CCI 10-Q 3Q05
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
(Mark
One)
[X]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT
OF 1934
For
the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005
or
[ ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT
OF 1934
For
the transition period from ________to _________
Commission
file number: 000-27927
Charter
Communications, Inc.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
|
|
43-1857213
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
|
|
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification
Number)
|
12405
Powerscourt Drive
St.
Louis, Missouri 63131
(Address
of principal executive offices including zip code)
(314)
965-0555
(Registrant's
telephone number, including area code)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for
the past 90 days. YES [X] NO [ ]
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in
Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES [X] NO [ ]
Number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding as of September
30, 2005:
348,576,466
Number of shares of Class B common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2005:
50,000
Charter
Communications, Inc.
Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the Period ended September 30,
2005
Table
of Contents
PART
I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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Page
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4
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Financial
Statements - Charter Communications, Inc. and
Subsidiaries
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5
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6
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7
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8
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32
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57
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59
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PART
II. OTHER INFORMATION
|
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60
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62
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62
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63
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63
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64
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65
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This
quarterly report on Form 10-Q is for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2005. The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") allows
us to "incorporate by reference" information that we file with the SEC, which
means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you
directly to those documents. Information incorporated by reference is considered
to be part of this quarterly report. In addition, information that we file
with
the SEC in the future will automatically update and supersede information
contained in this quarterly report. In this quarterly report, "we," "us"
and
"our" refer to Charter Communications, Inc., Charter Communications Holding
Company, LLC and their subsidiaries.
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
This
quarterly
report includes
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"),
and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (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 "Results
of Operations"
and
"Liquidity
and Capital Resources"
sections
under Part I, Item 2. "Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations"
in this
quarterly
report.
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 under
"Certain
Trends and Uncertainties"
under
Part I, Item 2. "Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations"
in this
quarterly
report.
Many of
the forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly
report may
be
identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "should," "planned," "will," "may," "intend," "estimated"
and
"potential"
among
others. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from the forward-looking statements we make in this quarterly
report are
set
forth in this quarterly
report and
in
other reports or documents that we file from time to time with the SEC, and
include, but are not limited to:
|
·
|
the
availability, in general, of funds to meet interest payment obligations
under our debt and to fund our operations and necessary capital
expenditures, either through cash flows from operating activities,
further
borrowings or other sources and, in particular, our ability to
be able to
provide under applicable debt instruments such funds (by dividend,
investment or otherwise) to the applicable obligor of such
debt;
|
|
·
|
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 a stable customer base, particularly
in
the face of increasingly aggressive competition from other service
providers;
|
|
·
|
our
ability to comply with all covenants in our indentures, the Bridge
Loan
and credit facilities, any violation of which would result in
a violation
of the applicable facility or indenture and could trigger a default
of
other obligations under cross-default
provisions;
|
|
·
|
our
ability to pay or refinance debt prior to or when it becomes
due and/or to
take advantage of market opportunities and market windows to
refinance
that debt in the capital markets through new issuances, exchange
offers or
otherwise, including restructuring our balance sheet and leverage
position;
|
|
·
|
our
ability to obtain programming at reasonable prices or to pass
programming
cost increases on to our customers;
|
|
·
|
general
business conditions, economic uncertainty or slowdown;
and
|
|
·
|
the
effects of governmental regulation, including but not limited
to local
franchise authorities, on our business.
|
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 quarterly
report.
PART
I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
Item
1. Financial
Statements.
The
Board
of Directors and Shareholders
Charter
Communications, Inc.:
We
have
reviewed the condensed consolidated balance sheet of Charter Communications,
Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2005, the related
condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three-month and
nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, and the related condensed
consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September
30, 2005 and 2004. These condensed consolidated financial statements are
the
responsibility of the Company’s management.
We
conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial
information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making
inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It
is
substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the
standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States),
the
objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial
statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an
opinion.
Based
on
our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be
made
to the condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for
them to
be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles.
We
have
previously audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet
of
the Company as of December 31, 2004, and the related consolidated statements
of
operations, changes in shareholders’ equity (deficit), and cash flows for the
year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated March 1,
2005,
we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed
consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in
all
material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which
it
has been derived.
As
discussed in Note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements,
effective September 30, 2004, the Company adopted EITF Topic D-108, Use
of the Residual Method to Value Acquired Assets Other than
Goodwill.
/s/
KPMG
LLP
St.
Louis, Missouri
October
31, 2005
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(DOLLARS
IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
|
|
September 30,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT
ASSETS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
22
|
|
$
|
650
|
|
Accounts
receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$15
and $15, respectively
|
|
|
188
|
|
|
190
|
|
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
82
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
290
|
|
|
922
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVESTMENT
IN CABLE PROPERTIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property,
plant and equipment, net of accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
depreciation
of $6,393 and $5,311, respectively
|
|
|
5,936
|
|
|
6,289
|
|
Franchises,
net
|
|
|
9,830
|
|
|
9,878
|
|
Total
investment in cable properties, net
|
|
|
15,766
|
|
|
16,167
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER
NONCURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
468
|
|
|
584
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$
|
16,524
|
|
$
|
17,673
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT
LIABILITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
|
$
|
1,172
|
|
$
|
1,217
|
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
1,172
|
|
|
1,217
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LONG-TERM
DEBT
|
|
|
19,120
|
|
|
19,464
|
|
DEFERRED
MANAGEMENT FEES - RELATED PARTY
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
14
|
|
OTHER
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
|
|
|
504
|
|
|
681
|
|
MINORITY
INTEREST
|
|
|
665
|
|
|
648
|
|
PREFERRED
STOCK - REDEEMABLE; $.001 par value; 1 million
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
shares
authorized; 545,259 shares issued and outstanding
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHAREHOLDERS’
DEFICIT:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class
A Common stock; $.001 par value; 1.75 billion shares
authorized;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
348,576,466
and 305,203,770 shares issued and outstanding,
respectively
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
Class
B Common stock; $.001 par value; 750 million
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
shares
authorized; 50,000 shares issued and outstanding
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
Preferred
stock; $.001 par value; 250 million shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
authorized;
no non-redeemable shares issued and outstanding
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
4,821
|
|
|
4,794
|
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
|
|
(9,830
|
)
|
|
(9,196
|
)
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
shareholders’ deficit
|
|
|
(5,006
|
)
|
|
(4,406
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
liabilities and shareholders’ deficit
|
|
$
|
16,524
|
|
$
|
17,673
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(DOLLARS
IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
Unaudited
|
|
Three
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REVENUES
|
|
$
|
1,318
|
|
$
|
1,248
|
|
$
|
3,912
|
|
$
|
3,701
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COSTS
AND EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
(excluding depreciation and amortization)
|
|
|
586
|
|
|
525
|
|
|
1,714
|
|
|
1,552
|
|
Selling,
general and administrative
|
|
|
269
|
|
|
252
|
|
|
762
|
|
|
735
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
375
|
|
|
371
|
|
|
1,134
|
|
|
1,105
|
|
Impairment
of franchises
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
2,433
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
2,433
|
|
Asset
impairment charges
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
--
|
|
(Gain)
loss on sale of assets, net
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
(104
|
)
|
Option
compensation expense, net
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
34
|
|
Hurricane
asset retirement loss
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
--
|
|
Special
charges, net
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,255
|
|
|
3,592
|
|
|
3,688
|
|
|
5,855
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) from operations
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
(2,344
|
)
|
|
224
|
|
|
(2,154
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER
INCOME AND EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense, net
|
|
|
(462
|
)
|
|
(424
|
)
|
|
(1,333
|
)
|
|
(1,227
|
)
|
Gain
(loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities,
net
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
43
|
|
|
48
|
|
Loss
on debt to equity conversions
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
(23
|
)
|
Gain
(loss) on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
490
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
498
|
|
|
(21
|
)
|
Gain
on investments
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
(432
|
)
|
|
(771
|
)
|
|
(1,223
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) before minority interest, income taxes and cumulative effect
of
accounting change
|
|
|
108
|
|
|
(2,776
|
)
|
|
(547
|
)
|
|
(3,377
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MINORITY
INTEREST
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
34
|
|
|
(9
|
)
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting
change
|
|
|
105
|
|
|
(2,742
|
)
|
|
(556
|
)
|
|
(3,353
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCOME
TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE)
|
|
|
(29
|
)
|
|
213
|
|
|
(75
|
)
|
|
116
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
|
76
|
|
|
(2,529
|
)
|
|
(631
|
)
|
|
(3,237
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CUMULATIVE
EFFECT OF ACCOUNTING CHANGE, NET OF TAX
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
(765
|
)
|
|
--
|
|
|
(765
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income (loss)
|
|
|
76
|
|
|
(3,294
|
)
|
|
(631
|
)
|
|
(4,002
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends
on preferred stock - redeemable
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income (loss) applicable to common stock
|
|
$
|
75
|
|
$
|
(3,295
|
)
|
$
|
(634
|
)
|
$
|
(4,005
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EARNINGS
(LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$
|
0.24
|
|
$
|
(10.89
|
)
|
$
|
(2.06
|
)
|
$
|
(13.38
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
$
|
(10.89
|
)
|
$
|
(2.06
|
)
|
$
|
(13.38
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average common shares outstanding, basic
|
|
|
316,214,740
|
|
|
302,604,978
|
|
|
307,761,930
|
|
|
299,411,053
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average common shares outstanding, diluted
|
|
|
1,012,591,842
|
|
|
302,604,978
|
|
|
307,761,930
|
|
|
299,411,053
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS
IN MILLIONS)
Unaudited
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September
30,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$
|
(631
|
)
|
$
|
(4,002
|
)
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash flows from operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority
interest
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
(24
|
)
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
1,134
|
|
|
1,105
|
|
Asset
impairment charges
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
--
|
|
Impairment
of franchises
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
2,433
|
|
Option
compensation expense, net
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
30
|
|
Hurricane
asset retirement loss
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
--
|
|
Special
charges, net
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
85
|
|
Noncash
interest expense
|
|
|
188
|
|
|
237
|
|
Gain
on derivative instruments and hedging activities, net
|
|
|
(43
|
)
|
|
(48
|
)
|
(Gain)
loss on sale of assets, net
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
(104
|
)
|
Loss
on debt to equity conversions
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
23
|
|
(Gain)
loss on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
(504
|
)
|
|
18
|
|
Gain
on investments
|
|
|
(21
|
)
|
|
--
|
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
71
|
|
|
(119
|
)
|
Cumulative
effect of accounting change, net of tax
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
765
|
|
Other,
net
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from
dispositions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
1
|
|
Prepaid
expenses and other assets
|
|
|
85
|
|
|
2
|
|
Accounts
payable, accrued expenses and other
|
|
|
(241
|
)
|
|
(18
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
383
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases
of property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
(815
|
)
|
|
(639
|
)
|
Change
in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
(23
|
)
|
Proceeds
from sale of assets
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
729
|
|
Purchases
of investments
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(15
|
)
|
Proceeds
from investments
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
--
|
|
Other,
net
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
(729
|
)
|
|
50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings
of long-term debt
|
|
|
897
|
|
|
2,873
|
|
Repayments
of long-term debt
|
|
|
(1,141
|
)
|
|
(4,707
|
)
|
Proceeds
from issuance of debt
|
|
|
294
|
|
|
1,500
|
|
Payments
for debt issuance costs
|
|
|
(67
|
)
|
|
(97
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
cash flows from financing activities
|
|
|
(17
|
)
|
|
(431
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|
|
(628
|
)
|
|
2
|
|
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period
|
|
|
650
|
|
|
127
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
|
|
$
|
22
|
|
$
|
129
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
PAID FOR INTEREST
|
|
$
|
1,170
|
|
$
|
824
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NONCASH
TRANSACTIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance
of debt by CCH I Holdings, LLC
|
|
$
|
2,423
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
Issuance
of debt by CCH I, LLC
|
|
$
|
3,686
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
Issuance
of debt by Charter Communications Operating, LLC
|
|
$
|
333
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
Retirement
of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC debt
|
|
$
|
(7,000
|
)
|
$
|
--
|
|
Debt
exchanged for Charter Class A common stock
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
$
|
30
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated
financial statements.
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
1.
|
Organization
and Basis of Presentation
|
Charter
Communications, Inc. ("Charter") is a holding company whose principal assets
at
September 30, 2005 are the 48% controlling common equity interest in Charter
Communications Holding Company, LLC ("Charter Holdco") and "mirror" notes
which
are payable by Charter Holdco to Charter and have the same principal amount
and
terms as those of Charter’s convertible senior notes. Charter Holdco is the sole
owner of CCHC, LLC, which is the sole owner of Charter Communications Holdings,
LLC ("Charter Holdings"). The condensed consolidated financial statements
include the accounts of Charter, Charter Holdco, Charter Holdings and all
of
their subsidiaries where the underlying operations reside, which are
collectively referred to herein as the "Company." Charter consolidates
Charter
Holdco on the basis of voting control. Charter Holdco’s limited liability
company agreement provides that so long as Charter’s Class B common stock
retains its special voting rights, Charter will maintain a 100% voting
interest
in Charter Holdco. Voting control gives Charter full authority and control
over
the operations of Charter Holdco. 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 its customers traditional cable video programming (analog and digital
video) as well as high-speed Internet services and, in some areas, advanced
broadband services such as high definition television, video on demand
and
telephone. The Company sells its cable video programming, high-speed Internet
and advanced broadband services on a subscription basis. The Company also
sells
local advertising on satellite-delivered networks.
The
accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company
have
been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted
in the
United States 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 Charter’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K 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
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States 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.
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States 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
2004 amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2005
presentation.
2.
|
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
|
The
Company had net income applicable to common stock of $75 million for the
three
months ended September 30, 2005. The Company incurred net loss applicable
to
common stock of $634 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005
and
$3.3 billion and $4.0 billion for the three and nine months ended September
30,
2004, respectively. The Company’s net cash flows from operating activities were
$118 million and $383 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005
and
2004, respectively.
The
Company has a significant level of debt. The Company's long-term financing
as of
September 30, 2005 consists of $5.5 billion of credit facility debt, $12.7
billion accreted value of high-yield notes and $866 million accreted value
of
convertible senior notes. For the remainder of 2005, $7 million of the
Company’s
debt matures, and in 2006, an additional $55 million of the Company’s debt
matures. In 2007 and beyond, significant additional amounts will become
due
under the Company’s remaining long-term debt obligations.
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
In
September 2005, Charter Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiaries, CCH
I, LLC
("CCH I") and CCH I Holdings, LLC ("CIH"), completed the exchange of
approximately $6.8 billion total principal amount of outstanding debt securities
of Charter Holdings in a private placement for new debt securities. Holders
of
Charter Holdings notes due in 2009 and 2010 exchanged $3.4 billion principal
amount of notes for $2.9 billion principal amount of new 11% CCH I senior
secured notes due 2015. Holders of Charter Holdings notes due 2011 and
2012
exchanged $845 million principal amount of notes for $662 million principal
amount of 11% CCH I senior secured notes due 2015. In addition, holders
of
Charter Holdings notes due 2011 and 2012 exchanged $2.5 billion principal
amount
of notes for $2.5 billion principal amount of various series of new CIH
notes.
Each series of new CIH notes has the same stated interest rate and provisions
for payment of cash interest as the series of old Charter Holdings notes
for
which such CIH notes were exchanged. In addition, the maturities for each
series
were extended three years.
See Note
6 for discussion of transaction and related financial statement
impact.
The
Company has historically required significant cash to fund debt service
costs,
capital expenditures and ongoing operations. Historically, the Company
has
funded these requirements through cash flows from operating activities,
borrowings under its credit facilities, sales of assets, issuances of debt
and
equity securities and from cash on hand. However, the mix of funding sources
changes from period to period. For the nine months ended September 30,
2005, the
Company generated $118 million of net cash flows from operating activities,
after paying cash interest of $1.2 billion. In addition, the Company used
approximately $815 million for purchases of property, plant and equipment.
Finally, the Company had net cash flows used in financing activities of
$17
million.
In
October 2005, CCO Holdings, LLC ("CCO Holdings") and CCO Holdings Capital
Corp.,
as guarantor thereunder, entered into a senior bridge loan agreement (the
"Bridge Loan") with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands
Branch and Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch (the "Lenders") whereby
the
Lenders have committed to make loans to CCO Holdings in an aggregate amount
of
$600 million. CCO Holdings may draw upon the facility between January 2,
2006
and September 29, 2006 and the loans will mature on the sixth anniversary
of the
first borrowing under the Bridge Loan.
The
Company expects that cash on hand, cash flows from operating activities
and the
amounts available under its credit facilities and Bridge Loan will be adequate
to meet its cash needs for the remainder of 2005 and 2006. Cash flows from
operating activities and amounts available under the Company’s credit facilities
and Bridge Loan may not be sufficient to fund the Company’s operations and
satisfy its interest payment obligations in 2007. It is likely that the
Company
will require additional funding to satisfy its debt repayment obligations
in
2007. The Company believes that cash flows from operating activities and
amounts
available under its credit facilities and Bridge Loan will not be sufficient
to
fund its operations and satisfy its interest and principal repayment obligations
thereafter.
The
Company is working with its financial advisors to address its funding
requirements. However, there can be no assurance that such funding will
be
available to the Company. Although Paul G. Allen, Charter’s Chairman and
controlling shareholder, and his affiliates have purchased equity from
the
Company in the past, Mr. Allen and his affiliates are not obligated to
purchase
equity from, contribute to or loan funds to the Company in the
future.
Credit
Facilities and Covenants
The
Company’s ability to operate depends upon, among other things, its continued
access to capital, including credit under the Charter Communications Operating,
LLC ("Charter Operating") credit facilities. These credit facilities, along
with
the Company’s indentures and Bridge Loan, contain certain restrictive covenants,
some of which require the Company to maintain specified financial ratios
and
meet financial tests and to provide audited financial statements with an
unqualified opinion from the Company’s independent auditors. As of September 30,
2005, the Company is in compliance with the covenants under its indentures
and
credit facilities and the Company expects to remain in compliance with
those
covenants and the Bridge Loan covenants for the next twelve months. The
Company’s total potential borrowing availability under the current credit
facilities totaled $786 million as of September 30, 2005, although
the
actual availability at that time was only $648 million because of limits
imposed
by covenant restrictions.
In
addition, effective January 2, 2006, the Company will have additional borrowing
availability of $600 million as a result of the Bridge Loan. Continued
access to the Company’s credit facilities and Bridge Loan is subject to the
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
Company
remaining in compliance with the covenants of these credit facilities and
Bridge
Loan, including covenants tied to the Company’s operating performance. If the
Company’s operating performance results in non-compliance with these covenants,
or if any of certain other events of non-compliance under these credit
facilities, Bridge Loan or indentures governing the Company’s debt occur,
funding under the credit facilities and Bridge Loan may not be available
and
defaults on some or potentially all of the Company’s debt obligations could
occur. An event of default under the covenants governing any of the Company’s
debt instruments could result in the acceleration of its payment obligations
under that debt and, under certain circumstances, in cross-defaults under
its
other debt obligations, which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of
operations.
Specific
Limitations
Charter’s
ability to make interest payments on its convertible senior notes, and,
in 2006
and 2009, to repay the outstanding principal of its convertible senior
notes of
$25 million and $863 million, respectively, will depend on its ability
to raise
additional capital and/or on receipt of payments or distributions from
Charter
Holdco or its subsidiaries, including Charter Holdings, CIH, CCH I, CCH
II, LLC
("CCH
II"),
CCO
Holdings and Charter Operating. During the nine months ended September
30,
2005,
Charter Holdings distributed $60 million to Charter Holdco.
As of
September 30, 2005, Charter Holdco was owed $57 million in intercompany
loans
from its subsidiaries, which amount was available to pay interest and principal
on Charter's convertible senior notes. In
addition, Charter
has $123 million of governmental securities pledged as security for the
next
five semi-annual interest payments on Charter’s 5.875% convertible senior
notes.
Distributions
by Charter’s subsidiaries to a parent company (including Charter and Charter
Holdco) for
payment of principal on parent company notes are
restricted by the Bridge Loan and indentures governing the CIH notes, CCH
I
notes, CCH II notes, CCO Holdings notes, and Charter Operating notes,
unless
under their respective indentures there is no default and a specified leverage
ratio test is met at the time of such event. For the quarter ended September
30,
2005, there was no default under any of the aforementioned indentures.
However,
CCO Holdings did not meet its leverage ratio test of 4.5 to 1.0. As a result,
distributions from CCO Holdings to CCH II, CCH I, CIH, Charter Holdings,
Charter
Holdco or Charter for payment of principal of the respective parent company’s
debt are currently restricted and will continue to be restricted until
that test
is met. However distributions for payment of the respective parent company’s
interest are permitted.
The
indentures governing the Charter Holdings notes permit Charter Holdings
to make
distributions to Charter Holdco for payment of interest or principal on
the
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 September
30, 2005, there
was
no default under Charter Holdings’ indentures and other specified tests were
met. However, Charter Holdings did not meet the leverage ratio of 8.75
to 1.0
based on September
30,
2005
financial results. As a result, distributions from Charter Holdings to
Charter
or Charter Holdco for payment of interest or principal on the convertible
senior
notes are currently restricted and will continue to be restricted until
that
test is met. During
this restriction period,
the
indentures governing the Charter Holdings notes permit Charter Holdings
and its
subsidiaries to make specified investments in Charter Holdco or Charter,
up to
an amount determined by a formula, as long as there is no default under
the
indentures.
In
July
2005, the Company closed the sale of certain cable systems in Texas and
West
Virginia and closed the sale of an additional cable system in Nebraska
in
October 2005, representing a total of approximately 33,000 customers. During
the
nine months ended September 30, 2005, those cable systems met the criteria
for
assets held for sale under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
("SFAS")
No. 144, Accounting
for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.
As
such, the assets were written down to fair value less estimated costs to
sell
resulting in asset impairment charges during the nine months ended September
30,
2005 of approximately $39 million. At September 30, 2005 assets held for
sale,
included in investment in cable properties, are approximately $7
million.
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
In
March
2004, the Company closed the sale of certain cable systems in Florida,
Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia to Atlantic Broadband
Finance, LLC. The Company closed the sale of an additional cable system
in New
York to Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC in April 2004. These transactions
resulted in a $106 million pretax gain recorded as a gain on sale of assets
in
the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The total net proceeds from
the sale of all of these systems were approximately $735 million. The proceeds
were used to repay a portion of amounts outstanding under the Company’s
revolving credit facility.
Gain
on
investments for the nine months ended September
30,
2005
primarily represents a
gain
realized on an exchange of the Company’s interest in an equity investee for an
investment in a larger enterprise.
4.
|
Franchises
and Goodwill
|
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.
Franchises
that qualify for indefinite-life treatment under SFAS No. 142 are
tested
for impairment annually each October 1 based on valuations, or more frequently
as warranted by events or changes in circumstances. Such test resulted
in a
total franchise impairment of approximately $3.3 billion during the third
quarter of 2004. The October 1, 2005 annual impairment test will be finalized
in
the fourth quarter of 2005 and any impairment resulting from such test
will be
recorded in the fourth quarter. Franchises are aggregated into essentially
inseparable asset groups to conduct the valuations. The asset groups generally
represent geographic 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’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 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.
The
Company follows the guidance of Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") Issue
02-17,
Recognition
of Customer Relationship Intangible Assets Acquired in a Business Combination,
in
valuing customer relationships. Customer relationships, for valuation purposes,
represent the value of the business relationship with existing customers
and are
calculated by projecting future after-tax cash flows from these customers
including the right to deploy and market additional services such as
interactivity and telephone 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.
In
September 2004, the SEC staff issued EITF Topic D-108 which requires the
direct
method of separately valuing all intangible assets and does not permit
goodwill
to be included in franchise assets. The Company adopted Topic D-108 in
its
impairment assessment as of September 30, 2004 that resulted in a total
franchise impairment of approximately $3.3 billion. The Company recorded
a
cumulative effect of accounting change of $765 million (approximately $875
million before tax effects of $91 million and minority interest effects
of $19
million) for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 representing the
portion
of the Company's total franchise impairment attributable to no longer including
goodwill with franchise assets. The effect of the adoption was to increase
net
loss and loss per share by
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
$765
million and $2.55, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30,
2004.
The remaining $2.4 billion of the total franchise impairment was attributable
to
the use of lower projected growth rates and the resulting revised estimates
of
future cash flows in the Company's valuation, and was recorded as impairment
of
franchises in the Company's accompanying consolidated statements of operations
for the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Sustained analog video customer
losses by the Company in the third quarter of 2004 primarily as a result
of
increased competition from direct broadcast satellite providers and decreased
growth rates in the Company's high-speed Internet customers in the third
quarter
of 2004, in part, as a result of increased competition from digital subscriber
line service providers led to the lower projected growth rates and the
revised
estimates of future cash flows from those used at October 1, 2003.
As
of
September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, indefinite-lived and finite-lived
intangible assets are presented in the following table:
|
|
September
30, 2005
|
|
December 31,
2004
|
|
|
|
Gross
Carrying
Amount
|
|
Accumulated
Amortization
|
|
Net
Carrying
Amount
|
|
Gross
Carrying
Amount
|
|
Accumulated
Amortization
|
|
Net
Carrying
Amount
|
|
Indefinite-lived
intangible assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Franchises
with indefinite lives
|
|
$
|
9,797
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
$
|
9,797
|
|
$
|
9,845
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
$
|
9,845
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9,849
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
$
|
9,849
|
|
$
|
9,897
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
$
|
9,897
|
|
Finite-lived
intangible assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Franchises
with finite lives
|
|
$
|
40
|
|
$
|
7
|
|
$
|
33
|
|
$
|
37
|
|
$
|
4
|
|
$
|
33
|
|
Franchises
with indefinite lives decreased $39 million as a result of the asset impairment
charges recorded related to three cable asset sales and $9 million as a
result
of the closing of two of the cable asset sales in July 2005 (see Note 3).
Franchise amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September
30,
2005 and 2004 was $1 million and $3 million, respectively, which represents
the
amortization relating to franchises that did not qualify for indefinite-life
treatment under SFAS No. 142, including costs associated with franchise
renewals. The Company expects that amortization expense on franchise assets
will
be approximately $3 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.
5.
|
Accounts
Payable and Accrued
Expenses
|
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses consist of the following as of September
30,
2005
and December 31, 2004:
|
|
September
30,
2005
|
|
December 31,
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable - trade
|
|
$
|
84
|
|
$
|
148
|
|
Accrued
capital expenditures
|
|
|
101
|
|
|
65
|
|
Accrued
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
298
|
|
|
324
|
|
Programming
costs
|
|
|
287
|
|
|
278
|
|
Franchise-related
fees
|
|
|
56
|
|
|
67
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
85
|
|
|
66
|
|
Other
|
|
|
261
|
|
|
269
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,172
|
|
$
|
1,217
|
|
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
Long-term
debt consists of the following as of September
30, 2005 and
December 31, 2004:
|
|
September 30,
2005
|
|
December
31, 2004
|
|
|
|
Principal
Amount
|
|
Accreted
Value
|
|
Principal
Amount
|
|
Accreted
Value
|
|
Long-Term
Debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charter
Communications, Inc.:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.75%
convertible senior notes due 2006
|
|
$
|
25
|
|
$
|
25
|
|
$
|
156
|
|
$
|
156
|
|
5.875%
convertible senior notes due 2009
|
|
|
863
|
|
|
841
|
|
|
863
|
|
|
834
|
|
Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.250%
senior notes due 2007
|
|
|
105
|
|
|
105
|
|
|
451
|
|
|
451
|
|
8.625%
senior notes due 2009
|
|
|
292
|
|
|
292
|
|
|
1,244
|
|
|
1,243
|
|
9.920%
senior discount notes due 2011
|
|
|
198
|
|
|
198
|
|
|
1,108
|
|
|
1,108
|
|
10.000%
senior notes due 2009
|
|
|
154
|
|
|
154
|
|
|
640
|
|
|
640
|
|
10.250%
senior notes due 2010
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
318
|
|
|
318
|
|
11.750%
senior discount notes due 2010
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
450
|
|
|
448
|
|
10.750%
senior notes due 2009
|
|
|
131
|
|
|
131
|
|
|
874
|
|
|
874
|
|
11.125%
senior notes due 2011
|
|
|
217
|
|
|
217
|
|
|
500
|
|
|
500
|
|
13.500%
senior discount notes due 2011
|
|
|
94
|
|
|
91
|
|
|
675
|
|
|
589
|
|
9.625%
senior notes due 2009
|
|
|
107
|
|
|
107
|
|
|
640
|
|
|
638
|
|
10.000%
senior notes due 2011
|
|
|
137
|
|
|
136
|
|
|
710
|
|
|
708
|
|
11.750%
senior discount notes due 2011
|
|
|
125
|
|
|
116
|
|
|
939
|
|
|
803
|
|
12.125%
senior discount notes due 2012
|
|
|
113
|
|
|
97
|
|
|
330
|
|
|
259
|
|
CCH
I Holdings, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.125%
senior notes due 2014
|
|
|
151
|
|
|
151
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
9.920%
senior discount notes due 2014
|
|
|
471
|
|
|
471
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
10.000%
senior notes due 2014
|
|
|
299
|
|
|
299
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
11.750%
senior discount notes due 2014
|
|
|
815
|
|
|
759
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
13.500%
senior discount notes due 2014
|
|
|
581
|
|
|
559
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
12.125%
senior discount notes due 2015
|
|
|
217
|
|
|
187
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
CCH
I, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.00%
senior notes due 2015
|
|
|
3,525
|
|
|
3,686
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
CCH
II, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.250%
senior notes due 2010
|
|
|
1,601
|
|
|
1,601
|
|
|
1,601
|
|
|
1,601
|
|
CCO
Holdings, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8¾%
senior notes due 2013
|
|
|
800
|
|
|
794
|
|
|
500
|
|
|
500
|
|
Senior
floating rate notes due 2010
|
|
|
550
|
|
|
550
|
|
|
550
|
|
|
550
|
|
Charter
Communications Operating, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8%
senior second lien notes due 2012
|
|
|
1,100
|
|
|
1,100
|
|
|
1,100
|
|
|
1,100
|
|
8
3/8% senior second lien notes due 2014
|
|
|
733
|
|
|
733
|
|
|
400
|
|
|
400
|
|
Renaissance
Media Group LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.000%
senior discount notes due 2008
|
|
|
114
|
|
|
115
|
|
|
114
|
|
|
116
|
|
CC
V Holdings, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.875%
senior discount notes due 2008
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
113
|
|
|
113
|
|
Credit
Facilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charter
Operating
|
|
|
5,513
|
|
|
5,513
|
|
|
5,515
|
|
|
5,515
|
|
|
|
$
|
19,123
|
|
$
|
19,120
|
|
$
|
19,791
|
|
$
|
19,464
|
|
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
The
accreted values presented above 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. The accreted value of CIH notes and CCH I notes issued
in
exchange for Charter Holdings notes are recorded in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). GAAP requires that the CIH notes
issued
in exchange for Charter Holdings notes and the CCH I notes issued in exchange
for the 8.625% Charter Holdings notes due 2009 be recorded at the historical
book values of the Charter Holdings notes as opposed to the current accreted
value for legal purposes and notes indenture purposes (the amount that
is
currently payable if the debt becomes immediately due). As of September
30,
2005, the accreted value of the Company’s debt for legal purposes and notes
indenture purposes is $18.6 billion.
In
October 2005, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp., as guarantor
thereunder, entered into the Bridge Loan with the Lenders whereby the Lenders
have committed to make loans to CCO Holdings in an aggregate amount of
$600
million. CCO Holdings may draw upon the facility between January 2, 2006
and
September 29, 2006 and the loans will mature on the sixth anniversary of
the
first borrowing under the Bridge Loan. Each loan will accrue interest at
a rate
equal to an adjusted LIBOR rate plus a spread. The spread will initially
be 450
basis points and will increase (a) by an additional 25 basis points at
the end
of the six-month period following the date of the first borrowing, (b)
by an
additional 25 basis points at the end of each of the next two subsequent
three
month periods and (c) by 62.5 basis points at the end of each of the next
two
subsequent three-month periods. CCO Holdings will be required to prepay
loans
from the net proceeds from (i) the issuance of equity or incurrence of
debt by
Charter and its subsidiaries, with certain exceptions, and (ii) certain
asset
sales (to the extent not used for other purposes permitted under the Bridge
Loan).
In
August
2005, CCO Holdings issued $300 million in debt securities, the proceeds
of which
were used for general corporate purposes, including the payment of distributions
to its parent companies, including Charter Holdings, to pay interest expense.
Gain
(loss) on extinguishment of debt
In
September 2005, Charter Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiaries, CCH
I and
CIH, completed the exchange of approximately $6.8 billion total principal
amount
of outstanding debt securities of Charter Holdings in a private placement
for
new debt securities. Holders of Charter Holdings notes due in 2009 and
2010
exchanged $3.4 billion principal amount of notes for $2.9 billion principal
amount of new 11% CCH I senior secured notes due 2015. Holders of Charter
Holdings notes due 2011 and 2012 exchanged $845 million principal amount
of
notes for $662 million principal amount of 11% CCH I senior secured notes
due
2015. In addition, holders of Charter Holdings notes due 2011 and 2012
exchanged
$2.5 billion principal amount of notes for $2.5 billion principal amount
of
various series of new CIH notes. Each series of new CIH notes has the same
stated interest rate and provisions for payment of cash interest as the
series
of old Charter Holdings notes for which such CIH notes were exchanged.
In
addition, the maturities for each series were extended three years.
The
exchanges resulted in a net gain on extinguishment of debt of approximately
$490
million for the three and nine months ended September
30,
2005.
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 placements, approximately
$333 million principal amount of new notes with terms identical to Charter
Operating's 8.375% senior second lien notes due 2014 in exchange for
approximately $346 million of the Charter Holdings 8.25% senior notes due
2007.
The exchanges resulted in gain on extinguishment of debt of approximately
$10
million for the nine months ended September
30,
2005.
The Charter Holdings notes received in the exchange were thereafter distributed
to Charter Holdings and cancelled.
During
the nine months ended September
30,
2005,
the Company repurchased, in private transactions, from a small number of
institutional holders, a total of $131 million principal amount of its
4.75%
convertible senior notes due 2006. These transactions resulted in a net
gain on
extinguishment of debt of approximately $4 million for the nine months
ended
September
30,
2005.
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
In
March
2005, Charter’s subsidiary, CC V Holdings, LLC, redeemed all of its 11.875%
notes due 2008, at 103.958% of principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid
interest to the date of redemption. The total cost of redemption was
approximately $122 million and was funded through borrowings under the
Charter
Operating credit facilities. The redemption resulted in a loss on extinguishment
of debt for the nine months ended September
30,
2005
of approximately $5 million. Following
such redemption, CC V Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries (other than
non-guarantor subsidiaries) guaranteed the Charter Operating credit facilities
and granted a lien on all of their assets as to which a lien can be perfected
under the Uniform Commercial Code by the filing of a financing
statement.
7.
|
Minority
Interest and Equity Interest of Charter
Holdco
|
Charter
is a holding company whose primary assets are a controlling equity interest
in
Charter Holdco, the indirect owner of the Company’s cable systems, and $866
million and $990 million at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004,
respectively, of mirror notes that are payable by Charter Holdco to Charter
and
have the same principal amount and terms as those of Charter’s convertible
senior notes. Minority
interest on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2005
and December 31, 2004 primarily represents preferred membership interests
in CC
VIII, LLC ("CC VIII"), an indirect subsidiary of Charter Holdco, of $665
million
and $656 million, respectively. As
more
fully described in Note 20, this preferred interest arises from the
approximately $630 million of preferred membership units issued by CC
VIII in
connection with an acquisition in February 2000 and was the subject of
a dispute
between Charter and Mr. Allen, Charter’s Chairman and controlling shareholder
that was settled October 31, 2005. The Company is currently determining
the
impact of the settlement to be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2005.
Due to
the uncertainties that existed prior to October 31, 2005, related to
the
ultimate resolution, effective January 1, 2005, the Company ceased recognizing
minority interest in earnings or losses of CC VIII for financial reporting
purposes until such time as the resolution of the matter was determinable
or
other events occurred. For
the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company’s results include
income of $8 million and $25 million, respectively, attributable to CC
VIII. Subsequent
to recording the impact of the settlement in the fourth quarter of 2005,
approximately 6% of CC VIII’s income will be allocated to minority
interest.
Minority
interest historically included the portion of Charter Holdco’s member’s equity
not owned by Charter. However, members’ deficit of Charter Holdco was $5.0
billion and $4.4 billion as of September
30,
2005
and December 31, 2004, respectively, thus
minority
interest in Charter Holdco has been eliminated.
Minority interest was approximately 52% as of September
30,
2005
and 53% as of December 31, 2004. Minority interest includes the proportionate
share of changes in fair value of interest rate derivative agreements.
Such
amounts are temporary as they are contractually scheduled to reverse over
the
life of the underlying instrument. Additionally, reported losses allocated
to
minority interest on the consolidated statement of operations are limited
to the
extent of any remaining minority interest on the balance sheet related
to
Charter Holdco. As such, Charter
absorbs all losses before income taxes that otherwise would be allocated
to
minority interest. Subject
to any changes in Charter Holdco’s capital structure, future losses will
continue to be absorbed by Charter.
Changes
to minority interest consist of the following:
|
|
Minority
Interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance,
December 31, 2004
|
|
$
|
648
|
|
CC
VIII 2% Priority Return (see Note 20)
|
|
|
9
|
|
Changes
in fair value of interest rate agreements
|
|
|
8
|
|
Balance,
September 30, 2005
|
|
$
|
665
|
|
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
8.
|
Share
Lending Agreement
|
On
July 29, 2005, Charter issued 27.2 million shares of Class A
common stock in a public offering, which was effected pursuant to an effective
registration statement that initially covered the issuance and sale of
up to
150 million shares of Class A common stock. The shares were
issued
pursuant to the share lending agreement, pursuant to which Charter had
previously agreed to loan up to 150 million shares to Citigroup
Global
Markets Limited ("CGML"). Because less than the full 150 million
shares
covered by the share lending agreement were sold in the offering, Charter
remains obligated to issue, at CGML’s request, up to an additional
122.8 million loaned shares in subsequent registered public offerings
pursuant to the share lending agreement.
This
offering of Charter’s Class A common stock was conducted to facilitate
transactions by which investors in Charter’s 5.875% convertible senior notes due
2009, issued on November 22, 2004, hedged their investments in the
convertible senior notes. Charter did not receive any of the proceeds from
the
sale of this Class A common stock. However, under the share lending
agreement, Charter received a loan fee of $.001 for each share that it
lends to
CGML.
The
issuance of up to a total of 150 million shares of common stock (of which
27.2
million were issued in July 2005) pursuant to a share lending agreement
executed
by Charter in connection with the issuance of the 5.875% convertible senior
notes in November 2004 is essentially analogous to a sale of shares coupled
with
a forward contract for the reacquisition of the shares at a future date.
An
instrument that requires physical settlement by repurchase of a fixed number
of
shares in exchange for cash is considered a forward purchase instrument.
While
the share lending agreement does not require a cash payment upon return
of the
shares, physical settlement is required (i.e., the shares borrowed must
be
returned at the end of the arrangement.) The fair value of the 27.2 million
shares lent in July 2005 is approximately $41 million as of September 30,
2005.
However, the net effect on shareholders’ deficit of the shares lent in July
pursuant to the share lending agreement, which includes Charter’s requirement to
lend the shares and the counterparties’ requirement to return the shares, is de
minimis and represents the cash received upon lending of the shares and
is equal
to the par value of the common stock to be issued.
9.
|
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
|
Certain
marketable equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and reported
at market value with unrealized gains and losses recorded as accumulated
other
comprehensive income (loss) on the accompanying condensed consolidated
balance
sheets. Additionally, 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 income (loss), after giving effect to the
minority interest share of such gains and losses. Comprehensive income
for the
three months ended September 30, 2005 was $77 million and comprehensive
loss for
the three months ended September 30, 2004 was $3.3 billion and was $627
million
and $4.0 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004,
respectively.
10.
|
Accounting
for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities
|
The
Company uses interest rate risk management derivative instruments, such
as
interest rate swap agreements and interest rate collar agreements (collectively
referred to herein as interest rate agreements) to manage its interest
costs.
The Company’s policy is to manage interest costs using a mix of fixed and
variable rate debt. Using interest rate swap agreements, the Company has
agreed
to exchange, at specified intervals through 2007, the difference between
fixed
and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon
notional
principal amount. Interest rate collar agreements are used to limit the
Company’s exposure to and benefits from interest rate fluctuations on variable
rate debt to within a certain range of rates.
The
Company does not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading purposes.
The
Company does, however, have certain interest rate derivative instruments
that
have been designated as cash flow hedging instruments. Such
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
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 three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, net gain (loss) on
derivative instruments and hedging activities includes gains of $1 million
and
$1 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2005
and
2004, net gain (loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities
includes
gains of $2 million and $3 million, respectively, which represent cash
flow
hedge ineffectiveness on interest rate hedge agreements arising from differences
between the critical terms of the agreements and the related hedged obligations.
Changes in the fair value of interest rate agreements designated as hedging
instruments of the variability of cash flows associated with floating-rate
debt
obligations that meet the effectiveness criteria of SFAS No. 133
are
reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss. For the three months
ended
September 30, 2005 and 2004, a gain of $5 million and $2 million, respectively,
and for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, a gain of $14
million
and $31 million, respectively, related to derivative instruments designated
as
cash flow hedges, was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss)
and minority interest. The amounts are subsequently reclassified into interest
expense as a yield adjustment in the same period 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
gain
(loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities in the Company’s
condensed consolidated statements of operations.
For the
three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, net
gain
(loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities includes gains
of $16
million and losses of $9 million, respectively, and for the nine months
ended
September 30, 2005 and 2004, net gain (loss) on derivative instruments
and
hedging activities includes gains of $41 million and $45 million, respectively,
for interest rate derivative instruments not designated as hedges.
As
of
September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the Company had outstanding
$2.1
billion and $2.7 billion and $20 million and $20 million, respectively,
in
notional amounts of interest rate swaps and collars, respectively. 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.
Certain
provisions of the Company’s 5.875% convertible senior notes issued in November
2004 were considered embedded derivatives for accounting purposes and were
required to be accounted for separately from the convertible senior notes.
In
accordance with SFAS No. 133, these derivatives are marked to market with
gains
or losses recorded in interest expense on the Company’s condensed consolidated
statement of operations. For the three and nine months ended September
30, 2005,
the Company recognized losses of $1 million and gains of $26 million,
respectively. The loss resulted in an increase in interest expense whereas
the
gain resulted in a reduction in interest expense related to these derivatives.
At September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, $2 million and $10 million,
respectively, is recorded in accounts payable and accrued expenses relating
to
the short-term portion of these derivatives and $3 million and $21 million,
respectively, is recorded in other long-term liabilities related to the
long-term portion.
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
Revenues
consist of the following for the three and nine months ended September
30, 2005
and 2004:
|
|
Three
Months
Ended
September 30,
|
|
Nine
Months
Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video
|
|
$
|
848
|
|
$
|
839
|
|
$
|
2,551
|
|
$
|
2,534
|
|
High-speed
Internet
|
|
|
230
|
|
|
189
|
|
|
671
|
|
|
538
|
|
Advertising
sales
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
73
|
|
|
214
|
|
|
205
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
71
|
|
|
61
|
|
|
205
|
|
|
175
|
|
Other
|
|
|
95
|
|
|
86
|
|
|
271
|
|
|
249
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,318
|
|
$
|
1,248
|
|
$
|
3,912
|
|
$
|
3,701
|
|
Operating
expenses consist of the following for the three and nine months ended September
30, 2005 and 2004:
|
|
Three
Months
Ended
September 30,
|
|
Nine
Months
Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Programming
|
|
$
|
357
|
|
$
|
328
|
|
$
|
1,066
|
|
$
|
991
|
|
Service
|
|
|
203
|
|
|
173
|
|
|
572
|
|
|
489
|
|
Advertising
sales
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
76
|
|
|
72
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
586
|
|
$
|
525
|
|
$
|
1,714
|
|
$
|
1,552
|
|
13.
|
Selling,
General and Administrative
Expenses
|
Selling,
general and administrative expenses consist of the following for the three
and
nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004:
|
|
Three
Months
Ended
September 30,
|
|
Nine
Months
Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General
and administrative
|
|
$
|
231
|
|
$
|
220
|
|
$
|
658
|
|
$
|
636
|
|
Marketing
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
104
|
|
|
99
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
269
|
|
$
|
252
|
|
$
|
762
|
|
$
|
735
|
|
Components
of selling expense are included in general and administrative and marketing
expense.
14.
Hurricane
Asset Retirement Loss
Certain
of the Company’s cable systems in Louisiana suffered significant plant damage as
a result of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Based on preliminary evaluations,
the
Company wrote off $19 million of its plants’ net book value. Insignificant
amounts of other expenses were recorded related to hurricanes Katrina and
Rita.
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
The
Company has insurance coverage for both property and business interruption.
The
Company has not recorded any potential insurance recoveries as it is still
assessing the damage of its plant and the extent of insurance
coverage.
The
Company has recorded special charges as a result of reducing its workforce,
consolidating administrative offices and management realignment in 2004
and
2005. The activity associated with this initiative is summarized in the
table
below.
|
|
Three
Months
Ended
September 30,
|
|
Nine
Months
Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning
Balance
|
|
$
|
4
|
|
$
|
6
|
|
$
|
6
|
|
$
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special
Charges
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
9
|
|
Payments
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
(14
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance
at September 30,
|
|
$
|
4
|
|
$
|
9
|
|
$
|
4
|
|
$
|
9
|
|
For
the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, special charges also included
$1
million related to legal settlements. For the nine months ended September
30,
2005,
special charges were offset by approximately $2 million related to an agreed
upon discount in respect of the portion of the settlement consideration
payable
under the Stipulations of Settlement of the consolidated Federal Class
Action
and the Federal Derivative Action allocable to plaintiff’s attorney fees and
Charter’s insurance carrier as a result of the election to pay such fees in cash
(see Note 17).
For
the
nine months ended September 30, 2004, special charges also includes
approximately $85 million, as part of the terms set forth in memoranda
of
understanding regarding settlement of the consolidated Federal Class Action
and
Federal Derivative Action and approximately $9 million of litigation costs
related to the tentative settlement of the South Carolina national class
action
suit, which were approved by the respective courts. For the three
and nine
months ended September 30, 2004, the severance costs were offset by $3
million
received from a third party in settlement of a dispute.
All
operations are held through Charter Holdco and its direct and indirect
subsidiaries. Charter Holdco and the majority of its subsidiaries
are not
subject to income tax. However, certain of these subsidiaries are
corporations and are subject to income tax. All of the taxable
income,
gains, losses, deductions and credits of Charter Holdco are passed through
to
its members: Charter, Charter Investment, Inc. ("Charter
Investment")
and
Vulcan Cable III Inc. ("Vulcan
Cable").
Charter is responsible for its share of taxable income or loss of Charter
Holdco
allocated to Charter in accordance with the Charter Holdco limited liability
company agreement (the "LLC
Agreement")
and
partnership tax rules and regulations.
As
of
September
30,
2005
and December 31, 2004, the Company had net deferred income tax liabilities
of
approximately $287 million and $216 million, respectively. Approximately
$214 million and $208 million of the deferred tax liabilities recorded
in the
condensed consolidated financial statements at September
30, 2005
and
December 31, 2004, respectively relate to certain indirect subsidiaries
of
Charter Holdco, which file separate income tax returns.
During
the three and nine months ended September
30,
2005,
the Company recorded $29 million and $75 million of income tax expense,
respectively, and during the three and nine months ended September
30,
2004,
the Company recorded $304 million and $207 million of income tax benefit,
respectively. The Company recorded the portion of the income tax
benefit
associated with the adoption of Topic D-108 as a $91 million reduction
of the
cumulative effect of accounting change on the accompanying statement of
operations for the three and nine months ended September 30,
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
2004.
The
sale of systems to Atlantic Broadband, LLC in March and April 2004 resulted
in
income tax expense of $15 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2004.
Income
tax expense is recognized through increases in the deferred tax liabilities
related to Charter’s investment in Charter Holdco, as well as current federal
and state income tax expense and increases to the deferred tax liabilities
of
certain of Charter’s indirect corporate subsidiaries. The Company recorded
an additional deferred tax asset of approximately $222 million during the
nine
months ended September 30, 2005 relating to net operating loss carryforwards,
but recorded a valuation allowance with respect to this amount because
of the
uncertainty of the ability to realize a benefit from the Company’s carryforwards
in the future.
The
Company has deferred tax assets of approximately $3.7 billion and $3.5
billion
as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively, which primarily
relate to financial and tax losses allocated to Charter from Charter
Holdco. The deferred tax assets include approximately $2.3 billion
and
$2.1 billion of tax net operating loss carryforwards as of September 30,
2005
and December 31, 2004, respectively (generally expiring in years 2005 through
2025), of Charter and its indirect corporate subsidiaries. Valuation
allowances of $3.4 billion and $3.2 billion as of September 30, 2005 and
December 31, 2004, respectively, exist with respect to these deferred tax
assets.
Realization
of any benefit from the Company’s tax net operating losses is dependent on: (1)
Charter and its indirect corporate subsidiaries’ ability to generate future
taxable income and (2) the absence of certain future "ownership changes"
of
Charter’s common stock. An "ownership change," as defined in the
applicable federal income tax rules, would place significant limitations,
on an
annual basis, on the use of such net operating losses to offset any future
taxable income the Company may generate. Such limitations, in conjunction
with the net operating loss expiration provisions, could effectively eliminate
the Company’s ability to use a substantial portion of its net operating losses
to offset any future taxable income. Future transactions and the
timing of
such transactions could cause an ownership change. Such transactions
include additional issuances of common stock by the Company (including
but not
limited to the
issuance of up to a total of 150 million shares of common stock (of which
27.2
million were issued in July 2005) under
the
share lending agreement, the issuance of shares of common stock upon future
conversion of Charter’s convertible senior notes and the issuance of common
stock in the class action settlement discussed in Note 17, reacquisition
of the
borrowed shares by Charter, or acquisitions or sales of shares by certain
holders of Charter’s shares, including persons who have held, currently hold, or
accumulate in the future five percent or more of Charter’s outstanding stock
(including upon an exchange by Mr. Allen or his affiliates, directly or
indirectly, of membership units of Charter Holdco into CCI common stock)).
Many of the foregoing transactions are beyond management’s control.
In
assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers
whether
it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax
assets
will be realized. Because of the uncertainties in projecting future
taxable income of Charter Holdco,
valuation allowances have been established except for deferred benefits
available to offset certain deferred tax liabilities.
Charter
Holdco is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service for
the
tax years ending December 31, 2002 and 2003. The results of the
Company
(excluding Charter and the indirect corporate subsidiaries) for these years
are
subject to this examination. Management does not expect the results
of
this examination to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial
condition or results of operations.
Securities
Class Actions and Derivative Suits
Fourteen
putative federal class action lawsuits (the "Federal Class Actions")
were
filed in 2002 against Charter and certain of its former and present officers
and
directors in various jurisdictions allegedly on behalf of all purchasers
of
Charter’s securities during the period from either November 8 or
November 9, 1999 through July 17 or July 18, 2002.
Unspecified
damages were sought by the plaintiffs. In general, the lawsuits alleged
that
Charter utilized misleading accounting practices and failed to disclose
these
accounting practices and/or issued false and misleading financial
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
statements
and press releases concerning Charter’s operations and prospects. The Federal
Class Actions were specifically and individually identified in public
filings made by Charter prior to the date of this quarterly report. On
March 12, 2003, the Panel transferred the six Federal Class Actions
not filed in the Eastern District of Missouri to that district for coordinated
or consolidated pretrial proceedings with the eight Federal Class Actions
already pending there. The Court subsequently consolidated the Federal
Class Actions into a single action (the "Consolidated Federal
Class Action") for pretrial purposes. On August 5, 2004,
the
plaintiffs’ representatives, Charter and the individual defendants who were the
subject of the suit entered into a Memorandum of Understanding setting
forth
agreements in principle to settle the Consolidated Federal Class Action.
These parties subsequently entered into Stipulations of Settlement dated
as of
January 24, 2005 (described more fully below) that incorporate the
terms of
the August 5, 2004 Memorandum of Understanding.
On
September 12, 2002, a shareholders derivative suit (the "State Derivative
Action") was filed in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis,
State of
Missouri (the "Missouri State Court"), against Charter and its then current
directors, as well as its former auditors. The plaintiffs alleged that
the
individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties by failing to establish
and maintain adequate internal controls and procedures. On March 12,
2004,
an action substantively identical to the State Derivative Action was filed
in
Missouri State Court against Charter and certain of its current and former
directors, as well as its former auditors. On July 14, 2004, the
Court
consolidated this case with the State Derivative Action.
Separately,
on February 12, 2003, a shareholders derivative suit (the "Federal
Derivative Action") was filed against Charter and its then current directors
in
the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.
The
plaintiff in that suit alleged that the individual defendants breached
their
fiduciary duties and grossly mismanaged Charter by failing to establish
and
maintain adequate internal controls and procedures.
As
noted
above, Charter and the individual defendants entered into a Memorandum
of
Understanding on August 5, 2004 setting forth agreements in principle
regarding settlement of the Consolidated Federal Class Action, the
State
Derivative Action(s) and the Federal Derivative Action (the "Actions").
Charter
and various other defendants in those actions subsequently entered into
Stipulations of Settlement dated as of January 24, 2005, setting
forth a
settlement of the Actions in a manner consistent with the terms of the
Memorandum of Understanding. The Stipulations of Settlement, along with
various
supporting documentation, were filed with the Court on February 2,
2005. On
May 23, 2005 the United States District Court for the Eastern District
of
Missouri conducted the final fairness hearing for the Actions, and on
June 30, 2005, the Court issued its final approval of the settlements.
Members of the class had 30 days from the issuance of the June 30
order
approving the settlement to file an appeal challenging the approval.
Two
notices of appeal were filed relating to the settlement.
Those
appeals were directed to the amount of fees that the attorneys for the
class
were to receive and to the fairness of the settlement. At the end of September
2005, Stipulations of Dismissal were filed with the Eighth Circuit Court
of
Appeals resulting in the dismissal of both appeals with prejudice. Procedurally
therefore, the settlements are final.
As
amended, the Stipulations of Settlement provide that, in exchange for a
release
of all claims by plaintiffs against Charter and its former and present
officers
and directors named in the Actions, Charter would pay to the plaintiffs
a
combination of cash and equity collectively valued at $144 million,
which
will include the fees and expenses of plaintiffs’ counsel. Of this amount,
$64 million would be paid in cash (by Charter’s insurance carriers) and the
$80 million balance was to be paid (subject to Charter’s right to
substitute cash therefor as described below) in shares of Charter Class A
common stock having an aggregate value of $40 million and ten-year
warrants
to purchase shares of Charter Class A common stock having an aggregate
warrant value of $40 million, with such values in each case being
determined pursuant to formulas set forth in the Stipulations of Settlement.
However, Charter had the right, in its sole discretion, to substitute cash
for
some or all of the aforementioned securities on a dollar for dollar basis.
Pursuant to that right, Charter elected to fund the $80 million
obligation
with 13.4 million shares of Charter Class A common stock
(having an
aggregate value of approximately $15 million pursuant to the formula
set
forth in the Stipulations of Settlement) with the remaining balance (less
an
agreed upon $2 million discount in respect of that portion allocable
to
plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees) to be paid in cash. In addition, Charter had agreed
to issue additional shares of its Class A common stock to its insurance
carrier having an aggregate value of $5 million; however, by agreement
with
its carrier, Charter paid $4.5 million in cash in lieu of issuing
such
shares. Charter delivered the
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
settlement
consideration to the claims administrator on July 8, 2005, and it
was held
in escrow pending resolution of the appeals. Those appeals are
now
resolved. On July 14, 2005, the Circuit Court for the City of St.
Louis
dismissed with prejudice the State Derivative Actions. The claims
administrator is responsible for disbursing the settlement
consideration.
As
part
of the settlements, Charter committed to a variety of corporate governance
changes, internal practices and public disclosures, all of which have already
been undertaken and none of which are inconsistent with measures Charter
is
taking in connection with the recent conclusion of the SEC
investigation.
Government
Investigations
In
August
2002, Charter became aware of a grand jury investigation being conducted
by the
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri into certain of
its accounting and reporting practices, focusing on how Charter reported
customer numbers, and its reporting of amounts received from digital set-top
terminal suppliers for advertising. The U.S. Attorney’s Office publicly
stated that Charter was not a target of the investigation. Charter was
also
advised by the U.S. Attorney’s Office that no current officer or member of
its board of directors was a target of the investigation. On July 24,
2003,
a federal grand jury charged four former officers of Charter with conspiracy
and
mail and wire fraud, alleging improper accounting and reporting practices
focusing on revenue from digital set-top terminal suppliers and inflated
customer account numbers. Each of the indicted former officers pled guilty
to
single conspiracy counts related to the original mail and wire fraud charges
and
were sentenced April 22, 2005. Charter fully cooperated with the
investigation, and following the sentencings, the U.S. Attorney’s Office
for the Eastern District of Missouri announced that its investigation was
concluded and that no further indictments would issue.
Indemnification
Charter
was generally required to indemnify, under certain conditions, each of
the named
individual defendants in connection with the matters described above pursuant
to
the terms of its bylaws and (where applicable) such individual defendants’
employment agreements. In accordance with these documents, in connection
with
the grand jury investigation, a now-settled SEC investigation and the
above-described lawsuits, some of Charter’s current and former directors and
current and former officers were advanced certain costs and expenses incurred
in
connection with their defense. On February 22, 2005, Charter filed
suit
against four of its former officers who were indicted in the course of
the grand
jury investigation. These suits seek to recover the legal fees and other
related
expenses advanced to these individuals. One of these former officers has
counterclaimed against Charter alleging, among other things, that Charter
owes
him additional indemnification for legal fees that Charter did not pay,
and
another of these former officers has counterclaimed against Charter for
accrued
sick leave.
Other
Litigation
Charter
is also party to other lawsuits and claims that arose in the ordinary course
of
conducting its business. In the opinion of management, after taking into
account
recorded liabilities, the outcome of these other lawsuits and claims are
not
expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated
financial condition, results of operations or its liquidity.
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
18. Earnings
(Loss) Per Share
Basic
earnings (loss) per share is based on the average number of shares of common
stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is based
on the
average number of shares used for the basic earnings per share calculation,
adjusted for the dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, convertible
debt, convertible redeemable preferred stock and exchangeable membership
units.
Basic
loss per share equals diluted loss per share for the three months ended
September 30, 2004 and the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2005.
|
|
Three
Months Ended September 30, 2005
|
|
|
|
Earnings
|
|
Shares
|
|
Earnings
Per
Share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
earnings per share
|
|
$
|
75
|
|
|
316,214,740
|
|
$
|
0.24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect
of restricted stock
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
840,112
|
|
|
--
|
|
Effect
of Charter Investment Class B Common Stock
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
222,818,858
|
|
|
(0.10
|
)
|
Effect
of Vulcan Cable III Inc. Class B Common Stock
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
116,313,173
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
Effect
of 5.875% convertible senior notes due 2009
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
356,404,959
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
earnings per share
|
|
$
|
88
|
|
|
1,012,591,842
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
The
effect of restricted stock represents the shares resulting from the vesting
of
nonvested restricted stock, calculated using the treasury stock method.
Charter
Investment Class B common stock and Vulcan Cable III Inc. Class B common
stock
represent membership units in Charter Holdco, held by entities controlled
by Mr.
Allen, that are exchangeable at any time on a one-for-one basis for shares
of
Charter Class B common stock, which are in turn convertible on a one-for-one
basis into shares of Charter Class A common stock. The 5.875% convertible
senior
notes due 2009 represent the shares resulting from the assumed conversion
of the
notes into shares of Charter’s Class A common stock.
All
options to purchase common stock, which were outstanding during the three
months
ended September 30, 2005, were not included in the computation of diluted
earnings per share because the options’ exercise price was greater than the
average market price of the common shares or they were otherwise antidilutive.
Charter’s 4.75% convertible senior notes, Charter’s series A convertible
redeemable preferred stock and all of the outstanding exchangeable membership
units in Charter’s indirect subsidiary, CC VIII, LLC, also were not included in
the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect of the
conversions would have been antidilutive.
The
27.2
million shares issued in July pursuant to the share lending agreement are
required to be returned, in accordance with the contractual arrangement,
and are
treated in basic and diluted earnings per share as if they were already
returned
and retired. Consequently, there is no impact of the shares of common stock
lent
under the share lending agreement in the earnings per share calculation.
19.
|
Stock
Compensation Plans
|
Prior
to
January 1, 2003, the Company accounted for stock-based compensation in
accordance with Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25,
Accounting
for Stock Issued to Employees,
and
related interpretations, as permitted by SFAS No. 123, Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation.
On
January 1, 2003, the Company adopted the fair value measurement
provisions
of SFAS No. 123 using the prospective method, under which the Company
recognizes compensation expense of a stock-based award to an employee over
the
vesting period based on the fair value of the award on the grant date consistent
with the method described in Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation
No. 28, Accounting
for Stock Appreciation Rights and Other Variable Stock Option or Award
Plans.
Adoption of these provisions resulted in utilizing a preferable accounting
method as the condensed consolidated financial statements will present
the
estimated fair value of stock-based compensation in expense consistently
with
other forms of compensation and other expense associated with goods and
services
received for equity instruments. In accordance with SFAS No. 148, Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure, the
fair
value
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
method
is
being applied only to awards granted or modified after January 1,
2003,
whereas awards granted prior to such date will continue to be accounted
for
under APB No. 25, unless they are modified or settled in cash. The
ongoing
effect on consolidated results of operations or financial condition will
depend
on future stock-based compensation awards granted by the Company.
SFAS
No. 123 requires pro forma disclosure of the impact on earnings
as if the
compensation expense for these plans had been determined using the fair
value
method. The following table presents the Company’s net income (loss) and income
(loss) per share as reported and the pro forma amounts that would have
been
reported using the fair value method under SFAS No. 123 for the periods
presented:
|
|
Three
Months Ended
September
30,
|
|
Nine
Months Ended
September
30,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income (loss) applicable to common stock
|
|
$
|
75
|
|
$
|
(3,295
|
)
|
$
|
(634
|
)
|
$
|
(4,005
|
)
|
Add
back stock-based compensation expense related to stock
options
included in reported net income (loss)
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
34
|
|
Less
employee stock-based compensation expense determined under fair
value
based method for all employee stock option awards
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
(37
|
)
|
Effects
of unvested
options in stock
option exchange
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
48
|
|
Pro
forma
|
|
$
|
75
|
|
$
|
(3,293
|
)
|
$
|
(634
|
)
|
$
|
(3,960
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
income (loss) per common share
|
|
$
|
0.24
|
|
$
|
(10.89
|
)
|
$
|
(2.06
|
)
|
$
|
(13.38
|
)
|
Add
back stock-based compensation expense related to stock
options
included in reported net income (loss)
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
Less
employee stock-based compensation expense determined under fair
value
based method for all employee stock option awards
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
Effects
of unvested options in stock option exchange
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
0.16
|
|
Pro
forma
|
|
$
|
0.24
|
|
$
|
(10.88
|
)
|
$
|
(2.06
|
)
|
$
|
(13.23
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
income (loss) per common share
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
$
|
(10.89
|
)
|
$
|
(2.06
|
)
|
$
|
(13.38
|
)
|
Add
back stock-based compensation expense related to stock
options
included in reported net income (loss)
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
0.03
|
|
|
0.04
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
Less
employee stock-based compensation expense determined under fair
value
based method for all employee stock option awards
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
Effects
of unvested options in stock option exchange
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
0.16
|
|
Pro
forma
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
$
|
(10.88
|
)
|
$
|
(2.06
|
)
|
$
|
(13.23
|
)
|
In
January 2004, Charter began an option exchange program in which the Company
offered its employees the right to exchange all stock options (vested and
unvested) under the 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan and 2001 Stock
Incentive Plan that had an exercise price over $10 per share for shares
of
restricted Charter Class A common stock or, in some instances, cash.
Based
on
a sliding exchange ratio, which varied depending on the exercise price
of an
employee’s outstanding options, if an employee would have received more than 400
shares of restricted stock in exchange for tendered options, Charter issued
to
that employee shares of restricted stock in the exchange. If, based on
the
exchange ratios, an employee would have received 400 or fewer shares of
restricted stock in exchange for tendered options, Charter instead paid
the
employee cash in an amount equal to the number of shares the employee would
have
received multiplied by $5.00. The
offer
applied to options (vested and unvested) to purchase a total of 22,929,573
shares of Charter Class A common stock, or approximately 48% of the Company’s
47,882,365 total options (vested and unvested) issued and outstanding as
of
December 31, 2003. Participation by employees was voluntary. Those members
of
Charter’s board of directors who were not also employees of the Company were not
eligible to participate in the exchange offer.
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
In
the
closing of the exchange offer on February 20, 2004, the Company accepted
for
cancellation eligible options to purchase approximately 18,137,664 shares
of
Charter Class A common stock. In exchange, the Company granted 1,966,686
shares
of restricted stock, including 460,777 performance shares to eligible employees
of the rank of senior vice president and above, and paid a total cash amount
of
approximately $4 million (which amount includes applicable withholding
taxes) to
those employees who received cash rather than shares of restricted stock.
The
restricted stock was granted on February 25, 2004. Employees tendered
approximately 79% of the options exchangeable under the program.
The
cost
to the Company of the stock option exchange program was approximately $10
million, with a 2004 cash compensation expense of approximately $4 million
and a
non-cash compensation expense of approximately $6 million to be expensed
ratably
over the three-year vesting period of the restricted stock issued in the
exchange.
In
January 2004, the Compensation Committee of the board of directors of Charter
approved Charter’s Long-Term Incentive Program ("LTIP"), which is a program
administered under the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. Under the LTIP, employees
of
Charter and its subsidiaries whose pay classifications exceed a
certain
level are eligible to receive stock options and more senior level employees
are
eligible to receive stock options and performance shares. The stock options
vest
25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant. The
performance units vest on the third anniversary of the grant date and shares
of
Charter Class A common stock are issued, conditional upon Charter’s performance
against financial performance targets established by Charter’s management and
approved by its board of directors. Charter granted 6.9 million performance
shares in January 2004 under this program and recognized expense of $2
million
and $8 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004,
respectively. However, in the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company reversed
the
$8 million of expense recorded in the first three quarters of 2004 based
on the
Company’s assessment of the probability of achieving the financial performance
measures established by Charter and required to be met for the performance
shares to vest. In March and April 2005, Charter granted 2.8 million performance
shares under the LTIP and recognized approximately $1 million during the
three
and nine months ended September 30, 2005.
20.
|
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 that each of the transactions
described
below was on terms no less favorable to the Company than could have been
obtained from independent third parties.
CC
VIII
As
part
of the acquisition of the cable systems owned by Bresnan Communications
Company
Limited Partnership in February 2000, CC VIII, Charter’s indirect limited
liability company subsidiary, issued, after adjustments, 24,273,943 Class
A
preferred membership units (collectively the "CC VIII interest") with
a value
and an initial capital account of approximately $630 million to certain
sellers
affiliated with AT&T Broadband, subsequently owned by Comcast Corporation
(the "Comcast sellers"). While held by the Comcast sellers, the CC VIII
interest
was entitled to a 2% priority return on its initial capital account and
such
priority return was entitled to preferential distributions from available
cash
and upon liquidation of CC VIII. While held by the Comcast sellers, the
CC VIII
interest generally did not share in the profits and losses of CC VIII.
Mr. Allen
granted the Comcast sellers the right to sell to him the CC VIII interest
for
approximately $630 million plus 4.5% interest annually from February
2000 (the
"Comcast put right"). In April 2002, the Comcast sellers exercised the
Comcast
put right in full, and this transaction was consummated on June 6, 2003.
Accordingly, Mr. Allen, indirectly through a company controlled by him,
Charter
Investment, Inc. ("CII"), became the holder of the CC VIII interest.
Consequently, subject to the matters referenced in the next paragraph,
Mr. Allen
generally thereafter has been allocated his pro rata share (based on
number of
membership interests outstanding) of profits or losses of CC VIII. In
the event
of a liquidation of CC VIII, Mr. Allen would be entitled to a priority
distribution with respect to the 2% priority return (which will continue
to
accrete). Any remaining distributions in liquidation would be distributed
to CC
V Holdings, LLC, an indirect subsidiary of Charter ("CC V"), and Mr.
Allen in
proportion to CC V's capital account and Mr. Allen’s capital account (which will
equal the
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
initial
capital account of the Comcast sellers of approximately $630 million,
increased
or decreased by Mr. Allen’s pro rata share of CC VIII’s profits or losses
(as computed for capital account purposes) after June 6, 2003). The
limited liability company agreement of CC VIII does not provide for a
mandatory
redemption of the CC VIII interest.
An
issue
arose as to whether the documentation for the Bresnan transaction was
correct
and complete with regard to the ultimate ownership of the CC VIII interest
following consummation of the Comcast put right. Specifically, under
the terms
of the Bresnan transaction documents that were entered into in June 1999,
the
Comcast sellers originally would have received, after adjustments, 24,273,943
Charter Holdco membership units, but due to an FCC regulatory issue raised
by
the Comcast sellers shortly before closing, the Bresnan transaction was
modified
to provide that the Comcast sellers instead would receive the preferred
equity
interests in CC VIII represented by the CC VIII interest. As part of
the
last-minute changes to the Bresnan transaction documents, a draft amended
version of the Charter Holdco limited liability company agreement was
prepared,
and contract provisions were drafted for that agreement that would have
required
an automatic exchange of the CC VIII interest for 24,273,943 Charter
Holdco
membership units if the Comcast sellers exercised the Comcast put right
and sold
the CC VIII interest to Mr. Allen or his affiliates. However, the provisions
that would have required this automatic exchange did not appear in the
final
version of the Charter Holdco limited liability company agreement that
was
delivered and executed at the closing of the Bresnan transaction. The
law firm
that prepared the documents for the Bresnan transaction brought this
matter to
the attention of Charter and representatives of Mr. Allen in 2002.
Thereafter,
the board of directors of Charter formed a Special Committee (currently
comprised of Messrs. Merritt, Tory and Wangberg) to investigate the matter
and
take any other appropriate action on behalf of Charter with respect to
this
matter. After conducting an investigation of the relevant facts and
circumstances, the Special Committee determined that a "scrivener’s error" had
occurred in February 2000 in connection with the preparation of the last-minute
revisions to the Bresnan transaction documents and that, as a result,
Charter
should seek reformation of the Charter Holdco limited liability company
agreement, or alternative relief, in order to restore and ensure the
obligation
that the CC VIII interest be automatically exchanged for Charter Holdco
units.
The Special Committee further determined that, as part of such contract
reformation or alternative relief, Mr. Allen should be required to contribute
the CC VIII interest to Charter Holdco in exchange for 24,273,943 Charter
Holdco
membership units. The Special Committee also recommended to the board
of
directors of Charter that, to the extent contract reformation were achieved,
the
board of directors should consider whether the CC VIII interest should
ultimately be held by Charter Holdco or Charter Holdings or another entity
owned
directly or indirectly by them.
Mr.
Allen
disagreed with the Special Committee’s determinations described above and so
notified the Special Committee. Mr. Allen contended that the transaction
was
accurately reflected in the transaction documentation and contemporaneous
and
subsequent company public disclosures.
The
parties engaged in a process of non-binding mediation to seek to resolve
this
matter, without success. The Special Committee evaluated what further
actions or
processes to undertake to resolve this dispute. To accommodate further
deliberation, each party agreed to refrain from initiating legal proceedings
over this matter until it had given at least ten days’ prior notice to the
other. In addition, the Special Committee and Mr. Allen determined to
utilize
the Delaware Court of Chancery’s program for mediation of complex business
disputes in an effort to resolve the CC VIII interest dispute.
As
of
October 31, 2005, Mr. Allen, the Special Committee, Charter, Charter
Holdco and
certain of their affiliates, having investigated the facts and circumstances
relating to the dispute involving the CC
VIII
interest, after consultation with counsel and other advisors, and as
a result of
the Delaware Chancery Court’s non-binding mediation program, agreed to settle
the dispute, and execute certain permanent and irrevocable releases pursuant
to
the Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release agreement dated October 31,
2005
(the "Settlement").
Pursuant
to the Settlement, CII has retained 30% of its CC VIII interest (the
"Remaining
Interests"). The Remaining Interests are subject to certain drag
along,
tag along and transfer restrictions as detailed in the revised CC VIII
Limited
Liability Company Agreement. CII transferred the other 70% of
the CC VIII
interest directly and indirectly, through Charter Holdco, to a newly
formed
entity, CCHC, LLC (a direct subsidiary of Charter Holdco and the direct
parent
of
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
Charter
Holdings, "CCHC"). Of that other 70% of the CC VIII preferred
interests,
7.4% has been transferred by CII for a subordinated exchangeable
note of
CCHC with an initial accreted value of $48.2 million, accreting at 14%,
compounded quarterly, with a 15-year maturity (the "Note"). The
remaining
62.6% has been transferred for no consideration.
As
part
of the Settlement, CC VIII issued approximately 49 million additional
Class
B units to CC V in consideration for prior capital contributions to CC
VIII by
CC V, with respect to transactions that were unrelated to the dispute
in
connection with CII's membership units in CC VIII. As a result, Mr. Allen’s pro
rata share of the profits and losses of CC VIII attributable to the Remaining
Interests is approximately 5.6%.
The
Note
is exchangeable, at CII's option, at any time, for Charter Holdco Class
A Common
units at a rate equal to then accreted value, divided by $2.00 (the "Exchange
Rate"). Customary anti-dilution protections have been provided that could
cause
future changes to the Exchange Rate. Additionally, the Charter Holdco
Class A
Common units received will be exchangeable by the holder into Charter
common
stock in accordance with existing agreements between CII, Charter and
certain
other parties signatory thereto. Beginning three years and four months
after the
closing of the Settlement, if the closing price of Charter common stock
is at or
above the Exchange Rate for a certain period of time as specified in
the
Exchange Agreement, Charter Holdco may require the exchange of the Note
for
Charter Holdco Class A Common units at the Exchange Rate.
CCHC
has
the right to redeem the Note under certain circumstances, for cash in
an amount
equal to the then accreted value. CCHC must redeem the Note at its maturity
for
cash in an amount equal to the initial stated value plus the accreted
return
through maturity.
The
Board
of Directors has determined that the transferred CC VIII interests remain
at
CCHC.
TechTV,
Inc.
TechTV,
Inc. ("TechTV")
operated a cable television network that offered programming mostly related
to
technology. Pursuant to an affiliation agreement that originated in 1998
and
that terminates in 2008, TechTV has provided the Company with programming
for
distribution via Charter’s cable systems. The affiliation agreement provides,
among other
things, that TechTV must offer Charter certain terms and conditions that
are no
less favorable in the affiliation agreement than are given to any other
distributor that serves the same number of or fewer TechTV viewing customers.
Additionally, pursuant to the affiliation agreement, the Company was entitled
to
incentive payments for channel launches through December 31,
2003.
In
March
2004, Charter Holdco entered into agreements with Vulcan Programming and
TechTV,
which provide for (i) Charter Holdco and TechTV to amend the affiliation
agreement which, among other things, revises the description of the TechTV
network content, provides for Charter Holdco to waive certain claims against
TechTV relating to alleged breaches of the affiliation agreement and provides
for TechTV to make payment of outstanding launch receivables due to Charter
Holdco under the affiliation agreement, (ii) Vulcan Programming to pay
approximately $10 million and purchase over a 24-month period at fair market
rates, $2 million of advertising time across various cable networks on
Charter
cable systems in consideration of the agreements, obligations, releases
and
waivers under the agreements and in settlement of the aforementioned claims
and
(iii) TechTV to be a provider of content relating to technology and video
gaming
for Charter’s interactive television platforms through December 31, 2006
(exclusive for the first year). For each of the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2005 and 2004, the Company recognized approximately $0.3
million
and $1 million, respectively, of the Vulcan Programming payment as an offset
to
programming expense. For the three and nine months ended September 30,
2005, the
Company paid approximately $1 million and $2 million, respectively, and
for the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company paid approximately
$0.5 million and $1 million, respectively, under the affiliation
agreement.
The
Company believes that Vulcan Programming, which is 100% owned by Mr. Allen,
owned an approximate 98% equity interest in TechTV at the time Vulcan
Programming sold TechTV to an unrelated third party in May 2004. Until
September
2003, Mr. Savoy, a former Charter director, was the president and
director
of Vulcan Programming and was a director of TechTV. Mr. Wangberg,
one of
Charter’s directors, was the chairman, chief executive officer
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
and
a
director of TechTV. Mr. Wangberg resigned as the chief executive officer
of
TechTV in July 2002. He remained a director of TechTV along with Mr. Allen
until
Vulcan Programming sold TechTV.
Digeo,
Inc.
In
March
2001, a subsidiary of Charter, Charter Communications Ventures, LLC
("Charter
Ventures"),
and
Vulcan Ventures Incorporated formed DBroadband Holdings, LLC for the sole
purpose of purchasing equity interests in Digeo, Inc. ("Digeo"),
an
entity controlled by Mr. Allen. 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.
The
equity interest is 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 recovers its amount contributed and any cumulative loss
allocations, Charter Ventures has a 100% profit interest in DBroadband
Holdings,
LLC. Charter Ventures is not required to make any capital contributions,
including capital calls, to Digeo. DBroadband Holdings, LLC is therefore
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
March 2, 2001, Charter Ventures entered into a broadband carriage
agreement
with Digeo Interactive, LLC ("Digeo Interactive"), a wholly owned subsidiary
of
Digeo. The carriage agreement provided that Digeo Interactive would provide
to
Charter a "portal" product, which would function as the television-based
Internet portal (the initial point of entry to the Internet) for Charter’s
customers who received Internet access from Charter. The agreement term
was for
25 years and Charter agreed to use the Digeo portal exclusively
for six
years. Before the portal product was delivered to Charter, Digeo terminated
development of the portal product.
On
September 27, 2001, Charter and Digeo Interactive amended the broadband
carriage agreement. According to the amendment, Digeo Interactive would
provide
to Charter the content for enhanced "Wink" interactive television services,
known as Charter Interactive Channels ("i-channels"). In order to provide
the
i-channels, Digeo Interactive sublicensed
certain Wink technologies to Charter. Charter is entitled to share in the
revenues generated by the i-channels. Currently, the Company’s digital video
customers who receive i-channels receive the service at no additional
charge.
On
September 28, 2002, Charter entered into a second amendment to its
broadband carriage agreement with Digeo Interactive. This amendment superseded
the amendment of September 27, 2001. It provided for the development
by
Digeo Interactive of future features to be included in the Basic i-TV service
to
be provided by Digeo and for Digeo’s development of an interactive "toolkit"
to
enable Charter to develop interactive local content. Furthermore, Charter
could
request that Digeo Interactive manage local content for a fee. The amendment
provided for Charter to pay for development of the Basic i-TV service as
well as
license fees for customers who would receive the service, and for Charter
and
Digeo to split certain revenues earned from the service. The Company paid
Digeo
Interactive approximately $1 million and $2 million for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, and $1 million and $2 million
for
the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively, for customized
development of the i-channels and the local content tool kit. This amendment
expired pursuant to its terms on December 31, 2003. Digeo Interactive is
continuing to provide the Basic i-TV service on a month-to-month
basis.
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 is being supplied by Digeo Interactive, LLC under a license agreement
entered into in April 2004. Under the license agreement Digeo Interactive
granted to Charter Holdco the right to use Digeo’s proprietary software for the
number of DVR units that Charter deployed from a maximum of 10 headends
through
year-end 2004. This maximum number of headends was increased from 10 to
15
pursuant to a letter agreement executed on June 11, 2004 and the date for
entering into license agreements for units deployed was extended to June
30,
2005. The number of headends was increased from 15 to 20 pursuant to a
letter
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
agreement
dated August 4, 2004, from 20 to 30 pursuant to a letter agreement dated
September 28, 2004 and from 30 to 50 headends by a letter agreement in
February
2005. The license granted for each unit deployed under the agreement is
valid
for five years. In addition, Charter will pay certain other fees including
a
per-headend license fee and maintenance fees. Maximum license and maintenance
fees during the term of the agreement are expected to be approximately
$7
million. The agreement provides that Charter is 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 approximately $1 million in license and maintenance
fees
for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005.
In
April
2004, the Company launched DVR service using units containing the Digeo
software
in Charter’s Rochester, Minnesota market using a broadband media center that is
an integrated set-top terminal with a cable converter, DVR hard drive and
connectivity to other consumer electronics devices (such as stereos, MP3
players, and digital cameras).
In
May
2004, Charter Holdco entered into a binding term sheet with Digeo Interactive
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 executed the license agreement and
in
December 2004, the parties executed the purchase agreement, each on terms
substantially similar to the binding term sheet. Product development and
testing
has been completed. 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.
Charter
paid approximately $7 million and $9 million for the three and nine months
ended
September 30, 2005, respectively, and $0.2 million for each of the three
and
nine months ended September 30, 2004 in capital purchases under this
agreement.
In
late
2003, Microsoft sued Digeo for $9 million in a breach of contract
action,
involving an agreement that Digeo and Microsoft had entered into in 2001.
Digeo
informed us that it believed it had an indemnification claim against us
for half
that amount. Digeo settled with Microsoft agreeing to make a cash payment
and to
purchase certain amounts of Microsoft software products and consulting
services
through 2008. In consideration of Digeo agreeing to release us from
its
potential claim against us, after consultation with outside counsel we
agreed,
in June 2005, to purchase a total of $2.3 million in Microsoft consulting
services through 2008, a portion of which amounts Digeo has informed us
will
count against Digeo’s purchase obligations with Microsoft.
In
October 2005, Charter Holdco and Digeo Interactive entered into a binding
Term
Sheet for the test market deployment of the Moxi Entertainment Applications
Pack
("MEAP"). The MEAP is an addition to the Moxi Client Software and
will
contain ten games (such as Video Poker and Blackjack), a photo application
and jukebox application. The term sheet is limited to a
test market
application of approximately 14,000 subscribers and the aggregate value
is not
expected to exceed $0.1 million. In the event the test market proves
successful, the companies will replace the Term Sheet with a long form
agreement
including a planned roll-out across additional markets. The Term
Sheet
expires on May 1, 2006.
The
Company believes that Vulcan Ventures, an entity controlled by Mr. Allen,
owns an approximate 60% equity interest in Digeo, Inc., on a fully-converted
non-diluted basis. Mr. Allen, Lance Conn and Jo Allen Patton, directors
of
Charter, are directors of Digeo, and Mr. Vogel was a director of Digeo
in 2004.
During 2004 and 2005, Mr. Vogel held options to purchase 10,000
shares of
Digeo common stock.
Oxygen
Media LLC
Oxygen
Media LLC ("Oxygen") provides programming content aimed at the female audience
for distribution over cable systems and satellite. On July 22, 2002,
Charter Holdco entered into a carriage agreement with Oxygen whereby the
Company
agreed to carry programming content from Oxygen. Under the carriage agreement,
the Company currently makes Oxygen programming available to approximately
5 million of its video customers. The term of the
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
carriage
agreement was retroactive to February 1, 2000, the date of launch
of Oxygen
programming by the Company, and runs for a period of five years from that
date.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company paid
Oxygen
approximately $2 million and $7 million, respectively, and for the three
and
nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company paid Oxygen approximately
$3
million and $11 million, respectively, for programming content. In addition,
Oxygen pays the Company marketing support fees for customers launched after
the
first year of the term of the carriage agreement up to a total of
$4 million. The Company recorded approximately $0.1 million related
to
these launch incentives as a reduction of programming expense for the nine
months ended September 30, 2005 and $0.4 million and $1 million
for the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively.
Concurrently
with the execution of the carriage agreement, Charter Holdco entered into
an
equity issuance agreement pursuant to which Oxygen’s parent company, Oxygen
Media Corporation ("Oxygen
Media"),
granted a subsidiary of Charter Holdco a warrant to purchase 2.4 million
shares of Oxygen Media common stock for an exercise price of $22.00 per
share.
In February 2005, this warrant expired unexercised. Charter Holdco was
also to
receive unregistered shares of Oxygen Media common stock with a guaranteed
fair
market value on the date of issuance of $34 million, on or prior
to
February 2, 2005, with the exact date to be determined by Oxygen
Media, but
this commitment was later revised as discussed below.
The
Company recognized the guaranteed value of the investment over the life
of the
carriage agreement as a reduction of programming expense. For the nine
months
ended September 30, 2005, the Company recorded approximately $2 million
as a
reduction of programming expense and for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2004, the Company recorded approximately $3 million and $11
million as a reduction of programming expense, respectively. The carrying
value
of the Company’s investment in Oxygen was approximately $33 million and $32
million as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004,
respectively.
In
August
2004, Charter Holdco and Oxygen entered into agreements that amended and
renewed
the carriage agreement. The amendment to the carriage agreement (a) revises
the
number of the Company’s customers to which Oxygen programming must be carried
and for which the Company must pay, (b) releases Charter Holdco from any
claims
related to the failure to achieve distribution benchmarks under the carriage
agreement, (c) requires Oxygen to make payment on outstanding receivables
for
marketing support fees due to the Company under the carriage agreement
and (d)
requires that Oxygen provide its programming content to the Company on
economic
terms no less favorable
than Oxygen provides to any other cable or satellite operator having fewer
subscribers than the Company. The renewal of the carriage agreement (a)
extends
the period that the Company will carry Oxygen programming to the Company’s
customers through January 31, 2008 and (b) requires license fees to be
paid
based on customers receiving Oxygen programming, rather than for specific
customer benchmarks.
In
August
2004, Charter Holdco and Oxygen also amended the equity issuance agreement
to
provide for the issuance of 1 million shares of Oxygen Preferred Stock
with a
liquidation preference of $33.10 per share plus accrued dividends to Charter
Holdco on February 1, 2005 in place of the $34 million of unregistered
shares of
Oxygen Media common stock. Oxygen Media delivered these shares in March
2005.
The preferred stock is convertible into common stock after December 31,
2007 at
a conversion ratio per share of preferred stock, the numerator of which
is the
liquidation preference and the denominator of which is the fair market
value per
share of Oxygen Media common stock on the conversion date.
As
of
September 30, 2005, through Vulcan Programming, Mr. Allen owned an approximate
31% interest in Oxygen assuming no exercises of outstanding warrants or
conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities. Ms. Jo
Allen
Patton is a director and the President of Vulcan Programming. Mr. Lance
Conn is
a Vice President of Vulcan Programming. Mr. Nathanson has an indirect beneficial
interest of less than 1% in Oxygen.
Helicon
In
1999,
the Company purchased the Helicon cable systems. As part of that purchase,
Mr. Allen entered into a put agreement with a certain seller of
the Helicon
cable systems that received a portion of the purchase price in the form
of a
preferred membership interest in Charter Helicon, LLC with a redemption
price of
$25 million plus accrued interest.
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars
in millions, except share and per share amounts and where
indicated)
Under
the
Helicon put agreement, such holder had the right to sell any or all of
the
interest to Mr. Allen prior to its mandatory redemption in cash
on
July 30, 2009. On August 31, 2005, 40% of the preferred membership
interest was put to Mr. Allen. The remaining 60% of the preferred
interest
in Charter Helicon, LLC remained subject to the put to Mr. Allen.
Such
preferred interest was recorded in other long-term liabilities as of September
30, 2005 and December 31, 2004. On October 6, 2005, Charter Helicon, LLC
redeemed all of the preferred membership interest for the redemption price
of
$25 million plus accrued interest.
21. Subsequent
Events
In
October 2005, Charter repurchased 484,908 shares of its Series A Convertible
Redeemable Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock") for an aggregate purchase
price of approximately $29 million (or $60 per share). The shares
had
liquidation preference of approximately $48 million and had accrued but
unpaid
dividends of approximately $3 million.
Following the repurchase, 60,351 shares of Preferred Stock remained
outstanding.
In
connection with the repurchase, the holders of Preferred Stock consented
to an
amendment to the Certificate of Designation governing the Preferred Stock
that
will eliminate the quarterly dividends on all of the outstanding Preferred
Stock
and will provide that the liquidation preference for the remaining shares
outstanding will be $105.4063 per share, which amount shall accrete from
September 30, 2005 at an annual rate of 7.75%, compounded quarterly.
Certain holders of Preferred Stock also released Charter from various
threatened
claims relating to their acquisition and ownership of the Preferred Stock,
including threatened claims for breach of contract.
General
Charter
Communications, Inc. ("Charter")
is a
holding company whose principal assets as of September
30, 2005
are a
48% controlling common equity interest in Charter Communications Holding
Company, LLC ("Charter
Holdco")
and
"mirror" notes that are payable by Charter
Holdco to
Charter
and
have
the same principal amount and terms as Charter’s
convertible senior notes.
"We," "us"
and
"our"
refer to
Charter and its subsidiaries.
The
chart
below sets forth our organizational structure and that of our principal
direct
and indirect subsidiaries pro forma for the creation of CCHC, LLC and settlement
of the CC VIII, LLC dispute. See
Note
20 to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Equity
ownership and voting percentages are actual percentages as of September
30, 2005
and do not give effect to any exercise, conversion or exchange of options,
preferred stock, convertible notes or other convertible or exchangeable
securities.
(1)
|
|
Charter
acts as the sole manager of Charter Holdco and its direct and
indirect
limited liability company subsidiaries. Charter’s certificate of
incorporation requires that its principal assets be securities
of Charter
Holdco, the terms of which mirror the terms of securities issued
by
Charter.
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
These
membership units are held by Charter Investment, Inc. and Vulcan
Cable III
Inc., each of which is 100% owned by Paul G. Allen, our chairman
and
controlling shareholder. They are exchangeable at any time on
a
one-for-one basis for shares of Charter Class A common
stock.
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
The
percentages shown in this table reflect the issuance of the
27.2 million shares of Class A common stock issued
on
July 29, 2005 and the corresponding issuance of an equal
number of
mirror membership units by Charter Holdco to Charter. However,
for
accounting purposes, Charter’s common equity interest in Charter Holdco is
48%, and Paul G. Allen’s ownership of Charter Holdco is 52%. These
percentages exclude the 27.2 million mirror membership
units issued
to Charter due to the required return of the issued mirror units
upon
return of the shares offered pursuant to the share lending agreement.
See
Note 8 to the condensed consolidated financial
statements.
|
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Represents
the impact of the settlement of the CC VIII, LLC dispute. See Note
20 to
the condensed consolidated financial
statements. |
We
are a
broadband communications company operating in the United States. We offer
our
customers traditional cable video programming (analog and digital video)
as well
as high-speed Internet services and, in some areas, advanced broadband
services
such as high definition television, video on demand, telephone and interactive
television. We sell our cable video programming, high-speed Internet and
advanced broadband services on a subscription basis.
The
following table summarizes our customer statistics for analog and digital
video,
residential high-speed Internet and residential telephone as of September
30, 2005
and
2004:
|
|
Approximate
as of
|
|
|
|
September
30,
|
|
September
30,
|
|
|
|
2005
(a)
|
|
2004
(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cable
Video Services:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Analog
Video:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Residential
(non-bulk) analog video customers (b)
|
|
|
5,636,100
|
|
|
5,825,000
|
|
Multi-dwelling
(bulk) and commercial unit customers (c)
|
|
|
270,200
|
|
|
249,600
|
|
Total
analog video customers (b)(c)
|
|
|
5,906,300
|
|
|
6,074,600
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Digital
Video:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Digital
video customers (d)
|
|
|
2,749,400
|
|
|
2,688,900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Video
Cable Services:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Residential
high-speed Internet customers (e)
|
|
|
2,120,000
|
|
|
1,819,900
|
|
Residential
telephone customers (f)
|
|
|
89,900
|
|
|
40,200
|
|
The
September 30, 2005 statistics presented above reflect the minimal loss
of
customers related to hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Based on preliminary
estimates, customer losses related to hurricanes Katrina and Rita are
expected
to be approximately 10,000 to 15,000.
After
giving effect to the sale of certain non-strategic cable systems in July
2005,
September 30, 2004 analog video customers, digital video customers and
high-speed Internet customers would have been 6,046,900, 2,677,600 and
1,819,300, respectively.
|
(a)
|
"Customers"
include all persons our corporate billing records show as receiving
service (regardless of their payment status), except for complimentary
accounts (such as our employees). At September 30, 2005 and 2004,
"customers" include approximately 44,400 and 46,000 persons whose
accounts
were over 60 days past due in payment, approximately 9,800 and
5,500
persons whose accounts were over 90 days past due in
|
|
|
payment,
and approximately 6,000 and 2,000 of which were over 120
days past due in
payment, respectively.
|
|
(b)
|
"Residential
(non-bulk) analog video customers" include all customers who
receive video
services, except for complimentary accounts (such as our employees).
|
|
(c)
|
Included
within "video customers" are those in commercial and multi-dwelling
structures, which are calculated on an equivalent bulk unit ("EBU")
basis.
EBU is calculated for a system by dividing the bulk price charged
to
accounts in an area by the most prevalent price charged to non-bulk
residential customers in that market for the comparable tier
of service.
The EBU method of estimating analog video customers is consistent
with the
methodology used in determining costs paid to programmers and
has been
consistently applied year over year. As we increase our effective
analog
prices 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 households that have one or more
digital
set-top terminals. Included in "digital video customers" on
September 30,
2005 and 2004 are approximately 8,900 and 10,700 customers,
respectively,
that receive digital video service directly through satellite
transmission.
|
|
(e)
|
"Residential
high-speed Internet customers" represent those customers who
subscribe to
our high-speed Internet service. At September 30, 2005 and 2004,
approximately 1,896,000 and 1,614,400 of these high-speed Internet
customers, respectively, receive video services from us and are
included
within our video statistics above.
|
|
(f)
|
"Residential
telephone customers" include all households who subscribe to
our telephone
service.
|
Overview
of Operations
We
have a
history of net losses. Despite having net earnings for the three months
ended
September 30, 2005, we expect to continue to report net losses for the
foreseeable future. Our net losses are principally attributable to insufficient
revenue to cover the combination
of operating costs and interest
costs we incur because of our high level of debt, depreciation expenses
that we
incur resulting from the capital investments we have made and continue
to make
in our business, and impairment of our franchise intangibles. We expect
that
these expenses (other than impairment of franchises) will remain significant,
and we therefore expect to continue to report net losses for the foreseeable
future. Additionally, reported losses allocated to minority interest
on the
statement of operations are limited to the extent of any remaining minority
interest balance on the balance sheet related to Charter Holdco. Because
minority interest in Charter Holdco has been eliminated, Charter absorbs
all
losses before income taxes that otherwise would be allocated to minority
interest. Subject to any changes in Charter Holdco’s capital structure, future
losses will continue to be absorbed by Charter. Effective January 1,
2005, we
ceased recognizing minority interest in earnings or losses of CC VIII,
LLC for
financial reporting purposes until the resolution of the dispute between
Charter
and Paul G. Allen, Charter’s Chairman and controlling shareholder, regarding the
preferred membership units in CC VIII, LLC was determinable or other
events
occurred. This dispute was settled October 31, 2005. We are currently
determining the impact of the settlement. Subsequent to recording the
impact of
the settlement in the fourth quarter of 2005, approximately 6% of CC
VIII’s
income will be allocated to minority interest.
For
the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, our income from operations,
which includes depreciation and amortization expense and asset impairment
charges but excludes interest expense, was $63 million and $224 million,
respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004, our
loss
from operations was $2.3 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively. We had
operating margins of 5% and 6% for the three and nine months ended September
30,
2005, respectively, and negative operating margins of 188% and 58% for
the three
and nine months ended September 30, 2004, respectively. The increase in
income
from operations and operating margins for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2005 compared to 2004 was principally due to impairment of
franchises of $2.4 billion recorded in 2004 which did not recur in
2005.
Historically,
our ability to fund operations and investing activities has depended on
our
continued access to credit under our credit facilities. We expect we will
continue to borrow under our credit facilities from time to time to fund
cash
needs. The occurrence of an event of default under our credit facilities
could
result in borrowings from
these
credit facilities being unavailable to us and could, in the event of a
payment
default or acceleration, also trigger events of default under the indentures
governing our outstanding notes and would have a material adverse effect
on us.
Approximately $7 million of our debt matures during the remainder of 2005,
which
we expect to fund through borrowings under our revolving credit facility.
See "—
Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
For
a
discussion of our critical accounting policies and the means by which we
develop
estimates therefore, see "Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our 2004 Annual Report
on Form
10-K.
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Three
Months Ended September
30, 2005
Compared to Three Months Ended September
30, 2004
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, except per share and share
data):
|
|
Three
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
1,318
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
$
|
1,248
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs
and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
(excluding depreciation and amortization)
|
|
|
586
|
|
|
45
|
%
|
|
525
|
|
|
42
|
%
|
Selling,
general and administrative
|
|
|
269
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
252
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
375
|
|
|
29
|
%
|
|
371
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
Impairment
of franchises
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
2,433
|
|
|
195
|
%
|
Loss
on sale of assets, net
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
Option
compensation expense, net
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
Hurricane
asset retirement loss
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
Special
charges, net
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,255
|
|
|
95
|
%
|
|
3,592
|
|
|
288
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) from operations
|
|
|
63
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
(2,344
|
)
|
|
(188
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense, net
|
|
|
(462
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(424
|
)
|
|
|
|
Gain
(loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities,
net
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
|
|
Gain
on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
490
|
|
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
|
|
|
(432
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) before minority interest, income taxes and cumulative
effect of
accounting change
|
|
|
108
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,776
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority
interest
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting
change
|
|
|
105
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,742
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
tax benefit (expense)
|
|
|
(29
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
213
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
|
76
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,529
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative
effect of accounting change, net of tax
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
(765
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income (loss)
|
|
|
76
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,294
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends
on preferred stock - redeemable
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
income (loss) applicable to common stock
|
|
$
|
75
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(3,295
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Earnings
(loss) per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
$
|
0.24
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(10.89
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
$
|
0.09
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(10.89
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average common shares outstanding, basic
|
|
|
316,214,740
|
|
|
|
|
|
302,604,978
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average common shares outstanding, diluted
|
|
|
1,012,591,842
|
|
|
|
|
|
302,604,978
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues.
Revenues increased by $70 million, or 6%, from $1.2 billion for the three
months
ended September 30, 2004 to $1.3 billion for the three months ended September
30, 2005. This increase is principally the result of an increase of 300,100
high-speed Internet and 60,500 digital video customers, as well as price
increases for video and high-speed Internet services, and is offset partially
by
a decrease of 168,300 analog video customers and $6 million of credits
issued to
hurricane Katrina impacted customers related to service outages. Through
September and October, we have been restoring service to our impacted customers
and, as of the date of this report, substantially all of our customers’ service
has been restored. Included in the reduction in analog video customers
and
reducing the increase in digital video and high-speed Internet customers
are
26,800 analog video customers, 12,000 digital video customers and 600 high-speed
Internet customers sold in the cable system sales in Texas and West Virginia,
which closed in July 2005 (referred to in this section as the "System Sales").
The System Sales reduced the increase in revenues by approximately $4 million.
Our goal is to increase revenues by improving customer service, which we
believe
will stabilize our analog video customer base, implementing price increases
on
certain services and packages and increasing the number of customers who
purchase high-speed Internet services, digital video and advanced products
and
services such as telephone, video on demand ("VOD"), high definition television
and digital video recorder service.
Average
monthly revenue per analog video customer increased to $74.15 for the three
months ended September 30, 2005 from $68.15 for the three months ended
September
30, 2004 primarily as a result of incremental revenues from advanced services
and price increases. Average monthly revenue per analog video customer
represents total quarterly revenue, divided by three, divided by the average
number of analog video customers during the respective period.
Revenues
by service offering were as follows (dollars in millions):
|
|
Three
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2005
over 2004
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
%
of
Revenues
|
|
Revenues
|
|
%
of
Revenues
|
|
Change
|
|
%
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video
|
|
$
|
848
|
|
|
64
|
%
|
$
|
839
|
|
|
67
|
%
|
$
|
9
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
High-speed
Internet
|
|
|
230
|
|
|
18
|
%
|
|
189
|
|
|
15
|
%
|
|
41
|
|
|
22
|
%
|
Advertising
sales
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
73
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
Commercial
|
|
|
71
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
61
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
10
|
|
|
16
|
%
|
Other
|
|
|
95
|
|
|
7
|
%
|
|
86
|
|
|
7
|
%
|
|
9
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,318
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
$
|
1,248
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
$
|
70
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
Video
revenues consist primarily of revenues from analog and digital video services
provided to our non-commercial customers. Video
revenues increased by $9 million, or 1%, from $839 million for the three
months
ended September 30, 2004 to $848 million for the three months ended September
30, 2005. Approximately $34 million of the increase was the result of price
increases and incremental video revenues from existing customers and
approximately $3 million was the result of an increase in digital video
customers. The increases were offset by decreases of approximately $20
million
related to a decrease in analog video customers, approximately $3 million
resulting from the System Sales and approximately $5 million of credits
issued
to hurricanes Katrina and Rita impacted customers related to service
outages.
Revenues
from high-speed Internet services provided to our non-commercial customers
increased $41 million, or 22%, from $189 million for the three months ended
September 30, 2004 to $230 million for the three months ended September
30,
2005. Approximately $34 million of the increase related to the increase
in the
average number of customers receiving high-speed Internet services, whereas
approximately $8 million related to the
increase in average price of the service.
The
increase was offset by approximately $1 million of credits issued to hurricanes
Katrina and Rita impacted customers related to service outages.
Advertising
sales revenues consist primarily of revenues from commercial advertising
customers, programmers and other vendors. Advertising sales increased $1
million, or 1%, from $73 million for the three months ended September 30,
2004
to $74 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005, primarily
as a
result of $2 million ad buys by programmers offset by a decline in national
advertising sales. For each of the three months
ended
September 30, 2005 and 2004, we received $5 million and $3 million,
respectively, in advertising sales revenues from vendors.
Commercial
revenues consist primarily of revenues from cable video and high-speed
Internet
services to our commercial customers. Commercial revenues increased $10
million,
or 16%, from $61 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004
to $71
million for the three months ended September 30, 2005, primarily as a result
of
an increase in commercial high-speed Internet revenues.
Other
revenues consist of revenues from franchise fees, telephone revenue, equipment
rental, customer installations, home shopping, dial-up Internet service,
late
payment fees, wire maintenance fees and other miscellaneous revenues. Other
revenues increased $9 million, or 10%, from $86 million for the three months
ended September 30, 2004 to $95 million for the three months ended September
30,
2005. The increase was primarily the result of an increase in franchise
fees of
$6 million, telephone revenue of $5 million and installation revenue of
$2
million.
Operating
Expenses.
Operating expenses increased $61 million, or 12%, from $525 million for
the
three months ended September 30, 2004 to $586 million for the three months
ended
September 30, 2005. The increase in operating expenses was reduced by $2
million
as a result of the System Sales. Programming costs included in the accompanying
condensed consolidated statements of operations were $357 million
and $328
million, representing 28% and 9% of total costs and expenses for the three
months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Key expense components
as a percentage of revenues were as follows (dollars in millions):
|
|
Three
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2005
over 2004
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
%
of
Revenues
|
|
Expenses
|
|
%
of
Revenues
|
|
Change
|
|
%
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Programming
|
|
$
|
357
|
|
|
27
|
%
|
$
|
328
|
|
|
26
|
%
|
$
|
29
|
|
|
9
|
%
|
Service
|
|
|
203
|
|
|
16
|
%
|
|
173
|
|
|
14
|
%
|
|
30
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
Advertising
sales
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
24
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
2
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
586
|
|
|
45
|
%
|
$
|
525
|
|
|
42
|
%
|
$
|
61
|
|
|
12
|
%
|
Programming
costs consist primarily of costs paid to programmers for analog, premium,
digital channels, VOD and pay-per-view programming. The increase in programming
costs of $29 million, or 9%, for the three months ended September 30, 2005
over
the three months ended September
30,
2004,
was a result of price increases, particularly in sports programming, partially
offset by a decrease in analog video customers. Additionally,
the increase in programming costs was reduced by $1 million as a result
of the
System Sales. Programming costs
were offset by the amortization of payments received from programmers in
support
of launches of new channels of $9 million and $15 million for the three
months
ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
Our
cable
programming costs have increased in every year we have operated in excess
of
U.S. inflation and cost-of-living increases, and we expect them to continue
to
increase because of a variety of factors, including inflationary or negotiated
annual increases, additional programming being provided to customers and
increased costs to purchase or produce programming. In 2005, programming
costs
have increased and we expect will continue to increase at a higher rate
than in
2004. These costs will be determined in part on the outcome of programming
negotiations in 2005 and will likely be subject to offsetting events or
otherwise affected by factors similar to the ones mentioned in the preceding
paragraph. Our increasing programming costs will result in declining operating
margins for our video services to the extent we are unable to pass on cost
increases to our customers. We expect to partially offset any resulting
margin
compression from our traditional video services with revenue from advanced
video
services, increased high-speed Internet revenues, advertising revenues
and
commercial service revenues.
Service
costs consist primarily of service personnel salaries and benefits, franchise
fees, system utilities, costs of providing high-speed Internet service,
maintenance and pole rent expense. The increase in service costs of
$30 million, or 17%, resulted primarily from increased labor and
maintenance costs to support improved service levels and our advanced products,
higher fuel prices and pole rent expense. Advertising sales expenses consist
of
costs related to traditional advertising services provided to advertising
customers, including salaries, benefits and commissions. Advertising sales
expenses increased $2 million, or 8%, for the three months ended September
30,
2005
compared to the three months ended September 30, 2004 primarily as a result
of
increased salaries and benefits and an increase in marketing.
Selling,
General and Administrative Expenses.
Selling,
general and administrative expenses increased by $17 million, or 7%, from
$252
million for the three months ended September
30, 2004 to
$269
million for the three months ended September
30, 2005.
The
increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was reduced by
$1
million as a result of the System Sales. Key
components of expense as a percentage of revenues were as follows (dollars
in
millions):
|
|
Three
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2005
over 2004
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
%
of
Revenues
|
|
Expenses
|
|
%
of
Revenues
|
|
Change
|
|
%
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General
and administrative
|
|
$
|
231
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
$
|
220
|
|
|
18
|
%
|
$
|
11
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
Marketing
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
|
32
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
6
|
|
|
19
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
269
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
$
|
252
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
$
|
17
|
|
|
7
|
%
|
General
and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits,
rent
expense, billing costs, call center costs, internal network costs, bad
debt
expense and property taxes. The increase in general and administrative
expenses
of $11 million, or 5%, resulted primarily from increases in professional
fees associated with consulting services of $11 million and a rise in salaries
and benefits of $10 million related to increased emphasis on improved service
levels and operational efficiencies offset by decreases in property taxes
of $4
million, property and casualty insurance of $4 million, bad debt expense
of $3
million and the System Sales of $1 million.
Marketing
expenses increased $6 million, or 19%, as a result of an increased
investment in targeted marketing campaigns.
Depreciation
and Amortization. Depreciation
and amortization expense increased by $4 million, or 1%, from $371 million
for
the
three months ended September
30, 2004 to $375 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005.
The
increase in depreciation was related to an increase in capital
expenditures.
Impairment
of Franchises.
We
performed an impairment assessment during the third quarter of 2004 using
an
independent third-party appraiser. The use of lower projected growth rates
and
the resulting revised estimates of future cash flows in our valuation,
primarily
as a result of increased competition, led to the recognition of a $2.4
billion
impairment charge for the three months ended September 30, 2004.
Loss
on Sale of Assets, Net.
The loss
on sale of assets of $1 million for the three months ended September 30,
2005
primarily represents the loss recognized on the disposition of plant and
equipment.
Option
Compensation Expense, Net.
Option
compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and
2004
primarily represents options expensed in accordance with SFAS
No. 123,
Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation. The
decrease of $5 million, or 63%, from $8 million for the three months ended
September
30, 2004
to
$3 million for the three months ended September
30,
2005
is primarily a result of a decrease in the fair value of such options related
to
a decrease in the price of our Class A common stock combined with a decrease
in
the number of options issued.
Hurricane
Asset Retirement Loss. Hurricane
asset retirement loss represents the loss associated with the write-off
of the
net book value of assets destroyed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the
third
quarter of 2005.
Special
Charges, Net. Special
charges of $2 million for
the
three months ended September 30, 2005
primarily represents $1 million of severance and related costs of our management
realignment and
$1
million related to legal settlements.
Special
charges of $3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004 represents
$6 million of severance and related costs of our workforce reduction offset
by
$3 million received from a third party in settlement of a dispute.
Interest
Expense, Net. Net
interest expense increased by $38 million, or 9%, from $424 million for
the
three months ended September
30, 2004 to $462 million for
the
three months ended September
30, 2005. The increase in net interest expense was a result of an increase
in
our average borrowing rate from 8.84% in the third quarter of 2004 to 9.07%
in
the third quarter of 2005 and an increase of $770 million in average debt
outstanding from $18.4 billion for the third quarter of 2004 compared
to
$19.2 billion for the third quarter of 2005 and $1 million in losses related
to
embedded derivatives in Charter’s 5.875% convertible senior notes issued in
November 2004. See Note 10 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Gain
(Loss) on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,
Net.
Net gain
on derivative instruments and hedging activities increased $25 million
from a
loss of $8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004 to a gain
of
$17 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase
is
primarily the result of an increase in gains on interest rate agreements
that do
not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133, Accounting
for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, which
increased from a loss of $9 million for the three months ended September
30,
2004 to a gain of $16 million for the three months ended September 30,
2005.
Gain
on Extinguishment of Debt. Gain
on
extinguishment of debt of $490 million for the three months ended September
30,
2005
represents the
net
gain realized on the exchange of approximately $6.8 billion total
principal
amount of outstanding debt securities of Charter Holdings for new CCH I,
LLC
("CCH I") and CCH I Holdings, LLC ("CIH") debt securities.
See
Note 6 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Minority
Interest. Minority
interest represents the 2% accretion of the preferred membership interests
in
our indirect subsidiary, CC VIII, LLC, and in the second quarter of 2004,
the
pro rata share of the profits and losses of CC VIII, LLC. Effective January
1,
2005, we ceased recognizing minority interest in earnings or losses of
CC VIII
for financial reporting purposes until the dispute between Charter and
Mr. Allen
regarding the preferred membership interests in CC VIII was resolved.
This
dispute was settled October 31, 2005. See Note 7 to the condensed consolidated
financial statements. Additionally, reported losses allocated to minority
interest on the statement of operations are limited to the extent of
any
remaining minority interest on the balance sheet related to Charter Holdco.
Because minority interest in Charter Holdco is eliminated, Charter absorbs
all
losses before income taxes that otherwise would be allocated to minority
interest. Subject to any changes in Charter Holdco’s capital structure, future
losses will continue to be substantially absorbed by Charter.
Income
Tax Benefit (Expense). Income
tax expense of $29 million and income tax benefit of $213 million was recognized
for the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The
income
tax expense is recognized through increases in deferred tax liabilities
related
to our investment in Charter Holdco, as well as through current federal
and
state income tax expense and increases in the deferred tax liabilities
of
certain of our indirect corporate subsidiaries. The income tax benefit
was
realized as a result of decreases in certain deferred tax liabilities related
to
our investment in Charter Holdco as well as decreases in the deferred tax
liabilities of certain of our indirect corporate subsidiaries.
The
income tax benefit recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2004
was
directly related to the impairment of franchises as discussed above. We
do not
expect to recognize a similar benefit associated with the impairment of
franchises in future periods. 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.
Cumulative
Effect of Accounting Change, Net of Tax. Cumulative
effect of accounting change of $765 million (net of minority interest effects
of
$19 million and tax effects of $91 million) in 2004 represents the impairment
charge recorded as a result of our adoption of EITF Topic D-108.
Net
Income (Loss).
Net
loss decreased by $3.4 billion from net loss of $3.3 billion for the three
months ended September
30, 2004
to net
income of $76 million for the three months ended September
30, 2005
as a
result of the factors described above.
Preferred
Stock Dividends. On
August
31, 2001, Charter issued 505,664 shares (and on February 28, 2003
issued an
additional 39,595 shares) of Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred
Stock in connection with the Cable USA acquisition, on which Charter pays
or
accrues a quarterly cumulative cash dividend at an annual rate of 5.75%
if paid
or 7.75% if accrued on a liquidation preference of $100 per share. Beginning
January 1, 2005, Charter is accruing the dividend on its Series A Convertible
Redeemable Preferred Stock.
Income
(Loss) Per Common Share.
Basic
loss per common share decreased by $11.13 from a loss of $10.89 per common
share
for the three months ended September
30, 2004
to
income of $0.24 per common share for the three months ended September
30, 2005
as a
result of the factors described above.
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2005 Compared to Nine Months Ended September
30,
2004
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, except per share and share data):
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
3,912
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
$
|
3,701
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs
and expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
(excluding depreciation and amortization)
|
|
|
1,714
|
|
|
44
|
%
|
|
1,552
|
|
|
42
|
%
|
Selling,
general and administrative
|
|
|
762
|
|
|
19
|
%
|
|
735
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
1,134
|
|
|
29
|
%
|
|
1,105
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
Impairment
of franchises
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
2,433
|
|
|
66
|
%
|
Asset
impairment charges
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
(Gain)
loss on sale of assets, net
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
(104
|
)
|
|
(3
|
)%
|
Option
compensation expense, net
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
Hurricane
asset retirement loss
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
Special
charges, net
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,688
|
|
|
94
|
%
|
|
5,855
|
|
|
158
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
(loss) from operations
|
|
|
224
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
(2,154
|
)
|
|
(58
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense, net
|
|
|
(1,333
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(1,227
|
)
|
|
|
|
Gain
on derivative instruments and hedging activities, net
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
on debt to equity conversions
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
(23
|
)
|
|
|
|
Gain
(loss) on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
498
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21
|
)
|
|
|
|
Gain
on investments
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(771
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(1,223
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
before minority interest, income taxes and cumulative effect
of accounting
change
|
|
|
(547
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(3,377
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority
interest
|
|
|
(9
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting
change
|
|
|
(556
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(3,353
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
tax benefit (expense)
|
|
|
(75
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
116
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
before cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
|
(631
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(3,237
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative
effect of accounting change, net of tax
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
(765
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
(631
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(4,002
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends
on preferred stock - redeemable
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss applicable to common stock
|
|
$
|
(634
|
)
|
|
|
|
$
|
(4,005
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
per common share, basic and diluted
|
|
$
|
(2.06
|
)
|
|
|
|
$
|
(13.38
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted
|
|
|
307,761,930
|
|
|
|
|
|
299,411,053
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues. Revenues
increased by $211 million, or 6%, from $3.7 billion for the nine months
ended
September 30, 2004 to $3.9 billion for the nine months ended September
30, 2005.
This increase is principally the result of an increase of 300,100 and 60,500
high-speed Internet and digital video customers, respectively, as well
as price
increases for video and high-speed Internet services, and is offset partially
by
a decrease of 168,300 analog video customers and $6 million of credits
issued to
hurricane Katrina impacted customers related to service outages. Through
September and October, we have been restoring service to our impacted customers
and, as of the date of this report, substantially all of our customers’ service
has been restored. Included in the reduction in analog video customers
and
reducing the increase in digital video and high-speed Internet customers
are
26,800 analog video customers, 12,000 digital video customers and 600 high-speed
Internet customers sold in the cable system sales in Texas and West Virginia,
which closed in July 2005. The cable system sales to Atlantic Broadband
Finance,
LLC, which closed in March and April 2004 and the cable system sales in
Texas
and West Virginia, which closed in July 2005 (referred to in this section
as the
"System Sales") reduced the increase in revenues by approximately $33 million.
Our goal is to increase revenues by improving customer service, which we
believe
will stabilize our analog video customer base, implementing price increases
on
certain services and packages and increasing the number of customers who
purchase high-speed Internet services, digital video and advanced products
and
services such as telephone, VOD, high definition television and digital
video
recorder service.
Average
monthly revenue per analog video customer increased to $72.97 for the nine
months ended September
30,
2005
from $66.24 for the nine months ended September
30,
2004
primarily as a result of incremental revenues from advanced services and
price
increases. Average monthly revenue per analog video customer represents
total
revenue for the nine months ended during the respective period, divided
by nine,
divided by the average number of analog video customers during the respective
period.
Revenues
by service offering were as follows (dollars in millions):
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2005
over 2004
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
%
of
Revenues
|
|
Revenues
|
|
%
of
Revenues
|
|
Change
|
|
%
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video
|
|
$
|
2,551
|
|
|
65
|
%
|
$
|
2,534
|
|
|
68
|
%
|
$
|
17
|
|
|
1
|
%
|
High-speed
Internet
|
|
|
671
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
|
538
|
|
|
14
|
%
|
|
133
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
Advertising
sales
|
|
|
214
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
205
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
9
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
Commercial
|
|
|
205
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
175
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
30
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
Other
|
|
|
271
|
|
|
7
|
%
|
|
249
|
|
|
7
|
%
|
|
22
|
|
|
9
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,912
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
$
|
3,701
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
$
|
211
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
Video
revenues consist primarily of revenues from analog and digital video services
provided to our non-commercial customers. Video revenues increased by $17
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 compared to the nine
months
ended September 30, 2004. Approximately $102 million of the increase was
the
result of price increases and incremental video revenues from existing
customers
and approximately $11 million resulted from an increase in digital video
customers. The increases were offset by decreases of approximately $66
million
related to a decrease in analog video customers, approximately $25 million
resulting from the System Sales and approximately $5 million of credits
issued
to hurricanes Katrina and Rita impacted customers related to service outages.
Revenues
from high-speed Internet services provided to our non-commercial customers
increased $133 million, or 25%, from $538 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2004 to $671 million for the nine months ended September
30,
2005. Approximately $101 million of the increase related to the increase
in the
average number of customers receiving high-speed Internet services, whereas
approximately $36 million related to the increase in average price of the
service. The increase in high-speed Internet revenues was reduced by
approximately $3 million as a result of the System Sales and $1 million
of
credits issued to hurricanes Katrina and Rita impacted customers related
to
service outages.
Advertising
sales revenues consist primarily of revenues from commercial advertising
customers, programmers and other vendors. Advertising sales increased $9
million, or 4%, from $205 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2004
to $214 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, primarily
as a
result of an
increase
in local advertising sales and an increase of $3 million in advertising
sales
revenues from vendors offset by a decline in national advertising sales.
In
addition, the increase was offset by a decrease of $1 million as a result
of the
System Sales. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, we
received
$12 million and $9 million, respectively, in advertising sales revenues
from
vendors.
Commercial
revenues consist primarily of revenues from cable video and high-speed
Internet
services to our commercial customers. Commercial revenues increased $30
million,
or 17%, from $175 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004
to $205
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, primarily as a result
of
an increase in commercial high-speed Internet revenues. The increase was
reduced
by approximately $3 million as a result of the System Sales.
Other
revenues consist of revenues from franchise fees, telephone revenue, equipment
rental, customer installations, home shopping, dial-up Internet service,
late
payment fees, wire maintenance fees and other miscellaneous revenues. Other
revenues increased $22 million, or 9%, from $249 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 2004 to $271 million for the nine months ended September
30,
2005. The increase was primarily the result of an increase in telephone
revenue
of $11 million, franchise fees of $11 million and installation revenue
of $7
million and was partially offset by approximately $2 million as a result
of the
System Sales.
Operating
Expenses.
Operating expenses increased $162 million, or 10%, from $1.6 billion for
the
nine months ended September 30, 2004 to $1.7 billion for the nine months
ended
September 30, 2005. The increase in operating expenses was reduced by $13
million as a result of the System Sales. Programming costs included in
the
accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations were
$1.1 billion and $991 million, representing 29% and 17% of total
costs and
expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
Key expense components as a percentage of revenues were as follows (dollars
in
millions):
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2005
over 2004
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
%
of
Revenues
|
|
Expenses
|
|
%
of
Revenues
|
|
Change
|
|
%
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Programming
|
|
$
|
1,066
|
|
|
27
|
%
|
$
|
991
|
|
|
27
|
%
|
$
|
75
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
Service
|
|
|
572
|
|
|
15
|
%
|
|
489
|
|
|
13
|
%
|
|
83
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
Advertising
sales
|
|
|
76
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
72
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
4
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,714
|
|
|
44
|
%
|
$
|
1,552
|
|
|
42
|
%
|
$
|
162
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
Programming
costs consist primarily of costs paid to programmers for analog, premium,
digital channels, VOD and pay-per-view programming. The increase in programming
costs of $75 million, or 8%, for the nine months ended September
30, 2005
over the nine months ended September 30, 2004 was a result of price increases,
particularly in sports programming, partially offset by decreases in analog
video customers. Additionally, the increase in programming costs was reduced
by
$10 million as a result of the System Sales. Programming costs were offset
by
the amortization of payments received from programmers in support of launches
of
new channels of $27 million and $47 million for the nine months
ended
September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Programming costs for the nine
months
ended September 30, 2004 also include a $5 million reduction related to
the
settlement of a dispute with TechTV, Inc. See Note 20 to the condensed
consolidated financial statements.
Our
cable
programming costs have increased in every year we have operated in excess
of
U.S. inflation and cost-of-living increases, and we expect them to continue
to
increase because of a variety of factors, including inflationary or negotiated
annual increases, additional programming being provided to customers and
increased costs to purchase programming. In 2005, programming costs have
increased and we expect will continue to increase at a higher rate than
in 2004.
These costs will be determined in part on the outcome of programming
negotiations in 2005 and will likely be subject to offsetting events or
otherwise affected by factors similar to the ones mentioned in the preceding
paragraph. Our increasing programming costs will result in declining operating
margins for our video services to the extent we are unable to pass on cost
increases to our customers. We expect to partially offset any resulting
margin
compression from our traditional video services with revenue from advanced
video
services, increased high-speed Internet revenues, advertising revenues
and
commercial service revenues.
Service
costs consist primarily of service personnel salaries and benefits, franchise
fees, system utilities, costs of providing high-speed Internet service,
maintenance and pole rent expense. The increase in service costs of
$83 million, or 17%, resulted primarily from increased labor and
maintenance costs to support improved service levels and our advanced products,
higher fuel prices and pole rent expense. The increase in service costs
was
reduced by $3 million as a result of the System Sales. Advertising sales
expenses consist of costs related to traditional advertising services provided
to advertising customers, including salaries, benefits and commissions.
Advertising sales expenses increased $4 million, or 6%, primarily as a
result of
increased salary, benefit and commission costs.
Selling,
General and Administrative Expenses.
Selling,
general and administrative expenses increased by $27 million, or 4%, from
$735
million for the nine months ended September
30,
2004 to
$762 million for the nine months ended September
30,
2005.
The
increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was reduced by
$5
million as a result of the System Sales. Key
components of expense as a percentage of revenues were as follows (dollars
in
millions):
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2005
over 2004
|
|
|
|
Expenses
|
|
%
of
Revenues
|
|
Expenses
|
|
%
of
Revenues
|
|
Change
|
|
%
Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General
and administrative
|
|
$
|
658
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
$
|
636
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
$
|
22
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
Marketing
|
|
|
104
|
|
|
2
|
%
|
|
99
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
|
5
|
|
|
5
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
762
|
|
|
19
|
%
|
$
|
735
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
$
|
27
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
General
and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits,
rent
expense, billing costs, call center costs, internal network costs, bad
debt
expense and property taxes. The increase in general and administrative
expenses
of $22 million, or 3%, resulted primarily from increases in professional
fees associated with consulting services of $28 million and a rise in salaries
and benefits of $21 million related to increased emphasis on improved service
levels and operational efficiencies, offset by decreases in bad debt expense
of
$13 million, property and casualty insurance of $7 million and the System
Sales
of $5 million.
Marketing
expenses increased $5 million, or 5%, as a result of an increased
investment in targeted marketing campaigns.
Depreciation
and Amortization.
Depreciation
and amortization expense increased by $29 million, or 3%, as a result
of an
increase in capital expenditures.
Impairment
of Franchises. We
performed an impairment assessment during the third quarter of 2004 using
an
independent third-party appraiser. The use of lower projected growth rates
and
the resulting revised estimates of future cash flows in our valuation,
primarily
as a result of increased competition, led to the recognition of a $2.4
billion
impairment charge for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.
Asset
Impairment Charges. Asset
impairment charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 represent
the
write-down of assets related to pending cable asset sales to fair value
less
costs to sell. See Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial
statements.
(Gain)
Loss on Sale of Assets, Net. Loss
on
sale of assets of $5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005
primarily represents the loss recognized on the disposition of plant and
equipment. Gain on sale of assets of $104 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2004 primarily represents the pretax gain realized on the
sale of
systems to Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC which closed on March 1 and
April 30,
2004.
Option
Compensation Expense, Net.
Option
compensation expense of $11 million for the nine months ended September
30, 2005
primarily represents options expensed in accordance with SFAS
No. 123.
Option compensation expense of $34 million for the nine months ended
September
30,
2004
primarily represents the expense of approximately $9 million related to
a stock
option exchange program under
which
our employees were offered the right to exchange all stock options (vested
and
unvested) issued under the 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan and
2001
Stock Incentive Plan that had an exercise price over $10 per share for
shares of
restricted Charter
Class
A
common stock or, in some instances, cash.
The
exchange offer closed in February 2004. Additionally, during the nine months
ended September
30,
2004,
we recognized approximately $8 million related to the performance shares
granted
under the Charter Long-Term Incentive Program and approximately $17 million
related to options granted following the adoption of SFAS
No.
123.
Hurricane
Asset Retirement Loss. Hurricane
asset retirement loss represents the loss associated with the write-off
of the
net book value of assets destroyed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the
third
quarter of 2005.
Special
Charges, Net.
Special
charges of $4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 represents
$5
million of severance and related costs of our management realignment and
$1
million related to legal settlements offset
by
approximately $2 million related to an agreed upon cash discount on settlement
of the consolidated Federal Class Action and Federal Derivative
Action.
See "—
Legal Proceedings." Special charges of $100 million for the nine months
ended
September 30, 2004 represents approximately $85 million as part of the
terms set
forth in memoranda of understanding regarding settlement of the consolidated
Federal Class Action and Federal Derivative Action and approximately $9
million
of litigation costs related to the tentative settlement of the South Carolina
national class action suit, which were approved by the respective courts
and
approximately $9 million of severance and related costs of our workforce
reduction. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the severance
costs
were offset by $3 million received from a third party in settlement of
a
dispute.
Interest
Expense, Net.
Net
interest expense increased by $106 million, or 9%, from $1.2 billion
for
the
nine months ended September
30,
2004
to
$1.3 billion for
the
nine months ended September
30,
2005.
The
increase in net interest expense was a result of an
increase
of $757 million in average debt outstanding from $18.4 billion for
the
nine months ended September
30,
2004
compared
to $19.2 billion for
the
nine months ended September
30,
2005
and
an
increase in our average borrowing rate from 8.61% in
the
nine months ended September
30,
2004
to
8.95% in the
nine
months ended September
30,
2005
combined
with approximately $11 million of liquidated damages on our 5.875% convertible
senior notes.
This
was offset partially by $26
million in gains related to embedded derivatives in Charter’s 5.875% convertible
senior notes issued in November 2004. See Note 10 to the condensed consolidated
financial statements.
Gain
on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, Net.
Net
gain
on derivative instruments and hedging activities decreased $5 million from
$48
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 to $43 million for
the nine
months ended September 30, 2005. The decrease is primarily a result of
a
decrease in gains on interest rate agreements that do not qualify for hedge
accounting under SFAS No. 133, which decreased from $45 million for the
nine
months ended September 30, 2004 to $41 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2005.
Loss
on debt to equity conversions. Loss
on
debt to equity conversions of $23 million for the nine months ended September
30, 2004 represents the loss recognized from privately negotiated exchanges
in
the aggregate of $30 million principal amount of Charter’s 5.75% convertible
senior notes held by two unrelated parties for shares of Charter Class
A common
stock, which resulted in the issuance of more shares in the exchange transaction
than would have been issued under the original terms of the convertible
senior
notes.
Gain
(loss) on extinguishment of debt. Gain
on
extinguishment of debt of $498 million for the nine months ended September
30,
2005
primarily represents approximately $490 million related to the exchange
of approximately $6.8 billion total principal amount of outstanding debt
securities of Charter Holdings in a private placement for new debt
securities,
approximately $10 million related to the issuance of Charter Communications
Operating, LLC ("Charter Operating") notes in exchange for Charter Holdings
notes and approximately $4 million related to the repurchase of $131 million
principal amount of our 4.75% convertible senior notes due 2006. These
gains
were offset by approximately $5 million of losses related to the redemption
of
our subsidiary’s, CC V Holdings, LLC, 11.875% notes due 2008. See Note 6 to the
condensed consolidated financial statements. Loss
on
extinguishment of debt of $21 million for the nine months ended September
30,
2004 represents the write-off of deferred financing fees and third party
costs
related to the Charter Operating refinancing in April 2004.
Gain
on investments. Gain
on
investments of $21 million for the nine months ended September
30,
2005
primarily represents a gain
realized on an exchange of our interest in an equity investee for an investment
in a larger enterprise.
Minority
Interest. Minority
interest represents the 2% accretion of the preferred membership interests
in
our indirect subsidiary, CC VIII, LLC, and in 2004, the pro rata share
of the
profits and losses of CC VIII, LLC. Effective
January
1, 2005, we ceased recognizing minority interest in earnings or losses
of CC
VIII for financial reporting purposes until the dispute between Charter
and Mr.
Allen regarding the preferred membership interests in CC VIII was resolved.
This
dispute was settled October 31, 2005. See Note 7 to the condensed consolidated
financial statements. Additionally, reported losses allocated to minority
interest on the statement of operations are limited to the extent of
any
remaining minority interest on the balance sheet related to Charter Holdco.
Because minority interest in Charter Holdco is eliminated, Charter absorbs
all
losses before income taxes that otherwise would be allocated to minority
interest. Subject to any changes in Charter Holdco’s capital structure, future
losses will continue to be substantially absorbed by Charter.
Income
Tax Benefit (Expense). Income
tax expense of $75 million and income tax benefit of $116 million was recognized
for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The
income
tax expense is recognized through increases in deferred tax liabilities
related
to our investment in Charter Holdco, as well as through current federal
and
state income tax expense and increases in the deferred tax liabilities
of
certain of our indirect corporate subsidiaries. The income tax benefit
was
realized as a result of decreases in certain deferred tax liabilities related
to
our investment in Charter Holdco as well as decreases in the deferred tax
liabilities of certain of our indirect corporate subsidiaries.
The
income tax benefit recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2004
was
directly related to the impairment of franchises as discussed above. We
do not
expect to recognize a similar benefit associated with the impairment of
franchises in future periods. 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.
Net
Loss.
Net
loss decreased by $3.4 billion, from $4.0 billion for the nine months ended
September
30,
2004 to
$631 million for the nine months ended September
30,
2005 as
a result of the factors described above.
Preferred
stock dividends. On
August
31, 2001, Charter issued 505,664 shares (and on February 28, 2003
issued an
additional 39,595 shares) of Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred
Stock in connection with the Cable USA acquisition, on which Charter pays
a
quarterly cumulative cash dividends at an annual rate of 5.75% if paid
or 7.75%
if accrued on a liquidation preference of $100 per share. Beginning January
1,
2005, Charter is accruing the dividend on its Series A Convertible Redeemable
Preferred Stock.
Loss
Per Common Share.
The
loss per common share decreased by $11.32, from $13.38 per common share
for the
nine months ended September
30,
2004 to
$2.06 per common share for the nine months ended September
30,
2005 as
a result of the factors described above.
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
We
have a
significant level of debt. For the remainder of 2005, $7 million of our
debt
matures, and in 2006, an additional $55 million matures. In 2007 and beyond,
significant additional amounts will become due under our remaining long-term
debt obligations.
In
September 2005, Charter Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiaries, CCH
I and
CIH, completed the exchange of approximately $6.8 billion total principal
amount
of outstanding debt securities of Charter Holdings in a private placement
for
new debt securities. Holders of Charter Holdings notes due in 2009 and
2010
exchanged $3.4 billion principal amount of notes for $2.9 billion principal
amount of new 11% CCH I senior secured notes due 2015. Holders of Charter
Holdings notes due 2011 and 2012 exchanged $845 million principal amount
of
notes for $662 million principal amount of 11% CCH I senior secured notes
due
2015. In addition, holders of Charter Holdings notes due 2011 and 2012
exchanged
$2.5 billion principal amount of notes for $2.5 billion principal amount
of
various series of new CIH notes. Each series of new CIH notes has the same
stated interest rate and provisions for
payment
of cash interest as the series of old Charter Holdings notes for which
such CIH
notes were exchanged. In addition, the maturities for each series were
extended
three years.
Our
business requires significant cash to fund debt service costs, capital
expenditures and ongoing operations. We have historically funded our debt
service costs, operating activities and capital requirements through cash
flows
from operating activities, borrowings under our credit facilities, 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, 2005, we generated $118 million of net cash flows from operating
activities after paying cash interest of $1.2 billion. In addition, we
used
approximately $815 million for purchases of property, plant and equipment.
Finally, we had net cash flows used in financing activities of $17 million.
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 our credit facilities, our access to the debt and equity markets,
the timing of possible asset sales and our ability to generate cash flows
from
operating activities. We continue to explore asset dispositions as one
of
several possible actions that we could take in the future to improve our
liquidity, but we do not presently consider future asset sales as a significant
source of liquidity.
In
October 2005, CCO Holdings, LLC ("CCO Holdings") and CCO Holdings Capital
Corp.,
as guarantor thereunder, entered into a senior bridge loan agreement (the
"Bridge Loan") with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands
Branch and Deutsche Bank AG Cayman Islands Branch (the "Lenders") whereby
the
Lenders have committed to make loans to CCO Holdings in an aggregate amount
of
$600 million. CCO Holdings may draw upon the facility between January 2,
2006
and September 29, 2006 and the loans will mature on the sixth anniversary
of the
first borrowing under the Bridge Loan.
We
expect
that cash on hand, cash flows from operating activities and the amounts
available under our credit facilities and Bridge Loan will be adequate
to meet
our cash needs for the remainder of 2005 and 2006. Cash flows from operating
activities and amounts available under our credit facilities and Bridge
Loan may
not be sufficient to fund our operations and satisfy our interest payment
obligations in 2007. It is likely that we will require additional funding
to
satisfy our debt repayment obligations in 2007. We believe that cash flows
from
operating activities and amounts available under our credit facilities
and
Bridge Loan will not be sufficient to fund our operations and satisfy our
interest and principal repayment obligations thereafter.
We
are
working with our financial advisors to address our funding requirements.
However, there can be no assurance that such funding will be available
to us.
Although Paul G. Allen, Charter’s Chairman and controlling shareholder, and his
affiliates have purchased equity from us in the past, Mr. Allen and his
affiliates are not obligated to purchase equity from, contribute to or
loan
funds to us in the future.
Credit
Facilities and Covenants
Our
ability to operate depends upon, among other things, our continued access
to
capital, including credit under the Charter Operating credit facilities.
These
credit facilities, along with our indentures and Bridge Loan, contain certain
restrictive covenants, some of which require us to maintain specified financial
ratios and meet financial tests and to provide audited financial statements
with
an unqualified opinion from our independent auditors. As of September
30,
2005,
we were in compliance with the covenants under our indentures and credit
facilities and we expect to remain in compliance with those covenants and
the
Bridge Loan covenants for the next twelve months. Our
total
potential borrowing availability under the current credit facilities totaled
$786 million as of September 30, 2005, although the actual availability
at
that time was only $648 million because of limits imposed by covenant
restrictions.
In
addition, effective January 2, 2006, we will have additional borrowing
availability of $600 million as a result of the Bridge Loan. Continued
access to
our credit facilities and Bridge Loan is subject to our remaining in compliance
with the covenants of these credit facilities and Bridge Loan, including
covenants tied to our operating performance. If our operating performance
results in non-compliance with these covenants, or if any of certain other
events of non-compliance under these credit facilities, Bridge Loan or
indentures governing our debt occur, funding under the credit facilities
and
Bridge Loan may not be available and defaults on some or potentially all
of our
debt obligations could occur. An event of default under the covenants governing
any of our debt instruments could result in the acceleration of our payment
obligations under that debt and, under certain circumstances, in cross-defaults
under our other debt obligations, which could have a material adverse effect
on
our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
Specific
Limitations
Our
ability to make interest payments on our convertible senior notes, and,
in 2006
and 2009, to repay the outstanding principal of our convertible senior
notes of
$25 million and $863 million, respectively, will depend on our ability
to raise
additional capital and/or on receipt of payments or distributions from
Charter
Holdco or its subsidiaries, including Charter Holdings, CIH, CCH I, CCH
II, LLC
("CCH II"), CCO Holdings and Charter Operating. During the nine months
ended
September
30,
2005,
Charter Holdings distributed $60 million to Charter Holdco. As
of
September
30,
2005,
Charter Holdco was owed $57 million in intercompany loans from its subsidiaries,
which were available to pay interest and principal on Charter's convertible
senior notes. In addition, Charter has $123 million of governmental
securities
pledged as security for the next
five
semi-annual interest
payments on Charter's 5.875% convertible senior notes.
Distributions
by Charter’s subsidiaries to a parent company (including Charter and Charter
Holdco) for
payment of principal on parent company notes
are
restricted by the Bridge Loan and indentures
governing the CIH notes, CCH I notes, CCH II notes, CCO Holdings notes,
and
Charter Operating notes, unless under their respective indentures there
is no
default and a specified leverage ratio test is met at the time of such
event.
For the quarter ended September 30, 2005, there was no default under any
of the
aforementioned indentures. However, CCO Holdings did not meet its leverage
ratio
test of 4.5 to 1.0. As a result, distributions from CCO Holdings to CCH
II, CCH
I, CIH, Charter Holdings, Charter Holdco or Charter for payment of principal
of
the respective parent company’s debt are currently restricted and will continue
to be restricted until that test is met. However distributions for payment
of
the respective parent company’s interest are permitted.
The
indentures governing the Charter Holdings notes permit Charter Holdings
to make
distributions to Charter Holdco for payment of interest or principal on
the
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 September
30,
2005,
there was no default under Charter Holdings' indentures and other specified
tests were met. However, Charter Holdings did not meet the leverage ratio
of
8.75 to 1.0 based on September
30,
2005
financial
results. As a result, distributions from Charter Holdings to Charter or
Charter
Holdco for payment of interest or principal on the convertible senior notes
are
currently
restricted and will continue to be restricted until that test is met. During
this restriction period,
the
indentures governing the Charter Holdings notes permit Charter Holdings
and its
subsidiaries to make specified investments in Charter Holdco or Charter,
up to
an amount determined by a formula, as long as there is no default under
the
indentures.
Our
significant amount of debt could negatively affect our ability to access
additional capital in the future. No assurances can be given that we will
not
experience liquidity problems if we do not obtain sufficient additional
financing on a timely basis as our debt becomes due or because of adverse
market
conditions, increased competition or other unfavorable events. If, at any
time,
additional capital or borrowing capacity is required beyond amounts internally
generated or available under our credit facilities or through additional
debt or
equity financings, we would consider:
|
·
|
issuing
equity that would significantly dilute existing
shareholders;
|
|
·
|
issuing
convertible debt or some other securities that may have structural
or
other priority over our existing notes and may also significantly
dilute
Charter's existing shareholders;
|
|
·
|
further
reducing our expenses and capital expenditures, which may impair
our
ability to increase revenue;
|
|
·
|
requesting
waivers or amendments with respect to our credit facilities,
the
availability and terms of which would be subject to market
conditions.
|
If
the
above strategies are not successful, we could be forced to restructure
our
obligations or seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. In addition,
if we
need to raise additional capital through the issuance of equity or find
it
necessary to engage in a recapitalization or other similar transaction,
our
shareholders could suffer significant dilution and our noteholders might
not
receive principal and interest payments to which they are contractually
entitled.
Sale
of Assets
In
July
2005, we closed the sale of certain cable systems in Texas and West Virginia
and
closed the sale of an additional cable system in Nebraska in October 2005
for a
total sales price of approximately $37 million, representing a total of
approximately 33,000 customers.
In
March
2004, we closed the sale of certain cable systems in Florida, Pennsylvania,
Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia to Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC.
We
closed the sale of an additional cable system in New York to Atlantic Broadband
Finance, LLC in April 2004. The total net proceeds from the sale of all
of these
systems were approximately $735 million. The proceeds were used to repay
a
portion of amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility.
Long-Term
Debt
As
of
September
30, 2005 and
December 31, 2004, long-term debt totaled approximately $19.1 billion and
$19.5
billion, respectively. This debt was comprised of approximately $5.5 billion
and
$5.5 billion of
credit
facility debt,
$12.7
billion and $13.0 billion accreted value of high-yield notes and $866 million
and $990 million accreted value of convertible
senior notes,
respectively. As of September
30, 2005 and
December 31, 2004, the weighted average interest rate on the credit facility
debt was approximately 7.5% and 6.8%, respectively, the weighted average
interest rate on the high-yield notes was approximately 10.2% and 9.9%,
respectively, and the weighted average interest rate on the convertible
notes
was approximately 5.8% and 5.7%, respectively, resulting in a blended weighted
average interest rate of 9.2% and 8.8%, respectively. The
interest rate on approximately 80% and 83% of the total principal amount
of our
debt was effectively fixed, including the effects of our interest rate
hedge
agreements as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004,
respectively.
4.75%
Convertible Senior Notes due 2006.
During
the nine months ended September
30,
2005,
we repurchased, in private transactions, from a small number of institutional
holders, a total of $131 million principal amount of our 4.75% convertible
senior notes due 2006. Approximately $25 million principal amount of these
notes
remain outstanding.
Issuance
of Charter Operating Notes in Exchange for Charter Holdings Notes.
In
March
and June 2005, our subsidiary, 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, approximately $333 million principal amount of its 8.375%
senior second lien notes due 2014 in exchange for approximately $346 million
of
the Charter Holdings 8.25% senior notes due 2007. The Charter Holdings
notes
received in the exchange were thereafter distributed to Charter Holdings
and
cancelled.
CC
V Holdings, LLC Notes. The
Charter Operating credit facilities required us to redeem the CC V Holdings,
LLC
notes as a result of the Charter Holdings leverage ratio becoming less
than 8.75
to 1.0. In satisfaction of this requirement, in
March
2005, CC V Holdings, LLC redeemed all of its 11.875% notes due 2008, at
103.958%
of principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.
The total cost of redemption was approximately $122 million and was funded
through borrowings under our credit facilities. Following
such redemption, CC V Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries (other than
non-guarantor subsidiaries) guaranteed the Charter Operating credit facilities
and granted a lien on all of their assets as to which a lien can be perfected
under the Uniform Commercial Code by the filing of a financing
statement.
Historical
Operating, Financing and Investing Activities
We
held
$22 million in cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2005
compared
to $650 million as of December 31, 2004. For the nine months ended
September 30, 2005, we generated $118 million of net cash flows from operating
activities after paying cash interest of $1.2 billion. In addition, we
used
approximately $815 million for purchases of property, plant and equipment.
Finally, we had net cash flows used in financing activities of $17 million.
Operating
Activities. Net
cash
provided by operating activities decreased $265 million, or 69%, from $383
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 to $118 million for
the
nine months ended September 30, 2005. For the nine months ended September
30,
2005, net cash provided by operating activities decreased primarily as
a result
of
changes in operating assets and liabilities that used $144 million more
cash
during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 than the corresponding
period in
2004 combined with an increase in cash interest expense of $155 million
over the
corresponding prior period partially offset by an increase in revenue over
cash
costs.
Investing
Activities. Net
cash
used by investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2005
was
$729 million and net cash provided by investing activities for the nine
months
ended September 30, 2004 was $50 million. Investing activities used $779
million
more cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 than the corresponding
period in 2004 primarily as a result of increased cash used for capital
expenditures in 2005 coupled with proceeds from the
sale of
certain cable systems to Atlantic Broadband Finance, LLC in 2004.
Financing
Activities. Net
cash
used in financing activities decreased $414 million from $431 million for
the
nine months ended September 30, 2004 to $17 million for the nine months
ended
September 30, 2005. The decrease in cash used during the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 as compared to the corresponding period in 2004, was
primarily the result of a decrease in net repayments of long-term debt
and in
payments for debt issuance costs.
Capital
Expenditures
We
have
significant ongoing capital expenditure requirements. Capital expenditures
were
$815 million and $639 million for the nine months ended September
30, 2005
and
2004, respectively. Capital expenditures increased as a result of increased
spending on support capital related to our investment in service improvements
and scalable infrastructure related to telephone services, VOD and digital
simulcast. See the table below for more details.
Upgrading
our cable systems has enabled us to offer digital television, high-speed
Internet services, VOD, interactive services, additional channels and tiers,
expanded pay-per-view options and telephone services to a larger customer
base.
Our capital expenditures are funded primarily from cash flows from operating
activities, the issuance of debt and borrowings under credit facilities.
In
addition, during the nine months ended September
30, 2005
and
2004, our liabilities related to capital expenditures increased $36 million
and
decreased $23 million, respectively.
During
2005, we expect capital expenditures to be approximately $1 billion to
$1.1
billion. The increase in capital expenditures for 2005 compared to 2004
is the
result of expected increases in telephone services, deployment of advanced
digital set-top terminals and capital expenditures to replace plant and
equipment destroyed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. We expect that the
nature of
these expenditures will continue to be composed primarily of purchases
of
customer premise equipment, support capital and for scalable infrastructure
costs. We expect to fund capital expenditures for 2005 primarily from cash
flows
from operating activities and borrowings under our credit
facilities.
We
have
adopted capital expenditure disclosure guidance, which was developed by
eleven
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 operating statistics
in capital expenditures and customers among peer companies in the cable
industry. These disclosure guidelines are not required disclosure 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 three and nine months ended September
30, 2005 and 2004 (dollars in millions):
|
|
Three
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
Nine
Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Customer
premise equipment (a)
|
|
$
|
94
|
|
$
|
119
|
|
$
|
322
|
|
$
|
345
|
|
Scalable
infrastructure (b)
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
22
|
|
|
138
|
|
|
55
|
|
Line
extensions (c)
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
114
|
|
|
94
|
|
Upgrade/Rebuild
(d)
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
28
|
|
Support
capital (e)
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
206
|
|
|
117
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
capital expenditures (f)
|
|
$
|
273
|
|
$
|
249
|
|
$
|
815
|
|
$
|
639
|
|
(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 in accordance with
SFAS 51 and
customer premise equipment (e.g., set-top terminals 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).
|
(f)
|
Represents
all capital expenditures made during the three and nine months
ended
September 30, 2005 and 2004,
respectively.
|
Certain
Trends and Uncertainties
The
following discussion highlights a number of trends and uncertainties, in
addition to those discussed elsewhere in this quarterly report and in the
"Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates"
section
of Item 7. "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations"
in our
2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K, that could materially impact our business,
results of operations and financial condition.
Substantial
Leverage. We
have a
significant amount of debt. As of September 30, 2005, our total debt was
approximately $19.1 billion. For the remainder of 2005, $7 million of our
debt
matures and in 2006, an additional $55 million matures. In 2007 and beyond,
significant additional amounts will become due under our remaining obligations.
We believe that, as a result of our significant levels of debt and operating
performance, our access to the debt markets could be limited when substantial
amounts of our current indebtedness become due. If our business does not
generate sufficient cash flow from operating activities, and sufficient
funds
are not available to us from borrowings under our credit facilities or
from
other sources, we may not be able to repay our debt, fund our other liquidity
and capital needs, grow our business or respond to competitive challenges.
Further, if we are unable to repay or refinance our debt, as it becomes
due, we
could be forced to restructure our obligations or seek protection under
the
bankruptcy laws. If we were to raise capital through the issuance of additional
equity or if we were to engage in a recapitalization or other similar
transaction, our shareholders could suffer significant dilution and our
noteholders might not receive all principal and interest payments to which
they
are contractually entitled on a timely basis or at all. For more information,
see the section above entitled "— Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Restrictive
Covenants. Our
credit facilities, the Bridge Loan and the indentures governing our and
our
subsidiaries’ other debt contain a number of significant covenants that could
adversely impact our ability to operate our business, and therefore could
adversely affect our results of operations and the price of our Class A
common
stock. These covenants restrict our and our subsidiaries’ ability to:
· 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;
|
· grant
liens; and
|
· pledge
assets.
|
Furthermore,
our credit facilities require us to, among other things, maintain specified
financial ratios, meet specified financial tests and provide audited financial
statements with an unqualified opinion from our independent auditors. Our
ability to comply with these provisions may be affected by events beyond
our
control.
The
breach of any covenants or obligations in the foregoing indentures or credit
facilities, not otherwise waived or amended, could result in a default
under the
applicable debt agreement or instrument and could trigger acceleration
of
the
related debt, which in turn could trigger defaults under other agreements
governing our long-term indebtedness. In addition, the secured lenders
under the
Charter Operating credit facilities and the Charter Operating senior second-lien
notes 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, the Bridge Loan, the indentures governing
our
convertible notes or our subsidiaries’ debt could adversely affect our growth,
our financial condition and our results of operations and our ability to
make
payments on our notes, the Bridge Loan and the credit facilities and other
debt
of our subsidiaries. For more information, see the section above entitled
"—
Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Liquidity.
Our
business requires significant cash to fund debt service costs, capital
expenditures and ongoing operations. Our ongoing operations will depend
on our
ability to generate cash and to secure financing in the future. We have
historically funded liquidity and capital requirements through cash flows
from
operating activities, borrowings under our credit facilities, issuances
of debt
and equity securities and cash on hand.
Our
ability to operate depends upon, among other things, our continued access
to
capital, including credit under the Charter Operating credit facilities.
These
credit facilities are subject to certain restrictive covenants, some of
which
require us to maintain specified financial ratios and meet financial tests
and
to provide audited financial statements with an unqualified opinion from
our
independent auditors. As of September
30,
2005,
we are in compliance with the covenants under our indentures and credit
facilities, and we expect to remain in compliance with those covenants
and the
Bridge Loan covenants for the next twelve months. If our operating performance
results in non-compliance with these covenants, or if any of certain other
events of non-compliance under these credit facilities, the Bridge Loan
or
indentures governing our debt occurs, funding under the credit facilities
and
the Bridge Loan may not be available and defaults on some or potentially
all of
our debt obligations could occur. An event of default under the credit
facilities, the Bridge Loan or indentures, if not waived, could result
in the
acceleration of those debt obligations and, consequently, other debt
obligations. Such acceleration could result in exercise of remedies by
our
creditors and could force us to seek the protection of the bankruptcy laws,
which could materially adversely impact our ability to operate our business
and
to make payments under our debt instruments. Our
total
potential borrowing availability under the current credit facilities totaled
$786 million as of September 30, 2005, although the actual availability
at
that time was only $648 million because of limits imposed by covenant
restrictions.
In
addition, effective January 2, 2006, we will have additional borrowing
availability of $600 million as a result of the Bridge Loan.
If,
at
any time, additional capital or capacity is required beyond amounts internally
generated or available under our credit facilities or through additional
debt or
equity financings, we would consider:
· issuing
equity that would significantly dilute existing
shareholders;
|
· issuing
convertible debt or some other securities that may have structural
or
other priority over our existing notes and may also significantly
dilute
Charter’s existing shareholders;
|
· further
reducing our expenses and capital expenditures, which may impair
our
ability to increase revenue;
|
· selling
assets; or
|
· requesting
waivers or amendments with respect to our credit facilities,
the
availability and terms of which would be subject to market
conditions.
|
If
the
above strategies were not successful, we could be forced to restructure
our
obligations or seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. If we were to
raise
additional capital through the issuance of equity or find it necessary
to engage
in a recapitalization or other similar transaction, our shareholders could
suffer significant dilution and our noteholders might not receive all or
any
principal and interest payments to which they are contractually entitled.
For
more information, see the section above entitled "— Liquidity and Capital
Resources."
Acceleration
of Indebtedness of Charter’s Subsidiaries. In
the
event of a default under our credit facilities, the Bridge Loan or notes,
our
creditors could elect to declare all amounts borrowed, together with accrued
and
unpaid interest and other fees, to be due and payable. In such event, our
credit
facilities, the Bridge Loan and indentures would not permit Charter’s
subsidiaries to distribute funds to Charter Holdco or Charter to pay interest
or
principal on their notes. If the amounts outstanding under such credit
facilities, the Bridge Loan or notes are accelerated, all of the debt and
liabilities of Charter’s subsidiaries would be payable from the subsidiaries’
assets, prior to any distribution of the subsidiaries’ assets to pay the
interest and principal amounts on Charter’s notes. In addition, the lenders
under our credit facilities could foreclose on their collateral, which
includes
equity interests in Charter’s subsidiaries, and they could exercise other rights
of secured creditors. In any such case, we might not be able to
repay
or
make any payments on our notes. Additionally, an acceleration or payment
default
under our credit facilities would cause a cross-default in the Bridge Loan
and
the indentures governing the Charter Holdings notes, CIH notes, CCH I notes,
CCH
II notes, CCO Holdings notes, Charter Operating notes and Charter’s convertible
senior notes and would trigger the cross-default provision of the Charter
Operating credit agreement. Any default under any of our credit facilities,
Bridge Loan or notes might adversely affect the holders of our notes and
our
growth, financial condition and results of operations and could force us
to
examine all options, including seeking the protection of the bankruptcy
laws.
Charter
Communications, Inc. Relies on its Subsidiaries to Meet its Liquidity Needs,
and
Charter’s Convertible Senior Notes are Structurally Subordinated to all
Liabilities of its Subsidiaries. We
rely
on our subsidiaries to make distributions or other payments to Charter
Holdco
and Charter to enable Charter to make payments on its convertible senior
notes.
The borrowers and guarantors under the Charter Operating credit facilities
are
Charter’s indirect subsidiaries. A number of Charter’s subsidiaries are also
obligors under other debt instruments, including Charter Holdings, CIH,
CCH I,
CCH II, CCO Holdings and Charter Operating, which are each a co-issuer
of senior
notes, senior-second lien notes and/or senior discount notes. As of September
30, 2005, our total debt was approximately $19.1 billion, of which $18.3
billion
was structurally senior to the Charter convertible senior notes. The Charter
Operating credit facilities and the indentures governing the senior notes,
senior discount notes and senior second-lien notes issued by subsidiaries
of
Charter contain restrictive covenants that limit the ability of such
subsidiaries to make distributions or other payments to Charter Holdco
or
Charter.
In
the
event of a default under our credit facilities, the Bridge Loan or notes,
our
lenders or noteholders could elect to declare all amounts borrowed, together
with accrued and unpaid interest and other fees, to be due and payable.
An
acceleration or certain payment events of default under our credit facilities
would cause a cross-default in the Bridge Loan, the indentures governing
the
Charter Holdings notes, CIH notes, CCH I notes, CCH II notes, CCO Holdings
notes, Charter Operating notes and Charter’s convertible senior notes.
Similarly, such a default or acceleration under any of these notes would
cause a
cross-default under the notes of the parent entities of the relevant entity.
If
the amounts outstanding under the credit facilities, the Bridge Loan or
notes
are accelerated, all of the debt and liabilities of Charter’s subsidiaries would
be payable from the subsidiaries’ assets, prior to any distribution of the
subsidiaries’ assets to pay the interest and principal amounts on Charter’s
notes. In addition, the lenders under our credit facilities and noteholders
under our Charter Operating notes could foreclose on their collateral,
which
includes equity interests in Charter’s subsidiaries, and they could exercise
other rights of secured creditors. Any default under any of our credit
facilities, the Bridge Loan or notes could force us to examine all options,
including seeking the protection of the bankruptcy laws. In the event of
the
bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution of a subsidiary, following payment
by
such subsidiary of its liabilities, the lenders under our credit facilities
and
the holders of the other debt instruments and all other creditors of Charter’s
subsidiaries would have the right to be paid before holders of Charter’s
convertible senior notes from any of Charter’s subsidiaries’ assets. Such
subsidiaries may not have sufficient assets remaining to make any payments
to
Charter as an equity holder or otherwise and may be restricted by bankruptcy
and
insolvency laws from making any such payments.
The
foregoing contractual and legal restrictions could limit Charter’s ability to
make payments of principal and/or interest to the holders of its convertible
senior notes. Further, if Charter made such payments by causing a subsidiary
to
make a distribution to it, and such transfer were deemed a fraudulent transfer
or an unlawful distribution, the holders of Charter’s convertible senior notes
could be required to return the payment to (or for the benefit of) the
creditors
of its subsidiaries.
Securities
Litigation. A
number
of putative federal class action lawsuits were filed against Charter and
certain
of its former and present officers and directors alleging violations of
securities laws, which have been consolidated for pretrial purposes. In
addition, a number of shareholder derivative lawsuits were filed against
Charter
in the same and other jurisdictions. A shareholders derivative suit was
filed in
the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri against Charter
and
its then current directors. Also, three shareholders derivative suits were
filed
in Missouri state court against Charter, its then current directors and
its
former independent auditor. These state court actions have been consolidated.
The federal shareholders derivative suit and the consolidated derivative
suit
each alleged that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties.
Charter
entered into Stipulations of Settlement setting forth proposed terms of
settlement for the above-described class actions and derivative suits.
On
May 23, 2005 the United States District Court for the Eastern District
of
Missouri
conducted the final fairness hearing for the Actions, and on June 30,
2005,
the Court issued its final approval of the settlements. Members of the
class had
30 days from the issuance of the June 30 order approving the settlement
to
file an appeal challenging the approval. Two notices of appeal were filed
relating to the settlement. Those appeals were directed to the amount of
fees
that the attorneys for the class were to receive and to the fairness of
the
settlement. At the end of September 2005, Stipulations of Dismissal were
filed
with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals resulting in the dismissal of
both
appeals with prejudice. Procedurally therefore, the settlements are final.
See
"Part II, Item 1. Legal Proceedings."
Competition.
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 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 may provide additional
benefits to certain of our competitors, either through access to financing,
resources or efficiencies of scale.
Our
principal competitor for video services throughout our territory is direct
broadcast satellite television services, also known as DBS. Competition
from
DBS, including intensive marketing efforts and aggressive pricing, has
had an
adverse impact on our ability to retain customers. DBS has grown rapidly
over
the last several years and continues to do so. The cable industry, including
Charter, has lost a significant number of subscribers to DBS competition,
and we
face serious challenges in this area in the future. We believe that competition
from DBS service providers may present greater challenges in areas of lower
population density and that our systems serve a higher concentration of
such
areas than those of other major cable service providers.
Local
telephone companies and electric utilities can offer video and other services
in
competition with us and they increasingly may do so in the future. Certain
telephone companies have begun more extensive deployment of fiber in their
networks that will enable them to begin providing video services, as well
as
telephone and high-bandwidth Internet access services, to residential and
business customers. Some of these telephone companies have obtained, and
are now
seeking, franchises or alternative authorizations that are less burdensome
than
existing Charter franchises. The subscription television industry also
faces
competition from free broadcast television and from other communications
and
entertainment media. Further loss of customers to DBS or other alternative
video
and data services could have a material negative impact on the value of
our
business and its performance.
With
respect to our Internet access services, we face competition, including
intensive marketing efforts and aggressive pricing, from telephone companies
and
other providers of "dial-up" and digital subscriber line technology, also
known
as DSL. DSL service is competitive with high-speed Internet service over
cable
systems. In addition, DBS providers have entered into joint marketing
arrangements with Internet access providers to offer bundled video and
Internet
service, which competes with our ability to provide bundled services to
our
customers. Moreover, as we expand our telephone offerings, we will face
considerable competition from established telephone companies.
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 require us to make capital expenditures to acquire additional
digital
set-top terminals. Customers who subscribe to our services as a result
of these
offerings may not remain customers for any significant period of time following
the end of the promotional period. A failure to retain existing customers
and
customers added through promotional offerings or to collect the amounts
they owe
us could have an adverse effect on our business and financial
results.
Mergers,
joint ventures and alliances among franchised, wireless or private cable
operators, satellite television providers, telephone companies and others,
and
the repeal of certain ownership rules 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.
Long-Term
Indebtedness — Change of Control Payments.
We may
not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to fulfill our obligations
under Charter’s convertible senior notes, our senior and senior discount notes,
our Bridge Loan and our credit facilities following a change of control.
Under
the indentures governing the Charter convertible senior notes, upon the
occurrence of specified change of control events, Charter is required to
offer
to repurchase all of the outstanding Charter convertible senior notes.
However,
we may not have sufficient funds at the
time
of
the change of control event to make the required repurchase of the Charter
convertible senior notes and Charter’s subsidiaries are limited in their ability
to make distributions or other payments to Charter to fund any required
repurchase. In addition, a change of control under our credit facilities,
Bridge
Loan and indentures governing our notes could result in a default under
those
credit facilities and Bridge Loan and a required repayment of the notes
under
those indentures. Because such credit facilities, Bridge Loan and notes
are
obligations of Charter’s subsidiaries, the credit facilities, Bridge Loan and
the notes would have to be repaid by Charter’s subsidiaries before their assets
could be available to Charter to repurchase the Charter convertible senior
notes. Charter’s failure to make or complete a change of control offer would
place it in default under the Charter convertible senior notes. The failure
of
Charter’s subsidiaries to make a change of control offer or repay the amounts
accelerated under their credit facilities and Bridge Loan would result
in
default under these agreements and could result in a default under the
indentures governing the Charter convertible senior notes. See "— Certain Trends
and Uncertainties — Liquidity."
Variable
Interest Rates.
At
September 30,
2005,
excluding the effects of hedging, approximately 32% of our debt bears interest
at variable rates that are linked to short-term interest rates. In addition,
a
significant portion of our existing debt, assumed debt or debt we might
arrange
in the future will bear interest at variable rates. If interest rates rise,
our
costs relative to those obligations will also rise. As of September 30,
2005 and
December 31, 2004, the weighted average interest rate on the credit
facility debt was approximately 7.5% and 6.8%, respectively, the weighted
average interest rate on the high-yield notes was approximately 10.2% and
9.9%,
respectively, and the weighted average interest rate on the convertible
notes
was approximately 5.8% and 5.7%, respectively, resulting in a blended weighted
average interest rate of 9.2% and 8.8%, respectively. The interest rate
on
approximately 80% and 83% of the total principal amount of our debt was
effectively fixed, including the effects of our interest rate hedge agreements
as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.
Services.
We
expect
that a substantial portion of our near-term growth will be achieved through
revenues from high-speed Internet services, digital video, bundled service
packages, and to a lesser extent various commercial services that take
advantage
of cable’s broadband capacity. We may not be able to offer these advanced
services successfully to our customers or provide adequate customer service
and
these advanced services may not generate adequate revenues. Also, if the
vendors
we use for these services are not financially viable over time, we may
experience disruption of service and incur costs to find alternative vendors.
In
addition, the technology involved in our product and service offerings
generally
requires that we have permission to use intellectual property and that
such
property not infringe on rights claimed by others. If it is determined
that the
product or service being utilized infringes on the rights of others, we
may be
sued or be precluded from using the technology.
Increasing
Programming Costs. 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, particularly sports programming. We expect programming
costs to continue to increase because of a variety of factors, including
inflationary or negotiated annual increases, additional programming being
provided to customers and increased costs to purchase programming. The
inability
to fully pass these programming cost increases on to our customers would
have an
adverse impact on our cash flow and operating margins. As measured by
programming costs, and excluding premium services (substantially all of
which
were renegotiated and renewed in 2003), as of September 30, 2005 approximately
9% of our current programming contracts were expired, and approximately
another
20% are scheduled to expire at or before the end of 2005. 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.
Utilization
of Net Operating Loss Carryforwards.
As
of
September 30, 2005, we had approximately $5.7 billion of tax net operating
losses (resulting in a gross deferred tax asset of approximately $2.3 billion),
expiring in the years 2005 through 2025. 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. Currently,
such
tax net operating losses can accumulate and be used to offset any of our
future
taxable income. An "ownership change" as defined in the applicable
federal
income tax rules, would place significant limitations, on an annual basis,
on
the use of such net operating losses to offset any future taxable income
we may
generate. Such limitations, in conjunction with the net operating
loss
expiration provisions, could effectively eliminate our ability to use a
substantial portion of our net operating losses to offset future taxable
income.
The
issuance of up to a total of 150 million shares of common stock (of which
27.2
million were issued in July 2005) offered pursuant to a share lending agreement
executed by Charter in connection with the issuance of the 5.875% convertible
senior notes in November 2004, as well as possible future conversions of
our
convertible notes, significantly increases the risk that we will experience
an
ownership change in the future for tax purposes, resulting in a material
limitation on the use of a substantial amount of our existing net operating
loss
carryforwards. We do not believe that the issuance of shares associated
with the share lending agreement would result in our experiencing an ownership
change. However, future transactions and the timing of such transactions
could cause an ownership change. Such transactions include additional
issuances of common stock by us (including but not limited to issuances
upon
future conversion of our 5.875% convertible senior notes or as issued in
the
proposed settlement of derivative class action litigation), reacquisitions
of
the borrowed shares by us, or acquisitions or sales of shares by certain
holders
of our shares, including persons who have held, currently hold, or accumulate
in
the future five percent or more of our outstanding stock (including upon
an
exchange by Mr. Allen or his affiliates, directly or indirectly, of membership
units of Charter Holdco into our Class A common stock). Many of
the
foregoing transactions are beyond our control.
Class
A Common Stock and Notes Price Volatility. The
market price of our Class A common stock and our publicly traded notes
has been
and is likely to continue to be highly volatile. We expect that the price
of our
securities may fluctuate in response to various factors, including the
factors
described in this section and various other factors, which may be beyond
our
control. These factors beyond our control could include: financial forecasts
by
securities analysts; new conditions or trends in the cable or telecommunications
industry; general economic and market conditions and specifically, conditions
related to the cable or telecommunications industry; any change in our
debt
ratings; the development of improved or competitive technologies; the use
of new
products or promotions by us or our competitors; changes in accounting
rules or
interpretations; new regulatory legislation adopted in the United States;
and
any action taken or requirements imposed by NASDAQ if our Class A common
stock
trades below $1.00 per share for over 30 consecutive trading days. On
October 28,
2005,
our Class A common stock closed on NASDAQ at $1.20 per share.
In
addition, the securities market in general, and the Nasdaq National Market
and
the market for cable television securities in particular, have experienced
significant price fluctuations. Volatility in the market price for companies
may
often be unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of
those
companies. These broad market and industry factors may seriously harm the
market
price of our Class A common stock and our notes, regardless of our
operating performance. In the past, securities litigation has often commenced
following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities,
and several purported class action lawsuits were filed against us in 2001
and
2002, following a decline in our stock price.
Economic
Slowdown; Global Conflict.
It
is
difficult to assess the impact that the general economic slowdown and global
conflict will have on future operations. However, the economic slowdown
has
resulted and could continue to result in reduced spending by customers
and
advertisers, which could reduce our revenues, and also could affect our
ability
to collect accounts receivable and maintain customers. Reductions in operating
revenues would likely negatively affect our ability to make expected capital
expenditures and could also result in our inability to meet our obligations
under our financing agreements. These developments could also have a negative
impact on our financing and variable interest rate agreements through
disruptions in the market or negative market conditions.
Regulation
and Legislation.
Cable
system operations are extensively regulated at the federal, state, and
local
level, including rate regulation of basic service and equipment and municipal
approval of franchise agreements and their terms, such as franchise requirements
to upgrade cable plant and meet specified customer service standards. Additional
legislation and regulation is always possible. In fact, there has been
legislative activity at the state level to streamline cable franchising
and
there is proposed legislation in the United States Congress to overhaul
traditional communications regulation and cable franchising.
Cable
operators also face significant regulation of their channel carriage. They
currently can be required to devote substantial capacity to the carriage
of
programming that they would not carry voluntarily, including certain local
broadcast signals, local public, educational and government access programming,
and unaffiliated commercial leased access programming. This carriage burden
could increase in the future, particularly if cable systems were required
to
carry both the analog and digital versions of local broadcast signals (dual
carriage) or to carry multiple program streams included within a single
digital
broadcast transmission (multicast carriage). 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 would maximize
customer
appeal and revenue potential. Although the FCC issued a decision on February
10,
2005 confirming an earlier ruling against mandating either dual carriage
or
multicast carriage, that decision has been appealed. In addition, the FCC
could
modify its position or Congress could legislate additional carriage
obligations.
Over
the
past several years, proposals have been advanced that would require cable
operators offering Internet service to provide non-discriminatory access
to
their networks to competing Internet service providers. In a June 2005
ruling,
commonly referred to as Brand
X,
the
Supreme Court upheld an FCC decision making it less likely that any
non-discriminatory "open" access requirements (which are generally associated
with common carrier regulation of "telecommunications services") will be
imposed
on the cable industry by local, state or federal authorities. The Supreme
Court
held that the FCC was correct in classifying cable-provided Internet service
as
an "information service," rather than a "telecommunications service." This
favorable regulatory classification limits the ability of various governmental
authorities to impose open access requirements on cable-provided Internet
service. Given the recency of the Brand
X decision,
however, the nature of any legislative or regulatory response remains uncertain.
The imposition of open access requirements could materially affect our
business.
Interest
Rate Risk
We
are
exposed to various market risks, including fluctuations in interest rates.
We
use interest rate risk management derivative instruments, such as interest
rate
swap agreements and interest rate collar agreements (collectively referred
to
herein as interest rate agreements) as required under the terms of the
credit
facilities of our subsidiaries. Our policy is to manage interest costs
using a
mix of fixed and variable rate debt. Using interest rate swap agreements,
we
agree to exchange, at specified intervals through 2007, the difference
between
fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon
notional principal amount. Interest rate collar agreements are used to
limit our
exposure to, and to derive benefits from, interest rate fluctuations on
variable
rate debt to within a certain range of rates. Interest rate risk management
agreements are not held or issued for speculative or trading purposes.
As
of
September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, our long-term debt totaled
approximately $19.1 billion and $19.5 billion, respectively. This debt
was
comprised of approximately $5.5 billion and $5.5 billion of credit facility
debt, $12.7 billion and $13.0 billion accreted value of high-yield notes
and
$866 million and $990 million accreted value of convertible senior notes,
respectively.
As
of
September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, the weighted average interest
rate on
the credit facility debt was approximately 7.5% and 6.8%, the weighted
average
interest rate on the high-yield notes was approximately 10.2% and 9.9%,
and the
weighted average interest rate on the convertible senior notes was approximately
5.8% and 5.7%, respectively, resulting in a blended weighted average interest
rate of 9.2% and 8.8%, respectively. The interest rate on approximately
80% and
83% of the total principal amount of our debt was effectively fixed, including
the effects of our interest rate hedge agreements as of September 30, 2005
and
December 31, 2004, respectively. The fair value of our high-yield notes
was
$11.6 billion and $12.2 billion at September 30, 2005 and December 31,
2004,
respectively. The fair value of our convertible senior notes was $718 million
and $1.1 billion at September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively.
The
fair value of our credit facilities was $5.5 billion and $5.5 billion at
September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively. The fair value
of
high-yield and convertible notes is based on quoted market prices, and
the fair
value of the credit facilities is based on dealer quotations.
We
do not
hold or issue derivative instruments for trading purposes. We do, 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. We have formally
documented, designated and assessed the effectiveness of transactions that
receive hedge accounting. For the three months ended September 30, 2005
and
2004, net gain (loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities
includes
gains of $1 million and $1 million, respectively, and for the nine months
ended
September 30, 2005 and 2004, net gain (loss) on derivative instruments
and
hedging activities includes gains of $2 million and $3 million, respectively,
which represent cash flow hedge ineffectiveness on interest rate hedge
agreements arising from differences between the critical terms of the agreements
and the related hedged obligations. Changes in the fair value of interest
rate
agreements designated as hedging instruments of the variability of cash
flows
associated with floating-rate debt obligations that meet the effectiveness
criteria of SFAS No. 133 are reported
in
accumulated other comprehensive loss. For the three months ended September
30,
2005 and 2004, a gain of $5 million and $2 million, respectively, and for
the
nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, a gain of $14 million and
$31
million, respectively, related to derivative instruments designated as
cash flow
hedges, was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and
minority interest. The amounts are subsequently reclassified into interest
expense as a yield adjustment in the same period 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 gain (loss)
on
derivative instruments and hedging activities in our statements of operations.
For the three months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, net gain (loss)
on
derivative instruments and hedging activities includes gains of $16 million
and
losses of $9 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September
30,
2005 and 2004, net gain (loss) on derivative instruments and hedging activities
includes gains of $41 million and $45 million, respectively, for interest
rate
derivative instruments not designated as hedges.
The
table
set forth below summarizes the fair values and contract terms of financial
instruments subject to interest rate risk maintained by us as of September
30,
2005 (dollars in millions):
|
|
2005
|
|
2006
|
|
2007
|
|
2008
|
|
2009
|
|
2010
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
Total
|
|
Fair
Value at September 30, 2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed
Rate
|
|
$ |
--
|
|
$ |
25 |
|
$ |
105 |
|
$ |
114 |
|
$ |
1,547 |
|
$ |
1,693 |
|
$ |
9,576 |
|
$ |
13,060 |
|
$ |
11,802 |
|
Average
Interest Rate
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
4.75% |
|
|
8.25% |
|
|
10.00% |
|
|
7.48% |
|
|
10.29% |
|
|
10.44% |
|
|
10.04% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Variable
Rate
|
|
$ |
7
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
$ |
280 |
|
$ |
629 |
|
$ |
779 |
|
$ |
1,536 |
|
$ |
2,802 |
|
$ |
6,063
|
|
$ |
6,059 |
|
Average
Interest Rate
|
|
|
6.81%
|
|
|
7.88% |
|
|
7.73% |
|
|
7.78% |
|
|
7.88% |
|
|
8.33% |
|
|
8.20% |
|
|
8.12% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
Rate Instruments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Variable
to Fixed Swaps
|
|
$ |
500
|
|
$ |
873 |
|
$ |
775 |
|
$ |
-- |
|
$ |
-- |
|
$ |
-- |
|
$ |
-- |
|
$ |
2,148
|
|
$ |
13 |
|
Average
Pay Rate
|
|
|
7.49%
|
|
|
8.23% |
|
|
8.04% |
|
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
7.99% |
|
|
|
|
Average
Receive Rate
|
|
|
7.17%
|
|
|
7.82%
|
|
|
7.83%
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
-- |
|
|
7.69%
|
|
|
|
|
The
notional amounts of interest rate instruments do not represent
amounts exchanged
by the parties and, thus, are not a measure of our exposure to
credit loss. The
amounts exchanged are determined by reference to the notional amount
and the
other terms of the contracts. The estimated fair value approximates
the costs
(proceeds) to settle the outstanding contracts. Interest rates
on variable debt
are estimated using the average implied forward London Interbank
Offering Rate
(LIBOR) rates for the year of maturity based on the yield curve
in effect at
September 30, 2004.
At
September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, we had outstanding $2.1 billion
and
$2.7 billion and $20 million and $20 million, respectively, in notional
amounts
of interest rate swaps and collars, respectively. 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.
Certain
provisions of Charter’s 5.875% convertible senior notes issued in November 2004
were considered embedded derivatives for accounting purposes and were required
to be accounted for separately from the convertible senior notes. In accordance
with SFAS No. 133, these derivatives are marked to market with gains or
losses
recorded in interest expense on our condensed consolidated statement of
operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, we
recognized losses of $1 million and gains of $26 million, respectively.
The loss
resulted in an increase in interest expense whereas the gain resulted in
a
reduction in interest expense related to these derivatives. At September
30,
2005 and December 31, 2004, $2 million and $10 million, respectively, is
recorded in accounts payable and accrued expenses relating to the short-term
portion of these derivatives and $3 million and $21 million, respectively,
is
recorded in other long-term liabilities related to the long-term
portion.
As
of the
end of the period covered by this report, management, including our Chief
Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the
effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and
procedures with respect to the information generated for use in this quarterly
report. The evaluation was based in part upon reports and affidavits provided
by
a number of executives. Based upon, and as of the date of that evaluation,
our
Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer concluded that
the
disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable
assurances that information required to be disclosed in the reports we
file or
submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s
rules and forms.
There
was
no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter
ended September 30, 2005 that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely
to materially affect, our internal control over financial
reporting.
In
designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management
recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed
and
operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving
the
desired control objectives and management necessarily was required to apply
its
judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls
and
procedures. Based upon the above evaluation, Charter’s management believes that
its controls provide such reasonable assurances.
PART
II. OTHER INFORMATION.
Securities
Class Actions and Derivative Suits
Fourteen
putative federal class action lawsuits (the "Federal Class Actions")
were
filed in 2002 against Charter and certain of its former and present officers
and
directors in various jurisdictions allegedly on behalf of all purchasers
of
Charter’s securities during the period from either November 8 or
November 9, 1999 through July 17 or July 18, 2002.
Unspecified
damages were sought by the plaintiffs. In general, the lawsuits alleged
that
Charter utilized misleading accounting practices and failed to disclose
these
accounting practices and/or issued false and misleading financial statements
and
press releases concerning Charter’s operations and prospects. The Federal
Class Actions were specifically and individually identified in public
filings made by Charter prior to the date of this quarterly report. On
March 12, 2003, the Panel transferred the six Federal Class Actions
not filed in the Eastern District of Missouri to that district for coordinated
or consolidated pretrial proceedings with the eight Federal Class Actions
already pending there. The Court subsequently consolidated the Federal
Class Actions into a single action (the "Consolidated Federal
Class Action") for pretrial purposes. On August 5, 2004,
the
plaintiffs’ representatives, Charter and the individual defendants who were the
subject of the suit entered into a Memorandum of Understanding setting
forth
agreements in principle to settle the Consolidated Federal Class Action.
These parties subsequently entered into Stipulations of Settlement dated
as of
January 24, 2005 (described more fully below) that incorporate the
terms of
the August 5, 2004 Memorandum of Understanding.
The
Consolidated Federal Class Action was entitled:
|
·
|
In
re Charter Communications, Inc. Securities Litigation, MDL Docket
No. 1506
(All Cases), StoneRidge Investments Partners, LLC, Individually
and On
Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated, v. Charter Communications,
Inc.,
Paul Allen, Jerald L. Kent, Carl E. Vogel, Kent Kalkwarf, David
G.
Barford, Paul E. Martin, David L. McCall, Bill Shreffler, Chris
Fenger,
James H. Smith, III, Scientific-Atlanta, Inc., Motorola, Inc.
and Arthur
Andersen, LLP, Consolidated Case No.
4:02-CV-1186-CAS.
|
On
September 12, 2002, a shareholders derivative suit (the "State Derivative
Action") was filed in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis,
State of
Missouri (the "Missouri State Court"), against Charter and its then current
directors, as well as its former auditors. The plaintiffs alleged that
the
individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties by failing to establish
and maintain adequate internal controls and procedures.
The
consolidated State Derivative Action was entitled:
|
·
|
Kenneth
Stacey, Derivatively on behalf of Nominal Defendant Charter
Communications, Inc., v. Ronald L. Nelson, Paul G. Allen, Marc
B.
Nathanson, Nancy B. Peretsman, William Savoy, John H. Tory, Carl
E. Vogel,
Larry W. Wangberg, and Charter Communications, Inc.
|
On
March 12, 2004, an action substantively identical to the State Derivative
Action was filed in Missouri State Court against Charter and certain of
its
current and former directors, as well as its former auditors. On July 14,
2004, the Court consolidated this case with the State Derivative Action.
This
action was entitled:
|
·
|
Thomas
Schimmel, Derivatively on behalf on Nominal Defendant Charter
Communications, Inc., v. Ronald L. Nelson, Paul G. Allen, Marc
B.
Nathanson, Nancy B. Peretsman, William D. Savoy, John H. Tory,
Carl E.
Vogel, Larry W. Wangberg, and Arthur Andersen, LLP, and Charter
Communications, Inc.
|
Separately,
on February 12, 2003, a shareholders derivative suit (the "Federal
Derivative Action"), was filed against Charter and its then current directors
in
the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.
The
plaintiff in that suit alleged that the individual defendants breached
their
fiduciary duties and grossly mismanaged Charter by failing to establish
and
maintain adequate internal controls and procedures.
The
Federal Derivative Action was entitled:
|
·
|
Arthur
Cohn, Derivatively on behalf of Nominal Defendant Charter Communications,
Inc., v. Ronald L. Nelson, Paul G. Allen, Marc B. Nathanson,
Nancy B.
Peretsman, William Savoy, John H. Tory, Carl E. Vogel, Larry
W. Wangberg,
and Charter Communications, Inc.
|
As
noted
above, Charter and the individual defendants entered into a Memorandum
of
Understanding on August 5, 2004 setting forth agreements in principle
regarding settlement of the Consolidated Federal Class Action, the
State
Derivative Action(s) and the Federal Derivative Action (the "Actions").
Charter
and various other defendants in those actions subsequently entered into
Stipulations of Settlement dated as of January 24, 2005, setting
forth a
settlement of the Actions in a manner consistent with the terms of the
Memorandum of Understanding. The Stipulations of Settlement, along with
various
supporting documentation, were filed with the Court on February 2,
2005. On
May 23, 2005 the United States District Court for the Eastern District
of
Missouri conducted the final fairness hearing for the Actions, and on
June 30, 2005, the Court issued its final approval of the settlements.
Members of the class had 30 days from the issuance of the June 30
order
approving the settlement to file an appeal challenging the approval. Two
notices
of appeal were filed relating to the settlement. Those appeals were directed
to
the amount of fees that the attorneys for the class were to receive and
to the
fairness of the settlement. At the end of September 2005, Stipulations
of
Dismissal were filed with the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals resulting
in the
dismissal of both appeals with prejudice. Procedurally therefore, the
settlements are final.
As
amended, the Stipulations of Settlement provide that, in exchange for a
release
of all claims by plaintiffs against Charter and its former and present
officers
and directors named in the Actions, Charter would pay to the plaintiffs
a
combination of cash and equity collectively valued at $144 million,
which
will include the fees and expenses of plaintiffs’ counsel. Of this amount,
$64 million would be paid in cash (by Charter’s insurance carriers) and the
$80 million balance was to be paid (subject to Charter’s right to
substitute cash therefor as described below) in shares of Charter Class A
common stock having an aggregate value of $40 million and ten-year
warrants
to purchase shares of Charter Class A common stock having an aggregate
warrant value of $40 million, with such values in each case being
determined pursuant to formulas set forth in the Stipulations of Settlement.
However, Charter had the right, in its sole discretion, to substitute cash
for
some or all of the aforementioned securities on a dollar for dollar basis.
Pursuant to that right, Charter elected to fund the $80 million
obligation
with 13.4 million shares of Charter Class A common stock
(having an
aggregate value of approximately $15 million pursuant to the formula
set
forth in the Stipulations of Settlement) with the remaining balance (less
an
agreed upon $2 million discount in respect of that portion allocable
to
plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees) to be paid in cash. In addition, Charter had agreed
to issue additional shares of its Class A common stock to its insurance
carrier having an aggregate value of $5 million; however, by agreement
with
its carrier, Charter paid $4.5 million in cash in lieu of issuing
such
shares. Charter delivered the settlement consideration to the claims
administrator on July 8, 2005, and it was held in escrow pending
resolution
of the appeals. Those appeals are now resolved. On July 14, 2005,
the
Circuit Court for the City of St. Louis dismissed with prejudice the State
Derivative Actions. The claims administrator is responsible for
disbursing
the settlement consideration.
As
part
of the settlements, Charter committed to a variety of corporate governance
changes, internal practices and public disclosures, all of which have already
been undertaken and none of which are inconsistent with measures Charter
is
taking in connection with the recent conclusion of the SEC
investigation.
Government
Investigations
In
August
2002, Charter became aware of a grand jury investigation being conducted
by the
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri into certain of
its accounting and reporting practices, focusing on how Charter reported
customer numbers, and its reporting of amounts received from digital set-top
terminal suppliers for advertising. The U.S. Attorney’s Office publicly
stated that Charter was not a target of the investigation. Charter was
also
advised by the U.S. Attorney’s Office that no current officer or member of
its board of directors was a target of the investigation. On July 24,
2003,
a federal grand jury charged four former officers of Charter with conspiracy
and
mail and wire fraud, alleging improper accounting and reporting practices
focusing on revenue from digital set-top terminal suppliers and inflated
customer account numbers. Each of the indicted former officers pled guilty
to
single conspiracy counts related to the original mail and wire fraud charges
and
were sentenced April 22, 2005. Charter fully cooperated with the
investigation, and following the sentencings, the U.S. Attorney’s Office
for the Eastern District of Missouri announced that its investigation was
concluded and that no further indictments would issue.
Indemnification
Charter
was generally required to indemnify, under certain conditions, each of
the named
individual defendants in connection with the matters described above pursuant
to
the terms of its bylaws and (where applicable) such individual defendants’
employment agreements. In accordance with these documents, in connection
with
the grand jury investigation, a now-settled SEC investigation and the
above-described lawsuits, some of Charter’s current and former directors and
current and former officers were advanced certain costs and expenses incurred
in
connection with their defense. On February 22, 2005, Charter filed
suit
against four of its former officers who were indicted in the course of
the grand
jury investigation. These suits seek to recover the legal fees and other
related
expenses advanced to these individuals. One of these former officers has
counterclaimed against Charter alleging, among other things, that Charter
owes
him additional indemnification for legal fees that Charter did not pay,
and
another of these former officers has counterclaimed against Charter for
accrued
sick leave.
Other
Litigation
Charter
is also party to other lawsuits and claims that arose in the ordinary course
of
conducting its business. In the opinion of management, after taking into
account
recorded liabilities, the outcome of these other lawsuits and claims are
not
expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial
condition, results of operations or our liquidity.
We
did
not declare or pay the scheduled dividend payments on our Series A Convertible
Redeemable Preferred Stock at March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 or September
30,
2005. Accordingly, such amounts were accrued, and, since March 31, 2005,
dividends have accrued at an increased rate of 7.75% of the redemption
value of
the shares (which totals approximately $55 million) and will continue to
accrue
at that rate until accrued dividends have been paid in full. At September
30,
2005, the total accrued dividends equaled $3 million.
The
annual meeting of shareholders of Charter Communications, Inc. was held
on
August 23, 2005. Of the total 345,694,905 shares of Class A common
stock
issued, outstanding and eligible to be voted at the meeting, 295,439,569
shares,
representing the same number of votes, were represented in person or by
proxy at
the meeting. Of the total 50,000 shares of Class B common stock
issued,
outstanding and eligible to be voted at the meeting, 50,000 shares, representing
3,391,820,310 votes, were represented in person or by proxy at the meeting.
Four
matters were submitted to a vote of the shareholders at the meeting.
ELECTION
OF ONE CLASS A/CLASS B DIRECTOR. The holders of the Class A common
stock
and the Class B common stock voting together elected Robert P. May
as the
Class A/Class B director, to hold office for a term of one
year. The
voting results are set forth below:
NOMINEE
|
|
FOR
|
|
WITHHELD
|
|
BROKER
NON-VOTE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
P. May
|
|
3,665,081,181
|
|
22,178,698
|
|
N/A
|
ELECTION
OF TEN CLASS B DIRECTORS. The holder of the Class B common stock
elected
ten Class B directors to the Board of Directors, each to hold office
for a
term of one year. The voting results are set forth below:
NOMINEE
|
|
FOR
|
|
WITHHELD
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paul
G. Allen
|
|
3,391,820,310
|
|
0
|
W.
Lance Conn
|
|
3,391,820,310
|
|
0
|
Nathaniel
A. Davis
|
|
3,391,820,310
|
|
0
|
Jonathan
L. Dolgen
|
|
3,391,820,310
|
|
0
|
David
C. Merritt
|
|
3,391,820,310
|
|
0
|
Marc
B. Nathanson
|
|
3,391,820,310
|
|
0
|
Jo
Allen Patton
|
|
3,391,820,310
|
|
0
|
Neil
Smit
|
|
3,391,820,310
|
|
0
|
John
H. Tory
|
|
3,391,820,310
|
|
0
|
Larry
W. Wangberg
|
|
3,391,820,310
|
|
0
|
APPROVAL
OF AMENDMENT TO 2001 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN. The holders of the Class A common
stock and the Class B common stock voting together approved an amendment
to
Charter's 2001 Stock Option Plan. The voting results are as
follows:
FOR
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
|
BROKER
NON-VOTE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,477,799,591
|
|
33,515,888
|
|
453,122
|
|
N/A
|
RATIFICATION
OF KPMG LLP AS INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS. The holders of the Class A
common stock and the Class B common stock voting together ratified
KPMG LLP
as Charter Communications, Inc.’s independent public accountants for the year
ended December 31, 2005. The voting results are set forth below:
FOR
|
|
AGAINST
|
|
ABSTAIN
|
|
BROKER
NON-VOTE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,685,147,885
|
|
1,807,367
|
|
304,627
|
|
N/A
|
Under
the
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Charter Communications, Inc.
for
purposes of determining whether votes have been cast, abstentions and broker
"non-votes" are not counted and therefore do not have an effect on the
proposals.
Charter
entered into an employment agreement with Sue Ann R. Hamilton, Executive
Vice
President, Programming, as of October 31, 2005. This agreement sets forth
the
terms under which Ms. Hamilton will serve as an executive of Charter. The
term
of this agreement is two years from the date of the agreement.
The
agreement provides that Ms. Hamilton shall be employed in an executive
capacity
to perform such duties as are assigned or delegated by the President and
Chief
Executive Officer or the designee thereof. She shall be eligible to participate
in Charter's incentive bonus plan that applies to senior executives, stock
option plan and to receive such employee benefits as are available to other
senior executives. In the event that Ms. Hamilton is terminated by Charter
without "cause" or for "good reason termination," as those terms are defined
in
the employment agreement, Ms. Hamilton will receive her salary for the
remainder
of the term of the agreement or twelve months salary, whichever is greater;
a
pro rata bonus for the year of termination; twelve months of COBRA payments;
and
the vesting of options and restricted stock for as long as severance payments
are made. The employment agreement contains a one-year, non-compete provision
(or until the end of the term of the agreement, if longer) in a "competitive
business," as such term is defined in the agreement, and two-year
non-solicitation clauses. The agreement provides that Ms. Hamilton's salary
shall be $371,800.
The
full
text of Ms. Hamilton's employment agreement is filed herewith as Exhibit
10.22.
The
index
to the exhibits begins on page 63 of this quarterly report.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
Charter
Communications, Inc. has duly caused this quarterly report to be signed
on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.,
Registrant
Dated:
November 1, 2005
|
By:
/s/
Paul E. Martin
|
|
Name:
|
Paul
E. Martin
|
|
Title:
|
Senior
Vice President,
|
|
|
Interim
Chief Financial Officer,
|
|
|
Principal
Accounting Officer and
|
|
|
Corporate
Controller
|
|
|
(Principal
Financial Officer and
|
|
|
Principal
Accounting Officer)
|
Exhibit
Number
|
Description
of Document
|
|
|
3.1(a)
|
Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of Charter Communications, Inc.
(Originally
incorporated July 22, 1999) (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 to
Amendment No. 3 to the registration statement on Form S-1
of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on October 18, 1999 (File No.
333-83887)).
|
3.1(b)
|
Certificate
of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Charter
Communications, Inc. filed May 10, 2001 (Incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit 3.1(b) to the annual report on Form 10-K filed by
Charter
Communications, Inc. on March 29, 2002 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
3.2
|
Amended
and Restated By-laws of Charter Communications, Inc. as of
June 6, 2001
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the quarterly
report on Form
10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on November 14,
2001 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
3.3
|
Fourth
Amendment to Amended and Restated By-laws of Charter Communications,
Inc.
as of October 3, 2003 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.3 to Charter
Communications, Inc.’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on November 3,
2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
3.4
|
Fifth
Amendment to Amended and Restated By-laws of Charter Communications,
Inc.
as of October 28, 2003 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
3.4 to
Charter Communications, Inc.’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on
November 3, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
3.5
|
Sixth
Amendment to Amended and Restated By-laws of Charter Communications,
Inc.
(Incorporated by reference to Charter Communications, Inc.'s
current
report on Form 8-K filed on September 30, 2004).
|
3.6
|
Seventh
Amendment to Amended and Restated By-laws of Charter Communications,
Inc.
(Incorporated by reference to Charter Communications, Inc.'s
current
report on Form 8-K filed on October 22, 2004).
|
10.1
|
First
Supplemental Indenture relating to the 8.625% Senior Notes
due 2009, dated
as of September 28, 2005, among Charter Communications
Holdings, LLC,
Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY
Midwest Trust
Company as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3
to the
current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc.
filed
on October 4, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
10.2
|
First
Supplemental Indenture relating to the 9.920% Senior Discount
Notes due
2011, dated as of September 28, 2005, among Charter
Communications
Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation
and BNY
Midwest Trust Company as Trustee (incorporated by reference
to
Exhibit 10.4 to the current report on Form 8-K
of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on October 4, 2005
(File
No. 000-27927)).
|
10.3
|
First
Supplemental Indenture relating to the 10.00% Senior Notes
due 2009, dated
as of September 28, 2005, between Charter Communications
Holdings,
LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation
and BNY Midwest
Trust Company as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5
to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on October 4, 2005
(File
No. 000-27927)).
|
10.4
|
First
Supplemental Indenture relating to the 10.25% Senior Notes
due 2010, dated
as of September 28, 2005, among Charter Communications
Holdings, LLC,
Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY
Midwest Trust
Company as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6
to the
current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc.
filed
on October 4, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
10.5
|
First
Supplemental Indenture relating to the 11.75% Senior Discount
Notes due
2010, among Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter
Communications
Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company
as Trustee,
dated as of September 28, 2005 (incorporated by reference
to
Exhibit 10.7 to the current report on Form 8-K
of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on October 4, 2005
(File
No. 000-27927)).
|
10.6
|
First
Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 28, 2005
between Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings
Capital
Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee governing
10.750%
Senior Notes due 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8
to
the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc.
filed on October 4, 2005 (File
No. 000-27927)).
|
10.7
|
First
Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 28, 2005,
between
Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications
Capital
Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company
|
|
governing
11.125%
Senior Notes due 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9
to
the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc.
filed on October 4, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)). |
10.8
|
First
Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 28,
2005, between
Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications
Holdings
Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee
governing
13.500% Senior Discount Notes due 2011 (incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit 10.10 to the current report on Form 8-K
of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on October 4,
2005 (File
No. 000-27927)).
|
10.9
|
Third
Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 28,
2005 between Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Capital
Corporation
and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee governing 9.625%
Senior Notes due
2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11
to the current
report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc.
filed on
October 4, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
10.10
|
Third
Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 28,
2005 between Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings
Capital
Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee governing
the 10.000%
Senior Notes due 2011 (incorporated by reference
to
Exhibit 10.12 to the current report on Form 8-K
of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on October 4,
2005 (File
No. 000-27927)).
|
10.11
|
First
Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 28,
2005 between Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings
Capital
Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee governing
11.750%
Senior Discount Notes due 2011 (incorporated by reference
to
Exhibit 10.13 to the current report on Form 8-K
of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on October 4,
2005 (File
No. 000-27927)).
|
10.12
|
Second
Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 28,
2005 between Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings
Capital
Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee governing
12.125%
Senior Discount Notes due 2012 (incorporated by reference
to
Exhibit 10.14 to the current report on Form 8-K
of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on October 4,
2005 (File
No. 000-27927)).
|
10.13
|
Indenture
dated as of September 28, 2005 among CCH I
Holdings, LLC
and CCH I Holdings Capital Corp., as Issuers and
Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC, as Parent Guarantor, and
The Bank of New
York Trust Company, NA, as Trustee, governing: 11.125%
Senior Accreting
Notes due 2014, 9.920% Senior Accreting Notes due 2014,
10.000% Senior
Accreting Notes due 2014, 11.75% Senior Accreting Notes
due 2014, 13.50%
Senior Accreting Notes due 2014, 12.125% Senior Accreting
Notes due 2015
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
current report on
Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc.
filed on
October 4, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
10.14
|
Indenture
dated as of September 28, 2005 among CCH I,
LLC and CCH I
Capital Corp., as Issuers, Charter Communications
Holdings, LLC, as
Parent Guarantor, and The Bank of New York Trust
Company, NA, as
Trustee, governing 11.00% Senior Secured Notes due 2015
(incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current report
on Form 8-K
of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on October 4,
2005 (File
No. 000-27927)).
|
10.15
|
Pledge
Agreement made by CCH I, LLC in favor of The Bank
of New York Trust
Company, NA, as Collateral Agent dated as of September 28,
2005
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the
current report on
Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on
October 4,
2005 (File No. 000-27927)).
|
10.16
|
SENIOR
BRIDGE LOAN AGREEMENT dated as of October 17, 2005 by and
among CCO
Holdings, LLC, CCO Holdings Capital Corp., certain lenders,
JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, J.P. Morgan Securities
Inc. and
Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch, as joint lead arrangers
and joint
bookrunners, and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., as documentation
agent.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the current
report on Form
8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on October 19,
2005 (File No.
000-27927)).
|
10.17*†
|
Settlement
Agreement and Mutual Releases, dated as of October 31,
2005, by and among
Charter Communications, Inc., Special Committee of the
Board of Directors
of Charter Communications, Inc., Charter Communications
Holding Company,
LLC, CCHC, LLC, CC VIII, LLC, CC V, LLC, Charter Investment,
Inc., Vulcan
Cable III, LLC and Paul G. Allen.
|
10.18*
|
Exchange
Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2005, by and among Charter
Communications Holding Company, LLC, Charter Investment,
Inc. and Paul G.
Allen.
|
10.19*
|
CCHC,
LLC Subordinated and Accreting Note, dated as of October
31,
2005.
|
10.20*
|
Third
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement
for CC VIII, LLC,
dated as of October 31, 2005.
|
10.21*
|
Second
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement
for Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC, dated as of October 31,
2005.
|
10.22+
|
Amendment
No. 7 to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock
Incentive Plan
effective August 23, 2005 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit
10.43(h) to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on October 5, 2005 (File No.
333-128828)).
|
10.23+
|
Restricted
Stock Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2005, by and
between
Robert P. May and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated
by
reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the current report
on Form 8-K of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed July 13, 2005
(File
No. 000-27927)).
|
10.24+
|
Restricted
Stock Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2005, by and
between Michael J.
Lovett and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit 99.2 to the current report on Form 8-K
of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed July 13, 2005 (File
No. 000-27927)).
|
10.25+
|
Employment
Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2005, by and between
Neil Smit 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 August 15, 2005 (File
No. 000-27927)).
|
10.26+
|
Employment
Agreement dated as of September 2, 2005, by and
between Paul E.
Martin 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 September 9, 2005
(File
No. 000-27927)).
|
10.27+
|
Employment
Agreement dated as of September 2, 2005, by and
between Wayne H.
Davis and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to
Exhibit 99.2 to the current report on Form 8-K
of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on September 9, 2005
(File
No. 000-27927)).
|
10.28+*
|
Employment
Agreement dated as of October 31, 2005, by and between
Sue Ann Hamilton
and Charter Communications, Inc.
|
15.1*
|
Letter
re Unaudited Interim Financial Statements.
|
31.1*
|
Certificate
of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule
15d-14(a) under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
|
31.2*
|
Certificate
of Interim Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule
15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
|
32.1*
|
Certification
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant
to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Executive Officer).
|
32.2*
|
Certification
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant
to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Interim Chief Financial
Officer).
|
*
Document attached
+
Management compensatory plan or arrangement
†
Portions of this document have been omitted pursuant to a request for
confidential treatment. The omitted portions of this document
have been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Exhibit 10.17
Exhibit
10.17
Pursuant
to 17 CFR 240.24b-2, confidential information has been omitted in places
marked
"[***]" and has been filed separately with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to a Confidential Treatment Application filed with the
Commission.
SETTLEMENT
AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASES
This
Settlement Agreement (the "Settlement Agreement"or "Agreement") is made and
entered into as of October 31 , 2005, by and among (i) Charter Communications,
Inc. ("CCI"), a Delaware corporation, (ii) the Special Committee of the Board
of
Directors of CCI (the "Special Committee") acting on behalf of CCI with respect
to certain matters described below, (iii) Charter Communications Holding
Company, LLC ("HoldCo"), a Delaware limited liability company, (iv) CCHC, LLC
("CCHC"), a Delaware limited liability company, (v) CC VIII, LLC
("CC VIII"), a Delaware limited liability company, (vi) CC V,
LLC
("CC V"), a Delaware limited liability company, (vii) Charter Investment,
Inc. ("CII"), a Delaware corporation, (viii) Vulcan Cable III, Inc. ("Vulcan"),
and (ix) Paul G. Allen ("Mr. Allen"), an individual. Each of the parties to
this
Agreement is individually referred to herein as a "Party"and all are
collectively referred to herein as the "Parties."
RECITALS
WHEREAS,
effective as of February 14, 2000, 24,273,943 membership units in CC VIII
(the "Put Units") were issued to TCI Bresnan LLC and TCID of Michigan Inc.
(jointly, the "AT&T Sellers") as part of the acquisition by HoldCo and
Charter Communications Holdings, LLC ("Holdings") of Bresnan Communications
Company Limited Partnership ("Bresnan");
WHEREAS,
in connection with the acquisition by HoldCo and Holdings of Bresnan, Mr. Allen
granted to the AT&T Sellers the right to put their Put Units to him as
evidenced by that certain Put Agreement dated February 14, 2000, and as
amended;
WHEREAS,
on April 12, 2002, the successors to the AT&T Sellers elected to exercise
the put right, and the put closed on June 6, 2003, whereupon Mr. Allen bought
the Put Units for a base price of approximately $630 million plus 4.5% thereof
annually from February 14, 2000, for a total purchase price of
$728,270,541.00;
WHEREAS,
Mr. Allen transferred the Put Units to his wholly-owned affiliate Vulcan Cable
Investment Ltd., which subsequently was merged into Mr. Allen’s wholly-owned
affiliate CII;
WHEREAS,
an issue has arisen (the "CC VIII Put Dispute") regarding whether the
Put
Units are required to be mandatorily exchanged for HoldCo units;
WHEREAS,
the Board of Directors of CCI formed the Special Committee to investigate and
take any appropriate action on behalf of CCI with respect to the CC VIII
Put Dispute, among other things;
WHEREAS,
the Special Committee undertook an extensive investigation of the facts and
law
in connection with the CC VIII Put Dispute, and the Parties engaged
in a
process of non-binding mediation in an effort to resolve the CC VIII
Dispute, without success;
WHEREAS,
the Parties subsequently participated in the complex corporate and business
dispute mediation program of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware,
proceeding before Vice Chancellor Donald F. Parsons, Jr., pursuant to 10 Del.
C.
§ 347 and Rules 93, 94 and 95 of the Court of Chancery;
WHEREAS,
the Parties, having exhaustively investigated the facts and circumstances
relating to the CC VIII Put Dispute, and having carefully considered
the
mediation before Vice Chancellor Parsons, and after consultation with counsel,
now
desire
that the CC VIII Put Dispute be permanently and irrevocably released
and
settled as among the Parties, as set forth herein;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants contained
herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto, intending
to
be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
As used
herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
1.1 "CC VIII
LLC Agreement"means the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company
Agreement of CC VIII, LLC, dated as of even date herewith.
1.2 "Effective
Date"means the date first above written, so long as all of the Parties have
executed this Agreement.
1.3 "Related
Parties" means (i) with respect to CCI, the Special Committee and its current
and former members (Ronald L. Nelson, John H. Tory, Larry W. Wangberg and
David
C. Merritt), HoldCo, CC VIII, CC V and CCHC (together, the
"Charter
Parties"), each of the Charter Parties’ respective subsidiaries, parent
entities, successors, and predecessors, past or present officers, directors,
shareholders, agents, principals, employees, insurers, attorneys, advisors,
and
investment advisors, partners, members, affiliates, and any person, firm,
trust,
partnership, corporation, officer, director or other individual or entity
in
which any Charter Party has a controlling interest or which is related to
or
affiliated with any of the Charter Parties, and the respective legal
representatives, heirs, successors in interest or assigns of each of the
Charter
Parties;
provided,
however,
that
the foregoing shall not include any of the Allen Parties, as defined below,
and
shall [* * *](together, the "[* * *]"); and
(ii) with
respect to CII, Vulcan and Mr. Allen (together, the "Allen Parties"), each
of
the Allen Parties’ respective subsidiaries, parent entities, successors, and
predecessors, past or present officers, directors, shareholders, agents,
principals, employees, insurers, attorneys, advisors, and investment advisors,
partners, members, affiliates, and any person, firm, trust, partnership,
corporation, officer, director or other individual or entity in which any
Allen
Party has a controlling interest or which is related to or affiliated with
any
of the Allen Parties, and the respective legal representatives, heirs,
successors in interest or assigns of each of the Allen Parties; provided, however,
that
the Allen Parties shall not include any of the Charter Parties or
[* * *].
1.4 "Settled
Claims"means all claims, counterclaims, rights, demands, causes of action or
liabilities, if any, whether based on federal, state, local, statutory or common
law or any other law, rule or regulation, including both known claims and
Unknown Claims (as defined below), already accrued or arising in the future,
directly or indirectly, that have been or could have been asserted by the
Parties or any of them or the successors and assigns of any of them against
any
other Party which arise out of or relate in any way to (i) the acquisition
by
HoldCo and Holdings of Bresnan Communications Company Limited Partnership,
(ii)
the drafting and execution of the agreements effecting the acquisition by HoldCo
and Holdings of Bresnan Communications Company Limited Partnership, (iii) the
Put Units, or (iv) the CC VIII Put Dispute; provided, however,
that
the foregoing shall not include any claims, counterclaims, rights or causes
of
action or liabilities arising out of, or related in any way to, this Settlement
Agreement and any
agreements
executed pursuant to this Settlement Agreement (such agreements, the
"Transaction Documents"); and further
provided
that the
Settled Claims shall not include [* * *].
1.5 "Unknown
Claims"means any and all Settled Claims that any of the Parties and/or their
Related Parties do not know or suspect exist in his or its favor at the time
of
the release of the Settled Claims, which if known by him or it might have
affected his or its decision(s) with respect to entering into or the terms
of
this Agreement or any other agreement referred to herein. With respect to any
and all Settled Claims, the Parties stipulate and agree that each and all of
the
Parties shall be deemed to have expressly waived any and all provisions, rights
and benefits conferred by any law, including the law of any state or territory
of the United States or principle of common law, which is similar, comparable,
or equivalent to Cal. Civ. Code § 1542, which provides:
A
GENERAL
RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT
TO
EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY
HIM
MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.
The
Parties acknowledge that the inclusion of "Unknown Claims"in the definition
of
Settled Claims was separately bargained for and was a key element of this
Agreement. The Parties acknowledge that they may hereafter discover facts which
are different from or in addition to those that they may now know or believe
to
be true with respect to any and all claims, counterclaims, cross-claims,
demands, rights, liabilities and causes of action herein released, whether
based
on federal, state, local, statutory or common law or any other law, rule or
regulation, and agree that all Unknown Claims are nonetheless released and
that
this Agreement shall be and remain effective in all respects even if any such
different or additional facts are subsequently discovered.
2. Retained
Put Units.
2.1 Retained
Units.
CII
shall retain 7,282,183 CC VIII Class A Preferred Units (the "Retained
Units"). CII, as holder of the Retained Units, shall have the rights set forth
in the CC VIII LLC Agreement.
2.2 Additional
CC VIII Units.
On the
Effective Date, CC VIII shall issue an additional 49,365,952 Class B
Units
in CC VIII to CCV in consideration for prior contributions of cash and
the
Avalon and Cable USA cable systems. The issuance of such additional Class B
Units shall be reflected in the CC VIII LLC Agreement.
3. Transfer
of Put Units to HoldCo.
Upon
the Effective Date, CII shall transfer to HoldCo 15,202,763 CC VIII
Class A
Preferred Units, free and clear of any claim, lien, charge,
encumbrance
or
restriction.
4. CCHC,
LLC.
4.1 Formation
of CCHC.
Contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement, HoldCo shall execute
the
Limited Liability Company Agreement of CCHC, LLC in the form annexed hereto
as
Exhibit A.
4.2 Transfers
to CCHC.
Contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement: (i) CII shall transfer
to CCHC 1,788,997 CC VIII Class A Preferred Units, free and clear of
any
claim, lien, charge, encumbrance or restriction; (ii) in consideration for
such
CC VIII Class A Preferred Units, CCHC shall authorize and issue to CII
the
Subordinated Accreting Note in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit B; and (iii)
HoldCo shall transfer all of its ownership interests in Holdings and all of
its
ownership interests in the CC VIII Class A Preferred Units transferred
to
it pursuant to paragraph 3
to CCHC
in exchange for 100% of the equity of CCHC. The documents effecting these
assignments are annexed hereto as Exhibit C.
5. Tax
Treatment.
For all
income tax purposes, the Parties shall treat the transfers of the CC VIII
Class A Preferred Units pursuant to (i) paragraph 3
as a
transfer by CII of 15,202,763 CC VIII Class A Preferred Units with an
agreed value of $409,600,000 in respect of CII’s interest in HoldCo in
connection with the settlement of the CC VIII Put Dispute resulting
in the
recognition of $409,600,000 of ordinary income by HoldCo, and (ii) pursuant
to
paragraph 4.2
as the
sale of 1,788,997 CC VIII Class A Preferred Units by CII to HoldCo for
$48,200,000 payable in the CCHC Subordinated Accreting Note.
6. Exchange
Agreement.
Contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement, HoldCo and CII shall
execute and deliver the Exchange Agreement in the
form
annexed hereto as Exhibit D, in order to provide for the exchange of the
CCHC
Note in certain circumstances as provided therein.
7. Holdings
LLC Agreement.
Contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement, certain of the Parties
shall execute and deliver the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability
Company Agreement of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC in the form annexed
hereto as Exhibit E.
8. CC VIII
LLC Agreement.
Contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement, certain of the Parties
shall execute and deliver the CC VIII LLC Agreement in the form annexed
hereto as Exhibit F.
9. Governance
Agreement.
Contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement, CCI, HoldCo and Mr.
Allen shall execute and deliver the Governance Agreement in the form annexed
hereto as Exhibit G.
10. Representation
by CII.
CII
hereby represents
and warrants (a) that Mr. Allen acquired the CC VIII Class A Preferred
Units on June 6, 2003, (b) that Mr. Allen transferred the CC VIII Class
A
Preferred Units to Vulcan Cable Investment Ltd. on June 6, 2003, (c) that Vulcan
Cable Investment Ltd. merged with and into CII on December 31, 2003, and CII
succeeded to all of the interests in and rights to the CC VIII Class
A
Preferred Units, (d) that immediately prior to the date hereof CII was the
sole
owner of the CC VIII Class A Preferred Units, and (e) that it has not
transferred any interest in the CC VIII Class A Preferred Units prior
to
the date hereof.
11. Mutual
Releases by the Parties.
11.1 Release
by CCI.
Subject
to and conditioned upon the occurrence of the Effective Date, CCI, on behalf
of
itself and its Related Parties, fully and forever
releases
and discharges CII, Vulcan and Mr. Allen, and any and all of their Related
Parties, of and from any and all of the Settled Claims; provided,
however,
that
this release shall not release any Party from any agreements, covenants or
provisions contained in this Agreement or the Transaction Documents and shall
[* * *].
11.2 Release
by Mr. Allen.
Subject
to and conditioned upon the occurrence of the Effective Date, CII, Vulcan and
Mr. Allen, on behalf of themselves and their Related Parties, fully and forever
release and discharge CCI, and any and all of its Related Parties, of and from
any and all of the Settled Claims; provided,
however,
that
this release shall not release any Party from any agreements, covenants or
provisions contained in this Agreement or the Transaction Documents and shall
[* * *].
12. [* * *]
12.1 The
Allen
Parties [* * *] any [* * *] at the request of the
Charter
Parties as set forth in this paragraph 12. The [* * *]
and each
of them hereby [* * [* * *], [* * *]
related to
any of the matters in subparagraphs 1.4 (i) through (iv), above.
12.2 The
shall
[* * *] or any of them in [* * *] related to any
of the
matters in subparagraphs 1.4 (i) through (iv), above by (a) executing
[* * *] as requested [* * *] related to any of
the matters
in subparagraphs 1.4 (i) through (iv), above, so long as the [* * *]
also [* * *]; (b) allowing [* * *], concerning
any
[* * *] related to any of the matters in subparagraphs 1.4 (i)
through
(iv), above; (c) [* * *] against any [* * *]; and
(d) taking
reasonable steps [* * *] with respect to any [* * *]
related to any of the matters in subparagraphs 1.4 (i) through (iv),
above. The [* * *] present and participate on their behalf
in
any activity in which participates hereunder, and the [* * *]
for all
[* * *] as a result of the [* * *] required
herein.
12.3 Notwithstanding
anything seemingly to the contrary above, (a) [* * *],
[* * *] or implicitly as a result of any provision of this paragraph
12, [* * *]; and (b) shall not [* * *], which would
or could
reasonably be expected to [* * *]; provided
however,
that
if, [* * *] related to any of the matters in subparagraphs 1.4
(i)
through (iv), above, it becomes necessary for any [* * *]
[* * *] by an [* * *] and [* * *]
[* * *] and such [* * *] was related to any of
the matters
in subparagraphs 1.4 (i) through (iv), above, and rendered at or prior to the
date on which both the [* * *] had been notified that
[* * *], [* * *] to accomplish the [* * *]
on
terms that otherwise [* * *] to the maximum extent possible consistent
with this paragraph 12. In connection with such a [* * *] pursuant
to
the terms hereof, [* * *] and [* * *] shall conclude
that
there is a [* * *] that the [* * *] will be limited
to the
[* * *].
13. No
Admissions.
This
Agreement is intended to settle and compromise disputed claims, and nothing
contained herein shall be construed as an admission by any Party of any claim,
liability or any of the matters alleged in connection with the CC VIII
Put
Dispute or otherwise, and neither the execution of this Agreement, nor any
of
its terms or provisions, nor any of the negotiations or proceedings connected
with it, shall be argued, construed as or deemed in any judicial, non-judicial,
administrative, arbitration or other proceeding or context, to be evidence
of,
or a presumption, concession, or admission by any Party of, the truth of any
fact alleged or the validity of any claim that could have been or in the future
might be asserted against any of them, or of any liability, fault, wrongdoing
or
otherwise by any of them. The Special Committee has exhaustively investigated
the facts and circumstances relating to the CC VIII Put Dispute and
has
determined, after consultation with its counsel, that the terms of this
Settlement
Agreement
are fair and reasonable to CCI and has authorized entry into this Agreement
by
CCI.
14. Public
Statements.
14.1 No
Party
shall make a public statement specifically concerning the terms of this
Agreement or the subject matter of the CC VIII Put Dispute before using
reasonable efforts to provide prior notice of such disclosure, including the
substance of such disclosure, to the other Parties and to provide the other
Parties a reasonable opportunity to comment thereon; provided,
however,
that
there shall be no obligation on the part of the disclosing Party to alter the
proposed disclosure in response to such comment, and a Party may make a public
statement without prior notice or opportunity for comment if (i) the public
statement consists of information previously disclosed or already known to
the
public, or (ii) the disclosing Party is required to make the public statement
pursuant to applicable law, regulation or court process and such Party has
determined, in the exercise of its good faith judgment, that it would not be
reasonably practicable under the circumstances to delay such public statement
pending notice and opportunity for comment by the other Parties. This paragraph
shall not apply to any oral or written statements in any testimony,
presentations, arguments, filings, pleadings, briefs or other documents made
or
submitted in court or during a deposition, or exchanged among counsel, in the
course of any litigation.
14.2 Notice
to
the Charter Parties or to the Allen Parties shall be deemed made when provided
pursuant to paragraph 25
hereof.
14.3 The
Parties agree to cooperate in issuing a joint press release.
15. Representation
by Counsel.
15.1 Each
of
the Parties hereby represents, warrants, and acknowledges that (i) in
investigating the facts and circumstances relating to the CC VIII Put
Dispute, including engaging in non-binding mediation before Vice Chancellor
Parsons of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, and in entering
into
this Agreement, he or it was represented and advised by counsel; (ii) he or
it
has read the terms of this Agreement and has fully understood and voluntarily
accepted those terms after consultation with counsel; (iii) he or it enters
into
this Agreement at arms’ length and voluntarily; and (iv) he or it is competent,
and duly authorized, to execute this Agreement.
15.2 Each
Party hereby acknowledges that his or its counsel had the opportunity to review
this Agreement before the Party signed the Agreement.
15.3 No
Party
shall attempt to invoke, or be entitled to the benefits of, the rule of
construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against the
drafting Party in any interpretation of this Agreement.
16. Governing
Law.
This
Agreement and all disputes arising hereunder or related hereto, shall be
governed by, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State
of Delaware as applied to contracts made and to be performed entirely within
the
State of Delaware and without regard to its conflict of law
principles.
17. Survival
of Representations and Warranties.
The
representations, warranties, promises, covenants and agreements contained in
this Agreement shall survive the execution of this Agreement and the Exhibits
hereto.
18. Headings.
The
headings in this Agreement are inserted for reference and identification
purposes only and shall not affect the scope, extent, intent or interpretation
of this Agreement or any provision hereof.
19. Binding
Effect.
Except
as otherwise provided in this Agreement, every covenant, term, and provision
of
this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties
and
their respective shareholders, corporate parents and subsidiaries, affiliates,
members, partners, officers, directors, employees, successors, assigns,
predecessors, heirs, survivors, executors and agents.
20. No
Waiver; Severability.
20.1 Any
waiver by any Party of any provision of this Agreement or any right hereunder
shall not be deemed a continuing waiver, and shall not prevent or estop such
Party (or any other Party) from thereafter enforcing such provision or right
or
any other provision or right. The failure of any Party to insist in any one
or
more instances upon the strict performance of any of the terms or provisions
of
this Agreement by any other Party shall not be construed as a waiver or
relinquishment for the future of any such term or provision or any other
provision or right, but that term or provision shall continue in full force
and
effect.
20.2 If
any
provision of this Settlement Agreement is found to be illegal or unenforceable
by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall be
unaffected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest
extent permitted by law.
21. No
Oral Modification.
This
Agreement may not be altered, amended, modified or otherwise changed in any
respect except in a writing signed by each of the Parties hereto affected by
such alteration, modification or amendment.
22. Entire
Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries.
This
Settlement Agreement, the Exhibits hereto and the Transaction Documents contain
the entire agreement among the Parties and constitute the complete, final and
exclusive embodiment of their agreement with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and supersede all prior agreements among them with respect to such
subject matter, whether written or oral, which are hereby rescinded. This
Agreement is executed without reliance upon any promise, warranty or
representation by any Party or any representative of any Party other than those
expressly provided or contained herein and in the Exhibits hereto, and each
Party expressly disclaims any such reliance or the existence of any other such
warranty or representation. This Agreement, the Exhibits hereto and the
Transaction Documents are not intended to confer upon any person or entity
other
than the Parties and their Related Parties any rights or remedies
hereunder.
23. Authority.
Each
Party represents and warrants that it has full power and authority to enter
into
this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and has not assigned,
transferred or encumbered, or purported to assign, transfer or encumber,
voluntarily or involuntarily, to any person or entity which is not a party
to
this Agreement, all or any portion of the claims, obligations or rights covered
by this Agreement. Where the Party is a corporate Party, it warrants and
represents that the person signing on its behalf is duly authorized to sign
on
behalf of the corporation or
company.
Entry into this Agreement by CCI has been authorized by the Special Committee
after consultation with its counsel.
24. Further
Assurances.
Each
Party agrees to take such other and further actions and to execute such other
documentation as may be required to carry out the intent and purposes of this
Agreement.
25. Notices.
Any
notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing by hand
delivery or by facsimile (with hard copy to follow by courier or certified
mail,
postage prepaid, return receipt requested), addressed to each of the other
Parties as follows (or at such other address as a Party may designate by advance
written notice to each of the other Parties hereto):
IF
TO
CCI, HOLDCO, Charter
Communications Inc.
CCHC,
CC VIII or CC V: 12405
Powerscourt Drive
St.
Louis, MO 63131
Attention:
General Counsel
Telephone:
(314) 543-2308
Facsimile:
(314) 965-8793
IF
TO
CCI, HOLDCO, CCHC, CC VIII OR CC V, A COPY, WHICH SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE
SERVICE, SHALL BE PROVIDED TO:
Mr.
Dennis Friedman
Gibson,
Dunn & Crutcher LLP
200
Park
Avenue
New
York,
New York 10166
Telephone:
(212) 351-3900
Facsimile:
(212) 351-6201
IF
TO THE
SPECIAL Special
Committee of the Board of
COMMITTEE: Directors
of Charter Communications, Inc.
c/o
David
E. Mills, Esq.
Dow,
Lohnes & Albertson, PLLC
1200
New
Hampshire Avenue, NW
Suite
800
Washington,
D.C. 20036-6802
Telephone:
202.776.2000
Facsimile:
202.776.2222
IF
TO
CII: Charter
Investment, Inc.
c/o
Vulcan Inc.
505
Fifth
Avenue S, Suite 900
Seattle,
WA 98104
Attn:
Gregory P. Landis, Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Telephone:
206.342.2347
Facsimile:
206.342.3347
IF
TO MR.
ALLEN: Mr.
Paul
G. Allen
c/o
Vulcan Inc.
505
Fifth
Avenue S, Suite 900
Seattle,
WA 98104
Attn:
Gregory P. Landis, Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Telephone:
206.342.2347
Facsimile:
206.342.3347
IF
TO CII
OR MR. ALLEN, A COPY, WHICH SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE SERVICE, SHALL BE PROVIDED
TO:
Allen
D.
Israel, Esq.
Foster
Pepper & Shefelman PLLC
1111
Third Avenue
34th
Floor
Seattle,
WA 98101
Telephone:
206.447.8911
Facsimile:
206.749.1957
-
and -
Robert
E.
Zimet, Esq.
Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Four
Times Square
New
York,
NY 10036
Telephone:
212.735.2520
Facsimile:
917.777.2520
-
and -
Nicholas
P. Saggese
Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
300
South
Grand Avenue
Suite
3400
Los
Angeles, CA 90071
Telephone:
213.687.5550
Facsimile:
213.687.5600
26. Remedies.
The
rights and remedies of the Parties shall not be mutually exclusive, and the
exercise of one or more of the provisions hereof shall not preclude the exercise
of any other provisions hereof. Each of the Parties confirms that compensatory
damages may be an inadequate remedy for a breach or threatened breach of any
provision hereof. The respective rights and obligations hereunder shall be
enforceable by specific performance, injunction, or other equitable remedy,
but
nothing herein contained is intended to, or shall limit or affect any rights
at
law or by statute or otherwise of any Party aggrieved as against the other
Parties for a breach or threatened breach of any provision hereof, it being
the
intention of this paragraph to make clear the agreement of the Parties that
the
respective rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder may be enforceable
in
equity as well as at law or otherwise.
27. Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original, but all of which together constitute one and the same
instrument. No party shall be bound hereby unless and until
this
Agreement has been executed and delivered by all other Parties. Facsimile
signatures shall be deemed original signatures for all
purposes.
IN
WITNESS HEREOF, the Parties have fully executed and delivered this Agreement,
as
of the date first written above.
SPECIAL
COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Acting
for Charter Communications, Inc. as authorized by resolution of the Board of
Directors
By:_________________________
David
C.
Merritt
in
his
capacity as a Member
of
the
Special Committee
By:_________________________
John
H.
Tory
in
his
capacity as a Member
of
the
Special Committee
By:_________________________
Larry
W.
Wangberg
in
his
capacity as a Member
of
the
Special Committee
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
By: _____________________
Name: _____________________
Title: _____________________
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
By: _____________________
Name: _____________________
Title: _____________________
CCHC,
LLC
By: _____________________
Name: _____________________
Title: _____________________
CC VIII,
LLC
By: _____________________
Name: _____________________
Title: _____________________
CC V,
LLC
By: _____________________
Name: _____________________
Title: _____________________
CHARTER
INVESTMENT, INC.
By: _____________________
Name: _____________________
Title: _____________________
VULCAN
CABLE III, INC.
By: _____________________
Name: _____________________
Title: _____________________
PAUL
G.
ALLEN
___________________________
Exhibit 10.18
Exhibit
10.18
EXCHANGE
AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
AND
CHARTER
INVESTMENT, INC.
AND
MR.
PAUL G. ALLEN
DATED
AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2005
|
Page
|
|
|
I. |
EXCHANGE
RIGHTS |
1
|
|
1.1 |
CII
Exchange Rights. |
1
|
|
1.2 |
HoldCo
Exchange Rights. |
1
|
|
1.3 |
Exchange
Rate; Exchange Price; Adjustments. |
2
|
|
1.4 |
Provision
in Case of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets. |
12
|
|
1.5 |
Notice
of Adjustment of Exchange Price. |
13
|
|
1.6 |
Exercise
of the Exchange Right. |
13
|
|
1.7 |
Tax
Treatment of Exchange of the Note for HoldCo Units. |
14
|
II. |
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF CII. |
14
|
|
2.1 |
Power,
Authority and Enforceability. |
14
|
III. |
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF HOLDCO. |
14
|
|
3.1 |
Power,
Authority and Enforceability. |
14
|
|
3.2 |
Compliance
with Other Instruments. |
14
|
IV. |
COVENANTS. |
15
|
|
4.1 |
Transfer
or Assignment of Exchange Rights. |
15
|
V. |
MISCELLANEOUS. |
15
|
|
5.1 |
Successors
and Assigns. |
15
|
|
5.2 |
Governing
Law. |
15
|
|
5.3 |
Counterparts. |
16
|
|
5.4 |
Titles
and Subtitles. |
16
|
|
5.5 |
Notices. |
16
|
|
5.6 |
Amendments
and Waivers. |
17
|
|
5.7 |
Severability. |
17
|
|
5.8 |
Entire
Agreement. |
17
|
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
(continued)
EXHIBITS
Exhibit
A HoldCo
Limited Liability Company Agreement
Exhibit B Exchange
Notice
EXCHANGE
AGREEMENT
This
EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement")
is made
as of the 31st day of October, 2005 by and among Charter
Investment, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("CII"),
and
Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company ("HoldCo"),
and
solely for purposes of Article IV, Paul G. Allen ("Mr.
Allen").
W
I T
N E S S E T H
WHEREAS,
concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, CII, HoldCo
and
certain other parties are entering into a Settlement Agreement (the
"Settlement
Agreement"),
providing for, among other things, the formation of CCHC, LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company ("CCHC");
WHEREAS,
in connection with the Settlement Agreement, CCHC has authorized and issued
a
subordinated promissory note (the "CCHC
Note"),
to
CII in exchange for certain of CII's Class A Preferred Units of CC VIII, LLC
upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Settlement Agreement;
and
WHEREAS,
each of CII and HoldCo desire to enter into this Agreement in conjunction with
the Settlement Agreement in order to provide for the exchange of the CCHC Note
in certain circumstances as provided herein.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the terms and
conditions set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration,
the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, CII and HoldCo (each
a
"Party"
and,
collectively, the "Parties"),
intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
I. EXCHANGE
RIGHTS.
1.1 CII
Exchange Rights.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, CII shall have the right at
any
time to exchange the CCHC Note for HoldCo Units at the Exchange Rate (as defined
herein). Such HoldCo Units shall be exchangeable into shares of stock of Charter
Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("CCI"),
in
accordance with the terms of the Exchange Agreement dated as of November 12,
1999 by and among CCI, CII, Vulcan Cable III, Inc., and Mr. Allen (the "Allen
Exchange Agreement").
1.2 HoldCo
Exchange Rights.
(a) Commencing
on March 1, 2009, if the CCI Common Stock Price (as defined herein) for at
least
20 consecutive Trading Days (as defined herein) within any period of 30
consecutive Trading Days is at or above the Exchange Price, HoldCo shall for
30
days following the end of any such 30 consecutive Trading Day period, have
the
right at any time to cause CII to exchange the CCHC Note for HoldCo Units at
the
Exchange Rate.
(b) "Trading
Day"
means a
day during which trading in securities generally occurs on the principal U.S.
national or regional securities exchange on which CCI Common stock is then
listed or, if CCI Common Stock is not then listed on a national or regional
securities exchange, on the Nasdaq National Market or, if CCI Common Stock
is
not then quoted on Nasdaq National Market, on the principal other market on
which CCI Common Stock is then traded.
(c) "CCI
Common Stock"
means
the Class A Common Stock, par value $0.001, of CCI.
(d) "CCI
Common Stock Price"
on any
date means the closing sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is
reported, the average of the bid and asked prices or, if more than one in either
case, the average of the average bid and the average asked prices) on that
date
as reported in transactions for the principal U.S. securities exchange on which
CCI Common Stock is traded or, if CCI Common Stock is not listed on a U.S.
national or regional securities exchange, as reported by the Nasdaq National
Market. The CCI Common Stock Price will be determined without reference to
after-hours or extended market trading.
|
(i)
|
If
CCI Common Stock is not listed for trading on a U.S. national or
regional
securities exchange and not reported by the Nasdaq National Market
on the
relevant date, the "CCI
Common Stock Price"
will be the last quoted bid price for CCI Common Stock on the Nasdaq
Small
Cap Market or in the over-the-counter market on the relevant date
as
reported by Pink Sheets LLC or any similar organization (the "Closing
Bid Price").
|
|
(ii)
|
If
CCI Common Stock is not so quoted, the "CCI Common Stock Price" will
be
the average of the mid-point of the last bid and asked prices for
CCI
Common Stock on the relevant date from each of at least three nationally
recognized independent investment banking firms selected by HoldCo
for
this purpose.
|
1.3 Exchange
Rate; Exchange Price; Adjustments.
(a) As
of any
date, the rate of exchange of the CCHC Note for HoldCo Units (the "Exchange
Rate")
shall
be: (i) the Accreted Value (as defined in the CCHC Note) of the CCHC Note on
such date divided
by (ii)
the exchange price on such date (the "Exchange
Price").
The
Exchange Price shall initially be $2.00 until adjusted in accordance with this
Section 1.3. The Exchange Rate shall be subject to adjustment from time to
time
pursuant to this Section 1.3.
(b) In
case
CCI shall pay or make a dividend or other distribution in shares of Common
Stock, subdivide outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of
shares of Common Stock or combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock into
a
lesser number of shares of Common Stock, the Exchange Price in effect at the
opening of business on the day following the Record Date fixed for the
determination of shareholders entitled to receive such dividend or other
distribution, or the Record Date for such subdivision or combination, as the
case may be, shall be adjusted based on the following formula:
For
purposes of further clarification, the formula set forth below expresses the
adjustments to the Exchange Price:
EP(1)=
EP(0) x
|
OS(0)
|
OS(1)
|
Where:
EP(0)
=
the Exchange Price in effect at the close of business on the Record
Date
EP(1)
=
the Exchange Price in effect immediately after the Record Date
OS(0)
=
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on
the
Record Date
OS(1)
=
the number of shares of Common Stock that would be outstanding immediately
after
such event
If,
after
any such Record Date, any dividend or distribution is not in fact paid or the
outstanding shares of Common Stock are not subdivided or combined, as the case
may be, the Exchange Price shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of
the
date the Board of Directors determines not to pay such dividend or distribution,
or subdivide or combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock, as the case
may
be, to the Exchange Price that would have been in effect if such Record Date
had
not been fixed.
(c) In
case
CCI shall issue rights or warrants to all holders of its Common Stock entitling
them to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock for a period expiring
45 days or less from the date of issuance of such rights or warrants at a price
per share less than (or having a conversion price per share less than) the
Current Market Price of the Common Stock, the Exchange Price in effect at the
opening of business on the day following the Record Date shall be adjusted
based
on the following formula:
EP(1)
= EP(0) x
|
OS(0)
+ Y
|
OS(0)
+ X
|
Where:
EP(0)
=
the Exchange Price in effect at the close of business on the Record
Date
EP(1)
=
the Exchange Price in effect immediately after the Record Date
OS(0)
=
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on
the
Record Date
X=
the
total number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such
rights
Y
= the
number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate price payable to
exercise such rights divided by the average of the Sale Prices of the Common
Stock for the ten consecutive Trading Days prior to the Business Day immediately
preceding the announcement of the issuance of such rights
If,
after
any such Record Date, any such rights or warrants are not in fact issued, or
are
not exercised prior to the expiration thereof, the Exchange Price shall be
immediately readjusted, effective as of the date such rights or warrants expire,
or the date the Board of Directors determines not to issue such rights or
warrants, to the Exchange Price that would have been in effect if the
unexercised rights or warrants had never been granted or such Record Date had
not been fixed, as the case may be.
(d) In
case
CCI shall pay a dividend or distribution consisting exclusively of cash to
all
holders of its Common Stock, the Exchange Price in effect at the opening of
business on the day following the Record Date for such dividend or distribution
shall be adjusted based on the following formula:
EP(1)
= EP(0) x
|
SP(0)
- C
|
SP(0)
|
Where:
EP(0)
=
the Exchange Price in effect at the close of business on the Record
Date
EP(1)
=
the Exchange Price in effect immediately after the Record Date
SP0=
the
Current Market Price
C=
the
amount in cash per share distributed by CCI to holders of Common
Stock
In
the
event that C is greater than or equal to SP0, in lieu of the adjustment
contemplated, CII will be entitled to participate ratably in the cash
distribution from HoldCo to CCI as though the CCHC Note had been exchanged
for
HoldCo Units on the applicable date of calculation for the amounts to be
received by holders of Common Stock. If after any such Record Date, any such
dividend or distribution is not in fact made, the Exchange Price shall be
immediately readjusted, effective as of the date of the Board of Directors
determines not to make such dividend or distribution, to the Exchange Price
that
would have been in effect if such Record Date had not been fixed.
(e) In
case
CCI shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all holders of its Common
Stock shares of its capital stock (other than Common Stock) or evidences of
its
indebtedness or assets (including cash or securities, but excluding (i) any
rights or warrants referred to in Section 1.3(c), (ii) any dividend or
distribution paid exclusively in cash, (iii) any dividend or distribution
referred to in Section 1.3(b) or 1.3(f), and (iv) mergers or consolidations
to
which
Section 1.4 applies), the Exchange Price in effect at the opening of business
on
the day following the Record Date for such dividend or distribution shall
be
adjusted based on the following formula:
EP(1)
= EP(0) x
|
SP(0)
- FMV
|
SP(0)
|
Where:
EP(0)
=
the Exchange Price in effect at the close of business on the Record
Date
EP(1)
=
the Exchange Price in effect immediately after the Record Date
SP0=
the
Current Market Price
FMV=the
fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors) of the shares of
capital stock, evidences of indebtedness, assets or property distributed with
respect to each outstanding share of Common Stock on the Record Date for such
distribution
In
the
event that FMV is greater than or equal to SP0, in lieu of the adjustment
contemplated, CII will be entitled to participate ratably in the relevant
distribution from HoldCo to CCI as though the CCHC Note had been exchanged
for
HoldCo Units on the applicable date of calculation for the amounts to be
received by holders of Common Stock. If after any such Record Date, any such
dividend or distribution is not in fact made, the Exchange Price shall be
immediately
readjusted, effective as of the date of the Board of Directors determines not
to
make such dividend or distribution, to the Exchange Price that would have been
in effect if such Record Date had not been fixed.
Rights
or
warrants distributed by CCI to all holders of Common Stock entitling the holders
thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of the CCI's Capital Stock (either
initially or under certain circumstances), which rights or warrants, until
the
occurrence of a specified event or events ("Trigger Event"):
(i)
are
deemed to be transferred with such shares of Common Stock,
(ii)
are
not
exercisable, and
(iii)
are
also
issued in respect of future issuances of Common Stock
shall
be
deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this Section 1.3 (e) (and
no
adjustment to the Exchange Price under this Section 1.3(e) will be required)
until the occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event. If such right or warrant
is
subject to subsequent events, upon the occurrence of which such right or warrant
shall become exercisable to purchase different securities, evidences of
indebtedness or other assets or entitle the holder to purchase a different
number or amount of the foregoing or to purchase any of the foregoing at a
different purchase
price,
then the occurrence of each such event shall be deemed to be the date of
issuance and Record Date with respect to a new right or warrant (and a
termination or expiration of the existing right or warrant without exercise
by
the holder thereof). In addition, in the event of any distribution
(or deemed distribution) of rights or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other
event (of the type described in the preceding sentence) with respect thereto,
that resulted in an adjustment to the Exchange Price under this Section
1.3(e):
(1)
in
the
case of any such rights or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or
repurchased without exercise by any holders thereof, the Exchange Price shall
be
readjusted upon such final redemption or repurchase to give effect to such
distribution or Trigger Event, as the case may be, as though it were a cash
distribution, equal to the per share redemption or repurchase price received
by
a holder of Common Stock with respect to such rights or warrant (assuming such
holder had retained such rights or warrants), made to all holders of Common
Stock as of the date of such redemption or repurchase, and
(2)
in
the
case of such rights or warrants all of which shall have expired or been
terminated without exercise, the Exchange Price shall be readjusted as if such
rights and warrants had never been issued.
For
purposes of this Section 1.3(e) and Section 1.3(b) and 1.3(c), any dividend
or
distribution to which this Section 1.3(e) applies that also includes shares
of
Common Stock or a subdivision or combination of Common Stock to which Section
1.3(b) applies, or rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase shares of
Common Stock to which Section 1.3(c) applies (or any combination thereof),
shall
be deemed instead to be:
(1)
|
a
dividend or distribution of the evidences of indebtedness, assets,
shares
of capital stock, rights or warrants other than such shares of Common
Stock, such subdivision or combination or such rights or warrants
to which
Section 1.3(b) and 1.3(c) apply, respectively (and any Exchange Price
decrease required by this 1.3(e) with respect to such dividend or
distribution shall then be made), immediately followed by
|
(2)
|
a
dividend or distribution of such shares of Common Stock, such subdivision
or combination or such rights or warrants (and any further Exchange
Price
decrease required by Section 1.3(b) and 1.3(c) with respect to such
dividend or distribution shall then be made), except that any shares
of
Common Stock included in such dividend or distribution shall not
be deemed
"outstanding at the close of business on the Record Date" within
the
meaning of Section 1.3(b) and any reduction or increase in the number
of
shares of Common Stock resulting from such subdivision or combination
shall be disregarded in connection with such dividend or
distribution.
|
(f) In
case
CCI shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all holders of its Common
Stock shares of Capital Stock of, or similar equity interests in, a Subsidiary
or other business unit of CCI, the Exchange Price shall be adjusted based on
the
following formula:
EP(1)
= EP(0) x
|
MP(0)
|
FMV(0)
+ MP(0)
|
Where:
EP(0)
=
the Exchange Price in effect at the close of business on the Record
Date
EP(1)
=
the Exchange Price in effect immediately after the Record Date
FMV(0)
=
the average of the Sale Prices of the Capital Stock or similar equity interest
distributed to holders of Common Stock applicable to one share of Common Stock
over the 10 Trading Days commencing on and including the fifth Trading Day
after
the date on which "ex-distribution trading" commences for such dividend or
distribution on the Nasdaq National Market or such other national or regional
exchange or market on which the Common Stock is then listed or
quoted
MP(0)
=
the average of the Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 10 Trading Days
commencing on and including the fifth Trading Day after the date on which
"ex-distribution trading" commences for such dividend or distribution on the
Nasdaq National Market or such other national or regional exchange or market
on
which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted
If
after
any such Record Date, any such distribution is not in fact made, the Exchange
Price shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date the Board of
Directors determines not to make such distribution, to the Exchange Price that
would have been in effect if such Record Date had not been fixed.
(g) In
case
CCI or any Subsidiary of CCI purchases all or any portion of the Common Stock
pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer by CCI or any Subsidiary of CCI
for
the Common Stock and the cash and value of any other consideration included
in
the payment per share of the Common Stock exceeds the Current Market Price
per
share on the Trading Day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or
exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (the "Expiration
Date"), the Exchange Price shall be will be adjusted based on the following
formula:
EP(1)
= EP(0) x
|
OS(0)
X SP(1)
|
FMV
+ (SP(1) X OS(1))
|
Where:
EP(0)=
the Exchange Price in effect on the Expiration Date
EP(1)=
the Exchange Price in effect immediately after the Expiration Date
FMV=the
fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors) of the aggregate
value of all cash and any other consideration paid or payable for shares of
Common Stock validly tendered or exchanged and not withdrawn as of the
Expiration Date (the "Purchased Shares")
OS(1)
=
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the
Expiration Date less any Purchased Shares
OS(0)
=
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the
Expiration Date, including any Purchased Shares
SP(1)
=
the Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the
Expiration Date
Such
decrease (if any) shall become effective immediately prior to the opening of
business on the day following the Expiration Date. In the event that CCI is
obligated to purchase shares pursuant to any such tender offer, but CCI is
permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases or
all
such purchases are rescinded, the Exchange Price shall again be adjusted to
be
the Exchange Price that would then be in effect if such tender or exchange
offer
had not been made. If the application of this Section 1.3(g) to any tender
or
exchange offer would result in an increase in the Exchange Price, no adjustment
shall be made for such tender or exchange offer under this Section
1.3(g).
(h) In
case
of a tender or exchange offer made by a Person other than CCI or any Subsidiary
for an amount that increases the offeror's ownership of Common Stock to more
than twenty-five percent (25%) of the Common Stock outstanding and shall involve
the payment by such Person of consideration per share of Common Stock having
a
fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose determination
shall be conclusive, and described in a resolution of the Board of Directors)
that as of the last date (the "Offer Expiration Date") tenders or exchanges
may
be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (as it shall have been
amended) exceeds the Sale Price per share of the Common Stock on the Trading
Day
next succeeding the Offer Expiration Date, and in which, as of the Offer
Expiration Date the Board of Directors is not recommending rejection of the
offer, the Exchange Price shall be adjusted based on the following formula:
EP(1)
= EP(0) x
|
OS(0)
X SP(1)
|
FMV
+ (SP(1) X OS(1))
|
Where:
EP(0)=
the Exchange Price in effect on the Offer Expiration Date
EP(1)=
the Exchange Price in effect immediately after the Offer Expiration
Date
FMV=
the
fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors) of the aggregate
consideration payable to holders of Common Stock based on the acceptance (up
to
any maximum specified in the terms of the tender or exchange offer) of all
shares validly tendered or exchanged and not withdrawn as of the Offer
Expiration Date (the shares deemed so accepted, up to any such maximum, being
referred to as the "Accepted Purchased Shares")
OS(1)
=
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the Offer
Expiration Date less any Accepted Purchased Shares
OS(0)
=
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the Offer
Expiration Date, including any Accepted Purchased Shares
SP(1)
=
the Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the Offer
Expiration Date
Such
adjustment shall become effective immediately prior to the opening of business
on the day following the Offer Expiration Date. In the event that such Person
is
obligated to purchase shares pursuant to any such tender or exchange offer,
but
such Person is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such
purchases or all such purchases are rescinded, the Exchange Price shall again
be
adjusted to be the Exchange Price that would then be in effect if such tender
or
exchange offer had not been made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the adjustment
described in this Section 1.3(h) shall not be made if, as of the Offer
Expiration Date, the offering documents with respect to such offer disclose
a
plan or intention to cause CCI to engage in any
transaction
described in Section 1.4.
(i) For
purposes of this Section 1.3:
|
(i)
|
"Board
of Directors" means the Board of Directors of CCI or any authorized
committee of the Board of Directors of
CCI.
|
|
(ii)
|
"Business
Day" means any day other than a Legal Holiday.
|
|
(iii)
|
"Capital
Stock" means:
|
(a) in
the
case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(b) in
the
case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests,
participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate
stock;
(c)
in
the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or
membership interests (whether general or limited); and
(d)
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.
|
(iv)
|
"Common
Stock" means the Class A Common Stock, par value $.001 per share,
of CCI
authorized at the date of this instrument as originally executed.
|
|
(v)
|
"Current
Market Price" of the Common Stock on any day means the average of
the Sale
Price of the Common Stock for each of the 10 consecutive Trading
Days
ending on the earlier of the day in
|
|
|
question and the day before the "ex-date" with
respect to
the issuance or distribution requiring such computation.
|
|
|
For
purposes of this paragraph, the term "ex" date, when
used:
|
(A)
with
respect to any issuance or distribution, means the first date on which the
shares of the Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable
market, regular way, without the right to receive such issuance or
distribution;
(B)
with
respect to any subdivision or combination of shares of Common Stock, means
the
first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on such exchange or
in
such market after the time at which such subdivision or combination becomes
effective, and
|
|
(C)
with respect to any tender or exchange offer, means the first date
on
which the Common Stock trades regular way on such exchange or in
such
market after the Expiration Date or Offer Expiration Date of such
offer.
|
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, whenever successive adjustments to the Exchange Price are called
for pursuant to this Section 1.3, such adjustments shall be made to the Current
Market Price as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the intent of
this
Section 1.3 and to avoid unjust or inequitable results as determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors.
|
(vi)
|
"Fair
Market Value" shall mean the amount that a willing buyer would pay
a
willing seller in an arm's length
transaction.
|
|
(vii)
|
"Legal
Holiday" means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions
in The City of New York are authorized by law, regulation or executive
order to remain closed.
|
|
(viii)
|
"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.
|
|
(ix)
|
"Record
Date" shall mean, with respect to any dividend, distribution or
other
transaction or event in which the holders of Common Stock have
the right
to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which the
Common
Stock (or other applicable security) is exchanged for or converted
into
any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date
fixed for
determination of stockholders entitled to receive such cash, securities
or
other
|
|
|
property (whether such date is fixed by the
Board of
Directors or by statute, contract or otherwise).
|
|
(x)
|
"Sale
Price" of Common Stock or any other security on any date means
the closing
sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is reported,
the average
of the bid and asked prices or, if more than one in either case,
the
average of the average bid and the average asked prices) on that
date as
reported in transactions for the principal U.S. securities exchange
on
which the Common Stock or such other security is traded, or if
the Common
Stock or such other security is not listed on a U.S. national or
regional
securities exchange, as reported by the Nasdaq National Market.
The Sale
Price will be determined without reference to after-hours or extended
market trading. If the Common Stock or such other security is not
listed
for trading on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange
and not
reported by the Nasdaq National Market on the relevant date, the
Sale
Price will be the last quoted bid price for the Common Stock or
such other
security in the Nasdaq Small Cap Market or in the over-the-counter
market
on the relevant date as reported by Pink Sheets LLC or any similar
organization. If the Common Stock or such other security is not
so quoted,
the Sale Price will be the average of the mid-point of the last
bid and
asked prices for the Common Stock or such other security on the
relevant
date from each of at least three nationally recognized independent
investment banking firms selected by CCI for this
purpose.
|
|
(xi)
|
"Subsidiary"
means, with respect to any
Person:
|
(a)
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 has the right to control the management of such entity
pursuant to contract or otherwise; and
(b)
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).
|
(xii)
|
"Trading
Day" means a day during which trading in securities generally occurs
on
the principal U.S. national or regional securities exchange on which
the
Common Stock is then listed or, if the Common Stock is not then listed
on
a national or regional securities exchange, on the Nasdaq National
Market
or, if the Common Stock is not then quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market,
on the principal other market on which the Common Stock is
traded.
|
|
(xiii)
|
For
purposes of this Section 1.3, the number of shares of Common Stock
at any
time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury
of CCI but
shall include shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates
issued in
lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock. HoldCo will cause
CCI not to
pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock
held
in the treasury of CCI.
|
|
(xiv)
|
All
calculations under this Section 1.3 shall be made to the nearest
cent or
to the nearest one-hundredth of a share, as the case may
be.
|
|
(xv)
|
To
the extent CCI has a rights plan in effect upon exchange of the
CCHC Note
for HoldCo Units and the exchange of the HoldCo Units for Common
Stock,
CII shall receive, in addition to shares of Common Stock, the rights
under
the rights plan corresponding to the shares of Common Stock received
upon
conversion, unless prior to any conversion, the rights shall have
separated from the shares of Common Stock, in which case the Exchange
Price shall be adjusted as of the date of such separation as if
the
Company had distributed to all holders of Common Stock shares of
CCI’s
Capital Stock, evidences of indebtedness or other property as provided
in
Section 1.3(e), subject to readjustment in the event of the expiration,
termination or redemption of such
rights.
|
1.4 Provision
in Case of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets.
In
case
of any recapitalization, reclassification or change in the Common Stock or
the
HoldCo Units (other than changes resulting from a subdivision or combination
which is subject to Section 1.3(b)), a consolidation, merger or combination
of
CCI or HoldCo with or into any other Person, any merger of another Person with
or into CCI or HoldCO (other than a merger which does not result in any
reclassification, conversion, exchange or cancellation of outstanding shares
of
Common Stock of CCI or HoldCo Units) or any conveyance, sale, transfer or lease
of the consolidated assets of CCI and its Subsidiaries substantially as an
entirety, or any statutory share exchange (any of the foregoing, a
"Transaction"), in each case as a result of which holders of Common Stock or
HoldCo Units are entitled to receive stock, other securities, other property
or
assets (including cash or any combination thereof) with respect to or in
exchange for the Common Stock or HoldCo Units, CII and HoldCo or the Person
formed by such consolidation or resulting from such merger or which acquires
such assets, as the case may be, shall execute and
deliver
an appropriate amendment this Agreement to provide for an appropriate adjustment
to the Exchange Price or to Section 1.1 to ensure that CII, upon exchange
of the
CCHC Note, will be able to receive what CII would have received if CII had
exchanged the CCHC Note for HoldCo units prior to such Transaction and, at
CII’s
option, exchanged such HoldCo Units for shares of common stock of CCI in
accordance with the provisions of the Allen Exchange Agreement immediately
prior
to such Transaction. The above provisions of this Section 1.4 shall similarly
apply to successive consolidations, mergers, conveyances, sales, transfers
or
leases.
1.5 Notice
of Adjustment of Exchange Price.
Unless
otherwise provided herein, whenever the Exchange Price is adjusted as herein
provided, HoldCo shall:
(a) compute
the adjusted Exchange Price in accor-dance with Section 1.3 hereof and shall
prepare a certificate signed by the manager of HoldCo setting forth the adjusted
Exchange Price and showing in reasonable detail the facts upon which such
adjustment is based; and
(b) prepare
and deliver a notice to CII at the address set forth in Section 5.5 hereof
stating that the Exchange Price has been adjusted and setting forth the adjusted
Exchange Price as soon as practicable after it is prepared.
1.6 Exercise
of the Exchange Right.
(a) Either
CII or HoldCo may, subject to the terms and conditions of Section 1.1 and 1.2,
exercise its exchange right, on any Trading Day. In order to exercise its
exchange right, CII or HoldCo, as the case may be, shall (i) deliver to other
Party a written notice at the address set forth in Section 5.5 hereof of the
election to exercise such exchange right (an "Exchange
Notice")
substantially in the form of Exhibit
B
hereto,
which Exchange Notice shall be irrevocable and, in the case of an exchange
right
exercisable by HoldCo shall, specify the number of HoldCo Units to be exchanged
for the CCHC Note, and (ii) deliver such certificate, certificates or other
instrument representing the securities exchangeable upon such exercise.
(b) Upon
receipt of such Exchange Notice, HoldCo shall, as promptly as practicable,
and
in any event within five (5) Trading Days thereafter, execute (or cause to
be
executed) and deliver (or cause to be delivered) to CII a certificate,
certificates or other instrument representing the HoldCo Units issuable upon
such exchange, as hereafter provided. The certificate, certificates or other
instrument so delivered shall be, to the extent possible, in such denomination
or denominations as CII shall reasonably request and shall be registered on
the
books of HoldCo in the name of CII or such other name as shall be designated
by
CII.
(c) HoldCo
shall not be required to issue a fractional unit of HoldCo Units upon exchange
by CII. As to any fraction of a HoldCo Unit that CII would otherwise be entitled
to upon such exchange, HoldCo shall pay to CII an amount in cash equal to such
fraction multiplied by the Exchange Price of one HoldCo Unit on the Exchange
Date.
1.7 Tax
Treatment of Exchange of the Note for HoldCo Units.
Upon
an
exchange by CII (or any transferee) of the CCHC Note for HoldCo Units pursuant
to Section 1.1 or 1.2 of this Agreement, such exchange shall be treated as
a
contribution to the capital of HoldCo under section 721 of the Internal Revenue
Code (the "Code")
by a
partner in its capacity as a partner and CII's (or such transferee's) capital
account in HoldCo shall be increased by the fair market value of such CCHC
Note
as of the date of such contribution, as determined in accordance with Treasury
Regulations issued pursuant to the Code.
II. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF CII.
CII
represents and warrants, as of the date of this Agreement:
2.1 Power,
Authority and Enforceability.
(a) CII
has
the requisite power and authority, and has taken all required action necessary,
to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to exchange the CCHC Note
hereunder.
(b) This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by CII and constitutes the legal,
valid and binding obligation of CII enforceable in accordance with its terms,
except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of
creditors’ rights generally and (ii) as limited by laws relating to the
availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable
remedies.
III. REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF HOLDCO.
HoldCo
represents and warrants, as of the date of this Agreement:
3.1 Power,
Authority and Enforceability.
(a) HoldCo
has the requisite power and authority, and has taken all required action
necessary, to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to exchange the
HoldCo Units hereunder.
(b) This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by HoldCo and constitutes the
legal, valid and binding obligation of HoldCo enforceable in accordance with
its
terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting
enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) as limited by laws relating
to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other
equitable remedies.
3.2 Compliance
with Other Instruments.
The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by HoldCo and the
consummation by HoldCo of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will
not (i) result
in
a
violation of HoldCo’s constituent documents or (ii) conflict with, or constitute
a default under (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would
become a default), or give to others any rights of termination, amendment,
acceleration or cancellation of, any material agreement, indenture or instrument
to which HoldCo or any of its subsidiaries is a party, or result in a violation
of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree applicable to HoldCo
or
any of its subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of HoldCo or any
of
its subsidiaries is bound or affected.
IV. COVENANTS.
4.1 Transfer
or Assignment of Exchange Rights.
(a) CII
shall
not transfer or assign its rights under this Agreement without the prior written
consent of HoldCo, which consent may be granted or withheld, conditioned or
delayed, as HoldCo may determine in its sole discretion; provided,
however,
that
CII may transfer or assign its rights under this Agreement without the prior
written consent of HoldCo to any Person to whom the CCHC Note is transferred
or
assigned in accordance with its terms.
(b) So
long
as CII/Successor holds the CCHC Note, neither Mr. Allen nor any Person in
Control (as defined in the Note) of CII/Successor (as defined in the CCHC Note)
shall transfer Control of CII/Successor without the prior written consent of
HoldCo, which consent may be granted or withheld, conditioned or delayed, as
HoldCo may determine in its sole discretion; provided, however, that Mr. Allen
and any Person in Control of CII/Successor may transfer Control of CII/Successor
without the prior written consent of HoldCo in accordance with the terms of
the
CCHC Note; provided, however, that the foregoing is not intended to, nor shall
it, limit any rights of any person pursuant to the Exchange Agreement dated
as
of November 12, 1999 by and among CCI, CII, Vulcan Cable III, Inc., and Mr.
Allen.
(c) Any
assignee or transferee to which CII has assigned or transferred its rights
hereunder in accordance with this Article IV shall succeed to all rights and
obligations of CII, and, except in connection with any transaction contemplated
by the Allen Exchange Agreement, CII shall cause such assignee or transferee
to,
execute documents reasonably satisfactory to HoldCo evidencing such
succession.
V. MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Successors
and Assigns.
Except
as
otherwise provided herein, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and
assigns of the Parties hereto. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied,
is
intended to confer upon any party other than the Parties hereto or their
respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations, or
liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.
5.2 Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
the
State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of law provisions
thereof.
5.3 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the
same
instrument.
5.4 Titles
and Subtitles.
The
title
and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are
not
to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement.
5.5 Notices.
Unless
otherwise provided, any notice required or permitted under this Agreement shall
be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (a) upon personal
delivery to the party to be notified, (b) on the fifth (5th)
day
after deposit with the United States Post Office, by registered or certified
mail, postage prepaid, (c) on the next business day after dispatch via
nationally recognized overnight courier or (d) upon confirmation of transmission
by facsimile, all addressed to the party to be notified at the address indicated
for such party below, or at such other address as such party may designate
by
ten (10) days’ advance written notice to the other parties. Notices should be
provided in accordance with this Section at the following
addresses:
If
to CII
or Mr. Allen, to:
Charter
Investment, Inc.
505
Fifth
Avenue S, Suite 900
Seattle,
WA 98104
Attention:
General Counsel
Facsimile
(206) 342-3347
with
a
copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Mr.
Allen
D. Israel
Foster
Pepper & Shefelman PLLC
1111
Third Avenue, 34th Floor
Seattle,
WA 98101
Facsimile:
(206) 749-1957
and
with
a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Mr.
Nicholas P. Saggese
Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
300
South
Grand Avenue, 34th
Floor
Los
Angeles, California 90071
Facsimile:
(213) 687-5600
If
to
HoldCo, to:
c/o
Charter Communications, Inc.
12405
Powerscourt Drive
St.
Louis, Missouri 63131-3674
Attention:
General Counsel
Facsimile:
(314) 965-8793
with
a
copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Mr.
Dennis Friedman
Gibson,
Dunn & Crutcher LLP
200
Park
Avenue
New
York,
New York 10166
Facsimile:
(212)
351-6201
5.6 Amendments
and Waivers.
No
term
of this Agreement may be amended, without the written consent of each
Party.
5.7 Severability.
If
one or
more provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable under applicable
law, such provision shall be excluded from this Agreement and the balance of
this Agreement shall be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and
shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
5.8 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement, the Exhibits hereto and the agreements referred to herein constitute
and are intended to constitute the entire agreement of the Parties concerning
the subject matter hereof. No covenants, agreements, representations or
warranties of any kind whatsoever have been made by any Party hereto, except
as
specifically set forth herein. All prior or contemporaneous discussions or
negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof are superseded by this
Agreement.
[Signature
Page Follows]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first
above written.
CHARTER
INVESTMENT, INC.
By: _______________________________
Name: _____________________________
Its: _______________________________
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
By: _______________________________
Name: _____________________________
Its: _______________________________
Paul
G.
Allen has executed this Agreement effective as of the date set forth above
solely for purposes of confirming his consent to the provisions of Article
IV
hereof.
__________________________
Paul
G.
Allen
Exhibit
B
NOTICE
OF
EXCHANGE
Pursuant
to the Exchange Agreement, by and between Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter
Communications Holding Company, LLC, dated as of October ___, 2005 (the
"Exchange
Agreement"),
the
undersigned irrevocably exercises the exchange right set forth in the Exchange
Agreement.
_______________________________
(Name)
_______________________________
(Signature)
_______________________________
(Street
Address)
_______________________________
(City)
(State) (Zip Code)
Exhibit 10.19
Exhibit
10.19
THIS
NOTE
HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE
"ACT"), OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. IT MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED
FOR
SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF A REGISTRATION STATEMENT IN
EFFECT WITH RESPECT THERETO UNDER THE ACT AND APPLICABLE LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION
FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT AND APPLICABLE LAWS OR AN OPINION
OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT
REQUIRED.
THIS
NOTE
IS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT ("OID") UNDER SECTION 1272 ET SEQ. OF
THE
U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED. CALL THE DIRECTOR OF INVESTOR
RELATIONS OF CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AT 12405 POWERSCOURT DRIVE, ST. LOUIS,
MO 63131, AT (314) 965-0555 FOR THE ISSUE PRICE, THE ISSUE DATE, THE AMOUNT
OF
OID AND THE YIELD TO MATURITY OF THIS NOTE.
CCHC,
LLC
SUBORDINATED
ACCRETING NOTE
|
St.
Louis, Missouri
October
31, 2005
|
CCHC,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "Company"), the principal office
of which is located at 12405 Powerscourt Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63131,
for
value received, hereby promises to pay to Charter Investment, Inc. ("CII"),
or
its successors or registered assigns, the principal sum of the Accreted Value
of
this Note on October 31, 2020. The initial Accreted Value of this Subordinated
Accreting Note (the "Note") is FORTY-EIGHT MILLION TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS
($48,200,000). The initial Accreted Value of this Note shall increase on a
daily
basis at the rate of 14% per annum, compounded quarterly on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months; provided, however, that from and after
February 28, 2009, the Company may pay any such increase in the Accreted Value
in cash and the Accreted Value of the Note will not increase to the extent
such
amount has been paid in cash. Interest will be paid upon overdue principal
and
premium, if any, compounded quarterly on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve
30-day months from the due date at 14% per annum to the extent such payment
is
lawful.
Payment
for all amounts due hereunder shall be made by mail to the registered address
of
the Holder. The holder of this Note shall be entitled to the rights and
privileges set forth in, and the obligations of, that certain Exchange
Agreement, by and between CII and Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC,
dated as of October 31, 2005 (the "Exchange Agreement").
Reference
is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse
hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect
as
if set forth at this place.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be issued this
31st
day of
October, 2005.
|
CCHC,
LLC
By:
/s/
Paul E. Martin
Name:
Paul E. Martin
Title:
Senior Vice President,
Interim
Chief Financial Officer
|
[REVERSE
OF NOTE]
The
following is a statement of the rights of the Holder of this Note and the
conditions to which this Note is subject, and to which the Holder hereof, by
the
acceptance of this Note, agrees:
ARTICLE
1. DEFINITIONS.
As
used
in this Note, the following terms, unless the context otherwise requires, have
the following meanings:
1.1 "Accreted
Value" means (i) on the date hereof, FORTY EIGHT MILLION TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS ($48,200,000) , and (ii) as of any date of determination after the
date
hereof and prior to October 31, 2020, the sum (rounded to the nearest whole
dollar) of (a) FORTY EIGHT MILLION TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($48,200,000)
and (b) accretions thereon on a daily basis at the rate of 14% per annum,
compounded on each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, from October
31, 2005 through such date of determination, and (iii) as of any date on and
after October 31, 2020,
the
sum (rounded to the nearest whole dollar) of (a) FORTY EIGHT MILLION TWO HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($48,200,000) and (b) accretions thereon on a daily basis
at
the rate of 14% per annum, compounded quarterly on each March 31, June 30,
September 30, and December 31, from October 31, 2020; minus (c) the amount
of
any cash payments actually made in respect of accretions on the Note from and
after February 28, 2009 as provided in Article II.
1.2 "CCI"
means Charter Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
1.3 "Charter
Change of Control" a reorganization, merger, consolidation or other transaction
or transactions, other than with Mr. Allen or one or more of his affiliates
and
other than in connection with any transactions with CCI or one or more of its
subsidiaries, (whether or not CCI is a party thereto and specifically including,
without limitation, open market purchases of securities), as a result of which
any person or entity or "group" of persons or entities (other than Mr. Allen,
any of his affiliates or CCI or any of its affiliates) becomes the "beneficial
owner" (as those terms are defined in and construed by judicial authority under
Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
as
that Rule may be amended from time to time) of Common Stock or options, warrants
or other rights to acquire Common Stock or and Convertible Securities
representing in the aggregate at least 50% of the ordinary voting power of
CCI
in the election of directors.
1.4 "Common
Stock" means the common stock, par value $0.001, of CCI.
1.5 "Company"
includes any limited liability company, partnership, corporation or other legal
entity which shall succeed to or assume the obligations of CCHC, LLC under
this
Note.
1.6 "Holder,"
when the context refers to a holder of this Note, shall mean any person or
entity who shall at the time be the registered holder of this Note.
1.7 "Junior
Security" means (a) any common equity interests of the Company or (b) any
indebtedness issued by the Company that is contractually subordinated in right
of payment to all Senior Indebtedness (and any securities issued in exchange
for
or in replacement of Senior Indebtedness) at least to the same extent as the
Note is subordinated to Senior Indebtedness pursuant to Article 6 and has no
scheduled installment of principal due, by redemption, sinking fund payment
or
otherwise, on or prior to the maturity of the Note.
1.8 "Mr.
Allen" means Paul G. Allen.
1.9 "Related
Party" means
(a) any
individual who is (i) Mr. Allen, or the parent or sibling of Mr. Allen, or
(ii)
any lineal or adopted descendant of Mr. Allen or of his sibling, or (iii) any
lineal or adopted descendant of any individual described in clause (ii) of
this
subparagraph 1.9(a),
and
(iv) any spouse of any individual described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii)
of
this subparagraph 1.9(a),
and any
lineal or adopted descendant of any such spouse,
(b) the
estate of any individual described in subparagraph 1.9(a),
(c) a
trust
in which (i) one or more individuals described in subparagraph 1.9(a)
have a
majority of the beneficial interests (determined actuarially) and (ii) a
majority of the trustees are one or more individuals described in subparagraph
1.9(a),
(d) a
split
interest trust (i.e.,
a
charitable remainder trust or charitable lead trust) (i) of which the sole
beneficiaries are Mr. Allen and/or individuals described in subparagraph
1.9(a)
and a
charitable institution qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and (ii) of which the sole trustees are one
or
more individuals described in subparagraph 1.9(a),
(e) any
general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, limited
liability partnership, corporation, real estate investment trust, or association
at least 80 percent of the equity interests in which are, at the time of a
transfer to such entity, owned, directly or indirectly (through any entity
described in subparagraphs 1.9(b),
1.9(c),
1.9(d),
or this
subparagraph 1.9(e)),
by any
individual described in subparagraph 1.9(a),
or
(f) any
general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, limited
liability partnership, corporation, real estate investment trust, or association
(i) at least 50 percent of the equity interests in which are, at the time of
a
transfer to such entity, owned by Mr. Allen and (ii) the management and policies
of which are directed by Mr. Allen, directly or indirectly, whether through
the
ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise.
ARTICLE
2. ACCRETION;
INTEREST AND METHOD OF PAYMENT.
The
initial Accreted Value of the Note will increase at the rate of 14% per annum,
compounded on each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, from October
31, 2005 through October 31, 2020; provided, however, that from and after
February 28, 2009, the Company may pay accretions with respect to the Note
in
cash and, to the extent the Company pays such accretions in cash, the Accreted
Value of the Note will not increase by such amount. Payment of the principal
of,
interest or premium, if any, on the Note or such lesser amount payable upon
the
acceleration of the maturity of the Note will include accreted amounts through
but excluding the date of such payment, computed on the basis of a 360-day
year
of twelve 30-day months. Interest will accrue upon overdue principal and
premium, and interest, if any, compounded quarterly from the due date at the
rate borne by the Note to the extent such payment is lawful.
The
Holder must surrender this Note to the Company to collect payment or principal
or Accreted Value. The principal of, Accreted Value, interest and premium,
if
any, on this Note will be payable at the office or agency of the Company
maintained for such purpose or, at the option of the Company, payment may be
made by check mailed to the Holder of the Note at its address that has
previously been provided to the Company. All payments, including redemption
payments, shall be in coin or currency of the United States of America as at
the
time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private
debts.
ARTICLE
3. OPTIONAL
REDEMPTION; MAKE WHOLE PREMIUM.
3.1 Except
as
set forth below, the Company shall not be entitled to redeem this Note at its
option prior to February 28, 2009 (the "Hard Call Date") From and after the
Hard
Call Date, the Note may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole
but
not in part, at any time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior
notice to the Holder of the Note, at the Accreted Value thereof to, but
excluding, the Redemption Date.
3.2 Prior
to
the Hard Call Date, the Note may be redeemed at the option of the Company,
in
whole but not in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice
to each Holder of the Note, upon the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) a
Charter
Change of Control;
(b) a
sale by
Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company ("HoldCo"), of all of HoldCo’s equity interests in the Company other
than to CCI or its affiliates or Mr. Allen or his affiliates; or
(c) a
sale of
all of the Company’s assets other than to CCI or its affiliates or Mr. Allen or
his affiliates.
If
the
Company elects to exercise its redemption right as set forth in this Section
3.2, the Company shall redeem the Note at the Accreted Value thereof to, but
excluding, the Redemption Date, plus the Make-Whole Amount.
For
purposes of this Article 3, the following defined terms shall have the following
meanings:
(d) "Make-Whole
Amount" means the aggregate present value as of the Redemption Date of the
amount of interest that would have accreted on the Note from the Redemption
Date
to, but excluding, the Hard Call Date if such redemption had not been made,
determined by discounting, on a quarterly basis (assuming a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months), such interest at the Reinvestment Rate, determined on
the
third business day preceding the date notice of such redemption is given, from
what the Accreted Value would have been on the Hard Call Date if such redemption
had not been made, to the Redemption Date; provided, however that the Make-Whole
Amount shall not be less than $1.00.
(e) "Reinvestment
Rate" means the yield under the headings "Week Ending" published in the most
recent Statistical Release under the capital "Treasury Constant Maturities"
for
the maturity, rounded to the nearest month, corresponding to the remaining
period of time through the Hard Call date, as of the Redemption Date;
provided,
however,
if
there is more than one such yield published for such maturity, "Reinvestment
Rate" means the arithmetic mean of such yields. If no maturity exactly
corresponds to such period of time, the yields for the two published maturities
most closely corresponding to such period of time will be calculated pursuant
to
the immediately preceding sentence, and the "Reinvestment Rate" will be
interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding
in each of the relevant periods to the nearest month. For purposes of
calculating the "Reinvestment Rate," the most recent Statistical Release
published prior to the date of determination of the Make-Whole Amount will
be
used.
(f) "Statistical
Release" means the statistical release designated "H.15(519)" or any successor
publication which is published weekly by the Federal Reserve System and which
establishes yields on actively traded United States government securities
adjusted to constant maturities or, if such statistical release is not published
at the time of any determination, then such other reasonably comparable index
which shall be designated by the Company.
ARTICLE
4. NOTICE
OF
REDEMPTION.
Notice
of
redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30 days but not more
than
60 days before the Redemption Date to the Holder at the Holder’s registered
address. Any notice of redemption shall be unconditional and the Accreted Value
of the Note, together with any applicable Make-Whole Amount, shall be due on
the
date for redemption of the Note specified in such notice of redemption (the
"Redemption Date").
ARTICLE
5. EVENTS
OF
DEFAULT.
5.1 If
any of
the events specified in this Article 5 shall occur (herein individually referred
to as an "Event of Default"), the Holder may, so long as such condition exists,
declare the entire Accreted Value immediately due and payable, by notice in
writing to the Company:
(a) Default
in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or any other amounts
with respect to this Note, in each case, when due and payable; or
(b) The
institution by the Company of proceedings to be adjudicat-ed as bankrupt or
insolvent, or the consent by it to institution of bankrupt-cy or insolvency
proceedings against it or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent
seeking reorganization or release under Title 11 of the U.S. Code or any federal
or state law of any jurisdiction relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, winding
up,
liquidation, reorganization or relief of debtors, or any other applicable
federal or state law, or the consent by it to the filing of any such petition
or
the appointment of a receiver, liq-uidator, assignee, trustee or other similar
official of the Company, or of any substantial part of its property, or the
making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the taking of
corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action;
or
(c) If,
within sixty (60) days after the commencement of an action against the Company
(and service of process in connection therewith on the Company) seeking any
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or similar
relief under any present or future statute, law or regu-lation, such action
shall not have been resolved in favor of the Company or all orders or
proceedings thereunder affecting the operations or the business of the Company
stayed, or if the stay of any such order or proceeding shall thereafter be
set
aside, or if, within sixty (60) days after the appointment without the consent
or acquiescence of the Company of any trustee, receiv-er or liquidator of the
Company or of all or any substantial part of the properties of the Company,
such
appointment shall not have been vacated.
ARTICLE
6. SUBORDINATION.
6.1 Subordination.
This
Note shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article 6; and the Holder
accepts and agrees that all payments of the principal of, premium, if any,
and
interest on (and other obligations, if any, with respect to) this Note by the
Company shall, to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Article 6,
be
subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full in
cash
of all obligations arising under Senior Indebtedness. As used in this Note,
the
term "Senior Indebtedness" shall mean all liabilities of the Company which
would
appear on a balance sheet of the Company prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles.
6.2 No
Payment On This Note In Certain Circumstances.
(a) No
direct
or indirect payment (other than in Junior Securities (as defined herein)) by
or
on behalf of the Company of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on (and
other obligations, if any, with respect to) this Note, whether pursuant to
the
terms of this Note, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise, will be made,
if, at the time of such payment, there exists a default in the payment of all
or
any portion of the obligations on any Senior Indebtedness, whether at maturity,
on account of mandatory redemption or prepayment, acceleration or otherwise,
and
such default shall not have been cured or waived in writing or the benefits
of
this sentence waived in writing by or on behalf of the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness. In addition, during the continuance of any non-payment event
of
default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness pursuant to which the maturity
thereof may be immediately accelerated by the holder or holders of such Senior
Indebtedness or may be accelerated by the holder or holders of such Senior
Indebtedness with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both, and
upon
receipt by the Company or any trustee of the Company’s Senior Indebtedness (each
a "Trustee") of written notice (a "Payment Blockage Notice") from the holder
or
holders of such Senior Indebtedness or the Trustee or agent acting on behalf
of
the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, then, unless and until such event
of
default has been cured or waived in writing or has ceased to exist or such
Senior Indebtedness has been discharged or repaid in full in cash (or such
payment shall be duly provided for in a manner satisfactory to holders of Senior
Indebtedness) or otherwise to the extent holders of Senior Indebtedness in
their
sole discretion accept satisfaction of amounts due by settlement in other than
cash or the benefits of these provisions have been waived in writing by the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness, no direct or indirect payment (other than
in Junior Securities) will be made by or on behalf of the Company of principal
of, premium, if any, or interest on (and other obligations, if any, with respect
to) this Note, whether pursuant to the terms of this Note, upon acceleration,
redemption or otherwise to such holders during a period (a "Payment Blockage
Period") commencing on the date of receipt of the Payment Blockage Notice by
the
Company and ending 179 days thereafter. The Company shall deliver a copy of
the
Payment Blockage Notice to the Holder promptly upon receipt
thereof.
(b) Notwithstanding
anything in the subordination provisions of this Note to the contrary, (1)
in no
event will a Payment Blockage Period extend beyond 179 days from the date the
Payment Blockage Notice in respect thereof was given and (2) not more than
one
Payment Blockage Period may exist with respect to this Note during any period
of
360 consecutive calendar days. No default that existed or was continuing on
the
date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice (whether or not such event
is
with respect to the same issue of Senior Indebtedness) may be, or be made,
the
basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage Notice, unless such default has been
cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive calendar
days.
(c) In
the
event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by
the
Holder at a time when such payment is prohibited by Section 6.2(a), such payment
shall be received and held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over
or delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their respective
representatives, or
to
the
Trustee or Trustees or agent or agents under any indenture or agreement pursuant
to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued or incurred,
as
their respective interests may appear, but only to the extent that, upon
notice
from the Company to the holders of Senior Indebtedness that such prohibited
payment has been made, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness (or their
representative or representatives or a Trustee or Trustees) notify the Company
in writing of the amounts then due and owing on the Senior Indebtedness,
if any,
and only the amounts specified in such notice to the Company shall be paid
to
the holders of Senior Indebtedness.
6.3 Payment
Over Of Proceeds Upon Dissolution, Etc.
(a) Upon
any
payment or distribution of assets or securities of the Company of any kind
or
character, whether in cash, property or securities, to the creditors of the
Company upon any dissolution or winding-up or total liquidation or
reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in
bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceedings relating
to
the Company, any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any marshalling
of
the Company’s assets and liabilities, the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall
be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of all obligations due in respect
of such Senior Indebtedness (including interest accruing after, or which would
accrue but for, the commencement of any proceeding at the rate specified in
the
applicable Senior Indebtedness, whether or not a claim for such interest would
be allowed), or have provision made for such payment in a manner acceptable
to
holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before the Holder shall be entitled to
receive any payment by the Company of the principal of, premium, if any, or
interest on (and other obligations, if any, with respect to) this Note, or
any
payment by the Company to acquire any of this Note for cash, property or
securities, or any distribution by the Company with respect to this Note of
any
cash, property or securities (in each case, other than payments in Junior
Securities).
(b) In
the
event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provision prohibiting such payment
or
distribution, any payment or distribution of assets or securities of the Company
of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (in each
case,
other than Junior Securities), shall be received by the Holder at a time when
such payment or distribution is prohibited by Section 6.2 and before all
obligations in respect of Senior Indebtedness are paid in full in cash (or
such
payment shall be duly provided for in a manner satisfactory to the holders
of
Senior Indebtedness) or otherwise to the extent holders of Senior Indebtedness
in their sole discretion accept satisfaction of amounts due by settlement in
other than cash, such payment or distribution shall be received and held in
trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the holders
of
Senior Indebtedness (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the respective
amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders) or their respective
representatives, or to the Trustee or Trustees or agent or agents under any
indenture or agreement pursuant to which any of such Senior Indebtedness may
have been issued or incurred, as their respective interests may appear, for
application to the payment of Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all
such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash (or such payment shall
be
duly provided for in a manner satisfactory to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness) or otherwise to the extent holders of Senior
Indebtedness
in
their
sole discretion accept satisfaction of amounts due by settlement in other
than
cash after giving effect to any prior or concurrent payment, distribution
or
provision therefor to or for the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness.
(c) Upon
the
payment in full in cash (or such payment shall be duly provided for in a manner
satisfactory to the holders of Senior Indebtedness) or otherwise to the extent
holders of Senior Indebtedness in their sole discretion accept satisfaction
of
amounts due by settlement in other than cash of all Senior Indebtedness, the
Holder shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness
to receive payments or distributions of cash, cash equivalents, property or
securities of the Company made on such Senior Indebtedness until the principal
of, premium, if any, and interest on this Note shall be paid in full in cash
or
this Note is no longer outstanding; and, for the purposes of such subrogation,
no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness of any
cash, cash equivalents, property or securities to which the Holder would be
entitled except for the provisions of this Article 6, and no payment pursuant
to
the provisions of this Article 6 to the holders of Senior Indebtedness by the
Holder shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior
Indebtedness, and the Holder, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or
on
account of the Senior Indebtedness. It is understood that the provisions of
this
Article 6 are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative
rights of the Holder, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior
Indebtedness, on the other hand.
(d) If
any
payment or distribution to which the Holder would otherwise have been entitled
but for the provisions of this Article 6 shall have been applied, pursuant
to
the provisions of this Article 6, to the payment of all amounts payable under
Senior Indebtedness, then and in such case, the Holder shall be entitled to
receive from the holders of such Senior Indebtedness any payments or
distributions received by such holders of Senior Indebtedness in excess of
the
amount required to make payment in full in cash of such Senior Indebtedness
(or
to duly provide for such payment in a manner satisfactory to the holders of
Senior Indebtedness) or otherwise to the extent holders of Senior Indebtedness
in their sole discretion accept satisfaction of amounts due by settlement in
other than cash.
6.4 Obligations
Of Company Unconditional.
Nothing
contained in this Article 6 is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company
and the Holder, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and
unconditional, to pay to the Holder the principal of, premium on and interest
on
this Note as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with
their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holder
and creditors of the Company other than the holders of the Senior Indebtedness,
nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Holder from exercising all
remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Note,
subject to the rights, if any, under this Article 6 of the holders of the Senior
Indebtedness in respect of cash, cash equivalents, property or securities of
the
Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy.
Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing contained in this Article
6
shall restrict the right of the Holder to take any action to declare this Note
to be
due
and
payable prior to their stated maturity pursuant to Section 3.1 or to pursue
any
rights or remedies hereunder; provided, however, that all Senior Indebtedness
then due and payable shall first be paid in full in cash, or have provision
made
for such payment in a manner satisfactory to the holders of such Senior
Indebtedness, before the Holder is entitled to receive any direct or indirect
payment from the Company of principal of, premium and interest on (and other
obligations, if any, with respect to) this Note.
6.5 Subordination
Rights Not Impaired By Acts Or Omissions Of The Company Or Holders Of Senior
Indebtedness.
No
right of any present or future holders of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce
subordination as provided herein shall at any time in any way be prejudiced
or
impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any
act
or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance
by
the Company with the terms of this Note, regardless of any knowledge thereof
which any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with. The provisions
of
this Article 6 are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable
directly by, the holders of Senior Indebtedness.
6.6 This
Article Not To Prevent Events Of Default.
The
failure to make a payment on account of principal of, or premium, if any, on
this Note by reason of any provision of this Article 6 shall not be construed
as
preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in clause (a) of
Section 5.1.
6.7 No
Waiver Of Subordination Provisions.
Without
in any way limiting the generality of Section 6.5, the holders of Senior
Indebtedness may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of
or
notice to the Holder, without incurring responsibility to the Holder and without
impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article 6 or the
obligations hereunder of the Holder to the holders of Senior Indebtedness,
do
any one or more of the following: (a) change the manner, place or terms of
payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew, alter or amend, any Senior
Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which
Senior Indebtedness is outstanding or secured; (b) sell, exchange, release
or
otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior
Indebtedness; (c) release any person or entity liable in any manner for the
collection of Senior Indebtedness; and (d) exercise or refrain from exercising
any rights against the Company and any other person or entity.
6.8 Acceleration
of Note.
If
payment of this Note is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company
shall promptly notify holders of the Senior Indebtedness of the
acceleration.
ARTICLE
7. PREPAYMENT.
Except
as
provided in Article 3, this Note may not be prepaid prior to its stated final
maturity date, except with the express written consent of the Holder.
ARTICLE
8. WAIVER AND AMENDMENT.
No
provision of this Note may be amended, waived or modified, except upon the
written consent of the Company and the Holder.
ARTICLE
9. TRANSFER
OF THIS NOTE.
9.1 The
Holder shall not transfer or assign this Note without the prior written consent
of the Company, which consent may be granted or withheld, conditioned or
delayed, as the Company may determine in its sole discretion; provided,
however,
that
CII may transfer or assign this Note, in whole but not in part, without the
prior written consent of the Company to any Related Party; provided, however,
that the foregoing is not intended to, nor shall it, limit any rights of any
person pursuant to the Exchange Agreement dated as of November 12, 1999 by
and
among CCI, CII, Vulcan Cable III, Inc., and Mr. Allen.
9.2 So
long
as CII/Successor holds the Note, neither Mr. Allen nor any person in Control
of
CII/Successor shall transfer Control of CII/Successor without the prior written
consent of the Company, which consent may be granted or withheld, conditioned
or
delayed, as the Company may determine in its sole discretion; provided,
however,
that
Mr. Allen and any person in Control of CII/Successor may transfer Control of
CII/Successor without the prior written consent of the Company to any Related
Party.
For
purposes of this Article 9, the following defined terms shall have the following
meanings:
(a) "CII/Successor"
means CII and any entity that succeeds to all or any portion of CII’s interest
in the Note.
(b) "Control,"
as used with respect to any entity, shall mean the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management
and
policies of such entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities
or
by contract or otherwise.
9.3 With
respect to any direct or indirect transfer or assignment of this Note that
is
permitted under Section 9.1 or Section 9.2, the Holder will give written notice
to the Company prior thereto, describing briefly the manner thereof, together,
if required by the Company, with a written opinion of such Holder’s counsel, to
the effect that such offer, sale or other distribution may be effected without
registration or qualification (under any federal or state law then in effect).
Promptly upon receiving such written notice and reasonably satisfactory opinion,
if so requested, the Company, as promptly as practicable, shall notify such
Holder that such Holder may sell or otherwise dispose of this Note, all in
accordance with the terms of the notice delivered to the Company. If a
determination has been made pursuant to this Article 9 that the opinion of
counsel for the Holder is not reasonably satisfactory to the Company, the
Company shall so notify the Holder promptly after such determination has been
made. The Note thus transferred shall
bear
a
legend as to the applicable restrictions on transferability in order to ensure
compliance with the Act, unless in the opinion of counsel for the Company
such
legend is not required. The Company may issue stop transfer instructions
to its
transfer agent in connection with such restrictions.
ARTICLE
10. TREATMENT
OF NOTE.
The
Company and the Holder will treat, account and report this Note as debt and
not
equity (i) to the extent permitted by generally accepted accounting principles,
for financial accounting purposes and (ii) with respect to any returns filed
with federal, state or local tax authorities.
ARTICLE
11. NOTICES.
Any
notice, request or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall
be
in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered
or if telegraphed or mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,
at
the respective addresses of the parties as set forth herein. Any party hereto
may by notice so given change its address for future notice hereunder. Notice
shall conclusively be deemed to have been given when personally delivered or
when deposited in the mail or telegraphed in the manner set forth above and
shall be deemed to have been received when delivered. Notices should be provided
in accordance with this Section at the following addresses:
If
to
CII, to:
Charter
Investment, Inc.
505
Fifth
Avenue S, Suite 900
Seattle,
WA 98104
Attention:
General Counsel
with
a
copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Mr.
Allen
D. Israel
Foster
Pepper & Shefelman PLLC
1111
Third Avenue, 34th Floor
Seattle,
WA 98101
and
with
a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Mr.
Nicholas P. Saggese
Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
300
South
Grand Avenue, 34th
Floor
Los
Angeles, California 90071
If
to
CCHC, LLC, to:
CCHC,
LLC
c/o
Charter Communications, Inc.
12405
Powerscourt Drive
St.
Louis, Missouri 63131-3674
Attention:
General Counsel
Facsimile:
(314) 965-8793
with
a
copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Mr.
Dennis Friedman
Gibson,
Dunn & Crutcher LLP
200
Park
Avenue
New
York,
New York 10166
Facsimile:
(212) 351-6201
ARTICLE
12. GOVERNING
LAW.
This
Note
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State
of
Delaware, excluding that body of law relating to conflict of laws.
ARTICLE
13. HEADING;
REFERENCES.
All
headings used herein are used for convenience only and shall not be used to
construe or interpret this Note. Except where otherwise indicated, all
references herein to Articles refer to Articles hereof.
Exhibit 10.20
Exhibit
10.20
THIRD
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
FOR
CC
VIII,
LLC,
A
DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
DATED
AS
OF OCTOBER 31, 2005
THE
MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS REPRESENTED BY THIS AGREEMENT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR REGISTERED OR QUALIFIED UNDER ANY STATE
SECURITIES LAWS. SUCH MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD,
DELIVERED AFTER SALE, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS QUALIFIED
AND
REGISTERED UNDER APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS OR UNLESS, IN
THE
OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, SUCH QUALIFICATION AND
REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED. ANY TRANSFER OF THE MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS
REPRESENTED BY THIS AGREEMENT IS FURTHER SUBJECT TO OTHER RESTRICTIONS, TERMS,
AND CONDITIONS WHICH ARE SET FORTH HEREIN.
Page
ARTICLE I
|
DEFINITIONS
|
2
|
ARTICLE
II
|
ORGANIZATIONAL
MATTERS |
12
|
2.1
|
Formation
|
12
|
2.2
|
Name
|
12
|
2.3
|
Term
|
12
|
2.4
|
Principal
Office; Registered Agent
|
12
|
2.5
|
Purpose
of Company
|
12
|
ARTICLE
III
|
CAPITAL
CONTRIBUTIONS AND UNITS
|
13
|
3.1
|
Capital
Contributions
|
13
|
3.2
|
Initial
Capital Accounts
|
13
|
3.3
|
Capital
Accounts
|
14
|
3.4
|
No
Interest
|
14
|
3.5
|
No
Withdrawal
|
15
|
3.6
|
Units
|
15
|
ARTICLE
IV
|
MEMBERS
|
15
|
4.1
|
Limited
Liability
|
15
|
4.2
|
Admission
of Additional Members
|
15
|
4.3
|
Meetings
of Members
|
16
|
4.4
|
Voting
by Members
|
17
|
4.5
|
Members
Are Not Agents
|
17
|
4.6
|
No
Withdrawal
|
17
|
ARTICLE
V
|
MANAGEMENT
AND CONTROL OF THE COMPANY
|
17
|
5.1
|
Management
of the Company by Manager
|
17
|
5.2
|
Fiduciary
Obligations
|
18
|
5.3
|
Indemnification
and Expenses
|
19
|
5.4
|
Devotion
of Time
|
20
|
5.5
|
Competing
Activities
|
20
|
5.6
|
Certain
Related Transactions
|
21
|
5.7
|
Remuneration
for Management or Other Services
|
22
|
5.8
|
Reimbursement
of Expenses
|
22
|
ARTICLE
VI
|
ALLOCATIONS
OF NET PROFITS AND NET LOSSES AND DISTRIBUTIONS
|
23
|
6.1
|
Allocations
of Net Profits
|
23
|
6.2
|
Allocations
of Net Losses
|
23
|
6.3
|
Special
Allocations
|
24
|
6.4
|
Curative
Allocations
|
25
|
6.5
|
Tax
Allocations
|
26
|
6.6
|
Other
Allocation Rules
|
27
|
6.7
|
Obligations
of Members to Report Consistently
|
27
|
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
(continued)
6.8
|
Distributions
by the Company to Members
|
27
|
6.9
|
Form
of Distributions
|
28
|
6.10
|
Return
of Distributions
|
28
|
6.11
|
Limitation
on Distributions
|
28
|
6.12
|
Withholding
|
28
|
ARTICLE
VII
|
TRANSFER
OF INTERESTS
|
29
|
7.1
|
Transfers
by CII
|
29
|
7.2
|
Transfer
of Control of CII/Successor
|
30
|
7.3
|
Tag-Along
Rights
|
30
|
7.4
|
Drag-Along
Rights
|
31
|
7.5
|
Put
and Call Rights
|
33
|
7.6
|
Admission
of Member
|
34
|
7.7
|
Other
Transfers of Units Not Valid
|
35
|
7.8
|
Recognition
of Transferee Members
|
35
|
7.9
|
Elections
Under the Code
|
35
|
ARTICLE
VIII
|
BOOKS
AND RECORDS; ACCOUNTING; TAX MATTERS
|
36
|
8.1
|
Books
and Records
|
36
|
8.2
|
Delivery
to Members and Inspection
|
36
|
8.3
|
Financial
Statements
|
36
|
8.4
|
Tax
Returns
|
36
|
8.5
|
Other
Filings
|
37
|
8.6
|
Bank
Accounts
|
37
|
8.7
|
Accounting
Decisions and Reliance on Others
|
37
|
8.8
|
Tax
Matters
|
37
|
ARTICLE
IX
|
DISSOLUTION
AND WINDING UP
|
37
|
9.1
|
Dissolution
|
37
|
9.2
|
Winding
Up
|
38
|
9.3
|
Distributions
in Kind
|
38
|
9.4
|
Determination
of Fair Market Value
|
38
|
9.5
|
Order
of Distributions Upon Dissolution
|
38
|
9.6
|
Limitations
on Payments Made in Dissolution
|
39
|
9.7
|
Certificate
of Cancellation
|
39
|
9.8
|
Termination
|
39
|
9.9
|
No
Action for Dissolution
|
39
|
ARTICLE
X
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
39
|
10.1
|
Complete
Agreement
|
39
|
10.2
|
Amendments
|
40
|
10.3
|
Binding
Effect
|
40
|
10.4
|
Parties
in Interest
|
40
|
10.5
|
Statutory
References
|
41
|
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
(continued)
10.6
|
Headings
|
41
|
10.7
|
References
to this Agreement
|
41
|
10.8
|
Interpretation
|
41
|
10.9
|
Governing
Law
|
41
|
10.10
|
Severability
|
41
|
10.11
|
Additional
Documents and Acts
|
41
|
10.12
|
Notices
|
42
|
10.13
|
No
Interest in Company Property; Waiver of Action for
Partition
|
43
|
10.14
|
Multiple
Counterparts
|
43
|
10.15
|
Remedies
Cumulative
|
43
|
10.16
|
Investment
Representation
|
43
|
10.17
|
Specific
Enforcement; Attorney’s Fees
|
43
|
THIRD
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
FOR
CC
VIII,
LLC,
A
DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
This
Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement for CC VIII,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Company"),
is
made and entered into effective as of October 31, 2005, by and among CCV
Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("CCV"), CCHC,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
("CCHC"),
Charter Investment, Inc. ("CII"),
and
the other Persons signatories hereto.
A. The
Company was organized as a limited liability company pursuant to a Certificate
of Formation of the Company filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on August
6, 1999 and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company entered
into
and made effective as of February 14, 2000 (such Agreement, the "Initial
Agreement").
B. The
Initial Agreement was amended and restated by the Amended and Restated Limited
Liability Company Agreement of the Company entered into and made effective
as of
January 1, 2002, which in turn was amended and restated by the Amended and
Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company entered into and
made effective as of March 31, 2003 (the "Existing
LLC Agreement").
C. On
January 2, 2001, July 10, 2001, August 31, 2001, and January 14, 2002, CCV
made
additional contributions of cash and assets to the capital of the Company but
did not at that time receive additional Class B Units (as hereinafter defined)
in exchange for such contributions.
D. On
June
6, 2003, CII acquired by purchase all the Class A Preferred Units (as
hereinafter defined) of the Company.
E. As
of the
date hereof, pursuant to the Settlement Agreement (as hereinafter defined),
CII
has transferred 1,788,997 Class A Preferred Units to CCHC and CII has
transferred 15,202,763 Class A Preferred Units to Charter Communications Holding
Company, LLC ("Charter
HoldCo"),
which
has transferred such Class A Preferred Units to CCHC (together, such transferred
Class A Preferred Units, the "Transferred
Units").
F. Pursuant
to the Settlement Agreement, the Company is required to issue additional Class
B
Units to CCV in consideration for the contributions made by CCV to the capital
of the Company as described in Recital C.
G. The
parties hereto desire to enter into this Third Amended and Restated Limited
Liability Company Agreement to provide for, inter
alia,
the
admission of CCHC as a member of the Company, the issuance of additional Class
B
Units to CCV, and the amendment and restatement of the respective rights,
obligations, and interests of the parties hereto to each other and to the
Company.
NOW,
THEREFORE, the Existing LLC Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its
entirety as follows:
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
When
used
in this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms
shall have the meanings set forth below:
1.1 "Act"
means
the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del. C. § 18-101 et seq., as the
same may be amended from time to time.
1.2 "Adjusted
Capital Account Deficit"
means,
with respect to any Member, the deficit balance, if any, in such Member’s
Capital Account as of the end of the relevant Fiscal Year, after giving effect
to the following adjustments:
1.2.1 Credit
to
such Capital Account any amounts that such Member is obligated to restore
pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or is deemed to be obligated to
restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Regulations Sections
1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5);
1.2.2 Credit
to
such Capital Account the amount of the deductions and losses referable to any
outstanding recourse liabilities of the Company owed to or guaranteed by such
Member (or a related person within the meaning of Regulations Section
1.752-4(b)) to the extent that no other Member bears any economic risk of loss
and the amount of the deductions and losses referable to such Member’s share
(determined in accordance with the Member’s Percentage Interest) of outstanding
recourse liabilities owed by the Company to non-Members to the extent that
no
Member bears any economic risk of loss; and
1.2.3 Debit
to
such Capital Account the items described in Regulations Sections
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4),
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5),
and
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6).
The
foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account Deficit is intended to comply
with the provisions of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)
and
shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
1.3 "Adjusted
Priority Capital"
means,
with respect to any Class A Member as of any date, the amount, if any, of such
Member’s Initial Priority Capital, reduced by the aggregate amount distributed
to such Member by the Company pursuant to Section 9.5(b)
hereof.
In the event any Class A Member transfers all or any portion of such Member’s
Class A Preferred Units in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such
Member’s transferee shall succeed to the Adjusted Priority Capital of the
transferor to the extent it relates to the transferred portion of such Member’s
Class A Preferred Units.
1.4 "Affiliate"
of any
Person shall mean any other Person that, directly or indirectly, Controls,
is
under common Control with or is Controlled by that Person.
1.5 "Agreement"
means
this Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, as originally
executed and as amended or restated from time to time.
1.6 "Allen
Members"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.3.1
hereof.
1.7 "Appraiser"
means a
nationally-recognized investment bank or other appraiser experienced in the
cable television industry.
1.8 "Approval
of the Members"
means
the affirmative vote, approval or consent of the Member(s) holding more than
50 percent of the Class B Units.
1.9 "Available
Cash"
means
all cash and cash equivalents of the Company on hand from time to time
(including without limitation bank and deposit accounts and short-term cash
investments), excluding any portion thereof, as determined by the Manager in
its
sole discretion, necessary or advisable to pay expenses or liabilities or
establish reserves, for purposes of operating, developing, maintaining, or
otherwise providing for the Company and its business and affairs.
1.10 "Basis"
means
the adjusted basis of an asset for federal income tax purposes.
1.11 "Cable
Transmission Business"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 2.5
hereof.
1.12 "Call
Notice"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.5.3
hereof.
1.13 "Capital
Account"
means
with respect to any Member the capital account that the Company establishes
and
maintains for such Member pursuant to Section 3.2
hereof.
1.14 "Capital
Contribution"
means,
with respect to any Member, the amount of money and the Gross Asset Value of
any
property (other than money) contributed to the Company with respect to the
interest in the Company held by such Person. The principal amount of a
promissory note which is not readily traded on an established securities market
and which is contributed to the Company by the maker of the note (or a Person
related to the maker of the note within the meaning of Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c))
shall
not be included in the Capital Account of any Person until the Company makes
a
taxable disposition of the note or until (and to the extent) principal payments
are made on the note, all in accordance with Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(d)(2).
1.15 "CCI"
means
Charter Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
1.16 "CCV"
has the
meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
1.17 "Certificate"
means
the Certificate of Formation of the Company originally filed with the Delaware
Secretary of State, as amended and/or restated from time to time.
1.18 "Change
of Control"
means,
with respect to any Person, a reorganization, merger, consolidation or other
transaction or transactions, , other than with Mr. Allen or one or more of
his
Affiliates and other than in connection with any transactions with CCI or one
or
more of its subsidiaries, (whether or not CCI is a party thereto and
specifically including, without limitation, open market purchases of
securities), as a result of which any person or entity or "group" of persons
or
entities (other than Mr. Allen, any of his Affiliates or CCI or any Charter
Affiliate) becomes the "beneficial owner" (as those terms are defined in and
construed by judicial authority under Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as that Rule may be amended from
time to time) of common stock or options, warrants or other rights to acquire
common stock or any convertible securities representing in the aggregate at
least 50 percent of the ordinary voting power of such Person in the
election of directors or managing members.
1.19
"Change
of Control Event"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.5.1
hereof.
1.20 "Charter
Affiliate"
means
any Person Controlled by CCI or Charter HoldCo.
1.21 "Charter
Members"
means
CCHC and CCV and any of their successors.
1.22 "CCHC"
has the
meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
1.23 "Charter
Permitted Transferee"
means
any transferee of all or any portion of the Membership Interest of any Charter
Member.
1.24 "CII"
has the
meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
1.25 "CII
Class A Preferred Units"
means
the Class A Preferred Units owned by CII immediately following the consummation
of the transfers by CII contemplated under the Settlement
Agreement.
1.26 "CII
Permitted Transferee"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.1.2
hereof.
1.27 "CII/Successor"
means
CII and any Person that succeeds to all or any portion of CII’s interest in the
CII Class A Preferred Units.
1.28 "Class
A Member"
means
any Member holding and to the extent it holds Class A Preferred
Units.
1.29 "Class
A Preferred Units"
means
any Unit denominated "Class A Preferred."
1.30 "Class
B Member"
means
any Member holding and to the extent it holds Class B Units.
1.31 "Class
B Units"
means
any Unit denominated "Class B."
1.32 "COC
Notice"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.5.1
hereof.
1.33 "Code"
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, the provisions
of succeeding law, and to the extent applicable, the Regulations.
1.34 "Company"
has the
meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
1.35 "Company
Minimum Gain"
has the
meaning ascribed to the term "Partnership Minimum Gain" in Regulations Section
1.704-2(d).
1.36 "Control"
including, with its correlative meanings, the terms "controlled by" and "under
common control with", 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 and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities or by contract or otherwise.
1.37 "Depreciation"
means,
for each Fiscal Year, an amount equal to the federal income tax depreciation,
amortization, or other cost recovery deduction allowable with respect to an
asset for such Fiscal Year, except that if the Gross Asset Value of an asset
differs from its Basis at the beginning of such Fiscal Year, Depreciation shall
be an amount which bears the same ratio to such beginning Gross Asset Value
as
the federal income tax depreciation, amortization, or other cost recovery
deduction for such Fiscal Year bears to such beginning Basis; provided, however,
that if the Basis of an asset at the beginning of such Fiscal Year is zero,
Depreciation shall be determined with reference to such beginning Gross Asset
Value using any reasonable method selected by the Manager.
1.38 "Drag-Along
Notice"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.4.2
hereof.
1.39 "Drag
Contract"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.4.2
hereof.
1.40 "Drag-Offered
Interest"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.4.1
hereof.
1.41 "Dragged
Interest"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.4.1
hereof.
1.42 "Fiscal
Year"
means
the Company’s fiscal year, which shall be the calendar year, or any portion of
such period for which the Company is required to allocate Net Profits, Net
Losses, or other items of Company income, gain, loss, or deduction pursuant
hereto.
1.43 "Gross
Asset Value"
means,
with respect to any asset, the asset’s Basis, except as follows:
1.43.1 The
initial Gross Asset Value of the Property of the Company on the date hereof
is
the Gross Asset Value of such Property shown on the books and records of the
Company as of the date hereof.
1.43.2 The
initial Gross Asset Value of any asset contributed by a Member to the Company
after the date hereof shall be the gross fair market value of such asset, as
determined by the contributing Person and the Manager;
1.43.3 The
Gross
Asset Values of all Company assets shall be adjusted to equal their respective
gross fair market values (taking into account Code Section 7701(g)), as
determined by the Manager, as of the following times: (a) the acquisition of
an
additional interest in the Company by any new or existing Member in exchange
for
more than a de
minimis
Capital
Contribution after the date hereof; (b) the distribution by the Company to
a
Member of more than a de
minimis
amount
of Property as consideration for an interest in the Company after the date
hereof; (c) the grant of an interest in the Company (other than a de
minimis
interest) as consideration for the provision of services to or for the benefit
of the Company; and (d) the liquidation of the Company within the meaning of
Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g);
provided, however, that adjustments pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) above shall
be made only if the Manager reasonably determines that such adjustments are
necessary or appropriate to reflect the relative economic interests of the
Members in the Company.
1.43.4 The
Gross
Asset Value of any Company asset distributed to any Member shall be adjusted
to
equal the gross fair market value of such asset on the date of distribution
as
determined by the distributee and the Manager; and
1.43.5 The
Gross
Asset Values of Company assets shall be increased (or decreased) to reflect
any
adjustments to the Basis of such assets pursuant to Code Section 734(b)
or Code
Section 743(b) after the date hereof, but only to the extent that such
adjustments are taken into account in determining Capital Accounts pursuant
to
Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)
and
Section 1.56.6
hereof,
provided, however, that Gross Asset Values shall not be adjusted pursuant to
this Section 1.43.5
to the
extent the Manager determines that an adjustment pursuant to Section
1.43.3
hereof
is necessary or appropriate in connection with a transaction that would
otherwise result in an adjustment pursuant to this Section 1.43.5.
If
the
Gross Asset Value of an asset has been determined or adjusted pursuant to
Section 1.43.1,
Section
1.43.2,
Section
1.43.3,
or
Section 1.43.5
hereof,
such Gross Asset Value shall thereafter be adjusted by the Depreciation taken
into account with respect to such asset for purposes of computing Net Profits
and Net Losses
1.44 "Implied
CC VIII Value"
means
(i) the value of the business conducted by CC VIII (directly or indirectly
through Subsidiaries) as of the Valuation Date (as determined by the process
described in Section 7.5.4),
plus
(ii) to the extent not included
in
the
amount described in clause (i), the aggregate value of all current assets
of
CC VIII, calculated as of the Valuation Date (as determined by the
process
described in Section 7.5.4).
1.45 "Initial
Agreement"
has the
meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
1.46 "Initial
Capital Account"
means,
with respect to any Member, the capital account of such Member as of the Tax
Effective Date, as calculated pursuant to Section 3.2.
1.47 "Initial
Members"
means
CCV, CCHC, and CII.
1.48 "Initial
Priority Capital"
means,
with respect to each Class A Member, the amount, if any, set forth opposite
such
Member’s name on Schedule
A.
1.49 "Manager"
means
one or more managers who are designated from time to time as provided in Section
5.1
hereof.
1.50 "Member"
means
each Person who (a) is an Initial Member, has been admitted to the Company
as a
Member in accordance with this Agreement, or is an assignee who has become
a
Member in accordance with Article VII, and (b) has not retired, resigned,
withdrawn, been expelled or removed, or, if other than an individual,
dissolved.
1.51 "Member
Nonrecourse Debt"
has the
meaning ascribed to the term "Partner Nonrecourse Debt" in Regulations Section
1.704-2(b)(4).
1.52 "Member
Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain"
means
an amount, with respect to each Member Nonrecourse Debt, equal to the Company
Minimum Gain that would result if such Member Nonrecourse Debt were treated
as a
Nonrecourse Liability, determined in accordance with Regulations Section
1.704-2(i)(3).
1.53 "Member
Nonrecourse Deductions"
means
items of Company loss, deduction, or Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures
that
are attributable to Member Nonrecourse Debt or to other liabilities of the
Company owed to or guaranteed by a Member (or a related person within the
meaning of Regulations Section 1.752-4(b)) to the extent that no other Member
bears the economic risk of loss.
1.54 "Membership
Interest"
means a
Member’s entire interest in the Company including the Member’s right to share in
income, gains, losses, deductions, credits, or similar items of, and to receive
distributions from, the Company pursuant to this Agreement and the Act, the
right to vote or participate in the management of the Company to the extent
herein provided or as specifically required by the Act, and the right to receive
information concerning the business and affairs of the Company.
1.55 "Mr.
Allen"
means
Paul G. Allen.
1.56 "Net
Profits"
and
"Net
Losses"
mean,
for each Fiscal Year, an amount equal to the Company’s taxable income or loss
for such Fiscal Year, determined in accordance with Code Section 703(a) (for
this purpose, all items of income, gain, loss, or deduction required to be
stated separately pursuant to Code Section 703(a)(1) shall be included in
taxable income or loss), with the following adjustments:
1.56.1 Any
income of the Company that is exempt from federal income tax and not otherwise
taken into account in computing Net Profits or Net Losses pursuant to this
definition shall be added to such taxable income or loss;
1.56.2 Any
expenditures of the Company described in Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) or treated
as
Code Section 705(a)(2)(B) expenditures pursuant to Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(i),
and
not otherwise taken into account in computing Net Profits or Net Losses pursuant
to this definition shall be subtracted from such taxable income or
loss;
1.56.3 In
the
event the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted as a result of
the
application of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(e)
or
Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f),
the
amount of such adjustment shall be taken into account as gain or loss from
the
disposition of such asset for purposes of computing Net Profits or Net
Losses;
1.56.4 Gain
or
loss resulting from any disposition of Property with respect to which gain
or
loss is recognized for federal income tax purposes shall be computed by
reference to the Gross Asset Value of the Property disposed of, notwithstanding
that the Basis of such Property differs from its Gross Asset Value;
1.56.5 In
lieu
of the depreciation, amortization, and other cost recovery deductions taken
into
account in computing such taxable income or loss, there shall be taken into
account Depreciation in accordance with Section 1.37
hereof;
1.56.6 To
the
extent an adjustment to the Basis of any Company asset pursuant to Code Section
734(b) or Code Section 743(b) is required pursuant to Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m)(4)
to be
taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such
adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases
the
Basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases the Basis of the asset)
from the disposition of the asset and shall be taken into account for purposes
of computing Net Profits or Net Losses; and
1.56.7 Notwithstanding
any other provision of this definition, any items that are specially allocated
pursuant to Section 6.3
or
Section 6.4hereof
shall not be taken into account in computing Net Profits or Net Losses (the
amounts of the items of Company income, gain, loss, or deduction available
to be
specially allocated pursuant to any provision of this Agreement shall be
determined by applying rules analogous to those set forth in Sections
1.56.1
through
1.56.6
above).
The
foregoing definition of Net Profits and Net Losses is intended to comply with
the provisions of Regulations Section 1.704-1(b) and shall be interpreted
consistently
therewith.
In the event the Manager determines that it is prudent to modify the manner
in
which Net Profits and Net Losses are computed in order to comply with such
Regulations, the Manager may make such modification.
1.57 "Nonrecourse
Deductions"
has the
meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(1).
1.58 "Nonrecourse
Liability"
has the
meaning set forth in Regulations Section 1.704-2(b)(3).
1.59 "Participating
Allen Member"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.3.3
hereof.
1.60 "Percentage
Interest"
means,
with respect to each Member, the percentage equal to the number of Units held
by
such Member divided by the total number of Units held by all
Members.
1.61 "Person"
means
any individual, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability
company, limited liability partnership, corporation, trust, estate, real estate
investment trust, association, or other entity.
1.62 "Pre-Closing
Sharing Period"
means
the period beginning June 7, 2003 and ending on December 31, 2004.
1.63 "Priority
Rate"
means,
with respect to any period for which Priority Return is being determined,
2 percent per annum.
1.64 "Priority
Return"
means,
with respect to each Class A Member, an amount determined by applying the
Priority Rate to the average daily balance of such Member’s Adjusted Priority
Capital from time to time during the period to which the Priority Return
relates, determined on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case
may
be, for the actual number of days in the period for which the Priority Return
is
being determined. Priority Return shall commence as of February 14, 2000 and
shall be cumulative but not compounded. In the event any Class A Member
transfers all or any portion of such Member’s Class A Preferred Units in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such Member’s transferee shall
succeed to the Priority Return of the transferor Class A Member to the extent
it
relates to the transferred portion of such Class A Member’s Class A Preferred
Units.
1.65 "Property"
means
all real and personal property, including in each case tangible and intangible
property, that has been acquired by or contributed to the Company and its
Subsidiaries and any improvements thereto.
1.66 "Put/Call
Price"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.5.4
hereof.
1.67 "Put
Notice"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.5.2(a)
hereof.
1.68 "Regulations"
means
the regulations currently in force and in force from time to time as final
or
temporary that have been issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury pursuant
to its authority under the Code. If a word or phrase is defined in this
Agreement by cross-referencing the Regulations, then to the extent the context
of this Agreement and the Regulations require, the term "Member" shall be
substituted in the Regulations for the term "partner", the term "Company" shall
be substituted in the Regulations for the term "partnership," and other similar
conforming changes shall be deemed to have been made for purposes of applying
the Regulations.
1.69 "Regulatory
Allocations"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 6.4
hereof.
1.70 "Related
Party"
means
(a) any
individual who is (i) Mr. Allen, or the parent or sibling of Mr. Allen, or
(ii)
any lineal or adopted descendant of Mr. Allen or of his sibling, or (iii) any
lineal or adopted descendant of any individual described in clause (ii) of
this
subsection 1.70(a), and (iv) any spouse of any individual described in clauses
(i), (ii) and (iii) of this subsection 1.70(a), and any lineal or adopted
descendant of any such spouse,
(b) the
estate of any individual described in subsection 1.70(a),
(c) a
trust
in which (i) one or more individuals described in subsection 1.70(a) have a
majority of the beneficial interests (determined actuarially),
and (ii)
of which the majority of the trustees are individuals described in subsection
1.70(a),
(d) a
split
interest trust (i.e.,
a
charitable remainder trust or charitable lead trust) (i) of which the sole
beneficiaries are Mr. Allen and/or individuals described in subsection 1.70(a)
and a charitable institution qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S.
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and (ii) of which the sole trustees
are one or more individuals described in subsection 1.70(a),
(e) any
general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, limited
liability partnership, corporation, real estate investment trust, or association
at least 80 percent of the equity interests in which are, at the time of a
transfer to such entity, owned, directly or indirectly (through any entity
described in subsections 1.70(b), 1.70(c), 1.70(d) or this subsection 1.70(e)),
by any individual described in subsection 1.70(a),
or
(f) any
general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, limited
liability partnership, corporation, real estate investment trust, or association
(i) at least 50 percent of the equity interests in which are, at the time of
a
transfer to such entity, owned by Mr. Allen and (ii) the management and policies
of which are directed by Mr. Allen, directly or indirectly, whether through
the
ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise.
1.71 "Settlement
Agreement"
means
the Settlement Agreement and Mutual Releases, dated as of even date herewith,
by
and among CCI, Charter HoldCo, Charter
Communications
Holdings, LLC, CCV, CCHC, CII, Vulcan Cable III, Inc., Mr. Allen, and the
Company.
1.72 "Subsidiary"
means,
with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, association, joint venture or other business entity of which
(a)
if a
corporation, (i)
10 percent or more of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled
to
vote in the election of directors thereof or (ii)
10 percent or more of the value of the equity interests is at the time
owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Person or one or more of
its
Subsidiaries, or (b)
if a
limited liability company, partnership, association or other business entity,
10 percent or more of the partnership or other similar ownership interests
thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the
Person or one or more of its subsidiaries. The Person shall be deemed to have
a
10 percent or greater ownership interest in a limited liability company,
partnership, association or other business entity if the Person is allocated
10 percent or more of the limited liability company, partnership,
association or other business entity gains or losses or shall be or control
the
Person managing such limited liability company, partnership, association or
other business entity.
1.73 "Tag
Acceptance Notice"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.3.3
hereof.
1.74 "Tag-Along
Interest"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.3.3
hereof.
1.75 "Tag-Along
Notice"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.3.1
hereof.
1.76 "Tag
Contract"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.3.1
hereof.
1.77 "Tag-Offered
Interest"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 7.3.1
hereof.
1.78 "Target
Capital Account"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 6.4
hereof.
1.79 "Tax
Effective Date"
means
January 1, 2005.
1.80 "Traditional
Method"
means
the "traditional method" of making Code Section 704(c) allocations described
in
Regulations Section 1.704-3(b).
1.81 "Transaction
Documents"
has the
meaning set forth in Section 10.1
hereof.
1.82 "Transfer"
means
any direct or indirect sale, transfer, assignment, hypothecation, encumbrance
or
other disposition, whether voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or
otherwise, whether by gift, bequest or otherwise. In the case of hypothecation,
the Transfer shall be deemed to occur both at the time of the initial pledge
and
at the time of any pledgee’s sale or a sale by any secured creditor.
1.83 "Transferred
Units"
has the
meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
1.84
"Units"
means
the units of Membership Interests issued by the Company to its Members, which
entitle the Members to certain rights as set forth in this Agreement.
1.85 "Valuation
Date"
means
the last day of the calendar month immediately preceding the date of the binding
agreement for the applicable Change of Control Event or, if there is no such
agreement, the last day of the calendar month immediately preceding the Change
of Control Event.
ARTICLE
II
ORGANIZATIONAL
MATTERS
2.1 Formation.
Pursuant to the Act, the Company was formed as a Delaware limited liability
company under the laws of the State of Delaware. The rights and liabilities
of
the Members shall be determined pursuant to the Act and this Agreement. To
the
extent that the rights or obligations of any Member are different by reason
of
any provision of this Agreement than they would be in the absence of such
provision, this Agreement shall, to the extent permitted by the Act,
control.
2.2 Name.
The
name of the Company is "CC VIII, LLC". The business and affairs of the
Company may be conducted under that name or, upon compliance with applicable
laws, any other name that the Manager may deem appropriate or advisable. The
Manager shall file any fictitious name certificates and similar filings, and
any
amendments thereto, that may be appropriate or advisable.
2.3 Term.
The
term of the Company commenced on the date of the filing of the Certificate
with
the Delaware Secretary of State and shall continue until the Company is
dissolved in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
2.4 Principal
Office; Registered Agent.
The
principal office of the Company shall be as determined by the Manager. The
Company shall continuously maintain a registered agent and office in the State
of Delaware as required by the Act. The registered agent and office shall be
as
stated in the Certificate or as otherwise determined by the
Manager.
2.5 Purpose
of Company.
The
Company may carry on any lawful business, purpose, or activity that may be
carried on by a limited liability company under applicable law; provided,
however, that, until all outstanding shares of class B common stock of CCI
have
been converted into shares of class A common stock of CCI in accordance with
Clause (b)(viii) of Article Fourth of CCI’s certificate of incorporation as
constituted as of November 12, 1999, without Approval of the Members, the
Company shall not engage directly or indirectly, including without limitation
through any Subsidiary, in any business other than the Cable Transmission
Business and as member of, and subscriber to, the portal joint venture with
Broadband Partners. "Cable
Transmission Business"
means
the transmission of video, audio (including telephony) and data over cable
television systems owned, operated or managed by the Company or
its
Subsidiaries; provided, that the business of RCN Corporation and its
Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be a Cable Transmission
Business.
ARTICLE
III
CAPITAL
CONTRIBUTIONS AND UNITS
3.1 Capital
Contributions.
No
Member shall be required to make any Capital Contributions after the date
hereof. Subject to the approval of the Manager, a Member may be permitted from
time to time to make additional Capital Contributions if the Manager determines
that such additional Capital Contributions are necessary or appropriate for
the
conduct of the Company’s business and affairs, including without limitation
expansion or diversification. The Manager shall approve all aspects of any
such
additional Capital Contribution, such as the amount and nature of the Capital
Contribution, the terms and other aspects of such Capital Contribution, the
economic and other rights of the additional Membership Interests issued to
the
contributing Member (including without limitation any priority with respect
to
distributions of cash or other property from the Company) and the resulting
dilution to be incurred by the other Members. Each Member acknowledges that
(a)
the
contribution by a Member of additional capital, and the terms of additional
Membership Interests issued therefor (including without limitation rights to
distributions from the Company that are superior to other Members’ rights) shall
be determined solely by the Manager without the consent or approval of any
Member other than the contributing Member, except as may be required pursuant
to
Section 10.2.2
hereof,
and (b)
the
issuance of additional Membership Interests to a contributing Member may dilute
the Percentage Interests and other rights of the other Members, and that such
Member shall have no right to vote on such issuance of additional Membership
Interests except as provided in Section 10.2.2
hereof.
3.2 Initial
Capital Accounts.
The
capital account of each Member as of the Tax Effective Date (the "Initial
Capital Account"
of such
Member) shall
equal (a)
the
total Capital Contributions of such Member or such Member’s predecessor prior to
the Tax Effective Date (reduced by the amount of any liabilities of such Member
or such Member’s predecessor assumed by the Company prior to the Tax Effective
Date or which were secured by such Capital Contributions), as set forth on
Schedule
B,
plus
(b)
the
aggregate Net Profits and any items in the nature of income or gain, if any,
allocated to such Member or such Member’s predecessor with respect to all Fiscal
Years or portions thereof ending prior to the Tax Effective Date (as may be
adjusted after the date hereof upon audit of the Company’s books and records),
minus (c)
the
aggregate Net Losses and any items in the nature of expenses or losses allocated
to such Member or such Member’s predecessor with respect to all Fiscal Years or
portions thereof ending prior to the Tax Effective Date (as may be adjusted
after the date hereof upon audit of the Company’s books and records), minus (d)
the amount of cash and the fair market value of any Property, if any,
distributed to such Member or such Member’s predecessor prior to the Tax
Effective Date (reduced by the amount of any Company liabilities assumed by
such
Member or such Member’s predecessor prior to the Tax Effective Date or which are
secured by any Property distributed to such Member or such Member’s predecessor
prior to the Tax Effective Date). The Initial Capital Accounts shall also
include any other
adjustments
required under Section 3.3 of the Existing LLC Agreement prior to the Tax
Effective Date.
3.3 Capital
Accounts.
The
Company shall determine and maintain a Capital Account for each Member in
accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) and, in pursuance thereof,
the following provisions shall apply:
3.3.1 To
each
Member’s Initial Capital Account there shall be credited (a)
Capital
Contributions by such Member on or after the Tax Effective Date, (b)
Net
Profits and any items in the nature of income or gain that are allocated to
such
Member with respect to all Fiscal Years beginning on or after the Tax Effective
Date, and (c)
the
amount of any Company liabilities assumed by such Member on or after the Tax
Effective Date or which are secured by any Property distributed to such Member
on or after the Tax Effective Date;
3.3.2 To
each
Member’s Capital Account there shall be debited (a)
the
amount of cash and the fair market value of any Property distributed to such
Member pursuant to any provision of this Agreement on or after the Tax Effective
Date, (b)
Net
Losses and any items in the nature of expenses or losses that are allocated
to
such Member with respect to all Fiscal Years beginning on or after the Tax
Effective Date, and (c)
the
amount of any liabilities of such Member assumed by the Company on or after
the
Tax Effective Date or which are secured by any property contributed by such
Member to the Company on or after the Tax Effective Date;
3.3.3 In
connection with the conveyance of the Transferred Units, CCHC shall succeed
to
the percentage of the Capital Account of CII determined as of the date hereof
(in the manner described in Section 6.6.2) equal to the percentage determined
by
dividing the number of Transferred Units by the total number of Units held
by
CII immediately prior to entering into the Settlement Agreement;
3.3.4 In
the
event all or a portion of a Membership Interest in the Company is transferred
in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement after the date hereof, the
transferee shall succeed to the Capital Account of the transferor to the extent
it relates to the transferred Membership Interest; and
3.3.5 In
determining the amount of any liability for purposes of Sections 3.3.1
and
3.3.2
hereof,
there shall be taken into account Code Section 752(c) and any other applicable
provisions of the Code and Regulations.
The
foregoing provisions and the other provisions of this Agreement relating to
the
maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Regulations Section
1.704-1(b), and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with
such Regulations. In the event the Manager determines that it is prudent to
modify the manner in which the Capital Accounts, or any debits or credits
thereto, are computed in order to comply with such Regulations, the Manager
may
make such modification.
3.4 No
Interest.
No
Member shall be entitled to receive any interest on such Member’s Capital
Contributions.
3.5 No
Withdrawal.
No
Member shall have the right to withdraw such Member’s Capital Contributions or
to demand and receive Property of the Company or any distribution in return
for
such Member’s Capital Contributions, except as may be specifically provided in
this Agreement or required by law.
3.6 Units.
3.6.1 Units
shall consist of (i) Class A Preferred Units, (ii) Class B Units, and any other
classes of Units issued upon the approval of the Manager. Subject to the terms
of this Agreement, the Company may issue up to one billion (1,000,000,000)
units
of each class of Units.
3.6.2 As
of the
date hereof, the Company has issued 49,365,952 additional Class B Units to
CCV,
and the ownership of the Class A Preferred Units and Class B Units is as set
forth on Schedule
A.
ARTICLE
IV
MEMBERS
4.1 Limited
Liability.
Except
as required under the Act or as expressly set forth in this Agreement, no Member
shall be personally liable for any debt, obligation, or liability of the
Company, whether that debt, obligation, or liability arises in contract, tort
or
otherwise.
4.2 Admission
of Additional Members.
Without
the need for any additional act or consent of any Person, the Initial Members
shall continue to be Members of the Company. Except as set forth in Article
VII,
no Person shall be admitted as an additional Member unless the terms of such
admission have been approved by the Manager. Such terms of admission shall
include without limitation the amount and nature of any Capital Contribution
by
such Person, the terms and other aspects of such Capital Contribution, the
economic and other rights of the additional Membership Interests issued to
the
additional Member (including without limitation any priority with respect to
distributions of cash or other property from the Company), and the resulting
dilution of interest to be incurred by the other Members. Each Member
acknowledges that (a)
the
contribution of capital by a Person and the admission of such Person as an
additional Member, and the terms of additional Membership Interests issued
to
such Person (including without limitation rights to distributions from the
Company that are superior to other Members’ rights) shall be determined solely
by the Manager without the consent or approval of any Member, except as may
be
required pursuant to Section 10.2.2
hereof,
and (b)
the
admission of such Person as an additional Member and issuance of additional
Membership Interests to such Person may dilute the Percentage Interests and
other rights of the other Members, and such Member shall have no right to vote
on the admission of such Person or the issuance of additional Membership
Interests to such Person except as provided in Section 10.2.2
hereof.
4.3 Meetings
of Members.
4.3.1 No
annual
or regular meetings of the Members as such shall be required; if convened,
however, meetings of the Members may be held at such date, time, and place
as
the Manager may fix from time to time. At any meeting of the Members, the
Manager or a person appointed by the Manager shall preside at the meeting and
shall appoint another person to act as secretary of the meeting. The secretary
of the meeting shall prepare written minutes of the meeting, which shall be
maintained in the books and records of the Company.
4.3.2 A
meeting
of the Members may be called at any time by the Manager, or by any Member or
Members holding more than 20 percent of all Units, for the purpose of
addressing any matter on which the Approval of the Members is required or
permitted under this Agreement.
4.3.3 Notice
of
any meeting of the Members shall be sent or otherwise given by the Manager
to
the Members in accordance with this Agreement not less than 10 nor more than
60
days before the date of the meeting. The notice shall specify the place, date,
and hour of the meeting and the general nature of the business to be transacted.
Except as the Members may otherwise agree, no business other than that described
in the notice may be transacted at the meeting.
4.3.4 Attendance
in person of a Member at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of that
meeting, except when the Member objects, at the beginning of the meeting, to
the
transaction of any business because the meeting is not duly called or convened,
and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to object
to the consideration of matters not included in the notice of the meeting if
that objection is expressly made at the meeting. Neither the business to be
transacted nor the purpose of any meeting of Members need be specified in any
written waiver of notice. The Members may participate in any meeting of the
Members by means of conference telephone or similar means as long as all Members
can hear one another. A Member so participating shall be deemed to be present
in
person at the meeting.
4.3.5 At
all
meetings of the Members, a majority of the Class B Members shall constitute
a
quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the Class
B
Members present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the action
of
the Members, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, the
Certificate or this Agreement. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of
the
Members, the Class B Members present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time
to time until a quorum shall be present. Notice of such adjournment shall be
given to any Member not present at such meeting.
4.3.6 Any
action that can be taken at a meeting of the Members may be taken without a
meeting if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed
and
delivered to the Company by Members representing not less than the minimum
number of Units necessary under this Agreement to approve the action. The
Manager
shall
notify Members of all actions taken by such consents, and all such consents
shall be maintained in the books and records of the Company.
4.4 Voting
by Members.
The
Members, acting solely in their capacities as Members, shall have the right
to
vote on, consent to, or otherwise approve only those matters as to which this
Agreement or the Act specifically requires such approval. A Member may vote
in
person or by proxy executed in writing by the Member or by a duly authorized
attorney-in-fact. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement,
the Approval of the Members shall be all that is required as to all matters,
including merger, consolidation, and conversion, as to which the vote, consent,
or approval of the Members is required or permitted under this Agreement or
the
Act.
4.5 Members
Are Not Agents.
No
Member acting solely in the capacity of a Member is an agent of the Company,
nor
can any Member acting solely in the capacity of a Member bind the Company or
execute any instrument on behalf of the Company.
4.6 No
Withdrawal.
Except
as provided in Articles VII and IX hereof, no Member may withdraw, retire,
or
resign from the Company without the prior approval of the Manager.
ARTICLE
V
MANAGEMENT
AND CONTROL OF THE COMPANY
5.1 Management
of the Company by Manager.
The
Members hereby unanimously confirm the election of CCI, or its
successor-in-interest which acquires directly or indirectly substantially all
of
the assets or businesses of CCI, as the Company’s Manager. Without the Approval
of the Members, no Person may be elected as Manager in addition to or in
substitution of CCI, other than a Charter Affiliate or a successor-in-interest
to such Charter Affiliate which acquires directly or indirectly substantially
all of the assets or businesses of such Charter Affiliate. Except as otherwise
required by applicable law, 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.
5.1.1 The
Manager shall have the right to appoint such officers, and to assign to them
such duties and responsibilities, as it may determine from time to time. Any
officer may be removed by the Manager, with or without cause, at any
time.
5.1.2 Except
as
otherwise required by 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. The Manager may delegate its authority under this Section
5.1.2
to the
officers of the Company.
5.1.3 No
annual
or regular meetings of the Manager are required. The Manager may, by written
consent and without prior notice (provided that prompt
subsequent
notice is given to the Members), take any action which it is otherwise required
to take at a meeting.
5.2 Fiduciary
Obligations.
5.2.1 As
provided in Section 18-1101 of the Act, each Member’s duty of care to each
other, and the Manager’s and the Company’s officers’ duty of care to the Company
and the Members is limited to the implied contractual covenant of good faith
and
fair dealing. Without limiting the foregoing, in no event shall any Member,
the
Manager or any officer be liable for breach of a fiduciary duty for such
individual’s good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement. The
Members expressly intend, and acknowledge and agree, that the provisions of
this
Agreement, including, without limitation, those in this Section 5.2,
shall
govern the rights, duties and obligations of the Members to one another and
the
rights, duties and obligations of the Manager and officers to the Company and
the Members and, in that connection, shall supplant entirely the default
fiduciary duties stated or implied by applicable law or equity, which might
otherwise apply.
5.2.2 Neither
the Manager, any Company officer, nor any Member, nor any of the partners or
shareholders, directors, officers, agents, employees or Affiliates of the
Manager, such officers or such Member, as applicable, shall be liable to the
Company, the Members, or to any Persons who have acquired interests in the
Units, assignees or otherwise, for errors in judgment or for any acts or
omissions taken in good faith.
5.2.3 The
Manager shall not be liable for the negligence, whether of omission or
commission, dishonesty or bad faith of any agent or employee of the Company
selected and supervised by the Manager with reasonable care. Any act or omission
of the Manager, if done in reliance upon the advice of legal counsel or public
accountants selected with the exercise of reasonable care by the Manager, shall
be conclusively presumed not to constitute willful misconduct, recklessness
or
gross negligence with respect to the activities and operations of the
Company.
5.2.4 Unless
otherwise expressly provided herein, whenever a conflict of interest exists
or
arises between the Manager or a Class B Member or any of the Affiliates of
either of them, on the one hand, and the Company, any Class A Member, or any
Persons who have acquired interests in the Units on the other hand, then the
Manager or such Class B Member shall resolve such conflict of interest, take
such action or provide such terms considering, in each case, the relative
interests of each party to such conflict, agreement, transaction or situation
and the benefits and burdens relating to such interests, any customary or
accepted industry practices, and any applicable generally accepted accounting
practices or principles. In the absence of a bad faith violation of the implied
contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing by the Manager or such
Class
B Member, the resolution, action or terms so made, taken or provided by the
Manager or such Class B Member shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement
or any other agreement contemplated herein or therein.
5.2.5 Whenever
in this Agreement the Manager is, or the Class B Members are, permitted or
required to make a decision (a)
in its
or their "sole discretion" or "discretion" or under a grant of similar authority
or latitude, the Manager or the Class B Members shall be entitled to consider
only such interests and factors as it or they desire, including its or their
own
interests, and shall have no duty or obligation to give any consideration to
any
interest of or factors affecting the Company, the other Members or any Persons
who have acquired interests in the Units, or (b)
in its
or their "good faith" or under another express standard, the Manager or the
Class B Members shall act under such express standard and shall not be subject
to any other or different standards imposed by this Agreement, or any other
agreement contemplated herein. Each Member hereby agrees that any standard
of
care or duty imposed in this Agreement, or any other agreement contemplated
herein, or under the Act or any other applicable law, rule or regulation, shall
be modified, waived or limited in each case as required to permit the Manager
or
the Class B Members to act under this Agreement or any other agreement
contemplated herein and to make any decision pursuant to the authority described
in this 5.2.5
so long
as (i)
such
action or decision does not constitute gross negligence or willful or wanton
misconduct or a bad faith violation of the implied contractual covenant of
good
faith and fair dealing and (ii)
the
Manager or the Class B Members, as appropriate, believe such action or decision
is consistent with the overall purposes of the Company.
5.3 Indemnification
and Expenses.
5.3.1 To
the
extent permitted by applicable law, a Member (and its respective officers,
directors, agents, employees, shareholders, members, partners, and Affiliates),
Manager (and its respective officers, directors, agents, employees,
shareholders, members, partners, and Affiliates), or officer of the Company
shall be entitled to indemnification from the Company for any loss, damage,
or
claim incurred by such Person by reason of any act or omission performed or
omitted by such Person in good faith on behalf of, or in connection with the
business and affairs of, the Company and in a manner reasonably believed to
be
within the scope of authority conferred on such Person by this Agreement and,
if
applicable, the Approval of the Members or authorizations of the Manager; except
that no Person shall be entitled to be indemnified in respect of any loss,
damage, or claim incurred by such Person by reason of such Person’s fraud,
deceit, reckless or intentional misconduct, or gross negligence; provided,
however, that any indemnity under this Section 5.3.1
shall be
provided out of and to the extent of Company assets only, no debt shall be
incurred by the Members in order to provide a source of funds for any indemnity,
and no Member shall have any personal liability (or any liability to make any
additional Capital Contributions) on account thereof.
5.3.2 To
the
extent permitted by applicable law, expenses (including reasonable legal fees)
incurred by a Member (and its respective officers, directors, agents, employees,
shareholders, members, partners or Affiliates), Manager (and its respective
officers, directors, agents, employees, shareholders, members, partners or
Affiliates), or officer of the Company in such Person’s capacity as such in
defending any claim, demand, action, suit, or proceeding shall, from time to
time, be advanced by the Company prior to the final disposition of such claim,
demand, action, suit, or proceeding
upon
receipt by the Company of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Member (or
its
respective officers, directors, agents, employees, shareholders, members,
partners or Affiliates, as applicable), Manager (or its respective officers,
directors, agents, employees, shareholders, members, partners or Affiliates,
as
applicable), or officer to repay such amount if it shall be determined that
such
Person is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in Section 5.3.1
hereof.
5.4 Devotion
of Time.
Except
as required by any individual contract and notwithstanding any provision to
the
contrary in this Agreement, no Manager or officer of the Company is obligated
to
devote all of such Person’s time or business efforts to the affairs of the
Company, but shall devote such time, effort, and skill as such Person deems
appropriate for the operation of the Company.
5.5 Competing
Activities.
5.5.1 Except
as
provided by any individual contract: (i) any Manager or Member (and their
respective officers, directors, agents, employees, shareholders, members,
partners or Affiliates) may engage or invest in, independently or with others,
any business activity of any type or description, including without limitation
those that might be the same as or similar to the Company’s business or the
business of any Subsidiary and that might be in direct or indirect competition
with the Company or any Subsidiary; (ii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
nor any Member shall have any right in or to such other ventures or activities
or to the income or proceeds derived therefrom; (iii) no Manager or Member
(and
their respective officers, directors, agents, employees, shareholders, members,
partners or Affiliates) shall be obligated to present any investment opportunity
or prospective economic advantage to the Company or any Subsidiary, even if
the
opportunity is of the character that, if presented to the Company or any
Subsidiary, could be taken by the Company or any Subsidiary; and (iv) any
Manager or Member (and their respective officers, directors, agents, employees,
shareholders, members, partners or Affiliates) shall have the right to hold
any
investment opportunity or prospective economic advantage for such Manager’s or
Member’s (and their respective officers’, directors’, agents’, employees’,
shareholders’, members’, partners’ or Affiliates’) own account or to recommend
such opportunity to Persons other than the Company or any
Subsidiary.
5.5.2 The
Company agrees that, until all outstanding shares of class B common stock of
CCI
have been converted into shares of class A common stock of CCI in accordance
with Clause (b)(viii) of Article Fourth of CCI’s certificate of incorporation as
constituted as of November 12, 1999, without the Approval of the Members, the
Company shall not engage directly or indirectly, including without limitation
through any Subsidiary, in any business other than the Cable Transmission
Business and as a member of and subscriber to, the portal joint venture with
Broadband Partners.
5.5.3 The
Company and each Member acknowledge that the other Members, the Manager (and
their respective officers, directors, agents, employees, shareholders, members,
partners or Affiliates) and the officers of the Company (to the extent expressly
permitted in their employment agreement) might own or manage other
businesses,
including businesses that may compete with the Company or any Subsidiary
for the
time of the Member or Manager. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
the Company and each Member acknowledge that Vulcan Ventures Inc. (an Affiliate
of CCI and CCV) has entered into an agreement to purchase convertible preferred
stock of RCN Corporation, which may be deemed to be engaged in the cable
transmission business. The Company and each Member acknowledge that none
of them
shall have any interest in the securities of RCN Corporation to be acquired
by
Vulcan Ventures Inc. or any RCN Corporation common stock into which such
securities are convertible, and that Vulcan Ventures Inc. shall not have
any
obligation to them on account thereof. To the extent that, at law or at equity,
any Member or Manager (and their respective officers, directors, agents,
employees, shareholders, members, partners or Affiliates) or officers of
the
Company have duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating
to the
Company and the other Members, such Person shall not be liable to the Company
or
the other Members for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this
Agreement including this Section 5.5.
The
Company and each Member hereby waive any and all rights and claims that the
Company or such Member may otherwise have against the other Members and the
Manager (and their respective officers, directors, agents, employees,
shareholders, members, partners or Affiliates) or officers of the Company
as a
result of any such permitted activities. The provisions of this Agreement,
and
any agreement between the Company and any Member entered into in reliance
on
this Section 5.5,
to the
extent that they restrict the duties and liabilities of a Manager or Member
(and
their respective officers, directors, agents, employees, shareholders, members,
partners or Affiliates) or officers of the Company otherwise existing at
law or
in equity, are agreed by the Company and the Members to replace such other
duties and liabilities of such Person.
5.6 Certain
Related Transactions.
5.6.1 CII
acknowledges and agrees that the Company will engage in transactions with the
Charter Members and the Charter Affiliates and that so long as such transactions
are not entered into in bad faith and in accordance with Section 5.2,
the
Charter Members and the Charter Affiliates with which the Company engages in
transactions, the Manager, and the Company shall not be liable to the Company
or
to CII with respect to such transactions. The foregoing provision is not
intended to affect any of CCV and its Affiliates’ express contractual
obligations to the Company, Class A Members, or any of the Class A Members’
Affiliates under any contract entered into by and among such parties from time
to time.
5.6.2 Without
limiting any other provisions of this Agreement, CII acknowledges and agrees
that the Manager has the exclusive authority to manage the business and
operations of the Company and that, in its capacity as a Class A Member, CII
has
no right to vote on or otherwise participate in the management of the business
and operations of the Company or any transactions or financings that the Company
may undertake or participate in. CII further acknowledges and agrees that,
except for such rights as may be granted to CII pursuant to Section 10.2.2
and
pursuant to the Act, in its capacity as a Class A Member, CII has no right
to
vote on or object to:
(a) any
financing, refinancing, restructuring, asset sale, or other transaction
undertaken by CCI, Charter HoldCo, CCHC, the Company, or any other Charter
Affiliates;
(b) any
issuance of debt or equity by CCI, Charter HoldCo, CCHC, the Company or any
other Charter Affiliate, including the issuance of equity that is senior to
the
Class A Preferred Units;
(c) any
issuance of debt or equity by CCHC, the Company or any other Charter Affiliate
in consideration for additional capital contributions, including without
limitation debt or equity issued in consideration for contributions of debt
previously issued by CCHC, the Company or any other Charter
Affiliate;
(d) subject
to Section 10.2
hereof,
any amendment to this Agreement as necessary to implement any of the
transactions contemplated by paragraphs (a) through (c) above;
(e) any
decision concerning the dissolution of the Company;
(f) any
decision concerning distributions by the Company or CCHC (other than with
respect to distributions in contravention of Section 6.8
or
Section 9.5);
or
(g) any
other
undertaking or transaction by CCI, Charter HoldCo, CCHC, the Company or any
other Charter Affiliate, and any decision by CCI, Charter HoldCo, CCHC, the
Company or any other Charter Affiliate not to implement any undertaking or
transaction.
For
the
avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement will in any way affect Mr. Allen
or his Affiliates or transferees’ rights as holders of any other interests in
CCI or Charter HoldCo or the rights of Mr. Allen or any transferree to exercise
his other rights as a director or manager or member of CCI or Charter
HoldCo.
5.7 Remuneration
for Management or Other Services.
The
Manager and officers of the Company shall be entitled to reasonable remuneration
for providing management or other services to the Company, all as determined
by
the Manager.
5.8 Reimbursement
of Expenses.
The
Company shall reimburse the Manager and officers of the Company for the actual
and reasonable costs, fees, and expenses paid or incurred by any Person for
goods, materials, services, and activities acquired or used by or for the
benefit of the Company, or performed or undertaken for the benefit of the
Company, without duplication of any expense paid.
ARTICLE
VI
ALLOCATIONS
OF NET PROFITS AND NET LOSSES
AND
DISTRIBUTIONS
6.1 Allocations
of Net Profits.
After
giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Sections 6.3
and
6.4
hereof,
Net Profits with respect to each Fiscal Year beginning on or after the Tax
Effective Date shall be allocated to the Members in the following order of
priority:
6.1.1 First,
Net Profits shall be allocated to each Member to the extent of and in accordance
with the aggregate amount of Net Losses previously allocated to such Member
pursuant to Section 6.2.2
hereof
with respect to each Fiscal Year beginning on or after the Tax Effective Date,
with respect to which Net Profits have not been previously allocated pursuant
to
this subsection.
6.1.2 Second,
Net Profits shall be allocated to each Member to the extent of and in accordance
with the aggregate amount of Net Losses previously allocated to each Member
(a)
with
respect to the Pre-Closing Sharing Period and (b)
pursuant
to Section 6.2.1
hereof
with respect to each Fiscal Year beginning on or after the Tax Effective Date,
with respect to which Net Profits have not been previously allocated pursuant
to
this subsection.
6.1.3 Third,
Net Profits shall be allocated to each Class B Member to the extent of the
Net
Losses previously allocated to such Class B Member with respect to all Fiscal
Years or portions thereof ended prior to June 7, 2003, with respect to which
Net
Profits have not been previously allocated pursuant to this
subsection.
6.1.4 Fourth,
the balance, if any, of Net Profits shall be allocated in accordance with the
Members’ Percentage Interests.
6.2 Allocations
of Net Losses.
After
giving effect to the special allocations set forth in Sections 6.3
and
6.4
hereof,
Net Losses with respect to each Fiscal Year beginning on or after the Tax
Effective Date shall be allocated to the Members as follows:
6.2.1 First,
except as provided in Section 6.2.3,
Net
Losses shall be allocated to the Class B Members in an amount equal to the
excess of (a)
the
aggregate Net Losses allocated with respect to the Class A Preferred Units
during the Pre-Closing Sharing Period multiplied by a fraction, the numerator
of
which is the aggregate Percentage Interests of the Class B Members and the
denominator of which is the aggregate Percentage Interests of the Class A
Members, over (b)
the
aggregate Net Losses allocated with respect to the Class B Units during the
Pre-Closing Sharing Period, with respect to which Net Losses have not been
previously allocated pursuant to this subsection.
6.2.2 Second,
except as provided in Section 6.2.3,
the
balance, if any, of Net Losses shall be allocated in accordance with the
Members’ Percentage Interests.
6.2.3 An
allocation of Net Losses under Sections 6.2.1
or
6.2.2
hereof
shall not be made to the extent it would create or increase an Adjusted Capital
Account Deficit for a Member or Members at the end of any Fiscal Year if any
other member has a positive Capital Account balance at such time. Any Net Losses
not allocated because of the preceding sentence shall be allocated to the other
Member or Members with positive Capital Account balances in proportion to such
Member’s or Members’ respective Percentage Interests; provided, however, that to
the extent such allocation would create or increase an Adjusted Capital Account
Deficit for another Member or Members at the end of any Fiscal Year, such
allocation shall instead be made to the remaining Member or Members in
proportion to the respective Percentage Interests of such Member or
Members.
6.3 Special
Allocations.
6.3.1 Member
Nonrecourse Deductions.
Any
Member Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year shall be specially allocated
to the Member who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the Member
Nonrecourse Debt or other liability to which such Member Nonrecourse Deductions
are attributable in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i) and
Regulations Section 1.704-1(b).
6.3.2 Nonrecourse
Deductions Referable to Liabilities Owed to Non-Members.
Any
Nonrecourse Deductions for any Fiscal Year and any other deductions or losses
for any Fiscal Year referable to a liability owed by the Company to a Person
other than a Member to the extent that no Member bears the economic risk of
loss
shall be specially allocated to the Members in accordance with their Percentage
Interests.
6.3.3 Member
Minimum Gain Chargeback.
Except
as otherwise provided in Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4), notwithstanding
any
other provision of this Article VI, if there is a net decrease in Member
Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain attributable to a Member Nonrecourse Debt during
any Fiscal Year, each Member who has a share of the Member Nonrecourse Debt
Minimum Gain attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt (which share shall
be
determined in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(5)) shall be
specially allocated items of Company income and gain for such Fiscal Year (and,
if necessary, subsequent Fiscal Years) in an amount equal to that portion of
such Member’s share of the net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain
attributable to such Member Nonrecourse Debt, determined in accordance with
Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence
shall be made in proportion to the amounts required to be allocated to each
Member pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in
accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This
Section 6.3.3
is
intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement contained in
Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently
therewith.
6.3.4 Minimum
Gain Chargeback.
Except
as otherwise provided in Regulations Section 1.704-2(f), notwithstanding any
other provision of this Article VI, if there is a net decrease in Company
Minimum Gain during any Fiscal Year, each Member shall be specially allocated
items of Company income and gain for such Fiscal Year (and, if necessary,
subsequent Fiscal Years) in an amount equal to the portion of such Member’s
share of the net decrease in Company Minimum Gain which share of such net
decrease shall be determined in accordance with Regulations Section
1.704-2(g)(2). Allocations pursuant to the previous sentence shall be made
in
proportion to the respective amounts required to be allocated to each Member
pursuant thereto. The items to be so allocated shall be determined in accordance
with Regulations Section 1.704-2(0(6) and 1.704-2(j)(2). This Section
6.3.4
is
intended to comply with the minimum gain chargeback requirement contained in
Regulations Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently
therewith.
6.3.5 Qualified
Income Offset.
In the
event any Member unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations, or
distributions described in Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4),
(5),
or
(6)
or any
other event creates an Adjusted Capital Account Deficit, items of Company income
and gain shall be specially allocated to each such Member in an amount and
manner sufficient to eliminate the Adjusted Capital Account Deficit of such
Member as quickly as possible, provided that an allocation pursuant to this
Section 6.3.5
shall be
made only if and to the extent that such Member would have an Adjusted Capital
Account Deficit after all other allocations provided for in this Article VI
have
been tentatively made as if this Section 6.3.5
were not
in the Agreement.
6.3.6 Section
754 Adjustments.
To the
extent an adjustment to the Basis of any Company asset pursuant to Code Section
734(b) or Code Section 743(b) is required, pursuant to Regulations Section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m),
to be
taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such
adjustment to Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the
adjustment increases the Basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment
decreases such Basis) and such gain or loss shall be specially allocated to
the
Members in accordance with Regulations Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m).
6.3.7 Priority
Return Allocations.
If any
Priority Return distributions have been made pursuant to Section 6.8.1(a)
or
Section 9.5(a)
hereof,
all or a portion of the remaining items of Company income and, to the extent
income is insufficient, gain shall be specially allocated to each Member in
proportion to and to the extent of the excess, if any, of (i) the cumulative
Priority Return distributions each such Member has received pursuant to Section
6.8.1(a)
or
Section 9.5(a)
hereof
from the commencement of the Company to a date 30 days after the end of such
Fiscal Year, over (ii) the cumulative income and gain allocated to such Member
pursuant to this Section 6.3.7
for all
prior Fiscal Years. If, in addition to items of income, items of gain are to
be
allocated pursuant to the foregoing sentence and the Company has items of both
short-term capital gain and long-term capital gain, all of the Company’s items
of short-term capital gain shall be allocated before any items of long-term
capital gain are allocated.
6.4 Curative
Allocations. The
allocations set forth in Sections 6.2.3
and
6.3
(other
than Section 6.3.7)
hereof
(collectively, the "Regulatory
Allocations")
are
intended
to
comply
with certain requirements of the Regulations. It is the intent of the Members
that, to the extent possible, the Regulatory Allocations shall be offset
either
with other Regulatory Allocations or with special allocations of other items
of
Company income, gain, loss, or deduction pursuant to this Section 6.4.
Therefore, notwithstanding any other provision of this Article VI (other
than
the Regulatory Allocations), the Manager shall make such offsetting special
allocations of Company income, gain, loss, or deduction in whatever manner
it
determines appropriate so that, after such offsetting allocations are made,
a
Member’s Capital Account balance is, to the extent possible, equal to the
Capital Account balance such Member would have had (the "Target
Capital Account")
if the
Regulatory Allocations were not part of this Agreement and all Company items
were allocated pursuant to Sections 6.1,
6.2.1,
6.2.2
and
6.3.7.
In
exercising its discretion under this Section 6.4,
the
Manager shall take into account any future Regulatory Allocations under Sections
6.3.3
and
6.3.4
hereof
that, although not yet made, are likely to offset other Regulatory Allocations
previously made under Sections 6.3.1and
6.3.2.
6.5 Tax
Allocations
6.5.1 Code
Section 704(c) Allocations.
The
allocations specified in this Agreement shall govern the allocation of items
to
the Members for Code Section 704(b) book purposes, and the allocation of items
to the Members for tax purposes shall be in accordance with such book
allocations, except that solely for tax purposes and notwithstanding any other
provision of this Article VI:
(a) In
accordance with Code Section 704(c) and the Regulations thereunder, income,
gain, loss, and deduction with respect to any property contributed to the
capital of the Company shall be allocated among the Members (including Members
who succeed to the Membership Interest of any other Members or former members
of
the Company) so as to take account of any variation between the Basis of such
property to the Company and its initial Gross Asset Value.
(b) In
the
event the Gross Asset Value of any Company asset is adjusted pursuant to Section
1.43.3
hereof,
subsequent allocations of income, gain, loss, and deduction with respect to
such
asset shall take account of any variation between the Basis of such asset and
its Gross Asset Value in the same manner as under Code Section 704(c) and the
Regulations thereunder.
(c) The
allocations described in (a) and (b) above shall be made in accordance with
Regulations Section 1.704-3 using the Traditional Method
6.5.2 Tax
Credits.
Tax
credits, if any, shall be allocated among the Members in proportion to their
Percentage Interests.
6.5.3 Excess
Nonrecourse Liabilities.
To the
extent that the Company’s "excess nonrecourse liabilities" within the meaning of
Regulations Section 1.752-3(a)(3) are allocated among the Members in accordance
with their interests in Company profits,
the
Members’ interests in Company profits are, solely for purposes of making such
allocation, in proportion to their Percentage Interests.
6.6 Other
Allocation Rules.
6.6.1 Allocation
of Items Included in Net Profits and Net Losses.
Whenever a proportionate part of the Net Profits or Net Losses is allocated
to a
Member, every item of income, gain, loss, or deduction entering into the
computation of such Net Profits or Net Losses shall be credited or charged,
as
the case may be, to such Member in the same proportion.
6.6.2 Allocations
in Respect of a Transferred Membership Interest.
(a) Upon
the
transfer of the Transferred Units as of the date hereof, the income, gain,
loss,
deduction, and credit of the Company shall be calculated as if there were a
notional "closing of the books" of the Company as of the close of business
on
the date hereof. CII shall be allocated the income, gain, loss, deduction,
or
credit of the Company with respect to the Transferred Units for the portion
of
the Fiscal Year that ends on the date hereof pursuant to this Article VI, and
CCHC shall be allocated the income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of the
Company with respect to the Transferred Units for the remainder of such Fiscal
Year.
(b) If
after
the date hereof any Membership Interest is transferred, or is increased or
decreased by reason of the admission of a new Member or otherwise, during any
Fiscal Year of the Company, (i) such transfer of or increase or decrease in
Membership Interest shall be deemed to have occurred as of the end of the day
on
which such transfer or increase or decrease occurs, and (ii) each item of
income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of the Company for such Fiscal Year
shall be allocated among the Members, as determined by the Manager in accordance
with any method permitted by Code Section 706(d) and the Regulations promulgated
thereunder in order to take into account the Members’ varying interests in the
Company during such Fiscal Year.
6.7 Obligations
of Members to Report Consistently.
The
Members are aware of the income tax consequences of the allocations made by
this
Article VI and hereby agree to be bound by the provisions of this Article VI
in
reporting their shares of Company income and loss for income tax
purposes.
6.8 Distributions
by the Company to Members.
6.8.1 In
General.
Prior
to the occurrence of any event specified in Section 9.1,
and
subject to applicable law and any limitations contained elsewhere in this
Agreement, the Manager shall distribute the Company’s Available Cash, if any,
not later than the 30th day after the end of each calendar year in the following
order and priority:
(a) First,
to
Members having accrued and unpaid Priority Return as of the last day of the
calendar quarter preceding the date on which such distribution is made, pro
rata
in accordance with the respective amounts of such accrued
and
unpaid Priority Return, until each such Member shall have received an amount
equal to such Member’s accrued and unpaid Priority Return as of the last day of
such preceding calendar quarter;
(b) Second,
to
Members pro rata in accordance with their respective Percentage
Interests.
6.8.2 Advances
or Drawings.
Distributions of money and Property shall be treated as advances or drawings
of
money or Property against a Member’s distributive share of income and as current
distributions made on the last day of the Company’s taxable year with respect to
such Member.
6.8.3 Distributees;
Liability for Distributions.
All
distributions made pursuant to this Section 6.8
shall be
made only to the Persons who, according to the books and records of the Company,
hold the Membership Interests in respect of which such distributions are made
on
the actual date of distribution. Neither the Company nor any Member, Manager,
or
officer shall incur any liability for making distributions in accordance with
this Section 6.8.
6.9 Form
of Distributions.
A
Member, regardless of the nature of the Member’s Capital Contributions, has no
right to demand and receive any distribution from the Company in any form other
than money. No Member may be compelled to accept from the Company a distribution
of any asset in kind in lieu of a proportionate distribution of money being
made
to other Members.
6.10 Return
of Distributions.
Except
for distributions made in violation of the Act or this Agreement, or as
otherwise required by law, no Member shall be obligated to return any
distribution to the Company or pay the amount of any distribution for the
account of the Company or to any creditor of the Company. Notwithstanding any
provision of this Agreement to the contrary, a Member who receives a
distribution from the Company shall have no liability to return any portion
of
such distribution after the expiration of three (3) years from the date of
the
distribution pursuant to Section 18-607(c) of the Act.
6.11 Limitation
on Distributions.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company
shall not be required to make a distribution to any Member on account of such
Member’s interest in the Company if such distribution would violate Section
18-607 of the Act or other applicable law.
6.12 Withholding.
Any tax
required to be withheld with respect to any Member under Section 1446 or other
provisions of the Code, or under the law of any state or other jurisdiction,
shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement (i) as a distribution of
cash to be charged against current or future distributions to which such Member
would otherwise have been entitled, or (ii) if determined by the Manager in
writing, as a demand loan to such Member bearing interest at a rate per annum
equal to the rate of interest then announced by The Bank of New York as its
prime commercial lending rate plus two hundred (200) basis points.
ARTICLE
VII
TRANSFER
OF INTERESTS
7.1 Transfers
by CII.
7.1.1 Neither
CII nor any CII Permitted Transferee shall Transfer all or any portion of the
Units held by it except as may be otherwise specifically provided in this
Article VII.
7.1.2 CII
and
the CII Permitted Transferees may Transfer Units, in whole or in part, to
the
following Persons (each a "CII
Permitted Transferee"):
(a) Any
Related Party,
(b) any
Person with the consent of CCV, which consent may be granted or withheld,
conditioned or delayed, as CCV may determine in its sole discretion,
or
(c) any
Person acquiring Units pursuant to Section 7.3,
Section
7.4,
or
Section 7.5
hereof.
7.1.3 In
the
event of the dissolution of CII or any CII Permitted Transferee, any transferee
of such Person who is a CII Permitted Transferee shall be admitted as a Member
of the Company upon compliance with the requirements of Section 7.6.
7.1.4 In
the
event of the death of any CII Permitted Transferee who is a natural person,
the
guardian, trustee or legal representative of such Person shall succeed to all
rights of such Person to receive allocations and distributions from the Company
but shall not be admitted as a Member of the Company. Upon the termination
of
the estate of a deceased Person who held some or all of the CII Class A
Preferred Units, the heirs and legatees of such Person who are CII Permitted
Transferees shall be admitted as Members of the Company upon compliance with
the
requirements of Section 7.6.
7.1.5 In
the
event of the adjudication of incompetency of a Person holding all or any part
of
the CII Class A Preferred Units who is a natural person, the guardian or legal
representative of such Person shall succeed to all rights of such Person to
receive allocations and distributions from the Company but shall not be admitted
as a Member of the Company.
7.1.6 In
the
event of the bankruptcy of a Person holding all or any part of the CII Class
A
Preferred Units, the trustee or legal representative of such Person shall
succeed to all rights of such Person to receive allocations and distributions
from the Company but shall not be admitted as a Member of the Company.
7.2 Transfer
of Control of CII/Successor.
7.2.1 So
long
as CII/Successor holds any Units, neither Mr. Allen nor any other Person in
Control of CII/Successor shall Transfer Control of CII/Successor without the
prior written consent of HoldCo, which consent may be granted or withheld,
conditioned or delayed, as HoldCo may determine in its sole discretion;
provided, however, that Mr. Allen and any Person in Control of CII/Successor
may
transfer Control of CII/Successor without the prior written consent of HoldCo
to
any Related Party; and provided further that the foregoing is not intended
to,
nor shall it, limit any rights of any person pursuant to the Exchange Agreement
dated as of November 12, 1999 among Mr. Allen, CII, Vulcan Cable III, Inc.
and
CCI.
7.2.2 Upon
the
Transfer of Control of CII/Successor, such transferee shall become subject
to
this Section 7.2
and
shall execute an instrument satisfactory to the Manager accepting and adopting
the terms, provisions, and conditions of this Section 7.2.
7.3 Tag-Along
Rights.
7.3.1 At
any
time that one or more Charter Members proposes to sell all or any portion of
its
Membership Interests to any Person other than a Charter Affiliate or in
connection with an internal reorganization of CCI and its Affiliates, the
Manager shall provide written notice (the "Tag-Along
Notice")
to CII
and each CII Permitted Transferee (together, the "Allen
Members")
of
(a)
the
aggregate number and type of Units to be sold by the Charter Members (the
"Tag-Offered
Interest")
pursuant to the contract for the sale of Membership Interests by the Charter
Members (such contract, a "Tag
Contract")
and
the number and type of all Units then owned by all Charter Members; (b)
the
identity of the prospective purchaser; (c)
the
aggregate purchase price for the Tag-Offered Interest, the form of such purchase
price, and any potential adjustments to such purchase price contained in the
Tag
Contract; (d)
the
purchase price for each Class A Preferred Unit of each Allen Member electing
to
participate in a sale pursuant to this Section 7.3
(calculated with reasonable detail in accordance with the procedures set forth
in Section 7.3.4);
(e)
a
calculation (in accordance with Section 7.3.2)
of the
maximum number of Class A Preferred Units that each Allen Member can elect
to
sell pursuant to this Section 7.3;
(f)
confirmation that the prospective purchaser has been informed of the Allen
Members’ rights under this Section 7.3
and has
agreed to purchase Class A Preferred Units from the Allen Members in accordance
with the terms of this Section 7.3;
(g)
a copy
of the Tag Contract; and (h)
an
estimate of the date on which the closing of Tag Contract will occur. The
Manager shall provide the Tag-Along Notice within 20 days after the signing
of
the Tag Contract and shall be provided at least 45 days prior to the
consummation of the sale contemplated by the Tag Contract.
7.3.2 Each
Allen Member shall have the right to participate in such proposed sale with
respect to a number of Class A Preferred Units held by such Allen Member that
is
the same percentage of all Class A Preferred Units held by such Allen Member
as
the percentage of Class A Preferred Units and Class B Units held by all Charter
Members that are included in the Tag-Offered Interest.
7.3.3 An
Allen
Member desiring to participate in the sale pursuant to this Section 7.3
(each, a
"Participating
Allen Member")
shall
exercise the rights granted pursuant to this Section 7.3
by
delivering written notice (the "Tag
Acceptance Notice")
to the
Manager within 30 days after the date of the Tag-Along Notice setting forth
the
number of Class A Preferred Units to be sold by such Allen Member (which shall
not exceed the number of shares calculated pursuant to Section 7.3.2
hereof)
(the "Tag-Along
Interest").
The
right of an Allen Member pursuant to this Section 7.3
shall
terminate with respect to the proposed sale if not exercised within such 30
day
period.
7.3.4 The
purchase price for any Tag-Along Interest shall equal the amount per Class
A
Preferred Unit that would be distributed with respect to each Class A Preferred
Unit in a hypothetical dissolution of the Company, determined by calculating
the
total amount that the Company would need to distribute in dissolution to all
Members pursuant to this Agreement to result in dissolution proceeds to the
Charter Members with respect to the Tag-Offered Interest equal to the aggregate
purchase price for the Tag-Offered Interest (as may be adjusted pursuant to
the
Tag Contract), assuming that the Company made a distribution of such total
amount pursuant to Section 9.5.
If all
or any portion of the purchase price for the Tag-Offered Interest consists
of
property or other noncash consideration, the purchase price for each Tag-Along
Interest shall comprise the same proportion of each item of property or other
noncash consideration as is paid for the Tag-Offered Interest.
7.3.5 At
the
closing of a sale pursuant to this Section 7.3,
each
Participating Allen Member shall be entitled and obligated to give such consents
as are customary in similar transactions and to sell to the prospective
purchaser its Tag-Along Interest on the same terms and conditions (other than
price) as the Charter Members selling the Tag-Offered Interest (with such
Participating Allen Member being subject to the same holdback, and escrow
provisions, if any, and any similar components of the Tag Contract to which
the
Charter Members selling the Tag-Offered Interest are subject), provided that
each Participating Allen Member shall only be required to make customary
representations and warranties regarding its ownership of, and authority to
sell, the Tag-Along Interest.
7.3.6 If,
following delivery of a Tag-Along Notice, the 30 day period set forth in Section
7.3.2
shall
have expired without an Allen Member’s exercise of its rights under this Section
7.3,
the
Charter Members shall have the right to sell to the prospective purchaser or
an
Affiliate thereof the Tag-Offered Interest but only on terms that are no more
favorable in any material respect (and in any case, with no increase in the
purchase price from that specified in the Tag-Along Notice) to the Charter
Members than provided in the Tag Contract without any further obligation to
such
Allen Member under this Section 7.3.
If the
Charter Members do not consummate such sale, any subsequent sale of the
Tag-Offered Interest shall once again be subject to the terms of this Section
7.3.
7.4 Drag-Along
Rights.
7.4.1 At
any
time that one or more Charter Members propose to sell to any Person other than
a
Charter Affiliate or in connection with an internal reorganization
of
CCI
and its Affiliates (a)
a number
of Class A Preferred Units and Class B Units equal to more than 50 percent
of all Units held by all Charter Members and all Charter Affiliates, and
(b)
a
percentage of Class A Preferred Units held by all Charter Members and all
Charter Affiliates equal to the percentage of Class B Units proposed to be
sold
by all Charter Members and all Charter Affiliates (such Units proposed to
be
sold, the "Drag-Offered
Interest"),
the
Manager shall have the right to cause each holder of the CII Class A Preferred
Units to sell the Dragged Interest to the prospective purchaser. The
"Dragged
Interest"
of each
holder of the CII Class A Preferred Units shall equal the excess of (i) a
number
of Class A Preferred Units held by such holder that is the same percentage
of
all Class A Preferred Units held by such holder as the percentage of Class
A
Preferred Units and Class B Units held by all Charter Members and all Charter
Affiliates comprising the Drag-Offered Interest,
over
(ii) the number of Class A Preferred Units held by such holder that comprise
the
Tag-Along Interest of such holder, if any.
7.4.2 The
Manager shall exercise the rights set forth in this Section 7.4
by
providing notice (the "Drag-Along
Notice")
to
each holder of the CII Class A Preferred Units within 60 days after the
execution of the contract for the sale of the Drag-Offered Interest (the
"Drag
Contact")
and
not less than 45 days prior to the consummation of the sale contemplated by
the
Drag Contract. The Drag-Along Notice shall set forth (a)
the
number of Class A Preferred Units and Class B Units comprising the Drag-Offered
Interest, and the number and type of all Units then owned by all Charter Members
and all Charter Affiliates; (b)
the
identity of the prospective purchaser; (c)
the
aggregate purchase price for the Drag-Offered Interest, the form of such
purchase price, and any potential adjustments to such purchase price contained
in the Drag Contract; (d)
an
estimate of the purchase price for each Class A Preferred Unit comprising the
Drag-Offered Interest (calculated with reasonable detail in accordance with
the
procedures set forth in Section 7.4.3);
(e)
a
calculation of the number of Class A Preferred Units comprising the Dragged
Interest of each holder of the CII Class A Preferred Units, (calculated in
accordance with Section 7.4.1);
(f)
confirmation that the prospective purchaser has agreed to purchase Class A
Preferred Units in accordance with the terms of this Section 7.4;
(g) a
copy of the Drag Contract and (h) a reasonable estimate of the date on which
the
closing of the sale of the Drag Contract will occur.
7.4.3 The
purchase price for any Dragged Interest shall equal the amount per Class A
Preferred Unit that would be distributed with respect to each Class A Preferred
Unit in a hypothetical dissolution of the Company, determined by calculating
the
total amount that the Company would need to distribute in dissolution to all
Members pursuant to this Agreement to result in dissolution proceeds to the
Charter Members and Charter Affiliates with respect to the Drag-Offered Interest
equal to the aggregate purchase price of the Drag-Offered Interest (as may
be
adjusted pursuant to the Drag Contract), assuming that the Company made a
distribution of such total amount pursuant to Section 9.5.
If all
or any portion of the purchase price for the Drag-Offered Interest consists
of
property or other noncash consideration, the purchase price for each Dragged
Interest shall comprise the same proportion of each item of property or other
noncash consideration as is paid for the Drag-Offered Interest.
7.4.4 At
the
closing of a sale pursuant to this Section 7.4,
each
holder of the CII Class A Preferred Units shall be entitled and obligated to
give such consents as are customary in similar transactions and to sell to
the
prospective purchaser its Dragged Interest on the same terms and conditions
(other than price) as the Charter Members selling the Drag-Offered Interest
(with such holder being subject to the same holdback, and escrow provisions,
if
any, and any similar components of the Drag Contract to which the Charter
Members selling the Drag-Offered Interest are subject), provided that each
such
holder shall only be required to make customary representations and warranties
regarding its ownership of, and authority to sell, the Dragged Interest.
7.5 Put
and Call Rights.
7.5.1 In
the
event of a Change of Control of any of CCI, Charter HoldCo, or any Charter
Affiliate owning a Membership Interest in the Company (a "Change
of Control Event"),
the
Manager shall provide written notice of the Change of Control Event (the
"COC
Notice")
to
each holder of the CII Class A Preferred Units and provide reasonable detail
of
the events that constituted the Change of Control. The Manager shall provide
such COC Notice within 20 days after the execution of a binding agreement for
a
Change of Control Event or, if no such agreement is entered into, within 20
days
after a Change of Control Event.
7.5.2 If
a
Change of Control Event occurs, each Allen Member shall have the right to sell
all (but not less than all) of its Class A Preferred Units to the Company (or
the Company’s designee) for cash in an amount equal to the Put/Call
Price.
(a) Each
Allen Member shall exercise the rights granted pursuant to this Section
7.5.2
by
delivering written notice (the "Put
Notice")
to the
Manager within 30 days from the date of the COC Notice. The right of an Allen
Member pursuant to this Section 7.5.2
shall
terminate if not exercised within such 30 day period.
(b) If
the 30
day period set forth in Section 7.5.2(a)
shall
have expired without an Allen Member’s exercise of its rights under this Section
7.5.2,
then
such Allen Member shall have no further rights under this Section 7.5.2;
provided, however, that if the COC Notice is attributable to the execution
of an
agreement for a Change of Control Event and such agreement is not closed, then
any other Change of Control Event shall once again be subject to the terms
of
this Section 7.5.
7.5.3 To
the
extent holders of the CII Class A Preferred Units do not exercise the right
to
sell Class A Preferred Units pursuant to Section 7.5.2,
the
Manager shall have the right to cause the Company (or the Company’s designee) to
acquire all (but not less than all) of the Class A Preferred Units of such
holders of the CII Class A Preferred Units for cash in an amount equal to the
Put/Call Price. The
Manager shall exercise the rights granted pursuant to this Section 7.5.3
by
delivering written notice (the "Call
Notice")
to
such holders within 30 days following the expiration of the 20 day period set
forth in Section 7.5.2(a).
7.5.4 The
purchase price for the Class A Preferred Units sold pursuant to this Section
7.5
(the
"Put/Call
Price")
shall
equal the amount per Class A Preferred Unit that would be distributed with
respect to each Class A Preferred Unit if the Company were to sell all of its
assets for the Implied CC VIII Value and dissolve in accordance with
Article IX. The Manager and Allen Members holding a majority of the Class A
Preferred Units held by all Allen Members shall attempt to reach an agreement
as
to the value of the business conducted by CC VIII as of the Valuation
Date
within the 20-day period following the later of the date of the Put Notice
or
the date of the Call Notice. If no such agreement is reached within such 20-day
period, the Manager shall select an Appraiser and Allen Members holding a
majority of the Class A Preferred Units held by all Allen Members shall select
another Appraiser. The two Appraisers shall independently determine the value
of
the businesses conducted by CC VIII as of the Valuation Date assuming
that
the value of such businesses is the cash price at which the assets of such
businesses as going concerns would change hands between a willing buyer and
a
willing seller (neither acting under compulsion) in an arms-length transaction,
on terms and subject to conditions and transaction costs applicable in the
cable
television industry. If the higher value determined by the two Appraisers is
not
more than 115 percent of the lower value determined by the two Appraisers,
then for purposes of clause (i) of Section 1.44
the
value of the businesses conducted by CC VIII shall be the average of
the
values determined by the two Appraisers. If the higher value determined by
the
two Appraisers is more than 115 percent of the lower value determined
by
the two Appraisers, then the two Appraisers shall select a third Appraiser
to
value the businesses conducted by CC VIII as of the Valuation Date,
and for
purposes of clause (i) of Section 1.44
the
value of the businesses conducted by CC VIII shall be the average of
the
two closest values determined by the three Appraisers.
7.5.5 At
the
closing of a sale pursuant to this Section 7.5,
each
seller of the CII Class A Preferred Units shall sell, transfer, convey, and
assign all of its Class A Preferred Units to the Company (or the Company’s
designee) free and clear of all liens, pursuant to written instruments of
transfer in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company (or the
Company’s designee), against delivery of the Put/Call Price, provided that each
such seller shall only be required to make customary representations and
warranties regarding its ownership of, and authority to sell, the CII Class
A
Preferred Units.
7.6 Admission
of Member.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article VII, the transferee
of
a Membership Interest who is a CII Permitted Transferee or Charter Permitted
Transferee shall not become a Member of the Company unless all of the following
conditions have been met: (a)
the
Company shall (at its option) have received a written opinion from the Company’s
counsel, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company,
specifying the nature and circumstances of the proposed Transfer and any related
transactions of which the proposed Transfer is a part, and based on such facts
stating that the proposed Transfer and any related transactions will not be
in
violation of any of the registration provisions of the Securities Act, or any
applicable state securities laws; (b)
the
Transfer will not result in the loss of any license or regulatory approval
or
exemption that has been obtained by the Company and is materially useful in
the
conduct of its business as then being conducted or proposed to be
conducted;
(c)
the
Transfer will not result in a material and adverse limitation or restriction
on
the operations of Charter HoldCo taken as a whole; (d)
the
Transfer will not cause the Company to be treated as a "publicly traded
partnership" within the meaning of section 7704 of the Code; (e)
the
Transfer will not cause the Company to be treated as an "investment company"
within the meaning of section 3 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended;
and
(f)
the CII
Permitted Transferee or Charter Permitted Transferee, as applicable, has
executed an instrument satisfactory to the Manager accepting and adopting
the
terms, provisions, and conditions of this Agreement, including without
limitation Section 10.16
herein,
with respect to the acquired Membership Interest. The admission of a substitute
Member shall not result in the release of the Member who assigned the Membership
Interest from any liability that such Member may have to the
Company.
7.7 Other
Transfers of Units Not Valid.
Any
purported Transfer of all or any of the Membership Interests in any manner
except in accordance with the provisions of this Article VII shall be null
and
void, and neither the Company nor any other Member shall recognize any such
Transfer as passing any interest in such Membership Interests to any Person.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any CII Class A Preferred Units are
transferred in violation of this Article VII, such transferee shall nevertheless
be subject to Sections 7.4
and
7.5.3
hereof,
and the transferor of such CII Class A Preferred Units shall be liable to the
Company for all losses, damages, and costs incurred by the Company arising
from
the transferee’s failure to comply with such Sections.
7.8 Recognition
of Transferee Members.
7.8.1 After
a
Person has been admitted as a Member of the Company pursuant to Section
7.6
hereof,
the Manager shall cause an amendment to the Certificate to be prepared and
recorded promptly, if such amendment is required by the Act or other applicable
law. However, the Company shall recognize such Person as a Member of the Company
on the date on which such Person satisfies the conditions of Section
7.6
hereof,
even if such an amendment to the Certificate is not filed or is filed
subsequently.
7.8.2 After
the
effective date of any Transfer of any part of a Membership Interest in
accordance with this Agreement, the Membership Interest so Transferred shall
continue to be subject to the terms, provisions, and conditions of this
Agreement, and any further Transfers shall be required to comply with all of
the
terms, provisions, and conditions of this Agreement. Any transferee of all
or
any portion of a Membership Interest shall take subject to the restrictions
on
transfer imposed by this Agreement.
7.9 Elections
Under the Code.
In the
event of a Transfer of a Membership Interest in accordance with this Agreement,
the Company, at the request of the party acquiring such Transferred Membership
Interest, shall elect, pursuant to Section 754 of the Code and any like
provision of applicable state law, to adjust the basis of the Company Property;
each Member agrees to provide the Company with all information necessary to
give
effect to such election.
ARTICLE
VIII
BOOKS
AND RECORDS; ACCOUNTING; TAX MATTERS
8.1 Books
and Records.
The
Manager shall cause the books and records of the Company to be kept, and the
financial position and the results of its operations to be recorded, in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; provided, however,
that the Manager may, to the extent appropriate under applicable tax and
accounting principles, maintain separate and corresponding records for book
and
tax purposes. The books and records of the Company shall reflect all the Company
transactions and shall be appropriate and adequate for the Company’s
business.
8.2 Delivery
to Members and Inspection.
8.2.1 Upon
the
request of any Member, the Manager shall make reasonably available to the
requesting Member the Company’s books and records; provided, however, that the
Manager shall have the right to keep confidential from the Members, for such
period of time as the Manager deems reasonable, any information which the
Manager reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or other
information the disclosure of which the Manager in good faith believes is not
in
the best interest of the Company or could damage the Company or its business
or
which the Company is required by law or by agreement with a third party to
keep
confidential.
8.2.2 Any
request, inspection, or copying of information by a Member under this Section
8.2
may be
made by that Person or that Person’s agent or attorney.
8.3 Financial
Statements.
8.3.1 General.
The
Manager shall provide any Member with such periodic operating and financial
reports of the Company as such Member may from time to time reasonably
request.
8.3.2 Annual
Report.
The
Manager shall cause annual audited financial statements to be sent to each
Member holding more than 0.1 percent of all outstanding Units not later
than 90 days after the close of the Company’s Fiscal Year. The report shall
contain a balance sheet as of the end of the Company’s Fiscal Year and an income
statement and statement of cash flow for the Company’s Fiscal Year. Such
financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles consistently applied and be accompanied by the report
thereon of the independent accountants engaged by the Company.
8.4 Tax
Returns.
The
Manager shall cause to be prepared information necessary for the preparation
of
the Members’ federal and state income tax and information returns, and for the
computation of the Members’ estimated income tax payments. The Manager shall
send or cause to be sent to each Member, or as soon as practicable following
the
end of each Fiscal Year, but in no event later than July 15, (a)
such
information as is necessary to complete such Member’s federal and state income
tax or information returns, and (b)
a
schedule setting forth each Member’s Capital Account
balance
as of the end of the most recent Fiscal Year. The Manager shall cause the
income
tax and information returns for the Company to be timely filed with the
appropriate authorities. If a Member requests, the Company shall provide
such
Member with copies of the Company’s federal, state, and local income tax or
information returns for that year, tax-related schedules, work papers,
appraisals, and other documents as reasonably required by such Member in
preparing its tax returns.
8.5 Other
Filings.
The
Manager also shall cause to be prepared and timely filed, with appropriate
federal and state regulatory and administrative bodies, amendments to, or
restatements of, the Certificate and all reports required to be filed by the
Company with those entities under the Act or other then current applicable
laws,
rules, and regulations.
8.6 Bank
Accounts.
The
Manager shall maintain the funds of the Company in one or more separate bank
accounts in the name of the Company, and shall not permit the funds of the
Company to be commingled in any fashion with the funds of any other
Person.
8.7 Accounting
Decisions and Reliance on Others.
All
decisions as to accounting matters, except as otherwise specifically set forth
herein, shall be made by the Manager. The Manager may rely upon the advice
of
the Company’s accountants as to whether such decisions are in accordance with
accounting methods followed for federal income tax purposes or financial
accounting purposes (as applicable).
8.8 Tax
Matters.
8.8.1 Taxation
as Partnership.
The
Company shall be treated as a partnership for tax purposes. The Company shall
avail itself of any election or procedure under the Code or the Regulations
and
under state and local tax law, including any "check-the-box" election, for
purposes of having an entity classified as a partnership for tax purposes,
and
the Members shall cooperate with the Company in connection therewith and hereby
authorize the Manager to take whatever actions and execute whatever documents
are necessary or appropriate to effectuate the foregoing.
8.8.2 Elections;
Tax Matters Partner.
Subject
to the provisions of this Agreement, the Manager shall from time to time cause
the Company to make such tax elections as it deems to be necessary or
appropriate. The Members designate CCV as the "tax matters partner" (within
the
meaning of Code Section 6231(a)(7)) to represent the Company in connection
with
all examinations of the Company’s affairs by tax authorities, including without
limitation resulting judicial and administrative proceedings, and shall expend
Company funds for professional services and costs associated
therewith.
ARTICLE
IX
DISSOLUTION
AND WINDING UP
9.1 Dissolution.
The
Company shall be dissolved, its assets shall be disposed of, and its affairs
shall be wound up on the first to occur of the following:
(a) The
entry
of a decree of judicial dissolution pursuant to Section 18-802 of the Act;
or
(b) The
decision of the Manager, in its sole discretion.
9.2 Winding
Up.
Upon
the occurrence of any event specified in Section 9.1,
the
Company shall continue solely for the purpose of winding up its affairs in
an
orderly manner, liquidating its assets, and satisfying the claims of its
creditors. The Manager shall be responsible for overseeing the winding up and
dissolution of the Company, shall take full account of the assets and
liabilities of the Company, shall either cause its assets to be sold to any
Person or distributed to a Member, and if sold, as promptly as is consistent
with obtaining the fair market value thereof, shall cause the proceeds
therefrom, to the extent sufficient therefor, to be applied and distributed
as
provided in Section 9.5
hereof.
The Person(s) winding up the affairs of the Company shall give written notice
of
the commencement of winding up by mail to all known creditors and claimants
whose addresses appear on the records of the Company. All actions and decisions
required to be taken or made by such Person(s) under this Agreement shall be
taken or made only with the consent of all such Person(s).
9.3 Distributions
in Kind.
Any
non-cash asset distributed to one or more Members shall first be valued at
its
fair market value to determine the gain or loss that would have been included
in
the amounts allocated pursuant to Article VI if such asset were sold for such
value. Such gain or loss shall then be allocated pursuant to Article VI, and
the
Members’ Capital Accounts shall be adjusted to reflect such allocations. The
amount distributed and charged to the Capital Account of each Member receiving
an interest in such distributed asset shall be the fair market value of such
interest (net of any liability secured by such asset that such Member assumes
or
takes subject to).
9.4 Determination
of Fair Market Value.
For
purposes of Section 9.2
and
9.3,
the
fair market value of each asset of the Company shall be determined by the
Manager or, if a Member requests, by an independent, third-party appraiser
experienced in the valuation of businesses such as the Company’s business,
selected in good faith by the Manager. The Company shall bear the costs of
the
appraisal.
9.5 Order
of Distributions Upon Dissolution.
After
determining that all known debts and liabilities of the Company in the process
of winding up, including without limitation debts and liabilities to Members
who
are creditors of the Company, have been paid or adequately provided for, the
remaining assets shall be distributed to the Members in the following
order:
(a) First,
to
Members having accrued and unpaid Priority Return as of the date of
distribution, pro rata in accordance with the respective amounts of accrued
and
unpaid Priority Return, until each such Member shall have received an amount
equal to such Member’s accrued and unpaid Priority Return as of such date;
provided, however, that no distribution shall be made pursuant to this Section
9.5(a)
that
creates or increases a Capital Account deficit for any Member which exceeds
such
Member’s obligation deemed and actual to restore such deficit, determined as
follows:
Distributions
shall first be determined tentatively pursuant to this Section 9.5(a)
without
regard to the Members’ Capital Accounts, and then the allocation provisions of
Article VI shall be applied tentatively as if such tentative distributions
had
been made. If any Member shall thereby have a deficit Capital Account which
exceeds his obligation (deemed or actual) to restore such deficit, the actual
distribution to such Member pursuant to this Section 9.5(a)
shall be
equal to the tentative distribution to such Member less the amount of the
excess
to such Member; and
(b) Second,
to
Members in accordance with their positive Capital Account balances, after taking
into account income and loss allocations for the Company’s taxable year during
which liquidation occurs.
Such
liquidating distributions shall be made by the end of the Company’s taxable year
in which the Company is liquidated or, if later, within 90 days after the date
of such liquidation.
9.6 Limitations
on Payments Made in Dissolution.
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 Net Profits reflected in such Member’s
positive Capital Account balance, a Member shall have no recourse against the
Company or any other Member.
9.7 Certificate
of Cancellation.
Upon
completion of the winding up of the affairs of the Company, the Manager, or
other Person(s) winding up the affairs of the Company, shall cause to be filed
in the office of, and on a form prescribed by, the Delaware Secretary of State,
a certificate of cancellation.
9.8 Termination.
The
Company shall terminate when all of the assets of the Company have been
distributed in the manner provided for in this Article IX, and the certificate
of cancellation is filed in accordance with Section 9.7
hereof.
9.9 No
Action for Dissolution.
Except
as expressly permitted in this Agreement, a Member shall not take any voluntary
action that directly causes a dissolution of the Company other than voting
in
favor of dissolution.
ARTICLE
X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 Complete
Agreement.
This
Agreement and any schedules and exhibits hereto, any document referenced in
this
Agreement and any schedules and exhibits thereto (including without limitation
the Settlement Agreement and any schedules and exhibits thereto) (together,
the
"Transaction
Documents"),
and
the Certificate contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect
to
the subject matter hereof. There are no restrictions, agreements, promises,
representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings with respect to the
subject matter hereof other than those expressly set forth or referred to
herein
or
in the Transaction Documents. Except for the Transaction Documents, this
Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the
parties
with respect to its subject matter.
10.2 Amendments.
10.2.1 Solely
with the approval of the Manager, this Agreement may be modified or amended
in
any respect, including amendments or modifications contemplated under Sections
3.1
and
4.2
hereof
providing for the issuance of additional Membership Interests having such
relative rights, powers and duties as the Manager shall determine (including
without limitation rights, powers and duties senior to or different from
existing Membership Interests).
10.2.2 Notwithstanding
Section 10.2.1,
this
Agreement shall not be amended, including by way of merger, consolidation or
otherwise, (A) without the approval of Class A Members holding at least
80 percent of the Class A Preferred Units if the amendment would result
in
a greater reduction in the aggregate Percentage Interests of the Class A Members
(such reduction expressed as a percentage of the aggregate Percentage Interests
of the Class A Members prior to such amendment) than the reduction in the
aggregate Percentage Interests of the Class B Members (such reduction expressed
as a percentage of the aggregate Percentage Interests of the Class B Members
prior to such amendment)
and (B)
without the approval of each Class A Member if such amendment would adversely
affect the express terms or rights of the Class A Members and/or the Class
A
Units set forth in this Agreement.
10.2.3 Each
Member hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Manager as its true
and
lawful attorney-in-fact, in its name, place, and stead, to make, execute,
acknowledge, and file any duly adopted amendment to or restatement of this
Agreement (solely to the extent that such Member’s consent is not required under
this Agreement). It is expressly intended by each Member that the power of
attorney granted by the preceding sentence is coupled with an interest, shall
be
irrevocable, and shall survive and not be affected by the subsequent disability
or incapacity of such Member (or if such Member is a corporation, partnership,
trust, association, limited liability company or other legal entity, by the
dissolution or termination thereof).
10.3 Binding
Effect.
Subject
to the provisions of this Agreement relating to transferability, this Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Members, and their
respective successors and assigns.
10.4 Parties
in Interest.
Except
as expressly provided in the Act, nothing in this Agreement shall confer any
rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement on any Persons other
than the Members and the Manager and their respective successors and assigns
nor
shall anything in this Agreement relieve or discharge the obligation or
liability of any third person to any party to this Agreement, nor shall any
provision give any third person any right of subrogation or action over or
against any party to this Agreement.
10.5 Statutory
References.
Any
reference to the Code, the Regulations, the Act, or other statutes or laws
or
any specific agreement shall include all amendments, modifications, or
replacements of the specific sections and provisions concerned.
10.6 Headings.
All
headings herein are inserted only for convenience and ease of reference and
shall not be considered in the construction or interpretation of any provision
of this Agreement.
10.7 References
to this Agreement.
Numbered or lettered articles, sections, and subsections herein contained refer
to articles, sections, and subsections of this Agreement unless otherwise
expressly stated.
10.8 Interpretation.
In this
Agreement, unless otherwise specified or where the context otherwise
requires:
10.8.1 Unless
otherwise expressly stated, a reference to a recital is to the relevant recital
to this Agreement, to a numbered or lettered article, section, subsection or
clause is to the relevant article, section, subsection or clause of this
Agreement, and to an Exhibit or Schedule is to the relevant Exhibit or Schedule
to this Agreement.
10.8.2 Words
importing any gender shall include other genders.
10.8.3 Words
importing the singular only shall include the plural and vice
versa.
10.8.4 The
words
"include", "includes" or "including" shall be deemed to be followed by the
words
"without limitation".
10.8.5 The
words
"hereof", "herein", "hereunder" and "herewith" and words of similar import
shall, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as
a
whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.
10.9 Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be enforced, governed by, and construed in accordance with
the
laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the choice or conflict of laws
provisions of Delaware or any other jurisdiction.
10.10 Severability.
If any
provision of this Agreement or the application of such provision to any Person
or circumstance shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Agreement or the
application of such provision to Persons or circumstances other than those
to
which it is held invalid shall not be affected thereby.
10.11 Additional
Documents and Acts.
Each
Member agrees to execute and deliver, from time to time, such additional
documents and instruments and to perform such additional acts as may be
necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out, and perform all of the terms,
provisions, and conditions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.
10.12 Notices.
Unless
otherwise provided, any notice required or permitted under this Agreement shall
be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (a)
upon
personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b)
on the
5th day after deposit with the United States Post Office, by registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, (c)
on the
next business day after dispatch via nationally recognized overnight courier
or
(d)
upon
confirmation of transmission by facsimile, all addressed to the party to be
notified at the address indicated for such party below, or at such other address
as such party may designate by 10 days’ advance written notice to the other
parties. Notices should be provided in accordance with this Section at the
following addresses:
If
to Mr.
Allen or CII, to such Person at:
c/o
Vulcan Inc.
505
Fifth
Avenue S, Suite 900
Seattle,
Washington 98104
Attention:
Mr. Gregory P. Landis, Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Telephone:
(206) 342-2347
Facsimile:
(206) 342-3347
with
a
copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Mr.
Allen
D. Israel
Foster
Pepper & Shefelman PLLC
1111
Third Avenue, 34th Floor
Seattle,
Washington 98101
Telephone:
(206) 447-8911
Facsimile:
(206) 749-1957
and
with
a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Mr.
Nicholas P. Saggese
Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
300
South
Grand Avenue, 34th Floor
Los
Angeles, California 90071
Telephone:
(213) 687-5550
Facsimile:
(213) 687-5600
If
to the
Company, CCV, CCHC, Charter Holdco or the Manager, to such Person
at:
Charter
Communications, Inc.
12405
Powerscourt Drive
St.
Louis, Missouri 63131-3674
Attention:
General Counsel
Telephone:
(314) 543-2308
Facsimile:
(314) 965-8793
with
a
copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Mr.
Dennis Friedman
Gibson,
Dunn & Crutcher LLP
200
Park
Avenue
New
York
New York 10166
Telephone:
(212) 351-4000
Facsimile:
(212) 351-6201
10.13 No
Interest in Company Property; Waiver of Action for Partition.
No
Member has any interest in specific Property of the Company. Without limiting
the foregoing, each Member irrevocably waives during the duration of the Company
any right that such Member may have to maintain any action for partition with
respect to the Property of the Company.
10.14 Multiple
Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
10.15 Remedies
Cumulative.
The
remedies under this Agreement are cumulative and shall not exclude any other
remedies to which any Person may be lawfully entitled.
10.16 Investment
Representation.
Each
Member hereby represents to, and agrees with, the other Members and the Company
that such Member has acquired the Membership Interest for investment purposes
for such Member’s own account only and not with a view to or for sale in
connection with any distribution of all or any part of the Membership Interest.
No other Person will have any direct or indirect beneficial interest in or
right
to the Membership Interest.
10.17 Specific
Enforcement; Attorney’s Fees.
The
Members agree that the remedy at law for damages upon violation of the terms
of
this Agreement would be inadequate because the Membership Interests and the
business of the Company are unique. Therefore, the Members agree that the
provisions of this Agreement may be specifically enforced by any court of
competent jurisdiction, and each Member and its respective transferees agree
to
submit to the jurisdiction of the court where any such action for specific
performance is brought. If any Member defaults in its performance of any of
the
terms and conditions of this Agreement and if, as a result of such default,
a
lawsuit seeking damages, specific performance, or any other remedy is filed
by
another Member, then, in that event, the prevailing party in such a lawsuit
shall be entitled to obtain attorney's fees from the losing party in such amount
as shall be determined by the court to be reasonable under the
circumstances.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Members have executed this Agreement, effective as of
the
date first written above.
CCV
Holdings, LLC
By: s/
Paul E. Martin
Name: Paul
E.
Martin
Title: Senior
Vice President, Interim
Chief
Financial Officer
CCHC
By: s/
Paul
E. Martin
Name: Paul
E.
Martin
Title: Senior
Vice President, Interim
Chief
Financial Officer
Charter
Investment, Inc.
By: s/
Gregory P. Landis
Name: Gregory
P. Landis
|
Title:
|
Executive
Vice President and
General
Counsel
|
CCI
has
executed this Agreement effective as of the date set forth above solely for
purposes of confirming (i) its continuation as the Manager of the Company under
and to the extent provided in Section 5.1
of this
Agreement, (ii) its consent to the amendment of the Existing LLC Agreement
by
this Agreement, and (iii) its consent to the provisions of Section 7.5
hereof.
Charter
Communications, Inc.
By: s/
Paul
E. Martin
Name: Paul
E.
Martin
Title: Senior
Vice President, Interim
Chief
Financial Officer
Charter
HoldCo has executed this Agreement effective as of the date set forth above
solely for purposes of confirming its consent to the provisions of Section
7.5
hereof.
Charter
Communications Holding Company, LLC
By: s/
Paul
E. Martin
Name: Paul
E.
Martin
Title: Senior
Vice President, Interim
Chief
Financial Officer
Paul
G.
Allen has executed this Agreement effective as of the date set forth above
solely for purposes of confirming his consent to the provisions of Section
7.2
hereof.
s/
Paul
G. Allen
Paul
G.
Allen
SCHEDULE
A
Member;
Number of Units; Initial Priority Capital
Member/Address
|
Class
A Preferred Units
|
Number
of
Class
B Units
|
Number
of
Units
|
Initial
Priority Capital
|
CCV
Holdings, LLC
|
|
|
105,928,319
|
CCHC
|
16,991,760
|
$440,641,882
|
|
Charter
Investment, Inc.
|
7,282,183
|
$188,846,524
|
|
SCHEDULE
B
Prior
Capital Contributions
|
CCV
Holdings, LLC
|
CCHC
|
Charter
Investment, Inc.
|
Capital
Contributions, February 2000
|
$1,466,813,786
|
$440,641,884
|
$188,846,522
|
Contribution
of Avalon Systems, January 2001
|
$527,182,978
|
|
|
Contribution
of Cable USA Systems, August 2001
|
$3,179,000
|
|
|
Contribution
of Cash, 2001
|
$110,324,891
|
|
|
Contribution
of Cash, 2002
|
$108,966,528
|
|
|
Total
|
$2,216,467,183
|
$440,641,884
|
$188,846,522
|
Exhibit 10.21
Exhibit
10.21
SECOND
AMENDED AND RESTATED
LIMITED
LIABILITY COMPANY
AGREEMENT
OF
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC
(a
Delaware Limited Liability Company)
This
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT OF CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC (this "Agreement"), is entered into as of October
31, 2005 by CCHC, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("CCHC"), the sole
member of CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company (the "Company").
W
I T N E
S S E T H:
WHEREAS,
the Company is governed by that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability
Company Agreement dated as of October 30, 2001, as amended (the "Prior
Agreement"); and
WHEREAS,
CCHC, as the sole member of the Company, wishes to amend and restate the Prior
Agreement to reflect the current membership of the Company; 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) Effective
as of the date and time of filing of the Certificate of Formation (the
"Certificate") 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. Except as expressly provided herein, the rights and
obligations of the members in connection with the regulation and management
of
the Company shall be governed by the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act
(6
Del.C. § 18-101, et. seq.) (the "Delaware Limited Liability Company
Act").
(b) The
name
of the Company shall be "CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS, LLC." The business
of
the Company shall be conducted under such name or any other name or names that
the Manager shall determine from time to time.
(c) The
address of the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware shall
be c/o CorpAmerica, Inc., 30 Old Rudnick Lane, Dover, Delaware 19901. The name
and
address
of the registered agent for service of process on the Company in the State
of
Delaware shall be CorpAmerica, Inc., 30 Old Rudnick Lane, Dover, Delaware
19901.
The registered office or registered agent of the Company may be changed from
time to time by the Manager.
(d) 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) The
term
of the Company commenced on the date of the filing of the Certificate in the
office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and will continue
and
have perpetual existence until dissolved and its affairs wound up in accordance
with the provisions of this Agreement.
(f) The
execution of the Certificate and the filing thereof in the office of the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, are hereby ratified, confirmed
and
approved by the members.
(g) 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 Delaware Limited Liability Company 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.
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 Delaware Limited
Liability Company Act and engaging in any and all activities necessary,
convenient, desirable or incidental to the foregoing.
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 Delaware Limited Liability Company
Act.
SECTION
4. Management.
(a) Management
by Managers.
CCHC,
as the sole member of the Company, hereby elects Charter Communications, Inc.
("CCI"), a Delaware corporation, or its successor-in-interest, as the Company's
Manager. CCI shall be the Manager until the member elects otherwise. No
additional person may be elected as Manager without the approval of the member.
Except as otherwise required by applicable law and as provided below with
respect to the Board of Directors, 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 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.
Except
as
otherwise required by applicable law, CCI, in its capacity as 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.
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.
(b) Board
of Directors.
i) Notwithstanding
paragraph (a) above, the Manager may delegate its power to manage the business
of the Company to a Board of Directors (the "Board") which, subject to the
limitations set forth below, shall have the authority to exercise all such
powers of the Company and do all such lawful acts and things as may be done
by a
manager of a limited liability company under the Delaware Limited Liability
Company Act and as are not by statute, by the Certificate, or by this Agreement
directed or required to be exercised or done by the Manager. The rights and
duties of the members of the Board may not be assigned or delegated to any
person or entity.
ii) Except
as
otherwise provided herein, members of the Board shall possess and may exercise
all the powers and privileges and shall have all of the obligations and duties
to the Company and the members granted to or imposed on directors of a
corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.
iii) The
number of directors shall initially be two (2), which number may be changed
from
time to time by the Manager. The initial directors shall be as set forth on
Exhibit A hereto.
iv) Each
director shall be appointed by the Manager and shall serve in such capacity
until the earlier of his resignation, removal or replacement by the
Manager.
v) No
director shall be entitled to any compensation for serving as a director. No
fee
shall be paid to any director for attendance at any meeting of the Board;
provided, however, that the Company may reimburse directors for the actual
reasonable costs incurred in such attendance.
(c) Consent
Required.
The
affirmative vote, approval, consent or ratification of the Manager shall be
required to:
i) alter
the
primary purposes of the Company as set forth in Section 2;
ii) issue
membership interests in the Company to any Person and admit such Person as
a
member;
iii) 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;
iv) 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;
v) change
or
reorganize the Company into any other legal form;
vi) amend
this Agreement;
vii) approve
a
merger or consolidation with another Person;
viii) sell
all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company;
ix) 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;
x) possess
any Company property or assign the rights of the Company in specific Company
property for other than a Company purpose;
xi) operate
the Company in such a manner that the Company becomes an "investment company"
for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940;
xii) 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;
xiii) 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;
xiv) materially
change any of the tax reporting positions or elections of the
Company;
xv) 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
xvi) 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.
(d) Board
of Director Meetings.
i) Regular
Meetings.
Regular
meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such time and at such place
as shall from time to time be determined by the Board, but not less often than
annually.
ii) Special
Meetings.
Special
meetings of the Board may be called by the president or any member of the Board
on twenty-four (24) hours' notice to each director; special meetings shall
be
called by the president or secretary in like manner and on like notice on the
written request of members holding a majority of the Common Units held by all
members. Notice of a special meeting may be given by facsimile.
iii) Telephonic
Meetings.
Members
of the Board may participate in any regular or special meeting of the Board,
by
means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment, by means
of
which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other.
Participation in a meeting pursuant to this Section 4(d)(iii) will constitute
presence in person at such meeting.
iv) Quorum.
Subject
to the provisions of Section 4(c), at all meetings of the Board, a majority
of
the directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and
the
act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is
a
quorum shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically
provided by statute, the Certificate or this Agreement. If a quorum is not
present at any meeting of the Board, the directors present thereat may adjourn
the meeting from time to time until a quorum shall be present. Notice of such
adjournment shall be given to any director not present at such
meeting.
v) Action
Without Meeting.
Unless
otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Formation or this Agreement, any
action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board may be
taken without a meeting if all members of the Board consent thereto in writing
and such written consent is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the
Board.
(e) Board's
Duty of Care.
The
Board'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 corporate director of like position would exercise under
similar circumstances, in the manner it reasonably believes to be in the best
interests of the Company. In discharging its duties, the Board shall not be
liable to the Company or to any member for any mistake or error in judgment
or
for any act or omission believed in good faith to be within the scope of
authority conferred by this Agreement or approved by the Manager.
SECTION
5. Officers.
(a) Officers.
The
officers shall be a President, a Treasurer and a Secretary, and such other
additional officers, including a Chairman of the Board, one or more Chairmen,
Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers as the Board,
the Manager or the
President
may from time to time elect. Any two or more offices may be held by the same
individual.
(b) Election
and Term.
The
President, Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected by and shall hold office
at
the pleasure of the Board or the Manager. The Board, the Manager or the
President may elect such other officers and agents as it shall deem desirable,
who shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board, the Manager or the
President, and who shall have such authority and shall perform such duties
as
from time to time shall be prescribed by the Board, the Manager or the
President.
(c)
Removal.
Any
officer may be removed by the affirmative vote of the Manager or the affirmative
vote 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 President,
the Treasurer or the Secretary may be removed by 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 preside
at
all meetings of the members and directors; shall have general supervision and
active management of the business and finances of the Company; 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 Board
or
Manager 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, any Chairman (if any) or, if there is no Chairman,
the most senior available officer appointed by the Board or the Manager 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 him
or
her and shall exercise such powers as may be granted to him or her by the
Manager, the Board or by the President of the Company. In the absence of
direction by the Board, the Manager or the President to the contrary, the any
Senior Vice President shall have the power to vote all securities held by the
Company and to issue proxies therefor.
iii) The
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 directors' meetings, the number of shares present
or
represented at shareholders'
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.
iv) The
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) The
Chairman.
The
Chairman, 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.
SECTION
6. Members.
(a) The
members of the Company shall be as set forth on Exhibit B hereto as amended
from
time to time. At the date hereof, CCHC is the sole member. 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.
(b) No
member
shall be liable for the debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company,
including any debts, liabilities and obligations under a judgment, decree or
order of a court.
(c) Neither
a
member nor any of its affiliates, partners, members, directors, managers,
officers or employees shall be expressly or impliedly restricted or prohibited
by virtue of this Agreement or the relationships created hereby from engaging
in
other activities or business ventures of any kind or character whatsoever.
Except as otherwise agreed in writing, each member and its affiliates, partners,
members, 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.
SECTION
7. Percentage
Interests. As
of the
date hereof, the Percentage Interests or number of membership units held by
each
member shall be as set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto. So long as CCHC
is
the sole member of the Company, CCHC'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. Each such distribution,
including liquidating distributions, shall be divided among the members in
accordance with their Percentage Interests.
SECTION
9. Allocations.
The
profits and losses of the Company shall be allocated to the members in
accordance with their Percentage Interests or number of membership
units.
SECTION
10. Dissolution;
Winding Up.
(a) The
Company shall be dissolved upon (i) the adoption of a plan of dissolution by
the
members or (ii) the occurrence of any event required to cause the dissolution
of
the Company under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.
(b) 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 Delaware Limited Liability Company
Act.
(c) 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 Delaware Limited Liability Company Act. In winding
up
the business and affairs of the Company, the Manager may 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.
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 members to the Company shall be accomplished by the
amendment of this Agreement and, if required by the Delaware Limited Liability
Company Act.
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) Neither
the members, the Manager, the directors, their affiliates, nor any person who
at
any time shall serve, or shall have served, as a director, officer, employee
or
other agent of any member or any such affiliate 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, their affiliates or any Specified Agent, in respect of
any
loss which arises out of any acts or omissions performed or omitted by it
pursuant to the authority granted by this Agreement, or otherwise performed
on
behalf of the Company, if such member, such affiliate, or such Specified Agent,
as applicable, in good faith, determined that such course of conduct was in
the
best interests of the Company. Each member shall look solely to the assets
of
the Company for return of his, her or its 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 of any fiduciary duty or duty of fair dealing to the other
members that it may have under applicable law.
(b) In
any
threatened, pending or completed claim, action, suit or proceeding to which
a
member, any of such member's 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, any of such member's affiliates, or any Specified
Agent relating to the Company, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless
the
members, any such 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, any
of
their affiliates or any Specified Agent shall be indemnified for actions
constituting bad faith, willful misconduct, or fraud. Any act or omission by
any
member, any of such member's affiliates or any Specified Agent, if done in
reliance upon the opinion of independent legal counsel or public accountants
selected with reasonable care by such member, such affiliate or such Specified
Agent, as applicable, shall not constitute bad faith, willful misconduct, or
fraud on the part of such member, affiliate or Specified Agent.
(c) 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, such member's
affiliate or any Specified Agent constituted bad faith, willful misconduct
or
fraud under this Agreement.
(d) Any
such
indemnification under this Section 14 shall be recoverable only out of the
assets of the Company and not from the members.
SECTION
15. Miscellaneous.
(a) If
the
Manager, the Board or any officer of the Company executes a written consent
or
approval or otherwise takes an action on behalf of the Company prior to such
person's appointment by or as set forth in this Agreement, then such consent,
approval or action shall be effective and binding on the Company so long as
the
effective date or time of such consent, approval or action is after the date
or
time on which such person has been appointed in the manner set forth in this
Agreement.
(b) 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.
(c) 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.
(d) This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the members and
their respective successors and assigns.
(e) 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.
(f) 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.
(g) This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the
same
instrument.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the party has caused this Agreement to be duly executed on
the
date first above written.
CCHC,
LLC
_s/
William Placke_
By:
William Placke, Esq.
Title:
Assistant Corporate Secretary
EXHIBIT
A
Directors
1. Jo
Allen
Patton
2. Neil
Smit
EXHIBIT
B
Member
Name Number
of Units
CCHC,
LLC 217,585,246.1
Exhibit 10.28
Exhibit
10.28
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
THIS
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(this
“Agreement”) is entered into as of October 31, 2005 (the “Effective Date”) by
and between Charter
Communications, Inc.,
a
Delaware corporation (“Charter”), and Sue
Ann R. Hamilton,
an
individual (the “Executive”). For purposes of this Agreement, except with
respect to Charter’s obligations to Executive, the term “Company” includes
Charter and all direct and indirect subsidiaries and controlled affiliates,
W
I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS:
|
(1)
|
Charter
and Executive desire for Executive to be employed by Charter upon
and
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;
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|
(2)
|
If
Executive is currently employed by the Company, then Executive
is willing
and desires to be employed by Charter under the terms of this Agreement
in
lieu of any prior terms and conditions applicable to such existing
employment;
|
|
(3)
|
Executive
(whether a prospective or existing employee) is willing and desires
to
accept employment with Charter hereafter upon and subject to the
terms of
this Agreement; and
|
|
(4)
|
Executive’s
agreement to the terms and conditions of Sections 6 and 7 are a
material
and essential condition of Executive’s employment with Charter hereafter
under the terms of this
Agreement;
|
Now,
Therefore, in consideration of the premises, and the promises and agreements
set
forth below, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as
follows:
1. Employment
Terms and Duties.
1.1 Employment.
Charter
hereby employs Executive in an executive capacity, and Executive hereby accepts
employment by Charter as an executive, upon the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement and under a relationship of trust and confidence.
1.2 Term.
Executive’s employment under this Agreement commences as of the Effective Date
and unless earlier terminated pursuant to the provisions of Section 5 below,
shall terminate on the second anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Term”). If
Executive continues in Charter’s employ thereafter, Executive’s employment shall
be on an at will basis, and only the provisions of Sections 6-7, and provisions
directly related to their enforcement, shall continue to have any application
or
effect.
1.3 Duties.
Executive is employed in an executive capacity to perform such executive,
managerial and administrative duties as are assigned or delegated to Executive
from time to time by the President and/or Chief Executive Officer or designee
thereof. Executive will devote substantially all Executive’s business time and
attention to the business of the Company, will act in good faith to promote
the
success of the Company’s business, and will cooperate fully with the Executive
Officers of Charter and the Board of Directors of Charter in the advancement
of
the best interests of the Company. Executive will perform Executive’s duties to
the best of Executive’s abilities using Executive’s best efforts and in
accordance
with applicable law, and will comply with and carry out all Company policies
and
codes of conduct. Executive will travel from time to time to the extent
reasonably necessary to the performance of Executive's duties hereunder.
Nothing
in this Section 1.3, however, will prevent Executive from engaging
in
additional activities in connection with personal investments and community
affairs that are not inconsistent with Executive’s duties under this Agreement
(which community affairs shall be disclosed to and subject to approval by
the
President and/or Chief Executive Officer and/or Chief Operating Officer and/or
Chairman of the Board of Directors); provided such activities do not create
the
appearance of or an actual conflict of interest and do not violate any other
provisions of this Agreement.
1.4 Service
for Subsidiaries And Affiliates; Indemnification.
Executive may be nominated and appointed to one or more boards of directors
and
to one or more offices of subsidiaries and affiliates of Charter during
Executive’s employment. While serving as a director or as an officer of any such
subsidiary or affiliate, or performing any duties for any such subsidiary or
affiliate, Executive will serve and fulfill all duties without additional
compensation. Executive will be covered in such capacities by any directors
and
officers insurance policy Charter may have in place from time to time and by
the
Company’s indemnification policies as may be in effect from time to time, as
applicable.
2. Compensation.
2.1 Basic
Compensation.
Starting the Effective Date, Executive will be paid a base salary at an annual
rate of $371,800 (the "Salary") during Executive’s employment. The Salary will
be payable in equal periodic installments according to Charter’s customary
payroll practices, but no less frequently than monthly. The Salary may be
increased during the Term of Executive’s employment by the "Board" (the term
"Board" meaning, whenever used herein, the Board of Directors of Charter or
the
Compensation Committee or other designated committee of the Board of Directors
of Charter), but shall not be reduced below the rate set forth above without
Executive’s written consent. When increased or decreased in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement, the new minimum base annual salary shall be deemed
Executive’s "Salary" for all purposes of this
Agreement.
2.2 Incentive
Compensation.
During Executive’s employment, Executive shall be entitled to participate in an
incentive bonus program established by the Board to measure and reward
management for the financial performance of Charter that applies to senior
executive officers of Charter generally, excluding any specific incentive
or
bonus plan that may be developed by the Board for the President and/or Chief
Executive Officer and/or Chief Operating Officer and/or another Executive
Officer of Charter, and (unless specifically designated as a participant
in such
plan by the Board, in their sole discretion) excluding participation in the
Charter Communications, Inc. 2005 Cash Award Plan. In all cases, the payment
of
any incentive compensation shall be at the discretion of the Board, which
may
consider any factors it deems relevant, including the assessment of the
performance of Executive and Charter during the relevant time period. The
terms
of any incentive compensation or bonus plan and any payouts or awards thereunder
shall be established and determined from time to time by the Board in its
discretion. In no event, however, shall payment of any such amount be made
later
than two and one-half months after the end of the calendar year in which
all
conditions to payment are satisfied and the amount otherwise was determined
to
be payable.
2.3. Equity
Awards.
(a) Restricted
Stock.
During
Executive’s employment, Executive shall be eligible to receive awards of
restricted shares of Charter common stock subject to the terms of Charter’s
restricted stock plan and restricted stock agreement in the same manner as
other
similarly situated officers generally. The amount of such awards shall be
determined by and at the discretion of the Board and may vary from officer
to
officer.
(b) Stock
Options.
During
Executive’s employment, Executive shall be eligible to receive awards of option
rights to acquire shares of Charter common stock subject to the terms of
Charter’s stock option plan and normal stock option agreement in the same manner
as other similarly situated officers. The amount of such awards shall be
determined by and at the discretion of the Board and may vary from officer
to
officer.
2.4 Welfare
Benefits. During
Executive’s employment, Executive will be permitted to participate in such
pension, profit sharing, bonus, life insurance, disability insurance,
hospitalization, major medical, directors and officers indemnification or
insurance policy, and other employee benefit plans of Charter that may be in
effect from time to time generally for other senior executives of Charter having
the same pay grade as Executive, all to the extent Executive is eligible under
the terms of such plans (collectively, the “Benefits”). The Benefits shall be
subject to change and discontinuation from time to time as the same may be
changed or discontinued as to Charter employees in the same pay grade as
Executive and/or Company employees generally.
2.5. Business
Expenses and Perquisites. During
Executive’s employment, Charter will
promptly reimburse Executive (or pay directly to the supplier of services)
for
all reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by
Executive in connection with the performance of Executive's duties hereunder,
(including without limitation, appropriate business entertainment activities,
expenses incurred by Executive in attending approved conventions, seminars,
and
other business meetings, and promotional activities); in each case subject
to
Executive's furnishing Charter with evidence reasonably satisfactory to Charter
(such as receipts) substantiating the claimed expenditures (such expenses being
commensurate with the office and position of Executive and within budgetary
limitations), subject to compliance with the terms of any expense reimbursement
policy from time to time in effect (including with respect to pre-approvals),
and subject to Executive providing Charter with such other information and
documentation as may be necessary or required by Charter to deduct such expenses
for purposes of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the
“Code”). All such payments will be made no later than two and one-half months
after the end of the calendar year in which Executive became entitled to receive
such payment.
3. Facilities
and Expenses. During
Executive’s employment, Charter will furnish Executive office space, equipment,
supplies, and such other facilities and personnel as Charter deems necessary
or
appropriate for the performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement.
Charter will pay Executive’s dues in such professional organizations as the
President and/or Chief Executive Officer and/or Chief Operating Officer deems
appropriate.
4.
Vacations
and Holidays. Executive
will be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the vacation policies
of
Charter in effect for its executive officers from time to time. Vacation must
be
taken by Executive at such time or times as approved by the President and/or
Chief Executive Officer and/or Chief Operating Officer and/or the designee
thereof. Executive will also be entitled to the paid holidays as and to
the
extent set forth in Charter’s policies as the same may change from time to time
for employees generally.
5. Termination.
5.1. Events
of Termination.
Executive’s employment, Salary, Benefits, and Incentive Compensation, and any
and all other rights of Executive under this Agreement (excluding accrued rights
and benefits), will terminate prior to the expiration of the Term specified
in
Section 1.2:
(a) |
upon
the death of Executive;
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(b) |
upon
the Disability of Executive (as defined in Section 5.2) immediately
upon notice from either party to the
other;
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(c) |
for
Cause (as defined in Section 5.3), immediately upon notice
from
Charter to Executive, or at such later time as such notice may
specify;
|
(d) |
without
Cause (as defined in Section 5.3), immediately upon notice
from
Charter to Executive, or at such later time as such notice may
specify;
|
(e) |
for
Good Reason (as defined in Section 5.4) upon not less than
thirty
days’ (nor more than ninety (90) days) prior notice from Executive to
Charter; or
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(f) |
without
Good Reason, immediately upon notice from Executive to
Charter.
|
5.2. Definition
of “Disability.”
For
purposes of Section 5.1, and this Agreement, Executive will be deemed
to
have a “Disability” if, due to illness, injury or a physical or medically
recognized mental condition, (a) Executive is unable to perform Executive’s
duties under this Agreement with reasonable accommodation for 120 consecutive
days, or 180 days during any twelve month period, as determined in accordance
with this Section 5.2, or (b) Executive is considered disabled for purposes
of receiving / qualifying for long term disability benefits under any group
long
term disability insurance plan or policy offered by Charter in which Executive
participates. The Disability of Executive will be determined by a medical doctor
selected by written agreement of Charter and Executive upon the request of
either party by notice to the other, or (in the case of and with respect to
any
applicable long term disability insurance policy or plan) will be determined
according to the terms of the applicable long term disability insurance policy
/
plan. If Charter and Executive cannot agree on the selection of a medical
doctor, each of them will select a medical doctor and the two medical doctors
will select a third medical doctor who will determine whether Executive has
a
Disability. The determination of the medical doctor selected under this
Section 5.2 will be binding on both parties. Executive must submit to
a
reasonable number of examinations by the medical doctor making the determination
of Disability under this Section 5.2, and to other specialists designated
by such medical doctor, and Executive hereby authorizes the disclosure and
release to Charter of such determination and all supporting medical records.
If
Executive is not legally competent, Executive’s legal guardian or duly
authorized attorney-in-fact will act in Executive’s stead under this
Section 5.2 for the purposes of submitting Executive to the examinations,
and providing the authorization of disclosure, required under this
Section 5.2.
5.3. Definition
of “Cause.”
For
purposes of Section 5.1, and this Agreement, the term “Cause” means:
(a) Executive’s
breach of a material obligation or representation under this Agreement or breach
of any fiduciary duty to Charter; or any act of fraud or knowing
misrepresentation or concealment on behalf of or to Charter or the Board of
Directors;
(b) Executive’s
failure to adhere in any material respect to (i) any Company Code of Conduct
in
effect from time to time and applicable to officers and/or employees generally,
or (ii) any written Company policy, if such policy is material to the effective
performance by Executive of the Executive’s duties under this Agreement, and if
Executive has been given a reasonable opportunity to cure this failure to comply
within a period of time which is reasonable under the circumstances but not
more
than the thirty (30) day period after written notice of such failure is provided
to Executive; provided that if Executive cures this failure to comply with
such
a policy and then fails again to comply with the same policy, no further
opportunity to cure that failure shall be required;
(c)
Executive’s
failure or refusal to perform any lawful duty or assignment; or the
appropriation (or attempted appropriation) of a material business opportunity
of
the Company, including attempting to secure or securing any personal profit
in
connection with any transaction entered into on behalf of the Company (other
than through stock options, bonuses and other incentives provided by Charter
to
Executive);
(d)
Executive’s misappropriation (or attempted misappropriation) of any of the
Company’s funds or property; or any breach of fiduciary duty to the Company or
any plan or program sponsored by the Company;
(e) Executive’s
conviction of, the entering of a guilty plea or plea of nolo
contendere or
no
contest (or the equivalent), or entering into any pretrial diversion program
or
agreement or suspended imposition of sentence, with respect to either a felony
or a crime that adversely affects the Company or its reputation; or the
institution of criminal charges against Executive, which are not dismissed
within sixty (60) days after institution, for fraud, embezzlement, any offense
involving dishonesty or constituting a breach of trust, or any felony (including
without limitation a crime in any jurisdiction other than the United States
or
any state thereof in which Company does business which would constitute such
a
felony under the laws of the United States or any state thereof);
(f) Executive’s
admission of liability of, or finding of liability for, the violation of any
“Securities Laws.” As used herein, the term “Securities Laws” means any federal
or state law, rule or regulation governing generally the issuance or exchange
of
securities, including without limitation the Securities Act of 1933, the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder;
(g) conduct
by Executive in connection with Executive’s employment that constitutes gross
neglect of any duty or responsibility, willful misconduct, or recklessness;
(h)
Executive’s
illegal possession or use of any controlled substance, or excessive use of
alcohol at a work function, in connection with Executive’s duties, or on Company
premises; “excessive” meaning either repeated unprofessional use or any single
event of consumption giving rise to significant intoxication or unprofessional
behavior; or
(i)
Executive’s
material violation of any federal, state or local law that may result in a
direct or indirect financial loss to the Company or damage the Company’s
reputation.
If
Executive commits or is charged with committing any offense of the character
or
type specified in Section 5.3 (e), (f) or (i) above, then Charter at its option
may suspend the Executive with or without pay. If the Executive subsequently
is
convicted of, pleads guilty or nolo
contendere
(or
equivalent plea) to, or enters into any type of suspended imposition of sentence
or pretrial diversion program with respect to, any such offense (or any matter
that gave rise to the suspension), the Executive shall immediately repay any
and
all other compensation or other amounts paid hereunder from the date of the
suspension, and (x) (unless otherwise precluded by or because of the terms
of
the applicable plan) any of the restricted stock or options that vested after
the date of such suspension shall forthwith be cancelled, and (y) if any such
stock options, the shares subject thereto, or the restricted shares that vested
during such time period have theretofore been sold by Executive, the cash value
thereof shall be repaid to Charter immediately.
5.4. Definition
of “Good Reason.”
For
purposes of Section 5.1, and this Agreement, the term “Good Reason” shall mean
(a) any reduction in Executive’s Salary except as permitted hereunder, or (b)
instruction to relocate Executive’s primary workplace to a location that is more
than fifty (50) miles from the office where Executive is initially assigned
to
work as Executive’s principal office, or outside the greater metropolitan area
where such office is located, whichever is greater; in each case if Executive
objects in writing within 10 days, unless Charter retracts the reduction in
Salary or instruction to relocate within 30 days following Charter’s receipt of
timely written objection from Executive.
5.5. Termination
Pay.
Effective upon the termination of Executive’s employment, Charter will be
obligated to pay Executive (or, in the event of Executive’s death, the
Executive’s designated beneficiary as defined below) only such compensation as
is provided in this Section 5.5 and in Section 4, except to the extent otherwise
provided for in any Charter stock incentive or stock option plan, or any Charter
cash award plan (including, among others, the 2005 Executive Cash Award Plan),
approved by the Board. For purposes of this Section 5.5, Executive’s
designated beneficiary will be such individual beneficiary or trust, located
at
such address, as Executive may designate by notice to Charter from time to
time
or, if Executive fails to give notice to Charter of such a beneficiary,
Executive’s estate. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Charter will have no
duty, in any circumstances, to attempt to open an estate on behalf of Executive,
to determine whether any beneficiary designated by Executive is alive or to
ascertain the address of any such beneficiary, to determine the existence of
any
trust, to determine whether any person purporting to act as Executive’s personal
representative (or the trustee of a trust established by Executive) is duly
authorized to act in that capacity, or to locate or attempt to locate any
beneficiary, personal representative, or trustee.
5.5.1. Termination
by Executive for Good Reason or by Charter without Cause.
If prior
to expiration of the Term, Executive terminates Executive’s employment for Good
Reason, or Charter terminates Executive’s employment other than for Cause (but
not because of the Disability or death of Executive), Executive will be entitled
to receive on and subject to the conditions of this Agreement:
(a) Executive’s
then-existing Salary for the remainder of the Term specified in Section 1.2,
or
a period of twelve (12) months, whichever is greater. Subject to the provisions
of Section 5.6, this amount (the “Separation Payment”) will be paid over the
period of time used to calculate the Separation Payment (i.e., the balance
of
the Term at the time employment terminated or twelve (12) months, whichever
was
greater) in equal bi weekly instalments on the Company’s regular pay days for
executives,
and
commencing with the first payday after all conditions in Section 5.6 are
satisfied; provided that, to the extent required to avoid the tax consequences
of Section 409A of the Code, the first payment shall cover all payments
scheduled to be made to Executive during the first six (6) months after the
date
Executive’s employment terminates, and the first such payment shall be delayed
until the day after the six (6) month anniversary of the date Executive’s
employment terminates.
(b) the
amount of Executive’s incentive compensation for the year during which the
termination is effective (prorated for the period from the beginning of the
year
in question until the effective date of termination) if and to the extent a
bonus otherwise is payable under the terms of the applicable incentive bonus
plan as determined by the Board, based upon results for the entire year. This
amount will be payable as and when incentive compensation under such plan for
the year in question is paid to other participants generally but not later
than
two and one-half months after the end of the calendar year in which the
termination is effective. The Board shall determine the amount of any such
bonus
and/or the extent to which any such bonus has been earned under the plan, in
its
sole discretion, considering results for the entire year and not just the period
of Executive’s employment;
(c) all
reasonable expenses Executive has incurred in the pursuit of Executive's duties
under this Agreement through the date of termination which are payable under
and
in accordance with this Agreement;
(d) a
lump
sum payment (net after deduction of taxes and other required withholdings)
equal
to (i) the greater of the number of full months remaining in the Term at the
time Executive’s employment terminated, or twelve (12), times (ii) the monthly
cost, at the time Executive’s employment terminated, for Executive to receive
under COBRA the paid coverage for health, dental and vision benefits then being
provided for Executive at the Company’s cost at the time Executive’s employment
terminated. This amount will be paid at the same time the payment is made under
Section 5.5.1 (a), and will not take into account future increases in costs
during the applicable time period; and
(e)
to
the
extent authorized and permitted by the terms of the applicable plan, any stock
options and restricted stock previously awarded to Executive will continue
to
vest under such plan for the period of time immediately following termination
of
Executive’s employment that is equal to the period of time used to calculate the
payment under Section 5.5.1 (a). This period of time qualifies, in the case
of a
payment under Section 5.5.1, as the period of time during which Executive is
receiving severance for purposes of Section 5.4 of the Charter Communications,
Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, and any applicable stock option
or
restricted stock agreement signed pursuant to a grant under such plan (and
the
payment specified in Section 5.5.1 (a) above qualifies as “severance” for
purposes of Section 5.4 of the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive
Plan.
Executive
shall be entitled to no other compensation or benefits except as expressly
provided in this paragraph.
5.5.2. Termination
by Executive without Good Reason or by Charter for Cause.
If prior
to the expiration of the Term or thereafter, Executive terminates Executive’s
employment prior to expiration of the Term without Good Reason or if Charter
terminates this Agreement for Cause, Executive will be entitled to receive
Executive’s then-existing Salary only through the date such termination is
effective and will be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses Executive has
incurred in the pursuit of Executive's duties under this Agreement through
the
date of termination which are payable under and in accordance with this
Agreement.
Any unvested options and shares of restricted stock shall terminate as of the
date of termination unless otherwise provided for in any applicable plan or
award agreement. Executive shall be entitled to no other compensation or
benefits except as expressly provided in this paragraph.
5.5.3. Termination
upon Disability.
If prior
to the expiration of the Term, Executive’s employment is terminated by either
party as a result of Executive’s Disability, as determined under
Section 5.2, Charter will pay Executive his or her then-existing Salary
through the remainder of the calendar month during which such termination is
Effective and for the lesser of (i) six consecutive months thereafter, or (ii)
the date on which any disability insurance benefits commence under any
disability insurance coverage furnished by Charter to Executive. Any unvested
options and shares of restricted stock shall terminate upon a termination for
Disability unless otherwise provided for in any applicable plan or award
agreement. Executive shall be entitled to no other compensation or benefits
except as expressly provided in this paragraph.
5.5.4. Termination
upon Death.
If
Executive’s employment terminates because of Executive’s death, Executive will
be entitled to receive Executive’s then-existing Salary through the end of the
calendar month in which the death occurs and shall be paid for all reasonable
expenses Executive has incurred in the pursuit of Executive's duties under
this
Agreement through the date of termination which are payable under and in
accordance with this Agreement. Any unvested options and shares of restricted
stock shall terminate upon Death unless otherwise provided for in any applicable
plan or award agreement. Executive shall be entitled to no other compensation
or
benefits except as expressly provided in this paragraph.
5.5.5. Benefits.
Except
as otherwise required by law, Executive’s accrual of, or participation in plans
providing for, the Benefits will cease at the effective date of the termination
of employment, and Executive will be entitled to accrued benefits pursuant
to
such plans only as provided in such plans.
5.6. Conditions
To Payments. To
be
eligible to receive (and continue to receive) and retain the payments and
benefits described in Sections 5.5.1 (a) - (e), Executive must comply with
the
provisions of Sections 6 and 7 and first execute and deliver to Charter, and
comply with, an agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Charter,
effectively releasing and giving up all claims Executive may have against
Charter or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates (and each of their respective
controlling shareholders, employees, directors, officers, plans, fiduciaries,
insurers and agents) arising out of or based upon any facts or conduct occurring
prior to that date. The agreement will be prepared by Charter, will be based
upon the standard form (if any) then being utilized by Charter for executive
separations when severance is being paid, and will be provided to Executive
at
the time Executive’s employment is terminated or as soon as administratively
practicable thereafter (not to exceed five (5) business days). The agreement
will require Executive to consult with Company representatives, and voluntarily
appear as a witness for trial or deposition (and to prepare for any such
testimony) in connection with, any claim which may be asserted by or against
Charter, any investigation or administrative proceeding, any matter relating
to
a franchise, or any business matter concerning Charter or any of its
transactions or operations. A copy of the current standard form being used
by
Charter for executive separations when severance is being paid has been provided
to Executive or is attached to this Agreement as Exhibit 1. It is understood
that the final document may not contain provisions specific to the release
of a
federal age discrimination claim if Executive is not at least forty (40) years
of age, and may be changed as Charter’s chief legal counsel considers necessary
and appropriate to enforce the same, including provisions to comply with changes
in applicable laws and recent court decisions. Payments under and/or benefits
provided by Sections 5.5.1 (a) - (e) will not be made unless and until Executive
executes and delivers that agreement to Charter within twenty-one (21) days
after
delivery of the document (or such lesser time as Charter’s chief legal counsel
may specify in the document) and all conditions to the effectiveness of that
agreement and the releases contemplated thereby have been satisfied (including
without limitation the expiration of any applicable revocation period without
revoking acceptance). It is understood and agreed that if a form of agreement
called for by this Section 5.6 is not presented to Executive within forty-five
(45) days after Executive’s employment terminated, then the requirement that
Executive executes and delivers that agreement will be deemed to be satisfied.
6. Non-Disclosure
Covenant; Employee Inventions.
6.1. Acknowledgments
by Executive.
Executive acknowledges that (a) during the Employment Period and as
a part
of Executive’s employment, Executive will be afforded access to Confidential
Information (as defined below); (b) public disclosure of such Confidential
Information could have an adverse effect on the Company and its business;
(c) because Executive possesses substantial technical expertise and
skill
with respect to the Company’s business, Charter desires to obtain exclusive
ownership of each invention by Executive, and Charter will be at a substantial
competitive disadvantage if it fails to acquire exclusive ownership of each
invention by Executive; and (d) the provisions of this Section 6 are
reasonable and necessary to prevent the improper use or disclosure of
Confidential Information and to provide Charter with exclusive ownership of
all
inventions and works made or created by Executive.
6.2. Confidential
Information.
(a) The
Executive acknowledges that during the Term Executive will have access to and
may obtain, develop, or learn of Confidential Information (as defined below)
under and pursuant to a relationship of trust and confidence.
The
Executive shall hold such Confidential Information in strictest confidence
and
never at any time, during or after Executive’s employment terminates, directly
or indirectly use for Executive’s own benefit or otherwise (except in connection
with the performance of any duties as an employee hereunder) any Confidential
Information, or divulge, reveal, disclose or communicate any Confidential
Information to any unauthorized person or entity in any manner whatsoever.
As
used
in
this
Agreement, the term “Confidential Information” shall include, but not be limited
to, any of the following information relating to Company learned by the
Executive during the Term or as a result of Executive’s employment with
Charter:
(a) information
regarding the Company’s business proposals, manner of the Company’s operations,
and methods of selling or pricing any products or services;
(b) the
identity of persons or entities actually conducting or considering conducting
business with the Company, and any information in any form relating to such
persons or entities and their relationship or dealings with the Company or
its
affiliates;
(c) any
trade
secret or confidential information of or concerning any business operation
or
business relationship;
(d) computer
databases, software programs and information relating to the nature of the
hardware or software and how said hardware or software are used in combination
or alone;
(e) information
concerning Company personnel, confidential financial information, customer
or
customer prospect information, information concerning subscribers, subscriber
and customer
lists
and
data, methods and formulas for estimating costs and setting prices, engineering
design standards, testing procedures, research results (such as marketing
surveys, programming trials or product trials), cost data (such as billing,
equipment and programming cost projection models), compensation information
and
models, business or marketing plans or strategies, deal or business terms,
budgets, vendor names, programming operations, product names, information
on
proposed acquisitions or dispositions, actual performance compared to budgeted
performance, long-range plans, internal financial information (including
but not
limited to financial and operating results for certain offices, divisions,
departments, and key market areas that are not disclosed to the public in
such
form), results of internal analyses, computer programs and programming
information, techniques and designs, and trade secrets;
(f)
information concerning the Company’s employees, officers, directors and
shareholders; and
(g)
any
other trade secret or information of a confidential or proprietary
nature.
Executive
shall not make or use any notes or memoranda relating to any Confidential
Information except for the benefit of the Company, and will, at Charter’s
request, return each original and every copy of any and all notes, memoranda,
correspondence, diagrams or other records, in written or other form, that
Executive may at any time have within his possession or control that contain
any
Confidential Information.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, Confidential Information shall not include information which
has
come within the public domain through no fault of or action by Executive or
which has become rightfully available to Executive on a non-confidential basis
from any third party, the disclosure of which to Executive does not violate
any
contractual or legal obligation such third party has to the Company or its
affiliates with respect to such Confidential Information. None of the foregoing
obligations and restrictions applies to any part of the Confidential Information
that Executive demonstrates was or became generally available to the public
other than as a result of a disclosure by Executive or by any other person
bound
by a confidentiality obligation to the Company in respect of such Confidential
Information.
Executive
will not remove from the Company’s premises (except to the extent such removal
is for purposes of the performance of Executive’s duties at home or while
traveling, or except as otherwise specifically authorized by Charter) any
Company document, record, notebook, plan, model, component, device, or computer
software or code, whether embodied in a disk or in any other form (collectively,
the “Proprietary Items”). Executive recognizes that, as between Charter and
Executive, all of the Proprietary Items, whether or not developed by Executive,
are the exclusive property of the Company. Upon termination of Executive’s
employment by either party, or upon the request of Charter during the Term,
Executive will return to Charter all of the Proprietary Items in Executive’s
possession or subject to Executive’s control, and Executive shall not retain any
copies, abstracts, sketches, or other physical embodiment of any of the
Proprietary Items.
6.3. Proprietary
Developments.
6.3.1. Any
and
all inventions, products, discoveries, improvements, processes, methods,
computer software programs, models, techniques, or formulae (collectively,
hereinafter referred to as “Developments”), made, conceived, developed, or
created by Executive (alone or in conjunction with others, during regular work
hours or otherwise) during Executive’s employment, which may be directly or
indirectly useful in, or relate to, the business conducted or to be conducted
by
the Company will be
promptly
disclosed by Executive to Charter and shall be Charter’s exclusive property. The
term “Developments” shall not be deemed to include inventions, products,
discoveries, improvements, processes, methods, computer software programs,
models, techniques, or formulae which were in the possession of Executive prior
to the Term. Executive hereby transfers and assigns to Charter all proprietary
rights which Executive may have or acquire in any Developments and Executive
waives any other special right which the Executive may have or accrue therein.
Executive will execute any documents and to take any actions that may be
required, in the reasonable determination of Charter’s counsel, to effect and
confirm such assignment, transfer and waiver, to direct the issuance of patents,
trademarks, or copyrights to Charter with respect to such Developments as are
to
be Charter’s exclusive property or to vest in Charter title to such
Developments; provided, however, that the expense of securing any patent,
trademark or copyright shall be borne by Charter.
The
parties agree that Developments shall constitute Confidential
Information.
6.3.2. "Work
Made for Hire."
Any work
performed by Executive during Executive's employment with Charter shall be
considered a "Work Made for Hire" as defined in the U.S. Copyright laws, and
shall be owned by and for the express benefit of Charter. In the event it should
be established that such work does not qualify as a Work Made for Hire,
Executive agrees to and does hereby assign to Charter all of Executive’s right,
title, and interest in such work product including, but not limited to, all
copyrights and other proprietary rights.
6.3.3. Cooperation.
Both
during the Term and thereafter, Executive shall fully cooperate with Company
in
the protection and enforcement of any intellectual property rights that relate
to services performed by Executive for Company, whether under the terms of
this
Agreement or prior to the execution of this Agreement. This shall include
without limitation executing, acknowledging, and delivering to Company all
documents or papers that may be necessary to enable Company to publish or
protect such intellectual property rights. Charter shall bear all costs in
connection with Executive's compliance with the terms of this
section.
7. Non-Competition
and Non-Interference.
7.1. Acknowledgments
by Executive.
Executive acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the services to be performed by
Executive under this Agreement are of a special, unique, unusual, extraordinary,
and intellectual character; (b) the Company competes with other businesses
that
are or could be located in any part of the United States; and (c) the provisions
of this Section 7 are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company’s
business and lawful protectable interests, and do not impair Executive’s ability
to earn a living.
7.2. Covenants
of Executive.
For
purposes of this Section 7.2, the term “Restricted Period” shall mean the period
commencing on the Effective Date and terminating on the later of (i) the second
anniversary (or, in the case of Section 7.2 (a), the first anniversary), of
the
date Executive’s employment terminated, or (ii) the end of the Term. In
addition, the “Restricted Period” also shall encompass any period of time from
whichever anniversary date is applicable until and ending on the last date
Executive is to be paid any payment under Section 5.5. In consideration of
the
acknowledgments by Executive, and in consideration of the compensation and
benefits to be paid or provided to Executive by Charter, Executive covenants
and
agrees that during the Restricted Period, the Executive will not, directly
or
indirectly, for Executive’s own benefit or for the benefit of any other person
or entity other than the Company:
(a) in
the
United States or any other country or territory where the Company then conducts
its business: engage in, operate, finance, control or be associated with a
“Competitive Business” (defined below); serve as an officer or director of a
Competitive Business (regardless of where Executive then lives or conducts
such
activities); perform any work as an employee, consultant, contractor, or in
any
other capacity with, a Competitive Business; directly or indirectly invest
or
own any interest in a Competitive Business (regardless of where Executive then
lives or conducts such activities); or directly or indirectly provide any
services or advice to a any business, person or entity who or which is engaged
in a Competitive Business. A “Competitive Business” is any business, person or
entity who or which, anywhere within that part of the United States, or that
part of any other country or territory, where the Company conducts business:
owns or operates a cable television system, provides direct television or any
satellite-based, telephone-based internet based or wireless system for
delivering television, music or other entertainment programming, provides
telephony services using cable connection, provides data or internet service,
or
offers, provides, markets or sells any service or product of a type that is
offered or marketed by or directly competitive with a service or product offered
or marketed by the Company at the time Executive’s employment terminates; or who
or which in any case is preparing or planning to do so. The provisions of this
Section 7.2(a) shall not be construed or applied: (i) so as to prohibit
Executive from owning not more than one percent (1%) of any class of securities
that is publicly traded on any national or regional securities exchange, as
long
as Executive’s investment is passive and Executive does not lend or provide any
services or advice to such business or otherwise violate the terms of this
Agreement in connection with such investment; (ii) so as to prohibit Executive
from working as an employee in the cable television business for a
company/business that owns or operates cable television franchises (by way
of
current example, Cox or Comcast), provided that the company/business is not
providing cable services in any political subdivision/ geographic area where
the
Company has a franchise or provides cable services and the company/business
is
otherwise not engaged in a Competitive Business, and provided Executive does
not
otherwise violate the terms of this Agreement in connection with that work;
and
(iii) so as to prohibit Executive from engaging in the authorized practice
of
law (it being understood that this does not relieve Executive, or constitute
a
waiver by Charter, of any ethical obligation concerning the representation
of
any client in a matter adverse to Charter or one of its subsidiaries or
affiliates).
(b) contact,
solicit or provide any service to any person or entity that was a customer
franchisee, or prospective customer of the Company at any time during
Executive’s employment (a prospective customer being one to whom the Company had
made a business proposal within twelve (12) months prior to the time Executive’s
employment terminated); or directly solicit or encourage any customer,
franchisee or subscriber of the Company to purchase any service or product
of a
type offered by or competitive with any product or service provided by the
Company, or to reduce the amount or level of business purchased by such
customer, franchisee or subscriber from the Company; or take away or
procure
for the benefit of any competitor of the Company, any business of a type
provided by or competitive with a product or service offered by the Company;
or
(c) solicit
or recruit for employment, any person or persons who are employed by Charter
or
any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or who were so employed at any time
within a period of six (6) months immediately prior to the date Executive’s
employment terminated, or otherwise interfere with the relationship between
any
such person and the Company; nor will the Executive assist anyone else in
recruiting any such employee to work for another company or business or discuss
with any such person his or her leaving the employ of the Company or engaging
in
a business activity in competition with the Company. This provision shall not
apply to secretarial, clerical, custodial or maintenance employees;
(d) perform
any work as an employee, consultant, contractor, or in any other capacity with,
directly or indirectly invest or own any interest in, serve as an officer,
director or advisor or consultant to, or directly or indirectly provide any
services or advice to Cequel III (or any of its affiliates, or any entity
invested in or owned or controlled by Cequel III or any of its principals,
excluding publicly traded corporations in which such person(s) or entities
own
or control less than a 5% interest), or any company or business in which Cequel
III or any of Cequel III’s principals own an interest (other than a publicly
traded corporation in which such person(s) and entities own or control less
than
a 5% interest). It is understood that the principals of Cequel III are Jerry
Kent and Howard Wood. The provisions of this Section 7.2(d) shall not be
construed or applied so as to prohibit Executive from engaging in the authorized
practice of law (it being understood that this does not relieve Executive,
or
constitute a waiver by Charter, of any ethical obligation concerning the
representation of any client in a matter adverse to Charter or one of its
subsidiaries or affiliates); or
(e) disparage
or criticize, or make any derogatory or critical statement about, Charter or
any
of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or any of their respective present or former
directors, officers, employees, or agents.
If
Executive violates any covenant contained in this Section 7.2, then the term
of
the covenants in this Section shall be extended by the period of time Executive
was in violation of the same.
The
covenants contained in this Section shall be interpreted and applied in a manner
which complies with Missouri Supreme Court Rules of Professional Conduct Rule
4-5.6 and which does not in any way violate the Missouri Supreme Court Rules
of
Professional Conduct, understanding Executive is a licensed attorney.
7.3. Provisions
Pertaining to the Covenants.
Executive recognizes that the existing business of the Company extends to
various locations and areas throughout the United States and may extend
hereafter to other countries and territories and agrees that the scope of
Section 7.2 shall extend to any part of the United States, and any other country
or territory, where the Company hereafter operates or conducts business. It
is
agreed that the Executive’s services hereunder are special, unique, unusual and
extraordinary giving them peculiar value, the loss of which cannot be reasonably
or adequately compensated for by damages, and in the event of the Executive’s
breach of this Section, Charter shall be entitled to equitable relief by way
of
injunction or otherwise. If any provision of Section 6 or 7 of this Agreement
is
deemed to be unenforceable by a court (whether because of the subject matter
of
the provision, the duration of a restriction, the geographic or other scope
of a
restriction or otherwise), that provision shall not be rendered void but the
parties instead agree that the court shall amend and alter such
provision
to such lesser degree, time, scope, extent and/or territory as will grant
Charter the maximum restriction on Executive’s activities permitted by
applicable law in such circumstances. Charter’s failure to exercise its rights
to enforce the provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected by the
existence or non existence of any other similar agreement for anyone else
employed by Charter or by Charter’s failure to exercise any of its rights under
any such agreement.
7.4. Notices.
In
order to preserve Charter’s rights under this Agreement, Charter is authorized
to advise any potential or future employer, any third party with whom Executive
may become employed or enter into any business or contractual relationship
with,
and any third party whom Executive may contact for any such purpose, of the
existence of this Agreement and its terms, and Charter shall not be liable
for
doing so.
7.5. Injunctive
Relief and Additional Remedy.
Executive acknowledges that the injury that would be suffered by Charter as
a
result of a breach of the provisions of this Agreement (including any provision
of Sections 6 and 7) would be irreparable and that an award of monetary
damages to Charter for such a breach would be an inadequate remedy.
Consequently, Charter will have the right, in addition to any other rights
it
may have, to obtain injunctive relief to restrain any breach or threatened
breach or otherwise to specifically enforce any provision of this Agreement,
and
Charter will not be obligated to post bond or other security in seeking such
relief. Without limiting Charter’s rights under this Section or any other
remedies of Charter, if Executive breaches any of the provisions of
Section 6 or 7, Charter will have the right to cease making any payments
otherwise due to Executive under this Agreement.
7.6. Covenants
of Sections 6 and 7 are Essential and Independent
Covenants.
The
covenants by Executive in Sections 6 and 7 are essential elements of
this
Agreement, and without Executive’s agreement to comply with such covenants,
Charter would not have entered into this Agreement or employed Executive.
Charter and Executive have independently consulted their respective counsel
and
have been advised in all respects concerning the reasonableness and propriety
of
such covenants, with specific regard to the nature of the business conducted
by
Charter. Executive’s covenants in Sections 6 and 7 are independent
covenants and the existence of any claim by Executive against Charter, under
this Agreement or otherwise, will not excuse Executive’s breach of any covenant
in Section 6 or 7. If Executive’s employment hereunder is terminated, this
Agreement will continue in full force and effect as is necessary or appropriate
to enforce the covenants and agreements of Executive in Sections 6 and
7.
Charter’s right to enforce the covenants in Sections 6 and 7 shall not be
adversely affected or limited by the Company’s failure to have an agreement with
another employee with provisions at least as restrictive as those contained
in
Sections 6 and 7, or by the Company’s failure or inability to enforce (or
agreement not to enforce) in full the provisions of any other or similar
agreement containing one or more restrictions of the type specified in Sections
6 or 7 of this Agreement.
8. Executive’s
Representations And Further Agreements.
8.1. Executive
represents, warrants and covenants to Charter that:
(a) Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Executive nor the performance
of
any of Executive’s duties hereunder in accordance with the Agreement will
violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any order, judgment,
employment contract, agreement not to compete or other agreement or arrangement
to which Executive is a party or is subject;
(b) On
or
prior to the date hereof, Executive has furnished to Charter true and complete
copies of all judgments, orders, written employment contracts, agreements not
to
compete, and other agreements or arrangements restricting Executive’s employment
or business pursuits, that have current application to Executive;
(c) Executive
is knowledgeable and sophisticated as to business matters, including the subject
matter of this Agreement, and that prior to assenting to the terms of this
Agreement, or giving the representations and warranties herein, he has been
given a reasonable time to review it and has consulted with counsel of his
choice; and
(d) Executive
will not knowingly breach or violate any provision of any law or regulations
or
any agreement to which Executive may be bound.
(e) Executive
has not provided, nor been requested by Charter to provide, to Charter, any
confidential or non public document or information of a former employer that
constitutes or contains any protected trade secret, and will not use any
protected trade secrets in connection with the Executive’s
employment.
8.2. During
and subsequent to expiration of the Term, the Executive will
cooperate with Charter, and furnish any and all complete and truthful
information, testimony or affidavits in connection with any matter that arose
during the Executive’s employment, that in any way relates to the business or
operations of the Company or any of its parent or subsidiary corporations or
affiliates, or of which the Executive may have any knowledge or involvement;
and
will consult with and provide information to Charter and its representatives
concerning such matters. Subsequent to the Term, the parties will make their
best efforts to have such cooperation performed at reasonable times and places
and in a manner as not to unreasonably interfere with any other employment
in
which Executive may then be engaged. Nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed or interpreted as requiring the Executive to provide any testimony,
sworn statement or declaration that is not complete and truthful. If Charter
requires the Executive to travel outside the metropolitan area in the United
States where the Executive then resides to provide any testimony or otherwise
provide any such assistance, then Charter will reimburse the Executive for
any
reasonable, ordinary and necessary travel and lodging expenses incurred by
Executive to do so provided the Executive submits all documentation required
under Charter’s standard travel expense reimbursement policies and as otherwise
may be required to satisfy any requirements under applicable tax laws for
Charter to deduct those expenses. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed
or interpreted as requiring the Executive to provide any testimony or affidavit
that is not complete and truthful.
9. General
Provisions.
9.1. Binding
Effect; Delegation of Duties Prohibited.
Neither
this Agreement nor any rights or obligations of Charter under this Agreement
may
be assigned or transferred by Charter except that such Agreement, rights and/or
obligations may be assigned or transferred pursuant to a merger or
consolidation, or the sale or liquidation of all or substantially all of the
assets of Charter, provided that the assignee or transferee is the successor
to
all or substantially all of the assets of Charter and such assignee or
transferee assumes the liabilities, obligations and duties of Charter, as
contained in this Agreement, either contractually or as a matter of law. The
duties and covenants of Executive under this Agreement, being personal, may
not
be assigned or delegated except that Executive may assign payments due hereunder
to a trust established for the benefit of Executive's family or to Executive's
estate or to any partnership or trust
entered
into by Executive and/or Executive's immediate family members (meaning,
Executive's spouse and lineal descendants). Charter also shall have the right
to
delegate its duties under this Agreement and assign its rights under this
Agreement to any subsidiary or affiliate, provided
however,
such
assignment does not render this Agreement void or unenforceable. Any actual
or
attempted delegation or assignment in contravention of this Section 9.1
shall be null and void ab
initio.
9.2. Notices.
All
notices and other communications under this Agreement must be in writing and
will be deemed to have been duly given when (a) delivered by hand (with
written confirmation of receipt), (b) sent by facsimile (with written
confirmation of receipt), provided that a copy is mailed by registered mail,
return receipt requested, or (c) when received by the addressee, if
sent by
a nationally recognized overnight delivery service (receipt requested). Notices
and other communications under this Agreement shall be sent, in the case of
Charter to the attention of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and General
Counsel at Charter’s principal business office and, in the case of Executive, to
the address or facsimile number set forth below (or to such other address or
facsimile number as Executive may designate by notice to Charter):
_________________
_________________
_________________
9.3.
Entire
Agreement; Amendments.
(a)
This
Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to
its
subject matter and supersedes all prior oral and written communications,
agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to terms and
conditions of employment, including, without limitation, specifically that
certain November 22, 2004 memorandum regarding severance guidelines for
executives; provided, however, that this Agreement does not cancel any prior
award agreement entered into by Executive pursuant to or under any stock option
or restricted stock plan, nor relieve Executive of his or her obligations under
any agreement concerning confidentiality of information, non competition, non
solicitation of employees or customers, non disparagement or assignment of
inventions. Superseding such other agreements shall be deemed to not be a
termination thereunder. To the extent any terms of this Agreement conflict
with
the terms of any prior award agreement entered into by Executive pursuant to
or
under any stock option or restricted stock plan, the terms of this Agreement
shall govern.
(b)
Neither this Agreement nor any of its terms may be amended, added to, changed
or
waived except in a writing signed by Executive and the President and/or Chief
Executive Officer of Charter or designee thereof. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, Charter hereby reserves the right to unilaterally amend
this Agreement as necessary to avoid the imposition of liability under or as
a
consequence of the application of the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.
(c)
Executive shall not be entitled to, and waives any rights under or with respect
to, severance or other benefits under any existing or future severance plans,
policies, programs or guidelines established or published by Charter, including,
but not limited to, that certain November 22, 2004 memorandum regarding
severance guidelines for executives.
9.4. Survival,
Captions. This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of Charter, its successors and assigns.
This Agreement shall survive the termination of Executive’s employment. The
captions used
in
this
Agreement do not limit the scope of the provisions. And shall not be used
to
interpret the meaning of the terms of this Agreement. Unless otherwise expressly
provided, the word “including” does not limit the preceding words or
terms.
9.5. Governing
Law; Jurisdiction and Venue.
This
Agreement is deemed to be accepted and entered into in the State of Missouri
and
shall be governed by and construed and interpreted according to the internal
laws of the State of Missouri without reference to conflicts of law principles.
In any suit to enforce this Agreement, venue and jurisdiction is proper in
the
St. Louis County Circuit Court and (if federal jurisdiction exists) the U.S.
District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, and Executive waives all
objections to jurisdiction in any such forum and any defense or claim that
either such forum is not a proper forum, is not the most convenient forum,
or is
an inconvenient forum.
9.6. Severability.
If any
provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of
competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement will remain
in
full force and effect. Any provision of this Agreement held invalid or
unenforceable only in part or degree will remain in full force and effect to
the
extent not held invalid or unenforceable.
9.7 Counterparts;
Effective by Facsimile Signatures.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be
deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken
together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement. This
Agreement may be executed by facsimile signatures.
9.8. Successors;
Binding Agreement.
Subject
to the provisions of Section 9.1, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of
and be binding upon personal or legal representatives, executors,
administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees of
Executive and successors and assigns of Charter. Other than Company and
Executive, and, subject to Section 9.1 hereof, their respective successors
and assigns, there are no intended beneficiaries of this Agreement.
9.9. Withholding
Taxes; Delay In Payments.
Company
may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state
and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable
law
or regulation. In no event shall Charter be required to make, or Executive
be
required to receive, any payment called for by this Agreement if such payment
at
that time shall result in the application of the tax consequences spelled out
in
Section 409A of the Code. In that case, payment will be made at such time as
will not result in the imposition of any adverse tax consequences spelled out
in
Section 409A of the Code.
9.10. General
Satisfaction.
Except
as otherwise specified in this Agreement, this Agreement supersedes and replaces
any prior employment or other agreement between Executive and Charter, and
Charter shall not have any further liability arising out or in connection with
any such prior agreement, whether oral or written, made on or before the
Effective Time with or for the benefit of Executive.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF,
the
parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date above first
written above.
CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
By:/s/
Neil
Smit
/s/
Sue Ann R. Hamilton
Sue
Ann
R. Hamilton
Exhibit 15.1
Exhibit
15.1
October
31, 2005
Charter
Communications, Inc. and subsidiaries
12405
Powerscourt Drive
St.
Louis, MO 63131
Re:
Form
10-Q For The Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2005
With
respect to the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2005,
we
acknowledge our awareness of the use therein of our report dated October 31,
2005 related to our review of interim financial information.
Pursuant
to Rule 436 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”), such report is not
considered part of a registration statement prepared or certified by an
independent registered public accounting firm, or a report prepared or certified
by an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of
Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.
/s/
KPMG
LLP
St.
Louis, Missouri
Exhibit 31.1
Exhibit
31.1
I,
Neil
Smit, certify that:
1.
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I
have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Charter
Communications, Inc.;
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2.
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Based
on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement
of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report;
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3.
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Based
on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information
included in this report, fairly present in all material respects
the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this
report;
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4.
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The
registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and
internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange
Act
Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for
the registrant and have:
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(a)
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Designed
such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure
controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to
ensure
that material information relating to the registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is
being
prepared;
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(b)
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Designed
such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal
control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision,
to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles;
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(c)
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Evaluated
the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures
and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness
of
the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period
covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
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(d)
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Disclosed
in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over
financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent
fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an
annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely
to
materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial
reporting; and
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5.
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The
registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on
our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting,
to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s
board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions):
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(a)
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All
significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial information;
and
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(b)
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Any
fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control
over financial reporting.
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Date:
November 1, 2005
/s/
Neil Smit
Neil
Smit
President
and Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 31.2
Exhibit
31.2
I,
Paul
E. Martin, certify that:
1.
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I
have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Charter
Communications, Inc.;
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2.
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Based
on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement
of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the
statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
report;
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3.
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Based
on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information
included in this report, fairly present in all material respects
the
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this
report;
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4.
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The
registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for
establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and
internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange
Act
Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for
the registrant and have:
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(a)
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Designed
such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure
controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to
ensure
that material information relating to the registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those
entities, particularly during the period in which this report is
being
prepared;
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(b)
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Designed
such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal
control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision,
to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles;
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(c)
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Evaluated
the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures
and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness
of
the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period
covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
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(d)
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Disclosed
in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over
financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent
fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an
annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely
to
materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial
reporting; and
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5.
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The
registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on
our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting,
to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s
board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions):
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(a)
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All
significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial information;
and
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(b)
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Any
fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control
over financial reporting.
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Date:
November 1, 2005
/s/
Paul E. Martin
Paul
E.
Martin
Interim
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal
Financial Officer)
Exhibit 32.1
Exhibit
32.1
CERTIFICATION
OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER
REGARDING PERIODIC REPORT CONTAINING
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
I,
Neil
Smit, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Charter Communications,
Inc.
(the "Company") in compliance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, hereby certify that, the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30,
2005
(the "Report") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission:
· |
fully
complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities
Exchange
Act of 1934; and
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the
information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.
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/s/
Neil Smit
Neil
Smit
President
and Chief Executive Officer
November
1, 2005
Exhibit 32.2
Exhibit
32.2
CERTIFICATION
OF CHIEF FINANCIAL
OFFICER
REGARDING PERIODIC REPORT CONTAINING
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
I,
Paul
E. Martin, the Interim Chief Financial Officer of Charter Communications, Inc.
(the "Company") in compliance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, hereby certify that, the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30,
2005
(the "Report") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission:
· |
fully
complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities
Exchange
Act of 1934; and
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the
information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.
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/s/
Paul E. Martin
Paul
E.
Martin
Interim
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal
Financial Officer)
November
1, 2005