Published:
Knology Reports Results for the Third Quarter and Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire the Assets of Private Cable Co., LLC for $7.5 Million Cash
WEST POINT, Ga. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Knology, Inc. (Nasdaq: KNOL):
⢠Revenue increased to $105.8 million for the third quarter 2009,
representing a 2.5% increase compared to the same period one year ago.
⢠EBITDA, as adjusted, increased to $36.0 million for the third quarter
2009, representing an increase of 3.9% compared to the same period in
2008.
⢠GAAP operating income increased to $11.9 million for the third quarter
2009, representing an increase of 29.3% compared to the same period one
year ago.
⢠Both business and residential connections increased during the third
quarter. Total connections increased 2,575 during the period, resulting
in 681,920 total connections as of quarter end.
⢠Free cash flow, defined as EBITDA, as adjusted, less capital
expenditures and cash interest, reached $14.3 million in the third
quarter, representing an 8% increase in free cash flow compared with the
same period one year ago.
⢠During the quarter, the company successfully amended its credit
facility to extend by two years the maturity of $397 million of term
loans to a June 30, 2014 maturity date. The amendment includes, among
other modifications, interest terms of LIBOR + 350 (with no LIBOR floor
provisions) on the extended term loans, a $10 million increase in the
revolving credit facility to $35 million, and an annual, cumulative
restricted payment allowance of $10 million for dividends and/or share
repurchases utilizing excess cash flow and subject to a maximum leverage
test.
Summary of Private Cable Co., LLC Transaction
⢠Subsequent to quarter end, Knology executed a definitive agreement to
acquire the assets of Private Cable Co., LLC ("PCL Cable" ), a provider
of video, voice and data services to residential and business customers
in Athens and Decatur, Alabama for $7.5 million cash, to be funded from
Knology's cash on hand. The transaction is expected to close during the
fourth quarter of 2009.
⢠PCL Cable's operations are in Knology's Southeast footprint and are
contiguous to Knology's existing operation in Huntsville, Alabama. PCL
Cable generates approximately $5 million in annualized revenue and $1.5
million in annualized EBITDA, before synergies.
⢠The planned PCL Cable transaction is expected to be immediately
accretive, before synergies, to Knology's EBITDA per share, free cash
flow per share and overall enterprise valuation.
Knology, Inc. (Nasdaq: KNOL) today reported financial and operating
results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009. Total revenue
for the third quarter of 2009 was $105.8 million compared to revenue of
$103.2 million for the same period one year ago. Knology reported
EBITDA, as adjusted, of $36.0 million for the third quarter of 2009
compared to EBITDA, as adjusted, of $34.6 million in the third quarter
of 2008.
Knology reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders for the
third quarter of 2009 of $3.3 million, or $(0.09) per share. The third
quarter of 2009 included a non-cash charge of $1.7 million related to
the accounting treatment for the company's interest rate swaps and a
$3.4 million one-time expense related to the amendment of Knology's
credit facility. Excluding these charges, Knology posted net income of
$1.8 million, or $0.05 per share for the third quarter of 2009. For the
third quarter of 2008, Knology reported a net loss of $2.8 million, or
$(0.08) per share.
Total connections increased 2,575 during the third quarter. Total
connections as of quarter end amounted to 681,920, a 2.0% increase
compared to one year ago. Video and data connections increased 136 and
2,693, respectively, while voice connections decreased 254. Business
connections increased 871 during the period to 105,243 connections
compared to 100,209 business connections one year ago. Average monthly
revenue per connection was $51.96, which represents an increase from
$51.67 for the third quarter of 2008. Average monthly connection churn
was 2.8%, consistent with churn of 2.8% for the same period one year ago.
"The third quarter was a very busy period for the company," said Rodger
L. Johnson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Knology, Inc. "We
posted good operating results while at the same time focusing some of
our attention on improving an already healthy balance sheet as well as
moving forward with a small, but high quality M&A opportunity. After a
slow start to the quarter, we experienced strong sales activity and
lower churn near the end of the third quarter and have positive
operating momentum moving into the fourth quarter." M. Todd Holt,
Knology's President and Chief Financial Officer, added, "We were pleased
to successfully execute the credit facility amendment in the third
quarter to allow us to better manage the balance sheet on a longer term
basis. The company continues to generate strong free cash flow, and we
believe the free cash flow profile of the business, along with a solid
balance sheet, positions the company for continued growth in the future.
We are excited about the PCL Cable transaction and are looking forward
to the PCL employees joining the Knology team. We continue to be very
focused on taking care of our customers and delivering increased
shareholder value."
|
Third Quarter Key Operating Metrics
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q3
|
|
Q3
|
|
% Change
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
vs. Q3 2008
|
|
Marketable Homes Passed
|
|
|
930,402
|
|
|
|
918,093
|
|
|
1.3
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Connections
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video
|
|
|
231,186
|
|
|
|
230,405
|
|
|
0.3
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Voice
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On-Net
|
|
|
237,763
|
|
|
|
240,306
|
|
|
(1.1
|
%)
|
|
Off-Net
|
|
|
9,694
|
|
|
|
5,837
|
|
|
66.1
|
%
|
|
Total Telephone
|
|
|
247,457
|
|
|
|
246,143
|
|
|
0.5
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High Speed Data
|
|
|
201,954
|
|
|
|
190,248
|
|
|
6.2
|
%
|
|
Dial-Up
|
|
|
1,323
|
|
|
|
1,997
|
|
|
(33.8
|
%)
|
|
Total Data
|
|
|
203,277
|
|
|
|
192,245
|
|
|
5.7
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total On-Net Connections
|
|
|
680,083
|
|
|
|
660,959
|
|
|
2.9
|
%
|
|
Total Connections
|
|
|
681,920
|
|
|
|
668,793
|
|
|
2.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Residential Connections
|
|
|
576,677
|
|
|
|
568,584
|
|
|
1.4
|
%
|
|
Business Connections
|
|
|
105,243
|
|
|
|
100,209
|
|
|
5.0
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Monthly Revenue
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per Connection
|
|
$
|
51.96
|
|
|
$
|
51.67
|
|
|
|
|
Average Monthly Connection
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Churn
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
|
|
2.8
|
%
|
|
|
For full descriptions of the above metrics, please refer to Non-GAAP
Financial and Operating Measures on page 4 of this release.
Conference Call and Replay
Knology has scheduled a conference call to discuss the results of the
third quarter 2009, which will be broadcast live over the Internet, on
Friday, November 6, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Investors, analysts
and the general public will have the opportunity to listen to the free
conference call live over the Internet by visiting Knology's Web site at www.knology.com
or www.earnings.com.
An audio archive will be available on Knology's website at www.knology.com
or www.earnings.com
starting approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call. Also,
a telephonic replay will be available through midnight on Friday,
November 13, by dialing 1-800-642-1687 or local 706-645-9291. You will
need to refer to Confirmation I.D. 38193825.
About Knology
Knology Inc., headquartered in West Point, Georgia, is a leading
provider of interactive communications and entertainment services in the
Southeast and in the South Dakota region. Knology serves both
residential and business customers with one of the most technologically
advanced broadband networks in the country. Innovative offerings include
over 200 channels of digital cable TV, local and long distance digital
telephone service with the latest enhanced voice messaging features, and
high-speed Internet access, which enables consumers to quickly download
video, audio and graphic files using a cable modem. Knology's
fiber-based business products include iPlex, which delivers Ethernet
connections to an IP-PBX using Session Initiated Protocol (SIP)
technology, Passive Optical Network (PON), which supplies IP
architecture with segmented voice and data bandwidth, and Managed
Integrated Network Solutions (MATRIX), an integrated IP-based technology
which converges data and voice. For more information, please visit www.knology.com.
Information about Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking" statements within the
meaning of the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are subject to future events, risks
and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied. In addition, our revenues
and earnings and our ability to achieve our planned business objectives
are subject to a number of factors that make estimates of future
operating results uncertain, including, without limitation, (1) that we
will not retain or grow our customer base, (2) that we will fail to be
competitive with existing and new competitors, (3) that we will not
adequately respond to technological developments that impact our
industry and markets, (4) that needed financing will not be available to
us if and as needed, (5) that a significant change in the growth rate of
the overall U.S. economy will occur such that there is a material impact
on consumer and corporate spending, (6) that we will not be able to
complete future acquisitions, including the PCL Cable transaction
contemplated in this press release, that we may have difficulties
integrating acquired businesses, or that the cost of such integration
will be greater than we expect, and (7) that some other unforeseen
difficulties occur, as well as those risks set forth in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and our other
filings with the SEC. This list is intended to identify only certain of
the principal factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those described in the forward-looking statements
included herein. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relating to
expectations about future results or events are based upon information
available to us as of today's date, and we do not assume any obligation
to update any of these statements, except as required by law.
Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial and Operating Measures
We provide financial measures generated using generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP" ) and using adjustments to GAAP
("Non-GAAP" ). These financial measures reflect conventions or standard
measures of liquidity, profitability or performance commonly used by the
investment community in the telecommunications industry for
comparability purposes.
In this release, we use the Non-GAAP financial measures EBITDA, as
adjusted, and EBITDA margin. EBITDA, as adjusted, is calculated as net
loss before interest; taxes; depreciation and amortization; non-cash
stock compensation; restructuring expense; debt modification expense;
gain on interest rate swaps; amortization of deferred loss on interest
rate swaps; and other expense (income). A reconciliation of EBITDA, as
adjusted, to net loss for the three and nine month periods ended
September 30, 2008 and 2009 is attached to this press release. EBITDA
margin is calculated as EBITDA, as adjusted, divided by total revenue
for the relevant period. EBITDA, as adjusted, is an operational measure
that is not calculated and presented in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States. EBITDA, as adjusted,
eliminates the uneven effect on operating income of non-cash
depreciation of tangible assets and amortization of certain intangible
assets and, therefore, is useful to management in measuring the overall
operational strength and performance of the Company. A limitation of
this measure, however, is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of
certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used for generating
our revenues. Management evaluates the costs of such tangible and
intangible assets through other financial measures such as capital
expenditures and investment spending. Another limitation of EBITDA, as
adjusted, is that it does not reflect income net of interest expense,
which is a significant expense because of the substantial debt we have
incurred.
In this release, we also use the Non-GAAP financial measure Free Cash
Flow. Free Cash Flow is calculated as EBITDA, as adjusted, less
capitalized tangible and intangible expenditures and cash interest paid
net of cash interest received. A reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to net
loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2009 is
attached to this press release. The use of Free Cash Flow is important
because it allows management, as well as investors and analysts, to
assess our ability to make additional investments and meet our debt
obligations.
The other operating metrics used in this release include the following:
-
Marketable Homes Passed - We report homes passed as the number of
residential and business units, such as single residence homes,
apartments and condominium units, passed by our broadband network and
listed in our database. "Marketable homes passed" are homes passed
other than those we believe are covered by exclusive arrangements with
other providers of competing services.
-
Total Connections - Because we deliver multiple services to our
customers, we report the total number of connections for video, voice
and data rather than the total number of customers. We count each
video, voice or data purchase as a separate connection. For example, a
single customer who purchases cable television, local telephone and
Internet access services would count as three connections. We do not
record the purchase of digital video services by an analog video
customer as an additional connection.
-
On-net/Off-net connections - All of our video connections are provided
over our networks. Our voice and data connections consist of both
"on-net" and "off-net" connections. On-net refers to lines provided
over our networks. Off-net refers to voice or data connections
provided over lines leased from third parties.
-
Average Monthly Revenue Per Connection - The Average Monthly Revenue
Per Connection is the total revenue for a month divided by the average
number of connections for that month, expressed in dollars.
-
Average Monthly Connection Churn - The Average Monthly Connection
Churn is the total number of deactivated connections for a month
divided by the average number of connections for that month, expressed
as a percentage.
|
Knology, Inc.
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations
|
|
Unaudited
|
|
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|
|
September 30,
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Operating Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video
|
$
|
46,048
|
|
$
|
43,128
|
|
$
|
137,809
|
|
$
|
128,462
|
|
|
Voice
|
|
32,372
|
|
|
35,025
|
|
|
98,916
|
|
|
104,276
|
|
|
Data
|
|
24,487
|
|
|
23,532
|
|
|
73,603
|
|
|
69,356
|
|
|
Other
|
|
2,895
|
|
|
1,531
|
|
|
8,088
|
|
|
4,580
|
|
|
Total Revenue
|
|
105,802
|
|
|
103,216
|
|
|
318,416
|
|
|
306,674
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Direct costs
|
|
31,896
|
|
|
30,910
|
|
|
98,660
|
|
|
92,952
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
|
|
|
expenses
|
|
39,566
|
|
|
39,332
|
|
|
116,638
|
|
|
117,100
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
22,436
|
|
|
23,767
|
|
|
67,997
|
|
|
71,427
|
|
|
Operating income
|
|
11,904
|
|
|
9,207
|
|
|
35,121
|
|
|
25,195
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest income
|
|
180
|
|
|
178
|
|
|
477
|
|
|
573
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
(10,363
|
)
|
|
(11,776
|
)
|
|
(29,611
|
)
|
|
(35,442
|
)
|
|
Debt modification expense
|
|
(3,422
|
)
|
|
0
|
|
|
(3,422
|
)
|
|
0
|
|
|
Gain on interest rate swaps
|
|
2,796
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
6,545
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
Amortization of deferred loss on interest rate swaps
|
|
(4,533
|
)
|
|
0
|
|
|
(13,846
|
)
|
|
0
|
|
|
Other income (expense), net
|
|
104
|
|
|
(456
|
)
|
|
462
|
|
|
(371
|
)
|
|
Net loss
|
$
|
(3,334
|
)
|
$
|
(2,847
|
)
|
$
|
(4,274
|
)
|
$
|
(10,045
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted net loss per share
|
$
|
(0.09
|
)
|
$
|
(0.08
|
)
|
$
|
(0.12
|
)
|
$
|
(0.28
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
36,031,902
|
|
|
35,615,760
|
|
|
35,901,886
|
|
|
35,515,014
|
|
|
Knology, Inc.
|
|
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
|
|
(In Thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9/30/09
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
12/31/2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
40,755
|
|
$
|
57,362
|
|
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
725
|
|
|
680
|
|
|
Certificates of deposit
|
|
|
35,050
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
Accounts receivable, net
|
|
|
34,001
|
|
|
32,641
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other
|
|
|
4,005
|
|
|
2,177
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
114,536
|
|
|
92,860
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant & equipment, net
|
|
|
358,975
|
|
|
379,710
|
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
2,536
|
|
|
2,536
|
|
|
Debt issuance and debt modification costs, net
|
|
|
8,295
|
|
|
8,461
|
|
|
Goodwill, intangible assets and other
|
|
|
159,649
|
|
|
159,851
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
643,991
|
|
$
|
643,418
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
|
|
|
|
|
EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Current portion of long term debt
|
|
$
|
9,087
|
|
$
|
7,615
|
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
27,450
|
|
|
24,876
|
|
|
Accrued liabilities
|
|
|
21,163
|
|
|
20,405
|
|
|
Unearned revenue
|
|
|
13,857
|
|
|
14,289
|
|
|
Interest rate swaps
|
|
|
22,078
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
93,635
|
|
|
67,185
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long term debt, net of current portion
|
|
|
592,297
|
|
|
604,068
|
|
|
Interest rate swaps
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
28,622
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
685,932
|
|
|
699,875
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock
|
|
|
361
|
|
|
357
|
|
|
Additional paid in capital
|
|
|
599,783
|
|
|
594,843
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
(14,776
|
)
|
|
(28,622
|
)
|
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(627,309
|
)
|
|
(623,035
|
)
|
|
Total stockholders' deficit
|
|
|
(41,941
|
)
|
|
(56,457
|
)
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
643,991
|
|
$
|
643,418
|
|
|
Knology, Inc.
|
|
Reconciliation of EBITDA, As Adjusted, and Free Cash Flow to Net
Income (Loss)
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
(In Thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Net loss
|
$
|
(3,334
|
)
|
|
$
|
(2,847
|
)
|
|
$
|
(4,274
|
)
|
|
$
|
(10,045
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
22,436
|
|
|
|
23,767
|
|
|
|
67,997
|
|
|
|
71,427
|
|
|
Non-cash stock compensation
|
|
1,564
|
|
|
|
1,359
|
|
|
|
4,615
|
|
|
|
3,195
|
|
|
Restructuring expense
|
|
60
|
|
|
|
268
|
|
|
|
450
|
|
|
|
1,487
|
|
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
10,183
|
|
|
|
11,598
|
|
|
|
29,134
|
|
|
|
34,869
|
|
|
Debt modification expense
|
|
3,422
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
3,422
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
Gain on interest rate swaps
|
|
(2,796
|
)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
(6,545
|
)
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
Amortization of deferred loss on interest rate swaps
|
|
4,533
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
|
13,846
|
|
|
|
0
|
|
|
Other income (expense)
|
|
(104
|
)
|
|
|
456
|
|
|
|
(462
|
)
|
|
|
371
|
|
|
EBITDA, as adjusted
|
$
|
35,964
|
|
|
$
|
34,601
|
|
|
$
|
108,183
|
|
|
$
|
101,304
|
|
|
Cash interest paid, net (see Note)
|
|
(9,920
|
)
|
|
|
(10,995
|
)
|
|
|
(32,099
|
)
|
|
|
(32,992
|
)
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
(11,739
|
)
|
|
|
(10,363
|
)
|
|
|
(41,299
|
)
|
|
|
(38,465
|
)
|
|
Free cash flow (see Note)
|
$
|
14,305
|
|
|
$
|
13,243
|
|
|
$
|
34,785
|
|
|
$
|
29,847
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: The nine months ended September 30, 2009 amounts include
eleven months of interest payments on the $555 million term loan
due to modification of the related interest contracts that
occurred during the first quarter 2009. Pro forma net cash
interest paid and free cash flow using nine months of interest
payments on the $555 million term loan are approximately $28,313
and $38,571, respectively, for the six months ended September 30,
2009.
|
Knology, Inc. M. Todd Holt, 706-645-8752 President and Chief
Financial Officer todd.holt@knology.com
Copyright © 2009, Business Wire, Inc., All rights reserved. Copyright © 2009, NewsBlaze, Daily News
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