, with a properly
executed (1) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or successor form) providing
a correct TIN and claiming an exemption from or reduction in the rate of
withholding under the benefit of a income tax treaty or (2) Internal Revenue
Service Form W-8ECI (or successor form) providing a correct TIN and stating that
interest paid on the new note is not subject to withholding tax because it is
effectively connected with the beneficial owner’s conduct of a trade or business
in the United States.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if a Non-U.S. Holder of a new note is engaged in a trade or
business in the United States and interest on the new note is effectively
connected with the conduct of such trade or business, and, where an income tax
treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment or, in the
case of an individual, a fixed base in the United States, such Non-U.S. Holder
generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such interest in the
same manner as if it were a U.S. Holder (that is, will be taxable on a net basis
at applicable graduated individual or corporate rates). In addition, if such
Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, it may be subject to a branch profits
tax equal to 30 percent of its effectively connected earnings and profits for
that taxable year unless it qualifies for a lower rate under an applicable
income tax treaty.
Sale,
Redemption, Retirement or Other Taxable Disposition of New Notes
Generally,
any gain realized on the sale, redemption, retirement or other taxable
disposition of a new note by a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S.
federal income tax, unless:
(1) such
gain is effectively connected with the conduct by such holder of a trade or
business in the United States, and, where an income tax treaty applies, the gain
is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained in the United States or,
in the case of an individual, a fixed base in the United States, or
(2) in
the case of gains derived by an individual, such individual is present in the
United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and
certain other conditions are met.
If a
Non-U.S. Holder of a new note is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business
in the United States, gain on the taxable disposition of a new note that is
effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business and, where an
income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment or,
in the case of an individual, a fixed base in the United States, generally will
be taxed on a net basis at applicable graduated individual
or
corporate rates. Effectively connected gain of a foreign corporation may, under
certain circumstances, be subject as well to a branch profits tax at a rate of
30 percent or a lower applicable income tax treaty rate.
If an
individual Non-U.S. Holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more
in the taxable year of the disposition of the Note and is nevertheless a
“Non-U.S. Holder”, such Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S.
federal income tax at a rate of 30 percent (or a lower applicable income tax
treaty rate) on the amount by which capital gains allocable to U.S. sources
(including gain, if such gain is allowable to U.S. sources, from the sale,
exchange, retirement or other disposition of the Note) exceed capital losses
which are allocable to U.S. sources and recognized during the same taxable
year.
Information
Reporting and Backup Withholding
When
required, we or our paying agent will report annually to the Internal Revenue
Service and to each Non-U.S. Holder the payment of any interest, regardless of
whether withholding was required, and any tax withheld with respect to the
interest. Copies of these information returns may also be made available under
the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement of the tax authorities of the
country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides.
Certain
Non-U.S. Holders may, under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, be presumed to
be U.S. persons. Interest paid to such holders generally will be subject to
information reporting and backup withholding at a 28 percent rate unless such
holders provide to us or our paying agent, as the case maybe, an Internal
Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or satisfy certain certification documentary
evidence requirements for establishing that such holders are non-United States
persons under U.S. Treasury regulations) or otherwise establish an exemption.
Unless extended by future legislation, however, the reduction in the backup
withholding rate to 28 percent expires and the 31 percent backup withholding
rate will be reinstated for payments made after December 31, 2010. Backup
withholding will not apply to interest that was subject to the 30 percent
withholding tax (or at applicable income tax treaty rate) applicable to certain
Non-U.S. Holders, as described above.
Information
reporting and backup withholding will also generally apply to a payment of the
proceeds of a disposition of a new note (including a redemption) if payment is
effected by or through a U.S. office of a broker, unless a Non-U.S. Holder
provides us or our paying agent, as the case may be, with such Non-U.S. Holder’s
name and address and either certifies non-United States status or otherwise
establishes an exemption. In general, backup withholding and information
reporting will not apply to the payment of the proceeds from the disposition of
the Notes by or through a foreign office of a broker. If, however, such broker
is (i) a United States person, (ii) a foreign person 50 percent or more of whose
gross income is from a U.S. trade or business for a specified three-year period,
(iii) a “controlled foreign corporation” as to the United States, or (iv) a
foreign partnership that, at any time during its taxable year, is 50 percent or
more (by income or capital interest) owned by United States persons or is
engaged in the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, such payment will be subject
to information reporting, but not backup withholding, unless such broker has
documentary evidence in its records that the holder is a Non-U.S. Holder and
certain other conditions are met, or the holder otherwise establishes an
exemption.
Any
amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a holder
of the new notes will be allowed as a refund or a credit against such holder’s
U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is
furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
A
broker-dealer that is the holder of original notes that were acquired for the
account of such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading
activities, other than original notes acquired directly from us or any of our
affiliates may exchange such original notes for new notes pursuant to the
exchange offer. This is true so long as each broker-dealer that receives new
notes for its own account in exchange for original notes, where such original
notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other
trading activities acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such new notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection
with resales of new notes received in exchange for original notes where such
original notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities. We have agreed that for a period of 180 days after
consummation of the exchange offer or such time as any broker-dealer no longer
owns any registrable securities, we will make this prospectus, as it may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, available to any broker-dealer for
use in connection with any such resale. All dealers effecting transactions in
the new notes will be required to deliver a prospectus.
We will
not receive any proceeds from any sale of new notes by broker-dealers or any
other holder of new notes. New notes received by broker-dealers for their own
account in the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through
the writing of options on the new notes or a combination of such methods of
resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to
such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made
directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such
broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such new notes. Any broker-dealer
that resells new notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to
the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution
of such new notes may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933, and any profit on any such resale of new notes and any
commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be
underwriting compensation under the Securities Act of 1933. The letter of
transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering
a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
“underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.
For a
period of 180 days after consummation of the exchange offer (or, if earlier,
until such time as any broker-dealer no longer owns any registrable securities),
we will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or
supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents
in the letter of transmittal. We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the
exchange offer and to our performance of, or compliance with, the exchange and
registration rights agreement (other than commissions or concessions of any
brokers or dealers) and will indemnify the holders of the notes (including any
broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933.
LEGAL
MATTERS
The
validity of the new notes offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for the
Issuers by Kirkland & Ellis LLP, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The
consolidated financial statements of CCH II, LLC and subsidiaries as of December
31, 2008 and 2007, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 2008, have been included herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG
LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein,
and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing. The report on the consolidated financial statements
referred to above includes an explanatory paragraph regarding the adoption,
effective January 1, 2009, of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
160, Noncontrolling Interests
in Consolidated Financial Statements – An Amendment of ARB No.
51.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
The
indenture governing the notes provides that, regardless of whether they are at
any time required to file reports with the SEC, the Issuers will file with the
SEC and furnish to the holders of the notes all such reports and other
information as would be required to be filed with the SEC if the Issuers were
subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act.
While any
notes remain outstanding, the Issuers will make available upon request to any
holder and any prospective purchaser of notes the information required pursuant
to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act during any period in which the
Issuers are not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. This
prospectus contains summaries, believed to be accurate in all material respects,
of certain terms of certain agreements regarding this exchange offer and the
notes (including but not limited to the indenture governing your notes), but
reference is hereby made to the actual agreements, copies of which will be made
available to you upon request to us or the initial purchasers, for complete
information with respect thereto, and all such summaries are qualified in their
entirety by this reference. Any such request for the agreements summarized
herein should be directed to Investor Relations, CCH II, LLC, Charter Plaza,
12405 Powerscourt Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63131, telephone number (314)
965-0555.
INDEX
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
Page
|
|
|
Audited
Financial Statements
|
|
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
F-2
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007
|
F-3
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007,
and 2006
|
F-4
|
Consolidated
Statements of Changes in Member’s Equity (Deficit) for the Years Ended
December 31, 2008, 2007,
and 2006
|
F-5
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007,
and 2006
|
F-6
|
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
F-7
|
|
Page
|
|
|
Financial
Statements
|
|
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2009 and December 31,
2008
|
F-39
|
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009 and
2008
|
F-40
|
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September
30, 2009 and 2008
|
F-41
|
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
|
F-42
|
Effective
December 1, 2009, the Company will apply fresh start accounting in accordance
with ASC 852 which requires assets and liabilities to be reflected at fair
value. Upon
application of fresh start accounting, the Company will adjust its property,
plant and equipment, franchise, goodwill, and other intangible assets to reflect
fair value and will also establish any previously unrecorded intangible assets
at their fair values. The Company expects these fresh start
adjustments will result in material increases to total tangible and intangible
assets, primarily as a result of adjustments to property, plant and equipment,
goodwill and customer relationships.
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The
Manager and Member of
CCH II,
LLC:
We have
audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CCH II, LLC
and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and
the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in member’s equity
(deficit), and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 2008. These consolidated financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our
audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting 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. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our
opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of CCH II, LLC and subsidiaries
as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and
their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 2008, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles.
As
discussed in Note 24 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January
1, 2009, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
160, Noncontrolling Interests
in Consolidated Financial Statements – An Amendment of ARB No.
51.
/s/ KPMG
LLP
St.
Louis, Missouri
October
6, 2009, except as to Note 24
and Note
26, which are as of January 15, 2010
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars
in millions)
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT
ASSETS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
953 |
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
Accounts
receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$18
and $18, respectively
|
|
|
221 |
|
|
|
220 |
|
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
1,197 |
|
|
|
251 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVESTMENT
IN CABLE PROPERTIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property,
plant and equipment, net of accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
depreciation
of $7,191 and $6,432, respectively
|
|
|
4,959 |
|
|
|
5,072 |
|
Franchises,
net
|
|
|
7,384 |
|
|
|
8,942 |
|
Total
investment in cable properties, net
|
|
|
12,343 |
|
|
|
14,014 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER
NONCURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
224 |
|
|
|
205 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$ |
13,764 |
|
|
$ |
14,470 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND MEMBER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT
LIABILITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
|
$ |
980 |
|
|
$ |
1,001 |
|
Payables
to related party
|
|
|
232 |
|
|
|
181 |
|
Current
portion of long-term debt
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
1,282 |
|
|
|
1,182 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LONG-TERM
DEBT
|
|
|
14,174 |
|
|
|
12,311 |
|
LOANS
PAYABLE – RELATED PARTY
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
123 |
|
DEFERRED
MANAGEMENT FEES – RELATED PARTY
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
OTHER
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
|
|
|
695 |
|
|
|
545 |
|
TEMPORARY
EQUITY
|
|
|
203 |
|
|
|
199 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEMBER’S
EQUITY (DEFICIT):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
(303 |
) |
|
|
(123 |
) |
Member’s
deficit
|
|
|
(2,787 |
) |
|
|
(245 |
) |
Total
CCH II member’s deficit
|
|
|
(3,090 |
) |
|
|
(368 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noncontrolling
interest
|
|
|
473 |
|
|
|
464 |
|
Total
member’s equity (deficit)
|
|
|
(2,617 |
) |
|
|
96 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
liabilities and member’s equity (deficit)
|
|
$ |
13,764 |
|
|
$ |
14,470 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars
in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REVENUES
|
|
$ |
6,479 |
|
|
$ |
6,002 |
|
|
$ |
5,504 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COSTS
AND EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
(excluding depreciation and amortization)
|
|
|
2,792 |
|
|
|
2,620 |
|
|
|
2,438 |
|
Selling,
general and administrative
|
|
|
1,401 |
|
|
|
1,289 |
|
|
|
1,165 |
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
1,310 |
|
|
|
1,328 |
|
|
|
1,354 |
|
Impairment
of franchises
|
|
|
1,521 |
|
|
|
178 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Asset
impairment charges
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
159 |
|
Other
operating (income) expenses, net
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,093 |
|
|
|
5,454 |
|
|
|
5,137 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
(614 |
) |
|
|
548 |
|
|
|
367 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER
INCOME AND EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense, net
|
|
|
(1,064 |
) |
|
|
(1,014 |
) |
|
|
(975 |
) |
Change
in value of derivatives
|
|
|
(62 |
) |
|
|
(46 |
) |
|
|
6 |
|
Loss
on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(32 |
) |
|
|
(27 |
) |
Other
expense, net
|
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,149 |
) |
|
|
(1,116 |
) |
|
|
(1,000 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
from continuing operations, before income tax expense
|
|
|
(1,763 |
) |
|
|
(568 |
) |
|
|
(633 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME
TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE)
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
from continuing operations
|
|
|
(1,723 |
) |
|
|
(588 |
) |
|
|
(640 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME
FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS,
NET
OF TAX
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
238 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$ |
(1,723 |
) |
|
$ |
(588 |
) |
|
$ |
(402 |
) |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(dollars
in millions)
|
|
Member’s
Equity
(Deficit)
|
|
|
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
(Loss)
|
|
|
Total
Member's
Equity
(Deficit)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE,
December 31, 2005
|
|
$ |
3,400 |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
$ |
3,402 |
|
Distributions
to parent company
|
|
|
(1,446 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(1,446 |
) |
Changes
in fair value of interest rate agreements
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
Net
loss
|
|
|
(402 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(402 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE,
December 31, 2006
|
|
|
1,552 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1,553 |
|
Distributions
to parent company
|
|
|
(1,195 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(1,195 |
) |
Changes
in fair value of interest rate agreements
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(123 |
) |
|
|
(123 |
) |
Other
|
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(15 |
) |
Net
loss
|
|
|
(588 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(588 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE,
December 31, 2007
|
|
|
(245 |
) |
|
|
(123 |
) |
|
|
(368 |
) |
Distributions
to parent company
|
|
|
(819 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(819 |
) |
Changes
in fair value of interest rate agreements
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(180 |
) |
|
|
(180 |
) |
Net
loss
|
|
|
(1,723 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(1,723 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE,
December 31, 2008
|
|
$ |
(2,787 |
) |
|
$ |
(303 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,090 |
) |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars
in millions)
|
|
Year
Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$ |
(1,723 |
) |
|
$ |
(588 |
) |
|
$ |
(402 |
) |
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash flows from operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
1,310 |
|
|
|
1,328 |
|
|
|
1,362 |
|
Impairment
of franchises
|
|
|
1,521 |
|
|
|
178 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Asset
impairment charges
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
159 |
|
Noncash
interest expense
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
Change
in value of derivatives
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
(47 |
) |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
(Gain)
loss on sale of assets, net
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(192 |
) |
Loss
on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
Other,
net
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions
and
dispositions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(33 |
) |
|
|
23 |
|
Prepaid
expenses and other assets
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
1 |
|
Accounts
payable, accrued expenses and other
|
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
(15 |
) |
Receivables
from and payables to related party, including deferred
management
fees
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
1,218 |
|
|
|
1,122 |
|
|
|
1,029 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases
of property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
(1,202 |
) |
|
|
(1,244 |
) |
|
|
(1,103 |
) |
Change
in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures
|
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
24 |
|
Proceeds
from sale of assets, including cable systems
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
|
1,020 |
|
Other,
net
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
(1,210 |
) |
|
|
(1,173 |
) |
|
|
(65 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings
of long-term debt
|
|
|
3,105 |
|
|
|
7,877 |
|
|
|
6,322 |
|
Borrowings
from related parties
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
105 |
|
Repayments
of long-term debt
|
|
|
(1,179 |
) |
|
|
(6,628 |
) |
|
|
(6,918 |
) |
Repayments
to related parties
|
|
|
(115 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(20 |
) |
Proceeds
from issuance of debt
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
440 |
|
Payments
for debt issuance costs
|
|
|
(42 |
) |
|
|
(33 |
) |
|
|
(33 |
) |
Distributions
|
|
|
(819 |
) |
|
|
(1,195 |
) |
|
|
(831 |
) |
Other,
net
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash flows from financing activities
|
|
|
938 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
(935 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|
|
946 |
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
29 |
|
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
|
|
$ |
953 |
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
|
$ |
32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
PAID FOR INTEREST
|
|
$ |
1,027 |
|
|
$ |
980 |
|
|
$ |
911 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NONCASH
TRANSACTIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance
of debt by CCH II, LLC
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
410 |
|
Issuance
of debt by Charter Communications Operating, LLC
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
37 |
|
Retirement
of Renaissance Media Group LLC debt
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
(37 |
) |
Distribution
of Charter Communications Inc. convertible notes and accrued
interest
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
(615 |
) |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
1.
|
|
Organization
and Basis of Presentation
|
CCH II,
LLC (“CCH II”) is a holding company whose principal assets at December 31, 2008
are the equity interests in its operating subsidiaries. CCH II is a
direct subsidiary of CCH I, LLC (“CCH I”), which is an indirect subsidiary of
Charter Communications Holdings, LLC (“Charter Holdings”). Charter
Holdings is an indirect subsidiary of Charter Communications, Inc.
(“Charter”). The consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of CCH II and all of its subsidiaries where the underlying operations
reside, which are collectively referred to herein as the
"Company." All significant intercompany accounts and transactions
among consolidated entities have been eliminated.
The
Company is a broadband communications company operating in the United
States. The Company offers to residential and commercial customers
traditional cable video programming (basic and digital video), high-speed
Internet services, and telephone services, as well as advanced broadband
services such as high definition television, Charter OnDemand™, and digital
video recorder (“DVR”) service. The Company sells its cable video
programming, high-speed Internet, telephone, and advanced broadband services
primarily on a subscription basis. The Company also sells local
advertising on cable networks.
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) 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. Areas involving significant judgments
and estimates include capitalization of labor and overhead costs; depreciation
and amortization costs; impairments of property, plant and equipment, franchises
and goodwill; income taxes; and contingencies. Actual results could
differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications. Certain
prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2008
presentation.
2.
|
|
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
|
The
Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that it
will continue as a going concern. The conditions noted below raise
substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going
concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any
adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and
classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that
may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
On
February 12, 2009, Charter announced that it had reached agreements in principle
with certain holders of the Company’s and its parent companies’ notes (the
“Noteholders”) holding approximately $4.1 billion in aggregate principal amount
of notes issued by Charter’s subsidiaries, CCH I and CCH II. Pursuant
to separate restructuring agreements, dated February 11, 2009, entered into with
each Noteholder (as amended, the “Restructuring Agreements”), on March 27, 2009,
Charter and its subsidiaries, including CCH II, filed voluntary petitions for
relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code to implement a
restructuring pursuant to a joint plan of reorganization (as amended, the
“Plan”) aimed at improving their capital structure. The filing of
bankruptcy is an event of default under the Company’s
indebtedness. Refer to discussion of subsequent events regarding the
Plan in Note 26.
During
the fourth quarter of 2008, Charter Communications Operating, LLC (“Charter
Operating”) drew down all except $27 million of amounts available under the
revolving credit facility. During the first quarter of 2009, Charter
Operating presented a qualifying draw notice to the banks under the revolving
credit facility but was refused those funds. Additionally, upon
filing bankruptcy, Charter Operating will no longer have access to the revolving
credit facility and will rely on cash on hand and cash flows from operating
activities to fund our projected cash needs. The Company’s and its
parent companies’ projected cash needs and projected sources of liquidity depend
upon, among other things, its actual results, the timing and amount of its
expenditures, and the outcome of various matters in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy
proceedings and financial restructuring. The outcome of the Plan is
subject to substantial risks. See Note 26.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
The
Company incurred net losses of $1.7 billion, $588 million, and $402 million in
2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. The Company’s net cash flows from
operating activities were $1.2 billion, $1.1 billion, and $1.0 billion for the
years ending December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
The
Company's total debt as of December 31, 2008 was $14.2 billion, consisting of
$8.6 billion of credit facility debt and $5.6 billion accreted value of
high-yield notes. In 2009, $70 million of the Company’s debt
matures. In 2010 and beyond, significant additional amounts will
become due under the Company’s remaining long-term debt obligations including
$1.9 billion of CCH II senior notes maturing in September 2010.
The
Company requires significant cash to fund debt service costs, capital
expenditures and ongoing operations. The Company has historically
funded these requirements through cash flows from operating activities,
borrowings under its credit facilities, equity contributions from its parent
companies, proceeds from sales of assets, issuances of debt securities, and cash
on hand. However, the mix of funding sources changes from period to
period. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company generated
$1.2 billion of net cash flows from operating activities, after paying cash
interest of $1.0 billion. In addition, the Company used $1.2 billion
for purchases of property, plant and equipment. Finally, the Company
generated net cash flows from financing activities of $938 million, as a result
of financing transactions and credit facility borrowings completed during the
year ended December 31, 2008. As of December 31, 2008, the Company
had cash on hand of $953 million.
Although
the Company has been able to refinance or otherwise fund the repayment of debt
in the past, it may not be able to access additional sources of refinancing on
similar terms or pricing as those that are currently in place, or at all, or
otherwise obtain other sources of funding, especially given the recent
volatility and disruption of the capital and credit markets and the
deterioration of general economic conditions in recent months.
Limitations
on Distributions
As long
as Charter’s convertible senior notes remain outstanding and are not otherwise
converted into shares of common stock, Charter must pay interest on the
convertible senior notes and repay the principal amount. Charter’s
ability to make interest payments on its convertible senior notes, and to repay
the outstanding principal of its convertible senior notes will depend on its
ability to raise additional capital and/or on receipt of payments or
distributions from Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (“Charter
Holdco”) and its subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2008, Charter Holdco was
owed $13 million in intercompany loans from Charter Operating and had $1 million
in cash, which amounts were available to pay interest and principal on Charter's
convertible senior notes to the extent not otherwise used, for example, to
satisfy maturities at Charter Holdings. In addition, as long as Charter
Holdco continues to hold the $137 million of Charter Holdings’ notes due 2009
and 2010 (as discussed further below), Charter Holdco will receive interest and
principal payments from Charter Holdings to the extent Charter Holdings is able
to make such payments. Such amounts may be available to pay interest
and principal on Charter’s convertible senior notes, although Charter Holdco may
use those amounts for other purposes.
Distributions
by Charter’s subsidiaries to a parent company for payment of principal on parent
company notes, are restricted under the indentures governing the Company’s and
its parent companies’ notes, and under the CCO Holdings, LLC (“CCO Holdings”)
credit facility, unless there is no default under the applicable indenture and
credit facilities, and unless each applicable subsidiary’s leverage ratio test
is met at the time of such distribution. For the quarter ended
December 31, 2008, there was no default under any of these indentures or credit
facilities. However, certain of Charter’s subsidiaries did not meet
their applicable leverage ratio tests based on December 31, 2008 financial
results. As a result, distributions from certain of Charter’s
subsidiaries to their parent companies would have been restricted at such time
and will continue to be restricted unless those tests are
met. Distributions by Charter Operating for payment of principal on
parent company notes are further restricted by the covenants in its credit
facilities.
Distributions
by CCH I Holdings, LLC (“CIH”), CCH I, CCH II, CCO Holdings, and Charter
Operating to a parent company for payment of parent company interest are
permitted if there is no default under the aforementioned indentures and CCO
Holdings and Charter Operating credit facilities.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
The
indentures governing the Charter Holdings notes permit Charter Holdings to make
distributions to Charter Holdco for payment of interest or principal on
Charter’s convertible senior notes, only if, after giving effect to the
distribution, Charter Holdings can incur additional debt under the leverage
ratio of 8.75 to 1.0, there is no default under Charter Holdings’ indentures,
and other specified tests are met. For the quarter ended December 31,
2008, there was no default under Charter Holdings’ indentures, the other
specified tests were met, and Charter Holdings met its leverage ratio test based
on December 31, 2008 financial results. Such distributions would be
restricted, however, if Charter Holdings fails to meet these tests at the time
of the contemplated distribution. In the past, Charter Holdings has
from time to time failed to meet this leverage ratio test. There can
be no assurance that Charter Holdings will satisfy these tests at the time of
the contemplated distribution. During periods in which distributions
are restricted, the indentures governing the Charter Holdings notes permit
Charter Holdings and its subsidiaries to make specified investments (that are
not restricted payments) in Charter Holdco or Charter, up to an amount
determined by a formula, as long as there is no default under the
indentures.
In
addition to the limitation on distributions under the various indentures
discussed above, distributions by Charter’s subsidiaries, including the Company,
may be limited by applicable law. Under the Delaware Limited
Liability Company Act, Charter’s subsidiaries may only make distributions if
they have “surplus” as defined in the act. Under fraudulent transfer
laws, Charter’s subsidiaries may not pay dividends if they are insolvent or are
rendered insolvent thereby. The measures of insolvency for purposes
of these fraudulent transfer laws vary depending upon the law applied in any
proceeding to determine whether a fraudulent transfer has occurred. Generally,
however, an entity would be considered insolvent if:
·
|
the
sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, was greater than the
fair saleable value of all its
assets;
|
·
|
the
present fair saleable value of its assets was less than the amount that
would be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts,
including contingent liabilities, as they become absolute and mature;
or
|
·
|
it
could not pay its debts as they became
due.
|
It is
uncertain whether Charter’s subsidiaries, including the Company, will have, at
the relevant times, sufficient surplus at the relevant subsidiaries to make
distributions, including for payments of interest and principal on the debts of
the parents of such entities, and there can otherwise be no assurance that
Charter’s subsidiaries will not become insolvent or will be permitted to make
distributions in the future in compliance with these restrictions in amounts
needed to service parent company indebtedness.
3.
|
|
Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies
|
Cash Equivalents
The
Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of
three months or less to be cash equivalents. These investments are
carried at cost, which approximates market value. Cash and cash
equivalents consist primarily of money market funds and commercial
paper.
Property, Plant and
Equipment
Property,
plant and equipment are recorded at cost, including all material, labor and
certain indirect costs associated with the construction of cable transmission
and distribution facilities. While the Company’s capitalization is
based on specific activities, once capitalized, costs are tracked by fixed asset
category at the cable system level and not on a specific asset
basis. For assets that are sold or retired, the estimated historical
cost and related accumulated depreciation is removed. Costs
associated with initial customer installations and the additions of network
equipment necessary to enable advanced services are
capitalized. Costs capitalized as part of initial customer
installations include materials, labor, and certain indirect
costs. Indirect costs are associated with the activities of the
Company’s personnel who assist in connecting and activating the new service and
consist of compensation and indirect costs associated with these support
functions. Indirect costs primarily include employee benefits and
payroll taxes, direct variable costs associated with capitalizable activities,
consisting primarily of installation and construction vehicle
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
costs,
the cost of dispatch personnel and indirect costs directly attributable to
capitalizable activities. The costs of disconnecting service at a
customer’s dwelling or reconnecting service to a previously installed dwelling
are charged to operating expense in the period incurred. Costs for
repairs and maintenance are charged to operating expense as incurred, while
plant and equipment replacement and betterments, including replacement of cable
drops from the pole to the dwelling, are capitalized.
Depreciation
is recorded using the straight-line composite method over management’s estimate
of the useful lives of the related assets as follows:
Cable
distribution systems
|
7-20 years
|
Customer
equipment and installations
|
3-5 years
|
Vehicles
and equipment
|
1-5 years
|
Buildings
and leasehold improvements
|
5-15 years
|
Furniture,
fixtures and equipment
|
5 years
|
Asset
Retirement Obligations
Certain
of the Company’s franchise agreements and leases contain provisions requiring
the Company to restore facilities or remove equipment in the event that the
franchise or lease agreement is not renewed. The Company expects to
continually renew its franchise agreements and has concluded that substantially
all of the related franchise rights are indefinite lived intangible
assets. Accordingly, the possibility is remote that the Company would
be required to incur significant restoration or removal costs related to these
franchise agreements in the foreseeable future. Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement
Obligations, as interpreted by Financial Accounting Standards Board
(“FASB”) Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset
Retirement Obligations – an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143,
requires that a liability be recognized for an asset retirement obligation in
the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be
made. The Company has not recorded an estimate for potential
franchise related obligations but would record an estimated liability in the
unlikely event a franchise agreement containing such a provision were no longer
expected to be renewed. The Company also expects to renew many of its
lease agreements related to the continued operation of its cable business in the
franchise areas. For the Company’s lease agreements, the estimated
liabilities related to the removal provisions, where applicable, have been
recorded and are not significant to the financial statements.
Franchises
Franchise
rights represent the value attributed to agreements with local authorities that
allow access to homes in cable service areas acquired through the purchase of
cable systems. Management estimates the fair value of franchise
rights at the date of acquisition and determines if the franchise has a finite
life or an indefinite-life as defined by SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets. All franchises that qualify for indefinite-life treatment under
SFAS No. 142 are no longer amortized against earnings but instead are
tested for impairment annually or more frequently as warranted by events or
changes in circumstances (see Note 7). The Company concluded that
substantially all of its franchises qualify for indefinite-life
treatment. Costs incurred in renewing cable franchises are deferred
and amortized over 10 years.
Other Noncurrent
Assets
Other
noncurrent assets primarily include deferred financing costs, investments in
equity securities and goodwill. Costs related to borrowings are
deferred and amortized to interest expense over the terms of the related
borrowings.
Investments
in equity securities are accounted for at cost, under the equity method of
accounting or in accordance with SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments
in Debt and Equity Securities. The Company recognizes losses
for any decline in value considered to be other than temporary.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
Valuation of Property, Plant and
Equipment
The
Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets to be held and used
for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Such events or
changes in circumstances could include such factors as impairment of the
Company’s indefinite life franchise under SFAS No. 142, changes in technological
advances, fluctuations in the fair value of such assets, adverse changes in
relationships with local franchise authorities, adverse changes in market
conditions or a deterioration of operating results. If a review
indicates that the carrying value of such asset is not recoverable from
estimated undiscounted cash flows, the carrying value of such asset is reduced
to its estimated fair value. While the Company believes that its
estimates of future cash flows are reasonable, different assumptions regarding
such cash flows could materially affect its evaluations of asset
recoverability. No impairments of long-lived assets to be held and
used were recorded in 2008, 2007, and 2006; however, approximately $56 million
and $159 million of impairment on assets held for sale was recorded for the
years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively (see Note 4).
Derivative Financial
Instruments
The
Company accounts for derivative financial instruments in accordance with SFAS
No. 133, Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended. For
those instruments which qualify as hedging activities, related gains or losses
are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). For
all other derivative instruments, the related gains or losses are recorded in
the statements of operations. The Company uses interest rate swap
agreements to manage its interest costs and reduce the Company’s exposure to
increases in floating interest rates. The Company’s policy is to
manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates by maintaining a mix of
fixed and variable rate debt within a targeted range. Using interest
rate swap agreements, the Company agrees to exchange, at specified intervals
through 2013, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts
calculated by reference to agreed-upon notional principal amounts. At
the banks’ option, certain interest rate swap agreements may be extended through
2014. The Company does not hold or issue any derivative financial
instruments for trading purposes.
Revenue
Recognition
Revenues
from residential and commercial video, high-speed Internet and telephone
services are recognized when the related services are
provided. Advertising sales are recognized at estimated realizable
values in the period that the advertisements are broadcast. Franchise
fees imposed by local governmental authorities are collected on a monthly basis
from the Company’s customers and are periodically remitted to local franchise
authorities. Franchise fees of $187 million, $177 million, and $179
million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively, are
reported in other revenues, on a gross basis with a corresponding operating
expense. Sales taxes
collected and remitted to state and local authorities are recorded on a net
basis.
The
Company’s revenues by product line are as follows:
|
|
Year
Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video
|
|
$ |
3,463 |
|
|
$ |
3,392 |
|
|
$ |
3,349 |
|
High-speed
Internet
|
|
|
1,356 |
|
|
|
1,243 |
|
|
|
1,047 |
|
Telephone
|
|
|
555 |
|
|
|
345 |
|
|
|
137 |
|
Commercial
|
|
|
392 |
|
|
|
341 |
|
|
|
305 |
|
Advertising
sales
|
|
|
308 |
|
|
|
298 |
|
|
|
319 |
|
Other
|
|
|
405 |
|
|
|
383 |
|
|
|
347 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
6,479 |
|
|
$ |
6,002 |
|
|
$ |
5,504 |
|
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
Programming
Costs
The
Company has various contracts to obtain basic, digital and premium video
programming from program suppliers whose compensation is typically based on a
flat fee per customer. The cost of the right to exhibit network
programming under such arrangements is recorded in operating expenses in the
month the programming is available for exhibition. Programming costs
are paid each month based on calculations performed by the Company and are
subject to periodic audits performed by the programmers. Certain
programming contracts contain incentives to be paid by the
programmers. The Company receives these payments related to the
activation of the programmer’s cable television channel and recognizes the
incentives on a straight-line basis over the life of the programming agreement
as a reduction of programming expense. This offset to programming
expense was $33 million, $25 million, and $32 million for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. As of
December 31, 2008 and 2007, the deferred amounts of such economic
consideration, included in other long-term liabilities, were $61 million and $90
million, respectively. Programming costs included in the accompanying
statement of operations were $1.6 billion, $1.6 billion, and $1.5 billion for
the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006,
respectively.
Advertising
Costs
Advertising
costs associated with marketing the Company’s products and services are
generally expensed as costs are incurred. Such advertising expense
was $229 million, $187 million, and $131 million for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
Multiple-Element
Transactions
In the
normal course of business, the Company enters into multiple-element transactions
where it is simultaneously both a customer and a vendor with the same
counterparty or in which it purchases multiple products and/or services, or
settles outstanding items contemporaneous with the purchase of a product or
service from a single counterparty. Transactions, although negotiated
contemporaneously, may be documented in one or more contracts. The
Company’s policy for accounting for each transaction negotiated
contemporaneously is to record each element of the transaction based on the
respective estimated fair values of the products or services purchased and the
products or services sold. In determining the fair value of the
respective elements, the Company refers to quoted market prices (where
available), historical transactions or comparable cash
transactions.
Stock-Based
Compensation
The
Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No.
123(R), Share – Based
Payment, which addresses the accounting for share-based payment
transactions in which a company receives employee services in exchange for (a)
equity instruments of that company or (b) liabilities that are based on the fair
value of the company’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance
of such equity instruments. The Company recorded $33 million, $18
million, and $13 million of option compensation expense which is included in
general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007,
and 2006, respectively.
The fair
value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following weighted average
assumptions were used for grants during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007,
and 2006, respectively; risk-free interest rates of 3.5%, 4.6%, and 4.6%;
expected volatility of 88.1%, 70.3%, and 87.3% based on historical volatility;
and expected lives of 6.3 years, 6.3 years, and 6.3 years,
respectively. The valuations assume no dividends are
paid.
Income Taxes
CCH II is
a single member limited liability company not subject to income
tax. CCH II holds all operations through indirect
subsidiaries. The majority of these indirect subsidiaries are limited
liability companies that are also not subject to income tax. However,
certain of the limited liability companies are subject to state income
tax. In addition, certain of CCH II’s indirect subsidiaries are
corporations that are subject to income tax. The Company
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
recognizes
deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the
financial reporting basis and the tax basis of these indirect corporate
subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities and expected benefits of utilizing net
operating loss carryforwards. The impact on deferred taxes of changes
in tax rates and tax law, if any, applied to the years during which temporary
differences are expected to be settled, are reflected in the consolidated
financial statements in the period of enactment (see Note 20).
Charter,
our indirect parent company, is subject to income taxes. Accordingly,
in addition to the Company’s deferred tax liabilities, Charter has recorded net
deferred tax liabilities of approximately $379 million related to their
approximate 53% investment in Charter Holdco which is not reflected at the
Company.
Segments
SFAS
No. 131, Disclosure about
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, established standards
for reporting information about operating segments in annual financial
statements and in interim financial reports issued to
shareholders. Operating segments are defined as components of an
enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is
evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision maker, or decision
making group, in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and
in assessing performance of the segment.
The
Company’s operations are managed on the basis of geographic operating
segments. The Company has evaluated the criteria for aggregation of
the geographic operating segments under paragraph 17 of SFAS No. 131 and
believes it meets each of the respective criteria set forth. The
Company delivers similar products and services within each of its geographic
operations. Each geographic service area utilizes similar means for
delivering the programming of the Company’s services; have similarity in the
type or class of customer receiving the products and services; distributes the
Company’s services over a unified network; and operates within a consistent
regulatory environment. In addition, each of the geographic operating
segments has similar economic characteristics. In light of the
Company’s similar services, means for delivery, similarity in type of customers,
the use of a unified network and other considerations across its geographic
operating structure, management has determined that the Company has one
reportable segment, broadband services.
In 2006,
the Company sold certain cable television systems serving approximately 356,000
video customers in 1) West Virginia and Virginia to Cebridge Connections, Inc.
(the “Cebridge Transaction”); 2) Illinois and Kentucky to Telecommunications
Management, LLC, doing business as New Wave Communications (the “New Wave
Transaction”) and 3) Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah to Orange Broadband
Holding Company, LLC (the “Orange Transaction”) for a total sales price of
approximately $971 million. The Company used the net proceeds from
the asset sales to reduce borrowings, but not commitments, under the revolving
portion of the Company’s credit facilities. These cable systems met
the criteria for assets held for sale. As such, the assets were
written down to fair value less estimated costs to sell, resulting in asset
impairment charges during the year ended December 31, 2006 of approximately $99
million related to the New Wave Transaction and the Orange
Transaction. The Company determined that the West Virginia and
Virginia cable systems comprise operations and cash flows that for financial
reporting purposes meet the criteria for discontinued
operations. Accordingly, the results of operations for the West
Virginia and Virginia cable systems have been presented as discontinued
operations, net of tax, for the year ended December 31, 2006, including a gain
of $200 million on the sale of cable systems.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
Summarized
consolidated financial information for the years ended December 31, 2006 for the
West Virginia and Virginia cable systems is as follows:
|
|
Year
Ended
December
31, 2006
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
109 |
|
Income
before income taxes
|
|
$ |
238 |
|
Income
tax expense
|
|
$ |
(22 |
) |
Net
income
|
|
$ |
216 |
|
Earnings
per common share, basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
0.65 |
|
In 2007
and 2006, the Company recorded asset impairment charges of $56 million and $60
million, respectively, related to other cable systems meeting the criteria of
assets held for sale.
5. Allowance
for Doubtful Accounts
Activity
in the allowance for doubtful accounts is summarized as follows for the years
presented:
|
|
Year
Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
beginning of year
|
|
$ |
18 |
|
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
$ |
17 |
|
Charged
to expense
|
|
|
122 |
|
|
|
107 |
|
|
|
89 |
|
Uncollected
balances written off, net of recoveries
|
|
|
(122 |
) |
|
|
(105 |
) |
|
|
(90 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
end of year
|
|
$ |
18 |
|
|
$ |
18 |
|
|
$ |
16 |
|
6.
|
Property,
Plant and Equipment
|
Property,
plant and equipment consists of the following as of December 31, 2008 and
2007:
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cable
distribution systems
|
|
$ |
7,008 |
|
|
$ |
6,697 |
|
Customer
equipment and installations
|
|
|
4,057 |
|
|
|
3,740 |
|
Vehicles
and equipment
|
|
|
256 |
|
|
|
257 |
|
Buildings
and leasehold improvements
|
|
|
439 |
|
|
|
426 |
|
Furniture,
fixtures and equipment
|
|
|
390 |
|
|
|
384 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,150 |
|
|
|
11,504 |
|
Less:
accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(7,191 |
) |
|
|
(6,432 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4,959 |
|
|
$ |
5,072 |
|
The
Company periodically evaluates the estimated useful lives used to depreciate its
assets and the estimated amount of assets that will be abandoned or have minimal
use in the future. A significant change in assumptions about the
extent or timing of future asset retirements, or in the Company’s use of new
technology and upgrade programs, could materially affect future depreciation
expense. In 2007, the Company changed the useful lives of certain
property, plant, and equipment based on technological changes. The
change in useful lives reduced depreciation expense by approximately $81 million
and $8 million during 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Depreciation
expense for each of the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 was $1.3
billion.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
7. Franchises,
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Franchise
rights represent the value attributed to agreements or authorizations with local
and state authorities that allow access to homes in cable service
areas. Management estimates the fair value of franchise rights at the
date of acquisition and determines if the franchise has a finite life or an
indefinite-life as defined by SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets. Franchises that qualify for indefinite-life treatment
under SFAS No. 142 are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently as
warranted by events or changes in circumstances. Franchises are
aggregated into essentially inseparable units of accounting to conduct the
valuations. The units of accounting generally represent geographical
clustering of the Company’s cable systems into groups by which such systems are
managed. Management believes such grouping represents the highest and
best use of those assets. The Company has historically assessed that
its divisional operations were the appropriate level at which the Company’s
franchises should be evaluated. Based on certain organizational
changes in 2008, the Company determined that the appropriate units of accounting
for franchises are now the individual market area, which is a level below the
Company’s geographic divisional groupings previously used. The
organizational change in 2008 consolidated the Company’s three divisions to two
operating groups and put more management focus on the individual market
areas. The Company completed its impairment assessment as of December
31, 2008 upon completion of its 2009 budgeting process. Largely
driven by the impact of the current economic downturn along with increased
competition, the Company lowered its projected revenue and expense growth rates,
and accordingly revised its estimates of future cash flows as compared to those
used in prior valuations. As a result, the Company recorded $1.5
billion of impairment for the year ended December 31, 2008. The
Company recorded $178 million of impairment for the year ended December 31,
2007. The valuation completed for 2006 showed franchise fair values
in excess of book value, and thus resulted in no impairment.
The
Company’s valuations, which are based on the present value of projected after
tax cash flows, result in a value of property, plant and equipment, franchises,
customer relationships, and its total entity value. The value of
goodwill is the difference between the total entity value and amounts assigned
to the other assets.
Franchises,
for valuation purposes, are defined as the future economic benefits of the right
to solicit and service potential customers (customer marketing rights), and the
right to deploy and market new services, such as interactivity and telephone, to
the potential customers (service marketing rights). Fair value is
determined based on estimated discounted future cash flows using assumptions
consistent with internal forecasts. The franchise after-tax cash flow
is calculated as the after-tax cash flow generated by the potential customers
obtained (less the anticipated customer churn), and the new services added to
those customers in future periods. The sum of the present value of
the franchises' after-tax cash flow in years 1 through 10 and the continuing
value of the after-tax cash flow beyond year 10 yields the fair value of the
franchise.
Customer
relationships, for valuation purposes, represent the value of the business
relationship with existing customers (less the anticipated customer churn), and
are calculated by projecting future after-tax cash flows from these customers,
including the right to deploy and market additional services to these
customers. The present value of these after-tax cash flows yields the
fair value of the customer relationships. Substantially all
acquisitions occurred prior to January 1, 2002. The Company did not
record any value associated with the customer relationship intangibles related
to those acquisitions. For acquisitions subsequent to January 1,
2002, the Company did assign a value to the customer relationship intangible,
which is amortized over its estimated useful life.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
As of
December 31, 2008 and 2007, indefinite-lived and finite-lived intangible
assets are presented in the following table:
|
|
December
31, 2008
|
|
|
December
31, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indefinite-lived
intangible assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Franchises
with indefinite lives
|
|
$ |
7,377 |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
7,377 |
|
|
$ |
8,929 |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
8,929 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
$ |
7,445 |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
7,445 |
|
|
$ |
8,996 |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
8,996 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finite-lived
intangible assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Franchises
with finite lives
|
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
$ |
9 |
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
|
$ |
23 |
|
|
$ |
10 |
|
|
$ |
13 |
|
Other
intangible assets
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
97 |
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
$ |
87 |
|
|
$ |
50 |
|
|
$ |
37 |
|
|
$ |
120 |
|
|
$ |
83 |
|
|
$ |
37 |
|
Franchise
amortization expense represents the amortization relating to franchises that did
not qualify for indefinite-life treatment under SFAS No. 142, including costs
associated with franchise renewals. During the year ended December
31, 2008, the net carrying amount of indefinite-lived franchises was reduced by
$1.5 billion as a result of the impairment of franchises discussed above, $32
million related to cable asset sales completed in 2008, and $4 million as a
result of the finalization of purchase accounting related to cable asset
acquisitions. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2008,
approximately $5 million of franchises that were previously classified as
finite-lived were reclassified to indefinite-lived, based on management’s
assessment when these franchises migrated to state-wide
franchising. For the year ended December 31, 2007, the net carrying
amount of indefinite-lived franchises was reduced by $178 million as a result of
the impairment of franchises discussed above, $77 million related to cable asset
sales completed in 2007, and $56 million as a result of the asset impairment
charges recorded related to these cable asset sales. These decreases
were offset by $33 million of franchises added as a result of acquisitions of
cable assets.
Franchise
amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006
was $2 million, $3 million, and $2 million, respectively. During the
year ended December 31, 2008, the net carrying amount of finite-lived franchises
increased $1 million as a result of costs incurred associated with franchise
renewals. Other intangible assets amortization expense for the years
ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $5 million, $4 million, and $4
million, respectively. The Company expects that amortization expense
on franchise assets and other intangible assets will be approximately $7 million
annually for each of the next five years. Actual amortization expense
in future periods could differ from these estimates as a result of new
intangible asset acquisitions or divestitures, changes in useful lives and other
relevant factors.
8. Accounts
Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses consist of the following as of December 31, 2008
and 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable – trade
|
|
$ |
86 |
|
|
$ |
116 |
|
Accrued
capital expenditures
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
95 |
|
Accrued
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
193 |
|
|
|
192 |
|
Programming
costs
|
|
|
305 |
|
|
|
273 |
|
Franchise
related fees
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
66 |
|
Compensation
|
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
75 |
|
Other
|
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
184 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
980 |
|
|
$ |
1,001 |
|
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
Long-term
debt consists of the following as of December 31, 2008 and
2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CCH
II, LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.250%
senior notes due September 15, 2010
|
|
$ |
1,860 |
|
|
$ |
1,857 |
|
|
$ |
2,198 |
|
|
$ |
2,192 |
|
10.250%
senior notes due October 1, 2013
|
|
|
614 |
|
|
|
598 |
|
|
|
250 |
|
|
|
260 |
|
CCO
Holdings, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
3/4% senior notes due November 15, 2013
|
|
|
800 |
|
|
|
796 |
|
|
|
800 |
|
|
|
795 |
|
Credit
facility
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
Charter
Communications Operating, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.000%
senior second-lien notes due April 30, 2012
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
8
3/8% senior second-lien notes due April 30, 2014
|
|
|
770 |
|
|
|
770 |
|
|
|
770 |
|
|
|
770 |
|
10.875%
senior second-lien notes due September 15, 2014
|
|
|
546 |
|
|
|
527 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Credit
facilities
|
|
|
8,246 |
|
|
|
8,246 |
|
|
|
6,844 |
|
|
|
6,844 |
|
Total
Debt
|
|
$ |
14,286 |
|
|
$ |
14,244 |
|
|
$ |
12,312 |
|
|
$ |
12,311 |
|
Less:
Current Portion
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Long-Term
Debt
|
|
$ |
14,216 |
|
|
$ |
14,174 |
|
|
$ |
12,312 |
|
|
$ |
12,311 |
|
The
accreted values presented above generally represent the principal amount of the
notes less the original issue discount at the time of sale, plus the accretion
to the balance sheet date. However, the current accreted value for
legal purposes and notes indenture purposes (the amount that is currently
payable if the debt becomes immediately due) is equal to the principal amount of
notes. See Note 26 related to the Plan.
CCH
II, LLC Notes
The CCH
II Notes are senior debt obligations of CCH II and CCH II Capital
Corp. The CCH II Notes rank equally with all other current and
future unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of CCH II and CCH II Capital
Corp. The CCH II 2013 Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured
basis by Charter Holdings. The CCH II notes are structurally
subordinated to all obligations of subsidiaries of CCH II, including the CCO
Holdings notes, the Charter Operating notes and the Charter Operating credit
facilities.
On or
after September 15, 2008, the issuers of the CCH II 2010 Notes may redeem all or
a part of the notes at a redemption price that declines ratably from the initial
redemption price of 105.125% to a redemption price on or after September 15,
2009 of 100.0% of the principal amount of the CCH II 2010 Notes redeemed, plus,
in each case, any accrued and unpaid interest. On or after October 1,
2010, the issuers of the CCH II 2013 Notes may redeem all or a part of the notes
at a redemption price that declines ratably from the initial redemption price of
105.125% to a redemption price on or after October 1, 2012 of 100.0% of the
principal amount of the CCH II 2013 Notes redeemed, plus, in each case, any
accrued and unpaid interest.
In the
event of specified change of control events, CCH II must offer to purchase the
outstanding CCH II notes from the holders at a purchase price equal to 101% of
the total principal amount of the notes, plus any accrued and unpaid
interest.
In July
2008, CCH II completed a tender offer, in which $338 million of CCH II’s 10.25%
senior notes due 2010 were accepted for $364 million of CCH II’s 10.25% senior
notes due 2013, which were issued as part of the same series of notes as CCH
II’s $250 million aggregate principal amount of 10.25% senior notes due 2013,
which were issued in September 2006. The transactions resulted in a
loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $4 million
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
for the
year ended December 31, 2008, included in loss on extinguishment of debt on the
Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
CCO
Holdings Notes
The CCO
Holdings notes are senior debt obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings
Capital Corp. They rank equally with all other current and future unsecured,
unsubordinated obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital
Corp. The CCO Holdings notes are structurally subordinated to all
obligations of subsidiaries of CCO Holdings, including the Charter Operating
notes and the Charter Operating credit facilities.
On or
after November 15, 2008, the issuers of the CCO Holdings 8 ¾% senior notes may
redeem all or a part of the notes at a redemption price that declines ratably
from the initial redemption price of 104.375% to a redemption price on or after
November 15, 2011 of 100.0% of the principal amount of the CCO Holdings 8 ¾%
senior notes redeemed, plus, in each case, any accrued and unpaid
interest.
In the
event of specified change of control events, CCO Holdings must offer to purchase
the outstanding CCO Holdings senior notes from the holders at a purchase price
equal to 101% of the total principal amount of the notes, plus any accrued and
unpaid interest.
Charter Operating
Notes
The
Charter Operating notes are senior debt obligations of Charter Operating and
Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. To the extent of the
value of the collateral (but subject to the prior lien of the credit
facilities), they rank effectively senior to all of Charter Operating’s future
unsecured senior indebtedness. The collateral currently consists of
the capital stock of Charter Operating held by CCO Holdings, all of the
intercompany obligations owing to CCO Holdings by Charter Operating or any
subsidiary of Charter Operating, and substantially all of Charter Operating’s
and the guarantors’ assets (other than the assets of CCO
Holdings). CCO Holdings and those subsidiaries of Charter Operating
that are guarantors of, or otherwise obligors with respect to, indebtedness
under the Charter Operating credit facilities and related obligations, guarantee
the Charter Operating notes.
Charter
Operating may, at any time and from time to time, at their option, redeem the
outstanding 8% second lien notes due 2012, in whole or in part, at a redemption
price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the redemption date, plus the Make-Whole
Premium. The Make-Whole Premium is an amount equal to the excess of
(a) the present value of the remaining interest and principal payments due on an
8% senior second-lien note due 2012 to its final maturity date, computed using a
discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate on such date plus 0.50%, over (b) the
outstanding principal amount of such Note.
On or
after April 30, 2009, Charter Operating may redeem all or a part of the 8 3/8%
senior second lien notes at a redemption price that declines ratably from the
initial redemption price of 104.188% to a redemption price on or after April 30,
2012 of 100% of the principal amount of the 8 3/8% senior second lien notes
redeemed plus in each case accrued and unpaid interest.
In March
2008, Charter Operating issued $546 million principal amount of 10.875% senior
second-lien notes due 2014, guaranteed by CCO Holdings and certain other
subsidiaries of Charter Operating, in a private transaction. Net
proceeds from the senior second-lien notes were used to reduce borrowings, but
not commitments, under the revolving portion of the Charter Operating credit
facilities.
The
Charter Operating 10.875% senior second-lien notes may be redeemed at the option
of Charter Operating on or after varying dates, in each case at a premium, plus
the Make-Whole Premium. The Make-Whole Premium is an amount equal to
the excess of (a) the present value of the remaining interest and principal
payments due on a 10.875% senior second-lien note due 2014 to its final maturity
date, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate on such date
plus 0.50%, over (b) the outstanding principal amount of such
note. The Charter Operating 10.875% senior second-lien notes may be
redeemed at any time on or after March 15, 2012 at specified
prices. In the event of specified change of control events, Charter
Operating must offer to purchase the Charter
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
Operating
10.875% senior second-lien notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the total
principal amount of the Charter Operating notes repurchased plus any accrued and
unpaid interest thereon.
High-Yield Restrictive Covenants;
Limitation on Indebtedness.
The
indentures governing the CCO Holdings and Charter Operating notes contain
certain covenants that restrict the ability of CCO Holdings, CCO Holdings
Capital Corp., Charter Operating, Charter Communications Operating Capital
Corp., and all of their restricted subsidiaries to:
|
·
|
pay
dividends on equity or repurchase
equity;
|
|
·
|
sell
all or substantially all of their assets or merge with or into other
companies;
|
|
·
|
enter
into sale-leasebacks;
|
|
·
|
in
the case of restricted subsidiaries, create or permit to exist dividend or
payment restrictions with respect to the bond issuers, guarantee their
parent companies debt, or issue specified equity
interests;
|
|
·
|
engage
in certain transactions with affiliates;
and
|
CCO
Holdings Credit Facility
The CCO
Holdings credit facility consists of a $350 million term loan. The
term loan matures on September 6, 2014. The CCO Holdings credit
facility also allows the Company to enter into incremental term loans in the
future, maturing on the dates set forth in the notices establishing such term
loans, but no earlier than the maturity date of the existing term
loans. However, no assurance can be given that the Company could
obtain such incremental term loans if CCO Holdings sought to do
so. Borrowings under the CCO Holdings credit facility bear interest
at a variable interest rate based on either LIBOR or a base rate plus, in either
case, an applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR term
loans, other than incremental loans, is 2.50% above LIBOR. The
applicable margin with respect to the incremental loans is to be agreed upon by
CCO Holdings and the lenders when the incremental loans are
established. The CCO Holdings credit facility is secured by the
equity interests of Charter Operating, and all proceeds thereof.
Charter
Operating Credit Facilities
The
Charter Operating credit facilities provide borrowing availability of up to $8.0
billion as follows:
·
|
a
term loan with an initial total principal amount of $6.5 billion, which is
repayable in equal quarterly installments, commencing March 31, 2008, and
aggregating in each loan year to 1% of the original amount of the term
loan, with the remaining balance due at final maturity on March 6, 2014;
and
|
·
|
a
revolving line of credit of $1.5 billion, with a maturity date on
March 6, 2013.
|
The
Charter Operating credit facilities also allow the Company to enter into
incremental term loans in the future with an aggregate amount of up to $1.0
billion, with amortization as set forth in the notices establishing such term
loans, but with no amortization greater than 1% prior to the final maturity of
the existing term loan. In March 2008, Charter
Operating borrowed $500 million principal amount of incremental term loans (the
“Incremental Term Loans”) under the Charter Operating credit facilities. The
Incremental Term Loans have a final maturity of March 6, 2014 and prior to this
date will amortize in quarterly principal installments totaling 1% annually
beginning on June 30, 2008. The Incremental Term Loans bear interest at
LIBOR plus 5.0%, with a LIBOR floor of 3.5%, and are otherwise governed by and
subject to the existing terms of the Charter Operating credit facilities.
Net proceeds from the Incremental Term Loans were used for general corporate
purposes. Although the Charter Operating credit facilities
allow for the incurrence of up to an additional $500 million in incremental term
loans, no assurance can be
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
given
that additional incremental term loans could be obtained in the future if
Charter Operating sought to do so especially after filing a Chapter 11
bankruptcy proceeding on March 27, 2009. See Note
26.
Amounts
outstanding under the Charter Operating credit facilities bear interest, at
Charter Operating’s election, at a base rate or the Eurodollar rate (1.46% to
3.50% as of December 31, 2008 and 4.87% to 5.24% as of December 31, 2007), as
defined, plus a margin for Eurodollar loans of up to 2.00% for the revolving
credit facility and 2.00% for the term loan, and quarterly commitment fee of
0.5% per annum is payable on the average daily unborrowed balance of the
revolving credit facility.
The
obligations of Charter Operating under the Charter Operating credit facilities
(the “Obligations”) are guaranteed by Charter Operating’s immediate parent
company, CCO Holdings, and the subsidiaries of Charter Operating, except for
certain subsidiaries, including immaterial subsidiaries and subsidiaries
precluded from guaranteeing by reason of provisions of other indebtedness to
which they are subject (the “non-guarantor subsidiaries”). The Obligations
are also secured by (i) a lien on substantially all of the assets of Charter
Operating and its subsidiaries (other than assets of the non-guarantor
subsidiaries), and (ii) a pledge by CCO Holdings of the equity interests owned
by it in Charter Operating or any of Charter Operating’s subsidiaries, as well
as intercompany obligations owing to it by any of such
entities.
As of
December 31, 2008, outstanding borrowings under the Charter Operating credit
facilities were approximately $8.2 billion and the unused total potential
availability was approximately $27 million.
Credit Facilities
— Restrictive Covenants
Charter
Operating Credit Facilities
The
Charter Operating credit facilities contain representations and warranties, and
affirmative and negative covenants customary for financings of this
type. The financial covenants measure performance against standards
set for leverage to be tested as of the end of each
quarter. Additionally, the Charter Operating credit facilities
contain provisions requiring mandatory loan prepayments under specific
circumstances, including in connection with certain sales of assets, so long as
the proceeds have not been reinvested in the business.
The
Charter Operating credit facilities permit Charter Operating and its
subsidiaries to make distributions to pay interest on the Charter convertible
notes, the Charter Holdings notes, the CIH notes, the CCH I notes, the CCH II
notes, the CCO Holdings notes, the CCO Holdings credit facility, and the Charter
Operating senior second-lien notes, provided that, among other things, no
default has occurred and is continuing under the Charter Operating credit
facilities. Conditions to future borrowings include absence of a
default or an event of default under the Charter Operating credit facilities,
and the continued accuracy in all material respects of the representations and
warranties, including the absence since December 31, 2005 of any event,
development, or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to
have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
The
events of default under the Charter Operating credit facilities include, among
other things:
|
·
|
the
failure to make payments when due or within the applicable grace
period,
|
|
·
|
the
failure to comply with specified covenants, including but not limited to a
covenant to deliver audited financial statements for Charter Operating
with an unqualified opinion from the Company’s independent accountants and
without a “going concern” or like qualification or
exception.
|
|
·
|
the
failure to pay or the occurrence of events that cause or permit the
acceleration of other indebtedness owing by CCO Holdings, Charter
Operating, or Charter Operating’s subsidiaries in amounts in excess of
$100 million in aggregate principal
amount,
|
|
·
|
the
failure to pay or the occurrence of events that result in the acceleration
of other indebtedness owing by certain of CCO Holdings’ direct and
indirect parent companies in amounts in excess of $200 million in
aggregate principal amount,
|
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
|
·
|
Paul
G. Allen, Charter’s chairman and primary shareholder, and/or certain of
his family members and/or their exclusively owned entities (collectively,
the “Paul Allen Group”) ceasing to have the power, directly or indirectly,
to vote at least 35% of the ordinary voting power of Charter
Operating,
|
|
·
|
the
consummation of any transaction resulting in any person or group (other
than the Paul Allen Group) having power, directly or indirectly, to vote
more than 35% of the ordinary voting power of Charter Operating, unless
the Paul Allen Group holds a greater share of ordinary voting power of
Charter Operating, and
|
|
·
|
Charter
Operating ceasing to be a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of CCO Holdings,
except in certain very limited
circumstances.
|
CCO
Holdings Credit Facility
The CCO
Holdings credit facility contains covenants that are substantially similar to
the restrictive covenants for the CCO Holdings notes. The CCO
Holdings credit facility contains provisions requiring mandatory loan
prepayments under specific circumstances, including in connection with certain
sales of assets, so long as the proceeds have not been reinvested in the
business. The CCO Holdings credit facility permits CCO Holdings and
its subsidiaries to make distributions to pay interest on the Charter
convertible senior notes, the Charter Holdings notes, the CIH notes, the CCH I
notes, the CCH II notes, the CCO Holdings notes, and the Charter Operating
second-lien notes, provided that, among other things, no default has occurred
and is continuing under the CCO Holdings credit facility.
Based
upon outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2008, the amortization of term
loans, scheduled reductions in available borrowings of the revolving credit
facilities, and the maturity dates for all senior and subordinated notes and
debentures, total future principal payments on the total borrowings under all
debt agreements as of December 31, 2008, are as follows:
Year
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
$ |
70 |
|
2010
|
|
|
1,930 |
|
2011
|
|
|
70 |
|
2012
|
|
|
1,170 |
|
2013
|
|
|
2,799 |
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
8,247 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
14,286 |
|
10.
|
Loans
Payable – Related Party
|
Loans
payable-related party as of December 31, 2008 consists of loans from Charter
Holdco to Charter Operating of $13 million. Loans payable-related
party as of December 31, 2007 consists of loans from Charter Holdco to Charter
Operating of $123 million.
11. Temporary
Equity
Temporary
equity represents Mr. Allen’s 5.6% membership interests in CC VIII, LLC (“CC
VIII”), an indirect subsidiary of the Company, of $203 million and $199 million
as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Mr. Allen’s CC VIII
interest is classified as temporary equity as a result of Mr. Allen’s ability to
put his interest to the Company upon a change in control.
12. Noncontrolling
Interest
Noncontrolling
interest represents CCH I’s 13% membership interests in CC VIII of $473 million
and $464 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Noncontrolling
interest in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations
represents the 2% accretion of the preferred membership interest in CC VIII
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
plus
approximately 18.6% of CC VIII’s income, inclusive of Mr. Allen’s 5.6%
membership interest accounted for as temporary equity.
13. Comprehensive
Loss
The
Company reports changes in the fair value of interest rate agreements designated
as hedging the variability of cash flows associated with floating-rate debt
obligations, that meet the effectiveness criteria of SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities, in accumulated other comprehensive
loss. Comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2008,
2007, and 2006 was $1.9 billion, $712 million, and $403 million,
respectively.
14. Accounting
for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The
Company uses interest rate swap agreements to manage its interest costs and
reduce the Company’s exposure to increases in floating interest
rates. The Company’s policy is to manage its exposure to fluctuations
in interest rates by maintaining a mix of fixed and variable rate debt within a
targeted range. Using interest rate swap agreements, the Company
agrees to exchange, at specified intervals through 2013, the difference between
fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to agreed-upon
notional principal amounts. At the banks’ option, certain interest
rate swap agreements may be extended through 2014.
The
Company’s hedging policy does not permit it to hold or issue derivative
instruments for speculative trading purposes. The Company does,
however, have certain interest rate derivative instruments that have been
designated as cash flow hedging instruments. Such instruments
effectively convert variable interest payments on certain debt instruments into
fixed payments. For qualifying hedges, SFAS No. 133 allows
derivative gains and losses to offset related results on hedged items in the
consolidated statement of operations. The Company has formally
documented, designated and assessed the effectiveness of transactions that
receive hedge accounting. For the years ended December 31, 2008,
2007, and 2006, change in value of derivatives includes gains of $0, $0, and $2
million, respectively, which represent cash flow hedge ineffectiveness on
interest rate hedge agreements. This ineffectiveness arises from
differences between critical terms of the agreements and the related hedged
obligations.
Changes
in the fair value of interest rate agreements that are designated as hedging
instruments of the variability of cash flows associated with floating-rate debt
obligations, and that meet the effectiveness criteria specified by SFAS No. 133
are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss. For the years
ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, losses of $180 million, $123 million
and $1 million, respectively, related to derivative instruments designated as
cash flow hedges, were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive
loss. The amounts are subsequently reclassified as an increase or
decrease to interest expense in the same periods in which the related interest
on the floating-rate debt obligations affects earnings (losses).
Certain
interest rate derivative instruments are not designated as hedges as they do not
meet the effectiveness criteria specified by SFAS
No. 133. However, management believes such instruments are
closely correlated with the respective debt, thus managing associated
risk. Interest rate derivative instruments not designated as hedges
are marked to fair value, with the impact recorded as a change in value of
derivatives in the Company’s consolidated statements of
operations. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and
2006, change in value of derivatives includes losses of $62 million and $46
million and gains of $4 million, respectively, resulting from interest rate
derivative instruments not designated as hedges.
As of
December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, the Company had outstanding $4.3
billion, $4.3 billion, and $1.7 billion, in notional amounts of interest rate
swaps outstanding. The notional amounts of interest rate instruments
do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties and, thus, are not a measure
of exposure to credit loss. The amounts exchanged are determined by
reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the
contracts.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
15. Fair
Value of Financial Instruments
The
Company has estimated the fair value of its financial instruments as of
December 31, 2008 and 2007 using available market information or other
appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment, however,
is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair
value. Accordingly, the estimates presented in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the amounts
the Company would realize in a current market exchange.
The
carrying amounts of cash, receivables, payables and other current assets and
liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those
instruments.
The fair
value of interest rate agreements represents the estimated amount the Company
would receive or pay upon termination of the agreements adjusted for Charter
Operating’s credit risk. Management believes that the sellers of the
interest rate agreements will be able to meet their obligations under the
agreements. In addition, some of the interest rate agreements are
with certain of the participating banks under the Company’s credit facilities,
thereby reducing the exposure to credit loss. The Company has
policies regarding the financial stability and credit standing of major
counterparties. Nonperformance by the counterparties is not
anticipated nor would it have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
The
estimated fair value of the Company’s notes at December 31, 2008 and 2007
are based on quoted market prices and the fair value of the credit facilities is
based on dealer quotations.
A summary
of the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s debt at December 31,
2008 and 2007 is as follows:
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
Fair
|
|
Carrying
|
|
Fair
|
|
|
Value
|
|
Value
|
|
Value
|
|
Value
|
Debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CCH
II debt
|
|
$
|
2,455
|
|
|
$
|
1,051
|
|
|
$
|
2,452
|
|
|
$
|
2,390
|
CCO
Holdings debt
|
|
|
796
|
|
|
|
505
|
|
|
|
795
|
|
|
|
761
|
Charter
Operating debt
|
|
|
2,397
|
|
|
|
1,923
|
|
|
|
1,870
|
|
|
|
1,807
|
Credit
facilities
|
|
|
8,596
|
|
|
|
6,187
|
|
|
|
7,194
|
|
|
|
6,723
|
The
Company adopted SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, on
its financial assets and liabilities effective January 1, 2008, and has an
established process for determining fair value. The Company has
deferred adoption of SFAS No. 157 on its nonfinancial assets and liabilities
including fair value measurements under SFAS No. 142 and SFAS No. 144 of
franchises, goodwill, property, plant, and equipment, and other long-term assets
until January 1, 2009 as permitted by FASB Staff Position (“FSP”)
157-2. Fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where
available. If such valuation methods are not available, fair value is
based on internally or externally developed models using market-based or
independently-sourced market parameters, where available. Fair value
may be subsequently adjusted to ensure that those assets and liabilities are
recorded at fair value. The Company’s methodology may produce a fair
value that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future
fair values, but the Company believes its methods are appropriate and consistent
with other market peers. The use of different methodologies or
assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could
result in a different fair value estimate as of the Company’s reporting
date.
SFAS No.
157 establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of fair value
measurements, based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset
or liability as of the measurement date, as follows:
·
|
Level
1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for
identical assets or liabilities in active
markets.
|
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
·
|
Level
2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar
assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable
for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for
substantially the full term of the financial
instrument.
|
·
|
Level
3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant
to the fair value measurement.
|
Interest
rate derivatives are valued using a present value calculation based on an
implied forward LIBOR curve (adjusted for Charter Operating’s credit risk) and
are classified within level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. The
Company’s interest rate derivatives are accounted for at fair value on a
recurring basis and totaled $411 million and $169 million as of December 31,
2008 and 2007, respectively. The weighted
average interest pay rate for the Company’s interest rate swap agreements was
4.93% and 4.93% at December 31, 2008 and 2007,
respectively.
16. Other
Operating (Income) Expenses, Net
Other
operating (income) expenses, net consist of the following for the years
presented:
|
|
Year
Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Gain)
loss on sale of assets, net
|
|
$ |
13 |
|
|
$ |
(3 |
) |
|
$ |
8 |
|
Special
charges, net
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
69 |
|
|
$ |
(17 |
) |
|
$ |
21 |
|
(Gain)
loss on sale of assets, net
(Gain)
loss on sale of assets represents the (gain) loss recognized on the sale of
fixed assets and cable systems.
Special
charges, net
Special
charges, net for the year ended December 31, 2008 includes severance charges and
litigation related items, including settlement costs associated with the Sjoblom litigation (see Note
22), offset by favorable insurance settlements related to hurricane Katrina
claims. Special charges, net for the year ended December 31, 2007,
primarily represents favorable legal settlements of approximately $20 million
offset by severance associated with the closing of call centers and divisional
restructuring. Special charges, net for the year ended December 31,
2006 primarily represent severance associated with the closing of call centers
and divisional restructuring.
17. Loss
on Extinguishment of Debt
|
|
Year
Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CCO
Holdings notes redemption
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
(19 |
) |
|
$ |
-- |
|
Charter
Operating credit facilities refinancing
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
(27 |
) |
CCH
II tender offer
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
(32 |
) |
|
$ |
(27 |
) |
See Note
9 for discussion of 2008 debt transactions.
In April
2007, CCO Holdings redeemed $550 million of its senior floating rate notes due
December 15, 2010 resulting in a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately
$19 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, included in loss on
extinguishment of debt on the Company’s consolidated statements of
operations.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
In March
2007, Charter Operating refinanced its facilities resulting in a loss on
extinguishment of debt for the year ended December 31, 2007 of approximately $13
million included in loss on extinguishment of debt on the Company’s consolidated
statements of operations.
In April
2006, Charter Operating completed a $6.85 billion refinancing of its credit
facilities including a new $350 million revolving/term facility (which converts
to a term loan no later than April 2007), a $5.0 billion term loan due in 2013
and certain amendments to the existing $1.5 billion revolving credit
facility. In addition, the refinancing reduced margins on Eurodollar
rate term loans to 2.625% from a weighted average of 3.15% previously and
margins on base rate term loans to 1.625% from a weighted average of 2.15%
previously. Concurrent with this refinancing, the CCO Holdings bridge
loan was terminated. The refinancing resulted in a loss on
extinguishment of debt for the year ended December 31, 2006 of approximately $27
million.
Other
expense, net consists of the following for years presented:
|
|
Year
Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noncontrolling
interest (Note 11 and 12)
|
|
$ |
(13 |
) |
|
$ |
(22 |
) |
|
$ |
(20 |
) |
Gain
(loss) on investment
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
13 |
|
Other,
net
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(19 |
) |
|
$ |
(24 |
) |
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
19. Stock
Compensation Plans
Charter
has stock compensation plans (the “Plans”) which provide for the grant of
non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent
rights, performance units and performance shares, share awards, phantom stock
and/or shares of restricted stock (shares of restricted stock not to exceed 20.0
million shares of Charter Class A common stock), as each term is defined in the
Plans. Employees, officers, consultants and directors of Charter and
its subsidiaries and affiliates are eligible to receive grants under the
Plans. The 2001 Stock Incentive Plan allows for the issuance of up to
a total of 90.0 million shares of Charter Class A common stock (or units
convertible into Charter Class A common stock).
Under
Charter's Long-Term Incentive Program (“LTIP”), a program administered under the
2001 Stock Incentive Plan, employees of Charter and its subsidiaries whose pay
classifications exceeded a
certain level were eligible in 2006 and 2007 to receive stock options, and more
senior level employees were eligible to receive stock options and performance
units. The stock options vest 25% on each of the first four
anniversaries of the date of grant. Generally, options expire
10 years from the grant date. The performance units became
performance shares on or about the first anniversary of the grant date,
conditional upon Charter's performance against financial performance measures
established by Charter’s management and approved by its board of directors as of
the time of the award. The performance shares become shares of
Charter Class A common stock on the third anniversary of the grant date of the
performance units. In March 2008, Charter adopted the 2008 incentive
program to allow for the issuance of performance units and restricted stock
under the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan and for the issuance of performance
cash. Under the 2008 incentive program, subject to meeting
performance criteria, performance units and performance cash are deposited into
a performance bank of which one-third of the balance is paid out each
year. Restricted stock granted under this program vests annually over
a three-year period beginning from the date of grant. During the year
ended December 31, 2008, Charter granted $8 million of performance cash under
Charter’s 2008 incentive program and recognized $2 million of expense for the
year ended December 31, 2008.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
A summary
of the activity for Charter’s stock options for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, is as follows (amounts in thousands,
except per share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding,
beginning of period
|
|
|
25,682 |
|
|
|
4.02 |
|
|
|
26,403 |
|
|
|
3.88 |
|
|
|
29,127 |
|
|
|
4.47 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
1.19 |
|
|
|
4,549 |
|
|
|
2.77 |
|
|
|
6,065 |
|
|
|
1.28 |
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(53 |
) |
|
|
1.18 |
|
|
|
(2,759 |
) |
|
|
1.57 |
|
|
|
(1,049 |
) |
|
|
1.41 |
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(3,630 |
) |
|
|
5.27 |
|
|
|
(2,511 |
) |
|
|
2.98 |
|
|
|
(7,740 |
) |
|
|
4.39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding,
end of period
|
|
|
22,044 |
|
|
|
3.82 |
|
|
|
25,682 |
|
|
|
4.02 |
|
|
|
26,403 |
|
|
|
3.88 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average remaining contractual life
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options
exercisable, end of period
|
|
|
15,787 |
|
|
|
4.53 |
|
|
|
13,119 |
|
|
|
5.88 |
|
|
|
10,984 |
|
|
|
6.62 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average fair value of options granted
|
|
|
0.90 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.86 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.96 |
|
|
|
|
|
The
following table summarizes information about Charter’s stock options outstanding
and exercisable as of December 31, 2008 (amounts in thousands, except per
share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-
Average
Remaining Contractual
Life
|
|
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
|
|
|
|
Weighted-
Average
Remaining Contractual
Life
|
|
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
|
$1.00
|
—
|
$1.36
|
|
8,278
|
|
7
years
|
|
1.17
|
|
5,528
|
|
7
years
|
|
1.17
|
$1.53
|
—
|
$1.96
|
|
2,821
|
|
6
years
|
|
1.55
|
|
2,178
|
|
6
years
|
|
1.55
|
$2.66
|
—
|
$3.35
|
|
4,981
|
|
7
years
|
|
2.89
|
|
2,229
|
|
6
years
|
|
2.92
|
$4.30
|
—
|
$5.17
|
|
3,566
|
|
5
years
|
|
5.00
|
|
3,454
|
|
5
years
|
|
5.02
|
$9.13
|
—
|
$12.27
|
|
1,008
|
|
3
years
|
|
11.19
|
|
1,008
|
|
3
years
|
|
11.19
|
$13.96
|
—
|
$20.73
|
|
1,168
|
|
1
year
|
|
18.41
|
|
1,168
|
|
1
year
|
|
18.41
|
$21.20
|
—
|
$23.09
|
|
222
|
|
2
years
|
|
22.86
|
|
222
|
|
2
years
|
|
22.86
|
A summary
of the activity for Charter’s restricted Class A common stock for the years
ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, is as follows (amounts in
thousands, except per share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average
Grant
Price
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average
Grant
Price
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average
Grant
Price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding,
beginning of period
|
|
|
4,112 |
|
|
|
2.87 |
|
|
|
3,033 |
|
|
|
1.96 |
|
|
|
4,713 |
|
|
|
2.08 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
10,761 |
|
|
|
0.85 |
|
|
|
2,753 |
|
|
|
3.64 |
|
|
|
906 |
|
|
|
1.28 |
|
Vested
|
|
|
(2,298 |
) |
|
|
2.36 |
|
|
|
(1,208 |
) |
|
|
1.83 |
|
|
|
(2,278 |
) |
|
|
1.62 |
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(566 |
) |
|
|
1.57 |
|
|
|
(466 |
) |
|
|
4.37 |
|
|
|
(308 |
) |
|
|
4.37 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding,
end of period
|
|
|
12,009 |
|
|
|
1.21 |
|
|
|
4,112 |
|
|
|
2.87 |
|
|
|
3,033 |
|
|
|
1.96 |
|
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
A summary
of the activity for Charter’s performance units and shares for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, is as follows (amounts in thousands,
except per share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average
Grant
Price
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average
Grant
Price
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average
Grant
Price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding,
beginning of period
|
|
|
28,013 |
|
|
|
2.16 |
|
|
|
15,206 |
|
|
|
1.27 |
|
|
|
5,670 |
|
|
|
3.09 |
|
Granted
|
|
|
10,137 |
|
|
|
0.84 |
|
|
|
14,797 |
|
|
|
2.95 |
|
|
|
13,745 |
|
|
|
1.22 |
|
Vested
|
|
|
(1,562 |
) |
|
|
1.49 |
|
|
|
(41 |
) |
|
|
1.23 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(3,551 |
) |
|
|
2.08 |
|
|
|
(1,949 |
) |
|
|
1.51 |
|
|
|
(4,209 |
) |
|
|
3.58 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding,
end of period
|
|
|
33,037 |
|
|
|
1.80 |
|
|
|
28,013 |
|
|
|
2.16 |
|
|
|
15,206 |
|
|
|
1.27 |
|
As of
December 31, 2008, deferred compensation remaining to be recognized in future
periods totaled $41 million.
In the
first quarter of 2009, the majority of restricted stock and performance units
and shares were forfeited, and the remaining will be cancelled in connection
with the Plan. See Note 26.
20. Income
Taxes
CCH II is
a single member limited liability company not subject to income
tax. CCH II holds all operations through indirect
subsidiaries. The majority of these indirect subsidiaries are limited
liability companies that are not subject to income tax. However,
certain of the limited liability companies are subject to state income
tax. In addition, certain of CCH II’s indirect subsidiaries are
corporations that are subject to income tax.
For the
year ended December 31, 2008, the Company recorded income tax benefit
related to decreases in deferred tax liabilities of certain of its indirect
subsidiaries attributable to the write-down of franchise assets for financial
statement purposes and not for tax purposes. For the years ended
December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded income tax expense related to
increases in deferred tax liabilities and current federal and state income taxes
primarily related to differences in accounting for franchises at our indirect
corporate subsidiaries and limited liability companies that are subject to
income tax. However, the actual tax provision calculations in future
periods will be the result of current and future temporary differences, as well
as future operating results.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
Current
and deferred income tax benefit (expense) is as follows:
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
Current
expense:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
income taxes
|
|
$ |
(2 |
) |
|
$ |
(3 |
) |
|
$ |
(3 |
) |
State
income taxes
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
income tax expense
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
benefit (expense):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal
income taxes
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
State
income taxes
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
income tax benefit (expense)
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
income benefit (expense)
|
|
$ |
40 |
|
|
$ |
(20 |
) |
|
$ |
(7 |
) |
Income
tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2008 included $32 million of
deferred tax benefit related to the impairment of franchises. Income
tax for the year ended December 31, 2007 includes $18 million of deferred income
tax expense previously recorded at the Company’s indirect parent
company. This adjustment should have been recorded by the Company in
prior periods.
The
Company’s effective tax rate differs from that derived by applying the
applicable federal income tax rate of 35%, and average state income tax rate of
2.3%, 2.9%, and 5% for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006,
respectively, as follows:
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statutory
federal income tax benefit
|
|
$ |
617 |
|
|
$ |
199 |
|
|
$ |
222 |
|
Statutory
state income tax benefit, net
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
Losses
allocated to limited liability companies not subject
to
income taxes
|
|
|
(657 |
) |
|
|
(216 |
) |
|
|
(249 |
) |
Franchises
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
Valuation
allowance provided and other
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
tax benefit (expense)
|
|
$ |
40 |
|
|
$ |
(20 |
) |
|
$ |
(7 |
) |
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
The tax
effects of these temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of
the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2008 and
2007 for the indirect subsidiaries of the Company which are included in
long-term liabilities are presented below.
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
Deferred
tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
operating loss carryforward
|
|
$ |
97 |
|
|
$ |
111 |
|
Other
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
gross deferred tax assets
|
|
|
99 |
|
|
|
119 |
|
Less:
valuation allowance
|
|
|
(60 |
) |
|
|
(70 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
tax assets
|
|
$ |
39 |
|
|
$ |
49 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
tax liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property,
plant & equipment
|
|
$ |
(36 |
) |
|
$ |
(37 |
) |
Franchises
|
|
|
(182 |
) |
|
|
(238 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred
tax liabilities
|
|
|
(218 |
) |
|
|
(275 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
deferred tax liabilities
|
|
$ |
(179 |
) |
|
$ |
(226 |
) |
As of
December 31, 2008, the Company had deferred tax assets of $99 million,
which primarily relate to net operating loss carryforwards of certain of its
indirect corporate subsidiaries and limited liability companies subject to state
income tax. These net operating loss carryforwards (generally
expiring in years 2009 through 2028) are subject to certain return
limitations. A valuation allowance of $60 million exists with respect
to these carry forwards as of December 31, 2008.
No tax
years for Charter or Charter Holdco, our indirect parent companies, are
currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Tax years
ending 2006, 2007 and 2008 remain subject to examination.
In
January 2007, the Company adopted FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes—an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, which provides
criteria for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of
uncertain tax positions. A tax benefit from an uncertain position may be
recognized only if it is “more likely than not” that the position is sustainable
based on its technical merits. The Company does not believe it has
taken any significant positions that would not meet the “more likely than not”
criteria and require disclosure.
21. Related
Party Transactions
The
following sets forth certain transactions in which the Company and the
directors, executive officers, and affiliates of the Company are
involved. Unless otherwise disclosed, management believes each of the
transactions described below was on terms no less favorable to the Company than
could have been obtained from independent third parties.
Charter
is a party to management arrangements with Charter Holdco and certain of its
subsidiaries. Under these agreements, Charter and Charter Holdco
provide management services for the cable systems owned or operated by their
subsidiaries. The management services include such services as
centralized customer billing services, data processing and related support,
benefits administration and coordination of insurance coverage and
self-insurance programs for medical, dental and workers’ compensation
claims. Costs associated with providing these services are charged
directly to the Company’s operating subsidiaries and are included within
operating costs in the accompanying consolidated statements of
operations. Such costs totaled $213 million, $213 million, and $231
million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006,
respectively. All other costs incurred on behalf of
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
Charter’s
operating subsidiaries are considered a part of the management fee and are
recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expense, in the
accompanying consolidated financial statements. For the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, the management fee charged to the
Company’s operating subsidiaries approximated the expenses incurred by Charter
Holdco and Charter on behalf of the Company’s operating
subsidiaries. The Company’s previous credit facilities prohibited
payments of management fees in excess of 3.5% of revenues until repayment of the
outstanding indebtedness. In the event any portion of the management
fee due and payable was not paid, it would be deferred by Charter and accrued as
a liability of such subsidiaries. Any deferred amount of the
management fee would bear interest at the rate of 10% per year, compounded
annually, from the date it was due and payable until the date paid.
Mr. Allen,
the controlling shareholder of Charter, and a number of his affiliates have
interests in various entities that provide services or programming to Charter’s
subsidiaries. Given the diverse nature of Mr. Allen’s investment
activities and interests, and to avoid the possibility of future disputes as to
potential business, Charter and Charter Holdco, under the terms of their
respective organizational documents, may not, and may not allow their
subsidiaries to engage in any business transaction outside the cable
transmission business except for certain existing approved
investments. Charter or Charter Holdco or any of their subsidiaries
may not pursue, or allow their subsidiaries to pursue, a business transaction
outside of this scope, unless Mr. Allen consents to Charter or its
subsidiaries engaging in the business transaction. The cable
transmission business means the business of transmitting video, audio, including
telephone, and data over cable systems owned, operated or managed by Charter,
Charter Holdco or any of their subsidiaries from time to time.
Mr. Allen
or his affiliates own or have owned equity interests or warrants to purchase
equity interests in various entities with which the Company does business or
which provides it with products, services or programming. Among these
entities are Oxygen Media Corporation (“Oxygen Media”), Digeo, Inc. (“Digeo”),
and Microsoft Corporation. Mr. Allen owns 100% of the equity of
Vulcan Ventures Incorporated (“Vulcan Ventures”) and Vulcan Inc. and is the
president of Vulcan Ventures. Ms. Jo Allen Patton is a director of
the Company and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Vulcan Inc. and is
a director and Vice President of Vulcan Ventures. Mr. Lance Conn is a
director of the Company and is Executive Vice President of Vulcan Inc. and
Vulcan Ventures. The various cable, media, Internet and telephone
companies in which Mr. Allen has invested may mutually benefit one
another. The Company can give no assurance, nor should you expect,
that any of these business relationships will be successful, that the Company
will realize any benefits from these relationships or that the Company will
enter into any business relationships in the future with Mr. Allen’s
affiliated companies.
Mr. Allen
and his affiliates have made, and in the future likely will make, numerous
investments outside of the Company and its business. The Company
cannot provide any assurance that, in the event that the Company or any of its
subsidiaries enter into transactions in the future with any affiliate of
Mr. Allen, such transactions will be on terms as favorable to the Company
as terms it might have obtained from an unrelated third party. Also,
conflicts could arise with respect to the allocation of corporate opportunities
between the Company and Mr. Allen and his affiliates. The
Company has not instituted any formal plan or arrangement to address potential
conflicts of interest.
In 2009,
pursuant to indemnification provisions in the October 2005 settlement with Mr.
Allen regarding the CC VIII interest, the Company reimbursed Vulcan Inc.
approximately $3 million in legal expenses.
Oxygen. Oxygen Media LLC
("Oxygen") provides programming content to the Company pursuant to a carriage
agreement. Under the carriage agreement, the Company paid Oxygen
approximately $6 million, $8 million, and $8 million for the years ended
December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
In 2005,
pursuant to an amended equity issuance agreement, Oxygen Media delivered 1
million shares of Oxygen Preferred Stock with a liquidation preference of $33.10
per share plus accrued dividends to Charter Holdco. In November 2007,
Oxygen was sold to an unrelated third party and Charter Holdco received
approximately $35 million representing its liquidation preference on its
preferred stock. Mr. Allen and his affiliates also no longer have an
interest in Oxygen.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
Digeo, Inc. In March 2001,
Charter Ventures and Vulcan Ventures Incorporated formed DBroadband Holdings,
LLC for the sole purpose of purchasing equity interests in Digeo. In
connection with the execution of the broadband carriage agreement, DBroadband
Holdings, LLC purchased an equity interest in Digeo funded by contributions from
Vulcan Ventures Incorporated. At that time, the equity interest was
subject to a priority return of capital to Vulcan Ventures up to the amount
contributed by Vulcan Ventures on Charter Ventures’ behalf. After
Vulcan Ventures recovered its amount contributed (the “Priority Return”),
Charter Ventures should have had a 100% profit interest in DBroadband Holdings,
LLC. Charter Ventures was not required to make any capital
contributions, including capital calls to DBroadband Holdings,
LLC. DBroadband Holdings, LLC therefore was not included in the
Company’s consolidated financial statements. Pursuant to an amended
version of this arrangement, in 2003, Vulcan Ventures contributed a total of
$29 million to Digeo, $7 million of which was contributed on Charter
Ventures’ behalf, subject to Vulcan Ventures’ aforementioned priority
return. Since the formation of DBroadband Holdings, LLC, Vulcan
Ventures has contributed approximately $56 million on Charter Ventures’
behalf. On October 3, 2006, Vulcan Ventures and Digeo recapitalized
Digeo. In connection with such recapitalization, DBroadband Holdings,
LLC consented to the conversion of its preferred stock holdings in Digeo to
common stock, and Vulcan Ventures surrendered its Priority Return to Charter
Ventures. As a result, DBroadband Holdings, LLC is now included in
the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Such amounts are
immaterial. After the recapitalization, DBroadband Holdings, LLC owns
1.8% of Digeo, Inc’s common stock. Digeo, Inc. is therefore not
included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In
December 2007, the Digeo, Inc. common stock was transferred to Charter
Operating, and DBroadband Holdings, LLC was dissolved.
The
Company paid Digeo Interactive approximately $0, $0, and $2 million for the
years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively, for customized
development of the i-channels and the local content tool kit.
On June
30, 2003, Charter Holdco entered into an agreement with Motorola, Inc. for the
purchase of 100,000 DVR units. The software for these DVR units is
being supplied by Digeo Interactive, LLC under a license agreement entered into
in April 2004. Pursuant to a software license agreement with Digeo
Interactive for the right to use Digeo's proprietary software for DVR units, the
Company paid approximately $1 million, $2 million, and $3 million in license and
maintenance fees in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
The
Company paid approximately $1 million, $10 million, and $11 million for the
years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively, in capital
purchases under an agreement with Digeo Interactive for the development, testing
and purchase of 70,000 Digeo PowerKey DVR units. Total purchase price
and license and maintenance fees during the term of the definitive agreements
are expected to be approximately $41 million. The definitive
agreements are terminable at no penalty to Charter in certain
circumstances.
In May
2008, Charter Operating entered into an agreement with Digeo Interactive, LLC, a
subsidiary of Digeo, Inc., for the minimum purchase of high-definition DVR units
for approximately $21 million. This minimum purchase commitment is
subject to reduction as a result of certain specified events such as the failure
to deliver units timely and catastrophic failure. The software
for these units is being supplied under a software license agreement with Digeo
Interactive, LLC; the cost of which is expected to be approximately $2 million
for the initial licenses and on-going maintenance fees of approximately $0.3
million annually, subject to reduction to coincide with any reduction in the
minimum purchase commitment. For the year ended December 31, 2008,
Charter has purchased approximately $1 million of DVR units from Digeo
Interactive, LLC under these agreements.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
22. Commitments
and Contingencies
Commitments
The
following table summarizes the Company’s payment obligations as of December 31,
2008 for its contractual obligations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contractual
Obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital
and Operating Lease Obligations (1)
|
|
$ |
96 |
|
$ |
22 |
|
$ |
20 |
|
$ |
15 |
|
$ |
12 |
|
$ |
9 |
|
$ |
18 |
|
Programming
Minimum Commitments (2)
|
|
|
687 |
|
|
315 |
|
|
101 |
|
|
105 |
|
|
110 |
|
|
56 |
|
|
-- |
|
Other
(3)
|
|
|
475 |
|
|
368 |
|
|
66 |
|
|
22 |
|
|
19 |
|
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
1,258 |
|
$ |
705 |
|
$ |
187 |
|
$ |
142 |
|
$ |
141 |
|
$ |
65 |
|
$ |
18 |
|
|
(1) The
Company leases certain facilities and equipment under noncancelable
operating leases. Leases and rental costs charged to expense
for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, were $24
million, $23 million, and $23 million,
respectively.
|
|
(2) The
Company pays programming fees under multi-year contracts ranging from
three to ten years, typically based on a flat fee per customer, which may
be fixed for the term, or may in some cases escalate over the
term. Programming costs included in the accompanying statement
of operations were $1.6 billion, $1.6 billion, and $1.5 billion, for the
years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006,
respectively. Certain of the Company’s programming agreements
are based on a flat fee per month or have guaranteed minimum
payments. The table sets forth the aggregate guaranteed minimum
commitments under the Company’s programming
contracts.
|
|
(3) “Other”
represents other guaranteed minimum commitments, which consist primarily
of commitments to the Company’s billing services
vendors.
|
The
following items are not included in the contractual obligation table due to
various factors discussed below. However, the Company incurs these
costs as part of its operations:
|
·
|
The
Company also rents utility poles used in its
operations. Generally, pole rentals are cancelable on short
notice, but the Company anticipates that such rentals will
recur. Rent expense incurred for pole rental attachments for
the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, was $47 million,
$47 million, and $44 million,
respectively.
|
|
·
|
The
Company pays franchise fees under multi-year franchise agreements based on
a percentage of revenues generated from video service per
year. The Company also pays other franchise related costs, such
as public education grants, under multi-year
agreements. Franchise fees and other franchise-related costs
included in the accompanying statement of operations were $179 million,
$172 million, and $175 million for the years ended December 31, 2008,
2007, and 2006, respectively.
|
|
·
|
The
Company also has $158 million in letters of credit, primarily to its
various worker’s compensation, property and casualty, and general
liability carriers, as collateral for reimbursement of
claims. These letters of credit reduce the amount the Company
may borrow under its credit
facilities.
|
Litigation
The
Company and its parent companies are defendants or co-defendants in several
unrelated lawsuits claiming infringement of various patents relating to various
aspects of its businesses. Other industry participants are also
defendants in certain of these cases, and, in many cases, the Company expects
that any potential liability would be the responsibility of its equipment
vendors pursuant to applicable contractual indemnification provisions. In the
event that a court ultimately determines that the Company infringes on any
intellectual property rights, it may be
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
subject
to substantial damages and/or an injunction that could require the Company or
its vendors to modify certain products and services the Company offers to its
subscribers. While the Company believes the lawsuits are without
merit and intends to defend the actions vigorously, the lawsuits could be
material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations of any one period,
and no assurance can be given that any adverse outcome would not be material to
the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or
liquidity.
In the
ordinary course of business, the Company and its parent companies may face
employment law claims, including claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act and
wage and hour laws of the states in which we operate. On August 15, 2007,
a complaint was filed, on behalf of both nationwide and state of Wisconsin
classes of certain categories of current and former Charter technicians, against
Charter in the United States District Court for the Western District of
Wisconsin (Sjoblom v. Charter
Communications, LLC and Charter Communications, Inc.), alleging that
Charter violated the Fair Labor Standards Act and Wisconsin wage and hour laws
by failing to pay technicians for certain hours claimed to have been
worked. While the Company believes it has substantial factual and legal
defenses to the claims at issue, in order to avoid the cost and distraction of
continuing to litigate the case, the Company reached a settlement with the
plaintiffs, which received final approval from the court on January 26,
2009. The Company has accrued settlement costs associated with the
Sjoblom
case. The Company has been subjected, in the normal course of
business, to the assertion of other similar claims and could be subjected to
additional such claims. The Company can not predict the ultimate
outcome of any such claims.
The
Company and its parent companies are party to lawsuits and claims that arise in
the ordinary course of conducting its business. The ultimate outcome
of these other legal matters pending against the Company or its subsidiaries
cannot be predicted, and although such lawsuits and claims are not expected
individually to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated
financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, such lawsuits could
have, in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated
financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
Regulation in the Cable
Industry
The
operation of a cable system is extensively regulated by the Federal
Communications Commission (“FCC”), some state governments and most local
governments. The FCC has the authority to enforce its 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
used in connection with cable operations. The 1996 Telecom Act
altered the regulatory structure governing the nation’s communications
providers. It removed barriers to competition in both the cable
television market and the telephone market. Among other things, it
reduced the scope of cable rate regulation and encouraged additional competition
in the video programming industry by allowing telephone companies to provide
video programming in their own telephone service areas.
Future
legislative and regulatory changes could adversely affect the Company’s
operations, including, without limitation, additional regulatory requirements
the Company may be required to comply with as it offers new services such as
telephone.
23. Employee
Benefit Plan
The
Company’s employees may participate in the Charter Communications, Inc. 401(k)
Plan. Employees that qualify for participation can contribute up to
50% of their salary, on a pre-tax basis, subject to a maximum contribution limit
as determined by the Internal Revenue Service. For each payroll
period, the Company will contribute to the 401(k) Plan (a) the total amount of
the salary reduction the employee elects to defer between 1% and 50% and (b) a
matching contribution equal to 50% of the amount of the salary reduction the
participant elects to defer (up to 5% of the participant’s payroll
compensation), excluding any catch-up contributions. The Company made
contributions to the 401(k) plan totaling $8 million, $7 million, and $8 million
for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006,
respectively.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
24. Recently
Issued Accounting Standards
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, Business Combinations: Applying the
Acquisition Method, which provides guidance on the accounting and
reporting for business combinations. SFAS No. 141R is effective for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted SFAS No.
141R effective January 1, 2009. The adoption of SFAS No. 141R has not
had a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in
Consolidated Financial Statements - An Amendment of ARB No. 51,
which provides guidance on the accounting and
reporting for minority interests in consolidated financial statements.
SFAS No. 160 requires losses to be allocated to non-controlling (minority)
interests even when such amounts are deficits. SFAS No. 160 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company
adopted SFAS No. 160 effective January 1, 2009 and applied the effects
retrospectively to all periods presented to the extent prescribed by the
standard. The adoption resulted in the presentation of Mr. Allen’s
previous 5.6% preferred membership interest in CC VIII as temporary equity and
CCH I’s 13% membership interest in CC VIII as noncontrolling interest in the
Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 as
presented, which were previously classified as minority interest. See
Notes 11 and 12.
In
February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No.
157, which deferred the effective date of SFAS No. 157 to fiscal years
beginning after November 15, 2008 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial
liabilities. The Company applied SFAS No. 157 to nonfinancial assets
and nonfinancial liabilities beginning January 1, 2009. The adoption
of SFAS No. 157 has not had a material impact on the Company’s financial
statements.
In March
2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No.
133, which requires companies to disclose their objectives and strategies
for using derivative instruments, whether or not designated as hedging
instruments under SFAS No. 133. SFAS No. 161 is effective for interim
periods and fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The
Company adopted SFAS No. 161 effective January 1, 2009. The adoption
of SFAS No. 161 has not had a material impact on the Company’s financial
statements.
In April
2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of
Intangible Assets, which amends the factors to be considered in renewal
or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized
intangible asset. FSP FAS 142-3 is effective for interim periods and
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted
FSP FAS 142-3 effective January 1, 2009. The adoption of FSP FAS
142-3 has not had a material impact on the Company’s financial
statements.
In May
2008, the FASB issued FSP Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) 14-1, Accounting for Convertible Debt
Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash
Settlement), which specifies that issuers of convertible debt instruments
that may be settled in cash upon conversion should separately account for the
liability and equity components in a manner reflecting their nonconvertible debt
borrowing rate when interest costs are recognized in subsequent
periods. FSP APB 14-1 is effective for interim periods and fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted FSP APB
14-1 effective January 1, 2009. The adoption of FSP APB 14-1 has not
had a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
The
Company does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective
accounting pronouncements, if adopted, would have a material effect on its
accompanying financial statements.
25. Parent
Company Only Financial Statements
As the
result of limitations on, and prohibitions of, distributions, substantially all
of the net assets of the consolidated subsidiaries are restricted from
distribution to CCH II, the parent company. The following condensed
parent-only financial statements of CCH II account for the investment in its
subsidiaries under the equity method of accounting. The financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements of the Company and notes thereto.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
CCH
II, LLC (Parent Company Only)
Condensed
Balance Sheet
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
Receivable
– related party
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
Investment
in subsidiaries
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
1,912 |
|
Loans
receivable - subsidiaries
|
|
|
227 |
|
|
|
209 |
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$ |
249 |
|
|
$ |
2,156 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND MEMBER’S DEFICIT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities
|
|
$ |
71 |
|
|
$ |
72 |
|
Long-term
debt
|
|
|
2,455 |
|
|
|
2,452 |
|
Losses
in excess of investment in subsidiaries
|
|
|
813 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Member’s
deficit
|
|
|
(3,090 |
) |
|
|
(368 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
liabilities and member’s deficit
|
|
$ |
249 |
|
|
$ |
2,156 |
|
Condensed
Statement of Operations
|
|
Year
Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
$ |
(246 |
) |
|
$ |
(238 |
) |
|
$ |
(209 |
) |
Loss
on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Equity
in losses of subsidiaries
|
|
|
(1,473 |
) |
|
|
(350 |
) |
|
|
(193 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$ |
(1,723 |
) |
|
$ |
(588 |
) |
|
$ |
(402 |
) |
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
Condensed
Statements of Cash Flows
|
|
Year
Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2006
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$ |
(1,723 |
) |
|
$ |
(588 |
) |
|
$ |
(402 |
) |
Noncash
interest expense
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Loss
on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Equity
in losses of subsidiaries
|
|
|
1,473 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
193 |
|
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
(249 |
) |
|
|
(251 |
) |
|
|
(209 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions
from subsidiaries
|
|
|
1,072 |
|
|
|
1,447 |
|
|
|
1,151 |
|
Investment
in subsidiaries
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(148 |
) |
Loan
to subsidiary
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(195 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
1,072 |
|
|
|
1,447 |
|
|
|
808 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from debt issuance
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
440 |
|
Repayments
of long-term debt
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(189 |
) |
Distributions
to parent companies
|
|
|
(819 |
) |
|
|
(1,195 |
) |
|
|
(831 |
) |
Payments
for debt issuance costs
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash flows from financing activities
|
|
|
(823 |
) |
|
|
(1,195 |
) |
|
|
(595 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
26. Subsequent
Events
Impairment
of Franchises
During
the quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Company performed an interim franchise
impairment analysis and recorded a preliminary non-cash franchise impairment
charge of $2.9 billion (unaudited) which represented the Company’s best estimate
of the impairment of its franchise assets. The Company currently expects to
finalize its franchise impairment analysis during the quarter ended December 31,
2009, which could potentially result in an impairment charge that materially
differs from the estimate. In addition, effective December 1, 2009, the
Company will apply fresh start accounting in accordance with Statement of
Position 90-7, Financial
Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code (“SOP
90-7”) and as such will adjust its franchise assets to reflect fair
value.
Emergence
from Reorganization Proceedings and Related Events
On March
27, 2009, the Company, its parent companies, and certain affiliates
(collectively, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions in the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Bankruptcy Court”)
seeking relief under the provisions of Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United
States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”). The Chapter 11 cases were
jointly administered under the caption In re Charter Communications, Inc., et
al., Case No. 09-11435 (the “Chapter 11 Cases”). The Debtors
continued to operate their businesses and managed
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
their
properties as debtors in possession under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy
Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code
from March 27, 2009 until emergence from Chapter 11 on November 30, 2009 (the
“Effective Date”).
On
November 17, 2009, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order (the “Confirmation
Order”) confirming the Company's pre-arranged joint plan of reorganization (as
amended, the "Plan") and, on the Effective Date, the Plan was consummated and
the Company and its parent companies’ emerged from bankruptcy. As provided in
the Plan and the Confirmation Order, (i) the notes and bank debt of Charter
Operating and CCO Holdings remained outstanding; (ii) holders of approximately
$1.5 billion of notes issued by CCH II received new CCH II notes (the “Notes
Exchange”); (iii) holders of notes issued by CCH I received shares of Charter
new Class A common stock; (iv) holders of notes issued by CIH
received warrants to purchase shares of Charter new Class A common stock; (v)
holders of notes issued by Charter Holdings received warrants to purchase shares
of Charter new Class A common stock; (vi) holders of convertible notes issued by
Charter received cash and preferred stock issued by Charter; and (vii) all
previously outstanding shares of Charter Class A common stock were
cancelled. In addition, as part of the Plan, the holders of CCH I
notes received and transferred to Mr. Allen $85 million of new CCH II
notes. The Plan resulted in the reduction of the Company’s parent
companies’ debt by approximately $8 billion.
The
consummation of the Plan was funded with cash on hand, the Notes Exchange, and
proceeds of approximately $1.6 billion of an equity rights offering (the “Rights
Offering”) in which holders of CCH I notes purchased approximately $1.6
billion of Charter’s new Class A common stock.
Pursuant
to a separate restructuring agreement among Charter, Mr. Allen, and CII (as
amended, the “Allen Agreement”), in settlement and compromise of their legal,
contractual and equitable rights, claims and remedies against Charter and its
subsidiaries, and in addition to any amounts received by virtue of their holding
any claims of the type set forth above, upon the Effective Date of the Plan, CII
was issued shares of the new Class B common stock of Charter equal to 2% of the
equity value of Charter, after giving effect to the Rights Offering, but prior
to issuance of warrants and equity-based awards provided for by the Plan and 35%
(determined on a fully diluted basis) of the total voting power of all new
capital stock of Charter. Each share of new Class B common stock is
convertible, at the option of the holder subject to various restrictions, into
one share of new Class A common stock, and is subject to significant
restrictions on transfer. Certain holders of new Class A common stock
(and securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable therefor) and
new Class B common stock will receive certain customary registration rights with
respect to their shares. At the Effective Date of the Plan, CII
also received (i) warrants to purchase shares of new Class A common stock of
Charter in an aggregate amount equal to 4% of the equity value of reorganized
Charter, after giving effect to the Rights Offering, but prior to the issuance
of warrants and equity-based awards provided for by the Plan, (ii) $85 million
principal amount of new CCH II notes, (iii) $25 million in cash for amounts
owing to CII under a management agreement, (iv) $20 million in cash for
reimbursement of fees and expenses in connection with the Plan, and (v) an
additional $150 million in cash. In addition, on the Effective Date
of the Plan, CII retained a 1% equity interest in reorganized Charter Holdco and
a right to exchange such interest into new Class A common stock of Charter.
Further, Mr. Allen transferred his preferred equity interest in CC VIII to
Charter.
Charter
Operating Revolving Credit Facility
The
Company has utilized $1.4 billion of the $1.5 billion revolving credit facility
under its Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 18, 1999, as
amended and restated as of March 6, 2007 (the “Credit
Agreement”). Upon filing bankruptcy, Charter Operating no longer had
access to the revolving feature of its revolving credit
facility. Reinstatement of the Credit Agreement resulted in the
revolving credit facility remaining in place with its original terms except its
revolving feature.
Plan
Effects
In the
disclosure statement related to the Plan, the reorganization value of the
Company and its parent companies was set forth as approximately $14.1 billion to
$16.6 billion, with a midpoint estimate of $15.4 billion. The reorganization
value was determined using numerous projections and assumptions that are
inherently subject to
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER
31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006
(dollars
in millions, except where indicated)
significant
uncertainties and the resolution of contingencies beyond the control of the
Company. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the estimates, assumptions
and amounts reflected in the valuation will be realized.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(DOLLARS IN
MILLIONS)
|
|
September
30,
|
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT
ASSETS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
1,061 |
|
|
$ |
953 |
|
Accounts
receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $22 and $18,
respectively
|
|
|
209 |
|
|
|
221 |
|
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
1,319 |
|
|
|
1,197 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVESTMENT
IN CABLE PROPERTIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property,
plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
4,797 |
|
|
|
4,959 |
|
Franchises,
net
|
|
|
4,520 |
|
|
|
7,384 |
|
Total
investment in cable properties, net
|
|
|
9,317 |
|
|
|
12,343 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER
NONCURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
204 |
|
|
|
224 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$ |
10,840 |
|
|
$ |
13,764 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND MEMBER’S DEFICIT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
NOT SUBJECT TO COMPROMISE:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT
LIABILITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
|
$ |
1,324 |
|
|
$ |
980 |
|
Payables
to related party
|
|
|
220 |
|
|
|
232 |
|
Current
portion of long-term debt
|
|
|
11,740 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
13,284 |
|
|
|
1,282 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LONG-TERM
DEBT
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
14,174 |
|
LOANS
PAYABLE – RELATED PARTY
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
DEFERRED
MANAGEMENT FEES – RELATED PARTY
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
14 |
|
OTHER
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
|
|
|
152 |
|
|
|
695 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
SUBJECT TO COMPROMISE (INCLUDING AMOUNTS DUE TO
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RELATED
PARTY OF $25 AND $0, RESPECTIVELY)
|
|
|
2,808 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TEMPORARY
EQUITY
|
|
|
179 |
|
|
|
203 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEMBER’S
DEFICIT:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
(266 |
) |
|
|
(303 |
) |
Member’s
deficit
|
|
|
(5,747 |
) |
|
|
(2,787 |
) |
Total
CCO Holdings member’s deficit
|
|
|
(6,013 |
) |
|
|
(3,090 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noncontrolling
interest
|
|
|
417 |
|
|
|
473 |
|
Total
member’s deficit
|
|
|
(5,596 |
) |
|
|
(2,617 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
liabilities and member’s deficit
|
|
$ |
10,840 |
|
|
$ |
13,764 |
|
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(DOLLARS
IN MILLIONS)
Unaudited
|
|
Three
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REVENUES
|
|
$ |
1,693 |
|
|
$ |
1,636 |
|
|
$ |
5,045 |
|
|
$ |
4,823 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COSTS
AND EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
(excluding depreciation and amortization)
|
|
|
736 |
|
|
|
710 |
|
|
|
2,164 |
|
|
|
2,089 |
|
Selling,
general and administrative
|
|
|
357 |
|
|
|
371 |
|
|
|
1,044 |
|
|
|
1,059 |
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
327 |
|
|
|
332 |
|
|
|
977 |
|
|
|
981 |
|
Impairment
of franchises
|
|
|
2,854 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
2,854 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Other
operating (income) expenses, net
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
(38 |
) |
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,284 |
|
|
|
1,428 |
|
|
|
7,001 |
|
|
|
4,180 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) from operations
|
|
|
(2,591 |
) |
|
|
208 |
|
|
|
(1,956 |
) |
|
|
643 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER
INCOME (EXPENSES):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense, net
|
|
|
(204 |
) |
|
|
(267 |
) |
|
|
(682 |
) |
|
|
(783 |
) |
Change
in value of derivatives
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
Reorganization
items, net
|
|
|
(198 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(467 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
Other
income (expense), net
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(402 |
) |
|
|
(278 |
) |
|
|
(1,152 |
) |
|
|
(790 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
before income taxes
|
|
|
(2,993 |
) |
|
|
(70 |
) |
|
|
(3,108 |
) |
|
|
(147 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME
TAX BENEFIT
|
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
net loss
|
|
|
(2,918 |
) |
|
|
(56 |
) |
|
|
(3,040 |
) |
|
|
(135 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less:
Net (income) loss – noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
102 |
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
80 |
|
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss – CCH II member
|
|
$ |
(2,816 |
) |
|
$ |
(62 |
) |
|
$ |
(2,960 |
) |
|
$ |
(153 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS
IN MILLIONS)
Unaudited
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
September
30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss – CCH II member
|
|
$ |
(2,960 |
) |
|
$ |
(153 |
) |
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash flows from operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
977 |
|
|
|
981 |
|
Impairment
of franchises
|
|
|
2,854 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Noncash
interest expense
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
Change
in value of derivatives
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Noncash
reorganization items, net
|
|
|
99 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
(76 |
) |
|
|
(16 |
) |
Noncontrolling
interest
|
|
|
(80 |
) |
|
|
18 |
|
Other,
net
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from
dispositions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
(23 |
) |
Prepaid
expenses and other assets
|
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
Accounts
payable, accrued expenses and other
|
|
|
175 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
Receivables
from and payables to related party, including deferred
management
fees
|
|
|
(32 |
) |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
1,001 |
|
|
|
891 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases
of property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
(819 |
) |
|
|
(938 |
) |
Change
in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures
|
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
(41 |
) |
Other,
net
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
(841 |
) |
|
|
(980 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings
of long-term debt
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
2,355 |
|
Repayments
of long-term debt
|
|
|
(52 |
) |
|
|
(1,161 |
) |
Repayments
to related parties
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
Payments
for debt issuance costs
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(42 |
) |
Distributions
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(487 |
) |
Other,
net
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash flows from financing activities
|
|
|
(52 |
) |
|
|
642 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|
|
108 |
|
|
|
553 |
|
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period
|
|
|
953 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
|
|
$ |
1,061 |
|
|
$ |
560 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
PAID FOR INTEREST
|
|
$ |
658 |
|
|
$ |
753 |
|
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions)
|
Organization,
Basis of Presentation and Bankruptcy
Proceedings
|
Organization
CCH II,
LLC (“CCH II") is a holding company whose principal assets at September 30, 2009
are the equity interest in its operating subsidiaries. CCH II is a direct
subsidiary of CCH I, LLC (“CCH I”), which is an indirect subsidiary of Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC (“Charter Holdings”). Charter Holdings is an
indirect subsidiary of Charter Communications, Inc. (“Charter”). The
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CCH II and all of its
subsidiaries where the underlying operations reside, which are collectively
referred to herein as the “Company.” All significant intercompany
accounts and transactions among consolidated entities have been
eliminated.
The
Company is a broadband communications company operating in the United
States. The Company offers to residential and commercial customers
traditional cable video programming (basic and digital video), high-speed
Internet services, and telephone services, as well as advanced broadband
services such as high definition television, Charter OnDemand™, and digital
video recorder (“DVR”) service. The Company sells its cable video
programming, high-speed Internet, telephone, and advanced broadband services
primarily on a subscription basis. The Company also sells local
advertising on cable networks.
Basis
of Presentation
The
accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have
been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”). Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures
typically included in the Company’s Annual Report have been condensed or omitted
for this quarterly report. The accompanying condensed consolidated
financial statements are unaudited and are subject to review by regulatory
authorities. However, in the opinion of management, such financial
statements include all adjustments, which consist of only normal recurring
adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods
presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results
for a full year.
The
condensed consolidated financial statements have also been prepared in
accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting
Standards Codification (“ASC”) 852, Reorganizations (“ASC 852”),
and on a going concern basis, which assumes the continuity of operations and
reflects the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the
ordinary course of business. The condensed consolidated financial
statements reflect adjustments to record amounts in accordance with ASC
852. However, they do not reflect all adjustments relating to the
recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and
classification of liabilities that might result from the outcome of these
uncertainties. Additionally, a plan of reorganization could
materially change amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial
statements, which do not give effect to all adjustments of the carrying value of
assets and liabilities that are necessary as a consequence of reorganization
under Chapter 11. Effective December 1, 2009, the Company and its
parent companies will apply fresh start accounting in accordance with ASC 852
which requires assets and liabilities to be reflected at fair
value.
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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. Areas involving significant judgments
and estimates include capitalization of labor and overhead costs; depreciation
and amortization costs; impairments of property, plant and equipment, franchises
and goodwill; income taxes; and contingencies. Actual results could
differ from those estimates.
Certain
prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2009
presentation.
All
subsequent events have been evaluated for disclosure in the financial statements
through January 15, 2010.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions)
Emergence
from Reorganization Proceedings and Related Events
On March
27, 2009, the Company, its parent companies, and certain affiliates
(collectively, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions in the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Bankruptcy Court”)
seeking relief under the provisions of Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United
States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”). The Chapter 11 cases were
jointly administered under the caption In re Charter Communications, Inc., et
al., Case No. 09-11435 (the “Chapter 11 Cases”). The Debtors
continued to operate their businesses and managed their properties as debtors in
possession under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with
the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code from March 27, 2009 until
emergence from Chapter 11 on November 30, 2009 (the “Effective
Date”).
On
November 17, 2009, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order (the “Confirmation
Order”) confirming the Company’s pre-arranged joint plan of reorganization (as
amended, the “Plan”), and, on the Effective Date, the Plan was consummated and
the Company and its parent companies’ emerged from bankruptcy. As provided in
the Plan and the Confirmation Order, (i) the notes and bank debt of Charter
Communications Operating, LLC (“Charter Operating”) and CCO Holdings, LLC (“CCO
Holdings”) remained outstanding; (ii) holders of approximately $1.5 billion of
notes issued by CCH II received new CCH II notes (the “Notes Exchange”); (iii)
holders of notes issued by CCH I received shares of Charter new Class A common
stock; (iv) holders of notes issued by CCH I Holdings, LLC (“CIH”)
received warrants to purchase shares of Charter new Class A common stock; (v)
holders of notes issued by Charter Holdings received warrants to purchase shares
of Charter new Class A common stock; (vi) holders of convertible notes issued by
Charter received cash and preferred stock issued by Charter; and (vii) all
previously outstanding shares of Charter Class A common stock were
cancelled. In addition, as part of the Plan, the holders of CCH I
notes received and transferred to Mr. Allen $85 million of new CCH II
notes. The Plan resulted in the reduction of the Company’s parent
companies’ debt by approximately $8 billion.
The
consummation of the Plan was funded with cash on hand, the Notes Exchange, and
proceeds of approximately $1.6 billion of an equity rights offering (the “Rights
Offering”) in which holders of CCH I notes purchased approximately $1.6
billion of Charter’s new Class A common stock.
Pursuant
to a separate restructuring agreement among Charter, Mr. Allen, and Charter
Investment, Inc. (“CII”) (as amended, the “Allen Agreement”), in settlement
and compromise of their legal, contractual and equitable rights, claims and
remedies against Charter and its subsidiaries, and in addition to any amounts
received by virtue of their holding any claims of the type set forth above, upon
the Effective Date of the Plan, CII was issued shares of the new Class B common
stock of Charter equal to 2% of the equity value of Charter, after giving effect
to the Rights Offering, but prior to issuance of warrants and equity-based
awards provided for by the Plan and 35% (determined on a fully diluted basis) of
the total voting power of all new capital stock of Charter. Each share of
new Class B common stock is convertible, at the option of the holder subject to
various restrictions, into one share of new Class A common stock, and is subject
to significant restrictions on transfer. Certain holders of new Class
A common stock (and securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable
therefor) and new Class B common stock will receive certain customary
registration rights with respect to their shares. At the Effective
Date of the Plan, CII also received (i) warrants to purchase shares of new Class
A common stock of Charter in an aggregate amount equal to 4% of the equity value
of reorganized Charter, after giving effect to the Rights Offering, but prior to
the issuance of warrants and equity-based awards provided for by the Plan, (ii)
$85 million principal amount of new CCH II notes, (iii) $25 million in cash for
amounts owing to CII under a management agreement, (iv) $20 million in cash for
reimbursement of fees and expenses in connection with the Plan, and (v) an
additional $150 million in cash. In addition, on the Effective Date
of the Plan, CII retained a 1% equity interest in reorganized Charter
Communications Holding Company, LLC (“Charter Holdco”) and a right to exchange
such interest into new Class A common stock of Charter. Further, Mr. Allen
transferred his preferred equity interest in CC VIII, LLC (“CC VIII”) to
Charter.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions)
Charter
Operating Revolving Credit Facility
The
Company has utilized $1.4 billion of the $1.5 billion revolving credit facility
under its Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 18, 1999, as
amended and restated as of March 6, 2007 (the “Credit
Agreement”). Upon filing bankruptcy, Charter Operating no longer had
access to the revolving feature of its revolving credit
facility. Reinstatement of the Credit Agreement resulted in the
revolving credit facility remaining in place with its original terms except its
revolving feature.
Plan
Effects
In the
disclosure statement related to the Plan, the reorganization value of the
Company and its parent companies was set forth as approximately $14.1 billion to
$16.6 billion, with a midpoint estimate of $15.4 billion. The reorganization
value was determined using numerous projections and assumptions that are
inherently subject to significant uncertainties and the resolution of
contingencies beyond the control of the Company. Accordingly, there can be no
assurance that the estimates, assumptions and amounts reflected in the valuation
will be realized.
2. Liabilities
Subject to Compromise and Reorganization Items, Net
Liabilities
Subject to Compromise
Under the
Bankruptcy Code, certain claims against the Company in existence prior to the
filling of the petitions for relief under the federal bankruptcy laws are stayed
while the Company continues business operations as a DIP. These
estimated claims are reflected in condensed consolidated balance sheets as
liabilities subject to compromise at the expected allowed claim amount as of
September 30, 2009 and are summarized in the table below. Such claims
remain subject to future adjustments. Adjustments may result from
actions of the Bankruptcy Court, negotiations, rejection or acceptance of
executory contracts, determination as to the value of any collateral securing
claims, proofs of claim or other events.
As of
September 30, 2009, the amounts subject to compromise consisted of the following
items.
Accrued
Expenses
|
|
|
|
Accrued
interest
|
|
$ |
296 |
|
Deferred
management fees – related party
|
|
|
25 |
|
Other
|
|
|
46 |
|
Total
Accrued Expenses Subject To Compromise
|
|
|
367 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt
|
|
|
|
|
CCH
II 10.250% senior notes due September 15, 2010
|
|
|
1,857 |
|
CCH
II 10.250% senior notes due October 1, 2013
|
|
|
584 |
|
Total
Debt Subject to Compromise
|
|
|
2,441 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Liabilities Subject to Compromise
|
|
$ |
2,808 |
|
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions)
Reorganization
Items, Net
Reorganization
items, net is presented separately in the condensed consolidated statements of
operations and represents items of income, expense, gain or loss that are
realized or incurred by the Company because it is in reorganization under
Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
Reorganization
items, net consisted of the following items:
|
|
Three
Months Ended September 30, 2009
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2009
|
|
Penalty
interest, net
|
|
$ |
136 |
|
|
$ |
257 |
|
Loss
on debt at allowed claim amount
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
41 |
|
Professional
fees
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
145 |
|
Paul
Allen management fee settlement – related party
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
11 |
|
Other
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Reorganization Items, Net
|
|
$ |
198 |
|
|
$ |
467 |
|
Reorganization
items, net consist of adjustments to record liabilities at the allowed claim
amount and other expenses directly related to the Company’s bankruptcy
proceedings. Penalty interest primarily represents the 2% per annum
penalty interest on the Company’s debt and credit facilities, and the
incremental amounts owed on the Company’s credit facilities as a result of the
requirement to pay the prime rate plus the 1% per annum applicable margin
instead of the election to pay the Eurodollar rate. Upon filing bankruptcy, the
Company is not able to elect the Eurodollar rate on credit facilities but must
pay interest at the prime rate plus the 1% per annum applicable margin plus 2%
per annum penalty interest.
3. Franchises,
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Franchise
rights represent the value attributed to agreements or authorizations with local
and state authorities that allow access to homes in cable service
areas. Management estimates the fair value of franchise rights at the
date of acquisition and determines if the franchise has a finite life or an
indefinite-life as defined by ASC 350-10, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other -
Overall. Franchises that qualify for indefinite-life treatment
are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently as warranted by events or
changes in circumstances. Franchises are aggregated into essentially
inseparable units of accounting to conduct the valuations. The units
of accounting generally represent clustering of the Company’s cable systems into
groups by which such systems are managed. Management believes such
grouping represents the highest and best use of those assets.
As a
result of the continued economic pressure on the Company’s customers from the
recent economic downturn along with increased competition, the Company
determined that its projected future growth would be lower than previously
anticipated in its annual impairment testing in December
2008. Accordingly, the Company determined that sufficient indicators
existed to require it to perform an interim franchise impairment analysis as of
September 30, 2009. The Company determined that an impairment of
franchises is probable and can be reasonably estimated. Accordingly, for the
quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded a preliminary non-cash
franchise impairment charge of $2.9 billion which represents the Company’s best
estimate of the impairment of its franchise assets. The
Company currently expects to finalize its
franchise impairment analysis during the quarter ended December 31, 2009, which
could result in an impairment charge that differs from the
estimate. In addition, on the Effective Date of the Plan, the
Company and its parent companies will apply fresh start accounting in accordance
with ASC 852 and as such will adjust its franchise, goodwill, and other
intangible assets to reflect fair value and will also establish any previously
unrecorded intangible assets at their fair values. The Company
expects these fresh start adjustments will result in material increases to total
tangible and intangible assets, primarily as a result of adjustments to
property, plant and equipment, goodwill and customer relationships.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions)
Consistent
with prior impairment tests, the Company determined the estimated fair value of
each unit of accounting utilizing an income approach model based on the present
value of the estimated discrete future cash flows of each unit assuming a
discount rate. This approach makes use of unobservable factors such as projected
revenues, expenses, capital expenditures, and a discount rate applied to the
estimated cash flows. The determination of the discount rate was based on a
weighted average cost of capital approach, which uses a market participant’s
cost of equity and after-tax cost of debt and reflects the risks inherent in the
cash flows attributable to the franchises.
The
Company estimated discounted future cash flows using reasonable and appropriate
assumptions including among others, penetration rates for basic and digital
video, high-speed Internet, and telephone; revenue growth rates; and expected
operating margins and capital expenditures. The assumptions are
derived based on the Company’s and its peers’ historical operating performance
adjusted for current and expected competitive and economic factors surrounding
the cable industry. The estimates and assumptions made in the
Company’s valuations are inherently subject to significant uncertainties, many
of which are beyond its control, and there is no assurance that these results
can be achieved. The primary assumptions for which there is a reasonable
possibility of the occurrence of a variation that would significantly affect the
measurement value include the assumptions regarding revenue growth, programming
expense growth rates, the amount and timing of capital expenditures and the
discount rate utilized. The assumptions used are consistent with
internal forecasts, some of which differ from the assumptions used for the
annual impairment testing in December 2008 as a result of the economic and
competitive environment discussed previously. The change in
assumptions reflects the lower than anticipated growth in revenues experienced
during the first three quarters of 2009 and the expected reduction of future
cash flows as compared to those used in the December 2008
valuations.
As of
September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, indefinite-lived and finite-lived
intangible assets are presented in the following table:
|
|
September
30, 2009 |
|
|
December
31, 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indefinite-lived
intangible assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Franchises
with indefinite lives
|
|
$ |
4,514 |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
4,514 |
|
|
$ |
7,377 |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
7,377 |
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
4,582 |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
4,582 |
|
|
$ |
7,445 |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
7,445 |
|
Finite-lived
intangible assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Franchises
with finite lives
|
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
$ |
10 |
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
$ |
9 |
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
Other
intangible assets
|
|
|
83 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
99 |
|
|
$ |
56 |
|
|
$ |
43 |
|
|
$ |
87 |
|
|
$ |
50 |
|
|
$ |
37 |
|
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the net carrying amount of
indefinite-lived franchises was reduced by $2.9 billion related to impairment of
franchises and $9 million related to cable asset sales completed in
2009.
Franchise
amortization expense represents the amortization relating to franchises that did
not qualify for indefinite-life treatment including costs associated with
franchise renewals. Franchise amortization expense for each of the
three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $0.4 million
and for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was
approximately $1 million. Other intangible assets amortization
expense for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was approximately
$2 million and $1 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September
30, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $5 million and $3 million,
respectively. The Company expects that amortization expense on
franchise assets and other intangible assets will be approximately $7 million
annually for each of the next five years. Actual amortization expense
in
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions)
future periods could
differ from these estimates as a result of new intangible asset acquisitions or
divestitures, changes in useful lives, the application of fresh start accounting
and other relevant factors.
4. Accounts
Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses not subject to compromise consist of the following
as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:
|
|
September
30,
2009
|
|
|
December 31,
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable – trade
|
|
$ |
82 |
|
|
$ |
86 |
|
Accrued
capital expenditures
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
56 |
|
Accrued
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terminated
interest rate swap liability
|
|
|
495 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
Interest
|
|
|
154 |
|
|
|
193 |
|
Programming
costs
|
|
|
281 |
|
|
|
305 |
|
Compensation
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
80 |
|
Franchise-related
fees
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
60 |
|
Other
|
|
|
153 |
|
|
|
200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,324 |
|
|
$ |
980 |
|
5. Debt
Not Subject to Compromise
Debt not
subject to compromise consists of the following as of September 30, 2009 and
December 31, 2008:
|
|
September
30, 2009
|
|
|
December
31, 2008
|
|
|
|
Principal
Amount
|
|
|
Accreted
Value
|
|
|
Principal
Amount
|
|
|
Accreted
Value
|
|
CCH
II, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.250%
senior notes due September 15, 2010
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
1,860 |
|
|
$ |
1,857 |
|
10.250%
senior notes due October 1, 2013
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
614 |
|
|
|
598 |
|
CCO
Holdings, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
¾% senior notes due November 15, 2013
|
|
|
800 |
|
|
|
797 |
|
|
|
800 |
|
|
|
796 |
|
Credit
facility
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
Charter
Communications Operating, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.000%
senior second-lien notes due April 30, 2012
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
8
3/8% senior second-lien notes due April 30, 2014
|
|
|
770 |
|
|
|
770 |
|
|
|
770 |
|
|
|
770 |
|
10.875%
senior second-lien notes due September 15, 2014
|
|
|
546 |
|
|
|
529 |
|
|
|
546 |
|
|
|
527 |
|
Credit
facilities
|
|
|
8,194 |
|
|
|
8,194 |
|
|
|
8,246 |
|
|
|
8,246 |
|
Total
Debt Not Subject to Compromise
|
|
$ |
11,760 |
|
|
$ |
11,740 |
|
|
$ |
14,286 |
|
|
$ |
14,244 |
|
The
accreted values presented above generally represent the principal amount of the
notes less the original issue discount at the time of sale, plus the accretion
to the balance sheet date.
Filing
for bankruptcy is an event of default under the Company’s credit facilities and
the indentures governing its debt. Therefore, in accordance with ASC 470-10-45,
Debt – Overall – Other
Presentation Matters, debt has been classified as current as of September
30, 2009. The Company does not intend to repay the current portion of
long-term debt with current assets but reinstated this debt through the Plan.
Accordingly, upon the Effective Date of the Plan, $11.7 billion of the
debt classified as current was reclassified as long-term. See Note
1.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions)
Although
CCH II’s debt is classified as subject to compromise as of September 30, 2009,
on the Effective Date of the Plan, existing holders of senior notes of CCH II
and CCH II Capital Corp. (“CCH II Notes”) exchanged $1.5 billion principal
amount of their CCH II Notes plus accrued interest for $1.7 billion principal
amount of new 13.5% Senior Notes of CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp. (the “New
CCH II Notes”). CCH II Notes and accrued interest that were not
exchanged were paid in cash in an amount equal to $1.1
billion.
6. Loans
Payable – Related Party
Loans
payable-related party as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 consists of
loans from Charter Holdco to the Company of $13 million.
7. Temporary
Equity
Temporary
equity represents Mr. Allen’s previous 5.6% membership interests in CC VIII, an
indirect subsidiary of the Company of $179 million and $203 million as of
September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. Mr. Allen’s
CC VIII interest is classified as temporary equity as a result of Mr. Allen’s
previous ability to put his interest to the Company upon a change in control.
Mr. Allen transferred his 5.6% membership interest to Charter on the
Effective Date.
8. Noncontrolling
Interest
Noncontrolling
interest represents CCH I’s 13% membership interests in CC VIII of $417 million
and $473 million as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
Noncontrolling interest in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of
operations represents the 2% accretion of the preferred membership interest in
CC VIII plus approximately 18.6% of CC VIII’s income, inclusive of Mr. Allen’s
previous 5.6% membership interest accounted for as temporary
equity.
9.
|
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
|
The
Company reports changes in the fair value of interest rate agreements designated
as hedging the variability of cash flows associated with floating-rate debt
obligations, that meet the effectiveness criteria as outlined in ASC 815-30,
Derivatives and Hedging – Cash
Flow Hedges (“ASC 815-30”), in accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss) after giving effect to the noncontrolling interest share of gains and
losses. Comprehensive loss was $2.8 billion and $81 million for the
three months ended September 30, 2009
and 2008, respectively, and $2.9 billion and $154 million for the nine months
ended September
30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
10. Accounting
for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The
Company used interest rate swap agreements to manage its interest costs and
reduce the Company’s exposure to increases in floating interest
rates. The Company’s policy is to manage its exposure to fluctuations
in interest rates by maintaining a mix of fixed and variable rate debt within a
targeted range. Using interest rate swap agreements, the Company
agreed to exchange, at specified intervals through 2013, the difference between
fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to agreed-upon
notional principal amounts. At the banks’ option, certain interest
rate swap agreements could have been extended through
2014.
Upon
filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the counterparties to the interest rate swap
agreements terminated the underlying contracts and, upon emergence from
bankruptcy, will receive payment for the market value of the interest rate swap
agreements as measured on the date the counterparties terminated. At
September 30,
2009, the terminated interest rate swap liabilities of $495 million are
reflected at settlement amounts and were recorded in current liabilities in the
condensed consolidated balance sheets. The terminated interest rate
swap liabilities were classified as not subject to compromise in the condensed
consolidated balance sheets at September30, 2009
as they are fully secured by the Company’s assets. The amount
remaining in accumulated other comprehensive loss related
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions)
to these
interest rate swap agreements will be amortized over the original life of the
interest rate agreements until emergence from Chapter 11
bankruptcy.
The
Company’s hedging policy does not permit it to hold or issue derivative
instruments for speculative trading purposes. The Company did,
however, have certain interest rate derivative instruments that were designated
as cash flow hedging instruments. Such instruments effectively
converted variable interest payments on certain debt instruments into fixed
payments. For qualifying hedges, ASC 815-30 allows derivative gains
and losses to offset related results on hedged items in the consolidated
statements of operations. The Company formally documented, designated
and assessed the effectiveness of transactions that received hedge
accounting.
Changes
in the fair value of interest rate agreements that were designated as hedging
instruments of the variability of cash flows associated with floating-rate debt
obligations, and that met the effectiveness criteria specified by ASC 815-30
were reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The amounts
were subsequently reclassified as an increase or decrease to interest expense in
the same periods in which the related interest on the floating-rate debt
obligations affected earnings (losses).
Certain
interest rate derivative instruments were not designated as hedges as they did
not meet the effectiveness criteria specified by ASC 815-30. However,
management believes such instruments were closely correlated with the respective
debt, thus managing associated risk. Interest rate derivative
instruments not designated as hedges were marked to fair value, with the impact
recorded as a change in value of derivatives in the Company’s consolidated
statements of operations.
As of
December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding $4.3 billion in notional amounts
of interest rate swap agreements outstanding. The notional amounts of
interest rate instruments do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties and,
thus, are not a measure of exposure to credit loss. The amounts
exchanged were determined by reference to the notional amount and the other
terms of the contracts.
The
effect of derivative instruments on the Company’s consolidated statement of
operations is presented in the table below.
|
|
Three
Months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change
in value of derivatives:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
on interest rate derivatives not
designated
as hedges
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
(7 |
) |
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
on interest rate derivatives designated as hedges (effective
portion)
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
(19 |
) |
|
$ |
(9 |
) |
|
$ |
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount
of loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into
interest expense or reorganization items, net
|
|
$ |
23 |
|
|
$ |
(23 |
) |
|
$ |
12 |
|
|
$ |
(55 |
) |
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions)
11. Fair
Value
Financial
Assets and Liabilities
The
Company has estimated the fair value of its financial instruments as of
September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 using available market information
or other appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment,
however, is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of
fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the amounts
the Company would realize in a current market exchange. The carrying
amounts of cash, receivables, payables and other current assets and liabilities
approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those
instruments.
The
estimated fair value of the Company’s notes at September 30, 2009 and
December 31, 2008 are based on quoted market prices and the fair value of
the credit facilities is based on dealer quotations.
A summary
of the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s debt at September 30, 2009
and December 31, 2008 is as follows:
|
|
September 30, 2009
|
|
December
31, 2008
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
Fair
|
|
Carrying
|
Fair
|
|
|
Value
|
|
Value
|
|
Value
|
Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CCH
II debt
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
2,455
|
|
$
|
1,051
|
CCO
Holdings debt
|
|
|
797
|
|
|
|
817
|
|
|
|
796
|
|
|
505
|
Charter
Operating debt
|
|
|
2,399
|
|
|
|
2,497
|
|
|
|
2,397
|
|
|
1,923
|
Credit
facilities
|
|
|
8,544
|
|
|
|
8,089
|
|
|
|
8,596
|
|
|
6,187
|
The
Company adopted ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and
Disclosures – Overall (“ASC 820-10”), on its financial assets and
liabilities effective January 1, 2008, and has an established process for
determining fair value. Fair value is based upon quoted market
prices, where available. If such valuation methods are not available,
fair value is based on internally or externally developed models using
market-based or independently-sourced market parameters, where
available. Fair value may be subsequently adjusted to ensure that
those assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value. The
Company’s methodology may produce a fair value that may not be indicative of net
realizable value or reflective of future fair values, but the Company believes
its methods are appropriate and consistent with other market
peers. The use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine
the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair
value estimate as of the Company’s reporting date.
ASC
820-10 establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of fair value
measurements, based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset
or liability as of the measurement date, as follows:
·
|
Level
1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for
identical assets or liabilities in active
markets.
|
·
|
Level
2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar
assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable
for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for
substantially the full term of the financial
instrument.
|
·
|
Level
3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant
to the fair value measurement.
|
Interest
rate derivatives were valued at December 31, 2008 using a present value
calculation based on an implied forward LIBOR curve (adjusted for Charter
Operating’s credit risk) and were classified within level 2 of the valuation
hierarchy.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions)
The
Company has no financial liabilities accounted for at fair value at September
30, 2009 due to the termination of the interest rate swap
agreements. At December 31, 2008, the Company’s financial liabilities
that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis are presented in the
table below:
|
|
Fair
Value as of December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
Level
1
|
|
|
Level
2
|
|
|
Level
3
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Other
long-term liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
rate derivatives designated as hedges
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
303 |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
303 |
|
Interest
rate derivatives not designated as hedges
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
108 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
108 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
411 |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
411 |
|
The
weighted average interest pay rate for the Company’s interest rate swap
agreements was 4.93% at December 31, 2008.
Nonfinancial
Assets and Liabilities
As
permitted by ASC 820-10, the Company adopted ASC 820-10 effective January 1,
2009 on its nonfinancial assets and liabilities including fair value
measurements of franchises, property, plant, and equipment, and other intangible
assets. These assets are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis;
however they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances,
such as when there is evidence that an impairment may exist. During the
three months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded an impairment on its
franchise assets of $2.9 billion. The impairment charge was calculated by
comparing the book value of franchise assets to their fair values as of
September 30, 2009 which are determined utilizing an income approach that makes
use of significant unobservable inputs. Such fair value is classified as level 3
in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 3 for additional
information.
12. Other
Operating (Income) Expenses, Net
Other
operating (income) expenses, net consist of the following for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:
|
|
Three
Months
Ended September 30,
|
|
|
Nine
Months
Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
on sale of assets, net
|
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
Special
charges, net
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
(44 |
) |
|
|
44 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
10 |
|
|
$ |
15 |
|
|
$ |
(38 |
) |
|
$ |
51 |
|
Loss
on sale of assets, net
Loss on
sale of assets represents the loss recognized on the sale of fixed assets and
cable systems.
Special
charges, net
Special
charges, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 primarily
includes net income or expense from actual or potential litigation
settlements. Special charges, net for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2008 primarily represent severance charges and settlement costs
associated with certain litigation, offset by favorable insurance
settlements.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions)
13. Income
Taxes
CCH II is
a single member limited liability company not subject to income tax. CCH II
holds all operations through indirect subsidiaries. The majority of
these indirect subsidiaries are generally limited liability companies that are
also not subject to income tax. However, certain of the limited
liability companies are subject to state income tax. In addition,
certain of CCH II’s indirect subsidiaries are corporations that are subject to
income tax.
As of
September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had net deferred income
tax liabilities of approximately $104 million and $179 million, respectively.
The deferred tax liabilities relate to certain of the Company’s indirect
subsidiaries, which file separate income tax returns.
The Company recorded $75
million and $14 million of income tax benefit during the three months ended
September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively and $68 million and $12 million of
income tax benefit during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008,
respectively. Income tax benefits were realized as a result of decreases
in the deferred tax liabilities of certain of the Company’s indirect corporate
subsidiaries. Income tax benefit for the three and nine months ended September
30, 2009 included $78 million of deferred tax benefit related to the impairment
of franchises. The income tax benefit recorded in 2008 results from a
change in state income tax laws.
No tax
years for Charter or Charter Holdco are currently under examination by the
Internal Revenue Service. Tax years ending 2006, 2007 and 2008 remain
subject to examination.
14. Related
Party Transactions
The
following sets forth certain transactions in which the Company and the
directors, executive officers, and affiliates of the Company are
involved. See also Note 6 for information regarding Loans Payable –
Related Party. Unless otherwise disclosed, management believes each of the
transactions described below was on terms no less favorable to the Company than
could have been obtained from independent third parties.
In
connection with the Plan, Charter, Mr. Allen and CII entered into the Allen
Agreement, pursuant to which, among other things, Mr. Allen and such entity
agreed to support the Plan, including the settlement of their rights, claims and
remedies against Charter and its subsidiaries. See Note
1.
9
OM, Inc. (formerly known as Digeo, Inc.)
Mr.
Allen, through his 100% ownership of Vulcan Ventures Incorporated (“Vulcan
Ventures”), owned a majority interest in 9 OM, Inc. (formerly known as Digeo,
Inc.) on a fully-converted fully-diluted basis. However, in October
2009, substantially all of 9 OM, Inc.'s assets were sold to ARRIS Group, Inc.,
an unrelated third party. Ms. Jo Lynn Allen was a director of Charter and is a
director and Vice President of Vulcan Ventures. Mr. Lance Conn is a
director of Charter and was Executive Vice President of Vulcan Ventures until
his resignation in May 2009. Mr.
William McGrath is a director of Charter and is Vice President and Secretary of
Vulcan Ventures, a director and Vice President of 9 OM, Inc. and a manager and
Vice President of 9 OM, LLC.
In May
2008, Charter Operating entered into an agreement with 9 OM, LLC (formerly known
as Digeo Interactive, LLC), a subsidiary of 9 OM, Inc., for the minimum purchase
of high-definition DVR units for approximately $21 million. This
minimum purchase commitment is subject to reduction as a result of certain
specified events such as the failure to deliver units timely and catastrophic
failure.
The software for these units is being supplied under a software license
agreement with 9 OM, LLC; the cost of which is expected to be approximately $2
million for the initial licenses and on-going maintenance fees of approximately
$0.3 million annually, subject to reduction to coincide with any reduction in
the minimum purchase commitment. For the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2009, the Company purchased approximately $4 million and $15
million of DVR units from 9 OM, LLC under these agreements,
respectively.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions)
15. Contingencies
On August
28, 2008, a complaint, which was subsequently amended, was filed against Charter
and Charter Communications, LLC (“Charter LLC”) in the United States District
Court for the Western District of Wisconsin (now entitled, Marc Goodell et al. v.
Charter Communications, LLC and Charter Communications, Inc.). The
plaintiffs seek to represent a class of current and former broadband, system and
other types of technicians who are or were employed by Charter or Charter LLC in
the states of Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri or California. Plaintiffs
allege that Charter and Charter LLC violated certain wage and hour statutes of
those four states by failing to pay technicians for all hours worked.
Charter and Charter LLC continue to deny all liability, believe that
they have substantial defenses, and intend, after Charter’s plan of
reorganization, as amended, is approved and becomes effective and the automatic
stay is lifted, to vigorously contest the claims asserted. The
Company has been subjected, in the normal course of business, to the assertion
of other wage and hour claims and could be subjected to additional such claims
in the future. The Company cannot predict the outcome of any such
claims.
On March
27, 2009, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., for itself and as Administrative Agent
under the Credit Agreement, filed an adversary proceeding (the “JPMorgan
Adversary Proceeding”) in Bankruptcy Court against Charter Operating and CCO
Holdings seeking a declaration that there have been events of default under the
Credit Agreement. On November 17, 2009, the Bankruptcy Court entered
an order ruling in favor of Charter in the JPMorgan Adversary Proceeding and
allowing Charter to consummate its Plan. JPMorgan attempted to stay
the consummation of the Plan pending appeal. The request for the stay
was denied by the Bankruptcy Court and the US District Court for the Southern
District of New York. Charter consummated its Plan on November 30,
2009 and reinstated the Credit Agreement and certain other debt of its
subsidiaries. JPMorgan continues to appeal the confirmation order and
decision of the Bankruptcy Court. The Company cannot predict the
ultimate outcome of the appeal.
The
Company and its parent companies are party to lawsuits and claims that arise in
the ordinary course of conducting its business. The ultimate outcome
of these other legal matters pending against the Company or its parent companies
cannot be predicted, and although such lawsuits and claims are not expected
individually to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated
financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, such lawsuits could
have, in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated
financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
16. Stock
Compensation Plans
Charter
has stock compensation plans (the “Equity Plans”) which provide for the grant of
non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent
rights, performance units and performance shares, share awards, phantom stock
and/or shares of restricted stock (shares of restricted stock not to exceed 20.0
million shares of Charter Class A common stock), as each term is defined in the
Equity Plans. Employees, officers, consultants and directors of
Charter and its subsidiaries and affiliates are eligible to receive grants under
the Equity Plans. Options granted generally vest over four years from
the grant date, with 25% generally vesting on the first anniversary of the grant
date and ratably thereafter. Generally, options expire 10 years
from the grant date. Restricted stock vests annually over a one to
three-year period beginning from the date of grant. The 2001 Stock
Incentive Plan allows for the issuance of up to a total of 90.0 million shares
of Charter Class A common stock (or units convertible into Charter Class A
common stock). In March 2008, Charter adopted an incentive program to
allow for performance cash. Under the incentive program, subject to
meeting performance criteria, performance units under the 2001 Stock Incentive
Plan and performance cash are deposited into a performance bank of which
one-third of the balance is paid out each year. During the three and
nine months ended September 30, 2009, no equity awards were granted. During the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, Charter granted $0.2 million and
$12 million of performance cash and restricted cash, respectively, under
Charter’s 2009 incentive program. In the first quarter of 2009, the
majority of restricted stock and performance units and shares were voluntarily
forfeited by participants without termination of the service period, and the
remaining, along with all stock options, were cancelled in connection with the
Plan. The Plan includes an allocation of not less than 3% of new
equity for employee grants with 50% of the allocation to be granted within
thirty days of the Company's
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions)
emergence
from bankruptcy. Such
grant of new awards is deemed to be a modification of old awards and will be
accounted for as a modification of the original awards.
The
Company recorded $6 million and $8 million of stock compensation expense for the
three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $23 million
and $24 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008,
respectively, which is included in selling, general, and administrative
expense.
17. Recently
Issued Accounting Standards
In April
2009, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 805-20, Business Combinations – Identifiable
Assets, Liabilities and Any Noncontrolling Interest (“ASC 805-20”), which
addresses application issues raised by preparers, auditors, and members of the
legal profession on initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement
and accounting, and disclosure of assets and liabilities arising from
contingencies in a business combination. This guidance included in
ASC 805-20 is effective for assets or liabilities arising from contingencies in
business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the
beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December
15, 2008. The
Company adopted this guidance included in ASC 805-20 effective January 1,
2009. The adoption of this guidance included in ASC 805-20 did not
have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In April
2009, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 820-10-65, Fair Value Measurements and
Disclosures – Overall – Transition and Open Effective Date Information
(“ASC 820-10-65”), which provides additional guidance for estimating fair
value in accordance with ASC 820-10 when the volume and level of activity for
the asset or liability have significantly decreased. This ASC also includes
guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not
orderly. This guidance included in ASC 820-10-65 is effective for
reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted this
guidance included in ASC 820-10-65 effective April 1, 2009. The
adoption of this guidance included in ASC 820-10-65 did not have a material
impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In April
2009, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 825-10-65, Financial Instruments – Overall –
Transition and Open Effective Date Information (“ASC 825-10-65”), to
require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim
reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial
statements. This ASC also requires those disclosures in summarized financial
information at interim reporting periods. This guidance included in
ASC 825-10-65 is effective for reporting periods ending after June 15,
2009. The Company
adopted this guidance included in ASC 825-10-65 effective April 1,
2009. The adoption of this guidance included in ASC 825-10-65 did not
have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In May
2009, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 855-10, Subsequent Events – Overall
(“ASC 855-10”), to establish principles and requirements for the
evaluation and disclosure of subsequent events. This guidance
included in ASC 855-10 is effective for interim or annual financial periods
ending after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted this guidance
included in ASC 855-10 effective April 1, 2009 and has included the appropriate
disclosure in its financial statements.
In
June 2009, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 105-10, Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles – Overall (“ASC 105-10”). ASC 105-10 is intended to
be the source of GAAP and reporting standards as issued by the FASB. Its
primary purpose is to improve clarity and use of existing standards by grouping
authoritative literature under common topics. ASC 105-10 is effective for
financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after
September 15, 2009. The Company adopted ASC 105-10 effective
September 30, 2009. The Codification does not change or alter
existing GAAP and there was no impact on the Company’s financial
statements.
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
(DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION)
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions)
In August
2009, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 820-10-65 which states companies
determining the fair value of a liability may use the perspective of an investor
that holds the related obligation as an asset. This guidance included
in ASC 820-10-65 addresses practice difficulties caused by the tension between
fair-value measurements based on the price that would be paid to transfer a
liability to a new obligor and contractual or legal requirements that prevent
such transfers from taking place. This guidance included in ASC
820-10-65 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after August 27,
2009, and applies to all fair-value measurements of liabilities required by
GAAP. No new fair-value measurements are required by this guidance. The Company
adopted this guidance included in ASC 820-10-65 effective October 1, 2009 and
there was no material impact to the Company’s financial statements.
In
October 2009, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 605-25, Revenue Recognition –
Multiple-Element Arrangements (“ASC 605-25”), which requires entities to
allocate revenue in an arrangement using estimated selling prices of the
delivered goods and services based on a selling price hierarchy. The
guidance eliminates the residual method of revenue allocation and requires
revenue to be allocated using the relative selling price method. This
guidance included in ASC 605-25 should be applied on a prospective basis for
revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years
beginning on or after June 15, 2010. The Company will adopt this
guidance included in ASC 605-25 effective January 1, 2011. The
Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance included in ASC 605-25
will have a material impact on its financial statements.
The
Company does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective
accounting pronouncements, if adopted, would have a material effect on its
accompanying financial statements.
PART
II
INFORMATION
NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
Item
20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Indemnification
Under the Limited Liability Company Agreement of CCH II
The
limited liability company agreement of CCH II provides that the members, the
manager, the directors, their affiliates or any person who at any time serves or
has served as a director, officer, employee or other agent of any member or any
such affiliate, and who, in such capacity, engages or has engaged in activities
on behalf of CCH II, shall be indemnified and held harmless by CCH II to the
fullest extent permitted by law from and against any losses, damages, expenses,
including attorneys’ fees, judgments and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by or in connection with any claim, action, suit or
proceeding arising out of or incidental to such indemnifiable person’s acts or
omissions on behalf of CCH II. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no indemnification
is available under the limited liability company agreement in respect of any
such claim adjudged to be primarily the result of bad faith, willful misconduct
or fraud of an indemnifiable person. Payment of these indemnification
obligations shall be made from the assets of CCH II and the members shall not be
personally liable to an indemnifiable person for payment of
indemnification.
Indemnification
Under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act
Section
18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act authorizes a limited
liability company to indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other
person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever, subject to
such standards and restrictions, if any, as are set forth in its limited
liability company agreement.
Indemnification
Under the By-Laws of CCH II Capital
The
bylaws of CCH II Capital require CCH II Capital, to the fullest extent
authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, to indemnify any person who
was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise
involved in any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he is or
was a director or officer of CCH II Capital or is or was serving at the request
of CCH II Capital as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
entity or enterprise, in each case, against all expense, liability and loss
(including attorneys’ fees, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, ERISA
excise taxes or penalties) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in
connection therewith.
Indemnification
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law
Section
145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, authorizes a corporation to
indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party,
to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that the
person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or
is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines
and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if the person acted in good
faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed
to, the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal
action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct
was unlawful. In addition, the Delaware General Corporation Law does not permit
indemnification in any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in
the right of the corporation in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation,
unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was
brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of
liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses, which such court
shall deem proper. To the extent that a present or former director or officer of
a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any
action, suit or proceeding referred to above, or in defense of any claim, issue
or matter, such person shall be indemnified against expenses, including
attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred by such person. Indemnity is
mandatory to the extent a claim, issue
or matter
has been successfully defended. The Delaware General Corporation Law also allows
a corporation to provide for the elimination or limit of the personal liability
of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for
breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not
eliminate or limit the liability of a director
(i)
|
for
any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its
stockholders,
|
(ii)
|
for
acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of
law,
|
(iii)
|
for
unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions,
or
|
(iv)
|
for
any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit. These provisions will not limit the liability of directors or
officers under the federal securities laws of the United
States.
|
Item
21. Exhibits and Financial Schedules.
Exhibits
Exhibits
are listed by numbers corresponding to the Exhibit Table of Item 601 in
Regulation S-K.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.1 |
|
Certificate
of Formation of CCH II, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of CCH II, LLC
and CCH II Capital Corporation filed on March 24, 2004 (File No.
333-111423)).
|
|
3.2 |
* |
Amended
and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of CCH II, LLC, dated as
of November 30, 2009.
|
|
3.3 |
* |
Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of CCH II Capital Corp. dated
effective November 30, 2009.
|
|
3.4 |
|
Amended
and Reinstated By-laws of CCH II Capital Corporation (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement
on Form S-4 of CCH II, LLC and CCH II Capital Corporation filed on March
24, 2004 (File No. 333-111423)).
|
|
4.1 |
|
Indenture
relating to the 13.50% Senior Notes due 2016, dated as of November 30,
2009, among CCH II, LLC, CCH II Capital Corp. and The Bank of New York
Mellon Trust Company, NA (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on
December 4, 2009 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
|
5.1 |
** |
Opinion
of Kirkland & Ellis LLP regarding legality.
|
|
10.1 |
|
Indenture
relating to the 8-3/4 % Senior Notes due 2013, dated as of November 10,
2003, by and among CCO Holdings, LLC, CCO Holdings Capital Corp. and Wells
Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
Charter Communications, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K filed on
November 12, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
|
10.2 |
|
Indenture
relating to the 8% senior second lien notes due 2012 and 83/8 % senior
second lien notes due 2014, dated as of April 27, 2004, by and among
Charter Communications Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Operating
Capital Corp. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as trustee (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.32 to Amendment No. 2 to the registration
statement on Form S-4 of CCH II, LLC filed on May 5, 2004 (File No.
333-111423)).
|
|
10.3 |
(a) |
Indenture
relating to the 10.875% senior second lien notes due 2014 dated as of
March 19, 2008, by and among Charter Communications Operating, LLC,
Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. and Wilmington Trust
Company, trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
|
|
|
|
quarterly
report filed on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on May 12,
2008 (File No. 000-027927)). |
|
10.3 |
(b) |
Collateral
Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2008 by and among Charter Communications
Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., CCO
Holdings, LLC and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Wilmington Trust
Company, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the
quarterly report filed on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed
on May 12, 2008 (File No. 000-027927)).
|
|
10.4 |
|
Commitment
Letter, dated February 11, 2009, by and among Charter Communications,
Inc., CCH I LLC, CCH II LLC, Charter Communications Operating, LLC and
certain members of the Crossover Committee (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications,
Inc. filed on February 13, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.4 |
(a) |
Restructuring
Agreement, dated February 11, 2009, by and between Charter Communications,
Inc. and certain members of the Crossover Committee (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on February 13, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
10.4 |
(b) |
Amendment
to Restructuring Agreement, dated July 30, 2009, by and between Charter
Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover Committee
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form
10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
10.4 |
(c) |
Second
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated September 29, 2009, by and
between Charter Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover
Committee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the quarterly
report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9,
2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.4 |
(d) |
Third
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated October 13, 2009, by and
between Charter Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover
Committee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the quarterly
report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9,
2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.4 |
(e) |
Fourth
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated October 30, 2009, by and
between Charter Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover
Committee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the quarterly
report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9,
2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.4 |
(f) |
Fifth
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated November 10, 2009, by and
between Charter Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover
Committee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(f) to the
registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed
on December 31, 2009 (File No. 333-111423)).
|
|
10.4 |
(g) |
Sixth
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated November 25, 2009, by and
between Charter Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover
Committee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(g) to the
registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed
on December 31, 2009 (File No. 333-111423)).
|
|
10.5 |
(a) |
Restructuring
Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2009, by and among Paul G. Allen,
Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on February 13, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
10.5 |
(b) |
Amendment
to Restructuring Agreement, dated July 30, 2009, by and among Paul G.
Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form
10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9,
|
|
|
|
2009
(File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.5 |
(c) |
Second
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated September 29, 2009, by and
among Paul G. Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications,
Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the quarterly report on
Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9, 2009 (File
No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.5 |
(d) |
Third
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated October 13, 2009, by and among
Paul G. Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the quarterly report on Form
10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
10.5 |
(e) |
Fourth
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated October 30, 2009, by and among
Paul G. Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the quarterly report on Form
10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
10.5 |
(f) |
Fifth
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated November 11, 2009, by and
among Paul G. Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications,
Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(f) to the registration
statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December
31, 2009 (File No. 333-111423)).
|
|
10.5 |
(g) |
Sixth
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated November 25, 2009, by and
among Paul G. Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications,
Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(g) to the registration
statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December
31, 2009 (File No. 333-111423)).
|
|
10.6 |
|
Commitment
Letter, dated February 11, 2009, by and among Charter Communications,
Inc., CCH I LLC, CCH II LLC, Charter Communications Operating, LLC and
certain members of the Crossover Committee (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications,
Inc. filed on February 13, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.7 |
|
Registration
Rights Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2009, by and among Charter
Communications, Inc. and certain investors listed therein (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
10.8 |
|
Exchange
and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2009, by and
among CCH II, LLC, CCH II Capital Corp and certain investors listed
therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the current report
on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009
(File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.9 |
|
Exchange
Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2009, among Charter Communications,
Inc., Charter Investment, Inc., Paul G. Allen and Charter Communications
Holding Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the
current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on
December 4, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.10 |
|
Lock-Up
Agreement, dated as November 30, 2009, among Charter Communications, Inc,
Paul G. Allen and Charter Investment, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications,
Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.11 |
|
Amended
and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of November 30,
2009, among Charter Communications, Inc, Charter Investment, Inc. and
Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.4 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications,
Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
10.12 |
|
Second
Amended and Restated Mutual Services Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2003
between Charter Communications, Inc. and Charter Communications Holding
Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5(a) to the
quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on
August 5, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
|
10.13 |
|
Amended
and Restated Management Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2003, between
Charter Communications Operating, LLC and Charter Communications, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the quarterly report on Form
10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 5, 2003 (File No.
333-83887)).
|
|
10.14 |
|
Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 6, 2007, among Charter
Communications Operating, LLC, CCO Holdings, LLC, the lenders from time to
time parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative
agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on
Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on March 12, 2007 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.15 |
|
Amended
and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement made by CCO Holdings, LLC,
Charter Communications Operating, LLC and certain of its subsidiaries in
favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, dated as of
March 18, 1999, as amended and restated as of March 6, 2007 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on March 12, 2007 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.16 |
|
Credit
Agreement, dated as of March 6, 2007, among CCO Holdings, LLC, the lenders
from time to time parties thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as
administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the
current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on March
12, 2007 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
|
10.17 |
|
Pledge
Agreement made by CCO Holdings, LLC in favor of Bank of America, N.A., as
Collateral Agent, dated as of March 6, 2007 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.4 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications,
Inc. filed on March 12, 2007 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
|
10.18 |
|
Charter
Communications, Inc. Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form
8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 21, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
10.19 |
† |
Amended
and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 2008, by and between
Neil Smit and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference, to
Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications,
Inc. filed on September 30, 2008 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
|
10.20 |
† |
Amended
and Restated Employment Agreement between Eloise E. Schmitz and Charter
Communications, Inc., dated as of July 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.4 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on August 5, 2008 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.21 |
† |
Amended
and Restated Employment Agreement between Michael J. Lovett and Charter
Communications, Inc., dated as of August 1, 2007 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on August 2, 2007 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.22 |
† |
Amended
and Restated Employment Agreement between Marwan Fawaz and Charter
Communications, Inc. dated August 1, 2007 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.52(a) to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on March 16, 2009 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.23 |
† |
Amended
and Restated Employment Agreement between Grier C. Raclin and Charter
Communications, Inc., dated as of August 1, 2007 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on August 2, 2007 (File
No.
|
|
|
|
000-27927)). |
|
10.24 |
† |
Amendment
to Employment Agreement of Neil Smit, dated November 30, 2009
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the current report on Form
8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.25 |
† |
Amendment
to Employment Agreement of Eloise Schmitz, dated November 30, 2009
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the current report on Form
8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.26 |
† |
Amendment
to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Michael J. Lovett
and Charter Communications, Inc., dated as of March 5, 2008
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the quarterly report on Form
10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc., filed on May 12, 2008 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.27 |
(a)
† |
Amendment
to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Marwan Fawaz and
Charter Communications, Inc. dated as of March 5, 2008(incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.52(b) to the annual report on Form 10-K of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed on March 16, 2009 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.27 |
(b)† |
Amendment
to Employment Agreement of Marwan Fawaz, dated November 30, 2009
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the current report on Form
8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.28 |
(a)
† |
Amendment
to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Grier C. Raclin
and Charter Communications, Inc., dated as of March 5, 2008
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the quarterly report on Form
10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on May 12, 2008 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.28 |
(b)
† |
Amendment
to Employment Agreement of Grier Raclin, dated November 30, 2009
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the current report on Form
8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.28 |
(c)
† |
Separation
Agreement and Release, dated December 15, 2009, by and between Grier C.
Raclin and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 99.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications,
Inc. filed on December 21, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.29 |
† |
Charter
Communications, Inc. Value Creation Plan adopted on March 12, 2009
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form
10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on May 7, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
10.30 |
|
Debtors’
Disclosure Statement filed pursuant to Chapter 11 of the United States
Bankruptcy Code filed on May 1, 2009 with the United States Bankruptcy
Court for the Southern District of New York in Case No. 09-11435 (Jointly
Administered) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly
report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on August 6,
2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.31 |
|
Debtors’
Joint Plan of Reorganization filed pursuant to Chapter 11 of the United
States Bankruptcy Code filed on July 15, 2009 with the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York in Case No.
09-11435 (Jointly Administered) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2
to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed
on August 6, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.32 |
|
Summary
of Charter Communications, Inc. 2009 Executive Bonus Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on May 7, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
12.1 |
* |
Computation
of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
|
|
21.1 |
* |
Subsidiaries
of CCH II, LLC.
|
|
23.1 |
** |
Consent
of Kirkland & Ellis LLP (included with Exhibit
5.1).
|
|
23.2 |
* |
Consent
of KPMG LLP.
|
|
24.1 |
* |
Power
of attorney (included in signature page).
|
|
25.1 |
** |
Statement
of eligibility of trustee.
|
|
99.1 |
** |
Form
of Cover Letter to Registered Holders and the Depository Trust Company
Participants.
|
|
99.2 |
** |
Form
of Broker Letter.
|
|
99.3 |
** |
Form
of Letter of
Transmittal.
|
* Document
attached
** To
be filed
† Management
compensatory plan or arrangement
Financial
Statement Schedules
Schedules
not listed above are omitted because of the absence of the conditions under
which they are required or because the information required by such omitted
schedules is set forth in the financial statements or the notes
thereto.
Item
22.
Undertakings
The
undersigned registrants hereby undertake that:
(1) Prior to
any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a
prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or
party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the
issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information
called for by the applicable registration form with respect to the reofferings
by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called
for by the other items of the applicable form.
(2) Every
prospectus: (i) that is filed pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph or
(ii) that purports to meet the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933 and is used in connection with an offering of securities
subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration
statement and will not be used until such amendment is effective, and that, for
purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
The
undersigned registrants hereby undertake to respond to requests for information
that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b),
11 or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and
to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt
means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the
effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to
the request.
The
undersigned registrants hereby undertake to supply by means of a post-effective
amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being
acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the
registration statement when it became effective.
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may
be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of the registrants
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have been
advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of
1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities, other than the payment by the
registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling
person of the registrants in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding, is asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrants will, unless in
the opinion of their counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by them is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly
caused this registration statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Saint Louis, State of
Missouri, on January 15, 2010.
CCH II,
LLC,
Registrant
By: CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.,
Sole
Manager
By: /s/ Kevin D.
Howard
Senior Vice President
- - Finance, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
POWER
OF ATTORNEY
Each
person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Eloise E. Schmitz,
Gregory L. Doody, Richard R. Dykhouse and Paul J. Rutterer, and each of them
singly, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any and all
additional registration statements pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all
other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto each said
attorney-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents or either of them or their or his or her substitute
or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Neil
Smit
|
|
President,
Chief Executive Officer, Director
(Principal
Executive Officer) of Charter Communications, Inc.
|
|
January
15, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eloise
E. Schmitz
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal
Financial Officer) of Charter Communications, Inc.
|
|
January
15, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin
D. Howard
|
|
Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal
Accounting Officer) of
Charter
Communications, Inc.
|
|
January
15, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director
of Charter Communications, Inc.
|
|
January
__, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
W.
Lance Conn
|
|
Director
of Charter Communications, Inc.
|
|
January
15, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/
Darren Glatt
Darren
Glatt
|
|
Director
of Charter Communications, Inc.
|
|
January
15, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Bruce A.
Karsh
Bruce
A. Karsh
|
|
Director
of Charter Communications, Inc.
|
|
January
15, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
John
D. Markley, Jr.
|
|
Director
of Charter Communications, Inc.
|
|
January
11, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
William
L. McGrath
|
|
Director
of Charter Communications, Inc.
|
|
January
15, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
David
C. Merritt
|
|
Director
of Charter Communications, Inc.
|
|
January
15, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Christopher M.
Temple
Christopher
M. Temple
|
|
Director
of Charter Communications, Inc.
|
|
January
15, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
Cohn
|
|
Director
of Charter Communications, Inc.
|
|
January
11, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, CCH II Capital Corp. has duly
caused this registration statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Saint Louis, State of
Missouri on January 15, 2010.
CCH II CAPITAL
CORP.
Registrant
By/s/ Kevin D.
Howard
Senior Vice President
- - Finance, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
POWER
OF ATTORNEY
Each
person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Eloise E. Schmitz,
Gregory L. Doody, Richard R. Dykhouse and Paul J. Rutterer, and each of them
singly, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any and all
additional registration statements pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all
other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto each said
attorney-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said
attorneys-in-fact and agents or either of them or their or his or her substitute
or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement
has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Neil
Smit
|
|
President,
Chief Executive Officer, Director
(Principal
Executive Officer) of Charter Communications, Inc.
|
|
January
15, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eloise
E. Schmitz
|
|
Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal
Financial Officer) of Charter Communications, Inc.
|
|
January
15, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin
D. Howard
|
|
Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal
Accounting Officer) of
Charter
Communications, Inc.
|
|
January
15, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
3.1 |
|
Certificate
of Formation of CCH II, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to
Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of CCH II, LLC
and CCH II Capital Corporation filed on March 24, 2004 (File No.
333-111423)).
|
|
3.2 |
* |
Amended
and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of CCH II, LLC, dated as
of November 30, 2009.
|
|
3.3 |
* |
Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of CCH II Capital Corp. dated
effective November 30, 2009.
|
|
3.4 |
|
Amended
and Reinstated By-laws of CCH II Capital Corporation (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement
on Form S-4 of CCH II, LLC and CCH II Capital Corporation filed on March
24, 2004 (File No. 333-111423)).
|
|
4.1 |
|
Indenture
relating to the 13.50% Senior Notes due 2016, dated as of November 30,
2009, among CCH II, LLC, CCH II Capital Corp. and The Bank of New York
Mellon Trust Company, NA (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on
December 4, 2009 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
|
5.1 |
** |
Opinion
of Kirkland & Ellis LLP regarding legality.
|
|
10.1 |
|
Indenture
relating to the 8-3/4 % Senior Notes due 2013, dated as of November 10,
2003, by and among CCO Holdings, LLC, CCO Holdings Capital Corp. and Wells
Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
Charter Communications, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K filed on
November 12, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
|
10.2 |
|
Indenture
relating to the 8% senior second lien notes due 2012 and 83/8 % senior
second lien notes due 2014, dated as of April 27, 2004, by and among
Charter Communications Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Operating
Capital Corp. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as trustee (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.32 to Amendment No. 2 to the registration
statement on Form S-4 of CCH II, LLC filed on May 5, 2004 (File No.
333-111423)).
|
|
10.3 |
(a) |
Indenture
relating to the 10.875% senior second lien notes due 2014 dated as of
March 19, 2008, by and among Charter Communications Operating, LLC,
Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. and Wilmington Trust
Company, trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
quarterly report filed on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed
on May 12, 2008 (File No. 000-027927)).
|
|
10.3 |
(b) |
Collateral
Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2008 by and among Charter Communications
Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., CCO
Holdings, LLC and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Wilmington Trust
Company, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the
quarterly report filed on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed
on May 12, 2008 (File No. 000-027927)).
|
|
10.4 |
|
Commitment
Letter, dated February 11, 2009, by and among Charter Communications,
Inc., CCH I LLC, CCH II LLC, Charter Communications Operating, LLC and
certain members of the Crossover Committee (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications,
Inc. filed on February 13, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.4 |
(a) |
Restructuring
Agreement, dated February 11, 2009, by and between Charter Communications,
Inc. and certain members of the Crossover Committee (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on February 13, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
10.4 |
(b) |
Amendment
to Restructuring Agreement, dated July 30, 2009, by and between Charter
Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover Committee
(incorporated by reference
|
|
|
|
to
Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on November 9, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)). |
|
10.4 |
(c) |
Second
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated September 29, 2009, by and
between Charter Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover
Committee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the quarterly
report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9,
2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.4 |
(d) |
Third
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated October 13, 2009, by and
between Charter Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover
Committee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the quarterly
report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9,
2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.4 |
(e) |
Fourth
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated October 30, 2009, by and
between Charter Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover
Committee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the quarterly
report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9,
2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.4 |
(f) |
Fifth
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated November 10, 2009, by and
between Charter Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover
Committee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(f) to the
registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed
on December 31, 2009 (File No. 333-111423)).
|
|
10.4 |
(g) |
Sixth
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated November 25, 2009, by and
between Charter Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover
Committee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(g) to the
registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed
on December 31, 2009 (File No. 333-111423)).
|
|
10.5 |
(a) |
Restructuring
Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2009, by and among Paul G. Allen,
Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on February 13, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
10.5 |
(b) |
Amendment
to Restructuring Agreement, dated July 30, 2009, by and among Paul G.
Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form
10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
10.5 |
(c) |
Second
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated September 29, 2009, by and
among Paul G. Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications,
Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the quarterly report on
Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9, 2009 (File
No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.5 |
(d) |
Third
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated October 13, 2009, by and among
Paul G. Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the quarterly report on Form
10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
10.5 |
(e) |
Fourth
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated October 30, 2009, by and among
Paul G. Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the quarterly report on Form
10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
10.5 |
(f) |
Fifth
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated November 11, 2009, by and
among Paul G. Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications,
Inc. (incorporated by reference to
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
10.3(f) to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on December 31, 2009 (File No.
333-111423)). |
|
10.5 |
(g) |
Sixth
Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated November 25, 2009, by and
among Paul G. Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications,
Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(g) to the registration
statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December
31, 2009 (File No. 333-111423)).
|
|
10.6 |
|
Commitment
Letter, dated February 11, 2009, by and among Charter Communications,
Inc., CCH I LLC, CCH II LLC, Charter Communications Operating, LLC and
certain members of the Crossover Committee (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications,
Inc. filed on February 13, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.7 |
|
Registration
Rights Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2009, by and among Charter
Communications, Inc. and certain investors listed therein (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
10.8 |
|
Exchange
and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2009, by and
among CCH II, LLC, CCH II Capital Corp and certain investors listed
therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the current report
on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009
(File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.9 |
|
Exchange
Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2009, among Charter Communications,
Inc., Charter Investment, Inc., Paul G. Allen and Charter Communications
Holding Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the
current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on
December 4, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.10 |
|
Lock-Up
Agreement, dated as November 30, 2009, among Charter Communications, Inc,
Paul G. Allen and Charter Investment, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications,
Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.11 |
|
Amended
and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of November 30,
2009, among Charter Communications, Inc, Charter Investment, Inc. and
Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.4 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications,
Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.12 |
|
Second
Amended and Restated Mutual Services Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2003
between Charter Communications, Inc. and Charter Communications Holding
Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5(a) to the
quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on
August 5, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
|
10.13 |
|
Amended
and Restated Management Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2003, between
Charter Communications Operating, LLC and Charter Communications, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the quarterly report on Form
10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 5, 2003 (File No.
333-83887)).
|
|
10.14 |
|
Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 6, 2007, among Charter
Communications Operating, LLC, CCO Holdings, LLC, the lenders from time to
time parties thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative
agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on
Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on March 12, 2007 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.15 |
|
Amended
and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement made by CCO Holdings, LLC,
Charter Communications Operating, LLC and certain of its subsidiaries in
favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, dated as of
March 18, 1999, as amended and restated as of March 6,
|
|
|
|
2007
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form
8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on March 12, 2007 (File No.
000-27927)). |
|
10.16 |
|
Credit
Agreement, dated as of March 6, 2007, among CCO Holdings, LLC, the lenders
from time to time parties thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as
administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the
current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on March
12, 2007 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
|
10.17 |
|
Pledge
Agreement made by CCO Holdings, LLC in favor of Bank of America, N.A., as
Collateral Agent, dated as of March 6, 2007 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.4 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications,
Inc. filed on March 12, 2007 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
|
10.18 |
|
Charter
Communications, Inc. Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form
8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 21, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
10.19 |
† |
Amended
and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 2008, by and between
Neil Smit and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference, to
Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications,
Inc. filed on September 30, 2008 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
|
10.20 |
† |
Amended
and Restated Employment Agreement between Eloise E. Schmitz and Charter
Communications, Inc., dated as of July 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.4 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on August 5, 2008 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.21 |
† |
Amended
and Restated Employment Agreement between Michael J. Lovett and Charter
Communications, Inc., dated as of August 1, 2007 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on August 2, 2007 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.22 |
† |
Amended
and Restated Employment Agreement between Marwan Fawaz and Charter
Communications, Inc. dated August 1, 2007 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.52(a) to the annual report on Form 10-K of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on March 16, 2009 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.23 |
† |
Amended
and Restated Employment Agreement between Grier C. Raclin and Charter
Communications, Inc., dated as of August 1, 2007 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on August 2, 2007 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.24 |
† |
Amendment
to Employment Agreement of Neil Smit, dated November 30, 2009
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the current report on Form
8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.25 |
† |
Amendment
to Employment Agreement of Eloise Schmitz, dated November 30, 2009
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the current report on Form
8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.26 |
† |
Amendment
to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Michael J. Lovett
and Charter Communications, Inc., dated as of March 5, 2008
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the quarterly report on Form
10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc., filed on May 12, 2008 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.27 |
(a)
† |
Amendment
to Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Marwan Fawaz and
Charter Communications, Inc. dated as of March 5, 2008(incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.52(b) to the annual report on Form 10-K of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed on March 16,
|
|
|
|
2009
(File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10.27 |
(b)† |
Amendment
to Employment Agreement of Marwan Fawaz, dated November 30, 2009
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the current report on Form
8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.28 |
(a)
† |
Amendment
to the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Grier C. Raclin
and Charter Communications, Inc., dated as of March 5, 2008
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the quarterly report on Form
10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on May 12, 2008 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.28 |
(b)
† |
Amendment
to Employment Agreement of Grier Raclin, dated November 30, 2009
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the current report on Form
8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
|
10.28 |
(c)
† |
Separation
Agreement and Release, dated December 15, 2009, by and between Grier C.
Raclin and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 99.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications,
Inc. filed on December 21, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.29 |
† |
Charter
Communications, Inc. Value Creation Plan adopted on March 12, 2009
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form
10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on May 7, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
10.30 |
|
Debtors’
Disclosure Statement filed pursuant to Chapter 11 of the United States
Bankruptcy Code filed on May 1, 2009 with the United States Bankruptcy
Court for the Southern District of New York in Case No. 09-11435 (Jointly
Administered) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly
report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on August 6,
2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.31 |
|
Debtors’
Joint Plan of Reorganization filed pursuant to Chapter 11 of the United
States Bankruptcy Code filed on July 15, 2009 with the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York in Case No.
09-11435 (Jointly Administered) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2
to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed
on August 6, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
|
|
10.32 |
|
Summary
of Charter Communications, Inc. 2009 Executive Bonus Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on May 7, 2009 (File No.
001-33664)).
|
|
12.1 |
* |
Computation
of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
|
|
21.1 |
* |
Subsidiaries
of CCH II, LLC.
|
|
23.1 |
** |
Consent
of Kirkland & Ellis LLP (included with Exhibit
5.1).
|
|
23.2 |
* |
Consent
of KPMG LLP.
|
|
24.1 |
* |
Power
of attorney (included in signature page).
|
|
25.1 |
** |
Statement
of eligibility of trustee.
|
|
99.1 |
** |
Form
of Cover Letter to Registered Holders and the Depository Trust Company
Participants.
|
|
99.2 |
** |
Form
of Broker Letter.
|
|
99.3 |
** |
Form
of Letter of
Transmittal.
|
* Document
attached
** To
be filed
† Management
compensatory plan or arrangement
exhibit3_2.htm
Exhibit
3.2
SECOND
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
CCH
II, LLC
(a
Delaware Limited Liability Company)
This
AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT (as amended from time
to time, this "Agreement") is entered into as of November 30, 2009 by CCH I,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("CCHI"), as the sole member of CCH
II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "Company").
W I T N E
SSE T H:
WHEREAS,
the Company is governed by that certain Limited Liability Company Agreement
dated as of July 10, 2003, as amended (the "Prior Agreement"); and
WHEREAS,
CCHI, as the sole member of the Company, wishes to amend and restate the Prior
Agreement in compliance with the requirements of the Joint Plan;
and
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms and provisions set forth herein, the
benefits to be gained by the performance thereof and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
party hereby agrees as follows:
SECTION
1. General.
(a) Formation. Effective
as of the date and time of filing of the Certificate of Formation in the office
of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, the Company was formed as a
limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6
Del.C. § 18-101, et. seq., as amended from
time to time (the "Act"). Except as expressly provided herein, the
rights and obligations of the Members (as defined in Section 1(h)) in connection
with the regulation and management of the Company shall be governed by the
Act.
(b) Name. The name of
the Company shall be CCH II, LLC. The business of the Company shall
be conducted under such name or any other name or names that the Manager (as
defined in Section 4(a)(i) hereof) shall determine from time to
time.
(c) Registered
Agent. The address of the registered office of the Company in
the State of Delaware shall be c/o Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville
Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, Delaware 19808. The name and address of
the registered agent for service of process on the Company in the State of
Delaware shall be Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400,
Wilmington, Delaware 19808. The registered office or registered agent
of the Company may be changed from time to time by the Manager.
(d) Principal
Office. The principal place of business of the Company shall
be at 12405 Powerscourt Drive, St. Louis, MO 63131. At any time, the
Manager may change the location of the Company's principal place of
business.
(e) Term. The term of
the Company commenced on the date of the filing of the Certificate of Formation
in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and the
Company will have perpetual existence until dissolved and its affairs wound up
in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
(f) Certificate of
Formation. The execution of the Certificate of Formation and
the filing thereof in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware are hereby ratified, confirmed and approved.
(g) Qualification;
Registration. The Manager shall cause the Company to be
qualified, formed or registered under assumed or fictitious name statutes or
similar laws in any jurisdiction in which the Company transacts business and in
which such qualification, formation or registration is required or
desirable. The Manager, as an authorized person within the meaning of
the Act, shall execute, deliver and file any certificates (and any amendments
and/or restatements thereof) necessary for the Company to qualify to do business
in a jurisdiction in which the Company may wish to conduct
business.
(h) Voting. Each
member of the Company (if there is only one member of the Company, the "Member";
or if there are more than one, the "Members") shall have one vote in respect of
any vote, approval, consent or ratification of any action (a "Vote") for each
one percentage point of Percentage Interest (as defined in Section 7) held by
such Member (totaling 100 Votes for all Members) (any fraction of such a
percentage point shall be entitled to an equivalent fraction of a
Vote). Any vote, approval, consent or ratification as to any matter
under the Act or this Agreement by a Member may be evidenced by such Member's
execution of any document or agreement (including this Agreement or an amendment
hereto) which would otherwise require as a precondition to its effectiveness
such vote, approval, consent or ratification of the Members.
Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Operating Agreement, the Company shall not issue nonvoting
equity securities to the extent prohibited by Section 1123(a)(6) of the
Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. §1123(a)(6)). The prohibition on the
issuance of nonvoting equity securities is included in this Operating Agreement
in compliance with Section 1123(a)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C.
§1123(a)(6)).
SECTION
2. Purposes. The
Company was formed for the object and purpose of, and the nature of the business
to be conducted by the Company is, engaging in any lawful act or activity for
which limited liability companies may be formed under the Act.
SECTION
3. Powers. The
Company shall have all powers necessary, appropriate or incidental to the
accomplishment of its purposes and all other powers conferred upon a limited
liability company pursuant to the Act.
SECTION
4. Management.
(a) Management by
Manager.
i) CCHI, as
the sole member of the Company, hereby elects Charter Communications, Inc., a
Delaware corporation ("CCI"), or its successor-in-interest that acquires
directly or indirectly substantially all of the assets or business of CCI, as
the Company's manager (the "Manager"). CCI shall be the Manager until
a simple majority of the Votes elects otherwise. No additional person
may be elected as Manager without the approval of a simple majority of the Votes
(for purposes of this Agreement, to the extent the context requires, the term
"person" refers to both individuals and entities). Except as
otherwise required by applicable law and as provided below with respect to the
Manager’s board of directors (the “Board”), the powers of the Company shall at
all times be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business, property
and affairs of the Company shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the
Manager. The Manager is a "manager" of the Company within the meaning
of the Act. Any person appointed as Manager shall accept its
appointment by execution of a consent to this Agreement.
ii) The
Manager shall be authorized to elect, remove or replace directors and officers
of the Company, who shall have such authority with respect to the management of
the business and affairs of the Company as set forth herein or as otherwise
specified by the Manager in the resolution or resolutions pursuant to which such
directors or officers were elected.
iii) Except as
otherwise required by this Agreement or applicable law, the Manager shall be
authorized to execute or endorse any check, draft, evidence of indebtedness,
instrument, obligation, note, mortgage, contract, agreement, certificate or
other document on behalf of the Company without the consent of any Member or
other person.
iv) No annual
or regular meetings of the Manager or the Members are required. The
Manager may, by written consent, take any action which it is otherwise required
or permitted to take at a meeting.
v) The
Manager's duty of care in the discharge of its duties to the Company and the
Members is limited to discharging its duties pursuant to this Agreement in good
faith, with the care a director of a Delaware corporation would exercise under
similar circumstances, in the manner it reasonably believes to be in the best
interests of the Company and its Members.
vi) Except as
required by the Act, no Manager shall be liable for the debts, liabilities and
obligations of the Company, including without limitation any debts, liabilities
and obligations under a judgment, decree or order of a court, solely by reason
of being a manager of the Company.
(b) Consent Required. The
affirmative vote, approval, consent or ratification of the Manager shall be
required to:
(1) alter the
primary purposes of the Company as set forth in Section 2;
(2) issue
membership interests in the Company to any Person and admit such Person as a
member;
(3) do any
act in contravention of this Agreement or any resolution of the members, or
cause the Company to engage in any business not authorized by the Certificate or
the terms of this Agreement or that which would make it impossible to carry on
the usual course of business of the Company;
(4) enter
into or amend any agreement which provides for the management of the business or
affairs of the Company by a person other than the Manager;
(5) change or
reorganize the Company into any other legal form;
(6) amend
this Agreement;
(7) approve a
merger or consolidation with another person;
(8) sell all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company;
(9) change
the status of the Company from one in which management is vested in the Manager
to one in which management is vested in the members or in any other manager,
other than as may be delegated to the Board and the officers
hereunder;
(10) possess
any Company property or assign the rights of the Company in specific Company
property for other than a Company purpose;
(11) operate
the Company in such a manner that the Company becomes an "investment company"
for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(12) except as
otherwise provided or contemplated herein, enter into any agreement to acquire
property or services from any person who is a director or officer of the
Company;
(13) settle
any litigation or arbitration with any third party, any Member, or any affiliate
of any Member, except for any litigation or arbitration brought or defended in
the ordinary course of business where the present value of the total settlement
amount or damages will not exceed $5,000,000;
(14) materially
change any of the tax reporting positions or elections of the
Company;
(15) make or
commit to any expenditures which, individually or in the aggregate, exceed or
are reasonably expected to exceed the Company's total budget (as approved by the
Manager) by the greater of 5% of such budget or Five Million Dollars
($5,000,000); or
(16) make or
incur any secured or unsecured indebtedness which, individually or in the
aggregate, exceeds Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000), provided that this
restriction shall not apply to (i) any refinancing of or amendment to existing
indebtedness which
does not
increase total borrowing, (ii) any indebtedness to (or guarantee of indebtedness
of) any company controlled by or under common control with the Company
("Intercompany Indebtedness"), (iii) the pledge of any assets to support any
otherwise permissible indebtedness of the Company or any Intercompany
Indebtedness or (iv) indebtedness necessary to finance a transaction or purchase
approved by the Manager.
SECTION
5. Officers.
(a) Officers. The
Company shall have such officers as may be necessary or desirable for the
business of the Company. The officers may include a Chairman of the
Board, a President, a Treasurer and a Secretary, and such other additional
officers, including one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and
Assistant Treasurers as the Manager, the Board, the Chairman of the Board, or
the President may from time to time elect. Any two or more offices
may be held by the same individual. The initial officers are set
forth on Exhibit
A.
(b) Election and
Term. The President, Treasurer and Secretary shall, and the
Chairman of the Board may, be appointed by and shall hold office at the pleasure
of the Manager or the Board. The Manager, the Board, or the President
may each appoint such other officers and agents as such person shall deem
desirable, who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Manager, the Board, or
the President, and who shall have such authority and shall perform such duties
as from time to time shall, subject to the provisions of Section 5(d) hereof, be
prescribed by the Manager, the Board, or the President.
(c) Removal. Any
officer may be removed by the action of the Manager or the action of at least a
majority of the directors then in office, with or without cause, for any reason
or for no reason. Any officer other than the Chairman of the Board,
the President, the Treasurer or the Secretary may also be removed by the
Chairman of the Board or the President, with or without cause, for any reason or
for no reason.
(d) Duties
and Authority of Officers.
i) President. The
President shall be the chief executive officer and (if no other person has been
appointed as such) the chief operating officer of the Company; shall (unless the
Chairman of the Board elects otherwise) preside at all meetings of the Members
and Board; shall have general supervision and active management of the business
and finances of the Company; and shall see that all orders and resolutions of
the Board or the Manager are carried into effect; subject, however, to the right
of the directors to delegate any specific powers to any other officer or
officers. In the absence of direction by the Manager, Board, or the
Chairman of the Board to the contrary, the President shall have the power to
vote all securities held by the Company and to issue proxies
therefor. In the absence or disability of the President, the Chairman
of the Board (if any) or, if there is no Chairman of the Board, the most senior
available officer appointed by the Manager or the Board shall perform the duties
and exercise the powers of the President with the same force and effect as if
performed by the President, and shall be subject to all restrictions imposed
upon him.
ii) Vice
President. Each Vice President, if any, shall perform such
duties as shall be assigned to such person and shall exercise such powers as may
be granted to such person
by the
Manager, the Board or by the President of the Company. In the absence
of direction by the Manager, the Board or the President to the contrary, any
Vice President shall have the power to vote all securities held by the Company
and to issue proxies therefor.
iii) Secretary. The
Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, a notice as required of all meetings
of the Members and of the Board. The Secretary shall keep or cause to
be kept, at the principal executive office of the Company or such other place as
the Board may direct, a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of directors
and Members. The minutes shall show the time and place of each
meeting, whether regular or special (and, if special, how authorized and the
notice given), the names of those present at Board meetings, the number of Votes
present or represented at Members' meetings, and the proceedings
thereof. The Secretary shall perform such other duties as may be
prescribed from time to time by the Manager or the Board and may be assisted in
his or her duties by any Assistant Secretary who shall have the same powers of
the Secretary in absence of the Secretary.
iv) Treasurer. The
Treasurer shall have custody of the Company funds and securities and shall keep
or cause to be kept full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in
books of the Company to be maintained for such purpose; shall deposit all moneys
and other valuable effects of the Company in the name and to the credit of the
Company in depositories designated by the Manager or the Board; and shall
disburse the funds of the Company as may be ordered by the Manager or the
Board.
v) Chairman of the
Board. The Chairman of the Board, if any, shall perform such
duties as shall be assigned, and shall exercise such powers as may be granted to
him or her by the Manager or the Board.
vi) Authority of
Officers. The officers, to the extent of their powers set
forth in this Agreement or otherwise vested in them by action of the Manager or
the Board not inconsistent with this Agreement, are agents of the Company for
the purpose of the Company's business and the actions of the officers taken in
accordance with such powers shall bind the Company.
SECTION
6. Members.
(a) Members. The
Members of the Company shall be set forth on Exhibit B hereto as
amended from time to time. At the date hereof, CCHI is the sole
Member. CCHI is not required to make any capital contribution to the Company;
however, CCHI may make capital contributions to the Company at any time in its
sole discretion (for which its capital account balance shall be appropriately
increased). Each Member shall have a capital account in the Company,
the balance of which is to be determined in accordance with the principles of
Treasury Regulation section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). The provisions of this
Agreement, including this Section 6, are intended to benefit the Members and, to
the fullest extent permitted by law, shall not be construed as conferring any
benefit upon any creditor of the Company. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary in this Agreement, CCHI shall not have any duty or obligation to
any creditor of the Company to make any contribution to the
Company.
(b) Admission of
Members. Other persons may be admitted as Members from time to
time pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement. If an admission of
a new Member results in the Company having more than one Member, this Agreement
shall be amended in accordance with the provisions of Section 15(b) to establish
the rights and responsibilities of the Members and to govern their
relationships.
(c) Limited
Liability. Except as required by the Act, no Member shall be
liable for the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company, including
without limitation any debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company under a
judgment, decree or order of a court, solely by reason of being a member of the
Company.
(d) Competing
Activities. Notwithstanding any duty otherwise existing at law
or in equity, (i) neither a Member nor a Manager of the Company, or any of their
respective affiliates, partners, members, shareholders, directors, managers,
officers or employees, shall be expressly or impliedly restricted or prohibited
solely by virtue of this Agreement or the relationships created hereby from
engaging in other activities or business ventures of any kind or character
whatsoever and (ii) except as otherwise agreed in writing or by written Company
policy, each Member and Manager of the Company, and their respective affiliates,
partners, members, shareholders, directors, managers, officers and employees,
shall have the right to conduct, or to possess a direct or indirect ownership
interest in, activities and business ventures of every type and description,
including activities and business ventures in direct competition with the
Company.
(e) Bankruptcy. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, the bankruptcy (as defined in the Act) of
a Member shall not cause the Member to cease to be a member of the Company and,
upon the occurrence of such an event, the Company shall continue without
dissolution.
SECTION
7. Percentage
Interests. For purposes of this Agreement, "Percentage
Interest" shall mean with respect to any Member as of any date the proportion
(expressed as a percentage) of the respective capital account balance of such
Member to the capital account balances of all Members. So long as
CCHI is the sole member of the Company, CCHI’s Percentage Interest shall be 100
percent.
SECTION
8. Distributions. The
Company may from time to time distribute to the Members such amounts in cash and
other assets as shall be determined by the Members acting by simple majority of
the Votes. Each such distribution (other than liquidating
distributions) shall be divided among the Members in accordance with their
respective Percentage Interests. Liquidating distributions shall be
made to the Members in accordance with their respective positive capital account
balances. Each Member shall be entitled to look solely to the assets
of the Company for the return of such Member's positive capital account
balance. Notwithstanding that the assets of the Company remaining
after payment of or due provision for all debts, liabilities, and obligations of
the Company may be insufficient to return the capital contributions or share of
the Company's profits reflected in such Member's positive capital account
balance, a Member shall have no recourse against the Company or any other
Member. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in
this Agreement, the Company shall not be required to
make a
distribution to the Members on account of their interest in the Company if such
distribution would violate the Act or any other applicable
law.
SECTION
9. Allocations. The
profits and losses of the Company shall be allocated to the Members in
accordance with their Percentage Interests from time to time.
SECTION
10. Dissolution; Winding
Up.
(a) Dissolution. The
Company shall be dissolved upon (i) the adoption of a plan of dissolution by the
Members acting by unanimity of the Votes and the approval of the Manager or (ii)
the occurrence of any other event required to cause the dissolution of the
Company under the Act.
(b) Effective Date of
Dissolution. Any dissolution of the Company shall be effective
as of the date on which the event occurs giving rise to such dissolution, but
the Company shall not terminate unless and until all its affairs have been wound
up and its assets distributed in accordance with the provisions of the Act and
the Certificate is cancelled.
(c) Winding Up. Upon
dissolution of the Company, the Company shall continue solely for the purposes
of winding up its business and affairs as soon as reasonably
practicable. Promptly after the dissolution of the Company, the
Manager shall immediately commence to wind up the affairs of the Company in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Act. In
winding up the business and affairs of the Company, the Manager may, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, take any and all actions that it determines in
its sole discretion to be in the best interests of the Members, including, but
not limited to, any actions relating to (i) causing written notice by registered
or certified mail of the Company's intention to dissolve to be mailed to each
known creditor of and claimant against the Company, (ii) the payment, settlement
or compromise of existing claims against the Company, (iii) the making of
reasonable provisions for payment of contingent claims against the Company and
(iv) the sale or disposition of the properties and assets of the
Company. It is expressly understood and agreed that a reasonable time
shall be allowed for the orderly liquidation of the assets of the Company and
the satisfaction of claims against the Company so as to enable the Manager to
minimize the losses that may result from a liquidation.
SECTION
11. Transfer. At such
time as the Company has more than one Member, no Member shall transfer (whether
by sale, assignment, gift, pledge, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or
otherwise) all or any part of his, her or its limited liability company interest
in the Company to any other person without the prior written consent of each of
the other Members; provided,
however, that this Section 11 shall not restrict the ability of any
Member to transfer (at any time) all or a portion of its limited liability
company interest in the Company to another Member. Upon the transfer
of a Member's limited liability company interest, the Manager shall provide
notice of such transfer to each of the other Members and shall amend Exhibit B hereto to
reflect the transfer.
SECTION
12. Admission of Additional
Members. The admission of additional or substitute Members to
the Company shall be accomplished by the amendment of this Agreement, including
Exhibit B, in accordance with the provisions of Section l5(b), pursuant to which
amendment
each additional or substitute Member shall agree to become bound by this
Agreement.
SECTION
13. Tax Matters. As of
the date of this Agreement, the Company is a single-owner entity for United
States federal tax purposes. So long as the Company is a single-owner
entity for federal income tax purposes, it is intended that for federal, state
and local income tax purposes the Company be disregarded as an entity separate
from its owner for income tax purposes and its activities be treated as a
division of such owner. In the event that the Company has two or more
Members for federal income tax purposes, it is intended that (i) the Company
shall be treated as a partnership for federal, state and local income tax
purposes, and the Members shall not take any position or make any election, in a
tax return or otherwise, inconsistent therewith and (ii) this Agreement will be
amended to provide for appropriate book and tax allocations pursuant to
subchapter K of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
SECTION
14. Exculpation and
Indemnification.
(a) Exculpation. Neither
the Members, the Manager, the directors of the Company, the officers of the
Company, their respective affiliates, nor any person who at any time shall
serve, or shall have served, as a director, officer, employee or other agent of
any such Members, Manager, directors, officers, or affiliates and who, in such
capacity, shall engage, or shall have engaged, in activities on behalf of the
Company (a "Specified Agent") shall be liable, in damages or otherwise, to the
Company or to any Member for, and neither the Company nor any Member shall take
any action against such Members, Manager, directors, officers, affiliates or
Specified Agent, in respect of any loss which arises out of any acts or
omissions performed or omitted by such person pursuant to the authority granted
by this Agreement, or otherwise performed on behalf of the Company, if such
Member, Manager, director, officer, affiliate, or Specified Agent, as
applicable, in good faith, determined that such course of conduct was in the
best interests of the Company and within the scope of authority conferred on
such person by this Agreement or approved by the Manager. Each Member
shall look solely to the assets of the Company for return of such Member's
investment, and if the property of the Company remaining after the discharge of
the debts and liabilities of the Company is insufficient to return such
investment, each Member shall have no recourse against the Company, the other
Members or their affiliates, except as expressly provided herein; provided, however, that the
foregoing shall not relieve any Member or the Manager of any fiduciary duty,
duty of care or duty of fair dealing to the Members that it may have hereunder
or under applicable law.
(b) Indemnification. In
any threatened, pending or completed claim, action, suit or proceeding to which
a Member, a Manager, a director of the Company, any officer of the Company,
their respective affiliates, or any Specified Agent was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that such person is or was
engaged in activities on behalf of the Company, including without limitation any
action or proceeding brought under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
against a Member, a Manager, a director of the Company, any officer of the
Company, their respective affiliates, or any Specified Agent relating to the
Company, the Company shall to the fullest extent permitted by law indemnify and
hold harmless the Members, Manager, directors of the Company, officers of the
Company, their respective affiliates, and any such Specified Agents against
losses, damages, expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments and amounts
paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by or in connection with
such
claim,
action, suit or proceeding; provided, however, that none of the
Members, Managers, directors of the Company, officers of the Company, their
respective affiliates or any Specified Agent shall be indemnified for actions
constituting bad faith, willful misconduct, or fraud. Any act or
omission by any such Member, Manager, director, officer, or any such affiliate
or Specified Agent, if done in reliance upon the opinion of independent legal
counsel or public accountants selected with reasonable care by such Member,
Manager, director, officer, or any such affiliate or Specified Agent, as
applicable, shall not constitute bad faith, willful misconduct, or fraud on the
part of such Member, Manager, director, officer, or any such affiliate or
Specified Agent.
(c) No
Presumption. The termination of any claim, action, suit or
proceeding by judgment, order or settlement shall not, of itself, create a
presumption that any act or failure to act by a Member, a Manager, a director of
the Company, any officer of the Company, their respective affiliates or any
Specified Agent constituted bad faith, willful misconduct or fraud under this
Agreement.
(d) Limitation on
Indemnification. Any such indemnification under this Section
14 shall be recoverable only out of the assets of the Company and not from the
Members.
(e) Reliance on the
Agreement. To the extent that, at law or in equity, a Member,
Manager, director of the Company, officer of the Company or any Specified Agent
has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the
Company or to any Member or other person bound by this Agreement, such Member,
Manager, director, officer or any Specified Agent acting under this Agreement
shall not be liable to the Company or to any Member or other person bound by
this Agreement for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this
Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they
restrict the duties and liabilities of a Member, Manager, director of the
Company, officer of the Company or any Specified Agent otherwise existing at law
or in equity, are agreed by the parties hereto to replace such other duties and
liabilities of such Member, Manager, director or officer or any Specified
Agent.
SECTION
15. Miscellaneous.
(a) Certificate of Limited Liability
Company Interest. A Member's limited liability company interest may be
evidenced by a certificate of limited liability company interest executed by the
Manager or an officer in such form as the Manager may approve; provided that
such certificate of limited liability company interest shall not bear a legend
that causes such limited liability company interest to constitute a security
under Article 8 (including Section 8-103) of the Uniform Commercial Code as
enacted and in effect in the State of Delaware, or the corresponding statute of
any other applicable jurisdiction.
(b) Amendment. The
terms and provisions set forth in this Agreement may be amended, and compliance
with any term or provision set forth herein may be waived, only by a written
instrument executed by each Member. No failure or delay on the part
of any Member in exercising any right, power or privilege granted hereunder
shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of
any such right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege granted
hereunder.
(c) Binding
Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the Members and their respective successors and assigns.
(d) Governing
Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any
conflicts of law principles that would require the application of the laws of
any other jurisdiction.
(e) Severability. In
the event that any provision contained in this Agreement shall be held to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason, the invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability thereof shall not affect any other provision
hereof.
(f) Multiple
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
(g) Entire
Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and
replaces any prior or contemporaneous understandings.
(h) Relationship between the Agreement
and the Act. Regardless of whether any provision of this
Agreement specifically refers to particular Default Rules (as defined below),
(i) if any provision of this Agreement conflicts with a Default Rule, the
provision of this Agreement controls and the Default Rule is modified or negated
accordingly, and (ii) if it is necessary to construe a Default Rule as modified
or negated in order to effectuate any provision of this Agreement, the Default
Rule is modified or negated accordingly. For purposes of this Section
15(h), "Default Rule" shall mean a rule stated in the Act which applies except
to the extent it may be negated or modified through the provisions of a limited
liability company's Limited Liability Company Agreement.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the party has caused this Agreement to be duly executed on the
date first above written.
CCH I, LLC
By: /s/ Richard R.
Dykhouse
Richard R.
Dykhouse
Vice President,
Associate General
Counsel and Corporate
Secretary
Accepting
its appointment as the Company's Manager subject to the provisions of this
Agreement and agreeing to be bound by this Agreement:
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.,
a Delaware
corporation
By: /s/ Richard R.
Dykhouse
Richard R.
Dykhouse
Vice President,
Associate General
Counsel and Corporate
Secretary
EXHIBIT
A
Officers
Neil
Smit
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
Michael
J. Lovett
|
Executive
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
Grier
C. Raclin
|
Executive
Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
|
|
|
Marwan
Fawaz
|
Executive
Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
|
|
|
Eloise
E. Schmitz
|
Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
Ted
W. Schremp
|
Executive
Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
|
|
|
Gregory
L. Doody
|
Executive
Vice President and General Counsel
|
|
|
Steven
E. Apodaca
|
Senior
Vice President – Division President/West Operations
|
|
|
Joshua
L. Jamison
|
Senior
Vice President - Division President/East Operations
|
|
|
Greg
S. Rigdon
|
Senior
Vice President – Corporate Development
|
|
|
Jay
E. Carlson
|
Senior
Vice President – Information Technology
|
|
|
Joseph
R. Stackhouse
|
Senior
Vice President – Customer Operations
|
|
|
Kevin
D. Howard
|
Senior
Vice President – Finance and Chief Accounting Officer
|
|
|
Thomas
M. Degnan
|
Vice
President – Finance and Corporate Treasurer
|
|
|
Richard
R. Dykhouse
|
Vice
President, Associate General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary
|
|
|
Paul
J. Rutterer
|
Assistant
Secretary
|
EXHIBIT
B
Member
CCH I,
LLC
exhibit3_3.htm
Exhibit
3.3
AMENDED
AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE
OF INCORPORATION
OF
CCH
II CAPITAL CORP.
The
undersigned, Richard R. Dykhouse, certifies that he is the Vice President,
Associate General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of CCH II Capital Corp., a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the
"Corporation"), and does hereby further certify as of the 30th day
of November, 2009:
(1) The name
of the Corporation is CCH II Capital Corp. and the original Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware on July 9, 2003.
(2) This
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation amends and, as amended,
restates in its entirety the Certificate of Incorporation and has been duly
proposed by resolutions adopted and declared advisable by the Board of Directors
of the Corporation and duly executed and acknowledged by the officers of the
Corporation in accordance with Sections 242, 245 and 303 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
(3) The text
of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended and
restated to read in its entirety as follows:
FIRST: NAME
The name
of the corporation is CCH II Capital Corp. (the "Corporation").
SECOND: REGISTERED
OFFICE
The
registered office of the Corporation is located at 2711 Centerville Road, Suite
400, City of Wilmington, New Castle County, State of Delaware
19808. The name of its registered agent at such address is
Corporation Service Company.
THIRD: PURPOSE
The
purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which
a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware as set forth in Title 8 of the Delaware Code (the "GCL").
FOURTH: CAPITAL
STOCK
The total number of shares of stock
that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is one hundred (100) shares
of common stock with a par value of $.01 per shares.
Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Certificate of Incorporation, the Corporation shall not issue
nonvoting equity securities to the extent prohibited by Section 1123(a)(6) of
the Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. § 1123(a)(6)). The prohibition on the
issuance of
nonvoting
equity securities is included in this Certificate of Incorporation in compliance
with Section 1123(a)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. §
1123(a)(6)).
FIFTH: DIRECTORS
The number of directors which shall
constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be fixed by, or in the manner
provided in, the Bylaws of the Corporation.
SIXTH: BYLAWS
The Board
of Directors may from time to time adopt, make, amend, supplement or repeal the
Bylaws, except as provided in this Certificate of Incorporation or in the
Bylaws. Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws of the
Corporation shall so require, the election of directors of the Corporation need
not be by written ballot.
SEVENTH: INDEMNIFICATION
The Corporation shall, to the full
extent permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware GCL, as amended from time to
time, indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify pursuant thereto.
EIGHTH: AMENDMENT,
ETC.
The
Corporation reserves the right at any time, and from time to time, to amend,
alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of
Incorporation in the manner now or hereafter authorized by the laws of the State
of Delaware. All rights, preferences and privileges herein conferred
are granted subject to this reservation.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which
restates, integrates and further amends the provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation, and which was duly adopted in accordance with
Sections 242, 245 and 303 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware.
CCH II CAPITAL
CORP.
By: /s/Richard
R. Dykhouse
Name: Richard R.
Dykhouse
Title: Vice
President, Associate
General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary
exhibit12_1.htm
Exhibit
12.1
CCH
II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|
RATIO
OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES CALCULATION
|
|
(In
millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year
Ended December 31,
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2004
|
|
2005
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
from Operations before Noncontrolling Interest, Income Taxes, and the
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change
|
|
$ |
(2,617 |
) |
$ |
(488 |
) |
$ |
(613 |
) |
$ |
(546 |
) |
$ |
(1,750 |
) |
$ |
(147 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,108 |
) |
Fixed
Charges
|
|
|
733 |
|
|
865 |
|
|
982 |
|
|
1,021 |
|
|
1,071 |
|
|
788 |
|
|
|
801 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Earnings
|
|
$ |
(1,884 |
) |
$ |
377 |
|
$ |
369 |
|
$ |
475 |
|
$ |
(679 |
) |
$ |
641 |
|
|
$ |
(2,307 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed
Charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
Expense
|
|
$ |
702 |
|
$ |
829 |
|
$ |
951 |
|
$ |
995 |
|
$ |
1,041 |
|
$ |
766 |
|
|
$ |
666 |
|
Interest
Expense Included Within Reorganization Items, Net
|
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
113 |
|
Amortization
of Debt Costs
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
29 |
|
|
24 |
|
|
19 |
|
|
23 |
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
Interest
Element of Rentals
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
7 |
|
|
7 |
|
|
7 |
|
|
7 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Fixed Charges
|
|
$ |
733 |
|
$ |
865 |
|
$ |
982 |
|
$ |
1,021 |
|
$ |
1,071 |
|
$ |
788 |
|
|
$ |
801 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio
of Earnings to Fixed Charges (1)
|
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Earnings
for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 and the
nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009 were insufficient to cover
fixed charges by $2.6 billion, $488 million, $613 million, $546 million,
$1.8 billion, $147 million and $3.1 billion, respectively. As a
result of such deficiencies, the ratios are not presented
above.
|
|
exhibit21_1.htm
Exhibit
21.1
Entity Jurisdiction
and Type
Entity
Name
60; Jurisdiction and
Type
American
Cable Entertainment Company, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Athens
Cablevision, Inc.
|
|
a
Delaware corporation
|
Ausable
Cable TV, Inc.
|
|
a
New York corporation
|
Cable
Equities Colorado, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Cable
Equities of Colorado Management Corp.
|
|
a
Colorado corporation
|
CC
10, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
CC
Fiberlink, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
CC
Michigan, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
CC
Systems, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
CC
V Holdings, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
CC
VI Fiberlink, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
CC
VI Operating, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
CC
VII Fiberlink, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
CC
VIII Fiberlink, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
CC
VIII Holdings, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
CC
VIII Leasing of Wisconsin, LLC
|
|
a
Wisconsin limited liability company
|
CC
VIII Operating, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
CC
VIII, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
CCH
II, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
CCH
II Capital Corp.
|
|
a
Delaware corporation
|
CCO
Fiberlink, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
CCO
Holdings, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
CCO
Holdings Capital Corp.
|
|
a
Delaware corporation
|
CCO
NR Holdings, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
CCO
Purchasing, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Advertising of Saint Louis, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Cable Leasing of Wisconsin, LLC
|
|
a
Wisconsin limited liability company
|
Charter
Cable Operating Company, L.L.C.
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Cable Partners, L.L.C.
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Communications Entertainment I, DST
|
|
a
Delaware statutory business trust
|
Charter
Communications Entertainment I, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Communications Entertainment II, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Communications Entertainment, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Communications Operating, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Communications Operating Capital Corp.
|
|
a Delaware
corporation
|
Charter
Communications Properties LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Communications V, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Communications Ventures, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Communications VI, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Communications VII, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Communications, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Distribution, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink — Alabama, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink AR-CCVII, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink AZ-CCVII, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink CA-CCO, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink CA-CCVII, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink CC VIII, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink CCO, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink CT-CCO, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink — Georgia, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink ID-CCVII, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink — Illinois, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Entity Jurisdiction
and Type
Entity
Name
60; Jurisdiction and
Type
Charter
Fiberlink IN-CCO, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink KS-CCO, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink LA-CCO, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink MA-CCO, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink — Michigan, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink — Missouri, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink MS-CCVI, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink NC-CCO, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink NC-CCVII, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink — Nebraska, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink NH-CCO, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink NM-CCO, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink NV-CCVII, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink NY-CCO, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink NY-CCVII, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink OH-CCO, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink OK-CCVII, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink OR-CCVII, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink SC-CCO, LLC
|
|
A
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink SC-CCVII, LLC
|
|
A
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink — Tennessee, LLC
|
|
A
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink TX-CCO, LLC
|
|
A
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink UT-CCVII, LLC
|
|
A
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink VA-CCO, LLC
|
|
A
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink VT-CCO, LLC
|
|
A
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink WA-CCVII, LLC
|
|
A
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink — Wisconsin, LLC
|
|
A
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Fiberlink WV-CCO, LLC
|
|
A
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Gateway, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Helicon, LLC
|
|
A
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
RMG, LLC
|
|
A
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Stores FCN, LLC
|
|
A
Delaware limited liability company
|
Charter
Video Electronics, Inc.
|
|
A
Minnesota corporation
|
Dalton
Cablevision, Inc.
|
|
A
Delaware corporation
|
Enstar
Communications Corporation
|
|
A
Georgia corporation
|
Falcon
Cable Communications, LLC
|
|
A
Delaware limited liability company
|
Falcon
Cable Media, a California Limited Partnership
|
|
A
California limited partnership
|
Falcon
Cable Systems Company II, L.P.
|
|
a
California limited partnership
|
Falcon
Cablevision, a California Limited Partnership
|
|
a
California limited partnership
|
Falcon
Community Cable, L.P.
|
|
a
Delaware limited partnership
|
Falcon
Community Ventures I, LP
|
|
a
California limited partnership
|
Falcon
First Cable of New York, Inc.
|
|
a
Delaware corporation
|
Falcon
First Cable of the Southeast, Inc.
|
|
a
Delaware corporation
|
Falcon
First, Inc.
|
|
a
Delaware corporation
|
Falcon
Telecable, a California Limited Partnership
|
|
a
California limited partnership
|
Falcon
Video Communications, L.P.
|
|
a
Delaware limited partnership
|
Helicon
Group, L.P., The
|
|
a
Delaware limited partnership
|
Helicon
Partners I, L.P.
|
|
a
Delaware limited partnership
|
Hometown
TV, Inc.
|
|
a
New York corporation
|
HPI
Acquisition Co., L.L.C.
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Interlink
Communications Partners, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Long
Beach, LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Marcus
Cable Associates, L.L.C.
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability
company
|
Entity Jurisdiction
and Type
Entity
Name
60; Jurisdiction and
Type
Marcus
Cable of Alabama, L.L.C.
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Marcus
Cable, Inc.
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Midwest
Cable Communications, Inc.
|
|
a
Minnesota corporation
|
Peachtree
Cable TV, L.P.
|
|
a
Georgia limited partnership
|
Peachtree
Cable T.V., LLC
|
|
a
Delaware limited liability company
|
Plattsburgh
Cablevision, Inc.
|
|
a
Delaware corporation
|
Renaissance
Media LLC
|
|
A
Delaware limited liability company
|
Rifkin
Acquisition Partners, LLC
|
|
A
Delaware limited liability company
|
Robin
Media Group, Inc.
|
|
A
Nevada corporation
|
Scottsboro
TV Cable, Inc.
|
|
an
Alabama corporation
|
Tennessee,
LLC
|
|
A
Delaware limited liability company
|
Tioga
Cable Company, Inc.
|
|
A
Pennsylvania corporation
|
Vista
Broadband Communications, LLC
|
|
A
Delaware limited liability company
|
|
|
|
Adcast
North Carolina Cable Advertising, LLC
|
|
Joint
Venture – Class B Member
|
Charlotte
Cable Advertising Interconnect, LLC
|
|
Joint
Venture – Class B Member
|
Pacific
Microwave
|
|
Joint
Venture
|
SFC
Transmission
|
|
Joint
Venture
|
TWC
W. Ohio — Charter Cable Advertising, LLC
|
|
Joint
Venture – Class B Member
|
TWC/Charter
Los Angeles Cable Advertising, LLC
|
|
Joint
Venture – Class A Member
|
TWC/Charter
Green Bay Cable Adverstising, LLC
|
|
Joint
Venture – Class B Member
|
TWC/Charter
Dallas Cable Advertising, LLC
|
|
Joint
Venture – Class B Member
|
exhibit23_2.htm
Exhibit 23.2
Consent
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The
Manager and the Member
CCH II,
LLC:
We
consent to the use of our report dated October 6, 2009, except for Note 24 and
Note 26, as to which the date is January 15, 2010, with respect to the
consolidated balance sheets of CCH II, LLC and subsidiaries as of December 31,
2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in
member’s equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 2008, included herein and to the reference
to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus.
Our
report dated October 6, 2009, except for Note 24 and Note 26, as to which the
date is January 15, 2010, on the consolidated financial statements contains an
explanatory paragraph that refers to the adoption of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in
Consolidated Financial Statements—An Amendment of ARB No. 51, effective
January 1, 2009.
/s/ KPMG
LLP
St.
Louis, Missouri
January
15, 2010