|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kost Forer Gabbay & Kasierer
3 Aminadav St.
Tel-Aviv 67067, Israel
|
|
Phone: 972-3-6232525
Fax: 972-3-5622555
|
The Board of Directors
Matav - Cable Systems Media Ltd.
|
Re: |
Review
report of unaudited interim consolidated financial statements as of and for the
three months period ended March 31, 2004 |
At
your request, we have reviewed the interim consolidated balance sheet of Matav
Cable Systems Media Ltd. as of March 31, 2004 and the related interim consolidated
statements of operations, changes in shareholders equity and cash flows for the
three months then ended. Our review was made in accordance with procedures established by
the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Israel. These procedures included reading
the above mentioned interim consolidated financial statements, reading minutes of meetings
of the shareholders and of the board of directors and its committees, and making inquiries
of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters.
We
have been furnished with reports of other accountants in respect of the review of the
interim financial statements of a jointly controlled company, whose assets constitute
approximately 6% of total consolidated assets as of March 31, 2004, and whose revenues
constitute approximately 0.8% of total consolidated revenues for the three months then
ended. In addition, we have been furnished with reports of other accountants in respect of
the review of an affiliate, the investment in which on the equity basis of accounting as
of March 31, 2004 totaled approximately NIS 70,739 thousand, and the Companys share
in the earnings for the three months then ended totaled approximately NIS 5,366 thousand.
A
review is substantially less in scope than an audit in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards in Israel, and accordingly, we do not express an opinion on the interim
consolidated financial statements.
Based
on our review and the reports of other accountants, we are not aware of any material
modifications that should be made to the interim consolidated financial statements in
order for them to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in Israel
and with the Securities Regulations (periodic and Immediate Reports), 1970.
We
draw attention to the matter described in Note 4 of the interim financial statements
regarding claims filed against the Company and its subsidiaries.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tel-Aviv, Israel |
KOST FORER GABBAY & KASIERER |
May 23, 2004 |
A Member of Ernst & Young Global |
- 2 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
|
|
|
March 31,
|
December 31,
|
|
2004
|
2003
|
2003
|
|
Unaudited
|
Audited
|
|
NIS in thousands
|
|
Reported (1)
|
Adjusted (2)
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| | |
CURRENT ASSETS: | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | |
| 27,242 |
|
| 1,325 |
|
| 37,948 |
|
Trade receivables | | |
| 83,008 |
|
| 68,155 |
|
| 83,151 |
|
Other accounts receivable | | |
| 21,361 |
|
| 20,979 |
|
| 19,765 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| 131,611 |
|
| 90,459 |
|
| 140,864 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
INVESTMENTS AND LONG-TERM RECEIVABLES: | | |
Investments in affiliates | | |
| 72,100 |
|
| 25,594 |
|
| 66,807 |
|
Investment in other company | | |
| 16,241 |
|
| 16,241 |
|
| 16,241 |
|
Long-term loans granted to employees | | |
| - |
|
| 324 |
|
| - |
|
Investment in limited partnerships | | |
| 1,597 |
|
| - |
|
| 2,057 |
|
Rights to broadcast movies and programs | | |
| 45,910 |
|
| - |
|
| 34,927 |
|
Other receivables | | |
| 885 |
|
| - |
|
| 885 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| 136,733 |
|
| 42,159 |
|
| 120,917 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
FIXED ASSETS: | | |
Cost | | |
| 2,050,836 |
|
| 2,003,088 |
|
| 2,028,447 |
|
Less - accumulated depreciation | | |
| 1,188,156 |
|
| 1,035,322 |
|
| 1,151,622 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| 862,680 |
|
| 967,766 |
|
| 876,825 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
OTHER ASSETS AND DEFERRED CHARGES, NET | | |
| 3,710 |
|
| 6,209 |
|
| 3,946 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| 1,134,734 |
|
| 1,106,593 |
|
| 1,142,552 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
(1)
See Note 2.
(2)
Adjusted to the NIS of December 2003.
The accompanying notes are an
integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
- 3 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
|
|
|
March 31,
|
December 31,
|
|
2004
|
2003
|
2003
|
|
Unaudited
|
Audited
|
|
NIS in thousands
|
|
Reported (1)
|
Adjusted (2)
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| | |
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | | |
Credit from banks and others | | |
| 413,374 |
|
| 518,031 |
|
| 435,403 |
|
Current maturities of debentures | | |
| 33,634 |
|
| 33,567 |
|
| 33,701 |
|
Trade payables | | |
| 108,735 |
|
| 66,409 |
|
| 94,699 |
|
Jointly controlled entity - current accounts | | |
| 18,374 |
|
| 12,902 |
|
| 17,690 |
|
Other accounts payable | | |
| 167,240 |
|
| 88,008 |
|
| 158,982 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| 741,357 |
|
| 718,917 |
|
| 740,475 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: | | |
Long-term loans from banks and others | | |
| 126,056 |
|
| 136,035 |
|
| 127,403 |
|
Debentures | | |
| 66,101 |
|
| 99,091 |
|
| 66,145 |
|
Customers' deposits for converters, net of accumulated | | |
amortization | | |
| 24,974 |
|
| 29,057 |
|
| 25,675 |
|
Severance pay liability, net | | |
| 2,503 |
|
| 880 |
|
| 2,106 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| 219,634 |
|
| 265,063 |
|
| 221,329 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: | | |
Share capital: | | |
| 48,893 |
|
| 48,882 |
|
| 48,882 |
|
Additional paid-in capital | | |
| 375,527 |
|
| 401,329 |
|
| 375,538 |
|
Accumulated deficit | | |
| (250,677 |
) |
| (262,681 |
) |
| (243,672 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| 173,743 |
|
| 187,530 |
|
| 180,748 |
|
Less - Company shares held by subsidiary | | |
| - |
|
| 64,917 |
|
| - |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| 173,743 |
|
| 122,613 |
|
| 180,748 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| 1,134,734 |
|
| 1,106,593 |
|
| 1,142,552 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
(1)
See Note 2.
(2)
Adjusted to the NIS of December 2003.
The accompanying notes are an
integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
May 23, 2004
Date of approval of the financial statements |
Shmuel Dankner Chairman of the Board |
Amit Levin Chief Executive Officer |
Shalom Bronstein Chief Financial Officer |
- 4 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS |
|
|
|
Three months ended
March 31,
|
Year ended
December 31,
|
|
2004
|
2003
|
2003
|
|
Unaudited
|
Audited
|
|
NIS in thousands (except per share amounts)
|
|
Reported (1)
|
Adjusted (2)
|
Revenues |
|
|
| 147,637 |
|
| 130,339 |
|
| 545,480 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Operating expenses: | | |
Depreciation | | |
| 37,068 |
|
| 40,608 |
|
| 160,521 |
|
Other operating expenses | | |
| 83,197 |
|
| 76,984 |
|
| 306,165 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| 120,265 |
|
| 117,592 |
|
| 466,686 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Gross profit | | |
| 27,372 |
|
| 12,747 |
|
| 78,794 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses: | | |
Selling and marketing | | |
| 14,886 |
|
| 10,126 |
|
| 43,954 |
|
General and administrative | | |
| 10,115 |
|
| 11,771 |
|
| 42,659 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| 25,001 |
|
| 21,897 |
|
| 86,613 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Operating (income) loss | | |
| 2,371 |
|
| (9,150 |
) |
| (7,819 |
) |
Financial expenses, net | | |
| (12,257 |
) |
| (14,792 |
) |
| (83,958 |
) |
Other income (expenses), net | | |
| (758 |
) |
| (3,939 |
) |
| 80,996 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Loss before taxes on income | | |
| (10,644 |
) |
| (27,881 |
) |
| (10,781 |
) |
Taxes on income | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 35,576 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Loss after taxes on income | | |
| (10,644 |
) |
| (27,881 |
) |
| (46,357 |
) |
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net | | |
| 3,639 |
|
| 3,422 |
|
| 40,907 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Net loss | | |
| (7,005 |
) |
| (24,459 |
) |
| (5,450 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
Net loss per NIS 1 par value of Ordinary share (in NIS) | | |
| (0.23 |
) |
| (0.85 |
) |
| (0.19 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
Weighted average number of Ordinary shares issued and | | |
outstanding (in thousands) | | |
| 30,215 |
|
| 28,860 |
|
| 29,347 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
(1)
See Note 2.
(2)
Adjusted to the NIS of December 2003.
The accompanying notes are an
integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
- 5 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|
|
|
Three months ended March 31, 2004 (unaudited)
|
|
Share capital
|
Additional
paid-in
capital
|
Accumulated
d deficit
|
Total
|
|
Reported NIS in thousands (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at the beginning of the period |
|
|
| 48,882 |
|
| 375,538 |
|
| (243,672 |
) |
| 180,748 |
|
| | |
Exercise of stock options by employees | | |
| 11 |
|
| (11 |
) |
| - |
|
| - |
|
Net loss | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (7,005 |
) |
| (7,005 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
Balance at the end of the period | | |
| 48,893 |
|
| 375,527 |
|
| (250,677 |
) |
| 173,743 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Three months ended March 31, 2003 (unaudited)
|
|
Share capital
|
Additional
paid-in
capital
|
Accumulated
d deficit
|
Less -
Company
shares held
by subsidiary
|
Total
|
|
Adjusted NIS in thousands (2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at the beginning of the period |
|
|
| 48,882 |
|
| 401,329 |
|
| (238,222 |
) |
| (64,917 |
) |
| 147,072 |
|
| | |
Net loss | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (24,459 |
) |
| - |
|
| (24,459 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Balance at the end of the period | | |
| 48,882 |
|
| 401,329 |
|
| (262,681 |
) |
| (64,917 |
) |
| 122,613 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Year ended December 31, 2003 (audited)
|
|
Share capital
|
Additional
paid-in
capital
|
Accumulated
d deficit
|
Less -
Company
shares held
by subsidiary
|
Total
|
|
Adjusted NIS in thousands (2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at the beginning of the year |
|
|
| 48,882 |
|
| 401,329 |
|
| (238,222 |
) |
| (64,917 |
) |
| 147,072 |
|
| | |
Sale of Company shares held by | | |
subsidiary | | |
| - |
|
| (25,791 |
) |
| - |
|
| 64,917 |
|
| 39,126 |
|
Net loss | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (5,450 |
) |
| - |
|
| (5,450 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Balance at the end of the year | | |
| 48,882 |
|
| 375,538 |
|
| (243,672 |
) |
| - |
|
| 180,748 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
(1)
See Note 2.
(2)
Adjusted to the NIS of December 2003.
The accompanying notes are an
integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
- 6 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
|
|
|
Three months ended
March 31,
|
Year ended
December 31,
|
|
2004
|
2003
|
2003
|
|
Unaudited
|
Audited
|
|
NIS in thousands
|
|
Reported (1)
|
Adjusted (2)
|
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| | |
Net loss | | |
| (7,005 |
) |
| (24,459 |
) |
| (5,450 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by | | |
| |
|
operating activities (a) | | |
| 41,552 |
|
| 36,315 |
|
| 101,503 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | |
| 34,547 |
|
| 11,856 |
|
| 96,053 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | |
| | |
Purchase of rights to broadcast movies and programs | | |
| (6,692 |
) |
| - |
|
| - |
|
Investment in limited partnerships | | |
| (29 |
) |
| - |
|
| - |
|
Jointly controlled entity, proportionally consolidated for | | |
the first time (b) | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 1,980 |
|
Purchase of fixed assets | | |
| (14,992 |
) |
| (17,660 |
) |
| (56,642 |
) |
Repayment of long-term loans granted to affiliate | | |
| - |
|
| 127 |
|
| 292 |
|
Proceeds from sale of investments in affiliate | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 114,440 |
|
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets | | |
| 260 |
|
| 145 |
|
| 1,700 |
|
Long-term loan granted for purchase of fixed assets | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (1,394 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | | |
| (21,453 |
) |
| (17,388 |
) |
| 60,376 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | |
| | |
Sale of Company shares by subsidiary | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 39,126 |
|
Receipt of long-term loans from banks and others | | |
| 1,000 |
|
| - |
|
| 31,676 |
|
Repayment of long-term loans to banks and others | | |
| (5,003 |
) |
| (32,546 |
) |
| (73,522 |
) |
Redemption of debentures | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (33,701 |
) |
Short-term bank credit, net | | |
| (19,797 |
) |
| 31,799 |
|
| (89,664 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
Net cash used in financing activities | | |
| (23,800 |
) |
| (747 |
) |
| (126,085 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | |
| (10,706 |
) |
| (6,279 |
) |
| 30,344 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | |
| 37,948 |
|
| 7,604 |
|
| 7,604 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | |
| 27,242 |
|
| 1,325 |
|
| 37,948 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
(1)
See Note 2.
(2)
Adjusted to the NIS of December 2003.
The accompanying notes are an
integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
- 7 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
|
|
|
Three months ended
March 31,
|
Year ended
December 31,
|
|
2004
|
2003
|
2003
|
|
Unaudited
|
Audited
|
|
NIS in thousands
|
|
Reported (1)
|
Adjusted (2)
|
(a) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
by operating activities: | | |
| | |
Income and expenses not involving cash flows: | | |
| | |
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net | | |
| (5,293 |
) |
| (3,422 |
) |
| (40,907 |
) |
Depreciation and amortization | | |
| 37,369 |
|
| 41,392 |
|
| 171,820 |
|
Amortization of rights to broadcast movies and programs | | |
| 9,663 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
Deferred taxes, net | | |
| 1,654 |
|
| - |
|
| (15,630 |
) |
Severance pay, net | | |
| 397 |
|
| 1,196 |
|
| 1,685 |
|
Earnings from sale of shares of affiliates | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (96,662 |
) |
Earnings (loss) from sale of fixed assets | | |
| (55 |
) |
| (55 |
) |
| 1,428 |
|
Linkage differences on principal of debentures | | |
| (111 |
) |
| (533 |
) |
| 355 |
|
Linkage differences on principal of long-term loans | | |
from banks and other, net | | |
| 424 |
|
| (1,295 |
) |
| (3,647 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| 44,048 |
|
| 37,283 |
|
| 18,442 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Changes in operating asset and liability items: | | |
| | |
Decrease in trade receivables | | |
| 143 |
|
| 676 |
|
| 9,718 |
|
Increase in other accounts receivable | | |
| (1,596 |
) |
| (2,854 |
) |
| (29 |
) |
Decrease in trade payables | | |
| (7,630 |
) |
| (16,658 |
) |
| (1,832 |
) |
Increase in other accounts payable | | |
| 6,604 |
|
| 3,402 |
|
| 59,330 |
|
Increase in jointly controlled entity - current accounts | | |
| 684 |
|
| 10,218 |
|
| 15,008 |
|
Increase (decrease) in customers' deposits for | | |
converters, net | | |
| (701 |
) |
| 4,248 |
|
| 866 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| (2,496 |
) |
| (968 |
) |
| 83,061 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| 41,552 |
|
| 36,315 |
|
| 101,503 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
(1)
See Note 2.
(2)
Adjusted to the NIS of December 2003.
The accompanying notes are an
integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
- 8 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
|
|
|
Three months ended
March 31,
|
Year ended
December 31,
|
|
2004
|
2003
|
2003
|
|
Unaudited
|
Audited
|
|
NIS in thousands
|
|
Reported (1)
|
Adjusted (2)
|
|
|
|
|
(b) Jointly controlled entity, proportionally consolidated |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
for the first time: | | |
| | |
Net working capital (except for cash and cash | | |
equivalents | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 38,745 |
|
Fixed assets, net | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (1,142 |
) |
Investment in limited partnerships | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (2,057 |
) |
Rights to broadcast movies and programs | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (34,927 |
) |
Long-term liabilities | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 737 |
|
Investment in affiliate | | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 624 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
| | |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 1,980 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
(c) Significant non-cash activities: | | |
| | |
Purchase of fixed assets against loans from suppliers | | |
| 40,817 |
|
| 54,402 |
|
| 35,512 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Commitments amounts with suppliers of rights | | |
| 14,114 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
(1)
See Note 2.
(2)
Adjusted to the NIS of December 2003.
The accompanying notes are an
integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
- 9 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 1:- GENERAL
|
These
financial statements have been prepared in a condensed format as of March 31, 2004, and
for the three months then ended (interim financial statements). These
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Companys audited annual
financial statements and accompanying notes as of December 31, 2003 and for the year then
ended. |
NOTE 2:- SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
|
a. |
The
interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles for the preparation of financial statements
for interim periods, as prescribed in Accounting Standard No. 14 of the
Israel Accounting Standards Board. |
|
The
significant accounting policies and methods of computation followed in the preparation of
the interim financial statements are identical to those followed in the preparation of
the latest annual financial statements, except as described below. |
|
b. |
Discontinuance
of the adjustment of financial statements for the effects of inflation and
financial reporting in reported amounts: |
|
In
2001, the Israel Accounting Standards Board published Accounting Standard No. 12
with respect to the discontinuance of the adjustment of financial statements (Standard
No. 12). According to this Standard (as amended by Accounting Standard No.
17), the adjustment of financial statements for the effects of inflation should be
discontinued beginning January 1, 2004. The Company applied the provisions of the
Standard, and accordingly, the adjustment for the effects of inflation was discontinued
as from January 1, 2004. |
|
1. |
Starting
point for the preparation of financial statements: |
|
a) |
In
the past, the Company prepared its financial statements on the basis of the
historical cost convention, adjusted for the changes in the general purchasing
power of the Israeli currency based on the changes in the Israeli Consumer
Price Index (Israeli CPI). These adjusted amounts, as included in
the financial statements as of December 31, 2003 (the transition date), served
as a starting point for nominal financial reporting beginning January 1,
2004. Additions made after the transition date are included at nominal values. |
|
b) |
The
amounts for non-monetary assets do not necessarily represent realizable value
or current economic value, but only the reported amounts for those assets. |
|
c) |
In
the financial statements cost represents cost in the reported
amount (see 2 below). |
|
d) |
All
comparative data for previous periods are presented after adjustment for the
Israeli CPI as of the transition date (the Israeli CPI for December 2003). |
- 10 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 2:- SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)
|
2. |
Financial
statements in reported amounts: |
|
Adjusted
amount historical nominal amount adjusted for the Israeli CPI as of December
2003, according to the provisions of Opinions No. 23 and No. 36 of the Institute of
Certified Public Accountants in Israel. |
|
Reported
amount adjusted amount as of the transition date, plus additions in nominal
values after the transition date and less amounts deducted after the transition date. The
amounts deducted after the transition date are in historical nominal values, adjusted
amounts as of the transition date or in a combination of historical nominal values and
adjusted amounts as of the transition date, according to the relevant situation. |
|
1) |
Non-monetary
items are presented in reported amounts. |
|
2) |
Monetary
items are presented in nominal values as of the balance sheet date. |
|
3) |
The
carrying value of investments in investees is determined based on the financial
statements of these companies in reported amounts. |
|
c) |
Statement
of operations: |
|
1) |
Income
and expenses relating to non-monetary items are derived from the change in the
reported amount between the opening balance and the closing balance. |
|
2) |
Other
items in the statement of operations are presented in nominal values. |
|
3) |
Equity
in the results of operations of investees is determined based on the financial
statements of these companies in reported amounts. |
|
3. |
Following
are data regarding the Israeli CPI and the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar: |
As of
|
Israeli CPI
|
Exchange rate of
one U.S. dollar
|
|
Points *)
|
NIS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2004 |
106.1 |
4.528 |
March 31, 2003 |
109.0 |
4.687 |
December 31, 2003 |
106.2 |
4.379 |
Change during the period
|
%
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 2004 (three months) |
(0.1) |
3.4 |
March 2003 (three months) |
0.8 |
(1.1) |
December 2003 (12 months) |
(1.9) |
(7.6) |
|
*) |
The
index on an average basis of 2000 = 100. |
- 11 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 2:- SIGNIFICANT
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Cont.)
|
c. |
The
financial statements of an investee under joint control, Hot Vision Ltd.,
were consolidated by the proportionate consolidation method effective
December 31, 2003. |
NOTE 3:- |
COOPERATION
AMONG THE CABLE COMPANIES AND CONDUCTING NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE
CABLEOPERATIONS AND ASSETS OF TEVEL |
|
Cooperation
among the cable companies |
|
In
2001, the cable companies filed applications for merger, among them, to various
regulators. In March 2002, an approval was received from the Council for Cable and
Satellite Broadcasting (hereafter the Council) for the merger of the cable
companies operations and it was amended in February 2003. |
|
In
April 2002, the approval for the proposed merger was received from the Controller of
Restrictive Business Practices (the Controller) for the merger. On April,
June, November and December 2003, the Controller extended the validity of his approval to
the merger until the earlier of December 15, 2004 or the completion of the merger. |
|
The
Controllers conditions to the merger includes, inter alia, conditions concerning:
(1) separation between the cable infrastructure and the broadcasting activity of the
merged companies; (2) allowing access to and use of cable broadcasting infrastructure to
owners of licenses to operate CATV systems; (3) the ownership structures of the merged
companies; (4) restrictions as to the purchase of content and interest in the channels;
(5) provisions concerning non prevention of competitive infrastructures development; (6)
restrictions on parties that are related to the merged companies, including in connection
with acting as officers in the merged company and the transfer of business information;
(7) the commitment to supply fixed telephone services to the public in Israel over the
cable infrastructure on time and scope not below that was determined in the approval of
the Controller to the merger. (8) the provision of a bank guarantee (by all the Cable
companies) in the amount of 15 million dollars in an unqualified wording that will
satisfy the Controller as collateral for the fulfillment of the Controllers
conditions. |
|
According
to the Controllers conditions to the merger as extended, it was determined, inter
alia, that the merged infrastructure company of the cable companies has to commercially
supply telephony services over cable infrastructure to the public in Israel no later than
by November 20, 2004. Similarly, it was determined that the merged infrastructure company
will provide telephony services that compete with those of Bezeq in scope and time as
mentioned in the Controller conditions. |
- 12 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 3:- |
COOPERATION
AMONG THE CABLE COMPANIES AND CONDUCTING NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE CABLE
OPERATIONS AND ASSETS OF TEVEL (Cont.) |
|
The
investment in telephony will be in an amount not below NIS 350 million and made as
follows: until June 30, 2004 the infrastructure company will invest an amount not
below NIS 105 million; until June 30, 2005 the infrastructure company will make an
additional investment of not below NIS 140 million; until June 30, 2006 the
infrastructure company will invest an amount not below NIS 105 million and any other
amount as far as it will be required in order to implement the business plan for the
provision of telephony services that fully compete with Bezeq telephony services. |
|
Effective
from the date of the approval of the Controller to the merger (April 2002) and
thereafter, the cable companies collaborate in most of their areas of activity and from
2003 the activity is carried out under the brand name HOT. |
|
On
November 19, 2003, the cable companies, including the Company, filed a request to be
exempt from an approval of a Restrictive Arrangement as such term is defined
under Section 14 of the Restriction Business Practice Law, commencing November 16,
2003 and until the earlier of the completion of merger procedures between the cable
companies, or November 15, 2004.
The above request to be exempt was filed in
connection with the above on going cooperation among the cable companies, inter alia, in
the field of multi-channel cable broadcasting, national fixed telecommunication services,
including access services to Internet over the cables and telephony services including in
the field of marketing, production and purchase of content and channels. |
|
On
December 17, 2003, the Controller granted the cable companies, including the Company, an
exemption for a period of one year from approving of a Restrictive Arrangementin
connection with said cooperation. The grant of the exemption is subject to the conditions
as stated in the Controllers approval to the merger from April 2002, and subject to
other conditions, inter alia, that the cable companies will not take any irreversible
step which prevents independent and separate action from any of them if the merger is not
consummated and that, until December 15, 2004, the cable companies will not perform any
cooperation that is irreversible. |
|
According
to the position of the Supervisor of the Banks at the Bank of Israel, the merger of the
cable companies and the formation of a merged cable entity constitutes a deviation from
the directives of the Bank of Israel and of Proper Bank Management Directivesof
the Supervisor of the Banks, inter alia, regarding the restriction on Group of
Borrowers, as such term is defined in the Proper Bank Management Directives.
The above position of the Supervisor has an impact as to the issue of giving loans by
banking corporations and as to the issue of allocation of the merged company debts, inter
alia, to an indirect controlling shareholder of the Company. |
|
Based
on the aforesaid, and due to the difficulties arising from the position of the Supervisor
of the Banks and the provisions of Proper Bank Management Directives there is
no certainty whether the merger will be actually completed and if it will be completed
when it will actually occur and what will be its structure. The Companys management
is examining any and all alternatives in order to continue to preserve the existing
cooperation between the cable companies, including the exanimation of possible
acquisition of Tevels subscribers and assets in the multi channel television and
fast Internet access as detailed below. |
- 13 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 3:- |
COOPERATION
AMONG THE CABLE COMPANIES AND CONDUCTING NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE CABLE
OPERATIONS AND ASSETS OF TEVEL (Cont.) |
|
Conducting
negotiations for the acquisition of the cable operations and assets of Tevel |
|
Following
the aforesaid, the Company announced in February 2004, that it commenced preliminary
negotiations with Tevel International Communications Ltd. (Tevel) and its shareholders in
order to purchase all Tevels cable related assets, including the holdings of Tevel
in Golden Channels and in Tevels subsidiaries, which own the cable broadcasting and
access to fast internet services licenses (Tevels Communications Assets). |
|
The
Company reviews several alternatives for the execution of the transaction, including the
possibility to purchase Tevels Communications Assets and in exchange assuming
certain of Tevels liabilities to banks and simultaneously issuance of shares to
Tevel and by that increase the total debt of the Company. |
NOTE 4:- CONTINGENT
LIABILITIES
|
1. |
Claims
and petitions for approval of class actions: |
|
a) |
On
April 22, 1999, a lawsuit and motion to approve the suit as a class action were
filed against the Company with the Tel-Aviv-Jaffa District Court pursuant to
Article 46a of the Restrictive Business Practices Law, 1988 by a subscriber of
the Company who seeks approval as class action, thereby representing all of the
members of the class allegedly included in such action. |
|
In
the claim, it is alleged that the Company constitutes a monopoly, and that it adversely
exploits its position in the market, in a manner which is, or may be damaging to the
general public, inter alia, by setting and collecting unreasonable and unfair prices for
the services it provides. |
|
If
the class action is approved, the court will be requested to require the Company to
reduce the subscriber fees that it collects and to pay its subscribers compensation in
connection with the subscriber fees collected from May 10, 1996 to April 1, 1999. In this
context, the petitioner claims that he has sustained damages in a sum of reported NIS
1,387 and further claims that the sum of compensation due to all of the members of the
class included in the class action, if approved, amounts to reported NIS 360 million. The
subscriber is also claiming compensation with respect to the damages caused to all of the
members included in the class action, if approved, from the date of filing the lawsuit to
the date judgment is rendered. |
- 14 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 4:- CONTINGENT
LIABILITIES (Cont.)
|
The
Company filed an opposition to the motion to approve the claim as a class action inter
alia, on the grounds that the claim and the motion lack any merits, because of the fact
that the plaintiff has disregarded the high investments made in infrastructure and
equipment, because of the fact that the franchise granted to the Company for CATV
broadcasts, is limited in time, because of the fact that the comparisons made by the
plaintiff between the Company and foreign companies dealing in CATV broadcasts in
countries where the situation is very different, are not relevant to the Companys
modus operandi, and because of the fact that the subscriber fees are subject to
supervision and are highly regulated. |
|
At
the beginning of the hearing of the request, it was stated that the clarification of the
request will be joint with similar requests that were filed against the cable companies
Tevel, Golden Channels and Idan (however, in the meantime, this condition changed, see
below). After the unification of proceedings and pursuant to the arrangement reached by
the parties and which was validated as a court decision, it was agreed that the Court
will preliminarily decide with respect to the legal threshold claims that were raised by
the Company (and other cable companies). The main elements of these claims are as follows: |
|
1) |
The
cable companies acted pursuant to the legislation that allowed them to collect
subscriber fees, and even determined the rates for this matter, according to
the discretion that was applied by the sub legislator in the regulations for
that purpose. According to the claim, the reasonability of the rates of the
cable companies should not be attacked as if they are unfair, as long as it was
not determined that there was a flaw in the legislation pursuant to which the
franchisees operated. Therefore, the Company is entitled to benefit from
article 6 to Torts Ordinance, which grants a type of immunity to someone acting
according to legislation. The court will be requested to determine, among
others, if a prior precedent of the Supreme Court in this respect is valid
applicable for our case. |
|
2) |
In
the past, the Restrictive Trade Practices Court approved that the cable
companies could raise the subscriber fees rates, in the context of the request
to approve the restrictive arrangement presented to it. The Company claims that
this ruling constitutes an estoppel by res judicata and a good defense against
this claim. |
|
On
August 21, 2003, the Court rendered its decision reject the arguments of the Company (and
of the other cable companies) and determined that the expenses with respect to the
proceedings will be taken into account at the end of the proceedings. |
|
In
that decision the Court has determined, among other things, that the immunity stated in
article 6 to Torts Ordinance is not granted to the cable companies and that the decision
of the Restrictive Trade Practices Court that was granted in the past does not constitute
a binding precedent or Courts ruling toward the plaintiffs in said procedure.
Nevertheless, according to a procedural settlement reached by the parties, the Court will
have to rule on other issues and parties arguments which were detailed in the request to
approve the claim as a class action and the responses of the cable companies in that
issue. |
- 15 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 4:- CONTINGENT
LIABILITIES (Cont.)
|
In
a pre-trial hearing held on November 26, 2003, it was determined that the hearing of the
proceedings against the various cable companies will be separated and that the first to
be heard is the request to approve a class action which was filed against the Company. As
agreed upon by the parties and validated in the court ruling, the Company is permitted to
present complementary opinion and declarations until June 2, 2004, and that the plaintiff
may present counter opinion and declarations until September 1, 2004. |
|
Hearing
was scheduled to February 7, 2005. |
|
According
to the opinion of the Companys management, based on the opinion of its legal
counsels, since the claim and the motion to approve it as a class action, and the Companys
response to the claim and the motion, raise complex, factual and legal questions that
have not yet been resolved in Israeli case law, and for which there are no precedents
that are based on similar facts, it is not possible to estimate the chances of the claim.
Therefore, no provision was recorded in respect to the aforesaid claim in the Companys
financial statements. |
|
b) |
On
August 28, 2002, a motion was filed to approve the filing of a class
action against the cable companies on behalf of the residents of peripheral
settlements. The claim is for indemnification in respect to these settlements
not being connected to the cable networks with the elapse of six years from the
date on which the franchises were granted (the Request to Approve).
The relief requested from the Company amounts to about NIS 139 million,
upon filling the claim. |
|
In
view of a rejection of substantially similar claim by Court, the Company and Golden
Channels have presented a request to strike ab limine the claim. The plaintiffs presented
a reply to the request to strike ab limine and the Company and Golden Channels presented
their reply to the plaintiffs reply. Similarly, the Company and Golden Channels presented
a reply to the Request to Approve. |
|
The
Court ruled that the request to strike ab limine will be heard together with the Request
to Approve. The hearing in the Request to Approve was postponed in view of Tevel
announcement that it is in stay of proceedings. The plaintiffs presented a request to
remove the postponement of the hearing in relation to the Company and Golden channels. A
decision in the request to revoke the suspending of the case due to Tevel stay of
proceedings was not yet rendered. |
|
According
to the opinion of the Companys management, based on the opinion of its legal
counsels, at present, it is not possible to estimate the chances of the request and,
therefore, no provision was recorded in respect to the aforesaid claim in the Companys
financial statements. |
- 16 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 4:- CONTINGENT
LIABILITIES (Cont.)
|
c) |
On
December 3, 2002, a lawsuit and motion to approve the lawsuit as a class
action were filed by seven claimants against cable companies, Ministry of
Communications and the Council with respect to the conditions of the Council
not being fulfilled with respect to the companies cable broadcasts and
the satellite broadcasts of channel 5. The requested relief amounts to about
NIS 302 million as well as an additional monthly cumulative installment of NIS
25.2 million from the date of filing the lawsuit to the date a judgment is
rendered. The Companys proportionate share relating to the subscribers
ratio as of the balance sheet date, is NIS 80 million, in addition to an
monthly amount of NIS 6.7 million accumulating from the date the claim was
filed until a ruling is rendered. The cable companies argue, inter alia, that
the claim does not qualify to be a class action due to the differences between
the claimants that exist on the level of the content of the broadcasts (program
preference), as well as on the level of the damages being claimed, and that the
cable companies fulfilled most of the conditions that were determined by the
Council. |
|
On
October 26, 2003, the Court ruled that in order to determine whether article 29 or the
Consumers Protection Law may be applied and to present a class action by virtue of
their operation, first the relevant facts should be examined and, therefore the request
to approve cannot be dismissed before it is being heard. The motion to approve against
Tevel was rejected with no order for expenses. The motion to approve versus the Company
and Golden Channels is pending the court ruling, after the parties submitted their
summaries. |
|
According
to the opinion of the Companys management, based on the opinion of its legal
counsels, believe that, at present, it is not possible to estimate the chances of the
request and, therefore, no provision was recorded in respect to the aforesaid claim in
the Companys financial statements. The amount of the claim was calculated by the
plaintiff based on the number of subscribers of each of the cable companies at the filing
date of the claim. |
|
d) |
On
June 29, 2003, a request to approve a class action was filed against the
Company. The amount of the claim, as estimated by the petitioners, is
approximately NIS 100 million, as of the date of the request. The claim
consists of two causes of action. The first cause of action is not granting
penetration discount as opposed to the directives of the franchise. The
petitioners argue that the discount requested is by virtue of the terms of the
franchise which determine that it is mandatory to grant a penetration discount
at the rate of 10% of the price determined in ICP arrangement whereas, in
practice, the Company granted its customers a penetration discount of 10% of
the price set in the franchise. |
|
The
second cause of action is with respect of a limitation, which the Restrictive Trade
Practices Court imposed on the increase of subscriber fees, where it prohibited the cable
companies, including the Company, to increase, in real terms, the subscriber fees in
excess of 1.9% per year (the Ruling). |
- 17 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 4:- CONTINGENT
LIABILITIES (Cont.)
|
The
petitioners contend that the cable companies increased the subscriber fees a day after
the Ruling was rendered and calculated the annual increase rate 1.9% from a
starting price that was higher than the price that was determined as a starting price by
the Restrictive Trade Practices Court. |
|
On
February 23, 2004, the Company submitted its response to this petition, whereby with
respect to the first allegation of the petitioners, the Company clarified in its response
that the clear and defined objective of the increase of the subscriber fees that was
determined by the Restrictive Trade Practices Court was not a determination of new
subscriber fees, as defined in the franchise. |
|
The
Company claimed that the Restrictive Trade Practices Court determined a ceiling for the
increase only to prevent the cable companies from rolling over to the public the
arrangement fee they were required to pay, by an immediate increase of the subscriber
fees up to the ceiling. In addition, whereas the Company already granted a penetration
discount of 10% in regions, which are the object of the claim prior to rendering the
Ruling, the petitioners allegation implies that it was to grant a double discount than
the one intended by the Minister of Communications, and such a conclusion is unreasonable
and is not consistent with the provisions of the Ruling. |
|
As
to the second allegation of the petitioners, the Company responded that an increase of
the subscriber fees a day after the Ruling was rendered, was only a result of linking the
subscriber fees to the CPI, pursuant to the provisions of the franchise and the Bezeq
Regulations (Franchises) 1987, and such an increase was permitted in ICP
arrangement and pursuant to the Ruling. |
|
In
a preliminary hearing that was held in court, the judge asked if one of the causes of
action was that the Company was obliged to grant a penetration discount of 10% of
subscriber fees actually collected from subscribers prior to the penetration of 65%
(followed by a penetration discount) and not of the maximum subscriber fees, as actually
done. |
|
It
was clarified by the attorney for the petitioner that this cause of action was not raised
in the complaint and in the motion to approve a class action and that he will reconsider
to amend the motion in this matter. The attorneys for the Company clarified that the
Company will object to such amendment, if such an amendment is filed. |
|
The
parties notified that they waive their right for examinations and the case was scheduled
for summaries. The petitioners have to submit their summaries until July 1, 2004; the
Company have to submit its summaries until August 31, 2004 and the petitioners shall be
entitled to submit their reply summaries until September 10, 2004. |
|
According
to the opinion of the Companys management, based on the opinion of its legal
counsels, at present, it is not possible to estimate the chances of the request and,
therefore, no provision was recorded in respect to the aforesaid claim in the Companys
financial statements. |
- 18 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 4:- CONTINGENT
LIABILITIES (Cont.)
|
a) |
On
December 31, 2003, Eshkolot the Israeli Artists Society for Performers Rights
Limited (Eshkolot) filed a claim with the Tel Aviv Jaffa Court
against the cable companies, including the Company, alleging non-payment of
cash seeking a permanent injunction as well as a preliminary injunction and to
instruct Tevel trustee. |
|
Eshkolot
argues that since January 1, 2003, the cable companies broadcast programs which use the
performers rights of the Israeli artists which are held by Eshkolot without Eshkolots
permission or consent and without paying any royalties whatsoever for this alleged use. |
|
In
the context of the claim, the Court was requested to instruct and affirm that Eshkolot is
entitled to receive a such use payment of NIS 8,500 thousand as compensation for 2003
royalties (net of payments already transferred to Eshkolot) and that, from now on, in
each year the cable companies will have to pay this amount including linkage differences
and to update such royalties relative to the number of broadcasting minutes of protected
performances increase. Additionally, Eshkolot requested to obligate the cable companies
to pay the maximum statutory compensation, as set in the Copy Rights Law, in the total
amount of NIS 24,320 thousand. Eshkolot also requested a permanent injunction order
against the cable companies that will disallow to broadcast protected performances
employing performers rights held by Eshkolot, unless an explicit authorization from
Eshkolot was given. |
|
Further,
the Court was requested by Eshkolot to give a preliminary injunction which prohibits the
cable companies to broadcast performances, employing performers rights held by Eshkolot,
if an advance explicit and written authorization from Eshkolot does not exist, until the
hearing and the decision in Eshkolot primary claim for compensation for violating
performers rights and in the request of the permanent order against the cable companies. |
|
On
or about the filing of the lawsuit, the parties commenced negotiations in order to
forward the case to arbitration. An arbitration agreement was entered into on May 2,
2004. Accordingly, On May 11, 2004, Eshkolot, on the consent of the parties, filed a
motion to strike the proceedings in court in order to forward them to arbitration. On May
13, 2004, the Court approved the parties announcement on a settlement agreement
pursuant to which the case shall be forwarded to arbitration proceeding and instructed to
strike the lawsuit with no order for expenses. In addition, in context of the arbitration
agreement, the parties agreed to strike the appeals that were filed by Eshkolot to the
Restrictive Trade Practices Court, as detailed in the annual financial statements as of
December 31, 2003, included in Notes 1(4)(b) and 15(b)(2)(d). On May 18, 2004 the Court
ordered to strike the appeals with no order for expenses. |
|
According
to the opinion of Companys management, based on the opinion of its legal counsel in
view of the early stages of the proceeding, at this time, the prospects of the
arbitration proceedings cannot be estimated. |
- 19 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 4:- CONTINGENT
LIABILITIES (Cont.)
|
The
Companys management included in the financial statements a provision, which in its
opinion, reflects adequately the Companys exposure in respect of this claim. |
|
b) |
In
July September 1999, Tevel Israel International Communications Ltd.
(Tevel) and Golden Channels and Co. (Golden Channels) entered into
license agreements with the major studios (Columbia, Fox and Warner Bros.
Television Distribution (Warner) to purchase contents (The agreements). The
contents were placed, among others, in channels 3 and 4 and are produced by Hot
Vision for all cable companies, and for channels for pay Cinema 1, 2, 3
and cinema prime, that are produced by Avdar Silver Industries Ltd. (Avdar)
for all of the cable companies. |
|
Agreements
were entered into by and between Tevel, Golden Channels and Hot Vision, according to
which, broadcasting rights for the above contents, were provided to Hot Vision. In
addition, agreements were entered into by Avdar and all of the cable companies, pursuant
to which the broadcast rights for the above pay channels were placed with Avdar. |
|
(1) |
On
November 27, 2002, Warner Bros. International Television Distribution (Warner)
filed a lawsuit against Tevel in a court in California seeking, inter alia, a
monetary compensation of $ 17 million (Warner lawsuit in California),
on the grounds that the agreement from July 13, 1999, pursuant to which, Tevel
(through which all the cable companies) acquired from Warner the rights to
broadcast films, was breached and consequently was rescinded by Warner. |
|
Following
Warner lawsuit in California and other actions taken by Warner, on December 5, 2002, the
trustee for Tevel group filed with the District Court in Tel Aviv a motion to instruct,
among others, that Warner should take any measure necessary to discontinue the lawsuit in
California and this in view, among others, of the stay of proceedings order that was
granted with respect to Tevel, which prohibits the institution of new proceedings against
Tevel without the approval of the District Court in Tel Aviv) and based on the proof of
debt submitted by Warner to the trustee under the same cause of action. |
|
On
February 10, 2003, the court rendered its ruling on the trustees motion. Pursuant
to the ruling, the court dismissed Warners position and accepted the motion. The
court, inter alia, ruled that Warner instituted unlawful proceeding in the United States
and under circumstances substantiating doubts as to its good faith, and such a proceeding
cannot be materialized or enforced in the boundaries of the state of Israel. On March 25,
2003, the trustee rendered it decision of Warners proof of debt, in which the
majority of the proof was rejected. On April 24, 2003, Warner appealed to the district
court on the issue of proof of debt and following decisions rendered on the appeal, on
June 24, 2003, Warner filed an amended appeal on the trustees decision in the
matter of the proof of debt. |
- 20 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 4:- CONTINGENT
LIABILITIES (Cont.)
|
On
October 21, 2003, the Supreme Court rejected Warners appeal on the courts
ruling of February 10, 2003, subject to the rights of Warner and the trustee to argue on
the issue of the applicable law on the proof of debt and this is in the
context
of Warners appeal on the trustees decision on the proof of debt and
instructed Warner to file an amended appeal in order to include the argument that Warners
lawsuit should be litigated under California law. |
|
The
amended appeal was filed, in the context of which, Warner seeks the reversal of the
trustees decision on the proof of debt (which approved the debt for Warner in the
amount of $ 182 thousand only) and approve Warner a debt in the aggregate of $ 17
million and alternatively $ 12 million. The trustee and the Official Receiver filed its
response to the appeal. The court accepted Warners request to allow to file a
response to the trustees response and the Official Receiver. The company estimates,
based on the opinion of Tevels legal counsel, that the chances of the appeal to
prevail, are remote, and therefore, no provision has been included in the Companys
financial statements in respect thereof. |
|
(2) |
On
December 9, 2002, Warner filed a lawsuit against Golden Channels with the
district court in Los Angeles, California in the U.S. The lawsuit is seeking,
inter alia, a monetary compensation on the grounds of breach of contract with
Golden Channels dated July 13, 1999 and a lawsuit for declaratory remedies, as
detailed in the complaint. On January 17, 2003, an amended complaint was filed
in context of which, Warner was seeking, inter alia, to compel Golden Channels
to pay compensation of at least $ 16 million in addition to expenses. In
addition, among others, declaratory remedies and an injunction were requested.
On February 14, 2003, Golden Channels filed its answer and a counterclaim. In
the context of the lawsuit, the parties also filed motions for preliminary
injunctions. A hearing for the preliminary injunctions was held on March 31,
2003. The court rejected all of the motions for preliminary injunctions. The
evidential hearing for the complaint and the counterclaim was held during
January 2004 and on February 2004 the parties filed their summaries. In
Warners post trial brief it requested compensation in the amount of
approximately US$ 25 million. Golden channels requested compensation in the
amount of approximately $ 3.8 million. At this time, the Companys
management and Golden channels U.S. legal counsel can not assess the
chances of the claim, its monetary implications and the financial risks caused
therefrom and, accordingly, no provision (except of a provision for estimated
cost of the legal fees handling (see also below)) has been made in the
financial statements in respect thereof. |
|
(3) |
On
or about the filing date of the above lawsuits, Warner drew-down letters of
credit it was granted by Golden Channels and Tevel in the amount of $ 5 million
each. |
|
Further
to the above lawsuits and a demand made by Tevel and Golden Channels, Hot Vision board of
directors resolved that, in principle, Hot Vision shall bear the amounts borne or to be
borne by Tevel and Golden Channels with respect of the forfeiture of letters of credit,
as detailed above, and in respect of the aforesaid agreements with the major studios,
including their termination and related expenses and/or in respect of legal proceedings
taken as above, subject to indemnification by its shareholders to cover these amounts. |
- 21 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 4:- CONTINGENT
LIABILITIES (Cont.)
|
On
June 30, 2003, Hot Vision and the cable companies signed an agreement for the
indemnification of Hot Vision relating to all of the amounts that it shall bear in
connection with the debt to major studios and expenses associated with the management of
the above legal procedures (the Indemnification Agreement). According to the
indemnification agreement, the cable companies are committed, one towards the other, to
jointly finance through Hot Vision the debt to the major studios and expenses associated
with the management of these legal procedures which were implemented until the date of
the financial statements against certain of the cable companies as well as any other
procedure between Tevel and/or Golden Channels and the major studios in connection with
agreements which were signed and/or terminated with the major studios regarding
content which was provided to channels 3 and 4. As for the pay channels (Cinema 1, 2, 3
and cinema prime), it was agreed that the amounts will be paid directly to Tevel.
According to the Indemnification Agreement, the debt to the major studios contains
amounts that Tevel and/or Golden Channels have to pay, as the case may be, to the major
studios in connection with the legal proceedings associated with these agreements,
including the amounts of new guarantees provided to the major studios, if so provided,
and which the major studios will forfeit and legal fees that Tevel and/or Golden Channels
will have to pay to the major studios, all by virtue of a judgment or a decree rendered
in the context of the proceedings. The indemnification does not include amounts that are
payable by the cable companies to Tevel and/or Golden Channels through Hot Vision and
Avdar for purchase of content to channels 3 and 4 and to the pay channels (Cinema channel
1, 2, 3 and Cinema Prime). |
|
The
indemnification Agreement further stipulates that the commitments of the cable companies
shall be revoked in the following cases: (1) if the cable companies release Hot Vision in
writing from its obligations under this agreement (2) if Tevel, Golden Channel and the
Company merge into another cable company (the merged company) and the merged
company assumes, in writing and without any condition, the commitments of all of the
cable companies towards Hot Vision under this agreement even if Hot Vision is not
released from all of its said obligations given that the merged cable company holds all
of the issued share capital of Hot Vision and that its commitments cover all of Hot
Vision obligations under the Indemnification Agreement. |
|
In
light of the abovementioned, Hot Vision recorded in its financial statements a provision
of approximately NIS 8.7 million connection with the legal fees of the case of Warner
against Golden Channels, as mentioned in section (b)(2) above. The Companys portion
is approximately NIS 2.3 million. |
|
c) |
The
annual financial statements as of December 31, 2003, which were approved and
signed on March 31, 2004, include in Note 15 information regarding additional
contingent claims against the Company and its subsidiaries, As of the date of
approval of the financial statements no material changes occurred with respect
to these other contingent claims. |
- 22 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 5:- SIGNIFICANT
EVENTS DURING THE REPORTED PERIOD AND SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
|
a. |
On
January 24, 2004, Delek Investments Properties Ltd. (Delek)
purchased from Dankner Investments Ltd. (Dankner) 17.99% of
the Companys outstanding Ordinary shares. In addition, Dankner
granted Delek an option for two years to purchase additional shares of the
Company constituting as of the date of the agreement 2% of the issued and
outstanding share capital of the Company and the voting rights. |
|
On
March 14, 2004 the Company and its shareholders, Dankner and Delek entered into a
memorandum of agreement with a leading Israeli mobile communications operator, Partner
pursuant to which Partner shall invest up to $ 137 million in the Company for up to 40%
share of the Companys equity, and acquire control of the Company. The memorandum,
which its terms are contained in the press release issued by the Company, in March 2004,
and its financial statements as of December 31, 2003, will become binding only upon
approval of the board of directors of each company and subject to significant conditions
precedent. |
|
On
May 14, 2004, the time framework set for the execution of a definitive agreement to
acquire holdings of the Company by Partner Communications Company Ltd., has expired and
the memorandum of agreement detailed above has no legal effect. However, the parties
intend to continue discussions in an effort to reach an agreement. At this point there is
no assurance that such an agreement shall be concluded. Simultaneously, the Company
conducts negotiations concerning the possibility of acquiring the cable operations and
assets of Tevel, as stated in Note 3. |
|
b. |
In
the reported period, 29,816 options of the 2003 option plan were exercised to
11,015 shares of NIS 1 par value each. Subsequent to balance sheet
date, 37,235 options of the 2001 option plan and 4,000 options of the 2003
option plan were exercised to 4,522 shares of NIS 1 par value each. |
- 23 -
MATAV - CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD. |
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|
|
NOTE 6:- INFORMATION
ABOUT BUSINESS SEGMENTS
|
Three months ended March 31, 2004 (unaudited)
|
|
Internet
|
Cable
Television *)
|
Total
consolidated
|
|
Reported NIS in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment revenues |
|
|
| 15,601 |
|
| 132,036 |
|
| 147,637 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Segment results | | |
| 5,684 |
|
| (3,313 |
) |
| 2,371 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
Three months ended March 31, 2003 (unaudited)
|
|
Internet
|
Cable
Television
|
Total
consolidated
|
|
Adjusted NIS in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment revenues |
|
|
| 6,490 |
|
| 123,849 |
|
| 130,339 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Segment results | | |
| 1,299 |
|
| (10,449 |
) |
| (9,150 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
|
Year ended December 31, 2003 (audited)
|
|
Internet
|
Cable
Television
|
Total
consolidated
|
|
Adjusted NIS in thousands
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment revenues |
|
|
| 34,403 |
|
| 511,077 |
|
| 545,480 |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
Segment results | | |
| 10,436 |
|
| (18,255 |
) |
| (7,819 |
) |
|
| |
| |
| |
|
*) |
includes
the Companys share in the operations of a jointly controlled entity,
which constitutes an integral part of the cable television operations and
which does not fall within the definition of a segment. |
- 24 -