6-K
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 |
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
Pursuant
to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For
the month of May 2006
Matav
Cable Systems Media Ltd.
(Translation of registrants name into English) |
42 Pinkas Street
North Industrial Park
P.O. Box 13600
Netanya 42134
Israel
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the
registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F x
Form 40-F o
Indicate by check mark whether the
registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing
the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
Yes o
No x
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
30 May 2006 |
|
Matav - Cable Systems Media Ltd.
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Meir Srebernik
Meir Srebernik Chief Executive Officer |
Print the name and title of the
signing officer under his signature
MATAV CABLE
SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD.
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF MARCH 31, 2006
UNAUDITED
INDEX
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
|
|
|
March 31,
|
December 31,
|
|
2006
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
Unaudited
|
Audited
|
|
Reported NIS in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| | |
CURRENT ASSETS: | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | |
| 605 |
|
| 1,157 |
|
| 13,184 |
|
Short-term deposit | | |
| 21,637 |
|
| 50 |
|
| 27,196 |
|
Trade receivables | | |
| 83,222 |
|
| 78,807 |
|
| 74,699 |
|
Other accounts receivable | | |
| 16,472 |
|
| 21,767 |
|
| 20,381 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| 121,936 |
|
| 101,781 |
|
| 135,460 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS AND RECEIVABLES: | | |
Investments in affiliates | | |
| 57,673 |
|
| 117,992 |
|
| *) 51,384 |
|
Investment in other companies | | |
| 46,934 |
|
| - |
|
| *) 46,934 |
|
Investment in limited partnerships | | |
| 669 |
|
| 1,629 |
|
| 669 |
|
Rights to broadcast films and programs | | |
| 22,576 |
|
| 34,887 |
|
| 23,918 |
|
Other receivables | | |
| 318 |
|
| 597 |
|
| 317 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| 128,170 |
|
| 155,105 |
|
| 123,222 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
FIXED ASSETS, NET | | |
| 811,964 |
|
| 825,090 |
|
| 814,408 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
OTHER ASSETS, NET | | |
| 2,425 |
|
| 2,933 |
|
| 2,525 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| 1,064,495 |
|
| 1,084,909 |
|
| 1,075,615 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
*)
Reclassified.
The accompanying notes are an
integral part of the interim consolidated financial statements.
- 2 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
|
|
|
March 31,
|
December 31,
|
|
2006
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
Unaudited
|
Audited
|
|
Reported NIS in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| | |
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | | |
Credit from banks and others | | |
| 561,256 |
|
| 469,564 |
|
| 551,742 |
|
Current maturities of debentures | | |
| 34,751 |
|
| 33,904 |
|
| 34,596 |
|
Trade payables | | |
| 93,943 |
|
| 112,516 |
|
| 105,187 |
|
Jointly controlled entity - current account | | |
| 23,210 |
|
| 18,265 |
|
| 15,648 |
|
Other accounts payable | | |
| 108,438 |
|
| 210,009 |
|
| 101,525 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| 821,598 |
|
| 844,258 |
|
| 808,698 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: | | |
Loans from banks and others | | |
| 76,036 |
|
| 100,940 |
|
| 75,464 |
|
Debentures | | |
| - |
|
| 33,220 |
|
| - |
|
Deferred taxes | | |
| 4,695 |
|
| - |
|
| 4,695 |
|
Customers' deposits for converters, net | | |
| 15,436 |
|
| 19,251 |
|
| 16,074 |
|
Accrued severance pay, net | | |
| 3,591 |
|
| 2,716 |
|
| 3,327 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| 99,758 |
|
| 156,127 |
|
| 99,560 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | | |
| 143,139 |
|
| 84,524 |
|
| 167,357 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| 1,064,495 |
|
| 1,084,909 |
|
| 1,075,615 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of the interim consolidated financial statements.
May 25, 2006
Date of approval of the financial statements |
Meir Srebernik Chairman of the Board and CEO |
Tal Peres Chief Financial Officer |
- 3 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS |
|
|
|
Three months ended
March 31,
|
Year ended
December 31,
|
|
2006
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
Unaudited
|
Audited
|
|
Reported NIS in thousands
(except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
|
| 139,131 |
|
| 137,464 |
|
| 542,968 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Operating expenses: | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | |
| 34,641 |
|
| 34,935 |
|
| 141,795 |
|
Other operating expenses | | |
| 91,640 |
|
| 83,185 |
|
| 339,765 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Total operating expenses | | |
| 126,281 |
|
| 118,120 |
|
| 481,560 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Gross profit | | |
| 12,850 |
|
| 19,344 |
|
| 61,408 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses: | | |
Selling and marketing expenses | | |
| 11,717 |
|
| 14,618 |
|
| 53,318 |
|
General and administrative expenses | | |
| 10,194 |
|
| 9,566 |
|
| *) 42,487 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| | |
| 21,911 |
|
| 24,184 |
|
| 95,805 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Operating loss | | |
| (9,061 |
) |
| (4,840 |
) |
| (34,397 |
) |
Financial expenses, net | | |
| (12,146 |
) |
| (11,796 |
) |
| (50,645 |
) |
Other income, net | | |
| 17 |
|
| 143 |
|
| 153,526 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Income (loss) before taxes on income | | |
| (21,190 |
) |
| (16,493 |
) |
| 68,484 |
|
Taxes on income | | |
| 36 |
|
| 46 |
|
| (6,736 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Income (loss) after taxes on income | | |
| (21,226 |
) |
| (16,539 |
) |
| 75,220 |
|
Equity in earnings (losses) of investees, net | | |
| (3,144 |
) |
| 3,282 |
|
| (6,000 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Net income (loss) | | |
| (24,370 |
) |
| (13,257 |
) |
| 69,220 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Net earnings (loss) per NIS 1 par value of Ordinary share (in | | |
NIS): | | |
| | |
Net earnings (loss) basic | | |
| (0.81 |
) |
| **) (0.44 |
) |
| **) 2.29 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Net earnings (loss) diluted | | |
| (0.81 |
) |
| **) (0.44 |
) |
| **) 2.28 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
*)
Restated, see Note 2b(4).
**)
Restated, see Note 2b(2).
The accompanying notes are an
integral part of the interim consolidated financial statements.
- 4 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
|
|
Three months ended March 31, 2006 (unaudited)
|
|
Share capital
|
Additional
paid-in
capital
|
Deferred
compensation
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
Total
|
|
Number of
shares
|
Amount
|
|
|
Reported NIS in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at the beginning of the period (audited) |
|
|
| 30,223 |
|
| 48,901 |
|
| 375,538 |
|
| *) 354 |
|
| *) (257,436 |
) |
| 167,357 |
|
| | |
Amortization of deferred compensation related to | | |
employee options grants | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 152 |
|
| - |
|
| 152 |
|
Net loss | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (24,370 |
) |
| (24,370 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Balance at the end of the period | | |
| 30,223 |
|
| 48,901 |
|
| 375,538 |
|
| 506 |
|
| (281,806 |
) |
| 143,139 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
*) Restated, see Note 2b(4).
|
Three months ended March 31, 2005 (unaudited)
|
|
Share capital
|
Additional
paid-in
capital
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
Total
|
|
Number of
shares
|
Amount
|
|
|
Reported NIS in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at the beginning of the period (audited) |
|
|
| 30,221 |
|
| 48,899 |
|
| 375,538 |
|
| (326,656 |
) |
| 97,781 |
|
| | |
Net loss | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (13,257 |
) |
| (13,257 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Balance at the end of the period | | |
| 30,221 |
|
| 48,899 |
|
| 375,538 |
|
| (339,913 |
) |
| 84,524 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
The accompanying notes are an integral
part of the financial statements.
- 5 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2005 (audited)
|
|
Share capital
|
Additional
paid-in
capital
|
Deferred
compensation
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
Total
|
|
Number of
shares
|
Amount
|
|
|
Reported NIS in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at the beginning of the year |
|
|
| 30,221 |
|
| 48,899 |
|
| 375,538 |
|
| - |
|
| (326,656 |
) |
| 97,781 |
|
| | |
Amortization of deferred compensation related to | | |
employee options grants | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| *) 354 |
|
| - |
|
| 354 |
|
Exercise of stock options by employees | | |
| 2 |
|
| 2 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 2 |
|
Net income | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| *) 69,220 |
|
| 69,220 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Balance at the end of the year | | |
| 30,223 |
|
| 48,901 |
|
| 375,538 |
|
| 354 |
|
| (257,436 |
) |
| 167,357 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
*)
Restated, see Note 2b(4).
The accompanying notes are an
integral part of the interim consolidated financial statements.
- 6 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
|
|
|
Three months ended
March 31,
|
Year ended
December 31,
|
|
2006
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
Unaudited
|
Audited
|
|
Reported NIS in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| | |
Net income (loss) | | |
| (24,370 |
) |
| (13,257 |
) |
| *) 69,220 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash | | |
provided by (used in) operating activities (a) | | |
| 28,253 |
|
| **) 37,975 |
|
| *),**) (91,298 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | | |
| 3,883 |
|
| 24,718 |
|
| (22,078 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | |
| | |
Investment in short-term deposits, net | | |
| 5,559 |
|
| - |
|
| (27,146 |
) |
Investment by granting loans to Hot Telecom | | |
| (9,433 |
) |
| (10,360 |
) |
| (51,820 |
) |
Investment in limited partnerships | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (12 |
) |
Investment in other company | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (27,656 |
) |
Purchase of fixed assets | | |
| (25,827 |
) |
| **) (41,928 |
) |
| **) (150,992 |
) |
Proceeds from sale of investment in affiliate, net | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 244,249 |
|
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets | | |
| 31 |
|
| 85 |
|
| 112 |
|
Grant of long-term loan for the purchase of fixed assets | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 277 |
|
Proceeds from receivable in respect of the settlement | | |
regarding the Hop Channel | | |
| 3,727 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
Issuance of capital note and long-term account with affiliate | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (142 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | |
| (25,943 |
) |
| (52,203 |
) |
| (13,130 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | |
| | |
Exercise of stock options into shares by employees | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 2 |
|
Repayment of long-term loans from banks and others | | |
| (131 |
) |
| (94 |
) |
| (27,816 |
) |
Redemption of debentures | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (34,585 |
) |
Short-term credit from banks, net | | |
| 9,612 |
|
| 4,486 |
|
| 86,541 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | |
| 9,481 |
|
| 4,392 |
|
| 24,142 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents | | |
| (12,579 |
) |
| (23,093 |
) |
| (11,066 |
) |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | |
| 13,184 |
|
| 24,250 |
|
| 24,250 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | |
| 605 |
|
| 1,157 |
|
| 13,184 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
*)
Restated, see Note 2b(4).
**)
Reclassified.
The accompanying notes are an
integral part of the interim consolidated financial statements.
- 7 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
|
|
|
|
Three months ended
March 31,
|
Year ended
December 31,
|
|
|
2006
|
2005
|
2005
|
|
|
Unaudited
|
Audited
|
|
|
Reported NIS in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
provided by (used in) operating activities: | | |
|
| | |
|
Income and expenses not involving cash flows: | | |
|
| | |
|
Equity in losses (earnings) of investees, net | | |
| 3,144 |
|
| (5,896 |
) |
| 3,434 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization | | |
| 34,709 |
|
| 35,204 |
|
| 158,440 |
|
|
Deferred taxes, net | | |
| - |
|
| 2,566 |
|
| (19,286 |
) |
|
Increase in accrued severance pay, net | | |
| 264 |
|
| 233 |
|
| 844 |
|
|
Loss (gain) from: | | |
|
Changes in shareholding in affiliate (including from | | |
|
sale of affiliate shares) | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (164,647 |
) |
|
Sale of fixed assets | | |
| (22 |
) |
| 10 |
|
| 6 |
|
|
Linkage differences on debentures | | |
| 155 |
|
| (82 |
) |
| 1,975 |
|
|
Linkage differences on long-term loans from banks and | | |
|
others and accounts receivable, net | | |
| 604 |
|
| (680 |
) |
| 1,692 |
|
|
Amortization of deferred compensation related to | | |
|
employee options grants | | |
| 152 |
|
| - |
|
| *) 354 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| 39,006 |
|
| 31,355 |
|
| (17,188 |
) |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
Changes in operating asset and liability items: | | |
|
| | |
|
Decrease (increase) in trade receivables | | |
| (8,523 |
) |
| (3,349 |
) |
| 759 |
|
|
Decrease (increase) in other accounts receivable | | |
| 182 |
|
| (1,757 |
) |
| (371 |
) |
|
Decrease (increase) in rights to broadcast films and | | |
|
programs (including amortization of investment in | | |
|
limited partnerships) | | |
| 1,342 |
|
| (8,378 |
) |
| 3,590 |
|
|
Increase (decrease) in trade payables | | |
| (17,591 |
) |
| **) 15,479 |
|
| **) 5,035 |
|
|
Increase (decrease) in jointly controlled entity - | | |
|
current accounts | | |
| 7,562 |
|
| 153 |
|
| (2,464 |
) |
|
Increase (decrease) in other accounts payable | | |
| 6,913 |
|
| 5,500 |
|
| (76,454 |
) |
|
Decrease in customers' deposits for converters, net | | |
| (638 |
) |
| (1,028 |
) |
| (4,205 |
) |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| (10,753 |
) |
| 6,620 |
|
| (74,110 |
) |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
|
| | |
| 28,253 |
|
| 37,975 |
|
| (91,298 |
) |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
(b) |
Non-cash activities: | | |
|
| | |
|
Purchase of fixed assets on credit | | |
| 27,375 |
|
| **) 18,588 |
|
| **) 20,852 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
*)
Restated, see Note 2b(4).
**)
Reclassified.
The accompanying notes are an
integral part of the interim consolidated financial statements.
- 8 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
|
a. |
These
financial statements have been prepared in a condensed format as of March
31, 2006, and for the three months then ended (interim financial
statements). These financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the Companys audited annual financial statements
and accompanying notes as of December 31, 2005 and for the year then
ended. |
|
b. |
The
financial conditions and operating results of the Company |
|
Over
the recent years, the Company incurred operating losses due to the intensified
competition in the cable TV and the broadband access market. The Company financed its
operating activities (mainly investments in infrastructure, network, customer premises
equipment and investments in Hot Telecom), among others, by its own sources (cash flow
from operating activities), short-term borrowings from banks and proceeds derived from
the sale of Partners shares in 2002, 2003 and 2005 (in 2005, the Company sold a
substantial part of its investment in Partner in consideration of approximately NIS 250
million, so that as of March 31, 2006, the Company holds approximately 1.2% of
Partners shares). The Company therefore has a working capital deficiency of
approximately NIS 700 million (which was mainly financed by short-term borrowings
from banks). |
|
In
2005, the Company incurred operating losses due to several principal reasons which
include, among others, aggravation of the competition in the cable TV market which caused
loss of subscribers and decrease in average revenue per subscriber, increase in expenses
relating to customer service and increase in operating expenses as a result of new
services that the Company launched (such as VOD). In the reported period the loss of
subscribers was decreased and the average revenue per TV subscriber was increased. The
Companys management estimates that the continuance of launching a service package
which integrates cable TV, internet and telephony (Triple Play Strategy) concurrently
with a substantial investment in infrastructure and network (including investments in
telephony that are made through Hot Telecom) will, in the future, stimulate growth in
revenues and in the Companys share in the communication market in Israel and
achieve in the future a considerable improvement in the Companys operating income. |
|
The
Companys management is examining different financing sources (banks and others) in
order to finance its working capital deficiency and investments that are needed for its
current and planned activities and for the activity of Hot Telecom. |
|
In
furtherance to the above, the Company signed agreements that settle the validity of the
banks credit facilities, according to which the banks granted the Company
short-term credit facilities (including documentary credit) up to a total amount of
approximately NIS 524 million that is until June 30, 2007 provided that none of
the events specified in the above agreements occurs. |
|
As
of March 31, 2006, the banks provided the Company with short-term credit in the
amount of approximately NIS 491 million (out of the above credit facility). |
- 9 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 1: |
|
GENERAL
(Cont.) |
|
In
view of all of the aforesaid, the Company believes that in the future it will be able to
either renew or repay all of its liabilities when due, including by raising external
capital from either bank or other financial sources. In addition, the Cable Companies
have agreed on a Term Sheet with the banks (the Term Sheet), which was not
yet signed, and which was agreed in the context of the execution of a legal merger
between the Cable Companies (see Note 3), and which contains the principal terms of the
future Credit Facility of the merged company. Pursuant to the Term Sheet it was agreed
that the merged company will not repay its bank credit (of approximately NIS 3.1 billion)
before the year 2009 and that additional credit of approximately NIS 640 million for
future funding needs of the merged company will be granted to the merged company, if and
when the merger is consummated. |
|
c. |
Delisting
the Companys shares from the stock exchange in the U.S. |
|
In
February 2006, the Company announced its intention to voluntarily delist its ADS from the
NASDAQ, a process which is expected to take place no later than by June 2006. |
NOTE 2: |
|
SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
|
a. |
The
interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles for the preparation of financial statements
for interim periods, as prescribed in Accounting Standard No. 14 of the
Israel Accounting Standards Board and in accordance with the Chapter D of
the Securities Regulations (Periodic and Immediate Reports), 1970. |
|
The
significant accounting policies and methods of computation followed in the preparation of
the interim financial statements are identical to those followed in the preparation of
the latest annual financial statements, except as described in b below. |
|
b. |
Initial
adoption of new Accounting Standards: |
|
1. |
Initial
adoption of Accounting Standard No. 20 (Revised) regarding the accounting for
goodwill and intangible assets upon acquisition of investee: |
|
On
January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of Accounting Standard No. 20
(Revised), Accounting for Goodwill and Intangible Assets upon Acquisition of
Investee (the Standard), of the Israel Accounting Standards Board. The
Standard prescribes the accounting treatment of goodwill and intangible assets upon the
acquisition of a subsidiary and an investee which is not a subsidiary, including a
company under joint control. |
|
The
initial adoption of the Standard had no material effect on the interim financial
statements. |
- 10 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 2: |
|
SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
|
2. |
Initial
adoption of Accounting Standard No. 21 regarding earnings per share: |
|
On
January 1, 2006 (the effective date), the Company adopted the provisions of
Accounting Standard No. 21, Earnings per Share (the Standard) of
the Israel Accounting Standards Board. The Standard prescribes the principles for the
computation and presentation of earnings (loss) per share in the financial statements and
supersedes Opinion No. 55 of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Israel. |
|
According
to the Standard, earnings per share are computed based on the number of ordinary shares
(and not per NIS 1 par value of the shares as computed until the effective date). Basic
earnings per share include only shares which are outstanding during the period whereas
convertible securities (such as convertible debentures and options) are only included in
the computation of diluted earnings per share, in contrast to the principles applied
until the effective date according to which in cases where a convertible security is
likely to be converted, it is included in the computation of basic earnings per share. In
addition, convertible securities which are converted during the period are included in
diluted earnings per share up to the date of conversion and are included in basic
earnings per share from that date. Pursuant to the Standard, options are included in
diluted earnings when their exercise results in the issuance of shares for a
consideration which is less than the market price of the shares. The amount of dilution
is the market price of the shares minus the amount that would have been received as a
result of the conversion of the options into shares. This is in contrast to the method of
computation prescribed by Opinion No. 55, which also included adjustments to earnings. |
|
The
investors share of earnings of an investee is included based on the earnings per
share of the investee multiplied by the number of shares held by the investor. |
|
As
a result of the initial adoption of the provisions of the Standard, the comparative data
of earnings per share relating to previous periods have been restated. |
|
3. |
Initial
adoption of Accounting Standard No. 22 regarding financial instruments:
disclosure and presentation: |
|
On
January 1, 2006 (the effective date), the Company adopted the provisions of
Accounting Standard No. 22, Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation(the
Standard) of the Israel Accounting Standards Board. The Standard prescribes
principles for the presentation and disclosure of financial instruments and supersedes
Opinions No. 48 and 53 of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Israel. |
|
The
initial adoption of the Standard had no material effect on the interim financial
statements. |
- 11 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 2: |
|
SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
|
4. |
Initial
adoption of Accounting Standard No. 24 regarding share-based payment: |
|
On
January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of Accounting Standard No. 24, Share-Based
Payment (the Standard) of the Israel Accounting Standards Board. The
Standard prescribes rules for measurement and other requirements for three types of
share-based transactions: |
|
a) |
Equity-settled
share-based payment transactions; |
|
b) |
Cash-settled
share-based payment transactions; |
|
c) |
Share-based
payment transactions which allow the entity or counterparty to choose the
manner of settlement. |
|
For
equity-settled share-based payment transactions, the Standard is applicable to grants
made subsequent to March 15, 2005, and which had not yet vested as of January 1,
2006. The Standard is also applicable to modifications that were made to the terms of
equity-settled transactions subsequent to March 15, 2005, even if the modifications
relate to grants that were made before this date. In the financial statements for 2006,
comparative data in the financial statements for 2005 are to be restated in order to
reflect the expense relating to the aforementioned grants. |
|
The
Standard applies to all transactions in which a share-based payment is made in respect of
purchase of goods or services, including transactions with employees or other parties
that must be settled using the Companys equity instruments or in cash. Concurrently
with the recording of an expense in the statement of income, shareholders equity is
increased when the share-based payment transaction is settled in equity instruments, or a
liability is recorded when the transaction is settled in cash. |
|
As
a result of the initial adoption of the provisions of the Standard: |
|
a) |
The
Company recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2006, an expense in
the statement of operations and a corresponding increase in shareholders equity
(deferred compensation) in the amount of approximately NIS 152 thousand. |
|
b) |
The
Company restated its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005,
in order to retroactively reflect the effect of the change in accounting
treatment of share-based payment transactions with employees to be settled
using the Companys equity instruments, and which had been granted
subsequent to March 15, 2005 and had not vested as of December 31, 2005 or
which had been granted prior to March 15, 2005 but whose terms were
subsequently modified. |
- 12 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 2: |
|
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
|
Following
is the effect of the changes on the financial statements: |
|
|
December 31, 2005
|
|
|
As
previously
reported
|
The
change
|
As
presented
in these
financial
statements
|
|
|
Reported NIS in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred Compensation |
|
|
| - |
|
| 354 |
|
| 354 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
|
Accumulated Deficit | | |
| (257,082 |
) |
| (354 |
) |
| (257,436 |
) |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2005
|
|
|
As
previously
reported
|
The
change
|
As
presented
in these
financial
statements
|
|
|
Reported NIS in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative expenses |
|
|
| 42,133 |
|
| 354 |
|
| 42,487 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
|
Income before taxes on income | | |
| 68,838 |
|
| (354 |
) |
| 68,484 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
|
Net income | | |
| 69,574 |
|
| (354 |
) |
| 69,220 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
5. |
Initial
adoption of Accounting Standard No. 25 regarding revenues: |
|
On
January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of Accounting Standard No. 25, Revenues (the
Standard) of the Israel Accounting Standards Board. The Standard deals with the
recognition of revenue from three types of transactions: sale of goods, rendering of
services and revenue from interest, royalties and dividends and prescribes the required
accounting treatment (principles of recognition, measurement, presentation and
disclosure) regarding these three types of transactions. |
|
The
initial adoption of the Standard had no material effect on the interim financial
statements. |
- 13 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 2: |
|
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.) |
|
c. |
Following
are data regarding the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar: |
|
As of
|
Exchange rate of U.S. dollar
|
|
|
N I S
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2006 |
|
|
| 4.665 |
|
|
March 31, 2005 | | |
| 4.361 |
|
|
December 31, 2005 | | |
| 4.603 |
|
|
Change during the period
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 2006 (three months) |
|
|
| 1.3 |
|
|
March 2005 (three months) | | |
| 1.2 |
|
|
December 2005 (12 months) | | |
| 6.8 |
|
NOTE 3: |
|
THE LEGAL MERGER BETWEEN THE CABLE COMPANIES |
|
The
Company entered on May 8, 2006 into an agreement with the Israeli Cable Operators, namely
the group led by Golden Channels G.P., and the group led by Tevel International
Telecommunications Ltd., for the purchase by the Company, directly or indirectly, of all
of the outstanding shares, partners rights, or assets and liabilities of each of
the entities constituting the groups (the Acquisition). |
|
In
consideration for the above Acquisition, the Company will assume, directly or indirectly,
the financial liabilities bank credit and working capital of the entities constituting
the groups as of December 31, 2005 in an aggregate amount of approximately NIS 3.1
billion, and will issue approximately 45,600,000 shares to the groups direct or
indirect owners, constituting approximately 60% of Matavs outstanding shares
following the completion of the transaction. Accordingly if the transaction is completed,
the holdings of Matavs existing shareholders will be diluted. |
|
Following
the completion of the transaction, the Companys ordinary shares will be held by the
direct and indirect owners of the entities constituting the groups, in direct proportion
to the number of television subscribers of each of the entities, as of September 30,
2005, based on an attribution of financial debt of NIS 4,037.5 per subscriber. |
|
The
largest shareholders of the Company following the closing of the transaction will be the
Fishman Group, Yedioth Communications Ltd., Delek Investments and Properties Ltd., and
Bank Leumi LeIsrael Ltd. |
- 14 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 3: |
|
THE LEGAL MERGER BETWEEN THE CABLE COMPANIES (Cont.) |
|
Since
the Companys financial debt, as of December 31, 2005, was lower than NIS 4,037.5
per subscriber, the Company will purchase from Tevel immediately prior to the closing of
the transaction, approximately 124,300 of Tevels television subscribers in
consideration for the sum of NIS 6,277.5 per subscriber for a total consideration of
approximately NIS 780 million (the Initial Acquisition). The purchase of
Tevel subscribers will be entirely funded through bank credit and other financial debt
and will be effected retroactively as of January 1, 2006. The Initial Acquisition from
Tevel will equalize the level of financial debt per television subscriber among the
Company and the other groups. The approximate sum of NIS 3.1 billion in financial
liabilities assumed by the Company as described above includes the additional debt to be
assumed by Matav in order to purchase Tevels television subscribers. |
|
The
consideration in the Acquisition is based on the price agreed in the Initial Acquisition
(NIS 6,277.5 per cable TV subscriber), and after giving effect to the Initial
Acquisition, reflects a total purchase amount of NIS 4.2 billion. |
|
The
Acquisition will be effected retroactively as of January 1, 2006, such that the business
operating results of the merged activity commencing as of that date will be attributed to
the merged company. Since the Acquisition will be accounted for in the Companys
financial statements on the date upon which all the closing conditions are met (the Acquisition
Date), the above mentioned will have an effect, perhaps significant, on the
purchase price allocation (mainly goodwill). |
|
The
Acquisition is to be funded by a credit facility which is currently being negotiated by
the Company and its banks, in accordance with certain agreed upon principles. |
|
As
part of the Acquisition Agreement signed in May 8, 2006, the Cable Companies and the
banks agreed on a Term Sheet with the Banks (the Term Sheet) in connection
with the financing of the Acquisition and the future funding requirements of the combined
company (the Credit Facility). The Term Sheet contains the principal terms of
the Credit Facility and provides that the parties will enter into a definitive agreement
which will contain all of the final provisions of the Credit Facility, prior to the
consummation of the Acquisition and which principally relates to the repayments and
interests rates of the remaining original bank credit that existed in Matav prior to the
Acquisition and the bank credit assumed by Matav in the course of the Acquisition,
effective January 1, 2006. Described below are the principal terms of the Credit
Facility, as set forth in the Term Sheet: |
|
a. |
As
to a balance of a bank credit of NIS 2.4 billion the principal shall
be repaid commencing 2010 over 8 years (as agreed by the parties). |
|
b. |
As
to a balance of a bank credit of NIS 600 million the principal shall
be repaid out of receipts from an issuance of debentures or shares on June
30, 2009, at the latest. |
|
c. |
As
to a balance of a bank credit of NIS 130 million the principal shall
be repaid at the end of 12 years. |
- 15 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 3:- THE LEGAL
MERGER BETWEEN THE CABLE COMPANIES (Cont.)
|
d. |
As
to credit facility of bank credit of NIS 640 million for future funding needs
of the merged company, with: |
|
1. |
An
availability period of 3 years. |
|
2. |
The
facility will be repaid over six years from the third anniversary of the
consummation of the Acquisition. No repayment will be due for the first
three years. |
|
The
Credit Facility with the banks was not yet signed and is expected to include financial
covenants, which were not yet agreed upon, in respect of the bank credit terms and its
repayment date. |
|
The
Companys largest shareholders following the Acquisition have agreed to entitle each
other to certain rights of first refusal with respect to sales of the Companys
ordinary shares for a period of five years following the closing of the transaction. |
|
The
completion of the Acquisition is subject to various conditions precedents, including the
completion of due diligence, the execution of a definitive agreement regarding the
finance of the merged entity and the receipt of certain third party and regulatory
approvals. The completion of the Acquisition is also subject to the approval of the
shareholders of the Company and their approval of certain amendments to the Companys
Articles of Association, including with respect to the structure of the Companys
board. The transaction is also subject to the completion of certain actions by the
parties necessary so that either the Fishman Group or Yedioth Communications Ltd will be
the Companys largest shareholder immediately following the closing of the
transaction. |
|
There
is no assurance that these conditions will be satisfied or that the proposed Acquisition,
or a similar transaction, will be consummated on these or any other terms. |
|
The
Acquisition will be accounted for in the Companys financial statements upon the
Acquisition Date. |
|
The
Company submitted a Proxy statement on May 24, 2006 furnished to the holders of the
Companys shares and American Depositary shares in connection with the approval of
the Acquisition Agreement. |
NOTE 4: |
|
INVESTMENT IN BARAK |
|
a. |
On
April 2006, Matav Investments received a notice from Barak in which Barak
notifies Matav Investments of its right to participate in the contemplated
issuance of shares in Barak. The notice was issued following the execution
of an agreement by and among Barak, Clal and S.H. Sky Management L.P, a
private equity fund (Sky) (the Investment Agreement).
The Investment Agreement, under which a total amount of $ 35 million shall
be invested in Barak (as stipulated in the Investment Agreement, including
investment through convertible debenture), is subject to several
conditions precedent. |
- 16 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 4: |
|
INVESTMENT IN BARAK (Cont.) |
|
According
to the said notice, Matav Investments had to respond to such notice, within 15 days from
the date of the notice, and notify whether or not it wishes to participate in the
investment. The said 15- day notice has lapsed and Matav Investments has not responded to
the notice. |
|
As
of the date of the financial statements, the conditions precedent to the completion of
the Investment Agreement, have not been met in full, and therefore the investment has not
yet been completed. |
|
In
case the Investment Agreement shall be completed, then, following the completion of the
contemplated investment in the issued share capital of Barak, Matavs Investments
percentage interest in Barak shall be diluted to approximately 12.6% of the issued share
capital in Barak, and following the conversion of the debenture to approximately
8.8% of the issued share capital in Barak. |
|
b. |
Matav
Investments was granted, in the Agreement, a Put option to sell all of its
shares in Barak to Clal in consideration of approximately $ 6 million
(which bears interest at the rate of 5% per anum from the effective date). The
option is exercisable by September 30, 2006. Concurrently, Clal was
granted a Call option to purchase all of the shares of Barak held by Matav
Investment in consideration of approximately $ 7 million (which bears
interest at the rate of 5% per anum from the effective date). The option is
exercisable by September 30, 2006. In February 2006, against obtaining
bank credit, the Company pledged its contractual entitlements to amounts in
connection with the said Call and Put options. |
NOTE 5: |
|
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES |
|
a. |
Claims
and petitions for approval of class actions |
|
1. |
On
August 28, 2002, a lawsuit and motion to approve the claim as a class
action were filed with the Tel-Aviv Jaffa District Court against the Cable
Companies on behalf of the residents of peripheral settlements. The claim is
for indemnification in respect to these settlements not being connected to the
cable networks within six years of the date on which the former franchises were
granted. The plaintiffs are seeking that the Company and the other Cable
Companies pay compensation to all of the members of the class action, if
approved as a class action. In accordance with the lawsuit, the Companys
share in this claim amounts to approximately NIS 141 million. The
plaintiffs contend that this amount does not include the alleged damages
incurred after April 1999. |
|
The
Company and Golden Channels filed a motion to dismiss the suit without prejudice due to
the dismissal of a lawsuit identical in substance to the aforementioned suit. The Company
and Golden Channels filed a reply to the motion to approve the claim as a class action.
The plaintiffs request to join the hearing as creditors of Tevel was dismissed by
the Court and the motion to approve the claim as a class action and the reply on behalf
of the Cable Companies were amended accordingly. On January 29, 2006 a hearing was held
in the matter of the motion to dismiss the suit. The Court determined that the motion for
dismissal of the suit without prejudice will be heard together with the motion to approve
the claim as a class action. |
- 17 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 5: |
|
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Cont.) |
|
According
to the opinion of the Companys management, based on the opinion of its legal
counsel, it is not possible to estimate the chances of the claim. Therefore, no provision
was recorded in respect to the aforesaid claim in the Companys financial
statements. |
|
2. |
On
December 3, 2002, a lawsuit and motion to approve the claim as a class action
were filed with the Tel-Aviv Jaffa District Court by seven plaintiffs,
representing about 1,050,000 subscribers of the Cable Companies. |
|
According
to the claim, the Cable Companies violated the terms of the approval of the Council for
the transmission of the pay sport channel (offered to subsidiaries through the Tiering
services) since the Company and the other Cable Companies did not maintain certain
programs in the original sport channel which was part of the basic package offered to
subscribers. The plaintiffs requested the Court to instruct all three Cable Companies to
compensate the subscribers by a total amount of approximately NIS 302 million (as of
the date the claim was filed) and by an additional amount of NIS 25.2 million for
each month from the date the claim was filed until a ruling is rendered by the Court. The
Companys proportionate share based on the subscribers ratio is estimated at
approximately NIS 80 million, in addition to a monthly amount of approximately NIS 6.7
millions accumulating from the date the claim was filed until a ruling is rendered. |
|
On
May 27, 2004, the Court denied the motion to approve the claim as a class action. On July
5, 2004, the plaintiffs submitted an appeal to the Supreme Court. Following an amendment
to the Consumer Law and the consent of the parties the Supreme Court ordered that the
District Court shall rule in the matter of the motion to approve the claim as a class
action, thus, without prejudice to the parties claims. |
|
In
December 2005, the plaintiffs filed a revised motion to approve the claim as a class
action against the Company and Golden Channels, jointly and severally. The claim
according to the revised motion (which is not against Tevel) totals approximately NIS 199
million and approximately NIS 16.6 million for each month from December 3, 2002
and thereafter. On April 11, 2006,a response to the revised motion was filed on behalf of
the Company. A hearing is set for June 13, 2006. |
|
According
to the opinion of the Companys management, based on the opinion of its legal
counsels, it is not possible to estimate the chances of the claim. Therefore, no
provision was recorded in respect to the aforesaid claim in the Companys financial
statements. |
|
3. |
On
May 18, 2006 a class action lawsuit was filed in the District Court of Tel
Aviv- Jaffa against the Cable Companies claiming damages incurred from the
telephone interconnect transmission failures. Bezeq- Israel Communications
Corporation Ltd. was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit due to its role
in the transmission failure. The lawsuit claims damages on behalf of all
subscribers in the aggregate amount of approximately NIS 100 million. The
Company is in the initial stage of reviewing and evaluating this lawsuit. |
- 18 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 5: |
|
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Cont.) |
|
Due
to the preliminary stages of this proceeding and due to the fact that the Companys
management has not yet examined the aforementioned lawsuit and its consequences, it is
not possible at this stage to estimate the outcome of this lawsuit. |
|
4. |
On
May 22, 2006, a lawsuit and motion to approve the claim as a class action
were filed with the District Court of Nazerath against the Company. The
lawsuit challenges the legitimacy of the basic cable television
subscription package offered by the Company to its subscribers since the
early 1990s, claiming that it violates the terms of the Companys
initial cable franchise. The lawsuit claims that the initial cable
franchise permitted the Cable Companies to offer only a basic subscription
package in the tiering system at a certain fixed price, and
that the Council for the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting subsequently
approve a more expansive basic package (known as Super Basic)
for a higher fixed price. The lawsuit also asserts, among other things,
that the Council was not authorized to approve this change and therefore
this change is void. The lawsuit claims damages on behalf of 300,000 of
the Companys cable subscribers over a 15 year period based on the
difference in price between the initial package and the expanded Super
Basic package, for an aggregate amount of approximately NIS 4.9 billion,
and request a court order requiring the Company to offer a more
subscription package at a lower price. The Company is in the initial stage
of reviewing and evaluating this lawsuit. |
|
Due
to the preliminary stages of this proceeding and due to the fact that the Companys
management has not yet examined the aforementioned lawsuit and its consequences, it is
not possible at this stage to estimate the outcome of this lawsuit. |
|
5. |
To
the best of the Companys management knowledge on March 1, 2006, the
Knesset approved the Law for Class Actions, 2006 (the Law). The Law
shall come into force upon its publication in the Government gazzette. The Law
prescribes a general and uniform arrangement for filing class actions according
to Israeli law and voids the specific arrangements in respect of class actions,
which were anchored in several specific laws prior to the approval of the Law.
The Law significantly expands, inter alia, the grounds for filing class
actions, the list of plaintiffs, which are entitled to file a motion to approve
a claim as a class action. Furthermore, the Law removes various procedural
barriers for filing a motion to approve a claim as a class action. In the
opinion of the Companys management the publication of the Law, as
detailed above, may increase the number of motions to approve as class action
claims against the Group and may increase the Groups legal exposure. |
|
1. |
On
February 14, 2006 directors and script writers filed a claim against the cable
companies alleging that the broadcast of certain contents specified in the
claim, whilst refraining to pay royalties constitute a breach of their
intellectual property. The aggregate amount of the claim is approximately NIS
1.7 millions (for the purpose of court fees). In addition, the plaintiffs filed
a request for a temporary injunction that shall prohibit the cable companies to
broadcast the said contents until a decision is rendered. |
- 19 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 5: |
|
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Cont.) |
|
In
March 2006 a response to the said request and a statement of defense were filed on behalf
of the cable companies. In addition, the cable companies filed a statement of claim
against the producers of the said contents claiming that to the extent the cable
companies will be held liable towards the plaintiffs the producers will have to indemnify
the cable companies for such liability. Within the response and the statement of defense
the cable companies argue, inter alia, that they broadcast the said contents in
accordance with the law and that they received the necessary permits to broadcast the
contents and that the directors and script writers sold or transferred or rendered
licenses to broadcast the contents to the producers, while the plaintiffs did not reserve
any rights in the scripts and director work which was included in the final contents
which are broadcasted. On April 6, 2006, a hearing was held with respect to the request
for a temporary injunction was held. The parties rendered their consent (without
prejudice to the allegations detailed in the claim against the producers) to the proposal
set by the court, according to which the request shall be dismissed and that the courts
decision which shall be rendered in the matter of the claim shall be based upon the
statements filed by the parties in addition to summations which the parties shall submit. |
|
A
preliminary hearing for the purpose of scheduling the procedure in respect of the claim
which was filed by the cable companies against the producers is set for June 14, 2006. |
|
According
to the opinion of the Companys management, based on the opinion of its legal
counsels it is not possible, at this stage, to estimate the chances of the claim.
Nevertheless, the Companys management included in the financial statements a
provision, which in its opinion reflects adequately the Companys exposure in
respect of this claim. |
|
2. |
On
January 25, 2006, a third party filed with the Court a request to enforce
an arbitration award (which was approved by the Court on May, 2006) and a
request to appoint an arbitrator for the Cable Companies, including the
Company. In the context of the claim, the third party argues that an amount of
approximately NIS 15 NIS 20 million is owed to it by the Cable
Companies. |
|
The
Companys management estimates, based on the opinion of its legal counsels, that the
outcome of this proceeding will not result in material amounts, if any, to the Company
and, accordingly, no provision has been recorded in the financial statements. |
|
3. |
The
Company received a demand letter from the city council of Natanya, claiming
that the construction works of the cable network performed by the Company,
especially during the years 1992 1998, damaged the roads in Natanya. |
- 20 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 5: |
|
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Cont.) |
|
According
to the demand letter, and certain engineer opinion attached thereto (the Opinion),
the works were performed negligently, in an unprofessional manner and in breach of
contractual obligations of the Company. The engineer issuing the Opinion claims that in
order to repair all the defaults and the damage, the entire cable network in the city of
Natanya (approximately 250 kilometer), should be deepened to a depth of 150 centimeter
below ground. Pursuant to the Opinion, the total cost of such works is NIS 41.6 million.
The Company currently studies the issue and is preparing its response to the demand
letter. |
|
The
Companys management believes, based on the opinion of its legal counsels, that the
chances that such demand to deepen the entire cable network in the city of Natanya, which
demand is a significant part of the sum estimated in the demand letter be enforced (in
the event that a lawsuit be filed) are slim. With regard to all other claims of
the Council, the Company is in a preliminary process of reviewing it, and therefore, it
is not possible to estimate the chances of the claims. In view of the above, no provision
has been recorded in the financial statement in respect of this claim. |
|
c. |
Claims
against the Cable Companies and the indemnification settlement with Hot
Vision |
|
1. |
On
November 27, 2002, International Television Distribution (Warner)
filed a lawsuit against Tevel in the District Court in California seeking,
among others, a monetary compensation of approximately $ 17 million,
contending that the agreement for the purchase of rights between Warner and
Tevel was breached. |
|
The
Court in Israel determined that Warners claim cannot be materialized or enforced in
the boundaries of the state of Israel. Warner appealed to the Supreme Court which on
February 9, 2005 decided that although it believes that the prospects of Warners
appeal to prevail are remote, the factual situation shall be irreversible if the stay of
performance is not granted. In this context, the Court instructed that Tevels
trustee reserve an amount of approximately $ 4 million in favor of Warner until a
final decision in the appeal is given. The hearing in the appeal was scheduled for
November 6, 2006. |
|
Tevels
management believes, based on the opinion of its legal counsels, that the chances of the
appeal, as discussed above, are remote. In view of the above, no provision has been
recorded in the financial statement in respect of this claim. |
|
2. |
On
December 9, 2002, Warner filed a lawsuit against Golden Channels in the
District Court in California seeking monetary compensation of approximately
$ 25 million, contending breach of agreement for the purchase of content.
On September 29, 2004, the District Court in California, ruled in favour of
Warner. The District Court awarded Warner damages in the amount of
approximately $ 19.3 million (excluding attorney fees) and rejected Golden
Channels counterclaims in the matter. The said amount, including legal
expenses, may reach approximately $ 21.7 million. |
- 21 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 5: |
|
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Cont.) |
|
On
March 7, 2005, Golden Channels filed a notice of appeal, pursuant to which, it appeals to
the Unites States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from the Final Amended Judgment,
including other prior orders and decisions granted by the Court. |
|
On
March 21, 2005, Warner filed a notice of cross appeal pursuant to which, it appeals to
the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from the order of the District
Court denying Warners motion to amend the judgment to add prejudgment interest, as
reflected in the Final Amended Judgment, including all orders and decisions pertaining
thereto that are or may be merged into the Final Amended Judgment. |
|
On
August 3, 2005, the opening brief in respect of the appeal was filed on behalf of Golden
Channels. |
|
On
October 24, 2005, the Appellees Brief was filed on behalf of Warner. Warner
withdrew the cross appeal which was filed on its behalf. |
|
In
January 2006, a response to the appeal mentioned above was submitted by Golden Channels. |
|
As
of the date of the financial statements, a decision in the appeal was not rendered. |
|
3. |
In
June 2003, the Cable Companies and Hot Vision signed an agreement according to
which the Cable Companies have agreed that they are committed, one towards the
other, to jointly and fully finance through Hot Vision the amounts that Hot
Vision may be liable to in respect of the claim between Tevel and Golden
Channels and Warner (as detailed in 1 and 2 above) as regarding the purchase of
content to channels HOT 3" and HOT Movies (including the
amounts of new guarantees provided to the major studios) and all expenses
regarding legal proceedings, as defined in this agreement. The agreement
stipulates, among other things, that each of the Cable Companies shall pay such
expenses according to the relative share of each company in total subscribers
in the market at that time. The commitments of the Cable Companies to Hot
Vision, as above, may be revoked in the occurrence of events as detailed in the
agreement (including upon the merger of the Cable Companies). The Companys
share in the above indemnification is about 26.6% of total amounts awarded in
favor of Warner up to a maximal amount of approximately $ 5.8 million.
Close to the filing of the claims mentioned in 1 and 2 above, Warner forfeited
bank guarantees each in the amount of approximately $ 5 million which were
provided by Tevel and Golden Channels. |
- 22 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 5:- CONTINGENT
LIABILITIES (Cont.)
|
The
agreement further stipulates that the commitments of the Cable Companies shall be revoked
in the following cases: (1) if the Cable Companies release Hot Vision in writing from its
obligations under this agreement (2) if Tevel, Golden Channel and the Company merge into
another cable company (the Merged Company) and the Merged Company assumes, in
writing and without any condition, the commitments of all of the Cable Companies towards
Hot Vision under this agreement even if Hot Vision is not released from all of its said
obligations given that the Merged Company holds all of the issued share capital of Hot
Vision and that its commitments cover all of Hot Visions obligations under the
agreement. |
|
In
view of the abovementioned, the Company has made a provision in the financial statements
for Warners claim (as detailed in 2 above) in the amount of approximately NIS 27
million which reflects its relative share in the amounts awarded in favor of Warner,
including interest and linkage differences to the U.S. dollar. |
NOTE 6: |
|
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS |
|
a. |
In
January 2006, Matav Investments and CableTek Ltd. (CableTek), a
company controlled by an interested party in the Company, signed an
agreement by virtue of which Matav Investments will purchase certain
activities of CableTek in the field of the provision of cable TV services
in a number of settlements in Judea and Samaria. |
|
Several
other agreements were also signed between the Cable Companies pursuant to which the
purchased activities shall be held in trust for the Company as the combined cable company
(ofter a full consummation of the Acquisition), with regard to the activities of the
Cable TV services and for Hot Telecom with regard to purchased infrastructure. In the
event that the Acquisition is not consummated, the acquired activities shall be
transferred to a jointly held corporation of the Cable Companies and/or their
shareholders. The closing of the transaction with CableTek is conditioned upon the
occurrence of several conditions precedent (the significant of which include obtaining
the approval of the Controller, which has already been granted, obtaining licenses from
the civil administration in Judea and Samaria, obtaining the required approvals from the
local councils of the relevant settlements and obtaining financing for the transaction
from the bank which has a pledge in its favor over CableTeks assets). |
|
These
conditions precedent have not been met in full as of the date of the signing of the
financial statements. The transaction contemplates that CableTeks cable TV
subscribers, estimated at about 4,000, will be purchased at a price representing a price
of $ 750 per subscriber. The consideration will be paid in respect of CableTek
subscribers who will execute agreements with the buyer during an interim period of 60
days which may be extended up to six months period at the most. The agreement also
defines a mechanism according to which, provided that certain conditions are fulfilled
and subject to the completion of the merger of the Cable Companies, CableTek will be
entitled to an additional consideration of up to $ 150 per each subscriber purchased in
the transaction. |
|
On
March 16, 2006, the Companys audit committee and Board and Matav Investmentsgeneral
meeting approved the agreement. |
- 23 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 6: |
|
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS (Cont.) |
|
b. |
In
March 2006, the Council for cable and satellite broadcasting notified the Cable
Companies that the following changes had been made to the conditions for its
approval of the merger of the Israeli cable companies: (i) the requirement that
the unified entity fix a maximum subscriber fee for the basic packages (digital
or analog), was cancelled; (ii) the requirement that at least 20% of the means
of control of the broadcast companies be held by unrelated third parties, was
delayed and will only apply in March 2007 unless certain conditions stipulated
in the approval shall occur prior to that time (a detailed description of the
nature of the structural separation and the conditions which must exist for it
to occur, are provided in Item 4B of the Companys 2004 Annual Report,
Business Overview Government Regulation); and (iii) the
obligation requiring the cable companies to provide a guarantee of NIS 45
million to cover the obligations of the unified entity has been amended such
that there will be no need for any additional guarantees in excess of the NIS
28.7 million that the Company provided to the Council as a guarantee for the
Companys compliance with the terms of the Company cable broadcast
licenses, granted by the Council. |
|
c. |
Approval
of the Israel Controller of Restrictive Business Practices: |
|
On
April 22, 2002, the Controller of Restrictive Business Practices (the Controller)
granted an approval to the merger of the cable companies. The Controllers approval
(the Approval) to the merger is subject to terms and conditions and has been
extended and amended from time to time. Following the cable companies letter dated
January 1, 2006 in which the cable companies requested the termination and amendment of
certain of the terms and conditions of the Approval, including the termination of the
requirement that by no later than April 22, 2006, 20% of the means of control of the
cable companies be held by unrelated third parties, the Controller informed the cable
companies in a letter dated May 5, 2006, that having performed a preliminary examination
of the request, it did not for the time being see any reason to terminate the means of
control requirement. In its letter, the Controller further informed the cable companies
that since it was still examining the said request and the April 22, 2006 dead-line had
passed, it would not, for the time being, require the cable companies to comply with the
requirement relating to the means of control. |
|
On
January 16, 2006, in response to a letter from the cable companies, in which it was
argued that there was no need for an additional Approval, the Controller stated that
based, among other things, on the current condition of the Cable Operators, they would
not be required to submit a notice of merger to the Controller. Nevertheless, in its
letter, the Controller stated that should the transaction not be consummated within a
number of months, the Controller retained the right to re-examine its position. |
- 24 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 7: |
|
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
|
a. |
As
part of its economic policy for 2006, in August 2005, the Israeli government
adopted a resolution, to allow consumers, by no later than January 1, 2007, to
purchase from a multi-channel television operator a basic package of services
which will include connection to the infrastructure of such operator and
reception of the Israeli Broadcasting Authority channels (Channels 1 and
33), the commercial broadcasts channels (channels 2 and 10),
the Parliament Channel, the Educational Television channel (channel
23) and the dedicated channels (channels 9 and 24)
(the Reduced Programming Package), without being obliged to
purchase any other services. The resolution also called for the appointment of
an inter-ministerial committee to determine by no later than March 1, 2006 the
maximum price payable by the consumers for the said package, to be based on the
cost of access to the infrastructure and the cost of distribution of the said
channels, plus reasonable profit to the relevant operator. In accordance with
this resolution, an amendment to the Telecommunications Law was submitted to
the Knessets Finance Committee. The amendment incorporates the resolution
within the framework of the Arrangements Bill for the Countrys Economy
for the year 2006. According to the said amendment: (1) the Cable Broadcast
Licensee (Licensee) shall be obliged to offer the Reduced
Programming Package to its subscribers, without conditioning the provision of
said Reduced Programming Package upon the purchase of any other broadcasts or
services; (2) the Minister of Telecommunications, with the consent of the
Minister of Finance, and after having consulted with the Council may determine
the maximum price that a general Licensee for Cable Television Broadcast may
demand for the provision of the Reduced Programming Package, based on the cost
of the provision of said Reduced Programming Package plus a reasonable profit
for the Licensee; and (3) the Minister may, after having consulted with the
Council, instruct such Licensee with respect of the activities which said
Licensee will be demanded to undertake for the purpose of providing the Reduced
Programming Package. The entry into force of the said amendment, if approved by
the Knesset, shall be from January 1, 2007. |
|
On
the basis of reports from the Companys representatives who attended a meeting of
the Economics Committee of the Knesset on May 22 2006, the Company understand that the
Committee decided to remove the proposed amendment from the Arrangements Bill altogether
and submit it at a later date as a separate Bill. The Company is still awaiting receipt
of an official protocol of the meeting. The Company do not know at this stage, when or if
the Bill will be submitted or whether or to what extent the proposed amendment, if it
becomes law, will affect the Companys business or profitability. |
|
b. |
The
Company provided a guarantee in the amount of $ 3.1 million to secure the
payments of Hot Telecom to one of its suppliers. |
- 25 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
|
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 8: |
|
BUSINESS SEGMENTS |
|
|
Three months ended
March 31, 2006 (unaudited)
|
|
|
Internet
|
Cable
TV
|
Total
consolidated
|
|
|
Reported NIS in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment revenues |
|
|
| 13,756 |
|
| 125,375 |
|
| 139,131 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
|
Segment results | | |
| 7,145 |
|
| (16,206 |
) |
| (9,061 |
) |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
Three months ended
March 31, 2005 (unaudited)
|
|
|
Internet
|
Cable TV
|
Total consolidated
|
|
|
Reported NIS in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment revenues |
|
|
| 15,359 |
|
| 122,105 |
|
| 137,464 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
|
Segment results | | |
| **) 8,959 |
|
| **) (13,799 |
) |
| (4,840 |
) |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2005 (audited)
|
|
|
Internet
|
Cable
TV
|
Total
consolidated
|
|
|
Reported NIS in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment revenues |
|
|
| 59,632 |
|
| 483,336 |
|
| 542,968 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| | |
|
Segment results | | |
| 31,428 |
|
| *) (65,825 |
) |
| *) (34,397 |
) |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
*) |
Restated,
see Note 2b(4). |
- 26 -