TIME WARNER INC.
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005
Commission file number 001-15062
TIME WARNER INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware |
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13-4099534 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
One Time Warner Center
New York, NY 10019-8016
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)
(212) 484-8000
(Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the
Act:
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| Title of each class |
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Name of each exchange on which registered |
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Common Stock, $.01 par value |
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New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the
Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known
seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities
Act. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file
reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Act. Yes o No þ
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, and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past
90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers
pursuant to Item 405 of
Regulation S-K is
not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of
registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this
Form 10-K or any
amendment to this
Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large
accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated
filer. See definition of accelerated filer and
larger accelerated filer in
Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer þ |
Accelerated filer o |
Non-accelerated filer o |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company
(as defined in Exchange Act
Rule 12b-2 of the
Act). Yes o No þ
As of the close of business on February 17, 2006, there
were 4,418,053,277 shares of the registrants Common Stock
and 87,245,036 shares of the registrants
Series LMCN-V Common Stock outstanding. The aggregate
market value of the registrants voting and non-voting
common equity securities held by non-affiliates of the
registrant (based upon the closing price of such shares on the
New York Stock Exchange on June 30, 2005) was approximately
$74.67 billion.
Documents Incorporated by Reference:
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| Description of document |
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Part of the Form 10-K |
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Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement to be
used in connection with the registrants 2006
Annual Meeting of Stockholders |
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Part III (Item 10 through Item 14)
(Portions of Items 10 and 12 are not incorporated by
reference and are provided herein; portions of Item 11 are
not incorporated by reference and are provided in the
registrants definitive Proxy Statement) |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Time Warner Inc. (the Company or Time
Warner) is a leading media and entertainment company. The
Company was formed in connection with the merger of America
Online, Inc. (AOL) and Time Warner Inc., now known
as Historic TW Inc. (Historic TW), which was
consummated on January 11, 2001 (the Merger or
the AOL-Historic TW Merger). The Company classifies
its businesses into the following five reporting segments:
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AOL, consisting principally of interactive services; |
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Cable, consisting principally of interests in cable systems
providing video, high-speed data and Digital Phone services; |
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Filmed Entertainment, consisting principally of feature film,
television and home video production and distribution; |
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Networks, consisting principally of cable television and
broadcast networks; and |
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Publishing, consisting principally of magazine publishing and,
subject to a pending sale, book publishing. |
At January 1, 2006, the Company had a total of
approximately 87,850 employees.
For convenience, the terms the Company, Time
Warner and the Registrant are used in this
report to refer to both the parent company and collectively to
the parent company and the subsidiaries through which its
various businesses are conducted, unless the context otherwise
requires.
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Sale of Time Warner Book Group and Turner South |
On February 6, 2006, the Company announced that it will
sell Time Warner Book Group Inc., a major trade book publisher
with numerous bestselling authors, to Hachette Livre SA
(Hachette), a wholly owned subsidiary of
Lagardère SCA, for $538 million, subject to working
capital adjustments. The transaction is expected to close in the
first half of 2006. On February 23, 2006, the Company
announced an agreement to sell the Turner South regional cable
network to Fox Cable Networks, Inc. for approximately
$375 million. The transaction is expected to close in the
second or third quarter of 2006.
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New Broadcast Television Network |
On January 24, 2006, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., a
subsidiary of the Company, and CBS Corporation announced
their intent to form a new fifth broadcast network, The CW, to
be launched in Fall 2006. The network will be a 50-50 joint
venture. The WB Network, which is 77.75% owned by the Company,
will cease broadcast in conjunction with the launch of the new
network.
On December 20, 2005, AOL, Google Inc. (Google)
and Time Warner entered into a letter agreement under which
Google will acquire a 5% indirect equity interest in AOL in
exchange for $1 billion in cash, and AOL and Google will
expand their strategic alliance. Under the agreement, Google
will continue providing search technology to AOLs network
of Internet properties worldwide, and Google agreed, among other
things, to enable AOL to sell text-based advertising for
distribution on AOL properties, to grant AOL the right to sell
display advertising on Googles network, and to provide AOL
with advertising credits on Googles network and other
promotional opportunities for AOL content.
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Adelphia Acquisition and Related Transactions |
In April 2005, Time Warner NY Cable LLC (TW NY), a
subsidiary of Time Warner Cable Inc. (TWC Inc.),
reached agreement to acquire, in conjunction with Comcast
Corporation (Comcast), substantially all of the
assets of Adelphia Communications Corporation
(Adelphia), which is currently in bankruptcy.
Through a subsidiary, TWC Inc. will pay $9.2 billion in
cash plus TWC Inc. stock, and Comcast will pay $3.5 billion
in cash. At the same time that Comcast and TW NY entered into
the agreements to acquire the Adelphia assets, TWC Inc. and
Comcast and/or their respective affiliates entered into
agreements providing for the redemption of Comcasts
interest in TWC Inc. and its subsidiary, Time Warner
Entertainment Company, L.P. (TWE), and for the swap
of certain cable systems. These transactions are subject to
customary regulatory and franchise review and approvals, as well
as, in the case of the Adelphia acquisition, the Adelphia
bankruptcy process. Closing of the transactions is expected
during the second quarter of 2006.
After giving effect to the transactions, TWC Inc. will gain
systems passing approximately 7.5 million homes with
approximately 3.5 million basic subscribers (in each case,
as of December 31, 2004) and TWC Inc. will become a public
company. Time Warner will own 84% of TWC Inc.s common
stock (including 83% of the outstanding publicly-traded
Class A Common Stock and all outstanding shares of TWC Inc.
Class B Common Stock) and a $2.9 billion indirect
non-voting economic interest in TW NY. Comcast will have no
interest in either TWC Inc. or TWE after giving effect to the
transactions. For additional information regarding the Adelphia
transactions, see Description of Certain Provisions of
Agreements related to TWC Inc. herein.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements and Risk
Factors
This Annual Report on
Form 10-K includes
certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These statements are based on managements current
expectations and are subject to uncertainty and changes in
circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from the
expectations contained herein due to changes in economic,
business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory factors.
For more detailed information about these factors, and risk
factors with respect to the Companys operations, see
Item 1A, Risk Factors below and Caution
Concerning Forward-Looking Statements in
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Results of
Operations and Financial Condition in the financial
section of this Report. Time Warner is under no obligation to
(and expressly disclaims any obligation to) update or alter its
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, subsequent events or otherwise.
Available Information and Website
The Companys annual reports on
Form 10-K,
quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q, current
reports on
Form 8-K and any
amendments to such reports filed with or furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pursuant to
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 are available free of charge on the Companys website
at www.timewarner.com as soon as reasonably practicable
after such reports are electronically filed with the SEC.
AOL
America Online, Inc. (AOL), a subsidiary of the
Company based in Dulles, Virginia, is a leader in interactive
services. AOL and its subsidiaries operate a leading network of
web brands and the largest Internet access subscription service
in the United States.
AOLs operations, conducted directly and through
subsidiaries, are organized into four business units
Access, Audience, Digital Services and International. The Access
business is focused on attracting and retaining subscribers
(also referred to as members) across AOLs domestic
Internet service provider (ISP) businesses, which
include the AOL service and also the CompuServe and Netscape
Internet services. The Audience business develops AOLs
audience on the Internet by offering a variety of interactive
content and services and generates revenue from that audience
and AOLs domestic ISP subscribers through various forms
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of online advertising as well as online commerce. Brands include
AOL.com, AIM, ICQ, Netscape, Moviefone and MapQuest. The Digital
Services business works to develop next-generation digital
services, including a variety of wireless, voice and other
premium services and applications that appeal to AOL members and
Internet users generally. AOL Europe, the principal component of
the International business, has subscribers in France, Germany
and the U.K., sells advertising and offers local language
content and online communities.
Access
AOL Service
The core AOL service, a subscription-based service with over
19.5 million members in the U.S. and 6.0 million
members in Europe at December 31, 2005, provides members
with access to the Internet and a global, interactive community
offering a wide variety of content, features, services,
applications and tools. Examples include search tools, safety
and security features and tools, specialized content, online
communities, customization and control features and commerce
opportunities.
Subscribers to the AOL service are charged based on the level of
service selected. The primary price plans for U.S. members
are a $23.90 per month plan (increasing to $25.90 in the first
quarter of 2006) that provides unlimited dial-up telephone
access to the Internet and use of the AOL service and a $14.95
per month plan that typically offers unlimited use of the AOL
service through an Internet connection not provided by AOL, as
well as a limited number of hours of dial-up telephone access to
the Internet and the AOL service. Except for certain members on
commitment plans, AOL members may cancel their membership
without early cancellation fees at any time in accordance with
the terms of service. AOL utilizes a number of incentives,
promotions and retention programs to encourage the registration
of new members and the continued membership of existing members,
as well as to bring back former members.
As high-speed Internet access becomes more available, consumers
are migrating from accessing the Internet via a narrowband
connection to a high-speed connection. In the first quarter of
2006, AOL entered into a number of agreements with high-speed
access providers to offer the AOL service along with high-speed
Internet access. Members connecting to the AOL service through a
high-speed connection such as cable or digital subscriber lines
(DSL) can take advantage of expanded multimedia
content, including streaming music, CD-quality radio and other
audio, full-motion video and streaming news clips.
Other Internet Service Providers
The CompuServe and Netscape Internet services offered by AOL
subsidiaries target value-oriented Internet service consumers in
the U.S. Subscriber fees are charged to members based on
the level of service selected.
Audience
AOL offers a variety of websites, portals, such as AOL.com, and
certain related applications and services, which, along with the
AOL and low-cost ISP services, form an online network (the
AOL Network). The AOL Network includes AOL.com, AIM,
MapQuest, Moviefone, ICQ and Netscape. The AOL Network also
includes certain websites that are owned or operated by third
parties or affiliates of the Company for which the Internet
traffic has been assigned by the other party to AOL. AOLs
audience includes AOL members as well as Internet users visiting
the AOL Network. The strategy of the Audience business is to
increase the activity, and maintain or expand the audience, of
unique visitors to the AOL Network, which, in turn, drives
AOLs advertising revenues. During 2005, AOL re-launched
the AOL.com website as a portal, making available to the entire
Internet community expanded features, content and
communications, and search and playback offerings, including
music, movies, television, news and other video features.
AOL earns revenue by offering advertisers a range of online
marketing and promotional opportunities on the AOL Network.
Online advertising arrangements generally take the form of
payments by advertisers on either a fixed-fee basis or on a
pay-for-performance basis, where the advertiser pays based on
the click or
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customer transaction resulting from the advertisement. AOL
offers advertisers banner advertising, search and other
performance-based advertising, as well as a variety of
customized programs, including premier placement, rich media
advertising, sponsorship of content offerings for designated
time periods, local and classified advertising and audience
targeting opportunities.
AOL also generates advertising revenue through Advertising.com.
Acquired by AOL in August 2004, Advertising.com develops and
sells marketing programs to advertisers, primarily on a
pay-for-performance basis, using advertising inventory that
Advertising.com purchases from, or obtains by entering into
revenue-sharing arrangements with, interactive publishers and
websites.
On December 20, 2005, AOL, Google and Time Warner entered
into a letter agreement under which Google will acquire a 5%
indirect equity interest in AOL in exchange for $1 billion
in cash, and AOL and Google will expand their strategic
alliance. Under the agreement, Google will continue providing
search technology to AOLs network of Internet properties
worldwide, and Google agreed, among other things, to enable AOL
to sell text-based advertising for distribution on AOL
properties, to grant AOL the right to sell display advertising
on Googles network, and to provide AOL with advertising
credits on Googles network and other promotional
opportunities for AOL content.
Digital Services
AOLs Digital Services business seeks to develop
next-generation digital services, including a variety of
wireless, voice and other premium services and applications that
appeal to dial-up,
high-speed and mobile AOL members and Internet users generally.
By creating services that appeal to both AOL members and
Internet users, Digital Services aims to create new customer
relationships and to increase subscription, advertising and
other revenues.
AOLs Digital Services business includes AOL Wireless,
which develops and distributes AOLs wireless services and
embedded software solutions. AOL and its subsidiaries also offer
a variety of premium subscription services to AOL members and to
Internet users generally, including AOL Music Now, an online
music subscription service, and AOL Privacy Wall, an advanced
firewall, as well as a variety of voice services, including AOL
Call Alert.
International
AOL Europe, the principal component of the International
business, has its principal operations in France, Germany, the
U.K. and Luxembourg, which is the location from which the AOL
service is supplied in Europe. AOL Europe had approximately
6.0 million members in Europe as of December 31, 2005.
Under applicable telecommunications industry regulations, AOL
Europe is able to offer a competitive bundled broadband access
product, which includes the AOL service and high-speed Internet
access, as well as a
dial-up access product,
to consumers in the U.K., France and Germany. In addition, the
online service provided to members in each of these countries is
produced in the local language and includes online communities.
AOL Europe also supplies the CompuServe service in Europe. AOL
Europe generates revenue by offering advertisers a range of
online marketing and promotional opportunities through its
clients and portals. The AOL service is also offered by a
subsidiary in Canada.
America Online Latin America, Inc. (AOLA), which is
operating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy, is a consolidated
venture operating services in Brazil and Mexico and serving
members of the AOL-branded service in Puerto Rico. AOLA sold its
business in Argentina during 2005 and is in the process of
winding up its remaining operations.
Technologies
AOL employs a multiple vendor strategy in designing, structuring
and operating the network services utilized in its interactive
online services. AOLnet, a transfer control protocol/ Internet
protocol (TCP/ IP) network of third-party network service
providers, is used for the AOL service, the Netscape service,
certain
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versions of the CompuServe service in North America, and other
subscriber services, in addition to being used by outside
parties. AOL expects it will continue to review its network
services arrangements in order to align its network capacity
with market conditions, provide members of its online services
with higher speed access and manage data network costs. In
addition, AOL expects to expand its network services to support
local loop unbundling and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
services in Europe.
AOL enters into multi-year data communications agreements to
support AOLnet. In connection with those agreements, AOL may
commit to purchase certain minimum levels of data communications
services or to pay a fixed cost for network services.
AOL also utilizes the AOL Transit Data Network
(ATDN), the domestic and international network that
connects AOL, CompuServe 2000 and Time Warner Cable high-speed
data customers to the Internet. The ATDN functions as the
conduit between all of Time Warners content and the
Internet, linking together facilities on four continents, with
its greatest capacity in the United States and Europe. The ATDN
Internet backbone is built from high-end routers and
high-bandwidth circuits purchased under long-term agreements
from third-party carriers.
Improving and maintaining AOLnet and the ATDN requires a
substantial investment in telecommunications equipment. In
addition to making cash purchases of telecommunications
equipment, AOL also finances purchases of this equipment through
leases.
Marketing
To support its goals of attracting and retaining members,
growing the audience of the AOL Network, and developing and
differentiating its family of brands, AOL markets its brands,
products and services through a broad array of programs and
media, including broadcast television and radio advertising
campaigns, direct mail, telemarketing, magazine inserts
(including magazines published by the Companys publishing
segment) and print advertisements, retail distribution, bundling
agreements, web advertising and alternate media. Other marketing
strategies include online and offline cross-promotion and
co-branding with a wide variety of partners. Additionally,
through multi-year bundling agreements, the interactive online
services and products are installed on several different brands
of personal computers made by personal computer manufacturers.
AOL also utilizes targeted or limited online and offline
promotions, incentives, marketing programs and pricing plans
designed to appeal to particular groups of potential users of
its interactive online services and to distinguish and develop
its different brands, products and services.
Competition
AOLs Access business competes for subscription revenues
with multiple companies providing
dial-up Internet
service, including EarthLink and discount ISPs such as NetZero.
AOL also competes with companies providing Internet access via
broadband technologies, such as cable companies and telephone
companies, and companies offering emerging broadband access
technologies, including wireless, mobile wireless, fiber optic
cable and power line. AOL also competes more broadly for
subscription revenues and members time and activity with
information, entertainment and media companies.
AOLs Audience business competes for online users
time and attention and advertising and commerce revenues with a
wide range of companies, including ISPs, web-based portals and
individual websites providing content, commerce, search,
communications, community and similar features, as well as
traditional media companies such as Viacom Inc.,
CBS Corporation, News Corporation, The Walt Disney Company
and NBC Universal. Major competitors for Audience include Yahoo!
Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Google, IAC/ InterActiveCorp and
eBay Inc.
AOLs Digital Services business faces competition from a
diverse group of providers in developing and offering embedded
mobile software and subscription online services. Although this
is an emerging area, these services may include educational
services, safety and security services, Voice over Internet
Protocol, mobile content and data services, mobile messaging,
online storage and music and entertainment services.
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AOL Europe operates in a competitive environment involving ISPs
as well as telecommunications companies and cable providers. Its
main competitors are British Telecom and Wanadoo in the U.K.,
Wanadoo and Free in France and T-Online, Freenet and Hansenet in
Germany. AOL Europes non-access competitors are Google,
Microsoft Corporation and Yahoo! Inc. in its main markets,
Web.de in Germany and Voila in France.
AOL faces challenges in gaining access to high-speed networks
for distribution of the AOL service or other AOL services both
from network providers and from competition from other
interactive services providers. AOL also competes with other
interactive services providers to secure relationships with
providers of personal communications devices and related
telecommunications services.
CABLE
The Companys Cable business, Time Warner Cable Inc. and
its subsidiaries (TWC Inc. or Time Warner
Cable), is the second largest operator of cable systems in
the U.S. in terms of basic cable subscribers served. As of
December 31, 2005, Time Warner Cable managed cable systems
serving approximately 10.957 million basic cable
subscribers in highly clustered and upgraded systems in
27 states, of which approximately 9.40 million were in
cable systems owned by consolidated entities and approximately
1.557 million were in cable systems of unconsolidated
investees. All of TWC Inc.s cable business is conducted
under the Time Warner Cable brand name.
The Company currently holds an effective aggregate 79% interest
in TWC Inc., and Comcast holds the remaining interest. See
Description of Certain Provisions of Agreements related to
TWC Inc. herein for additional information with respect to
the Companys and Comcasts ownership in TWC Inc.
As part of the strategy to expand Time Warner Cables
footprint and improve the clustering of its cable systems, on
April 20, 2005, TWC Inc., through a subsidiary, entered
into agreements to acquire, in conjunction with Comcast,
substantially all of the assets of Adelphia. See
Description of Certain Provisions of Agreements related to
TWC Inc. herein for further information. The closing of
the acquisition is expected to occur during the second quarter
of 2006.
Systems Operations
Time Warner Cable principally offers three products: video,
high-speed data and Digital Phone, an Internet
protocol(IP)-based voice service. As of
December 31, 2005, cable systems owned or managed by Time
Warner Cable passed approximately 20 million homes,
provided basic video service to approximately
10.957 million subscribers, approximately
5.401 million of whom also subscribe to Time Warner Cable
digital video service, and provided high-speed data services to
approximately 5.033 million residential subscribers and
commercial accounts and Digital Phone service to approximately
1.10 million subscribers. As a result of the Adelphia
acquisition and related transactions, TWC Inc. will gain systems
passing approximately 7.5 million homes serving
approximately 3.5 million basic subscribers (in each case,
as of December 31, 2004).
TWC Inc. operates large, clustered and technologically upgraded
cable systems in 27 states. Approximately 89% of Time
Warner Cables subscribers are located in eight states and,
as of December 31, 2005, over 75% of its subscribers were
in 19 geographic clusters, each serving more than 300,000
subscribers, and nearly all of its cable systems were capable of
carrying two-way broadband services and had been upgraded to
750MHz or higher.
Time Warner Cable is an industry leader in developing and
rolling-out innovative and advanced new products and services,
including On-Demand services, high-definition television,
set-top boxes with integrated digital video recorders (DVRs),
high-speed data services and IP-based telephony (Digital Phone).
Time Warner Cable is increasingly focused on introducing
innovative products that take advantage of its existing cable
platform and marketing convenient,
easy-to-understand
bundles of these and other products and services to consumers.
Time Warner Cable believes that it can attract and retain
customers by providing these
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multiple-product bundles, such as its video, data and Digital
Phone triple play package, and supporting them with
quality customer care.
Cable operators are subject to regulation at the federal, state
and local level. At the local level, cable operators are
generally required to have a franchise with the local
government. Franchise requirements and the rights and
responsibilities of cable operators and local franchise
authorities are themselves subject to provisions of federal and
state law. See Regulation and Legislation below.
Time Warner Cables video subscribers are typically charged
monthly subscription fees based on the level of service selected
and, in some cases, equipment usage fees.
Movies-on-Demand,
Pay-Per-View movies and
special events are generally charged on a per use basis.
Time Warner Cable offers subscribers different packages of video
services, including basic, standard and digital packages, for a
flat monthly fee. Basic and standard service together provide,
on average, approximately 80 channels, including local broadcast
signals. Subscribers to digital video service generally receive
all the channels included in the basic and standard tiers plus
up to 60 additional digital cable networks and up to
45 CD-quality audio music services. Digital subscribers
also have access to mini tiers of specialized and
niche programming (e.g., sports tiers and Spanish language
tiers). Time Warner Cable also has begun to provide digital
subscribers with access to certain interactive services. As of
December 31, 2005, over 49% of Time Warner Cables
basic video subscribers also purchased digital services.
Recently, Time Warner Cable announced the creation of a Family
Choice Tier.
Regardless of service level, subscribers may purchase premium
channels (including multiplexed versions) and
Subscription-Video-on-Demand
(SVOD) services for an additional monthly fee.
Increasingly, a digital set-top box or comparable device, such
as a
CableCARD®,
is required in order to receive these services.
The rates Time Warner Cable can charge for its basic tier, as
well as for equipment rentals and installation services, are
generally subject to regulation under federal law. For more
information, see Regulation and Legislation below.
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On-Demand Services and Pay-Per-View |
Time Warner Cable offers On-Demand content to customers with
digital set-top boxes across all of its service areas. On-Demand
services enable subscribers to instantaneously view programming
stored on servers at the systems headend and to utilize
functions such as pause, rewind and fast forward while watching
this programming. Free local and national On-Demand content
provides subscribers with access to selected programming from a
variety of sources, with no incremental charges. Subscribers are
charged for
Movies-on-Demand on a
per use basis. SVOD provides digital customers with the ability
to view an array of content associated with a particular content
provider on a monthly subscription basis. Traditional
pay-per-view, with fixed start times and no pause or rewind
functionality, has been largely eclipsed by the availability of
Video-on-Demand
(VOD), except for certain event-based programming.
During 2005, Time Warner Cable introduced a new product known as
Start Over in Columbia, South Carolina. Start Over
uses Time Warner Cables existing VOD technology to enable
viewers to re-start certain TV shows, which are identified by
the presence of an on-screen icon, that are already in progress.
Because the product does not permit subscribers to fast-forward
through commercials, traditional advertising economics are
preserved. Start Over is expected to be launched in additional
areas during 2006.
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Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) |
For a separate fee, Time Warner Cable offers set-top boxes with
integrated DVRs in all of its service areas and, as of
December 31, 2005, over 27% of its digital subscribers have
received them. DVR users can record programming on a hard drive
built into the set-top box through the interactive program guide
and can
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view the recorded programming using functions such as pause,
rewind and fast-forward. DVR users can also record one show
while watching another or record two shows simultaneously.
Video programming rights represent a major cost component for
Time Warner Cable. TWC Inc. generally obtains the right to carry
video programming services through the negotiation of
affiliation agreements with programmers. Most programming
services impose a monthly license fee per subscriber upon the
cable operator and these fees typically increase over time. TWC
Inc.s programming costs continue to rise, especially for
sports programming (See Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition,
Business Segment Results Cable in the
financial pages herein). TWC Inc. obtains rights to On-Demand
programming from film studios and other distributors. TWC Inc.
typically pays the provider a portion of any separate fees paid
by the customer for the selected On-Demand programming.
TWC Inc. obtains the right to carry local broadcast television
stations either through the stations exercise of their
so-called must carry rights, or through negotiated
retransmission consent agreements. See Regulation and
Legislation Communications Act and FCC
Regulation Carriage of Broadcast Television Stations
and Other Programming Regulation below. Time Warner
Cables existing programming and retransmission consent
agreements expire at various times.
Time Warner Cable also carries the high-definition television
signals and other digital signals broadcast by numerous local
television stations, including all stations owned and operated
by the major broadcast networks and nearly all public television
stations, as well as various basic cable and premium networks
and certain high-definition sports programming.
Residential and commercial high-speed data services are
available across TWC Inc.s entire footprint. As of
December 31, 2005, Time Warner Cable had approximately
5.033 million high-speed data subscribers, consisting of
approximately 4.822 million residential subscribers and
approximately 211,000 commercial accounts. Subscribers pay a
monthly flat fee for high-speed data service based upon the
level of service received. Due to their nature, commercial and
bulk subscribers are charged at different rates than residential
subscribers. High-speed data customers connect their personal
computers (PCs) to Time Warner Cables two-way hybrid fiber
optic/coaxial plant using a cable modem.
As of December 31, 2005, Time Warner Cable provided its
voice service, Digital Phone, to approximately 1.10 million
subscribers. Digital Phone is offered across Time Warner
Cables footprint and is available to nearly 85% of Time
Warner Cables homes passed. Digital Phone customers
typically receive unlimited local, in-state and U.S., Canada and
Puerto Rico long distance calling and a number of calling
features for a monthly fixed fee. Subscribers switching to
Digital Phone can keep their existing landline phone numbers and
retain their directory listings. In the future, Time Warner
Cable intends to offer additional plans with a variety of local
and long distance options and other calling features.
TWC Inc.s Digital Phone service utilizes IP technology to
carry telephone calls over TWC Inc.s own managed network
and, for calls to destinations outside of that network, utilizes
the traditional public telephone network. In that regard, TWC
Inc. has multi-year agreements with MCI, Inc. (MCI)
and Sprint Nextel Corporation (Sprint) pursuant to
which these companies assist Time Warner Cable in providing
Digital Phone service. In January 2006, MCI merged with Verizon
Communications Inc., a regional phone company that competes with
Time Warner Cable in some areas. It is not known what impact, if
any, the merger will have on Time Warner Cables Digital
Phone offering.
8
In November 2005, TWC Inc., several other cable companies and
Sprint announced that they would form a joint venture to develop
integrated video entertainment, wireline and wireless data and
communications products and services. The participating
companies have agreed to work together to develop new products
for consumers that combine cables core products and
interactive features and the potential of wireless technology to
deliver advanced integrated entertainment, communications and
wireless services to consumers in their homes and when they are
away. For example, the venture expects to introduce a service
providing a single voice mailbox for both the home and wireless
phone.
TWC Inc. also generates revenue by selling advertising time to a
variety of national, regional and local businesses. Cable
operators generally receive an allocation of scheduled
advertising time on cable programming services into which the
operator can insert commercials. The clustering of TWC
Inc.s systems expands the share of viewers that Time
Warner Cable reaches within a local DMA (Designated Market
Area), which helps local advertising sales personnel to compete
more effectively with broadcast and other media. In addition, in
many locations, contiguous cable system operators have formed
advertising interconnects to deliver locally inserted
commercials across wider geographic areas, replicating the reach
of broadcast stations as closely as possible.
Time Warner Cable also operates
24-hour local news
channels in New York City (NY1 News and NY1 Noticias), Albany,
NY (Capital News 9), Rochester, NY (R/News), Syracuse, NY
(News 10 Now), Charlotte and Raleigh, NC (Carolina News
14) and Austin, TX (News 8 Austin).
Cable Joint Ventures
|
|
|
Texas and Kansas City Cable Partners, L.P. |
Following restructurings in 2004 and 2005, Texas and Kansas City
Cable Partners, L.P. (TKCCP), a 50-50 joint venture
between Time Warner Entertainment-Advance/ Newhouse Partnership
(TWE-A/ N) and Comcast, served approximately
1.557 million basic video subscribers as of
December 31, 2005. Time Warner accounts for its investment
in the venture using the equity method. See Description of
Certain Provisions of the TWE-A/ N Partnership Agreement
herein for information about the Companys and TWC
Inc.s ownership in TWE-A/ N. Beginning on June 1,
2006, either TWC Inc. or Comcast can trigger the dissolution of
TKCCP. If a dissolution is triggered, the non-triggering party
has the right to choose and take full ownership of one of two
pools of TKCCPs systems one pool consisting of
the Houston systems and the other consisting of the Kansas City,
Southwest Texas and New Mexico systems (collectively, the
Southwest systems) with an arrangement
to distribute the partnerships debt between the two pools.
The party triggering the dissolution would own the remaining
pool of systems and its associated debt.
On April 20, 2005, in conjunction with the signing of
agreements related to the Adelphia acquisition, TWC Inc. and
Comcast entered into an agreement pursuant to which, if the
Adelphia acquisition and the related cable system swaps occur,
and if Comcast receives the Southwest systems upon distribution
of the TKCCP assets, as described above, Comcast would have the
right to put the Southwest Texas and New Mexico systems, which
served approximately 484,000 basic subscribers as of
December 31, 2005, to TWC Inc. in exchange for certain TWC
Inc. cable systems serving approximately 400,000 basic
subscribers as of December 31, 2005. Comcasts right
to trigger such a swap would commence on the first anniversary
of the date on which Comcast received the Southwest systems in a
dissolution and expires after 180 days. Under the
agreement, if the value of the systems being transferred between
the parties is different, a cash adjustment will be made to
equalize value. If Comcast triggers the swap, the closing of the
swap will be subject to customary terms and conditions.
9
Competition
Time Warner Cable faces intense competition from a variety of
alternative information and entertainment delivery sources,
principally from
direct-to-home
satellite video providers and certain regional telephone
companies offering phone and DSL services. In addition,
technological advances will likely increase the number of
alternatives available to Time Warner Cables customers
from other providers and intensify the competitive environment.
Video Competition. Time Warner Cables video
services face competition from direct broadcast satellite
(DBS) services, such as the Dish Network and
DirecTV, which is controlled by News Corporation, a major Time
Warner Cable programming supplier. DirecTV and Dish Network
offer satellite-delivered pre-packaged broadcast and programming
services that can be received by relatively small and
inexpensive receiving dishes. The video services provided by
these satellite providers are comparable, in many respects, to
Time Warner Cables analog and digital video services, and
DBS subscribers can obtain satellite receivers with integrated
DVRs from those providers as well. Both major DBS providers have
entered into co-marketing arrangements with regional telephone
companies in an effort to provide customers with video,
telephone and DSL service from what appears to the customer as a
single source. In addition, a number of these telephone
companies have begun fiber upgrades to their networks which,
among other things, enable the delivery of video services
directly to consumer residences. Time Warner Cables VOD
services compete with online movie services, which are delivered
over broadband connection. Time Warner Cables traditional
video services also compete with video services delivered over
broadband Internet connections.
Online Competition. Time Warner Cables
high-speed data service faces competition from a variety of
companies that offer other forms of online services, including
DSL service provided by regional telephone companies and low
cost dial-up services
over ordinary telephone lines. DSL providers have offered
aggressive promotional packages in some of Time Warner
Cables operating areas and, as described above, some DSL
providers have entered into co-marketing arrangements with DBS
operators in an effort to provide customers with DSL, telephone
and video service from what appears to the customer to be a
single source. In some cases, DSL providers also have partnered
with Internet service providers, such as AOL, which may enhance
DSLs competitive position. In addition, as noted above, a
number of regional telephone companies have begun fiber upgrades
to their networks that also enable the delivery of improved
high-speed data services. Other developing technologies, such as
Internet service via power lines, satellite and various wireless
services (e.g., Wi-Fi), including those of local municipalities,
also compete or are likely to compete with cable and cable modem
services.
Digital Phone Competition. Time Warner Cables
Digital Phone service competes directly with the local and long
distance offerings of the regional telephone companies that
provide service in Time Warner Cables service areas, as
well as with wireless phone providers and national providers of
voice over Internet products such as Vonage. This has
intensified the competitive environment in which Time Warner
Cable operates. As noted above, the regional telephone companies
with which Time Warner Cable competes for phone customers also
offer online services and certain of these companies also have
begun to offer video services to consumers as they complete
network upgrades.
Overbuilds. Under the Cable Television Consumer
Protection and Competition Act of 1992, franchising authorities
are prohibited from unreasonably refusing to award additional
franchises. As a result, from time to time, Time Warner Cable
faces competition from overlapping cable systems operating in
its franchise areas, including municipally-owned systems.
Furthermore, legislation supported by regional telephone
companies has been proposed at the federal level and in a number
of states that would allow these companies to enter the video
distribution business without obtaining local franchise approval
and often on substantially more favorable terms than those
afforded Time Warner Cable and other existing cable operators.
Legislation of this kind was recently enacted in Texas. See
Regulation and Legislation below.
Satellite master antenna television (SMATV).
Additional competition comes from private cable television
systems servicing condominiums, apartment complexes and certain
other multiple dwelling units, often on an exclusive basis, with
local broadcast signals and many of the same satellite-delivered
program
10
services offered by franchised cable systems. Some SMATV
operators now offer voice and high-speed data services as well.
Wireless Cable/ Multichannel microwave distribution services
(MMDS). Time Warner Cable faces competition from
wireless cable operators, including digital wireless operators,
who use terrestrial microwave technology to distribute video
programming. Some MMDS operators now offer voice and high-speed
data services.
Additional Competition. In addition to multichannel video
providers, cable systems compete with all other sources of news,
information and entertainment, including
over-the-air television
broadcast reception, live events, movie theaters, home video
products and the Internet. In general, Time Warner Cable also
faces competition from other media for advertising dollars. To
the extent that Time Warner Cables products and services
converge with theirs, Time Warner Cable competes with the
manufacturers of consumer electronics products. For instance,
Time Warner Cables DVRs compete with similar devices
manufactured by consumer electronics companies.
FILMED ENTERTAINMENT
The Companys Filmed Entertainment businesses produce and
distribute theatrical motion pictures, television shows,
animation and other programming, distribute home video product
and license rights to the Companys feature films,
television programming and characters. All of the foregoing
businesses are principally conducted by various subsidiaries and
affiliates of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., known
collectively as the Warner Bros. Entertainment Group
(Warner Bros.) and New Line Cinema Corporation
(New Line).
Feature Films
Warner Bros. produces feature films both wholly on its own and
under co-financing arrangements with others, and also
distributes completed films produced and financed by others. The
terms of Warner Bros. agreements with independent
producers and other entities are separately negotiated and vary
depending upon the production, the amount and type of financing
by Warner Bros., the media and territories covered, the
distribution term and other factors. Warner Bros. feature
films are produced under both the Warner Bros. Pictures and
Castle Rock banners, and also by Warner Independent Pictures
(WIP).
Warner Bros. strategy focuses on offering a diverse slate
of films with a mix of genres, talent and budgets that includes
several event movies per year. In response to the
high cost of producing theatrical films, Warner Bros. has
entered into certain film co-financing arrangements with other
companies, decreasing its financial risk while in most cases
retaining substantially all worldwide distribution rights.
During 2005, Warner Bros. released a total of 24 original motion
pictures for theatrical exhibition, including Harry Potter
and the Goblet of Fire, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,
Batman Begins and The Dukes of Hazard. Of Warner
Bros. total 2005 releases, four were wholly financed by
Warner Bros. and 20 were financed with or by others.
Warner Bros. has co-financing arrangements with Village Roadshow
Pictures, Legendary Pictures, LLC and Virtual Studios, LLC.
Additionally, Warner Bros. has an exclusive distribution
arrangement with Alcon Entertainment (Alcon) for
distribution of all of Alcons motion pictures in domestic
and certain international territories.
WIP produces or acquires smaller budget and alternative films
for domestic and/or worldwide release. In 2005, WIP released
Good Night, and Good Luck and the hit documentary
March of the Penguins, among others.
Warner Bros. distributes feature films to more than 125
international territories. In 2005, Warner Bros. released
internationally 17 English-language motion pictures and 20 local
language films that it either produced or acquired.
11
Theatrical films are also produced and distributed by New Line,
a leading independent producer and distributor of theatrical
motion pictures. Included in its 12 films released during 2005
were Wedding Crashers and
Monster-in-Law.
During 2005, New Line and HBO formed Picturehouse, a
jointly-owned theatrical distribution company to produce and
distribute independent films. In its first year, Picturehouse
released a total of 5 films (one of which was solely an HBO
production), and began production on Fur, an upcoming
release starring Nicole Kidman. Like Warner Bros., New Line
releases a diversified slate of films with an emphasis on
building and leveraging franchises. As part of its strategy for
reducing financial risk and dealing with the rising cost of film
production, New Line typically pre-sells the international
rights to its releases on a territory by territory basis, while
still retaining a share of each films potential
profitability in those foreign territories.
Home Video
Warner Home Video Inc. (WHV) distributes for home
video use DVDs containing filmed entertainment product produced
or otherwise acquired by the Companys various
content-producing subsidiaries and divisions, including Warner
Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, Castle Rock, New Line,
Home Box Office and Turner Broadcasting System. In addition
to the creation of DVDs from new content generated by the
Company, WHV produces and distributes DVDs from the
Companys extensive filmed entertainment library of
thousands of feature films, television titles and animated
titles. WHV also distributes other companies product,
including DVDs for BBC and National Geographic, and national
sports leagues in the U.S., and has similar distribution
relationships with producers outside the U.S.
WHV sells and/or licenses its product in the U.S. and in major
international territories to retailers and/or wholesalers
through its own sales force, with warehousing and fulfillment
handled by third parties. In some countries, WHVs product
is distributed through licensees. DVD product is replicated by
third parties, with replication for the U.S., Canada, Europe and
Mexico provided for under a long-term contract. Among WHVs
2005 DVD releases, 15 film titles generated U.S. sales of
more than one million units each, including The Polar
Express, Batman Begins, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,
Million Dollar Baby, Monster-In-Law and The Notebook.
Since inception of the DVD format, WHV has released over 4,000
DVD titles (including feature films, television and animated
titles) in the U.S. and international markets, led by sales of
Warner Bros. first three Harry Potter films, which
have had total net worldwide sales of over 77 million DVD
units sold through to the consumer. DVD is the fastest selling
consumer electronics product of all time, with an installed base
at December 31, 2005 of over 82 million households in the
U.S. and over 223 million households internationally
(including approximately 46 million households in China).
Television
Warner Bros. is one of the worlds leading suppliers of
television programming, distributing programming in 175 foreign
territories and in more than 40 languages. Warner Bros.
both develops and produces new television series,
made-for-television movies, mini-series, reality-based
entertainment shows and animation programs and also licenses
programming from the Warner Bros. library for exhibition on
media all over the world.
Warner Bros. television programming is primarily produced
by Warner Bros. Television Production Inc. (WBTV),
which produces primetime dramatic and comedy programming for the
major networks and for cable, and Telepictures Productions Inc.
(Telepictures), which specializes in reality-based
and talk/variety series for the syndication and primetime
markets. For the 2005-06 season, WBTV is producing popular
programming such as Gilmore Girls, Smallville and
Supernatural for The WB Television Network (The WB
Network) and ER, Two and a Half Men, Without a Trace,
Cold Case, The O.C., Close to Home, Freddie and Nip/ Tuck
for third party networks and cable distributors.
Telepictures produces the primetime reality
12
series The Bachelor as well as first-run syndication
staples, such as Extra, and the talk shows The Ellen
DeGeneres Show and Tyra.
Warner Bros. Animation Inc. is responsible for the creation,
development and production of contemporary television, made for
DVD, and feature film animation, as well as for the creative use
and production of classic animated characters from Warner Bros.
and DC Comics, including the Looney Tunes and Hanna-Barbera
libraries.
Backlog
Backlog represents the future revenue not yet recorded from cash
contracts for the licensing of theatrical and television
programming for pay cable, network (excluding certain license
fees), basic cable and syndicated television exhibition. Backlog
for all of Time Warners content companies amounted to
$4.5 billion at December 31, 2005, compared to
$3.7 billion at December 31, 2004 (including amounts
relating to the intercompany licensing of film product to the
Companys cable television networks (including HBO and the
Turner Networks) of $774 million and $514 million as
of December 31, 2005 and December 31, 2004,
respectively). The backlog excludes advertising barter contracts.
Other Entertainment Assets
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Inc. licenses and
produces interactive games for a variety of platforms based on
Warner Bros. and DC Comics properties, as well as
original game properties.
Warner Bros. Consumer Products Inc. licenses rights in both
domestic and international markets to the names, likenesses,
images, logos and other representations of characters and
copyrighted material from the films and television series
produced or distributed by Warner Bros., including the superhero
characters of DC Comics, Hanna-Barbera characters, classic films
and Harry Potter.
Through joint ventures, Warner Bros. International Cinemas Inc.
owns interests in 81 multi-screen cinema complexes with over
625 screens in Japan, China, Italy and the U.S.
DC Comics, wholly owned by the Company, publishes more than 50
regularly issued comics magazines featuring such popular
characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and The
Sandman. DC Comics also derives revenues from motion
pictures, television, product licensing and books. The Company
also owns E.C. Publications, Inc., the publisher of MAD magazine.
Competition
The production and distribution of theatrical motion pictures,
television and animation product and DVDs are highly competitive
businesses, as each vies with the other, as well as with other
forms of entertainment and leisure time activities, including
video games, the Internet and other computer-related activities
for consumers attention. Furthermore, there is increased
competition in the television industry evidenced by the
increasing number and variety of broadcast networks and basic
cable and pay television services now available. Despite this
increasing variety of networks and services, access to primetime
and syndicated television slots has actually tightened as
networks and owned and operated stations increasingly source
programming from content producers aligned with or owned by
their parent companies. There is active competition among all
production companies in these industries for the services of
producers, directors, writers, actors and others and for the
acquisition of literary properties. With respect to the
distribution of television product, there is significant
competition from independent distributors as well as major
studios. Revenues for filmed entertainment product depend in
part upon general economic conditions, but the competitive
position of a producer or distributor is still greatly affected
by the quality of, and public response to, the entertainment
product it makes available to the marketplace.
Warner Bros. also competes in its character merchandising and
other licensing activities with other licensors of character,
brand and celebrity names.
13
NETWORKS
The Companys Networks business consists principally of
domestic and international basic cable networks, pay television
programming services and a broadcast television network. The
basic cable networks (collectively, the Turner
Networks) owned by Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
(Turner) constitute the principal component of the
Companys basic cable networks. Pay television programming
consists of the multichannel HBO and Cinemax pay television
programming services (collectively, the Home
Box Office Services) operated by Home
Box Office, Inc. On January 24, 2006, Warner Bros.
Entertainment Inc. (WBE) announced that The WB
Network, a broadcast television network in which a subsidiary of
WBE holds a 77.75% interest, will cease operations commencing
with the Fall 2006 season, and WBE will join with
CBS Corporation (CBS) to launch a new jointly
owned television network.
The programming of the Turner Networks and the Home
Box Office Services (collectively, the Cable
Networks) is distributed via cable, satellite and other
distribution technologies.
The Turner Networks generate their revenue principally from the
sale of advertising (other than Turner Classic Movies, which
sells advertising only in certain European markets) and from
receipt of monthly subscriber fees paid by cable system
operators, satellite distribution services, hotels and other
customers (known as affiliates) that have contracted to receive
and distribute such networks. Turner Classic Movies generates
most of its revenue from the monthly fees paid by affiliates,
which are generally charged on a per subscriber basis. The Home
Box Office Services generate revenue principally from fees
paid by affiliates for the delivery of the Home Box Office
Services to subscribers who are generally free to cancel their
subscriptions at any time. Home Box Offices
agreements with its affiliates are typically long-term
arrangements that provide for annual service fee increases and
retail promotion activities and have fee arrangements that are
generally related to the number of subscribers served by the
affiliate. The Home Box Office Services and their
affiliates engage in ongoing marketing and promotional
activities to retain existing subscribers and acquire new
subscribers. Home Box Office also derives revenues from its
original films and series through the sale of DVDs, as well as,
in recent years, from its licensing of successful original
programming in syndication and to basic cable channels.
Although the Cable Networks believe prospects of continued
carriage and marketing of their respective networks by the
larger affiliates are good, the loss of one or more of them as
distributors of any individual network or service could have a
material adverse effect on their respective businesses. In
addition, further consolidation of multiple-system cable
operators could adversely impact the Cable Networks
prospects for securing future carriage agreements on
commercially reasonable terms, or at all.
Advertising revenues on the basic cable networks and The WB
Network consist of consumer advertising, which is sold primarily
on a national basis in the U.S. (and on a regional basis
outside the U.S.). The WB Network sells time exclusively on a
national basis, with local affiliates of The WB Network selling
local advertising. Advertising contracts generally have terms of
one year or less. Advertising revenue is generated from a wide
variety of categories, including food and beverage, financial
and business services, entertainment, drugs/health and medical
and automotive. Advertising revenue is a function of the size
and demographics of the audience delivered, the CPM,
which is the cost per thousand viewers delivered, and the number
of units of time sold. Units sold and CPMs are influenced by the
quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the audience of
each network as well as overall advertiser demand in the
marketplace.
Turner Networks
Turners entertainment networks include two general
entertainment networks, TBS, with approximately
89.5 million U.S. households as of December 31,
2005, as reported by Nielsen Media Research
(households); and TNT, with approximately
89.8 million households in the U.S. as of
December 31, 2005; as well as Cartoon Network (including
Adult Swim, its overnight block of contemporary animation
aimed at adults) with approximately 88.6 million households
in the U.S. as of December 31, 2005; Turner Classic
Movies, a
14
commercial-free network presenting classic films from the
Companys MGM, RKO and
pre-1950 Warner Bros.
film libraries, among others, which had approximately
71.5 million households in the U.S. as of
December 31, 2005, and Boomerang, an animation network
featuring classic cartoons. Programming for these entertainment
networks is derived, in part, from the Companys film,
made-for-television and animation libraries as to which Turner
or other divisions of the Company own the copyrights, plus
licensed programming, including sports, and original films and
series. Turner has announced that it has entered into an
agreement to sell Turner South, a Southeast regional
entertainment network, which is expected to close in the second
or third quarter of 2006.
Turner has licensed programming rights from the National
Basketball Association (the NBA) to televise a
certain number of regular season and playoff games on TNT
through the 2007-08 season. TBS and Turner South televise
Atlanta Braves baseball games, for which rights fee payments are
made to Major League Baseballs central fund for
distribution to all Major League Baseball clubs. Through a joint
venture with NBC, Turner also has rights to televise certain
NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series races through the end of
2006. Commencing in 2007, Turner has secured rights to televise
certain NASCAR Nextel Cup races through 2014.
Turners CNN and Headline News networks,
24-hour per day cable
television news services, reach more than 89.9 million
households and 88.9 million households in the U.S.,
respectively, as of December 31, 2005. Together with CNN
International (CNNI), CNN reached more than 200
countries and territories as of December 31, 2005. CNN
operates 36 news bureaus, of which 10 are located in the U.S.
and 26 are located around the world.
CNNI is distributed to multiple distribution platforms for
delivery to cable and DSL systems, satellite platforms, mobile
operators, broadcasters, hotels and other viewers around the
world on a network of 10 regional satellites. CNN Headline News
is distributed in the Asia Pacific region and Latin America; CNN
en Español is a separate Spanish language all-news network
in Latin America; and CNNj is an all-news network in Japan.
CNN-IBN, a co-branded,
24-hour,
English-language general news and current affairs channel in
India, was launched in December 2005.
Turner also distributes Pogo (an entertainment network for
children) in India and certain other South Asian territories. In
addition, Turner distributes approximately 45 region-specific
versions and local-language feeds of TNT, Cartoon Network,
Turner Classic Movies and Boomerang in over 125 countries around
the world. In the U.K. and Ireland, Turner distributes
Toonami, an all-action animation network.
In a number of regions, Turner has launched international
versions of its channels through joint ventures with local
partners. These include CNN+, a Spanish
language 24-hour
news network distributed in Spain and Andorra; CNN Turk, a
Turkish
language 24-hour
news network available in Turkey and the Netherlands; and
Cartoon Network Japan. Turner also has interests in services in
China (CETV) and Italy.
In addition to its cable networks, Turner manages various
Internet sites that generate revenue from commercial advertising
and consumer subscription fees. The CNN News Group has multiple
sites, such as CNN.com and allpolitics.com, which are operated
by CNN Interactive. Several localized editions of CNN.com
operate in Turners international markets. In 2005, CNN
launched Pipeline, a broadband news service available via
subscription in 25 countries. The CNN News Group also
produces CNNMoney.com in collaboration with Time Inc.s
Money Magazine. Turner also operates the NASCAR Website,
NASCAR.com, pursuant to an agreement with NASCAR through 2006,
and the PGAs Website, PGA.com, pursuant to an agreement
with PGA through 2011. Turner operates CartoonNetwork.com, a
popular advertiser-supported site in the U.S., as well as 15
international sites affiliated with the regional childrens
services feeds. In 2005, Turner introduced GameTap, a
direct-to-consumer
broadband subscription-based gaming service offering access to
over 300 classic and contemporary video games.
15
Home Box Office
HBO, operated by the wholly owned subsidiary Home
Box Office, Inc., is the nations most widely
distributed pay television service. Including HBOs sister
service, Cinemax, the Home Box Office Services had
approximately 39.9 million subscriptions as of
December 31, 2005. Both HBO and Cinemax are made available
on a number of multiplex channels and in high definition. Home
Box Office also offers subscription
video-on-demand
products, which enable digital cable subscribers who subscribe
to the Home Box Office Services to view programs at a time
of their choice with DVD-like functionality.
A major portion of the programming on HBO and Cinemax consists
of recently released, uncut and uncensored theatrical motion
pictures. Home Box Offices practice has been to
negotiate licensing agreements of varying duration with major
motion picture studios and independent producers and
distributors in order to ensure continued access to such films.
These agreements typically grant pay television exhibition
rights to recently released and certain older films owned by the
particular studio, producer or distributor in exchange for
negotiated fees, which may be a function of, among other things,
the box office performances of the films.
HBO is also defined by its award-winning original dramatic and
comedy series, movies and mini-series such as The Sopranos,
Entourage, Rome, Deadwood and Empire Falls, and
boxing matches and sports news programs, as well as comedy
specials, family programming and documentaries. In 2005 HBO won
27 Primetime
Emmys®
the most of any network.
Home Box Office produced Everybody Loves Raymond,
which completed its ninth and final season on CBS in 2005
and now airs in syndication. Home Box Office also licenses
its successful original programming, such as Sex and the
City, in syndication and to basic cable channels. HBO Sports
operates HBO Pay-Per-View, which distributes pay-per-view
prizefights. HBO Video markets DVDs of a variety of HBOs
original programming, including movies, miniseries and dramatic
and comedy series. Through various joint ventures, HBO-branded
services are also distributed in more than 50 countries in Latin
America, Asia and Central Europe.
New Television Network
On January 24, 2006, WBE, a subsidiary of the Company, and
CBS announced their intent to form a new fifth broadcast
network, The CW, to be launched in Fall 2006. The new broadcast
network will be a 50-50 joint venture between WBE and CBS. The
WB Network, which is 77.75% owned by a subsidiary of WBE and has
operated for the past 11 years, will cease broadcast in
conjunction with the launch of the new network and The WBs
partnership with Tribune Broadcasting (Tribune) will
be dissolved.
The CW is expected to incorporate The WBs current
scheduling model which, among other things, includes a six
night-13 hour primetime lineup and the schedule of
childrens programming now known as Kids WB!,
a five-hour animated programming block on Saturday mornings.
Tribune has owned a 22.25% interest in The WB Network. Sixteen
of the stations owned by Tribune that are current affiliates of
The WB Network and eleven of the CBS-owned UPN stations will
carry the new CW network.
Other Network Interests
The Company and Liberty Media (Liberty) each have a
50% interest in Court TV, which was available in approximately
84.5 million households as of December 31, 2005. Court
TV is an advertiser-supported basic cable television service
providing an informative and entertaining view of the American
legal system. Focusing on investigative television,
Court TV broadcasts live trial coverage by day and original
programs such as Forensic Files and Psychic
Detectives and popular off-network series such as NYPD
Blue in the evening. Under the Court TV Operating Agreement,
beginning January 2006, Liberty may give written notice to the
Company requiring the Company to purchase all of Libertys
interest in Court TV (the Liberty Put) and, as of
the same date, the Company may, by notice to Liberty, require
Liberty to sell all of its interest in Court TV to the Company
(the Time Warner Call). The price to be paid upon
exercise of either
16
the Liberty Put or the Time Warner Call will be an amount equal
to one half of the fair market value of Court TV, determined by
appraisal. As of February 17, 2006, Liberty had not
exercised the Liberty Put and Time Warner had not exercised the
Time Warner Call.
Through a wholly owned subsidiary, Turner owns the Atlanta
Braves of Major League Baseball. During 2005, Turner announced
its intention to sell the team.
Competition
Each of the Networks competes with other television programming
services for marketing and distribution by cable and other
distribution systems. All of the Networks compete for
viewers attention and audience share with all other forms
of programming provided to viewers, including broadcast
networks, local
over-the-air television
stations, other pay and basic cable television services, home
video, pay-per-view and video-on-demand services, online
activities and other forms of news, information and
entertainment. In addition, the Networks face competition for
programming with those same commercial television networks,
independent stations, and pay and basic cable television
services, some of which have exclusive contracts with motion
picture studios and independent motion picture distributors. The
Turner Networks, The WB Network and Turners Internet sites
compete for advertising with numerous direct competitors and
other media.
The Cable Networks production divisions compete with other
producers and distributors of programs for air time on broadcast
networks, independent commercial television stations, and pay
and basic cable television networks.
PUBLISHING
The Companys magazine publishing businesses are conducted
primarily by Time Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Company, either directly or through its subsidiaries. In
addition, Time Inc. operates certain direct-marketing and
direct-selling business. On February 6, 2006, the Company
announced that it will sell its trade book publishing operations
conducted by Time Warner Book Group Inc., a Time Inc.
subsidiary. The sale is expected to close in the first half of
2006.
Magazines
As of February 1, 2006, Time Inc. published over 150
magazines worldwide, approximately 45 in the U.S. and over 105
in other countries. These magazines generally appeal to the
broad consumer market and include People, Sports Illustrated,
Southern Living, In Style, Real Simple, Entertainment Weekly,
Time, Fortune, Cooking Light and Whats On TV.
Time Inc. expands its magazine businesses generally through the
development of product extensions, new magazines and
international editions, and acquisitions. Product extensions are
generally managed by the individual magazines and involve, among
other things, new magazines launches, specialized editions aimed
at particular audiences, and distribution of editorial content
through different media, such as the Internet, books and
television. Many of Time Inc.s magazine brands have
developed websites to distribute editorial content published in
the magazines and content new to Internet audiences.
Time Inc. continues to invest in new magazines, including
Pick Me Up, a weekly womens magazine offering real
life stories in an accessible and entertaining way, and TV
Easy, a weekly compact paid-for TV listings magazine, both
launched by IPC Media in the U.K. in 2005. These launches were
in addition to the magazines launched in 2004, including All
You, a monthly U.S. womens magazine distributed
exclusively, at this time, in Wal-Mart stores, Cottage
Living, a monthly U.S. womens lifestyle magazine,
and Nuts, a weekly U.K. mass-market, lifestyle mens
magazine. Time Inc. also re-launched Life in 2004 as a
weekend magazine distributed in U.S. newspapers nationwide.
In the first quarter of 2005, Time Inc. acquired the remaining
51% equity stake it did not already own in Essence
Communications Partners, the publisher of Essence, the
premier magazine for African-American
17
women. In the third quarter of 2005, Time Inc. acquired Grupo
Editorial Expansión (GEE), a publisher of consumer and
business magazines in Mexico. GEE has a portfolio of 15 titles
including Expansión, GEEs flagship magazine
and Mexicos leading business magazine.
Generally, each magazine published by Time Inc. in the
U.S. has an editorial staff under the supervision of a
managing editor and a business staff under the management of a
president or publisher. Magazine production and distribution
activities are generally centralized. Fulfillment activities for
Time Inc.s U.S. magazines are generally administered
from a centralized facility in Tampa, Florida.
Time Inc.s major magazines are described below:
People is a weekly magazine that reports on celebrities
and other newsworthy individuals. People generated
approximately 13% of Time Inc.s revenues in 2005.
People has expanded its franchise to include People en
Español, a Spanish-language magazine aimed primarily at
U.S. Hispanic readers, and Teen People, aimed at
teenage readers. Who Weekly is an Australian version of
People managed by IPC Media, Time Inc.s consumer
magazine publisher in the U.K.
Sports Illustrated is a weekly magazine that covers
sports. Sports Illustrated for Kids is a sports magazine
intended primarily for pre-teenagers.
In Style is a monthly magazine that focuses on celebrity,
lifestyle, beauty and fashion. In recent years, In Style
has expanded internationally by launching in Australia and the
U.K. under the management of IPC Media; it is also published
under license in six countries.
Real Simple is a monthly magazine that focuses on life,
home, body and soul and provides practical solutions for
simplifying various aspects of busy lives. It is also published
under license in three countries. In addition, Real
Simple launched a weekly television series on PBS in January
2006.
Entertainment Weekly is a weekly magazine that includes
reviews and reports on movies, DVDs, video, television, music
and books.
Time is a weekly newsmagazine that summarizes the news
and interprets the weeks events, both national and
international. Time also has four weekly English-language
editions that circulate outside the United States. Time for
Kids is a current events newsmagazine for children,
ages 5 to 13.
Fortune is a bi-weekly magazine that reports on worldwide
economic and business developments and compiles the annual
Fortune 500 list of the largest U.S. corporations. It is
also published under license in China. Other business and
financial magazines include Money, a monthly magazine
that reports primarily on personal finance, FSB: Fortune
Small Business, which covers small business, and Business
2.0, a magazine that reports on innovation in the worlds of
business and technology.
IPC Media, the U.K.s leading consumer magazine publisher,
publishes over 80 magazines as well as numerous special issues
and guides in the U.K. and Australia. These publications are
largely focused in the television listings, womens
lifestyle, celebrity, home and garden, leisure, music and
mens lifestyle sectors. IPCs magazines include
Whats On TV and TV Times in the television
listings sector, Chat and Woman in the
womens lifestyle sector, Now in the celebrity
sector, Woman & Home and Ideal Home in
the home and garden sector, Country Life and
Horse & Hound in the leisure sector, NME
in the music sector, and Loaded and Nuts in the
mens lifestyle sector. In addition, IPC publishes three
magazines through two unconsolidated joint ventures with Groupe
Marie Claire.
Southern Progress Corporation publishes eight magazines,
including the regional lifestyle magazines Southern
Living and Sunset and the specialty magazines
Cooking Light and Health.
Time4 Media publishes 17 sport and outdoor activity enthusiast
magazines such as Golf, Field & Stream, Ski,
Yachting, Salt Water Sportsman, Transworld Skateboarding and
Transworld Snowboarding, as well as Popular
Science. In addition, Time4 Media oversees the publication
and production of This Old House magazine and the two
television series This Old House and Ask This Old
House.
18
The Parenting Group publishes Parenting and
Babytalk magazines.
Essence Communications Inc. publishes Essence magazine
and produces the annual Essence Music Festival.
GEE publishes 13 consumer and business magazines in Mexico
including Expansión, Quien, a celebrity and
personality magazine, Obras, an architecture,
construction and engineering magazine, Life and Style, a
mens lifestyle magazine, and Balance, a fitness,
health and nutrition magazine for women. In addition, GEE
publishes two magazines through an unconsolidated joint venture
with Hachette Filipacchi Presse S.A.
Time Inc. also has management responsibility under a management
contract for the American Express Publishing Corporations
publishing operations, including its lifestyle magazines
Travel & Leisure, Food & Wine and
Departures.
Advertising carried in Time Inc.s U.S. magazines is
predominantly consumer advertising, including toiletries and
cosmetics, food, domestic and foreign automobiles,
pharmaceuticals, media and movies, retail and department stores,
direct response, financial services and sporting goods. In 2005,
Time Inc. magazines accounted for 23.4% (compared to 24.4% in
2004) of the total U.S. advertising revenue in consumer
magazines excluding Life and other newspaper supplements,
as measured by the Publishers Information Bureau (PIB).
People, Time and Sports Illustrated were
ranked 1, 3 and 4, respectively, by PIB revenue, and
Time Inc. had five of the 15 leading magazines in terms of
advertising dollars.
Through the sale of magazines to consumers, circulation
generates significant revenues for Time Inc. In addition,
circulation is an important component in determining Time
Inc.s advertising revenues because advertising page rates
are based on circulation and readership. Most of Time
Inc.s U.S. magazines are sold primarily by
subscription and delivered to subscribers through the mail. Most
of Time Inc.s international magazines are sold primarily
at newsstand. Subscriptions are sold primarily through direct
mail and online solicitation, subscription sales agents,
marketing agreements with other companies and insert cards in
Time Inc. magazines and other publications.
Time Inc. owns approximately 92% of Synapse Group, Inc.
(Synapse), a leading seller of magazine
subscriptions to Time Inc. magazines and magazines of other
publishers in the U.S. Synapse sells magazine subscriptions
principally through marketing relationships with credit card
issuers, consumer catalog companies, commercial airlines with
frequent flier programs, retailers and Internet businesses.
Under the relevant agreements, in April 2006 the Synapse
minority shareholders have the right to require Time Inc. to
purchase their entire remaining interest in Synapse (the
Synapse Put), and in May 2006 Time Inc. has the
right to require the Synapse shareholders to sell their entire
interest in Synapse to Time Inc. (the Time Inc.
Call). The price to be paid upon exercise of either the
Synapse Put or the Time Inc. Call would be based upon
Synapses earnings for 2005.
Newsstand sales of magazines, which are reported as a component
of Subscription revenues, are sold through traditional
newsstands as well as other retail outlets such as Wal-Mart,
supermarkets and convenience and drug stores, and may or may not
result in repeat purchases. Time/Warner Retail Sales &
Marketing Inc. distributes and markets copies of Time Inc.
magazines and books and certain other publishers magazines
and books through third-party wholesalers primarily in the U.S.
and Canada. Wholesalers, in turn, sell Time Inc. magazines to
the retail segments noted above. Marketforce (UK) Ltd
distributes and markets copies of all IPC magazines, some
international Time Inc. editions and certain other
publishers magazines outside of the U.S. and Canada, which
copies are sold through third-party wholesalers to retail
outlets such as supermarkets and newsagents.
19
Paper constitutes a significant component of physical costs in
the production of magazines. During 2005, Time Inc. purchased
over half a million tons of paper principally from four
independent manufacturers.
Printing and binding for Time Inc. magazines are performed
primarily by major domestic and international independent
printing concerns in multiple locations in the U.S. and in nine
other countries. Magazine printing contracts are either
fixed-term or open-ended at fixed prices with, in some cases,
adjustments based on certain criteria.
Direct Marketing and Selling
Through subsidiaries, Time Inc. conducts direct-marketing and
direct-selling businesses. In addition to selling magazine
subscriptions, Synapse is a direct marketer of consumer
products, including software, DVDs and other merchandise.
Southern Living At Home, the direct selling division of Southern
Progress Corporation, specializes in home décor products
that are sold in the U.S. through more than 35,000
independent consultants at parties hosted in peoples homes.
Book-of-the-Month Club,
Inc. (BOMC) has a 50-50 joint venture with
Bertelsmanns Doubleday Direct, Inc. to operate the
U.S. book clubs of BOMC and Doubleday jointly. The joint
venture, named Bookspan, acquires the rights to manufacture and
sell books to consumers through clubs. Bookspan operates its own
fulfillment and warehousing operations in Pennsylvania. Under
the relevant agreements, in January of each year either
Bertelsmann or the Company may elect to terminate the venture by
giving notice during specified termination periods. If such an
election is made by either party, a confidential bid process
will take place pursuant to which the highest bidder will
purchase the other partys entire venture interest. The
Company is unable to predict whether this bid process will occur
or the amount that may be paid out or received under it.
Books
On February 6, 2006, the Company announced that it will
sell its trade book publishing business conducted by the Time
Warner Book Group Inc. (TWBG) to Hachette for
$538 million, subject to working capital adjustments. The
transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2006.
Time Inc.s trade book publishing operations have been
conducted primarily by TWBGs three major publishing
houses, Warner Books, Little, Brown and Company and Time Warner
Book Group UK. During 2005, TWBG placed a record 69 books
on The New York Times bestseller list, including
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell, The Historian by first
time author Elizabeth Kostova and Your Best Life Now by
Joel Osteen. In addition, new releases from many of its major
recurring bestselling authors made the list, including David
Baldacci, Michael Connelly, Nelson DeMille, James Patterson and
Nicholas Sparks. TWBG also handles book distribution for Little,
Brown and Warner Books, as well as Disney, Microsoft and other
publishers, through its distribution center in Indiana.
The how-to, lifestyle and special commemorative book publishing
businesses of Oxmoor House, Leisure Arts and Sunset Books, which
are operated by Southern Progress Corporation, are not being
sold as part of the sale of TWBG.
Postal Rates
Postal costs represent a significant operating expense for the
Companys magazine publishing and direct-marketing
activities. In 2005, the Company spent over $350 million
for services provided by the U.S. Postal Service. The
U.S. Postal Service has implemented a postal rate increase
of 5.4% effective January 8, 2006. These costs are not
directly passed on to magazine subscribers. Time Inc. strives to
minimize postal expense
20
through the use of certain cost-saving activities with respect
to address quality, mail preparation and delivery of products to
postal facilities.
Competition
Time Inc. faces significant competition from several direct
competitors and other media, including the Internet. Time
Inc.s magazine operations compete for circulation and
audience with numerous other magazine publishers and other
media. Time Inc.s magazine operations also compete with
other magazine publishers and other media for advertising
directed at the general public and at more focused demographic
groups. The magazine publishing business presents few barriers
to entry and many new magazines are launched annually across
multiple sectors. In recent years competitors launched and/or
repositioned many magazines, primarily in the celebrity and
womens service sectors, that compete directly with
People, In Style, Real Simple and other Time Inc.
magazines, particularly at newsstand checkouts in mass-market
retailers. Time Inc. anticipates that it will face continuing
competition from these new competitors and additional
competitors may enter the magazine business and further
intensify competition.
Time Inc.s direct-marketing operations compete with other
direct marketers through all media, including the Internet, for
the consumers attention.
OTHER ASSETS
The Company also has an aggregate equity interest in Time Warner
Telecom Inc. (Time Warner Telecom) of approximately
44% and an aggregate voting interest (consisting of high-voting
common stock) of approximately 71%. Time Warner Telecom is a
provider of managed network solutions to business customers and
organizations in 44 metropolitan markets across the United
States. Time Warner Telecom integrates data, dedicated Internet
access, and local and long distance voice services for long
distance carriers, wireless communications companies, incumbent
local exchange carriers and various organizations in the public
and private sector. The Companys nominees to the Board of
Directors of Time Warner Telecom are limited to less than a
majority by the terms of a stockholder agreement, and Time
Warner Telecom is a separately-managed public company whose
stock is traded through Nasdaq. Its financial results are not
consolidated with those of the Company. The Company has
determined that it does not consider its interest in Time Warner
Telecom to be strategic and has so advised Time Warner Telecom.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Time Warner Inc. is one of the worlds leading creators,
owners and distributors of intellectual property. The
Companys vast intellectual property assets include
copyrights in motion pictures, television programs, books,
magazines and software; trademarks in names, logos and
characters; patents or patent applications for inventions
related to its products and services; and licenses of
intellectual property rights of various kinds. These
intellectual property assets, both in the U.S. and in other
countries around the world, are among the Companys most
valuable assets. The Company derives value from these assets
through a range of business models, including the theatrical
release of films, the licensing of its films and television
programming to multiple domestic and international television
and cable networks and pay television services, and the sale of
products such as DVDs and magazines. It also derives revenues
related to its intellectual property through advertising in its
magazines, networks, cable systems and online services and from
various types of licensing activities, including licensing of
its trademarks and characters. To protect these assets, the
Company relies upon a combination of copyright, trademark,
unfair competition, patent and trade secret laws and contract
provisions. The duration of the protection afforded to the
Companys intellectual property depends on the type of
property in question and the laws and regulations of the
relevant jurisdiction; in the case of licenses, it also depends
on contractual and/or statutory provisions.
The Company vigorously pursues all appropriate avenues of
protection for its intellectual property. However, there can be
no assurance of the degree to which these measures will be
successful in any given case. Policing unauthorized use of the
Companys intellectual property is often difficult and the
steps taken may not
21
in every case prevent misappropriation. Piracy, particularly in
the digital environment, continues to present a threat to
revenues from products and services based on intellectual
property. The Company seeks to limit that threat through a
combination of approaches, including offering legitimate market
alternatives, applying digital rights management technologies,
pursuing legal sanctions for infringement, promoting appropriate
legislative initiatives, and enhancing public awareness of the
meaning and value of intellectual property. The Company works
with various cross-industry groups and trade associations, as
well as with strategic partners to develop and implement
technological solutions to control digital piracy.
Third parties may bring intellectual property infringement
claims or challenge the validity or scope of the Companys
intellectual property from time to time, and such challenges
could result in the limitation or loss of intellectual property
rights. In addition, domestic and international laws, statutes
and regulations are constantly changing, and the Companys
assets may be either adversely or beneficially affected by such
changes. Moreover, effective intellectual property protection
may be either unavailable or limited in certain foreign
territories. The Company therefore engages in efforts to
strengthen and update intellectual property protection around
the world, including efforts to ensure effective and
appropriately tailored remedies for infringement.
REGULATION AND LEGISLATION
The Companys cable system, cable and broadcast television
network, original programming and Internet businesses are
subject, in part, to regulation by the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC), and the cable system business is
also subject to regulation by most local and some state
governments where the Company has cable systems. The
Companys magazine and other direct marketing activities
are also subject to regulation. In addition, in connection with
regulatory clearance of the AOL-Historic TW Merger, the
Companys cable system and Internet businesses are subject
to the terms of the Consent Decree (the Consent
Decree) issued by the Federal Trade Commission
(FTC), the Memorandum Opinion and Order
(Order) issued by the FCC, as well as other
conditions that have been fully satisfied and are no longer
relevant. The Company is also subject to an FTC consent decree
(the Turner Consent Decree) as a result of the
FTCs approval of the acquisition of Turner Broadcasting
System, Inc. in 1996.
The following is a summary of the terms of these orders as well
as current significant federal, state and local laws and
regulations affecting the growth and operation of these
businesses. In addition, various legislative and regulatory
proposals under consideration from time to time by Congress and
various federal agencies have in the past materially affected,
and may in the future materially affect, the Company.
FTC Consent Decree
In December 2000, the FTC issued a Consent Decree in connection
with the AOL-Historic TW Merger. The consent decree provided
that, with the exception of Road Runner, Time Warner Cable was
not permitted to launch an affiliated ISP, like the AOL for
Broadband service, in the majority of its operating area until
it launched the EarthLink service, an unaffiliated ISP, on those
systems. The Consent Decree also provided that for those
systems, Time Warner Cable was required to enter into agreements
with two additional unaffiliated ISPs within 90 days after
launching an affiliated ISP. In addition, the Consent Decree
required that, in its remaining systems, Time Warner Cable had
to enter into agreements with three unaffiliated providers
within 90 days after launching an affiliated ISP.
Time Warner Cable has now entered into, and received FTC
approval for, agreements with the required number of
unaffiliated ISPs in all covered systems. If any of the required
agreements expires or is terminated during the term of the
Consent Decree, Time Warner Cable will be required to replace it
with another approved agreement.
The Consent Decree also requires that Time Warner Cables
FTC-approved agreements contain a provision that requires Time
Warner Cable to give notice to the unaffiliated ISPs if Time
Warner enters into an agreement for AOL to provide ISP Service,
as defined under the Decree, with any one of six specified cable
operators. In that event, the Company is required to give each
unaffiliated ISP the option to adopt all
22
terms and conditions of the relevant AOL ISP Service agreement.
In addition, the Consent Decree requires that Time Warner
continue to offer and promote DSL service in areas served
by Time Warner Cable to the same extent and on terms comparable
to the terms offered in areas not served by Time Warner Cable.
AOL is also prohibited from entering into agreements with cable
MSOs that restrict the ability of that MSO to enter into
agreements with other ISPs or interactive television providers.
The Companys obligations under the Consent Decree expire
on April 17, 2006.
FCC Memorandum Opinion and Order
In January 2001, the FCC issued an Order imposing certain
requirements regarding Time Warner Cables provision of
ISPs with which Time Warner Cable has entered into distribution
agreements. Specifically, the Order requires Time Warner Cable
to provide consumers with a list of available ISPs upon request,
to allow such ISPs to determine the content on their first
screen, and to allow such ISPs to have direct billing
arrangements with the subscribers they obtain. The Order
prohibits Time Warner Cable from requiring customers to go
through an affiliated ISP to reach an unaffiliated ISP, from
requiring such ISPs to include particular content, and from
discriminating on the basis of affiliation with regard to
technical system performance.
In addition, the FCCs Order prohibits the Company from
entering into any agreement with Comcast that gives any ISP
affiliated with the Company exclusive carriage rights on any
former AT&T cable system for broadband ISP services or that
affects Comcasts ability to offer rates or other carriage
terms to ISPs that are not affiliated with the Company.
Turner FTC Consent Decree
The Company is also subject to the terms of a consent decree
(the Turner Consent Decree) entered in connection
with the FTCs approval of the acquisition of Turner by
Historic TW in 1996. Certain requirements imposed by the Turner
Consent Decree, such as carriage commitments for Time Warner
Cable for the rollout of at least one independent national news
video programming service, have been fully satisfied by the
Company. Various other conditions remain in effect, including
certain restrictions that prohibit the Company from offering
programming upon terms that (1) condition the availability
of, or the carriage terms for, the HBO service upon whether a
multichannel video programming distributor carries a video
programming service affiliated with Turner; and
(2) condition the availability of, or the carriage terms
for, CNN, TBS and TNT upon whether a multichannel video
programming distributor carries any video programming service
affiliated with TWE. The Turner Consent Decree also imposes
certain restrictions on the terms by which a Turner video
programming service may be offered to an unaffiliated
programming distributor that competes in areas served by Time
Warner Cable.
Other conditions of the Turner Consent Decree prohibit Time
Warner Cable from requiring, as a condition of carriage, that
any national video programming vendor provide a financial
interest in its programming service or that such programming
vendor provide exclusive rights against any other multichannel
programming distributor. In addition, Time Warner Cable may not
discriminate on the basis of affiliation in the selection, terms
or conditions of carriage for national video programming vendors.
The Turner Consent Decree also requires that any Time Warner
stock held by Liberty Media Corporation (Liberty),
its former corporate parent, Tele-Communications, Inc.
(TCI), which was merged with AT&T in 1999 and
was subsequently acquired by Comcast in 2002, as well as by the
late Bob Magness and John C. Malone as individuals, be
non-voting except that such securities are entitled to a vote of
one-one hundredth (1/100) of a vote per share owned when voting
with the outstanding common stock on the election of directors
and a vote equal to the vote of the common stock with respect to
corporate matters that would adversely change the rights or
terms of these non-voting securities. Upon the sale of these
non-voting securities to any independent third party, the
securities may be converted into voting stock of Time Warner.
The Turner Consent Decree also prohibits Liberty, TCI (now
Comcast), the late Bob Magness and John C. Malone as
individuals, from holding ownership interests, collectively, of
more than 9.2% of the fully diluted equity of Time Warner. In
2002, Liberty sought to eliminate these restrictions from the
Turner Consent Decree; the petition was denied by the FTC
without prejudice.
23
The Turner Consent Decree was modified by the FTC on
December 21, 2004, upon application by Liberty, to permit
Liberty to lend to a third party the Company common stock into
which the non-voting stock held by it is convertible, provided
that Liberty has no right to vote or to direct the voting of the
loaned common stock and will not directly or indirectly
influence or attempt to influence the voting of such stock. The
Turner Consent Decree will expire in February 2007. On
February 16, 2006, Liberty filed a petition with the FTC
seeking to terminate the Turner Consent Decree as it applies to
Liberty in advance of the 2007 expiration, including all voting
restrictions on its Time Warner stock holdings, based on changed
circumstances.
Cable System Regulation
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Communications Act and FCC Regulation |
The Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the
Communications Act), and the regulations and
policies of the FCC affect significant aspects of Time Warner
Cables operations, including video subscriber rates;
carriage of broadcast television stations, as well as the way
Time Warner Cable sells its video program packages to
subscribers; the use of cable systems by franchising authorities
and other third parties; cable system ownership; offering of
voice and high-speed data services; and use of utility poles and
conduits.
Subscriber Rates. The Communications Act and the
FCCs rules regulate rates for basic cable service and
equipment in communities that are not subject to effective
competition, as defined by federal law. Where there is no
effective competition, federal law authorizes franchising
authorities to regulate the monthly rates charged by the
operator for the minimum level of video programming service,
referred to as basic service, which generally includes local
broadcast channels and public access or educational and
government channels required by the franchise. This kind of
regulation also applies to the installation, sale and lease of
equipment used by subscribers to receive basic service, such as
set-top boxes and remote control units. In many localities, Time
Warner Cable is no longer subject to this rate regulation,
either because the local franchising authority has not become
certified by the FCC to regulate these rates or because the FCC
has found that there is effective competition.
Carriage of Broadcast Television Stations and Other
Programming Regulation. The Communications Act and the
FCCs regulations contain broadcast signal carriage
requirements that allow local commercial television broadcast
stations to elect once every three years to require a cable
system to carry their stations, subject to some exceptions, or
to negotiate with cable systems the terms by which the cable
systems may carry their stations, commonly called
retransmission consent. The most recent election by
broadcasters became effective on January 1, 2006.
The Communications Act and the FCCs regulations require a
cable operator to devote up to one-third of its activated
channel capacity for the mandatory carriage of local commercial
television stations. The Communications Act and the FCCs
regulations give local non-commercial television stations
mandatory carriage rights, but non-commercial stations do not
have the option to negotiate retransmission consent for the
carriage of their signals by cable systems. Additionally, cable
systems must obtain retransmission consent for all
distant commercial television stations (i.e., those
television stations outside the DMA to which a community is
assigned) except for commercial satellite-delivered independent
superstations and some low-power television stations.
FCC regulations require Time Warner Cable to carry the signals
of both commercial and non-commercial local digital-only
broadcast stations and the digital signals of local broadcast
stations that return their analog spectrum to the government and
convert to a digital broadcast format. The FCCs rules give
digital-only broadcast stations discretion to elect whether the
operator will carry the stations primary signal in a
digital or converted analog format, and the rules also permit
broadcasters with both analog and digital signals to tie the
carriage of their digital signals to the carriage of their
analog signals as a retransmission consent condition.
The Communications Act also permits franchising authorities to
negotiate with cable operators for channels for public,
educational and governmental access programming. Moreover, it
requires a cable system
24
with 36 or more activated channels to designate a significant
portion of its channel capacity for commercial leased access by
third parties to provide programming that may compete with
services offered by the cable operator. The FCC regulates
various aspects of such third-party commercial use of channel
capacity on Time Warner Cables cable systems, including
the rates and some terms and conditions of the commercial use.
High-Speed Internet Access. From time to time, industry
groups, telephone companies and ISPs have sought local, state
and federal regulations that would require cable operators to
sell capacity on their systems to ISPs under a common carrier
regulatory scheme. Cable operators have successfully challenged
regulations requiring this forced access, although
courts that have considered these cases have employed varying
legal rationales in rejecting these regulations.
In 2002, the FCC released an order in which it determined that
cable-modem service constitutes an information
service rather than a cable service or a
telecommunications service, as those terms are used
in the Communications Act. That determination has now been
largely sustained by the U.S. Supreme Court. According to
the FCC, an information service classification may
permit but does not require it to impose multiple
ISP requirements. In 2002, the FCC initiated a rulemaking
proceeding to consider whether it may and should do so and
whether local franchising authorities should be permitted to do
so. This rulemaking proceeding remains pending.
In 2005, the FCC adopted a Policy Statement intended to offer
guidance on its approach to the Internet and broadband access.
Among other things, the Policy Statement stated that consumers
are entitled to competition among network, service and content
providers, and to access the lawful content and services of
their choice, subject to the needs of law enforcement. The FCC
may in the future adopt specific regulations to implement the
Policy Statement.
Ownership Limitations. There are various rules
prohibiting joint ownership of cable systems and other kinds of
communications facilities. Local telephone companies generally
may not acquire more than a small equity interest in an existing
cable system in the telephone companys service area, and
cable operators generally may not acquire more than a small
equity interest in a local telephone company providing service
within the cable operators franchise area. In addition,
cable operators may not have more than a small interest in
multichannel multipoint distribution services
facilities or satellite master antenna television
systems in their service areas. Finally, the FCC has been
exploring whether it should prohibit cable operators from
holding ownership interests in satellite operators.
The Communications Act also required the FCC to adopt
reasonable limits on the number of subscribers a
cable operator may reach through systems in which it holds an
ownership interest. In September 1993, the FCC adopted a rule
that was later amended to prohibit any cable operator from
serving more than 30% of all cable, satellite and other
multi-channel subscribers nationwide. The Communications Act
also required the FCC to adopt reasonable limits on
the number of channels that cable operators may fill with
programming services in which they hold an ownership interest.
In September 1993, the FCC imposed a limit of 40% of a cable
operators first 75 activated channels. In March 2001, a
federal appeals court struck down both limits and remanded the
issue to the FCC for further review. The FCC initiated a
rulemaking in 2001 to consider adopting a new horizontal
ownership limit and recently announced a follow-on proceeding to
consider the issue anew. The FCC is currently exploring whether
it should re-impose any limits. The Company believes that it is
unlikely that the FCC will adopt limits more stringent than
those struck down.
Local telephone companies may provide service as traditional
cable operators with local franchises or they may opt to provide
their programming over unfranchised open video
systems. Open video systems are subject to specified
requirements, including, but not limited to, a requirement that
they set aside a portion of their channel capacity for use by
unaffiliated program distributors on a non-discriminatory basis.
A federal appellate court overturned various parts of the
FCCs open video rules, including the FCCs preemption
of local franchising requirements for open video operators. The
FCC has modified its open video rules to comply with the federal
courts decision.
Pole Attachment Regulation. The Communications Act
requires that utilities provide cable systems and
telecommunications carriers with nondiscriminatory access to any
pole, conduit or
right-of-way controlled
by
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investor-owned utilities. The Communications Act also requires
the FCC to regulate the rates, terms and conditions imposed by
these utilities for cable systems use of utility pole and
conduit space unless state authorities demonstrate to the FCC
that they adequately regulate pole attachment rates, as is the
case in some states in which Time Warner Cable operates. In the
absence of state regulation, the FCC administers pole attachment
rates on a formula basis. The FCCs original rate formula
governs the maximum rate utilities may charge for attachments to
their poles and conduit by cable operators providing cable
services. The FCC also adopted a second rate formula that became
effective in February 2001 and governs the maximum rate
investor-owned utilities may charge for attachments to their
poles and conduit by companies providing telecommunications
services. Any increase in attachment rates resulting from the
FCCs new rate formula is being phased in (in equal annual
installments) over a five-year period that began in February
2001. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the FCCs
jurisdiction to regulate the rates, terms and conditions of
cable operators pole attachments that are being used to
provide both cable service and high-speed data service.
Other Regulatory Requirements of the Communications Act and
the FCC. The Communications Act also includes provisions
regulating customer service, subscriber privacy, marketing
practices, equal employment opportunity, technical standards and
equipment compatibility, antenna structure notification,
marking, lighting, emergency alert system requirements and the
collection from cable operators of annual regulatory fees, which
are calculated based on the number of subscribers served and the
types of FCC licenses held.
Certain regulatory requirements are also applicable to set-top
boxes. Currently, many cable subscribers rent from their cable
operator a set-top box that performs both signal-reception
functions and conditional-access security functions. The lease
rates cable operators charge for this equipment are subject to
rate regulation to the same extent as basic cable service. In
1996, Congress enacted a statute seeking to allow subscribers to
use set-top boxes obtained from third-party retailers. The most
important of the FCCs implementing regulations requires
cable operators to offer separate equipment providing only the
security function (so that subscribers can purchase set-top
boxes or other navigational devices from other sources) and to
cease placing into service new set-top boxes that have
integrated security. The regulations requiring cable operators
to cease distributing set-top boxes with integrated security are
currently scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2007. In
addition, the FCC recently ordered the cable industry to
investigate and report on the possibility of implementing a
downloadable security system that would be accessible to all
set-top devices. If the implementation of such a system proves
technologically feasible, this may eliminate the need for
consumers to lease separate conditional-access security devices.
In December 2002, cable operators and consumer-electronics
companies entered into a standard-setting agreement relating to
interoperability between cable systems and reception equipment.
Among other things, the agreement envisions consumer electronics
devices with a slot for a conditional-access security
card a
CableCARD(tm)
provided by the cable operator. To implement the agreement, the
FCC promulgated regulations that: require cable systems with
activated spectrum of 750 MHz or greater to support
unidirectional digital devices; establish a voluntary labeling
system for unidirectional devices; prohibit so-called
selectable output controls; and adopt
content-encoding rules. The FCC has issued a further notice of
proposed rulemaking to consider additional changes. Cable
operators, consumer-electronics companies and other market
participants are holding discussions that may lead to a similar
set of interoperability agreements covering digital devices
capable of carrying cable operators two-way and
interactive products and services.
Separately, the FCC has adopted cable inside wiring rules to
provide specific procedures for the disposition of residential
home wiring and internal building wiring where a subscriber
terminates service or where an incumbent cable operator is
forced by a building owner to terminate service in a multiple
dwelling unit building. The FCC has also adopted rules providing
that, in the event that an incumbent cable operator sells the
inside wiring, it must make the wiring available to the multiple
dwelling unit owner or the alternative cable service provider
during the 24-hour
period prior to the actual service termination by the incumbent,
in order to avoid service interruption.
Compulsory Copyright Licenses for Carriage of Broadcast
Stations and Music Performance Licenses. Time Warner
Cables cable systems provide subscribers with, among other
things, local and distant television broadcast stations. Time
Warner Cable generally does not obtain a license to use the
copyrighted perform-
26
ances contained in these stations programming directly
from program owners. Instead, it obtains this license pursuant
to a compulsory license provided by federal law, which requires
it to make payments to a copyright pool. The elimination or
substantial modification of the cable compulsory license could
adversely affect Time Warner Cables ability to obtain
suitable programming and could substantially increase the cost
of programming that remains available for distribution to its
subscribers.
When Time Warner Cable obtains programming from third parties,
it generally obtains licenses that include any necessary
authorizations to transmit the music included in it. When Time
Warner Cable creates its own programming and provides various
other programming or related content, including local
origination programming and advertising that it inserts into
cable-programming networks, it is required to obtain any
necessary music performance licenses directly from the rights
holders. These rights are generally controlled by three music
performance rights organizations, each with rights to the music
of various composers. Time Warner Cable generally has obtained
the necessary licenses, either through negotiated licenses or
through procedures established by consent decrees entered into
by some of the music performance rights organizations.
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State and Local Regulation |
Cable operators operate their systems under non-exclusive
franchises. Franchises are awarded, and cable operators are
regulated, by municipal or other franchising authorities. In
some states, cable regulation is imposed at the state level as
well. The Company believes it generally has good relations with
state and local cable regulators.
Franchise agreements typically require payment of franchise fees
and contain regulatory provisions addressing, among other
things, upgrades, service quality, cable service to schools and
other public institutions, insurance and indemnity bonds. The
terms and conditions of cable franchises vary from jurisdiction
to jurisdiction. The Communications Act provides protections
against many unreasonable terms. In particular, the
Communications Act imposes a ceiling on franchise fees of five
percent of revenues derived from cable service. Time Warner
Cable generally passes the franchise fee on to its subscribers,
listing it as a separate item on the bill.
Franchise agreements usually have a term of ten to 15 years
from the date of grant, although some renewals may be for
shorter terms. Franchises usually are terminable only if the
cable operator fails to comply with material provisions. Time
Warner Cable has not had a franchise terminated due to breach.
After a franchise agreement expires, a franchising authority may
seek to impose new and more onerous requirements, including
requirements to upgrade facilities, to increase channel capacity
and to provide various new services. Federal law, however,
provides significant substantive and procedural protections for
cable operators seeking renewal of their franchises. In
addition, although Time Warner Cable occasionally reaches the
expiration date of a franchise agreement without having a
written renewal or extension, it generally has the right to
continue to operate, either by agreement with the franchising
authority or by law, while continuing to negotiate a renewal. In
the past, substantially all of the material franchises relating
to its systems have been renewed by the relevant local
franchising authority, though sometimes only after significant
time and effort. Despite its efforts and the protections of
federal law, it is possible that some Time Warner Cable
franchises may not be renewed, and Time Warner Cable may be
required to make significant additional investments in its cable
systems in response to requirements imposed in the course of the
franchise renewal process.
Franchises usually require the consent of franchising
authorities prior to the sale, assignment, transfer or change of
control of a cable system. Federal law imposes various
limitations on the conditions local authorities may impose and
requires localities to act on such requests within
120 days, provided that information requested by the local
franchising authorities is timely provided. Time Warner Cable,
Adelphia and Comcast are seeking the consents of local
franchising authorities in connection with the Adelphia
acquisition and related cable swaps, as applicable, described in
greater detail below, through the submission of FCC
Form 394s, where applicable. Notwithstanding the submission
of any such FCC Form 394s, Time Warner Cable, Adelphia and
Comcast reserve their rights to seek the application of
Section 365 of the Bankruptcy Code, including a provision
which may serve to override consent provisions which may be
contained in certain
27
franchise agreements, to the transfer of Adelphias
franchise agreements or otherwise assert that local franchising
authorities consent is not required under the terms of a
particular franchise agreement.
As of December 31, 2005, it was unclear whether and to what
extent regulators will subject services like TWC Inc.s
Digital Phone (Non-traditional Voice Services) to
the regulations that apply to traditional circuit switch
telephone service provided by incumbent telephone companies. In
February 2004, the FCC opened a rulemaking proceeding to
consider these and other issues. This proceeding remains
pending. In November 2004, the FCC issued an order preempting
certain kinds of state regulation of Non-traditional Voice
Services, including state requirements to obtain a certificate
and to file a tariff. The order did not decide, however, what
federal rules should apply to Non-traditional Voice Services. In
particular, there is uncertainty as to whether and to what
extent the access charge and universal
service rules that apply to traditional circuit switch
telephone service will also apply to Non-traditional Voice
Services. It is also possible that regulators will allow utility
pole owners to charge cable operators offering Non-traditional
Voice Services higher rates for pole rental than for traditional
cable service and cable-modem service. In May 2005, the FCC
adopted rules requiring Non-traditional Voice Service providers
to supply enhanced 911 (E911) capabilities as a standard feature
to their subscribers. Additionally, Non-traditional Voice
Service providers must obtain affirmative acknowledgement from
all subscribers that they have been advised of the circumstances
under which E911 service may not be available. In August 2005,
the FCC adopted an order requiring certain types of
Non-traditional Voice Services, as well as facilities-based
broadband Internet access service providers, to assist law
enforcement investigations through compliance with the
Communications Assistance For Law Enforcement Act.
Network Regulation
Under the Communications Act and its implementing regulations,
vertically integrated cable programmers like the Turner Networks
and the Home Box Office Services, are generally prohibited from
offering different prices, terms, or conditions to competing
unaffiliated multichannel video programming distributors unless
the differential is justified by certain permissible factors set
forth in the regulations. The rules also place certain
restrictions on the ability of vertically integrated programmers
to enter into exclusive distribution arrangements with cable
operators. Certain other federal laws also contain provisions
relating to violent and sexually explicit programming, including
provisions relating to the voluntary promulgation of ratings by
the industry and requiring manufacturers to build television
sets with the capability of blocking certain coded programming
(the so-called
V-chip).
Marketing Regulation
Time Inc.s magazine and book marketing activities, as well
as marketing and billing activities by AOL and other divisions
of the Company, are subject to regulation by the FTC and each of
the state Attorneys General under general consumer protection
statutes prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
Certain areas of marketing activity are also subject to specific
federal statutes and rules, such as the Telephone Consumer
Protection Act, the Childrens Online Privacy Protection
Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (relating to financial privacy),
the FTC Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule and the FTC
Telemarketing Sales Rule. There are also certain other statutes
and rules that regulate conduct in areas such as privacy, data
security and telemarketing. In addition, Time Inc. regularly
receives and resolves routine inquiries from state Attorneys
General and is subject to agreements with state Attorneys
General addressing some of Time Inc.s marketing
activities. Certain of Time Inc.s specific marketing
methods, such as automatic subscription renewal and free trial,
are being examined by the Attorneys General of several states.
Also, Time Inc. has pending with the FTC a response to a Civil
Investigative Demand relating to Time Inc.s retail
subscription sales partnership with Best Buy. AOL is also
subject to a 2004 FTC Consent Decree, a 1998 FTC Consent Decree
and Assurances of Voluntary Compliance with state governments
regarding AOLs
28
marketing and billing activities, including its cancel/save
processes, billing practices, rebates and other marketing
promotions.
AOL is subject to certain consent orders and assurances of
voluntary compliance or discontinuance reached with federal and
state regulators. These orders and assurances relate to
AOLs marketing and billing activities, including its
cancel/save processes, billing practices, rebates, other
marketing promotions and processing of consumer complaints. In
1998, AOL entered into an FTC Consent Decree regarding service
access, billing authorization, and disclosures. In 2004, AOL
entered into a Consent Decree with the FTC related to the
companys cancellation and rebate practices. AOL has also
entered into a series of settlements with State Attorneys
General. In 1998, AOL entered an Assurance of Voluntary
Compliance (AVC) with the Attorneys General of
44 states related to cancellation policies and procedures,
free trial offers and premium services. In 2005, AOL entered
into agreements settling investigations by the Attorneys General
of Ohio and New York. Both agreements require that AOL resolve
certain consumer complaints, and the New York agreement also
requires that AOL change its retention consultant compensation
practices and implement a system of third party verification for
certain save processes. AOL from time to time also is subject to
investigations by various state regulators regarding consumer
protection issues related to marketing and billing matters. In
December 2005, AOL was informed of a multi-state investigation
related to marketing and billing matters.
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF AGREEMENTS
RELATED TO TWC INC.
Background
Time Warner Cable Inc., referred to herein as TWC Inc., was
created in connection with the March 31, 2003 restructuring
(the TWE Restructuring) of Time Warner Entertainment
Company, L.P. (TWE), a limited partnership which
formerly held a substantial portion of the Companys filmed
entertainment and cable television assets.
Among other things, as a result of the TWE Restructuring, all of
Time Warners interests in cable, including those that were
wholly owned and those that were held through TWE, became
controlled by TWC Inc. As part of the TWE Restructuring, Time
Warner received a 79% economic interest in TWC Inc.s cable
systems and TWE, which continues to own the interests in the
cable systems that it held prior to the TWE Restructuring,
became a subsidiary of TWC Inc. In exchange for the 27.64% stake
in TWE previously held by Comcast, TWC Inc. issued to Comcast,
among other things, a 21% effective interest in TWC Inc.s
business, consisting of a 17.9% stock interest in TWC Inc. and a
4.7% limited partnership interest in TWE. Under the arrangements
entered into by Comcast as part of the process of obtaining FCC
approval of Comcasts acquisition of AT&T Broadband,
Comcast (and/or the Comcast trust referred to below) is
obligated to take steps to dispose of its entire interest in TWC
Inc. and TWE held by Comcast (or such Comcast trust) in an
orderly process by November 2007, and in any event by May 2008.
In connection with the TWE Restructuring, Comcast also received
Series A Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock of Time
Warner which, in accordance with its terms, automatically
converted on March 31, 2005 into 83,835,883 shares of
Time Warner common stock valued at $1.5 billion at the time
of conversion.
Adelphia/Comcast
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Adelphia Acquisition Agreement and Comcast
Redemption Agreements |
In April 2005, a subsidiary of TWC Inc., TW NY, and Comcast
entered into separate definitive agreements (collectively, the
Adelphia Agreements) to collectively acquire
substantially all the assets of Adelphia, which is currently in
bankruptcy, for a total of $12.7 billion in cash (of which
TW NY will pay $9.2 billion and Comcast will pay the
remaining $3.5 billion) and 16% of the common stock of TWC
Inc. (the Adelphia Acquisition). The purchase price
is subject to customary adjustments to reflect changes in
Adelphias net liabilities and subscribers as well as any
shortfall in Adelphias capital expenditure spending
29
relative to its budget during the interim period between the
execution of the Adelphia Agreements and the closing of the
Adelphia Acquisition.
At the same time that Comcast and TW NY entered into the
Adelphia Agreements, Comcast, TWC Inc. and/or their respective
affiliates entered into agreements providing for the redemption
of Comcasts interests in TWC Inc. and TWE (the TWC
Redemption Agreement and the TWE
Redemption Agreement, respectively, and,
collectively, the Redemption Agreements).
Specifically, Comcasts 17.9% interest in TWC Inc. will be
redeemed in exchange for 100% of the capital stock of a
subsidiary of TWC Inc. holding cable systems serving
approximately 587,000 subscribers (as of December 31,
2004), as well as approximately $1.9 billion in cash. In
addition, Comcasts 4.7% residual equity interest in TWE
will be redeemed in exchange for 100% of the equity interests in
a subsidiary of TWE holding cable systems serving approximately
168,000 subscribers (as of December 31, 2004), as well as
approximately $133 million in cash. TWC Inc., Comcast and
their respective subsidiaries will also swap certain cable
systems to enhance their respective geographic clusters of
subscribers (Cable Swaps).
After giving effect to the transactions, TWC Inc. will gain
systems passing approximately 7.5 million homes, with
approximately 3.5 million basic subscribers (in each case,
as of December 31, 2004). TWC Inc. will then manage a total
of approximately 14.4 million basic subscribers. Time
Warner will own 84% of TWC Inc.s common stock (including
83% of the outstanding TWC Inc. Class A Common Stock (the
TWC Class A Common Stock), which will become
publicly traded at the time of closing, and all outstanding
shares of TWC Inc. Class B Common Stock (the TWC
Class B Common Stock)) and will also own a
$2.9 billion indirect non-voting economic interest in TW NY.
These transactions (referred to collectively as the
Adelphia Transactions) are subject to customary
regulatory review and approvals, including FCC and local
franchise approvals, as well as, in the case of the Adelphia
Acquisition, the Adelphia bankruptcy process, which involves
approvals by the bankruptcy court having jurisdiction over
Adelphias Chapter 11 case and by Adelphias
creditors. Hart-Scott-Rodino Act antitrust review has been
completed. Closing of the Adelphia Transactions is expected
during the second quarter of 2006.
The Adelphia Acquisition is not dependent on the closing of the
Cable Swaps or the transactions contemplated by the
Redemption Agreements. Furthermore, if Comcast fails to
obtain certain necessary governmental authorizations, TW NY has
agreed to acquire the cable operations of Adelphia that would
have been acquired by Comcast, with the purchase price payable
in cash or TWC Inc. stock at TW NYs discretion.
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Amendments to Existing Arrangements |
In addition to entering into the agreements to purchase
substantially all of Adelphias assets, the
Redemption Agreements and the Cable Swap agreements
described above, in April 2005 TWC Inc. and Comcast amended
certain pre-existing agreements. The objective of these
amendments is to terminate these agreements contingent upon the
completion of the transactions provided for in the
Redemption Agreements. The following brief description of
these agreements does not purport to be complete and is subject
to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the
provisions of such agreements.
Registration Rights Agreement. In conjunction with the
TWE Restructuring, TWC Inc. granted Comcast and certain
affiliates registration rights related to the shares of TWC
Class A Common Stock acquired by Comcast in the TWE
Restructuring. In connection with the entry into the TWC
Redemption Agreement, Comcast generally has agreed not to
exercise or pursue registration rights with respect to the TWC
Class A Common Stock owned by it until the earlier of the
date upon which the TWC Redemption Agreement is terminated
in accordance with its terms and the date upon which TWC
Inc.s offering of equity securities to the public for cash
for its own account in one or more transactions registered under
the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act)
exceeds $2.1 billion. TWC Inc. does, however, have an
obligation to file a shelf registration statement on
June 1, 2006 covering all of the shares of the TWC
Class A Common Stock if the TWC Redemption has not occurred
as of such date.
30
Tolling and Optional Redemption Agreements. A
subsidiary of TWC Inc., Comcast and certain of its affiliates
entered into an amendment (the Second Tolling
Amendment) to the Tolling and Optional
Redemption Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2004,
as amended, pursuant to which the parties agreed that if both of
the Redemption Agreements terminate, TWC Inc. will redeem
23.8% of Comcasts 17.9% ownership of TWC Class A
Common Stock in exchange for 100% of the common stock of a TWC
Inc. subsidiary that will own certain cable systems serving
approximately 148,000 basic subscribers (as of December 31,
2004) plus approximately $422 million in cash. In addition,
a subsidiary of TWC Inc., Comcast and certain of its affiliates
have entered into an Alternate Tolling and Optional
Redemption Agreement under which the parties have agreed
that if the TWC Redemption Agreement terminates, but the
TWE Redemption Agreement is not terminated, an alternate
version of the partial redemption contemplated by the Second
Tolling Amendment may occur.
Management and Operation of TWC Inc.
The following description summarizes certain provisions of
agreements related to, and constituent documents of, TWC Inc.
that affect and govern the ongoing operations of TWC Inc. Such
description does not purport to be complete and is subject to,
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions
of such agreements and constituent documents.
Stockholders of TWC Inc. Time Warner and its subsidiaries
own shares of TWC Class A Common Stock, which generally has
one vote per share, and shares of TWC Class B Common Stock,
which generally has ten votes per share, which together
represent 89.3% of the voting power of TWC Inc. and 82.1% of the
equity of TWC Inc. A Comcast statutory trust (the Comcast
Trust) owns shares of TWC Class A Common Stock
representing the remaining 10.7% of the voting power and 17.9%
of the equity of TWC Inc. The TWC Class B Common Stock is
not convertible into TWC Class A Common Stock upon transfer
or otherwise. The TWC Class A Common Stock and the TWC
Class B Common Stock vote together as a single class on all
matters, except with respect to the election of directors and
certain matters described below.
Board of Directors of TWC Inc. The TWC Class A
Common Stock votes, as a separate class, with respect to the
election of the Class A directors of TWC Inc. (the
Class A Directors), and the TWC Class B
Common Stock votes, as a separate class, with respect to the
election of the Class B directors of TWC Inc. (the
Class B Directors). Pursuant to the restated
certificate of incorporation of TWC Inc. (the Certificate
of Incorporation), the Class A Directors must
represent not less than one-sixth and not more than one-fifth of
the directors of TWC Inc., and the Class B Directors must
represent not less than four-fifths of the directors of TWC Inc.
As a result of its shareholdings, Time Warner has the ability to
cause the election of all Class A Directors and
Class B Directors, subject to certain restrictions on the
identity of these directors discussed below.
The Certificate of Incorporation requires that there be at least
two independent directors on the board of directors of TWC Inc.
In addition, a parent agreement (the Parent
Agreement) among Time Warner, TWC Inc. and Comcast
provides that until such time that an initial public offering of
TWC Inc. common stock is effected, or upon the effectiveness of
the Shareholder Agreement (defined below), at least 50% of the
independent directors must be reasonably satisfactory to the
Comcast Trust. To the extent possible, all such independent
directors will be Class A Directors. Upon the closing of
the transactions under the TWC Redemption Agreement (the
TWC Redemption), Comcast will have no interest in
TWC Inc. and the Parent Agreement will be replaced by a
shareholder agreement that was entered into by TWC Inc. and Time
Warner in April 2005 (the Shareholder Agreement).
Under the terms of the amended and restated certificate of
incorporation that TWC Inc. is required to adopt as part of the
closing of the Adelphia Acquisition (the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation), for three years following
the earlier of an initial public offering of TWC Inc. common
stock and the date upon which shares of TWC Inc. common stock
are issued in connection with the Adelphia Acquisition, at least
50% of the board of directors of TWC Inc. must be independent
directors.
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Protections of Minority Class A Common Stockholders.
The approval of the holders of a majority of the voting power of
the outstanding shares of TWC Class A Common Stock held by
persons other than Time Warner is necessary in connection with:
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any merger, consolidation or business combination of TWC Inc. in
which the holders of TWC Class A Common Stock do not
receive per share consideration identical to that received by
the holders of the TWC Class B Common Stock (other than
with respect to voting power) or which would adversely affect
the TWC Class A Common Stock relative to the TWC
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any change to the Certificate of Incorporation that would have a
material adverse effect on the rights of the holders of the TWC
Class A Common Stock in a manner different from the effect
on the holders of the TWC Class B Common Stock; |
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through and until the fifth anniversary of the completion of an
initial public offering of TWC Inc. (or, if earlier, the date
upon which shares of TWC Inc. common stock are issued in
connection with the Adelphia Acquisition), any change to
provisions of TWC Inc.s by-laws concerning restrictions on
transactions between TWC Inc. and Time Warner and its affiliates; |
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any change to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation
that would affect the right of the TWC Class A Common Stock
to vote as a class in connection with any of the events
discussed above; and |
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any change to the Certificate of Incorporation that would alter
the number of independent directors required on the TWC Inc.
board of directors. |
Non-voting Stock. As required by section 1123(a)(6)
of the United States Bankruptcy Code, upon the closing of the
Adelphia Acquisition, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation
will prohibit the issuance of non-voting equity securities. Such
provision may thereafter be amended or eliminated if approved by
the holders of a majority of the TWC Class A Common Stock
and the TWC Class B Common Stock, voting together as a
single class.
Matters Affecting the Relationship between Time Warner and
TWC Inc.
Indebtedness Approval Right. Under the Parent Agreement
(or, following the closing of the TWC Redemption Agreement,
the Shareholder Agreement), until such time as the indebtedness
of TWC Inc. is no longer attributable to Time Warner, in Time
Warners reasonable judgment, TWC Inc., its subsidiaries
and entities that it manages may not, without the consent of
Time Warner, create, incur or guarantee any indebtedness,
including preferred equity, or rental obligations if its ratio
of indebtedness plus six times its annual rental expense to
EBITDA (as EBITDA is defined in the applicable agreement and
which is comparable to operating income (loss) before
depreciation and amortization) plus rental expense, or
EBITDAR, then exceeds or would exceed 3:1.
Other Time Warner Rights. Under the Parent Agreement (or,
upon the closing of the TWC Redemption, the Shareholder
Agreement), TWC Inc. must obtain Time Warners consent
before it enters into any agreement that binds or purports to
bind Time Warner or its affiliates or that would subject TWC
Inc. to significant penalties or restrictions as a result of any
action or omission of Time Warner; or adopts a stockholder
rights plan, becomes subject to Section 203 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law, adopts a fair price
provision or takes any similar action.
Time Warner Standstill. Under the Parent Agreement (or,
upon the closing of the TWC Redemption, the Shareholder
Agreement), Time Warner has agreed that for a period of three
years following the completion of an initial public offering of
TWC Inc. (or, in the case of the Shareholder Agreement, the
closing of the Adelphia Acquisition), Time Warner will not make
or announce a tender offer or exchange offer for the TWC
Class A Common Stock without the approval of a majority of
the independent directors of TWC Inc.; and for a period of
10 years following an initial public offering of TWC Inc.
(or, in the case of the Shareholder Agreement, the closing of
the Adelphia Acquisition), Time Warner will not enter into any
business combination with TWC Inc., including a short-form
merger, without the approval of a majority of the independent
directors of TWC Inc. Under the Adelphia Agreements, TWC Inc.
has agreed that for a period
32
of two years following the closing of the Adelphia Acquisition,
it will not enter into any short form merger and that for a
period of 18 months following the closing of the Adelphia
Acquisition it will not issue equity securities to any person
(other than, subject to satisfying certain requirements, TWC
Inc. and its affiliates) that have a higher vote per share than
the TWC Class A Common Stock.
Transactions between Time Warner and TWC Inc. The by-laws
of TWC Inc. provide that Time Warner may only enter into
transactions with TWC Inc. and its subsidiaries, including TWE,
that are on terms that, at the time of entering into such
transaction, are substantially as favorable to TWC Inc. or its
subsidiaries as they would be able to receive in a comparable
arms-length transaction with a third party. Any such
transaction involving reasonably anticipated payments or other
consideration of $50 million or greater also requires the
prior approval of a majority of the independent directors of TWC
Inc. Under the Adelphia Agreements, TWC Inc. is prohibited from
entering into any transaction having the intended effect of
benefiting Time Warner and any of its affiliates (other than TWC
Inc. and its subsidiaries) in a manner that would deprive TWC
Inc. of the benefit it would have otherwise obtained if the
transaction were to have been effected on arms length
terms. Following the closing of the Adelphia Acquisition, TWC
Inc. will continue to be subject to the same prohibition under
the amended and restated by-laws that TWC Inc. is required to
adopt at the time of the closing of the Adelphia Acquisition.
Comcast Registration Rights Agreement
The Comcast Trust, which currently holds shares of TWC
Class A Common Stock representing a 17.9% interest in TWC
Inc., entered into a registration rights agreement with TWC Inc.
(the Comcast Registration Rights Agreement) relating
to its shares of TWC Class A Common Stock, as well as any
common stock of TWC Inc. that it or another Comcast trust may
receive in connection with a sale of a partnership interest in
TWE under the Partnership Interest Sale Agreement (as
defined below) (see Description of Certain Provisions of
the TWE Partnership Agreement Exit Rights and
Restrictions on Transfer below). The TWC
Redemption Agreement modifies the Comcast Registration
Rights Agreement and provides that, upon the closing of the TWC
Redemption, the Comcast Trusts ownership interest in TWC
Inc. will be entirely redeemed and the Comcast Registration
Rights Agreement will terminate. However, if the TWC Redemption
is not completed, the Comcast Registration Rights Agreement, as
modified, will continue to be in full force and effect. The
following is a summary of certain provisions of the Comcast
Registration Rights Agreement that will apply if Comcasts
interest in TWC Inc. is not redeemed; such summary does not
purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to, the provisions of such agreements.
Demand and Piggyback Registration Rights. Under the
Comcast Registration Rights Agreement, subject to several
exceptions, including TWC Inc.s right to defer a demand
registration under some circumstances, the Comcast Trust has the
right to require that TWC Inc. take all commercially reasonable
steps to register for public resale under the Securities Act all
shares of TWC Class A Common Stock owned by it that it
requests be registered. Under the Comcast Registration Rights
Agreement:
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TWC Inc. is not obligated to effect more than one demand
registration on behalf of the Comcast Trust in any
270-day period; |
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TWC Inc. is not obligated to effect a demand registration on
behalf of the Comcast Trust if the Comcast Trust has received
proceeds in excess of $250 million (or 10% of TWC
Inc.s market capitalization) from private placements of
and hedging transactions relating to TWC Inc.s common
stock in the preceding
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any registered hedging transaction or other monetization with
respect to TWC Inc. common stock by the Comcast Trust is deemed
to constitute a demand registration. |
In addition, the Comcast Trust has piggyback
registration rights subject to customary restrictions on any
registration for TWC Inc.s account or the account of
another stockholder, and TWC Inc. and Time Warner are permitted
to piggyback on the Comcast Trusts demand registrations.
Under the TWC Redemption Agreement, the Comcast Trust
agreed not to exercise or pursue registration rights with
respect to the TWC Class A Common Stock owned by it until
the earlier of the date upon which
33
the TWC Redemption Agreement is terminated in accordance
with its terms and the date upon which TWC Inc.s offering
of equity securities to the public for cash for its own account
in one or more transactions registered under the Securities Act
(other than as consideration in an acquisition transaction or as
compensation to employees) exceeds $2.1 billion (the
Comcast TWC Lock-Up Period). In addition, under the
TWC Redemption Agreement, the Comcast Trust agreed not to
transfer its shares of TWC Class A Common Stock, subject to
certain exceptions, including transfers to certain affiliates of
Comcast, during the Comcast TWC Lock-Up Period. Under the
Comcast Registration Rights Agreement, as modified by the TWC
Redemption Agreement, TWC Inc. has agreed to use all
commercially reasonable efforts to:
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file a shelf registration statement on June 1, 2006
registering the resale of all shares of TWC Class A Common
Stock held by the Comcast Trust; |
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cause such registration statement to be declared effective by
the SEC not later than November 1, 2006; and |
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maintain the continuous effectiveness of such registration
statement until November 18, 2008 (or such earlier date on
which the Comcast Trust and its affiliates no longer
beneficially own any TWC Class A Common Stock) or, under
certain circumstances, such later date on which the related
public offering is completed or deemed completed under the terms
of the TWC Redemption Agreement. |
Under the Comcast Registration Rights Agreement, as modified by
the TWC Redemption Agreement, TWC Inc. is not obligated to
effect more than one demand registration on behalf of the
Comcast Trust in any
90-day period with the
initial registration on the shelf registration statement
together with the first takedown and each subsequent takedown
thereafter deemed to be a demand registration.
Priority in Underwritten Public Offerings. Under the
Comcast Registration Rights Agreement, the Comcast Trust, TWC
Inc. and Time Warner agreed to the following method of
determining the priority of inclusion of shares of TWC
Class A Common Stock of those three parties in an
underwritten public offering in the event that the managing
underwriters of such public offering were to determine that the
number of securities proposed to be offered by the three parties
would jeopardize the success of the offering:
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first, securities to be offered for TWC Inc.s account must
be included until TWC Inc. has sold $2.1 billion worth of
securities, whether through public offerings, private placements
or hedging transactions; |
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second, securities to be offered for the account of the Comcast
Trust must be included until it has sold $3.0 billion worth
of securities, whether through public offerings, private
placements or hedging transactions; and |
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third, TWC Inc. and the Comcast Trust have equal priority, and
Time Warner has last priority until the earlier of
(1) March 31, 2008 and (2) the date the Comcast
Trust holds less than $250 million of TWC Inc. common
stock. After such earlier date, TWC Inc., the Comcast Trust and
Time Warner will have equal priority. |
The TWC Redemption Agreement modifies the Comcast
Registration Rights Agreement so that the Comcast Trust will
have full priority in respect of its shares of TWC Class A
Common Stock for a period beginning on November 1, 2006 and
ending on the earlier of November 18, 2007 or such date on
which the Comcast Trust and its affiliates no longer
beneficially own any TWC Class A Common Stock. Following
such date, the priorities in the Comcast Registration Rights
Agreement as in effect prior to such modification will again be
applicable.
Time Warner Registration Rights Agreement between TWC Inc.
and Time Warner. At the closing of the TWE Restructuring,
Time Warner and TWC Inc. entered into a registration rights
agreement (the Time Warner Registration Rights
Agreement) relating to Time Warners shares of TWC
Inc. common stock. Subject to several exceptions, including TWC
Inc.s right to defer a demand registration under some
circumstances, Time Warner may, under that agreement, require
that TWC Inc. take commercially reasonable steps to register for
public resale under the Securities Act all shares of common
stock that Time Warner requests to be registered. Time Warner
may demand an unlimited number of registrations. In
34
addition, Time Warner has been granted piggyback
registration rights subject to customary restrictions and TWC
Inc. is permitted to piggyback on Time Warners
registrations. Any registration statement filed under the Time
Warner Registration Rights Agreement is subject to the cut-back
priority discussed above under Comcast Registration Rights
Agreement. Time Warner has agreed that it will not, until
the earlier of (1) March 31, 2008, and (2) the
date that the Comcast Trust holds less than $250 million of
TWC Inc. common stock, dispose of its shares of TWC Inc. common
stock other than in registered offerings.
In connection with the registrations described above under both
the Comcast and Time Warner Registration Rights Agreements, TWC
Inc. will indemnify the selling stockholders and bear all fees,
costs and expenses, except underwriting discounts and selling
commissions.
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE
TWE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
TWE is a Delaware limited partnership, of which subsidiaries of
TWC Inc. are the general partners currently holding partnership
interests representing a 94.3% residual equity interest in TWE.
A Comcast statutory trust (Comcast Trust I),
currently holds partnership interests representing a 4.7%
residual equity interest in TWE. American Television and
Communications Corporation (ATC), another wholly
owned subsidiary of Time Warner, currently holds a partnership
interest consisting of a $2.4 billion preferred interest
and a 1% residual equity interest in TWE. Upon the closing of
the TWE Redemption, Comcast Trust Is ownership
interest in TWE will be redeemed and, prior to the closing of
the Adelphia Acquisition, the partnership interests held by ATC
will be contributed to a subsidiary of TWC Inc. in exchange for
non-voting common stock of such subsidiary. If the transactions
contemplated by the Adelphia Agreements close but the TWE
Redemption does not close, Comcast will retain its ownership
interest in TWE.
The following description summarizes certain provisions of the
TWE partnership agreement relating to the ongoing operations of
TWE. Such description does not purport to be complete and is
subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to,
the provisions of the TWE partnership agreement.
Management and Operations of TWE
TWC Inc., through its subsidiaries, has the exclusive authority
to manage the business and affairs of TWE, subject to certain
protections over extraordinary actions afforded Comcast
Trust I under the TWE partnership agreement. These
protections consist of consent rights over the dissolution or
liquidation of TWE and the transfer of control of TWE to a third
party, in each case, prior to the later of March 31, 2006
or 30 days following the expiration of the Comcast TWE
Lock-Up Period (as defined below), and the right to approve of
certain amendments to the TWE partnership agreement.
Transactions with Affiliates
The TWE partnership agreement requires that transactions between
TWC Inc. and its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and TWE and its
subsidiaries, on the other hand, be conducted on an
arms-length basis, with management, corporate or similar
services being provided by TWC Inc. on a no mark-up
basis with fair allocations of administrative costs and general
overhead.
Exit Rights and Restrictions on Transfer
Time Warner, TWC Inc., Comcast and Comcast Trust I are
parties to a partnership interest sale agreement (the
Partnership Interest Sale Agreement) that
provides, among other things, that under certain circumstances
Comcast Trust I could cause Time Warner or TWC Inc. to
acquire Comcast Trust Is 4.7% residual equity
interest in TWE for consideration consisting of either cash or
stock of Time Warner or TWC Inc. The fair market value of the
interest will be determined through an appraisal mechanism set
forth in the Partnership Interest Sale Agreement.
Under the TWE Redemption Agreement, Comcast Trust I
has agreed not to exercise its rights to cause either Time
Warner or TWC Inc. to purchase its interest in TWE under the
Partnership Interest Sale
35
Agreement until the earliest of (1) such time as the TWE
Redemption Agreement is terminated, (2) under certain
circumstances, notice by Comcast of its intent to terminate the
TWE Redemption Agreement and (3) December 31,
2006 (the period ending at such earliest time, the Comcast
TWE Lock-Up Period). In addition, Time Warner and TWC Inc.
have agreed that if Comcast exercises its rights to cause Time
Warner or TWC Inc. to purchase its interest in TWE before
November 18, 2007, the consideration will not include stock
of TWC Inc. and Time Warners ability to purchase such
interest using Time Warner common stock will be subject to
certain restrictions concerning the registration of such shares
under the Securities Act. However, in lieu of using cash or
stock of Time Warner, in certain circumstances TWC Inc. would be
permitted to satisfy its obligations by causing the TWE
Redemption to occur. Comcast Trust I has also agreed not to
transfer its interest in TWE, subject to certain exceptions for
transfers to certain affiliates of Comcast, during the Comcast
TWE Lock-Up Period.
Following expiration of the Comcast TWE Lock-Up Period, Comcast
Trust I will have the right to sell all or a portion of its
interest in TWE to a third party in a bona fide transaction,
subject to a right of first refusal, first, in favor of Time
Warner and, second, in favor of TWC Inc. If TWC Inc. and Time
Warner do not collectively elect to purchase all of the Comcast
Trust Is offered partnership interest, Comcast
Trust I may proceed with the sale of the offered
partnership interest to that third party on terms no more
favorable than those offered to TWC Inc. and Time Warner if that
third party agrees to be bound by the same terms and conditions
applicable to Comcast Trust I as a limited partner in TWE
and under the Partnership Interest Sale Agreement. The TWE
partnership agreement provides that TWC Inc. and Time Warner may
generally transfer their partnership interests in TWE at any
time, except that TWC Inc. may not transfer control of TWE prior
to the later of March 31, 2006 or 30 days following
the expiration of the Comcast TWE Lock-Up Period. No transfer of
partnership interests may be made by any partner through the
securities markets, and no transfer may be made by any partner
if the transfer causes TWE to have more than 100 partners or
would result in, or have a material risk of, TWE being treated
as a corporation for federal income tax purposes.
Redemption of Preferred Component
The preferred component of Time Warners partnership
interest must be redeemed by TWE on April 1, 2023.
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE
TWE-A/ N PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
The following description summarizes certain provisions of the
partnership agreement relating to TWE-A/ N. Such description
does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the
TWE-A/ N partnership agreement.
Partners of TWE-A/ N
The general partnership interests in TWE-A/ N are held by TW NY
and an indirect subsidiary of TWE (such TWE subsidiary and TW NY
are together, the TW Partners) and Advance/ Newhouse
Partnership, a partnership owned by wholly owned subsidiaries of
Advance Publications Inc. and Newhouse Broadcasting Corporation
(A/ N). The TW Partners also hold preferred
partnership interests.
2002 Restructuring of TWE-A/ N
The TWE-A/ N cable television joint venture was formed by TWE
and A/ N in December 1995. A restructuring of the partnership
was completed during 2002. As a result of this restructuring,
cable systems and their related assets and liabilities serving
2.1 million subscribers as of December 31, 2002
located primarily in Florida (the A/ N Systems),
were transferred to a subsidiary of TWE-A/ N (the A/ N
Subsidiary). As part of the restructuring, effective
August 1, 2002, A/ Ns interest in TWE-A/ N was
converted into an interest that tracks the economic performance
of the A/ N Systems, while the TW Partners retain the economic
interests and associated liabilities in the remaining TWE-A/ N
cable systems. Also, in connection with the restructuring, Time
Warner effectively acquired A/ Ns interest in Road Runner.
TWE-
36
A/ Ns financial results, other than the results of the A/
N Systems, are consolidated with TWC Inc. Road Runner continues
to provide high-speed data services to the A/ N subsidiary.
Management and Operations of TWE-A/ N
Management Powers and Services Agreement. Subject to the
requirement to act by unanimous consent with respect to some
actions as described below, an indirect subsidiary of TWE,
TWE-A/ N Holdco, L.P. (TWE-A/ N Holdco), is the
managing partner, with exclusive management rights of TWE-A/ N,
other than with respect to the A/ N Systems. The managing
partner is responsible for the management of TWE-A/ N, other
than the A/ N Systems, on a
day-to-day basis. Also,
subject to the requirement to act by unanimous consent with
respect to some actions as described below, A/ N has authority
for the supervision of the
day-to-day operations
of the A/ N Subsidiary and the A/ N Systems. In connection with
the 2002 restructuring, TWE entered into a services agreement
with A/ N and the A/ N Subsidiary under which TWE agreed to
exercise various management functions, including oversight of
programming and various engineering-related matters. TWE and A/
N also agreed to periodically discuss cooperation with respect
to new product development.
Actions Requiring Unanimous Consent. Some actions cannot
be taken by TWE-A/ N, TWE, TWE-A/N Holdco or A/ N without the
unanimous consent of the TW Partners and A/ N or the unanimous
consent of an executive committee consisting of members
designated by the TW Partners and A/ N. These actions include,
among other things:
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any merger, consolidation or disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of TWE-A/ N (excluding the A/ N Subsidiary) or
the A/ N Subsidiary; |
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any liquidation or dissolution of TWE-A/ N or the A/ N
Subsidiary; |
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specified incurrences of debt by TWE-A/ N or by the A/ N
Subsidiary; and |
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admission of a new partner or other issuances of equity
interests in TWE-A/ N (with specified exceptions) or the A/ N
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Restrictions on Transfer
TW Partners. Each TW Partner is generally permitted to
directly or indirectly dispose of its entire partnership
interest at any time to a wholly owned affiliate of TWE (in the
case of transfers by TWE) or to TWE, the Company or a wholly
owned affiliate of TWE or the Company (in the case of transfers
by TWC Inc.). In addition, the TW Partners are also permitted to
transfer their partnership interests through a pledge to secure
a loan, or a liquidation of TWE in which the Company, or its
affiliates, receives a majority of the interests of TWE-A/ N
held by the TW Partners. TWE is allowed to issue additional
partnership interests in TWE so long as the Company continues to
own, directly or indirectly, either 35% or 43.75% of the
residual equity capital of TWE, depending on when the issuance
occurs.
A/ N Partner. A/ N is generally permitted to directly or
indirectly transfer its entire partnership interest at any time
to certain members of the Newhouse family or specified
affiliates of A/ N. A/ N is also permitted to dispose of its
partnership interest through a pledge to secure a loan and in
connection with specified restructurings of A/ N.
Restructuring Rights of the Partners
TWE and A/ N each have the right to cause TWE-A/ N to be
restructured at any time. Upon a restructuring, TWE-A/ N is
required to distribute the A/ N Subsidiary with all of the A/ N
Systems to A/ N in complete redemption of A/ Ns interests
in TWE-A/ N, and A/ N is required to assume all liabilities of
the A/N Subsidiary and the A/ N Systems. Following such a
restructuring, TWEs obligations to provide management
services to A/ N and the A/ N Subsidiary would terminate. As of
the date of this annual report, neither TWE nor A/ N has
delivered notice of the intent to cause a restructuring of
TWE-A/ N.
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Rights of First Offer
TWEs Regular Right of First Offer. Subject to
exceptions, A/ N and its affiliates are obligated to grant TWE a
right of first offer prior to any sale of assets of the A/ N
Systems to a third party.
TWEs Special Right of First Offer. Within a
specified time period following the first, seventh, thirteenth
and nineteenth anniversaries of the deaths of two specified
members of the Newhouse family (those deaths have not yet
occurred), A/ N has the right to deliver notice to TWE stating
that it wishes to transfer some or all of the assets of the A/ N
Systems, thereby granting TWE the right of first offer to
purchase the specified assets. Following delivery of this
notice, an appraiser will determine the value of the assets
proposed to be transferred. Once the value of the assets has
been determined, A/ N has the right to terminate its offer to
sell the specified assets. If A/ N does not terminate its offer,
TWE will have the right to purchase the specified assets at a
price equal to the value of the specified assets determined by
the appraiser. If TWE does not exercise its right to purchase
the specified assets, A/ N has the right to sell the specified
assets to an unrelated third party within 180 days on
substantially the same terms as were available to TWE.
DESCRIPTION OF AGREEMENT WITH LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION
The following description summarizes certain provisions of Time
Warners agreement with Liberty Media and certain of its
subsidiaries (collectively, LMC) that was entered
into in connection with the merger of Turner Broadcasting
System, Inc. in 1996 (the Turner Transaction) and
the Turner Consent Decree. Such description does not purport to
be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to, the provisions of the Second Amended and
Restated LMC Agreement dated as of September 22, 1995 among
Historic TW, Time Warner Companies, Inc. and LMC (the LMC
Agreement).
Ownership of Time Warner Common Stock
Pursuant to the LMC Agreement, immediately following
consummation of the Turner Transaction, LMC exchanged the
50.6 million shares of Historic TW common stock, par value
$.01 per share received by LMC in the Turner Transaction on
a one-for-one basis for 50.6 million shares of
Series LMCN-V Common Stock of Historic TW. In June 1997,
LMC and its affiliates received 6.4 million additional
shares of Series LMCN-V Common Stock pursuant to the
provisions of an option agreement between Historic TW and LMC
and its affiliates. In May 1999, the terms of the
Series LMCN-V Common Stock were amended, which effectively
resulted in a two-for-one stock split. At the time of the
AOL-Historic TW Merger, each share of
Series LMCN-V
Common Stock was exchanged for one and one half shares of a
substantially identical Series LMCN-V Common Stock of Time
Warner. Each share of Series LMCN-V Common Stock receives
the same dividends and otherwise has the same rights as a share
of Time Warner Common Stock except that (a) holders of
Series LMCN-V
Common Stock are entitled to 1/100th of a vote per share on the
election of directors and do not have any other voting rights,
except as required by law or with respect to limited matters,
including amendments to the terms of the Series LMCN-V
Common Stock adverse to such holders, and (b) unlike shares
of Time Warner Common Stock, shares of Series LMCN-V Common
Stock are not subject to redemption by Time Warner if necessary
to prevent the loss by Time Warner of any governmental license
or franchise. The Series LMCN-V Common Stock is not
transferable, except in limited circumstances, and is not listed
on any securities exchange.
LMC exchanged its shares of Historic TW common stock for
Series LMCN-V Common Stock in order to comply with the
Turner Consent Decree, which effectively prohibits LMC and its
affiliates (including TCI) from owning voting securities of Time
Warner other than securities that have limited voting rights. In
2002, LMC sought to eliminate these restrictions from the Turner
Consent Decree; the petition was denied by the FTC without
prejudice. See Regulation and Legislation
Turner FTC Consent Decree, above. The Turner Consent
Decree will expire in February 2007.
Each share of Series LMCN-V Common Stock is convertible
into one share of Time Warner Common Stock at any time when such
conversion would no longer violate the Turner Consent Decree or
have a Prohibited Effect (as defined below), including following
a transfer to a third party. Following application by
38
LMC, the Turner Consent Decree was modified by the FTC on
December 21, 2004 to permit LMC, in connection with a
hedging transaction, to lend the Time Warner Common Stock into
which its
Series LMCN-V
Common Stock is convertible. As a result, approximately
83,940,790 of the 171,185,826 shares of Series LMCN-V
Common Stock owned by LMC have been converted into Time Warner
Common Stock as of February 24, 2006 but are still deemed
beneficially owned by LMC. Under the terms of the modification,
LMC has no right to vote or to direct the voting of the loaned
Common Stock and may not directly or indirectly influence or
attempt to influence its voting. On February 16, 2006, LMC
filed a petition with the FTC seeking to terminate the Turner
Consent Decree as it applies to LMC in advance of the 2007
expiration, including all voting restrictions on its Time Warner
stock holdings, based on changed circumstances.
Other Agreements
Under the LMC Agreement, if Time Warner takes certain actions
that have the effect of (a) making the continued ownership
by LMC of Time Warners equity securities illegal under any
federal or state law, (b) imposing damages or penalties on
LMC under any federal or state law as a result of such continued
ownership, (c) requiring LMC to divest any such Time Warner
equity securities, or (d) requiring LMC to discontinue or
divest any business or assets or lose or significantly modify
any license under any communications law (each a
Prohibited Effect), then Time Warner will be
required to compensate LMC for income taxes incurred by it in
disposing of all Time Warner equity securities received by LMC
in connection with the Turner Transaction and related agreements
(whether or not the disposition of all such equity securities is
necessary to avoid such Prohibited Effect).
The agreements described in the preceding paragraph may have the
effect of requiring Time Warner to pay amounts to LMC in order
to engage in (or requiring Time Warner to refrain from engaging
in) activities that LMC would be prohibited under the federal
communications laws from engaging in. Based on the current
businesses of Time Warner and LMC and based upon Time
Warners understanding of applicable law, Time Warner does
not expect these requirements to have a material effect on its
business.
FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES AND INTERNATIONAL REVENUES
Time Warners foreign operations are subject to various
risks, including the risk of fluctuation in currency exchange
rates and to exchange controls. Time Warner cannot predict the
extent to which such controls and fluctuations in currency
exchange rates may affect its operations in the future or its
ability to remit dollars from abroad. See
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Results of
Operations and Financial Condition Market Risk
Analysis, Note 15, Derivative
Instruments Foreign Currency Risk Management
to the consolidated financial statements set forth in the
financial pages herein, and Risk Factors below, for
additional information. For a discussion of revenues of
international operations, see Note 16, Segment
Information to the consolidated financial statements set
forth in the financial pages herein.
RISKS RELATING TO TIME WARNER GENERALLY
Pending securities litigation or the failure to fulfill
the obligations under the deferred prosecution agreement with
the U.S. Department of Justice or the Consent Order with
the Securities and Exchange Commission could adversely affect
Time Warners operations. In connection with the
resolution of the investigation by the DOJ of the Company, AOL
entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with the DOJ. In
accordance with the agreement, the DOJ filed a criminal
complaint against AOL in December 2004 for the conduct of
certain employees in connection with securities fraud by
PurchasePro.com, but the DOJ will defer prosecution of AOL and
will dismiss the complaint in December 2006 provided the Company
fulfills its obligations under the deferred prosecution
agreement. For a discussion of these obligations, see
Item 3, Legal Proceedings Government
Investigations. If the Company does not satisfy its
obligations, the DOJ can proceed with the prosecution of AOL for
actions in connection with PurchasePro.com, as set forth in the
complaint, and may consider additional actions against the
Company, which could have significant adverse
39
effects on its operations and financial results. The Company
intends to satisfy its obligations under the deferred
prosecution agreement. In addition, in connection with the
settlement with the SEC, the Company consented to the entry of a
Consent Order requiring it to comply with federal securities
laws and regulations and the terms of an earlier order. If the
Company is found to be in violation of the Consent Order, it may
be subject to increased penalties and consequences as a result
of the prior actions. In connection with the SEC settlement, an
independent examiner was appointed to review whether the
Companys historical accounting for certain transactions
with 17 counterparties was in conformity with GAAP. The
independent examiner has begun its review, which has been
extended and is expected to be completed in the second quarter
of 2006. Depending on the independent examiners
conclusions, a further restatement of the Companys
financial statements may be necessary. It is also possible that,
so long as there are unresolved issues associated with the
Companys financial statements, the effectiveness of any
registration statement of the Company or its affiliates may be
delayed. As of February 23, 2006, 41 putative class action and
shareholder derivative lawsuits alleging violations of federal
and state securities laws as well as purported breaches of
fiduciary duties had been filed against Time Warner, certain of
its current and former executives, past and present members of
its Board of Directors and, in certain instances, AOL. There is
also a consolidated action making allegations of ERISA
violations. The complaints purport to be made on behalf of
certain of the Companys shareholders and allege, among
other things, that Time Warner violated various provisions of
the securities laws. There are also actions filed by individual
shareholders pending in federal and state courts. Although the
Company has reached an agreement to settle the primary
consolidated securities class action lawsuits, the settlement is
subject to final court approval, and some members of the class
have elected to opt out of the settlement to pursue
their claims separately. Similarly, although the parties have
reached an understanding to resolve the consolidated action
alleging ERISA violations, the settlement is subject to
definitive documentation and necessary court approvals. In
addition, the shareholder derivative and individual securities
actions remain pending and the Company is unable to predict the
outcome of these remaining related matters. The Company has
established a reserve of $3 billion, with $2.4 billion
related to the proposed settlement of the primary consolidated
securities class actions and $600 million in connection
with the remaining shareholder derivative, ERISA and securities
matters (including suits brought by individual shareholders who
decided to opt-out of the settlement in the primary
securities class action). The Company has paid, or agreed to
pay, approximately $335 million, before providing for any
remaining potential insurance recoveries, to settle certain of
these claims and is incurring expenses as a result of the
pending litigation. Costs associated with judgments in or
additional settlements of these matters could adversely affect
its financial condition and results of operations. See
Item 3, Legal Proceedings Securities
Matters.
Several of the Companys businesses are characterized
by rapid technological change, and if Time Warner does not
respond appropriately to technological changes, its competitive
position may be harmed. Time Warners businesses
operate in the highly competitive, consumer-driven and rapidly
changing media, entertainment, interactive services and cable
industries. Several of these businesses are to a large extent
dependent on the ability to acquire, develop, adopt, and exploit
new and existing technologies to distinguish their products and
services from those of their competitors.
The acquisition, development, adoption, exploitation and
distribution of new and existing technology may take long
periods of time and may require significant capital investments.
The Company may be required to anticipate far in advance which
technologies and equipment it should adopt for new products and
services or for future enhancements of or upgrades to its
existing products and services. If it chooses technologies or
equipment that are less effective, cost-efficient or attractive
to its customers than those chosen by its competitors, the
Companys competitive position could deteriorate, and its
operations, business or financial results could be adversely
affected. Time Warner also may not be able to anticipate the
demand for products and services requiring new technology and
equipment. Therefore, it is possible that the Company could
select a technology that does not achieve widespread commercial
success or that its products or services will not appeal to
enough customers, will not be available at competitive prices,
will not function as expected or will not be delivered in a
timely fashion.
As a result of advances in technology or decreases in the cost
of existing technologies, the Companys competitors may in
the future be able to provide products and services that are
similar to products and services
40
now offered by the Company that those competitors currently
cannot fully match. Furthermore, advances in technology,
decreases in the cost of existing technologies or changes in
competitors product and service offerings also may require
the Company in the future to make additional research and
development expenditures or to offer at no additional charge or
at a lower price certain products and services the Company
currently offers to customers separately or at a premium.
The Companys competitive position also may be adversely
affected by various timing factors, such as the ability of its
competitors to develop new technologies more quickly. In
addition, the uncertainty of the costs for obtaining
intellectual property rights from third parties could impact the
ability of the Company to respond to technological advances in a
timely manner.
The combination of increased competition, more technologically
advanced platforms, products and services, the increasing number
of choices available to consumers and the overall rate of change
in the media, entertainment, interactive services and cable
industries requires companies such as Time Warner to become more
responsive to consumer needs and to adapt more quickly to market
conditions than had been necessary in the past. The Company
could have difficulty managing these changes while at the same
time maintaining its rates of growth and profitability.
Piracy of the Companys feature films, television
programming and other content may decrease the revenues received
from the exploitation of the Companys entertainment
content and adversely affect its business and
profitability. Piracy of motion pictures, television
programming, video content and DVDs is prevalent in many parts
of the world. Technological advances allowing the unauthorized
dissemination of motion pictures, television programming and
other content in unprotected digital formats increase the threat
of piracy by making it easier to create, transmit and distribute
high quality unauthorized copies of such content. The
proliferation of unauthorized copies and piracy of the
Companys products can have an adverse effect on its
businesses and profitability because these products reduce the
revenue that Time Warner potentially could receive from the
legitimate sale and distribution of its content. In addition, if
piracy continues to increase, it could have an adverse effect on
the Companys business and profitability. Although piracy
adversely affects the Companys U.S. revenues, the
impact on revenues from outside the United States is more
significant, particularly in countries where laws protective of
intellectual property rights are not strictly enforced. Time
Warner has taken, and will continue to take, a variety of
actions to combat piracy, both individually and together with
cross-industry groups, trade associations and strategic
partners. Policing the unauthorized use of the Companys
intellectual property is often difficult, however, and the steps
taken by the Company may not prevent the infringement by and/or
piracy of unauthorized third parties in every case. There can be
no assurance that the Companys efforts to enforce its
rights and protect its intellectual property will be successful
in reducing content piracy.
The Company is, and may be in the future, subject to
intellectual property infringement claims, which could have an
adverse impact on the Companys business or operating
results due to a disruption in its business operations, the
incurrence of significant costs and other factors. From
time to time, the Company receives notices from others claiming
that it infringes their intellectual property rights, and the
number of these claims could increase in the future. Claims of
intellectual property infringement could require Time Warner to
enter into royalty or licensing agreements on unfavorable terms,
incur substantial monetary liability or be enjoined
preliminarily or permanently from further use of the
intellectual property in question, which could require Time
Warner to change its business practices and limit its ability to
compete effectively. Even if Time Warner believes that the
claims are without merit, the claims can be time-consuming and
costly to defend and divert managements attention and
resources away from its businesses. In addition, agreements
entered into by the Company may require it to indemnify the
other party for certain third-party intellectual property
infringement claims, which could require the Company to expend
sums to defend against or settle such claims or, potentially, to
pay damages. If Time Warner is required to take any of these
actions, it could have an adverse impact on the Companys
business or operating results.
Time Warners businesses may suffer if it cannot
continue to license or enforce the intellectual property rights
on which its businesses depend. The Company relies on
patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws in the United
States and similar laws in other countries, and licenses and
other agreements with its
41
employees, customers, suppliers and other parties, to establish
and maintain its intellectual property rights in technology and
products and services used in its various operations. However,
any of the Companys intellectual property rights could be
challenged or invalidated, or such intellectual property rights
may not be sufficient to permit it to take advantage of current
industry trends or otherwise to provide competitive advantages,
which could result in costly redesign efforts, discontinuance of
certain product and service offerings or other competitive harm.
Further, the laws of certain countries do not protect Time
Warners proprietary rights, or such laws may not be
strictly enforced. Therefore, in certain jurisdictions the
Company may be unable to protect its intellectual property
adequately against unauthorized copying or use, which could
adversely affect its competitive position. Also, because of the
rapid pace of technological change in the industries in which
the Company operates, much of the business of its various
segments relies on technologies developed or licensed by third
parties, and Time Warner may not be able to obtain or to
continue to obtain licenses from these third parties on
reasonable terms, if at all. It is also possible that, in
connection with a merger or acquisition transaction, the Company
may license its trademarks or service marks and associated
goodwill to third parties or the business of various segments
could be subject to certain restrictions in connection with such
trademarks or service marks and associated goodwill that were
not in place prior to such a transaction.
Time Warners international operations are subject to
increased risks that could adversely affect its business and
operating results. Time Warners businesses operate
and serve customers worldwide. There are certain risks inherent
in doing business internationally, including:
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difficulties in developing, staffing and simultaneously managing
a large number of foreign operations as a result of distance and
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potentially adverse tax consequences. |
One or more of these factors could harm the Companys
future international operations and consequently, could harm its
business and operating results.
Weakening economic conditions or other factors could
reduce the Companys advertising or other revenues or
hinder its ability to increase such revenues.
Expenditures by advertisers tend to be cyclical, reflecting
general economic conditions, as well as budgeting and buying
patterns. Because several of the Companys segments derive
a substantial portion of their revenues from the sale of
advertising, a decline or delay in advertising expenditures
could reduce the Companys revenues or hinder its ability
to increase these revenues. Disasters, acts of terrorism,
political uncertainty or hostilities also could lead to a
reduction in advertising expenditures as a result of
uninterrupted news coverage and economic uncertainty.
Advertising expenditures by companies in certain sectors of the
economy, including the automotive, financial and pharmaceutical
industries, represent a significant portion of the
Companys advertising revenues. Any political, economic,
social or technological change resulting in a significant
reduction in the advertising spending of these sectors could
adversely affect the Companys advertising revenues or its
ability to increase such revenues. In addition, because many of
the products and services offered by the Company are largely
discretionary items, weakening
42
economic conditions or outlook could reduce the consumption of
such products and services and reduce the Companys
revenues.
The Company faces risks relating to competition for the
leisure and entertainment time of audiences, which has
intensified in part due to advances in technology. In
addition to the various competitive factors discussed in the
following paragraphs, all of the Companys businesses are
subject to risks relating to increasing competition for the
leisure and entertainment time of consumers. The Companys
businesses compete with each other and all other sources of
news, information and entertainment, including broadcast
television, movies, live events, radio broadcasts, home video
products, print media and the Internet. Technological
advancements, such as video on demand, new video formats and
streaming capabilities and downloading via the Internet, have
increased the number of media and entertainment choices
available to consumers and intensified the challenges posed by
audience fragmentation. The increasing number of choices
available to audiences could negatively impact not only consumer
demand for the Companys products and services, but also
advertisers willingness to purchase advertising from the
Companys businesses. If the Company does not respond
appropriately to further increases in the leisure and
entertainment choices available to consumers, it could have an
adverse effect on the Companys competitive position and
revenues.
Several of the Companys businesses rely heavily on
network and information systems or other technology, and a
disruption or failure of such networks, systems or technology as
a result of computer viruses, misappropriation of data or other
malfeasance, as well as outages, disasters, accidental releases
of information or similar events, may disrupt the Companys
businesses. Because network and information systems and
other technologies are critical to many of Time Warners
operating activities, network or information system shutdowns
caused by events such as computer hacking, dissemination of
computer viruses, worms and other destructive or disruptive
software, denial of service attacks and other malicious
activity, as well as power outages, disasters, accidental
releases of information, terrorist attacks and similar events,
pose increasing risks. Such an event could have an adverse
impact on the Company and its customers, including degradation
of service, service disruption, excessive call volume to call
centers and damage to equipment and data. Such an event also
could result in large expenditures necessary to repair or
replace such networks or information systems or to protect them
from similar events in the future. Significant incidents could
result in a disruption of the Companys operations,
customer dissatisfaction, or a loss of customers or revenues.
Furthermore, the operating activities of Time Warners
various businesses could be subject to risks caused by
misappropriation, misuse, leakage, falsification and accidental
release or loss of information maintained in the Companys
information technology systems and networks, including customer,
personnel and vendor data. The Company could be exposed to
significant costs if such risks were to materialize, and such
events could damage the reputation and credibility of Time
Warner and its businesses. The Company also could be required to
expend significant capital and other resources to remedy any
such security breach. As a result of the increasing awareness
concerning the importance of safeguarding personal information,
the potential misuse of such information and legislation that
has been adopted or is being considered regarding the protection
and security of personal information, information-related risks
are increasing, particularly for businesses that handle a large
amount of personal customer data.
RISKS RELATING TO TIME WARNERS AOL BUSINESS
The Companys AOL business faces significant
competition. Historically, AOLs primary product
offering has been an online subscription service that includes a
component of telephone
dial-up
Internet access. This product, offered under a variety of
different terms and price plans, generates the substantial
majority of AOLs revenue. During the last several years,
the online services industry has been changing from one in which
the only way for a household to access the Internet was through
telephone
dial-up
Internet access provided by Internet service providers to one in
which households can access the Internet through a variety of
connection methods, such as cable modems, DSL or wireless
connections offered by a number of different providers,
including Internet service providers, cable companies and
telephone and other telecommunications companies. Additional
methods of high-speed (also referred to as broadband) Internet
access, such as wireless, mobile wireless, fiber optic cable and
power lines, are continuing to be developed and offered. As a
43
result, significant price and service competition for Internet
access exists and is expected to continue in the future.
Unlike some of its competitors in the U.S., AOL does not own or
control access to the last mile of connectivity to
the consumer that would enable it to easily offer high-speed
access to subscribers. Therefore, in order for AOL to provide
high-speed access in the U.S., it generally must negotiate and
secure access from the providers that control the last mile of
infrastructure. In some cases, those companies provide products
competitive to AOL. To date, while AOL has reached and
implemented agreements with various high-speed access providers,
significant price and service competition exists in the offer of
high-speed Internet access services. AOL (together with the
high-speed access providers) has had limited success in
providing a competitive offering in the U.S., and there can be
no assurance that AOL will be able to compete successfully in
the future.
The success of AOLs Audience business depends on its
ability to generate advertising revenue from increased activity
by the audience of members of the AOL service and from increased
numbers and activity of Internet users visiting AOLs
network of portals, including AOL.com, other websites (including
certain affiliated or third-party websites), and certain related
applications and services (the AOL service and such portals,
websites, applications and services are together referred to as
the AOL Network). In attracting and engaging this
audience, AOL faces significant competition from the major
interactive networks provided by Google, Yahoo! and Microsoft,
other popular sites, including those provided by IAC/
InterActiveCorp and eBay, and sites focused in specific vertical
markets or commerce areas, such as shopping, auctions and
travel, many of which possess large user bases and may command
greater brand association among consumers. In addition, AOL also
competes for the time and activity of Internet users with the
traditional media companies. AOL is competing for audience with
these companies, as well as other companies, and, if these
competitors are more successful than AOL in attracting and
engaging their audiences, AOLs advertising revenue could
be adversely affected.
Declines in subscribers to the AOL service are expected to
continue, and are expected to continue to adversely affect
AOLs subscription and advertising revenue. AOL has
experienced declines in the number of subscribers to the AOL
service throughout 2003, 2004 and 2005, and expects to continue
to experience declines in the number of these subscribers for
the foreseeable future. Each year, a significant number of
subscribers of the AOL service cancel their membership or are
terminated by AOL either for non-payment of account charges or
violation of one of the terms of service that apply to members
(for example, sending spam
e-mails or violating
community guidelines in chat rooms).
AOL is not registering new members in numbers sufficient to
replace the subscribers who have canceled or have been
terminated. Registrations have been declining for several
reasons, including declining registrations in response to
AOLs marketing campaigns, competition from broadband
access providers and reduced subscriber acquisition efforts.
Continuing decreases in new registrations could adversely affect
the rate of decline in the total number of subscribers.
Furthermore, in connection with the announcements of the
broadband agreements discussed below, AOL recently has announced
price increases for certain AOL service plans. These increases
are intended to encourage subscribers to migrate to broadband
access, but could result in a further or faster decline in the
number of subscribers or registrations to the AOL service, and
these declines could adversely affect subscription and
advertising revenue.
AOL recently has entered into agreements with high-speed
Internet access providers to offer the AOL service along with
high-speed Internet access. It is too early to determine if such
agreements will be successful attracting and retaining
subscribers. These arrangements generate less revenue than
arrangements with subscribers who purchase their narrowband
Internet access directly from AOL. In addition, it is too early
to determine whether subscribers who access the AOL service
through a broadband connection will generate more or less
activity on the AOL Network than subscribers who access the AOL
service through a narrowband connection. As part of its strategy
to attract and retain subscribers, AOL continues to enhance and
upgrade the content and features provided through the AOL
service, and AOL plans to continue to provide certain content,
features and tools that will only be available to its
subscribers. AOL also continues to
44
develop, test, change, market and implement price plans, service
offerings and payment methods, as well as other strategies, to
identify effective ways to attract and retain members.
Declines in AOLs subscribers, as well as the migration of
existing subscribers to lower-priced AOL subscription plans,
have resulted in decreased subscription revenue. The loss of
subscribers also has had an adverse impact on advertising
revenue at the AOL segment because subscribers generate
significantly more usage than non-subscriber Internet visitors
to the AOL Network. Accordingly, decreased usage due to
decreases in subscribers reduces the amount of advertising
inventory that AOL has available to sell to advertisers. If AOL
is unable to attract and retain members, it will continue to
have an adverse effect on AOLs subscription and
advertising revenue.
If AOL is unsuccessful in increasing its advertising
revenue, AOLs results of operations and cash flows could
be adversely affected. AOL will need to develop other
sources of revenue, including advertising revenue, to offset
lower revenue resulting from the decline in subscribers and the
migration of existing subscribers to lower-priced plans.
Advertising revenue will be an increasingly important source of
revenue for AOL for the foreseeable future, but increases in
advertising revenue to date have not been high enough to offset
the losses in subscription revenue and are not expected to be
sufficient to offset such losses for the foreseeable future.
AOLs ability to increase its advertising revenue will
depend on a number of factors, including competition, the rate
of decline in the number of subscribers to the AOL service, the
ability to generate more activity on, and to attract more people
to, the AOL Network, the growth of the online advertising
business, the ability to secure and maintain agreements with
third parties for advertising and for distribution of AOL
products and services, accurate forecasting of consumer
preferences, and the ability to anticipate and keep up with
technological developments.
AOL expects that maintaining and increasing the size and value
of its U.S. and worldwide audience of subscribers and other
Internet users accessing the AOL Network will have a significant
impact on its ability to increase advertising revenue. AOL
re-launched the AOL.com website as a free portal during the
third quarter of 2005 as part of its efforts to increase the
size and value of its audience. In connection with this
re-launch, AOL moved much of its proprietary content and many of
its features and tools to the Internet, allowing all Internet
users, not just members of the AOL service, to access such
content, features and tools without charge. It is too early to
determine whether this strategy of increasing content, features
and tools available on the web through a free portal will be
successful in generating increased activity by AOLs
audience or in maintaining or increasing its audience size.
Therefore, there can be no assurance that this strategy will
lead to an increase in advertising revenue. In addition, this
strategy could result in further declines in the number of
subscribers and the cancellation of subscriptions at a faster
rate than in the past. This could hinder AOLs efforts to
maintain and improve its subscription business and negatively
impact both its subscription and advertising revenue.
Factors relating to competition also may hamper AOLs
efforts to increase its advertising revenue. Although AOL has
had some success in attracting an audience outside of its member
base at Internet sites like MapQuest and Moviefone, AOL faces
significant competition from third-party Internet sites, such as
Yahoo!, in attracting Internet users to its portal. Also,
although AOLs advertising revenue improved in 2005, the
increases were primarily due to AOLs acquisition of
Advertising.com, which provides performance-based and brand
marketing services to online advertisers, and the paid-search
relationship AOL has with Google, including an arrangement with
AOL Europe. Increased competition for advertising inventory on
third-party Internet sites could adversely impact
Advertising.coms continued growth. In addition, growth in
paid-search revenue depends in part on Googles ability to
generate increased advertising revenue from search queries made
by AOLs audience. AOLs ability to increase
advertising revenue also depends in part on the continued
increase in Internet advertising spending by advertisers and
AOLs ability to successfully compete for Internet
advertising expenditures.
The Companys AOL business may not be able to
increase its revenue from the sale of premium digital
services. AOLs strategy to increase revenue from
sources other than the AOL service includes continuing to sell
both new and existing premium digital services to members of the
AOL service and Internet users. The development cycles for
premium digital services may be long and could require
significant capital investments
45
in addition to ongoing commitments of resources. AOL has
discontinued certain non-profitable premium digital services in
the past, and there can be no assurance that new premium digital
services will be successful. Furthermore, revenue from premium
digital services may be adversely affected by the reduction in
prices for these services or by their incorporation into the AOL
service offering rather than separate premium service offerings,
which could result from pressure from competitors who may offer
similar services over time at lower prices or at no additional
charge as part of their standard offerings. For example, a
McAfee Virus Scan Online product, which AOL previously sold
separately to subscribers, is currently provided to subscribers
to the AOL service at no additional charge. In addition, the
development and introduction of premium digital services require
AOL to operate outside of its core area of expertise and may
subject it to new regulatory requirements. AOLs ability to
increase its revenue from the sale of premium digital services
will depend on a number of factors, including the ability, at a
reasonable cost, to acquire customers and to make Internet users
aware that they can purchase AOLs premium digital services
without having a subscription to the AOL service. If AOL is
unable to generate revenue from premium digital services that is
greater than the cost of providing such services, its operating
results will be adversely affected.
If the Companys AOL business is unable to acquire or
offer compelling search functionality, content, features,
services, applications and tools at reasonable costs, the size
or value of its audience may not increase as anticipated, which
could adversely affect its subscription and advertising
revenue. AOL believes that it must offer compelling and
differentiated search functionality, content, features,
services, applications and tools to attract and retain
subscribers and to attract Internet users to, and generate
increased activity on, the AOL Network. AOL also anticipates
that subscribers and Internet users may demand an escalating
quality of offerings. If AOL is unable to provide offerings that
are compelling to subscribers and Internet users, the size and
value of AOLs audience may be adversely affected. With
respect to search functionality, AOL has an existing
relationship with Google, whereby Google provides its
industry-leading algorithmic search. AOL has committed that
AOLs use of algorithmic search will be on an exclusive
basis. Although AOL retains the ability to differentiate its
search product from Google and other providers, competing search
technologies may grow in popularity, and this exclusivity in
certain circumstances may limit AOLs flexibility to change
providers of its algorithmic search in the future. With respect
to content, although AOL has access to certain content provided
by the Companys other businesses, it also may be required
to make substantial payments to third parties from whom it
licenses such content, and costs for such content may continue
to increase as a result of competition or for other reasons.
Further, many of AOLs content arrangements with third
parties are non-exclusive, so competitors may be able to offer
similar or identical content. If AOL is unable to acquire or
develop compelling content at reasonable prices or if other
companies broadcast content that is similar to or the same as
that provided by AOL, the size and value of AOLs audience
may be adversely affected. If the size and value of AOLs
audience does not grow significantly, AOLs subscription
and advertising revenue could be adversely affected.
More individuals are using non-PC devices to access the
Internet, and AOL must be able to secure placement of its
services, applications and features on such devices, must ensure
that they are compatible with the devices and must ensure that
the AOL Network is accessible by users of non-PC
devices. The number of individuals who access the
Internet through devices other than a personal computer, such as
personal digital assistants, mobile telephones and television
set-top devices, has increased significantly. AOL must be able
to secure arrangements with the device manufacturers as well as
the access providers or wireless carriers, as the case may be,
in order to ensure placement of its services, applications and
features on the non-PC devices. In addition, AOL must ensure
that its services, applications and features are technologically
compatible in order for them to be placed on such non-PC
devices. Also, the websites, applications and services included
in the AOL Network must be designed so that they are
technologically compatible with the non-PC devices in order that
users of these devices can access the AOL Network and engage in
activity. If AOL is unable to place its services, applications
and features on non-PC devices, or if AOL is unable to attract
and retain a substantial number of alternative device users to
use the AOL Network, it could have an adverse impact on
AOLs advertising, subscription or other revenue.
The AOL segment may not be able to continue to reduce
costs. AOL intends to continue to identify and implement
cost reductions. While network service costs were cut
substantially in 2004 and 2005, AOL expects
46
that domestic network expenses will continue to decline in 2006
but at a rate lower than in 2005. However, this decline is
expected to be more than offset by increased network expenses at
AOL Europe due to the continued migration of AOL Europe
dial-up subscribers to
bundled broadband plans for which network expenses per
subscriber are significantly higher. In addition to network
costs, AOL continues to evaluate opportunities to reduce other
costs, including but not limited to, customer service costs,
personnel costs and other technology-related costs. If AOL
cannot continue to identify and implement cost reductions, its
operating results could be adversely affected.
Changes in international, federal, state and local tax
laws and regulations, or interpretations of international,
federal, state and local tax laws and regulations, could
adversely affect AOLs operating results.
International, federal, state and local tax laws and regulations
affecting AOLs business, or interpretations or application
of these tax laws and regulations, could change. In addition,
new international, federal, state and local tax laws and
regulations affecting AOLs business could be enacted. In
December 2004, the U.S. federal government enacted the
Internet Tax Nondiscrimination Act (or the ITNA), extending the
moratorium on states and other local authorities imposing access
or discriminatory taxes on the Internet through November 2007.
If the ITNA is not extended or permanently enacted, state and
local jurisdictions may seek to impose taxes on Internet access
or electronic commerce within their jurisdictions. These taxes
could adversely affect AOLs operating results.
The Streamlined Sales Tax Project is an effort by state
governments, with input from local governments and the private
sector, to establish a simplified and uniform sales tax system
by creating uniform definitions for taxable goods and requiring
participating states and local governments to have one statewide
tax rate for each type of product. In conjunction with the
Streamlined Sales Tax Project, the U.S. Congress continues
to consider overriding a Supreme Court decision that limits the
ability of state governments to require sellers outside of their
own state to collect and remit sales taxes on goods purchased by
in-state residents. If the U.S. Congress were to enact such
legislation, it could have a negative impact on AOLs users
and its business.
In addition, under a directive adopted by the European Union in
July 2003, certain services are subject to a Value Added Tax, or
VAT, which is levied based on the country from which the service
is provided rather than the place of consumption. If the EU
votes in the future to change its approach from the current
place of supply to a place of
consumption approach, AOLs operating results could
be adversely affected.
RISKS RELATING TO TIME WARNERS CABLE BUSINESS
If the proposed Adelphia acquisition and/or related
transactions with Comcast close, TWC Inc. will face certain
challenges regarding the integration of the newly acquired
systems into its existing managed systems. The
successful integration of these acquired systems will depend
primarily on TWC Inc.s ability to manage the combined
operations and integrate into its operations the acquired
systems (including management information, marketing,
purchasing, accounting and finance, sales, billing, customer
support and product distribution infrastructure, personnel,
payroll and benefits, regulatory compliance and technology
systems), as well as the related control processes. The
integration of these systems, including the anticipated upgrade
of certain portions of the systems to be acquired from Adelphia,
will require significant capital expenditures and may require
TWC Inc. to use financial resources it would otherwise devote to
other business initiatives, including marketing, customer care,
the development of new products and services and the expansion
of its existing cable systems. Furthermore, these integration
efforts will require substantial attention from TWC Inc.s
management and may impose significant strains on its technical
resources.
In addition, when appropriate, TWC Inc. intends to selectively
pursue strategic acquisitions of additional cable systems as
part of its growth strategy. Time Warner cannot predict whether
TWC Inc. will be successful in buying additional cable systems.
If TWC Inc. were to acquire a significant number of additional
cable systems prior to completing the integration of the systems
proposed to be acquired from Adelphia and Comcast, the
integration of the systems proposed to be acquired from Adelphia
and Comcast, as well as such additional systems, could be
further complicated. If TWC Inc. fails to integrate successfully
systems acquired from Adelphia, Comcast or others, fails to
manage its growth as a result of these acquisitions or
encounters unexpected difficulties during that growth, it could
have a negative impact on the performance of TWC Inc.s
47
systems (including the systems to be acquired in the Adelphia
and Comcast transactions), as well as on the operations,
business or financial results of Time Warner.
TWC Inc. also faces certain integration challenges in connection
with the internal control over financial reporting and
disclosure controls and procedures that have been implemented
with respect to the systems to be acquired from Adelphia. The
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires public companies, among
other things, to implement and maintain policies and procedures
pertaining to the maintenance of records that reflect the
companys transactions and disposition of assets in order
to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements
in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles such that, among other things, (1) transactions
are accurately and fairly recorded to permit the preparation of
financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles and receipts and expenditures are
made only when properly authorized and (2) unauthorized
transactions involving the acquisition, use or disposition of
assets that could have a material adverse effect on the
companys financial statements are prevented or detected in
a timely manner. Adelphia has disclosed in its Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004 (filed with the SEC on
October 6, 2005) that it has identified material weaknesses
in its internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2004 and that, as of such date, Adelphia did
not maintain effective internal control over financial
reporting. While Adelphia has agreed to use reasonable efforts
to implement effective internal control over financial reporting
prior to the consummation of the proposed transactions, such
policies and procedures may not be in place when TWC Inc.
acquires such systems in the proposed transactions. As a result,
TWC Inc. may be required to devote significant time and
resources to implementing such controls, which will further
complicate the integration of the Adelphia systems with its
existing managed systems, and TWC Inc. cannot ensure that it
will be able to put such controls in place in a timely fashion.
If the proposed Adelphia acquisition and/or related
transactions with Comcast close, TWC Inc. may not realize the
anticipated benefits of such transactions. The proposed
Adelphia acquisition and related transactions with Comcast will
combine cable systems of three companies that have previously
operated separately. Time Warner expects that TWC Inc. will
realize cost savings and other financial and operating benefits
as a result of the proposed transactions. However, due to the
complexity of and risks relating to the integration of these
systems, among other factors, Time Warner cannot predict with
certainty when these cost savings and benefits will occur or the
extent to which they actually will be achieved, if at all.
In introducing voice services over its cable systems, TWC
Inc. faces risks inherent to entering into a new line of
business. TWC Inc. completed a launch of its Digital
Phone service during 2004. During 2005, it added 880,000 Digital
Phone subscribers, ending the year with 1.1 million
subscribers. Managing the growth of a product with which it has
only limited operating experience may present significant
challenges, and TWC Inc. may encounter unforeseen difficulties
as it introduces the product in new operating areas or increases
the scale of its offering in areas in which it has launched.
First, TWC Inc. faces heightened customer expectations for the
reliability of voice services as compared with its video and
high-speed data services. TWC Inc. has undertaken significant
training of customer service representatives and technicians,
and it will need to continue to have a highly trained workforce.
To ensure reliable service, TWC Inc. may need to increase its
expenditures, including on technology, equipment and personnel.
If the service is not sufficiently reliable or TWC Inc.
otherwise fails to meet customer expectations, the Digital Phone
business could be adversely affected. Second, the competitive
landscape for voice services is intense, with TWC Inc. facing
competition from providers of Internet phone services, as well
as incumbent local telephone companies, cellular telephone
service providers and others. See TWC Inc. faces a wide
range of competition, which could affect the future results of
operations of TWC Inc. Third, the Digital Phone service
depends on interconnection and related services provided by
certain third parties. As a result, TWC Inc.s ability to
implement changes as the service grows may be limited. In
addition, in January 2006, MCI, Inc., one of TWC Inc.s two
interconnect and provisioning partners in the Digital Phone
business, merged with Verizon Communications Inc., a regional
phone company that competes with TWC Inc.s offerings in
some areas. It is currently not known whether, or to what
extent, the merger will have any negative impact on the Digital
Phone products and operations. Finally, the Company expects
advances in communications technology, as well as changes in the
marketplace and the regulatory and legislative environment.
Consequently, the Company is unable to predict the effect that
48
ongoing or future developments in these areas might have on the
Cable segments voice business and operations.
In addition, TWC Inc.s launch of voice services in the
cable systems expected to be acquired in the Adelphia and
Comcast transactions may pose certain risks. TWC Inc. may not be
able to provide its Digital Phone service in some of the
acquired systems without first upgrading the facilities. In such
cases, TWC Inc. will be required to upgrade, or otherwise
prepare, the facilities prior to launching any Digital Phone
services. Additionally, TWC Inc. may need to obtain certain
services from third parties prior to deploying Digital Phone
services in the acquired cable systems. If TWC Inc. encounters
difficulties in launching voice services in these acquired
systems, its operations, business or financial results may be
adversely affected.
Increases in programming costs could adversely affect TWC
Inc.s operations, business or financial results.
Programming has been, and is expected to continue to be, one of
TWC Inc.s largest operating expense items. In recent
years, TWC Inc. has experienced sharp increases in the cost of
programming, particularly sports programming. The increases are
expected to continue due to a variety of factors, including
inflationary and negotiated annual increases, additional
programming being provided to subscribers, and increased costs
to purchase new programming.
Programming cost increases that TWC Inc. is unable to pass on
fully to its subscribers have had, and will continue to have, an
adverse impact on cash flow and operating margins. Current and
future programming providers that provide content that is
desirable to TWC Inc. subscribers may enter into exclusive
affiliation agreements with TWC Inc.s cable and non-cable
competitors and may be unwilling to enter into affiliation
agreements with TWC Inc. on acceptable terms, if at all.
In addition, increased demands by owners of some broadcast
stations for carriage of other services or payments to those
broadcasters for retransmission consent could further increase
TWC Inc.s programming costs. Federal law allows commercial
television broadcast stations to make an election between
must-carry rights and an alternative
retransmission-consent regime. When a station opts
for the latter, cable operators are not allowed to carry the
stations signal without the stations permission. TWC
Inc. currently has multi-year agreements with most of the
retransmission-consent stations that it carries. In other cases,
TWC Inc. carries stations under short-term arrangements while it
attempts to negotiate new long-term retransmission agreements.
If negotiations with these programmers prove unsuccessful, they
could require TWC Inc. to cease carrying their signals, possibly
for an indefinite period. Any loss of stations could make TWC
Inc.s video service less attractive to subscribers, which
could result in less subscription and advertising revenue. In
retransmission-consent negotiations, broadcasters often
condition consent with respect to one station on carriage of one
or more other stations or programming services in which they or
their affiliates have an interest. Carriage of these other
services may increase TWC Inc.s programming expenses and
diminish the amount of spectrum it has available to introduce
new services, which may reduce its future revenue.
TWC Inc. faces a wide range of competition, which could
affect the future results of operations of TWC Inc. The
industry in which TWC Inc. operates is highly competitive and
has become more so in recent years. TWC Inc. faces intense
competition with respect to its video services, particularly
from direct-to-home
satellite providers, with respect to its high-speed data
services, particularly from incumbent local telephone companies
and other providers of DSL service and, with respect to its
Digital Phone service, particularly from incumbent local
telephone companies and Internet phone providers.
The multi-channel video service business is relatively mature,
and TWC Inc. competes with a number of types of businesses that
provide video services. Because of the broad footprint of
satellite providers, TWC Inc. competes with satellite providers
for video subscribers in almost all of the geographic areas
served by its cable systems. Technological advancements may, in
the future, allow satellite providers to offer certain products
and services that are similar to or better than advanced
products and services currently available on cable systems, such
as video-on-demand. In
the future, TWC Inc.s traditional video services may also
compete with video services delivered over broadband internet
connections. TWC Inc. also may face significant competition from
one or more other providers of paid television services, such as
satellite-master antenna television. From time to time, TWC Inc.
also faces competition from other cable operators that provide
service in some TWC Inc. franchise areas under non-exclusive
franchise agreements. In addition, local telephone companies are
seeking
49
to compete in the subscription television business, either
through co-marketing arrangements with satellite operators or
directly, and they may increase their efforts to do so in the
future. In particular, a number of incumbent local telephone
companies are in the process of fiber upgrades to their networks
that enable the delivery of video services direct to consumer
residences, and a number of these companies have begun offering
video services. TWC Inc.s video service business also
faces competition from broadcast companies distributing
television broadcast signals without a subscription fee and from
other communications and entertainment media, including
conventional radio broadcasting services, newspapers, movie
theaters, the Internet, live sports events and home video
products.
TWC Inc.s high-speed data (or HSD) service faces
competition from DSL providers, Wi-Fi broadband providers,
Internet over power line providers, as well as from providers of
traditional dial-up
Internet access. Some Internet service providers carried by TWC
Inc. also may be available from DSL providers operating in TWC
Inc.s service area, which may enhance DSLs ability
to compete with TWC Inc.s offerings. For example, AOL,
whose online services are available in conjunction with TWC
Inc.s high-speed data service, recently announced that it
had entered into new arrangements with several DSL providers
that compete with TWC Inc. for high-speed data customers. A
number of incumbent local telephone companies are in the process
of fiber upgrades to their networks that enable the delivery of
high speed data services in a manner that may provide greater
speed and reliability than these companies existing DSL
offerings. TWC Inc. also faces HSD service competition from
other cable operators who provide service in TWC Inc. operating
areas, satellite providers, terrestrial wireless providers and
power companies, all of which currently, or may in the future,
offer HSD service. Some municipalities also have announced their
intentions to create wireless broadband networks that could
compete with TWC Inc.s high-speed data service. In
addition, satellite providers have entered into marketing
arrangements with incumbent local telephone companies or other
providers of DSL and voice services to provide packaged digital
video, HSD and voice services to compete with TWC Inc.s
bundled service offerings.
TWC Inc.s Digital Phone service faces intense competition
for voice customers from incumbent local telephone companies,
cellular telephone service providers, Internet phone providers
and others. The incumbent local telephone companies have
substantial capital and other resources, as well as longstanding
customer relationships. Some of these competitors also offer HSD
services and have entered into co-marketing arrangements with
direct-to-home
satellite service providers to offer video services, and some
are in the process of fiber upgrades to their networks that
enable the direct delivery of video services, together with
their telephone and DSL offerings. Such bundled offerings by
telephone companies may compete with TWC Inc.s offerings
and could adversely impact TWC Inc. In addition, in January
2006, MCI, one of TWC Inc.s two interconnect and
provisioning partners in the Digital Phone business, merged with
Verizon, a regional phone company that competes with TWC Inc. in
some areas. It is currently not known whether, or to what
extent, the proposed acquisition will have any negative impact
on TWC Inc.s Digital Phone, or other, business and
operations.
In addition, future advances in technology, as well as changes
in the marketplace and the regulatory and legislative
environment may result in changes to the competitive landscape.
Any inability to compete effectively or an increase in
competition with respect to video, voice or HSD services could
have an adverse effect on the Cable segments financial
results and return on capital expenditures due to possible
increases in the cost of gaining and retaining subscribers and
lower per-subscriber revenue. In addition, any inability to
compete effectively or an increase in competition may slow or
cause a decline in TWC Inc.s growth rates, reduce the
number of TWC Inc. subscribers or reduce TWC Inc.s ability
to increase its penetration rates for services. As TWC Inc.
expands and introduces new and enhanced products and services,
TWC Inc. may be subject to competition from other providers of
those products and services, such as telecommunications
providers, ISPs and consumer electronics companies, among
others. The Company cannot predict the extent to which this
competition will affect the Cable segments future
financial results or return on capital expenditures. See
Business Cable Competition.
TWC Inc.s business is subject to extensive
governmental regulation, which could adversely affect its
business. TWC Inc.s video and Digital Phone
services are subject to extensive regulation by federal, state,
50
and local governmental agencies. In addition, the federal
government also has begun to explore possible regulation of high
speed data services. TWC Inc. expects that legislative
enactments, court actions, and regulatory proceedings will
continue to clarify and in some cases change the rights of cable
companies and other entities providing video, voice, and data
services under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and
other laws, possibly in ways that it has not foreseen. The
results of these legislative, judicial, and administrative
actions may materially affect TWC Inc.s business
operations in areas such as:
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Cable Franchising. Different legislative proposals have
been made at the federal level and in a number of states (and
enacted in Texas) that would streamline cable franchising to
facilitate entry by new competitors, particularly local
telephone companies. To the extent that such legislation enables
competitors to compete more easily and possibly on more
favorable terms for video and other customers, TWC Inc.s
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Net Neutrality. Although the broadband Internet services
industry has largely remained unregulated, there has been
legislative and regulatory interest in adopting so-called
net neutrality principles that could, among other
things, prohibit service providers from slowing or blocking
access to certain content, applications, or services available
on the Internet and otherwise limit their ability to manage
their networks efficiently and develop new products and
services. The FCC last year adopted a non-binding policy
statement expressing its view that consumers are entitled to
access lawful Internet content and to run applications and use
services of their choice, subject to the needs of law
enforcement. If some form of net neutrality legislation or
regulations were adopted, it could impair TWC Inc.s
ability to effectively manage its broadband network and explore
enhanced service options for customers. |
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À La Carte. There has been legislative interest
in requiring cable operators to offer historically bundled
programming services on an à la carte basis. It is also
possible that the FCC could in the future seek to adopt rules
regulating programming bundles that could materially and
adversely affect TWC Inc.s operations. |
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Carriage Regulations. Cable operators face significant
regulation of their channel carriage, including local broadcast
signals; public, educational and government access programming;
and unaffiliated commercial leased access programming.
Additional government-mandated broadcast carriage
obligations such as the requirement to carry both
the analog and digital versions of local broadcast signals (dual
carriage) or to carry multiple program streams within a single
digital broadcast transmission (multicast carriage)
could disrupt existing programming commitments, interfere with
TWC Inc.s preferred use of limited channel capacity, and
limit its ability to offer services that would maximize customer
appeal and revenue potential. |
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Voice Communications. Traditional providers of voice
services generally are subject to significant regulations. If
such regulations are applied to cable operators offering voice
services, their compliance with such regulations may be
difficult or costly. For example, regulators could allow utility
pole owners to charge cable operators offering voice services
higher rates for pole rental than are allowed for cable and
high-speed data services. Although the FCC has declared that
certain Voice over Internet Protocol (or VoIP) services are not
subject to certification or tariffing requirements by state
public utility commissions, the full extent of this preemption
is unclear. The FCC subsequently has determined that VoIP
providers must comply with traditional 911 emergency service
obligations and imposed a specific timeframe for VoIP providers
to accommodate law enforcement wiretaps. To the extent that
additional regulatory burdens are imposed on VoIP providers or
services, TWC Inc.s operations could be adversely affected. |
RISKS RELATING TO BOTH THE TIME WARNER
NETWORKS AND FILMED ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESSES
The Networks and Filmed Entertainment segments must
respond to recent and future changes in technology, services and
standards to remain competitive and continue to increase their
revenue. Technology
51
in the video, telecommunications and data services used in the
entertainment industry is changing rapidly, and advances in
technology, such as
video-on-demand, new
video formats and distribution via the Internet, have led to
alternative methods of product delivery and storage. Certain
changes in consumer behavior driven by these methods of delivery
and storage could have a negative effect on the revenue of the
Networks and Filmed Entertainment segments. For example, devices
that allow users to view television programs or motion pictures
from a remote location may cause changes in consumer behavior
that could negatively affect the subscription revenue of cable
and DTH satellite operators and therefore have a corresponding
negative effect on the subscription revenue generated by the
Networks segment and the licensing revenue generated by the
Networks and Filmed Entertainment segments. Devices that enable
users to view television programs or motion pictures on a
time-delayed basis or allow them to fast-forward or skip
advertisements may cause changes in consumer behavior that could
adversely affect the advertising revenue of the
advertising-supported networks in the Networks segment and have
an indirect negative impact on the licensing revenue generated
by the Filmed Entertainment segment and the revenue generated by
Home Box Office from the licensing of its original
programming in syndication and to basic cable channels. In
addition, further increased use of portable digital devices that
allow users to view content of their own choice, at a time of
their choice, while avoiding traditional commercial
advertisements, could adversely affect such advertising and
licensing revenue.
Technological developments also pose other challenges for the
Networks and Filmed Entertainment segments that could adversely
impact their revenue and competitive position. For example, the
Networks and Filmed Entertainment segments may not have the
right, and may not be able to secure the right, to distribute
their licensed content across new delivery platforms that are
developed. In addition, technological developments could enable
third-party owners of programming to bypass traditional content
aggregators, such as the Turner networks and Home
Box Office, and deal directly with cable and DTH satellite
operators or other businesses that develop to offer content to
viewers. Such limitations on the ability of the segments to
distribute their content could have an adverse impact on their
revenue. Cable system and DTH satellite operators are developing
new techniques that enable them to transmit more channels on
their existing equipment to highly targeted audiences, reducing
the cost of creating channels and potentially furthering the
development of more specialized niche audiences. A greater
number of options increases competition for viewers, and
competitors targeting programming to narrowly defined audiences
may improve their competitive position compared to the Networks
and Filmed Entertainment segments for television advertising and
for subscription and licensing revenue. The ability to
anticipate and adapt to changes in technology on a timely basis
and exploit new sources of revenue from these changes will
affect the ability of the Networks and Filmed Entertainment
segments to continue to grow and increase their revenue.
The Networks and Filmed Entertainment segments operate in
highly competitive industries. The Companys
Networks and Filmed Entertainment businesses generate revenue
through the production and distribution of feature films,
television programming and home video products, licensing fees,
the sale of advertising and subscriber fees paid by affiliates.
Competition faced by the businesses within these segments is
intense and comes from many different sources. For example:
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The Networks and Filmed Entertainment segments compete with
other television programming services for marketing and
distribution by cable and other distribution systems. |
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The Networks and Filmed Entertainment segments compete for
viewers attention and audience share with other forms of
programming provided to viewers, including broadcast networks,
local over-the-air
television stations, pay and basic cable television services,
motion pictures, home video, pay-per-view and
video-on-demand
services, online activities and other forms of news, information
and entertainment. |
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The Networks segment faces competition for programming with
commercial television networks, independent stations, and pay
and basic cable television services, some of which have
exclusive contracts with motion picture studios and independent
motion picture distributors. |
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The production divisions in the Networks and Filmed
Entertainment segments compete with other producers and
distributors of television programming for air time on broadcast
networks, independent commercial television stations, and cable
television and DTH satellite networks. |
52
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The production divisions in the Networks and Filmed
Entertainment segments compete with other production companies
for the services of producers, directors, writers, actors and
others and for the acquisition of literary properties. |
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The advertising-supported networks and Turners Internet
sites in the Networks segment compete for advertising with
numerous direct competitors and other media. |
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The Networks and Filmed Entertainment segments compete in their
character merchandising and other licensing activities with
other licensors of character, brand and celebrity names. |
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The Networks and Filmed Entertainment segments compete for
viewers attention with other forms of entertainment and
leisure time activities, including video games, the Internet and
other computer-related activities. |
The ability of the Companys Networks and Filmed
Entertainment segments to compete successfully depends on many
factors, including their ability to provide high-quality and
popular entertainment product and their ability to achieve high
distribution levels. There has been consolidation in the media
industry, and the Companys Networks and Filmed
Entertainment segments competitors include industry
participants with interests in other multiple media businesses
that are often vertically integrated. Vertical integration of
other television networks and television and film production
companies could adversely impact the Networks segment if it
hinders the ability of the Networks segment to obtain
programming for its networks. In addition, if purchasers of
programming increasingly purchase their programming from
production companies with which they are affiliated, such
vertical integration could have a negative effect on the Filmed
Entertainment segments licensing revenue. Furthermore, as
described above, there is increased competition in the
television industry evidenced by the increasing number and
variety of broadcast networks and basic cable and pay television
programming services now available. Although this increase could
result in greater licensing revenue for the Filmed Entertainment
segment, it also could result in higher licensing costs for the
Networks segment. There can be no assurance that the Networks
and Filmed Entertainment segments will be able to compete
successfully in the future against existing or potential
competitors, or that competition will not have an adverse effect
on their businesses or results of operations.
The popularity of the Companys television programs
and films and other factors is difficult to predict and could
lead to fluctuations in the revenue of the Networks and Filmed
Entertainment segments. Television program and film
production and distribution are inherently risky businesses
largely because the revenue derived from the production and
distribution of a television program or motion picture, as well
as the licensing of rights to the intellectual property
associated with a program or film, depends primarily on its
acceptance by the public, which is difficult to predict. The
commercial success of a television program or feature film also
depends on the quality and acceptance of other competing
programs and films released at or near the same time, the
availability of alternate forms of entertainment and leisure
time activities, general economic conditions and other tangible
and intangible factors, many of which are difficult to predict.
In the case of the Turner networks, audience sizes are also
factors that are weighed when determining their advertising
rates. Poor ratings in targeted demographics can lead to a
reduction in pricing and advertising spending. Further, the
theatrical success of a motion picture may affect revenue from
other distribution channels, such as home entertainment and pay
television programming services, and sales of licensed consumer
products. Therefore, low public acceptance of the television
programs or feature films of the Networks and Filmed
Entertainment segments may adversely affect their respective
results of operations.
The Networks and Filmed Entertainment segments are subject
to potential labor interruption. The Networks and Filmed
Entertainment segments and certain of their suppliers retain the
services of writers, directors, actors, trade employees and
others involved in the production of motion pictures and
television programs who are covered by collective bargaining
agreements. If expiring collective bargaining agreements are not
renewed, it is possible that the affected unions could take
action in the form of strikes, work slowdowns or work stoppages.
Such actions could cause delays in the production or the release
date of the segments television programs or feature films
as well as higher costs resulting either from such action or
less favorable terms of these agreements on renewal.
53
Although piracy poses risks to several of Time
Warners businesses, such risks are especially significant
for the Networks and Filmed Entertainment segments due to the
prevalence of piracy of feature films and television
programming. See Risks Relating to Time Warner
Generally Piracy of the Companys feature
films, television programming and other content may decrease the
revenues received from the exploitation of the Companys
entertainment content and adversely affect its business and
profitability.
RISKS RELATING TO TIME WARNERS FILMED ENTERTAINMENT
BUSINESS
Box office receipts and the growth rate of DVD sales have
recently been declining, which may adversely affect the Filmed
Entertainment segments growth prospects and results of
operations. Several factors, including increasing
competition for consumer discretionary spending, piracy, the
maturation of the DVD format, increased competition for retailer
shelf space and the fragmentation of consumer leisure time, may
be contributing to a recent industry-wide decline in box office
receipts and in a reduced growth rate of DVD sales. DVD sales
also may be affected by consumer anticipation of the release of
next-generation, high-definition, optical disc formats. The
potential format war between such next-generation formats may
slow consumer adoption of those formats once they launch and may
likewise result in increased competition for retailer shelf
space. In addition, there can be no assurance that home video
wholesale prices can be maintained at current levels due to
aggressive retail pricing or other factors. A continuing decline
in attendance by moviegoers and in DVD sales growth could have
an adverse impact on the segments results of operations
and growth prospects.
The Filmed Entertainment segments strategy includes
the release of a limited number of event films each
year, and the underperformance of one or more of these films
could have an adverse effect on the Filmed Entertainment
segments results of operations and financial
condition. The Filmed Entertainment segment expects to
theatrically release a limited number of feature films each year
that are expected to be event or
tent-pole films and that generally have higher
production and marketing costs than the other films released
during the year. The underperformance of one of these films can
have an adverse impact on the segments results of
operations in both the year of release and in the future.
Historically, there has been a correlation between domestic box
office success and international box office success, as well as
a correlation between box office success and success in the
subsequent distribution channels of home video and television.
If the segments films fail to achieve box office success,
the results of operations and financial condition of the Filmed
Entertainment segment could be adversely affected. Further,
there can be no assurance that these historical correlations
will continue in the future.
The costs of producing and marketing feature films have
increased and may increase in the future, which may make it more
difficult for a film to generate a profit. The
production and marketing of feature films require substantial
capital, and the costs of producing and marketing feature films
have generally increased in recent years. These costs may
continue to increase in the future, which may make it more
difficult for the segments films to generate a profit. As
production and marketing costs increase, it creates a greater
need to generate revenue internationally or from other media,
such as home video, television and new media.
Changes in estimates of future revenues from feature films
could result in the write-off or the acceleration of the
amortization of film production costs. The Filmed
Entertainment segment is required to amortize capitalized film
production costs over the expected revenue streams as it
recognizes revenue from the associated films. The amount of film
production costs that will be amortized each quarter depends on
how much future revenue the segment expects to receive from each
film. Unamortized film production costs are evaluated for
impairment each reporting period on a film-by-film basis. If
estimated remaining revenue is not sufficient to recover the
unamortized film production costs plus expected but unincurred
marketing costs, the unamortized film production costs will be
written down to fair value. In any given quarter, if the segment
lowers its forecast with respect to total anticipated revenue
from any individual feature film, it would be required to
accelerate amortization of related film costs. Such a write-down
or accelerated amortization could adversely impact the operating
results of the Filmed Entertainment segment.
A decrease in demand for television product could
adversely affect Warner Bros. revenues. Warner
Bros. is a leading supplier of television programming. If there
is a decrease in the demand for Warner Bros.
54
television product, it could lead to the launch of fewer new
television series and the reduction of license fees in the near
term and a reduction in syndication revenues in the future.
Various factors may increase the risk of such a decrease,
including station group consolidation and vertical integration
between station groups and broadcast networks, as well as the
vertical integration between television production studios and
broadcast networks, which can increase reliance by networks on
their in-house or affiliated studios.
RISKS RELATING TO TIME WARNERS NETWORKS BUSINESS
The loss of affiliation agreements could cause the revenue
of the Networks segment to decline in any given period, and
further consolidation of multichannel video programming
distributors could adversely affect the segment. The
Networks segment depends on affiliation agreements with cable
system and DTH satellite operators for the distribution of its
networks, and there can be no assurance that these affiliation
agreements will be renewed in the future on terms that are
acceptable to the Networks segment. The renewal of such
agreements on less favorable terms may adversely affect the
segments results of operations. In addition, the loss of
any one of these arrangements representing a significant number
of subscribers or the loss of carriage on the most widely
penetrated programming tiers could reduce the distribution of
the segments programming, which may adversely affect its
advertising and subscription revenue. The loss of favorable
packaging, positioning, pricing or other marketing opportunities
with any distributor of the segments networks also could
reduce subscription revenue. In addition, further consolidation
among cable system and DTH satellite operators has provided
greater negotiating power to such distributors, and increased
vertical integration of such distributors could adversely affect
the segments ability to maintain or obtain distribution
and/or marketing for its networks on commercially reasonable
terms, or at all.
The inability of the Networks segment to license rights to
popular programming or create popular original programming could
adversely affect the segments revenue. The
Networks segment obtains a significant portion of its popular
programming from third parties. For example, some of
Turners most widely viewed programming, including sports
programming, is made available based on programming rights of
varying durations that it has negotiated with third parties.
Home Box Office also enters into commitments to acquire
rights to feature films and other programming for its HBO and
Cinemax pay television programming services from feature film
producers and other suppliers for varying durations. Competition
for popular programming licensed from third parties is intense,
and the businesses in the segment may be outbid by their
competitors for the rights to new popular programming or in
connection with the renewal of popular programming they
currently license. In addition, renewal costs could
substantially exceed the existing contract costs. Alternatively,
third parties from which the segment obtains programming, such
as professional sports teams or leagues, could create their own
networks.
The operating results of the Networks segment also fluctuate
with the popularity of its programming with the public, which is
difficult to predict. Revenue from the segments businesses
is therefore partially dependent on the segments ability
to develop strong brand awareness and to target key areas of the
television viewing audience, including both newer demographics
and preferences for particular genres, as well as its ability to
continue to anticipate and adapt to changes in consumer tastes
and behavior on a timely basis. Moreover, the Networks segment
derives a portion of its revenue from the exploitation of the
Companys library of feature films, animated titles and
television titles. If the content of the Companys
programming libraries ceases to be of interest to audiences or
is not continuously replenished with popular original content,
the revenue of the Networks segment could be adversely affected.
Increases in the costs of programming licenses and other
significant costs may adversely affect the gross margins of the
Networks segment. As described above, the Networks
segment licenses a significant amount of its programming, such
as motion pictures, television series, and sports events, from
movie studios, television production companies and sports
organizations. For example, the Turner networks license the
rights to broadcast significant sports events such as NBA
play-offs and a series of NASCAR races. In addition, Home Box
Office relies on film studios for a significant portion of its
content. If the level of demand for quality content exceeds the
amount of quality content available, the networks may have to
pay significantly higher licensing costs, which in turn will
exert greater pressure on the segment to offset such increased
costs with
55
higher advertising and/or subscription revenue. There can be no
assurance that the Networks segment will be able to renew
existing or enter into additional license agreements for its
programming and, if so, if it will be able to do so on terms
that are similar to existing terms. There also can be no
assurance that it will be able to obtain the rights to
distribute the content it licenses over new distribution
platforms on acceptable terms. If it is unable to obtain such
extensions, renewals or agreements on acceptable terms, the
gross margins of the Networks segment may be adversely affected.
The Networks segment also produces programming, and it incurs
costs for new show concepts and all types of creative talent,
including actors, writers and producers. The segment incurs
additional significant costs, such as newsgathering and
marketing costs. Unless they are offset by increased revenue,
increases in the costs of creative talent or in production,
newsgathering or marketing costs may lead to decreased profits
at the Networks segments.
The continued decline in the growth rate of
U.S. basic cable and DTH satellite households, together
with rising retail rates, distributors focus on selling
alternative products and other factors, could adversely affect
the future revenue growth of the Networks segment. The
U.S. video services business generally is a mature
business, which may have a negative impact on the ability of the
Networks segment to achieve incremental growth in its
advertising and subscription revenues. In addition, programming
distributors may increase their resistance to wholesale
programming price increases, and programming distributors are
increasingly focused on selling services other than video, such
as high-speed data access and voice services. Also,
consumers basic cable rates have continued to increase,
which could cause consumers to cancel their cable or satellite
service subscriptions. The inability of the Networks segment to
implement measures to maintain future revenue growth may
adversely affect its business.
Changes in U.S. or foreign communications laws or
other regulations may have an adverse effect on the business of
the Networks segment. The multichannel video programming
and distribution industries in the United States, as well as
broadcast networks, are regulated by U.S. federal laws and
regulations issued and administered by various federal agencies,
including the FCC. For example, federal legislation and FCC
rules limit the amount and content of commercial material that
may be shown on cable, satellite and broadcast network channels
during programming designed for children 12 years of age
and younger. In November 2004, the FCC issued rules that would,
as of January 1, 2006, classify promotions aired during
childrens programming on a channel for other programs also
aired on that channel as commercial material unless the programs
being promoted are educational or informational, as defined
under FCC rules. If not clarified, these rules could have an
adverse impact on Turners children-oriented programming,
including childrens programs on the Cartoon Network,
because they would require a reduction of promotional or
advertising time during such programming. The rules also would:
(1) limit the display during childrens cable
programming of the Internet addresses of websites that primarily
contain or link to commercial material, including the websites
for the segments cable channels, and (2) prohibit
during childrens programming the display of Internet
addresses of websites that contain host selling, as defined
under FCC rules. These rules, if not clarified, could have an
adverse impact on the segments revenue from its websites
for children. Time Warner and several other companies have
proposed to the FCC a clarified set of rules relating to these
issues, based on an agreement with a coalition of advocacy
groups about the appropriate scope of the rules. This agreement
would: (1) count promotions for childrens and other
age-appropriate programming on the same channel, and educational
and information programming on any channel, as non-commercial
time; (2) retain the limit on the display of website
addresses in childrens programming for non-compliant
websites; and (3) limit the applicability of the host
selling rule to pages mixing program-related editorial content
and ads or products featuring that program or its characters, if
the website address is referenced during or adjacent to that
program. Jointly, all parties have asked the FCC to reconsider
both rules and have been granted a stay of the effective date of
the rules while the FCC considers whether to amend them as
proposed by the parties.
In addition, the U.S. Congress and the FCC currently are
considering, and may in the future adopt, new laws, regulations
and policies regarding a wide variety of matters that could,
directly or indirectly, affect the operations of the Networks
segment. For example, the FCC has been examining whether cable
operators should offer à la carte programming
to subscribers on a network-by-network basis or provide
family-friendly tiers. A number of cable operators,
including TWC Inc., have voluntarily agreed to offer family tiers
56
in light of this interest. The unbundling or tiering of program
services may reduce distribution of certain cable networks,
thereby creating the risk of reduced viewership and increased
marketing expenses, and may affect the segments ability to
compete for or attract the same level of advertising dollars.
Any decline in subscribers could lead to a decrease in the
segments advertising and subscription revenues.
There also has been consideration of the extension of indecency
rules applicable to
over-the-air
broadcasters to cable and satellite programming and stricter
enforcement of existing laws and rules. If such an extension or
attempt to increase enforcement occurred and were upheld, the
content of the Networks segment could be subject to additional
regulation, which could affect subscriber and viewership levels.
Moreover, the determination of whether content is indecent is
inherently subjective and, as such, it can be difficult to
predict whether particular content would violate indecency
standards. The difficulty in predicting whether individual
programs, words or phrases may violate the FCCs indecency
rules adds uncertainty to the ability of the Networks segment to
comply with the rules. Violation of the indecency rules could
lead to sanctions that may adversely affect the businesses and
results of operations of the Networks segment.
RISKS RELATING TO TIME WARNERS PUBLISHING BUSINESS
The Publishing segments operating income could
decrease as a result of increases in paper costs and postal
rates. The Publishing segments principal raw
material is paper, and paper prices have fluctuated over the
past several years. Accordingly, significant unanticipated
increases in paper prices could adversely affect the
segments operating income. Postage for magazine
distribution and direct solicitation is another significant
operating expense of the Publishing segment, which primarily
uses the U.S. Postal Service to distribute its products.
The U.S. Postal Service implemented a postal rate increase
of 5.4% effective January 8, 2006. If there are further
significant increases in paper costs and/or postal rates and the
Publishing segment is not able to offset these increases, they
could have a negative impact on the segments operating
income.
The introduction and increased popularity of alternative
technologies for the distribution of news, entertainment and
other information and the resulting shift in consumer habits
and/or advertising expenditures from print to other media could
adversely affect the Publishing segments results of
operations. The Publishing segment derives a substantial
portion of its revenue from advertising in magazines.
Distribution of news, entertainment and other information via
the Internet has become increasingly popular over the past
several years, and viewing news, entertainment and other content
on a personal computer, cellular phone or other device has
become increasingly popular as well. Accordingly, advertising
dollars have started to shift from traditional print media to
online media. The Publishing segment has taken various steps to
diversify its advertising vehicles, including relaunching
certain websites and expanding its existing online content.
However, the Publishing segments strategies for achieving
sustained revenue growth may not be sufficient to offset revenue
losses resulting from a continued shift in advertising dollars
over the long term from print to other media.
The Publishing segment faces risks relating to various
regulatory and legislative matters, including changes in Audit
Bureau of Circulations rules and possible changes in regulation
of direct marketing. The Publishing segments
magazine subscription and direct marketing activities are
subject to regulation by the FTC and the states under general
consumer protection statutes prohibiting unfair or deceptive
acts or practices. Certain areas of marketing activity are also
subject to specific federal statutes and rules, such as the
Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Childrens Online
Privacy Protection Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (relating to
financial privacy), the FTC Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise
Rule and the FTC Telemarketing Sales Rule. Other statutes and
rules also regulate conduct in areas such as privacy, data
security and telemarketing. New statutes and regulations are
adopted frequently. In addition, the Audit Bureau of
Circulations recently implemented changes in its rules that
changed the classification of certain magazine subscriptions.
The Company is currently unable to assess the effect such
changes may have on the Publishing segment, but it is possible
that they may have a negative impact on spending by the
segments advertisers. New rules, as well as new
interpretations of existing rules, could lead to changes in the
segments marketing methods which could have a negative
effect on the segments ability to generate new magazine
subscriptions, meet rate bases and support advertising sales.
57
The Publishing segment faces significant competition for
advertising and circulation. The Publishing segment
faces significant competition from several direct competitors
and other media, including the Internet. The Publishing
segments magazine operations compete for circulation and
audience with numerous other magazine publishers and other
media. The Publishing segments magazine operations also
compete with other magazine publishers and other media for
advertising directed at the general public and at more focused
demographic groups. Time Inc.s direct marketing operations
compete with other direct marketers through all media for the
consumers attention.
Competition for advertising revenue is primarily based on
advertising rates, the nature and amount of readership, reader
response to advertisers products and services and the
effectiveness of sales teams. Other competitive factors in
magazine publishing include product positioning, editorial
quality, circulation, price and customer service, which impact
readership audience, circulation revenue and, ultimately,
advertising revenue. The magazine publishing business presents
few barriers to entry and many new magazines are launched
annually across multiple sectors. In recent years competitors
launched and/or repositioned many magazines, primarily in the
celebrity and womens service sectors, that compete
directly with People, In Style, Real Simple and other
Publishing segment magazines, particularly at newsstand
checkouts in mass-market retailers. The Company anticipates that
it will face continuing competition from these new competitors
and additional competitors may enter this field and further
intensify competition, which could have an adverse impact on the
segments revenue.
The Publishing segment has in recent years made various changes
in its circulation practices and consequently faces new
challenges in identifying new subscribers and increasing
circulation, which could have an adverse impact not only on its
circulation revenue but also on its advertising revenue.
The Publishing segment could face increased costs and
business disruption resulting from instability in the newsstand
distribution channel. The Publishing segment operates a
national distribution business that relies on wholesalers to
distribute magazines published by the Publishing segment and
other publishers to newsstands and other retail outlets. Due to
industry consolidation, four wholesalers represent more than 80%
of the wholesale magazine distribution business. There is a
possibility of further consolidation among these wholesalers
and/or insolvency of one or more of these wholesalers. Should
there be a disruption in this wholesale channel it could
adversely affect the Publishing segments operating income
and cash flow, including temporarily impeding the Publishing
segments ability to distribute magazines to the retail
marketplace.
|
|
| Item 1B. |
Unresolved Staff Comments. |
Not applicable.
The following table sets forth certain information as of
December 31, 2005 with respect to the Companys
principal properties (over 250,000 square feet in area)
that are occupied for corporate offices or used primarily by the
Companys divisions, all of which the Company considers
adequate for its present needs, and all of which were
substantially used by the Company or were leased to outside
tenants:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Approximate | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Square Feet | |
|
Type of Ownership | |
| Location | |
|
Principal Use |
|
Floor Space/Acres | |
|
Expiration Date of Lease | |
| | |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| New York, NY One Time Warner Center |
|
Executive and administrative offices, studio and technical space
(Corporate HQ, Turner, CNN)
|
|
|
1,007,500 |
|
|
Owned and occupied by the Company. |
New York, NY 75 Rockefeller Plaza Rockefeller Center |
|
Business offices (AOL); Approx. 310,900 sq. ft. sublet to
outside tenants.
|
|
|
582,400 |
|
|
Leased by the Company. Lease expires in 2014. |
58
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Approximate | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Square Feet | |
|
Type of Ownership | |
| Location | |
|
Principal Use |
|
Floor Space/Acres | |
|
Expiration Date of Lease | |
| | |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Dulles, VA 22000 AOL Way |
|
Executive, administrative and business offices (AOL HQ)
|
|
|
1,573,000 |
|
|
Owned and occupied by the Company. |
| |
| Mt. View, CA Middlefield Rd. |
|
Executive, administrative and business offices (AOL)
|
|
|
433,000 |
|
|
Leased by the Company. (Leases expire from 2006- 2013). Approx. 246,300 sq. ft. is sublet to outside tenants. |
| |
| Columbus, OH Arlington Centre Blvd. |
|
Executive, administrative and business offices (AOL)
|
|
|
281,000 |
|
|
Owned and occupied by the Company. |
| |
Reston, VA Sunrise Valley |
|
Reston Tech Center with executive and administrative offices
(AOL)
|
|
|
278,000 |
|
|
Owned and occupied by the Company. |
| |
| New York, NY Time & Life Bldg. Rockefeller Center |
|
Business and editorial offices (Time Inc.)
|
|
|
1,600,000 |
|
|
Leased by the Company. Most leases expire in 2017. Approx. 6,400 sq. ft. is sublet to outside tenants. |
| |
| Birmingham, AL 2100 Lakeshore Dr. |
|
Executive and administrative offices (Time Inc.)
|
|
|
398,000 |
|
|
Owned and occupied by the Company. |
| |
Atlanta, GA One CNN Center |
|
Executive and administrative offices, studios, technical space
and retail (Turner)
|
|
|
1,274,000 |
|
|
Owned by the Company. Approx. 47,000 sq. ft. is sublet to outside tenants. |
| |
Atlanta, GA 1050 Techwood Dr. |
|
Offices and studios (Turner)
|
|
|
865,000 |
|
|
Owned and occupied by the Company. |
| |
| London, England Kings Reach Tower |
|
Executive and administrative offices (Time Inc.)
|
|
|
251,000 |
|
|
Leased by the Company. Lease expires in 2007. (a) |
| |
| Lebanon, IN 121 N. Enterprise |
|
Warehouse space (Time Inc.)
|
|
|
500,500 |
|
|
Leased by the Company. Lease expires in 2012. |
| |
| Lebanon, IN Lebanon Business Park |
|
Warehouse space (Time Inc.)
|
|
|
395,500 |
|
|
Leased by the Company. Lease expires in 2012. |
| |
| New York, NY 1100 and 1114 Ave. of the Americas |
|
Business offices (HBO)
|
|
|
611,500 |
|
|
Leased by the Company under two leases expiring in 2018. Approx. 24,200 sq. ft. is sublet to outside tenants. |
| |
Columbia, SC 3325 Platt Spring Rd. |
|
Divisional HQ, call center, warehouse (Time Warner Cable)
|
|
|
318,500 |
|
|
Owned by the Company. Approx. 50% of space is subleased to a third party. |
59
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Approximate | |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Square Feet | |
|
Type of Ownership | |
| Location | |
|
Principal Use |
|
Floor Space/Acres | |
|
Expiration Date of Lease | |
| | |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Burbank, CA The Warner Bros. Studio |
|
Sound stages, administrative, technical and dressing room
structures, screening theaters, machinery and equipment
facilities, back lot and parking lot and other Burbank
properties (Warner Bros.)
|
|
4,217,000 sq. ft. of improved space on 158 acres(b) |
|
|
Owned by the Company. |
|
| |
Burbank, CA 3400 Riverside Dr. |
|
Executive and administrative offices (Warner Bros.)
|
|
|
421,000 |
|
|
Leased by the Company. Lease expires in 2019. Approx. 17,000 sq. ft. is sublet to outside tenants. |
|
|
| (a) |
IPC Media is constructing a new 500,000 sq. ft.
facility in London which is expected to be completed in 2006 and
occupied in early 2007. |
(b) Ten
acres consist of various parcels adjoining The Warner Bros.
Studio, with mixed commercial and office uses.
|
|
| Item 3. |
Legal Proceedings. |
Securities Matters
|
|
|
Consolidated Securities Class Action |
As of February 23, 2006, 30 shareholder class action
lawsuits have been filed naming as defendants the Company,
certain current and former executives of the Company and, in
several instances, AOL. These lawsuits were filed in
U.S. District Courts for the Southern District of New York,
the Eastern District of Virginia and the Eastern District of
Texas. The complaints purport to be made on behalf of certain
shareholders of the Company and allege that the Company made
material misrepresentations and/or omissions of material fact in
violation of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (the Exchange Act),
Rule 10b-5
promulgated thereunder, and Section 20(a) of the Exchange
Act. Plaintiffs claim that the Company failed to disclose
AOLs declining advertising revenues and that the Company
and AOL inappropriately inflated advertising revenues in a
series of transactions. Certain of the lawsuits also allege that
certain of the individual defendants and other insiders at the
Company improperly sold their personal holdings of Time Warner
stock, that the Company failed to disclose that the AOL-Historic
TW Merger was not generating the synergies anticipated at the
time of the announcement of the merger and, further, that the
Company inappropriately delayed writing down more than
$50 billion of goodwill. The lawsuits seek an unspecified
amount in compensatory damages. All of these lawsuits have been
centralized in the U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of New York for coordinated or consolidated pretrial
proceedings (along with the federal derivative lawsuits and
certain lawsuits brought under ERISA described below) under the
caption In re AOL Time Warner Inc. Securities and
ERISA Litigation. Additional lawsuits brought by
individual shareholders have also been filed, and the federal
actions have been (or are in the process of being) transferred
and/or consolidated for pretrial proceedings.
The Minnesota State Board of Investment (MSBI) was
designated lead plaintiff for the consolidated securities
actions and filed a consolidated amended complaint on
April 15, 2003, adding additional defendants including
additional officers and directors of the Company, Morgan
Stanley & Co., Salomon Smith Barney Inc., Citigroup
Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC and JP Morgan
Chase & Co. Plaintiffs also added additional
allegations, including that the Company made material
misrepresentations in its registration statements and joint
proxy statement-prospectus related to the AOL-Historic TW Merger
and in its registration statements pursuant to which debt
securities were issued in April 2001 and April 2002,
allegedly in violation of Section 11 and Section 12 of
the Securities Act of 1933. On July 14, 2003, the
defendants filed a
60
motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint. On
May 5, 2004, the district court granted in part the
defendants motion, dismissing all claims with respect to
the registration statements pursuant to which debt securities
were issued in April 2001 and April 2002 and certain
other claims against other defendants, but otherwise allowing
the remaining claims against the Company and certain other
defendants to proceed. On August 11, 2004, the court
granted MSBIs motion to file a second amended complaint.
On July 30, 2004, defendants filed a motion for summary
judgment on the basis that plaintiffs cannot establish loss
causation for any of their claims, and thus plaintiffs do not
have any recoverable damages. On April 8, 2005, MSBI moved
for leave to file a third amended complaint to add certain new
factual allegations and four additional individual defendants.
In July 2005, the Company reached an agreement in principle with
MSBI for the settlement of the consolidated securities actions.
The settlement is reflected in a written agreement between the
lead plaintiff and the Company. On September 30, 2005, the
court issued an order granting preliminary approval of the
settlement and certified the settlement class. The court held a
final approval hearing on February 22, 2006, and the
parties are now awaiting the courts ruling. At this time,
there can be no assurance that the settlement of the securities
class action litigation will receive final court approval. In
connection with reaching the agreement in principle on the
securities class action, the Company established a reserve of
$2.4 billion during the second quarter of 2005.
Ernst & Young LLP also has agreed to a settlement in
this litigation matter and will pay $100 million. Pursuant
to the settlement, in October 2005, Time Warner paid
$2.4 billion into a settlement fund (the MSBI
Settlement Fund) for the members of the class represented
in the action. In addition, the $150 million previously
paid by Time Warner into a fund in connection with the
settlement of the investigation by the DOJ was transferred to
the MSBI Settlement Fund, and Time Warner is using its best
efforts to have the $300 million it previously paid in
connection with the settlement of its SEC investigation, or at
least a substantial portion thereof, transferred to the MSBI
Settlement Fund.
|
|
|
Other Related Securities Litigation Matters |
As of February 23, 2006, three putative class action
lawsuits have been filed alleging violations of ERISA in the
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
on behalf of current and former participants in the Time Warner
Savings Plan, the Time Warner Thrift Plan and/or the TWC Savings
Plan (the Plans). Collectively, these lawsuits name
as defendants the Company, certain current and former directors
and officers of the Company and members of the Administrative
Committees of the Plans. The lawsuits allege that the Company
and other defendants breached certain fiduciary duties to plan
participants by, inter alia, continuing to offer Time
Warner stock as an investment under the Plans, and by failing to
disclose, among other things, that the Company was experiencing
declining advertising revenues and that the Company was
inappropriately inflating advertising revenues through various
transactions. The complaints seek unspecified damages and
unspecified equitable relief. The ERISA actions have been
consolidated as part of the In re AOL Time Warner Inc.
Securities and ERISA Litigation described above.
On July 3, 2003, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended
complaint naming additional defendants, including TWE, certain
current and former officers, directors and employees of the
Company and Fidelity Management Trust Company. On
September 12, 2003, the Company filed a motion to dismiss
the consolidated ERISA complaint. On March 9, 2005, the
court granted in part and denied in part the Companys
motion to dismiss. The court dismissed two individual defendants
and TWE for all purposes, dismissed other individuals with
respect to claims plaintiffs had asserted involving the TWC
Savings Plan, and dismissed all individuals who were named in a
claim asserting that their stock sales had constituted a breach
of fiduciary duty to the Plans. The Company filed an answer to
the consolidated ERISA complaint on May 20, 2005. On
January 17, 2006, plaintiffs filed a motion for class
certification. On the same day, defendants filed a motion for
summary judgment on the basis that plaintiffs cannot establish
loss causation for any of their claims and therefore have no
recoverable damages, as well as a motion for judgment on the
pleadings on the basis that plaintiffs do not have standing to
bring their claims. The parties have reached an understanding to
resolve these matters, subject to definitive documentation and
necessary court approvals.
As of February 23, 2006, 11 shareholder derivative
lawsuits have been filed naming as defendants certain current
and former directors and officers of the Company, as well as the
Company as a nominal defendant.
61
Three have been filed in New York State Supreme Court for the
County of New York, four have been filed in the
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
and four have been filed in the Court of Chancery of the State
of Delaware for New Castle County. The complaints allege that
defendants breached their fiduciary duties by causing the
Company to issue corporate statements that did not accurately
represent that AOL had declining advertising revenues, that the
AOL-Historic TW Merger was not generating the synergies
anticipated at the time of the announcement of the merger, and
that the Company inappropriately delayed writing down more than
$50 billion of goodwill, thereby exposing the Company to
potential liability for alleged violations of federal securities
laws. The lawsuits further allege that certain of the defendants
improperly sold their personal holdings of Time Warner
securities. The lawsuits request that (i) all proceeds from
defendants sales of Time Warner common stock,
(ii) all expenses incurred by the Company as a result of
the defense of the shareholder class actions discussed above and
(iii) any improper salaries or payments, be returned to the
Company. The four lawsuits filed in the Court of Chancery for
the State of Delaware for New Castle County have been
consolidated under the caption, In re AOL Time Warner Inc.
Derivative Litigation. A consolidated complaint was filed on
March 7, 2003 in that action, and on June 9, 2003, the
Company filed a notice of motion to dismiss the consolidated
complaint. On September 16, 2005, plaintiffs in that action
filed a motion for leave to file a second amended complaint. On
May 2, 2003, the three lawsuits filed in New York State
Supreme Court for the County of New York were dismissed on
forum non conveniens grounds and plaintiffs time to
appeal has expired. The four lawsuits pending in the
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
have been centralized for coordinated or consolidated pre-trial
proceedings with the securities and ERISA lawsuits described
above under the caption In re AOL Time Warner Inc. Securities
and ERISA Litigation. On October 6, 2004,
plaintiffs filed an amended consolidated complaint in three of
these four cases. The Company intends to defend against these
lawsuits vigorously.
On July 1, 2003, Stichting Pensioenfonds ABP v. AOL Time
Warner Inc. et al. was filed in the U.S. District
Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company,
current and former officers, directors and employees of the
Company and Ernst & Young LLP. Plaintiff alleges that
the Company made material misrepresentations and/or omissions of
material fact in violation of Section 10(b) of the Exchange
Act and Rule 10b-5
promulgated thereunder, Section 11, Section 12,
Section 14(a) and
Rule 14a-9
promulgated thereunder, Section 18 and Section 20(a)
of the Exchange Act. The complaint also alleges common law fraud
and negligent misrepresentation. The plaintiff seeks an
unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages. This
lawsuit has been consolidated for coordinated pretrial
proceedings under the caption In re AOL Time Warner Inc.
Securities and ERISA Litigation described above.
On July 16, 2004, plaintiff filed an amended complaint
adding certain institutional defendants, including Historic TW,
and certain current directors of the Company. On
November 22, 2004, the Company filed a motion to dismiss
the complaint. The parties have reached an understanding to
resolve this matter, subject to definitive documentation.
In late 2005 and early 2006, additional shareholders determined
to opt-out of the settlement reached in the
consolidated federal securities class action, and some have
since filed lawsuits in various federal jurisdictions. As of
February 23, 2006, these lawsuits included: DEKA
Investment GMBH et al. v. AOL Time Warner Inc.
et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York on December 30, 2006; Nw.
Mut. Life Found., Inc. et al. v. AOL Time Warner Inc.
et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern District of Wisconsin on January 30, 2006;
Cement Masons Pension Trust for N. Cal., Inc.
et al. v. AOL Time Warner Inc. et al., filed
in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of
California on January 30, 2006; 1199 SEIU Greater New
York Pension Fund et al. v. AOL Time Warner Inc.
et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York on January 30, 2006;
Capstone Asset Management Co. v. AOL Time Warner Inc.
et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of Texas on January 30, 2006; Beaver
County Ret. Bd. et al. v. AOL Time Warner Inc.
et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the
Western District of Pennsylvania on January 30, 2006;
Carpenters Pension Fund of Ill. et al. v. AOL
Time Warner Inc. et al., filed in the
U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Illinois on
January 31, 2006; Teachers Ret. Sys. of the State
of Ill. v. AOL Time Warner Inc. et al., filed in
the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of
Illinois on January 31, 2006; S. Cal. Lathing Indus.
Pension Fund et al. v. AOL Time Warner Inc.
et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the
Central District of California on January 31, 2006;
Wayne County Emps. Ret. Sys. v. AOL Time Warner
Inc. et al., filed in the
62
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on
January 31, 2006; Carpenters Ret. Trust of Western
Washington et al. v. AOL Time Warner Inc.
et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the
Western District of Washington on February 1, 2006;
Alaska Elec. Pension Fund et al. v. AOL Time Warner
Inc. et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for
the District of Alaska on February 1, 2006; I.A.M.
Natl Pension Fund et al. v. AOL Time Warner Inc.
et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the
District of the District of Columbia on February 1, 2006;
Municipal Employers Ret. Sys. of Mich. v. AOL Time
Warner Inc. et al., filed in the U.S. District
Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on February 1,
2006; Charter Twp. of Clinton Police & Fire Ret.
Sys. et al. v. AOL Time Warner Inc. et al.,
filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District
of Michigan on February 1, 2006; United Food and
Commercial Workers Union Local 880 Retail Food
Employers Joint Pension Fund et al. v. AOL Time Warner
Inc. et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for
the Northern District of Ohio on February 2, 2006;
Vermont State Emps. Ret. Sys. et al. v. AOL
Time Warner Inc. et al., filed in the
U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont on
February 2, 2006; Natl Asbestos Workers Pension
Fund et al. v. AOL Time Warner Inc. et al.,
filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of
Maryland on February 2, 2006; Natl Elevator Indus.
Pension Fund v. AOL Time Warner Inc. et al., filed
in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania on February 3, 2006; Emps. Ret. Sys.
of the State of Hawaii v. AOL Time Warner Inc.
et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the
District of Hawaii on February 3, 2006; Laborers
Natl Pension Fund v. AOL Time Warner Inc.
et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the
Northern District of Texas on February 3, 2006; Robeco
Groep N.V. for Robeco N.V. et al. v. AOL Time Warner
Inc. et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for
the District of the District of Columbia on February 3,
2006; Employer-Teamsters Local Nos. 175 & 505
Pension Trust Fund et al. v. AOL Time Warner Inc.
et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of West Virginia on February 3, 2006;
Norges Bank v. AOL Time Warner Inc. et al., filed
in the U.S. District Court for the District of the District
of Columbia on February 3, 2006; Hawaii
Electricians Annuity Fund et al. v. AOL Time
Warner Inc. et al., filed in the U.S. District
Court for the District of the District of Columbia on
February 7, 2006; Frost Natl Bank
et al. v. AOL Time Warner Inc. et al., filed in
the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
on February 7, 2006; Heavy & General
Laborers Locals 472 & 172 Pension and Annuity
Funds et al. v. AOL Time Warner Inc. et al.,
filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New
Jersey on February 8, 2006; B.S. Pension
Fund Trustee Ltd. et al. v. AOL Time Warner Inc.
et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the
District of the District of Columbia on February 9, 2006;
CSS Board ABN 19415 776861 et al. v. AOL Time
Warner Inc. et al., filed in the U.S. District
Court for the District of the District of Columbia on
February 9, 2006; Carpenters Pension
Trust Fund of St. Louis v. AOL Time Warner Inc.
et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the
Eastern District of Missouri on February 9, 2006;
Boilermakers Natl Health & Welfare Fund
et al. v. AOL Time Warner Inc. et al., filed
in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas on
February 10, 2006; The West Virginia Laborers
Trust Fund et al. v. AOL Time Warner Inc.
et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of West Virginia on February 9, 2006;
New Mexico Education et al. v. AOL Time Warner Inc.
et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the
District of New Mexico on February 14, 2006; Hibernia
Natl Bank v. AOL Time Warner Inc. et al.,
filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District
of Texas on February 16, 2006; and New England Health
Care Employees Pension Fund et al. v. AOL Time Warner
Inc. et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for
the District of Massachusetts on February 16, 2006. The
claims alleged in these actions are substantially identical to
the claims alleged in the consolidated federal securities class
action described above. Additional cases filed by opt-out
shareholders in state courts are described below. The Company
intends to defend against these lawsuits vigorously.
On November 11, 2002, Staro Asset Management, LLC filed a
putative class action complaint in the U.S. District Court
for the Southern District of New York on behalf of certain
purchasers of Reliant 2.0% Zero-Premium Exchangeable
Subordinated Notes for alleged violations of the federal
securities laws. Plaintiff is a purchaser of subordinated notes,
the price of which was purportedly tied to the market value of
Time Warner stock. Plaintiff alleges that the Company made
misstatements and/or omissions of material fact that
artificially inflated the value of Time Warner stock and
directly affected the price of the notes. Plaintiff seeks
compensatory damages and/or rescission. This lawsuit has been
consolidated for coordinated pretrial proceedings under the
caption In re AOL Time Warner Inc. Securities and
ERISA Litigation described above. The Company
intends to defend against this lawsuit vigorously.
63
On April 14, 2003, Regents of the University of
California et al. v. Parsons et al., was
filed in California Superior Court, County of Los Angeles,
naming as defendants the Company, certain current and former
officers, directors and employees of the Company,
Ernst & Young LLP, Citigroup Inc., Salomon Smith Barney
Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Plaintiffs allege that
the Company made material misrepresentations in its registration
statements related to the
AOL-Historic TW Merger
and stock option plans in violation of Sections 11 and 12
of the Securities Act of 1933. The complaint also alleges common
law fraud and breach of fiduciary duties under California state
law. Plaintiffs seek disgorgement of alleged insider trading
proceeds and restitution for their stock losses. Three related
cases have been filed in California Supreme Court and have been
coordinated in the County of Los Angeles. On January 26,
2004, certain individuals filed motions to dismiss for lack of
personal jurisdiction. On September 10, 2004, the Company
filed a motion to dismiss plaintiffs complaints and
certain individual defendants (who had not previously moved to
dismiss plaintiffs complaints for lack of personal
jurisdiction) filed a motion to dismiss plaintiffs
complaints. On April 22, 2005, the court granted certain
motions to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction and denied
certain motions to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction.
The court issued a series of rulings on threshold issues
presented by the motions to dismiss on May 12, July 22 and
August 2, 2005. These rulings granted in part and denied in
part the relief sought by defendants, subject to
plaintiffs right to make a prima facie evidentiary
showing to support certain dismissed claims. In January 2006,
the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Agency, which had
filed one of the three related cases described above,
voluntarily dismissed its lawsuit; an order of dismissal was
entered on January 17, 2006. Also in January 2006, two
additional individual actions were filed in California Superior
Court against the Company and, in one instance, Ernst &
Young LLP and certain former officers, directors and executives
of the Company. Both of these newly-filed actions assert claims
substantially identical to those asserted in the four actions
already coordinated in California Superior Court, and the
Company will seek to have these additional cases included within
the coordinated proceedings. The Company intends to defend
against these lawsuits vigorously.
On May 23, 2003, Treasurer of New Jersey v. AOL Time
Warner Inc. et al., was filed in the Superior Court of
New Jersey, Mercer County, naming as defendants the Company,
certain current and former officers, directors and employees of
the Company, Ernst & Young LLP, Citigroup Inc., Salomon
Smith Barney, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase and Banc of
America Securities. The complaint is brought by the Treasurer of
New Jersey and purports to be made on behalf of the State of New
Jersey, Department of Treasury, Division of Investments (the
Division) and certain funds administered by the
Division. Plaintiff alleges that the Company made material
misrepresentations in its registration statements in violation
of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933.
Plaintiff also alleges violations of New Jersey state law for
fraud and negligent misrepresentation. Plaintiffs seek an
unspecified amount of damages. On October 29, 2003, the
Company moved to stay the proceedings or, in the alternative,
dismiss the complaint. Also on October 29, 2003, all named
individual defendants moved to dismiss the complaint for lack of
personal jurisdiction. The parties have agreed to stay this
action and to coordinate discovery proceedings with the
securities and ERISA lawsuits described above under the caption
In re AOL Time Warner Inc. Securities and ERISA
Litigation. The Company intends to defend against this
lawsuit vigorously.
On July 18, 2003, Ohio Public Employees Retirement
System et al. v. Parsons et al. was filed in
Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, Franklin County, naming as
defendants the Company, certain current and former officers,
directors and employees of the Company, Citigroup Inc., Salomon
Smith Barney Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. and
Ernst & Young LLP. Plaintiffs allege that the Company
made material misrepresentations in its registration statements
in violation of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of
1933. Plaintiffs also allege violations of Ohio law, breach of
fiduciary duty and common law fraud. Plaintiffs seek
disgorgement of alleged insider trading proceeds, restitution
and unspecified compensatory damages. On October 29, 2003,
the Company moved to stay the proceedings or, in the
alternative, dismiss the complaint. Also on October 29,
2003, all named individual defendants moved to dismiss the
complaint for lack of personal jurisdiction. On October 8,
2004, the court granted in part the Companys motion to
dismiss plaintiffs complaint; specifically, the court
dismissed plaintiffs common law claims but otherwise
allowed plaintiffs remaining statutory claims against the
Company and certain other defendants to proceed. The Company
answered the complaint on February 22, 2005. On
November 17, 2005, the court granted the jurisdictional
motions of twenty-five of the
64
individual defendants, and dismissed them from the case. The
Company intends to defend against this lawsuit vigorously.
On July 18, 2003, West Virginia Investment Management
Board v. Parsons et al. was filed in West
Virginia, Circuit Court, Kanawha County, naming as defendants
the Company, certain current and former officers, directors and
employees of the Company, Citigroup Inc., Salomon Smith Barney
Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co., and Ernst & Young
LLP. Plaintiff alleges the Company made material
misrepresentations in its registration statements in violation
of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933.
Plaintiff also alleges violations of West Virginia law, breach
of fiduciary duty and common law fraud. Plaintiff seeks
disgorgement of alleged insider trading proceeds, restitution
and unspecified compensatory damages. On May 27, 2004, the
Company filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. Also on
May 27, 2004, all named individual defendants moved to
dismiss the complaint for lack of personal jurisdiction. The
Company intends to defend against this lawsuit vigorously.
On January 28, 2004, McClure et al. v. AOL Time
Warner Inc. et al. was filed in the District Court of
Cass County, Texas (purportedly on behalf of several purchasers
of Company stock) naming as defendants the Company and certain
current and former officers, directors and employees of the
Company. Plaintiffs allege that the Company made material
misrepresentations in its registration statements in violation
of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933.
Plaintiffs also allege breach of fiduciary duty and common law
fraud. Plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory damages. On
May 8, 2004, the Company filed a general denial and a
motion to dismiss for improper venue. Also on May 8, 2004,
all named individual defendants moved to dismiss the complaint
for lack of personal jurisdiction. The Company intends to defend
against this lawsuit vigorously.
On February 24, 2004, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Public School Employees Retirement System
et al. v. Time Warner Inc. et al. was filed
in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County naming as
defendants the Company, certain current and former officers,
directors and employees of the Company, AOL, Historic TW, Morgan
Stanley & Co., Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc.,
Banc of America Securities LLC, J.P. Morgan
Chase & Co and Ernst & Young LLP. Plaintiffs
had previously filed a request for a writ of summons notifying
defendants of commencement of an action. Plaintiffs allege that
the Company made material misrepresentations in its registration
statements in violation of Sections 11 and 12 of the
Securities Act of 1933. Plaintiffs also allege violations of
Pennsylvania law, breach of fiduciary duty and common law fraud.
The plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory and punitive
damages. Plaintiffs dismissed the four investment banks from the
complaint in exchange for a tolling agreement. The remaining
parties have agreed to stay this action and to coordinate
discovery proceedings with the securities and ERISA lawsuits
described above under the caption In re AOL Time Warner Inc.
Securities and ERISA Litigation. Plaintiffs
filed an amended complaint on June 14, 2005. The Company
intends to defend against this lawsuit vigorously.
On April 1, 2004, Alaska State Department of Revenue
et al. v. America Online, Inc. et al. was
filed in Superior Court in Juneau County, Alaska, naming as
defendants the Company, certain current and former officers,
directors and employees of the Company, AOL, Historic TW, Morgan
Stanley & Co., Inc., and Ernst & Young LLP.
Plaintiffs allege that the Company made material
misrepresentations in its registration statements in violation
of Alaska law and common law fraud. The plaintiffs seek
unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. On July 26,
2004, all named individual defendants moved to dismiss the
complaint for lack of personal jurisdiction. On August 13,
2004, the Company filed a motion to dismiss plaintiffs
complaint. On August 10, 2005, the court issued an order
granting in part and denying in part the motions to dismiss for
failure to state a claim. With respect to the jurisdictional
motions, the court delayed its ruling 90 days to permit
plaintiffs to conduct additional discovery and supplement the
allegations in the complaint. On September 9, 2005,
plaintiffs moved for leave to amend their complaint. That motion
was granted by the court on October 10, 2005. The Company
intends to defend against this lawsuit vigorously.
On November 15, 2002, the California State Teachers
Retirement System filed an amended consolidated complaint in the
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
on behalf of a putative class of purchasers of stock in
Homestore.com, Inc. (Homestore). Plaintiff alleges
that Homestore engaged in a scheme to defraud its shareholders
in violation of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act. The
Company and two
65
former employees of its AOL division were named as defendants in
the amended consolidated complaint because of their alleged
participation in the scheme through certain advertising
transactions entered into with Homestore. Motions to dismiss
filed by the Company and the two former employees were granted
on March 7, 2003, and a final judgment of dismissal was
entered on March 8, 2004. On April 7, 2004, plaintiff
filed a notice of appeal in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
The Ninth Circuit heard oral argument on this appeal on
February 6, 2006. The Company intends to defend against
this lawsuit vigorously.
On April 30, 2004, a second amended complaint was filed in
the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada on
behalf of a putative class of purchasers of stock in
PurchasePro.com, Inc. (PurchasePro). Plaintiffs
allege that PurchasePro engaged in a scheme to defraud its
shareholders in violation of Section 10(b) of the Exchange
Act. The Company and four former officers and employees were
added as defendants in the second amended complaint and are
alleged to have participated in the scheme through certain
advertising transactions entered into with PurchasePro. Three
similar putative class actions had previously been filed against
the Company, AOL and certain former officers and employees, and
have been consolidated with the Nevada action. On
February 17, 2005, the Judge in the consolidated action
granted the Companys motion to dismiss the second amended
complaint with prejudice. The parties have since reached an oral
agreement to settle this dispute in an amount that is not
material, and are in the process of preparing a written
settlement agreement. That agreement will be subject to
preliminary and final approval by the district court; however,
there can be no assurance that either preliminary or final
approval will be granted.
In addition to the $2.4 billion reserve established in
connection with the agreement in principle regarding the
settlement of the MSBI consolidated securities class action,
during the second quarter of 2005, the Company established an
additional reserve totaling $600 million in connection with
the other related securities litigation matters described in
this section that are pending against the Company. This
$600 million amount continues to represent the
Companys current best estimate of the amounts to be paid
in resolving these matters, including the remaining individual
shareholder suits (including suits brought by individual
shareholders who decided to opt-out of the
settlement in the primary securities class action), the
derivative actions and the actions alleging violations of ERISA.
Of this amount, subsequent to December 31, 2005, the
Company has paid, or has agreed to pay, approximately
$335 million, before providing for any remaining potential
insurance recoveries, to settle certain of these claims.
The Company reached an agreement with the carriers on its
directors and officers insurance policies in connection with the
securities and derivative action matters described above (other
than the actions alleging violations of ERISA). As a result of
this agreement, in the fourth quarter, the Company recorded a
recovery of approximately $185 million (bringing the total
2005 recoveries to $206 million), which is expected to be
collected in the first quarter of 2006 and is reflected as a
reduction to Amounts related to securities litigation and
government investigations in the accompanying consolidated
statement of operations for the year ended December 31,
2005.
Government Investigations
As previously disclosed by the Company, the SEC and the DOJ had
been conducting investigations into accounting and disclosure
practices of the Company. Those investigations focused on
advertising transactions, principally involving the
Companys AOL segment, the methods used by the AOL segment
to report its subscriber numbers and the accounting related to
the Companys interest in AOL Europe prior to January 2002.
During 2004, the Company established $510 million in legal
reserves related to the government investigations, the
components of which are discussed in more detail in the
following paragraphs.
The Company and its subsidiary, AOL, entered into a settlement
with the DOJ in December 2004 that provided for a deferred
prosecution arrangement for a two-year period. As part of the
settlement with the DOJ, in December 2004, the Company paid a
penalty of $60 million and established a $150 million
fund, which the Company could use to settle related securities
litigation.
The fund was reflected as restricted cash on the Companys
accompanying consolidated balance sheet at December 31,
2004. During October 2005, the $150 million was transferred
by the Company into the MSBI
66
Settlement Fund for the members of the class covered by the MSBI
consolidated securities class action described above.
In addition, on March 21, 2005, the Company announced that
the SEC had approved the Companys proposed settlement,
which resolved the SECs investigation of the Company.
Under the terms of the settlement with the SEC, the Company
agreed, without admitting or denying the SECs allegations,
to be enjoined from future violations of certain provisions of
the securities laws and to comply with the cease-and-desist
order issued by the SEC to AOL in May 2000. The settlement also
required the Company to:
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Pay a $300 million penalty, which will be used for a Fair
Fund, as authorized under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; |
| |
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Adjust its historical accounting for Advertising revenues in
certain transactions with Bertelsmann, A.G. that were improperly
or prematurely recognized, primarily in the second half of 2000,
during 2001 and during 2002; as well as adjust its historical
accounting for transactions involving three other AOL customers
where there were Advertising revenues recognized in the second
half of 2000 and during 2001; |
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Adjust its historical accounting for its investment in and
consolidation of AOL Europe; and |
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Agree to the appointment of an independent examiner, who will
either be or hire a certified public accountant. The independent
examiner will review whether the Companys historical
accounting for transactions with 17 counterparties
identified by the SEC staff, principally involving online
advertising revenues and including three cable programming
affiliation agreements with related advertising elements, was in
conformity with GAAP, and provide a report to the Companys
audit and finance committee of its conclusions, originally
within 180 days of being engaged. The transactions that
would be reviewed were entered into between June 1, 2000
and December 31, 2001, including subsequent amendments
thereto, and involved online advertising and related
transactions for which revenue was principally recognized before
January 1, 2002. |
The Company paid the $300 million penalty in March 2005;
however, it is unable to deduct the penalty for income tax
purposes, be reimbursed or indemnified for such payment through
insurance or any other source, or use such payment to setoff or
reduce any award of compensatory damages to plaintiffs in
related securities litigation pending against the Company. As
described above, in connection with the pending settlement of
the consolidated securities class action, the Company is using
its best efforts to have the $300 million, or a substantial
portion thereof, transferred to the MSBI Settlement Fund for the
members of the class represented in the action. The historical
accounting adjustments were reflected in the restatement of the
Companys financial results for each of the years ended
December 31, 2000 through December 31, 2003, which
were included in the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004.
The independent examiner has begun its review, which has been
extended and is expected to be completed in the second quarter
of 2006. Depending on the independent examiners
conclusions, a further restatement might be necessary. It is
also possible that, so long as there are unresolved issues
associated with the Companys financial statements, the
effectiveness of any registration statement of the Company or
its affiliates may be delayed.
Other Matters
Warner Bros. (South) Inc. (WBS), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company, is litigating numerous tax cases in
Brazil. WBS currently is the theatrical distribution licensee
for Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (Warner Bros.)
in Brazil and acts as a service provider to the Warner Bros.
home video licensee. All of the ongoing tax litigation involves
WBS distribution activities prior to January 2004, when
WBS conducted both theatrical and home video distribution. Much
of the tax litigation stems from WBS position that in
distributing videos to rental retailers, it was conducting a
distribution service, subject to a municipal service tax, and
not the industrialization or sale of videos, subject
to Brazilian federal and state VAT-like taxes.
67
Both the federal tax authorities and the State of Sao Paulo,
where WBS is based, have challenged this position. In some
additional tax cases, WBS, often together with other film
distributors, is challenging the imposition of taxes on
royalties remitted outside of Brazil and the constitutionality
of certain taxes. The Company intends to defend all of these
various tax cases vigorously, but is unable to predict the
outcome of these suits.
As of February 23, 2006, 22 putative consumer class action
suits have been filed in various state and federal courts naming
as defendants the Company or AOL. Plaintiffs allege that AOL
violated various consumer protection laws by charging members
for services or goods without authorization, including
unauthorized secondary accounts offered in connection with
AOLs Spin-Off a Second Account
(SOSA) program, and/or by continuing to charge
members for services after receiving requests for cancellation.
Motions to dismiss have been denied in OLeary v.
America Online, Inc., which was filed in the Circuit Court
for St. Clair County, Illinois, and White v. America
Online, Inc., which was filed in the Circuit Court for
Madison County, Illinois. Eleven class actions involving SOSA
accounts have been transferred by the Judicial Panel on
Multidistrict Litigation to the U.S. District Court for the
Central District of California for consolidated or coordinated
pretrial proceedings (In re America Online Spin-Off
Accounts Litigation), and the Companys motion to
dismiss that complaint has been denied. On January 5, 2004,
the SOSA case pending in the Superior Court of Washington,
Spokane County, titled Dix v. ICT Group and America
Online, was dismissed without prejudice based on the forum
selection clause set forth in the plaintiffs Member
Agreement with AOL. On February 17, 2005, the Washington
Court of Appeals reversed the lower courts dismissal. The
Washington Supreme Court has since granted AOLs petition
for review. On October 12, 2004, the case pending in the
Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton County, Ohio, titled Robert
Schwartz v. America Online, Inc., was dismissed based
on the forum selection clause and that dismissal is now final.
McCall v. America Online, Inc., the case which was
pending in the Superior Court of Cape May County, New Jersey,
has been voluntarily dismissed. Guy v. America Online,
Inc., which was pending in the Circuit Court of Allen
County, Indiana, has likewise been dismissed. The parties
reached an individual settlement in Snow v. America
Online, Inc., which was pending in Alameda County,
California. AOL has filed similar motions to dismiss in the
remaining cases. On April 7, 2005, the Circuit Court for
St. Clair County, Illinois entered orders that permit an amended
filing and consolidation of several cases and preliminarily
approve a proposed nationwide class settlement, over the
objection of counsel in several other cases. Plaintiff in the
consolidated action in California subsequently obtained an
injunction from the California district court that purported to
bar the parties from seeking final approval of that settlement.
AOL filed an expedited appeal of this decision before the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. AOL has since
engaged in mediation with plaintiffs in both the consolidated
California action and the Illinois action, and the parties have
agreed on certain modifications to the proposed nationwide
settlement. The proposed settlement, in both its original and
modified form, is not material to the Company. On
October 20, 2005, plaintiffs counsel in the
California action filed a motion to dissolve the
previously-obtained injunction to permit the parties to seek
approval of the modified settlement. The settlement was
preliminarily approved on November 22, 2005. The court held
a final approval hearing on February 22, 2006 and issued a
Final Order and Judgment Approving Settlement on
February 23, 2006.
On May 24, 1999, two former AOL Community Leader volunteers
filed Hallissey et al. v. America Online, Inc.
in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New
York. This lawsuit was brought as a collective action under the
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and as a class
action under New York state law against AOL and AOL Community,
Inc. The plaintiffs allege that, in serving as Community Leader
volunteers, they were acting as employees rather than volunteers
for purposes of the FLSA and New York state law and are entitled
to minimum wages. On December 8, 2000, defendants filed a
motion to dismiss on the ground that the plaintiffs were
volunteers and not employees covered by the FLSA. The motion to
dismiss is pending. A related case was filed by several of the
Hallissey plaintiffs in the U.S. District Court for
the Southern District of New York alleging violations of the
retaliation provisions of the FLSA. This case has been stayed
pending the outcome of the Hallissey motion to dismiss.
Three related class actions have been filed in state courts in
New Jersey, California and Ohio, alleging violations of the FLSA
and/or the respective state laws. The New Jersey and Ohio cases
were removed to federal court and subsequently transferred to
the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New
York for consolidated pretrial proceedings with
Hallissey. The California action was remanded to
California state court, and on January 6, 2004 the court
68
denied plaintiffs motion for class certification.
Plaintiffs appealed the trial courts denial of their
motion for class certification to the California Court of
Appeals. On May 26, 2005, a three-justice panel of the
California Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed the trial
courts order denying class certification. The
plaintiffs petition for review in the California Supreme
Court was denied. The Company has settled the remaining
individual claims in the California action. The Company intends
to defend against the remaining lawsuits vigorously, but is
unable to predict the outcome of these suits.
On January 17, 2002, Community Leader volunteers filed a
class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the
Southern District of New York against the Company, AOL and AOL
Community, Inc. under ERISA. Plaintiffs allege that they are
entitled to pension and/or welfare benefits and/or other
employee benefits subject to ERISA. In March 2003, plaintiffs
filed and served a second amended complaint, adding as
defendants the Companys Administrative Committee and the
AOL Administrative Committee. On May 19, 2003, the Company,
AOL and AOL Community, Inc. filed a motion to dismiss and the
Administrative Committees filed a motion for judgment on the
pleadings. Both of these motions are pending. The Company
intends to defend against these lawsuits vigorously, but is
unable to predict the outcome of these suits.
On August 1, 2005, Thomas Dreiling filed a derivative suit
in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of
Washington against AOL and Infospace Inc. as nominal defendant.
The complaint, brought in the name of Infospace by one if its
shareholders, asserts violations of Section 16(b) of the
Exchange Act. Plaintiff alleges that certain AOL executives and
the founder of Infospace, Naveen Jain, entered into an agreement
to manipulate Infospaces stock price through the exercise
of warrants that AOL had received in connection with a
commercial agreement with Infospace. Because of this alleged
agreement, plaintiff asserts that AOL and Mr. Jain
constituted a group that held more than 10% of
Infospaces stock and, as a result, AOL violated the
short-swing trading prohibition of Section 16(b) in
connection with sales of shares received from the exercise of
those warrants. The complaint seeks disgorgement of profits,
interest and attorneys fees. On September 26, 2005, AOL
filed a motion to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a
claim, which was denied by the Court on December 5, 2005.
The Company intends to defend against this lawsuit vigorously,
but is unable to predict the outcome of this suit or reasonably
estimate the range of possible loss.
On June 16, 1998, plaintiffs in Andrew Parker and Eric
DeBrauwere, et al. v. Time Warner Entertainment
Company, L.P. and Time Warner Cable filed a purported
nationwide class action in U.S. District Court for the
Eastern District of New York claiming that TWE sold its
subscribers personally identifiable information and failed
to inform subscribers of their privacy rights in violation of
the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984 and common law. The
plaintiffs are seeking damages and declaratory and injunctive
relief. On August 6, 1998, TWE filed a motion to dismiss,
which was denied on September 7, 1999. On December 8,
1999, TWE filed a motion to deny class certification, which was
granted on January 9, 2001 with respect to monetary
damages, but denied with respect to injunctive relief. On
June 2, 2003, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second
Circuit vacated the District Courts decision denying class
certification as a matter of law and remanded the case for
further proceedings on class certification and other matters. On
May 4, 2004, plaintiffs filed a motion for class
certification, which the Company has opposed. This lawsuit has
been settled on terms that are not material to the Company. The
court granted preliminary approval of the class settlement on
October 25, 2005.
On October 20, 2005, a group of syndicate participants,
including BNZ Investments Limited, filed three related actions
in the High Court of New Zealand, Auckland Registry, against New
Line Cinema Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company, and its subsidiary, New Line Productions Inc.
(collectively, New Line). The complaints allege
breach of contract, breach of duties of good faith and fair
dealing, and other common law and statutory claims under
California and New Zealand law. Plaintiffs contend, among other
things, they have not received proceeds from certain financing
transactions they entered into with New Line relating to three
motion pictures: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship
of the Ring; The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers;
and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
The parties to these actions have agreed that all claims will be
heard before a single arbitrator before the International Court
for Arbitration and that the proceedings before the High Court
of New Zealand will be dismissed without prejudice. The Company
intends to defend against these proceedings vigorously, but is
unable to predict the outcome of the proceedings.
69
As previously disclosed, Time Inc. has received a grand jury
subpoena from the United States Attorneys Office for the
Eastern District of New York in connection with an investigation
of certain magazine circulation-related practices. Time Inc. is
responding to the subpoena and is cooperating with the
investigation. Following discussions with the Audit Bureau of
Circulations (ABC) concerning Time Inc.s
reporting of sponsored sales subscriptions, ABC has confirmed
that the vast majority of Time Inc.s sponsored
subscriptions for the first half of 2005 were properly
classified. Time Inc. has informed its advertisers of such
conclusion.
In the normal course of business, the Companys tax returns
are subject to examination by various domestic and foreign
taxing authorities. Such examinations may result in future tax
and interest assessments on the Company. In instances where the
Company believes that it is probable that it will be assessed,
it has accrued a liability. The Company does not believe that
these liabilities are material, individually or in the
aggregate, to its financial condition or liquidity. Similarly,
the Company does not expect the final resolution of tax
examinations to have a material impact on the Companys
financial results.
From time to time, the Company receives notices from third
parties claiming that it infringes their intellectual property
rights. Claims of intellectual property infringement could
require Time Warner to enter into royalty or licensing
agreements on unfavorable terms, incur substantial monetary
liability or be enjoined preliminarily or permanently from
further use of the intellectual property in question. In
addition, certain agreements entered into by the Company may
require the Company to indemnify the other party for certain
third-party intellectual property infringement claims, which
could increase the Companys damages and its costs of
defending against such claims. Even if the claims are without
merit, defending against the claims can be time-consuming and
costly.
The costs and other effects of pending or future litigation,
governmental investigations, legal and administrative cases and
proceedings (whether civil or criminal), settlements, judgments
and investigations, claims and changes in those matters
(including those matters described above), and developments or
assertions by or against the Company relating to intellectual
property rights and intellectual property licenses, could have a
material adverse effect on the Companys business,
financial condition and operating results.
|
|
| Item 4. |
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
Holders. |
Not applicable.
70
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to
Form 10-K, the
information regarding the Companys executive officers
required by Item 401(b) of
Regulation S-K is
hereby included in Part I of this Annual Report.
The following table sets forth the name of each executive
officer of the Company, the office held by such officer and the
age of such officer as of February 24, 2006.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Name |
|
Age | |
|
Office |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
Richard D. Parsons
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
|
Jeffrey L. Bewkes
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
President and Chief Operating Officer |
|
Edward I. Adler
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications |
|
Paul T. Cappuccio
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
Executive Vice President and General Counsel |
|
Patricia Fili-Krushel
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
Executive Vice President, Administration |
|
Carol Melton
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
Executive Vice President, Global Public Policy |
|
Olaf Olafsson
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
Executive Vice President |
|
Wayne H. Pace
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Set forth below are the principal positions held by each of the
executive officers named above:
|
|
|
|
Mr. Parsons |
|
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since May
2003, having served as Chief Executive Officer from May 2002.
Prior to May 2002, Mr. Parsons served as Co-Chief Operating
Officer from the consummation of the Merger and was President of
Historic TW pre-Merger from February 1995. He previously served
as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Dime Savings Bank
of New York, FSB from January 1991. |
| |
|
Mr. Bewkes |
|
President and Chief Operating Officer since January 1,
2006. Prior to that, Mr. Bewkes served as Chairman,
Entertainment & Networks Group from July 2002 and,
prior to that, Mr. Bewkes served as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of the Home Box Office division of the
Company from May 1995, having served as President and Chief
Operating Officer for the preceding five years. |
| |
|
Mr. Adler |
|
Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications since January
2004. Prior to that, Mr. Adler served as Senior Vice
President, Corporate Communications from the consummation of the
Merger, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications of
Historic TW pre-Merger from January 2000 and Vice President,
Corporate Communications of Historic TW prior to that. |
| |
|
Mr. Cappuccio |
|
Executive Vice President and General Counsel since the
consummation of the Merger, and Secretary until January 2004.
Prior to the Merger, he served as Senior Vice President and
General Counsel of AOL from August 1999. Before joining AOL,
from 1993 to 1999, Mr. Cappuccio was a partner at the
Washington, D.C. office of the law firm of
Kirkland & Ellis. Mr. Cappuccio was also an
Associate Deputy Attorney General at the U.S. Department of
Justice from 1991 to 1993. |
| |
|
Ms. Fili-Krushel |
|
Executive Vice President, Administration since July 2001. Prior
to that, she was Chief Executive Officer of the WebMD Health |
71
|
|
|
|
|
|
division of WebMD Corporation, an Internet portal providing
health information and service for the consumer, from April 2000
to July 2001, and President of ABC Television Network from July
1998 to April 2000. Prior to that, she was President, ABC
Daytime from 1993 to 1998. |
| |
|
Ms. Melton |
|
Executive Vice President, Global Public Policy since June 2005.
Prior to that, she served for eight years at Viacom, most
recently as Executive Vice President, Government Relations. She
was previously Vice President in Historic TWs Public
Policy Office, having worked initially as Washington Counsel for
Warner Communications in 1987. Ms. Melton also has served
as Media Advisor to the Chairman of the FCC, as Assistant
General Counsel for the National Cable &
Telecommunications Association and worked for the law firm of
Hogan & Hartson. |
| |
|
Mr. Olafsson |
|
Executive Vice President since March 2003. During 2002,
Mr. Olafsson pursued personal interests, including working
on a novel that was published in the fall of 2003. Prior to
that, he was Vice Chairman of Time Warner Digital Media from
November 1999 through December 2001 and prior to that,
Mr. Olafsson served as President of Advanta Corp., a
financial services company, from March of 1998 until November
1999. |
| |
|
Mr. Pace |
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since
November 2001. Prior to that, he was Vice Chairman, Chief
Financial and Administrative Officer of Turner from March 2001,
having held other executive positions, including Chief Financial
Officer, at Turner since July 1993. Prior to joining Turner,
Mr. Pace was an audit partner with Price Waterhouse, now
PricewaterhouseCoopers, an international accounting firm. |
PART II
|
|
| Item 5. |
Market For Registrants Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters. |
The principal market for the Companys Common Stock is the
New York Stock Exchange. For quarterly price information with
respect to the Companys Common Stock for the two years
ended December 31, 2005, see Quarterly Financial
Information at pages 237 through 238 herein, which
information is incorporated herein by reference. The number of
holders of record of the Companys Common Stock as of
February 17, 2006 was approximately 56,500.
On May 20, 2005, the Company announced that it would begin
paying a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share
on its Common Stock beginning in the third quarter 2005. Under
this dividend program, on July 29, 2005 and
October 28, 2005, the Company declared cash dividends of
$0.05 per share on its common stock for the third and
fourth quarter of 2005, respectively. The third quarter dividend
was paid on September 15, 2005 to stockholders of record on
August 31, 2005, and the fourth quarter dividend was paid
on December 15, 2005 to stockholders of record on
November 30, 2005.
The Company currently expects to continue to pay comparable cash
dividends in the future; however, changes in the Companys
dividend program will depend on the Companys earnings,
capital requirements, financial condition, restrictions in any
existing indebtedness and other factors considered relevant by
the Companys Board of Directors.
There is no established public trading market for the
Companys Series LMCN-V Common Stock, which as of
February 17, 2006 was held of record by nine holders.
72
Company Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table provides information about purchases by the
Company during the quarter ended December 31, 2005 of
equity securities registered by the Company pursuant to
Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Number of |
|
Approximate Dollar |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Purchased as |
|
Value of Shares that |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Part of Publicly |
|
May Yet Be |
| |
|
Total Number of |
|
Average Price |
|
Announced Plans or |
|
Purchased Under the |
| Period |
|
Shares Purchased(1) |
|
Paid Per Share(2) |
|
Programs(3) |
|
Plans or Programs(4) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 1, 2005October 31, 2005
|
|
|
15,985,094 |
|
|
$ |
17.78 |
|
|
|
15,969,000 |
|
|
$ |
11,691,143,214 |
|
|
November 1, 2005November 30, 2005
|
|
|
37,855,158 |
|
|
$ |
17.88 |
|
|
|
37,854,415 |
|
|
$ |
11,014,433,639 |
|
|
December 1, 2005December 31, 2005
|
|
|
42,764,459 |
|
|
$ |
17.85 |
|
|
|
42,728,000 |
|
|
$ |
10,251,682,994 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
96,604,711 |
|
|
$ |
17.85 |
|
|
|
96,551,415 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (1) |
The total number of shares purchased includes (a) shares of
Common Stock purchased by the Company under the publicly
announced stock repurchase program described in
footnote (3) below, and (b) shares of Common Stock
that are tendered by employees to the Company to satisfy the
employees tax withholding obligations in connection with
the vesting of awards of restricted stock, which are repurchased
by the Company based on their fair market value on the vesting
date. The number of shares of Common Stock purchased by the
Company in connection with the vesting of such awards totaled
16,094 shares, 743 shares and 36,459 shares,
respectively, for the months of October, November and December. |
| |
| (2) |
The calculation of the average price paid per share does not
give effect to any fees, commissions or other costs associated
with the repurchase of such shares. |
| |
| (3) |
On August 3, 2005, the Company announced that its Board of
Directors had authorized a Common Stock repurchase program that
allows the Company to repurchase, from time to time, up to
$5 billion of Common Stock over a two-year period. On
November 2, 2005, the Company announced that its Board of
Directors had authorized the increase of the amount that may be
repurchased under the Companys publicly announced stock
repurchase program to an aggregate of up to $12.5 billion
of Common Stock. In addition, on February 17, 2006, the
Company announced that it will increase its stock repurchase
program and extend the programs ending date. Under the
extended program, the Company has authority to repurchase up to
an aggregate of $20 billion of Common Stock during the
period from July 29, 2005 through December 31, 2007.
Purchases under the stock repurchase program may be made from
time to time on the open market and in privately negotiated
transactions. The size and timing of these purchases will be
based on a number of factors including price and business and
market conditions. In the past, the Company has repurchased
shares of Common Stock pursuant to trading programs under
Rule 10b5-1
promulgated under the Exchange Act, and it may repurchase shares
of Common Stock under such trading programs in the future. |
| |
| (4) |
The approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased
under the stock repurchase program does not reflect the increase
from $12.5 billion to $20 billion announced on
February 17, 2006. |
|
|
| Item 6. |
Selected Financial Data. |
The selected financial information of the Company for the five
years ended December 31, 2005 is set forth at
pages 235 through 236 herein and is incorporated herein by
reference.
|
|
| Item 7. |
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations. |
The information set forth under the caption
Managements Discussion and Analysis at
pages 81 through 151 herein is incorporated herein by
reference.
|
|
| Item 7A. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk. |
The information set forth under the caption Market Risk
Management at pages 141 through 143 herein is
incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
| Item 8. |
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. |
The consolidated financial statements and supplementary data of
the Company and the report of independent auditors thereon set
forth at pages 152 through 230, 239 through 246 and 232
herein are incorporated herein by reference.
73
Quarterly Financial Information set forth at pages 237
through 238 herein is incorporated herein by reference.
|
|
| Item 9. |
Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure. |
Not applicable.
|
|
| Item 9A. |
Controls and Procedures. |
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company, under the supervision and with the participation of
its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and
operation of the Companys disclosure controls and
procedures (as such term is defined in
Rule 13a-15(e)
under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by
this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive
Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the
Companys disclosure controls and procedures are effective
in timely making known to them material information relating to
the Company and the Companys consolidated subsidiaries
required to be disclosed in the Companys reports filed or
submitted under the Exchange Act. The Company has investments in
certain unconsolidated entities. As the Company does not control
these entities, its disclosure controls and procedures with
respect to such entities are necessarily substantially more
limited than those it maintains with respect to its consolidated
subsidiaries. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated
financial statements accompanying this Annual Report, the
Company began consolidating the financial results of AOLA
effective March 31, 2004 pursuant to the requirements of
FASB Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable
Interest Entities an Interpretation of ARB
No. 51, as revised. Because the Company does not
control AOLA, the Companys disclosure controls and
procedures with respect to information regarding AOLA also are
more limited than those for consolidated subsidiaries the
Company controls. See Note 1 to the consolidated financial
statements accompanying this Annual Report.
Managements Report on Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting
Managements report and the report of the independent
auditors thereon set forth at pages 231 and 233 through 234
are incorporated herein by reference.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in the Companys internal
control over financial reporting during the quarter ended
December 31, 2005 that have materially affected, or are
reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control
over financial reporting.
|
|
| Item 9B. |
Other Information. |
Not applicable.
PART III
|
|
| Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14. |
Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant;
Executive Compensation; Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial
Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters; Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions; Principal Accountant
Fees and Services. |
Information called for by Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14
of Part III is incorporated by reference from the
Companys definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in
connection with its 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant
to Regulation 14A, except that (i) the information
regarding the Companys executive officers called for by
Item 401(b) of
Regulation S-K has
been included in Part I of this Annual Report;
(ii) the information called for by Items 402(k) and
402(l) of
Regulation S-K is
not incorporated by reference; and (iii) the
74
information regarding certain Company equity compensation plans
called for by Item 201(d) of
Regulation S-K is
set forth below.
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics for its Senior
Executive and Senior Financial Officers. A copy of the Code is
publicly available on the Companys website at
www.timewarner.com/corporate information.
Amendments to the Code or any grant of a waiver from a provision
of the Code requiring disclosure under applicable SEC rules will
also be disclosed on the Companys website.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table summarizes information as of
December 31, 2005, about the Companys outstanding
stock options and shares of Common Stock reserved for future
issuance under the Companys equity compensation plans.
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of securities |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
remaining available for |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
future issuance under |
| |
|
Number of securities to be |
|
|
|
equity compensation plans |
| |
|
issued upon exercise of |
|
Weighted-average exercise |
|
(excluding securities |
| |
|
outstanding options, |
|
price of outstanding options, |
|
reflected in |
| Plan Category |
|
warrants and rights |
|
warrants and rights |
|
column (a))(4) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
(a) |
|
(b) |
|
(c) |
|
Equity compensation
plans approved by
security
holders(1)
|
|
|
177,748,868 |
|
|
$ |
27.51 |
|
|
|
122,315,024 |
|
|
Equity compensation
plans not approved by
security
holders(2)
|
|
|
304,120,257 |
|
|
$ |
31.69 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
Total(3)
|
|
|
481,869,125 |
|
|
$ |
30.14 |
|
|
|
122,315,024 |
|
|
|
| (1) |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders are the
(i) Time Warner Inc. 2003 Stock Incentive Plan,
(ii) Time Warner Inc. 1999 Stock Plan, (iii) Time
Warner Inc. 1999 Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit
Plan, (iv) Time Warner Inc. 1988 Restricted Stock and
Restricted Stock Unit Plan for Non-Employee Directors, and
(v) Time Warner Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (column
(c) includes 5,717,704 shares that were available for
future issuance under this plan). The Time Warner Inc. 2003
Stock Incentive Plan was approved by the Companys
stockholders in May 2003. The other plans or amendments to such
plans were approved by the stockholders of either AOL or
Historic TW in either 1998 or 1999. These other plans were
assumed by the Company in connection with the AOL-Historic TW
Merger, which was approved by the stockholders of both AOL and
Historic TW on June 23, 2000. |
| |
| (2) |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
consist of the AOL Time Warner Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan,
which expired in November 2003. |
| |
| (3) |
Does not include options to purchase an aggregate of
112,545,734 shares of Common Stock (104,366,287 of which
were awarded under plans that were approved by the stockholders
of either AOL or Historic TW prior to the AOL-Historic TW
Merger), at a weighted average exercise price of $30.92, granted
under plans assumed in connection with transactions and under
which no additional options may be granted. |
| |
| (4) |
Includes securities available under the Time Warner Inc. 1988
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Plan for Non-Employee
Directors, which uses the formula of .003% of the shares of
Common Stock outstanding on December 31 of the prior
calendar year to determine the maximum amount of securities
available for issuance each year under the plan (resulting in
137,547 shares available for issuance in 2006). Also
includes securities available under the following plan that
previously used a formula for determining the maximum amount of
securities available for issuance based on the number of shares
outstanding at December 31 of the prior year, but for which
the maximum number of shares is not subject to further
adjustment: (i) the Time Warner Inc. 1999 Restricted Stock
and Restricted Stock Unit Plan, which previously provided for a
maximum number of shares of Common Stock available for
restricted stock awards of .08% of the shares of Common Stock
outstanding on December 31 of the prior year. Of the shares
available for future issuance under the Time Warner Inc. 1999
Stock Plan and the Time Warner Inc. 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, a
maximum of 607,833 shares and 35,964,171 shares,
respectively, may be awarded as restricted stock or restricted
stock units as of December 31, 2005. |
The Time Warner Inc. 1999 Stock Plan (the 1999 Stock
Plan) was approved by the stockholders of AOL in October
1999 and was assumed by the Company in connection with the
AOL-Historic TW Merger in 2001. Under the 1999 Stock Plan, stock
options (non-qualified and incentive), stock purchase rights,
i.e., restricted stock, and restricted stock units can be
granted to employees, directors and consultants of the Company
and its consolidated subsidiaries. No incentive stock options
have been awarded under the 1999 Stock Plan. The exercise price
of a stock option under the 1999 Stock Plan cannot be less than
the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant.
The stock options generally become exercisable, or vest, in
installments of 25% over a four-year period, subject to
acceleration upon the occurrence of certain events such as death
or disability, and expire ten years from the grant date. No more
than 5 million of the total 100 million shares of
Common Stock that can be issued pursuant to the 1999 Stock Plan
can be issued for awards of restricted stock and restricted
stock units. Awards of restricted stock and restricted stock
units vest in amounts
75
and at times designated at the time of award, and generally have
vested over a four- or five-year period. Awards of restricted
stock and restricted stock units are subject to restrictions on
transfer and forfeiture prior to vesting. The awards of stock
options made to non-employee directors of the Company are made
pursuant to the 1999 Stock Plan, which provides for an award of
8,000 stock options when a non-employee director is first
elected to the Board of Directors and then annual awards of
8,000 stock options following the annual meeting of
stockholders. Stock options awarded to non-employee directors
vest in installments of 25% over a four-year period or earlier
if the director does not stand for re-election or is not
re-elected after being nominated.
The AOL Time Warner Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan (the 1994
Plan) was assumed by the Company in connection with the
AOL-Historic TW Merger. The 1994 Plan expired on
November 18, 2003 and stock options may no longer be
awarded under the 1994 Plan. Under the 1994 Plan, nonqualified
stock options and related stock appreciation rights could be
granted to employees (other than executive officers) of and
consultants and advisors to the Company and certain of its
subsidiaries. No stock appreciation rights are currently
outstanding under the 1994 Plan. The exercise price of a stock
option under the 1994 Plan could not be less than the fair
market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. The
outstanding options under the 1994 Plan generally become
exercisable in installments of one-third or one-quarter on each
of the first three or four anniversaries, respectively, of the
date of grant, subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of
certain events, and expire ten years from the grant date.
The Time Warner Inc. 1999 Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock
Unit Plan (the 1999 Restricted Stock Plan) was
approved by the stockholders of Historic TW in May 1999 and was
assumed by the Company in connection with the AOL-Historic TW
Merger. The 1999 Restricted Stock Plan will terminate on
May 19, 2009. Under the 1999 Restricted Stock Plan, awards
of restricted stock and restricted stock units can be made to
employees of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units vest in
amounts and at times designated at the time of award, but at
least 95% of the awards must vest at least three years after the
date of award. Since 2004, most awards of restricted stock and
restricted stock units have vested 50% on the third anniversary
of the grant date and 50% on the fourth anniversary of the grant
date. Awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units are
subject to restrictions on transfer and forfeiture prior to
vesting. As of December 31, 2005, 227,341 shares were
available for issuance under the 1999 Restricted Stock Plan.
The Time Warner Inc. 1988 Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock
Unit Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the Directors
Restricted Stock Plan) was approved most recently in May
1999 by the stockholders of Historic TW and was assumed by the
Company in connection with the AOL-Historic TW Merger. The
Directors Restricted Stock Plan will terminate on
May 19, 2009. The Directors Restricted Stock Plan
provides for the award each year on the date of the annual
stockholders meeting of either restricted stock or restricted
stock units, as determined by the Board of Directors, to
non-employee directors of the Company with value established by
the Board of Directors. The awards of restricted stock and
restricted stock units vest in equal annual installments on the
first four anniversaries of the first day of the month in which
the restricted stock or restricted stock units were awarded and
in full if the director ends his or her service as a director
due to (a) mandatory retirement, (b) failure to be
re-elected after being nominated, (c) death or disability,
(d) the occurrence of certain transactions involving a
change in control of the Company and (e) with the approval
of the Board of Directors on a case-by-case basis, under certain
other designated circumstances. Restricted stock units also vest
in full if a director retires from the Board of Directors after
serving as a director for five years. If a non-employee director
leaves the Board for any other reason, then his or her unvested
restricted stock and restricted stock units are forfeited to the
Company. The Board of Directors has determined that restricted
stock units will be awarded in 2006.
The Time Warner Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the
ESPP) was approved most recently in October 1998 by
the stockholders of AOL and was assumed by the Company in
connection with the AOL-Historic TW Merger. Under the ESPP,
employees of AOL and certain subsidiaries of AOL may purchase
shares of the Companys Common Stock at a 5% discount from
the fair market value of the Common Stock on the last day of a
six-month participation period. The purchases are made through
payroll deductions during the participation period and are
subject to annual limits.
76
PART IV
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| Item 15. |
Exhibits and Financial Statements Schedules. |
(a)(1)-(2) Financial Statements and Schedules:
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(i) The list of consolidated financial statements and
schedules set forth in the accompanying Index to Consolidated
Financial Statements and Other Financial Information at page 80
herein is incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated
financial statements and schedules are filed as part of this
Annual Report. |
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(ii) All other financial statement schedules are omitted
because the required information is not applicable, or because
the information required is included in the consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto. |
(3) Exhibits:
The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index are
filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Annual Report
and such Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.
Exhibits 10.1 through 10.44 listed on the accompanying
Exhibit Index identify management contracts or compensatory
plans or arrangements required to be filed as exhibits to this
Annual Report, and such listing is incorporated herein by
reference.
77
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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Name: Wayne H. Pace |
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Title: Executive Vice President and |
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Chief Financial Officer |
Date: February 27, 2006
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following
persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on
the dates indicated.
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| Signature |
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Title |
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Date |
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/s/ Richard D. Parsons
(Richard D. Parsons) |
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Director, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer) |
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February 27, 2006 |
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/s/ Wayne H. Pace
(Wayne H. Pace) |
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Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer) |
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February 27, 2006 |
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/s/ James W. Barge
(James W. Barge) |
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Sr. Vice President and Controller
(principal accounting officer) |
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February 27, 2006 |
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/s/ James L. Barksdale
(James L. Barksdale) |
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Director |
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February 27, 2006 |
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/s/ Stephen F.
Bollenbach
(Stephen F. Bollenbach) |
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Director |
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February 27, 2006 |
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/s/ Frank J. Caufield
(Frank J. Caufield) |
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Director |
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February 27, 2006 |
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/s/ Robert C. Clark
(Robert C. Clark) |
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Director |
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February 27, 2006 |
78
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| Signature |
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Title |
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Date |
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/s/ Jessica P. Einhorn
(Jessica P. Einhorn) |
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Director |
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February 27, 2006 |
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/s/ Miles R. Gilburne
(Miles R. Gilburne) |
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Director |
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February 27, 2006 |
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/s/ Carla A. Hills
(Carla A. Hills) |
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Director |
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February 27, 2006 |
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/s/ Reuben Mark
(Reuben Mark) |
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Director |
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February 27, 2006 |
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/s/ Michael A. Miles
(Michael A. Miles) |
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Director |
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February 27, 2006 |
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/s/ Kenneth J. Novack
(Kenneth J. Novack) |
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Director |
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February 27, 2006 |
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/s/ R.E. Turner
(R.E. Turner) |
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Director |
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February 27, 2006 |
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/s/ Francis T.
Vincent, Jr.
(Francis T.
Vincent, Jr.) |
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Director |
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February 27, 2006 |
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/s/ Deborah C. Wright
(Deborah C. Wright) |
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Director |
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February 27, 2006 |
79
TIME WARNER INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AND OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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80
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
INTRODUCTION
Managements discussion and analysis of results of
operations and financial condition (MD&A) is
provided as a supplement to the accompanying consolidated
financial statements and notes to help provide an understanding
of Time Warner Inc.s (Time Warner or the
Company) financial condition, changes in financial
condition and results of operations. MD&A is organized as
follows:
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Overview. This section provides a general description of
Time Warners business segments, as well as recent
developments the Company believes are important in understanding
the results of operations and financial condition or in
understanding anticipated future trends. |
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|
Results of operations. This section provides an analysis
of the Companys results of operations for the three years
ended December 31, 2005. This analysis is presented on both
a consolidated and a business segment basis. In addition, a
brief description is provided of significant transactions and
events that impact the comparability of the results being
analyzed. |
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Financial condition and liquidity. This section provides
an analysis of the Companys cash flows for the three years
ended December 31, 2005, as well as a discussion of the
Companys outstanding debt and commitments that existed as
of December 31, 2005. Included in the analysis of
outstanding debt is a discussion of the amount of financial
capacity available to fund the Companys future
commitments, as well as a discussion of other financing
arrangements. |
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Critical accounting policies. This section discusses
accounting policies that are considered important to the
Companys financial condition and results of operations,
require significant judgment and require estimates on the part
of management in application. The Companys significant
accounting policies, including those considered to be critical
accounting policies, are summarized in Note 1 to the
accompanying consolidated financial statements. |
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Market risk management. This section discusses how the
Company manages exposure to potential loss arising from adverse
changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and
changes in the market value of financial instruments. |
Use of Operating Income before Depreciation and
Amortization
The Company utilizes Operating Income before Depreciation and
Amortization, among other measures, to evaluate the performance
of its businesses. Operating Income before Depreciation and
Amortization is considered an important indicator of the
operational strength of the Companys businesses. Operating
Income before Depreciation and Amortization eliminates the
uneven effect across all business segments of considerable
amounts of noncash depreciation of tangible assets and
amortization of certain intangible assets that were recognized
in business combinations. A limitation of this measure, however,
is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain
capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating
revenues in the Companys businesses. Management evaluates
the investments in such tangible and intangible assets through
other financial measures, such as capital expenditure budgets,
investment spending levels and return on capital.
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization should be
considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, the
Companys Operating Income and Net Income, as well as other
measures of financial performance reported in accordance with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. A
reconciliation of Operating Income before Depreciation and
Amortization to both Operating Income and Net Income is
presented under Results of Operations.
81
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
OVERVIEW
Time Warner is a leading media and entertainment company, whose
major businesses encompass an array of the most respected and
successful media brands. Among the Companys brands are
HBO, CNN, AOL, People, Sports Illustrated, Time and Time
Warner Cable. The Company produces and distributes films,
including The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Harry
Potter series, Batman Begins and Wedding
Crashers, as well as television programs, including ER,
Two and a Half Men, Cold Case and Without a Trace.
During 2005, the Company generated revenues of
$43.652 billion (up 4% from $42.089 billion in 2004),
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization of
$7.796 billion (down 17% from $9.372 billion in 2004),
Operating Income of $4.519 billion (down 27% from
$6.165 billion in 2004), Net Income of $2.905 billion
(down 14% from $3.364 billion in 2004) and Cash Provided by
Operations of $4.965 billion (down 25% from
$6.618 billion in 2004). Included in the amounts above are
charges of $2.865 billion and $536 million related to
securities litigation and the government investigations for 2005
and 2004, respectively, as discussed further in Other
Recent Developments.
Time Warner Businesses
Time Warner classifies its operations into five reportable
segments: AOL, Cable, Filmed Entertainment, Networks and
Publishing.
AOL. America Online, Inc. (AOL)
operates a leading network of web brands and the largest
Internet access subscription service in the United States, with
25.5 million total AOL brand subscribers in the U.S. and
Europe at the end of 2005. In 2005, AOL reported total revenues
of $8.283 billion (19% of the Companys overall
revenues), $1.899 billion in Operating Income before
Depreciation and Amortization and $1.168 billion in
Operating Income. AOL generates its revenues primarily from
subscription fees charged to subscribers and from providing
advertising services.
AOL is organized into four business units: Access, Audience,
Digital Services and International. This structure reflects
AOLs emphasis on increasing Advertising revenues,
including paid-search, which the Company believes will continue
to grow for the foreseeable future.
Historically, AOLs primary product offering has been an
online subscription service that includes
dial-up telephone
Internet access. This product, offered under a variety of
different terms and price plans, generates the substantial
majority of AOLs revenues. Over the past several years,
the AOL Access business unit has experienced significant
declines in U.S. subscribers to the AOL service and in
related Subscription revenues, and these declines are expected
to continue. These decreases are due primarily to the continued
industry-wide maturing of the premium
dial-up services
business, as consumers migrate to high-speed services and
lower-cost dial-up
services. AOL continues to develop, change, test and implement
marketing and new product strategies to attract and retain
subscribers. AOL has recently entered into a number of
agreements with high-speed access providers to offer the AOL
service along with high-speed Internet access.
AOLs Audience business unit generates Advertising revenues
from the sale of banner advertising on a fixed impression or
fixed placement basis, as well as from the sale of paid-search
and other pay-for-performance advertising on AOLs and
Advertising.com Inc.s (Advertising.com)
networks of Internet properties, which include owned and
third-party properties, as well as certain Internet properties
owned by other divisions of the Company. Currently, a
significant majority of Advertising revenues are generated from
traffic by subscribers to the AOL subscription service. The
strategy of the Audience business unit focuses on generating
Advertising revenue by increasing the reach of its audience and
depth of its usage across its web properties, including
properties such as AOL.com, AIM, MapQuest and Moviefone. A key
component of this strategy was the third quarter 2005 re-launch
of the publicly available version of the AOL.com web portal that
includes a substantial portion of AOLs content, features
and tools that were historically available only to AOL
subscribers. AOL seeks to generate Advertising revenue from
increased traffic to AOL.com through sales of
82
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
branded advertising and performance-based advertising, including
paid-search, as well as from increased utilization and
optimization of AOL advertising inventory. The acquisition of
Advertising.com in the third quarter of 2004 has provided
incremental growth in Advertising revenues, primarily through
third-party performance-based advertising.
AOLs Digital Services business unit works to develop
next-generation digital services, including a variety of
wireless, voice and other premium services and applications that
appeal to AOL members and Internet users.
AOLs International business unit, which primarily includes
AOL Europe, has an Internet access business, sells advertising
and develops and offers premium digital services. AOL Europe has
focused on increasing revenues from advertising and paid
services. Due to the regulatory environment in the countries in
which AOL Europe operates, AOL Europe is able to offer
competitive bundled broadband services to consumers and,
accordingly, its bundled broadband subscribers are growing as a
percentage of total subscribers as consumers migrate from
dial-up plans. This
trend is expected to continue.
Cable. Time Warners cable business, Time
Warner Cable Inc. and its subsidiaries (TWC Inc.),
is the second-largest cable operator in the U.S. (in terms
of basic cable subscribers served). TWC Inc. managed
approximately 10.957 million basic cable subscribers
(including approximately 1.557 million subscribers of
unconsolidated investees) at the end of 2005, in highly
clustered and technologically upgraded systems in
27 states. TWC Inc. delivered revenues of
$9.498 billion (22% of the Companys overall
revenues), $3.652 billion of Operating Income before
Depreciation and Amortization and $1.988 billion in
Operating Income during 2005. As part of the strategy to expand
TWC Inc.s cable footprint and improve the clustering of
its cable systems, TWC Inc., through a subsidiary, entered into
agreements on April 20, 2005 to acquire, in conjunction
with Comcast Corporation (Comcast), substantially
all of the assets of Adelphia Communications Corporation
(Adelphia). Please refer to Other Recent
Developments for further details.
TWC Inc. principally offers three products video,
high-speed data and Digital Phone. Video is TWC Inc.s
largest product in terms of revenues generated; however, the
potential growth of its customer base within TWC Inc.s
existing footprint for video cable service is limited, as the
customer base has matured and industry-wide competition has
increased. Nevertheless, TWC Inc. is continuing to increase its
video revenues through rate increases and its offerings of
advanced digital video services such as Digital Video,
Video-on-Demand (VOD),
Subscription-Video-on-Demand
(SVOD) and Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), which are
available throughout TWC Inc.s footprint. TWC Inc.s
digital video subscribers provide a broad base of potential
customers for these advanced services. Video programming costs
represent a major component of TWC Inc.s expenses and are
expected to continue to increase, reflecting an expansion of
service offerings and contractual rate increases across TWC
Inc.s programming lineup.
High-speed data service has been one of TWC Inc.s
fastest-growing products over the past several years and is a
key driver of its results. TWC Inc. expects continued strong
growth in residential high-speed data subscribers and revenues
for the foreseeable future; however, the rate of growth of both
subscribers and revenue could be impacted by intensified
competition with other service providers for subscribers.
TWC Inc.s voice product, Digital Phone, first launched in
May 2003, was rolled out across TWC Inc.s footprint during
2004. As of December 31, 2005, Digital Phone was available
to nearly 85% of TWC Inc.s homes passed and over one
million subscribers received the service. For a monthly fixed
fee, Digital Phone customers typically receive unlimited local,
in-state and U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico long-distance calling,
as well as call waiting, caller ID and enhanced 911
services. In the future, TWC Inc. intends to offer additional
plans with a variety of local and long-distance options. Digital
Phone enables TWC Inc. to offer its customers a convenient
package of video, high-speed data and voice services and to
compete effectively against similar bundled products available
from its competitors. TWC Inc. expects strong growth in Digital
Phone subscribers and revenues for the foreseeable future.
83
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
In addition to the subscription services, TWC Inc. also earns
revenue by selling advertising time to national, regional and
local businesses.
Filmed Entertainment. Time Warners Filmed
Entertainment businesses, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
(Warner Bros.) and New Line Cinema Corporation
(New Line), generated revenues of
$11.924 billion (26% of the Companys overall
revenues), $1.289 billion in Operating Income before
Depreciation and Amortization and $943 million in Operating
Income during 2005.
One of the worlds leading studios, Warner Bros. has
diversified sources of revenues with its film and television
businesses, combined with an extensive film library and global
distribution infrastructure. This diversification has helped
Warner Bros. deliver consistent long-term growth and
performance. New Line is the worlds oldest independent
film company. Its primary source of revenues is the creation and
distribution of theatrical motion pictures.
Warner Bros. continues to develop its industry-leading
television business, including the successful releases of
television series into the home video market. For the 2005-2006
television season, Warner Bros. has more current prime-time
productions on the air than any other studio, with prime-time
series on all six broadcast networks (including Two and a
Half Men, ER, Without a Trace, The O.C., Cold Case and
Smallville).
The sale of DVDs has been one of the largest drivers of the
segments profit growth over the last few years and Warner
Bros. extensive library of theatrical and television
titles positions it to continue to benefit from DVD sales;
however, the Company has begun to see slower growth in DVD sales
due to several factors, including increasing competition for
consumer discretionary spending, piracy, the maturation of the
DVD format and the fragmentation of consumer time.
Piracy, including physical piracy as well as illegal online
file-sharing, continues to be a significant issue for the filmed
entertainment industry. Due to technological advances, piracy
has expanded from music to movies and television programming.
The Company has taken a variety of actions to combat piracy over
the last several years, including a pilot program to release
low-cost DVDs and VCDs in China and to coordinate worldwide
release dates for franchise films, and will continue to do so,
both individually and together with cross-industry groups, trade
associations and strategic partners.
Networks. Time Warners Networks group
comprises Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (Turner),
Home Box Office Inc. (HBO) and The WB
Television Network (The WB Network). The Networks
segment delivered revenues of $9.611 billion (20% of the
Companys overall revenues), $2.999 billion in
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization and
$2.738 billion in Operating Income during 2005.
The Turner networks including such recognized brands
as TBS, TNT, CNN, Cartoon Network and CNN Headline
News are among the leaders in advertising-supported
cable TV networks. For the fourth consecutive year, more
prime-time viewers watched advertising-supported cable TV
networks than the national broadcast networks. In 2005, TNT
ranked first among advertising-supported cable networks in total
day and prime-time delivery of its key demographics, adults
18-49 and adults 25-54. TBS ranked first among
advertising-supported cable networks in prime-time delivery of
its key demographic, adults 18-34.
The Turner networks generate revenues principally from the sale
of advertising time and monthly subscriber fees paid by cable
systems, direct-to-home
(DTH) satellite operators and other affiliates.
Turner has benefited from strong ratings and a strong
advertising market. Key contributors to Turners success
are its continued investments in high-quality programming
focused on sports, network premieres, licensed and original
series, news and animation, as well as a strong brand and
operating efficiency.
HBO operates the HBO and Cinemax multichannel pay television
programming services, with the HBO service ranking as the
nations most widely distributed pay television network.
HBO generates revenues
84
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
principally from monthly subscriber fees from cable system
operators, satellite companies and other affiliates. An
additional source of revenue is the ancillary sales of its
original programming, including such programs as The
Sopranos, Sex and the City, Six Feet Under, Band of Brothers
and Deadwood.
The WB Network is a broadcast television network, whose target
audience consists primarily of young adults in the 12-34
demographic. The WB Network generates revenues almost
exclusively from the sale of advertising time. As discussed in
more detail in Other Recent Developments, on
January 24, 2006, Warner Bros. and CBS Corp.
(CBS) announced an agreement in principle to form a
new fully-distributed national broadcast network, to be called
The CW. At the same time, Warner Bros. and CBS are preparing to
cease the standalone operations of The WB Network and UPN,
respectively, at the end of the 2005/2006 television season
(September 2006).
Publishing. Time Warners Publishing segment
consists principally of magazine publishing, book publishing and
a number of direct-marketing and direct-selling businesses. The
segment generated revenues of $5.846 billion (13% of the
Companys overall revenues), $1.259 billion in
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization and
$1.028 billion in Operating Income during 2005.
Time Inc. publishes over 150 magazines globally, including
People, Sports Illustrated, Southern Living, In Style, Real
Simple, Entertainment Weekly, Time, Fortune, Cooking Light,
and Whats on TV. It generates revenues primarily
from advertising, magazine subscription and newsstand sales, and
its growth is derived from higher circulation and advertising on
existing magazines, new magazine launches and acquisitions. Time
Inc. owns IPC Media (the U.K.s largest magazine company)
and is the majority shareholder of magazine subscription
marketer Synapse Group, Inc. In addition, Time Inc. continues to
invest in new magazines, including Pick Me Up, a weekly
womens magazine, and TV Easy, a weekly TV listings
magazine, which IPC Media launched in the U.K. during 2005. In
the first quarter of 2005, Time Inc. acquired the remaining 51%
stake it did not already own in Essence Communications Partners
(Essence), the publisher of Essence. In the
third quarter of 2005, Time Inc. acquired Grupo Editorial
Expansión (GEE), a Mexican publisher with a
portfolio of 15 consumer and business magazines, primarily for
the Mexican market. Time Inc.s book publishing operations
are conducted primarily by Time Warner Book Group Inc.
(TWBG), which had 69 books on The New York
Times bestseller list in 2005. Time Inc.s
direct-selling division, Southern Living At Home, sells home
decor products through independent consultants at parties hosted
in peoples homes throughout the U.S. As discussed in
more detail in Other Recent Developments, on
February 6, 2006, the Company announced an agreement to
sell TWBG to Hachette Livre SA (Hachette), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Lagardère SCA
(Lagardère), for approximately
$538 million in cash, not including working capital
adjustments.
Other Recent Developments
Amounts Related to Securities Litigation
In July 2005, the Company reached an agreement in principle for
the settlement of the securities class action lawsuits included
in the matters consolidated under the caption In re: AOL Time
Warner Inc. Securities & ERISA Litigation
described in Note 17 to the accompanying consolidated
financial statements. The settlement is reflected in a written
agreement between the lead plaintiff and the Company. On
September 30, 2005, the court issued an order granting
preliminary approval of the settlement and certified the
settlement class. The court held a final approval hearing on
February 22, 2006, and the parties are now awaiting the
courts ruling. At this time, there can be no assurance
that the settlement of the securities class action litigation
will receive final court approval. In connection with reaching
the agreement in principle on the securities class action, the
Company established a reserve of $2.4 billion during the
second quarter of 2005. Ernst & Young LLP also has
agreed to a settlement in this litigation matter and will pay
$100 million. Pursuant to the settlement, in October 2005,
Time Warner paid $2.4 billion into a settlement fund (the
85
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
MSBI Settlement Fund) for the members of the class
represented in the action. In addition, the $150 million
previously paid by Time Warner into a fund in connection with
the settlement of the investigation by the U.S. Department
of Justice (DOJ) was transferred to the MSBI
Settlement Fund, and Time Warner is using its best efforts to
have the $300 million it previously paid in connection with
the settlement of its Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) investigation, or at least a substantial
portion thereof, transferred to the MSBI Settlement Fund.
In addition to the $2.4 billion reserve established in
connection with the agreement in principle regarding the
settlement of the MSBI consolidated securities class action,
during the second quarter of 2005, the Company established an
additional reserve totaling $600 million in connection with
the other related securities litigation matters described in
Note 17 to the accompanying consolidated financial
statements that are pending against the Company. This
$600 million amount continues to represent the
Companys current best estimate of the amounts to be paid
in resolving these matters, including the remaining individual
shareholder suits (including suits brought by individual
shareholders who decided to opt-out of the
settlement in the primary securities class action), the
derivative actions and the actions alleging violations of The
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Of
this amount, subsequent to December 31, 2005, the Company
has paid, or has agreed to pay, approximately $335 million,
before providing for any remaining potential insurance
recoveries, to settle certain of these claims.
The Company reached an agreement with the carriers on its
directors and officers insurance policies in connection with the
securities and derivative action matters described above (other
than the actions alleging violations of ERISA). As a result of
this agreement, in the fourth quarter, the Company recorded a
recovery of approximately $185 million (bringing the total
2005 recoveries to $206 million), which is expected to be
collected in the first quarter of 2006 and is reflected as a
reduction to Amounts related to securities litigation and
government investigations in the accompanying consolidated
statement of operations for the year ended December 31,
2005 (Note 1).
Government Investigations
As previously disclosed by the Company, the SEC and the DOJ had
been conducting investigations into accounting and disclosure
practices of the Company. Those investigations focused on
advertising transactions, principally involving the
Companys AOL segment, the methods used by the AOL segment
to report its subscriber numbers and the accounting related to
the Companys interest in AOL Europe prior to January 2002.
During 2004, the Company established $510 million in legal
reserves related to the government investigations, the
components of which are discussed in more detail in the
following paragraphs.
The Company and its subsidiary, AOL, entered into a settlement
with the DOJ in December 2004 that provided for a deferred
prosecution arrangement for a two-year period. As part of the
settlement with the DOJ, in December 2004, the Company paid a
penalty of $60 million and established a $150 million
fund, which the Company could use to settle related securities
litigation. The fund was reflected as restricted cash on the
Companys accompanying consolidated balance sheet at
December 31, 2004. During October 2005, the
$150 million was transferred by the Company into the MSBI
Settlement Fund described above under the heading Amounts
Related to Securities Litigation.
In addition, on March 21, 2005, the Company announced that
the SEC had approved the Companys proposed settlement,
which resolved the SECs investigation of the Company.
Under the terms of the settlement with the SEC, the Company
agreed, without admitting or denying the SECs allegations,
to be enjoined from future violations of certain provisions of
the securities laws and to
86
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
comply with the cease-and-desist order issued by the SEC to AOL
in May 2000. The settlement also required the Company to:
|
|
|
| |
|
Pay a $300 million penalty, which will be used for a Fair
Fund, as authorized under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; |
| |
| |
|
Adjust its historical accounting for Advertising revenues in
certain transactions with Bertelsmann, A.G.
(Bertelsmann) that were improperly or prematurely
recognized, primarily in the second half of 2000, during 2001
and during 2002; as well as adjust its historical accounting for
transactions involving three other AOL customers where there
were Advertising revenues recognized in the second half of 2000
and during 2001; |
| |
| |
|
Adjust its historical accounting for its investment in and
consolidation of AOL Europe; and |
| |
| |
|
Agree to the appointment of an independent examiner, who will
either be or hire a certified public accountant. The independent
examiner will review whether the Companys historical
accounting for transactions with 17 counterparties identified by
the SEC staff, principally involving online advertising revenues
and including three cable programming affiliation agreements
with related advertising elements, was in conformity with GAAP,
and provide a report to the Companys audit and finance
committee of its conclusions, originally within 180 days of
being engaged. The transactions that would be reviewed were
entered into between June 1, 2000 and December 31,
2001, including subsequent amendments thereto, and involved
online advertising and related transactions for which revenue
was principally recognized before January 1, 2002. |
The Company paid the $300 million penalty in March 2005;
however, it is unable to deduct the penalty for income tax
purposes, be reimbursed or indemnified for such payment through
insurance or any other source, or use such payment to setoff or
reduce any award of compensatory damages to plaintiffs in
related securities litigation pending against the Company. As
described above, in connection with the pending settlement of
the consolidated securities class action, the Company is using
its best efforts to have the $300 million, or a substantial
portion thereof, transferred to the MSBI Settlement Fund. The
historical accounting adjustments were reflected in the
restatement of the Companys financial results for each of
the years ended December 31, 2000 through December 31,
2003, which were included in the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004 (the 2004
Form 10-K).
The independent examiner has begun its review, which has been
extended and is expected to be completed in the second quarter
of 2006. Depending on the independent examiners
conclusions, a further restatement might be necessary. It is
also possible that, so long as there are unresolved issues
associated with the Companys financial statements, the
effectiveness of any registration statement of the Company or
its affiliates may be delayed.
AOL-Google Alliance
During December 2005, the Company announced that AOL is
expanding its current strategic alliance with Google Inc.
(Google) to enhance its global online advertising
partnership and make more of AOLs content available to
Google users. Under the alliance, Google and AOL will continue
to provide search technology to AOLs network of Internet
properties worldwide. Other key aspects of the alliance include:
|
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| |
|
Creating an AOL Marketplace through white labeling of
Googles advertising technology, which enables AOL to sell
search advertising directly to advertisers on AOL-owned
properties; |
| |
| |
|
Expanding display advertising available for AOL to sell
throughout the Google network; |
| |
| |
|
Making AOL content more accessible to Google Web crawlers; |
87
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
|
|
|
| |
|
Collaborating in video search and showcasing AOLs premium
video service within Google Video; |
| |
| |
|
Enabling Google Talk and AIM instant messaging users to
communicate with each other, provided certain conditions are
met; and |
| |
| |
|
Providing AOL marketing credits for promotion of AOLs
content on Googles Internet properties. |
In addition, Google will invest $1 billion for a 5% equity
interest in a limited liability company that will own all of the
outstanding equity interests in AOL. The Company expects these
transactions with Google to close during the first quarter of
2006.
The WB Network
On January 24, 2006, Warner Bros. and CBS Corp.
(CBS) announced an agreement in principle to form a
new fully-distributed national broadcast network, to be called
The CW. At the same time, Warner Bros. and CBS are preparing to
cease the standalone operations of The WB Network and UPN,
respectively, at the end of the 2005/2006 television season
(September 2006). Warner Bros. and CBS will each own 50% of the
new network and will have joint and equal control. In addition,
Warner Bros. has reached an agreement in principle with Tribune
Corp. (Tribune), currently a subordinated 22.25%
limited partner in The WB Network, under which Tribune will
surrender its ownership interest in The WB Network and will be
relieved of funding obligations. In addition, Tribune will
become one of the principal affiliate groups for the new network.
Upon the closing of this transaction, the Company will account
for its investment in The CW under the equity method of
accounting. The Company anticipates that prior to the closing of
this transaction the Company is expected to incur restructuring
charges ranging from $15 million to $20 million
related to employee terminations. In addition, the Company may
incur costs in terminating certain programming arrangements that
will not be contributed to the new network or utilized in
another manner.
Sale of Time Warner Book Group
On February 6, 2006, the Company announced an agreement to
sell TWBG to Hachette for approximately $538 million in
cash, not including working capital adjustments. This
transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2006 and
the Company expects to record a pretax gain of approximately
$180 million to $220 million. In 2005, TWBG had
revenues of $571 million and Operating Income of
$74 million.
Sale of Canal Satellite Digital
On February 7, 2006, Warner Bros. entered into an agreement
for the sale of its equity investment interest in Canal
Satellite Digital (CSD), a Spanish satellite pay
television operator, together with its interest in Cinemania,
the Spanish library movie channel, for approximately
$90 million in cash and stock. This transaction is expected
to close in the second quarter of 2006 and the Company expects
to record a pretax equity investment gain of approximately
$40 million.
Sale of Turner South
On February 23, 2006, the Company announced an agreement to
sell the Turner South network (Turner South), a
subsidiary of Turner, to Fox Cable Networks, Inc.
(Fox) for approximately $375 million in cash.
This transaction is expected to close in the second or third
quarter of 2006 and the Company expects to record a pretax gain
of approximately $110 million to $130 million. In
2005, Turner South had revenues of $49 million and an
Operating Loss of $7 million.
88
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
Common Stock Repurchase Program
On July 29, 2005, Time Warners Board of Directors
authorized a common stock repurchase program that allowed Time
Warner to repurchase, from time to time, up to $5 billion
of common stock over a two-year period ending in July 2007. In
October 2005, Time Warners Board of Directors approved an
increase in the amount authorized to be repurchased under the
stock repurchase program to an aggregate of up to
$12.5 billion of common stock. In February 2006, the Board
of Directors authorized a further increase in the stock
repurchase program and an extension of the programs ending
date. Under the extended program, the Company is authorized to
purchase up to an aggregate of $20 billion of common stock
during the period from July 29, 2005 through
December 31, 2007. Purchases under the stock repurchase
program may be made from time to time on the open market and in
privately negotiated transactions. Size and timing of these
purchases will be based on a number of factors, including price
and business and market conditions. As announced on
February 1, 2006, the Company increased the pace of stock
repurchases during the first quarter of 2006. At existing price
levels, the Company intends to continue the current pace of
purchases under its stock repurchase program within its stated
objective of maintaining a net debt-to-Operating Income before
Depreciation and Amortization ratio of approximately
3-to-1, and expects it
will purchase approximately $15 billion of its common stock
under the program by the end of 2006, and the remainder in 2007.
From the programs inception through February 23,
2006, the Company repurchased approximately 235 million
shares of common stock for approximately $4.2 billion
(including 67 million shares for approximately
$1.2 billion since February 1, 2006) pursuant to
trading programs under
Rule 10b5-1 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Common Stock Dividends
On May 20, 2005, the Company announced that it would begin
paying a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share
on its common stock beginning in the third quarter 2005. Under
this dividend program, on September 15, 2005 and
December 15, 2005, the Company paid cash dividends of
$0.05 per share on its common stock to shareholders of
record on August 31, 2005 and November 30, 2005,
respectively. The total amount of dividends paid during 2005 was
$466 million.
Magazine Circulation Practices Investigation
As previously disclosed, Time Inc. has received a grand jury
subpoena from the United States Attorneys Office for the
Eastern District of New York in connection with an investigation
of certain magazine circulation-related practices. Time Inc. is
responding to the subpoena and is cooperating with the
investigation. Following discussions with the Audit Bureau of
Circulations (ABC) concerning Time Inc.s
reporting of sponsored sales subscriptions, ABC has confirmed
that the vast majority of Time Inc.s sponsored
subscriptions for the first half of 2005 were properly
classified. Time Inc. has informed its advertisers of such
conclusion.
Adelphia Acquisition Agreement
On April 20, 2005, a subsidiary of the Company, Time Warner
NY Cable LLC (TW NY), and Comcast each entered into
separate definitive agreements with Adelphia to, collectively,
acquire substantially all the assets of Adelphia for a total of
$12.7 billion in cash (of which TW NY will pay
$9.2 billion and Comcast will pay the remaining
$3.5 billion) and 16% of the common stock of TWC Inc. (the
Adelphia Acquisition).
At the same time that Comcast and TW NY entered into the
Adelphia agreements, Comcast, TWC Inc. and/or their respective
affiliates entered into agreements providing for the redemption
of Comcasts interests in TWC Inc. and Time Warner
Entertainment Company, L.P. (TWE) (the TWC
Inc. Redemp-
89
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
tion Agreement and the TWE
Redemption Agreement, respectively, and,
collectively, the TWC Inc. and TWE
Redemption Agreements). Specifically, Comcasts
17.9% interest in TWC Inc. will be redeemed in exchange for
stock of a subsidiary of TWC Inc. holding cable systems serving
approximately 587,000 subscribers (as of December 31,
2004), as well as approximately $1.9 billion in cash. In
addition, Comcasts 4.7% interest in TWE will be redeemed
in exchange for interests in a subsidiary of TWE holding cable
systems serving approximately 168,000 subscribers (as of
December 31, 2004), as well as approximately
$133 million in cash. TWC Inc., Comcast and their
respective subsidiaries will also swap certain cable systems to
enhance their respective geographic clusters of subscribers
(Cable Swaps).
After giving effect to the transactions, TWC Inc. will gain
systems passing approximately 7.5 million homes (as of
December 31, 2004), with approximately 3.5 million
basic subscribers. TWC Inc. will then manage a total of
approximately 14.4 million basic subscribers. Time Warner
will own 84% of TWC Inc.s common stock (including 83% of
the outstanding TWC Inc. Class A Common Stock, which will
become publicly traded at the time of closing, and all
outstanding shares of TWC Inc. Class B Common Stock) and
own a $2.9 billion indirect economic interest in TW NY, a
subsidiary of TWC Inc.
The transactions are subject to customary regulatory review and
approvals, including antitrust review by the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Act, review by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) and local franchise approvals, as well as, in
the case of the Adelphia Acquisition, the Adelphia bankruptcy
process, which involves approvals by the bankruptcy court having
jurisdiction over Adelphias Chapter 11 case and
Adelphias creditors. On January 31, 2006, the FTC
completed its antitrust review of the transaction and closed its
investigation without further action. The parties are awaiting
final clearance from the FCC and local franchise approvals, as
well as completion of the bankruptcy process. The parties expect
to close the Adelphia Acquisition during the second quarter of
2006.
The closing of the Adelphia Acquisition is not dependent on the
closing of the Cable Swaps or the transactions contemplated by
the TWC Inc. and TWE Redemption Agreements. Furthermore, if
Comcast fails to obtain certain necessary governmental
authorizations, TW NY has agreed to acquire the cable operations
of Adelphia that would have been acquired by Comcast, with the
purchase price payable in cash or TWC Inc. stock at the
Companys discretion.
Investment in Google
In May 2004, AOL exercised a warrant for approximately
$22 million and received approximately 7.4 million
shares of Series D Preferred Stock of Google. Each of these
shares converted automatically into shares of Googles
Class B common stock immediately prior to the closing of
Googles initial public offering on August 24, 2004.
In connection with this offering, AOL converted approximately
2.4 million shares of its Google Class B common stock
into an equal number of shares of Googles Class A
common stock. Such Class A shares were sold in the offering
for $195 million, net of the underwriters discounts
and commissions, and the Company recorded a gain of
approximately $188 million in the third quarter of 2004,
which is included as a component of Other income, net, in the
accompanying consolidated statement of operations. Beginning in
March 2005, the Company entered into agreements to sell its
remaining 5.1 million shares at an average share price of
approximately $185. The sales under such agreements settled on
May 3, 2005, and the Company received total cash
consideration of approximately $940 million, resulting in a
gain of approximately $925 million recognized in the second
quarter of 2005, which is included as a component of Other
income, net, in the accompanying consolidated statement of
operations.
Mandatorily Convertible Preferred Stock
As of December 31, 2004, the Company had outstanding one
share of its Series A mandatorily convertible preferred
stock, par value $0.10 per share, face value of
$1.5 billion (the Series A Preferred
90
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
Stock), held by a trust for the benefit of Comcast, that
was issued on March 31, 2003, as part of the restructuring
of TWE (TWE Restructuring). In accordance with the
terms of the stock, on March 31, 2005, the Series A
Preferred Stock was automatically converted into
83,835,883 shares of common stock of the Company, valued at
$1.5 billion, and such amount was reclassified to
shareholders equity in the accompanying consolidated
balance sheet.
Urban Cable Works of Philadelphia, L.P.
On November 22, 2005, TWC Inc. purchased the remaining 60%
interest in Urban Cable Works of Philadelphia, L.P. (Urban
Cable), an operator of cable systems in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania with approximately 47,000 basic subscribers. The
purchase price consisted of $51 million in cash, net of
cash acquired, and the assumption of $44 million of Urban
Cables third-party debt. Prior to TWC Inc.s
acquisition of the remaining interest, Urban Cable was an
unconsolidated joint venture of TWC Inc., which was 40% owned by
TWC Inc. and 60% owned by an investment group led by Inner City
Broadcasting (Inner City). Under a management
agreement, TWC Inc. was responsible for the
day-to-day management
of Urban Cable. During 2004, TWC Inc. made cash payments of
$34 million to Inner City to settle certain disputes
regarding the joint venture. In conjunction with the Adelphia
Acquisition described above, Urban Cable will be transferred to
Comcast as part of the Cable Swaps. For additional details,
refer to the subsection above titled Adelphia Acquisition
Agreement. From the time it was consolidated through
December 31, 2005, Urban Cable contributed Subscription
revenues and Operating Income of $7 million and
$1 million, respectively.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
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New Accounting Principles To Be Adopted |
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) issued FASB Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (Statement) No. 123 (Revised),
Share-Based Payment (FAS 123R).
FAS 123R requires all companies to measure compensation
costs for all share-based payments (including employee stock
options) at fair value and recognize such costs in the statement
of operations. As a result, the application of the provisions of
FAS 123R will have a significant impact on Operating Income
before Depreciation and Amortization, Operating Income, net
income and earnings per share. In April 2005, the SEC amended
the compliance dates for FAS 123R from fiscal periods
beginning after June 15, 2005 to fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company has
continued to account for share-based compensation using the
intrinsic value method set forth in Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees (APB 25). The Company will
adopt FAS 123R beginning January 1, 2006 and elect the
modified retrospective method of transition. This method of
transition requires that the financial statements of all prior
periods be adjusted on a basis consistent with the pro-forma
disclosures required for those periods by FASB Statement
No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation, the predecessor to FAS 123R.
In accordance with APB 25 and related interpretations,
compensation expense for stock options is recognized in income
based on the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the
stock at the grant date of the award or other measurement date
over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. The
compensation costs related to stock options recognized by the
Company pursuant to APB 25 were minimal. If a company
measures share-based compensation using APB 25, it must
also disclose what the impact would have been if it had measured
share-based compensation using the fair value of the equity
award on the date it was granted as provided in FAS 123,
the predecessor of FAS 123R. See Note 1 for the pro
forma impact if
91
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
compensation costs for the Companys stock option plans had
been determined based on the fair value method set forth in
FAS 123.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior
years financial information to conform to the
December 31, 2005 presentation.
|
|
|
Significant Transactions and Other Items Affecting
Comparability |
As more fully described herein and in the related notes to the
accompanying consolidated financial statements, the
comparability of Time Warners results from continuing
operations has been affected by certain significant transactions
and other items in each period as follows:
| |
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Amounts related to securities litigation and government
investigations
|
|
$ |
(2,865 |
) |
|
$ |
(536 |
) |
|
$ |
(56 |
) |
|
Merger and restructuring costs
|
|
|
(117 |
) |
|
|
(50 |
) |
|
|
(109 |
) |
|
Asset impairments
|
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(318 |
) |
|
Gain on disposal of assets, net
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impact on Operating Income
|
|
|
(2,983 |
) |
|
|
(575 |
) |
|
|
(469 |
) |
|
Microsoft Settlement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
760 |
|
|
Investment gains, net
|
|
|
1,011 |
|
|
|
424 |
|
|
|
593 |
|
|
Net gain on WMG option
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impact on Other income, net
|
|
|
1,064 |
|
|
|
474 |
|
|
|
1,353 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pretax impact
|
|
|
(1,919 |
) |
|
|
(101 |
) |
|
|
884 |
|
|
Income tax impact
|
|
|
518 |
|
|
|
(73 |
) |
|
|
(372 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
After-tax impact
|
|
$ |
(1,401 |
) |
|
$ |
(174 |
) |
|
$ |
512 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts Related to Securities Litigation and Government
Investigations |
As previously discussed, during 2005, the Company expensed
$3 billion in legal reserves related to securities
litigation. During 2004, the Company established
$510 million in legal reserves related to the government
investigations. In addition, the Company has incurred legal and
other professional fees related to the SEC and DOJ
investigations into the Companys accounting and disclosure
practices and the defense of various shareholder lawsuits
totaling $71 million, $74 million and $81 million
in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. In addition, the Company
realized insurance recoveries of $206 million,
$48 million and $25 million in 2005, 2004 and 2003,
respectively, including, as discussed under Other Recent
Developments above, $185 million recognized in
December 2005 in connection with the agreement reached with
carriers of its directors and officers insurance policies
related to the securities and derivative action matters (other
than the actions alleging violations of ERISA).
|
|
|
Merger and Restructuring Costs |
During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company
incurred restructuring costs of approximately $109 million
primarily related to various employee terminations, including
approximately 1,330 employees across the segments. Specifically,
the AOL and Cable segments incurred restructuring costs
primarily related to various employee terminations of
$17 million and $35 million, respectively, which were
partially offset by a
92
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
$7 million and a $1 million reduction in restructuring
costs, respectively, reflecting changes in estimates of
previously established restructuring accruals. Additional
restructuring costs, primarily related to various employee
terminations, of $33 million at the Filmed Entertainment
segment, $4 million at the Networks segment and
$28 million at the Publishing segment were also incurred
during 2005. In addition, during the year ended
December 31, 2005, the Cable segment expensed approximately
$8 million of non-capitalizable merger-related costs
associated with the Adelphia Acquisition (Note 14).
During the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company
incurred restructuring costs at the AOL segment related to
various employee terminations of $55 million, which were
partially offset by a $5 million reduction in restructuring
costs, reflecting changes in estimates of previously established
restructuring accruals. The total number of employees terminated
in 2004 was approximately 860. During the year ended
December 31, 2003, the Company incurred restructuring costs
related to various employee and contractual lease terminations
of $109 million, including $52 million at the AOL
segment, $15 million at the Cable segment, $21 million
at the Networks segment and $21 million at the Publishing
segment. The total number of employees terminated in 2003 was
approximately 975 (Note 14).
During 2005, the Company recorded a $24 million noncash
impairment charge related to goodwill associated with America
Online Latin America, Inc. (AOLA). During 2005, AOLA
filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of
the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and has announced that it intends
to liquidate, sell or wind up its operations. During 2004, the
Company recognized a $10 million impairment charge related
to a building that was held for sale at the AOL segment. During
2003, the Companys results included $318 million of
noncash impairment charges, including $219 million related
to intangible assets of the winter sports teams at the Networks
segment and $99 million at the Publishing segment related
to goodwill and intangible assets of the Time Warner Book Group.
In the fourth quarter of each year, the Company performs its
annual impairment review for goodwill and intangible assets. The
2005, 2004 and 2003 annual impairment reviews for goodwill and
intangible assets did not result in any impairment charges being
recorded (Note 1).
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Gains on Disposal of Assets, Net |
For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company recorded
a $5 million gain related to the sale of a property in
California at the Filmed Entertainment segment, an approximate
$5 million gain related to the sale of a building and a
$5 million gain from the resolution of previously
contingent gains related to the 2004 sale of Netscape Security
Solutions at the AOL segment and an $8 million gain at the
Publishing segment related to the collection of a loan made in
conjunction with the Companys 2003 sale of Time Life Inc.
(Time Life), which was previously fully reserved due
to concerns about recoverability.
For the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company
recognized a $13 million gain related to the sale of AOL
Japan and a $7 million gain related to the sale of Netscape
Security Solutions at the AOL segment, an $8 million gain
at the Publishing segment related to the sale of a building,
partially offset by an approximate $7 million loss at the
Networks segment related to the sale of the winter sports teams.
During the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company
recognized a $43 million gain on the sale of its interest
in U.K. cinemas, which previously had been consolidated by the
Filmed Entertainment segment, partially offset by a loss of
$29 million on the sale of Time Life at the Publishing
segment.
93
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
In the second quarter of 2003 the Company recognized a gain of
approximately $760 million as a result of the settlement
with Microsoft Corporation of then-pending litigation between
Microsoft and Netscape Communications Corporation, a subsidiary
of AOL (the Microsoft Settlement).
For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company
recognized net gains of $1.011 billion primarily related to
the sale of investments, including a $925 million gain on
the sale of the Companys remaining investment in Google, a
$36 million gain, which had been previously deferred,
related to the Companys 2002 sale of a portion of its
interest in Columbia House and an $8 million gain on the
sale of its 7.5% remaining interest in Columbia House and
simultaneous resolution of a contingency for which the Company
had previously accrued. Investment gains were partially offset
by $16 million of writedowns to reduce the carrying value
of certain investments that experienced other-than-temporary
declines in market value including a $13 million writedown
of the Companys investment in n-tv KG
(NTV-Germany), a German news broadcaster. The year
ended December 31, 2005 also included $1 million of
losses to reflect market fluctuations in equity derivative
instruments.
For the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company
recognized net gains of $424 million, primarily related to
the sale of investments, including a $188 million gain
related to the sale of a portion of the Companys interest
in Google and a $113 million gain related to the sale of
the Companys interest in VIVA Media AG (VIVA)
and VIVA Plus and a $44 million gain on the sale of the
Companys interest in Gateway Inc. (Gateway).
Investment gains were partially offset by $15 million of
writedowns to reduce the carrying value of certain investments
that experienced other-than-temporary declines in market value
and $14 million of losses related to market fluctuations in
equity derivative instruments.
For the year ended December 31, 2003, the Company
recognized net gains of $593 million, primarily from the
sale of investments, including a $513 million gain from the
sale of the Companys interest in Comedy Central, a
$52 million gain from the sale of the Companys
interest in chinadotcom, a $50 million gain from the sale
of the Companys interest in Hughes Electronics Corp.
(Hughes) and gains of $66 million on the sale
of the Companys equity interests in international cinemas
not previously consolidated. The Company also recognized
$8 million of gains related to market fluctuations in
equity derivative instruments. Investment gains were partially
offset by $212 million of writedowns to reduce the carrying
value of certain investments that experienced
other-than-temporary declines in market value. Included in the
2003 charges were a writedown of $77 million related to the
Companys equity interest in AOL Japan and a
$71 million writedown related to the Companys equity
interest in NTV-Germany (Note 6).
During 2005, the Company entered into an agreement with Warner
Music Group (WMG) pursuant to which WMG agreed to a
cash purchase of the Companys option to acquire shares of
WMG that it received in connection with the sale of WMG in 2004.
Under the agreement, the cash purchase of the option would be
made at the time of the WMG public offering at a price based on
the initial public offering price per share, net of any
underwriters discounts. As a result of the estimated
public offering price range, the Company adjusted the value of
the option in the first quarter of 2005 from $85 million to
$165 million. In the second quarter of 2005, WMGs
registration statement was declared effective and it completed
its initial public offering at a reduced price from its initial
estimated range, and the Company received approximately
$138 million from the sale of its option. As a result of
these events, for the year ended December 31, 2005, the
Company recorded a $53 million net gain related to this
option. For the year ended December 31, 2004, the Company
recorded a $50 million fair value adjustment to increase
the options carrying value (Note 3).
94
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
2005 vs. 2004
Revenues. The components of revenues are as
follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
% Change | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Subscription
|
|
$ |
22,222 |
|
|
$ |
21,605 |
|
|
|
3 |
% |
|
Advertising
|
|
|
7,612 |
|
|
|
6,955 |
|
|
|
9 |
% |
|
Content
|
|
|
12,615 |
|
|
|
12,350 |
|
|
|
2 |
% |
|
Other
|
|
|
1,203 |
|
|
|
1,179 |
|
|
|
2 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
$ |
43,652 |
|
|
$ |
42,089 |
|
|
|
4 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in Subscription revenues primarily related to
increases at the Cable and Networks segments, offset partially
by a decline at the AOL segment. The increase at the Cable
segment was principally due to the continued penetration of
advanced services (primarily high-speed data, advanced digital
video services and Digital Phone) and video rate increases. The
increase at the Networks segment was due primarily to higher
subscription rates at Turner and HBO and, to a lesser extent, an
increase in the number of subscribers at Turner and HBO. The AOL
segment declined primarily as a result of lower domestic AOL
brand subscribers.
The increase in Advertising revenues was primarily due to growth
at the AOL, Networks and Publishing segments. The increase at
the AOL segment was due primarily to revenues associated with
Advertising.com, which was acquired on August 2, 2004, and
growth in paid-search and traditional advertising. The increase
at the Networks segment was primarily driven by higher CPMs
(advertising cost per one thousand viewers), sellouts and
delivery at Turners entertainment networks, partly offset
by a decline at The WB Network as a result of lower ratings. The
increase at the Publishing segment was due to contributions from
new magazine launches, acquisitions and growth at Real
Simple, People, Southern Living and In Style, offset
partly by lower Advertising revenues at certain magazines,
including Sports Illustrated, Time and Fortune.
The increase in Content revenues was principally due to
increases at the Filmed Entertainment, Publishing and Networks
segments. The increase at the Filmed Entertainment segment was
driven by increases in both theatrical and television product
revenues. The increase at the Publishing segment was due
primarily to a number of best-selling titles at Time Warner Book
Group. The increase at the Networks segment was due primarily to
HBOs broadcast syndication sales of Sex and the City
and, to a lesser extent, increases in other ancillary sales
of HBOs original programming, partially offset by lower
licensing revenue at HBO associated with fewer episodes of
Everybody Loves Raymond. In addition, the increase in
Content revenues was partially offset by the absence of the
winter sports teams at Turner, which were sold at the end of the
first quarter of 2004.
Each of the revenue categories is discussed in greater detail by
segment in the Business Segment Results.
Costs of Revenues. For 2005 and 2004, costs of
revenues totaled $25.075 billion and $24.449 billion,
respectively, and as a percentage of revenues were 57% and 58%,
respectively. The improvement in costs of revenues as a
percentage of revenues related primarily to improved margins at
the AOL and Networks segments, offset by a decrease in margin at
the Filmed Entertainment segment. The segment variations are
discussed in detail in Business Segment Results.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. For
2005 and 2004, selling, general and administrative expenses
increased 2% to $10.478 billion in 2005 from
$10.274 billion in 2004 primarily from increases at all
95
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
segments except the AOL segment and Corporate. The segment
variations are discussed in detail in Business Segment
Results.
Amounts Related to Securities Litigation and Government
Investigations. As previously discussed in Other
Recent Developments, results for the year ended
December 31, 2005 include $3 billion in legal reserves
related to securities litigation. During the year ended
December 31, 2004, the Company established
$510 million in legal reserves related to the government
investigations. In addition, the Company has incurred legal and
other professional fees related to the SEC and DOJ
investigations into the Companys accounting and disclosure
practices and the defense of various shareholder lawsuits
totaling $71 million and $74 million in 2005 and 2004,
respectively. In addition, the Company realized insurance
recoveries of $206 million and $48 million in 2005 and
2004, respectively. As discussed under Other Recent
Developments above, in December 2005, the Company
recognized a $185 million settlement on directors and
officers insurance policies related to the securities and
derivative action matters (other than the actions alleging
violations of ERISA) (Note 1).
|
|
|
Reconciliation of Operating Income before Depreciation and
Amortization to Operating Income and Net Income. |
The following table reconciles Operating Income before
Depreciation and Amortization to Operating Income. In addition,
the table provides the components from Operating Income to Net
Income for purposes of the discussions that follow:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
% Change | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization
|
|
$ |
7,796 |
|
|
$ |
9,372 |
|
|
|
(17 |
%) |
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(2,680 |
) |
|
|
(2,581 |
) |
|
|
4 |
% |
|
Amortization
|
|
|
(597 |
) |
|
|
(626 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income
|
|
|
4,519 |
|
|
|
6,165 |
|
|
|
(27 |
%) |
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
(1,266 |
) |
|
|
(1,533 |
) |
|
|
(17 |
%) |
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
1,124 |
|
|
|
521 |
|
|
|
116 |
% |
|
Minority interest expense, net
|
|
|
(285 |
) |
|
|
(246 |
) |
|
|
16 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes, discontinued operations and
cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
|
4,092 |
|
|
|
4,907 |
|
|
|
(17 |
%) |
|
Income tax provision
|
|
|
(1,187 |
) |
|
|
(1,698 |
) |
|
|
(30 |
%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of
accounting change
|
|
|
2,905 |
|
|
|
3,209 |
|
|
|
(9 |
%) |
|
Discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
121 |
|
|
|
NM |
|
|
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
NM |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
2,905 |
|
|
$ |
3,364 |
|
|
|
(14 |
%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income before Depreciation and
Amortization. Time Warners Operating Income before
Depreciation and Amortization decreased 17% to
$7.796 billion in 2005 from $9.372 billion in 2004.
Excluding the items previously discussed under Significant
Transactions and Other Items Affecting Comparability
totaling $2.983 billion and $575 million of net
expense for 2005 and 2004, respectively, Operating Income before
Depreciation and Amortization increased $832 million (or
8%) principally as a result of growth at all segments except for
the Filmed Entertainment segment.
96
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
The segment variations are discussed in detail under
Business Segment Results.
Depreciation Expense. Depreciation expense
increased to $2.680 billion in 2005 from
$2.581 billion in 2004. The increase in depreciation
expense primarily related to the Cable segment, partially offset
by a decrease at the AOL segment. The increase in depreciation
expense at the Cable segment reflects continued higher spending
on customer premise equipment that is depreciated over a shorter
useful life compared to the mix of assets previously purchased.
The decrease in depreciation expense at the AOL segment relates
primarily to a decline in network assets as a result of
membership declines.
Amortization Expense. Amortization expense
decreased to $597 million in 2005 from $626 million in
2004. The decrease relates primarily to a decline in
amortization expense at the Publishing segment as a result of
certain short-lived intangibles, such as customer lists,
becoming fully amortized beginning in the latter part of 2004.
Operating Income. Time Warners Operating
Income decreased to $4.519 billion in 2005 from
$6.165 billion in 2004. Excluding the items previously
discussed under Significant Transactions and Other
Items Affecting Comparability totaling
$2.983 billion and $575 million of net expense for
2005 and 2004, respectively, Operating Income improved
$762 million primarily as a result of the improvement in
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization, offset
partially by the increase in depreciation expense as discussed
above.
Interest Expense, Net. Interest expense, net,
decreased to $1.266 billion in 2005 from
$1.533 billion in 2004 due primarily to lower average net
debt levels and higher interest rates on cash investments.
Other Income, Net. Other income, net, detail is
shown in the table below:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Investment gains, net
|
|
$ |
1,011 |
|
|
$ |
424 |
|
|
Net gain on WMG option
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
Income from equity investees
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income, net
|
|
$ |
1,124 |
|
|
$ |
521 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The changes in investment gains, net, and the net gain on the
WMG option are discussed above in detail under Significant
Transactions and Other Items Affecting Comparability.
Excluding the impact of these items, Other income, net,
increased in 2005 as compared to the prior year, principally
from an increase in income from equity method investees,
primarily related to lower losses from the NASCAR joint venture.
Minority Interest Expense, Net. Time Warner had
$285 million of minority interest expense in 2005 compared
to $246 million in 2004. The increase relates primarily to
larger profits recorded by TWC Inc., in which Comcast has a
minority interest.
Income Tax Provision. Income tax expense was
$1.187 billion in 2005 compared to $1.698 billion in
2004. The Companys effective tax rate was 29% and 35% in
2005 and 2004, respectively. The change in the effective tax
rate is primarily a result of the favorable impact of state tax
law changes in Ohio and New York, an ownership restructuring in
Texas and certain other methodology changes, partially offset by
the non-deductible expenses related to a portion of the
settlement reserve for the securities litigation in 2005
compared with the nondeductible expenses related to a portion of
the SEC and DOJ settlements in 2004.
The state law changes relate to the method of taxation in Ohio
and the method of apportionment in New York. In Ohio, the income
tax is being phased-out and replaced with a gross receipts tax,
while in New York
97
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
the methodology for income apportionment is changing over time
to a single receipts factor from a three factor formula. These
tax law changes resulted in a reduction in certain deferred tax
liabilities related to these states. Accordingly, the Company
has recognized these reductions as noncash tax benefits totaling
approximately $170 million for Ohio and $135 million
for New York State in the second quarter of 2005. In addition,
an ownership restructuring of the Companys partnership
interests in Texas and certain methodology changes resulted in a
reduction of deferred state tax liabilities. The Company has
also recognized this reduction as a noncash tax benefit of
approximately $100 million in the fourth quarter of 2005.
U.S. federal tax attribute carryforwards at
December 31, 2005, consist primarily of $5.0 billion
of net operating losses, $44 million of capital losses,
$166 million of research and development tax credits and
$180 million of alternative minimum tax credits. In
addition, the Company has approximately $1.8 billion of net
operating losses in various foreign jurisdictions that are
primarily from countries with unlimited carryforward periods.
However, many of these foreign losses are attributable to
specific operations that may not be utilized against certain
other operations of the Company. The utilization of the
U.S. federal carryforwards as an available offset to future
taxable income is subject to limitations under U.S. federal
income tax laws. If the net operating losses are not utilized,
they expire in varying amounts, starting in 2019 and continuing
through 2023. The capital losses expire in 2008. Research and
development tax credits not utilized will expire in varying
amounts starting in 2017 and continuing through 2024.
Alternative minimum tax credits do not expire. In addition, the
Company holds certain assets that have tax basis greater than
book basis. The Company has established deferred tax assets for
such differences. However, in the event that such assets are
sold or the tax basis otherwise realized, it is anticipated that
such realization would generate additional losses for tax
purposes. Because of the uncertainties surrounding the
Companys capacity to generate enough capital gains to
utilize such losses, the Company has in most instances offset
these deferred tax assets with a valuation allowance
(Note 9).
Income before Discontinued Operations and Cumulative
Effect of Accounting Change. Income before discontinued
operations and cumulative effect of accounting change was
$2.905 billion in 2005 compared to $3.209 billion in
2004. Basic and diluted net income per share before discontinued
operations and cumulative effect of accounting change were both
$0.62 in 2005, compared to $0.70 and $0.68, respectively, in
2004. Excluding the items previously discussed under
Significant Transactions and Other Items Affecting
Comparability totaling $1.401 billion and
$174 million of net expense in 2005 and 2004, respectively,
Income before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of
accounting change improved by $923 million primarily due to
higher Operating Income, lower interest expense and the change
in income tax provision as discussed above.
Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax. Included in
the 2004 results are a pre-tax loss of $2 million and a tax
benefit of $123 million, from the operations of the Music
business (Note 3).
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change, Net of
Tax. The Company recorded a $34 million benefit,
net of tax, as a cumulative effect of accounting change upon the
consolidation of AOLA in 2004 in accordance with FASB
Interpretation No. 46 (Revised), Consolidation of
Variable Interest Entities.
Net Income and Net Income Per Common Share. Net
income was $2.905 billion in 2005 compared to
$3.364 billion in 2004. Basic and diluted net income per
common share were both $0.62 in 2005 compared to $0.74 and
$0.72, respectively, in 2004. Net income includes the items
previously addressed under Income before Discontinued
Operations and Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change,
Discontinued operations, net of tax, and the Cumulative effect
of accounting change, net of tax.
98
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
Business Segment Results
AOL. Revenues, Operating Income before
Depreciation and Amortization and Operating Income of the AOL
segment for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 are
as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
% Change | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Subscription
|
|
$ |
6,755 |
|
|
$ |
7,477 |
|
|
|
(10 |
%) |
| |
Advertising
|
|
|
1,338 |
|
|
|
1,005 |
|
|
|
33 |
% |
| |
Other
|
|
|
190 |
|
|
|
210 |
|
|
|
(10 |
%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
8,283 |
|
|
|
8,692 |
|
|
|
(5 |
%) |
|
Costs of
revenues(a)
|
|
|
(3,788 |
) |
|
|
(4,186 |
) |
|
|
(10 |
%) |
|
Selling, general and
administrative(a)
|
|
|
(2,572 |
) |
|
|
(2,694 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
%) |
|
Gain on disposal of consolidated businesses
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
(50 |
%) |
|
Asset impairments
|
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
140 |
% |
|
Restructuring costs
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(50 |
) |
|
|
(80 |
%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization
|
|
|
1,899 |
|
|
|
1,772 |
|
|
|
7 |
% |
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(557 |
) |
|
|
(662 |
) |
|
|
(16 |
%) |
|
Amortization
|
|
|
(174 |
) |
|
|
(176 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income
|
|
$ |
1,168 |
|
|
$ |
934 |
|
|
|
25 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (a) |
Costs of revenues and selling, general and administrative
expenses exclude depreciation. |
The reduction in Subscription revenues primarily reflects a
decline in domestic Subscription revenues (from
$5.725 billion in 2004 to $4.993 billion in 2005).
Subscription revenues at AOL Europe were essentially flat.
AOLs domestic Subscription revenues declined due primarily
to a decrease in the number of domestic AOL brand subscribers
and related revenues. AOL Europes Subscription revenues
were flat primarily as a result of a decline in subscribers and
related revenues, essentially offset by the favorable impact of
foreign currency exchange rates ($26 million).
The number of AOL brand domestic and European subscribers is as
follows at December 31, 2005, September 30, 2005, and
December 31, 2004 (millions):
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
| |
|
2005 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Subscriber category:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AOL brand
domestic(a)
$15 and over
|
|
|
13.7 |
|
|
|
14.7 |
|
|
|
17.5 |
|
| |
Under $15
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
|
|
5.4 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Total AOL brand domestic
|
|
|
19.5 |
|
|
|
20.1 |
|
|
|
22.2 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AOL Europe
|
|
|
6.0 |
|
|
|
6.1 |
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (a) |
AOL includes in its subscriber count individuals, households or
entities that have provided billing information and completed
the registration process sufficiently to allow for an initial
log-on to the AOL service. |
99
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
The average monthly Subscription revenue per subscriber
(ARPU) for each significant category of subscribers,
calculated as average monthly subscription revenue (including
premium subscription services revenues) for the category divided
by the average monthly subscribers in the category for the
applicable period, is as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended | |
| |
|
December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Subscriber category:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AOL brand domestic
$15 and over
|
|
$ |
20.88 |
|
|
$ |
20.97 |
|
| |
Under $15
|
|
|
13.21 |
|
|
|
13.07 |
|
| |
|
Total AOL brand domestic
|
|
|
18.97 |
|
|
|
19.44 |
|
|
AOL Europe
|
|
|
22.01 |
|
|
|
21.48 |
|
Domestic subscribers to the AOL brand service include
subscribers during introductory free-trial periods and
subscribers at no or reduced monthly fees through member service
and retention programs. Total AOL brand domestic subscribers
include free-trial and retention members of approximately 11% at
both December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005, and 13%
at December 31, 2004. AOL has recently entered into
agreements with high-speed Internet access providers to offer
the AOL service along with high-speed Internet access. Since
AOLs share of the revenues under these agreements is less
than $15, subscribers will be included in the under $15 category
price plans. In addition, during the first quarter of 2006, AOL
announced price increases on certain AOL brand service price
plans, including increasing the $23.90 plan to $25.90. The price
increases are expected to have a temporary adverse impact on the
number of AOL brand subscribers. The price increases and the
recent agreements with high-speed Internet access providers are
also expected to result in the further migration of subscribers
from higher-priced to lower-priced AOL service plans in 2006
and, accordingly, a further decline in Subscription revenues and
AOL brand domestic ARPU in 2006.
In 2005, the largest component of the AOL brand domestic $15 and
over price plans was the $23.90 price plan, which provides
unlimited access to the AOL service using AOLs
dial-up network and
unlimited usage of the AOL service through any other Internet
connection. The largest component of the AOL brand domestic
under $15 price plans is the $14.95 per month price plan,
which includes ten hours of
dial-up access and
unlimited usage of the AOL service through an Internet
connection not provided by AOL, such as a high-speed broadband
Internet connection via cable or digital subscriber lines. AOL
continues to develop, test, change and implement price plans,
service offerings and payment methods to attract and retain
members to its AOL service and, therefore, the composition of
AOLs subscriber base is expected to change over time.
The decline in AOL brand domestic subscribers on plans priced
$15 and over per month resulted from a number of factors,
including declining registrations in response to AOLs
marketing campaigns, competition from broadband access providers
and reduced subscriber acquisition efforts. Further, during the
year, subscribers migrated from the premium-priced unlimited
dial-up plans,
including the $23.90 plan, to lower-priced plans. The decline in
AOL brand domestic subscribers overall, and specifically in the
$15 and over per month price plans, is expected to continue in
the foreseeable future.
Growth in AOL brand domestic subscribers on plans below
$15 per month was driven principally by the migration of
subscribers from plans $15 and over per month and, to a lesser
extent, by new subscribers. AOL expects that the proportion of
its subscribers on lower-priced plans will continue to increase.
This trend is expected to be accelerated by the impact of the
new agreements with high-speed Internet access providers. The
growth in subscribers on plans below $15 per month is
expected to benefit primarily from subscribers who are currently
in the $25.90 (previously the $23.90) price plan.
100
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
Within the $15 and over per month category, the decrease in ARPU
over the prior year was due primarily to a shift in the mix to
lower-priced subscriber price plans, partially offset by an
increase in the percentage of revenue generating customers.
Premium subscription services revenues included in ARPU for the
year ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 were $87 million
and $92 million, respectively.
Within the under $15 per month category, the increase in
ARPU over the prior year was due primarily to an improved mix of
subscriber price plans and an increase in the percentage of
revenue generating customers. Premium subscription services
revenues included in ARPU for the year ended December 31,
2005 and 2004 were $32 million and $24 million,
respectively.
AOL Europe offers a variety of price plans, including bundled
broadband, unlimited access to the AOL service using AOLs
dial-up network and
limited access plans, which are generally billed based on actual
usage. AOL Europe continues to actively market bundled broadband
plans, as AOL Europes subscribers have been migrating from
dial-up plans to
bundled broadband plans, and this trend is expected to continue.
The ARPU for European subscribers increased due to a change in
the mix of price plans, with broadband subscribers growing as a
percentage of total subscribers, and an increase in premium
subscription services revenues. The migration of AOL Europe
subscribers to broadband plans is expected to continue to result
in increases in ARPU for European subscribers. In addition, 2005
benefited from the positive effect of changes in foreign
currency exchange rates. The total number of AOL brand
subscribers at AOL Europe reflects a year-over-year decline in
subscribers in France, Germany and the U.K.
In addition to the AOL brand service, AOL has subscribers to
other lower-priced services, both domestically and
internationally, including the Netscape and CompuServe brands.
These other brand services are not a significant source of
revenues.
Advertising revenues improved primarily due to increased
revenues from sales of advertising run on third-party websites
generated by Advertising.com, which was acquired in August 2004,
and growth in paid-search and traditional advertising.
Advertising.com contributed $259 million and
$97 million of revenues for the year ended
December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Paid-search
revenues increased $116 million during 2005. AOL expects
Advertising revenues to continue to increase during 2006 due to
expected growth in paid-search and traditional online
advertising and contributions from Advertising.coms
performance-based advertising. However, the rate of growth is
expected to be less than experienced in 2005, because the growth
rate in 2005 benefited from the absence in 2004 of a full year
of Advertising.coms results.
Other revenues primarily include software licensing revenue,
revenue from providing the Cable segment access to the AOL
Transit Data Network (ATDN) for high-speed access to
the Internet and the sale of modems to consumers in order to
support high-speed access to the Internet. Other revenues
decreased slightly due primarily to a $32 million decrease
in ATDN revenue from TWC Inc., reflecting lower pricing under
the terms of a new agreement and lower network usage, partially
offset by revenue at AOL Europe primarily from increased modem
sales.
Costs of revenues decreased 10% and, as a percentage of
revenues, decreased to 46% in 2005 from 48% in 2004. The
declines related primarily to lower network-related expenses.
Network-related expenses decreased 27% to $1.292 billion in
2005 from $1.777 billion in 2004. The decline in Network
related expenses was principally attributable to improved
pricing and network utilization, decreased levels of long-term
fixed commitments and lower usage of AOLs
dial-up network
associated with the declining
dial-up subscriber
base. Network costs also benefited from the final refund of
$26 million for a portion of service payments made in prior
years at AOL Europe. The decline in network costs was partially
offset by costs associated with Advertising.com, which was
acquired in August 2004. Domestic network expenses are expected
to continue to decline in 2006, although at a lower rate than in
2005. However, this decline is expected to be more than offset
101
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
by increased network expenses at AOL Europe due to the continued
migration of AOL Europe
dial-up subscribers to
bundled broadband plans for which network expenses per
subscriber are significantly higher.
The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses
primarily related to a decrease in marketing costs and
$23 million of benefits related to the favorable resolution
of European value-added tax matters, partially offset by
additional costs associated with Advertising.com, a
$10 million charge related to a patent litigation
settlement and higher general and administrative costs. The
decrease in marketing costs primarily resulted from lower
spending on member acquisition activities, partially offset by
an increase in brand advertising. The year ended
December 31, 2004 also included an approximate
$25 million adjustment to reduce excess marketing accruals
made in prior years, primarily related to AOL Europe.
As previously discussed under Significant Transactions and
Other Items Affecting Comparability, the 2005 results
include $17 million in restructuring charges, primarily
related to a reduction in headcount associated with AOLs
efforts to realign resources more efficiently, partially offset
by a $7 million reduction in restructuring costs,
reflecting changes in estimates of previously established
restructuring accruals. In addition, the 2005 results include an
approximate $5 million gain on the sale of a building, a
$5 million gain from the resolution of previously
contingent gains related to the 2004 sale of Netscape Security
Solutions and a $24 million noncash goodwill impairment
charge related to AOLA. The 2004 results included a
$55 million restructuring charge, partially offset by a
$5 million reversal of previously-established restructuring
accruals, reflecting changes in estimates, a $13 million
gain on the sale of AOL Japan, a $7 million gain on the
sale of Netscape Security Solutions and a $10 million
impairment charge related to a building that was held for sale.
The increases in Operating Income before Depreciation and
Amortization and Operating Income are due primarily to higher
Advertising revenues and lower costs of revenues and selling,
general and administrative expenses, partially offset by lower
Subscription revenues and the $24 million noncash goodwill
impairment charge described above. Operating Income also
improved due to lower depreciation expense reflecting a decline
in network assets as the result of membership declines.
As noted above, the Company expects a continued decline in
AOLs domestic subscribers and related revenues. As a
result of the decline in revenues, the Company anticipates
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization and
Operating Income will decline during the first half of 2006 as
compared to the comparable 2005 period.
During December 2005, the Company announced that AOL is
expanding its current strategic alliance with Google to create a
global online advertising partnership and make more of
AOLs content available to Google users. Refer to
AOL-Google Alliance in Other Recent
Developments above for further discussion.
102
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
Cable. Revenues, Operating Income before
Depreciation and Amortization and Operating Income of the Cable
segment for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 are
as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
% Change | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Subscription
|
|
$ |
8,964 |
|
|
$ |
7,969 |
|
|
|
12 |
% |
| |
Advertising
|
|
|
534 |
|
|
|
515 |
|
|
|
4 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
9,498 |
|
|
|
8,484 |
|
|
|
12 |
% |
|
Costs of
revenues(a)
|
|
|
(4,219 |
) |
|
|
(3,723 |
) |
|
|
13 |
% |
|
Selling, general and
administrative(a)
|
|
|
(1,585 |
) |
|
|
(1,483 |
) |
|
|
7 |
% |
|
Merger-related and restructuring costs
|
|
|
(42 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NM |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization
|
|
|
3,652 |
|
|
|
3,278 |
|
|
|
11 |
% |
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(1,588 |
) |
|
|
(1,438 |
) |
|
|
10 |
% |
|
Amortization
|
|
|
(76 |
) |
|
|
(76 |
) |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income
|
|
$ |
1,988 |
|
|
$ |
1,764 |
|
|
|
13 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (a) |
Costs of revenues and selling, general and administrative
expenses exclude depreciation. |
The components of Subscription revenues are as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
% Change | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Subscription revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Video services
|
|
$ |
6,537 |
|
|
$ |
6,180 |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
| |
High-speed data
|
|
|
2,145 |
|
|
|
1,760 |
|
|
|
22 |
% |
| |
Digital Phone
|
|
|
282 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
NM |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Subscription revenues
|
|
$ |
8,964 |
|
|
$ |
7,969 |
|
|
|
12 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subscription revenues increased due to the continued penetration
of advanced services (primarily high-speed data, advanced
digital video services and Digital Phone) and video rate
increases. Strong growth rates for Subscription revenues
associated with high-speed data and Digital Phone are expected
to continue in 2006.
TWC Inc. subscriber counts include all billable subscribers for
each level of service received. Basic cable subscribers include
all subscribers who receive basic video cable service. Digital
video subscribers reflect all subscribers who receive any level
of video service received via digital technology. High-speed
data subscribers include all subscribers who receive TWC
Inc.s Road Runner Internet service, as well as other
Internet services offered by TWC Inc. Digital Phone subscribers
include all subscribers who receive telephony service. At
December 31, 2005, as compared to December 31, 2004,
basic cable subscribers increased 0.7% and totaled
10.957 million (including 1.557 million subscribers of
unconsolidated investees, which are managed by TWC Inc.),
digital video subscribers increased by 12% to 5.401 million
(including 760,000 subscribers of unconsolidated investees,
which are managed by TWC Inc.), residential high-speed data
subscribers increased by 23% to 4.822 million (including
673,000 subscribers of unconsolidated investees, which are
managed by TWC Inc.) and commercial high-speed data subscribers
increased by 22% to 211,000 (including 26,000 subscribers of
unconsolidated investees, which are managed by TWC Inc.).
Additionally, Digital Phone
103
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
subscribers increased by 880,000 to 1.100 million
(including 150,000 subscribers of unconsolidated investees,
which are managed by TWC Inc.).
The increase in Advertising revenues is due to growth of
national and local advertising, including an increase in both
the rates and volume of advertising spots sold, partly offset by
a decline in news advertising related to the 2004 elections.
Costs of revenues increased 13% and, as a percentage of
revenues, were 44% for both 2005 and 2004. The increase in costs
of revenues is primarily related to increases in video
programming costs, higher employee costs and an increase in
telephony service costs. Video programming costs increased 10%
to $2.060 billion in 2005 due primarily to contractual rate
increases across TWC Inc.s programming
line-up and the ongoing
deployment of new digital video services. Programming costs in
the fourth quarter of 2005 reflect a net benefit of
approximately $25 million primarily associated with changes
in programming estimates (a portion of which were accrued
earlier in 2005). Video programming costs in 2006 are expected
to increase at a rate similar to that experienced during 2005,
reflecting the continued expansion of service offerings and
contractual rate increases across TWC Inc.s programming
line-up. Employee costs increased primarily due to salary
increases and higher headcount resulting from the roll-out of
advanced services. Telephony service costs increased
approximately $110 million due to the growth of Digital
Phone subscribers. Despite the growth in high-speed data
subscribers, as discussed above, high-speed data connectivity
costs declined 18% in 2005 as connectivity costs have continued
to decrease on a per subscriber basis due to industry-wide cost
declines; however, such trends are not expected to continue.
High-speed data costs are anticipated to increase in 2006 due to
higher usage and subscribers.
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is
primarily the result of higher employee and administrative costs
due to salary increases and higher headcount resulting from the
continued roll-out of advanced services, partially offset by
$34 million of costs incurred in 2004 in connection with
the previously discussed Urban Cable dispute.
As previously discussed under Significant Transactions and
Other Items Affecting Comparability, during 2005, the
Cable segment expensed approximately $8 million of
non-capitalizable merger-related costs associated with the
Adelphia Acquisition and the Cable Swaps discussed above. Such
costs are expected to increase between now and the closing date
and continue thereafter. Closing of these transactions is
expected to occur during the second quarter of 2006. In
addition, the 2005 results include approximately
$35 million of restructuring costs, primarily associated
with the early retirement of certain senior executives and the
closing of several local news channels, partially offset by a
$1 million reduction in restructuring charges, reflecting
changes in previously established restructuring accruals. These
charges are part of TWC Inc.s broader plans to simplify
its organizational structure and enhance its customer focus. TWC
Inc. is in the process of executing this initiative and expects
to incur additional costs associated with the plan as it is
implemented in 2006.
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization increased
principally as a result of revenue growth (particularly high
margin high-speed data revenues), offset in part by higher costs
of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses and
the merger-related and restructuring charges discussed above.
Operating Income increased due primarily to the increase in
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization described
above, offset in part by an increase in depreciation expense.
Depreciation expense increased $150 million due primarily
to the continued higher spending on customer premise equipment
in recent years, which generally has a significantly shorter
useful life compared to the mix of assets previously purchased.
104
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
Filmed Entertainment. Revenues, Operating Income
before Depreciation and Amortization and Operating Income of the
Filmed Entertainment segment for the years ended
December 31, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
% Change | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Advertising
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
10 |
|
|
|
(60 |
%) |
| |
Content
|
|
|
11,704 |
|
|
|
11,628 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
| |
Other
|
|
|
216 |
|
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
11,924 |
|
|
|
11,853 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
|
Costs of
revenues(a)
|
|
|
(9,090 |
) |
|
|
(8,941 |
) |
|
|
2 |
% |
|
Selling, general and
administrative(a)
|
|
|
(1,517 |
) |
|
|
(1,438 |
) |
|
|
5 |
% |
|
Gain on sale of assets
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NM |
|
|
Restructuring costs
|
|
|
(33 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NM |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization
|
|
|
1,289 |
|
|
|
1,474 |
|
|
|
(13 |
%) |
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(121 |
) |
|
|
(104 |
) |
|
|
16 |
% |
|
Amortization
|
|
|
(225 |
) |
|
|
(213 |
) |
|
|
6 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income
|
|
$ |
943 |
|
|
$ |
1,157 |
|
|
|
(18 |
%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (a) |
Costs of revenues and selling, general and administrative
expenses exclude depreciation. |
Content revenues increased slightly during 2005 as a result of
increases from both content made available for initial airing in
theaters (theatrical product) and content made
available for initial airing on television (television
product). The components of Content revenues are as
follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
% Change | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Theatrical product:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Theatrical film
|
|
$ |
2,049 |
|
|
$ |
2,254 |
|
|
|
(9 |
%) |
| |
Television licensing
|
|
|
1,701 |
|
|
|
1,485 |
|
|
|
15 |
% |
| |
Home video
|
|
|
3,619 |
|
|
|
3,594 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total theatrical product
|
|
|
7,369 |
|
|
|
7,333 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Television product:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Television licensing
|
|
|
2,658 |
|
|
|
3,033 |
|
|
|
(12 |
%) |
| |
Home video
|
|
|
1,188 |
|
|
|
778 |
|
|
|
53 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total television product
|
|
|
3,846 |
|
|
|
3,811 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
|
Consumer product and other
|
|
|
489 |
|
|
|
484 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Content revenues
|
|
$ |
11,704 |
|
|
$ |
11,628 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The decrease in theatrical film revenues reflects difficult
comparisons to the prior year, which included the success of
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Troy
and international overages associated with The Lord of
the Rings: The Return of the King, partially offset by the
2005 success of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Charlie
and the Chocolate Factory, Batman Begins and Wedding
Crashers, among others. The increase in theatrical product
revenues from television licensing primarily related to
international availabilities, including a greater number of
significant titles in 2005. Home video sales of theatrical
product increased slightly as key 2005 releases, including
The Polar Express, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
in most international territories, Batman Begins, Charlie
and the Chocolate Factory and Troy, were comparable
to the 2004 key home video releases, including The Lord of
the Rings: The Return of the King, Elf, The Matrix
105
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
Revolutions, The Last Samurai and the primarily domestic
release of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
The decrease in license fees from television product was
primarily attributable to difficult comparisons to 2004, which
included the third-cycle syndication continuance license
arrangements for Seinfeld and network license fees and
syndication revenues associated with the final broadcast seasons
of Friends and The Drew Carey Show. The growth in
home video sales of television product was primarily
attributable to an increased number of titles released in this
format, including Seinfeld.
The increase in costs of revenues resulted primarily from higher
home video manufacturing and freight costs related to increased
volume and an increase in the ratio of higher cost television
product, as well as higher advertising and print costs resulting
from the quantity and mix of films released, offset partially by
lower film costs ($5.484 billion in 2005 compared to
$5.870 billion in 2004). Included in film costs are
theatrical valuation adjustments, which declined from
$215 million in 2004 to $192 million in 2005. Costs of
revenues as a percentage of revenues increased to 76% for 2005
from 75% for 2004, due to the quantity and mix of product
released.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily
due to higher employee costs related to salary increases and
higher occupancy costs, partially offset by a decline related to
the distribution fees associated with the off-network television
syndication of Seinfeld in the prior year.
As previously discussed under Significant Transactions and
Other Items Affecting Comparability, 2005 results
include approximately $33 million of restructuring costs,
primarily related to a reduction in headcount associated with
efforts to reorganize resources more efficiently and a
$5 million gain related to the sale of a property in
California.
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization and
Operating Income decreased as a result of higher selling,
general and administrative expenses and costs of revenues and
the 2005 restructuring costs, as discussed above.
106
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
Networks. Revenues, Operating Income before
Depreciation and Amortization and Operating Income of the
Networks segment for the years ended December 31, 2005 and
2004 are as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
% Change | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Subscription
|
|
$ |
5,405 |
|
|
$ |
5,058 |
|
|
|
7% |
|
| |
Advertising
|
|
|
3,086 |
|
|
|
2,895 |
|
|
|
7% |
|
| |
Content
|
|
|
1,014 |
|
|
|
973 |
|
|
|
4% |
|
| |
Other
|
|
|
106 |
|
|
|
128 |
|
|
|
(17% |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
9,611 |
|
|
|
9,054 |
|
|
|
6% |
|
|
Costs of
revenues(a)
|
|
|
(4,702 |
) |
|
|
(4,600 |
) |
|
|
2% |
|
|
Selling, general and
administrative(a)
|
|
|
(1,906 |
) |
|
|
(1,753 |
) |
|
|
9% |
|
|
Loss on sale of assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
|
Restructuring costs
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NM |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization
|
|
|
2,999 |
|
|
|
2,694 |
|
|
|
11% |
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(238 |
) |
|
|
(212 |
) |
|
|
12% |
|
|
Amortization
|
|
|
(23 |
) |
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
10% |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income
|
|
$ |
2,738 |
|
|
$ |
2,461 |
|
|
|
11% |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (a) |
Costs of revenues and selling, general and administrative
expenses exclude depreciation. |
The increase in Subscription revenues was due primarily to
higher subscription rates at Turner and HBO and, to a lesser
extent, an increase in the number of subscribers at Turner and
HBO. Included in the 2005 results is a $22 million benefit
from the resolution of certain contractual agreements at Turner
and the 2004 results included a benefit of approximately
$50 million from the resolution of certain contractual
agreements at Turner and HBO.
The increase in Advertising revenues was driven primarily by
higher CPMs (advertising cost per thousand viewers), sellouts
and delivery at Turners entertainment networks, partially
offset by a decline at The WB Network as a result of lower
ratings.
The increase in Content revenues was primarily due to HBOs
broadcast syndication sales of Sex and the City and, to a
lesser extent, increases in other ancillary sales of HBOs
original programming, partially offset by lower licensing
revenues at HBO associated with fewer episodes of Everybody
Loves Raymond and the absence of the winter sports teams at
Turner, which were sold on March 31, 2004 and contributed
$22 million of Content revenues in 2004.
The decline in Other revenues was primarily attributable to the
sale of the winter sports teams in 2004, which contributed
$39 million of Other revenues, partially offset by an
increase in Other revenues primarily related to the Atlanta
Braves.
Costs of revenues increased 2% and, as a percentage of revenues,
were 49% and 51% in 2005 and 2004, respectively. The increase in
costs of revenues was primarily attributable to an increase in
programming costs and higher costs associated with increased
ancillary sales of HBOs original programming, partially
offset by lower costs related to the absence of the winter
sports teams due to their sale in March 2004. Programming costs
increased to $3.326 billion in 2005 from
$3.225 billion in 2004. The increase in programming
expenses is
107
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
primarily due to an increase in original series costs, sports
programming costs and news costs at Turner, partially offset by
lower acquired programming costs at HBO and The WB Network.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased primarily
due to higher general and administrative costs at Turner, as
well as higher marketing and promotional expenses at Turner,
including approximately $27 million of increased costs to
support the launch of GameTap, partially offset by a decline in
marketing and promotional expenses at The WB Network. The 2004
results also included the reversal of bankruptcy-related bad
debt reserves of $75 million at Turner and HBO on
receivables from Adelphia.
As discussed in Significant Transactions and Other
Items Affecting Comparability, 2005 results include
$4 million of restructuring costs at The WB Network,
primarily related to a reduction in headcount associated with
efforts to reorganize its resources more efficiently, and 2004
results included an approximate $7 million loss on the sale
of the winter sports teams at Turner.
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization and
Operating Income increased during 2005 primarily due to an
increase in revenues, partially offset by higher costs of
revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses, as
described above.
On January 24, 2006, Warner Bros. and CBS Corp.
(CBS) announced an agreement in principle to form a
new fully-distributed national broadcast network, to be called
The CW. At the same time, Warner Bros. and CBS are preparing to
cease the standalone operations of The WB Network and UPN,
respectively, at the end of the 2005/2006 television season
(September 2006). Refer to The WB Network in
Other Recent Developments above for further
discussion.
Publishing. Revenues, Operating Income before
Depreciation and Amortization and Operating Income of the
Publishing segment for the years ended December 31, 2005
and 2004 are as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
% Change | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Subscription
|
|
$ |
1,633 |
|
|
$ |
1,615 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
| |
Advertising
|
|
|
2,826 |
|
|
|
2,692 |
|
|
|
5 |
% |
| |
Content
|
|
|
643 |
|
|
|
544 |
|
|
|
18 |
% |
| |
Other
|
|
|
744 |
|
|
|
714 |
|
|
|
4 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
5,846 |
|
|
|
5,565 |
|
|
|
5 |
% |
|
Costs of
revenues(a)
|
|
|
(2,427 |
) |
|
|
(2,282 |
) |
|
|
6 |
% |
|
Selling, general and
administrative(a)
|
|
|
(2,140 |
) |
|
|
(2,095 |
) |
|
|
2 |
% |
|
Gain on sale of assets
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring costs
|
|
|
(28 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NM |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization
|
|
|
1,259 |
|
|
|
1,196 |
|
|
|
5 |
% |
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(132 |
) |
|
|
(122 |
) |
|
|
8 |
% |
|
Amortization
|
|
|
(99 |
) |
|
|
(140 |
) |
|
|
(29 |
%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income
|
|
$ |
1,028 |
|
|
$ |
934 |
|
|
|
10 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (a) |
Costs of revenues and selling, general and administrative
expenses exclude depreciation. |
Subscription revenues increased primarily reflecting revenues
from new magazine launches and acquisitions, partially offset by
the timing of subscription allowances, which are netted against
revenues.
108
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
Advertising revenues increased due to contributions from new
magazine launches, acquisitions and growth at Real Simple,
People, Southern Living and In Style, offset partly
by lower Advertising revenues at certain magazines, including
Sports Illustrated, Time and Fortune.
Content revenues increased due to a number of best-selling
titles at TWBG.
Other revenues increased primarily due to growth at Synapse, a
subscription marketing business.
Costs of revenues increased 6% and, as a percentage of revenues,
were 42% and 41% in 2005 and 2004, respectively. Costs of
revenues for the magazine publishing business include
manufacturing (paper, printing and distribution) and
editorial-related costs, which together increased 7% to
$1.865 billion primarily due to magazine launch-related
costs, the acquisitions of GEE and the remaining interest in the
publisher of Essence and increases in paper prices. In
addition, costs of revenues increased due to costs related to
increased sales of several successful titles at TWBG. The recent
postal rate increase is anticipated to have a negative impact on
costs of approximately $25 million, which will be partially
offset by reductions in print costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 2%
primarily due to magazine launch-related costs, the acquisitions
of GEE and the remaining interest in the publisher of Essence
and higher selling expenses related to the success of
several titles at TWBG, partially offset by cost reduction
efforts and the absence of costs associated with the sponsorship
and coverage of the 2004 Summer Olympics.
As previously discussed in Significant Transactions and
Other Items Affecting Comparability, 2005 results
reflect an $8 million gain related to the collection of a
loan made in conjunction with the Companys 2003 sale of
Time Life, which was previously fully reserved due to concerns
about recoverability and approximately $28 million of
restructuring costs, primarily related to a reduction in
headcount associated with efforts to reorganize resources more
efficiently. The 2004 results reflect an $8 million gain on
the sale of a building. In the first quarter of 2006, Time Inc.
further reduced headcount, which will result in additional
restructuring charges ranging from $5 million to
$10 million. As Time Inc. continues to analyze its resource
needs, further restructuring charges may be incurred.
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization increased
primarily due to an increase in revenues, partially offset by
higher costs of revenues and selling, general and administrative
expenses, including $12 million of higher
start-up losses on
magazine launches.
Operating Income improved, benefiting from a decline in
amortization expense as a result of certain short-lived
intangibles, such as customer lists, becoming fully amortized in
the later part of 2004. As a result of increased competition
related to certain magazine titles, certain indefinite lived
trade name intangibles will be assigned a finite life and begin
to be amortized starting January 2006. The annual impact of
amortizing such trade names beginning in 2006 will be
approximately $50 million in additional amortization
expense.
As discussed in more detail in Other Recent
Developments, on February 6, 2006, the Company
announced an agreement to sell TWBG to Hachette for
approximately $538 million in cash, not including working
capital adjustments.
109
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
Corporate. Operating Loss before Depreciation and
Amortization and Operating Loss of the Corporate segment for the
years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
% Change | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Amounts related to securities litigation and government
investigations
|
|
$ |
(2,865 |
) |
|
$ |
(536 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
|
Selling, general and
administrative(a)
|
|
|
(430 |
) |
|
|
(484 |
) |
|
|
(11 |
%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Loss before Depreciation and Amortization
|
|
|
(3,295 |
) |
|
|
(1,020 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(44 |
) |
|
|
(43 |
) |
|
|
2 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Loss
|
|
$ |
(3,339 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,063 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (a) |
Selling, general and administrative expenses exclude
depreciation. |
As previously discussed, the year ended December 31, 2005
results include $3 billion in legal reserves related to
securities litigation. The year ended December 31, 2004
results include $510 million in legal reserves related to
the government investigations. The Company also incurred legal
and other professional fees related to the SEC and DOJ
investigations into the Companys accounting and disclosure
practices and the defense of various securities litigation
matters ($71 million and $74 million in 2005 and 2004,
respectively). In addition, the Company realized insurance
recoveries of $206 million and $48 million in 2005 and
2004, respectively. As discussed under Other Recent
Developments above, in December 2005, the Company
recognized a $185 million settlement on directors and
officers insurance policies related to securities and derivative
action matters (other than the actions alleging violations of
ERISA). Legal and other professional fees are expected to
continue to be incurred in future periods (Note 1).
Included in selling, general and administrative expenses in 2004
are $53 million of costs associated with the relocation
from the Companys former corporate headquarters. Of the
$53 million charge, approximately $26 million relates
to a noncash write-off of the fair value lease adjustment, which
was established in purchase accounting at the time of the merger
of AOL and Time Warner Inc., now known as Historic TW Inc.
(Historic TW). For the year ended December 31,
2005, the Company reversed approximately $4 million of this
charge, which was no longer required due to changes in estimates.
Excluding the items discussed above, Operating Loss before
Depreciation and Amortization and Operating Loss is essentially
flat for the year ended December 31, 2005, due primarily to
higher compensation, professional fees and financial advisory
services costs, offset by lower insurance costs, including a
$29 million adjustment to increase self insurance reserves
taken in 2004.
110
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
2004 vs. 2003
Consolidated Results
Revenues. Consolidated revenues increased 6% to
$42.089 billion in 2004 from $39.563 billion in 2003.
As shown below, these increases were led by growth in
Subscription, Advertising and Content revenues, offset, in part,
by declines in Other revenues:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
% Change | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Subscription
|
|
$ |
21,605 |
|
|
$ |
20,448 |
|
|
|
6% |
|
|
Advertising
|
|
|
6,955 |
|
|
|
6,180 |
|
|
|
13% |
|
|
Content
|
|
|
12,350 |
|
|
|
11,446 |
|
|
|
8% |
|
|
Other
|
|
|
1,179 |
|
|
|
1,489 |
|
|
|
(21% |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
$ |
42,089 |
|
|
$ |
39,563 |
|
|
|
6% |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in Subscription revenues primarily related to the
Cable and Networks segments, and, to a lesser extent, the
Publishing segment. This increase was offset partially by a
decline at the AOL segment. The increase at the Cable segment
was principally due to the continued penetration of new services
(primarily high-speed data and advanced digital video services)
and video rate increases. The increase at the Networks segment
was due to higher subscription rates and an increase in the
number of subscribers at both Turner and HBO. The increase at
the Publishing segment was due to a decrease in subscription
allowances (which are netted against revenue) and the favorable
effects of foreign currency exchange rates. The AOL segment
declined primarily as a result of lower domestic subscribers and
related Subscription revenues, partially offset by growth in
international Subscription revenues due primarily to the
favorable effects of foreign currency exchange rates.
The increase in Advertising revenues was primarily due to growth
at the Publishing, Networks and AOL segments. The increase at
the Publishing segment was due to the strength of magazine
advertising and the favorable effects of foreign currency
exchange rates. The increase at the Networks segment was driven
by higher CPMs (advertising cost per one thousand viewers) and
sellouts at Turners entertainment networks. The increase
at the AOL segment was due primarily to growth in paid-search
advertising and revenues associated with the acquisition of
Advertising.com.
The increase in Content revenues was principally due to growth
at the Filmed Entertainment segment related to both television
and theatrical product. The increase in television product
revenues was attributable to an increase in worldwide license
fees and an increase in home video sales. Revenues from
theatrical product increased primarily as a result of higher
television license fees and, to a lesser extent, higher home
video sales and worldwide theatrical film revenues.
The decline in Other revenues was primarily attributable to the
December 31, 2003 sale of Time Life, a direct-marketing
business formerly a part of the Publishing segment. Time Life
contributed $312 million to Other revenues in 2003.
Each of the revenue categories is discussed in greater detail by
segment in the Business Segment Results.
Costs of Revenues. For 2004 and 2003, costs of
revenues totaled $24.449 billion and $23.422 billion,
respectively, and as a percentage of revenues were 58% and 59%,
respectively. The improvement in costs of revenues as a
percentage of revenues related primarily to improved margins at
the AOL, Networks and Filmed Entertainment segments, as
discussed in detail in Business Segment Results.
111
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 5% to
$10.274 billion in 2004 from $9.778 billion in 2003
primarily reflecting increases at all segments, including higher
advertising and marketing expenses. The segment variations are
discussed in detail in Business Segment Results.
Amounts Related to Securities Litigation and Government
Investigations. As previously discussed, during 2004 the
Company incurred a $210 million charge in connection with
the definitive agreement with the DOJ that resolved the
DOJs investigation of the Company and established a
$300 million reserve in connection with the then proposed
settlement with the SEC, which the SEC staff requested be used
for a Fair Fund, as authorized under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The
$210 million DOJ settlement amount consists of a
$60 million penalty paid to the DOJ and the establishment
of a $150 million fund that the Company may use to settle
any related shareholder or securities litigation. In 2005, this
$150 million was transferred to the MSBI Settlement Fund
established in connection with the settlement of the primary
securities class action, as described in Other Recent
Developments Amounts Related to Securities
Litigation above.
In addition, the Company has incurred legal and other
professional fees related to the SEC and DOJ investigations into
the Companys accounting and disclosure practices and the
defense of various shareholder lawsuits totaling
$74 million and $81 million in 2004 and 2003,
respectively. In addition, the Company realized insurance
recoveries of $48 million and $25 million in 2004 and
2003, respectively (Note 1).
|
|
|
Reconciliation of Operating Income before Depreciation and
Amortization to Operating Income and Net Income. |
The following table reconciles Operating Income before
Depreciation and Amortization to Operating Income. In addition,
the table provides the components from Operating Income to Net
Income for purposes of the discussions that follow:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
% Change | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization
|
|
$ |
9,372 |
|
|
$ |
8,393 |
|
|
|
12 |
% |
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(2,581 |
) |
|
|
(2,499 |
) |
|
|
3 |
% |
|
Amortization
|
|
|
(626 |
) |
|
|
(640 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income
|
|
|
6,165 |
|
|
|
5,254 |
|
|
|
17 |
% |
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
(1,533 |
) |
|
|
(1,734 |
) |
|
|
(12 |
%) |
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
521 |
|
|
|
1,210 |
|
|
|
(57 |
%) |
|
Minority interest expense, net
|
|
|
(246 |
) |
|
|
(214 |
) |
|
|
15 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes, discontinued operations and
cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
|
4,907 |
|
|
|
4,516 |
|
|
|
9 |
% |
|
Income tax provision
|
|
|
(1,698 |
) |
|
|
(1,370 |
) |
|
|
24 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of
accounting change
|
|
|
3,209 |
|
|
|
3,146 |
|
|
|
2 |
% |
|
Discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
|
121 |
|
|
|
(495 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
|
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$ |
3,364 |
|
|
$ |
2,639 |
|
|
|
27 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income before Depreciation and
Amortization. Time Warners Operating Income before
Depreciation and Amortization increased 12% to
$9.372 billion in 2004 from $8.393 billion in 2003
principally
112
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
as a result of solid growth at all business segments, partially
offset by increased expenses at Corporate. The segment
variations are discussed in detail under Business Segment
Results.
Depreciation Expense. Depreciation expense
increased to $2.581 billion in 2004 from
$2.499 billion in 2003. The increase in depreciation
expense primarily related to the Cable segment and, to a lesser
extent, growth at all other segments except the AOL segment. The
growth in depreciation expense at the Cable segment reflects
higher levels of spending related to the roll-out of digital
services and increased spending on customer premise equipment
that is depreciated over a significantly shorter useful life
compared to the mix of assets previously purchased. In 2004 and
2003, the AOL segment benefited from an approximate
$13 million and $60 million decrease, respectively, to
reduce excess depreciation inadvertently recorded at the AOL
segment over several prior years. Management does not believe
that the understatement of prior years results were material to
any of the applicable years financial statements.
Similarly, management does not believe that the adjustments made
are material to either the 2004 or 2003 results. Excluding these
decreases, depreciation expense at the AOL segment declined due
to a reduction in network assets.
Amortization Expense. Amortization expense
decreased to $626 million in 2004 from $640 million in
2003. The decrease relates primarily to a decline in
amortization expense at the Publishing segment as a result of
certain intangibles with short useful lives, such as customer
lists, becoming fully amortized, partially offset by an increase
in the amortization associated with customer-related intangible
assets at the Cable segment, which were established with the
purchase price allocation associated with the TWE Restructuring.
The purchase price allocation was finalized on March 31,
2004.
Operating Income. Time Warners Operating
Income increased to $6.165 billion in 2004 from
$5.254 billion in 2003, reflecting the changes in business
segment Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization,
partially offset by the increase in depreciation expense, as
discussed above.
Interest Expense, Net. Interest expense, net,
decreased to $1.533 billion in 2004 from
$1.734 billion in 2003 due primarily to lower average net
debt levels.
Other Income, Net. Other income, net, detail is
shown in the table below:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Investment gains, net
|
|
$ |
424 |
|
|
$ |
593 |
|
|
Gain on WMG option
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Microsoft Settlement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
760 |
|
|
Income (losses) from equity investees
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
(97 |
) |
|
Other
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
(46 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income, net
|
|
$ |
521 |
|
|
$ |
1,210 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The changes in investment gains, net, the gain on the WMG option
and the Microsoft Settlement are discussed above in detail under
Significant Transactions and Other Items Affecting
Comparability. Excluding the impact of these items, Other
income, net, improved in 2004 as compared to the prior year,
primarily from an increase in income from equity method
investees. This increase was principally due to the impact from
the consolidation of AOLA in 2004. Prior to the consolidation in
2003, AOLA losses were recognized as losses from equity
investees.
Minority Interest Expense. Time Warner had
$246 million of minority interest expense in 2004 compared
to $214 million in 2003. The increase relates primarily to
larger profits recorded by TWC Inc., in which Comcast has a
minority interest.
113
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
Income Tax Provision. Income tax expense from
continuing operations was $1.698 billion in 2004 compared
to $1.370 billion in 2003. The Companys effective tax
rate for continuing operations was 35% and 30% in 2004 and 2003,
respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate results
primarily from a decrease in tax benefits realized on capital
losses (from $450 million to $110 million) and the
impact of legal reserves recognized in 2004 related to the
government investigations (as discussed under Significant
Transactions and Other Items Affecting
Comparability), most of which ultimately may not be
deductible for income tax purposes. The increase in the
effective tax rate was partially offset by the release of
certain tax reserves and related interest which includes amounts
recognized from the finalization of prior tax filings as well as
additional benefits associated with certain foreign source
income.
Income before Discontinued Operations and Cumulative
Effect of Accounting Change. Income before discontinued
operations and cumulative effect of accounting change was
$3.209 billion in 2004 compared to $3.146 billion in
2003. Basic and diluted net income per share before discontinued
operations and cumulative effect of accounting change were $0.70
and $0.68 in 2004, respectively, compared to $0.70 and $0.68 in
2003, respectively. In addition, excluding the items previously
discussed under Significant Transactions and Other
Items Affecting Comparability of $174 million of
expense and $512 million of income in 2004 and 2003,
respectively, income before discontinued operations and
cumulative effect of accounting change increased by
$749 million. This increase reflects primarily the
after-tax effect of the increase in Operating Income and lower
interest expense.
Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax. The 2004 and
2003 results include the impact of the treatment of the Music
segment as a discontinued operation. Included in the 2004
results are a pretax loss of $2 million and a tax benefit
of $123 million. The loss and the corresponding taxes
relate primarily to adjustments to the initial estimates of the
assets sold to, and liabilities assumed by, the acquirers in
such transactions and to the resolution of various tax matters
surrounding the music business dispositions.
Included in the 2003 results are a pretax gain of approximately
$560 million for the sale of Warner Manufacturing, a
$1.1 billion pretax impairment charge taken to reduce the
carrying value of the net assets of WMG, a $27 million
pretax loss from the music operations and $72 million of
income tax benefits.
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change, Net of
Tax. As previously discussed, the Company recorded an
approximate $34 million benefit, net of tax, as a
cumulative effect of accounting change upon the consolidation of
AOLA in 2004 in accordance with FIN 46R. In addition,
during 2003 the Company recorded an approximate $12 million
charge, net of tax, as the cumulative effect of the adoption of
FIN 46.
Net Income and Net Income Per Common Share. Net
income was $3.364 billion in 2004 compared to
$2.639 billion in 2003. Basic and diluted net income per
common share were $0.74 and $0.72 in 2004 compared to $0.59 and
$0.57 in 2003, respectively. Net income includes the items
discussed above under Significant Transactions and Other
Items Affecting Comparability, discontinued
operations, net of tax, and cumulative effect of accounting
change.
114
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
Business Segment Results
AOL. Revenues, Operating Income before
Depreciation and Amortization and Operating Income of the AOL
segment for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 are
as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
% Change | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Subscription
|
|
$ |
7,477 |
|
|
$ |
7,593 |
|
|
|
(2 |
%) |
| |
Advertising
|
|
|
1,005 |
|
|
|
785 |
|
|
|
28 |
% |
| |
Other
|
|
|
210 |
|
|
|
220 |
|
|
|
(5 |
%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
8,692 |
|
|
|
8,598 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
|
Costs of
revenues(a)
|
|
|
(4,186 |
) |
|
|
(4,499 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
%) |
|
Selling, general and
administrative(a)
|
|
|
(2,694 |
) |
|
|
(2,542 |
) |
|
|
6 |
% |
|
Gain on disposal of consolidated businesses
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NM |
|
|
Asset impairments
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NM |
|
|
Restructuring charges
|
|
|
(50 |
) |
|
|
(52 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization
|
|
|
1,772 |
|
|
|
1,505 |
|
|
|
18 |
% |
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(662 |
) |
|
|
(668 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
%) |
|
Amortization
|
|
|
(176 |
) |
|
|
(175 |
) |
|
|
1 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income
|
|
$ |
934 |
|
|
$ |
662 |
|
|
|
41 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (a) |
Costs of revenues and selling, general and administrative
expenses exclude depreciation. |
The reduction in Subscription revenues primarily reflects a
decrease in domestic Subscription revenues (from
$6.095 billion in 2003 to $5.725 billion in 2004),
offset in part by an increase in Subscription revenues at AOL
Europe (from $1.498 billion in 2003 to $1.677 billion
in 2004). AOLs domestic Subscription revenues declined due
primarily to a decrease in the number of domestic AOL brand
subscribers and related revenues, partially offset by an
increase in premium service revenue. AOL Europes
Subscription revenues benefited from the favorable impact of
foreign currency exchange rates ($156 million) and growth
in bundled broadband subscribers. These increases more than
offset an increase in value-added taxes (VAT) (which
is netted against revenue) due to a change in European tax law
that took effect July 1, 2003. In addition, total
Subscription revenues benefited from the consolidation of AOLA
effective March 31, 2004 ($37 million), and AOL Japan
($37 million), which was consolidated effective
January 1, 2004, but then sold on July 1, 2004.
115
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
The number of AOL brand domestic and European subscribers is as
follows at December 31, 2004, September 30, 2004 and
December 31, 2003 (millions):
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
December 31, | |
|
September 30, | |
|
December 31, | |
| |
|
2004 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Subscriber category:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AOL brand
domestic(a)
$15 and over
|
|
|
17.5 |
|
|
|
18.1 |
|
|
|
19.9 |
|
| |
Under $15
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
|
|
4.4 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Total AOL brand domestic
|
|
|
22.2 |
|
|
|
22.7 |
|
|
|
24.3 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AOL Europe
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
|
6.4 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (a) |
AOL includes in its subscriber count individuals, households or
entities that have provided billing information and completed
the registration process sufficiently to allow for an initial
log-on to the AOL service. |
The average monthly Subscription revenue per subscriber
(ARPU) for each significant category of subscribers,
calculated as average monthly subscription revenue (including
premium subscription services revenues) for the category divided
by the average monthly subscribers in the category for the
applicable period, is as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended | |
| |
|
December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
Subscriber category:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AOL brand domestic
$15 and over
|
|
$ |
20.97 |
|
|
$ |
20.25 |
|
| |
Under $15
|
|
|
13.07 |
|
|
|
12.11 |
|
| |
|
Total AOL brand domestic
|
|
|
19.44 |
|
|
|
18.98 |
|
|
AOL Europe
|
|
|
21.48 |
|
|
|
19.03 |
|
Domestic subscribers to the AOL brand service include
subscribers during introductory free-trial periods and
subscribers at no or reduced monthly fees through member service
and retention programs. Total AOL brand domestic subscribers
include free-trial and retention members of approximately 13% at
December 31, 2004 and 17% at December 31, 2003.
Domestic subscribers to the AOL brand service also include
subscriptions sold at a discount to employees and customers of
selected AOL strategic partners. Domestic AOL brand subscribers
also include subscribers to AOLs bundled broadband
service, which combines the AOL service with high-speed Internet
access provided by third-party broadband Internet access
providers such as cable companies and telephone companies. AOL
did not actively market the bundled broadband service
domestically during 2004.
The largest component of the AOL brand domestic $15 and over
price plans is the $23.90 price plan, which provides unlimited
access to the AOL service using AOLs
dial-up network and
unlimited usage of the AOL service through any other Internet
connection. The largest component of the AOL brand domestic
under $15 price plans is the $14.95 per month price plan,
which is primarily marketed as a bring your own access
(BYOA) plan, which includes unlimited usage of the
AOL service through an Internet connection not provided by AOL,
such as a high-speed broadband Internet connection via cable or
DSL. This BYOA price plan also includes a limited number of
hours per month of
dial-up telephone
access in the U.S. to the AOL service using AOLs
dial-up network.
116
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
The decline in AOL brand subscribers on plans priced $15 and
over per month resulted from a number of factors, principally
the continued maturing of
dial-up services and
subscribers adopting other
dial-up and high-speed
services, and a reduction in direct marketing response rates
over the prior period. Further, during the year, subscribers
migrated from the premium priced unlimited
dial-up plans,
including the $23.90 plan, to lower priced limited
dial-up plans, such as
the $14.95 plan.
Growth in AOL brand subscribers on plans below $15 per
month was driven principally by the migration of subscribers
from plans $15 and over per month and, to a lesser extent, by
new subscribers on the $14.95 BYOA plan.
Within the $15 and over per month category, the increase in ARPU
over the prior year was due primarily to an increase in the
percentage of total subscribers who generate revenue. Also
contributing to the increase in ARPU was an increase in premium
services revenues from subscribers in this category. Premium
services revenues included in ARPU for the year ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003 were $92 million and
$37 million, respectively. ARPU was unfavorably impacted by
the mix of subscriber price plans, as subscribers on bundled
broadband plans became a smaller portion of the total membership
in the $15 and over category.
ARPU for subscribers in the below $15 per month category
increased primarily due to growth in subscribers to the $14.95
price plan year over year, which resulted in a favorable impact
as the portion of these subscribers grew in relation to the
total membership in the below $15 per month category. Also
contributing to the increase in ARPU was an increase in premium
services revenues from subscribers in this category. In the
below $15 per month category, premium services revenues
included in ARPU for the years ended December 31, 2004 and
2003 were $24 million and $8 million, respectively.
AOL Europe offers a variety of price plans, including bundled
broadband, unlimited access to the AOL service using AOLs
dial-up network and
limited access plans, which are generally billed based on actual
usage.
ARPU for European subscribers increased primarily because of the
positive effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates
related to the strengthening of the Euro and British Pound
relative to the U.S. Dollar, as well as a change in the mix
of price plans, with bundled broadband subscribers growing as a
percentage of total subscribers. The total number of AOL brand
subscribers reflects a year-over-year increase in subscribers in
the U.K., offset by declines in France and Germany.
In addition to the AOL brand service, the Company has
subscribers to lower cost services, both domestically and
internationally, including the Netscape and CompuServe brands.
These other brand services are not a significant source of
revenue.
The increase in Advertising revenues primarily reflects an
increase from domestic paid-search advertising contracts (from
approximately $200 million in 2003 to $302 million in
2004), $97 million generated by Advertising.com from sales
of advertising run on third-party websites and a
$33 million increase at AOL Europe, including foreign
exchange gains. These increases were partially offset by a
decrease in intercompany sales of advertising to other business
segments of Time Warner in 2004, as compared to 2003 (from
$40 million in 2003 to $11 million in 2004).
Other revenues primarily include software licensing revenue,
revenue from providing the Cable segment access to the AOL
Transit Data Network for high-speed access to the Internet and
merchandising revenue. Other revenues decreased due primarily to
AOLs decision in the first quarter of 2003 to reduce the
promotion of its merchandise business (i.e., reducing
pop-up advertisements)
to improve the member experience, partially offset by higher
software licensing revenues.
117
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
Costs of revenues decreased 7% and, as a percentage of revenues,
decreased to 48% in 2004 from 52% in 2003. The declines related
primarily to lower network-related expenses, which decreased 27%
to $1.777 billion in 2004 from $2.446 billion in 2003.
The decline in network-related expenses was principally
attributable to improved pricing and decreased levels of service
commitments as well as increased amounts of network assets under
capital leases (which are included within depreciation expense)
versus operating leases. These declines were partially offset by
an increase in other costs of service, which included higher
domestic salary and consulting costs as well as higher broadband
and member service costs at AOL Europe. In addition, there were
incremental costs associated with the acquisition of
Advertising.com and the consolidation of AOLA and AOL Japan
during 2004 (AOL Japan was subsequently sold, effective
July 1, 2004).
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is
primarily related to an increase in marketing costs, additional
costs resulting from the acquisition of Advertising.com and
higher costs associated with the consolidation of AOLA and the
consolidation of AOL Japan for the first half of 2004. The
increase in marketing costs resulted from higher spending on
member acquisition activities, partially offset by a decline in
brand advertising. The increase in marketing expense was
partially offset by an approximate $25 million adjustment
to reduce excess marketing accruals made in prior years,
primarily related to AOL Europe. Management does not believe
that the understatement of prior years results was
material to any of the years financial statements.
Similarly, management does not believe that the adjustment made
is material to the 2004 results. The overall increase in
marketing costs was also partially offset by the change in the
treatment of intercompany advertising barter transactions.
During the second quarter of 2003, there was a change in the
application of AOLs policy for intercompany advertising
barter transactions, which reduced both the amount of
intercompany advertising revenues and advertising expenses by
$51 million for the year. This change, however, had no
impact on the AOL segments Operating Income or its
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization. In
addition, because intercompany transactions are eliminated on a
consolidated basis, this change in policy did not impact the
Companys consolidated results of operations.
As previously discussed under Significant Transactions and
Other Items Affecting Comparability, 2004 results
included a $55 million restructuring charge partially
offset by a $5 million reversal of previously-established
restructuring accruals, reflecting changes in estimates, a
$13 million gain on the sale of AOL Japan, a
$7 million gain on the sale of Netscape Security Solutions
and a $10 million impairment charge related to a building
that is held for sale. Included in 2003 results were
$52 million of restructuring charges.
The increases in Operating Income before Depreciation and
Amortization and Operating Income are due primarily to a modest
increase in overall revenues and lower costs of revenues, offset
in part by higher selling, general and administrative expenses.
118
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
Cable. Revenues, Operating Income before
Depreciation and Amortization and Operating Income of the Cable
segment for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 are
as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
% Change | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Subscription
|
|
$ |
7,969 |
|
|
$ |
7,233 |
|
|
|
10 |
% |
| |
Advertising
|
|
|
515 |
|
|
|
466 |
|
|
|
11 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
8,484 |
|
|
|
7,699 |
|
|
|
10 |
% |
|
Costs of
revenues(a)
|
|
|
(3,723 |
) |
|
|
(3,343 |
) |
|
|
11 |
% |
|
Selling, general and
administrative(a)
|
|
|
(1,483 |
) |
|
|
(1,349 |
) |
|
|
10 |
% |
|
Restructuring charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization
|
|
|
3,278 |
|
|
|
2,992 |
|
|
|
10 |
% |
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(1,438 |
) |
|
|
(1,403 |
) |
|
|
2 |
% |
|
Amortization
|
|
|
(76 |
) |
|
|
(58 |
) |
|
|
31 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income
|
|
$ |
1,764 |
|
|
$ |
1,531 |
|
|
|
15 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (a) |
Costs of revenues and selling, general and administrative
expenses exclude depreciation. |
Subscription revenues increased due to the continued penetration
of new services (primarily high-speed data and advanced digital
video services) and video rate increases. High-speed data
subscription revenues increased to $1.760 billion for 2004
from $1.422 billion in 2003.
TWC Inc. subscriber counts include all billable subscribers for
each level of service received. Basic cable subscribers include
all subscribers who receive basic video cable service. Digital
video subscribers reflect all subscribers who receive any level
of video service received via digital technology. High-speed
data subscribers include all subscribers who receive TWC
Inc.s Road Runner Internet service, as well as other
Internet services offered by TWC Inc. Digital Phone subscribers
include all subscribers who receive telephony service. At
December 31, 2004, as compared to December 31, 2003,
basic cable subscribers declined by 0.3% and totaled
10.884 million (including 1.569 million subscribers of
unconsolidated investees, which are managed by TWC Inc.),
digital video subscribers increased by 11% to 4.806 million
(including 747,000 subscribers of unconsolidated investees,
which are managed by TWC Inc.), residential high-speed data
subscribers increased by 21% to 3.913 million (including
551,000 subscribers of unconsolidated investees, which are
managed by TWC Inc.) and commercial high-speed data subscribers
increased by 35% to 173,000 (including 22,000 subscribers of
unconsolidated investees, which are managed by TWC Inc.).
Digital Phone subscribers totaled 220,000 (including 38,000
subscribers of unconsolidated investees, which are managed by
TWC Inc.).
The increase in Advertising revenues was attributable to an
increase in both the rates and volume of advertising spots sold.
Costs of revenues increased 11% and, as a percentage of
revenues, were 44% for 2004 compared to 43% for 2003. The
increase in costs of revenues is primarily related to increases
in video programming costs and higher employee costs. Video
programming costs increased 12% to $1.865 billion in 2004
due primarily to contractual rate increases across TWC
Inc.s programming
line-up (including
sports programming). Employee costs increased primarily due to
merit increases and higher headcount resulting from the roll-out
of new services. High-speed data connectivity costs were
relatively flat resulting in a decline on a per subscriber basis.
119
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is
primarily the result of higher marketing costs and
$34 million incurred in connection with the previously
discussed Urban Cable dispute, which was settled in 2004. As a
percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative
expenses were constant at approximately 17.5%.
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization increased
principally as a result of revenue gains, offset in part by
higher costs of revenues and selling, general and administrative
expenses. As previously discussed in Significant
Transactions and Other Items Affecting Comparability,
2003 results also included $15 million of restructuring
charges.
Included in Operating Income before Depreciation and
Amortization during 2004 are approximately $45 million of
losses associated with the roll-out of the Digital Phone
service. At December 31, 2004, Digital Phone service was
launched in all of TWC Inc.s divisions.
Operating Income increased due primarily to the increase in
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization described
above, offset in part by an increase in depreciation and
amortization expense. Depreciation expense increased
$35 million due primarily to the increased investment in
customer premise equipment in recent years, which generally has
a significantly shorter useful life compared to the mix of
assets previously purchased. Amortization expense increased
$18 million, primarily as a result of a full year of
amortization of customer-related intangibles in 2004 compared to
nine months of amortization in 2003. These assets were
established in connection with the TWE Restructuring.
Filmed Entertainment. Revenues, Operating Income
before Depreciation and Amortization and Operating Income of the
Filmed Entertainment segment for the years ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
% Change | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Advertising
|
|
$ |
10 |
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
|
67 |
% |
| |
Content
|
|
|
11,628 |
|
|
|
10,800 |
|
|
|
8 |
% |
| |
Other
|
|
|
215 |
|
|
|
161 |
|
|
|
34 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
11,853 |
|
|
|
10,967 |
|
|
|
8 |
% |
|
Costs of
revenues(a)
|
|
|
(8,941 |
) |
|
|
(8,430 |
) |
|
|
6 |
% |
|
Selling, general and
administrative(a)
|
|
|
(1,438 |
) |
|
|
(1,225 |
) |
|
|
17 |
% |
|
Gain on disposal of consolidated businesses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
NM |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization
|
|
|
1,474 |
|
|
|
1,355 |
|
|
|
9 |
% |
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(104 |
) |
|
|
(86 |
) |
|
|
21 |
% |
|
Amortization
|
|
|
(213 |
) |
|
|
(206 |
) |
|
|
3 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income
|
|
$ |
1,157 |
|
|
$ |
1,063 |
|
|
|
9 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (a) |
Costs of revenues and selling, general and administrative
expenses exclude depreciation. |
Content revenues increased during 2004 primarily due to a
$631 million and $175 million improvement in revenues
from television and theatrical product, respectively. The
increase in television product revenues was attributable to a
$431 million increase in worldwide license fees and a
$200 million increase in home video sales. Revenues from
theatrical product included a $106 million increase in
television license fees, a $43 million increase in home
video sales and a $26 million increase in worldwide
theatrical film revenues.
120
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
The increase in worldwide license fees from television product
was primarily attributable to the third-cycle syndication
continuance license arrangements for Seinfeld, partially
offset by reduced revenues stemming from the conclusion of
Friends at the end of the 2003-2004 broadcast season. The
growth in home video sales of television product was
attributable to an increased number of titles released and now
sold in this format, including such properties as Friends,
Babylon 5 and Smallville.
The increase in television license fees from theatrical product
was due primarily to the network television availability of
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring to
Turner and The WB Network and from the network television
availability of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers
Stone. Home video sales from theatrical product increased
primarily due to a strong release slate at New Line, including
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Elf, Freddy
vs. Jason and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The
increase in worldwide theatrical film revenues was attributable
primarily to the international success of Harry Potter and
the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Last Samurai and Troy
and from international overages associated with The Lord of
the Rings: The Return of the King. This increase was
partially offset by a decline in domestic theatrical revenues
primarily resulting from difficult comparisons at New Line to
the prior year, which included The Lord of the Rings: The
Return of the King and Elf.
Other revenues increased primarily due to the consolidation of
the results of Warner Village in 2004, as previously discussed,
which contributed $95 million of Other revenues during
2004. The Companys U.K. cinema interests, which were sold
in the second quarter of 2003, contributed Other revenues of
$51 million during 2003.
The increase in costs of revenues resulted from higher film
costs ($5.870 billion in 2004 compared to
$5.358 billion in 2003), primarily resulting from the
quantity and mix of product released and increased production of
new episodic television series (new series are generally
produced at a cost in excess of their network license fees, with
such excess costs expensed as incurred). Included in film costs
are theatrical valuation adjustments, which declined from
$245 million in 2003 to $215 million in 2004.
Marketing and distribution costs increased slightly due to the
quantity and mix of films released during these years. Costs of
revenues as a percentage of revenues decreased to 75% for 2004
from 77% for 2003.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased due to
additional distribution fees associated with the off-network
television syndication of Seinfeld, costs resulting from
the consolidation of Warner Village in 2004, additional
headcount and merit increases and increased rent expense,
partially offset by a reduction in employee incentive
compensation.
As previously discussed in Significant Transactions and
Other Items Affecting Comparability, the Company
recorded a $43 million gain on the sale of its interest in
U.K. cinemas, which previously had been consolidated, during the
second quarter of 2003.
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization and
Operating Income increased due to an increase in revenues, which
was partially offset by increases in costs of revenues, selling,
general and administrative expenses and the absence of the gain
on disposal of a consolidated business, as discussed above.
121
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
Networks. Revenues, Operating Income before
Depreciation and Amortization and Operating Income of the
Networks segment for the years ended December 31, 2004 and
2003 are as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
% Change | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Subscription
|
|
$ |
5,058 |
|
|
$ |
4,588 |
|
|
|
10 |
% |
| |
Advertising
|
|
|
2,895 |
|
|
|
2,675 |
|
|
|
8 |
% |
| |
Content
|
|
|
973 |
|
|
|
981 |
|
|
|
(1 |
%) |
| |
Other
|
|
|
128 |
|
|
|
190 |
|
|
|
(33 |
%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
9,054 |
|
|
|
8,434 |
|
|
|
7 |
% |
|
Costs of
revenues(a)
|
|
|
(4,600 |
) |
|
|
(4,499 |
) |
|
|
2 |
% |
|
Selling, general and
administrative(a)
|
|
|
(1,753 |
) |
|
|
(1,668 |
) |
|
|
5 |
% |
|
Impairment of intangible assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(219 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
|
Loss on sale of assets
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
NM |
|
|
Restructuring charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization
|
|
|
2,694 |
|
|
|
2,027 |
|
|
|
33 |
% |
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(212 |
) |
|
|
(192 |
) |
|
|
10 |
% |
|
Amortization
|
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
(19 |
%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income
|
|
$ |
2,461 |
|
|
$ |
1,809 |
|
|
|
36 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (a) |
Costs of revenues and selling, general and administrative
expenses exclude depreciation. |
The increase in Subscription revenues was due primarily to
higher subscription rates and an increase in the number of
subscribers at both Turner and HBO. In addition, 2004 and 2003
each include a benefit (approximately $50 million and
$45 million, respectively) related to the favorable
resolution of certain contractual agreements, which resulted in
previously deferred revenue being recognized when the fees
became fixed and determinable.
The increase in Advertising revenues was driven primarily by
higher CPMs and sellouts at Turners entertainment networks.
The slight decrease in Content revenues was primarily due to the
success of HBOs first-quarter 2003 home video release of
My Big Fat Greek Wedding and the absence of Content
revenues from the winter sports teams after the first quarter of
2004, partially offset by higher 2004 ancillary sales of
HBOs original programming and higher license fees from
Everybody Loves Raymond.
Other revenues declined primarily due to the sale of the winter
sports teams in the first quarter of 2004.
Costs of revenues increased 2%. This increase was primarily due
to an increase in programming costs, which grew to
$3.225 billion for 2004 from $3.021 billion for 2003.
The increase in programming costs is primarily due to higher
costs for sports rights, network premieres, licensed series and
original series at Turner, and higher theatrical film and
original series costs at HBO. Costs of revenues for 2004
benefited from the sale of the winter sports teams in the first
quarter of 2004 and a reduction in player payroll at the Atlanta
Braves. Costs of revenues as a percentage of revenues were 51%
and 53% in 2004 and 2003, respectively.
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses
primarily related to higher marketing and promotion costs at
Turner and higher general and administrative costs across the
networks. These increases
122
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
were partially offset by a $110 million decrease in bad
debt expense that was primarily related to the first and second
quarter 2004 reversals of approximately $75 million of bad
debt reserves at Turner and HBO on receivables from Adelphia, a
major cable operator that declared bankruptcy in 2002, and
higher second quarter 2003 bad debt charges incurred at Turner
related to certain cable operators. During 2004, the Company
sold a portion of its Adelphia receivables to a third-party
investor and also collected a portion of its remaining
receivables from Adelphia.
As discussed in Significant Transactions and Other
Items Affecting Comparability, the 2004 results
include an approximate $7 million loss on the sale of the
winter sports teams. The 2003 results include a
$219 million impairment charge related to the writedown of
intangible assets of the winter sports teams and
$21 million of restructuring costs at Turner.
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization and
Operating Income improved during 2004 due to an increase in
revenues and the absence of the 2003 impairment and
restructuring charges, partially offset by increases in costs of
revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses, as
described above.
The sale of the winter sports teams was completed on
March 31, 2004. The winter sports teams contributed
revenues of $66 million and an Operating Loss of
$8 million during 2004. For 2003, the winter sports teams
contributed approximately $160 million of revenues and an
Operating Loss of $37 million.
Publishing. Revenues, Operating Income before
Depreciation and Amortization and Operating Income of the
Publishing segment for the years ended December 31, 2004
and 2003 are as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
% Change | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Subscription
|
|
$ |
1,615 |
|
|
$ |
1,533 |
|
|
|
5 |
% |
| |
Advertising
|
|
|
2,692 |
|
|
|
2,459 |
|
|
|
9 |
% |
| |
Content
|
|
|
544 |
|
|
|
522 |
|
|
|
4 |
% |
| |
Other
|
|
|
714 |
|
|
|
1,019 |
|
|
|
(30 |
%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
5,565 |
|
|
|
5,533 |
|
|
|
1 |
% |
|
Costs of
revenues(a)
|
|
|
(2,282 |
) |
|
|
(2,288 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and
administrative(a)
|
|
|
(2,095 |
) |
|
|
(2,141 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
%) |
|
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(99 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
|
Gain (loss) on sale of assets
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
(29 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
|
Merger and restructuring charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization
|
|
|
1,196 |
|
|
|
955 |
|
|
|
25 |
% |
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(122 |
) |
|
|
(116 |
) |
|
|
5 |
% |
|
Amortization
|
|
|
(140 |
) |
|
|
(175 |
) |
|
|
(20 |
%) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Income
|
|
$ |
934 |
|
|
$ |
664 |
|
|
|
41 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (a) |
Costs of revenues and selling, general and administrative
expenses exclude depreciation. |
Subscription revenues increased primarily due to a decrease in
subscription allowances (which are netted against revenues), due
in part to timing, and the favorable effects of foreign currency
exchange rates.
123
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
Advertising revenues benefited from strength in print
advertising, including growth at Real Simple, Time, In Style,
Sports Illustrated, Fortune and Entertainment Weekly,
among others. The favorable effects of foreign currency
exchange rates and new magazine launches also contributed to
growth in Advertising revenues.
Content revenues increased due to several strong titles at TWBG.
This increase was partially offset by the absence of revenues
from Time Life, which was sold at the end of 2003. During 2003,
Time Life contributed $40 million of Content revenues.
Other revenues declined primarily due to the sale of Time Life
at the end of 2003, which contributed $312 million of Other
revenues during 2003.
Costs of revenues for 2003 included $164 million of costs
associated with Time Life. Excluding Time Life, costs of
revenues increased 7% and, as a percentage of revenues, were 41%
for both 2004 and 2003. Costs of revenues for the magazine
publishing business include manufacturing (paper, printing and
distribution) and editorial-related costs, which together
increased 8% to $1.747 billion due primarily to growth in
advertising page volume, magazine launch-related costs and the
effects of foreign currency exchange rates.
Selling, general and administrative expenses included
$251 million of costs associated with Time Life during
2003. Excluding Time Life, selling, general and administrative
expenses increased 11%, driven by higher advertising and
marketing expense, due primarily to an increase in consumer
promotion costs, incremental magazine launch-related costs and
costs associated with the coverage and sponsorship of the 2004
Summer Olympics.
As previously discussed in Significant Transactions and
Other Items Affecting Comparability, 2004 results
reflect an $8 million gain on the sale of a building and
2003 results include a $99 million impairment charge
related to goodwill and intangible assets at the TWBG, a
$29 million loss on sale of Time Life and $21 million
of restructuring costs.
Excluding the 2004 first quarter gain on the sale of a building,
the 2003 impairment charges of goodwill and intangible assets,
the losses at Time Life, the loss on the sale of Time Life and
restructuring charges in 2003, Operating Income before
Depreciation and Amortization increased $21 million, and
Operating Income increased $40 million, reflecting an
increase in overall revenues, partially offset by higher costs
of revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses,
including $44 million of incremental
start-up operating
losses associated with the launch of new magazines. Operating
Income also benefited from a decline in amortization as a result
of certain short-lived intangibles, such as customer lists,
becoming fully amortized.
Corporate. Operating Loss before Depreciation and
Amortization and Operating Loss of the Corporate segment for the
years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
2004 | |
|
2003 | |
|
% Change | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
| |
|
(millions) | |
|
Amounts related to the government investigations
|
|
$ |
(536 |
) |
|
$ |
(56 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
|
Selling, general and
administrative(a)
|
|
|
(484 |
) |
|
|
(368 |
) |
|
|
32 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Loss before Depreciation and Amortization
|
|
|
(1,020 |
) |
|
|
(424 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
|
Depreciation
|
|
|
(43 |
) |
|
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
26 |
% |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Loss
|
|
$ |
(1,063 |
) |
|
$ |
(458 |
) |
|
|
NM |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (a) |
Selling, general and administrative expenses exclude
depreciation. |
As previously discussed, during 2004 the Company incurred a
$210 million charge in connection with the definitive
agreement with the DOJ that resolved the DOJs
investigation of the Company and established a
124
TIME WARNER INC.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL
CONDITION (Continued)
$300 million reserve in connection with the then proposed
settlement with the SEC, which the SEC staff requested be used
for a Fair Fund, as authorized under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The
$210 million DOJ settlement amount consists of a
$60 million penalty paid to the DOJ and the establishment
of a $150 million fund that the Company may use to settle
any related shareholder or securities litigation. In 2005, this
$150 million was transferred to the MSBI Settlement Fund
established in connection with the settlement of the primary
securities class action, as described in Other Recent
Developments Amounts Related to Securities
Litigation, above.
Also included in Corporate Operating Loss before Depreciation
and Amortization are legal and other professional fees related
to the SEC and DOJ investigations into the Companys
accounting and disclosure practices and the defense of various
shareholder lawsuits ($74 million and $81 million in
2004 and 2003, respectively). In addition, the Company realized
insurance recoveries of $48 million and $25 million in
2004 and 2003, respectively.
Included in selling, general and administrative expenses in 2004
are $53 million of costs associated with the relocation
from the Companys former corporate headquarters. Of the
$53 million charge, approximately $26 million relates
to a noncash write-off of the fair value lease adjustment, which
was established in purchase accounting at the time of the merger
of AOL and Historic TW.
Excluding the items previously discussed, Corporate Operating
Loss before Depreciation and Amortization increased primarily as
a result of higher severance costs and insurance premiums and a
$29 million adjustment to increase self insurance
liabilities, partially related to prior periods.