Altice USA Inc
Altice USA Inc details
Altice USA is one of the largest broadband communications and video services providers in the United States, delivering broadband, video, mobile, proprietary content and advertising services to more than 5 million residential and business customers across 21 states through its Optimum and Suddenlink brands. The company operates a4, an advanced advertising and data business, which provides audience-based, multiscreen advertising solutions to local, regional and national businesses and advertising clients. Altice USA also offers hyper-local, national, international and business news through its News 12, Cheddar and i24NEWS networks.
Ticker:ATUS
Employees: 9000
Filing
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2022
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number Registrant; State of Incorporation; Address and Telephone Number IRS Employer Identification No.
001-38126 38-3980194
Altice USA, Inc.
Delaware
1 Court Square West
Long Island City, New York 11101
(516) 803-2300
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company", and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)
Large Accelerated Filer ☒ Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share ATUS NYSE
Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of October 28, 2022 454,668,428
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION 2
Item 1. Financial Statements
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2022 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2021 4
Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 (Unaudited) 5
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 (Unaudited) 6
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Deficiency - Three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 (Unaudited) 7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 (Unaudited) 12
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 19
Supplemental Financial Statements Furnished:
CSC HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2022 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2021 13
Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 (Unaudited) 14
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 (Unaudited) 15
Consolidated Statements of Member's Deficiency - Three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 (Unaudited) 16
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 (Unaudited) 18
Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 19
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 34
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 48
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 50
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 51
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 51
Item 6. Exhibits 51
SIGNATURES 52
1
Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
This Form 10-Q contains statements that constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended. In this Form 10-Q there are statements concerning our future operating results and future financial performance. Words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "may", "will", "should", "could", "potential", "continue", "intends", "plans" and similar words and terms used in the discussion of future operating results, future financial performance and future events identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, results or events and involve risks and uncertainties and that actual results or developments may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.
We operate in a highly competitive, consumer and technology driven and rapidly changing business that is affected by government regulation and economic, strategic, technological, political and social conditions. Various factors could adversely affect our operations, business or financial results in the future and cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements include:
• competition for broadband, video and telephony customers from existing competitors (such as broadband communications companies, direct broadcast satellite ("DBS") providers, wireless data and telephony providers, and Internet-based providers) and new fiber-based competitors entering our footprint;
• changes in consumer preferences, laws and regulations or technology that may cause us to change our operational strategies;
• increased difficulty negotiating programming agreements on favorable terms, if at all, resulting in increased costs to us and/or the loss of popular programming;
• increasing programming costs and delivery expenses related to our products and services;
• our ability to achieve anticipated customer and revenue growth, to successfully introduce new products and services and to implement our growth strategy;
• our ability to complete our capital investment plans on time and on budget, including our plan to build a parallel fiber-to-the-home ("FTTH") network, and deploy Altice One, our entertainment and connectivity platform;
• our ability to develop mobile voice and data services and our ability to attract customers to these services;
• the effects of economic conditions or other factors which may negatively affect our customers’ demand for our current and future products and services;
• the effects of industry conditions;
• demand for digital and linear advertising products and services;
• our substantial indebtedness and debt service obligations;
• adverse changes in the credit market;
• changes as a result of any tax reforms that may affect our business;
• financial community and rating agency perceptions of our business, operations, financial condition, and the industries in which we operate;
• the restrictions contained in our financing agreements;
• our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt service obligations;
• fluctuations in interest rates which may cause our interest expense to vary from quarter to quarter;
• technical failures, equipment defects, physical or electronic break-ins to our services, computer viruses and similar problems;
2
• cybersecurity incidents as a result of hacking, phishing, denial of service attacks, dissemination of computer viruses, ransomware and other malicious software, misappropriation of data, and other malicious attempts;
• disruptions to our networks, infrastructure and facilities as a result of natural disasters, power outages, accidents, maintenance failures, telecommunications failures, degradation of plant assets, terrorist attacks and similar events;
• labor shortages and supply chain disruptions;
• the impact from the coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic;
• our ability to obtain necessary hardware, software, communications equipment and services and other items from our vendors at reasonable costs;
• our ability to effectively integrate acquisitions and to maximize expected operating efficiencies from our acquisitions or as a result of the transactions, if any;
• significant unanticipated increases in the use of bandwidth-intensive Internet-based services;
• the outcome of litigation, government investigations and other proceedings; and
• other risks and uncertainties inherent in our cable and broadband communications businesses and our other businesses, including those listed under the caption "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on February 16, 2022 (the "Annual Report").
These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements.
Given these uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this Quarterly Report. Except to the extent required by law, we do not undertake, and specifically decline any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of such statements to reflect future events or developments. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.
You should read this Quarterly Report with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
Certain numerical figures included in this Quarterly Report have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, such numerical figures shown as totals in various tables may not be arithmetic aggregations of the figures that precede them.
3
Item 1. Financial Statements
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
September 30, 2022
(Unaudited) December 31, 2021
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 250,576 $ 195,711
Restricted cash 265 264
Accounts receivable, trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $ 37,900 and $ 27,931 , respectively) 343,355 406,952
Prepaid expenses and other current assets ($ 519 and $ 3,776 due from affiliates, respectively) 164,412 183,714
Derivative contracts 481,914 2,993
Investment securities pledged as collateral 1,259,877 —
Total current assets 2,500,399 789,634
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $ 7,649,014 and $ 7,142,852 , respectively 7,077,966 6,340,467
Right-of-use operating lease assets 234,707 222,124
Investment securities pledged as collateral — 2,161,937
Other assets 264,974 76,653
Amortizable intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $ 5,421,667 and $ 5,051,149 , respectively 1,782,300 2,202,001
Indefinite-lived cable television franchises 13,216,355 13,216,355
Goodwill 8,205,863 8,205,863
Total assets $ 33,282,564 $ 33,215,034
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 1,084,737 $ 1,023,045
Interest payable 224,278 244,934
Accrued employee related costs 155,384 124,941
Deferred revenue 90,040 94,943
Debt 2,062,295 917,313
Other current liabilities ($ 26,821 and $ 31,810 due to affiliates, respectively) 352,772 329,943
Total current liabilities 3,969,506 2,735,119
Other liabilities 160,716 159,082
Deferred tax liability 4,956,050 5,048,129
Liabilities under derivative contracts — 276,933
Right-of-use operating lease liability 245,360 237,226
Long-term debt, net of current maturities 24,290,003 25,629,447
Total liabilities 33,621,635 34,085,936
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Stockholders' Deficiency:
Preferred stock, $ 0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding — —
Class A common stock: $ 0.01 par value, 4,000,000,000 shares authorized, 270,358,014 shares issued and 270,338,751 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2022 and 270,341,685 shares issued and 270,320,798 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2021 2,704 2,703
Class B common stock: $ 0.01 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 490,086,674 issued, 184,329,677 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2022 and 184,333,342 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2021 1,843 1,843
Class C common stock: $ 0.01 par value, 4,000,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding — —
Paid-in capital 137,660 18,005
Accumulated deficit ( 461,160 ) ( 848,836 )
( 318,953 ) ( 826,285 )
Treasury stock, at cost ( 19,263 and 20,887 Class A common shares, respectively) — —
Accumulated other comprehensive income 5,432 6,497
Total Altice USA stockholders' deficiency ( 313,521 ) ( 819,788 )
Noncontrolling interests ( 25,550 ) ( 51,114 )
Total stockholders' deficiency ( 339,071 ) ( 870,902 )
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficiency $ 33,282,564 $ 33,215,034
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
4
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2022 2021 2022 2021
Revenue (including revenue from affiliates of $ 649 , $ 3,277 , $ 1,765 , and $ 9,718 , respectively) (See Note 13) $ 2,393,552 $ 2,574,882 $ 7,278,463 $ 7,569,711
Operating expenses:
Programming and other direct costs (including charges from affiliates of $ 4,086 , $ 5,294 , $ 11,419 , and $ 12,026 , respectively) (See Note 13) 782,121 843,909 2,429,925 2,545,645
Other operating expenses (including charges from affiliates of $ 3,111 , $ 3,274 , $ 9,243 and $ 9,149 , respectively) (See Note 13) 694,390 590,519 2,009,760 1,760,132
Restructuring and other expense 4,007 1,885 10,058 10,958
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) 445,769 447,958 1,327,243 1,327,142
1,926,287 1,884,271 5,776,986 5,643,877
Operating income 467,265 690,611 1,501,477 1,925,834
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net ( 340,989 ) ( 319,001 ) ( 954,564 ) ( 954,684 )
Gain (loss) on investments ( 425,686 ) ( 46,821 ) ( 902,060 ) 151,651
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net 323,668 43,385 643,856 ( 109,020 )
Gain on interest rate swap contracts, net 105,945 5,521 268,960 59,600
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs — — — ( 51,712 )
Other income, net 3,245 2,280 8,196 7,606
( 333,817 ) ( 314,636 ) ( 935,612 ) ( 896,559 )
Income before income taxes 133,448 375,975 565,865 1,029,275
Income tax expense ( 35,827 ) ( 105,226 ) ( 152,563 ) ( 279,053 )
Net income 97,621 270,749 413,302 750,222
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests ( 12,670 ) ( 3,896 ) ( 25,626 ) ( 11,573 )
Net income attributable to Altice USA, Inc. stockholders $ 84,951 $ 266,853 $ 387,676 $ 738,649
Income per share:
Basic income per share $ 0.19 $ 0.59 $ 0.86 $ 1.61
Basic weighted average common shares (in thousands) 453,239 454,049 453,233 460,023
Diluted income per share $ 0.19 $ 0.58 $ 0.86 $ 1.59
Diluted weighted average common shares (in thousands) 453,390 457,163 453,284 465,349
Cash dividends declared per common share $ — $ — $ — $ —
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
5
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2022 2021 2022 2021
Net income $ 97,621 $ 270,749 $ 413,302 $ 750,222
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Defined benefit pension plans 540 ( 2,084 ) ( 1,515 ) 8,056
Applicable income taxes ( 143 ) 555 400 ( 2,142 )
Defined benefit pension plans, net of income taxes 397 ( 1,529 ) ( 1,115 ) 5,914
Foreign currency translation adjustment 159 ( 619 ) 50 ( 140 )
Applicable income taxes — — — —
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income taxes 159 ( 619 ) 50 ( 140 )
Other comprehensive income (loss) 556 ( 2,148 ) ( 1,065 ) 5,774
Comprehensive income 98,177 268,601 412,237 755,996
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests ( 12,670 ) ( 3,896 ) ( 25,626 ) ( 11,573 )
Comprehensive income attributable to Altice USA, Inc. stockholders $ 85,507 $ 264,705 $ 386,611 $ 744,423
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
6
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Class A Class B Accumulated Total
Common Common Paid-in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Altice USA Non-controlling Total
Stock Stock Capital Deficit Treasury Stock Income Stockholders' Deficiency Interests Deficiency
Balance at January 1, 2022 $ 2,703 $ 1,843 $ 18,005 $ ( 848,836 ) $ — $ 6,497 $ ( 819,788 ) $ ( 51,114 ) $ ( 870,902 )
Net income attributable to stockholders — — — 196,551 — — 196,551 — 196,551
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — — — — — 5,590 5,590
Pension liability adjustments, net of income taxes — — — — — 1,843 1,843 — 1,843
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income taxes — — — — — ( 170 ) ( 170 ) — ( 170 )
Share-based compensation expense (equity classified) — — 40,512 — — — 40,512 — 40,512
Issuance of common shares pursuant to employee long term incentive plan — — 10 — — — 10 — 10
Balance at March 31, 2022 2,703 1,843 58,527 ( 652,285 ) — 8,170 ( 581,042 ) ( 45,524 ) ( 626,566 )
Net income attributable to stockholders — — — 106,174 — — 106,174 — 106,174
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — — — — — 7,366 7,366
Pension liability adjustments, net of income taxes — — — — — ( 3,355 ) ( 3,355 ) — ( 3,355 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income taxes — — — — — 61 61 — 61
Share-based compensation expense (equity classified) — — 41,680 — — — 41,680 — 41,680
Issuance of common shares pursuant to employee long term incentive plan — — 6 — — — 6 — 6
Balance at June 30, 2022 $ 2,703 $ 1,843 $ 100,213 $ ( 546,111 ) $ — $ 4,876 $ ( 436,476 ) $ ( 38,158 ) $ ( 474,634 )
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
7
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Class A Class B Accumulated Total
Common Common Paid-in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Altice USA Non-controlling Total
Stock Stock Capital Deficit Treasury Stock Income Stockholders'Deficiency Interests Deficiency
Balance at June 30, 2022 $ 2,703 $ 1,843 $ 100,213 $ ( 546,111 ) $ — $ 4,876 $ ( 436,476 ) $ ( 38,158 ) $ ( 474,634 )
Net income attributable to stockholders — — — 84,951 — — 84,951 — 84,951
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — — — — — 12,670 12,670
Distributions to noncontrolling interests — — — — — — — ( 62 ) ( 62 )
Pension liability adjustments, net of income taxes — — — — — 397 397 — 397
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income taxes — — — — — 159 159 — 159
Share-based compensation expense (equity classified) — — 37,527 — — — 37,527 — 37,527
Issuance of common shares pursuant to employee long term incentive plan 1 — ( 80 ) — — — ( 79 ) — ( 79 )
Balance at September 30, 2022 $ 2,704 $ 1,843 $ 137,660 $ ( 461,160 ) $ — $ 5,432 $ ( 313,521 ) $ ( 25,550 ) $ ( 339,071 )
8
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Class A Class B Accumulated Total
Common Common Paid-in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Altice USA Non-controlling Total
Stock Stock Capital Deficit Treasury Stock Income Stockholders'Deficiency Interests Deficiency
Balance at January 1, 2021 $ 2,972 $ 1,859 $ — $ ( 985,641 ) $ ( 163,866 ) $ 3,646 $ ( 1,141,030 ) $ ( 62,109 ) $ ( 1,203,139 )
Net income attributable to stockholders — — — 274,136 — — 274,136 — 274,136
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — — — — — 4,403 4,403
Pension liability adjustments, net of income taxes — — — — — 6,356 6,356 — 6,356
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income taxes — — — — — 619 619 — 619
Share-based compensation expense (equity classified) — — — 27,964 — — 27,964 — 27,964
Redeemable equity vested — — — 20,131 — — 20,131 — 20,131
Change in redeemable equity — — — 2,528 — — 2,528 — 2,528
Class A shares acquired through share repurchase program and retired ( 152 ) — — ( 522,521 ) — — ( 522,673 ) — ( 522,673 )
Conversion of Class B to Class A shares 1 ( 1 ) — — — — — — —
Issuance of common shares pursuant to employee long term incentive plan 1 — — 2,037 6 — 2,044 — 2,044
Other — — — ( 4,244 ) — — ( 4,244 ) 4,302 58
Balance at March 31, 2021 $ 2,822 $ 1,858 $ — $ ( 1,185,610 ) $ ( 163,860 ) $ 10,621 $ ( 1,334,169 ) $ ( 53,404 ) $ ( 1,387,573 )
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
9
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Class A Class B Accumulated Total
Common Common Paid-in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Altice USA Non-controlling Total
Stock Stock Capital Deficit Treasury Stock Income Stockholders'Deficiency Interests Deficiency
Balance at March 31, 2021 $ 2,822 $ 1,858 $ — $ ( 1,185,610 ) $ ( 163,860 ) $ 10,621 $ ( 1,334,169 ) $ ( 53,404 ) $ ( 1,387,573 )
Net income attributable to stockholders — — — 197,660 — — 197,660 — 197,660
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — — — — — 3,274 3,274
Pension liability adjustments, net of income taxes — — — — — 1,088 1,088 — 1,088
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income taxes — — — — — ( 140 ) ( 140 ) — ( 140 )
Share-based compensation expense (equity classified) — — — 27,385 — — 27,385 — 27,385
Redeemable equity vested — — — 3,618 — — 3,618 — 3,618
Change in redeemable equity — — — ( 514 ) — — ( 514 ) — ( 514 )
Class A shares acquired through share repurchase program and retired ( 58 ) — — ( 202,787 ) — — ( 202,845 ) — ( 202,845 )
Issuance of common shares pursuant to employee long term incentive plan 8 — — ( 488 ) 9,365 — 8,885 — 8,885
Retirement of treasury stock ( 59 ) — — ( 154,436 ) 154,495 — — — —
Other — — — 92 — — 92 76 168
Balance at June 30, 2021 $ 2,713 $ 1,858 $ — $ ( 1,315,080 ) $ — $ 11,569 $ ( 1,298,940 ) $ ( 50,054 ) $ ( 1,348,994 )
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
10
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Class A Class B Accumulated Total
Common Common Paid-in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Altice USA Non-controlling Total
Stock Stock Capital Deficit Treasury Stock Income Stockholders'Deficiency Interests Deficiency
Balance at June 30, 2021 $ 2,713 $ 1,858 $ — $ ( 1,315,080 ) $ — $ 11,569 $ ( 1,298,940 ) $ ( 50,054 ) $ ( 1,348,994 )
Net income attributable to stockholders — — — 266,853 — — 266,853 — 266,853
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — — — — — 3,896 3,896
Pension liability adjustments, net of income taxes — — — — — ( 1,529 ) ( 1,529 ) — ( 1,529 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income taxes — — — — — ( 619 ) ( 619 ) — ( 619 )
Share-based compensation expense (equity classified) — — — 24,172 — — 24,172 — 24,172
Class A shares acquired through share repurchase program and retired ( 26 ) — — ( 79,384 ) — — ( 79,410 ) — ( 79,410 )
Issuance of common shares pursuant to employee long term incentive plan 2 — — 2,956 — — 2,958 — 2,958
Other — — — ( 14 ) — — ( 14 ) — ( 14 )
Balance at September 30, 2021 $ 2,689 $ 1,858 $ — $ ( 1,100,497 ) $ — $ 9,421 $ ( 1,086,529 ) $ ( 46,158 ) $ ( 1,132,687 )
11
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022 2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 413,302 $ 750,222
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) 1,327,243 1,327,142
Loss (gain) on investments 902,060 ( 151,651 )
Loss (gain) on derivative contracts, net ( 643,856 ) 109,020
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs — 51,712
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts (premiums) on indebtedness 61,447 69,176
Share-based compensation expense 114,410 80,277
Deferred income taxes ( 89,240 ) 97,046
Decrease in right-of-use assets 33,315 32,694
Provision for doubtful accounts 65,281 46,448
Other ( 492 ) 1,434
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts receivable, trade 389 ( 35,077 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets 15,730 33,381
Amounts due from and due to affiliates ( 1,732 ) 12,804
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 17,776 ( 121,503 )
Deferred revenue ( 5,508 ) ( 24,829 )
Liabilities related to interest rate swap contracts ( 304,409 ) ( 100,817 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,905,716 2,177,479
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures ( 1,371,056 ) ( 845,067 )
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired ( 2,060 ) ( 340,444 )
Other, net ( 2,985 ) ( 2,285 )
Net cash used in investing activities ( 1,376,101 ) ( 1,187,796 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt 1,565,000 3,310,000
Repayment of debt ( 1,942,428 ) ( 3,483,026 )
Proceeds from collateralized indebtedness and related derivative contracts, net — 185,105
Repayment of collateralized indebtedness and related derivative contracts, net — ( 185,105 )
Principal payments on finance lease obligations ( 97,165 ) ( 60,257 )
Purchase of shares of Altice USA Class A common stock, pursuant to a share repurchase program — ( 804,928 )
Other ( 207 ) 2,698
Net cash used in financing activities ( 474,800 ) ( 1,035,513 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 54,815 ( 45,830 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 51 ( 140 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 54,866 ( 45,970 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year 195,975 278,686
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 250,841 $ 232,716
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
12
CSC HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
September 30, 2022
(Unaudited) December 31, 2021
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 248,019 $ 193,154
Restricted cash 265 264
Accounts receivable, trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $ 37,900 and $ 27,931 , respectively) 343,355 406,952
Prepaid expenses and other current assets ($ 519 and $ 3,776 due from affiliates, respectively) 164,412 183,714
Derivative contracts 481,914 2,993
Investment securities pledged as collateral 1,259,877 —
Total current assets 2,497,842 787,077
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $ 7,649,014 and $ 7,142,852 , respectively 7,077,966 6,340,467
Right-of-use operating lease assets 234,707 222,124
Investment securities pledged as collateral — 2,161,937
Other assets 264,974 76,653
Amortizable intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $ 5,421,667 and $ 5,051,149 , respectively 1,782,300 2,202,001
Indefinite-lived cable television franchises 13,216,355 13,216,355
Goodwill 8,205,863 8,205,863
Total assets $ 33,280,007 $ 33,212,477
LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S DEFICIENCY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 1,084,737 $ 1,023,045
Interest payable 224,278 244,934
Accrued employee related costs 155,384 124,941
Deferred revenue 90,040 94,943
Debt 2,062,295 917,313
Other current liabilities ($ 26,821 and $ 31,810 due to affiliates, respectively) 352,773 329,944
Total current liabilities 3,969,507 2,735,120
Other liabilities 160,716 159,082
Deferred tax liability 4,975,363 5,067,442
Liabilities under derivative contracts — 276,933
Right-of-use operating lease liability 245,360 237,226
Long-term debt, net of current maturities 24,290,003 25,629,447
Total liabilities 33,640,949 34,105,250
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Member's deficiency ( 100 membership units issued and outstanding) ( 340,824 ) ( 848,156 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income 5,432 6,497
Total member's deficiency ( 335,392 ) ( 841,659 )
Noncontrolling interest ( 25,550 ) ( 51,114 )
Total deficiency ( 360,942 ) ( 892,773 )
Total liabilities and member's deficiency $ 33,280,007 $ 33,212,477
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
13
CSC HOLDINGS LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2022 2021 2022 2021
Revenue (including revenue from affiliates of $ 649 , $ 3,277 , $ 1,765 , and $ 9,718 , respectively) (See Note 13) $ 2,393,552 $ 2,574,882 $ 7,278,463 $ 7,569,711
Operating expenses:
Programming and other direct costs (including charges from affiliates of $ 4,086 , $ 5,294 , $ 11,419 and $ 12,026 , respectively) (See Note 13) 782,121 843,909 2,429,925 2,545,645
Other operating expenses (including charges from affiliates of $ 3,111 , $ 3,274 , $ 9,243 and $ 9,149 respectively) (See Note 13) 694,390 590,519 2,009,760 1,760,132
Restructuring and other expense 4,007 1,885 10,058 10,958
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) 445,769 447,958 1,327,243 1,327,142
1,926,287 1,884,271 5,776,986 5,643,877
Operating income 467,265 690,611 1,501,477 1,925,834
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net ( 340,989 ) ( 319,001 ) ( 954,564 ) ( 954,684 )
Gain (loss) on investments ( 425,686 ) ( 46,821 ) ( 902,060 ) 151,651
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net 323,668 43,385 643,856 ( 109,020 )
Gain on interest rate swap contracts, net 105,945 5,521 268,960 59,600
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs — — — ( 51,712 )
Other income, net 3,245 2,280 8,196 7,606
( 333,817 ) ( 314,636 ) ( 935,612 ) ( 896,559 )
Income before income taxes 133,448 375,975 565,865 1,029,275
Income tax expense ( 35,827 ) ( 105,226 ) ( 152,563 ) ( 276,756 )
Net income 97,621 270,749 413,302 752,519
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests ( 12,670 ) ( 3,896 ) ( 25,626 ) ( 11,573 )
Net income attributable to CSC Holdings, LLC sole member $ 84,951 $ 266,853 $ 387,676 $ 740,946
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
14
CSC HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2022 2021 2022 2021
Net income $ 97,621 $ 270,749 $ 413,302 $ 752,519
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Defined benefit pension plans 540 ( 2,084 ) ( 1,515 ) 8,056
Applicable income taxes ( 143 ) 555 400 ( 2,142 )
Defined benefit pension plans, net of income taxes 397 ( 1,529 ) ( 1,115 ) 5,914
Foreign currency translation adjustment 159 ( 619 ) 50 ( 140 )
Applicable income taxes — — — —
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income taxes 159 ( 619 ) 50 ( 140 )
Other comprehensive income (loss) 556 ( 2,148 ) ( 1,065 ) 5,774
Comprehensive income 98,177 268,601 412,237 758,293
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests ( 12,670 ) ( 3,896 ) ( 25,626 ) ( 11,573 )
Comprehensive income attributable to CSC Holdings, LLC's sole member $ 85,507 $ 264,705 $ 386,611 $ 746,720
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
15
CSC HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TOTAL MEMBER'S DEFICIENCY
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Member's Accumulated Total Noncontrolling Total
Deficiency Other Comprehensive Income Member's Deficiency Interests Deficiency
Balance at January 1, 2022 $ ( 848,156 ) $ 6,497 $ ( 841,659 ) $ ( 51,114 ) $ ( 892,773 )
Net income attributable to CSC Holdings' sole member 196,551 — 196,551 — 196,551
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 5,590 5,590
Pension liability adjustments, net of income taxes — 1,843 1,843 — 1,843
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income taxes — ( 170 ) ( 170 ) — ( 170 )
Share-based compensation expense (equity classified) 40,512 — 40,512 — 40,512
Non-cash contribution from parent 11 — 11 — 11
Balance at March 31, 2022 ( 611,082 ) 8,170 ( 602,912 ) ( 45,524 ) ( 648,436 )
Net income attributable to CSC Holdings' sole member 106,174 — 106,174 — 106,174
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 7,366 7,366
Pension liability adjustments, net of income taxes — ( 3,355 ) ( 3,355 ) — ( 3,355 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income taxes — 61 61 — 61
Share-based compensation expense (equity classified) 41,680 — 41,680 — 41,680
Non-cash contribution from parent 5 — 5 — 5
Balance at June 30, 2022 ( 463,223 ) 4,876 ( 458,347 ) ( 38,158 ) ( 496,505 )
Net income attributable to CSC Holdings' sole member 84,951 — 84,951 — 84,951
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 12,670 12,670
Distributions to noncontrolling interests — — — ( 62 ) ( 62 )
Pension liability adjustments, net of income taxes — 397 397 — 397
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income taxes — 159 159 — 159
Share-based compensation expense (equity classified) 37,527 — 37,527 — 37,527
Non-cash distributions to parent, net ( 79 ) — ( 79 ) — ( 79 )
Balance at September 30, 2022 $ ( 340,824 ) $ 5,432 $ ( 335,392 ) $ ( 25,550 ) $ ( 360,942 )
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
16
CSC HOLDINGS, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TOTAL MEMBER'S DEFICIENCY
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Member's Accumulated Total Noncontrolling Total
Deficiency Other Comprehensive Income Member's Deficiency Interests Deficiency
Balance at January 1, 2021 $ ( 1,172,505 ) $ 3,646 $ ( 1,168,859 ) $ ( 62,109 ) $ ( 1,230,968 )
Net income attributable to CSC Holdings' sole member 274,136 — 274,136 — 274,136
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 4,403 4,403
Pension liability adjustments, net of income taxes — 6,356 6,356 — 6,356
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income taxes — 619 619 — 619
Share-based compensation expense (equity classified) 27,964 — 27,964 — 27,964
Redeemable equity vested 20,131 — 20,131 — 20,131
Change in redeemable equity 2,528 — 2,528 — 2,528
Cash distributions to parent ( 501,000 ) — ( 501,000 ) — ( 501,000 )
Non-cash distributions to parent ( 748 ) — ( 748 ) — ( 748 )
Other ( 4,056 ) — ( 4,056 ) 4,302 246
Balance at March 31, 2021 ( 1,353,550 ) 10,621 ( 1,342,929 ) ( 53,404 ) ( 1,396,333 )
Net income attributable to CSC Holdings' sole member 199,957 — 199,957 — 199,957
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 3,274 3,274
Pension liability adjustments, net of income taxes — 1,088 1,088 — 1,088
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income taxes — ( 140 ) ( 140 ) — ( 140 )
Share-based compensation expense (equity classified) 27,385 — 27,385 — 27,385
Redeemable equity vested 3,618 — 3,618 — 3,618
Change in redeemable equity ( 514 ) — ( 514 ) — ( 514 )
Cash distributions to parent ( 184,478 ) — ( 184,478 ) — ( 184,478 )
Non-cash distributions to parent ( 19,660 ) ( 19,660 ) ( 19,660 )
Other 257 — 257 76 333
Balance at June 30, 2021 ( 1,326,985 ) 11,569 ( 1,315,416 ) ( 50,054 ) ( 1,365,470 )
Net income attributable to CSC Holdings' sole member 266,853 — 266,853 — 266,853
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests — — — 3,896 3,896
Pension liability adjustments, net of income taxes — ( 1,529 ) ( 1,529 ) — ( 1,529 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment — ( 619 ) ( 619 ) — ( 619 )
Share-based compensation expense 24,172 — 24,172 — 24,172
Cash distributions to parent ( 77,957 ) — ( 77,957 ) — ( 77,957 )
Non-cash distributions to parent ( 754 ) ( 754 ) ( 754 )
Other 98 — 98 — 98
Balance at September 30, 2021 $ ( 1,114,573 ) $ 9,421 $ ( 1,105,152 ) $ ( 46,158 ) $ ( 1,151,310 )
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
17
CSC HOLDINGS LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022 2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 413,302 $ 752,519
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) 1,327,243 1,327,142
Loss (gain) on investments 902,060 ( 151,651 )
Loss (gain) on derivative contracts, net ( 643,856 ) 109,020
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs — 51,712
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts (premiums) on indebtedness 61,447 69,176
Share-based compensation expense 114,410 80,277
Deferred income taxes ( 89,240 ) 85,298
Decrease in right-of-use assets 33,315 32,694
Provision for doubtful accounts 65,281 46,448
Other ( 492 ) 1,434
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts receivable, trade 389 ( 35,077 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets 15,730 33,281
Amounts due from and due to affiliates ( 1,732 ) ( 8,358 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 17,776 ( 120,934 )
Deferred revenue ( 5,508 ) ( 24,829 )
Liabilities related to interest rate swap contracts ( 304,409 ) ( 100,817 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,905,716 2,147,335
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures ( 1,371,056 ) ( 845,067 )
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired ( 2,060 ) ( 340,444 )
Other, net ( 2,985 ) ( 2,285 )
Net cash used in investing activities ( 1,376,101 ) ( 1,187,796 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt 1,565,000 3,310,000
Repayment of debt ( 1,942,428 ) ( 3,483,026 )
Proceeds from collateralized indebtedness and related derivative contracts, net — 185,105
Repayment of collateralized indebtedness and related derivative contracts, net — ( 185,105 )
Distributions to parent — ( 763,435 )
Principal payments on finance lease obligations ( 97,165 ) ( 60,257 )
Other ( 207 ) ( 10,724 )
Net cash used in financing activities ( 474,800 ) ( 1,007,442 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 54,815 ( 47,903 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 51 ( 140 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 54,866 ( 48,043 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year 193,418 278,202
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 248,284 $ 230,159
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
18
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND RELATED MATTERS
The Company and Related Matters
Altice USA, Inc. ("Altice USA") was incorporated in Delaware on September 14, 2015. Altice USA is majority-owned by Patrick Drahi through Next Alt. S.a.r.l. ("Next Alt"). Patrick Drahi also controls Altice Group Lux S.à.r.l, formerly Altice Europe N.V. ("Altice Europe") and its subsidiaries and other entities.
Altice USA, through CSC Holdings, LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation) and its consolidated subsidiaries ("CSC Holdings," and collectively with Altice USA, the "Company"), principally provides broadband communications and video services in the United States. It has marketed its residential services primarily under two brands: Optimum, in the New York metropolitan area, and Suddenlink, principally in markets in the south-central United States. On August 1, 2022, the Company began marketing the Suddenlink services under the Optimum brand. It operates enterprise services under the brands Lightpath, Altice Business, and Optimum Business. It delivers broadband, video, telephony services, proprietary content and advertising services to residential and business customers. In addition, the Company offers a full service mobile offering, to consumers across its footprint. As these brands are managed on a consolidated basis, the Company classifies its operations in one segment.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements ("consolidated financial statements") of Altice USA include the accounts of Altice USA and its majority-owned subsidiaries and the accompanying consolidated financial statements of CSC Holdings include the accounts of CSC Holdings and its majority-owned subsidiaries. Altice USA is a holding company and has no business operations independent of its CSC Holdings subsidiary, whose operating results and financial position are consolidated into Altice USA. The consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations of Altice USA are essentially identical to the consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations of CSC Holdings, with the following exceptions: Altice USA has additional cash and deferred taxes on its consolidated balance sheet.
The combined notes to the consolidated financial statements relate to the Company, which, except as noted, are essentially identical for Altice USA and CSC Holdings. All significant intercompany transactions and balances between Altice USA or CSC Holdings and their respective consolidated subsidiaries are eliminated in both sets of consolidated financial statements. Intercompany transactions between Altice USA and CSC Holdings are not eliminated in the CSC Holdings consolidated financial statements, but are eliminated in the Altice USA consolidated financial statements.
The financial statements of CSC Holdings are included herein as supplemental information as CSC Holdings is not an SEC registrant.
NOTE 2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X for interim financial information. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all the information and notes required for complete annual financial statements.
The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
The financial statements presented in this report are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, such financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods presented.
The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that might be expected for future interim periods or for the full year ending December 31, 2022.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. See Note 10 for a discussion of fair value estimates.
19
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
NOTE 3. ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Accounting Standards Adopted in 2022
ASU No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers
In October 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers , which will require companies to apply the definition of a performance obligation under ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities relating to contracts with customers that are acquired in a business combination. Under current GAAP, an acquirer generally recognizes assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, including contract assets and contract liabilities arising from revenue contracts with customers, at fair value on the acquisition date. ASU No. 2021-08 will result in the acquirer recording acquired contract assets and liabilities on the same basis that would have been recorded before the acquisition under ASC Topic 606. ASU No. 2021-08 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2023, however the Company elected to early adopt this ASU on January 1, 2022. The guidance will be applied to any future business combinations.
ASU No. 2021-10, Government Assistance (Topic 832)
In November 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-10, Government Assistance (Topic 832) , which requires business entities to disclose information about transactions with a government that are accounted for by applying a grant or contribution model by analogy (for example, IFRS guidance in IAS 20 or guidance on contributions for not-for-profit entities in ASC 958-605). For transactions in the scope of the new standard, business entities will need to provide information about the nature of the transaction, including significant terms and conditions, as well as the amounts and specific financial statement line items affected by the transaction. The Company adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2022, and the Company will provide required disclosures for any future material transactions.
Recently Issued But Not Yet Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
ASU No. 2022-04, Liabilities—Supplier Finance Programs (Subtopic 405-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations
In September 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-04, Liabilities—Supplier Finance Programs (Subtopic 405-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations , to enhance transparency about an entity’s use of supplier finance programs. ASU 2022-04 would require the buyer in a supplier finance program to disclose (a) information about the key terms of the program, (b) the amount outstanding that remains unpaid by the buyer as of the end of the period, (c) a rollforward of such amounts during each annual period, and (d) a description of where in the financial statements outstanding amounts are being presented. ASU 2022-04 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2023, except for the amendment on rollforward information which will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will provide any necessary disclosures upon adoption.
20
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
NOTE 4. REVENUE
The following table presents the composition of revenue:
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2022 2021
Broadband $ 981,842 $ 989,410 $ 2,970,039 $ 2,952,136
Video 816,001 877,422 2,499,437 2,675,861
Telephony 83,097 99,943 252,952 310,298
Residential 1,880,940 1,966,775 5,722,428 5,938,295
Business services and wholesale 366,554 440,813 1,105,579 1,180,039
News and advertising 120,522 143,625 368,447 380,462
Mobile 22,837 20,456 73,312 60,355
Other 2,699 3,213 8,697 10,560
Total revenue $ 2,393,552 $ 2,574,882 $ 7,278,463 $ 7,569,711
The Company is assessed non-income related taxes by governmental authorities, including franchising authorities (generally under multi-year agreements), and collects such taxes from its customers. In instances where the tax is being assessed directly on the Company, amounts paid to the governmental authorities are recorded as programming and other direct costs and amounts received from the customers are recorded as revenue. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the amount of franchise fees and certain other taxes and fees included as a component of revenue aggregated $ 59,371 and $ 177,032 , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the amount of franchise fees and certain other taxes and fees included as a component of revenue aggregated $ 63,841 and $ 195,735 , respectively.
Customer Contract Costs
Deferred enterprise sales commission costs are included in other current and noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheets and totaled $ 17,754 and $ 17,669 as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
A significant portion of our revenue is derived from residential and small and medium-sized business ("SMB") customer contracts which are month-to month. As such, the amount of revenue related to unsatisfied performance obligations is not necessarily indicative of the future revenue to be recognized from our existing customer base. Contracts with enterprise customers generally range from three years to five years, and services may only be terminated in accordance with the contractual terms.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company did not have a single customer that represented 10 % or more of its consolidated revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 or 10 % or more of its consolidated net trade receivables at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
NOTE 5. NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic net income per common share attributable to Altice USA stockholders is computed by dividing net income attributable to Altice USA stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income per common share attributable to Altice USA stockholders reflects the dilutive effects of stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units. For such awards that are performance based, the diluted effect is reflected upon the achievement of the performance criteria.
The following table presents a reconciliation of weighted average shares used in the calculations of the basic and diluted net income per share attributable to Altice USA stockholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
21
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2022 2021
(in thousands)
Basic weighted average shares outstanding 453,239 454,049 453,233 460,023
Effect of dilution:
Stock options — 3,114 — 5,311
Restricted stock units 151 — 51 15
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 453,390 457,163 453,284 465,349
Weighted average shares excluded from diluted weighted average shares outstanding:
Anti-dilutive shares 57,538 26,453 57,950 9,381
Performance stock units and restricted stock whose performance metrics have not been achieved. 7,298 8,618 7,481 8,704
Net income per membership unit for CSC Holdings is not presented since CSC Holdings is a limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Altice USA.
NOTE 6. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
The Company's non-cash investing and financing activities and other supplemental data were as follows:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022 2021
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
Altice USA and CSC Holdings:
Property and equipment accrued but unpaid and other $ 380,898 $ 238,163
Notes payable issued for the purchase of equipment and other assets 88,181 61,316
Right-of-use assets acquired in exchange for finance lease obligations 130,861 107,708
Other non-cash investing and financing transactions 500 500
CSC Holdings:
Distributions to parent — 21,162
Supplemental Data:
Altice USA and CSC Holdings:
Cash interest paid, net of capitalized interest 913,963 897,404
Income taxes paid, net 203,714 177,218
NOTE 7. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The following table summarizes information relating to the Company's acquired amortizable intangible assets:
As of September 30, 2022 As of December 31, 2021
Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Estimated Useful Lives
Customer relationships $ 6,119,298 $ ( 4,373,246 ) $ 1,746,052 $ 6,113,669 $ ( 4,020,282 ) $ 2,093,387 3 to 18 years
Trade names 1,024,300 ( 1,002,395 ) 21,905 1,081,083 ( 988,563 ) 92,520 4 to 10 years
Other amortizable intangibles 60,369 ( 46,026 ) 14,343 58,398 ( 42,304 ) 16,094 1 to 15 years
$ 7,203,967 $ ( 5,421,667 ) $ 1,782,300 $ 7,253,150 $ ( 5,051,149 ) $ 2,202,001
22
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
During the third quarter of 2022, the Company reduced the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of its fully amortized Suddenlink trademark by approximately $56,783, as the Company had rebranded its entire footprint under the Optimum trademark.
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2022 2021
Amortization expense related to amortizable intangible assets $ 134,709 $ 155,223 $ 427,301 $ 482,331
23
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
NOTE 8. DEBT
The following table provides details of the Company's outstanding debt:
Interest Rate September 30, 2022 December 31, 2021
Date Issued Maturity Date Principal Amount Carrying Amount (a) Principal Amount Carrying Amount (a)
CSC Holdings Senior Notes:
September 27, 2012 September 15, 2022 5.875 % $ — $ — $ 649,024 $ 635,310
May 23, 2014 June 1, 2024 5.250 % 750,000 722,401 750,000 711,137
October 18, 2018 April 1, 2028 7.500 % 4,118 4,113 4,118 4,113
November 27, 2018 April 1, 2028 7.500 % 1,045,882 1,044,707 1,045,882 1,044,582
July 10 and October 7, 2019 January 15, 2030 5.750 % 2,250,000 2,280,354 2,250,000 2,282,875
June 16 and August 17, 2020 December 1, 2030 4.625 % 2,325,000 2,364,059 2,325,000 2,366,886
May 13, 2021 November 15, 2031 5.000 % 500,000 498,340 500,000 498,234
6,875,000 6,913,974 7,524,024 7,543,137
CSC Holdings Senior Guaranteed Notes:
September 23, 2016 April 15, 2027 5.500 % 1,310,000 1,306,941 1,310,000 1,306,508
January 29, 2018 February 1, 2028 5.375 % 1,000,000 994,868 1,000,000 994,262
January 24, 2019 February 1, 2029 6.500 % 1,750,000 1,747,721 1,750,000 1,747,511
June 16, 2020 December 1, 2030 4.125 % 1,100,000 1,095,973 1,100,000 1,095,672
August 17, 2020 February 15, 2031 3.375 % 1,000,000 997,185 1,000,000 996,970
May 13, 2021 November 15, 2031 4.500 % 1,500,000 1,495,033 1,500,000 1,494,710
7,660,000 7,637,721 7,660,000 7,635,633
CSC Holdings Restricted Group Credit Facility:
Revolving Credit Facility (b) (c) July 13, 2027 5.171 % 1,300,000 1,295,506 900,000 893,864
Term Loan B July 17, 2025 5.068 % 2,842,500 2,835,701 2,865,000 2,856,421
Incremental Term Loan B-3 January 15, 2026 5.068 % 1,230,375 1,227,474 1,239,938 1,236,394
Incremental Term Loan B-5 April 15, 2027 5.318 % 2,925,000 2,909,628 2,947,500 2,929,813
8,297,875 8,268,309 7,952,438 7,916,492
Lightpath Senior Notes:
September 29, 2020 September 15, 2028 5.625 % 415,000 407,836 415,000 407,104
Lightpath Senior Secured Notes:
September 29, 2020 September 15, 2027 3.875 % 450,000 442,712 450,000 441,739
Lightpath Term Loan November 30, 2027 6.068 % 589,500 576,378 594,000 579,119
Lightpath Revolving Credit Facility November 30, 2025 (d) — — — —
1,454,500 1,426,926 1,459,000 1,427,962
Collateralized indebtedness (see Note 9) (f) 1,759,017 1,736,294 1,759,017 1,706,997
Finance lease obligations 252,430 252,430 218,735 218,735
Notes payable and supply chain financing (e) 116,644 116,644 97,804 97,804
26,415,466 26,352,298 26,671,018 26,546,760
Less: current portion of credit facility debt ( 78,750 ) ( 78,750 ) ( 78,750 ) ( 78,750 )
Less: current portion of senior notes — — ( 649,024 ) ( 635,310 )
Less: current portion of collateralized indebtedness (f) ( 1,759,017 ) ( 1,736,294 ) — —
Less: current portion of finance lease obligations ( 131,020 ) ( 131,020 ) ( 109,204 ) ( 109,204 )
Less: current portion of notes payable and supply chain financing ( 116,231 ) ( 116,231 ) ( 94,049 ) ( 94,049 )
( 2,085,018 ) ( 2,062,295 ) ( 931,027 ) ( 917,313 )
Long-term debt $ 24,330,448 $ 24,290,003 $ 25,739,991 $ 25,629,447
(a) The carrying amount is net of the unamortized deferred financing costs and/or discounts/premiums and with respect to certain notes, a fair value adjustment resulting from the Cequel and Cablevision acquisitions.
(b) At September 30, 2022, $ 131,894 of the revolving credit facility was restricted for certain letters of credit issued on
24
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
behalf of the Company and $ 1,043,106 of the facility was undrawn and available, subject to covenant limitations.
(c) The revolving credit facility provides for commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $ 2,475,000 .
(d) There were no borrowings outstanding under the Lightpath Revolving Credit Facility which provides for commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $ 100,000 . Borrowings bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the adjusted LIBOR rate or the alternate base rate, as applicable, plus the applicable margin, where the applicable margin is (i) with respect to any alternate base rate loan, 2.25 % per annum and (ii) with respect to any eurodollar loan, 3.25 % per annum.
(e) Includes $ 112,546 as of September 30, 2022 and $ 89,898 as of December 30, 2021 related to supply chain financing agreements that are required to be repaid within one year from the date of the respective agreement.
(f) This indebtedness is collateralized by shares of Comcast common stock. Our intent is to settle such indebtedness with proceeds from new monetization contracts. To the extent we do not enter into new monetization contracts, we could settle the existing collateralized indebtedness by (i) delivering shares of Comcast common stock or (ii) delivering cash. Because this collateralized debt matures in May 2023, it has been classified as current in the accompanying balance sheet as of September 30, 2022, and because there is no assurance that a financing under new monetization contracts can be completed when this debt matures, the related investments held as collateral have also been classified as current.
For financing purposes, the Company has two debt silos: CSC Holdings and Lightpath. The CSC Holdings silo is structured as a restricted group (the "Restricted Group") and an unrestricted group, which includes certain designated subsidiaries and investments (the "Unrestricted Group"). The Restricted Group is comprised of CSC Holdings and substantially all of its wholly-owned operating subsidiaries and excludes Cablevision Lightpath LLC ("Lightpath"), a 50.01 % owned subsidiary of the Company, which became an unrestricted subsidiary in September 2020. These Restricted Group subsidiaries are subject to the covenants and restrictions of the credit facility and indentures governing the notes issued by CSC Holdings. The Lightpath silo includes all of its operating subsidiaries which are subject to the covenants and restrictions of the credit facility and indentures governing the notes issued by Lightpath.
Both CSC Holdings and Lightpath's credit facilities agreements contain certain customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants and events of default (including, among others, an event of default upon a change of control). If an event of default occurs, the lenders under the credit facilities will be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due under the credit facilities and all actions permitted to be taken by a secured creditor.
As of September 30, 2022, CSC Holdings and Cablevision Lightpath were in compliance with applicable financial covenants under their respective credit facilities and with applicable financial covenants under each respective indenture by which the senior guaranteed notes, senior secured notes and senior notes were issued.
On July 13, 2022, CSC Holdings entered into an amendment (the "Twelfth Amendment") to its senior secured credit facility (the "Credit Agreement"). The Twelfth Amendment provides for, among other things, an extended maturity until the date that is the earlier of (i) July 13, 2027 and (ii) April 17, 2025 if, as of such date, any March 2017 Term Loans, as defined in the Credit Agreement are still outstanding, unless the March 2017 Term Loan Maturity Date (as defined in the Credit Agreement) has been extended to a date falling after July 13, 2027. Interest on borrowings under the Twelfth Amendment are calculated based on the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") or alternative base rate borrowings, at a rate per annum equal to the Term SOFR rate (plus a Term SOFR credit adjustment spread of 0.10 %) or the alternate base rate, as applicable, plus the applicable margin, where the applicable margin is (i) with respect to any alternate base rate loan, 1.25 % per annum and (ii) with respect to any Term SOFR loan, 2.25 % per annum.
Summary of Debt Maturities
The future maturities of debt payable by the Company under its various debt obligations outstanding as of September 30, 2022, including notes payable and collateralized indebtedness (see Note 9), but excluding finance lease obligations, are as follows:
2022 $ 52,965
2023 1,920,994
2024 828,889
2025 2,823,750
2026 1,224,938
Thereafter 19,311,500
25
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
NOTE 9. DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS AND COLLATERALIZED INDEBTEDNESS
Prepaid Forward Contracts
The Company has entered into various transactions to limit the exposure against equity price risk on its shares of Comcast Corporation ("Comcast") common stock. The Company has monetized all of its stock holdings in Comcast through the execution of prepaid forward contracts, collateralized by an equivalent amount of the respective underlying stock. At maturity, the contracts provide for the option to deliver cash or shares of Comcast stock with a value determined by reference to the applicable stock price at maturity. These contracts, at maturity, are expected to offset declines in the fair value of these securities below the hedge price per share while allowing the Company to retain upside appreciation from the hedge price per share to the relevant cap price.
The Company received cash proceeds upon execution of the prepaid forward contracts discussed above which has been reflected as collateralized indebtedness in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. In addition, the Company separately accounts for the equity derivative component of the prepaid forward contracts. These equity derivatives have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes. Therefore, the net fair values of the equity derivatives have been reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as an asset or liability and the net increases or decreases in the fair value of the equity derivative component of the prepaid forward contracts are included in gain (loss) on derivative contracts in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
All of the Company's monetization transactions are obligations of its wholly-owned subsidiaries that are not part of the Restricted Group; however, CSC Holdings has provided guarantees of the subsidiaries' ongoing contract payment expense obligations and potential payments that could be due as a result of an early termination event (as defined in the agreements). If any one of these contracts was terminated prior to its scheduled maturity date, the Company would be obligated to repay the fair value of the collateralized indebtedness and the fair value of the remaining interest payments on the debt less the sum of the fair values of the underlying stock and equity collars calculated at the termination date. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had an early termination shortfall of $ 449 relating to such contracts.
The Company monitors the financial institutions that are counterparties to its equity derivative contracts. All of the counterparties to such transactions carry investment grade credit ratings as of September 30, 2022.
In January 2021, the Company settled collateralized indebtedness and an equity derivative contract aggregating $ 185,105 upon maturity related to 5,337,750 shares of Comcast common stock held by us, with proceeds of $ 185,105 received in January 2021 pursuant to the synthetic monetization closeout transaction in November 2019. In connection with this transaction the Company recorded (i) a decrease in notes payable of $ 59,451 and (ii) an increase in collateralized debt of $ 59,451 .
Interest Rate Swap Contracts
To manage interest rate risk, we have from time to time entered into interest rate swap contracts to adjust the proportion of total debt that is subject to variable and fixed interest rates. Such contracts effectively fix the borrowing rates on floating rate debt to provide an economic hedge against the risk of rising rates and/or effectively convert fixed rate borrowings to variable rates to permit the Company to realize lower interest expense in a declining interest rate environment. We monitor the financial institutions that are counterparties to our interest rate swap contracts and we only enter into interest rate swap contracts with financial institutions that are rated investment grade. All such contracts are carried at their fair market values on our consolidated balance sheets, with changes in fair value reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2022, the Company did not hold and has not issued derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
26
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
The following represents the location of the assets and liabilities associated with the Company's derivative instruments within the consolidated balance sheets:
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Balance Sheet Location Fair Value at
September 30, 2022 December 31, 2021
Asset Derivatives:
Interest rate swap contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ — $ 2,993
Prepaid forward contracts Derivative contracts 481,914 —
Interest rate swap contracts Other asset, long-term 188,970 —
670,884 2,993
Liability Derivatives:
Interest rate swap contracts Other current liabilities — ( 3,441 )
Prepaid forward contracts Liabilities under derivative contracts, long-term — ( 161,942 )
Interest rate swap contracts Liabilities under derivative contracts, long-term — ( 114,991 )
$ — $ ( 280,374 )
The following table presents certain consolidated statement of operations data related to our interest rate swaps, our derivative contracts and the underlying common stock relating to the derivative contracts:
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2022 2021
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts related to change in the value of equity derivative contracts related to Comcast common stock $ 323,668 $ 43,385 $ 643,856 $ ( 109,020 )
Change in the fair value of Comcast common stock included in gain (loss) on investments ( 425,686 ) ( 46,821 ) ( 902,060 ) 151,632
Gain on interest rate swap contracts, net 105,945 5,521 268,960 59,600
The following is a summary of interest rate swap contracts outstanding at September 30, 2022:
Maturity Date Notional Amount Company Pays Company Receives
CSC Holdings:
January 2025 $ 500,000 Fixed rate of 1.53 % Three-month LIBOR
January 2025 500,000 Fixed rate of 1.625 % Three-month LIBOR
January 2025 500,000 Fixed rate of 1.458 % Three-month LIBOR
December 2026 750,000 Fixed rate of 2.9155 % Three-month LIBOR
December 2026 750,000 Fixed rate of 2.9025 % Three-month LIBOR
Lightpath:
December 2026 (a) 300,000 Fixed rate of 2.161 % One-month LIBOR
(a) Interest rate swap contract was effective April 2022. This swap contract is also not designated as a hedge for accounting purposes. Accordingly, this contract is carried at its fair market value on our consolidated balance sheet, with changes in fair value reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.
NOTE 10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
The fair value hierarchy is based on inputs to valuation techniques that are used to measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting
27
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
entity's pricing based upon their own market assumptions. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:
• Level I - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
• Level II - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.
• Level III - Instruments whose significant value drivers are unobservable.
The following table presents the Company's financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and their classification under the fair value hierarchy:
Fair Value
Hierarchy September 30, 2022 December 31, 2021
Assets:
Money market funds Level I $ 128,616 $ 100,015
Investment securities pledged as collateral Level I 1,259,877 2,161,937
Prepaid forward contracts Level II 481,914 —
Interest rate swap contracts Level II 188,970 2,993
Liabilities:
Prepaid forward contracts Level II — 161,942
Interest rate swap contracts Level II — 118,432
Contingent consideration related to acquisition Level III 6,698 —
The Company's money market funds which are classified as cash equivalents and investment securities pledged as collateral are classified within Level I of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices.
The Company's derivative contracts and liabilities under derivative contracts on the Company's consolidated balance sheets are valued using market-based inputs to valuation models. These valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, and measures of volatility. When appropriate, valuations are adjusted for various factors such as liquidity, bid/offer spreads and credit risk considerations. Such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence. Since model inputs can generally be verified and do not involve significant management judgment, the Company has concluded that these instruments should be classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy.
The fair value of the contingent consideration as of September 30, 2022, related to an acquisition in the third quarter of 2022, was determined using a probability assessment of the contingent payment.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate:
Credit Facility Debt, Collateralized Indebtedness, Senior Notes, Senior Guaranteed Notes, Senior Secured Notes, Notes Payable, and Supply Chain Financing
The fair values of each of the Company's debt instruments are based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to the Company for instruments of the same remaining maturities. The fair value of notes payable is based primarily on the present value of the remaining payments discounted at the borrowing cost. The carrying value of outstanding amounts related to supply chain financing agreements approximates the fair value due to their short-term maturity (less than one year).
The carrying values, estimated fair values, and classification under the fair value hierarchy of the Company's financial instruments, excluding those that are carried at fair value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, are summarized below:
28
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2022 December 31, 2021
Fair Value Carrying Estimated Carrying Estimated
Hierarchy Amount (a) Fair Value Amount (a) Fair Value
Credit facility debt Level II $ 8,844,687 $ 8,887,375 $ 8,495,611 $ 8,546,438
Collateralized indebtedness Level II 1,736,294 1,717,146 1,706,997 1,741,710
Senior guaranteed notes and senior secured notes Level II 8,080,433 6,568,450 8,077,372 8,180,813
Senior notes Level II 7,321,810 5,391,150 7,950,241 7,883,071
Notes payable and supply chain financing Level II 116,644 116,231 97,804 97,588
$ 26,099,868 $ 22,680,352 $ 26,328,025 $ 26,449,620
(a) Amounts are net of unamortized deferred financing costs and discounts/premiums and with respect to certain notes, a fair value adjustment resulting from the Cequel and Cablevision acquisitions.
The fair value estimates related to the Company's debt instruments presented above are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgments and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
NOTE 11. INCOME TAXES
In general, the Company is required to use an estimated annual effective tax rate ("AETR") to measure the income tax expense or benefit recognized on a year to date basis in an interim period. In addition, certain items included in income tax expense as well as the tax impact of certain items included in pretax income must be treated as discrete items. The income tax expense or benefit associated with these discrete items is fully recognized in the interim period in which the items occur.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recorded a tax expense of $ 35,827 and $ 152,563 on pre-tax income of $ 133,448 and $ 565,865 , respectively, resulting in an effective tax rate that was higher than the U.S. statutory tax rate. The higher tax rate was primarily due to the impact of certain non-deductible expenses and state tax expense.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recorded a tax expense of $ 105,226 and $ 279,053 on pre-tax income of $ 375,975 and $ 1,029,275 , respectively, resulting in an effective tax rate that was higher than the U.S. statutory tax rate. The higher tax rate was due to the impact of certain non-deductible expenses and state tax expense.
NOTE 12. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
The following table presents share-based compensation expense recognized by the Company and unrecognized compensation cost:
Share-Based Compensation Unrecognized Compensation Cost As of September 30, 2022
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2022 2021
Awards issued pursuant to LTIP (a):
Stock Option Awards $ 19,904 $ 21,886 $ 62,311 $ 70,582 $ 87,564
Performance Stock Units 1,593 2,286 5,220 8,136 32,855
Restricted Share Units 15,852 178 46,879 756 70,616
Other awards — — — $ 803 —
$ 37,349 $ 24,350 $ 114,410 $ 80,277 $ 191,035
(a) In June 2022, shareholders of the Company approved an increase to the number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2017 Altice USA Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended, by 35,000,000 shares to 89,879,291 shares.
29
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Stock Option Awards
The following table summarizes activity related to stock options granted to Company employees:
Weighted Average Weighted Average Remaining
Exercise Contractual Term Aggregate Intrinsic
Shares Under Option Price Per Share (in years) Value (a)
Balance at December 31, 2021 50,998,816 $ 22.51 8.29 $ 6,801
Granted 4,073,692 12.74
Forfeited ( 5,134,398 ) 23.44
Balance at September 30, 2022 49,938,110 $ 21.62 7.80 —
Options exercisable at September 30, 2022 18,868,299 $ 24.14 6.39 $ —
(a) The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price and the closing price of Altice USA's Class A common stock at the respective date.
The total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.19 years.
The weighted-average fair value of stock option awards granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $ 4.41 . The following weighted-average assumptions were used to calculate the fair values of stock option awards granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2022:
Risk-free interest rate 2.71 %
Expected life (in years) 6.15
Dividend yield — %
Volatility 39.38 %
Performance Stock Unit Awards
The following table summarizes activity related to performance stock units ("PSUs") granted to Company employees:
Number of PSUs
Balance at December 31, 2021 6,361,894
Forfeited ( 635,148 )
Balance at September 30, 2022 5,726,746
The PSUs have a weighted average grant date fair value of $ 10.65 per unit. The total unrecognized compensation cost related to the outstanding PSUs is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximatel y 3.33 years.
Restricted Share Units
The following table summarizes activity related to restricted share units granted to Company employees:
Number of Units
Balance at December 31, 2021 6,617,837
Granted 1,511,357
Vested ( 19,804 )
Forfeited ( 496,364 )
Balance at September 30, 2022 7,613,026
30
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Lightpath Plan Awards
As of September 30, 2022, 478,725 Class A-1 management incentive units and 239,050 Class A-2 management incentive units ("Award Units") granted to certain employees of Lightpath were outstanding. Vested units will be redeemed upon a partial exit, a change in control or the completion of an initial public offering, as defined in the Lightpath Holdings LLC agreement. The grant date fair value of the Award Units granted and outstanding aggregated $ 31,356 and will be expensed in the period in which a partial exit or a liquidity event is consummated.
NOTE 13. AFFILIATE AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Affiliate and Related Party Transactions
Altice USA is controlled by Patrick Drahi through Next Alt who also controls Altice Europe and other entities.
As the transactions discussed below were conducted between entities under common control by Mr. Drahi, amounts charged for certain services may not have represented amounts that might have been received or incurred if the transactions were based upon arm's length negotiations.
The following table summarizes the revenue and expenses related to services provided to or received from affiliates and related parties:
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2022 2021
Revenue $ 649 $ 3,277 $ 1,765 $ 9,718
Operating expenses:
Programming and other direct costs $ ( 4,086 ) $ ( 5,294 ) $ ( 11,419 ) $ ( 12,026 )
Other operating expenses, net ( 3,111 ) ( 3,274 ) ( 9,243 ) ( 9,149 )
Operating expenses, net ( 7,197 ) ( 8,568 ) ( 20,662 ) ( 21,175 )
Net charges $ ( 6,548 ) $ ( 5,291 ) $ ( 18,897 ) $ ( 11,457 )
Capital expenditures $ 31,228 $ 11,320 $ 71,321 $ 31,530
Revenue
The Company recognized revenue primarily from the sale of advertising to subsidiaries of Altice Europe, and in 2021 also recognized revenue from a foundation controlled by Mr. Drahi.
Programming and other direct costs
Programming and other direct costs primarily include costs incurred by the Company for advertising services provided by Teads S.A. ("Teads") .
Other operating expenses, net
Other operating expenses primarily include charges for services provided by certain subsidiaries of Altice Europe and other related parties.
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures primarily include costs for equipment purchased and software development services provided by subsidiaries of Altice Europe.
31
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Aggregate amounts that were due from and due to affiliates and related parties are summarized below:
September 30, 2022 December 31, 2021
Due from:
Altice Europe $ 476 $ 241
Other affiliates and related parties 43 3,535
$ 519 $ 3,776
Due to:
Altice Europe $ 26,074 $ 30,604
Other affiliates and related parties 747 1,206
$ 26,821 $ 31,810
Amounts due from affiliates presented in the table above and included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying balance sheets represent amounts paid by the Company on behalf of or for services provided to the respective related party. Amounts due to affiliates presented in the table above and included in other current liabilities in the accompanying balance sheets relate to the purchase of equipment and advertising services, as well as reimbursement for payments made on our behalf.
CSC Holdings
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, CSC Holdings made cash equity distribution payments to its parent. Also, CSC Holdings recorded net non-cash equity contributions (distributions) which represent the non-cash settlement of intercompany balances with Altice USA. The balances in 2021 include amounts due to/due from Altice USA pursuant to a tax sharing agreement between the entities. See summary below:
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2022 2021
Cash distribution payments to Altice USA $ — $ ( 77,957 ) $ — $ ( 763,435 )
Non-cash equity distributions, net to Altice USA ( 79 ) ( 754 ) ( 63 ) ( 21,162 )
NOTE 14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Matters
On June 23, 2020, a purported stockholder of the Company filed a complaint in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, derivatively on behalf of the Company, against Patrick Drahi, Next Alt S.à.r.l., and those directors of the Company who are members of the Compensation Committee (collectively, the “Director Defendants”). The Company is also named as a nominal defendant in the complaint. The complaint alleges that the Director Defendants breached their fiduciary duties to the Company’s stockholders, and wasted corporate assets, by approving certain equity grants for Patrick Drahi. The complaint seeks rescission of the equity awards, monetary damages, and costs and disbursements for the plaintiff. On October 15, 2020, the Director Defendants answered the complaint and the Company filed a general denial of liability. Following negotiations with plaintiff, the parties executed a stipulation and agreement of compromise, settlement, and release on April 27, 2022 to settle the litigation. On November 1, 2022, the settlement was approved by the court .
On November 6, 2018, Sprint Communications Company L.P ("Sprint") filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware alleging that the Company infringes Sprint’s patents purportedly by providing Voice over Internet Protocol ("VoIP") services. The lawsuit is part of a pattern of litigation that was initiated as far back as 2005 by Sprint against numerous broadband and telecommunications providers, which has resulted in judgments and settlements of significant value for Sprint. Trial is scheduled to commence on December 12, 2022, at which we expect Sprint to seek as much as $250 million in damages. The Company intends to vigorously defend the lawsuit.
The Company has received from UMG Recordings, Inc., Capitol Records, LLC, and BMG Rights Management (US) LLC letters alleging that the Company has not adequately addressed copyright infringement on its networks and is
32
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
subject to liability and damages for secondary copyright infringement. The Company intends to vigorously defend these claims.
Although the outcome of the above matters cannot be predicted and the impact of a final resolution of these matters on the Company’s results of operations or financial position is not known or reasonably estimable at this time, management does not believe that the ultimate resolution of the matters, individually or together, will have a material adverse effect on the operations or financial position of the Company or the ability of the Company to meet its financial obligations as they become due, but they could be material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations or cash flows for any one period.
In addition to the matters discussed above, the Company also receives notices from third parties, and in some cases is named as a defendant in lawsuits, claiming infringement of various patents or copyrights relating to various aspects of the Company's businesses. In certain of these cases other industry participants are also defendants, and in certain of these cases the Company expects that some or all potential liability would be the responsibility of the Company's vendors pursuant to applicable contractual indemnification provisions. In the event that the Company is found to infringe on any patent or other intellectual property rights, the Company may be subject to substantial damages and/or an injunction that could require the Company or its vendors to modify certain products and services the Company offers to its subscribers, as well as enter into royalty or license agreements with respect to the patents at issue. The Company is also party to various other lawsuits, disputes and investigations arising in the ordinary course of its business, some of which may involve claims for substantial damages, fines or penalties. Although the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted and the impact of the final resolution of these matters on the Company's results of operations in a particular subsequent reporting period is not known, management does not believe that the resolution of these matters, individually, will have a material adverse effect on the operations or financial position of the Company or the ability of the Company to meet its financial obligations as they become due.
33
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
All dollar amounts, except per customer and per share data, included in the following discussion, are presented in thousands.
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. For a complete discussion of the accounting judgments and estimates that we have identified as critical in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, please refer to our Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Overview
Our Business
We principally provide broadband communications and video services in the United States and have marketed our services primarily under two brands: Optimum, primarily in the New York metropolitan area, and Suddenlink, principally in markets in the south-central United States. On August 1, 2022, the Company began marketing the Suddenlink services under the Optimum brand. We deliver broadband, video, telephony, and mobile services to approximately 4.9 million residential and business customers. Our footprint extends across 21 states through a fiber-rich hybrid-fiber coaxial ("HFC") broadband network and a fiber-to-the-home ("FTTH") network with approximately 9.4 million total passings as of September 30, 2022. Additionally, we offer news programming and content, advertising services, as well as a full service mobile offering to consumers across our footprint.
Key Factors Impacting Operating Results and Financial Condition
Our future performance is dependent, to a large extent, on the impact of direct competition, general economic conditions (including capital and credit market conditions), our ability to manage our businesses effectively, and our relative strength and leverage in the marketplace, both with suppliers and customers. For more information, see "Risk Factors" and "Business-Competition" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
In March 2020, the United States declared a national emergency concerning the outbreak of COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic and the various governmental actions taken in response thereto significantly impacted our business, including how our customers use our products and services and how our employees provide services to our customers. Although we cannot predict how our business and future results will be impacted if the pandemic continues or if governmental authorities take action to slow or prevent an increase in the spread of COVID-19, we have and will work to adapt the environment in which we operate and continue to provide our products and services to our customers. See "Risk Factors - Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by the recent COVID-19 pandemic." in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
We derive revenue principally through monthly charges to residential customers of our broadband, video, and telephony services and other related services. Our residential broadband, video, and telephony services accounted for approximately 41%, 34%, and 3%, respectively, of our consolidated revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. We also derive revenue from the sale of a wide and growing variety of products and services to both large enterprise and SMB customers, including broadband, telephony, networking and video services. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, 15% of our consolidated revenue was derived from these business services. In addition, we derive revenues from the sale of advertising time available on the programming carried on our cable television systems, digital advertising, branded content, affiliation fees for news programming, and data analytics, which accounted for approximately 5% of our consolidated revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Our mobile and other revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 accounted for approximately 1% of our consolidated revenue.
Revenue is impacted by rate increases, promotional offerings, changes in the number of customers that subscribe to our services, including additional services sold to our existing customers, programming package changes by our video customers, speed tier changes by our broadband customers, and acquisitions and construction of cable systems that result in the addition of new customers.
Our ability to increase the number of customers to our services is significantly related to our penetration rates.
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We operate in a highly competitive consumer-driven industry and we compete against a variety of broadband, video and telephony providers and delivery systems, including broadband communications companies, wireless data and telephony providers, fiber-based service providers, satellite-delivered video signals, Internet-delivered video content, and broadcast television signals available to residential and business customers in our service areas. Our competitors include AT&T, Inc. and its DirecTV subsidiary, DISH Network Corporation, Frontier Communications Corporation, Lumen Technologies, Inc., T-Mobile US, Inc., and Verizon Communications Inc. Consumers' selection of an alternate source of service, whether due to economic constraints, technological advances, or preference, negatively impacts the demand for our services. For more information on our competitive landscape, see "Risk Factors" and "Business-Competition" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Our programming costs, which are the most significant component of our operating expenses, are impacted by changes in programming rates, which we expect to increase, and by changes in the number of video customers. See "Results of Operations" below for more information regarding the key factors impacting our revenues and operating expenses.
Historically, we have made substantial investments in our network and the development of new and innovative products and other service offerings for our customers as a way of differentiating ourselves from our competitors and we expect to do so in the future. Our ongoing FTTH network build, with planned upgrades, will enable us to deliver Multi-gig broadband speeds to meet the growing data needs of residential and business customers. In addition, we have launched a full service mobile offering to consumers across our footprint. We may incur greater than anticipated capital expenditures in connection with these initiatives, fail to realize anticipated benefits, experience delays and business disruptions or encounter other challenges to executing them as planned. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources- Capital Expenditures" for additional information regarding our capital expenditures.
Certain Transactions
The following transactions had an impact in the periods covered by this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:
In June 2021, Lightpath completed an acquisition for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $28,260 and the operating results of the acquired business were consolidated as of the acquisition date.
In April 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of the cable assets of Morris Broadband, LLC in North Carolina for approximately $312,184 and the operating results of the acquired business were consolidated as of the acquisition date.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We define Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as net income (loss) excluding income taxes, non-operating income or expenses, loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs, gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts, gain (loss) on derivative contracts, gain (loss) on investments, interest expense, net, depreciation and amortization (including impairments), share-based compensation expense, restructuring expense, and transaction expenses.
We believe Adjusted EBITDA is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the Company. Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures with similar titles are common performance measures used by investors, analysts and peers to compare performance in our industry. Internally, we use revenue and Adjusted EBITDA measures as important indicators of our business performance and evaluate management’s effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. We believe Adjusted EBITDA provides management and investors a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our core business and operating results by excluding items that are not comparable across reporting periods or that do not otherwise relate to the Company’s ongoing operating results. Adjusted EBITDA should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for operating income (loss), net income (loss), and other measures of performance presented in accordance with GAAP. Since Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, this measure may not be comparable to similar measures with similar titles used by other companies.
We also use Operating Free Cash Flow (defined as Adjusted EBITDA less cash capital expenditures) and Free Cash Flow (defined as net cash flows from operating activities less cash capital expenditures) as indicators of the Company’s financial performance. We believe these measures are two of several benchmarks used by investors, analysts and peers for comparison of performance in the Company’s industry, although they may not be directly comparable to similar measures reported by other companies.
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Results of Operations - Altice USA (unaudited)
Three Months Ended September 30, Favorable (Unfavorable) Nine Months Ended September 30, Favorable (Unfavorable)
2022 2021 2022 2021
Revenue:
Broadband $ 981,842 $ 989,410 $ (7,568) $ 2,970,039 $ 2,952,136 $ 17,903
Video 816,001 877,422 (61,421) 2,499,437 2,675,861 (176,424)
Telephony 83,097 99,943 (16,846) 252,952 310,298 (57,346)
Residential revenue 1,880,940 1,966,775 (85,835) 5,722,428 5,938,295 (215,867)
Business services and wholesale revenue 366,554 440,813 (74,259) 1,105,579 1,180,039 (74,460)
News and advertising 120,522 143,625 (23,103) 368,447 380,462 (12,015)
Mobile 22,837 20,456 2,381 73,312 60,355 12,957
Other 2,699 3,213 (514) 8,697 10,560 (1,863)
Total revenue 2,393,552 2,574,882 (181,330) 7,278,463 7,569,711 (291,248)
Operating expenses:
Programming and other direct costs 782,121 843,909 61,788 2,429,925 2,545,645 115,720
Other operating expenses 694,390 590,519 (103,871) 2,009,760 1,760,132 (249,628)
Restructuring and other expense 4,007 1,885 (2,122) 10,058 10,958 900
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) 445,769 447,958 2,189 1,327,243 1,327,142 (101)
Operating income 467,265 690,611 (223,346) 1,501,477 1,925,834 (424,357)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net (340,989) (319,001) (21,988) (954,564) (954,684) 120
Gain (loss) on investments (425,686) (46,821) (378,865) (902,060) 151,651 (1,053,711)
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net 323,668 43,385 280,283 643,856 (109,020) 752,876
Gain on interest rate swap contracts, net 105,945 5,521 100,424 268,960 59,600 209,360
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs — — — — (51,712) 51,712
Other income, net 3,245 2,280 965 8,196 7,606 590
Income before income taxes 133,448 375,975 (242,527) 565,865 1,029,275 (463,410)
Income tax expense (35,827) (105,226) 69,399 (152,563) (279,053) 126,490
Net income 97,621 270,749 (173,128) 413,302 750,222 (336,920)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (12,670) (3,896) (8,774) (25,626) (11,573) (14,053)
Net income attributable to Altice USA, Inc. stockholders $ 84,951 $ 266,853 $ (181,902) $ 387,676 $ 738,649 $ (350,973)
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The following is a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA and Operating Free Cash Flow (unaudited):
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2022 2021
Net income $ 97,621 $ 270,749 $ 413,302 $ 750,222
Income tax expense 35,827 105,226 152,563 279,053
Other income, net (3,245) (2,280) (8,196) (7,606)
Gain on interest rate swap contracts, net (105,945) (5,521) (268,960) (59,600)
Loss (gain) on derivative contracts, net (323,668) (43,385) (643,856) 109,020
Loss (gain) on investments 425,686 46,821 902,060 (151,651)
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs — — — 51,712
Interest expense, net 340,989 319,001 954,564 954,684
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) 445,769 447,958 1,327,243 1,327,142
Restructuring and other expense 4,007 1,885 10,058 10,958
Share-based compensation 37,349 24,350 114,410 80,277
Adjusted EBITDA 954,390 1,164,804 2,953,188 3,344,211
Less: Capital expenditures (cash) 493,559 309,172 1,371,056 845,067
Operating Free Cash Flow $ 460,831 $ 855,632 $ 1,582,132 $ 2,499,144
The following is a reconciliation of net cash flow from operating activities to Free Cash Flow (unaudited):
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2022 2021
Net cash flows from operating activities $ 629,162 $ 698,314 $ 1,905,716 $ 2,177,479
Less: Capital expenditures (cash) 493,559 309,172 1,371,056 845,067
Free Cash Flow $ 135,603 $ 389,142 $ 534,660 $ 1,332,412
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The following table sets forth certain customer metrics, excluding our mobile customers, for the Company (unaudited):
September 30, 2022 June 30, 2022 September 30, 2021
(in thousands)
Total passings (a) 9,414.9 9,363.1 9,212.5
Total customer relationships (b)(c) 4,897.2 4,947.3 5,027.6
Residential 4,514.7 4,564.2 4,646.0
SMB 382.5 383.1 381.6
Residential customers:
Broadband 4,290.6 4,333.6 4,388.1
Video 2,491.8 2,574.2 2,803.0
Telephony 1,818.9 1,886.9 2,057.1
Penetration of total passings (d) 52.0 % 52.8 % 54.6 %
ARPU (e) $ 138.12 $ 140.13 $ 140.73
FTTH total passings (f) 1,908.2 1,587.1 1,026.6
FTTH customer relationships (g)(h) 135.3 104.4 58.9
FTTH Residential 134.2 103.7 58.7
FTTH SMB 1.2 0.7 0.2
Penetration of FTTH total passings (i) 7.1 % 6.6 % 5.7 %
(a) Represents the estimated number of single residence homes, apartments and condominium units passed by our HFC and FTTH network in areas serviceable without further extending the transmission lines. In addition, it includes commercial establishments that have connected to our HFC and FTTH network. Broadband services were not available to approximately 30 thousand total passings and telephony services were not available to approximately 500 thousand total passings.
(b) Represents number of households/businesses that receive at least one of the Company's fixed-line services.
(c) Customers represent each customer account (set up and segregated by customer name and address), weighted equally and counted as one customer, regardless of size, revenue generated, or number of boxes, units, or outlets on our HFC and FTTH network. Free accounts are included in the customer counts along with all active accounts, but they are limited to a prescribed group. Most of these accounts are also not entirely free, as they typically generate revenue through pay-per-view or other pay services and certain equipment fees. Free status is not granted to regular customers as a promotion. In counting bulk residential customers, such as an apartment building, we count each subscribing family unit within the building as one customer, but do not count the master account for the entire building as a customer. We count a bulk commercial customer, such as a hotel, as one customer, and do not count individual room units at that hotel.
(d) Represents the number of total customer relationships divided by total passings.
(e) Calculated by dividing the average monthly revenue for the respective quarter derived from the sale of broadband, video and telephony services to residential customers by the average number of total residential customers for the same period.
(f) Represents the estimated number of single residence homes, apartments and condominium units passed by the FTTH network in areas serviceable without further extending the transmission lines. In addition, it includes commercial establishments that have connected to our FTTH network.
(g) Represents number of households/businesses that receive at least one of the Company's fixed-line services on our FTTH network.
(h) FTTH customers represent each customer account (set up and segregated by customer name and address), weighted equally and counted as one customer, regardless of size, revenue generated, or number of boxes, units, or outlets on our FTTH network. Free accounts are included in the customer counts along with all active accounts, but they are limited to a prescribed group. Most of these accounts are also not entirely free, as they typically generate revenue through pay-per view or other pay services and certain equipment fees. Free status is not granted to regular customers as a promotion. In counting bulk residential customers, such as an apartment building, we count each subscribing family unit within the building as one customer, but do not count the master account for the entire building as a customer. We count a bulk commercial customer, such as a hotel, as one customer, and do not count individual room units at that hotel.
(i) Represents the number of total FTTH customer relationships divided by FTTH total passings.
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Altice USA- Comparison of Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 compared to the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
Broadband Revenue
Broadband revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $981,842 and $2,970,039, respectively, while broadband revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $989,410 and $2,952,136, respectively. Broadband revenue is derived principally through monthly charges to residential subscribers of our broadband services. Revenue is impacted by rate increases, promotional offerings, changes in the number of customers, and changes in speed tiers. Additionally, the allocation of revenue between the residential offerings is impacted by changes in the standalone selling price of each performance obligation within our promotional bundled offers.
Broadband revenue decreased $7,568 (1%) and increased $17,903 (1%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. The decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2022 was due a decrease in broadband customers, partially offset by higher average recurring broadband revenue per broadband customer, primarily driven by certain rate increases and service level changes while the increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was due primarily to higher average recurring broadband revenue per broadband customer, primarily driven by certain rate increases and service level changes, partially offset by a decrease in broadband customers.
Video Revenue
Video revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $816,001 and $2,499,437, respectively, and $877,422 and $2,675,861, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. Video revenue is derived principally through monthly charges to residential customers of our video services. Revenue is impacted by rate increases, promotional offerings, changes in the number of customers, additional services sold to our existing customers, and changes in programming packages. Additionally, the allocation of revenue between the residential offerings is impacted by changes in the standalone selling price of each performance obligation within our promotional bundled offers.
Video revenue decreased $61,421 (7%) and $176,424 (7%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. The decreases were due primarily to a decline in video customers, partially offset by higher average recurring video revenue per video customer, primarily driven by certain rate increases.
Telephony Revenue
Te lephony revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was $83,097 and $252,952, respectively, and $99,943 and $310,298, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. Telephony revenue is derived principally through monthly charges to residential customers of our telephony services. Revenue is impacted by changes in rates for services, promotional offerings, changes in the number of customers, and additional services sold to our existing customers. Additionally, the allocation of revenue between the residential offerings is impacted by changes in the standalone selling price of each performance obligation within our promotional bundled offers.
Telephony revenue decreased $16,846 (17%) and $57,346 (18%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. The decreases were due to a decline in telephony customers and lower average recurring revenue per telephony customer.
Business Services and Wholesale Revenue
Business services and wholesale revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $366,554 and $1,105,579, respectively, and $440,813 and $1,180,039 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. Business services and wholesale revenue is derived primarily from the sale of fiber-based telecommunications services to the business market, and the sale of broadband, video and telephony services to SMB customers.
Business services and wholesale revenue decreased $74,259 (17%) and $74,460 (6%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. Approximately $74,600 of the decrease for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 was due to an early termination of a
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backhaul contract for air strands in the third quarter of 2021, which resulted in the recognition of deferred revenue and termination fees over the amended term in the prior year.
News and Advertising Revenue
News and advertising revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $120,522 and $368,447, respectively, and $143,625 and $380,462 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. News and advertising revenue is primarily derived from the sale of (i) advertising inventory available on the programming carried on our cable television systems (linear revenue), (ii) digital advertising, (iii) branded content, and (iv) data analytics. News and advertising revenue also includes affiliation fees for news programming.
News and advertising revenue decreased $23,103 (16%) and $12,015 (3%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 primarily due to a decrease in digital advertising.
Mobile Revenue
Mobile revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $22,837 and $73,312, respectively, and $20,456 and $60,355 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. Mobile revenue is derived from the sales of devices and mobile services. Mobile revenue increased $2,381 (12%) and $12,957 (21%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. The increases were due to higher mobile lines and devices sold. As of September 30, 2022, we had approximately 236,000 mobile lines (including approximately 33,400 receiving free service) compared to approximately 181,000 mobile lines as of September 30, 2021.
Other Revenue
Other revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $2,699 and $8,697, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $3,213 and $10,560, respectively. Other revenue includes revenue from other miscellaneous revenue streams.
Programming and Other Direct Costs
Programming and other direct costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 amounted to $782,121 and $2,429,925, respectively, and $843,909 and $2,545,645, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. Programming and other direct costs include cable programming costs, which are costs paid to programmers (net of amortization of any incentives received from programmers for carriage) for cable content (including costs of VOD and pay-per-view) and are generally paid on a per-customer basis. These costs are impacted by increases in contractual rates, new channel launches, and by changes in the number of customers receiving certain programming services. These costs also include interconnection, call completion, circuit and transport fees paid to other telecommunication companies for the transport and termination of voice and data services, which typically vary based on rate changes and the level of usage by our customers. These costs also include franchise fees which are payable to the state governments and local municipalities where we operate and are primarily based on a percentage of certain categories of revenue derived from the provision of video service over our cable systems, which vary by state and municipality. These costs change in relation to changes in such categories of revenues or rate changes. Additionally, these costs include the costs of mobile devices sold to our customers and direct costs of providing mobile services.
The decreases of $61,788 (7%) and $115,720 (5%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 were primarily attributable to the following:
Three Months Nine Months
Decrease in programming costs primarily due to lower video customers, partially offset by net contractual rate increases $ (31,010) $ (69,015)
Decrease in taxes and surcharges (14,131) (20,347)
Decrease in digital media and linear advertising spots for resale costs (9,989) (13,210)
Decrease in franchise fee costs due to lower video revenue (3,298) (10,159)
Other net decreases (3,360) (2,989)
$ (61,788) $ (115,720)
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Programming costs
Programming costs aggregated $650,768 and $2,007,398 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and $681,778 and $2,076,413 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. Our programming costs in 2022 will continue to be impacted by changes in programming rates, which we expect to increase, and by changes in the number of video customers.
Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 amounted to $694,390 and $2,009,760, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 amounted to $590,519 and $1,760,132, respectively. Other operating expenses include staff costs and employee benefits including salaries of company employees and related taxes, benefits and other employee related expenses, as well as third-party labor costs. Other operating expenses also include network management and field service costs, which represent costs associated with the maintenance of our broadband network, including costs of certain customer connections and other costs associated with providing and maintaining services to our customers.
Customer installation and network repair and maintenance costs may fluctuate as a result of changes in the level of activities and the utilization of contractors as compared to employees. Also, customer installation costs fluctuate as the portion of our expenses that we are able to capitalize changes. Costs associated with the initial deployment of new customer premise equipment necessary to provide broadband, video and telephony services are capitalized (asset-based). The redeployment of customer premise equipment is expensed as incurred.
Other operating expenses also include costs related to our call center operations that handle customer inquiries and billing and collection activities, and sales and marketing costs, which include advertising production and placement costs associated with acquiring and retaining customers. These costs vary period to period and certain of these costs, such as sales and marketing, may increase with intense competition. Additionally, other operating expenses include various other administrative costs.
The increases in other operating expenses of $103,871 (18%) and $249,628 (14%), for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 were attributable to the following:
Three Months Nine Months
Net increase in labor costs and benefits, partially offset by an increase in capitalizable activity $ 35,402 $ 101,249
Increase in repairs and maintenance costs, net of capitalizable activity, including costs to rebrand our Suddenlink services to Optimum 13,640 36,343
Increase in marketing costs, primarily due to costs to rebrand our Suddenlink services to Optimum 11,425 35,043
Increase in share-based compensation costs 12,999 34,133
Increase in bad debt 10,149 18,834
Other net increases, net of capitalizable activity 20,256 24,026
$ 103,871 $ 249,628
Restructuring and Other Expense
Restructuring and other expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 amounted to $4,007 and $10,058 as compared to $1,885 and $10,958 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. These amounts include severance and other employee related costs resulting from headcount reductions and facility realignment costs and impairments of certain right of use assets of $2,331 and $6,681 and $1,881 and $9,757, respectively. These amounts include transactions costs of $1,676 and $3,377 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and $4 and $1,201 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 amounted to $445,769 and $1,327,243 as compared to $447,958 and $1,327,142 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.
The decrease in depreciation and amortization of $2,189 for the three months ended September 30, 2022 as compared to the prior year period was due to higher asset additions in 2022 being depreciated over a longer useful life as compared to the 2021 period and lower amortization expense on intangible assets.
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Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $954,390 and $2,953,188 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 as compared to $1,164,804 and $3,344,211 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.
The decreases in Adjusted EBITDA of $210,414 and $391,023 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, were due to decreases in revenue and increases in operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization, restructuring and other expense and share-based compensation), as discussed above.
Operating Free Cash Flow
Operating free cash flow was $460,831 and $1,582,132 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 as compared to $855,632 and $2,499,144 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. The decreases in operating free cash flow of $394,801 and $917,012, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 as compared to the same periods in 2021 were due to increases in capital expenditures and decreases in Adjusted EBITDA.
Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow was $135,603 and $534,660 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 as compared to $389,142 and $1,332,412 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. The decreases in free cash flow of $253,539 and $797,752 in the three and nine month period, respectively, were due to increases in capital expenditures and decreases in net cash provided by operating activities.
Interest Expense, net
Interest expense, net was $340,989 and $954,564 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to $319,001 and $954,684, respectively. The increase of $21,988 and decrease of $120 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 were attributable to the following:
Three Months Nine Months
Increase primarily due to an increase in interest rates, offset by a decrease in average debt balances $ 31,234 $ 17,868
Capitalized interest related to FTTH network construction (4,296) (9,544)
Higher interest income (964) (1,312)
Other net decreases, primarily lower amortization of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts (3,986) (7,132)
$ 21,988 $ (120)
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Gain (loss) on investments was $(425,686) and $(902,060) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 as compared to $(46,821) and $151,651 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively and consists of the increase (decrease) in the fair value of Comcast common stock owned by the Company. The effects of these gains (losses) are partially offset by the losses (gains) on the related equity derivative contracts, net described below.
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Contracts, net
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 amounted to $323,668 and $643,856 compared to $43,385 and $(109,020) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and includes realized and unrealized gains or losses due to the change in fair value of equity derivative contracts relating to the Comcast common stock owned by the Company. The effects of these gains (losses) are offset by losses (gains) on investment securities pledged as collateral, which are included in gain (loss) on investments discussed above.
Gain on Interest Rate Swap Contracts, net
Gain on interest rate swap contracts, net was $105,945 and $268,960 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $5,521 and $59,600 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021,
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respectively. These amounts represent the change in the fair value of the interest rate swap contracts. These contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.
Other Income, net
Other income, net amounted to $3,245 and $8,196 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $2,280 and $7,606 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. These amounts include dividends received on Comcast common stock owned by the Company and the non-service cost/benefit components of the Company's pension plan.
Income Tax Expense
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, Altice USA recorded a tax expense of $35,827 and $152,563 on pre-tax income of $133,448 and $565,865, respectively, resulting in an effective tax rate that was higher than the U.S. statutory tax rate. The higher tax rate was primarily due to the impact of certain non-deductible expenses and state tax expense.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, Altice USA recorded a tax expense of $105,226 and $279,053 on pre-tax income of $375,975 and $1,029,275, respectively, resulting in an effective tax rate that was higher than the U.S. statutory tax rate. The higher tax rate was due to the impact of certain non-deductible expenses and state tax expense.
CSC HOLDINGS, LLC
The consolidated statements of operations, adjusted EBITDA and Operating Free Cash Flow of CSC Holdings are identical to the consolidated statements of operations, adjusted EBITDA and Operating Free Cash Flow of Altice USA. Refer to Altice USA's Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations above.
The following is a reconciliation of CSC Holdings' net cash flow from operating activities to Free Cash Flow:
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2022 2021
Net cash flows from operating activities $ 629,162 $ 697,575 $ 1,905,716 $ 2,147,335
Less: Capital expenditures (cash) 493,559 309,172 1,371,056 845,067
Free Cash Flow $ 135,603 $ 388,403 $ 534,660 $ 1,302,268
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Altice USA has no operations independent of its subsidiaries. Funding for our subsidiaries has generally been provided by cash flow from their respective operations, cash on hand and borrowings under the CSC Holdings revolving credit facility and the proceeds from the issuance of securities and borrowings under syndicated term loans in the capital markets. Our decision as to the use of cash generated from operating activities, cash on hand, borrowings under the revolving credit facility or accessing the capital markets has been based upon an ongoing review of the funding needs of the business, the optimal allocation of cash resources, the timing of cash flow generation and the cost of borrowing under the revolving credit facility, debt securities and syndicated term loans. We target a year-end leverage ratio of 4.5x to 5.0x for CSC Holdings over time. We calculate our CSC Holdings net leverage ratio as net debt to L2QA EBITDA (Adjusted EBITDA for the two most recent consecutive fiscal quarters multiplied by 2.0).
We expect to utilize free cash flow and availability under the CSC Holdings revolving credit facility, as well as future refinancing transactions, to further extend the maturities of, or reduce the principal on, our debt obligations. The timing and terms of any refinancing transactions will be subject to, among other factors, market conditions. Additionally, we may, from time to time, depending on market conditions and other factors, use cash on hand and the proceeds from other borrowings to repay the outstanding debt securities through open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases, tender offers, or redemptions. With regard to our collateralized indebtedness that matures in May 2023, our intent is to settle such indebtedness with proceeds from new monetization contracts. To the extent we do not enter into new monetization contracts, we could settle the existing collateralized indebtedness by (i) delivering shares of Comcast common stock or (ii) delivering cash. Because this collateralized debt matures in May 2023, it has been classified as current in the accompanying balance sheet as of September 30, 2022, and because there is no
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assurance that a financing under new monetization contracts can be completed when this debt matures, the related investments held as collateral have also been classified as current.
We believe existing cash balances, operating cash flows and availability under the CSC Holdings revolving credit facility will provide adequate funds to support our current operating plan, make planned capital expenditures and fulfill our debt service requirements for the next twelve months. However, our ability to fund our operations, make planned capital expenditures, make scheduled payments on our indebtedness and repay our indebtedness depends on our future operating performance and cash flows and our ability to access the capital markets, which, in turn, are subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. Competition, market disruptions or a deterioration in economic conditions could lead to lower demand for our products, as well as lower levels of advertising, and increased incidence of customers' inability to pay for the services we provide. These events would adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows and financial position. Although we currently believe amounts available under the CSC Holdings revolving credit facility will be available when, and if, needed, we can provide no assurance that access to such funds will not be impacted by adverse conditions in the financial markets or other conditions. The obligations of the financial institutions under the revolving credit facility are several and not joint and, as a result, a funding default by one or more institutions does not need to be made up by the others.
In the longer term, we may not be able to generate sufficient cash from operations to fund anticipated capital expenditures, meet all existing future contractual payment obligations and repay our debt at maturity. As a result, we could be dependent upon our continued access to the capital and credit markets to issue additional debt or equity or refinance existing debt obligations. We intend to raise significant amounts of funding over the next several years to fund capital expenditures, repay existing obligations and meet other obligations, and the failure to do so successfully could adversely affect our business. If we are unable to do so, we will need to take other actions including deferring capital expenditures, selling assets, seeking strategic investments from third parties or reducing or eliminating stock repurchases and discretionary uses of cash.
Debt Outstanding
The following tables summarize the carrying value of our outstanding debt, net of unamortized deferred financing costs, discounts and premiums (excluding accrued interest), as well as interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2022:
CSC Holdings Restricted Group Lightpath Other Unrestricted Entities Altice USA/CSC Holdings
Debt outstanding:
Credit facility debt $ 8,268,309 $ 576,378 $ — $ 8,844,687
Senior guaranteed notes 7,637,721 — — 7,637,721
Senior secured notes — 442,712 — 442,712
Senior notes 6,913,974 407,836 — 7,321,810
Subtotal 22,820,004 1,426,926 — 24,246,930
Finance lease obligations 252,430 — — 252,430
Notes payable and supply chain financing 116,644 — — 116,644
Subtotal 23,189,078 1,426,926 — 24,616,004
Collateralized indebtedness relating to stock monetizations (a) — — 1,736,294 1,736,294
Total debt $ 23,189,078 $ 1,426,926 $ 1,736,294 $ 26,352,298
Interest expense:
Credit facility debt, senior notes, finance leases, notes payable and supply chain financing $ 843,244 $ 54,371 $ — $ 897,615
Collateralized indebtedness relating to stock monetizations (a) — — 58,384 58,384
Total interest expense $ 843,244 $ 54,371 $ 58,384 $ 955,999
(a) This indebtedness is collateralized by shares of Comcast common stock. Our intent is to settle such indebtedness with proceeds from new monetization contracts. To the extent we do not enter into new monetization contracts, we could settle the existing collateralized indebtedness by (i) delivering shares of Comcast common stock or (ii) delivering cash.
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Because this collateralized debt matures in May 2023, it has been classified as current in the accompanying balance sheet as of September 30, 2022, and because there is no assurance that a financing under new monetization contracts can be completed when this debt matures, the related investments held as collateral have also been classified as current.
Payment Obligations Related to Debt
As of September 30, 2022, total amounts payable by us in connection with our outstanding obligations, including related interest, as well as notes payable and supply chain financing, and the value deliverable at maturity under monetization contracts, but excluding finance lease obligations are as follows:
Altice USA/
CSC Holdings Restricted Group Lightpath Other Unrestricted Entities (a) CSC Holdings
2022 $ 337,790 $ 10,342 $ 8,541 $ 356,673
2023 1,335,747 80,621 1,776,378 3,192,746
2024 1,978,792 80,537 — 2,059,329
2025 3,924,559 80,087 — 4,004,646
2026 2,171,473 76,741 — 2,248,214
Thereafter 20,207,982 1,532,022 — 21,740,004
Total $ 29,956,343 $ 1,860,350 $ 1,784,919 $ 33,601,612
(a) Includes $1,784,919 related to the Company's collateralized indebtedness (including related interest).
CSC Holdings Restricted Group
For financing purposes, the Company is structured as a restricted group (the "Restricted Group") and an unrestricted group, which includes certain designated subsidiaries and investments (the "Unrestricted Group"). The CSC Holdings Restricted Group is comprised of CSC Holdings and substantially all of its wholly-owned operating subsidiaries, excluding Lightpath which became an unrestricted subsidiary in September 2020. These subsidiaries are subject to the covenants and restrictions of the credit facility and indentures governing the notes issued by CSC Holdings.
Sources of cash for the Restricted Group include primarily cash flow from the operations of the businesses in the Restricted Group, borrowings under its credit facility and issuance of securities in the capital markets, contributions from its parent, and, from time to time, distributions or loans from its subsidiaries. The Restricted Group's principal uses of cash include: capital spending, in particular, the capital requirements associated with the upgrade of its digital broadband, video and telephony services, including costs to build our FTTH network; debt service; distributions made to its parent to fund share repurchases; other corporate expenses and changes in working capital; and investments that it may fund from time to time.
CSC Holdings Credit Facility
In October 2015, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Altice USA, which merged with and into CSC Holdings on June 21, 2016, entered into a senior secured credit facility, which currently provides U.S. dollar term loans currently in an aggregate principal amount of $3,000,000 ($2,842,500 outstanding at September 30, 2022) (the "CSC Term Loan Facility", and the term loans extended under the CSC Term Loan Facility, the "CSC Term Loans") and U.S. dollar revolving loan commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $2,475,000 ($1,300,000 outstanding at September 30, 2022) (the "CSC Revolving Credit Facility" and, together with the CSC Term Loan Facility, the "CSC Credit Facilities"), which are governed by a credit facilities agreement entered into by, inter alios, CSC Holdings certain lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and security agent (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified on June 20, 2016, June 21, 2016, July 21, 2016, September 9, 2016, December 9, 2016, March 15, 2017, January 12, 2018, October 15, 2018, January 24, 2019, February 7, 2019, May 14, 2019, October 3, 2019, and July 13, 2022, respectively, and as further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the "CSC Credit Facilities Agreement").
In October 2018, CSC Holdings entered into a $1,275,000 ($1,230,375 outstanding at September 30, 2022) incremental term loan facility (the “Incremental Term Loan B-3”) and in October 2019, CSC Holdings entered into a $3,000,000 ($2,925,000 outstanding at September 30, 2022) incremental term loan facility ("Incremental Term Loan B-5") under its existing credit facilities agreement.
On July 13, 2022, CSC Holdings entered into an amendment (the "Twelfth Amendment") to its senior secured credit facility (the "Credit Agreement"). The Twelfth Amendment provides for, among other things, an extended maturity
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until the date that is the earlier of (i) July 13, 2027 and (ii) April 17, 2025 if, as of such date, any March 2017 Term Loans, as defined in the Credit Agreement are still outstanding, unless the March 2017 Term Loan Maturity Date (as defined in the Credit Agreement) has been extended to a date falling after July 13, 2027. Interest on borrowings under the Twelfth Amendment will be calculated based on the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") or alternative base rate borrowings, at a rate per annum equal to the Term SOFR rate (plus a Term SOFR credit adjustment spread of 0.10%) or the alternate base rate, as applicable, plus the applicable margin, where the applicable margin is (i) with respect to any alternate base rate loan, 1.25% per annum and (ii) with respect to any Term SOFR loan, 2.25% per annum.
See Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the CSC Credit Facilities Agreement.
Lightpath Credit Facility
In November 2020, Lightpath entered into a credit agreement which provides a term loan in an aggregate principal amount of $600,000 ($589,500 outstanding at September 30, 2022) and revolving loan commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $100,000. As of September 30, 2022, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Lightpath revolving credit facility. See Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the Lightpath credit agreement.
Lightpath Interest Rate Swap Contract
Lightpath entered into an interest rate swap contract, effective April 2022, on a notional amount of $300,000, whereby Lightpath pays interest of 2.161% through December 2026 and receives interest based on the one-month LIBOR rate. This swap contract is not designated as a hedge for accounting purposes. Accordingly, the changes in the fair value of this interest rate swap contract are recorded through the statement of operations.
Capital Expenditures
The following table presents the Company's capital expenditures:
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2022 2021
Customer premise equipment $ 75,857 $ 61,154 $ 237,707 $ 153,389
Network infrastructure 301,251 153,528 848,140 430,811
Support and other 70,616 63,701 168,780 171,595
Business Services 45,835 30,789 116,429 89,272
Capital purchases (cash basis) 493,559 309,172 1,371,056 845,067
Right-of-use assets acquired in exchange for finance lease obligations 36,090 29,993 130,861 107,708
Notes payable issued to vendor for the purchase of equipment and other assets 36,680 27,498 88,181 61,316
Change in accrued and unpaid purchases and other 39,585 (6,000) 45,218 31,502
Capital purchases (accrual basis) $ 605,914 $ 360,663 $ 1,635,316 $ 1,045,593
Customer premise equipment includes expenditures for set-top boxes, cable modems, routers and other equipment that is placed in a customer's home, as well as installation costs for placing assets into service. Network infrastructure includes: (i) scalable infrastructure, such as headend equipment, (ii) line extensions, such as FTTH and fiber/coaxial cable, amplifiers, electronic equipment, make-ready and design engineering, and (iii) upgrade and rebuild, including costs to modify or replace existing fiber/coaxial cable networks, including enhancements. Support and other capital expenditures includes costs associated with the replacement or enhancement of non-network assets, such as software systems, vehicles, facilities and office equipment. Business services capital expenditures include primarily equipment, installation, support, and other costs related to our fiber based telecommunications business serving primarily enterprise customers.
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In February 2022, the Company announced plans to accelerate its fiber network rollout and new build activity, including targeting 6.5 million fiber passings across its footprint by the end of 2025. The Company estimates it will incur approximately $1,700,000 to $1,800,000 of cash capital expenditures in fiscal year 2022 to advance its upgrade and expansion plans.
Cash Flow Discussion
Altice USA
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to $1,905,716 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $2,177,479 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
The decrease in cash provided by operating activities of $271,763 in 2022 as compared to 2021 resulted from a decrease of $41,713 due to changes in working capital (including an increase in interest payments of $16,559 and an increase in tax payments of $26,496) as well as the timing of payments of liabilities, and collections of accounts receivable, among other items, and a decrease in net income before depreciation and amortization and other non-cash items of $230,050.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $1,376,101 compared to $1,187,796 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The 2022 investing activities consisted primarily of capital expenditures of $1,371,056. The 2021 investing activities consisted primarily of capital expenditures of $845,067 and payments for acquisitions of $340,444.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities amounted to $474,800 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to $1,035,513 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
In 2022, the Company's financing activities consisted of the repayment of long-term debt of $1,942,428 and principal payments on finance lease obligations of $97,165, partially offset by proceeds from our revolving credit facility of $1,565,000.
In 2021, the Company's financing activities consisted of the repayment of long-term debt of $3,483,026, repurchase of common stock pursuant to a share repurchase program of $804,928, repayment of collateralized indebtedness and related derivative contracts, net of $185,105, and principal payments on finance lease obligations of $60,257, partially offset by proceeds from long-term debt of $3,310,000, proceeds from collateralized indebtedness and related derivative contracts, net of $185,105, and other net cash receipts of $2,698.
CSC Holdings
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to $1,905,716 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $2,147,335 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
The decrease in cash provided by operating activities of $241,619 in 2022 as compared to 2021 resulted from a decrease of $21,020 due to changes in working capital (including an increase in interest payments of $16,559 and an increase in tax payments of $26,496) as well as the timing of payments and collections of accounts receivable, among other items, and a decrease in net income before depreciation and amortization and other non-cash items of $220,599.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $1,376,101 compared to $1,187,796 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The 2022 investing activities consisted primarily of capital expenditures of $1,371,056. The 2021 investing activities consisted primarily of capital expenditures of $845,067 and payments for acquisitions of $340,444.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities amounted to $474,800 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to $1,007,442 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
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In 2022, the Company's financing activities consisted of the repayment of long-term debt of $1,942,428 and principal payments on finance lease obligations of $97,165, partially offset by proceeds from its revolving credit facility of $1,565,000.
In 2021, the Company's financing activities consisted of distributions to its parent of $763,435, repayment of long-term debt of $3,483,026, repayment of collateralized indebtedness and related derivative contracts, net of $185,105, principal payments on finance lease obligations of $60,257, and other net cash payments of $10,724, partially offset by proceeds from long term debt of $3,310,000 and proceeds from collateralized indebtedness and related derivative contracts, net of $185,105.
Commitments and Contingencies
As of September 30, 2022, the Company's commitments and contingencies not reflected in the Company's balance sheet decreased to approximately $8,500,000 as compared to approximately $10,310,000 as of December 31, 2021. This decrease relates primarily to payments made in 2022 pursuant to programming commitments and a reduction in programming commitments due to a decrease in the number of video customers as of September 30, 2022 as compared to December 31, 2021.
Share Repurchase Program
In June 2018, the Board of Directors of Altice USA authorized a share repurchase program of $2,000,000, and on July 30, 2019, the Board of Directors authorized a new incremental three-year share repurchase program of $5,000,000 that took effect following the completion in August 2019 of the $2,000,000 repurchase program. In November 2020, the Board of Directors authorized an additional incremental $2,000,000 of share repurchases bringing the total amount of cumulative share repurchases authorized to $9,000,000. Under these repurchase programs, shares of Altice USA Class A common stock may be purchased from time to time in the open market and may include trading plans entered into with one or more brokerage firms in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Size and timing of these purchases will be determined based on market conditions and other factors.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, Altice USA did not repurchase any shares. From inception through September 30, 2022, Altice USA repurchased an aggregate of 285,507,773 shares for a total purchase price of approximately $7,808,698. These acquired shares were retired and the cost of these shares was recorded in stockholders' deficiency in the consolidated balance sheet of Altice USA. As of September 30, 2022, Altice USA had approximately $1,191,302 of availability remaining under the incremental share repurchase program.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
All dollar amounts, except per share data, included in the following discussion are presented in thousands.
Equity Price Risk
We are exposed to market risks from changes in certain equity security prices. Our exposure to changes in equity security prices stems primarily from the shares of Comcast common stock we hold. We have entered into equity derivative contracts consisting of a collateralized loan and an equity collar to hedge our equity price risk and to monetize the value of these securities. These contracts, at maturity, are expected to offset declines in the fair value of these securities below the hedge price per share while allowing us to retain upside appreciation from the hedge price per share to the relevant cap price. The contracts' actual hedge prices per share vary depending on average stock prices in effect at the time the contracts were executed. The contracts' actual cap prices vary depending on the maturity and terms of each contract, among other factors. If any one of these contracts was terminated prior to its scheduled maturity date, the Company would be obligated to repay the fair value of the collateralized indebtedness and the fair value of the remaining interest payments on the debt less the sum of the fair values of the underlying stock and equity collars calculated at the termination date. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had an early termination shortfall of $449 relating to such contracts.
The underlying stock and the equity collars are carried at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets and the collateralized indebtedness is carried at its principal value, net of discounts. These discounts are being amortized over the term of the related indebtedness. The carrying value of our collateralized indebtedness amounted to $1,736,294 at September 30, 2022. At maturity, the contracts provide for the option to deliver cash or shares of Comcast common stock, with a value determined by reference to the applicable stock price at maturity.
As of September 30, 2022, the fair value and the carrying value of our holdings of Comcast common stock aggregated $1,259,877. Assuming a 10% change in price, the potential change in the fair value of these investments
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would be approximately $125,988. As of September 30, 2022, the net fair value and the carrying value of the equity collar component of the equity derivative contracts entered into to partially hedge the equity price risk of our holdings of Comcast common stock aggregated $481,914, a net asset position. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we recorded a net gain of $643,856 related to our outstanding equity derivative contracts and recorded an unrealized loss of $902,060 related to the Comcast common stock that we held.
Fair Value of Equity Derivative Contracts
Fair value as of December 31, 2021, net liability position $ (161,942)
Change in fair value, net 643,856
Fair value as of September 30, 2022, net asset position $ 481,914
The maturity date, number of shares deliverable at the relevant maturity date, hedge price per share, and the lowest and highest cap prices received for the Comcast common stock monetized via an equity derivative prepaid forward contract are summarized in the following table:
# of Shares Deliverable Maturity Hedge Price per Share (a) Cap Price (b)
42,955,236 2023 $40.95 $49.55
(a) Represents the price below which we are provided with downside protection and above which we retain upside appreciation. Also represents the price used in determining the cash proceeds payable to us at inception of the contracts.
(b) Represents the price up to which we receive the benefit of stock price appreciation.
Fair Value of Debt
At September 30, 2022, the fair value of our fixed rate debt, comprised of our collateralized debt, senior guaranteed and senior secured notes, senior notes and notes payable, of $13,792,977 was lower than its carrying value of $17,255,181 by $3,462,204. The fair value of these financial instruments is estimated based on reference to quoted market prices for these or comparable securities. Our floating rate borrowings, comprised of our term loans and revolving credit facilities bear interest in reference to current LIBOR-based or SOFR-based market rates and thus their principal values approximate fair value. The effect of a hypothetical 100 basis point decrease in interest rates prevailing at September 30, 2022 would increase the estimated fair value of our fixed rate debt by $653,014 to $14,445,991. This estimate is based on the assumption of an immediate and parallel shift in interest rates across all maturities.
Interest Rate Risk
To manage interest rate risk, we have from time to time entered into interest rate swap contracts to adjust the proportion of total debt that is subject to variable and fixed interest rates. Such contracts effectively fix the borrowing rates on floating rate debt to provide an economic hedge against the risk of rising rates and/or effectively convert fixed rate borrowings to variable rates to permit the Company to realize lower interest expense in a declining interest rate environment. We monitor the financial institutions that are counterparties to our interest rate swap contracts and we only enter into interest rate swap contracts with financial institutions that are rated investment grade. All such contracts are carried at their fair market values in our consolidated balance sheets, with changes in fair value reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a summary of interest rate swap contracts outstanding at September 30, 2022. The Company's outstanding interest rate swap contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. Accordingly, the changes in the fair value of these interest rate swap contracts are recorded through the statement of operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recorded a gain on interest rate swap contracts of $268,960.
The following represents the location of the assets and liabilities associated with the Company's equity derivative contracts and interest rate swap contracts within the consolidated balance sheets:
Fair Value at
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Balance Sheet Location September 30, 2022
Asset Derivatives:
Prepaid forward contracts Derivative contracts $ 481,914
Interest rate swap contracts Other assets, long-term 188,970
$ 670,884
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As of September 30, 2022, we did not hold and have not issued derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of Altice USA's management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under SEC rules). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2022.
Changes in Internal Control
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, there were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Refer to Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of our legal proceedings.
Item 6. Exhibits
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
10.1 Executive Employment Agreement, dated September 7, 2022, by and between Altice USA, Inc. and Dennis Mathew.
10.2 Transition Agreement, dated September 6, 2022, between Altice USA, Inc. and Dexter Goei.
31.1 Section 302 Certification of the CEO.
31.2 Section 302 Certification of the CFO.
32 Section 906 Certifications of the CEO and CFO.
101 The following financial statements from Altice USA's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 2022 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Deficiency; (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) the Combined Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
104 The cover page from this quarterly report on Form 10-Q formatted in Inline XBRL.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
ALTICE USA, INC.
Date: November 2, 2022 /s/ Michael J. Grau
By: Michael J. Grau
Chief Financial Officer
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