UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 |
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OR |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For the transition period from to |
Commission File Number 001-09553
CBS
CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
04-2949533 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
51 W. 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 975-4321
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
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Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
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Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value | New York Stock Exchange | |
Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value | New York Stock Exchange | |
7.625% Senior Debentures due 2016 | American Stock Exchange | |
7.25% Senior Notes due 2051 | New York Stock Exchange | |
6.75% Senior Notes due 2056 | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933). Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes o No ý
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 ý No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer, or smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Large accelerated filer ý | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Smaller reporting company o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes o No ý
As of June 30, 2008, which was the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the shares of CBS Corporation Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value ("Class A Common Stock"), held by non-affiliates was approximately $223,995,903 (based upon the closing price of $19.48 per share as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on that date) and the aggregate market value of the shares of CBS Corporation Class B Common Stock, $0.001 par value ("Class B Common Stock"), held by non-affiliates was approximately $11,183,405,560 (based upon the closing price of $19.49 per share as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on that date).
As of February 15, 2009, 57,706,637 shares of Class A Common Stock and 621,384,938 shares of Class B Common Stock were outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of CBS Corporation's Notice of 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Proxy Statement") (Part III).
Item 1. Business.
CBS Corporation (together with its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires, the "Company" or "CBS Corp.") is a mass media company with operations in the following segments:
For the year ended December 31, 2008, contributions to the Company's consolidated revenues from its segments were as follows: Television 64%, Radio 11%, Outdoor 16%, Interactive 3% and Publishing 6%. The Company generated approximately 16% of its total revenues from international regions in 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2008, approximately 66% and 16% of total international revenues of approximately $2.25 billion were generated in Europe and Canada, respectively.
In December 2008, the Company announced that it had entered into an agreement with Clear Channel Communications, Inc. to swap five of CBS Radio's mid-size market radio stations (KBKS-FM (Seattle), WQSR-FM (Baltimore), KXJM-FM and KLTH-FM (Portland) and KQJK-FM (Sacramento)) for Clear Channel's two large market stations in Houston (KLOL-FM and KHMX-FM). In December 2008, the Company also announced that it had entered into an agreement to sell three of its radio stations in Denver (KWLI-FM, KIMN-FM and KXKL-FM) to Wilks Broadcasting for $19.5 million. These radio station transactions are subject to customary closing conditions. On June 30, 2008, the Company completed the acquisition of CNET Networks, Inc. ("CNET") common stock for $11.50 per share, for a total of $1.8 billion. CNET has been included in the Company's results from the date of acquisition. Effective July 1, 2008, the Company created a separate Interactive segment, which combined the Company's existing interactive businesses, which were previously reported in the Television segment, with those of CNET. Prior period results have been reclassified to conform to the new presentation. In April 2008, the Company acquired International Outdoor Advertising Group, the leading out-of-home advertising company in South America, for $110.8 million. In January 2008, the Company completed the sale of seven of its owned television stations to Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. for $185.0 million. In November 2007, the Company completed the last of its sales of 39 radio stations in 10 of its smaller markets for $668.4 million in the aggregate.
As technologies for delivering content and services evolve, and as evidenced by its acquisition of CNET, the Company continues to pursue and expand upon opportunities to distribute content to
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consumers through various platforms, including the Internet, mobile devices and video-on-demand. The Company is focused on utilizing interactive features to deepen and broaden its relationship with audiences. The Company has entered into various arrangements to extend the reach of its news, entertainment and other program content across a number of products and platforms with leading Internet, cable and mobile wireless companies, among others.
The Company competes with many different entities and media in various markets worldwide. In addition to competition in each of its businesses, the Company competes for opportunities in the entertainment business with other diversified international entertainment companies such as The Walt Disney Company, NBC Universal, Inc., News Corporation, Time Warner Inc., Cox Radio Inc. and Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc.
As of December 31, 2008, National Amusements, Inc. ("NAI"), a closely held corporation that owns and operates approximately 1,500 movie screens in the U.S., the United Kingdom ("U.K."), South America and Russia and manages 21 movie screens in the U.S. and the U.K., beneficially owned Class A Common Stock of the Company representing approximately 81% of the voting power of all classes of the Company's Common Stock, and approximately 10% of the Company's Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on a combined basis. Owners of the Company's Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share. The Company's Class B Common Stock does not have voting rights. NAI is not subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Sumner M. Redstone, the controlling shareholder of NAI, is the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and Founder of the Company.
The Company was organized in Delaware in 1986. The Company's principal offices are located at 51 W. 52nd Street, New York, New York 10019. Its telephone number is (212) 975-4321 and its Web site address is www.cbscorporation.com.
CBS CORP. BUSINESS SEGMENTS
Television (64%, 65% and 65% of the Company's consolidated revenues in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively)
The Television segment consists of CBS Television, comprised of the CBS Television Network, the Company's 30 owned broadcast television stations and CBS Paramount Network Television and CBS Television Distribution, the Company's television production and syndication operations; Showtime Networks, the Company's premium subscription television program services; and CBS College Sports Network, the Company's cable network devoted to college athletics.
Television Network. The CBS Television Network through CBS Entertainment, CBS News® and CBS Sports® distributes a comprehensive schedule of news and public affairs broadcasts, sports and entertainment programming, and feature films to more than 200 domestic affiliates reaching throughout the U.S., including 16 of the Company's owned and operated television stations, and to affiliated stations in certain U.S. territories. The CBS Television Network primarily derives revenues from the sales of advertising time for its network broadcasts.
CBS Entertainment is responsible for acquiring or developing and scheduling the entertainment programming presented on the CBS Television Network, which includes primetime comedy and drama series, reality-based programming, made-for-television movies and miniseries, theatrical films, specials, children's programs, daytime dramas, game shows and late-night programs. In September 2007, CBS Films, a unit of CBS Entertainment, was created to develop and produce a limited slate of films across all genres, each under the $50 million per film category. CBS News operates a worldwide news organization, providing the CBS Television Network and the CBS Radio Network with regularly scheduled news and public affairs broadcasts, including 60 Minutes®, CBS Evening News with Katie Couric and The Early Show, as well as special reports. CBS News Productions, the off-network production company created by CBS
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News, produces programming for domestic and international outlets, including the CBS Television Network, cable television, home video, audio-book and in-flight markets, as well as schools and libraries. CBS News also provides CBS Newspath®, a television news syndication service that offers daily news coverage, sports highlights and news features to CBS Television Network affiliates and other subscribers worldwide. CBS Sports broadcasts include The NFL Today, certain NCAA championships, including the Final Four, golf, including the Masters Tournament and the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open Tennis Championships, regular-season college football and basketball line-ups on network television, in addition to the NFL's American Football Conference regular season schedule, the Postseason Divisional Playoff games and the AFC championship game. In 2004, CBS Sports entered into a six-year rights extension with the NFL to broadcast the AFC beginning in 2006 and including two Super Bowls. Extending its franchises, CBS Sports has the marketing rights for the 2003-2013 NCAA Championships, including coordination of related multimedia and television, and other related business opportunities. CBS Home Entertainment licenses home video rights and CBS Consumer Products licenses merchandising rights.
The CW, a broadcast network and 50/50 joint venture with Warner Bros. Entertainment, was launched in Fall 2006. The CW's programming includes Gossip Girl, 90210 and America's Next Top Model. Nine of the Company's owned television stations are affiliates of The CW.
In late September 2007, at the beginning of the 2007-2008 broadcast season, Nielsen Media Research introduced a television measurement system based on commercial viewership rather than program viewership. The new standard allows for the inclusion of both live and delayed viewing of commercials up to three days after live broadcasts and has become the industry standard for the buying and selling of television commercial time.
Television Stations. The Company owns 30 broadcast television stations through its CBS Television Stations group, all of which operate under licenses granted by the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the "Communications Act"). The licenses are renewable every eight years. The Company's television stations are located in the 8 largest, and 15 of the top 20, television markets in the U.S. The Company owns multiple television stations within the same designated market area ("DMA") in 9 major markets. These multiple station markets are: Los Angeles (market #2), Philadelphia (market #4), Dallas-Fort Worth (market #5), San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose (market #6), Boston (market #7), Detroit (market #11), Miami-Ft. Lauderdale (market #16), Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto (market #20), and Pittsburgh (market #23). This network of television stations enables the Company to reach a wide audience within and across geographically diverse markets in the U.S. The stations produce news and broadcast public affairs, sports and other programming to serve their local markets and offer CBS, The CW or MyNetworkTV programming and syndicated programming. The CBS Television Stations group principally derives its revenues from the sale of advertising time on its television stations. Substantially all of the Company's television stations currently operate Web sites, which promote the stations' programming, and provide news, information and entertainment, as well as other services. Since October 2006, pursuant to an exclusive video syndication arrangement, local news video from 17 of the Company's television stations has been available on Yahoo! CBS and Yahoo! share revenue from advertising sold adjacent to CBS stations' content on the site.
Every three years, each television station must elect, with respect to its retransmission by cable television operators within its DMA, either "must carry" status, pursuant to which the cable system's carriage of the station is mandatory, or "retransmission consent," pursuant to which the station gives up its right to mandatory carriage in order to negotiate consideration in return for consenting to carriage. The Company has elected the retransmission consent option in substantially all cases for the period beginning January 1, 2009, and, since 2006, has implemented a systematic process of seeking monetary consideration for its retransmission consent.
The Company's owned and operated television stations reach approximately 38% of all U.S. television households and approximately 35% of U.S. television households as measured by the FCC's television
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national audience reach limitation under which a VHF television station is deemed to reach 100% of the television households in its market and a UHF television station is deemed to reach 50% of the television households in its market. The FCC's ownership rules limit the Company's national audience reach to 39% of all U.S. television households. (See "CBS Corp. Business SegmentsRegulationBroadcastingOwnership Regulation").
The table below sets forth the broadcast television stations owned by the Company as of February 20, 2009.
Station and Metropolitan Area Served (1) |
Market Rank (2) | Type | Network Affiliation | |||||
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WCBS-TV |
1 | VHF | CBS | |||||
KCAL-TV |
2 | VHF | Independent | |||||
KCBS-TV |
2 | VHF | CBS | |||||
WBBM-TV |
3 | VHF | CBS | |||||
KYW-TV |
4 | VHF | CBS | |||||
WPSG-TV |
4 | UHF | The CW | |||||
KTVT-TV |
5 | VHF | CBS | |||||
KTXA-TV |
5 | UHF | Independent | |||||
KPIX-TV |
6 | VHF | CBS | |||||
KBCW-TV |
6 | UHF | The CW | |||||
WBZ-TV |
7 | VHF | CBS | |||||
WSBK-TV |
7 | UHF | Independent | |||||
WUPA-TV |
8 | UHF | The CW | |||||
WKBD-TV |
11 | UHF | The CW | |||||
WWJ-TV |
11 | UHF | CBS | |||||
WTOG-TV |
13 | UHF | The CW | |||||
KSTW-TV |
14 | VHF | The CW | |||||
WCCO-TV |
15 | VHF | CBS | |||||
Satellites: |
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KCCO-TV(3) |
CBS | |||||||
KCCW-TV(4) |
CBS | |||||||
WFOR-TV |
16 | VHF | CBS | |||||
WBFS-TV |
16 | UHF | MyNetworkTV |
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Station and Metropolitan Area Served (1) |
Market Rank (2) | Type | Network Affiliation | |||
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KCNC-TV |
18 | VHF | CBS | |||
KOVR-TV |
20 | VHF | CBS | |||
KMAX-TV |
20 | UHF | The CW | |||
KDKA-TV |
23 | VHF | CBS | |||
WPCW-TV |
23 | UHF | The CW | |||
WBXI-CA(5) |
25 | UHF | MTV/TR3S | |||
WJZ-TV |
26 | VHF | CBS | |||
WGNT-TV |
43 | UHF | The CW |
Television Production and Syndication. The Company, through CBS Paramount Network Television and CBS Television Distribution (including King World Productions, CBS Studios and CBS Paramount International Television), produces, acquires and/or distributes programming worldwide, including series, specials, news, public affairs and made-for-television movies. Such programming is produced primarily for broadcast on network television, exhibition on basic cable and premium subscription services or distribution via first-run syndication. First-run syndication is programming exhibited on television stations without prior exhibition on a network or cable service. The Company also distributes off-network syndicated programming, which is programming exhibited on television stations or cable networks following its exhibition on a network, basic cable network or premium subscription service.
Programming that was produced or co-produced by the Company's production group and is broadcast on network television includes, among others, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS) and Medium (NBC). Generally, a network will license a specified number of episodes for broadcast on the network in the U.S. during a license period. Remaining distribution rights, including foreign and/or off-network syndication rights, are typically retained by the Company or, in the case of co-productions, distribution rights are shared with the co-producer for U.S. or foreign markets. The network license fee for a series episode is normally lower than the costs of producing the episode; however, the Company's objective is to recoup its costs and earn a profit through domestic syndication of episodes after their network runs and/or by licensing international exhibitions of the episodes. International sales are generally made within one year of U.S. network runs. Generally, a series must have a network run of at least three or four years to be successfully sold in domestic syndication. In off-network syndication, the Company distributes series such as CSI:, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, Medium, Survivor and America's Next Top Model as well as a library of older television programs. The Company also produces and/or distributes first-run syndicated series such as Jeopardy!, Entertainment Tonight, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray and Judge Judy. The Company also distributes syndicated programming internationally.
License fees for completed television programming in syndication and on cable are recorded as revenues in the period that the products are available for exhibition, which, among other reasons, may cause substantial fluctuation in the Television segment's operating results. Unrecognized revenues attributable to such license agreements were approximately $600.1 million and $582.9 million at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.
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CBS College Sports Network. CBS College Sports Network is a cable program service featuring events from approximately 25 men's and women's college sports, with approximately 26.6 million subscribers as of January 31, 2009. CBS College Sports Network derives its revenues from subscription fees and the sale of advertising time on its cable program service. In September 2006, the mtn: MountainWest Sports Network was launched. CBS College Sports Network and Comcast Corporation each owns a 50% interest in the mtn, which exhibits Mountain West Conference athletics and is available to U.S. cable and satellite providers.
Showtime Networks. Showtime Networks owns and operates three commercial-free, premium subscription television program services in the U.S.: Showtime, offering recently released theatrical feature films, original series, documentaries, boxing, mixed martial arts and other special events; The Movie Channel®, offering recently released theatrical feature films and related programming; and Flix®, offering theatrical feature films primarily from the 70s, 80s and 90s, as well as selected other titles. At December 31, 2008, Showtime, The Movie Channel and Flix, in the aggregate, had approximately 58.7 million subscriptions in the U.S., certain U.S. territories and Bermuda.
Showtime Networks also owns and operates several multiplexed channels of Showtime and The Movie Channel in the U.S. which offer additional and varied programming choices. In addition, Showtime Networks transmits high definition television feeds of Showtime, The Movie Channel and several of their multiplexed channels, and also makes versions of Showtime, The Movie Channel and Flix available "on demand," enabling subscribers to watch selected individual programs at their convenience (in both standard and high definition in the case of Showtime and The Movie Channel, and standard definition in the case of Flix). Showtime Networks also provides special events to licensees on a pay-per-view basis through Showtime PPV®. Showtime Networks also operates the Web site SHO.com which promotes Showtime, The Movie Channel and Flix programming, and provides information and entertainment and other services.
Showtime Networks derives revenue principally from the license of its program services to cable television operators, direct-to-home ("DTH") satellite operators, telephone companies and other distributors. The costs of acquiring premium television rights to programming and producing original series are the principal expenses of Showtime Networks. Showtime Networks enters into commitments to acquire rights, with an emphasis on acquiring exclusive rights for Showtime and The Movie Channel, from major or independent motion picture producers and other distributors typically covering the U.S. and Bermuda for varying durations. For example, Showtime Networks has recently entered into motion picture output agreements with The Weinstein Company and Summit Entertainment for the exclusive U.S. premium subscription television rights for certain exhibition windows relating to feature films initially theatrically released in the U.S through December 2015 and December 2012, respectively. These exclusive output agreements are in addition to Showtime Networks' exclusive output agreement with Paramount Pictures for feature films initially theatrically released in the U.S through December 2007, and Showtime Networks' exclusive output agreements with each of MGM and Lionsgate for feature films initially theatrically released in the U.S. through December 2008. Showtime Networks also arranges for the development, production and acquisition of original programs, series and documentaries. Showtime Networks' original series include Dexter, Californication, The Tudors, Weeds, Brotherhood, United States of Tara and The L Word, among others. Showtime Networks has entered into and may from time to time enter into co-financing, co-production and/or distribution arrangements with other parties to reduce the net cost to Showtime Networks for its original programming. In addition, Showtime Networks derives distribution revenue from the rights it retains in certain of its original programming. For example, Showtime Networks and its affiliate(s) have entered into licenses with television networks in various foreign territories for exhibition of certain original series, as well as electronic sell-through arrangements with several Internet distributors, including iTunes and Amazon, among others, for certain Showtime programming.
Showtime Networks also owns 90% of and manages Smithsonian Networks, a venture with Smithsonian Institution. In September 2007, this venture launched Smithsonian Channel, a high
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definition television program service, in the U.S., and, in March 2008, launched its companion on demand version, in both standard and high definition. This channel features programs of a cultural, historical, scientific and educational nature.
Television Competition.
Television Network. The television broadcast environment is highly competitive. The principal methods of competition in broadcast television are the development and acquisition of popular programming and the development of audience interest through programming and promotion, in order to sell advertising at profitable rates. Broadcast networks like CBS compete for audience, advertising revenues and programming with other broadcast networks such as ABC, FOX, NBC, The CW and MyNetworkTV, independent television stations, cable program services as well as other media, including DVDs, print and the Internet. In addition, the CBS Television Network competes with the other broadcast networks to secure affiliations with independently owned television stations in markets across the country, which are necessary to ensure the effective distribution of network programming to a nationwide audience. According to Nielsen Media Research, for the broadcast television primetime daypart for the period September 22, 2008 to January 25, 2009, the CBS Television Network secured the #1 position for total viewers and for key adult viewers ages 25-54 and the #2 position for key adult viewers ages 18-49.
Television Stations. Television stations compete for programming, on-air talent, audiences and advertising revenues with other stations and cable networks in their respective coverage areas and, in some cases, with respect to programming, with other station groups, and, in the case of advertising revenues, with other local and national media. The owned and operated television stations' competitive position is largely influenced by the quality of the syndicated programs and local news programs in time periods not programmed by the network; the strength of the CBS Television Network and, in particular, the viewership of the CBS Television Network in the time period immediately prior to the late evening news; and in some cases, by the quality of the broadcast signal.
In connection with the conversion to digital television broadcasting, current and future technological and regulatory developments may affect competition within the television marketplace. (See "CBS Corp. Business SegmentsRegulationBroadcasting").
Television Production and Syndication. As a producer and distributor of programming, the Company competes with studios, television production groups, and independent producers and syndicators such as Disney, Sony, NBC Universal, Warner Bros. and Fox to produce and sell programming both domestically and overseas. The Company also competes to obtain creative talent and story properties which are essential to the success of all of the Company's entertainment businesses.
CBS College Sports Network. CBS College Sports Network's cable programming service principally competes with other sports-oriented cable programming services for cable and satellite distribution and related revenue, for viewership and for advertising revenue. Consolidation among cable operators has made it more difficult for newer channels to secure broad distribution. In addition, the largest cable providers have created sports tiers for newer sports programming services which have not, in many cases, achieved significant subscriber penetration or acceptance. CBS College Sports Network's television service also competes with other sports programming services in acquiring the television and broadband rights to sporting events, resulting in increased rights fees and increased production expenses.
Showtime Networks. Showtime Networks primarily competes with other providers of premium subscription television program services in the U.S.: Home Box Office, Inc. and Starz Entertainment Group, L.L.C. Competition among premium subscription television program services in the U.S. is dependent on: (i) the production, acquisition and packaging of original series and other original programming and the acquisition and packaging of an adequate number of recently released theatrical motion pictures; and (ii) the offering of prices, marketing and advertising support and other incentives to
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cable operators, DTH satellite operators, telephone companies and other distributors for carriage so as to favorably position and package Showtime Networks' premium subscription television program services to subscribers. Home Box Office, Inc. is the dominant company in the U.S. premium subscription television category, offering two premium subscription television program services, HBO and Cinemax. Showtime Networks competes with Home Box Office, Inc. and has a significantly smaller share of the premium subscription television category. Starz Entertainment Group, L.L.C. owns Starz!, another premium subscription television program service, which primarily features recently released theatrical motion pictures and competes with Showtime Networks' and Home Box Office, Inc.'s premium program services. Showtime Networks also competes for programming, distribution and/or audiences with broadcast television, basic cable program services and other media, including DVDs, portable devices and the Internet.
The terms and favorable renewal of agreements with distributors for the distribution of the Company's subscription television program services are important to the Company. Consolidation among multichannel video programming distributors and other marketplace factors make it more difficult to reach favorable terms and could have an adverse effect on revenues. In addition, new entrants providing programming or other services for cable networks, cable operators and other platforms could be competitive with and adversely affect the Company's media businesses, including Showtime Networks' subscription television business.
Radio (11%, 12% and 14% of the Company's consolidated revenues in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively)
The Company's radio broadcasting business operates through CBS Radio, one of the largest operators of radio stations in the U.S. CBS Radio owns and operates 137 radio stations serving 29 U.S. markets as of February 20, 2009. Virtually all of the Company's owned and operated radio stations are located in the 50 largest U.S. radio markets and approximately 76% in the 25 largest U.S. radio markets. CBS Radio also owns three radio stations in Denver which are subject to a sale agreement and have been operated by the purchaser of these stations pursuant to a local marketing agreement effective January 1, 2009 until the closing of the sale. In December 2008, the Company agreed to exchange five of its radio stations in mid-sized markets for two of Clear Channel Communications' radio stations in Houston, a large market. These transactions are subject to customary closing conditions. The Company's strategy generally is to operate radio stations in the largest markets and take advantage of the Company's ability to sell advertising across multiple markets and formats. The Company believes that it is favorably impacted by offering radio, television and outdoor advertising platforms in large markets. The "Radio Stations, Television Stations and Outdoor Advertising Displays" table below includes information with respect to the Company's radio stations in the top 25 U.S. radio markets.
CBS Radio's geographically dispersed stations serve diverse target demographics through a broad range of formats such as rock, oldies, all-news, talk, adult contemporary, urban, sports and country, and CBS Radio has established leading franchises in news, sports and personality programming. This diversity provides advertisers with the convenience of selecting stations to reach a targeted demographic or of selecting groups of stations to reach broad groups of consumers within and across markets and also reduces the Company's dependence on any single station, local economy, format or advertiser. At the same time, CBS Radio maintains substantial diversity in each market where its stations operate so that its stations can appeal to several demographic groups. CBS Radio's general programming strategies include employing popular on-air talent, some of whose broadcasts may be syndicated by CBS Radio using the services of a third party syndicator, broadcasting programming syndicated to it by others, acquiring the rights to broadcast sports play-by-play and producing and acquiring news content for its radio stations. The overall mix of each radio station's programming lineup is designed to fit the station's specific format and serve its local community.
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A new electronic audience measurement technology, Arbitron Portable People Meter, has been adopted in 9 of the top 10 markets in which CBS Radio owns and operates radio stations. The Company is monitoring the effects of this new ratings system on the ratings of the Company's radio stations and advertising sales.
The majority of CBS Radio's revenues are generated from the sale of local, regional and national advertising. The major categories of radio advertisers include: automotive, retail, healthcare, telecommunications, fast food, beverage, movies and entertainment. CBS Radio is able to use the reach, diversity and branding of its radio stations to create unique division-wide marketing and promotional initiatives for major national advertisers of products and services. The success and reputation of CBS Radio and its stations allow the Company to attract the participation of major artists in these national campaigns. Advertising expenditures by local advertisers fluctuate, which has an effect on CBS Radio's revenues.
CBS Radio is further extending its station brands online through efforts that include streaming, on-demand audio and video, podcasting, mobile messaging and widgets. Over 150 audio streams of CBS Radio stations and custom channels are available online, including such top brands as 1010 WINS and WFAN-AM, each in New York, and KROQ-FM in Los Angeles. Additionally, CBS Radio has an exclusive agreement with AOL to power the AOL Radio service consisting of the CBS Radio station streams and AOL's over 200 radio station streams, all delivered through CBS Radio's new proprietary technology platform. This Internet radio player gives the consumer a user friendly interface and facilitates programming for the channels and advertising insertion on the player. iPhone and iPod touch users can listen to over 350 radio stations for free via their mobile devices. A similar agreement with Yahoo! was announced in December 2008 to power its Launchcast radio service consisting of a similar mix of CBS Radio station streams and Yahoo!'s radio station streams. This service launched in February 2009. CBS Radio is the most listened to online radio provider according to comScore Arbitron Online Radio Audience Ratings, December 2008. The Company also has agreements with Westwood One, Inc. involving compensation to the Company, the provision of radio programming to CBS Radio and the distribution by Westwood One of CBS Radio News programming.
Radio Competition. The Company's radio stations directly compete within their respective markets for audience, advertising revenues and programming with other radio stations, including those owned by other group owners such as Clear Channel Communications, Citadel Broadcasting, Cox Radio, Emmis Communications, Entercom and Radio One. The Company's radio stations also compete with other media, such as broadcast, cable and DTH satellite television, other radio stations, newspapers, magazines, the Internet, including Internet Radio, and direct mail. The radio industry is also subject to competition from Sirius XM Radio Inc., which provides digital audio services to subscribers, sells advertising time on some of its channels and competes with the radio industry for programming.
The Company's radio stations face increasing competition from audio programming delivered via the Internet and from consumer products such as portable digital audio players. These new technologies create new ways for individuals to listen to music and other content of their choosing while avoiding traditional commercial advertisements. An increasingly broad adoption by consumers of portable digital audio players could affect the ability of the Company's radio stations to attract listeners and advertisers.
The radio broadcast industry is in the process of implementing digital broadcasts. Currently, approximately 1,800 radio stations in the U.S. have implemented digital broadcasting. Because there is no FCC deadline for radio stations to cease broadcasting in an analog mode, radio stations that have implemented digital broadcasting transmit both digitally and in analog. As of February 1, 2009, 107 of the Company's owned radio stations have commenced digital broadcasts. The Company believes that digital transmissions will provide listeners with improved sound quality and new programming channels and should facilitate the convergence of radio with other digital media. It is too early to predict the full effect
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that the implementation of digital broadcasts will have on the Company's radio businesses or on competition generally.
Aggregate spot advertising sales revenues for the Company's radio stations for 2008 were ranked #1 in three of the top five U.S. markets by metro area population (New York, Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth), according to the 2008 Market Total Spot Performance Summary of Miller, Kaplan, Arase & Co., LLP.
Radio Stations, Television Stations and Outdoor Advertising Displays
The following table sets forth information with regard to the Company's radio stations, television stations and outdoor advertising displays as of February 20, 2009 in the top 25 U.S. radio markets:
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Radio | Television | Outdoor | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Market and Market Rank (1) |
Stations | AM/FM | Format | Stations | Type | Network Affiliation |
Display Type | ||||||||
New York, NY | WCBS | FM | Classic Hits | WCBS-TV | VHF | CBS | Subways, Bulletins, | ||||||||
WCBS | AM | News | Walls, Malls, | ||||||||||||
#1Radio | WFAN | AM | Sports | Street Furniture | |||||||||||
#1Television | WINS | AM | News | ||||||||||||
WWFS | FM | Adult Contemporary | |||||||||||||
WXRK | FM | Rock | |||||||||||||
Los Angeles, CA |
KCBS |
FM |
Adult Hits ("Jack") |
KCAL-TV |
VHF |
Independent |
Bus, Commuter Rail, |
||||||||
KFWB | AM | News | KCBS-TV | VHF | CBS | Bulletins, Walls, | |||||||||
#2Radio | KLSX | FM | Contemporary Hit Radio | Posters, Malls, | |||||||||||
#2Television | KNX | AM | News | Street Furniture | |||||||||||
KROQ | FM | Alternative Rock | |||||||||||||
KRTH | FM | Classic Hits | |||||||||||||
KTWV | FM | Smooth Jazz | |||||||||||||
Chicago, IL |
WBBM |
FM |
Rhythmic Contemporary Hit Radio |
WBBM-TV |
VHF |
CBS |
Bulletins, Posters, |
||||||||
WBBM | AM | News | Malls, Walls | ||||||||||||
#3Radio | WCFS | FM | Adult Contemporary | ||||||||||||
#3Television | WJMK | FM | Adult Hits ("Jack") | ||||||||||||
WSCR | AM | Sports | |||||||||||||
WUSN | FM | Country | |||||||||||||
WXRT | FM | Adult Album Alternative | |||||||||||||
San Francisco, CA |
KCBS |
AM |
News |
KPIX-TV |
VHF |
CBS |
Bus, Commuter Rail, |
||||||||
KMVQ | FM | Rhythmic AC | KBCW-TV | UHF | The CW | Bulletins, Walls, | |||||||||
#4Radio | KITS | FM | Alternative Rock | Posters, Malls, | |||||||||||
#6Television | KLLC | FM | Hot Adult Contemporary | Street Furniture | |||||||||||
KFRC | AM | Oldies | |||||||||||||
KFRC | FM | News | |||||||||||||
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX |
KLUV |
FM |
Classic Hits |
KTVT-TV |
VHF |
CBS |
Walls, Bulletins, |
||||||||
KMVK | FM | Spanish | KTXA-TV | UHF | Independent | Malls, Street | |||||||||
#5Radio | KJKK | FM | Adult Hits ("Jack") | Furniture | |||||||||||
#5Television | KRLD | AM | News/Talk | ||||||||||||
KRLD | FM | Sports | |||||||||||||
KVIL | FM | Adult Contemporary | |||||||||||||
Houston, TX |
KKHH |
FM |
Contemporary Hit Radio |
Bulletins, Malls |
|||||||||||
KIKK | AM | News | |||||||||||||
#6Radio | KILT | FM | Country | ||||||||||||
KILT | AM | Sports | |||||||||||||
Atlanta, GA |
WAOK |
AM |
News/Talk |
WUPA-TV |
UHF |
The CW |
Bus, Commuter Rail, |
||||||||
WVEE | FM | Urban | Bulletins, Posters, | ||||||||||||
#7Radio | WZGC | FM | Adult Album Alternative | Malls, Street Furniture, | |||||||||||
#8Television | Subways | ||||||||||||||
Philadelphia, PA |
KYW |
AM |
News |
KYW-TV |
VHF |
CBS |
Commuter Rail, |
||||||||
WIP | AM | Sports | WPSG-TV | UHF | The CW | Bulletins, Malls, | |||||||||
#8Radio | WOGL | FM | Classic Hits | Street Furniture | |||||||||||
#4Television | WPHT | AM | News/Talk | ||||||||||||
WYSP | FM | Rock | |||||||||||||
Washington, D.C. |
WTGB |
FM |
Classic Rock |
Bus, Commuter Rail, |
|||||||||||
WLZL | FM | Spanish-Tropical | Walls, Bulletins, | ||||||||||||
#9Radio | WJFK | FM | FM Talk | Malls | |||||||||||
WPGC | FM | Urban | |||||||||||||
WHFS | AM | News/Talk | |||||||||||||
Boston, MA |
WBCN |
FM |
Active/Alternative Rock |
WBZ-TV |
VHF |
CBS |
Bulletins, Malls |
||||||||
WBMX | FM | Hot Adult Contemporary | WSBK-TV | UHF | Independent | ||||||||||
#10Radio | WBZ | AM | News | ||||||||||||
#7Television | WODS | FM | Classic Hits | ||||||||||||
WZLX | FM | Classic Rock |
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|
Radio | Television | Outdoor | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Market and Market Rank (1) |
Stations | AM/FM | Format | Stations | Type | Network Affiliation |
Display Type | ||||||||
Detroit, MI | WXYT | FM | Sports | WKBD-TV | UHF | The CW | Bus, Bulletins, | ||||||||
WOMC | FM | Classic Hits | WWJ-TV | UHF | CBS | Posters, Malls | |||||||||
#11Radio | WVMV | FM | Smooth Jazz | ||||||||||||
#11Television | WWJ | AM | News | ||||||||||||
WXYT | AM | Sports | |||||||||||||
WYCD | FM | Country | |||||||||||||
Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, FL |
WFOR-TV |
VHF |
CBS |
Bulletins, Bus, |
|||||||||||
WBFS-TV | UHF | MyNetworkTV | Commuter Rail, | ||||||||||||
#12Radio | Malls, Street | ||||||||||||||
#16Television | Furniture | ||||||||||||||
Seattle-Tacoma, WA |
*KBKS |
FM |
Contemporary Hit Radio |
KSTW-TV |
VHF |
The CW |
Bulletins, Malls |
||||||||
KMPS | FM | Country | |||||||||||||
#13Radio | KPTK | AM | News/Talk | ||||||||||||
#14Television | KJAQ | FM | Classic Hits ("Jack") | ||||||||||||
KZOK | FM | Classic Rock | |||||||||||||
Puerto Rico |
Bulletins, Posters |
||||||||||||||
#14Radio |
|||||||||||||||
Phoenix, AZ |
KOOL |
FM |
Classic Hits |
Bulletins, Posters, |
|||||||||||
KZON | FM | Rhythmic Contemporary Hit Radio | Malls, Street Furniture, | ||||||||||||
#15Radio | KMLE | FM | Country | Walls | |||||||||||
Minneapolis, MN |
WCCO |
AM |
News/Talk |
WCCO-TV |
VHF |
CBS |
Bulletins, Posters, |
||||||||
WLTE | FM | Adult Contemporary | KCCO-TV | Satellite | CBS | Street Furniture | |||||||||
#16Radio | KZJK | FM | Adult Hits ("Jack") | KCCW-TV | Satellite | CBS | |||||||||
#15Television | |||||||||||||||
San Diego, CA |
KSCF |
FM |
Hot Adult Contemporary |
Bulletins, Posters, |
|||||||||||
KYXY | FM | Adult Contemporary | Malls, Street Furniture | ||||||||||||
#17Radio | |||||||||||||||
Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL |
WLLD |
FM |
Rhythmic Contemporary Hit Radio |
WTOG-TV |
UHF |
The CW |
Bulletins, Malls |
||||||||
WQYK | FM | Country | |||||||||||||
#18Radio | WQYK | AM | Sports | ||||||||||||
#13Television | WYUU | FM | Spanish | ||||||||||||
WRBQ | FM | Classic Hits | |||||||||||||
WSJT | FM | Smooth Jazz | |||||||||||||
Nassau-Suffolk, NY (2) |
Bulletins |
||||||||||||||
#19Radio |
|||||||||||||||
St. Louis, MO |
KEZK |
FM |
Adult Contemporary |
Bulletins, Posters, Malls |
|||||||||||
KMOX | AM | News/Talk | |||||||||||||
#20Radio | KYKY | FM | Hot Adult Contemporary | ||||||||||||
Denver, CO |
*KWLI |
FM |
Country |
KCNC-TV |
VHF |
CBS |
Street Furniture, |
||||||||
*KIMN | FM | Hot Adult Contemporary | Bulletins, Posters, | ||||||||||||
#21Radio | *KXKL | FM | Classic Hits | Malls | |||||||||||
#18Television | |||||||||||||||
Baltimore, MD |
WJZ |
AM |
Sports |
WJZ-TV |
VHF |
CBS |
Bulletins, Subways, |
||||||||
WJZ | FM | Sports | Commuter Rail, | ||||||||||||
#22Radio | WLIF | FM | Adult Contemporary | Street Furniture, | |||||||||||
#26Television | *WQSR | FM | Adult Hits ("Jack") | Malls | |||||||||||
WWMX | FM | Hot Adult Contemporary | |||||||||||||
Portland, OR |
*KXJM |
FM |
Contemporary Hit Radio |
Bulletins, Malls |
|||||||||||
KINK | FM | Adult Album Alternative | |||||||||||||
#23Radio | *KLTH | FM | Classic Hits | ||||||||||||
KUFO | FM | Active Rock | |||||||||||||
KUPL | FM | Country | |||||||||||||
KCMD | AM | Talk | |||||||||||||
Pittsburgh, PA |
KDKA |
AM |
News/Talk |
KDKA-TV |
VHF |
CBS |
Bulletins, Malls |
||||||||
WBZW | FM | Contemporary Hit Radio | WPCW-TV | UHF | The CW | ||||||||||
#24Radio | WDSY | FM | Country | ||||||||||||
#23Television | WZPT | FM | Hot Adult Contemporary | ||||||||||||
Charlotte, NC |
WSOC |
FM |
Country |
Malls |
|||||||||||
WKQC | FM | Adult Contemporary | |||||||||||||
#25Radio | WFNZ | AM | Sports | ||||||||||||
WNKS | FM | Contemporary Hit Radio | |||||||||||||
WPEG | FM | Urban | |||||||||||||
WBAV | FM | Urban Adult | |||||||||||||
WFNA | AM | Sports |
I-11
Outdoor (16%, 16% and 15% of the Company's consolidated revenues in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively)
The Company sells, through its Outdoor businesses, advertising space on various media, including billboards, transit shelters, buses, rail systems (in-car, station platform and terminal), mall kiosks and stadium signage and in retail stores. It has outdoor advertising operations in more than 100 markets in North America, including all 50 of the largest metropolitan markets in the U.S., 19 of the 20 largest metropolitan markets in Canada and all 45 of the largest metropolitan markets in Mexico. Additionally, Outdoor has the exclusive rights to manage advertising space on approximately 90% of the total bus fleet in the U.K. and has a variety of outdoor advertising displays in the Netherlands, France, Italy, the Republic of Ireland, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile and China. The Company operates its Outdoor businesses through CBS Outdoor in the U.S., Canada and Europe, CBS Outernet in the U.S. and Vendor® in Mexico. In April 2008, the Company acquired International Outdoor Advertising Group, the leading out-of-home advertising company in South America. The "Radio Stations, Television Stations and Outdoor Advertising Displays" table above includes information with regard to the Company's outdoor advertising properties in the top 25 U.S. radio markets.
The substantial majority of Outdoor's revenues are generated from the sale of local, regional and national advertising. Advertising rates are based on supply and demand for the particular locations, which are influenced by a particular display's exposure known as "impressions" delivered in relation to the demographics of the particular market and its location within that market. Currently, these impressions are not measured by independent third parties. The Company cannot predict the impact, if any, on the Outdoor business should impressions become measured independently. The major categories of out-of-home advertisers include: entertainment, media, automotive, beverage, financial, real estate, retail, healthcare, telecommunications, restaurants, health and beauty aids, hotels and professional services. Out-of-home media industry advertising expenditures by retailers and the entertainment industry fluctuate, which has an effect on Outdoor's revenues.
Outdoor generally operates in the billboard, transit, street furniture and retail store advertising markets. Outdoor primarily operates two types of billboard advertising displays, commonly referred to as "bulletins" and "posters."
Billboard space is generally sold for periods ranging from 4 weeks to 12 months. Billboards are generally mounted on structures owned by Outdoor located on leased real property. Lease agreements are negotiated with both public and private landowners for varying terms ranging from month-to-month to year-to-year, can be for terms of 10 years or longer and may provide for renewal options. There is no significant concentration of billboards under any one lease or subject to negotiation with any one landlord.
Transit advertising includes advertising on or in transit systems, including the interiors and exteriors of buses, trains and trams and at rail stations. Transit advertising contracts are negotiated with public transit authorities and private transit operators and generally provide for payment to the transit authority of a percentage of the revenues, a fixed payment, or the greater of a percentage of the revenues or a fixed payment. Where revenues are lower than anticipated, the minimum amount required to be paid to a transit authority may exceed, or be a high percentage of, the advertising revenues received by Outdoor under that advertising contract.
Street furniture displays, the most common of which are bus shelters, reach both vehicular and pedestrian audiences. Bus shelters are usually constructed, installed and maintained by Outdoor. Most of Outdoor's bus shelter contracts include revenue-sharing arrangements with a municipality or transit authority and often include minimum required payments. Street furniture contracts usually involve a competitive bidding process and contracts typically are for a term of between 10 to 20 years. Contracts are awarded on the basis of projected revenues to the municipality, including minimum payments, and Outdoor's willingness to construct public facilities, such as bus shelters, public toilets and information kiosks. In both its transit and street furniture negotiations, Outdoor seeks to reduce minimum payment
I-12
obligations on new agreements and on renewal of existing agreements. There is no assurance that Outdoor will be successful in reducing its minimum payments, entering into new agreements or renewing certain existing agreements and any such agreements may provide a lesser return to the Company.
New technologies for outdoor advertising displays, such as changeable message displays and digital billboards using light-emitting diode and liquid crystal display technology, continue to evolve. The Company keeps apprised of and has adopted such new technologies as they evolve and mature. For example, Outdoor is utilizing digital technology containing moving images in the London Underground and New York City subways. In July 2006, Outdoor reached an 8.5 year agreement to sell advertising on the London Underground. The construction and installation work by the Company for the London Underground is continuing. In October 2007, the Company acquired SignStorey, Inc. (renamed CBS Outernet), a leading distributor of video programming and advertising content to retail stores, which enables customized messaging by region and retail environment. Generally, CBS Outernet enters into revenue-sharing arrangements with retailers based on advertising sales.
Outdoor's business strategy involves expanding its presence in major selected markets, to grow its revenues and cash flow by being a leading provider of out-of-home advertising services in the markets it serves, controlling costs, developing and entering into new markets and using advanced technologies to build greater awareness and promote tactical advertising. In addition, the Company purchases outdoor advertising assets within its existing markets or in contiguous markets. The Company believes that there will be continuing opportunities for implementing its acquisition and development strategies given the outdoor advertising industry's fragmentation. This is particularly true in the international markets where there are opportunities for Outdoor to increase profitability both from acquiring additional assets in or near its existing operations and from future acquisitions in new markets.
Outdoor Competition. The outdoor advertising industry is fragmented, consisting of several large companies involved in outdoor advertising such as Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc., JC Decaux S.A., Cemusa Inc. and Lamar Advertising Company as well as hundreds of smaller regional and local companies operating a limited number of display faces in a single or a few local markets. The Company also competes with other media, including broadcast and cable television, radio, print media, the Internet and direct mail marketers, within their respective markets. In addition, it competes with a wide variety of out-of-home media, including advertising in shopping centers, airports, movie theaters, supermarkets and taxis. Advertisers compare relative costs of available media and cost-per-thousand impressions, particularly when delivering a message to customers with distinct demographic characteristics. In competing with other media, the outdoor advertising industry relies on its relative cost efficiency and its ability to reach a broad segment in a specific market or to target a particular geographic area or population with a particular demographic within that market. The Company keeps apprised of the evolution of new technologies in the industry. As new technologies such as digital billboards prove desirable to Outdoor's customers and deliver appropriate returns on investment, the Company's costs could increase.
I-13
The Company believes that its strong emphasis in sales and customer service and its position as a leading provider of advertising services in each of its primary markets as well as its international inventory enables it to compete effectively with the other outdoor advertising companies, as well as other media, within those markets.
Interactive (3%, 1% and 1% of the Company's consolidated revenues in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively)
CBS Interactive operates one of the leading online content networks for information and entertainment. In June 2008, the Company completed its acquisition of CNET Networks, Inc., which complements and expands the Company's interactive footprint. CBS Interactive is ranked among the top 10 Internet properties in the world according to comScore Media Metrix, December 2008. CBS Interactive's leading brands, including CNET, CBS.com, CBSSports.com, GameSpot, TV.com, Last.fm and BNET, among others, serve targeted audiences with text, video, audio, and mobile content spanning technology, entertainment, sports, news, business, gaming and music categories. In addition to its U.S.-based business, CBS Interactive operates in Asia and Europe. CBS Interactive's worldwide brands reached approximately 226 million unique monthly visitors during December 2008.
CBS Interactive generates revenue principally from the sale of advertising and sponsorships, in addition to fees derived from search and commerce partners, licensing fees, subscriptions, e-commerce activities, and other paid services. Advertising spending on the Internet, as in traditional media, fluctuates significantly with economic conditions. In addition, online marketing spending follows seasonal consumer behavior throughout the calendar year to reflect trends during the calendar year.
CNET.com is one of the leading Web sites for technology and consumer electronics information. During the third quarter of 2008, the Company relaunched CNET.com, making it easier for people to find information and learn about today's digital world. GameSpot is the number one gaming information Web site according to comScore Media Metrix, December 2008. GameSpot's content includes video games reviews and previews, news, Webcasts, videos, online tournaments and game downloads. CBSSports.com provides Internet sports content, fantasy sports, community and e-commerce features. CBSSports.com owns and operates CBSCollegeSports.com and MaxPreps.com and hosts the NCAA March Madness on Demand video player that provides live streaming video of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship. TV.com, which was relaunched in December 2008, is a leading destination for entertainment and community around television where visitors can watch videos and discuss and obtain information about television shows across all networks. BNET is a top ten business media site, offering award-winning original content, as well as one of the largest business libraries available on the Internet. Last.fm is a community-based, music discovery site, which reached approximately 20 million unique monthly visitors worldwide during December 2008 according to comScore Media Metrix, December 2008. Last.fm relaunched in July 2008 making it easier for users to share and play music as well as providing advertisers with targeted ways to reach users. Through CBS.com, CBS Audience Network delivers the Company's content, including from the Web sites of the Company's television, radio and affiliated stations, through new and existing advertiser-supported deals. The growing slate of CBS entertainment, news and sports content available includes full episodes, clips and highlights based on CBS and Showtime Networks programming as well as original made-for-the-Web content.
Interactive Competition. CBS Interactive competes with a variety of online properties for users, advertisers, and partners, including the following: general purpose portals such as AOL, MSN and Yahoo!, especially as these properties expand their content offerings; search engines such as Google, Yahoo! and MSN; online comparison shopping and retail properties, including Shopping.com, Amazon.com and eBay; vertical content sites in the categories that CBS Interactive's brands serve, such as technology, gaming, music, news, business, food, and lifestyle focused Web sites; and emerging platforms such as blogs, podcasts and video properties. CBS Interactive also competes for users and advertisers with diversified
I-14
media companies that provide both online and offline content, including magazines, cable television, network television, radio and newspapers.
Publishing (6% of the Company's consolidated revenues in each of 2008, 2007 and 2006)
The Publishing segment consists of Simon & Schuster, which publishes and distributes consumer books in the U.S. and internationally.
Simon & Schuster publishes and distributes adult and children's consumer books in printed, audio and digital formats in the U.S. and internationally. Digital formats include audio downloads for the Apple iPod and MP3 players as well as e-books for increasingly popular devices such as Amazon's Kindle and the Sony Reader Digital Book. Simon & Schuster's major adult imprints include Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books, Scribner, Atria Books®,Simon Spotlight® Entertainment, and Free Press. Simon & Schuster's major children's imprints include Simon Spotlight®, Aladdin Paperbacks® and Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers. Simon & Schuster also develops special imprints and publishes titles based on CBS Television Network's and Showtime Networks' products as well as that of third parties and distributes products for other publishers. Simon & Schuster distributes its products directly and through third parties. Simon & Schuster also delivers content and promotes its products on general Internet sites as well as those linked to individual titles; its created assets include online videos showcasing Simon & Schuster authors and new releases on YouTube, Bookvideos.tv, SimonandSchuster.com and other sites. International publishing includes the international distribution of English-language titles through Simon & Schuster UK, Simon & Schuster Canada and Simon & Schuster Australia and other distributors, as well as the publication of local titles by Simon & Schuster UK.
In 2008, Simon & Schuster published 166 titles that were New York Times bestsellers, including 21 New York Times #1 bestsellers. Best-selling titles in 2008 include YOU: Being Beautiful by Michael F. Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren and Duma Key by Stephen King. Bestselling children's titles from Simon & Schuster include Paula Deen's My First Cookbook by Paula Deen with Martha Nesbit, Tweak by Nic Sheff and Alphabet by Matthew Van Fleet. Simon & Schuster Digital, through SimonandSchuster.com, publishes original content, builds reader communities and promotes and sells Simon & Schuster's books over the Internet.
The consumer publishing marketplace is subject to increased periods of demand in the summer months and during the end-of-year holiday season. Major new title releases represent a significant portion of Simon & Schuster's sales throughout the year. Simon & Schuster's top 10 accounts drive a significant portion of its annual revenue. Consumer books are generally sold on a fully returnable basis, resulting in the return of unsold books. In the domestic and international markets, the Company is subject to global trends and local economic conditions.
Publishing Competition. The consumer publishing business is highly competitive and has been affected over the years by consolidation trends. Significant mergers have occurred among the leading consumer publishers. Mass merchandisers and on-line retailers are significant factors in the industry contributing to the general trend toward consolidation in the retail channel. There have also been a number of mergers completed in the distribution channel. The Company must compete with other larger publishers such as Random House, Penguin Group and Harper Collins for the rights to works by authors. Competition is particularly strong for well-known authors and public personalities. In addition, technological changes have made it increasingly possible for authors to self-publish and have led to the development of new digital distribution models in which the Company's books must compete with the availability of both a larger volume of books as well as non-book content.
REGULATION
The Company's businesses are either subject to or affected by regulations of federal, state and local governmental authorities. The rules, regulations, policies and procedures affecting these businesses are
I-15
subject to change. The descriptions which follow are summaries and should be read in conjunction with the texts of the statutes, rules and regulations described herein. The descriptions do not purport to describe all present and proposed statutes, rules and regulations affecting the Company's businesses.
Intellectual Property and Privacy
Laws affecting intellectual property are of significant importance to the Company. (See "Intellectual Property" on page I-21).
Copyright Law and Content. In the U.S., the copyright term for authored works is the life of the author plus 70 years. For works made-for-hire, the copyright term is the shorter of 95 years from the first publication or 120 years from creation.
Unauthorized Distribution and Piracy. Unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material over the Internet without regard to content owners' copyright rights in television programming and clips, such as through file "sharing" and peer-to-peer services, is a threat to copyright owners' ability to protect and exploit their property. The Company is engaged in enforcement and other activities to protect its intellectual property and has participated in various litigations, educational and public relations programs and legislative activity. In addition to these efforts, the Company continues to enter into and explore possibilities for commercial arrangements with various online providers to further protect and exploit its content.
Privacy. The laws and regulations governing the collection, use and transfer of consumer information are complex and rapidly evolving, particularly as they relate to the Company's interactive businesses. The Company monitors and considers these laws and regulations in the design and operation of its legal and regulatory compliance programs.
Broadcasting
General. Television and radio broadcasting are subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC pursuant to the Communications Act. The Communications Act empowers the FCC, among other actions, to issue, renew, revoke and modify broadcasting licenses; determine stations' frequencies, locations and operating power; regulate some of the equipment used by stations; adopt other regulations to carry out the provisions of the Communications Act and other laws, including requirements affecting the content of broadcasts; and to impose penalties for violation of its regulations, including monetary forfeitures, short-term renewal of licenses and, in egregious cases, license revocation or denial of license renewals.
Under the Communications Act, the FCC also regulates certain aspects of the operation of cable and DTH satellite systems and certain other electronic media that compete with broadcast stations.
Indecency and Profanity Regulation. The FCC's rules prohibit the broadcast of obscene material at any time and indecent or profane material between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Broadcasters risk violating the prohibition against broadcasting indecent or profane material because the vagueness of the FCC's indecency/profanity definition makes it difficult to apply, particularly with respect to spontaneous, live programming. The FCC in the last several years has stepped up its enforcement efforts as they apply to indecency and profanity, and has threatened to initiate license revocation proceedings against broadcast licensees for "serious" indecency or profanity violations. Pursuant to legislation enacted by Congress, in July 2007, the FCC increased the forfeiture penalties for broadcasting indecent or profane programming to a maximum of $325,000 per indecent or profane utterance with a maximum forfeiture exposure of $3.0 million for any continuing violation arising from a single act or failure to act. The Company is and has been involved in litigation and, from time to time, has received and may receive in the future letters of inquiry from the FCC prompted by complaints alleging that certain programming on its broadcast stations included indecent or profane material. The Company entered into a Consent Decree with the FCC in November 2004 pursuant to which the Company made a $3.5 million voluntary contribution to the U.S.
I-16
Treasury and agreed to provide training with respect to FCC indecency regulation to programming-related personnel at its broadcast television and radio operations and to implement other measures to reduce the risk of broadcasting indecent or profane material. The Company also entered into a Consent Decree with the FCC in 2007, pursuant to which the Company made a $300,000 voluntary contribution to the U.S. Treasury and the FCC and the Company settled certain disputes pertaining to the 2004 Consent Decree. (See Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial ConditionLegal MattersIndecency Regulation" on page II-32).
License Renewals. Radio and television broadcast licenses are granted for a term of eight years. The Communications Act requires the FCC to renew a broadcast license if the FCC finds that the station has served the public interest, convenience and necessity and, with respect to the station, there have been no serious violations by the licensee of either the Communications Act or the FCC's rules and regulations and there have been no other violations by the licensee of the Communications Act or the FCC's rules and regulations that, taken together, constitute a pattern of abuse. The Company has a number of pending renewal applications, 8 of which have been opposed by third parties (there are 2 opposed renewal applications for Radio and 6 opposed renewal applications for Television).
License Assignments. The Communications Act requires prior FCC approval for the assignment of a license or transfer of control of an FCC licensee. Third parties may oppose the Company's applications to transfer or acquire additional broadcast licenses.
Ownership Regulation. The Communications Act and FCC rules and regulations limit the ability of individuals and entities to have an official position or ownership interest, known as an "attributable" interest, above specific levels in broadcast stations as well as in other specified mass media entities. In seeking FCC approval for the acquisition of a broadcast radio or television station license, the acquiring person or entity must demonstrate that the acquisition complies with the FCC's ownership rules or that a waiver of the rules is in the public interest. In December 2007, the FCC concluded a proceeding which examined whether to modify its various ownership rules, but with the exception of the newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership rule, the FCC declined to do so. The FCC's action has been appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit by the Company and other interested parties.
The FCC's ownership rules are briefly summarized below.
Local Radio Ownership. The FCC's local radio ownership rule applies in all markets where the Company owns radio stations. Under that rule, one party may own up to eight radio stations in the largest markets, no more than five of which may be either AM or FM. With a few exceptions, the rule permits the common ownership of 8 radio stations in the top 50 markets, where CBS Radio has significant holdings. The Company's FM radio portfolio exceeds the FCC's numerical limit in two markets, Baltimore and West Palm Beach, which are grandfathered. While the rules do not require the divestiture of any existing radio ownership combinations, the Company is not permitted to transfer its radio portfolios in those two markets intact, except to qualified small businesses. Upon the closing of the pending swap involving five of its radio stations in mid-size markets for two radio stations in Houston, the Company's radio holdings in the Baltimore market will comply with the FCC's limit.
Local Television Ownership. Under the FCC's local television ownership rule, one party may own up to two television stations in the same DMA, so long as at least one of the two stations is not among the top four-ranked stations in the market based on audience share as of the date an application for approval of an acquisition is filed with the FCC, and at least eight independently owned and operating full-power television stations remain in the market following the acquisition. Further, without regard to the number of remaining independently owned television stations, the rule permits the ownership of more than one television station within the same DMA so long as certain signal contours of the stations involved do not overlap. Satellite television stations that simply rebroadcast the programming of a "parent" television station are exempt from the local television ownership rule if located in the same DMA as the "parent" station.
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Television National Audience Reach Limitation. Under the national television ownership rule, one party may not own television stations which reach more than 39% of all U.S. television households. For purposes of calculating the total number of television households reached by a station, the FCC attributes a UHF television station with only 50% of the television households in its market. The Company currently owns and operates television stations that have an aggregate television national audience reach for purposes of the national ownership limitation of approximately 35%, after applying the UHF discount, and approximately 38% without the UHF discount.
Radio-Television Cross-Ownership Rule. The radio-television cross-ownership rule limits the common ownership of radio and television stations in the same market. The numeric limit varies according to the number of independent media voices in the market. The Company owns a combination of radio and television stations in the Los Angeles market in excess of the limit. The Company has an application pending before the FCC which, if granted, would bring the Company into compliance with the rule.
Newspaper-Broadcast Cross-Ownership. In December 2007, the FCC modified the newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership rule permitting cross-ownership of daily newspapers and broadcast stations in the top 20 markets under certain circumstances and establishing a waiver procedure for such combinations in smaller markets.
Dual Network Rule. The dual network rule prohibits any of the four major networks, ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, from combining.
Attribution of Ownership. Under the FCC's attribution rules, a direct or indirect purchaser of various types of securities of an entity which holds FCC licenses, such as the Company, could violate the foregoing FCC ownership regulations or policies if that purchaser owned or acquired an "attributable" interest in other media properties. Under the FCC's rules, an "attributable" interest for purposes of the FCC's broadcast ownership rules generally includes: equity and debt interests which combined exceed 33% of a licensee's total assets, if the interest holder supplies more than 15% of the licensee's total weekly programming, or has an attributable same-market media interest, whether television, radio, cable or newspaper; a 5% or greater direct or indirect voting stock interest, including certain interests held in trust, unless the holder is a qualified passive investor in which case the threshold is a 20% or greater voting stock interest; any equity interest in a limited liability company or a partnership, including a limited partnership, unless properly "insulated" from management activities; and any position as an officer or director of a licensee or of its direct or indirect parent. The FCC is currently reviewing its single majority voting shareholder attribution exemption which renders as non-attributable voting interests up to 49% in a licensee controlled by a single majority voting shareholder. Because the Company and Viacom Inc. have the same single majority voting shareholder, the business of each company is attributable to the other for certain FCC purposes, which may have the effect of limiting the activities or strategic business alternatives available to the Company. (See Item 1A. Risk Factors"The Businesses of the Company and Viacom Inc. Will Be Attributable to the Other Company for Certain Regulatory Purposes").
Alien Ownership. In general, the Communications Act prohibits foreign individuals or entities from owning more than 20% of the voting power or equity of the Company.
Analog to Digital Transition. As of June 12, 2009, all full-power broadcast television stations will be required to cease broadcasting analog programming and convert to all digital broadcasts. While broadcast television stations are permitted to cease analog transmissions prior to June 12, 2009, the Company intends to continue both analog and digital broadcasts until that date. All of the Company's full power television stations have commenced digital broadcasting, with the exception of WPCW, the Company's The CW-affiliated station in Pittsburgh. Digital broadcasting permits stations to offer digital channels for a wide variety of services such as high definition video programming, multiple channels of standard definition video programming, audio, data, and other types of communications, subject to the requirement
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that each broadcaster provide at least one free over-the-air video program signal at least comparable in resolution to the station's analog programming transmissions.
The Company has incurred considerable costs in the conversion to digital television and is unable to predict the effect of the cessation of analog broadcasting and the extent or timing of consumer demand for digital television services and the resulting impact on the Company's viewership.
Cable and Satellite Carriage of Television Broadcast Stations. The 1992 Cable Act and implementing FCC regulations govern the retransmission of commercial television stations by cable television operators. Every three years, each station must elect, with respect to cable systems within its DMA, either "must carry" status, pursuant to which the cable system's carriage of the station is mandatory, or "retransmission consent," pursuant to which the station gives up its right to mandatory carriage in order to negotiate consideration in return for consenting to carriage. The Company has elected the retransmission consent option in substantially all cases for the period beginning January 1, 2009, and, since 2006, has implemented a systematic process of seeking monetary consideration for its retransmission consent.
Similarly, federal legislation and FCC rules govern the retransmission of broadcast television stations by DTH satellite operators. DTH satellite operators are required to carry the signals of all local television broadcast stations requesting carriage in local markets in which the DTH satellite operator carries at least one signal pursuant to the statutory local-to-local compulsory copyright license. Every three years, each television station in such markets must elect "must carry" or "retransmission consent" status, in a manner similar to that described above with respect to cable systems. Substantially all of the Company's owned and operated television stations are being transmitted into their local markets by the two major DTH satellite operators pursuant to retransmission consent agreements.
After the broadcast television transition from analog to digital in June 2009, cable television systems are required for a three-year period to carry must-carry signals in an analog format or in the case of all-digital cable systems to provide equipment to convert must-carry digital signals for viewing on analog television sets. Cable television systems, with some exceptions, are also required to carry such stations' high definition signals. DTH satellite operators are also required, over a four-year phase-in period, to carry the high definition signals of must-carry stations. Neither cable systems nor DTH satellite operators are required to carry more than a station's primary video programming channel. The Company has agreements with a number of multiple system operators that require carriage of the analog, digital and high-definition signals of the Company-owned television stations before and after the transition (including multiple streams of digital programming).
Children's Television Programming. Federal legislation and FCC rules limit the amount and content of commercial matter that may be shown on television stations during programming designed for children 12 years of age and younger, and require stations to broadcast on their main program stream three hours per week of educational and informational programming ("E/I programming") designed for children 16 years of age and younger. FCC rules also impose E/I programming requirements on each additional digital multicast program stream transmitted by television stations, with the requirement increasing in proportion to the additional hours of free programming offered on multicast channels. These rules also limit the display during children's programming of Internet addresses of Web sites that contain or link to commercial material or that use program characters to sell products.
Program Access. Under the Communications Act, vertically integrated cable programmers (more fully described below) are generally prohibited from offering different prices, terms or conditions to competing multichannel video programming distributors unless the differential is justified by certain permissible factors set forth in the FCC's regulations. The FCC's "program access" rules also limit the ability of a vertically integrated cable programmer to enter into exclusive distribution arrangements with cable operators. A cable programmer is considered to be vertically integrated under the FCC's program access attribution rules if it owns or is owned by a cable operator in whole or in part. Cable operators for this purpose may include telephone companies that provide video programming directly to subscribers.
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The Company's wholly owned program services are not currently subject to the program access rules. The Company's flexibility to negotiate the most favorable terms available for carriage of these services and its ability to offer cable operators exclusive programming could be adversely affected if it were to become subject to the program access rules. Certain actions of the Company with respect to program access rules are addressed under the terms of a separation agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to this report (the "Separation Agreement"), between the Company and Viacom Inc. (See Item 1A. Risk Factors"The Separation Agreement Prohibits the Company from Engaging in Certain Types of Businesses").
Digital Radio. For a number of years, the FCC has been developing rules that would permit existing AM and FM radio broadcast stations to broadcast digitally in order both to improve sound quality and to provide spectrum for enhanced data services to complement the existing programming service and provide new business opportunities for radio broadcasters, including multicasting opportunities. The FCC has authorized AM and FM radio stations to broadcast digital signals using excess spectrum within the same allotted bandwidth used for analog transmissions. As of February 1, 2009, 107 of the Company's radio stations had commenced digital broadcasts.
Outdoor
The outdoor advertising industry is subject to extensive governmental regulation at the federal, state and local levels in the U.S. and to national, regional and local restrictions in foreign countries. These regulations can affect the operation of advertising displays and include restrictions on the construction, repair, upgrading, height, size and location of outdoor advertising structures and, in some instances, the content of advertising copy that can be displayed on these structures. In addition, outdoor advertising is the subject of targeted state and municipal taxes and fees. These laws may affect competitive conditions in various markets in various ways. Such laws may reduce the Company's expansion opportunities, or may increase or reduce competitive pressure from others. No assurance can be given that existing or future laws or regulations and the enforcement thereof will not materially and adversely affect the Outdoor business.
Under U.S. law, principally the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 (the "HBA"), outdoor advertising is controlled on primary and interstate highways built with federal financial assistance. As a condition to federal highway assistance, the HBA requires states to restrict billboards on such highways to commercial and industrial areas, and imposes certain additional size, spacing and other requirements associated with the installation and operation of billboards. Outdoor is not aware of any states which have passed laws and adopted regulations which are less restrictive than the federal requirements, including the obligation on the part of the billboard owner to remove, at the owner's expense and without compensation, any non-grandfathered signs on such highways that do not comply with such requirements. Outdoor does not believe that the number of its billboards that may be subject to removal under these regulations is material. No state in which Outdoor operates has banned billboards, but some have adopted standards more restrictive than the federal requirements. Municipal and county governments generally also have sign controls as part of their zoning laws and building codes. Some state and local governments prohibit construction of new billboards and some allow new construction only to replace existing structures, although most allow construction of billboards subject to restrictions on zoning, size, spacing, height and type of construction. In some cases, the construction of new billboards or the relocation or modification of existing billboards is prohibited. A number of cities including New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Miami have implemented or initiated legislative billboard controls, including imposing taxes, fees and/or registration requirements in an effort to decrease or restrict the number of outdoor signs and/or to raise revenue. The Company contests such laws and regulations that it believes unlawfully restrict its constitutional or other legal rights and may adversely impact the growth of its outdoor advertising business.
U.S. law neither requires nor prohibits removal of existing lawful billboards, but it does require payment of compensation if a state or political subdivision compels the removal of a lawful billboard along a primary or interstate highway that was built with federal financial assistance. State governments have purchased and removed legal billboards for beautification objectives in the past using federal funding for
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transportation enhancement programs, and may do so in the future. State government authorities from time to time use the power of eminent domain to remove billboards. Thus far, Outdoor has been able to obtain satisfactory compensation for its billboards purchased or removed as a result of this type of governmental action, although there is no assurance that this will continue to be the case in the future. Local governments do not generally purchase billboards for beautification, but some have attempted to force removal of legal but nonconforming billboards (billboards which conformed with applicable zoning regulations when built but which do not conform to current zoning regulations) after a period of years under a concept called amortization. Under this concept the governmental body asserts that just compensation is earned by continued operation of the billboard over time. Although there is some question as to the legality of amortization under federal and many state laws, amortization has been upheld in some instances. Outdoor generally has been successful in negotiating settlements with municipalities for billboards required to be removed. Restrictive regulations also limit Outdoor's ability to rebuild or replace nonconforming billboards.
As the owner or operator of various real properties and facilities in outdoor advertising operations, the Company must comply with various U.S. federal, state and local and foreign environmental, health, safety and land use laws and regulations. The Company and its properties are subject to such laws and regulations relating to the use, storage, disposal, emission and release of hazardous and non-hazardous substances and employee health and safety, as well as zoning and other land use restrictions which may affect, among other things, the hours of operation and illumination as well as methods and conditions of maintenance of facilities and advertising installation. Historically, the Company has not incurred significant expenditures to comply with these laws. However, future laws or a finding of a violation of or liability under existing laws could require the Company to make significant expenditures and otherwise limit or restrict its ability to use or operate some of its displays.
Out-of-court settlements between the major U.S. tobacco companies, the U.S. government, and all 50 states include a ban on the outdoor advertising of tobacco products. State and local governments continue to initiate proposals designed to limit outdoor advertising of alcohol. Other products and services may be targeted in the future. Legislation regulating alcohol-related advertising due to content-related restrictions could cause a reduction in Outdoor's direct revenue from such advertisements and a simultaneous increase in the available space on the existing inventory of billboards in the outdoor advertising industry.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
The Company creates, owns, distributes and exploits under licenses intellectual property worldwide. It is the Company's practice to protect its products, including its television and radio products, characters, publications and other original and acquired works and audiovisual works made for online and wireless exploitation. The following logos, trade names, trademarks and related trademark families are among those strongly identified with the product lines they represent and are significant assets of the Company: CBS®, CBS Entertainment, CBS News®, CBS Sports®, CBSSports.com, CNET®, CBS Radio®, Showtime®, The Movie Channel®, Flix®, CBS Outdoor®, CBS Outernet, CBS Audience Network, BNET, CHOW, TV.com, Last.fm®, Spelling Television®, CSI:®, Entertainment Tonight®, Star Trek®, Simon & Schuster®, CBS College Sports Network, CBS Interactive and all the call letters for the Company's television and radio stations. As a result, domestic and foreign laws protecting intellectual property rights are important to the Company and the Company actively enforces its intellectual property rights against infringements.
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EMPLOYEES
At December 31, 2008, the Company employed approximately 25,920 people including full-time and part-time salaried employees.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT SEGMENTS AND FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC OPERATIONS
Financial and other information by segment and relating to foreign and domestic operations for each of the last three years ending December 31 is set forth in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
CBS Corp. makes available free of charge on or through the Investor Relations section of its Web site, www.cbscorporation.com, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such material is made available through the Company's Web site as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. On June 17, 2008, the Company submitted to the New York Stock Exchange the Annual CEO Certification required by Section 303A 12 of the New York Stock Exchange Listing Manual. The Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission the certifications required under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as Exhibits 31(a) and 31(b) to this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document, including "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition," and the documents incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K, contain both historical and forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather reflect the Company's current expectations concerning future results and events. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of statements that include phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "foresee," "likely," "will" or other similar words or phrases. Similarly, statements that describe the Company's objectives, plans or goals are or may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be different from any future results, performance and achievements expressed or implied by these statements. More information about these risks, uncertainties and other factors is set forth below. There may be additional risks, uncertainties and factors that the Company does not currently view as material or that are not necessarily known. The forward-looking statements included in this document are only made as of the date of this document and the Company does not have any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
RISK FACTORS
For an enterprise as large and complex as the Company, a wide range of factors could affect our business and financial results. The factors described below are considered to be the most significant. There may be other currently unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on the Company's future results. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance and historical trends should not be
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used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. The following discussion of risk factors should be read in conjunction with "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" and the consolidated financial statements and related notes in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K.
Current Economic Conditions May Adversely Affect the Company's Businesses and Customers
The U.S. and other countries where the Company operates are currently undergoing significant slowdowns and volatilities in their economies. This downturn could lead to lower consumer and business spending for the Company's products and services, particularly if customers, including advertisers, subscribers, licensees and other consumers of the Company's content offerings and services, reduce demands for the Company's products and services. In addition, given the current unfavorable economic environment, the Company's customers may have difficulties obtaining capital at adequate or historical levels to finance their ongoing business and operations and may face insolvency, all of which could impair their ability to make timely payments and continue operations. The Company is unable to predict the duration and severity of the weakened economic conditions and such conditions and resultant effects have adversely impacted and could continue to adversely impact the Company's businesses, operating results, and financial condition.
A Decline in Advertising Expenditures Could Cause the Company's Revenues and Operating Results to Decline Significantly in Any Given Period or in Specific Markets
The Company derives substantial revenues from the sale of advertising on its broadcast and basic cable networks, television stations, radio stations, outdoor media and syndicated programming. A decline in the economic prospects of advertisers, the economy in general or the economy of any individual geographic market, particularly a major market such as Los Angeles, New York or Chicago, in which the Company owns and operates sizeable businesses, could alter current or prospective advertisers' spending priorities. Disasters, acts of terrorism, political uncertainty or hostilities could lead to a reduction in advertising expenditures as a result of uninterrupted news coverage and economic uncertainty. Advertising expenditures may also be affected by increasing competition for the leisure time of audiences. In addition, advertising expenditures by companies in certain sectors of the economy, including the automotive, financial and pharmaceutical segments, represent a significant portion of the Company's advertising revenues. Any political, economic, social or technological change resulting in a reduction in these sectors' advertising expenditures may adversely affect the Company's revenue. Advertisers' willingness to purchase advertising from the Company may also be affected by a decline in audience ratings for the Company's programming, the inability of the Company to retain the rights to popular programming, increasing audience fragmentation caused by the proliferation of new media formats, including cable networks, the Internet and video-on-demand and the deployment of portable digital devices and new technologies which allow consumers to time shift programming, make and store digital copies and skip or fast-forward through advertisements. The Company's revenues from outdoor advertising also depend on the Company's continued ability to obtain the right to use effective outdoor advertising space. Any reduction in advertising expenditures could have an adverse effect on the Company's revenues and results of operations.
The Company's Success Is Dependent upon Audience Acceptance of Its Content, Particularly Its Television and Radio Programs, Which Is Difficult to Predict
Television and radio content production and distribution are inherently risky businesses because the revenues derived from the production and distribution of a television or radio program, and the licensing of rights to the intellectual property associated with the program, depend primarily upon their acceptance by the public, which is difficult to predict. The commercial success of a television or radio program also depends upon the quality and acceptance of other competing programs released into the marketplace at or near the same time, the availability of alternative forms of entertainment and leisure time activities, general economic conditions and other tangible and intangible factors, all of which are difficult to predict. Rating points are also factors that are weighed when determining the advertising rates that the Company receives. The use of new ratings technologies and measurements could have an impact on the Company's program ratings. Poor ratings can lead to a reduction in pricing and advertising spending. For example,
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there can be no assurance that any replacement programming on the Company's radio or television stations will generate the same level of revenues or profitability of previous programming. In addition, the success of the Company's cable networks and Simon & Schuster is similarly dependent on audience acceptance of its programming and publications, respectively. Consequently, low public acceptance of the Company's content, particularly its television and radio programs, will have an adverse effect on the Company's results of operations.
Failure by the Company to Obtain, Create and Retain the Rights in Popular Programming Could Adversely Affect the Company's Revenues
Operating results from the Company's programming businesses fluctuate primarily with the acceptance of such programming by the public, which is difficult to predict. The Company's revenue from its television and radio business is therefore partially dependent on the Company's continued ability to anticipate and adapt to changes in consumer tastes and behavior on a timely basis. Moreover, the Company derives a portion of its revenues from the exploitation of its extensive library of television programming. Generally, a television series must have a network run of at least three or four years to be successfully sold in domestic syndication. If the content of its television programming library ceases to be widely accepted by audiences or is not continuously replenished with popular content, the Company's revenues could be adversely affected. The Company obtains a significant portion of its popular programming from third parties. For example, some of CBS Television Network's most widely viewed broadcasts, including certain NCAA championships, golf's Masters Tournament and PGA Championship, and NFL games, are made available based upon programming rights of varying duration that the Company has negotiated with third parties. In addition, Showtime Networks enters into commitments to acquire rights to certain programming for Showtime, The Movie Channel and Flix from motion picture producers and other suppliers for varying durations, and CBS Radio acquires the broadcast rights to syndicated shows and to various programs, such as sports events from third parties. Competition for popular programming that is licensed from third parties is intense, and the Company may be outbid by its competitors for the rights to new, popular programming or in connection with the renewal of popular programming currently licensed by the Company. The Company's failure to obtain or retain rights to popular content could adversely affect the Company's revenues.
Any Decrease in Popularity of the Programming for Which the Company Has Incurred Significant Commitments Could Have an Adverse Effect on Its Profitability
Programming and talent commitments of the Company, estimated to aggregate approximately $10.86 billion as of December 31, 2008, primarily included $6.89 billion for sports programming rights, $2.53 billion relating to television, radio and film production and licensing and $814.7 million for talent contracts, with $820.0 million of these amounts payable in and after 2014. A shortfall, now or in the future, in the expected popularity of the sports events for which the Company has acquired rights, or in the television and radio programming the Company expects to air, could lead to decreased profitability or losses for a significant period of time.
Volatility and Weakness in Capital Markets May Adversely Affect Credit Availability and Related Financing Costs for the Company
The capital and credit markets have been experiencing periods of volatility and disruption, which could adversely affect the availability and increase the costs of credit for the Company. If the disruption in the capital markets is prolonged, the Company's ability to refinance, and the related cost of refinancing, some or all of its debt could be adversely affected. Although the Company can currently access the commercial paper markets, there is no assurance that such markets will continue to be a reliable source of short-term financing for the Company. These factors, including the tightening of credit markets, or a decrease in the Company's debt ratings, could adversely affect the Company's ability to obtain cost-effective financing.
The Company's Operating Results Are Subject to Seasonal Variations
The Company's business has experienced and is expected to continue to experience seasonality due to, among other things, seasonal advertising patterns and seasonal influences on people's viewing, reading and
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listening habits. Typically, the Company's revenue from advertising increases in the fourth quarter and Simon & Schuster generates a substantial portion of its revenues in the fourth quarter. In addition, advertising revenues in even-numbered years benefit from advertising placed by candidates for political offices. The effects of such seasonality make it difficult to estimate future operating results based on the previous results of any specific quarter and may adversely affect operating results.
The Company's Businesses Operate in Highly Competitive Industries
The Company competes with other media companies for high quality content and attractive outdoor advertising space to achieve large audiences and to generate advertising revenue. The Company also competes for distribution on various cable, DTH satellite and other platforms. The Company's ability to attract audiences and advertisers and obtain favorable distribution depends in part on its ability to provide popular television, syndicated programming and radio programming and books, as well as well-placed outdoor advertising faces. In addition, the consolidation of advertising agencies, distributors and television service providers has made competition for audiences, advertising revenue, and distribution more intense. In addition, consolidation among book retailers and the growth of on-line sales have resulted in increased competition for limited physical shelf space for the Company's publications and for the attention of consumers on-line. Competition for audiences and advertising comes from: broadcast television stations and networks; cable television systems and networks; the Internet; terrestrial and satellite radio and portable digital audio players; outdoor advertisers; local, regional and national newspapers; direct mail; and other communications and advertising media that operate in these markets. Other television and radio stations or cable networks may change their formats or programming, a new station or new network may adopt a format to compete directly with the Company's stations or networks, or stations or networks might engage in aggressive promotional campaigns. This competition could result in lower ratings and advertising and subscription revenues or increased promotional and other expenses and, consequently, lower earnings and cash flow for the Company. The Company cannot be assured that it will be able to compete successfully in the future against existing or potential competitors, or that competition will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.
The Company Must Respond to Rapid Changes in Technology, Content Creation, Services and Standards in Order to Remain Competitive
Video, telecommunications, radio and data services technologies used in the entertainment industry are changing rapidly. Advances in technologies or alternative methods of product delivery or storage, or certain changes in consumer behavior driven by these or other technologies and methods of delivery and storage, could have a negative effect on the Company's businesses. Examples of the foregoing include video-on-demand, satellite radio, new video and electronic book formats, user-generated content sites, the convergence of television broadcasts and online delivery of programming to televisions, Internet and mobile distribution of video content, streaming and downloading from the Internet and digital outdoor displays. For example, devices that allow users to view or listen to television or radio programs on a time-delayed basis and technologies that enable users to fast-forward or skip advertisements, such as DVRs and portable digital devices and systems that enable users to store programming, may cause changes in consumer behavior that could affect the attractiveness of the Company's offerings to advertisers and could therefore adversely affect its revenues. Also, the growing uses of new, user-generated content sites may adversely impact the Company's businesses. In addition, further increases in the use of portable digital devices which allow users to view or listen to content of their own choosing, in their own time, while avoiding traditional commercial advertisements, could adversely affect the Company's radio and television broadcasting advertising and subscription revenues. Cable providers and DTH satellite operators are developing new techniques that allow them to transmit more channels on their existing equipment to highly targeted audiences, reducing the cost of creating channels and potentially leading to the division of the television marketplace into more specialized niche audiences. More television options increase competition for viewers and competitors targeting programming to narrowly defined audiences may gain an advantage over the Company for television advertising and subscription revenues. The ability to
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anticipate and adapt to changes in technology on a timely basis and exploit new sources of revenue from these changes will affect the Company's ability to continue to grow and increase its revenue.
Increased Programming and Content Costs May Adversely Affect the Company's Profits
The Company produces and acquires programming and content and incurs costs for all types of creative talent, including actors, authors, writers and producers. An increase in the costs of such programming and content or in the costs for creative talent may lead to decreased profitability.
Piracy of the Company's Programming and Other Content, Including Digital and Internet Piracy, May Decrease Revenue Received from the Exploitation of the Company's Programming and Other Content and Adversely Affect Its Businesses and Profitability
Piracy of programming is prevalent in many parts of the world and is made easier by the availability of digital copies of content and technological advances allowing conversion of programming and other content into digital formats, which facilitates the creation, transmission and sharing of high quality unauthorized copies of the Company's content. The proliferation of unauthorized copies and piracy of these products has an adverse effect on the Company's businesses and profitability because these products reduce the revenue that the Company potentially could receive from the legitimate sale and distribution of its products and services. In addition, if piracy were to increase, it would have an adverse effect on the Company's businesses and profitability.
Changes in U.S. Communications Laws or Other Regulations May Have an Adverse Effect on the Company's Business
The television and radio broadcasting and distribution industries in the U.S. are highly regulated by U.S. federal laws and regulations issued and administered by various federal agencies, including the FCC. The television and radio broadcasting industry is subject to extensive regulation by the FCC under the Communications Act. For example, the Company is required to obtain licenses from the FCC to operate its radio and television stations. The Company cannot be assured that the FCC will approve its future renewal applications or that the renewals will be for full terms or will not include conditions or qualifications. The non-renewal, or renewal with substantial conditions or modifications, of one or more of the Company's licenses could have a material adverse effect on the Company's revenues. The Company must also comply with extensive FCC regulations and policies in the ownership and operation of its television and radio stations and its television networks. FCC regulations prohibit the ownership of more than one of the top four networks, ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, and limit the number of television and radio stations that a licensee can own in a market and the number of television stations that can be owned nationwide, which could restrict the Company's ability to consummate future transactions and in certain circumstances could require it to divest some television or radio stations. As part of the nationwide transition from analog to digital broadcasting, which will occur in June 2009, the Company's full power television stations are transmitting a digital signal. The Company is unable to predict the extent to which consumers will acquire digital television receivers or digital conversion devices for analog television receivers and the effect of the cessation of analog broadcasting on viewership. In addition, the Company is unable to predict the extent or timing of consumer demand for digital television services and the resulting impact on the Company's viewership. The U.S. Congress and the FCC currently have under consideration, and may in the future adopt, new laws, regulations, and policies regarding a wide variety of matters that could, directly or indirectly, affect the operation and ownership of the Company's radio and television properties. For example, from time to time, proposals have been advanced in the U.S. Congress and at the FCC to require radio and television broadcast stations to provide advertising time to political candidates for free or at a reduced charge. Any restrictions on political advertising may adversely affect the Company's advertising revenues. Changes to the media ownership and other FCC rules may affect the competitive landscape in ways that could increase the competition faced by the Company. Proposals have also been advanced from time to time before the U.S. Congress and the FCC to extend the program access rules (currently applicable only to those cable program services which also own or are owned by cable distribution systems) to all cable program services. The Company's ability to obtain the most favorable
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terms available for its content could be adversely affected should such an extension be enacted into law. There is legislation currently pending in the U.S. Congress which could remove over-the-air broadcasters' existing exemption from payment of a performance royalty to record companies and performers of music which is broadcast on radio stations. This proposal could have an adverse impact on the cost of music programming for the Company. In addition, changes in international laws may have an adverse impact on the Company's international businesses. The Company is unable to predict the effect that any such laws, regulations or policies may have on its operations.
Vigorous Enforcement or Enhancement of FCC Indecency and Other Program Content Rules Against the Broadcast and Cable Industries Could Have an Adverse Effect on the Company's Businesses and Results of Operations
The FCC's rules prohibit the broadcast of obscene material at any time and indecent or profane material on television or radio broadcast stations between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Broadcasters risk violating the prohibition against broadcasting indecent material because of the vagueness of the FCC's indecency/profanity definition, coupled with the spontaneity of live programming. The FCC vigorously enforces its indecency rules against the broadcasting industry. The FCC has stepped up its enforcement activities as they apply to indecency and has threatened to initiate license revocation proceedings against broadcast licensees for "serious" indecency violations. The FCC has found on a number of occasions that the content of radio and television broadcasts has contained indecent material. In such instances, the FCC issued fines or advisory warnings to the offending licensees. Moreover, the FCC has in some instances imposed separate fines for each allegedly indecent "utterance," in contrast with its previous policy, which generally considered all indecent words or phrases within a given program as constituting a single violation. The fines for broadcasting indecent material are a maximum of $325,000 per utterance. If the FCC denied a license renewal or revoked the license for one of the Company's broadcast radio or television stations, the Company would lose its authority to operate the station. The determination of whether content is indecent is inherently subjective and, as such, it can be difficult to predict whether particular content could violate indecency standards. The difficulty in predicting whether individual programs, words or phrases may violate the FCC's indecency rules adds significant uncertainty to the Company's ability to comply with the rules. Violation of the indecency rules could lead to sanctions which may adversely affect the Company's businesses and results of operations. Some policymakers support the extension of the indecency rules that are applicable to over-the-air broadcasters to cover cable and satellite programming and/or attempts to increase enforcement of or otherwise expand existing laws and rules. If such an extension, attempt to increase enforcement or other expansion took place and were found to be constitutional, some of the Company's cable content could be subject to additional regulation and might not be able to attract the same subscription and viewership levels.
The Loss of Affiliation Agreements or Retransmission Agreements Could Materially Adversely Affect the Company's Results of Operations
The CBS Television Network provides its affiliates with up to 98 hours of programming per week. In return, the CBS Television Network's affiliated stations broadcast network-inserted commercials during that programming. Loss of network affiliation agreements of the CBS Television Network could adversely affect the Company's results of operations by reducing the reach of the Company's programming and therefore its attractiveness to advertisers, and renewal on less favorable terms may also adversely affect the Company's results of operations. The non-renewal or termination of retransmission agreements with cable, DTH satellite and other distributors or continued distribution on less favorable terms, could also adversely affect the Company's ability to distribute its network programming to a nationwide audience and affect the Company's ability to sell advertising, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations. Showtime Networks and the CBS College Sports Network are also dependent upon the maintenance of affiliation agreements with cable, DTH satellite and other distributors, and there can be no assurance that these agreements will be renewed in the future on terms acceptable to such programmers. The loss of one or more of these arrangements could reduce the distribution of Showtime Networks' and CBS College Sports Network's program services and reduce revenues from subscriber fees and advertising,
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as applicable. Further, the loss of favorable packaging, positioning, pricing or other marketing opportunities with any distributor could reduce revenues from subscriber fees. In addition, consolidation among cable and DTH satellite distributors and increased vertical integration of such distributors into the cable or broadcast network business have provided more leverage to these distributors and could adversely affect the Company's ability to maintain or obtain distribution for its network programming or distribution and/or marketing of its subscription program services on favorable or commercially reasonable terms, or at all.
The Failure or Destruction of Satellites and Transmitter Facilities that the Company Depends Upon to Distribute Its Programming Could Materially Adversely Affect the Company's Businesses and Results of Operations
The Company uses satellite systems to transmit its broadcast and cable networks to affiliates. The distribution facilities include uplinks, communications satellites and downlinks. Transmissions may be disrupted as a result of local disasters that impair on-ground uplinks or downlinks, or as a result of an impairment of a satellite. Currently, there are a limited number of communications satellites available for the transmission of programming. If a disruption occurs, the Company may not be able to secure alternate distribution facilities in a timely manner. Failure to secure alternate distribution facilities in a timely manner could have a material adverse effect on the Company's businesses and results of operations. In addition, each of the Company's television and radio stations and cable networks uses studio and transmitter facilities that are subject to damage or destruction. Failure to restore such facilities in a timely manner could have a material adverse effect on the Company's businesses and results of operations.
The Company Could Suffer Losses Due to Asset Impairment Charges for Goodwill, Intangible Assets, FCC Licenses and Programming
In accordance with SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142"), the Company will test goodwill and intangible assets, including broadcast licenses, for impairment during the fourth quarter of each year, and the Company continues to assess whether factors or indicators, such as the continuation of existing market conditions, become apparent that would require an interim test. A downward revision in the fair value of a reporting unit or intangible assets could result in an impairment under SFAS 142 and a non-cash charge would be required. Any significant shortfall, now or in the future, in the expected popularity of the programming for which the Company has acquired rights could lead to a downward revision in the fair value of such assets. Any such charge could have a material adverse effect on the Company's reported net earnings.
Dividends and Dividend Rates Cannot Be Guaranteed
The overall weakened economy and turmoil in the credit and capital markets may cause companies to recalibrate their business plans with a renewed focus on liquidity and maintenance of a strong balance sheet. The Company's Board of Directors assesses these and other relevant factors when considering the declaration of a dividend on the Company's common stock. The Company cannot guarantee that it will continue to declare dividends, including at the same or similar rates.
The Loss of Key Personnel, Including Talent, Could Disrupt the Management or Operations of the Company's Business and Adversely Affect Its Revenues
The Company's business depends upon the continued efforts, abilities and expertise of its chief executive officer and other key employees and entertainment personalities. The Company believes that the unique combination of skills and experience possessed by its executive officers would be difficult to replace, and that the loss of its executive officers could have a material adverse effect on the Company, including the impairment of the Company's ability to execute its business strategy. Additionally, the Company employs or independently contracts with several entertainment personalities and authors with significant loyal audiences. Entertainment personalities are sometimes significantly responsible for the ranking of a television or radio station and, therefore, the ability of the station to sell advertising, and an author's popularity can be significantly responsible for the success of a particular book. There can be no assurance that these entertainment personalities and authors will remain with the Company or will retain their
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current audiences or readership. If the Company fails to retain these entertainment personalities and authors or they lose their current audiences or readership, the Company's revenues could be adversely affected.
Regulation of the Outdoor Advertising Industry Could Materially Adversely Affect the Company's Outdoor Business
The outdoor advertising industry is subject to extensive governmental regulation and enforcement at the federal, state and local levels in the U.S. and to national, regional and local restrictions in foreign countries. These regulations and enforcement actions can affect the operation and continuance of operations of advertising displays and include restrictions on the construction, repair, upgrading, height, size and location of outdoor advertising structures and, in some instances, the content of advertising copy that can be displayed on these structures. In addition, outdoor advertising is the subject of targeted state and municipal taxes. Such laws may reduce the Company's expansion opportunities or may increase competitive pressure from others. The Company cannot give any assurance that existing or future laws or regulations will not materially and adversely affect its outdoor business.
Fluctuations in Foreign Exchange Rates Could Have an Adverse Effect on the Company's Results of Operations
Certain of the Company's revenues are earned and expenses are incurred in foreign currencies. The value of these currencies fluctuates relative to the U.S. dollar. As a result, the Company is exposed to exchange rate fluctuations, which could have an adverse effect on its results of operations.
The Company's Liabilities Related to Discontinued Operations and Former Businesses Could Adversely Impact Its Financial Condition
The Company has both recognized and potential liabilities and costs related to discontinued operations and former businesses, certain of which are unrelated to the media business, including leases, guarantees, environmental liabilities, liabilities related to the pensions and medical expenses of retirees, asbestos liabilities, contractual disputes and other pending and threatened litigation. The Company cannot be assured that its reserves are sufficient to cover these liabilities in their entirety or any one of these liabilities when it becomes due or at what point any of these liabilities may come due. Therefore, there can be no assurances that these liabilities will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, operating performance or cash flow.
The Company Could Be Adversely Affected by Strikes and Other Union Activity
The Company and its suppliers engage the services of writers, directors, actors and other talent, trade employees and others who are subject to collective bargaining agreements. If the Company or its suppliers are unable to renew expiring collective bargaining agreements, it is possible that the affected unions could take action in the form of strikes or work stoppages. Such actions, higher costs in connection with these agreements or a significant labor dispute could adversely affect the Company's television and radio businesses by causing delays in the production of the Company's television or radio programming or the Company's outdoor business by disrupting its ability to place advertising on outdoor faces. The entertainment businesses' collective bargaining agreement with the Screen Actors Guild ("SAG") covering performers expired on June 30, 2008. No new agreement has yet been reached with SAG. If an agreement is not reached by the parties, strikes or work stoppages could occur and, depending on their duration, could have an adverse effect on the Company's revenues and operating income.
Political and Economic Risks Associated with the Company's International Businesses Could Harm the Company's Financial Condition or Results of Operations
The Company's businesses operate and have customers worldwide. Inherent risks of doing business in international markets include, among other risks, changes in the economic environment, export restrictions, exchange controls, tariffs and other trade barriers and longer payment cycles. The Company may incur substantial expense as a result of the imposition of new restrictions or changes in the existing economic environment in the regions where it does business. In addition, acts of terrorism or other
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hostilities, or other future financial, political, economic or other uncertainties, could lead to a reduction in advertising expenditures, which could materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.
NAI, Through Its Voting Control of the Company, Is in a Position to Control Actions that Require Stockholder Approval
NAI, through its beneficial ownership of the Company's Class A Common Stock, has voting control of the Company. Mr. Sumner M. Redstone, the controlling stockholder, chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of NAI, serves as Executive Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors, and Ms. Shari Redstone, the president and a director of NAI, serves as Vice Chair of the Company's Board of Directors. In addition, Mr. David R. Andelman is a director of NAI and serves as a director of the Company. NAI is in a position to control the outcome of corporate actions that require stockholder approval, including the election of directors and transactions involving a change of control. Other stockholders are unable to affect the outcome of the corporate actions of the Company for so long as NAI retains voting control.
Sales of Additional Shares of Common Stock by NAI Could Adversely Affect the Stock Price
NAI, through its beneficial ownership of the Company's Class A Common Stock, has voting control of the Company. NAI disclosed in October 2008 that it sold approximately $233 million in the aggregate of shares of CBS Corporation and Viacom Inc. non-voting common stock in connection with requirements under its credit facilities. NAI also announced that it was in constructive negotiations with its lenders regarding such facilities and outstanding notes. Although NAI stated in October 2008 that it did not intend to sell any additional shares, there can be no assurance that NAI at some future time will not sell additional shares of the Company's stock, which could adversely affect the Company's share price.
Many Factors May Cause the Stock Price of the Company's Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock to Fluctuate
The stock price of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock may fluctuate significantly as a result of many factors. These factors, some or all of which are beyond the Company's control, include:
In addition, the stock market has experienced volatility that often has been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the trading prices of the Company's common stock, regardless of the Company's actual operating performance.
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Risks Related to the Separation
The Businesses of the Company and Viacom Inc. Will Be Attributable to the Other Company for Certain Regulatory Purposes
So long as the Company and Viacom Inc. are under common control, each company's businesses, as well as the businesses of any other commonly controlled company, will be attributable to the other company for purposes of certain rules and regulations of the FCC and certain rules regarding political campaign contributions in the U.S., among others potentially. The businesses of one company will continue to be attributable to the other company for certain FCC purposes even after the two companies cease to be commonly controlled, if the two companies share common officers, directors, or attributable stockholders. As a result, the businesses and conduct of Viacom Inc. may have the effect of limiting the activities or strategic business alternatives available to the Company.
The Separation Agreement Prohibits the Company from Engaging in Certain Types of Businesses
Under the terms of the Separation Agreement entered into between the Company and Viacom Inc. in connection with the Separation, the Company may not make acquisitions, enter into agreements or accept or agree to any condition that purports to bind Viacom Inc. or subjects Viacom Inc. to restrictions it is not otherwise subject to by legal order without Viacom Inc.'s consent. The Company and Viacom Inc. have agreed that prior to the earliest of (1) the fourth anniversary of the Separation, (2) the date on which none of Mr. Redstone, NAI, NAIRI, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of NAI, or any of their successors, assigns or transferees are deemed to have interests in both the Company and Viacom Inc. that are attributable under applicable U.S. federal laws and (3) the date on which the other company ceases to own the video programming vendors that it owns as of the Separation, neither of them will own or acquire an interest in a cable television operator if such ownership would subject the other company to U.S. federal laws regulating contractual relationships between video programming vendors and video programming distributors that the other company is not then subject to. These restrictions could limit the strategic business alternatives available to the Company.
In Connection with the Separation, Each Company Will Rely on the Other Company's Performance Under Various Agreements Between the Companies
In connection with the Separation, the Company and Viacom Inc. entered into various agreements, including the Separation Agreement, a tax matters agreement dated December 30, 2005, which is filed as an exhibit to this report, effective as of the Separation (the "Tax Matters Agreement"), a transition services agreement pursuant to which the Company and Viacom Inc. have agreed to provide certain specified services to each other following the Separation (the "transition services agreement") and certain related party arrangements pursuant to which the Company and Viacom Inc. will provide services and products to each other from and after the Separation. The Separation Agreement sets forth the allocation of assets, liabilities, rights and obligations of the Company and Viacom Inc. following the Separation, and includes indemnification obligations for such liabilities and obligations. In addition, pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement, certain income tax liabilities and related responsibilities are allocated between, and indemnification obligations are assumed by, each of the Company and New Viacom. Each company will rely on the other to satisfy its performance and payment obligations under these agreements. Certain of the liabilities to be assumed or indemnified by the Company or Viacom Inc. under these agreements are legal or contractual liabilities of the other company. If Viacom Inc. were to breach or be unable to satisfy its material obligations under these agreements, including a failure to satisfy its indemnification obligations, the Company could suffer operational difficulties or significant losses.
Certain Members of Management, Directors and Stockholders May Face Actual or Potential Conflicts of Interest
The management and directors of the Company may own both CBS Corp. common stock and Viacom Inc. common stock, and both the Company and Viacom Inc. are controlled by NAI. Mr. Redstone, the controlling stockholder, chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of NAI, serves as Executive Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors and executive chairman of Viacom Inc.'s board
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of directors. Ms. Redstone, the president and a director of NAI, serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of each of the Company and Viacom Inc. Mr. David R. Andelman is a director of NAI and serves as a director of the Company. This ownership overlap and these common directors could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest when the Company's and Viacom Inc.'s management, directors and controlling stockholder face decisions that could have different implications for the Company and Viacom Inc. For example, potential conflicts of interest could arise in connection with the resolution of any dispute between the Company and Viacom Inc. regarding the terms of the agreements governing the Separation and the relationship between the Company and Viacom Inc. thereafter. These agreements include, among others, the Separation Agreement, the Tax Matters Agreement, the transition services agreement and any commercial agreements between the parties or their affiliates. On occasion, the Company and Viacom Inc. may compete with each other in various commercial enterprises. Potential conflicts of interest could also arise if the Company and Viacom Inc. enter into any commercial arrangements with each other in the future. Each of Mr. Redstone and Ms. Redstone may also face conflicts of interest with regard to the allocation of his or her time between the Company and Viacom Inc. CBS Corp.'s certificate of incorporation contains provisions related to corporate opportunities that may be of interest to both the Company and Viacom Inc. CBS Corp.'s certificate of incorporation provides that in the event that a director, officer or controlling stockholder of the Company who is also a director, officer or controlling stockholder of Viacom Inc. acquires knowledge of a potential corporate opportunity for both the Company and Viacom Inc., such director, officer or controlling stockholder may present such opportunity to the Company or Viacom Inc. or both, as such director, officer or controlling stockholder deems appropriate in his or her sole discretion, and that by doing so such person will have satisfied his or her fiduciary duties to the Company and its stockholders. In addition, CBS Corp.'s certificate of incorporation provides that the Company renounces any interest in any such opportunity presented to Viacom Inc. These provisions create the possibility that a corporate opportunity of one of such companies may be used for the benefit of the other company.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
Not applicable.
Item 2. Properties.
The Company maintains its world headquarters at 51 West 52nd Street, New York, New York, where it owns a building containing approximately 900,000 square feet of space, of which approximately 310,000 square feet is occupied by the Company, with the balance being leased to third parties. The Company owns the CBS Broadcast Center complex located on approximately 3.7 acres at 524 West 57th Street, New York, New York, which consists of approximately 860,000 square feet of office and studio space. The Company also owns two studio facilities in California: (a) the CBS Studio Center at 4024 Radford Avenue, Studio City, California, located on approximately 40 acres, and (b) CBS Television City at 7800 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, located on approximately 25 acres. Showtime Networks occupies approximately 230,000 square feet at 1633 Broadway, New York, New York. The lease for this space expires in 2010. Simon & Schuster leases approximately 290,000 square feet of office space at 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, which lease runs to 2014. As part of the CNET acquisition, the Company acquired a lease for approximately 400,000 square feet of space at 28 East 28th Street (also known as 63 Madison Avenue), New York, New York, approximately 50,000 square feet of which is occupied by CBS Interactive and the remainder of which is subleased to third parties. This lease expires in 2019. Also as part of the CNET acquisition, the Company acquired CNET's headquarters lease for approximately 280,000 square feet of space at 235 2nd Street, San Francisco, California. This lease runs through 2016. The Company and its subsidiaries also own and lease office, studio and warehouse space, broadcast, antenna and satellite transmission facilities and outdoor advertising properties throughout the U.S., Canada and several countries around the world for its businesses. The Company considers its properties adequate for its present needs.
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Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
Securities Action. On December 12, 2008, the City of Pontiac General Employees' Retirement System filed a self-styled class action complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company and its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, and Treasurer, alleging violations of federal securities law. The complaint, which was filed on behalf of a putative class of purchasers of the Company's common stock between February 26, 2008 and October 10, 2008 (the "Class Period"), alleges that, among other things, the Company's failure to timely write down the value of certain assets caused the Company's reported operating results during the Class Period to be materially inflated. The plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory damages. On February 11, 2009, a motion was filed in the case on behalf of The City of Omaha, Nebraska Civilian Employees' Retirement System, and The City of Omaha Police and Fire Retirement System (collectively, the "Omaha Funds") seeking to appoint the Omaha Funds as the lead plaintiffs in this case; and another motion was filed in the case by an individual shareholder also seeking appointment as the lead plaintiff. The parties are awaiting the court's appointment of the lead plaintiff in the case. The Company believes that the plaintiffs' claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself in the litigation.
Claims Related to Former Businesses: Asbestos, Environmental and Other. The Company is a defendant in lawsuits claiming various personal injuries related to asbestos and other materials, which allegedly occurred principally as a result of exposure caused by various products manufactured by Westinghouse, a predecessor, generally prior to the early 1970s. Westinghouse was neither a producer nor a manufacturer of asbestos. The Company is typically named as one of a large number of defendants in both state and federal cases. In the majority of asbestos lawsuits, the plaintiffs have not identified which of the Company's products is the basis of a claim. Claims against the Company in which a product has been identified principally relate to exposures allegedly caused by asbestos-containing insulating material in turbines sold for power-generation, industrial and marine use, or by asbestos containing grades of decorative micarta, a laminate used in commercial ships.
Claims are frequently filed and/or settled in groups, which may make the amount and timing of settlements, and the number of pending claims, subject to significant fluctuation from period to period. The Company does not report as pending those claims on inactive, stayed, deferred or similar dockets which some jurisdictions have established for claimants who allege minimal or no impairment. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had pending approximately 68,520 asbestos claims, as compared with approximately 72,120 as of December 31, 2007 and 73,310 as of December 31, 2006. During 2008, the Company received approximately 6,030 new claims and closed or moved to an inactive docket approximately 9,630 claims. The Company reports claims as closed when it becomes aware that a dismissal order has been entered by a court or when the Company has reached agreement with the claimants on the material terms of a settlement. Settlement costs depend on the seriousness of the injuries that form the basis of the claim, the quality of evidence supporting the claims and other factors. The Company's total costs for the years 2008 and 2007 for settlement and defense of asbestos claims after insurance recoveries and net of tax benefits were approximately $15.0 million and $17.5 million, respectively. The Company's costs for settlement and defense of asbestos claims may vary year to year as insurance proceeds are not always recovered in the same period as the insured portion of the expenses.
Filings include claims for individuals suffering from mesothelioma, a rare cancer, the risk of which is allegedly increased primarily by exposure to asbestos; lung cancer, a cancer which may be caused by various factors, one of which is alleged to be asbestos exposure; other cancers, and conditions that are substantially less serious, including claims brought on behalf of individuals who are asymptomatic as to an allegedly asbestos-related disease. Claims identified as cancer remain a relatively small percentage of asbestos claims pending at December 31, 2008. In a substantial number of the pending claims, the plaintiff has not yet identified the claimed injury. The Company believes that its reserves and insurance are adequate to cover its asbestos liabilities. This belief is based upon many factors and assumptions, including the number of outstanding claims, estimated average cost per claim, the breakdown of claims by disease
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type, historic claim filings, costs per claim of resolution and the filing of new claims. While the number of asbestos claims filed against the Company has trended down in recent years, it is difficult to predict future asbestos liabilities, as events and circumstances may occur including, among others, the number and types of claims and average cost to resolve such claims, which could affect the Company's estimate of its asbestos liabilities.
The Company from time to time receives claims from federal and state environmental regulatory agencies and other entities asserting that it is or may be liable for environmental cleanup costs and related damages principally relating to historical and predecessor operations of the Company. In addition, the Company from time to time receives personal injury claims including toxic tort and product liability claims (other than asbestos) arising from historical operations of the Company and its predecessors.
General. On an ongoing basis, the Company defends itself in numerous lawsuits and proceedings and responds to various investigations and inquiries from federal, state and local authorities (collectively, "litigation"). Litigation is inherently uncertain and always difficult to predict. However, based on its understanding and evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances, the Company believes that the above-described legal matters and other litigation to which it is a party are not likely, in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Under the Separation Agreement between the Company and Viacom Inc., the Company and Viacom Inc. have agreed to defend and indemnify the other in certain litigation in which the Company and/or Viacom Inc. is named.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
None.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
Set forth below is certain information concerning the executive officers of the Company as of February 25, 2009.
Name
|
Age | Title | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sumner M. Redstone |
85 | Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and Founder | |||
Leslie Moonves |
59 | President and Chief Executive Officer and Director | |||
Anthony G. Ambrosio |
48 | Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Administration | |||
Louis J. Briskman |
60 | Executive Vice President and General Counsel | |||
Martin D. Franks |
58 | Executive Vice President, Planning, Policy and Government Affairs | |||
Susan C. Gordon |
55 | Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer | |||
Joseph R. Ianniello |
41 | Deputy Chief Financial Officer | |||
Richard M. Jones |
43 | Senior Vice President and General Tax Counsel | |||
Fredric G. Reynolds |
58 | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||
Gil Schwartz |
57 | Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer | |||
Martin M. Shea |
65 | Executive Vice President, Investor Relations | |||
Angeline C. Straka |
63 | Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Secretary |
None of the executive officers of the Company is related to any other executive officer or director by blood, marriage or adoption except that Shari Redstone, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Company, is the daughter of Sumner M. Redstone. The separation of former Viacom Inc. ("Former Viacom") into two publicly traded entities, CBS Corporation and new Viacom Inc., was completed on December 31, 2005 (the "Separation").
Mr. Redstone is the Company's Founder and has been Executive Chairman of the Board of the Company since the Separation. He was Chairman of the Board of Former Viacom from 1987 until the
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Separation and served as Chief Executive Officer of Former Viacom since 1996 through the Separation. Mr. Redstone has also served as Chairman of the Board of NAI since 1986 and Chief Executive Officer of NAI since 1967. He served as President of NAI from 1967 through 1999. Mr. Redstone served as the first Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Theatre Owners and is currently a member of its Executive Committee. Mr. Redstone has lectured at a variety of universities, including Harvard Law School, Brandeis University, and in 1982 joined the faculty of the Boston University School of Law. Mr. Redstone graduated from Harvard University in 1944 and received a LL.B. from Harvard University School of Law in 1947. Upon graduation, Mr. Redstone served as Law Secretary with the United States Court of Appeals and then as a Special Assistant to the United States Attorney General. Mr. Redstone served in the Military Intelligence Division during World War II. While a student at Harvard, he was selected to join a special intelligence group whose mission was to break Japan's high-level military and diplomatic codes. Mr. Redstone received, among other honors, two commendations from the Military Intelligence Division in recognition of his service, contribution and devotion to duty. He is also a recipient of the Army Commendation Award. Mr. Redstone also serves as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and Founder of Viacom Inc.
Mr. Moonves has been President and Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company since the Separation. Previously, Mr. Moonves served as Co-President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of Former Viacom since June 2004. Prior to that, Mr. Moonves served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CBS since 2003 and as its President and Chief Executive Officer since 1998. Mr. Moonves joined former CBS Corporation in 1995 as President, CBS Entertainment. Prior to that, Mr. Moonves was President of Warner Bros. Television since July 1993.
Mr. Ambrosio has been Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Administration of the Company since the Separation. Previously, he served as Co-Executive Vice President, Human Resources of Former Viacom since September 2005 and as Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Administration of the CBS, Infinity and Viacom Outdoor businesses since 2000. Prior to that, Mr. Ambrosio served as Vice President, Corporate Human Resources of the former CBS Corporation from 1999 to 2000, as Vice President, Benefits of the former CBS Corporation from 1995 to November 1999 and as Director, Personnel of the former CBS Corporation in 1995. He joined the former CBS Corporation in 1985 and held various positions in the human resources area since that time.
Mr. Briskman has been Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company since the Separation. Previously, since September 2005, he served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the businesses that comprise the Company after the Separation. Prior to that, Mr. Briskman served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Aetna Inc. since April 2004 and as Executive Vice President and General Counsel for CBS Television from 2000 to 2002. From 1993 to 2000, Mr. Briskman served as General Counsel of the former CBS Corporation and its predecessor, Westinghouse Electric Corporation. He joined Westinghouse Electric Corporation in 1975 and became its General Counsel in 1993 after serving as General Counsel of its Group W division beginning in 1983.
Mr. Franks has been Executive Vice President, Planning, Policy and Government Affairs of the Company since the Separation. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President, CBS Television since 2000 and was also Senior Vice President of Former Viacom from 2000 to 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Franks served as Senior Vice President of the former CBS Corporation from 1997 to 2000, as Senior Vice President, Washington of the former CBS Corporation from 1994 to 1997, and as Vice President, Washington of the former CBS Corporation from 1988 to 1994.
Ms. Gordon has been Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company since the Separation. Prior to that, she served as Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Former Viacom from May 2002 until the Separation, as Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer from April 1995 to May 2002 and as Vice President, Internal Audit of
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Former Viacom from October 1986 to April 1995. Ms. Gordon served as Controller of Viacom Broadcasting from June 1985 to October 1986. Ms. Gordon joined Former Viacom in 1981.
Mr. Ianniello has been Deputy Chief Financial Officer since November 2008. Prior to that, Mr. Ianniello served as Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer and Treasurer of the Company since September 2007, as Senior Vice President, Finance and Treasurer of the Company since the Separation, as Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Former Viacom since July 2005, as Vice President, Corporate Development of Former Viacom from 2000 to 2005 and as Director, Financial Planning of the former CBS Corporation from 1997 to 2000.
Mr. Jones has been Senior Vice President and General Tax Counsel of the Company since the Separation and for Former Viacom in December 2005. Previously, he served as Vice President of Tax, Assistant Treasurer and Tax Counsel for NBC Universal, Inc. since 2003. Prior to that, he spent 13 years with Ernst & Young in their media & entertainment and transaction advisory services practices. Mr. Jones also served honorably as a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army's 75th Ranger Regiment.
Mr. Reynolds has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since the Separation. Previously, Mr. Reynolds served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the businesses that comprise the Company after the Separation and President of the CBS Television Stations Group since 2001. Prior to that, Mr. Reynolds served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Former Viacom from 2000 to 2001 and served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the former CBS Corporation and its predecessor, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, from 1994 to 2000. Mr. Reynolds was Chief Financial Officer of CBS Inc. from April 1996 to 1997.
Mr. Schwartz has been Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer of the Company since the Separation. Previously, he was Executive Vice President of CBS Communications Group, which served the Company's broadcast and local television, syndication, radio and outdoor operations, among others, from 2004 until the Separation. He was Senior Vice President, Communications of CBS from 2000 to 2004, and Senior Vice President, Communications of the former CBS Corporation from 1996 to 2000. Mr. Schwartz served as Vice President, Corporate Communications of Westinghouse Broadcasting from 1995 to 1996. Prior to that, Mr. Schwartz served as Vice President, Communications for Westinghouse Broadcasting's Group W Television Stations from 1989 to 1995. Mr. Schwartz joined Westinghouse Broadcasting in 1981.
Mr. Shea has been Executive Vice President, Investor Relations of the Company since the Separation and for Former Viacom since November 2004. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President, Investor Relations of Former Viacom since January 1998. Mr. Shea was Senior Vice President, Corporation Communications for Triarc Companies, Inc. from July 1994 to May 1995 and from November 1995 to December 1997. He served as Managing Director of Edelman Worldwide from June 1995 through October 1995. Mr. Shea held various Investor Relations positions at Paramount Communications Inc., serving most recently as Vice President, Investor Relations from 1977 until July 1994.
Ms. Straka has been Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Secretary of the Company since the Separation. Prior to that, Ms. Straka served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel and Co-Head of the Corporate, Transactions and Securities practice group in the corporate law department of Former Viacom. Prior to joining the Former Viacom corporate law department in February 2001, Ms. Straka served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, then a majority-owned public subsidiary of Former Viacom, from May 2000. Ms. Straka was Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Secretary of the former CBS Corporation and its predecessor, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, since 1992 and up to the time of the May 2000 merger of Former Viacom and the former CBS Corporation.
I-36
Item 5. Market for CBS Corporation's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Purchases of Equity Securities.
CBS Corporation (the "Company" or "CBS Corp.") voting Class A Common Stock and CBS Corporation non-voting Class B Common Stock are listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbols "CBS.A" and "CBS", respectively.
The following table sets forth, for the calendar periods indicated, the per share range of high and low sales prices for CBS Corp.'s Class A and Class B Common Stock, as reported on the NYSE.
|
Voting Class A Common Stock |
Non-Voting Class B Common Stock |
||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
High |
Low |
High |
Low |
||||||||||
2008 |
||||||||||||||
1st quarter |
$ | 27.00 | $ | 21.08 | $ | 27.18 | $ | 21.00 | ||||||
2nd quarter |
$ | 24.99 | $ | 19.31 | $ | 25.00 | $ | 19.30 | ||||||
3rd quarter |
$ | 19.40 | $ | 14.15 | $ | 19.40 | $ | 14.02 | ||||||
4th quarter |
$ | 14.59 | $ | 4.37 | $ | 14.61 | $ | 4.36 | ||||||
2007 |
||||||||||||||
1st quarter |
$ | 32.27 | $ | 28.73 | $ | 32.27 | $ | 28.45 | ||||||
2nd quarter |
$ | 34.00 | $ | 30.55 | $ | 34.02 | $ | 30.46 | ||||||
3rd quarter |
$ | 35.54 | $ | 28.87 | $ | 35.75 | $ | 28.76 | ||||||
4th quarter |
$ | 31.63 | $ | 25.73 | $ | 32.20 | $ | 25.57 | ||||||
On February 18, 2009, the Company announced a reduction in the quarterly cash dividend from $.27 to $.05 per share on its Class A and Class B Common Stock, payable on April 1, 2009. CBS Corp. currently expects to continue to pay a regular cash dividend to its stockholders. The Company declared a quarterly cash dividend on its Class A and Class B Common Stock during each of the four quarters of 2008 and 2007, for a total of $725.9 million and $667.1 million, respectively.
During 2008, the Company did not purchase any shares under its publicly announced share purchase programs which have remaining authorization of $649.4 million.
As of February 15, 2009, there were approximately 2,276 record holders of CBS Corp. Class A Common Stock and approximately 34,179 record holders of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock. These numbers do not include holders of Former Viacom common stock, who had not exchanged, as of February 15, 2009, shares of Former Viacom for shares of CBS Corporation.
Information required by this item is also contained in the CBS Corp. Proxy Statement for the Company's 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the heading "Equity Compensation Plan Information," which information is incorporated herein by reference.
II-1
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on CBS Corp. Class A and Class B Common Stock with the cumulative total return on the companies listed in the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index ("S&P 500") and a Peer Group of companies identified below.
The performance graph assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2003 in each of the Class A and Class B Common Stock of CBS Corp., the S&P 500 and the Peer Group identified below including reinvestment of dividends, through the calendar year ended December 31, 2008.
Total Cumulative Stockholder Return
For Five-Year Period Ending December 31, 2008
December 31, |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CBS Corp. Class A Common Stock |
$ | 100.00 | $ | 84.33 | $ | 75.11 | $ | 94.20 | $ | 83.29 | $ | 27.82 | |||||||
CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock |
$ | 100.00 | $ | 82.56 | $ | 74.57 | $ | 95.46 | $ | 86.09 | $ | 28.06 | |||||||
S&P 500 |
$ | 100.00 | $ | 110.88 | $ | 116.33 | $ | 134.69 | $ | 142.09 | $ | 89.52 | |||||||
Peer Group (a) |
$ | 100.00 | $ | 108.51 | $ | 96.28 | $ | 126.58 | $ | 112.38 | $ | 56.06 | |||||||
II-2
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
(In millions, except per share amounts)
|
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2008 (a)(b) |
2007 |
2006 (c) |
2005 (a)(c)(d) |
2004 (a)(c)(d)(e) |
|||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 13,950.4 | $ | 14,072.9 | $ | 14,320.2 | $ | 14,113.0 | $ | 14,138.3 | ||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
$ | (12,158.7 | ) | $ | 2,621.8 | $ | 2,606.4 | $ | (6,869.5 | ) | $ | (15,201.6 | ) | |||||
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | (11,673.4 | ) | $ | 1,230.8 | $ | 1,382.9 | $ | (8,360.6 | ) | $ | (16,428.7 | ) | |||||
Net earnings from discontinued operations |
$ | | $ | 16.2 | $ | 277.6 | $ | 1,271.5 | $ | 278.9 | ||||||||
Net earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting changes |
$ | (11,673.4 | ) | $ | 1,247.0 | $ | 1,660.5 | $ | (7,089.1 | ) | $ | (16,149.8 | ) | |||||
Net earnings (loss) |
$ | (11,673.4 | ) | $ | 1,247.0 | $ | 1,660.5 | $ | (7,089.1 | ) | $ | (17,462.2 | ) | |||||
Basic earnings (loss) per common share |
||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | (17.43 | ) | $ | 1.72 | $ | 1.81 | $ | (10.59 | ) | $ | (19.17 | ) | |||||
Net earnings from discontinued operations |
$ | | $ | .02 | $ | .36 | $ | 1.61 | $ | .33 | ||||||||
Net earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting changes |
$ | (17.43 | ) | $ | 1.75 | $ | 2.17 | $ | (8.98 | ) | $ | (18.84 | ) | |||||
Net earnings (loss) |
$ | (17.43 | ) | $ | 1.75 | $ | 2.17 | $ | (8.98 | ) | $ | (20.37 | ) | |||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share |
||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | (17.43 | ) | $ | 1.70 | $ | 1.79 | $ | (10.59 | ) | $ | (19.17 | ) | |||||
Net earnings from discontinued operations |
$ | | $ | .02 | $ | .36 | $ | 1.61 | $ | .33 | ||||||||
Net earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting changes |
$ | (17.43 | ) | $ | 1.73 | $ | 2.15 | $ | (8.98 | ) | $ | (18.84 | ) | |||||
Net earnings (loss) |
$ | (17.43 | ) | $ | 1.73 | $ | 2.15 | $ | (8.98 | ) | $ | (20.37 | ) | |||||
Dividends per common share |
$ |
1.06 |
$ |
..94 |
$ |
..74 |
$ |
..56 |
$ |
..50 |
||||||||
At Year End: |
||||||||||||||||||
Total assets: |
||||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations |
$ | 26,784.0 | $ | 40,322.5 | $ | 43,225.6 | $ | 42,006.4 | $ | 49,280.9 | ||||||||
Discontinued operations |
$ | 105.3 | $ | 107.7 | $ | 283.2 | $ | 1,023.2 | $ | 18,721.4 | ||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 26,889.3 | $ | 40,430.2 | $ | 43,508.8 | $ | 43,029.6 | $ | 68,002.3 | ||||||||
Total debt: |
||||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations |
$ | 6,996.1 | $ | 7,087.7 | $ | 7,042.3 | $ | 7,900.3 | $ | 9,363.6 | ||||||||
Discontinued operations |
$ | 33.5 | $ | 43.0 | $ | 83.0 | $ | 153.2 | $ | 553.4 | ||||||||
Total Stockholders' Equity |
$ | 8,597.3 | $ | 21,472.4 | $ | 23,522.5 | $ | 21,737.0 | $ | 42,024.3 | ||||||||
II-3
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Management's discussion and analysis of the results of operations and financial condition of CBS Corporation (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires, the "Company" or "CBS Corp.") should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes. Descriptions of all documents incorporated by reference herein or included as exhibits hereto are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of such documents so incorporated or included. Please see Item 1A. Risk Factors in Part I of this report for the Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements.
Overview
For 2008, CBS Corporation reported revenues of $13.95 billion, down 1% from $14.07 billion in 2007, an operating loss of $12.16 billion and a net loss of $11.67 billion, or a loss of $17.43 per diluted share. Results for 2008 include pre-tax non-cash impairment charges of $14.18 billion ($12.73 billion, net of tax), or $19.00 per diluted share, primarily to reduce the carrying value of the Company's goodwill and intangible assets. CBS Corp.'s 2008 operating results were negatively impacted by the weakened economy, mainly in the second half of the year. Many key advertisers significantly reduced their advertising spending, primarily at the local level, which contributed to a decline in advertising revenues of 8% for the year. The Company recorded restructuring charges of $136.7 million reflecting severance costs associated with the elimination of positions, contract terminations and other associated costs, which are expected to reduce its annual cost structure by approximately $220 million.
On June 30, 2008, the Company acquired CNET Networks, Inc. ("CNET"), a global interactive media company with entertainment, news and information Internet sites and brands including CNET, ZDNet, GameSpot, TV.com, mp3.com, CNETnews.com, UrbanBaby, CHOW, Search.com, BNET, MySimon and TechRepublic. The CNET acquisition expanded the Company's Internet presence worldwide. The Company's existing Internet brands, combined with those of CNET, reached approximately 226 million unique monthly visitors worldwide during December 2008.
Description of Business
CBS Corp. is comprised of the following segments: Television, Radio, Outdoor, Interactive and Publishing. Effective July 1, 2008, the Company combined its existing interactive businesses, which were previously reported in the Television segment, with those of CNET and realigned its management structure to create an Interactive segment. Prior period results have been reclassified to conform to this presentation.
CBS Corp. operates in the following segments:
II-4
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Consolidated Results of Operations2008 vs. 2007 and 2007 vs. 2006
Revenues
The tables below present the Company's consolidated revenues by type for each of the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.
Revenues by Type Year Ended December 31, |
2008 |
2007 |
Increase/(Decrease) 2008 vs. 2007 |
2006 |
Increase/(Decrease) 2007 vs. 2006 |
|
||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Advertising sales |
$ | 9,239.9 | $ | 10,060.9 | $ | (821.0 | ) | (8 | )% | $ | 10,373.1 | $ | (312.2 | ) | (3 | )% | ||||||||
Television license fees |
1,939.4 | 1,382.2 | 557.2 | 40 | 1,606.8 | (224.6 | ) | (14 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Affiliate revenues |
1,185.1 | 1,117.7 | 67.4 | 6 | 1,069.6 | 48.1 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
Publishing |
857.7 | 886.1 | (28.4 | ) | (3 | ) | 807.0 | 79.1 | 10 | |||||||||||||||
Home entertainment |
234.0 | 201.9 | 32.1 | 16 | 83.4 | 118.5 | 142 | |||||||||||||||||
Other |
494.3 | 424.1 | 70.2 | 17 | 380.3 | 43.8 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||
Total Revenues |
$ | 13,950.4 | $ | 14,072.9 | $ | (122.5 | ) | (1 | )% | $ | 14,320.2 | $ | (247.3 | ) | (2 | )% | ||||||||
|
Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Percentage of Revenues by Type |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
||||||||
Advertising sales |
66 | % | 72 | % | 72 | % | |||||
Television license fees |
14 | 10 | 11 | ||||||||
Affiliate revenues |
8 | 8 | 7 | ||||||||
Publishing |
6 | 6 | 6 | ||||||||
Home entertainment |
2 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Other |
4 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||
Total |
100 | % | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||
II-5
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Advertising sales decreased 8% to $9.24 billion in 2008 from $10.06 billion in 2007 reflecting weakness in the television and radio advertising markets, the absence of the 2007 telecast of Super Bowl XLI on CBS Television Network, lower primetime ratings for the 2007/2008 broadcast season, partly as a result of the Writers Guild of America ("WGA") strike, which was settled in February 2008, and the impact of television and radio station divestitures. These decreases were partially offset by the acquisition of CNET and higher political advertising sales due to the 2008 presidential election. The Company derives a significant portion of its revenues from advertising sales, which are directly affected by the health of the economy. To the extent that the economic downturn continues, the Company will likely continue to experience softness in its advertising businesses during 2009. In 2007, advertising sales decreased 3% to $10.06 billion from $10.37 billion in 2006 reflecting the absence of UPN and the impact of radio and television station divestitures, which together reduced the Company's advertising sales by 3% for 2007 versus 2006. The decline in advertising sales also reflected lower political advertising sales and weakness in the radio advertising market. These declines were partially offset by the 2007 telecast of Super Bowl XLI on CBS Television Network and growth in advertising sales at Outdoor.
Television license fees increased 40% to $1.94 billion in 2008 from $1.38 billion in 2007 principally reflecting higher domestic and international syndication sales of the CSI series, including the impact of the new international self-distribution arrangement for the CSI franchise, which was previously distributed by a third party. Television license fees decreased 14% to $1.38 billion in 2007 from $1.61 billion in 2006 principally reflecting lower domestic syndication revenues as revenues from 2007 domestic availabilities, including NCIS, did not match contributions from the 2006 basic cable availability and off-network syndication of Frasier and the 2006 basic cable availability of Star Trek: Voyager.
Affiliate revenues increased 6% to $1.19 billion in 2008 from $1.12 billion in 2007 principally due to rate increases and subscriber growth at Showtime Networks and CBS College Sports Network. Affiliate revenues increased 4% to $1.12 billion in 2007 from $1.07 billion in 2006 driven by rate increases and subscriber growth at Showtime Networks and CBS College Sports Network.
Publishing revenues decreased 3% to $857.7 million in 2008 from $886.1 million in 2007 principally reflecting lower book sales due to a difficult comparison with the prior year, which included the success of the best-selling title The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. Publishing revenues increased 10% to $886.1 million in 2007 from $807.0 million in 2006 reflecting higher sales in the Adult and International groups, led by the release of The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.
Home entertainment revenues, primarily consisting of DVD sales, increased 16% to $234.0 million in 2008 from $201.9 million in 2007 reflecting the mix of available DVD releases. Home entertainment revenues increased $118.5 million to $201.9 million in 2007 from $83.4 million in 2006, as the Company was in the second year of a third party distribution arrangement which provides the Company with revenues after recoupment of upfront distribution costs incurred by the third party distributor.
Other revenues, which include digital media revenues and other ancillary fees for Television, Radio, Outdoor and Interactive operations, increased 17% to $494.3 million in 2008 from $424.1 million in 2007, primarily reflecting the impact of the acquisition of CNET. For 2007, other revenues increased 12% to $424.1 million in 2007 from $380.3 million in 2006 principally reflecting higher digital media revenues.
II-6
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
International Revenues
The Company generated approximately 16% of its total revenues from international regions in 2008, 12% in 2007 and 11% in 2006. The increase in international revenues for 2008 primarily reflects the impact of the new international self-distribution arrangement for the CSI franchise.
Year Ended December 31, |
2008 |
Percentage of Total |
2007 |
Percentage of Total |
2006 |
Percentage of Total |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom |
$ | 584.3 | 26 | % | $ | 534.9 | 31 | % | $ | 484.5 | 31 | % | ||||||||
Other Europe |
903.5 | 40 | 610.4 | 35 | 548.5 | 35 | ||||||||||||||
Canada |
350.6 | 16 | 302.2 | 18 | 276.5 | 17 | ||||||||||||||
All other |
407.7 | 18 | 275.2 | 16 | 270.8 | 17 | ||||||||||||||
Total International Revenues |
$ | 2,246.1 | 100 | % | $ | 1,722.7 | 100 | % | $ | 1,580.3 | 100 | % | ||||||||
Operating Expenses
The table below presents the Company's consolidated operating expenses by type.
Operating Expenses by Type Year Ended December 31, |
2008 |
2007 |
Increase/ (Decrease) 2008 vs. 2007 |
2006 |
Increase/ (Decrease) 2007 vs. 2006 |
|
||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Programming |
$ | 3,291.3 | $ | 3,394.9 | $ | (103.6 | ) | (3 | )% | $ | 3,354.7 | $ | 40.2 | 1 | % | |||||||||
Production |
2,570.3 | 2,331.9 | 238.4 | 10 | 2,585.1 | (253.2 | ) | (10 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Outdoor operations |
1,274.2 | 1,177.4 | 96.8 | 8 | 1,168.3 | 9.1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
Publishing operations |
566.5 | 590.1 | (23.6 | ) | (4 | ) | 539.2 | 50.9 | 9 | |||||||||||||||
Other |
948.4 | 835.0 | 113.4 | 14 | 777.5 | 57.5 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||
Total Operating Expenses |
$ | 8,650.7 | $ | 8,329.3 | $ | 321.4 | 4 | % | $ | 8,424.8 | $ | (95.5 | ) | (1 | )% | |||||||||
For 2008, operating expenses of $8.65 billion increased 4% from $8.33 billion in 2007. For 2007, operating expenses of $8.33 billion decreased 1% from $8.42 billion in 2006. The major components and changes in operating expenses were as follows:
II-7
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
due to the impact of the WGA strike, which resulted in fewer episodes and pilots produced in 2008, and the cancellation of certain television series. Production expenses decreased 10% to $2.33 billion in 2007 from $2.59 billion in 2006 primarily reflecting lower costs associated with lower syndication revenues.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses, which include expenses incurred for selling and marketing costs, occupancy and back office support, represented 19% of revenues for each of the years 2008, 2007 and 2006. SG&A expenses decreased $57.4 million, or 2%, to $2.61 billion in 2008 from $2.67 billion in 2007, primarily reflecting lower costs resulting from cost-saving initiatives, the settlement of an international receivable claim, lower postretirement benefits expenses, and lower expenses due to the divestitures of television and radio stations, partially offset by the impact of acquisitions and higher stock-based compensation expense. In 2008, pension and postretirement benefits expenses decreased $15.2 million from 2007 due to higher actuarial gains related to postretirement plans. Pension expense is expected to increase in 2009 primarily due to plan asset performance in 2008.
For 2007, SG&A expenses decreased $106.6 million, or 4%, to $2.67 billion in 2007 from $2.77 billion in 2006, primarily reflecting lower expenses due to the divestitures of radio and television stations, the absence of UPN and lower pension and postretirement benefits expenses. These decreases were partially offset by higher stock-based compensation expense and increased costs associated with online and interactive businesses. In 2007, pension and postretirement benefits expenses decreased $66.7 million from 2006 primarily due to the recognition of lower actuarial losses and the impact of $250.0 million of discretionary contributions made during 2006 to pre-fund the Company's qualified pension plans.
II-8
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Restructuring Charges
During 2008, as a result of weakened economic conditions, the Company reduced its cost structure across all of its segments. Accordingly, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $136.7 million, which are expected to reduce the Company's annual cost structure by approximately $220 million. The charges reflect $127.5 million of severance costs and $9.2 million of contract termination and other associated costs. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company paid $44.5 million of the severance costs and $1.5 million of the contract termination and other associated costs. The following table sets forth the 2008 activity for these restructuring charges by segment.
|
2008 Charges |
2008 Payments |
Balance at December 31, 2008 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Television |
$ | 60.5 | $ | (24.6 | ) | $ | 35.9 | ||||
Radio |
53.9 | (15.0 | ) | 38.9 | |||||||
Outdoor |
13.2 | (5.4 | ) | 7.8 | |||||||
Interactive |
3.4 | (.7 | ) | 2.7 | |||||||
Publishing |
4.2 | (.3 | ) | 3.9 | |||||||
Corporate |
1.5 | | 1.5 | ||||||||
Total |
$ | 136.7 | $ | (46.0 | ) | $ | 90.7 | ||||
During September 2006, the Company combined the resources of its syndication and distribution operations. As a result, restructuring charges of $11.6 million were recorded in the Television segment during the year ended December 31, 2006. The charges reflected severance costs of $9.7 million and legal, lease termination and other expenses of $1.9 million. As of December 31, 2008 the Company had settled substantially all of these liabilities.
Impairment Charges
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS 142") requires the Company to perform a fair value-based impairment test of goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives annually and also between annual tests if an event occurs or if circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit or an indefinite-lived intangible asset below its book value. During the third quarter of 2008, the Company performed an interim impairment test as a result of its assessment of factors including the continuation of adverse market conditions, which affected the Company's market value and trading multiples for entities within the Company's industry, as well as the continued economic slowdown which adversely affected the Company's advertising revenues, primarily at the Company's local businesses. The first step of the goodwill impairment test examined whether the book value of each of the Company's reporting units, which are generally one level below the operating segment level, exceeded its fair value. If the book value of the reporting unit exceeded its fair value, the second step of the test required the Company to then compare the implied fair value of that reporting unit's goodwill with the book value of its goodwill.
The estimated fair value of each reporting unit was computed principally based upon the present value of future cash flows (Discounted Cash Flow Method) and both the traded and transaction values of comparable businesses (Market Comparable Method). The Discounted Cash Flow Method and Market Comparable Method resulted in substantially equal fair values. For the impairment test of intangible assets with indefinite lives, the fair value of the intangible asset was compared with its book value. The estimated fair value of intangible assets was computed using the Discounted Cash Flow Method.
II-9
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
As a result of this interim impairment test, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $14.12 billion during the third quarter of 2008 to reduce the carrying value of goodwill by $10.99 billion and intangible assets by $3.13 billion. The charge was reflected as a reduction to goodwill at the Television segment of $5.81 billion, the Radio segment of $2.33 billion and the Outdoor segment of $2.85 billion as well as a reduction to the carrying value of intangible assets related to FCC licenses at the Television segment of $2.13 billion and the Radio segment of $984.6 million, and franchise agreements at the Outdoor segment of $8.2 million.
Also in 2008, in connection with the sale of certain of its radio stations, the Company recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $62.0 million to reduce the carrying value of intangible assets by $30.4 million and the allocated goodwill by $31.6 million. In 2006, in connection with the sale of seven of its owned television stations, the Company recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $65.2 million to reduce the carrying value of the allocated goodwill. (See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.)
The Company also performed its annual SFAS 142 impairment test during the fourth quarter of 2008. The assumptions underlying the Company's Discounted Cash Flow model for all of its reporting units were revised to reflect further slowdown of worldwide economic conditions. The Company also evaluated the reasonableness of its estimated fair values of the individual reporting units as compared to the Company's overall market capitalization during the fourth quarter. The Company's market capitalization during that period was below the aggregate fair value of its reporting units. The Company believes the substantial decrease in its traded market value during the fourth quarter of 2008 was largely due to factors which did not impact the fair value of its reporting units to the same extent. These factors included liquidity and credit concerns in the overall market and the market's perceived risk in advertising-based businesses during an economic slowdown. The Company believes the aggregate fair value of its reporting units computed based on the Discounted Cash Flow Method and Market Comparable Method represents the best estimate of its future performance and therefore, is a more accurate fair value of the Company.
The fourth quarter 2008 annual SFAS 142 impairment test did not result in any additional 2008 impairment charges. However, due to the uncertainty of future economic conditions and their impact on the Company's financial performance, further downward revisions to the estimated fair values of certain reporting units or intangible assets could result in a future impairment charge.
Depreciation and Amortization
For 2008, depreciation and amortization increased $75.9 million, or 17%, to $531.6 million from $455.7 million principally reflecting depreciation and amortization associated with fixed assets and intangible assets acquired in connection with CNET, higher depreciation resulting from higher capital expenditures at Outdoor and higher amortization associated with other interactive businesses. For 2007, depreciation and amortization increased $16.2 million, or 4%, to $455.7 million from $439.5 million principally reflecting higher depreciation associated with new broadcast facilities.
Interest Expense
For 2008, interest expense decreased $24.3 million to $546.6 million from $570.9 million principally due to lower interest rates. For 2007, interest expense increased $5.4 million to $570.9 million from $565.5 million. The Company had $7.00 billion at December 31, 2008 and $7.09 billion at December 31, 2007 of principal amounts of debt outstanding (including current maturities), both at a weighted average interest rate of 7.1%.
II-10
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Interest Income
For 2008, interest income decreased $73.9 million to $42.2 million from $116.1 million in 2007 reflecting lower average cash balances and lower interest rates. For 2007, interest income increased $4.0 million to $116.1 million from $112.1 million in 2006.
Gain (Loss) on Early Extinguishment of Debt
For 2008, the gain on early extinguishment of debt of $8.4 million reflected the pre-tax gain recognized upon the repurchase of $191.8 million of the Company's 7.70% senior notes due 2010.
For 2006, the loss on early extinguishment of debt of $6.0 million reflected losses recognized upon the repurchase of $50.0 million of the Company's 6.625% senior notes due 2011 and $52.2 million of the Company's 7.70% senior notes due 2010.
Other Items, Net
For 2008, "Other items, net" of $79.6 million principally reflected a gain of $129.8 million on the sale of the Company's investment in Sundance Channel, foreign exchange gains of $32.3 million and a gain of $3.7 million relating to radio station divestitures, partially offset by a non-cash charge of $71.1 million associated with other-than-temporary declines in the market value of the Company's investments and $15.4 million of losses associated with securitizing accounts receivable.
For 2007, "Other items, net" reflected a net loss of $34.0 million principally consisting of losses associated with securitizing trade receivables of $32.0 million and a non-cash charge of $24.8 million associated with an other-than-temporary decline in the market value of one of the Company's investments, partially offset by a net gain of $10.0 million on television and radio station divestitures, foreign exchange gains of $8.0 million and gains of $3.9 million on the sale of investments.
For 2006, "Other items, net" reflected a net loss of $14.3 million principally consisting of losses associated with securitizing trade receivables of $31.0 million, a non-cash charge of $6.2 million associated with an other-than-temporary decline in the market value of one of the Company's investments and foreign exchange losses of $2.0 million, partially offset by a gain of $24.6 million on radio station divestitures.
Benefit (provision) for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes represents federal, state and local, and foreign income taxes on earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies. The Company reported an income tax benefit of $919.3 million in 2008 versus an income tax provision of $821.5 million in 2007 and $652.2 million in 2006. The Company's annual effective income tax rate was 7.3% in 2008, 38.5% in 2007 and 30.6% in 2006. Included in the rate for 2008 was a tax benefit of $1.45 billion associated with the non-cash impairment charges of $14.18 billion primarily to reduce the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets. The provision for income taxes included tax provisions of $54.7 million in 2008, $68.5 million in 2007 and $33.5 million in 2006, relating to gains on divestitures and tax benefits of $44.9 million in 2008, $8.0 million in 2007 and $164.1 million in 2006, from tax audit settlements.
For 2009, the Company's annual effective income tax rate is expected to be approximately 36%, excluding the impact of any settlements of income tax audits or dispositions.
II-11
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Equity in Loss of Investee Companies, Net of Tax
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax, was $17.6 million for 2008, $80.7 million for 2007 and $97.6 million for 2006. The net losses in 2007 and 2006 principally reflected non-cash charges of $62.9 million and $94.2 million, respectively, associated with other-than-temporary declines in the market value of the Company's equity investments. The net losses in 2008, 2007 and 2006 also reflected operating losses from the Company's 50% investment in The CW, a television broadcast network.
Net Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations
For 2008, the Company reported a net loss from continuing operations of $11.67 billion versus net earnings from continuing operations of $1.23 billion in 2007 and $1.38 billion in 2006. The net loss in 2008 included the pre-tax non-cash impairment charges of $14.18 billion ($12.73 billion, net of tax) primarily to reduce the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets.
Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations
During 2006, Paramount Parks was sold to Cedar Fair, L.P. for $1.24 billion and as a result, Paramount Parks has been presented as a discontinued operation in the consolidated financial statements.
For the year ended December 31, 2007, net earnings from discontinued operations of $16.2 million principally reflected adjustments to the gain on the sale of Paramount Parks. For the year ended December 31, 2006, net earnings from discontinued operations of $277.6 million primarily reflected the operating results and the gain on the sale of Paramount Parks.
The following table sets forth the details of CBS Corp.'s net earnings from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Year Ended December 31, |
2006 |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues from discontinued operations |
$ | 158.9 | ||
Loss from discontinued operations |
$ | (1.3 | ) | |
Gain on the sale of Paramount Parks |
454.8 | |||
Earnings from discontinued operations before income taxes |
453.5 | |||
Provision for income taxes |
(175.9 | ) | ||
Net earnings from discontinued operations |
$ | 277.6 | ||
Net Earnings (Loss)
For 2008, the Company reported a net loss of $11.67 billion versus net earnings of $1.25 billion in 2007 and $1.66 billion in 2006. The net loss in 2008 included the pre-tax non-cash impairment charges of $14.18 billion ($12.73 billion, net of tax) primarily to reduce the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets.
II-12
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Segment Results of OperationsFor the Years Ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
The following tables present the Company's revenues, segment operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization and SFAS 142 impairment charges ("Segment OIBDA before Impairment Charges"), operating income (loss), and depreciation and amortization by segment, for each of the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.
Year Ended December 31, |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues: |
||||||||||||
Television |
$ | 8,991.1 | $ | 9,108.0 | $ | 9,354.9 | ||||||
Radio |
1,539.1 | 1,753.7 | 1,959.9 | |||||||||
Outdoor |
2,170.6 | 2,187.3 | 2,103.4 | |||||||||
Interactive |
421.7 | 166.1 | 132.2 | |||||||||
Publishing |
857.7 | 886.1 | 807.0 | |||||||||
Eliminations |
(29.8 | ) | (28.3 | ) | (37.2 | ) | ||||||
Total Revenues |
$ | 13,950.4 | $ | 14,072.9 | $ | 14,320.2 | ||||||
Segment OIBDA before Impairment Charges (a): |
||||||||||||
Television |
$ | 1,695.9 | $ | 1,936.5 | $ | 1,932.6 | ||||||
Radio |
499.4 | 688.7 | 820.0 | |||||||||
Outdoor |
467.4 | 620.9 | 568.0 | |||||||||
Interactive |
39.7 | (10.3 | ) | 15.1 | ||||||||
Publishing |
88.2 | 97.2 | 78.0 | |||||||||
Corporate |
(157.1 | ) | (159.0 | ) | (162.9 | ) | ||||||
Residual costs |
(79.2 | ) | (96.5 | ) | (139.7 | ) | ||||||
Impairment charges (b) |
(14,181.4 | ) | | (65.2 | ) | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(531.6 | ) | (455.7 | ) | (439.5 | ) | ||||||
Total Operating Income (Loss) |
$ | (12,158.7 | ) | $ | 2,621.8 | $ | 2,606.4 | |||||
Operating Income (Loss): |
||||||||||||
Television (b) |
$ | (6,433.0 | ) | $ | 1,760.7 | $ | 1,702.0 | |||||
Radio (b) |
(2,913.9 | ) | 657.8 | 787.4 | ||||||||
Outdoor (b) |
(2,631.7 | ) | 404.9 | 351.8 | ||||||||
Interactive |
(9.3 | ) | (21.7 | ) | 9.0 | |||||||
Publishing |
78.7 | 88.1 | 68.5 | |||||||||
Corporate |
(170.3 | ) | (171.5 | ) | (172.6 | ) | ||||||
Residual costs |
(79.2 | ) | (96.5 | ) | (139.7 | ) | ||||||
Total Operating Income (Loss) |
$ | (12,158.7 | ) | $ | 2,621.8 | $ | 2,606.4 | |||||
Depreciation and Amortization: |
||||||||||||
Television |
$ | 183.4 | $ | 175.8 | $ | 165.4 | ||||||
Radio |
32.6 | 30.9 | 32.6 | |||||||||
Outdoor |
243.9 | 216.0 | 216.2 | |||||||||
Interactive |
49.0 | 11.4 | 6.1 | |||||||||
Publishing |
9.5 | 9.1 | 9.5 | |||||||||
Corporate |
13.2 | 12.5 | 9.7 | |||||||||
Total Depreciation and Amortization |
$ | 531.6 | $ | 455.7 | $ | 439.5 | ||||||
II-13
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Segment Results of Operations2008 vs. 2007 and 2007 vs. 2006
Television (CBS Television Network, CBS Television Stations, CBS Paramount Network Television, CBS Television Distribution, CBS College Sports Network and Showtime Networks)
(Contributed 64% to the consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 65% to consolidated revenues for each of the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.)
Year Ended December 31, |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues |
$ | 8,991.1 | $ | 9,108.0 | $ | 9,354.9 | ||||
OIBDA before impairment charges |
$ | 1,695.9 | $ | 1,936.5 | $ | 1,932.6 | ||||
Impairment charges |
(7,945.5 | ) | | (65.2 | ) | |||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(183.4 | ) | (175.8 | ) | (165.4 | ) | ||||
Operating income (loss) |
$ | (6,433.0 | ) | $ | 1,760.7 | $ | 1,702.0 | |||
OIBDA before impairment charges as a % of revenues |
19% | 21% | 21% | |||||||
Operating income as a % of revenues |
NM | 19% | 18% | |||||||
Restructuring charges |
$ | 60.5 | $ | | $ | 11.6 | ||||
Capital expenditures |
$ | 187.6 | $ | 206.0 | $ | 208.9 | ||||
NMNot meaningful
2008 vs. 2007
For 2008, Television revenues decreased 1% to $8.99 billion from $9.11 billion in 2007 primarily due to lower advertising sales partially offset by higher television license fees and affiliate revenues. Advertising sales decreased 13% primarily reflecting softness in the advertising marketplace, the absence of the 2007 telecast of Super Bowl XLI on CBS Television Network and lower primetime ratings during the 2007/2008 broadcast season, partly as a result of the WGA strike, which was settled in February 2008, partially offset by higher political advertising sales. Television license fees increased 41% principally reflecting higher domestic and international syndication sales of the CSI series, including the impact of the new international self-distribution arrangement for the CSI franchise, which was previously distributed by a third party. Affiliate revenues increased 6% primarily due to subscriber growth and rate increases at Showtime Networks and CBS College Sports Network.
For 2008, Television reported an operating loss of $6.43 billion, which included non-cash impairment charges of $7.95 billion principally to reduce the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets, compared with operating income of $1.76 billion for 2007. Television OIBDA before impairment charges decreased 12% to $1.70 billion in 2008 from $1.94 billion in 2007 primarily due to lower advertising sales and restructuring charges of $60.5 million incurred in 2008 principally reflecting severance costs associated with the elimination of positions and contract termination costs. These decreases were partially offset by higher profits from syndication sales, principally from the CSI series, higher affiliate revenues, lower sports programming costs associated with the absence of the 2007 telecast of Super Bowl XLI and lower television series costs reflecting the impact of the WGA strike. Television results included stock-based compensation expense of $63.3 million for 2008 and $47.7 million for 2007.
II-14
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
License fees for completed television programming in syndication and on cable are recorded as revenues in the period that the products are available for exhibition, which, among other reasons, may cause substantial fluctuations in operating results. Unrecognized revenues attributable to such license agreements were $600.1 million and $582.9 million at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
2007 vs. 2006
For 2007, Television revenues decreased 3% to $9.11 billion from $9.35 billion in 2006 primarily due to lower television license fee and advertising revenues partially offset by increases in affiliate and home entertainment revenues. Revenue comparisons for 2007 were negatively impacted by the absence of UPN which ceased broadcasting in September 2006 and television station divestitures. These two items negatively impacted the total 2007 Television revenue comparison by 3% and 2007 Television advertising revenue comparison by 4% versus 2006. Advertising revenues decreased by 3% primarily due to the above mentioned factors and lower political advertising sales partially offset by the 2007 telecast of Super Bowl XLI on CBS Television Network. Television license fee revenues decreased 14% reflecting lower domestic syndication revenues as revenues from 2007 domestic availabilities, including NCIS, did not match contributions from the 2006 basic cable availability and off-network syndication of Frasier and cable availability of Star Trek: Voyager. Affiliate revenues increased 4% primarily due to subscriber growth and rate increases at Showtime Networks and CBS College Sports Network. Home entertainment revenues increased $118.5 million over 2006 as the Company was in the second year of a third party distribution arrangement which provides the Company with revenues after recoupment of upfront distribution costs incurred by the third party distributor.
For 2007, Television operating income increased 3% to $1.76 billion from $1.70 billion in 2006. Included in 2006 operating income was a non-cash impairment charge of $65.2 million to reduce the carrying value of the allocated goodwill in connection with the sale of seven television stations. Television OIBDA before impairment charges increased slightly to $1.94 billion in 2007 from $1.93 billion in 2006 principally reflecting higher home entertainment revenues and the absence of $24.0 million of shutdown costs for UPN incurred in 2006 partially offset by lower political advertising sales and lower profits from syndication sales. Television results included stock-based compensation expense of $47.7 million for 2007 and $30.5 million for 2006.
Dispositions
On January 10, 2008, the Company completed the sale of seven of its owned television stations in Austin, Salt Lake City, Providence and West Palm Beach to Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. for $185.0 million. In connection with the agreement to sell these stations, a pre-tax impairment charge of $65.2 million was recorded in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 to reduce the carrying value of the allocated goodwill.
On April 16, 2007, the Company completed an exchange agreement with Liberty Media Corporation under which the stock of a subsidiary of the Company which held CBS Corp.'s Green Bay television station and its satellite television station, valued at $64.0 million, and $169.8 million in cash was exchanged for the 7.6 million shares of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock held by Liberty Media Corporation.
II-15
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Radio (CBS Radio)
(Contributed 11% to consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008, 12% for the year ended December 31, 2007 and 14% for the year ended December 31, 2006.)
Year Ended December 31, |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues |
$ | 1,539.1 | $ | 1,753.7 | $ | 1,959.9 | ||||
OIBDA before impairment charges |
$ | 499.4 | $ | 688.7 | $ | 820.0 | ||||
Impairment charges |
(3,380.7 | ) | | | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(32.6 | ) | (30.9 | ) | (32.6 | ) | ||||
Operating income (loss) |
$ | (2,913.9 | ) | $ | 657.8 | $ | 787.4 | |||
OIBDA before impairment charges as a % of revenues |
32% | 39% | 42% | |||||||
Operating income as a % of revenues |
NM | 38% | 40% | |||||||
Restructuring charges |
$ | 53.9 | $ | | $ | | ||||
Capital expenditures |
$ | 41.1 | $ | 40.4 | $ | 43.2 | ||||
NMNot meaningful
2008 vs. 2007
For 2008, Radio revenues decreased 12% to $1.54 billion from $1.75 billion for 2007 due to lower advertising sales, reflecting weakness in the advertising market, and the impact of radio station divestitures. The station divestitures negatively impacted the Radio revenue comparison by 1% in 2008.
For 2008, Radio reported an operating loss of $2.91 billion, which included non-cash impairment charges of $3.38 billion to reduce the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets, compared with operating income of $657.8 million for 2007. Radio OIBDA before impairment charges decreased 27% to $499.4 million for 2008 from $688.7 million for 2007 due to lower advertising sales, restructuring charges of $53.9 million incurred during 2008 and the impact of station divestitures. These decreases were partially offset by lower talent and employee-related expenses and decreased marketing and promotion costs resulting from restructuring and cost-saving initiatives implemented during 2008, as well as lower sports programming costs. The restructuring charges in 2008 principally reflected severance costs associated with the elimination of positions and other associated costs. Radio results included stock-based compensation expense of $15.5 million for 2008 versus $15.9 million for 2007.
2007 vs. 2006
For 2007, Radio revenues decreased 11% to $1.75 billion from $1.96 billion in 2006 reflecting weakness in advertising sales and the impact of radio station divestitures. The station divestitures negatively impacted the Radio revenue comparison by 5% in 2007.
II-16
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
For 2007, Radio operating income decreased 16% to $657.8 million from $787.4 million in 2006 and OIBDA decreased 16% to $688.7 million from $820.0 million in 2006. These decreases principally reflected lower advertising sales, the impact of station divestitures and higher stock-based compensation expense partially offset by lower sports programming costs. Radio results included stock-based compensation expense of $15.9 million for 2007 and $10.7 million for 2006.
Dispositions
On December 22, 2008, the Company signed an agreement with Wilks Broadcasting to sell three of its radio stations in Denver for $19.5 million. In addition, on December 15, 2008, the Company announced that it entered into an agreement with Clear Channel Communications, Inc. to swap five of the Company's mid-size market radio stations in Baltimore, Portland, Sacramento and Seattle, for two radio stations in Houston, a top 10 radio market. These transactions are subject to customary closing conditions. During 2008, the Company recorded a pre-tax non-cash impairment charge of $62.0 million to reduce the carrying value of intangible assets and the allocated goodwill in connection with these sales.
During 2007, the Company completed the sales of 34 radio stations in nine of its smaller markets for $543.4 million. During 2006, the Company completed the sale of five radio stations in one small market for $125.0 million.
Outdoor (CBS Outdoor)
(Contributed 16% to consolidated revenues for each of the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, and 15% for the year ended December 31, 2006.)
Year Ended December 31, |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues |
$ | 2,170.6 | $ | 2,187.3 | $ | 2,103.4 | ||||
OIBDA before impairment charges |
$ | 467.4 | $ | 620.9 | $ | 568.0 | ||||
Impairment charges |
(2,855.2 | ) | | | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(243.9 | ) | (216.0 | ) | (216.2 | ) | ||||
Operating income (loss) |
$ | (2,631.7 | ) | $ | 404.9 | $ | 351.8 | |||
OIBDA before impairment charges as a % of revenues |
22% | 28% | 27% | |||||||
Operating income as a % of revenues |
NM | 19% | 17% | |||||||
Restructuring charges |
$ | 13.2 | $ | | $ | | ||||
Capital expenditures |
$ | 195.7 | $ | 186.4 | $ | 115.7 | ||||
NMNot meaningful
2008 vs. 2007
For 2008, Outdoor revenues decreased 1% to $2.17 billion from $2.19 billion for 2007, reflecting a decline in North America (which is comprised of the United States, Canada and Mexico) partially offset by growth in International (which is comprised of Europe, Asia and South America). Revenues for North America decreased 4% from 2007 primarily due to lower revenues in the U.S. billboards businesses and the impact of the non-renewal of contracts partially offset by the inclusion of the results of CBS Outernet since its acquisition in October 2007. The non-renewal of two major municipal contracts in Toronto and San Francisco negatively impacted the revenue comparison in North America by 1% for the year. Revenues for International increased 4% from 2007 principally due to the acquisition of International Outdoor Advertising Group ("IOA") and revenue growth in the China and France markets. The
II-17
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
acquisition of IOA favorably impacted the International revenue comparison by 3% for the year. The unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rate changes on total Outdoor revenues was approximately $3 million for 2008. Approximately 50% and 48% of Outdoor revenues were generated from regions outside the United States for 2008 and 2007, respectively.
For 2008, Outdoor reported an operating loss of $2.63 billion, which included a non-cash impairment charge of $2.86 billion to reduce the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets, compared with operating income of $404.9 million for 2007. Outdoor OIBDA before impairment charges decreased 25% to $467.4 million for 2008 from $620.9 million for 2007. North America reported an operating loss of $2.09 billion for 2008 versus operating income of $336.5 million for 2007, primarily reflecting a non-cash impairment charge of $2.30 billion. North America OIBDA before impairment charges decreased 22% to $403.7 million due to lower revenues, higher transit and billboard lease costs, the impact of the non-renewal of contracts and restructuring charges of $5.4 million incurred during 2008. International reported an operating loss of $544.6 million for 2008 versus operating income of $68.4 million for 2007, primarily reflecting a non-cash impairment charge of $550.9 million. International OIBDA before impairment charges decreased 38% to $63.7 million principally due to higher transit costs and restructuring charges of $7.8 million incurred during 2008. The restructuring charges at Outdoor for 2008 reflected severance costs associated with the elimination of positions in the United States, Europe and Mexico. Outdoor results included stock-based compensation expense of $7.3 million for 2008 versus $5.3 million for 2007.
2007 vs. 2006
For 2007, Outdoor revenues increased 4% to $2.19 billion from $2.10 billion in 2006 reflecting an increase of 13% in International, driven by favorable foreign exchange rate changes and growth in the United Kingdom and France markets. Revenues for North America decreased 1% in 2007 as growth of 9% in U.S. billboards, 9% in Canada and 8% in Mexico was more than offset by a decline of 28% in U.S. transit and displays, reflecting the non-renewal of marginally profitable transit and street furniture contracts in New York City and Chicago. The non-renewal of these contracts negatively impacted the Outdoor revenue comparison by 6% in 2007. The favorable net impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on total Outdoor revenues was approximately $75 million in 2007. Approximately 48% and 44% of Outdoor revenues were generated from regions outside the United States in 2007 and 2006, respectively.
For 2007, Outdoor operating income increased 15% to $404.9 million from $351.8 million in 2006 and OIBDA increased 9% to $620.9 million from $568.0 million in 2006, led by growth in North America. North America operating income and OIBDA increased 23% to $336.5 million and 13% to $518.4 million, respectively, as the revenue decline was more than offset by lower transit costs due to the non-renewal of marginally profitable contracts. International operating income and OIBDA decreased 13% to $68.4 million and 5% to $102.5 million, respectively, reflecting higher transit costs, principally in the United Kingdom, and increased costs for maintenance and materials, partially offset by the revenue growth and the favorable impact of foreign exchange rate changes. Outdoor results included stock-based compensation expense of $5.3 million for 2007 and $3.2 million for 2006.
Capital expenditures increased $70.7 million to $186.4 million in 2007 principally reflecting increased spending for transit contracts in the United Kingdom.
II-18
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Acquisitions
On April 23, 2008, the Company acquired IOA, the leading out-of-home advertising company in South America, for $110.8 million.
On October 5, 2007, the Company acquired SignStorey, Inc., a distributor of video programming and advertising content to retail stores, for $71.5 million. SignStorey, Inc. has been renamed CBS Outernet.
Interactive (CBS Interactive)
(Contributed 3% to consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 1% for each of the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.)
Year Ended December 31, |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues |
$ | 421.7 | $ | 166.1 | $ | 132.2 | ||||
OIBDA |
$ | 39.7 | $ | (10.3 | ) | $ | 15.1 | |||
Depreciation and amortization |
(49.0 | ) | (11.4 | ) | (6.1 | ) | ||||
Operating income (loss) |
$ | (9.3 | ) | $ | (21.7 | ) | $ | 9.0 | ||
OIBDA as a % of revenues |
9% | NM | 11% | |||||||
Operating income as a % of revenues |
NM | NM | 7% | |||||||
Restructuring charges |
$ | 3.4 | $ | | $ | | ||||
Capital expenditures |
$ | 17.5 | $ | 10.8 | $ | 7.6 | ||||
NMNot meaningful
2008 vs. 2007
For 2008, Interactive revenues increased to $421.7 million from $166.1 million for 2007, reflecting the impact of the acquisition of CNET on June 30, 2008, higher advertising sales from the CBS Audience Network, an online network of professional video content, and higher mobile revenues.
For 2008, Interactive reported an operating loss of $9.3 million versus an operating loss of $21.7 million for 2007. Interactive OIBDA increased to $39.7 million for 2008 from a loss of $10.3 million for 2007. These increases were principally due to the impact of the acquisition of CNET partially offset by restructuring charges of $3.4 million incurred during 2008. The restructuring charges in 2008 reflected severance costs associated with the elimination of duplicate positions as a result of the integration of CNET with the Company's existing interactive businesses. The operating loss for 2008 reflected depreciation and amortization expense associated with fixed assets and intangible assets acquired in connection with CNET. Interactive results included stock-based compensation expense of $4.2 million for 2008 and $1.9 million for 2007.
2007 vs. 2006
For 2007, Interactive revenues increased 26% to $166.1 million from $132.2 million for 2006 due to higher advertising and mobile revenues resulting from the development and expansion of interactive businesses as well as the impact of acquisitions.
For 2007, Interactive reported an operating loss of $21.7 million versus operating income of $9.0 million for 2006. Interactive OIBDA decreased to a loss of $10.3 million for 2007 from income of $15.1 million for 2006. These decreases were principally due to increased costs associated with business
II-19
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
development and acquisitions, and higher employee-related expenses. The operating loss for 2007 also reflected higher amortization expense associated with acquisitions. Interactive results included stock-based compensation expense of $1.9 million for 2007 and $.6 million for 2006.
Acquisitions
On June 30, 2008, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of CNET common stock for $11.50 per share, for a total of $1.8 billion.
On May 30, 2007, the Company acquired Last.fm, a global, community-based, music discovery website, for approximately $280 million.
Publishing (Simon & Schuster)
(Contributed 6% to consolidated revenues for each of the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.)
Year Ended December 31, |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Revenues |
$ | 857.7 | $ | 886.1 | $ | 807.0 | ||||
OIBDA |
$ | 88.2 | $ | 97.2 | $ | 78.0 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(9.5 | ) | (9.1 | ) | (9.5 | ) | ||||
Operating income |
$ | 78.7 | $ | 88.1 | $ | 68.5 | ||||
OIBDA as a % of revenues |
10% | 11% | 10% | |||||||
Operating income as a % of revenues |
9% | 10% | 8% | |||||||
Restructuring charges |
$ | 4.2 | $ | | $ | | ||||
Capital expenditures |
$ | 9.5 | $ | 12.0 | $ | 5.8 | ||||
2008 vs. 2007
For 2008, Publishing revenues decreased 3% to $857.7 million from $886.1 million for 2007, principally reflecting lower book sales due to difficult comparisons with the prior year, which included the release of the best-seller The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. Best-selling titles in 2008 included YOU: Being Beautiful by Michael F. Roizen and Mehmet C. Oz, The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren, Duma Key by Stephen King and The War Within by Bob Woodward.
For 2008, Publishing operating income decreased 11% to $78.7 million from $88.1 million in 2007 and OIBDA decreased 9% to $88.2 million from $97.2 million in 2007. These decreases reflected the revenue decline, restructuring charges of $4.2 million incurred during 2008 and higher bad debt expense, partially offset by lower author royalty expenses and production costs, resulting from the revenue decline and the mix of titles, and a decline in employee-related expenses. The restructuring charges in 2008 principally consisted of severance costs associated with the elimination of positions. Publishing results included stock-based compensation expense of $4.2 million for 2008 and $3.5 million for 2007.
2007 vs. 2006
For 2007, Publishing revenues increased 10% to $886.1 million from $807.0 million in 2006 primarily reflecting higher sales in the Adult and International groups, led by the performance of The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. Additional best-selling titles in 2007 included YOU: Staying Young by Michael F. Roizen and Mehmet C. Oz and Become A Better You by Joel Osteen.
II-20
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
For 2007, Publishing operating income increased 29% to $88.1 million from $68.5 million in 2006 and OIBDA increased 25% to $97.2 million from $78.0 million in 2006. These increases reflected the revenue growth and lower bad debt expense, partially offset by higher production costs and author royalty expenses, resulting from the revenue increase and the mix of titles, increased employee-related costs, higher digital archive costs, and higher volume-driven advertising and selling expenses. Publishing results included stock-based compensation of $3.5 million for 2007 and $1.9 million for 2006.
Financial Position
Current assets decreased by $838.1 million to $5.19 billion at December 31, 2008 from $6.03 billion at December 31, 2007, primarily due to a decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $927.4 million. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents principally reflected cash used for acquisitions, dividends and capital expenditures, partially offset by cash flows generated from operations and the sale of investments. The allowance for doubtful accounts as a percentage of receivables was 5.0% at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007.
Net property and equipment increased by $86.8 million to $3.01 billion at December 31, 2008 from $2.92 billion at December 31, 2007, primarily reflecting capital expenditures of $474.1 million, partially offset by depreciation expense of $413.0 million. Goodwill of $8.65 billion at December 31, 2008 decreased $9.80 billion from $18.45 billion at December 31, 2007, primarily reflecting the impairment of goodwill at the Television, Radio and Outdoor segments, partially offset by acquisitions. Intangible assets, principally consisting of FCC licenses, leasehold agreements and franchise agreements, decreased by $2.98 billion to $7.10 billion at December 31, 2008 from $10.08 billion at December 31, 2007, primarily due to the impairment of FCC licenses at the Television and Radio segments, television station divestitures of $98.9 million and amortization expense of $118.6 million, partially offset by acquisitions of $399.9 million.
Current liabilities increased $396.3 million to $4.80 billion at December 31, 2008 from $4.40 billion at December 31, 2007, primarily reflecting increased participants' share payable due to the impact of the new international self-distribution arrangement for the CSI franchise.
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations increased $577.8 million to $2.27 billion at December 31, 2008 from $1.70 billion at December 31, 2007, primarily reflecting a decrease in pension plan assets due to asset performance.
Deferred income tax liabilities decreased $1.60 billion to $345.1 million at December 31, 2008 from $1.95 billion at December 31, 2007, primarily reflecting the impact of the impairment charges to reduce the carrying value of FCC licenses.
II-21
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Cash Flows
Cash and cash equivalents decreased $927.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The change in cash and cash equivalents was as follows:
Year Ended December 31, |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities from: |
|||||||||||
Continuing operations |
$ | 2,146.5 | $ | 2,180.4 | $ | 2,002.5 | |||||
Discontinued operations |
| 4.8 | (114.1 | ) | |||||||
Cash provided by operating activities |
2,146.5 | 2,185.2 | 1,888.4 | ||||||||
Cash (used for) provided by investing activities from: |
|||||||||||
Continuing operations |
(2,154.1 | ) | (135.1 | ) | 849.5 | ||||||
Discontinued operations |
| | (34.5 | ) | |||||||
Cash (used for) provided by investing activities |
(2,154.1 | ) | (135.1 | ) | 815.0 | ||||||
Cash used for financing activities from: |
|||||||||||
Continuing operations |
(919.8 | ) | (3,777.8 | ) | (1,284.1 | ) | |||||
Discontinued operations |
| | | ||||||||
Cash used for financing activities |
(919.8 | ) | (3,777.8 | ) | (1,284.1 | ) | |||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
$ | (927.4 | ) | $ | (1,727.7 | ) | $ | 1,419.3 | |||
Operating Activities. In 2008, cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations decreased $33.9 million, or 2%, to $2.15 billion from $2.18 billion in 2007 principally reflecting lower operating income, partially offset by higher cash flows from changes in operating assets and liabilities and lower cash taxes paid. In 2007, cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations increased $177.9 million, or 9%, to $2.18 billion from $2.00 billion in 2006 principally reflecting lower cash taxes paid, lower net cash interest and $100.0 million lower discretionary contributions to pre-fund the Company's qualified pension plans versus 2006. The Company made discretionary contributions to pre-fund its qualified pension plans for $120.0 million in 2008, $150.0 million in 2007 and $250.0 million in 2006.
For 2009, the Company expects to increase its cash spending for programming, including higher investment in entertainment programming, contractual increases in sports programming and investment in the new CBS Films unit.
Cash paid for income taxes from continuing operations was $240.3 million for 2008, $524.9 million for 2007 and $562.2 million for 2006. The decrease in cash taxes for 2008 reflects lower operating income and a higher mix of foreign earnings, which are taxed at a lower rate. Cash taxes for 2009 are expected to be approximately $175 million to $225 million, excluding the impact of gains or losses on dispositions.
Investing Activities. In 2008, cash used for investing activities of $2.15 billion principally reflected acquisitions of $2.04 billion, primarily consisting of the acquisitions of CNET, IOA and other outdoor advertising properties, capital expenditures of $474.1 million, and investments in investee companies of $40.2 million. These increases were partially offset by proceeds of $170.0 million from the sale of the Company's investment in Sundance Channel and dispositions of $198.2 million, primarily from the television station divestitures. In 2007, cash used for investing activities of $135.1 million principally reflected capital expenditures of $469.1 million, acquisitions of $410.0 million, primarily consisting of the acquisitions of Last.fm, CBS Outernet and other outdoor advertising properties, and investments in investee companies of $42.3 million, principally reflecting the investment in several interactive companies and The CW. These increases were partially offset by proceeds from dispositions of $562.2 million,
II-22
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
primarily from the radio station divestitures, and net receipts of $172.5 million from Viacom Inc. related to the Separation. In 2006, cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations of $849.5 million reflected proceeds from the sale of Paramount Parks of $1.24 billion and proceeds from other dispositions of $142.5 million, principally reflecting the sale of five radio stations. These proceeds were partially offset by capital expenditures of $394.1 million, investments in investee companies of $110.0 million, principally consisting of the Company's investment in The CW, and acquisitions of $97.9 million primarily consisting of the acquisition of CBS College Sports Network and outdoor advertising properties.
Capital expenditures increased $5.0 million, or 1%, to $474.1 million in 2008 from $469.1 million in 2007. Capital expenditures increased $75.0 million, or 19%, to $469.1 million in 2007 from $394.1 million in 2006 principally reflecting increased spending for outdoor transit contracts in the United Kingdom. For 2009, capital expenditures are anticipated to be approximately $350 million.
Financing Activities. In 2008, cash flow used for financing activities of $919.8 million principally reflected dividend payments of $705.4 million and the repayment of notes of $183.2 million. In 2007, cash flow used for financing activities of $3.78 billion principally reflected the purchase of Company common stock for $3.35 billion, the repayment of notes of $660.0 million and dividend payments of $640.3 million, partially offset by proceeds from the issuance of notes of $678.0 million and proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $201.7 million. In 2006, cash flow used for financing activities of $1.28 billion principally reflected the repayment of notes of $832.0 million and dividend payments of $519.1 million, partially offset by proceeds of $91.1 million from the exercise of stock options.
Dividends
On February 18, 2009, the Company announced a reduction in the quarterly cash dividend from $.27 to $.05 per share on its Class A and Class B Common Stock, payable on April 1, 2009. The Company declared a quarterly cash dividend on its Class A and Class B Common Stock during each of the four quarters of 2008, 2007 and 2006, resulting in total dividends of $725.9 million, $667.1 million and $573.2 million, respectively. Dividends have been recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital as the Company has an accumulated deficit balance.
Purchase of Company Stock
In January 2008, the Company received 6.0 million shares of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock upon settlement of a 2007 accelerated share repurchase ("ASR") transaction.
During 2007, the Company repurchased 106.9 million shares of CBS Corp. Common Stock for $3.42 billion, including $64.0 million of non-cash purchases related to a television station exchange (See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements), primarily through two ASR transactions.
Acquisitions and Dispositions
Acquisitions
On June 30, 2008, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of CNET common stock for $11.50 per share, for a total of $1.8 billion. The results of CNET have been included in the Interactive segment since its acquisition. The excess purchase price over the estimated fair value of the tangible and identifiable intangible net assets acquired of $1.29 billion was allocated to goodwill. The goodwill from the CNET acquisition primarily represents the Company's expectation of future growth for its interactive businesses. By combining CNET with its existing Internet brands and leveraging CBS Corp.'s
II-23
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
existing relationships, the Company is better positioned to be competitive in the interactive marketplace. The Company intends to grow its interactive businesses by, among other factors, introducing its existing advertising relationships to the CNET businesses; bringing its entertainment, sports and news content to the Internet utilizing CNET's significant Internet presence; and eliminating duplicate efforts thereby realizing meaningful cost savings.
On April 23, 2008, the Company acquired IOA, the leading out-of-home advertising company in South America, for $110.8 million. IOA has been included as part of the Outdoor segment since the date of acquisition.
On October 5, 2007, the Company acquired SignStorey, Inc., a distributor of video programming and advertising content to retail stores, for $71.5 million. SignStorey, Inc. has been renamed CBS Outernet and has been included as part of the Outdoor segment since the date of acquisition.
On May 30, 2007, the Company acquired Last.fm, a global, community-based, music discovery website, for approximately $280 million. Last.fm has been included as part of the Interactive segment since the date of acquisition.
On January 5, 2006, the Company acquired CSTV Networks for a purchase price of approximately $325 million, comprised of 10.2 million shares of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock and $52 million in cash. CSTV Networks has been renamed CBS College Sports Network and its television and interactive operations have been included as part of the Television and Interactive segments, respectively, since the date of acquisition.
Dispositions
On December 22, 2008, the Company signed an agreement with Wilks Broadcasting to sell three of its radio stations in Denver for $19.5 million. In addition, on December 15, 2008, the Company announced that it entered into an agreement with Clear Channel Communications, Inc. to swap five of the Company's mid-size market radio stations in Baltimore, Portland, Sacramento and Seattle, for two radio stations in Houston, a top 10 radio market. These transactions are subject to customary closing conditions. During 2008, the Company recorded a pre-tax non-cash impairment charge of $62.0 million to reduce the carrying value of intangible assets and the allocated goodwill in connection with these sales.
During June 2008, the Company sold its 37% investment in Sundance Channel for $170.0 million resulting in a pre-tax gain of $129.8 million included in "Other Items, net" in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2008.
On January 10, 2008, the Company completed the sale of seven of its owned television stations in Austin, Salt Lake City, Providence and West Palm Beach to Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. for $185.0 million. In connection with the agreement to sell these stations, a pre-tax impairment charge of $65.2 million was recorded in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 to reduce the carrying value of the allocated goodwill.
On April 16, 2007, the Company completed an exchange agreement with Liberty Media Corporation under which the stock of a subsidiary of the Company which held CBS Corp.'s Green Bay television station and its satellite television station, valued at $64.0 million, and $169.8 million in cash was exchanged for the 7.6 million shares of CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock held by Liberty Media Corporation.
II-24
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
During 2007, the Company completed the sales of 34 radio stations in nine of its smaller markets for $543.4 million. During 2006, the Company completed the sale of five radio stations in one small market for $125.0 million.
On June 30, 2006, the Company completed the sale of Paramount Parks to Cedar Fair, L.P. for $1.24 billion.
Capital Structure
At December 31, |
2008 |
2007 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Notes payable to banks |
$ | 4.3 | $ | 5.3 | ||||
Senior debt (4.625%8.875% due 20102056) |
6,904.3 | 7,015.7 | ||||||
Other notes |
.2 | .8 | ||||||
Obligations under capital leases |
120.8 | 108.9 | ||||||
Total debt (a) |
7,029.6 | 7,130.7 | ||||||
Less discontinued operations debt (b) |
33.5 | 43.0 | ||||||
Total debt of continuing operations |
6,996.1 | 7,087.7 | ||||||
Less current portion |
21.3 | 19.1 | ||||||
Total long-term debt of continuing operations, net of current portion |
$ | 6,974.8 | $ | 7,068.6 | ||||
(a) At December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007, the senior debt balances included (i) a net unamortized premium of
$23.3 million and $26.2 million, respectively, and (ii) the net change in the carrying value of the debt relating to fair value hedges of $88.0 million and $(5.0) million,
respectively. The face value of the Company's total debt was $6.92 billion at December 31, 2008 and $7.11 billion at December 31, 2007.
(b) Included in "Liabilities of discontinued operations" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. During 2008, the Company repurchased $9.5 million of its 5.625% senior notes due 2012.
Total debt of $7.03 billion at December 31, 2008 and $7.13 billion at December 31, 2007 was 45% and 25%, respectively, as a percentage of the total capitalization of the Company.
The senior debt of CBS Corp. is fully and unconditionally guaranteed by its wholly owned subsidiary, CBS Operations Inc. Senior debt in the amount of $52.2 million of the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, CBS Broadcasting Inc., is not guaranteed.
In December 2008, prior to maturity, the Company settled all of its $1.0 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding and received $88.4 million in cash. The increase in the carrying value of the debt attributable to the risk hedged by these interest rate swaps is being amortized as a reduction to interest expense over the term of the debt.
For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, the following debt issuances, repurchases and maturities occurred:
Debt Issuances
March 27, 2007, $700.0 million, 6.75% senior notes due 2056
Debt Repurchases
During 2008, the Company repurchased $191.8 million of its 7.70% senior notes due 2010, resulting in a pre-tax gain on early extinguishment of debt of $8.4 million.
II-25
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Debt Maturities
May 1, 2007, $700.0 million, 5.625% senior notes
At December 31, 2008, the Company's scheduled maturities of long-term debt at face value, including discontinued operations debt and excluding capital leases were as follows:
|
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 and Thereafter |
|||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Long-term debt |
$ | .6 | $ | 1,394.4 | $ | 950.1 | $ | 840.2 | $ | .1 | $ | 3,612.1 | |||||||
Credit Facility
At December 31, 2008, the Company had a $3.0 billion revolving credit facility which expires December 2010 (the "Credit Facility"). The Company, at its option, may also borrow in certain foreign currencies up to specified limits under the Credit Facility. Borrowing rates under the facility are determined at the Company's option at the time of each borrowing and are based generally on the prime rate in the United States or the London Interbank Offer Rate ("LIBOR") plus a margin based on the Company's senior unsecured debt rating. The Company pays a facility fee based on the total amount of the commitments.
The following table sets forth the Company's credit ratings as of February 23, 2009.
|
Long-term |
Short-term |
Long-Term Outlook |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Moody's Investors Service |
Baa3 | P-3 | Stable | |||||||
Standard & Poor's |
BBB | A-2 | Negative | |||||||
Fitch |
BBB | F-2 | Stable | |||||||
The Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain a minimum Interest Coverage Ratio, as defined by the credit agreement, of 3.0x for the trailing four quarters. As of December 31, 2008, the Company's Interest Coverage Ratio was 5.7x.
The primary purpose of the Credit Facility is to support commercial paper borrowings. At December 31, 2008, the Company had no commercial paper borrowings under its $3.0 billion commercial paper program. At December 31, 2008, the remaining availability under the Credit Facility, net of outstanding letters of credit, was $2.80 billion.
Accounts Receivable Securitization Program
At both December 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company had $550.0 million outstanding under its revolving accounts receivable securitization program. The program provides for the sale of receivables on a non-recourse basis to unrelated third parties on a one-year renewable basis, thereby reducing accounts receivable on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company entered into this arrangement because it provides an additional source of liquidity. Proceeds from this program were used to reduce outstanding borrowings. The terms of the revolving securitization arrangement require that the receivable pools subject to the program meet certain performance ratios. As of December 31, 2008, the Company was in compliance with the required ratios under the receivable securitization program. The program provides for a possible acceleration in the event of a continuing downgrade of the Company's long-term debt to a
II-26
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
below-investment grade rating. The Company believes that it has sufficient capacity under its existing Credit Facility to refinance such program.
During the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, proceeds from collections of securitized accounts receivables of $2.77 billion and $2.80 billion, respectively, were reinvested in the revolving receivable securitization program. The net loss associated with securitizing the program's accounts receivables was $15.4 million and $32.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company continually projects anticipated cash requirements, which include operating needs, capital expenditures, dividends and principal and interest payments on its outstanding indebtedness, as well as cash flows generated from operating activities available to meet these needs. The Company believes that its operating cash flows ($2.15 billion in 2008), cash and cash equivalents ($419.5 million at December 31, 2008), borrowing capacity under its Credit Facility, which had $2.80 billion of remaining availability at December 31, 2008, and access to capital markets are sufficient to fund its operating needs, including commitments to purchase sports programming rights, television and film programming, talent contracts, other operating commitments and contingencies, capital and investing commitments, dividends and other financing requirements for the foreseeable future.
The Company's funding will come primarily from cash flows from operations. Any additional net cash funding requirements are financed with short-term borrowings, including commercial paper, and long-term debt. To the extent that the Company's future operating cash flow is negatively impacted by the continued weakened economy, the Company has the ability to curtail certain non-committed programming, capital and other spending.
Although the Company is currently able to access commercial paper markets, there can be no assurance that such markets will continue to be a reliable source of short-term financing for the Company given the volatility and disruption in the current capital and credit markets. To the extent that commercial paper is not available to the Company, the existing Credit Facility provides sufficient capacity to satisfy any short-term borrowing needs.
In 2010, $1.39 billion of long-term debt is scheduled to mature. The Company anticipates that these future debt maturities will be funded with cash and cash equivalents, cash flows generated from operating activities and other debt financing.
On November 3, 2008, the Company filed a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering debt securities, preferred stock, Class B Common Stock (issuable only upon conversion of debt securities and preferred stock) and warrants of CBS Corp. that may be issued by the Company from time to time. The registration statement replaced the previous shelf registration statement that was scheduled to expire on December 1, 2008. As set forth in the shelf registration statement, the net proceeds from the sale of the offered securities may be used by CBS Corp. for general corporate purposes, including repayment of borrowings, working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and stock repurchases, or for such other purposes as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
II-27
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Contractual Obligations
As of December 31, 2008, the Company's significant contractual obligations, including payments due by period, were as follows:
|
Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Total |
2009 |
2010-2011 |
2012-2013 |
2014 and thereafter |
|||||||||||
Programming and talent commitments (a) |
$ | 10,863.5 | $ | 3,499.3 | $ | 4,406.2 | $ | 2,138.0 | $ | 820.0 | ||||||
Guaranteed minimum franchise payments (b) |
$ | 2,092.2 | $ | 396.2 | $ | 642.0 | $ | 583.1 | $ | 470.9 | ||||||
Purchase obligations (c) |
$ | 1,142.4 | $ | 305.0 | $ | 402.2 | $ | 252.9 | $ | 182.3 | ||||||
Operating leases (d) |
$ | 2,299.0 | $ | 364.7 | $ | 590.0 | $ | 434.4 | $ | 909.9 | ||||||
Other long-term contractual obligations (e) |
$ | 1,003.8 | $ | | $ | 801.3 | $ | 145.2 | $ | 57.3 | ||||||
Long-term debt obligations (f) |
$ | 6,797.5 | $ | .6 | $ | 2,344.5 | $ | 840.3 | $ | 3,612.1 | ||||||
Interest commitments on long-term debt (g) |
$ | 7,109.0 | $ | 478.9 | $ | 766.6 | $ | 541.3 | $ | 5,322.2 | ||||||
Capital lease obligations (including interest) (h) |
$ | 156.5 | $ | 22.9 | $ | 44.5 | $ | 31.7 | $ | 57.4 | ||||||
The table above excludes future contributions to the Company's pension plans and $258.3 million of reserves for uncertain tax positions and the related accrued interest and penalties, as the Company cannot reasonably predict the amount of and periods in which cash payments relating to these items are expected to occur. The Company expects to contribute approximately $135 million primarily to its non-qualified pension and postretirement benefit plans in 2009.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Prior to the Separation of Former Viacom into CBS Corp. and Viacom Inc., Former Viacom had entered into guarantees with respect to obligations related to Blockbuster Inc. ("Blockbuster"), including certain Blockbuster store leases; Famous Players theater leases; certain UCI theater leases; and certain theater leases related to W.F. Cinema Holdings L.P. and Grauman's Theatres LLC. In connection with the Separation, Viacom Inc. has agreed to indemnify the Company with respect to these guarantees. In addition, the Company and Viacom Inc. have agreed to indemnify each other with respect to certain other matters pursuant to the Separation Agreement between the parties.
The Company has indemnification obligations with respect to letters of credit and surety bonds primarily used as security against non-performance in the normal course of business. At December 31,
II-28
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
2008, the outstanding letters of credit and surety bonds approximated $362.6 million and were not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
In the course of its business, the Company both provides and receives indemnities which are intended to allocate certain risks associated with business transactions. Similarly, the Company may remain contingently liable for various obligations of a business that has been divested in the event that a third party does not live up to its obligations under an indemnification obligation. The Company records a liability for its indemnification obligations and other contingent liabilities when probable under generally accepted accounting principles.
Critical Accounting Policies
Financial Reporting Release No. 60, "Cautionary Advice Regarding Disclosure About Critical Accounting Policies" ("FRR 60"), suggests companies provide additional disclosure and commentary on those accounting policies considered most critical. FRR 60 considers an accounting policy to be critical if it is important to the Company's financial condition and results of operations, and requires significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in its application. For a summary of the Company's significant accounting policies, including the critical accounting policies discussed below, see the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
The preparation of the Company's financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, which are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The result of these evaluations forms the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the reported amount of expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions. The following accounting policies require significant management judgments and estimates.
II-29
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
their respective estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the tangible and identifiable intangible net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management's judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including assumptions with respect to future cash inflows and outflows, discount rates, asset lives, and market multiples, among other items.
II-30
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
recorded in the same quarter. A number of years may elapse before a tax return containing tax matters, for which a reserve has been established, is audited and finally resolved. During 2008 and 2007, the Company recognized tax benefits of $44.9 million and $8.0 million, respectively, related to the settlement of certain prior year tax audits. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxesan interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109" ("FIN 48"), the Company evaluates a tax position to determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is subject to a measurement assessment to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and the appropriate reserve to establish, if any. If a tax position does not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold a tax reserve is established and no benefit is recognized. The Company is continually audited by U.S. federal and state as well as foreign tax authorities. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, the Company believes that its reserve for uncertain tax positions of $258.3 million at December 31, 2008 is properly recorded pursuant to the recognition and measurement provisions of FIN 48.
Legal Matters
Securities Action. On December 12, 2008, the City of Pontiac General Employees' Retirement System filed a self-styled class action complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company and its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, and Treasurer, alleging violations of federal securities law. The complaint, which was filed on behalf of a putative class of purchasers of the Company's common stock between February 26, 2008 and October 10, 2008 (the "Class Period"), alleges that, among other things, the Company's failure to timely write down the value of certain assets caused the Company's reported operating results during the Class Period to be materially inflated. The plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory damages. On February 11, 2009, a motion was filed in the case on behalf of The City of Omaha, Nebraska Civilian Employees' Retirement System, and The City of Omaha Police and Fire Retirement System (collectively,
II-31
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
the "Omaha Funds") seeking to appoint the Omaha Funds as the lead plaintiffs in this case; and another motion was filed in the case by an individual shareholder also seeking appointment as the lead plaintiff. The parties are awaiting the court's appointment of the lead plaintiff in the case. The Company believes that the plaintiffs' claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself in the litigation.
Indecency Regulation. In March 2006, the FCC released certain decisions relating to indecency complaints against certain of the Company's owned television stations and affiliated stations. The FCC ordered the Company to pay a forfeiture of $550,000 in the proceeding relating to the broadcast of a Super Bowl half-time show by the Company's television stations. In May 2006, the FCC denied the Company's petition for reconsideration. In July 2006, the Company filed a Petition for Review of the forfeiture with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and paid the $550,000 forfeiture in order to facilitate the Company's ability to bring the appeal. Oral argument was heard in September 2007. In July 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit vacated the FCC's order to have the Company pay the forfeiture and remanded the case to the FCC. On November 18, 2008, the FCC filed a petition for certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking review of the Third Circuit's decision. The petition requests that the U.S. Supreme Court not act on the petition until it rules in the "fleeting expletives" case mentioned below. On January 8, 2009, the Company filed its opposition to the FCC's petition for certiorari.
In March 2006, the FCC also notified the Company and certain affiliates of the CBS Television Network of apparent liability for forfeitures relating to a broadcast of the program Without a Trace. The FCC proposed to assess a forfeiture of $32,500 against each of these stations, totaling $260,000 for the Company's owned stations. The Company is contesting the FCC decision and the proposed forfeitures.
In June 2007, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit vacated the FCC's November 2006 finding that the broadcast of fleeting and isolated expletives on another broadcast network was indecent and remanded the case to the FCC. On March 17, 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the FCC's petition to review the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit's decision. On November 4, 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court heard argument in this case.
Additionally, the Company, from time to time, has received and may receive in the future letters of inquiry from the FCC prompted by complaints alleging that certain programming on the Company's broadcasting stations included indecent material.
Claims Related to Former Businesses: Asbestos, Environmental and Other. The Company is a defendant in lawsuits claiming various personal injuries related to asbestos and other materials, which allegedly occurred principally as a result of exposure caused by various products manufactured by Westinghouse, a predecessor, generally prior to the early 1970s. Westinghouse was neither a producer nor a manufacturer of asbestos. The Company is typically named as one of a large number of defendants in both state and federal cases. In the majority of asbestos lawsuits, the plaintiffs have not identified which of the Company's products is the basis of a claim. Claims against the Company in which a product has been identified principally relate to exposures allegedly caused by asbestos-containing insulating material in turbines sold for power-generation, industrial and marine use, or by asbestos containing grades of decorative micarta, a laminate used in commercial ships.
II-32
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Claims are frequently filed and/or settled in groups, which may make the amount and timing of settlements, and the number of pending claims, subject to significant fluctuation from period to period. The Company does not report as pending those claims on inactive, stayed, deferred or similar dockets which some jurisdictions have established for claimants who allege minimal or no impairment. As of December 31, 2008, the Company had pending approximately 68,520 asbestos claims, as compared with approximately 72,120 as of December 31, 2007 and 73,310 as of December 31, 2006. During 2008, the Company received approximately 6,030 new claims and closed or moved to an inactive docket approximately 9,630 claims. The Company reports claims as closed when it becomes aware that a dismissal order has been entered by a court or when the Company has reached agreement with the claimants on the material terms of a settlement. Settlement costs depend on the seriousness of the injuries that form the basis of the claim, the quality of evidence supporting the claims and other factors. The Company's total costs for the years 2008 and 2007 for settlement and defense of asbestos claims after insurance recoveries and net of tax benefits were approximately $15.0 million and $17.5 million, respectively. The Company's costs for settlement and defense of asbestos claims may vary year to year as insurance proceeds are not always recovered in the same period as the insured portion of the expenses.
Filings include claims for individuals suffering from mesothelioma, a rare cancer, the risk of which is allegedly increased primarily by exposure to asbestos; lung cancer, a cancer which may be caused by various factors, one of which is alleged to be asbestos exposure; other cancers, and conditions that are substantially less serious, including claims brought on behalf of individuals who are asymptomatic as to an allegedly asbestos-related disease. Claims identified as cancer remain a relatively small percentage of asbestos claims pending at December 31, 2008. In a substantial number of the pending claims, the plaintiff has not yet identified the claimed injury. The Company believes that its reserves and insurance are adequate to cover its asbestos liabilities. This belief is based upon many factors and assumptions, including the number of outstanding claims, estimated average cost per claim, the breakdown of claims by disease type, historic claim filings, costs per claim of resolution and the filing of new claims. While the number of asbestos claims filed against the Company has trended down in recent years, it is difficult to predict future asbestos liabilities, as events and circumstances may occur including, among others, the number and types of claims and average cost to resolve such claims, which could affect the Company's estimate of its asbestos liabilities.
The Company from time to time receives claims from federal and state environmental regulatory agencies and other entities asserting that it is or may be liable for environmental cleanup costs and related damages principally relating to historical and predecessor operations of the Company. In addition, the Company from time to time receives personal injury claims including toxic tort and product liability claims (other than asbestos) arising from historical operations of the Company and its predecessors.
General. On an ongoing basis, the Company defends itself in numerous lawsuits and proceedings and responds to various investigations and inquiries from federal, state and local authorities (collectively, "litigation"). Litigation is inherently uncertain and always difficult to predict. However, based on its understanding and evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances, the Company believes that the above-described legal matters and other litigation to which it is a party are not likely, in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Under the Separation Agreement between the Company and Viacom Inc., the Company and Viacom Inc. have agreed to defend and indemnify the other in certain litigation in which the Company and/or Viacom Inc. is named.
II-33
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Market Risk
The Company is exposed to market risk related to foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The Company uses derivative financial instruments to modify its exposure to market risks from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. In accordance with its policy, the Company does not use derivative instruments unless there is an underlying exposure and, therefore, the Company does not hold or enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
Foreign Exchange Risk
The Company conducts business with companies in various countries outside the United States, resulting in exposure to movements in foreign exchange rates when translating from the foreign local currency to the U.S. dollar. In order to hedge anticipated cash flows and foreign currency balances in currencies such as the British Pound, the Euro, the Canadian Dollar, the Mexican Peso and the Australian Dollar, foreign currency forward and option contracts are used. Additionally, the Company designates forward contracts used to hedge projected future production costs as cash flow hedges, and may designate certain forward contracts as a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. The change in fair value of the non-designated contracts is included in current period results as part of "Other items, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company manages the use of foreign exchange derivatives centrally. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the notional amount of all foreign exchange contracts was $95.2 million and $100.3 million, respectively, which represents hedges of underlying foreign currency balances and expected foreign currency cash flows.
Interest Rate Risk
All of the Company's long-term debt has been issued under fixed interest rate agreements. The Company had entered into fixed-to-floating rate swap agreements for a portion of this debt, which are designated as fair value hedges. At December 31, 2007, the Company was a party to $1.0 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps which were accounted for as fair value hedges. In December 2008, prior to maturity, the Company settled all of its $1.0 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding and received $88.4 million in cash.
Credit Risk
The Company continually monitors its positions with, and credit quality of, the financial institutions which are counterparties to its financial instruments. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the agreements. However, the Company does not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties.
The Company's receivables do not represent significant concentrations of credit risk at December 31, 2008 or 2007, due to the wide variety of customers, markets and geographic areas to which the Company's products and services are sold. Some of the Company's customers have been significantly impacted by the current weak economic environment. The Company closely monitors the status of receivables with these customers and believes that the allowance for doubtful accounts is currently adequate.
Related Parties
National Amusements, Inc. National Amusements, Inc. ("NAI") is the controlling stockholder of CBS Corp. Mr. Sumner M. Redstone, the controlling stockholder, chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of NAI, is the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and founder of both
II-34
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
CBS Corp. and Viacom Inc. At December 31, 2008, NAI beneficially owned CBS Corp. Class A Common Stock representing approximately 81% of the voting power of all classes of CBS Corp.'s Common Stock, and owned approximately 10% of CBS Corp.'s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on a combined basis.
Viacom Inc. For purposes of governing certain ongoing relationships between CBS Corp. and Viacom Inc. after the Separation, the Company and Viacom Inc. entered into various agreements including a separation agreement (the "Separation Agreement"), tax matters agreement and transition services agreement.
In accordance with the terms of the Separation Agreement, Viacom Inc. paid to the Company an estimated special dividend of $5.40 billion in December 2005, subject to adjustment. During 2007 and 2006, Viacom Inc. paid to the Company net adjustments to the special dividend of $170 million and $172 million, respectively, resulting in an aggregate adjustment to the special dividend of $342 million.
During July 2007, the Company purchased 869,145 shares of CBS Corp. Class A and Class B Common Stock from the Viacom Inc. 401(k) Plan for $29.8 million and Viacom Inc. purchased 2,823,178 shares of Viacom Inc. class A and class B common stock from the 401(k) plans sponsored by the Company for $120.0 million.
CBS Corp., as part of its normal course of business, enters into transactions with Viacom Inc. and its subsidiaries. CBS Corp., through its Television segment, licenses its television products to Viacom Inc., primarily MTV Networks and BET. In addition, CBS Corp. recognizes advertising revenues for media spending placed by various subsidiaries of Viacom Inc., primarily Paramount Pictures. Paramount Pictures also distributes certain of the Company's television products in the home entertainment market. CBS Corp.'s total revenues from these transactions were $448.8 million, $292.0 million and $222.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Showtime Networks pays license fees to Paramount Pictures for motion picture programming under an exclusive output agreement which covers feature films initially theatrically released in the United States through 2007. Showtime Networks has exhibition rights to each film licensed under this agreement during three pay television exhibition windows over the course of several years after each such film's initial theatrical release. This agreement has not been renewed for new feature films initially theatrically released in the United States after 2007. These license fees are initially recorded as programming inventory and amortized over the shorter of the life of the license agreement or projected useful life of the programming. In addition, CBS Corp. places advertisements with and leases production facilities from various subsidiaries of Viacom Inc. The total spending for all of these transactions was $93.4 million, $172.4 million and $198.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
II-35
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
The following table presents the amounts due from or due to Viacom Inc. in the normal course of business as reflected on CBS Corp.'s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
At December 31, |
2008 |
2007 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amounts due from Viacom Inc. |
|||||||
Receivables |
$ | 182.5 | $ | 114.8 | |||
Other assets (Receivables, noncurrent) |
249.8 | 207.3 | |||||
Total amounts due from Viacom Inc. |
$ | 432.3 | $ | 322.1 | |||
Amounts due to Viacom Inc. |
|||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 6.5 | $ | 4.7 | |||
Program rights |
48.2 | 74.3 | |||||
Other liabilities (Program rights, noncurrent) |
26.5 | 24.3 | |||||
Total amounts due to Viacom Inc. |
$ | 81.2 | $ | 103.3 | |||
Other Related Parties The Company owns 50% of The CW, which is accounted for by the Company as an equity investment. CBS Corp., through the Television segment, licenses its television products to The CW resulting in total revenues of $64.9 million and $107.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
The Company, through the normal course of business, is involved in transactions with other related parties that have not been material in any of the periods presented.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements" ("SFAS 157") for its financial assets and liabilities. SFAS 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The adoption of SFAS 157 on January 1, 2008 did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial LiabilitiesIncluding an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115" ("SFAS 159"). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings for each reporting period. The adoption of SFAS 159 on January 1, 2008 did not have any effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements as the Company did not elect any eligible items for fair value measurement.
Effective January 1, 2007, the Company adopted FIN 48, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In addition, FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition of income tax positions, classification of income tax liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits, accounting for uncertain tax positions in interim periods, and income tax disclosures. The adoption of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Effective December 31, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 158, "Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plansan amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88,
II-36
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
106, and 132(R)" ("SFAS 158"). SFAS 158 requires the balance sheet recognition of the overfunded or underfunded status of each defined benefit pension plan and other postretirement benefit plan as an asset or a liability along with a corresponding after-tax adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) included in stockholders' equity. The incremental effect of the adoption was a decrease of $51.1 million to stockholders' equity at December 31, 2006.
Recent Pronouncements
In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, "Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activitiesan amendment of FASB Statement No. 133" ("SFAS 161") effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. SFAS 161 requires an entity to provide enhanced disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging activities.
In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position ("FSP") No. FAS 157-2, "Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157", which delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually), to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), "Business Combinations" ("SFAS 141R"), effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. SFAS 141R establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and goodwill. SFAS 141R also expands disclosure requirements for business combinations.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, "Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statementsan amendment of ARB No. 51" ("SFAS 160") effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. SFAS 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. The adoption of SFAS 160 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
Response to this is included in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial ConditionMarket Risk."
II-37
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting and for the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or Rule 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (a) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and disposition of assets; (b) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the Company; and (c) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements prepared for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 based on the framework set forth in Internal ControlIntegrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.
|
|
|
||
---|---|---|---|---|
CBS CORPORATION | ||||
By: |
/s/ LESLIE MOONVES Leslie Moonves President Chief Executive Officer |
|||
By: |
/s/ FREDRIC G. REYNOLDS Fredric G. Reynolds Executive Vice President Chief Financial Officer |
|||
By: |
/s/ SUSAN C. GORDON Susan C. Gordon Senior Vice President, Controller Chief Accounting Officer |
II-38
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of CBS Corporation:
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity, comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of CBS Corporation and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed the manner in which it accounts for uncertainty in income taxes, effective January 1, 2007, and the manner in which it accounts for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans as of December 31, 2006.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
New York, New York
February 25, 2009
II-39
CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per share amounts)
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
|||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 13,950.4 | $ | 14,072.9 | $ | 14,320.2 | ||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||
Operating |
8,650.7 | 8,329.3 | 8,424.8 | |||||||||
Selling, general and administrative |
2,608.7 | 2,666.1 | 2,772.7 | |||||||||
Restructuring charges (Note 5) |
136.7 | | 11.6 | |||||||||
Impairment charges (Note 3) |
14,181.4 | | 65.2 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
531.6 | 455.7 | 439.5 | |||||||||
Total expenses |
26,109.1 | 11,451.1 | 11,713.8 | |||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
(12,158.7 | ) | 2,621.8 | 2,606.4 | ||||||||
Interest expense |
(546.6 | ) | (570.9 | ) | (565.5 | ) | ||||||
Interest income |
42.2 | 116.1 | 112.1 | |||||||||
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt |
8.4 | | (6.0 | ) | ||||||||
Other items, net |
79.6 | (34.0 | ) | (14.3 | ) | |||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies |
(12,575.1 | ) | 2,133.0 | 2,132.7 | ||||||||
Benefit (provision) for income taxes |
919.3 | (821.5 | ) | (652.2 | ) | |||||||
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax |
(17.6 | ) | (80.7 | ) | (97.6 | ) | ||||||
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations |
(11,673.4 | ) | 1,230.8 | 1,382.9 | ||||||||
Discontinued operations (Note 4): |
||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes |
| (17.0 | ) | 453.5 | ||||||||
Benefit (provision) for income taxes |
| 33.2 | (175.9 | ) | ||||||||
Net earnings from discontinued operations |
| 16.2 | 277.6 | |||||||||
Net earnings (loss) |
$ | (11,673.4 | ) | $ | 1,247.0 | $ | 1,660.5 | |||||
Basic earnings (loss) per common share: |
||||||||||||
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | (17.43 | ) | $ | 1.72 | $ | 1.81 | |||||
Net earnings from discontinued operations |
$ | | $ | .02 | $ | .36 | ||||||
Net earnings (loss) |
$ | (17.43 | ) | $ | 1.75 | $ | 2.17 | |||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share: |
||||||||||||
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations |
$ | (17.43 | ) | $ | 1.70 | $ | 1.79 | |||||
Net earnings from discontinued operations |
$ | | $ | .02 | $ | .36 | ||||||
Net earnings (loss) |
$ | (17.43 | ) | $ | 1.73 | $ | 2.15 | |||||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: |
||||||||||||
Basic |
669.8 | 713.8 | 765.2 | |||||||||
Diluted |
669.8 | 721.9 | 771.8 | |||||||||
Dividends per common share |
$ |
1.06 |
$ |
..94 |
$ |
..74 |
||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
II-40
CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except per share amounts)
|
At December 31, |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2008 |
2007 |
||||||
ASSETS |
||||||||
Current Assets: |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 419.5 | $ | 1,346.9 | ||||
Receivables, less allowances of $143.9 (2008) and $141.3 (2007) |
2,749.9 | 2,678.0 | ||||||
Programming and other inventory (Note 6) |
1,027.3 | 971.9 | ||||||
Deferred income tax assets, net (Note 12) |
318.7 | 273.7 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses |
181.1 | 177.6 | ||||||
Other current assets |
488.2 | 573.7 | ||||||
Current assets of discontinued operations (Note 4) |
8.1 | 9.1 | ||||||
Total current assets |
5,192.8 | 6,030.9 | ||||||
Property and Equipment: |
||||||||
Land |
337.1 | 334.6 | ||||||
Buildings |
702.3 | 647.7 | ||||||
Capital leases |
196.8 | 215.7 | ||||||
Advertising structures |
1,885.5 | 1,808.9 | ||||||
Equipment and other |
1,777.8 | 1,676.5 | ||||||
|
4,899.5 | 4,683.4 | ||||||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
1,891.2 | 1,761.9 | ||||||
Net property and equipment |
3,008.3 | 2,921.5 | ||||||
Programming and other inventory (Note 6) |
1,578.1 | 1,548.5 | ||||||
Goodwill (Note 3) |
8,647.8 | 18,452.0 | ||||||
Intangible assets (Note 3) |
7,104.2 | 10,081.3 | ||||||
Other assets |
1,260.9 | 1,297.4 | ||||||
Assets of discontinued operations (Note 4) |
97.2 | 98.6 | ||||||
Total Assets |
$ | 26,889.3 | $ | 40,430.2 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
||||||||
Current Liabilities: |
||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 462.8 | $ | 352.3 | ||||
Accrued expenses |
791.7 | 755.2 | ||||||
Accrued compensation |
370.7 | 401.5 | ||||||
Participants' share and royalties payable |
962.3 | 612.5 | ||||||
Program rights |
840.1 | 1,009.7 | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
392.0 | 378.8 | ||||||
Income taxes payable |
42.9 | 39.6 | ||||||
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 9) |
21.3 | 19.1 | ||||||
Other current liabilities |
899.8 | 818.8 | ||||||
Current liabilities of discontinued operations (Note 4) |
17.3 | 17.1 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
4,800.9 | 4,404.6 | ||||||
Long-term debt (Note 9) |
6,974.8 | 7,068.6 | ||||||
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations (Note 13) |
2,273.7 | 1,695.9 | ||||||
Deferred income tax liabilities, net (Note 12) |
345.1 | 1,947.2 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
3,617.3 | 3,535.7 | ||||||
Liabilities of discontinued operations (Note 4) |
280.2 | 305.8 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14) |
||||||||
Stockholders' Equity: |
||||||||
Class A Common Stock, par value $.001 per share; 375.0 shares authorized; 57.7 (2008) |
.1 | .1 | ||||||
Class B Common Stock, par value $.001 per share; 5,000.0 shares authorized; 733.5 (2008) |
.7 | .7 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital |
43,495.0 | 44,089.6 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(30,598.2 | ) | (18,924.8 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 1) |
(606.9 | ) | 10.1 | |||||
|
12,290.7 | 25,175.7 | ||||||
Less treasury stock, at cost; 120.4 (2008) and 114.7 (2007) Class B Shares |
3,693.4 | 3,703.3 | ||||||
Total Stockholders' Equity |
8,597.3 | 21,472.4 | ||||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity |
$ | 26,889.3 | $ | 40,430.2 | ||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
II-41
CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
|||||||||
Operating Activities: |
||||||||||||
Net earnings (loss) |
$ | (11,673.4 | ) | $ | 1,247.0 | $ | 1,660.5 | |||||
Less: Net earnings from discontinued operations |
| 16.2 | 277.6 | |||||||||
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations |
(11,673.4 | ) | 1,230.8 | 1,382.9 | ||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) from continuing operations to |
||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
531.6 | 455.7 | 439.5 | |||||||||
Impairment charges |
14,181.4 | | 65.2 | |||||||||
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision |
(1,221.7 | ) | 232.3 | 316.5 | ||||||||
Write-down of investments |
71.1 | 24.8 | 6.2 | |||||||||
(Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt |
(8.4 | ) | | 6.0 | ||||||||
Net gain on dispositions |
(133.3 | ) | (12.9 | ) | (34.7 | ) | ||||||
Stock-based compensation |
137.9 | 106.6 | 64.3 | |||||||||
Equity in loss of investee companies, net of tax and distributions |
23.4 | 88.4 | 106.5 | |||||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs |
4.9 | 5.0 | 5.4 | |||||||||
Change in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||||||
(Increase) decrease in receivables |
(126.8 | ) | 282.9 | (215.0 | ) | |||||||
Decrease (increase) in inventory and related program and participation liabilities, net |
243.9 | (75.0 | ) | 151.8 | ||||||||
Decrease (increase) in other assets |
67.5 | (19.4 | ) | 136.4 | ||||||||
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses |
(142.4 | ) | (278.9 | ) | (176.6 | ) | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in income taxes |
55.6 | 44.8 | (247.9 | ) | ||||||||
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue |
49.2 | 99.3 | (4.0 | ) | ||||||||
Other, net |
86.0 | (4.0 | ) | | ||||||||
Net cash flow provided by operating activities from continuing operations |
2,146.5 | 2,180.4 | 2,002.5 | |||||||||
Net cash flow provided by (used for) operating activities from discontinued |
| 4.8 | (114.1 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash flow provided by operating activities |
2,146.5 | 2,185.2 | 1,888.4 | |||||||||
Investing Activities: |
||||||||||||
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired |
(2,035.3 | ) | (410.0 | ) | (97.9 | ) | ||||||
Capital expenditures |
(474.1 | ) | (469.1 | ) | (394.1 | ) | ||||||
Investments in and advances to investee companies |
(40.2 | ) | (42.3 | ) | (110.0 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from dispositions |
198.2 | 562.2 | 1,384.6 | |||||||||
Proceeds from sales of investments |
212.7 | 49.0 | 2.5 | |||||||||
Net (payments to) receipts from Viacom Inc. related to the Separation |
(7.7 | ) | 172.5 | 65.6 | ||||||||
Other, net |
(7.7 | ) | 2.6 | (1.2 | ) | |||||||
Net cash flow (used for) provided by investing activities from continuing operations |
(2,154.1 | ) | (135.1 | ) | 849.5 | |||||||
Net cash flow used for investing activities from discontinued operations (Note 4) |
| | (34.5 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash flow (used for) provided by investing activities |
(2,154.1 | ) | (135.1 | ) | 815.0 | |||||||
Financing Activities: |
||||||||||||
(Repayments to) borrowings from banks, net |
(5.3 | ) | 1.7 | (4.8 | ) | |||||||
Repayment of notes |
(183.2 | ) | (660.0 | ) | (832.0 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from issuance of notes |
| 678.0 | | |||||||||
Payment of capital lease obligations |
(17.2 | ) | (16.8 | ) | (14.7 | ) | ||||||
Dividends |
(705.4 | ) | (640.3 | ) | (519.1 | ) | ||||||
Purchase of Company common stock |
(46.4 | ) | (3,351.3 | ) | (6.2 | ) | ||||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
31.2 | 201.7 | 91.1 | |||||||||
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation |
6.5 | 8.9 | 1.6 | |||||||||
Other, net |
| .3 | | |||||||||
Net cash flow used for financing activities |
(919.8 | ) | (3,777.8 | ) | (1,284.1 | ) | ||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(927.4 | ) | (1,727.7 | ) | 1,419.3 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year |
1,346.9 | 3,074.6 | 1,655.3 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year |
$ | 419.5 | $ | 1,346.9 | $ | 3,074.6 | ||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
II-42
CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In millions)
|
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Shares |
Amount |
Shares |
Amount |
Shares |
Amount |
|||||||||||||||
Class A Common Stock: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of year |
59.5 | $ | .1 | 61.5 | $ | .1 | 65.7 | $ | .1 | ||||||||||||
Conversion of A shares into B shares |
(1.8 | ) | | (2.0 | ) | | (4.2 | ) | | ||||||||||||
Balance, end of year |
57.7 | .1 | 59.5 | .1 | 61.5 | .1 | |||||||||||||||
Class B Common Stock: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of year |
727.1 | .7 | 715.5 | .7 | 695.0 | .7 | |||||||||||||||
Exercise of stock options |
1.4 | | 8.8 | | 5.7 | | |||||||||||||||
Conversion of A shares into B shares |
1.8 | | 2.0 | | 4.2 | | |||||||||||||||
Retirement of Treasury Stock |
(2.1 | ) | | (.5 | ) | | (.2 | ) | | ||||||||||||
Issuance of stock for RSU and restricted share vests |
5.3 | | 1.3 | | .6 | | |||||||||||||||
Issuance of stock for CSTV acquisition |
| | | | 10.2 | | |||||||||||||||
Balance, end of year |
733.5 | .7 | 727.1 | .7 | 715.5 | .7 | |||||||||||||||
Additional Paid-In Capital: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of year |
44,089.6 | 44,259.3 | 44,304.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Exercise of stock options |
29.0 | 203.8 | 91.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
139.1 | 105.2 | 64.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
Tax benefits related to employee stock-based transactions |
24.4 | 31.5 | 26.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
Retirement of Treasury Stock |
(46.4 | ) | (16.3 | ) | (11.5 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Dividends |
(725.9 | ) | (667.1 | ) | (573.2 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Spin-off of Viacom Inc. |
(16.7 | ) | 173.2 | 84.7 | |||||||||||||||||
Issuance of stock options for CNET acquisition |
1.9 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
CSTV acquisition |
| | 272.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance, end of year |
43,495.0 | 44,089.6 | 44,259.3 | ||||||||||||||||||
Accumulated Deficit: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of year |
(18,924.8 | ) | (20,175.9 | ) | (21,836.4 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net earnings (loss) |
(11,673.4 | ) | 1,247.0 | 1,660.5 | |||||||||||||||||
Adoption of FIN 48 |
| 4.1 | | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance, end of year |
(30,598.2 | ) | (18,924.8 | ) | (20,175.9 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of year |
10.1 | (246.3 | ) | (397.5 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
(617.0 | ) | 256.4 | 202.3 | |||||||||||||||||
Adoption of SFAS 158 |
| | (51.1 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Balance, end of year |
(606.9 | ) | 10.1 | (246.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Treasury Stock, at cost: |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, beginning of year |
114.7 | (3,703.3 | ) | 8.6 | (315.4 | ) | 9.0 | (334.3 | ) | ||||||||||||
Class A Common Stock purchased |
| | | (.8 | ) | | | ||||||||||||||
Class B Common Stock purchased |
8.1 | (46.4 | ) | 106.9 | (3,414.5 | ) | .2 | (6.2 | ) | ||||||||||||
Issuance of stock for deferred compensation |
(.3 | ) | 9.9 | (.3 | ) | 11.1 | (.4 | ) | 13.6 | ||||||||||||
Retirement of Treasury Stock |
(2.1 | ) | 46.4 | (.5 | ) | 16.3 | (.2 | ) | 11.5 | ||||||||||||
Balance, end of year |
120.4 | (3,693.4 | ) | 114.7 | (3,703.3 | ) | 8.6 | (315.4 | ) | ||||||||||||
Total Stockholders' Equity |
$ | 8,597.3 | $ | 21,472.4 | $ | 23,522.5 | |||||||||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
II-43
CBS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In millions)
|
Year Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
|||||||||
Net Earnings (Loss) |
$ | (11,673.4 | ) | $ | 1,247.0 | $ | 1,660.5 | |||||
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) from continuing operations, net of tax: |
||||||||||||