A N N U A L R E P O R T
210 E. Earll Dr.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 364-6000
Dear Valued Cable ONE Shareholders,
Dear Valued Cable ONE Shareholders,
Growth, evolution and teamwork are the key themes that were
Growth, evolution and teamwork are the key themes that were
woven throughout the Cable ONE story in 2017. We celebrated
woven throughout the Cable ONE story in 2017. We celebrated
the acquisition of NewWave Communications, which brought
the acquisition of NewWave Communications, which brought
us exciting long-term opportunities for subscriber and revenue
us exciting long-term opportunities for subscriber and revenue
growth. We launched best-in-class products such as Piranha
growth. We launched best-in-class products such as Piranha
Fiber and WiFi ONE, which enabled us to continue providing
Fiber and WiFi ONE, which enabled us to continue providing
an outstanding customer experience. And together, we
an outstanding customer experience. And together, we
worked side-by-side with our customers in recovering from
worked side-by-side with our customers in recovering from
the hurricanes which devastated several of our communities.
the hurricanes which devastated several of our communities.
As a team, our focus never wavered and we continued to
As a team, our focus never wavered and we continued to
successfully execute on our vision.
successfully execute on our vision.
Financially, strategically and operationally, 2017 was a
Financially, strategically and operationally, 2017 was a
successful year for Cable ONE. We delivered strong financial
successful year for Cable ONE. We delivered strong financial
results, generating more than $960 million in revenue,
results, generating more than $960 million in revenue,
increasing Adjusted EBITDA1 by 24 percent year-over-year,
increasing Adjusted EBITDA1 by 24 percent year-over-year,
and finishing the year with Adjusted EBITDA margins1
and finishing the year with Adjusted EBITDA margins1
north of 46 percent. Our strategy continues to bear fruit
north of 46 percent. Our strategy continues to bear fruit
as we emphasize our growth products of Residential HSD
as we emphasize our growth products of Residential HSD
and Business Services, drive operational efficiencies and
and Business Services, drive operational efficiencies and
capitalize on favorable competitive dynamics in our largely
capitalize on favorable competitive dynamics in our largely
non-metropolitan markets. From an operating perspective,
non-metropolitan markets. From an operating perspective,
we are striving to make the lives of our customers easier by
we are striving to make the lives of our customers easier by
offering value-added services. For example, we began offering
offering value-added services. For example, we began offering
self-installation for Residential HSD service and we launched
self-installation for Residential HSD service and we launched
WiFi ONE – a solution that provides our customers with
WiFi ONE – a solution that provides our customers with
enhanced WiFi signal strength and extends and improves the
enhanced WiFi signal strength and extends and improves the
WiFi signal throughout their home.
WiFi signal throughout their home.
On May 1, 2017, we completed our acquisition of NewWave
On May 1, 2017, we completed our acquisition of NewWave
Communications. Since that time, we have been focused
Communications. Since that time, we have been focused
on integration not only from an operational and financial
on integration not only from an operational and financial
perspective, but on combining the culture and best practices
perspective, but on combining the culture and best practices
of both organizations. We’ve doubled available speeds for
of both organizations. We’ve doubled available speeds for
our HSD customers in the majority of these markets and
our HSD customers in the majority of these markets and
have nearly completed 32-channel bonding in NewWave
have nearly completed 32-channel bonding in NewWave
markets (which we now call our Northeast Division). This will
markets (which we now call our Northeast Division). This will
enable us to offer speeds up to one Gigabit to our residential
enable us to offer speeds up to one Gigabit to our residential
customers, allowing us to help eliminate the digital divide
customers, allowing us to help eliminate the digital divide
in these communities. The Northeast Division contributed
in these communities. The Northeast Division contributed
more than $127 million of revenues during its eight months
more than $127 million of revenues during its eight months
of operations as part of Cable ONE in 2017, and we expect
of operations as part of Cable ONE in 2017, and we expect
to realize additional revenue growth and cost synergies as
integration proceeds.
to realize additional revenue growth and cost synergies as
integration proceeds.
Looking ahead for the Northeast Division, we are accelerating
Looking ahead for the Northeast Division, we are accelerating
our integration ahead of schedule in many areas and
our integration ahead of schedule in many areas and
applying our industrial engineering-driven approach to
applying our industrial engineering-driven approach to
cost management in order to provide these customers with
cost management in order to provide these customers with
additional Cable ONE services and benefits. We will continue
additional Cable ONE services and benefits. We will continue
prudent exploration of accretive M&A opportunities, looking
prudent exploration of accretive M&A opportunities, looking
to further cement our role as a natural aggregator of non-
to further cement our role as a natural aggregator of non-
urban cable assets. Finally, honing the customer experience
urban cable assets. Finally, honing the customer experience
will be a priority for all of our associates in 2018. Although our
will be a priority for all of our associates in 2018. Although our
customer service scores remain high, our focus is on creating
customer service scores remain high, our focus is on creating
exceptional customer experiences that set us far apart from
exceptional customer experiences that set us far apart from
our competition.
our competition.
Our accomplishments in 2017 would not have been possible
Our accomplishments in 2017 would not have been possible
without our more than 2,300 dedicated and talented
without our more than 2,300 dedicated and talented
associates. In addition to their willingness to embrace change
associates. In addition to their willingness to embrace change
and their steadfast dedication to taking care of our customers,
and their steadfast dedication to taking care of our customers,
our associates share a common passion for giving back to the
our associates share a common passion for giving back to the
communities we serve. Our people spend thousands of hours
communities we serve. Our people spend thousands of hours
each year feeding the poor, raising money for the homeless,
each year feeding the poor, raising money for the homeless,
volunteering at schools, cleaning up their communities and
volunteering at schools, cleaning up their communities and
so much more. This culture of compassion and commitment
so much more. This culture of compassion and commitment
to service is what makes our associates the foundation of the
to service is what makes our associates the foundation of the
success of our company, and I couldn’t be more proud to lead
success of our company, and I couldn’t be more proud to lead
this team.
this team.
We enter 2018 energized, enthusiastic and purposeful as we
We enter 2018 energized, enthusiastic and purposeful as we
embrace the many opportunities on our horizon. Our strategy
embrace the many opportunities on our horizon. Our strategy
is sound, and we are confident that it will continue to create
is sound, and we are confident that it will continue to create
lifetime value for our customers, associates and shareholders.
lifetime value for our customers, associates and shareholders.
On behalf of all of us at Cable ONE, thank you for your
On behalf of all of us at Cable ONE, thank you for your
continued trust and support.
continued trust and support.
Best,
Best,
Julia M. Laulis
Julia M. Laulis
Chair of the Board,
Chair of the Board,
President & Chief Executive Officer
President & Chief Executive Officer
1 Please refer to the section entitled “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Metrics” appearing on page A-1 immediately after our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
1 Please refer to the section entitled “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Metrics” appearing on page A-1 immediately after our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
Executive Team
Executive Team
Julia M. Laulis
Julia M. Laulis
Chair of the Board,
Chair of the Board,
President & Chief Executive Officer
President & Chief Executive Officer
Brad D. Brian
Brad D. Brian
Director
Director
Thomas S. Gayner
Thomas S. Gayner
Lead Independent Director;
Lead Independent Director;
Chair, Executive Committee &
Chair, Executive Committee &
Nominating and Governance Committee
Nominating and Governance Committee
Deborah J. Kissire
Deborah J. Kissire
Chair, Audit Committee
Chair, Audit Committee
Thomas O. Might
Thomas O. Might
Director
Director
Alan G. Spoon
Alan G. Spoon
Director
Director
Wallace R. Weitz
Wallace R. Weitz
Chair, Compensation Committee
Chair, Compensation Committee
Katharine B. Weymouth
Katharine B. Weymouth
Director
Director
Julia M. Laulis, Chair of the Board, President & Chief Executive Officer
Julia M. Laulis, Chair of the Board, President & Chief Executive Officer
Michael E. Bowker, Chief Operating Officer
Michael E. Bowker, Chief Operating Officer
Kevin P. Coyle, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Kevin P. Coyle, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Stephen A. Fox, Senior Vice President, Chief Network Officer
Stephen A. Fox, Senior Vice President, Chief Network Officer
Eric M. Lardy, Senior Vice President
Eric M. Lardy, Senior Vice President
Charles B. McDonald, Senior Vice President, Operations
Charles B. McDonald, Senior Vice President, Operations
Peter N. Witty, Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary
Peter N. Witty, Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary
Christopher D. Boone, Vice President, Business Services
Christopher D. Boone, Vice President, Business Services
Michelle D. Cameron, Vice President, West Division
Michelle D. Cameron, Vice President, West Division
Kenneth E. Johnson, Vice President, Northeast Division
Kenneth E. Johnson, Vice President, Northeast Division
Kishore K. Reddy, Vice President, Product Support Development
Kishore K. Reddy, Vice President, Product Support Development
William R. Robertson, Vice President, South Central Division
William R. Robertson, Vice President, South Central Division
Julie A. Seff, Vice President, Residential Services
Julie A. Seff, Vice President, Residential Services
Janiece St. Cyr, Vice President, Human Resources
Janiece St. Cyr, Vice President, Human Resources
Raymond L. Storck, Jr., Vice President, Finance & Treasurer
Raymond L. Storck, Jr., Vice President, Finance & Treasurer
Robert S. Thornock, Vice President, Strategy
Robert S. Thornock, Vice President, Strategy
Cary T. Westmark, Vice President, Information Technology
Cary T. Westmark, Vice President, Information Technology
ANNUAL MEETING
ANNUAL MEETING
STOCK EXCHANGE
STOCK EXCHANGE
The annual meeting of stockholders will be held on
The annual meeting of stockholders will be held on
Cable ONE common stock is traded on the New York
Cable ONE common stock is traded on the New York
May 8, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. MST at the Cable ONE Corporate
May 8, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. MST at the Cable ONE Corporate
Stock Exchange under the symbol CABO.
Stock Exchange under the symbol CABO.
Office, 210 E. Earll Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85012.
Office, 210 E. Earll Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85012.
STOCK TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
STOCK TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
TRANSFERS BY OVERNIGHT COURIER
TRANSFERS BY OVERNIGHT COURIER
General shareholder correspondence:
General shareholder correspondence:
Computershare
Computershare
PO Box 505000
PO Box 505000
Louisville, KY 40233
Louisville, KY 40233
SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES
SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES
Overnight correspondence:
Overnight correspondence:
Computershare
Computershare
462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600
462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600
Louisville, KY 40202
Louisville, KY 40202
Communication concerning transfer requirements, lost certificates, dividends and changes of address should be directed to
Communication concerning transfer requirements, lost certificates, dividends and changes of address should be directed to
Computershare Investor Services: Tel: (800) 446-2617 | (781) 575-2723 | TDD: (800) 952-9245
Computershare Investor Services: Tel: (800) 446-2617 | (781) 575-2723 | TDD: (800) 952-9245
Questions also may be sent via the website: www-us.computershare.com/investor/contact
Questions also may be sent via the website: www-us.computershare.com/investor/contact
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(cid:2) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017
Commission File Number: 001-36863
Cable One, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
210 E. Earll Drive, Phoenix, Arizona
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
13-3060083
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
85012
(Zip Code)
(602) 364-6000
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title Of Each Class
Common Stock, par value $0.01
Name Of Each Exchange On Which Registered
New York Stock Exchange
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes (cid:3) No (cid:4)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes (cid:4) No (cid:3)
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 (cid:3) No (cid:4)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for
such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes (cid:3) No (cid:4)
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 Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of
this Form 10-K or any amendment of this Form 10-K. (cid:4)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller
reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting
company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
(cid:3)
(cid:4)
Smaller reporting company
(cid:4)
(cid:4)
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
(cid:4)
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for
Emerging growth company
complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. (cid:4)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes (cid:4) No (cid:3)
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2017 was approximately $2.9
billion, based on the closing price for the registrant’s common stock on such date. For purposes of this computation only, all executive
officers, directors, and 10% beneficial owners of the registrant as of June 30, 2017 are deemed to be affiliates of the registrant. Such
determination should not be deemed to be an admission that such executive officers, directors, or 10% beneficial owners are, in fact,
affiliates of the registrant.
There were 5,733,384 shares of the registrant’s common stock issued and outstanding as of February 23, 2018.
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Portions of the registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement relating to its 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31,
2017, are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Item 1. Business .........................................................................................................................................................
Item 1A. Risk Factors ...................................................................................................................................................
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments ..........................................................................................................................
Item 2. Properties .......................................................................................................................................................
Item 3. Legal Proceedings .........................................................................................................................................
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures ................................................................................................................................
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities .......................................................................................................................................................
Item 6. Selected Financial Data .................................................................................................................................
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ........................
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk .......................................................................
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data .............................................................................................
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure ........................
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures ................................................................................................................................
Item 9B. Other Information ..........................................................................................................................................
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance ............................................................................
Item 11. Executive Compensation ...............................................................................................................................
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters ......
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence ..............................................
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services ........................................................................................................
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules .......................................................................................................
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary .....................................................................................................................................
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Signatures .......................................................................................................................................................................... S-1
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements ..................................................................................................................... F-1
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document contains “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements can be
identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts, but rather are based on current expectations,
estimates, assumptions and projections about the cable industry and our business and financial results. Forward-looking
statements often include words such as “will,” “should,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,”
“believes” and words and terms of similar substance in connection with discussions of future operating or financial
performance. As with any projection or forecast, forward-looking statements are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and
changes in circumstances. Our actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking
statements. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf.
Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements include
government regulation, economic, strategic, political and social conditions and the following factors:
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
the effect of our acquisition of RBI Holding LLC (“NewWave”) on our ability to retain and hire key personnel and
to maintain relationships with customers, suppliers and other business partners;
the potential diversion of senior management’s attention from our ongoing operations due to the acquisition of
NewWave;
(cid:2) uncertainties as to our ability and the amount of time necessary to realize the expected synergies and other benefits
of the acquisition of NewWave;
increases in programming costs and retransmission fees;
rising levels of competition from historical and new entrants in our markets;
recent and future changes in technology;
(cid:2) our ability to integrate NewWave’s operations into our own in an efficient and effective manner;
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2) our ability to continue to grow our business services product;
(cid:2)
(cid:2) our ability to obtain hardware, software and operational support from vendors;
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
the effects of any new significant acquisitions by us;
adverse economic conditions;
the integrity and security of our network and information systems;
the impact of possible security breaches and other disruptions, including cyber-attacks;
changing and additional regulation of our data, video and voice services, including legislative and regulatory efforts
to impose new legal requirements on our data services;
changes in broadcast carriage regulations;
(cid:2)
(cid:2) our ability to renew cable system franchises;
increases in pole attachment costs;
(cid:2)
the potential adverse effect of our indebtedness on our business, financial condition or results of operations and cash
(cid:2)
flows;
the possibility that interest rates will rise, causing our obligations to service our variable rate indebtedness to increase
significantly;
the failure to meet earnings expectations;
the adequacy of our risk management framework;
changes in tax and other laws and regulations;
changes in our estimates of the impact of the 2017 Federal tax reform legislation;
changes in generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) or other applicable accounting
policies; and
the other risks and uncertainties detailed in the section titled “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
Any forward-looking statements made by us in this document speak only as of the date on which they are made. We
are under no obligation, and expressly disclaim any obligation, to update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as
a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise.
2
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
PART I
Cable One, Inc. (“Cable One,” “us,” “our,” “we” or the “Company”) is a fully integrated provider of data, video and
voice services in 21 Western, Midwestern and Southern states. We provide these broadband services to residential and
business customers in more than 750 communities. The markets we serve are primarily non-metropolitan, secondary markets,
with 77% of our customers located in seven states: Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Our
biggest customer concentrations are in the Mississippi Gulf Coast region and in the greater Boise, Idaho region. We are
among the 10 largest cable system operators in the United States based on customers and revenues in 2017, providing service
to 797,537 residential and business customers out of approximately 2.1 million homes passed as of December 31, 2017. Of
these customers, 643,153 subscribed to data services, 363,888 subscribed to video services and 134,881 subscribed to voice
services.
We generate substantially all of our revenues through five primary products. Ranked by share of our total revenues
during 2017, they are residential data (43.2%), residential video (34.6%), business services (data, voice and video – 13.7%),
residential voice (4.6%) and advertising sales (2.6%). The profit margins, growth rates and capital intensity of our five
primary products vary significantly due to competition, product maturity and relative costs. In 2017, our Adjusted EBITDA
margins for residential data and business services were approximately four and five times greater, respectively, than for
residential video. We define Adjusted EBITDA margin for a product line as Adjusted EBITDA attributable to that product
line divided by revenue attributable to that product line (see the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Use of Adjusted EBITDA” for the definition of Adjusted EBITDA and a
reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure). This margin
disparity is largely the result of significant programming costs and retransmission fees incurred to deliver residential video
services, which in each of the last three years represented between 50% and 60% of total residential video revenues (in
addition to the other material direct and indirect costs associated with residential video). None of our other product lines has
direct costs representing as substantial a portion of revenues as programming costs and retransmission fees represent for
residential video, and indirect costs are allocated equally on a per primary service unit (“PSU”) basis. Programming costs
and retransmission fees have a meaningfully lower impact on business services margins than residential video because
business services include data, voice and video, diminishing the relative impact of programming costs and retransmission
fees on that product line as a whole.
Prior to 2012, we were focused on growing revenues through subscriber retention and growth in overall PSUs.
Accordingly, our strategies consisted of, among others, offering promotional discounts to new and existing subscribers adding
new services and to subscribers purchasing more than one service offering. Since 2012, we have adapted our strategy to face
the industry-wide trends of declining profitability of residential video services and declining revenues from residential voice
services. We believe the declining profitability of residential video services is primarily due to increasing programming costs
and retransmission fees and competition from other content providers and the declining revenues from residential voice
services is primarily due to the increasing use of wireless voice services in addition to, or instead of, residential voice service.
Beginning in 2013, we shifted our focus away from maximizing customer PSUs and towards growing and maintaining our
higher margin businesses, namely residential data and business services. Separately, we have also focused on retaining
customers with a high expected life-time value (“LTV”), who are less attracted by discounting, require less support and churn
less. This strategy focuses on increasing Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures and margins.
3
The trends described above have impacted our four largest product lines in the following ways:
(cid:2) Residential data. We experienced growth in the number of, and revenues from, our residential data customers
every year since 2013. We expect this growth to continue due to projected increases in the number of potential
customers for us to serve, as there are still a number of households in our markets that do not subscribe to data
services from any provider. We expect to capture a portion of these customers and anticipate capturing additional
market share from existing data subscribers due to our continued upgrades in broadband capacity, our ability to
offer higher access speeds than many of our competitors and our Wi-Fi support service.
(cid:2) Residential video. Residential video service is a competitive and highly penetrated business. As we focus on the
higher-margin businesses of residential data and business services, we are de-emphasizing our residential video
business and, as a result, expect residential video revenues to continue to decline in the future.
(cid:2) Residential voice. We have experienced declines in residential voice customers as a result of homes in the United
States deciding to terminate their residential voice service and exclusively use wireless voice service. We believe
this trend will continue because of competition from wireless voice service providers. Revenues from residential
voice customers have declined over recent years, and we expect this decline will continue.
(cid:2) Business services. We have experienced significant growth in business data and voice customers and revenues and
expect this growth to continue. We attribute this growth to our strategic focus shift on increasing sales to business
customers and our recently expanded efforts to attract enterprise business customers. Margins in products sold to
business customers have remained attractive, and we expect this trend to continue.
We continue to experience increased competition, particularly from telephone companies, cable and municipal
overbuilders, over-the-top (“OTT”) video providers and direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”) television providers. Because of
the levels of competition we face, we believe it is important to make investments in our infrastructure. We made elevated
levels of capital investments between 2012 and 2017 to increase our cable plant capacities and reliability, launch all-digital
video services, which has freed up approximately half of average plant bandwidth for data services, and increase data capacity
by moving from four-channel bonding to 32-channel bonding. We expect to continue devoting financial resources to
infrastructure improvements, including in the new markets we acquired in the NewWave transaction described below,
because we believe these investments are necessary to remain competitive. We expect to spend up to $60 million over three
years, including $10 million spent in 2017, to enhance the acquired NewWave systems by rebuilding low capacity markets,
launching all-digital video services, implementing 32-channel bonding to enable a 1 Gigabit per second (“Gbps”) download
speed product launch, converting back office functions such as billing, accounting and service provisioning and migrating
products to legacy Cable One platforms. The term “legacy Cable One” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K refers to Cable
One operations excluding the impact or operations of NewWave.
Our goals are to continue to grow residential data and business services and to maintain profit margins to deliver strong
Adjusted EBITDA. To achieve these goals, we intend to continue our industrial engineering-driven cost management, remain
focused on customers with high LTV and follow through with further planned investments in broadband plant upgrades and
new data services offerings for residential and business customers.
Our business is subject to extensive governmental regulation. Such regulation has led to increases in our operational
and administrative expenses. In addition, we could be significantly impacted by changes to the existing regulatory framework,
whether triggered by legislative, administrative or judicial rulings. In 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (the
“FCC”) used its Title II authority to regulate broadband internet access services through the Open Internet Order (the
“Order”), which imposed on all providers of broadband internet access service, including us, obligations that limit the ways
certain types of traffic can be managed and prescribes certain additional disclosure requirements. The Order was upheld in
the courts, but in September 2017, several parties, including the American Cable Association and NCTA – The Internet &
Television Association (the “NCTA”), filed petitions for certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court. Responses to the petitions
are due March 5, 2018. However, in December 2017, the FCC rescinded the majority of the Open Internet rules previously
adopted in the Order, with the exception of the disclosure requirements. Several parties have challenged the FCC’s new rules
in various Federal courts. Congress and several states also have proposed legislation regarding the net neutrality rules. We
cannot predict whether or when future changes to the regulatory framework will occur at the FCC, in Congress, at the state
level or in the courts. We also cannot predict whether or to what extent the rules as revised by the FCC, Congress, the states
or the courts may affect our operations or impose costs on our business.
We serve our customers through a plant and network with 100% two-way capacity measuring approximately 750 MHz
on average and DOCSIS 3.0 capabilities in all of our systems. Our technically advanced infrastructure provides for delivery
of a full suite of data, video and voice products. Our broadband plant offers fiber-to-the-node with ample unused capacity
and standard download speeds of 100 Megabits per second (“Mbps”), which meaningfully distinguishes our offering from
competitors in most of our markets. We have completed a multi-year investment program in our plant, which resulted in
increased broadband capacity and reliability and which has enabled and will continue to enable us to offer even higher
4
download speeds to our customers (at both the standard and enhanced data service levels), which we believe will reinforce
our competitive strength in this area.
Corporate History
In 1986, The Washington Post Company (the prior name of our former corporate parent, Graham Holdings Company
(“GHC”)) acquired from Capital Cities Communications, Inc. (“Capital Cities”) a number of other companies owning, in
total, 53 cable television systems. The cable systems acquired in that transaction had approximately 350,000 subscribers in
15 Western, Midwestern and Southern states. All other mid-sized cable operators that existed when we were established have
since exited the cable business.
Subsequent to the Capital Cities transaction, we completed over 30 acquisitions and dispositions of cable systems,
both through cash sales and trades of certain of our cable systems for cable systems of other cable operators. We have been
disciplined about the price we pay in acquisitions, acquiring new customers opportunistically at what we considered favorable
prices. In the process, we have substantially reshaped our original geographic footprint and resized our typical system,
including exiting a number of metropolitan markets. For example, we traded to other cable operators our cable systems in the
Chicago, San Francisco, Cleveland and Indianapolis markets (which we acquired as part of the Capital Cities transaction) for
cable systems in non-metropolitan markets that fit our business model.
On July 1, 2015, we became an independent company traded under the ticker symbol “CABO” on the New York Stock
Exchange after completion of our spin-off from GHC. The spin-off was effected through the distribution by GHC of 100%
of the outstanding shares of common stock of Cable One to GHC stockholders as of the record date for the distribution (the
“spin-off”) in a pro rata dividend. In connection with the spin-off, approximately 5.84 million shares of Cable One’s common
stock were issued and outstanding on July 1, 2015, based on approximately 0.96 million shares of GHC Class A Common
Stock and 4.88 million shares of GHC Class B Common Stock outstanding as of June 30, 2015. No preferred stock was
issued or outstanding.
In January 2017, we entered into an agreement to acquire NewWave, a cable operator providing data, video and voice
services to residential and business customers throughout non-urban areas of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Missouri and Texas. With the acquisition of NewWave, we increased our customer count to a total of
approximately 800,000 subscribers in 21 states.
While we are smaller than the nation’s biggest cable companies, we have a record of consistent, long-term financial
and operational success driven by our differentiated operating philosophy. We emphasize focus as opposed to scale, which
is a departure from more conventional strategies in the cable industry, but is well suited to the markets in which we operate
and enables us to take advantage of our strengths as a cable operator.
Industry Overview
Cable companies in the United States are typically fully integrated providers of data, video and voice services to
residential and business customers in various geographic regions. A headend typically serves each of a cable company’s cable
systems, receiving data, video and voice service signals by connecting directly to the network backbone, which aggregates
signals delivered through over-the-air broadcasting, fiber optic networks and satellite transmissions. From the headend, cable
companies modulate, amplify and distribute these signals over a proprietary network of coaxial and fiber optic cable to the
homes and businesses of subscribers. In addition to building their own network backbone or leasing physical access to the
network backbone from telecommunications companies, cable companies also purchase licenses to provide their subscribers
with access to cable television channels owned by programmers and distributed over the network backbone. Cable companies
also typically sell advertising on their video channels. The cable industry has benefited from a progression of profitable new
product introductions over the past 15 years, including, but not limited to, high-speed data service, high-definition and digital
video service and Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) voice service.
Cable companies generate revenue by charging subscription fees to their residential and business customers, typically
billed in advance on a monthly basis, at rates that vary according to the data, video and/or voice services for which customers
subscribe, and the type of internet access and video equipment furnished to them, as well as through advertising sales. The
margins that a cable company can earn on its PSU offerings vary from product to product. Because of rising programming
costs and retransmission fees, the profit margin on video services is generally lower than it once was and significantly lower
than the current margins on data services. Despite lower margins on video services, the strategy of many cable companies is
to market and sell multiple PSUs in bundles or packages in order to maximize the number of PSUs per household. Many in
the industry believe it is desirable to sell multiple products as a package because they consider video service a gateway
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offering to sell data service and because fixed costs per customer can be spread over multiple PSUs. However, recent industry
trends have been towards increases in data subscribers even as video and voice subscriptions have declined.
Cable companies generally operate by establishing cable systems in geographic markets under non-exclusive
franchises granted by state or local authorities for specified periods of time. The most sought-after markets by major cable
companies have generally been the largest metropolitan markets. These markets are thought to offer the advantages of
population density (which may permit efficient construction and operation of a cable distribution system) and attractive
demographics, including customers with higher income-per-household than their counterparts in non-metropolitan, secondary
markets, leading to lower price sensitivity and a willingness to purchase a greater number of PSUs.
Our Strengths
We leverage a variety of strengths as a cable operator, stemming from, among other things, historical and ongoing
capital investments in our plant and our focus on serving customers in non-metropolitan markets. These strengths include the
following:
Attractive markets. Our customers are located primarily in non-metropolitan, secondary markets with favorable
competitive dynamics in comparison to major urban centers. In particular:
(cid:2) We tend to face less vigorous competition from telephone companies than cable operators in metropolitan markets.
(cid:2) Advances in technology often come later to our markets—for example, few competitors in our markets offer fiber-
to-the-home.
(cid:2) Our subscribers tend to be value-focused, enabling us to save video services costs by not carrying expensive
programming options with low subscriber demand.
(cid:2) We are regionally diversified, reducing the impact that an economic downturn in a specific geographic market
would have on our overall business.
Deep customer understanding. We have operated as a non-metropolitan cable business for over 20 years. In order to
understand our customers’ demands and preferences, we have conducted daily customer research for nearly two decades and
currently conduct thousands of customer satisfaction surveys per year. We believe we have gained valuable insight into how
to serve customers in non-metropolitan markets, including with respect to providing an optimal mix of video channel options,
price points and best-in-class customer service levels. In addition, the vast majority of our employees reside and work in our
markets, providing local service that enhances the communities we serve.
Superior broadband technology with ample unused capacity. We offer our residential and business data customers
internet products at faster speeds than those available from competitors in most of our markets. Our broadband plant consists
of a hybrid fiber-coaxial (“HFC”) network offering fiber-to-the-node with ample unused capacity. Our standard broadband
offering for our residential customers is a download speed of 100 Mbps, which is at the high end of the range of standard
residential offerings in our markets. Our enhanced broadband offering for our residential customers is currently a download
speed of up to 1 Gbps.
In addition, we have made significant investments in our business consistent with our strategic focus to enhance sales
of residential data services and business services. We completed significant, multi-year plant and product enhancements in
2017, which increased our broadband capacity and reliability. These initiatives caused us to incur several years of higher than
usual capital spending. However, we believe the competitive benefits will be significant, particularly for data services. Among
the enhancements in 2017:
(cid:2) We continued to decrease the average number of data customers per unique service by aggressively splitting
service areas (fiber nodes), which substantially improves data throughput during periods of peak usage,
minimizing disruptions in data access speeds to our customers.
(cid:2) We continue to invest in plant reinforcement projects, which have enhanced reliability.
(cid:2) We rolled out our 1 Gbps data service (GigaONE®) to approximately 95% of our legacy Cable One residential
customers based on homes passed as of December 31, 2017. We have made substantial progress to transition the
acquired NewWave systems to 32-channel bonding, which will allow us to launch faster speeds, including
GigaONE®, throughout these new markets.
(cid:2) We substantially completed a multi-year video product conversion to all-digital distribution, which has freed up
approximately half of average plant bandwidth for data services at speeds up to and exceeding 1 Gbps.
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(cid:2) We launched WiFi ONETM to residential customers across the entire legacy Cable One footprint. WiFi ONETM is
an advanced Wi-Fi solution that provides customers with enhanced Wi-Fi signal strength, which extends and
improves the Wi-Fi signal throughout the home.
(cid:2) We deployed 10 Gbps Ethernet Passive Optical Network (“EPON”) fiber-to-the-premises technology, supporting
the launch of Piranha Fiber, which offers market-leading symmetrical speeds of 2 Gbps to our business customers.
(cid:2) We made significant capital expenditure investments to enhance the acquired NewWave systems and transition
them to Cable One platforms.
We anticipate the foregoing capital projects will facilitate sustained increases in residential data and business services
revenues and customer satisfaction.
Low cost structure and competitive pricing. We believe our operating costs, taken as a whole, are as low as or lower
than any major cable operator. We attribute our low cost structure to a commitment to focusing on retaining our highest value
customers, rather than seeking to obtain as many customers as possible, and the lower costs of operations available in a non-
metropolitan market compared to a metropolitan market. In addition, because we operate our residential and business data
services with a competitive plant and cost structure, we are able to offer our customers both attractive pricing and compelling
products.
Customer satisfaction. We have a customer-focused approach, influencing how we are organized, how we sell our
services and how we service our customers. For example, we offer a same-day-service guarantee in almost every one of our
markets, which we believe none of our major competitors in our markets currently offer. We believe that our dedication to
providing a differentiated customer experience is an important driver of our overall value proposition and creates loyalty,
improves customer retention and drives increased demand for our services. We have always focused on customer satisfaction,
with an emphasis on consistently benchmarking our customer satisfaction over time and relative to our competitors based on
internally and externally generated customer satisfaction data.
Employee satisfaction. We have also focused on employee satisfaction, believing our customers’ satisfaction is tightly
linked to our employee satisfaction. Employee satisfaction has been routinely measured over time internally and has been
consistently high throughout the past decade, based on internal measurements. We currently measure our employee
satisfaction annually. None of our employees have been unionized for over two decades.
Experienced management team. Our senior management team is comprised of senior executives who have significant
experience in the cable industry. Our executive management team has an average tenure at Cable One (or its predecessors)
of over 15 years, and we believe this team is deeply knowledgeable about cost and competitive conditions in our markets.
They also understand and are deeply committed to our strategy, which we developed on a collaborative basis over many
years.
Our Strategies
We have a multi-faceted strategy that builds upon our long track record of focusing on the right markets, the right
products and the right customers, as well as controlling our operating and capital costs. More specifically, our strategy
includes the following principal components:
Focus on larger non-metropolitan markets. We believe our decision over 20 years ago to concentrate on non-
metropolitan markets has served us well, and we intend to continue to focus on offering our products primarily in these
markets. The cable economics of non-metropolitan markets, for which we have optimized our strategy and our operations,
are different from cable operations in major cities, and have yielded positive operating results for our business. Because price
points for services in non-metropolitan markets are generally lower, and customers in non-metropolitan markets tend to
subscribe to fewer PSUs, our average revenue per customer and our PSUs per customer are lower than they might be in
metropolitan markets. However, many of our costs are lower than they would be in metropolitan markets. The dynamics of
larger, non-metropolitan markets enable us to operate at attractive margins and earn substantial returns, while remaining
consistent with our focus on meeting customer demand for low prices and simultaneously keeping costs down. In addition,
we tend to face less vigorous competition from telephone companies than cable operators in metropolitan markets.
Maximize Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures and drive profitable growth. We concentrate on the products
and customers that maximize Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures and provide the best opportunity for profitable
growth. We believe residential video and residential voice face inexorable long-term declines. With respect to the video
product, programmers and broadcasters are charging higher rates and retransmission fees for content to cable companies
providing video services (often for content for which viewership is declining), and cable companies have had to choose
between absorbing those increases to the detriment of their margins or passing on the full cost to customers, which adversely
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affects customer demand. At the same time, the rapid expansion of OTT offerings via the internet has given customers new
alternatives to cable companies’ video offerings. In addition, demand for cellular and smartphone offerings have reduced
residential voice starts for us and others in our industry. As a result, we have reduced our focus on these two products and
prioritized higher growth opportunities such as residential data and business services.
We have declined to cross-subsidize our video business with cash flow from our higher growth, higher margin
products, which has resulted in our residential video customers declining at a faster rate than the industry average. In legacy
Cable One systems, our residential video customers decreased by 11.9% in 2017 versus 2016 and by 12.4% in 2016 versus
2015. Legacy Cable One residential video revenues decreased by $16.5 million, or 5.5%, for the year ended December 31,
2017 versus 2016 and by $37.9 million, or 11.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2016 versus 2015. While this strategy
runs contrary to conventional wisdom in the cable industry, which puts heavy emphasis on video customer counts and
maximizing the number of PSUs per customer by bundling and discounting services, we believe it best positions us for long-
term success. For us, success in growing and retaining residential data and business customers is far more important than the
number of triple-play customers we have.
Target higher value residential customers. Since 2013, we have introduced rigorous analytics to determine the LTV
of current and potential residential customers. We target marketing and customer service at customers who we believe are
likely to produce relatively higher value over the life of their service relationships with us, rather than seeking to maximize
the number of new customers. We analyze the net present value of every residential start and seek to identify customers with
high LTV, who are more likely to buy data service, less likely to churn and more likely to pay on time. Seeking to retain and
sell more services to residential customers with a high LTV has enabled us to earn higher profits with fewer customers and
PSU subscriptions. We believe that optimizing the LTV of data-only customers as video and voice cord-cutting accelerates
is both a necessity and an opportunity for our business.
Drive growth in residential data and business services. We believe our residential data and business services products
provide attractive current and future growth opportunities. Our disciplined prioritization of residential data and business
services is reflected in everything we do, including pricing, the allocation of sales, marketing and customer service resources,
capital spending and the way we conduct negotiations with suppliers, especially video suppliers. During 2017, we continued
to further diversify our revenue streams away from video as residential data and business services represented 56.9% of our
total revenues versus 54.2% for 2016 and 47.5% for 2015. Legacy Cable One residential data revenues grew to $371.4 million
in 2017, a 7.9% increase versus 2016. We believe we have demonstrated that it is possible to decouple unit growth in our
residential data and residential video businesses, which historically have been marketed as a package. Our data-only connects
are growing significantly faster than any other segment of our residential business as we have focused on selling data-only
packages to new customers rather than cross-selling video services to these customers.
Legacy Cable One business services revenues grew to $112.2 million, or 11.8%, in 2017 compared to 2016. We expect
to generate continued growth in business services by leveraging our existing infrastructure capabilities and footprint to offer
higher broadband speeds than other providers in our markets and to expand our business services to attract more small,
medium-sized and enterprise business customers.
Continue our culture of cost leadership. We believe our total combined operating and capital costs per PSU over the
past decade have been among the lowest of any cable company with publicly reported numbers and that our operating margins
compare very favorably with those of significantly bigger companies in the cable industry. This is the antithesis of normal
cable economies-of-scale expectations, where higher volumes are expected to create lower costs per PSU and increase
operating margins. Rather than increasing our size and seeking cost savings through economies-of-scale, we have achieved
our lower cost structure over many years by focusing on:
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
serving primarily non-metropolitan, secondary markets, which contain different customer dynamics from those in
metropolitan markets and which would require us to implement additional operational components;
the adoption of new technologies only after they have been tested by other companies in other markets, rather than
incurring the level of capital expenditures necessary to be an early adopter of most new technologies;
implementing a virtually centralized call center to receive inbound customer service calls and dispatch technicians
across all of our markets, while keeping the majority of our call center employees in our non-metropolitan markets;
standardizing our cable programming offerings across legacy Cable One markets, which reduces our customer
service costs, in contrast to other cable companies that offer different programming packages in different markets;
focusing on retaining and seeking high-LTV customers rather than trying to maximize the number of customers
or PSUs per customer;
aligning our resources to emphasize increased sales of residential data services and sales to business customers
and continuing our industrial engineering-driven approach to cost management, rather than committing resources
equally to sales of all of our products; and
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(cid:2)
investing in self-service channels to improve customer satisfaction by allowing us to meet changing customer
expectations for round-the-clock service while also avoiding unnecessary wait times.
We believe our strategy of focus has produced positive results, and we intend to apply this strategy in our NewWave
operations. From 2011 through December 31, 2017, legacy Cable One experienced a 60% reduction in bad debt; a 47%
reduction in the frequency of telephone customer service calls, resulting in a 41% headcount reduction in telephone customer
service personnel; a decline of 36% in the frequency of technicians being dispatched to customer locations, resulting in a
18% headcount reduction in the staff devoted to that function; and an overall headcount reduction of 528, representing a
reduction, primarily through attrition, of nearly 23% of our legacy Cable One workforce (1,802 legacy Cable One employees
as of the end of 2017). During this same period, both our customer and employee satisfaction have remained high or improved
based on internal measurements and, in the case of customer satisfaction, externally generated data.
Balanced capital allocation. We are committed to a disciplined approach to evaluating acquisitions and internal
investments, capital structure optimization and return of capital.
Our Products
Residential Data Services
Residential data services represented 43.2%, 42.0% and 36.5% of our total revenues for 2017, 2016 and 2015,
respectively. We offer multiple tiers of data services with download speeds up to 1 Gbps to approximately 95% of our
residential legacy Cable One customers as of December 31, 2017 and up to 200 Mbps to our remaining residential customers.
Our data services also include our internet portal, http://home.cableone.net, which provides multiple e-mail addresses. To
meet the increasing bandwidth needs of our customers who use multiple wired and wireless internet-connected devices in the
home, we launched WiFi ONETM in 2017 to residential customers across the entire legacy Cable One footprint. WiFi ONETM
is an advanced Wi-Fi solution combining state-of-the-art technology solutions with certified Cable One technicians, who
locate and configure hardware based on individual customer need. WiFi ONETM provides customers with enhanced Wi-Fi
signal strength, which extends and improves the Wi-Fi signal throughout the home.
Residential Video Services
Residential video services represented 34.6%, 36.0% and 41.2% of our total revenues for 2017, 2016 and 2015,
respectively. We offer a broad variety of residential video services, generally ranging from a basic video service to a full
digital service with access to hundreds of channels. Our basic video service generally consists of local networks, local
community programming, such as governmental and public access, and certain other channels, such as weather, shopping
and religious channels. Our digital video service includes national and regional cable networks, music channels and an
interactive, electronic programming guide with parental controls. We also offer premium channels, which include networks
such as HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax, that generally offer, without commercial interruption, movies, original
programming, live sporting events and concerts and other features. Our digital video customers may also subscribe to our
advanced services. Our advanced video services include whole-home DVRs, which digitally record programming and pause
and rewind live programming, and high-definition set-top boxes, which provide high-resolution picture quality, improved
audio quality and a wide-screen format and allow our customers to access internet content on their televisions.
Our TV Everywhere product enables our video customers to stream many of their favorite channels and shows to
mobile devices and computers, expanding the value of our video service. Our TV Everywhere product includes the most
popular networks across a wide range of genres, including HBO and Cinemax.
Residential Voice Services
Residential voice services represented 4.6%, 5.2% and 6.2% of our total revenues for 2017, 2016 and 2015,
respectively. Our residential voice service transmits digital voice signals over our network and is an interconnected VoIP
service. Our voice services include unlimited local and long-distance calling, voicemail, call waiting, three-way calling, caller
ID, anonymous call rejection and other features. Our voice services also provide international calling by the minute.
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Business Services
We consider the data, voice and video products we provide to our business customers to be a separate product from
our residential versions of these services. Business services represented 13.7%, 12.2% and 11.0% of our total revenues for
2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We offer services for businesses ranging in size from small to mid-market, in addition to
enterprise, wholesale and carrier customers.
Our offerings for small businesses are generally provided over our coaxial network. Our data services offer various
options with download speeds ranging from 25 Mbps up to 500 Mbps, with varying upload speeds. Our small business voice
solutions range from one line to multi-line options, including the availability of popular calling features like simultaneous
ring, hunt groups, selective call forwarding and much more. Business video packages range from a basic service tier to a
comprehensive selection including variety, news and sports programming in high-definition.
In 2016, we began delivering data services over an EPON designed for mid-market customers. This shared fiber
architecture offers a mixture of symmetrical and asymmetrical internet speeds ranging from 50 Mbps up to 2 Gbps. We expect
to introduce EPON in additional markets each year for the foreseeable future.
For enterprise and wholesale customers, we offer dedicated bandwidth via fiber optic technology. Our fiber optic-
based products include Dark Fiber in addition to Dedicated Internet Access and Ethernet Private Line with speeds ranging
from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps in scalable increments. We also offer Network to Network Interface connections to other carriers
at multiple Points of Presence across the United States. In 2017, we began offering Ethernet services over our coaxial network.
This service offers symmetrical speeds ranging from 3 Mbps up to 10 Mbps and is available directly to enterprise customers
in addition to wholesale and carrier customers.
Advertising
Advertising sales represented 2.6%, 3.4% and 3.8% of our total revenues for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our
agreements with each of our programmers provide that we may sell a specified amount of time on our programmers’ channels,
to both local and national advertising clients. We offer a full suite of digital advertising products, including website
construction, targeted display and both short- and long-form video production.
Competition
We operate in highly competitive, subscriber-driven and rapidly changing environments and compete with a growing
number of entities that provide a broad range of communications products, services and content to subscribers. Our
competitors have historically included, and we expect will continue to include, over-the-air reception providers; DBS
providers; telephone companies that offer data and video services through digital subscriber line (“DSL”) technology or fiber-
to-the-node networks; municipalities with fiber-based networks; and other cable companies that have been granted a franchise
to operate in a geographic market in which we are already operating.
Substantially all of our cable systems are in markets in which CenturyLink or AT&T is the established local telephone
company and our primary competitor. The remainder of our cable systems are in markets where we compete with various
other companies. CenturyLink, AT&T and other companies have overbuilt approximately 30% of our homes passed with
fiber-to-the-node or other high-speed networks, such that they are able to offer data, video and voice services, including data
services with high access speeds (albeit generally lower when compared to those that we offer). However, less than 3% of
the customers in our markets have access to fiber-to-the-home from our competitors, which offer a triple-play product offering
comprised of high-speed data, video and voice. Fiber-to-the-home facilitates greater access speeds than we are able to offer
through our fiber-to-the-node HFC infrastructure at this time, although in the next few years we expect our access speeds to
be comparable to those provided by fiber-to-the-home. In addition, on their own or via strategic partnerships or other
arrangements with DBS operators that permit telephone companies to package the video services of DBS operators with
telephone companies’ own DSL service, residential voice and wireless voice services, some telephone companies are
competing with our video programming and data and voice services. An example of such an arrangement is the merger of
AT&T and DirecTV. We also face increasing competition for residential voice services from wireless telephone companies,
as some of our customers are replacing our residential voice service completely with wireless voice service. In addition, new
entrants with significant financial resources may compete on a larger scale with our video and data services.
A number of municipalities have also announced plans to construct their own data networks with access speeds that
match or exceed those of our own through the use of fiber optic technology. In some cases, local government entities and
municipal utilities may legally compete with us without obtaining a franchise from a state or local governmental franchising
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authority (“LFA”), reducing their barriers to entry into our markets. The entrance of municipalities as competitors in our
markets would add to the competition we face and could lead to additional customer attrition.
Our video business also faces substantial and increasing competition from other forms of in-home entertainment and
recreational activities, including video games, mobile apps and the internet, as well as from other media companies. Internet
and other media companies, including Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Hulu, Netflix and Sling TV, increasingly offer video
programming via OTT streaming on the internet. Because of the significant size and financial resources of such companies,
we anticipate that they will continue to invest resources in increasing the availability of video content on the internet.
Employees
As of December 31, 2017, we had 2,310 full-time employees, and none were represented by a union.
Available Information and Website
Our
internet address
is www.cableone.net. We make available free of charge
through our website,
http://ir.cableone.net, copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on
Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after such documents are electronically
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Printed copies of these documents will be furnished without
charge (except exhibits) to any stockholder upon written request addressed to our Secretary at 210 E. Earll Drive, Phoenix,
Arizona 85012. The SEC maintains a website, www.sec.gov, that contains the reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Also, the public may read and copy any materials
that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may
obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The contents of
these websites are not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K and shall not be deemed “filed” under
the Exchange Act. Further, our references to website URLs are intended to be inactive textual references only.
Executive Officers
The following table presents certain information, as of March 1, 2018, concerning our executive officers.
Name
Age
Position
Ms. Julia M. Laulis ................. 55 Chair of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Michael E. Bowker ........... 49 Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Kevin P. Coyle ................. 66 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Stephen A. Fox ................. 52 Senior Vice President and Chief Network Officer
Mr. Eric M. Lardy ................... 44 Senior Vice President
Mr. Charles B. McDonald ....... 42 Senior Vice President, Operations
Ms. Julia M. Laulis
Ms. Laulis has been Chair of the Board since January 2018, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board since
January 2017 and President of Cable One since January 2015.
Ms. Laulis joined Cable One in 1999 as Director of Marketing – Northwest Division. In 2001, she was named Vice
President of Operations for the Southwest Division. In 2004, she accepted the additional responsibility for starting up Cable
One’s Phoenix Customer Care Center. In 2008, she was named Chief Operations Officer, and in 2012, she was named Chief
Operating Officer of Cable One. In January 2015, she was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer of Cable One.
Prior to joining Cable One, Ms. Laulis served in various senior marketing positions with Jones Communications. Ms.
Laulis began her 30-plus-year career in the cable industry with Hauser Communications.
Ms. Laulis serves on the boards of CableLabs and C-SPAN.
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Mr. Michael E. Bowker
Mr. Bowker has been Chief Operating Officer of Cable One since May 2017.
Mr. Bowker joined Cable One in 1999 as Advertising Regional Sales Manager. Mr. Bowker has been a Vice President
of Cable One since 2005. He was named Vice President of Sales in 2012 and was promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief
Sales and Marketing Officer in 2014.
Prior to joining Cable One, Mr. Bowker was with AT&T Media Services and TCI Cable, where he served in various
sales management positions.
Mr. Bowker serves on the board of the American Cable Association.
Mr. Kevin P. Coyle
Mr. Coyle has been Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Cable One since March 2015.
Mr. Coyle has more than 30 years of financial and operations experience. Prior to joining Cable One, he served with
Elauwit Networks, a private provider of telecom services to multi-dwelling units (“MDUs”) as Chief Financial Officer from
September 2014 to March 2015 and as Senior Vice President – Business Development from May 2014 to September 2014.
From 2012 to 2015, Mr. Coyle served as a director and as the chairman of the audit committee of WPCS International
Incorporated, a publicly traded provider of fixed wireless technology services for corporations. Previously, Mr. Coyle
performed strategic planning for Charter Communications and Comcast Communications in their MDU and business sales
area as Senior Vice President – Business Development of Comcast from January 2011 to June 2011 and as a Principal with
KPC Consulting, an independent, private consulting firm, from 2009 to January 2011 and from June 2011 to 2014. Before
that, Mr. Coyle served as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer at Jones Intercable, a publicly traded cable television company
with 1.4 million subscribers that was acquired by Comcast in 1999. Mr. Coyle has been the Chief Executive Officer of two
start-up companies and the Chief Financial Officer of two others in the telecommunications and high-tech fields.
Mr. Stephen A. Fox
Mr. Fox has been Senior Vice President and Chief Network Officer of Cable One since July 2015.
Mr. Fox started his career in 1988 as a programmer/operator for Cable One. Mr. Fox’s current areas of responsibility
include long range planning and the strategic evolution of technology roadmaps related to products, internal and external
networks and capital allocation. Prior to his current position, Mr. Fox was named Senior Vice President, Chief Technology
Officer in 2008.
Mr. Eric M. Lardy
Mr. Lardy has been a Senior Vice President of Cable One since January 2017.
Mr. Lardy joined Cable One in 1997 as a manager in one of our systems and held a variety of positions of increasing
responsibility in marketing, operations, and system general management. Mr. Lardy was named Vice President, Strategic
Planning and Finance in 2014 and was promoted to Senior Vice President in January 2017.
Mr. Charles B. McDonald
Mr. McDonald has been Senior Vice President, Operations of Cable One since January 2016.
Mr. McDonald joined Cable One in 2008 as an Industrial Engineer. Mr. McDonald was named Vice President,
Customer Service Operations in 2014 and was promoted to Senior Vice President, Operations in January 2016.
Prior to joining Cable One, Mr. McDonald worked as a Senior Process Engineer for Three-Five Systems and Brillian
Corp.
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Regulation and Legislation
General
Our data, video and voice operations are subject to various requirements imposed by the U.S. local, state and Federal
governmental authorities. The regulation of certain cable rates pursuant to procedures established by Congress has negatively
affected our revenue. Certain other legislative and regulatory matters discussed in this section also have the potential to
adversely affect our data, video and voice businesses. The following discussion does not purport to be a complete summary
of all of the provisions of U.S. Federal and state law that may affect our operations. Proposals for additional or revised
regulations and requirements are pending before Congress, state legislatures, and state and Federal regulatory agencies. We
generally cannot predict whether new legislation or regulations, court action, or a change in the extent of application or
enforcement of current laws and regulations would have an adverse impact on our operations.
Broadband Internet Access Service
Broadband internet access service, which we currently offer on all of our cable systems, is subject to some regulation
at the Federal level, and is not subject to state or local government regulation at this time.
Regulatory Reclassification and Network Neutrality Regulation. In 2015, the FCC elected, by a 3-2 vote, to reclassify
broadband internet access service as a “telecommunications service” and to subject the service to network neutrality and
certain common carrier regulations under Title II of the Communications Act. Those regulations: (1) prohibited broadband
internet access service providers from blocking access to lawful content, applications, services or non-harmful devices; (2)
prohibited broadband internet access service providers from impairing or degrading lawful internet traffic on the basis of
content, applications or services; (3) prohibited broadband internet access service providers from favoring lawful traffic from
one provider of internet content over lawful traffic of another content provider in exchange for consideration; (4) established
a new “general conduct standard” that prohibited broadband internet access service providers from unreasonably interfering
with or unreasonably disadvantaging the ability of consumers to select, access and use the lawful internet content,
applications, services or devices of their choosing; and (5) required broadband internet access service providers to disclose
information regarding network management, performance and commercial terms of the service to their customers. The Order
was upheld in the courts, but in September 2017, several parties, including the American Cable Association and the NCTA,
filed petitions for certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court. Responses to the petitions are due March 5, 2018. However, in
December 2017, the FCC rescinded the majority of the Open Internet rules previously adopted in the Order, with the exception
of the disclosure requirements. Several parties have challenged the FCC’s new rules in various Federal courts. Congress and
several states also have proposed legislation regarding the net neutrality rules. Net neutrality obligations could cause us to
incur certain compliance costs, and the enforcement or interpretation of these new obligations could adversely affect our
business. We cannot predict whether or when future changes to the regulatory framework will occur at the FCC, in Congress,
at the state level or in the courts. We also cannot predict whether or to what extent the rules as revised by the FCC, Congress,
the states or the courts may affect our operations or impose costs on our business.
Privacy. Broadband internet access service is subject to many of the same U.S. Federal and state privacy laws that
apply to other electronic communications. These include the U.S. Federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act, which
addresses interceptions of electronic communications that are in transit; the Stored Communications Act, which addresses
acquisitions of electronic data in storage; and other Federal and state privacy laws and regulations. As the collection and use
of consumer data becomes more prevalent in the communications industry, our compliance obligations may grow. In
November 2016, the FCC adopted new rules for broadband internet access services to protect the privacy of certain
information broadband internet access service providers obtain about their customers. However, in April 2017, the broadband
privacy and data security rules adopted by the FCC in 2016 were repealed pursuant to the Congressional Review Act, which
also restricts the FCC from adopting “substantially similar” rules in the future. In September 2017, the FCC reinstated its
previous rules applicable to customer proprietary network information (“CPNI”) for voice services. In addition, privacy
legislation has been proposed at the state and Federal level, some of which would require broadband service providers to
apply heightened privacy and security protections to customer data. We cannot predict whether, when or to what extent these
obligations may impose costs on our business.
In addition to FCC privacy regulations governing broadband internet access service, the Federal Trade Commission
also may exercise authority over privacy by using its existing authority over unfair and deceptive acts or practices to apply
greater restrictions on the collection and use of personally identifiable and other information relating to consumers. It also
has undertaken numerous enforcement actions against parties that do not provide sufficient security protections against the
loss or unauthorized disclosure of this type of information. We also are subject to stringent data security and data retention
requirements that apply to website operators and online services directed to children under 13 years of age, or that knowingly
collect or post personal information from children under 13 years of age. Other privacy-oriented laws have been extended by
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courts to online video providers and are increasingly being used in privacy lawsuits, including class actions, against providers
of video materials online. We cannot predict whether, when, or to what extent these obligations may impose costs on our
business.
We are also subject to state and Federal laws and regulations regarding data security that primarily apply to sensitive
personal information that could be used to commit identity theft. Most states have security breach notification laws that
generally require a business to give notice to consumers and government agencies when certain information has been
disclosed due to a security breach, and the FCC has adopted security breach rules for voice services. Several states have also
enacted general data security requirements to safeguard consumer information, including the proper disposal of consumer
information. We cannot predict whether, when or to what extent these obligations may impose costs on our business.
Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Owners of copyrights and trademarks actively seek to prevent use of the internet
to violate their rights. For example, copyright and trademark owners assert claims that a customer used an internet service or
resources accessed via the internet to post, download or disseminate copyrighted music, movies, software or other content
without the consent of the copyright owner or to seek to profit from the use of the goodwill associated with another person’s
trademark. In some cases, copyright and trademark owners have sought to recover damages from the broadband internet
access service provider, as well as or instead of the customer. The law relating to the potential liability of broadband internet
access service providers in these circumstances is unsettled. In 1998, Congress adopted the Digital Millennium Copyright
Act, which grants broadband internet access service providers protection against certain claims of copyright infringement
resulting from the actions of customers if the internet provider complies with certain requirements. So far, Congress has not
adopted similar immunity for broadband internet access service providers for trademark infringement claims.
Business Data Services. In April 2017, the FCC adopted a new deregulatory framework for Business Data Services
(“BDS”), formerly known as “special access” services. These services provide dedicated point-to-point transmission of data
at certain guaranteed speeds and service levels using high-capacity connections. The new framework eliminates pricing
regulation for certain types of BDS and establishes a competitive market test for determining whether other types of BDS
should remain subject to pricing regulation. Several parties have challenged the FCC’s decision in Federal court. At this time,
we cannot predict how the FCC’s decision, or any modifications by the court, will affect our business.
Cable
Title VI of the U.S. Federal Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act”), establishes the
principal Federal regulatory framework for our operation of cable systems and for the provision of our video services. The
Communications Act allocates primary responsibility for enforcing the Federal policies among the FCC and state and local
governmental authorities.
Franchising. We are required to obtain franchises from state or local governmental authorities to operate our cable
systems. Those franchises typically are non-exclusive and limited in time, contain various conditions and limitations and
provide for the payment of fees to the local authority, determined generally as a percentage of revenues. Failure to comply
with all of the terms and conditions of a franchise may give rise to rights of termination by the franchising authority. The
FCC has adopted rules designed to expedite the process of awarding competitive franchises and relieving applicants for
competing franchises of some locally-imposed franchise obligations. This development, which is especially beneficial to new
entrants, is expected to continue to accelerate the competition we are experiencing in the video service marketplace. On July
12, 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit vacated and remanded to the FCC its prior determination that local
franchising authorities are prohibited from regulating non-telecommunications services provided by incumbent cable
operators and that the term “franchise fees” under the statute includes all “in-kind” payments. We cannot predict the outcome
of the remand to the FCC, and whether or to what extent the rules as revised by the FCC or the courts may affect our operations
or impose costs on our business.
Rate Regulation. FCC regulations prohibit LFAs or the FCC from regulating the rates that cable systems charge for
certain levels of video cable service, equipment and service calls when those cable systems are subject to “effective
competition.” In 2015, the FCC revised its rate regulations to create a presumption that all cable systems are subject to the
effective-competition exemption unless proven otherwise. In July 2017, the D.C. Circuit upheld the FCC’s decision on
appeal.
“Must-Carry” and Retransmission Consent and Content Rules. U.S. Federal law provides that a television broadcast
station may, subject to certain limitations, insist on carriage of its signal on cable systems located within the station’s
prescribed area. As a result, certain of our cable systems must carry broadcast stations that we might not otherwise have
elected to carry.
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In other cases, we have been required to provide consideration to broadcasters to obtain retransmission consent, such
as commitments to carry other program services offered by a station or an affiliated company, to purchase advertising on a
station or to provide advertising availabilities on cable to a station, or to provide cash compensation. This development results
in increased operating costs for cable systems, which ultimately increases the rates cable systems charge subscribers. In
March and November 2014, the FCC and Congress imposed new requirements in this area including restrictions on
broadcasters’ ability to jointly negotiate with cable providers for carriage of their stations, and the FCC is seeking comment
on possible changes to regulations in this area, which could affect our business. In July 2016, the FCC announced that it
would not adopt additional rules governing good faith negotiations for retransmission consent, but it would be prepared to
assist in negotiations when necessary. In September 2014, the FCC repealed its sports blackout rules, which prohibited cable
and satellite operators from retransmitting any sports event that was blacked out on a local broadcast station.
Media Ownership Rules. In November 2017, the FCC took steps to relax its media ownership rules, which, among
other things, would eliminate restrictions that limit the number of commonly owned television stations per market and restrict
newspaper/broadcast and radio/television station cross-ownership. These rules have not yet gone into effect and have been
challenged in Federal court, which could delay their implementation. In December 2017, the FCC announced a further
proceeding that could eventually lead to additional relaxation of the FCC’s media ownership rules, including the cap on the
number of television stations that one entity can control nationwide. If some or all of these changes or proposed changes were
to go into effect, it would increase the negotiating leverage that broadcasters hold in retransmission consent negotiations and
thereby possibly increase the amounts we pay to broadcasters for retransmission fees.
Independent Programming. On September 29, 2016, the FCC initiated a rulemaking proceeding to adopt rules
prohibiting certain practices that may affect the relationship between multichannel video programming distributors
(“MVPDs”), such as cable companies and independent programmers. The proposal examines whether certain “most favored
nation” and alternative distribution method provisions in program carriage agreements should be prohibited, and whether
program bundling practices by large programmers affect the ability of MVPDs to carry independent programmers. We cannot
predict whether the newly-constituted FCC will pursue this proceeding, and, if so, how it will proceed.
Pole Attachments. U.S. Federal law requires most telephone and power utilities to charge reasonable rates to cable
operators for utilizing space on utility poles or in underground conduits. In May 2010 and again in April 2011, the FCC
adopted new requirements relating to pole access and construction practices that were expected to improve the ability of cable
operators to attach to utility poles on a timely basis and to lower the pole attachment rate for telecommunications services. In
October 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a lower court’s decision to uphold the FCC’s pole attachment
regulations. The FCC further revised its pole attachment rules in November 2015 to adjust the formula for calculating pole
rental rates, which resulted in similar rates for telecommunications attachments and cable attachments, and eliminated the
ability of utility companies to justify higher rates for pole attachments used to provide broadband internet access service. In
July 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit upheld the FCC’s November 2015 pole attachment decision. The
utility companies filed a petition for certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court in November 2017, and responses to the petition
are due March 9, 2018. We cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding, or how this proceeding may affect our operations
or impose costs on our business. In the meantime, the appropriate method for calculating pole attachment rates for cable
operators that provide VoIP services remains unclear, although the FCC’s rule revisions to equalize pole attachment rates
and its December 2017 reversal of its previous reclassification of broadband internet access services make this issue less
significant. We cannot predict the extent to which these and other rule changes will affect our ability over time to secure
timely access to poles at reasonable rates for our data, voice and video services. As a general matter, changes to our pole
attachment rate structure could significantly increase our annual pole attachment costs.
U.S. Federal Copyright Issues. The U.S. Federal Copyright Act of 1976, as amended (the “Copyright Act”), gives
cable systems the ability, under certain terms and conditions and assuming that any applicable retransmission consents have
been obtained, to retransmit the signals of television stations pursuant to a compulsory copyright license.
The U.S. Federal Copyright Office is considering requests for clarification and revisions of certain cable compulsory
copyright license reporting requirements, and from time to time, other revisions to the cable compulsory copyright rules are
considered. We cannot predict the outcome of any such inquiries. However, it is possible that changes in the rules or copyright
compulsory license fee computations or compliance procedures could have an adverse effect on our business by, for example,
increasing copyright compulsory license fee costs or by causing us to reduce or discontinue carriage of certain broadcast
signals that we currently carry on a discretionary basis.
Telephone Company Competition. U.S. Federal law permits telephone companies to offer video programming
services. Over the past decade, telephone companies have pursued multiple strategies to enter the market for the delivery of
multichannel video programming services, such as merging with DBS operators, in the case of AT&T and DirecTV, or
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obtaining local franchise agreements. Increased competition from telephone companies that provide competing services could
have a material effect on our business.
Over-the-Top (OTT) Video Programming. The continued proliferation of broadband services in the United States has
enabled cable programmers and broadcast television stations and networks to “stream” their video content to consumers over
the internet. Although we have benefited generally from the growth in broadband due to our role as a provider of broadband
services, the continued and growing availability of cable programming and broadcast television content on the internet may
result in less demand for our video cable service offering. Some providers of cable service are marketing their own version
of OTT video programming, thus enabling their subscribers to access cable programming outside of their home or business.
For example, Verizon Wireless offers the ability to stream NFL games on its smartphones over the internet. Some fixed and
wireless broadband providers are excluding certain streamed content from metered data charges or data limits in an effort to
make their broadband service more attractive to consumers. In addition, online video distributors and other OTT video
distributors have begun to stream broadcast programming over the internet. In some cases, distributors streamed broadcast
programming without the consent of broadcasters and copyright owners. Broadcasters challenged this practice, and in June
2014, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that such streaming requires the consent of the applicable copyright owner.
However, there is a potential for other streaming services to attempt to enter the market, and in December 2014, the FCC
opened a proceeding concerning how OTT providers should be classified for purposes of the FCC’s rules. We cannot predict
the outcome of these proceedings, nor related litigation, nor how widespread these practices may become or the extent to
which the integrated functionality and ease of use of the cable platform will continue to appeal to the majority of our
subscribers.
Wireless Services. In 2017, the FCC completed an auction of additional spectrum, including spectrum in the television
broadcast band, for use by wireless broadband providers. The FCC process provided for both the auction of spectrum and a
“repacking,” whereby certain broadcast stations will move to new channel allotments so as to free up a nationwide block of
spectrum for wireless broadband use. The availability of more spectrum to enable wireless video services over time will
create additional competitive alternatives to cable services. The auction ended in March 2017, and in April 2017, the FCC
began the process of transitioning broadcast stations to new channel assignments. MVPDs, such as us, are required to submit
an estimate of the costs incurred to continue carrying stations that were reassigned to new channels. We cannot predict the
amount of funding, if any, that we might receive from the disbursement of these funds.
Set-Top Boxes. Congress, the FCC and other government agencies have for some time been developing and
implementing regulations that affect the types of set-top boxes that cable operators can lease or deploy to their subscribers.
Prior to 2015, FCC rules banned the integration of security and non-security function in set-top boxes and required MVPDs
to allow third-party vendors to provide set-top boxes with basic converter functions. In 2015, Congress repealed the
integration ban and mandated that the FCC establish a working group to identify, report on and recommend a successor
technology-and platform-neutral security solution. In February 2016, the FCC opened a rulemaking to consider proposals
that would require any retail video device to work on any cable operator’s system, but this item was removed from active
FCC review. We cannot predict if or when new changes may be proposed, what effect such changes may have on our
operations, or if they will increase our costs and impair our ability to deliver programming to our customers.
Disability Access. In September 2010, Congress passed the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video
Accessibility Act (the “CVAA”). The CVAA directs the FCC to impose additional accessibility requirements on cable
operators. For example, cable operators that serve 50,000 or more subscribers must provide 50 hours of video description per
calendar quarter, during primetime or on children’s programming, on each channel on which they carry one of the top five
national non-broadcast networks. In addition, cable operators of all sizes must pass through video description that is provided
for each broadcast station or non-broadcast network that they carry. Compliance imposes certain costs on us. The CVAA also
directs the FCC to adopt rules to help ensure that persons with disabilities have access to video programming and related
information. In October 2013, the FCC adopted a requirement that equipment used by consumers to access video
programming and other services offered by cable operators make on-screen text menus and guides for the display or selection
of video programming audibly accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The compliance deadline for
these new rules was December 2016 (subject to certain exceptions). In October 2013, the FCC also initiated a proceeding to
consider additional rules. In February 2014, the FCC issued an order adopting closed captioning quality standards for video
programming distributors (“VPDs”) and, in February 2016, the FCC amended its rules to allocate responsibility for the quality
of closed captioning between video programmers and VPDs. The FCC also revised its procedures for the handling of
complaints regarding closed captioning quality. We cannot predict any further actions the FCC will take in this proceeding
or the extent to which any such requirements may impose new costs on us.
In 2017, the FCC increased the amount of video-described programming for covered broadcast and cable channels
from 50 hours to 87.5 hours and the number of cable networks that are required to provide video-described programming.
We cannot predict how these new obligations could impose costs on our business.
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ATSC 3.0. In November 2017, the FCC adopted new rules to authorize television stations to use the “Next Generation
TV” broadcast television standard, ATSC 3.0. Should use of the new standard become widespread, we could be required to
deploy new equipment and our carriage obligations may be impacted. We cannot predict the effect that use of the new
standard could have on our equipment costs, carriage obligations, or retransmission fees.
Other Requirements. The FCC regulates various other aspects of cable operations, including certain terms for
commercial leased access, signal leakage, distant broadcast station signals and technical standards. We cannot predict
whether, when or to what extent changes to these and other regulations may affect our operations or costs.
Voice
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Cable companies, including Cable One and others, offer VoIP service, which
permits users to make voice calls over broadband communications networks, including the internet, to recipients on the public
switched telephone network and other broadband communications networks. U.S. Federal law preempts state and local
regulatory barriers to the offering of voice service by cable companies and others, and the FCC and U.S. Federal courts
generally have preempted state laws that seek to regulate or classify VoIP.
The FCC has held that VoIP services are IP-enabled services, which are interstate in nature and thus subject exclusively
to the FCC’s U.S. Federal jurisdiction and not to state regulation. This decision was upheld on appeal, although the FCC has
an ongoing proceeding to consider whether VoIP services provided by cable companies and others are properly classified as
an “information service,” “telecommunications service” or some other new category of service. This determination, once
made, could have numerous regulatory implications for cable companies that provide interconnected VoIP services, including
us. Although the FCC has yet to ascribe a regulatory definition to VoIP services, the FCC nevertheless has imposed a number
of obligations on interconnected VoIP service providers, some of which are discussed more fully below.
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”) has ruled that the VoIP service of another cable operator should
be classified and regulated as a telecommunications service in the state, subject to entry and rate regulation. In May 2017,
the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota held that that such operator’s VoIP service is an “information service”
rather than a “telecommunications service,” which prevents the Minnesota PUC from regulating VoIP as a
telecommunications service in Minnesota. The Minnesota PUC has appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the Eighth Circuit. The FCC has supported the cable operator in its appeal. We cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding
or how this proceeding may affect our operations or impose costs on our business.
Emergency 911 Services. The FCC has ruled that an interconnected VoIP service provider that enables its customers
to make calls to and receive calls from persons who use the public switched telephone network must provide its customers
with the same enhanced 911 (“E911”) features that traditional telephone and wireless companies are obligated to provide.
This requirement was upheld on appeal. In January 2015, the FCC established indoor location requirements when E911 calls
are made by interconnected VoIP subscribers. The FCC also requires certain providers of facilities-based fixed, residential
voice services, which includes interconnected VoIP service providers, to offer backup power options to consumers, and to
inform consumers of the availability of such options.
CALEA. FCC regulations require providers of interconnected VoIP service to comply with the requirements of the
Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, which requires covered entities and their equipment suppliers to
deploy equipment that law enforcement officials can access readily for lawful wiretap purposes.
Universal Service. The FCC has determined that interconnected VoIP service providers must contribute to the U.S.
Federal Universal Service Fund (the “USF”). The amount of a company’s USF contribution is based on a percentage of
revenues earned from end-user interstate and international interconnected VoIP services. We are permitted to recover these
contributions from our customers. In October 2011, the FCC adopted an order and new rules intended to transition the USF
so that it supports the build out of broadband, rather than telecommunications facilities. The order principally addressed the
manner in which universal service funds will be distributed to network operators for broadband build out. In April 2012, the
FCC initiated a proceeding that focused on reforming the nature and manner in which entities should contribute to the USF
and at what levels. We cannot predict whether and how such reform will occur and the extent to which it may affect providers
of VoIP services, including us and our competitors. The FCC’s 2011 universal service reform order was subject to both
reconsideration requests and appeals, and in May 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit upheld the order in
its entirety. A number of parties filed petitions with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review of that decision, but the Supreme
Court declined to review the case. In November 2010, the FCC determined that states may impose state USF fees on
interconnected VoIP service providers subject to certain limitations and requirements. State USF contributions are based on
a percentage of revenues earned from end-user intrastate interconnected VoIP services, and we are typically permitted to
recover these contributions from our customers. We cannot predict whether or how the imposition of such state-based
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universal service fees will affect our operations and business. In addition, the FCC has focused on subsidizing broadband
deployment, and this shift could help some of our competitors. For example, the FCC substantially revised the program that
provides universal service support for services to schools and libraries to shift support from voice services to broadband
services and the deployment of Wi-Fi networks. Similarly, the FCC has expanded its Lifeline subsidy program for low-
income consumers to include broadband services in addition to voice services and is currently considering further changes
that may affect the Lifeline program. We cannot predict whether or how these programs will be changed.
Intercarrier Compensation. The order and new rules adopted by the FCC in October 2011 in connection with universal
service reform also addressed intercarrier compensation and specified that “VoIP-PSTN traffic,” that is, traffic exchanged
over public switched telephone network facilities that originates and/or terminates in IP format, which includes
interconnected VoIP traffic, is subject to intercarrier compensation obligations either on the basis of specified default charges
or through negotiated rates. The FCC’s order was subject to both reconsideration requests and appeals, and the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Tenth Circuit upheld the order in its entirety. A number of parties filed petitions with the U.S. Supreme Court
seeking review of that decision, but the Supreme Court declined to review the case. Future FCC determinations regarding the
rates, terms and conditions for transporting and terminating such traffic could have a profound and material effect on the
profitability of providing voice and data services.
Customer Proprietary Network Information. In 2007, the FCC adopted rules expanding the protection of CPNI and
extending CPNI protection requirements to providers of interconnected VoIP service. CPNI is information about the quantity,
technical configuration, type, location and amount of a voice customer’s use. These requirements generally have increased
the cost of providing interconnected VoIP service, as providers now must implement various safeguards to protect CPNI
from unauthorized disclosure.
Access for Persons with Disabilities. FCC regulations require providers of interconnected VoIP services to comply
with all disability access requirements that apply to telecommunications carriers, including the provision of
telecommunications relay services for persons with speech or hearing impairments. The FCC also has adopted reporting
requirements associated with disability access obligations. We and other interconnected VoIP service providers must also
contribute to the interstate Telecommunications Relay Service Fund to support such access. These requirements generally
have had the effect of increasing the cost of providing VoIP services.
Service Discontinuance and Outage Obligations. In 2009, the FCC adopted rules subjecting providers of
interconnected VoIP services to the same service discontinuance requirements applicable to providers of wireline
telecommunication services. In 2012, the FCC adopted mandatory outage reporting requirements for interconnected VoIP
service providers, which apply when customers of interconnected VoIP service lose service or connectivity and, as a result,
are unable to access 911 service. Along with other FCC actions described in this section, which impose legacy telecom
obligations on interconnected VoIP providers, this development will subject our interconnected VoIP services to greater
regulation and, therefore, greater burdens and costs.
Regulatory Fees. The FCC requires interconnected VoIP service providers to contribute to shared costs of FCC
regulation through an annual regulatory fee assessment. These fees have increased our cost of providing VoIP services. The
FCC from time to time revises its regulatory fees and sometimes creates new fees. We cannot predict when or the extent to
which the FCC will adopt new rules or regulatory fees affecting VoIP service providers, which could affect our cost of doing
business.
Local Number Portability. Providers of interconnected VoIP services and their “numbering partners” must ensure that
their subscribers have the ability to port their telephone numbers when changing service providers. We, along with other
providers of interconnected VoIP service, must contribute funds to cover the shared costs of local number portability and the
costs of North American Numbering Plan Administration. In June 2015, the FCC adopted rules requiring additional
numbering requirements, such as allowing consumers access to abbreviated dialing codes like 211 and 311 in certain
circumstances, to be applied to interconnected VoIP service providers. Although consumers’ ability to port their existing
telephone numbers to interconnected VoIP service has created additional opportunities for us to gain voice customers, the
local number portability and associated rules overall have had the effect of increasing the cost of providing VoIP service.
Rural Calling Issues. In October 2013, the FCC adopted new rules to combat problems with the completion of long-
distance calls to rural areas. The new rules apply detailed record keeping, record retention and reporting requirements on all
voice providers, including VoIP service providers, subject to certain exceptions. The rules also prohibit VoIP service
providers (and other voice providers) from using false audible ringing when originating calls. Compliance with these new
rules could have the effect of increasing the cost of providing VoIP services.
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State and Local Taxes
The Internet Tax Freedom Act prohibits most states and localities from imposing taxes on internet access service
charges. Legislative and administrative proceedings in some states and localities have imposed or are considering adopting
changes to general business taxes, central assessments for property tax and new taxes and fees applicable to our services.
Often, DBS and other competitors that deliver their services over the internet do not face similar state tax and fee burdens.
In addition, the FCC’s 2015 reclassification of broadband internet access services as Title II telecommunications services
may cause or allow, directly or indirectly, some states and localities to seek to impose additional taxes and fees on our data
service. However, such state and local actions may be hindered by the FCC’s decision to rescind the majority of the rules
adopted in the Order.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider all of the information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and each of the risks
described below, which we believe are the principal risks that we face. Some risks relate principally to the securities markets
and ownership of our common stock.
Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of
operations and the actual outcome of matters as to which forward-looking statements are made in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
Risks Relating to Our Business
We face significant competition from other cable companies and telephone companies, as well as other well-capitalized
entrants in the video and data services industry, which could reduce our market share and lower our profits.
We operate in highly competitive, subscriber-driven and rapidly changing environments and compete with a growing
number of entities that provide a broad range of communications products, services and content to subscribers. Our
competitors have historically included, and we expect will continue to include, over-the-air reception providers; DBS
providers; telephone companies that offer data and video services through DSL or fiber-to-the-node networks; municipalities
with fiber-based networks; and other cable companies that have been granted a franchise to operate in a geographic market
in which we are already operating.
Substantially all of our cable systems are in markets in which CenturyLink or AT&T is the established local telephone
company and our primary competitor. The remainder of our cable systems are in markets where we compete with various
other companies. Our cable systems generally operate pursuant to franchises, permits and similar authorizations issued by
LFAs, and these franchises are typically non-exclusive. Accordingly, LFAs can grant additional franchises to our competitors
and create competition in our markets where none existed previously, resulting in overbuilds. In some cases, the FCC has
adopted rules that streamline entry for new competitors (particularly those affiliated with telephone companies) and reduce
franchising burdens for these new entrants. Although as a general matter internet service providers have upgraded their data
networks to enable faster upload and download speeds for their customers in metropolitan markets before upgrading their
data networks in our markets, CenturyLink, AT&T and other companies and municipalities have overbuilt approximately
30% of our homes passed with fiber-to-the-node or other high-speed networks, such that they are able to offer data, video
and voice services, including data services with high access speeds, albeit generally lower when compared to those that we
offer. Further overbuilding could cause more of our customers to purchase data and video services from our competitors
instead of from us. In our other markets, some of our telephone company competitors have entered into strategic partnerships
or other arrangements with DBS operators that permit these telephone companies to package the video services of DBS
operators with their own DSL, residential voice and wireless voice services. An example of such arrangement is the merger
of AT&T and DirecTV. We also face increasing competition for residential voice services from wireless telephone
companies, as some of our customers are replacing our residential voice service completely with wireless voice service. In
addition, new entrants with significant financial resources may compete on a larger scale with our video and data services.
We may also face increasing competition from various providers of wireless internet offerings, including wireless telephone
carriers that are developing high-speed “5G” wireless networks and public locations or commercial establishments offering
Wi-Fi at no cost.
A number of municipalities have also announced plans to construct their own data networks with access speeds that
match or exceed those of our own through the use of fiber optic technology. In some cases, local government entities and
municipal utilities may legally compete with us without obtaining a franchise from an LFA, reducing their barriers to entry
into our markets. The entrance of municipalities as competitors in our markets would add to the competition we face and
could lead to additional customer attrition.
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Our video business also faces substantial and increasing competition from other forms of in-home entertainment and
recreational activities, including video games, mobile apps and the internet, as well as from other media companies. Internet
and other media companies, including Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Sling TV, Hulu and Netflix, increasingly offer video
programming via OTT streaming on the internet. Because of the significant size and financial resources of such companies,
we anticipate that they will continue to invest resources in increasing the availability of video content on the internet, which
may result in less demand for the video services we provide. In addition, companies that offer OTT content in certain markets
also provide data services, such as Alphabet, and they may seek to increase sales of their streaming content by lowering the
cost of data services for their customers, which would further increase price competition for the data services we offer. In
addition to creating competition for our video services business, OTT content also significantly increases the volume of traffic
on our data networks, which can lead to decreases in access speeds for all users if data networks are not upgraded so that
their broadband capacity can keep pace with increased traffic. Any of these events could have a material negative impact on
our operations, business, financial results and financial condition.
Our business is characterized by rapid technological change, and if we do not adapt to technological changes and respond
appropriately to changes in consumer demand, our competitive position may be harmed.
Our success is, to a large extent, dependent on our ability to acquire, develop, adopt, upgrade and exploit new and
existing technologies to address consumers’ changing demands and distinguish our services from those of our competitors.
We may not be able to accurately predict technological trends or the success of new products and services. If we choose
technologies or equipment that are less effective, cost-efficient or attractive to our customers than those chosen by our
competitors, or if we offer services that fail to appeal to consumers, that are not available at competitive prices or that do not
function as expected, our competitive position could deteriorate, and our business and financial results could suffer.
The ability of some of our competitors to introduce new technologies, products and services more quickly than we can
may adversely affect our competitive position. Furthermore, advances in technology, decreases in the cost of existing
technologies or changes in competitors’ product and service offerings may require us in the future to make additional research
and development expenditures or to offer at no additional charge or at a lower price certain products and services that we
currently offer to customers separately or at a premium.
In addition, we seek to leverage overall industry experience before rolling out new technology in order to avoid
investing in technology that has not been proven successful in other markets. We implement this approach to avoid costly
mistakes made by early adopters of new technology that does not provide expected returns, and it exposes us to the risk that
one of our competitors will adopt successful new technology before us, and leverage this new technology to attract our
customers, increasing the level of customer attrition we experience and adversely affecting our business.
Business services sales increasingly contribute to our results of operations, and we face risks as we attempt to further
focus on sales to our business customers.
Growth in revenue from sales to our business customers in legacy Cable One markets has exceeded 11% for each year
since we started focusing on business services sales in 2011, and we may encounter challenges as we continue our initiative
to expand sales of data, voice and video services to our business customers. To accommodate this expansion, we expect to
commit a greater proportion of our expenditures on technology, equipment and personnel focused on our business customers.
If we are unable to sufficiently maintain the necessary infrastructure and internal support functions necessary to service these
customers, potential future growth of our business services revenues would be limited. In many cases, business customers
have service level agreements that require us to provide higher standards of service and reliability. If we are unable to meet
these service level requirements, or more broadly, the expectations of our business customers, we would no longer expect
business sales to increase and our results of operations may be materially negatively affected.
The increase in programming costs and retransmission fees may continue in the future, resulting in lower margins than
we anticipate.
Over the past few years, the sales margins on our residential video services, which accounted for 34.6%, 36.0% and
41.2% of our total revenues in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, have decreased as a result of increased programming costs
and retransmission fees and customer cord-cutting. Programming costs and retransmission fees paid to major programmers
and broadcasters may continue to increase as content providers are expected to ask for higher fees. Moreover, programming
cost and retransmission fee increases have caused us, and may in the future cause us, to cease carrying channels offered by
certain programmers and broadcasters, which may result in attrition of video subscribers as well as customers who subscribe
to double-play or triple-play packages that include video service. These customer losses and increased costs could result in
further decreases in our residential video margins and adversely impact our business.
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We may not be able to obtain necessary hardware, software and operational support.
We depend on a limited number of third-party suppliers and licensors to supply some of the hardware and software
necessary to provide some of our services, including our access to the network backbone and the set-top boxes and modems
that we lease to our customers. Some of these vendors represent our sole source of supply or have, either through contract or
as a result of intellectual property rights, a position of some exclusivity. If any of these parties breaches or terminates its
agreement with us or otherwise fails to perform its obligations in a timely manner; demand exceeds these vendors’ capacity;
they experience operating or financial difficulties; they significantly increase the amount we pay for necessary products or
services or they cease production of any necessary product due to lack of demand, profitability, a change in their ownership
or otherwise; then our ability to provide some services may be materially adversely affected. Any of these events could
adversely affect our ability to retain and attract subscribers and have a material negative impact on our operations, business,
financial results and financial condition.
We recently made a significant acquisition and may make other acquisitions, which exposes us to risks and uncertainties
associated with acquisitions.
We completed the NewWave acquisition on May 1, 2017, and we may make other acquisitions. Such acquisitions
could involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including:
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
the difficulty in integrating newly acquired businesses and operations in an efficient and effective manner;
the challenge in achieving strategic objectives, cost savings and other anticipated benefits;
the potential loss of key employees of the acquired businesses;
the potential diversion of senior management’s attention from our ongoing operations;
the difficulty of maintaining relationships with the customers, suppliers and other business partners of the acquired
business;
the difficulty and amount of time necessary to realize expected synergies and other benefits of the acquisitions;
the risks associated with integrating financial reporting and internal control systems;
the difficulty in expanding information technology systems and other business processes to incorporate the
acquired businesses;
(cid:2) potential future impairments of goodwill associated with the acquired businesses; and
(cid:2)
in some cases, the potential for increased regulation.
If an acquired business fails to operate as anticipated, cannot be successfully integrated with our existing business or
one or more of the other risks and uncertainties identified above occur in connection with our acquisitions, our operations,
business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially negatively affected.
Adverse conditions in the U.S. economy could impact our results of operations.
Unfavorable general economic conditions, such as a recession or economic slowdown in the United States, could
negatively affect the affordability of and demand for some of our products and services. In difficult economic conditions,
consumers may seek to reduce discretionary spending by forgoing purchases of our products, electing to use fewer higher
margin services or obtaining lower cost products and services offered by other companies. Similarly, under these conditions
the business customers that we serve in the United States may delay purchasing decisions, delay full implementation of
service offerings or reduce their use of services. In addition, adverse economic conditions may lead to an increased number
of our residential and business customers that are unable to pay for services. Such conditions could also inhibit or prevent
our third-party suppliers and licensors from supplying some of the hardware and software necessary to provide some of our
services. If any of these events were to occur, it could have a material negative effect on our operations, business, financial
condition and results of operations.
We rely on network and information systems and other technology, and a disruption or failure of such networks, systems
or technology as a result of significant cybersecurity incidents, as well as outages, natural disasters (including extreme
weather), terrorist attacks, accidental releases of information or similar events, may disrupt our business.
Network and information systems and other technologies are critical to our operating activities, both to internal uses
and in supplying data, video and voice services to customers. Network or information system shutdowns or other service
disruptions caused by cyber-attacks, such as distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, dissemination of malware and other
malicious activity, pose increasing risks. Both unsuccessful and successful cyber-attacks on companies have continued to
increase in frequency, scope and potential harm in recent years and, because the techniques used in such attacks have become
21
more sophisticated and change frequently, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement adequate
preventative measures. From time to time third parties make malicious attempts to access our network. Any successful
attempts could result in an unauthorized release of information, degradation to our network and information systems or
disruption to our data, video and voice services, all of which could adversely affect our results of operations.
Our network and information systems are also vulnerable to damage or interruption from power outages, natural
disasters (including extreme weather arising from short-term weather patterns or any long-term changes), terrorist attacks
and similar events. For example, the damage to our network infrastructure caused by Hurricanes Harvey and Katrina and the
Joplin, Missouri tornado each created a significant disruption in our ability to provide services in affected areas. Any similar
events could have an adverse impact on us and our customers in the future, including degradation of service, service
disruption, excessive call volume to call centers and damage to our plant, equipment, data and reputation. Such an event also
could result in large expenditures necessary to repair or replace such networks or information systems or to protect them from
similar events or damage in the future. Further, the impacts associated with extreme weather or any long-term changes, such
as intensified storm activity, may cause increased business interruptions.
Security breaches and other disruptions, including cyber-attacks, and our actual or perceived failure to adequately protect
business and consumer data could give rise to liability or reputational harm.
In the ordinary course of our business, we electronically maintain confidential, proprietary and personal information
in our information technology systems and networks and those of third-party vendors, including customer, personnel and
vendor data. These systems may be targets of attack by cyber criminals or other wrongdoers seeking to steal such information
for financial gain or to harm our business operations or reputation. The loss, misuse, compromise, leakage, falsification or
accidental release of such information may result in costly investigations, remediation efforts and notification to affected
consumers. Cyber-attacks could also adversely affect our operating results, consume internal resources and result in litigation
or potential liability for us and otherwise harm our business.
Various U.S. Federal, state and international laws and regulations govern the collection, use, retention, sharing and
security of consumer data. This area of the law is evolving, and interpretations of applicable laws and regulations differ.
Legislative and regulatory activity in the privacy area may result in new laws that are relevant to our operations, for example,
use of consumer data for marketing or advertising. Claims of failure to comply with our privacy policies or applicable laws
or regulations could form the basis of governmental or private-party actions against us. Such claims and actions may cause
damage to our reputation and could have an adverse effect on our business.
Intellectual property and proprietary rights of others could prevent us from using necessary technology to provide our
services or subject us to expensive intellectual property litigation.
We periodically receive claims from third parties alleging that our network and information technology infrastructure
infringes the intellectual property rights of others. We are generally named as joint defendants in these suits together with
other providers of data, video and voice services. Typically these claims allege that aspects of our cable system architecture,
electronic program guides, cable modem technology and VoIP services infringe on process patents held by third parties. It is
likely that we will continue to be subject to similar claims as they relate to our cable business. Addressing these claims is a
time-consuming and expensive endeavor, regardless of the merits of the claims. In order to resolve such a claim, we could
determine the need to change our method of doing business, enter into a licensing agreement or incur substantial monetary
liability. It is also possible that our business could be enjoined from using the intellectual property at issue, causing us to
significantly alter our operations. If any such claims are successful, then the outcome would likely affect our services utilizing
the intellectual property at issue and could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
If we are unable to retain key employees, our ability to manage our business could be adversely affected.
Our operational results have depended, and our future results will depend, upon the retention and continued
performance of our management team. The competitive environment for management talent in the broadband
communications industry could adversely impact our ability to retain and hire new key employees for management positions.
The loss of the services of key members of management and the inability or delay in hiring new key employees could
adversely affect our ability to manage our business and our future operational and financial results.
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Our spin-off from GHC could result in a significant tax liability to GHC and its stockholders, and we could have an
indemnification obligation to GHC if the spin-off were determined not to qualify for non-recognition treatment, which
could materially adversely affect our financial condition.
Completion of the spin-off required GHC’s receipt of a written opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP to the effect
that the spin-off should qualify for non-recognition of gain and loss under Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the “Code”).
The opinion of counsel is based on certain assumptions and representations as to factual matters from GHC, us and
Donald E. Graham. The opinion is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or the courts, and there can be
no assurance that the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position. GHC has not requested, and does not intend to request,
a ruling from the IRS regarding the U.S. Federal income tax consequences of the spin-off.
If the spin-off were determined not to qualify for non-recognition of gain and loss, GHC, its stockholders who received
our common stock in the spin-off, or both, could be subject to tax. Any such tax liability could be material.
Additionally, if, due to any of our representations being untrue or our covenants being breached, it were determined
that the spin-off did not qualify for non-recognition of gain and loss under Section 355 of the Code, we could be required to
indemnify GHC for its resulting taxes and related expenses. Any such indemnification obligation could materially adversely
affect our financial condition.
We agreed to numerous restrictions to preserve the non-recognition treatment of the spin-off, which may reduce our
strategic and operating flexibility.
We agreed in the Tax Matters Agreement to covenants and indemnification obligations that address compliance with
Section 355 of the Code. These covenants and indemnification obligations may limit our ability to pursue strategic
transactions or engage in new businesses or other transactions that may maximize the value of our business and might
discourage or delay a strategic transaction that our stockholders may consider favorable. Any such indemnification
obligations could materially adversely affect our financial condition.
We may have been able to receive better terms from unaffiliated third parties than the terms we received in our agreements
with GHC.
In connection with the spin-off, we entered into agreements with GHC, including the Separation and Distribution
Agreement, Tax Matters Agreement and Employee Matters Agreement, while we were still part of GHC. Accordingly, these
agreements may not reflect terms that would have resulted from arm’s-length negotiations among unaffiliated third parties.
The terms of these agreements relate to, among other things, allocations of assets, liabilities, rights, indemnifications and
other obligations between GHC and us. We may have received better terms from third parties.
Risks Relating to Regulation and Legislation
The profitability of our data services offerings may be impacted by legislative or regulatory efforts to impose “net
neutrality” and other new requirements on cable operators.
The majority of our current Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures comes from residential data services, and we
expect that a majority of our residential customers will be data-only in the future. We have aligned our resources to emphasize
increased sales of data services, as well as sales to business customers. In order to continue to generate Adjusted EBITDA
less capital expenditures at our desired level from data services, we need the continued flexibility to develop and refine
business models that respond to changing consumer uses and demands and to manage data usage efficiently, including by
charging our data subscribers higher rates based on the overall bandwidth capacity available to, or used by, them, referred to
as “usage-based billing.” Our ability to implement usage-based billing or other network management initiatives in the future
may be restricted by any new net neutrality requirements on cable operators.
To the extent the FCC in the future limits our ability to price our data services, we may not be able to generate the
margins on our data services that we anticipated in shifting our focus from video to data services, and our business could be
materially negatively impacted. While the FCC has eliminated most net neutrality requirements, the FCC, Congress, states
or the courts may revisit this determination in the future. Further, current rules only require that a portion of revenues from
VoIP services be contributed to the USF and USF is not applied to broadband services. The changes brought about by how
USF monies are distributed may provide funding and subsidies to those who either compete with us or seek to compete with
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us and therefore put us at a competitive disadvantage. Moreover, if the FCC imposes USF fees on broadband services, bundled
services or a larger portion of VoIP services, it would increase the cost of our services and harm our ability to compete.
The regulation of broadband activities and any related court decisions could restrict our ability to profit from our
existing broadband network and limit the return we can expect to achieve on past and future investments in our broadband
networks. We cannot predict what, if any, proposals might be adopted or what effect they might have on our business.
Our video and voice services are subject to additional regulation by U.S. Federal, state and local authorities, which may
impose additional costs and restrictions on our businesses.
Our video services business operates in a highly regulated environment. Our cable systems generally operate pursuant
to franchises, permits and similar authorizations issued by LFAs controlling the public rights-of-way, which typically are
non-exclusive and limited in time, contain various conditions and limitations and provide for the payment of fees to the local
authority, determined generally as a percentage of revenues. Failure to comply with all of the terms and conditions of a
franchise may give rise to rights of termination by the franchising authority.
We have the ability, pursuant to the Copyright Act, under certain terms and conditions, to retransmit the signals of
television stations pursuant to a compulsory copyright license. From time to time, revisions to the cable compulsory copyright
rules are considered. It is possible that changes in the rules or copyright compulsory license fee computations or compliance
procedures could have an adverse effect on our business by, for example, increasing copyright compulsory license fee costs
or by causing us to reduce or discontinue carriage of certain broadcast signals that we currently carry on a discretionary basis.
In addition, Congress, the FCC and other government agencies have implemented regulations that affect the types of
set-top boxes that we can lease or deploy to our subscribers, and we expect these regulations to change in the future. Most
recently, in January 2013, the U.S. Department of Energy tentatively designated set-top boxes and network equipment as
covered consumer products and proposed to adopt a new test procedure for set-top boxes as part of its Energy Conservation
Program for Consumer Products and Certain Commercial and Industry Equipment. In December 2013, the Department of
Energy withdrew its proposed rules to designate set-top boxes and network equipment as a covered product and to establish
a test procedure for set-top boxes, but stated that it would consider reinitiating the rulemaking. Imposing energy conservation
regulations on the hardware products we provide to our customers could impede innovation and require mandatory upgrades
in our set-top boxes and be costly to us. In February 2016, the FCC opened a rulemaking to consider proposals that would
require any retail video device to work on any cable operator’s system, but this item was removed from active FCC review.
We cannot predict when, whether or to what extent any of these proposals will be resolved or how they will affect our
operations.
Our voice services business is also subject to a growing degree of regulation. Complying with these regulations may
increase the costs we incur and decrease the revenues we derive from our voice business. While the compliance costs
associated with the current regulatory structure applicable to our voice services business are manageable, changes in this
regulatory structure are unpredictable and have the potential to further negatively impact our voice services business by
increasing compliance costs and/or taxes.
Our cable system franchises are subject to non-renewal or termination. The failure to renew a franchise in one or more
markets could adversely affect our business.
Many of the LFAs from whom we have obtained franchises, permits and similar authorizations required to operate our
video services business have established comprehensive facilities and service requirements, as well as specific customer
service standards and monetary penalties for non-compliance. In many cases, our franchises are terminable if we fail to
comply with significant provisions set forth in the applicable franchise agreement governing our video operations. Franchises
are generally granted for fixed terms and must be periodically renewed. LFAs may resist granting a renewal if either past
performance or the prospective operating proposal is considered inadequate. LFAs often demand concessions or other
commitments as a condition to renewal. The traditional cable franchising regime has recently undergone significant change
as a result of various Federal and state actions. Some state franchising laws do not allow us to immediately opt into favorable
statewide franchising. In many cases, state franchising laws will result in fewer franchise imposed requirements for our
competitors who are new entrants than for us, until we are able to opt into the applicable state franchise. We cannot assure
that we will be able to comply with all significant provisions of our franchise agreements and certain of our franchisers have
from time to time alleged that we have not complied with these agreements. Additionally, although historically we have
renewed our franchises without incurring significant costs, we cannot assure that we will be able to renew, or to renew as
favorably, our franchises in the future. A termination of or a sustained failure to renew a franchise in one or more markets
could materially negatively affect our business in the affected geographic area.
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In addition, certain of our franchise agreements require that the applicable LFA approve a transfer of control of our
Company. Although FCC rules provide that a transfer application shall be deemed granted if it is not acted upon within a 120
days after submission, as a practical matter, cable operators often waive the deadline if the LFA has not completed its review
to facilitate discussions and thereby avoid an LFA denying the transfer of control. Failure to obtain such consents on
commercially reasonable and satisfactory terms may impair our entitlement to the benefit of these franchise agreements in
the future and could materially negatively affect our business.
We may encounter increased pole attachment costs.
Under U.S. Federal law, we have the right to attach cables carrying video and other services to telephone and similar
poles and underground conduits owned by utility companies. In addition, U.S. Federal law requires most telephone and power
utilities to charge reasonable rates to cable operators for utilizing space on utility poles or in underground conduits in order
to transmit video services to customers. However, because these cables may carry services other than video services, such as
voice services, some utility pole owners have sought to impose on cable companies a telecommunications rate for utilizing
pole space for voice services, which is higher than the statutory rate charged to cable operators for video services. In May
2010 and again in April 2011, the FCC adopted new requirements relating to pole access and construction practices that were
expected to improve the ability of cable operators to attach to utility poles on a timely basis and to lower the pole attachment
rate for voice services. In October 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a lower court’s decision to uphold the
FCC’s pole attachment regulations. The FCC further revised its pole attachment rules in November 2015 to adjust the formula
for calculating pole rental rates, which resulted in similar rates for telecommunications attachments and cable attachments,
and eliminated the ability of utility companies to justify higher rates for pole attachments used to provide broadband internet
access service. In July 2017, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit upheld the FCC’s November 2015 pole
attachment decision. The utility companies filed a petition for certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court in November 2017,
and responses to the petition are due March 9, 2018. We cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding, or how this proceeding
may affect our operations or impose costs on our business. In the meantime, the appropriate method for calculating pole
attachment rates for cable operators that provide VoIP services remains unclear, although the FCC’s rule revisions to equalize
pole attachment rates and its December 2017 reversal of its previous reclassification of broadband internet access services
make this issue less significant. We cannot predict the extent to which regulatory changes may affect our ability over time to
secure timely access to poles at reasonable rates for our data, voice and video services. As a general matter, changes to our
pole attachment rate structure could significantly increase our annual pole attachment costs and materially negatively impact
our operations, business, financial condition and results of operations.
LFAs have the ability to impose additional regulatory constraints on our business, which could further increase our
expenses.
In addition to the franchise agreement, LFAs in some jurisdictions have adopted cable regulatory ordinances that
further regulate the operation of cable systems, and the services we provide in the jurisdiction. This additional regulation
increases the cost of operating our business. LFAs may impose new and more restrictive requirements. LFAs who are certified
to regulate rates in their communities generally have the power to reduce rates and order refunds on the rates charged for
basic video service and equipment.
Changes in broadcast carriage regulations could impose significant additional costs.
Although we would likely choose to carry all primary video feeds of local broadcast stations in the markets in which
we operate voluntarily, so-called “must carry” rules could, in the future, require us to carry some local broadcast television
signals on some of our cable systems that we might not otherwise carry. If the FCC seeks to revise or expand the “must carry”
rules, such as to require carriage of multicast streams, we would be forced to carry video programming that we would not
otherwise carry and potentially drop other, more popular programming in order to free capacity for the required programming,
which could make us less competitive. Moreover, if the FCC adopts rules that are not competitively neutral, cable operators
could be placed at a disadvantage versus other video providers.
The FCC has taken steps and proceedings to relax its media ownership rules, which, among other things, would
eliminate restrictions that limit the number of commonly owned television stations per market and restrict
newspaper/broadcast and radio/television station cross-ownership and could eventually lead to increasing the cap on the
number of television stations that one entity can control nationwide. However, these rule changes have been challenged in
Federal court. If some or all of these changes or proposed changes were to go into effect, it would increase the negotiating
leverage that broadcasters hold in retransmission consent negotiations and thereby possibly increase the amounts we pay to
broadcasters to retransmit their television stations on its cable systems.
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In November 2017, the FCC adopted new rules to authorize television stations to use the “Next Generation TV”
broadcast television standard, ATSC 3.0. Should use of the new standard become widespread, we could be required to deploy
new equipment and our carriage obligations may be impacted. We cannot predict the effect that use of the new standard could
have on our equipment costs, carriage obligations, or retransmission fees. Any of these events could adversely affect our
business.
Risks Relating to Our Indebtedness
We incurred indebtedness in connection with the spin-off and the NewWave acquisition, and the degree to which we are
now leveraged may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations and cash
flows.
In connection with the spin-off, we incurred indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount of $550 million, of which
$450 million was distributed to GHC prior to the consummation of the spin-off. Further, in connection with the NewWave
acquisition, we incurred $250 million and $500 million of senior secured loans maturing in five and seven years, respectively,
to finance the acquisition and related fees and expenses and to pay off $93.8 million of our existing indebtedness.
Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness, including the debt incurred in connection with the
spin-off and the NewWave acquisition, as well as any future debt that we may incur, will depend on our ability to generate
cash in the future from operations, financings or asset sales. Our ability to generate cash is subject to general economic,
financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.
The terms of our indebtedness restricts our current and future operations, particularly our ability to incur debt that we
may need to fund initiatives in response to changes in our business, the industries in which we operate, the economy and
governmental regulations.
The terms of our indebtedness include a number of restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial
restrictions on us and limit our ability to engage in actions that may be in our long-term best interests. These may restrict our
ability to take some or all of the following actions:
(cid:2)
incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or sell disqualified or preferred stock;
(cid:2) pay dividends on, make distributions in respect of, repurchase or redeem, capital stock;
(cid:2) make investments or acquisitions;
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2) prepay, repurchase or redeem certain kinds of indebtedness;
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of certain assets;
create liens;
enter into sale/leaseback transactions;
enter into agreements restricting the ability to pay dividends or make other intercompany transfers;
consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our or our subsidiaries’ assets;
enter into transactions with affiliates;
issue or sell stock of our subsidiaries; and/or
significantly change the nature of our business.
As a result of all of these restrictions, we may be:
limited in how we conduct our business and pursue our strategy;
(cid:2)
(cid:2) unable to raise additional debt financing to operate during general economic or business downturns; or
(cid:2) unable to compete effectively or to take advantage of new business opportunities.
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A breach of any of these covenants, if applicable, could result in an event of default under the terms of our
indebtedness. If an event of default occurs, the lenders would have the right to accelerate the repayment of such debt and the
event of default or acceleration may result in the acceleration of the repayment of any other of our debt to which a cross-
default or cross-acceleration provision applies. Furthermore, the lenders of this indebtedness may require that we pledge our
assets as collateral as security for our repayment obligations. If we were unable to repay any amount of this indebtedness
when due and payable, the lenders could proceed against the collateral that secures this indebtedness. In the event our creditors
accelerate the repayment of our borrowings, we may not have sufficient assets to repay such indebtedness and our financial
condition will be materially negatively affected.
We have variable rate indebtedness that subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to
increase significantly.
As of the end of 2017, we had $744.4 million of outstanding term loans and an additional $196.9 million of undrawn
revolving credit facilities with variable rates of interest that expose us to interest rate risks. If interest rates increase, our debt
service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness would increase even though the amount borrowed remains the same,
and our net income and cash flows will correspondingly decrease. In addition, we will be exposed to the risk of rising interest
rates to the extent that we fund our operations with short-term or variable-rate borrowings. Even if we enter into interest rate
swaps in the future in order to reduce future interest rate volatility, we may not elect to maintain such interest rate swaps with
respect to our variable rate indebtedness, if any, and any swaps we enter into may not fully mitigate our interest rate risk. As
a result, our financial condition could be materially negatively affected.
Our ability to incur future indebtedness, whether for general corporate purposes or for acquisitions and strategic
investments, may not be available on favorable terms, or at all.
We may need to seek additional financing for our general corporate purposes or for acquisitions and strategic
investments in the future. We may be unable to obtain additional indebtedness on terms favorable to us, or at all, including
because of the terms of our current indebtedness. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable
to fund our future activities, which could negatively affect our business. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of
equity securities, our stockholders could experience dilution of their ownership interest. If we raise additional funds by issuing
debt, we may be subject to limitations on our operations due to restrictive covenants.
Risks Relating to Our Common Stock and the Securities Market
Our stock price may fluctuate significantly, depending on many factors, some of which may be beyond our control.
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, depending on many factors, some of which may
be beyond our control, including:
actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results due to factors related to our business;
success or failure of our business strategies;
announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions or dispositions;
changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;
the failure of securities analysts to cover, or maintain coverage of, our common stock;
changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates;
the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies;
investor perception of our Company and the cable industry;
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2) our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other companies in our industry;
(cid:2) our ability to obtain financing as needed;
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2) overall market fluctuations;
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2) general economic conditions and other external factors.
results from any material litigation or government investigation;
changes in laws and regulations (including tax laws and regulations) affecting our business;
changes in capital gains taxes and taxes on dividends affecting stockholders; and
27
Low trading volume for our stock, which may occur if an active trading market is not sustained, among other reasons,
would amplify the effect of the above factors on our stock price volatility.
Stock markets in general have experienced volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of a
particular company. These broad market fluctuations could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.
We cannot assure you that we will continue to pay dividends on our common stock, and our indebtedness limits our ability
to pay dividends on our common stock.
The timing, declaration, amount and payment of future dividends to stockholders falls within the discretion of our
Board. Our Board’s decisions regarding the amount and payment of future dividends will depend on many factors, including
our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements of our business and covenants associated with debt obligations, as well
as legal requirements, regulatory constraints, industry practice and other factors that our Board deems relevant. There can be
no assurance that we will continue to pay any dividend in the future.
Your percentage ownership in our Company may be diluted in the future.
Your percentage ownership in our Company may be diluted in the future because of equity awards granted, and that
we expect to grant in the future, to our directors, officers and other employees. In addition, we may issue equity as all or part
of the consideration paid for acquisitions and strategic investments that we may make in the future or as necessary to finance
our ongoing operations.
Certain provisions in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws and
Delaware law may discourage takeovers and the concentration of ownership of our common stock will affect the voting
results of matters submitted for stockholder approval.
Several provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Amended and Restated By-laws and
Delaware law may discourage, delay or prevent a merger or acquisition that is opposed by our Board or certain stockholders
holding a significant percentage of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock. These include provisions that:
(cid:2) divide our Board into three classes of directors, standing for election on a staggered basis, such that only
approximately one-third of the directors constituting our Board may change each year;
(cid:2) do not permit our stockholders to act by written consent and require that stockholder action must take place at an
annual or special meeting of our stockholders;
(cid:2) provide that only our Chief Executive Officer and a majority of our directors, and not our stockholders, may call
a special meeting of our stockholders;
require the approval of our Board or the affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least 66 2(cid:3)3% of the voting
power of our capital stock to amend our Amended and Restated By-laws; and
limit our ability to enter into business combination transactions with certain stockholders.
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
These and other provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Amended and Restated By-laws
and Delaware law may discourage, delay or prevent certain types of transactions involving an actual or a threatened
acquisition or change in control of our Company, including unsolicited takeover attempts, even though the transaction may
offer our stockholders the opportunity to sell their shares of our common stock at a price above the prevailing market price.
28
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
Our headquarters, which we purchased in 2012, is located in Phoenix, Arizona. The majority of the offices and headend
facilities of our individual cable systems are located in buildings owned by us.
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In the ordinary course of business, we periodically receive claims from third parties alleging that our network and
information technology infrastructure infringes the intellectual property rights of others. We are generally named as joint
defendants in these suits together with other providers of data, video and voice services. Typically these claims allege that
aspects of our cable system architecture, electronic program guides, cable modem technology or VoIP services infringe on
process patents held by third parties. In addition, we have been subject to various civil lawsuits in the ordinary course of
business, including contract disputes, actions alleging negligence, invasion of privacy, violations of applicable wage and hour
laws and statutory and common law claims involving various other matters. We do not view any of these proceedings as
material to our business, and are currently not subject to any other material legal proceedings.
ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
29
PART II
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTER
AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices for our common stock for the quarterly periods indicated
as reported by the New York Stock Exchange.
First Quarter ................................................................................. $
Second Quarter ............................................................................. $
Third Quarter ................................................................................ $
Fourth Quarter .............................................................................. $
649.79 $
734.35 $
788.00 $
764.55 $
564.26 $
624.92 $
704.34 $
627.25 $
459.40 $
518.31 $
589.76 $
635.85 $
390.00
430.21
506.43
559.83
2017
2016
High
Low
High
Low
Holders
As of February 23, 2018, there were 428 holders of record of our common stock and 5,733,384 shares of our common
stock outstanding.
Dividends
The following table sets forth the dividends declared on our common stock for the quarterly periods indicated.
First Quarter ..................................................................................................................... $
Second Quarter ................................................................................................................. $
Third Quarter .................................................................................................................... $
Fourth Quarter .................................................................................................................. $
Total ................................................................................................................................. $
1.50 $
1.50 $
1.75 $
1.75 $
6.50 $
1.50
1.50
1.50
1.50
6.00
2017
2016
We expect to continue to pay quarterly dividends, although the timing, declaration, amount and payment of future
dividends to stockholders falls within the discretion of our Board.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
For equity compensation plan information, refer to Item 12 in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
30
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return of our common stock between July 1, 2015 (the
date our stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange) and December 31, 2017 with the cumulative total returns of
the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index, a new custom peer group index (the “New Peer Group”), which was created because
of the initial public offerings of two data, video and voice companies, and our prior peer group index (the “Prior Peer Group”).
For purposes of this graph, it assumes a hypothetical $100 investment on July 1, 2015 and that dividends, if any, were
reinvested. The New Peer Group of data, video and voice services companies includes Altice USA, Inc. (beginning June 22,
2017); Charter Communications, Inc.; Comcast Corporation; General Communication, Inc.; and WideOpenWest, Inc.
(beginning May 25, 2017). The Prior Peer Group of data, video and voice services companies includes Charter
Communications, Inc.; Comcast Corporation; General Communication, Inc.; and our Company.
The stock price performance shown on this graph is based on historical results and is not necessarily indicative of
future stock price performance. The graph is furnished solely to accompany this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is not
being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that section, and shall
not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or the Exchange Act.
31
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer
The following table sets forth certain information relating to the purchases of our common stock by us and any
affiliated purchasers within the meaning of Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act during the three months ended
December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans
or Programs (1)
Maximum
Dollar
Value of
Shares
that May Yet
Be Purchased
Under the
Plans
or Programs
176,865
176,728
176,728
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
Period
October 1 to 31, 2017 (2) ...............................................
November 1 to 30, 2017 (3) ...........................................
December 1 to 31, 2017 (2) ...........................................
Total ............................................................................
______________
(1) On July 1, 2015, the Board authorized up to $250 million of share repurchases (subject to a total cap of 600,000 shares
of Company common stock), which was announced on August 7, 2015. Purchases under the share repurchase program
may be made from time to time on the open market and in privately negotiated transactions. The size and timing of these
purchases are based on a number of factors, including share price and business and market conditions.
720.79
683.98
684.40
689.56
535 $
223 $
2,995 $
3,753 $
- $
200 $
- $
200
(2) Represents shares withheld from employees to satisfy estimated tax withholding obligations in connection with the
vesting of restricted shares and/or exercises of stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) under the Amended and Restated
Cable One, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2015 Plan”). The average price paid per share for the
common stock withheld was based on the closing price of our common stock on the applicable vesting or exercise date.
Includes 23 shares withheld from employees to satisfy estimated tax withholding obligations in connection with exercises
of SARs under the 2015 Plan. The average price paid per share for the common stock withheld was based on the closing
price of our common stock on the applicable exercise date.
(3)
ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table presents selected historical financial information. We derived the selected consolidated balance
sheet information as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the selected consolidated statement of operations information for
the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We derived the selected consolidated balance sheet information as of December 31,
2015, 2014 and 2013, and the selected consolidated statement of operations information for the years ended December 31,
2014 and 2013 from our consolidated financial statements not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and which
reflects the impact of the revision to our previously issued consolidated financial statements to correct for certain prior period
errors primarily related to the capitalization and depreciation of internal labor and related costs, as more fully described in
Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements.
32
The selected historical financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated
financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations,” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For each of the periods
presented prior to July 1, 2015, we were a separate wholly owned subsidiary of GHC. The financial information for the
periods prior to July 1, 2015 may not necessarily reflect what our financial position, results of operations and cash flows
would have been had we been a stand-alone entity during the periods presented, as such historical financial information
includes allocations of certain GHC corporate expenses. We believe the assumptions and methodologies underlying the
allocation of those expenses were reasonable. However, such expenses may not be indicative of the actual level of expense
that we would have incurred if we had operated as a stand-alone entity. Further, our 2017 financial position and operating
results include the prospective adoption of a change in estimate and change in accounting principle for capitalized labor costs
effective in the first quarter of 2017, as well as eight months of NewWave operations following the completion of our
acquisition of NewWave on May 1, 2017. These matters may impact comparability across periods.
(in thousands, except per share data)
Consolidated Statement of Operations Information
Revenues .............................................................. $
Net income ........................................................... $
2017
Year Ended December 31,
2015
2014
2016
2013
960,029 $ 819,625 $
234,028 $ 101,102 $
807,266 $
91,822 $
814,812 $
147,907 $
825,707
104,156
Net income per common share:
Basic ................................................................. $
Diluted .............................................................. $
41.20 $
40.72 $
17.60 $
17.52 $
15.69 $
15.67 $
25.31 $
25.31 $
17.82
17.82
Cash dividends declared per common share ........ $
6.50 $
6.00 $
1.50 $
- $
-
Consolidated Balance Sheet Information
Cash and cash equivalents .................................... $
6,238
Total assets ........................................................... $ 2,218,329 $ 1,421,089 $ 1,422,466 $ 1,283,866 $ 1,277,449
Total debt, including capital lease obligations
161,752 $ 138,040 $
119,199 $
6,410 $
and excluding debt issuance costs .................... $ 1,194,642 $ 545,284 $
Total liabilities ..................................................... $ 1,546,913 $ 951,812 $
671,416 $ 469,277 $
Total stockholders’ equity .................................... $
549,051 $
974,517 $
447,949 $
- $
420,764 $
863,102 $
-
459,891
817,558
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Forward-Looking Statements
You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our
accompanying audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as
well as the discussion in the section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K entitled “Business.” This discussion contains
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do
not relate strictly to historical or current facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and
projections about the cable industry and our business and financial results. Forward-looking statements often include words
such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes” and words and terms of similar
substance in connection with discussions of future operating or financial performance. Accordingly, undue reliance should
not be placed on any forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf. Our actual results may vary materially from
those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in the
sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-
Looking Statements.”
Overview
Spin-Off
On July 1, 2015, Cable One became an independent company traded under the ticker symbol “CABO” on the New
York Stock Exchange. The spin-off was effected through the distribution by GHC of 100% of the outstanding shares of
common stock of Cable One to GHC stockholders as of the record date for the distribution in a pro rata dividend. In
connection with the spin-off, approximately 5.84 million shares of Cable One’s common stock were issued and outstanding
33
on July 1, 2015, based on approximately 0.96 million shares of GHC Class A Common Stock and 4.88 million shares of
GHC Class B Common Stock outstanding as of June 30, 2015. No preferred stock was issued or outstanding.
Our Business
We are a fully integrated provider of data, video and voice services in 21 Western, Midwestern and Southern states.
We provide these broadband services to residential and business customers in more than 750 communities. The markets we
serve are primarily non-metropolitan, secondary markets, with 77% of our customers located in seven states: Arizona, Idaho,
Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Our biggest customer concentrations are in the Mississippi Gulf Coast
region and in the greater Boise, Idaho region. We are among the 10 largest cable system operators in the United States based
on customers and revenues in 2017, providing service to 797,537 residential and business customers out of approximately
2.1 million homes passed as of December 31, 2017. Of these customers, 643,153 subscribed to data services, 363,888
subscribed to video services and 134,881 subscribed to voice services.
We generate substantially all of our revenues through five primary products. Ranked by share of our total revenues
during 2017, they are residential data (43.2%), residential video (34.6%), business services (data, voice and video – 13.7%),
residential voice (4.6%) and advertising sales (2.6%). The profit margins, growth rates and capital intensity of our five
primary products vary significantly due to competition, product maturity and relative costs.
In 2017, our Adjusted EBITDA margins for residential data and business services were approximately four and five
times greater, respectively, than for residential video. We define Adjusted EBITDA margin for a product line as Adjusted
EBITDA attributable to that product line divided by revenue attributable to that product line (see “Use of Adjusted EBITDA”
below for the definition of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, which is the most
directly comparable GAAP measure). This margin disparity is largely the result of significant programming costs and
retransmission fees incurred to deliver residential video services, which in each of the last three years represented between
50% and 60% of total residential video revenues (in addition to the other material direct and indirect costs associated with
residential video). None of our other product lines has direct costs representing as substantial a portion of revenues as
programming costs and retransmission fees represent for residential video, and indirect costs are allocated equally on a per
PSU basis. Programming costs and retransmission fees have a meaningfully lower impact on business services margins than
residential video because business services include data, voice and video, diminishing the relative impact of programming
costs and retransmission fees on that product line as a whole.
Prior to 2012, we were focused on growing revenues through subscriber retention and growth in overall PSUs.
Accordingly, our strategies consisted of, among others, offering promotional discounts to new and existing subscribers adding
new services and to subscribers purchasing more than one service offering. Since 2012, we have adapted our strategy to face
the industry-wide trends of declining profitability of residential video services and declining revenues from residential voice
services. We believe the declining profitability of residential video services is primarily due to increasing programming costs
and retransmission fees and competition from other content providers and the declining revenues from residential voice
services is primarily due to the increasing use of wireless voice services in addition to, or instead of, residential voice service.
Beginning in 2013, we shifted our focus away from maximizing customer PSUs and towards growing and maintaining our
higher margin businesses, namely residential data and business services. Separately, we have also focused on retaining
customers with a high expected LTV, who are less attracted by discounting, require less support and churn less. This strategy
focuses on increasing Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures and margins.
The trends described above have impacted our four largest product lines in the following ways:
(cid:2) Residential data. We experienced growth in the number of, and revenues from, our residential data customers
every year since 2013. We expect this growth to continue due to projected increases in the number of potential
customers for us to serve, as there are still a number of households in our markets that do not subscribe to data
services from any provider. We expect to capture a portion of these customers and anticipate capturing additional
market share from existing data subscribers due to our continued upgrades in broadband capacity, our ability to
offer higher access speeds than many of our competitors and our Wi-Fi support service.
(cid:2) Residential video. Residential video service is a competitive and highly penetrated business. As we focus on the
higher-margin businesses of residential data and business services, we are de-emphasizing our residential video
business and, as a result, expect residential video revenues to continue to decline in the future.
(cid:2) Residential voice. We have experienced declines in residential voice customers as a result of homes in the United
States deciding to terminate their residential voice service and exclusively use wireless voice service providers.
We believe this trend will continue because of competition from wireless voice service. Revenues from residential
voice customers have declined over recent years, and we expect this decline will continue.
34
(cid:2) Business services. We have experienced significant growth in business data and voice customers and revenues and
expect this growth to continue. We attribute this growth to our strategic focus shift on increasing sales to business
customers and our recently expanded efforts to attract enterprise business customers. Margins in products sold to
business customers have remained attractive, and we expect this trend to continue.
We continue to experience increased competition, particularly from telephone companies, cable and municipal
overbuilders, OTT video providers and DBS television providers. Because of the levels of competition we face, we believe
it is important to make investments in our infrastructure. We made elevated levels of capital investments between 2012 and
2017 to increase our cable plant capacities and reliability, launch all-digital video services, which has freed up approximately
half of average plant bandwidth for data services, and increase data capacity by moving from four-channel bonding to 32-
channel bonding. We expect to continue devoting financial resources to infrastructure improvements, including in the new
markets we acquired in the NewWave transaction, because we believe these investments are necessary to remain competitive.
We expect to spend up to $60 million over three years, including $10 million spent in 2017, to enhance the acquired NewWave
systems by rebuilding low capacity markets, launching all-digital video services, implementing 32-channel bonding to enable
a 1 Gbps download speed product launch, converting back office functions such as billing, accounting and service
provisioning and migrating products to legacy Cable One platforms.
Our goals are to continue to grow residential data and business services and to maintain profit margins to deliver strong
Adjusted EBITDA. To achieve these goals, we intend to continue our industrial engineering-driven cost management, remain
focused on customers with high LTV and follow through with further planned investments in broadband plant upgrades and
new data services offerings for residential and business customers.
On May 1, 2017, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding equity interests of NewWave, and NewWave
became a wholly owned subsidiary of Cable One. We paid a purchase price of $740.2 million in cash on a debt-free basis
and subject to customary post-closing adjustments. In connection with the transaction, we amended our existing credit
agreement and incurred $750 million of senior secured loans which were used to finance the acquisition, pay off our existing
term loan and pay related fees and expenses. See Notes 3 and 8 of the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for details on these transactions.
Results of Operations
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and the rules and
regulations of the SEC. They reflect the historical Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income,
Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
of our Company for the years presented.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect our results of operations and financial position as a stand-
alone company following the spin-off. Prior to the spin-off, the accompanying consolidated financial statements were derived
from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of GHC. The impact of transactions between our Company
and GHC was included in these consolidated financial statements and was considered to be effectively settled for cash in the
consolidated financial statements at the time the spin-off was effective. The total net effect of the settlement of these
intercompany transactions was reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as a financing activity and in the
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity as Additional GHC investment (deficit) for 2015. In connection with the
spin-off, we distributed $450 million to GHC, which was funded by our senior unsecured notes. We also entered into a credit
agreement for a five-year revolving credit facility of $200 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and a five-year term loan
of $100 million (the “Term Loan”).
The accompanying consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 include eight months of
NewWave operations following the completion of the acquisition on May 1, 2017. In connection with the NewWave
acquisition, we amended the credit agreement and incurred $250 million and $500 million of senior secured loans maturing
in five and seven years, respectively, to finance the acquisition and related fees and expenses and to pay off the existing Term
Loan. See “Financial Condition: Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Activity” for more information on our debt
financing activities.
Our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 may not be indicative of our future
results. In addition, as we did not operate as a stand-alone entity prior to July 1, 2015, the 2015 financial information included
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may not necessarily reflect what our financial position, results of operations or cash
flows would have been had we operated as a stand-alone entity during the entirety of 2015.
35
Change in Accounting Principle and Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements
As previously disclosed, we changed our accounting related to the capitalization of certain internal labor and related
costs associated with construction and customer installation activities beginning in the first quarter of 2017 as a result of
additional information available from new systems and processes. We initially classified the change as a change in accounting
estimate. During the fourth quarter of 2017, we determined that a portion of what had previously been reflected as a change
in estimate should have been categorized as a change in accounting principle and accounted for prospectively upon adoption
due to the impracticability of retrospective adoption. We determined that the retrospective application of the change in
accounting principle was impracticable for all prior periods as we would have to make significant estimates and assumptions
over a number of years due to the lack of a time tracking system and the change in mix of employee activities resulting from
our business change over the years. We reflected the impact of the change in estimate and change in accounting principle
prospectively within our 2017 annual and interim consolidated financial statements. We also concurrently identified and
corrected an error associated with the historical accounting for certain categories of internal labor and related costs, which
resulted in the undercapitalization of labor costs in our previously issued annual and interim financial statements. Although
we have determined such error to be immaterial to previously issued financial statements, the cumulative effect of the error
would be material if corrected in the current year. Therefore, we have revised our historical financial statements to properly
reflect the impact of the labor capitalization, including the related impact to depreciation expense and income taxes. In
connection with this revision, we also corrected for other previously identified immaterial income tax and other errors. As a
result, all financial information contained within this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been revised to reflect all error
corrections. See Note 2 of the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
for additional information.
PSUs and Customer Counts and PSUs by Primary Products
During 2017, our total PSUs increased 191,957, or 20.2%, compared to our total PSUs as of December 31, 2016, with
increases in residential data, video and voice PSUs of 115,801, 40,149 and 12,289, respectively, and an increase in business
PSUs of 23,718. Our total customer relationships increased 140,315, or 21.3%, year-over-year. The year-over-year increases
were primarily attributable to new customers acquired as a result of the NewWave acquisition.
During 2016, our total PSUs decreased 42,520, or 4.3%, compared to our total PSUs as of December 31, 2015, mainly
attributable to residential video and voice customer losses of 43,316 and 13,304, respectively, partially offset by increases in
residential data and business PSUs of 8,076 and 6,024, respectively, as a result of industry trends and our strategic focus
shift. Our total customer relationships decreased 7,382, or 1.1%, year-over-year.
36
The following table provides an overview of selected customer data for our cable systems for the time periods
specified:
2017
As of December 31,
2016
2015
Residential data PSUs .....................................................................
Residential video PSUs (1) ..............................................................
Residential voice PSUs ...................................................................
Total residential PSUs ........................................................................
584,854
346,712
110,013
1,041,579
Business data PSUs (2) ....................................................................
Business video PSUs ......................................................................
Business voice PSUs (3) ..................................................................
Total business PSUs ...........................................................................
58,299
17,176
24,868
100,343
469,053
306,563
97,724
873,340
44,855
13,683
18,087
76,625
460,977
349,879
111,028
921,884
40,264
14,271
16,066
70,601
Total PSUs .........................................................................................
1,141,922
949,965
992,485
Total residential customer relationships .............................................
Total business customer relationships ................................................
Total customer relationships ..............................................................
______________
(1) Residential video PSUs include all basic residential customers who receive video services and may have one or more
digital set-top boxes or cable cards deployed. Residential bulk multi-dwelling accounts are included in our video PSUs
at the individual unit level.
605,699
51,523
657,222
731,011
66,526
797,537
617,220
47,384
664,604
(2) Business data PSUs include commercial accounts that receive data service via a cable modem and commercial accounts
that receive broadband service optically via fiber connections.
(3) Business voice customers who have multiple voice lines are only counted once in the PSU total.
The following table provides an overview of selected customer data for our legacy Cable One cable systems excluding
the impact of PSUs and customers attained as a result of the NewWave acquisition for the time periods specified:
Residential data PSUs .....................................................................
Residential video PSUs (1) ..............................................................
Residential voice PSUs ...................................................................
Total residential PSUs ........................................................................
Business data PSUs (2) ....................................................................
Business video PSUs ......................................................................
Business voice PSUs (3) ..................................................................
Total business PSUs ...........................................................................
2017
As of December 31,
2016
2015
476,046
270,003
88,424
834,473
48,889
12,998
20,028
81,915
469,053
306,563
97,724
873,340
44,855
13,683
18,087
76,625
460,977
349,879
111,028
921,884
40,264
14,271
16,066
70,601
Total PSUs .........................................................................................
916,388
949,965
992,485
Total residential customer relationships .............................................
Total business customer relationships ................................................
Total customer relationships ..............................................................
_____________
(1) Residential video PSUs include all basic residential customers who receive video services and may have one or more
digital set-top boxes or cable cards deployed. Residential bulk multi-dwelling accounts are included in our video PSUs
at the individual unit level.
605,699
51,523
657,222
595,886
55,357
651,243
617,220
47,384
664,604
(2) Business data PSUs include commercial accounts that receive data service via a cable modem and commercial accounts
that receive broadband service optically via fiber connections.
(3) Business voice customers who have multiple voice lines are only counted once in the PSU total.
37
In recent years, our customer mix has shifted, causing subscribers to move from triple-play packages to single and
double-play. This is because some residential video customers have defected to DBS services and OTT offerings in lieu of
video and more households have discontinued residential voice service. In addition, we have focused on selling data-only
packages to new customers rather than cross-selling video to these customers.
2017 Compared to 2016
Revenues
Revenues increased $140.4 million, or 17.1%, due primarily to increases in residential data, residential video and
business services revenues of $70.3 million, $37.8 million and $30.8 million, respectively. The increase was the result of the
NewWave operations since May 1, 2017 and organic growth in our higher margin product lines of residential data and
business services, partially offset by a decrease in advertising sales revenues.
Revenues by service offering were as follows for 2017 and 2016, together with the percentages of revenues that each
item represented for the years presented (dollars in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2017
% of
2016
% of
2017 vs. 2016
Revenues
Residential data ............................. $ 414,525
332,536
Residential video ...........................
43,733
Residential voice ...........................
131,155
Business services ...........................
24,824
Advertising sales ...........................
Other..............................................
13,256
Total revenues ............................... $ 960,029
Revenues Revenues
43.2 $ 344,184
294,781
34.6
42,949
4.6
100,311
13.7
27,496
2.6
9,904
1.3
100.0 $ 819,625
Revenues $ Change
70,341
37,755
784
30,844
(2,672)
3,352
140,404
42.0 $
36.0
5.2
12.2
3.4
1.2
100.0 $
Average monthly revenue per unit for the indicated service offerings were as follows for 2017 and 2016:
%
Change
20.4
12.8
1.8
30.7
(9.7)
33.8
17.1
Residential data (1) ................................................................... $
Residential video (1) ................................................................. $
Residential voice (1) ................................................................. $
Business services (2) ................................................................. $
63.28 $
81.07 $
33.80 $
179.91 $
Year Ended December 31,
2017
2016
2017 vs. 2016
$ Change % Change
2.6
1.60
8.3
6.23
(1.4)
(0.49)
6.4
10.88
61.68 $
74.84 $
34.29 $
169.03 $
(1) Average monthly per unit values represent the applicable residential service revenues divided by the corresponding
average of the number of PSUs at the beginning and end of each period, except that for any new PSUs added as a result
of an acquisition occurring during the reporting period, the associated average monthly per unit values represent the
applicable residential service revenues divided by the corresponding weighted average of the number of PSUs during
such period.
(2) Average monthly per unit values represent business services revenues divided by the average of the number of business
customer relationships at the beginning and end of each period, except that for any new business customer relationships
added as a result of an acquisition occurring during the reporting period, the associated average monthly per unit values
represent business services revenues divided by the weighted average of the number of business customer relationships
during such period.
38
Revenues by service offering, excluding the impact of revenues related to NewWave, were as follows for 2017 and
2016, together with the percentages of total revenues that each item represented for the periods presented (dollars in
thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2017
% of
2016
% of
2017 vs. 2016
Revenues
Residential data ............................. $ 371,368
278,445
Residential video ...........................
37,460
Residential voice ...........................
112,183
Business services ...........................
23,799
Advertising sales ...........................
Other..............................................
9,514
Total revenues ............................... $ 832,769
Revenues Revenues
44.6 $ 344,184
294,781
33.4
42,949
4.5
100,311
13.5
27,496
2.9
9,904
1.1
100.0 $ 819,625
Revenues $ Change
27,184
(16,336)
(5,489)
11,872
(3,697)
(390)
13,144
42.0 $
36.0
5.2
12.2
3.4
1.2
100.0 $
%
Change
7.9
(5.5)
(12.8)
11.8
(13.4)
(3.9)
1.6
Average monthly revenue per unit, excluding the impact of revenues and customers attained as a result of the
NewWave acquisition, were as follows for 2017 and 2016:
Year Ended December 31,
2017
2016
2017 vs. 2016
$ Change % Change
6.2
3.81
7.5
5.65
(2.2)
(0.75)
3.5
5.91
Residential data (1) .................................................................. $
Residential video (1) ................................................................ $
Residential voice (1) ................................................................ $
Business services (2) ................................................................ $
_____________
(1) Average monthly per unit values represent the applicable residential service revenues divided by the corresponding
65.49 $
80.49 $
33.54 $
174.94 $
61.68 $
74.84 $
34.29 $
169.03 $
average of the number of PSUs at the beginning and end of each period.
(2) Average monthly per unit values represent business services revenues divided by the average of the number of business
customer relationships at the beginning and end of each period.
Residential data service revenues increased $70.3 million, or 20.4%, due primarily to an increase in residential data
customers of 24.7% year-over-year as a result of the NewWave operations and organic subscriber growth, a reduction in
package discounting and increased subscriptions to premium tiers by residential customers.
Residential video service revenues increased $37.8 million, or 12.8%, due primarily to an increase in residential video
customers of 13.1% as a result of the NewWave operations and a rate adjustment in the first quarter of 2017.
Residential voice service revenues increased $0.8 million, or 1.8%, due primarily to an increase in residential voice
customers of 12.6% as a result of the NewWave operations, partially offset by a decrease in average monthly revenue per
unit.
Business services revenues increased $30.8 million, or 30.7%, due primarily to the NewWave operations, growth in
our business data and voice services to small and medium-sized businesses and enterprise customers and a rate adjustment
for business video customers in the first quarter of 2017. Total business customer relationships increased 29.1% year-over-
year. Overall, business services comprised 13.7% of our total revenues for 2017 compared to 12.2% of our total revenues for
2016.
Advertising sales revenues decreased $2.7 million, or 9.7%, due primarily to a decrease in political advertising and
fewer video customers to be reached by advertising spots.
Other revenues increased $3.4 million, or 33.8%, due primarily to the NewWave operations.
Operating Costs and Expenses
Operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) were $337.0 million in 2017 and increased $40.5
million, or 13.6%, compared to 2016. Operating expenses as a percentage of revenues were 35.1% for 2017 compared to
36.2% for 2016. Additional operating expenses attributable to the NewWave operations were $63.1 million for 2017. This
increase was partially offset by a $12.7 million decrease in labor costs associated with our change in accounting for capitalized
39
labor, a $3.8 million decrease in programming costs resulting from fewer video subscribers, a $3.1 million decrease in
backbone and internet connectivity fees, a $1.3 million decrease in insurance costs and a $1.0 million decrease in repair and
maintenance costs. Excluding the impact of the NewWave operations, operating expenses would have been $273.9 million
in 2017, a decrease of $22.7 million, or 7.6%. Operating expenses as a percentage of revenues, excluding the impact of the
NewWave operations, would have been 32.9% in 2017 compared to 36.2% in 2016.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $20.8 million, or 11.3%, to $204.8 million for 2017. Selling,
general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues were 21.3% and 22.5% for 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Additional selling, general and administrative expenses attributable to the NewWave operations were $16.6 million for 2017.
Increases in severance costs of $4.4 million, deferred compensation expenses of $2.4 million and software maintenance costs
of $2.1 million were partially offset by a $3.6 million decrease in labor costs associated with the capitalized labor change and
a $1.8 million decrease in employee incentive costs. Excluding the incremental expenses associated with the NewWave
operations, selling, general and administrative expenses would have increased $4.2 million, or 2.2%, to $188.2 million for
2017. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues, excluding the impact of the NewWave
operations, would have been 22.6% in 2017 compared to 22.5% in 2016.
Depreciation and amortization increased $33.8 million, or 22.8%, to $181.6 million for 2017 including $32.2 million
attributable to the NewWave operations. The increase was due primarily to new assets placed in service in 2017 and 2016,
including property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets acquired as part of the NewWave acquisition,
partially offset by assets that became fully depreciated during those years. As a percentage of revenues, depreciation and
amortization expense was 18.9% for 2017 compared to 18.0% for 2016.
We recognized a $0.6 million net loss on disposal of assets in 2017 compared to $2.8 million in 2016. The net loss in
2017 consisted of a $7.2 million loss on disposals of property, plant and equipment, including $2.1 million associated with
damage caused by Hurricane Harvey, partially offset by a $6.6 million gain on the sale of our previous headquarters building.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $46.9 million and $30.2 million for 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase was due primarily
to additional debt incurred to finance the NewWave acquisition.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income for 2017 primarily consisted of interest income of $1.2 million, partially offset by a $0.6 million write-
off of debt issuance costs related to the additional debt incurred to finance the NewWave acquisition. Other income of $5.1
million in 2016 primarily consisted of a $4.1 million net gain on the sale of a cable system and interest income.
Income Tax Provision (Benefit)
The income tax provision (benefit) decreased $106.4 million, or 171.1%. The decrease primarily related to a net
income tax benefit of $113.0 million mainly associated with a reduction of our net deferred income tax liabilities as a result
of the Federal tax reform legislation passed in the fourth quarter of 2017 and $3.4 million of income tax benefits attributable
to equity-based awards recorded throughout 2017. Our effective tax rate was (23.3)% for 2017 and 38.1% for 2016.
2016 Compared to 2015
Revenues
Revenues increased $12.4 million, or 1.5%, due primarily to increases in residential data and business services
revenues of $49.7 million and $11.6 million, respectively, partially offset by decreases in residential video and residential
voice revenues of $37.9 million and $7.2 million, respectively. The decreases in residential video and residential voice
revenues were primarily attributable to residential video customer losses of 12.4% and residential voice customer losses of
12.0% during 2016.
40
Revenues by service offering were as follows for 2016 and 2015, together with the percentages of revenues that each
item represented for the years presented (dollars in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2016
% of
2015
% of
2016 vs. 2015
Revenues
Residential data ............................. $ 344,184
294,781
Residential video ...........................
42,949
Residential voice ...........................
100,311
Business services ...........................
27,496
Advertising sales ...........................
Other..............................................
9,904
Total revenues ............................... $ 819,625
Revenues Revenues
42.0 $ 294,486
332,716
36.0
50,148
5.2
88,741
12.2
31,034
3.4
10,141
1.2
100.0 $ 807,266
Revenues $ Change
49,698
(37,935)
(7,199)
11,570
(3,538)
(237)
12,359
36.5 $
41.2
6.2
11.0
3.8
1.3
100.0 $
Average monthly revenue per unit for the indicated service offerings were as follows for 2016 and 2015:
%
Change
16.9
(11.4)
(14.4)
13.0
(11.4)
(2.3)
1.5
Year Ended December 31,
2016
2015
2016 vs. 2015
$ Change % Change
14.5
7.79
6.1
4.31
(0.7)
(0.25)
3.0
4.91
Residential data (1) ..................................................................... $
Residential video (1) ................................................................... $
Residential voice (1) ................................................................... $
Business services (2) ................................................................... $
___________
(1) Average monthly per unit values represent the applicable residential service revenues divided by the corresponding
53.89 $
70.53 $
34.54 $
164.12 $
61.68 $
74.84 $
34.29 $
169.03 $
average of the number of PSUs at the beginning and end of each period.
(2) Average monthly per unit values represent business services revenues divided by the average of the number of business
customer relationships at the beginning and end of each period.
Residential data service revenues increased $49.7 million, or 16.9%, due primarily to a rate adjustment taken in the
fourth quarter of 2015, an increase in residential data customers of 1.8%, a reduction in package discounting and increased
subscriptions to premium tiers by residential customers.
Residential video service revenues declined $37.9 million, or 11.4%, due primarily to residential video customer losses
of 12.4%, partially offset by a broadcast television surcharge imposed in the second quarter of 2016.
Residential voice service revenues decreased $7.2 million, or 14.4%, due primarily to a decline in residential voice
customers of 12.0% as more residential customers have discontinued residential voice service.
Business services revenues increased $11.6 million, or 13.0%, due primarily to growth in our business data and voice
services to both small and medium-sized businesses and enterprise customers. Total business customer relationships
increased 8.7% in 2016. Overall, business services represented 12.2% for 2016, compared to 11.0% of our total revenues for
2015.
Advertising sales revenues declined $3.5 million, or 11.4%, due primarily to the negative impact of decreased video
customers on the number of viewers available to be reached by advertising spots.
Other revenues decreased $0.2 million, or 2.3%, due primarily to a decrease in late charges and installation fees,
partially offset by an increase in reconnect fees.
Operating Costs and Expenses
Operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) decreased $8.3 million, or 2.7%, due primarily to a
12.4% reduction in residential video customers, which significantly reduced programming costs. In total, programming costs
declined $9.9 million and non-programming operating expenses increased $3.4 million. The increase in non-programming
operating expenses was primarily attributable to increases in backbone and internet connectivity fees of $1.9 million, group
insurance of $1.2 million and software maintenance costs of $0.7 million, partially offset by a decrease in franchise fees of
$1.5 million due to the decrease in video revenues subject to franchise fees. Operating expenses (excluding depreciation and
amortization) as a percentage of revenues were 36.2% and 37.8% for 2016 and 2015, respectively.
41
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $9.7 million, or 5.0%, due primarily to decreases in processing
costs for customer billing following the completion of our billing system conversion of $11.4 million; salaries, wages and
benefits costs of $7.3 million due to decreased headcount and lower group insurance costs; general and workers’
compensation insurance expense of $2.9 million; property taxes of $1.5 million and software maintenance of $1.1 million.
The decrease was partially offset by increases in incentive compensation expense of $4.8 million; acquisition-related costs
of $4.7 million; advertising and marketing expense of $3.2 million and professional services expense of $2.2 million. Selling,
general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues were 22.5% and 24.0% for 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Depreciation and amortization increased $3.3 million, or 2.3%, due primarily to new assets placed in service in 2016
and 2015, partially offset by assets that became fully depreciated during those years.
We recognized a $2.8 million loss on disposal of assets in 2016 compared to $0.6 million in 2015.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $30.2 million and $16.1 million for 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase was due to the
issuance of our long-term debt in June 2015 in connection with the spin-off.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income (expense) increased $5.4 million in 2016 due primarily to a $4.1 million net gain on the sale of a cable
system and higher interest income.
Income Tax Provision (Benefit)
The income tax provision (benefit) increased $6.7 million, or 12.1%, due primarily to an increase in taxable income
of $16.0 million, or 10.9%. Our effective tax rate was 38.1% and 37.6% for 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Use of Adjusted EBITDA
We use certain measures that are not defined by GAAP to evaluate various aspects of our business. Adjusted EBITDA
is a non-GAAP financial measure and should be considered in addition to, not as superior to, or as a substitute for, net income
reported in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is reconciled to net income below.
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income plus interest expense, income tax provision (benefit), depreciation and
amortization, equity- and pre-spin cash-based incentive compensation expense, severance expense, (gain) loss on deferred
compensation, acquisition-related costs, (gain) loss on disposal of assets, billing system implementation costs, other (income)
expense, net, and other unusual operating expenses, as provided in the table below. As such, it eliminates the significant non-
cash depreciation and amortization expense that results from the capital-intensive nature of our business as well as other non-
cash or special items and is unaffected by our capital structure or investment activities. This measure is limited in that it does
not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues and our cash
cost of debt financing. These costs are evaluated through other financial measures.
42
We use Adjusted EBITDA to assess our performance. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA generally correlates to the
measure used in the leverage ratio calculation under our outstanding Senior Credit Facilities and Notes (each as defined under
“Financial Condition: Liquidity and Capital Resources – Financing Activity” below) to determine compliance with the
covenants contained in the Senior Credit Facilities and ability to take certain actions under the indenture governing the Notes.
For the purpose of calculating compliance with the leverage ratio covenants in our debt instruments, we use a measure similar
to Adjusted EBITDA, as presented. Adjusted EBITDA is also a significant performance measure used by us in our annual
incentive compensation program. Adjusted EBITDA does not take into account cash used for mandatory debt service
requirements or other non-discretionary expenditures, and thus does not represent residual funds available for discretionary
uses.
(in thousands)
Net income (1)
Year Ended December 31,
2016
2017
2015
$
234,028 $
101,102 $
91,822
Plus: Interest expense .........................................................................
Income tax provision (benefit) ....................................................
Depreciation and amortization ....................................................
Equity- and pre-spin cash-based incentive compensation
expense ...................................................................................
Severance expense ......................................................................
(Gain) loss on deferred compensation .........................................
Acquisition-related costs .............................................................
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets .................................................
Billing system implementation costs ...........................................
Other (income) expense, net .......................................................
46,864
(44,227)
181,619
30,221
62,162
147,839
16,090
55,433
144,503
10,743
5,461
2,753
5,942
574
-
(668)
12,298
1,012
312
4,719
2,821
-
(5,121 )
9,739
-
(1,141 )
-
1,735
5,007
232
Adjusted EBITDA (1) .......................................................................... $
____________
(1) Net income and Adjusted EBITDA results for 2017 include eight months of NewWave operations and the favorable
impact of a reduction in expense of $16.3 million due to a change in accounting for capitalized labor costs. Without the
contribution from NewWave operations, net income would have increased 123.8% to $226.3 million and Adjusted
EBITDA would have increased 10.7% to $395.5 million in 2017. Excluding both the NewWave operations and the
capitalized labor change, net income would have increased 113.8% to $216.2 million and Adjusted EBITDA would have
increased 6.1% to $379.2 million in 2017.
357,365 $
443,089 $
323,420
We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in evaluating the operating performance of the Company. Adjusted
EBITDA and similar measures with similar titles are common measures used by investors, analysts and peers to compare
performance in our industry, although our measure of Adjusted EBITDA may not be directly comparable to similarly titled
measures reported by other companies.
Financial Condition: Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Our primary funding requirements are for our ongoing operations, planned capital expenditures, payments of quarterly
dividends and share repurchases. We believe that existing cash balances, our Senior Credit Facilities and operating cash flows
will provide adequate support for these funding requirements over the next 12 months. However, our ability to fund
operations, make planned capital expenditures, pay quarterly dividends and make share repurchases depends on future
operating performance and cash flows, which, in turn, are subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial, business
and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. As a result of the 2017 Federal tax reform legislation, the Company
expects to realize approximately $38 million to $42 million of cash tax savings in 2018.
43
The following table shows a summary of our cash flows for the years indicated (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2016
2017
2015
Net cash provided by operating activities .......................................... $
Net cash used in investing activities ...................................................
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities ...........................
Change in cash and cash equivalents .................................................
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period ................................
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period ........................................... $
324,486 $
(891,167)
590,393
23,712
138,040
161,752 $
257,121 $
(141,607 )
(96,673 )
18,841
119,199
138,040 $
252,116
(160,928 )
21,601
112,789
6,410
119,199
During 2017 and 2016, our cash and cash equivalents increased $23.7 million and $18.8 million, respectively. At
December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had $161.8 million and $138.0 million of cash on hand and working capital of $71.8 million
and $75.3 million, respectively.
Our net cash provided by operating activities was $324.5 million, $257.1 million and $252.1 million in 2017, 2016,
and 2015, respectively. The change in operating cash flows in 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily attributable to an increase
in Adjusted EBITDA of $85.7 million and a decrease in cash paid for income taxes of $13.4 million, partially offset by a
$17.3 million difference in changes to net operating assets and liabilities and a $15.4 million increase in cash paid for interest.
The difference in changes in operating assets and liabilities primarily reflects changes in Income taxes receivable and Other
assets and other liabilities, net as a result of the timing of payments in 2017 compared to 2016. The change in operating cash
flows in 2016 compared to 2015 was primarily attributable to higher net income and a favorable change in deferred taxes
compared to 2015, partially offset by unfavorable changes in operating assets and liabilities.
Our net cash used in investing activities was $891.2 million, $141.6 million and $160.9 million in 2017, 2016 and
2015, respectively. The higher use of cash in 2017 compared to 2016 was due primarily to $727.9 million in net cash paid
for the NewWave acquisition and a $28.2 million increase in cash paid for capital expenditures. The lower use of cash for
investing activities in 2016 compared to 2015 was driven by lower capital expenditures coupled with increases in proceeds
received from the sale of a cable system and the sale of fixed assets, partially offset by cash outflows to acquire a cable
system.
Our net cash provided by financing activities was $590.4 million and $21.6 million in 2017 and 2015, respectively,
and net cash used in financing activities was $96.7 million in 2016. Cash inflows in 2017 were primarily attributable to
$750.0 million of new debt incurred in connection with the NewWave acquisition, partially offset by long term debt payments,
including the $93.8 million Term Loan repayment, $37.2 million in dividend payments to stockholders, a $15.2 million
payment of debt issuance costs and $5.0 million of withholding tax payments associated with equity award vesting and
exercise activities. Cash outflows in 2016 primarily consisted of $56.4 million to repurchase our common stock, $34.4 million
in dividend payments to stockholders, $3.8 million of long-term debt repayments as well as $2.2 million of withholding tax
payments for vested restricted stock awards. Cash inflows in 2015 were primarily due to $541.1 million of proceeds from
senior notes issuance and borrowings under our Term Loan, net of issuance costs. The net proceeds were utilized primarily
to fund the $450 million distribution to GHC in conjunction with the spin-off.
On July 1, 2015, the Board authorized up to $250 million of share repurchases (subject to a total cap of 600,000 shares
of our common stock). Purchases under the share repurchase program may be made from time to time on the open market
and in privately negotiated transactions. The size and timing of these purchases are based on a number of factors, including
share price and business and market conditions. Since the inception of the share repurchase program through December 31,
2017, we have repurchased 165,833 shares at an aggregate cost of $73.3 million. In 2017, we repurchased 900 shares at an
aggregate cost of $0.5 million. Additionally, we currently expect to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends on shares of our
common stock, subject to approval of the Board. During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Board approved a quarterly dividend
of $1.75 per share of common stock, which was paid on December 8, 2017. During the first quarter of 2018, the Board
approved a quarterly dividend of $1.75 per share of common stock, which will be payable to holders of record as of February
20, 2018 with payment scheduled for early March 2018.
Financing Activity
On June 17, 2015, we issued $450 million aggregate principal amount of 5.75% senior unsecured notes due 2022 (the
“Notes”) pursuant to an indenture (the “Indenture”) dated as of June 17, 2015. The Notes mature on June 15, 2022 and interest
is payable on June 15th and December 15th of each year. The Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed on a senior unsecured
basis (the “Guarantees”) by each of our subsidiaries that guaranteed the Senior Credit Facilities (the “Guarantors”). The Notes
44
are unsecured and senior obligations of the Company. The Guarantees are unsecured and senior obligations of the Guarantors.
At our option, the Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part, at any time prior to June 15, 2018, at a price equal to 100% of
the aggregate principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but excluding) the redemption date
plus a “make-whole” premium. We may also redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 15, 2018, at
the redemption prices specified in the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but excluding) the redemption
date. Additionally, at any time prior to June 15, 2018, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the
Notes with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at a price equal to 105.75% of the principal amount of the
Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but excluding) the redemption date. The Indenture includes certain
covenants relating to debt incurrence, liens, restricted payments, assets sales and transactions with affiliates, changes in
control and mergers or sales of all or substantially all of our assets.
On June 30, 2015, we entered into the Credit Agreement among the Company, as borrower, the lenders party thereto,
JPMorgan, as administrative agent, and the other agents party thereto. The Credit Agreement provided for a five-year
Revolving Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $200 million and a five-year Term Loan Facility in an aggregate
principal amount of $100 million. Concurrently with our entry into the Credit Agreement, we borrowed the full amount of
the Term Loan Facility.
Borrowings under the Original Credit Facilities bore interest, at our option, at a rate per annum determined by reference
to either LIBOR or an adjusted base rate, in each case plus an applicable interest rate margin. The applicable interest rate
margin with respect to LIBOR borrowings was a rate per annum between 1.50% and 2.25% and the applicable interest rate
margin with respect to adjusted base rate borrowings was a rate per annum between 0.50% and 1.25%, in each case
determined on a quarterly basis by reference to a pricing grid based upon our total net leverage ratio. In addition, we are
required to pay commitment fees on any unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility at a rate between 0.25% per annum
and 0.40% per annum, determined by reference to the pricing grid.
The Revolving Credit Facility also gives us the ability to issue letters of credit, which reduce the amount available for
borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility. Letter of credit issuances under the Revolving Credit Facility of $3.1 million
at December 31, 2017 were held for the benefit of certain general and liability insurance matters and bore interest at a rate of
1.88% per annum at December 31, 2017. We had $196.9 million available for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility
at December 31, 2017.
On May 1, 2017, we entered into the Restatement Agreement (the “Restatement Agreement”) with JPMorgan, as
administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, pursuant to which we amended and restated the Credit Agreement (as so
amended and restated, the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”) and incurred $750 million of senior secured loans
(the “New Loans”), which were used, together with cash on hand, to (i) finance the transactions contemplated by the
Agreement and Plan of Merger relating to the NewWave acquisition, (ii) repay in full the Term Loan and (iii) pay related
fees and expenses.
The New Loans consist of (a) a five-year Term Loan A in an aggregate principal amount of $250 million (the “Term
Loan A”) and (b) a seven-year Term Loan B in an aggregate principal amount of $500 million (the “Term Loan B” and,
together with the Term Loan A and the Revolving Credit Facility, the “Senior Credit Facilities”). The obligations under the
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are guaranteed by our wholly owned subsidiaries and are secured, subject to certain
exceptions, by substantially all assets of the Company and the guarantors.
The interest margins applicable to the New Loans under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are, at our
option, equal to either LIBOR or a base rate, plus an applicable margin equal to, (x) with respect to the Term Loan A, 1.50%
to 2.25% for LIBOR loans and 0.50% to 1.25% for base rate loans, determined on a quarterly basis by reference to a pricing
grid based on our total net leverage ratio and (y) with respect to the Term Loan B, 2.25% for LIBOR loans and 1.25% for
base rate loans. The Term Loan A may be prepaid at any time without premium and amortizes quarterly at a rate (expressed
as a percentage of the original principal amount) of 2.5% per annum for the first year after funding, 5.0% per annum for the
second year after funding, 7.5% per annum for the third year after funding and 10.0% per annum for the fourth and fifth years
after funding, with the outstanding balance due upon maturity. The Term Loan B amortizes quarterly at a rate (expressed as
a percentage of the original principal amount) of 1.0% per annum, with the balance due upon maturity. The Term Loan B is
subject to a 1.0% prepayment penalty if prepaid within six months of funding, benefits from certain “most favored nation”
pricing protections and is not subject to the financial maintenance covenants under the Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement. Other than as set forth above, the New Loans are subject to terms substantially similar to those under the Credit
Agreement.
We were in compliance with all debt covenants as of December 31, 2017.
45
As of December 31, 2017, outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan A and Term Loan B were $246.9 million and
$497.5 million, and bore interest at a rate of 3.45% per annum and 3.95% per annum, respectively.
In connection with the New Loans, we incurred $15.2 million in debt issuance costs, of which $0.6 million was written
off during 2017. We recorded $3.2 million and $1.6 million of debt issuance cost amortization for the years ended December
31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Unamortized debt issuance costs totaled $19.6 million and $8.1 million at December 31,
2017 and 2016, respectively.
Capital Expenditures
We have significant ongoing capital expenditure requirements. Capital expenditures are funded primarily by cash on
hand and cash flows from operating activities.
We have adopted capital expenditure disclosure guidance as supported by the NCTA. These disclosures are not
required under GAAP, nor do they impact our accounting for capital expenditures under GAAP. The amounts of capital
expenditures reported in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are calculated in accordance with NCTA disclosure guidelines,
which include assets acquired during the relevant periods.
The following table presents our major capital expenditure categories in accordance with NCTA disclosure guidelines
for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2016
2017
2015
Customer premise equipment ............................................................. $
Commercial ........................................................................................
Scalable infrastructure ........................................................................
Line extensions...................................................................................
Upgrade/rebuild ..................................................................................
Support capital ...................................................................................
Total ................................................................................................... $
37,071 $
9,595
40,122
15,947
19,186
57,442
179,363 $
22,248 $
8,257
41,017
10,470
17,575
31,257
130,824 $
31,459
7,147
57,452
8,505
25,572
41,929
172,064
Contractual Obligations and Contingent Commitments
The following is a summary of our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
Years ending December 31,
2018 ..................................................... $
2019 .....................................................
2020 .....................................................
2021 .....................................................
2022 .....................................................
Thereafter ............................................
Total ............................................. $
Programming
Purchase
Commitments
Operating
Leases
Total Debt,
including
Capital
Leases
Other
Purchase
Obligations (1)
Total
208,900 $
155,086
88,224
32,147
-
-
484,357 $
1,852 $
1,344
948
699
317
418
14,375 $
20,642
26,892
30,017
180,017
922,699
5,578 $ 1,194,642 $
248,489
23,362 $
189,857
12,785
123,722
7,658
67,843
4,980
181,185
851
927,102
3,985
53,621 $ 1,738,198
____________
(1)
Includes purchase obligations related to capital projects and other legally binding commitments. Other purchase orders
made in the ordinary course of business are excluded from the table above. Any amounts for which we are liable under
purchase orders are reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheet within Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
Programming purchase commitments represent contracts that we have with cable television networks and broadcast
stations to provide programming services to our subscribers. The amounts included above represent estimates of the future
programming costs for these purchase commitments based on subscriber numbers and tier placement as of December 31,
2017 and estimated subscriber numbers applied to the per-subscriber rates contained in these contracts. Actual amounts due
under such contracts may differ from the amounts above based on the actual subscriber numbers and tier placements. In
addition, programming purchases sometimes occur pursuant to non-binding commitments, which are not reflected in the
summary above.
46
Total debt relates to principal repayment obligations as defined by the agreements described in the “Financing
Activity” section above and for capital leases.
The following items are not included as contractual obligations due to various factors discussed below. However, we
incur these costs as part of our operations:
(cid:2) We rent utility poles used in our operations. Generally, pole rentals are cancellable on short notice, but we
anticipate that such rentals will recur. Rent expense for pole attachments was $7.8 million, $5.7 million and $5.7
million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
(cid:2) We pay franchise fees under multi-year franchise agreements based on a percentage of revenues generated from
video service per year. Franchise fees and other franchise-related costs included in the Consolidated Statements
of Operations and Comprehensive Income were $15.7 million, $14.2 million and $15.7 million in 2017, 2016 and
2015, respectively.
(cid:2) We have cable franchise agreements requiring the construction of cable plant and the provision of services to
customers within the franchise areas. In connection with these obligations under existing franchise agreements,
we obtain surety bonds or letters of credit guaranteeing performance to municipalities and public utilities and
payment of insurance premiums. Such surety bonds and letters of credit as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 totaled
$12.0 million and $7.9 million, respectively. Payments under these arrangements are required only in the event of
nonperformance. We do not expect that these contingent commitments will result in any amounts being paid.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
With the exception of contractual obligations, surety bonds and letters of credit noted above, we do not have any off-
balance-sheet arrangements or financing activities with special-purpose entities.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates,
assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate
our estimates and assumptions. We base our estimates on historical experience and other assumptions believed to be
reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of
assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
An accounting policy is considered to be critical if it is important to our results of operations and financial condition
and if it requires management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments in its application. For a summary of all of
our significant accounting policies, see Note 2 of the Notes to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Long-lived Assets
A long-lived asset or asset group is tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that
the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Indicators of impairment may include:
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
a significant decrease in the market value of the asset;
a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used or a significant change in the physical
condition of the asset;
a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of an asset,
including an adverse action or assessment by a regulator;
an accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected to acquire or construct an asset;
a current period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection
or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with an asset; and
a current expectation that, more likely than not, an asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before
the end of its estimated useful life.
When an indicator of impairment is determined, the first step is to identify the future intent of the asset or asset group:
hold for continued use, hold for sale, or dispose by a means other than sale. If the asset is held for continued use and the
carrying amount exceeds the undiscounted sum of cash flows expected from the use and eventual disposition of the property,
the impairment loss is recognized as the difference between the carrying amount and the estimated fair value of the asset or
asset group, and the new cost basis is depreciated over the remaining useful life of the asset. If the intent is to hold the asset
47
for sale and certain other criteria are met (e.g., the asset can be disposed of currently, appropriate levels of authority have
approved the sale, and there is an active program to locate a buyer), the impairment test involves comparing the asset’s
carrying value to its estimated fair value. To the extent the carrying value is greater than the asset’s estimated fair value, an
impairment charge is recognized for the difference. If the asset is to be disposed by a means other than sale, the depreciation
estimates are revised to reflect the use of the asset over its shortened useful life.
Significant judgments in this area involve determining whether an event has occurred, determining the future cash
flows for the assets involved and selecting the appropriate discount rate to be applied in determining estimated fair value.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
We have a significant amount of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets that are reviewed at least annually for
impairment. During 2017, we recognized $87.2 million of goodwill and $315.0 million of indefinite-lived intangible assets
related to the NewWave acquisition; therefore, these balances were as follows (dollars in millions):
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets .............................................................. $
Total assets ...................................................................................................................... $
Percentage of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets to total assets ..................
984.3 $
2,218.3 $
44%
582.1
1,421.1
41 %
As of December 31,
2017
2016
Goodwill
Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the identifiable net assets acquired in a
business combination and represents the future economic benefits expected to arise from anticipated synergies and intangible
assets acquired that do not qualify for separate recognition, including assembled workforce, noncontractual relationships and
other agreements. We assess the recoverability of our goodwill as of November 30th of each year, or more frequently
whenever events or substantive changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a reporting unit may exceed
its fair value. We test goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level. To determine our reporting units, we evaluate the
components one level below the segment level and we aggregate the components if they have similar economic
characteristics. As a result of this assessment, our reporting units are established at the regional cable system level. We
evaluate the determination of our reporting units used to test for impairment periodically or whenever events or substantive
changes in circumstances occur. The assessment of recoverability may first consider qualitative factors to determine whether
the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting
unit is less than its carrying amount. A quantitative assessment is performed if the qualitative assessment results in a more-
likely-than-not determination or if a qualitative assessment is not performed. The quantitative assessment considers whether
the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, in which case the second step of the goodwill impairment test
would be performed, and the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is compared to its carrying amount to
determine the amount of impairment. We did not recognize any impairment charges in any of the periods presented.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Our $812.1 million and $497.1 million of intangible assets with an indefinite life as of December 31, 2017 and 2016,
respectively, are principally from cable franchise agreements that we have with state and local governments allowing us to
contract and operate a cable business within a specified geographic area. We expect our cable franchise agreements to provide
us with substantial benefit for a period that extends beyond the foreseeable horizon, and we have historically obtained
renewals and extensions of such agreements for nominal costs and without material modifications to the agreements. We
grouped the recorded values of our various cable franchise agreements into regional cable systems or units of account.
We assess the recoverability of our indefinite-lived intangible assets as of November 30th of each year, or more
frequently whenever events or substantive changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. We evaluate
the unit of account used to test for impairment of our indefinite-lived intangible assets periodically or whenever events or
substantive changes in circumstances occur to ensure impairment testing is performed at an appropriate level. The assessment
of recoverability may first consider qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an
indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. A quantitative assessment is performed if the qualitative
assessment results in a more-likely-than-not determination or if a qualitative assessment is not performed. When performing
a quantitative assessment, we estimate the fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets primarily based on a discounted
cash flow analysis that involves significant judgment. When analyzing the fair values indicated under the discounted cash
flow models, we also consider multiples of Adjusted EBITDA generated by the underlying assets, current market
48
transactions, and profitability information. If the fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets were less than the carrying
amount, we would recognize an impairment charge for the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value
of the assets. We did not recognize any impairment charges in any of the periods presented.
Property, Plant and Equipment
The cable industry is capital intensive, and a significant portion of our resources is spent on capital activities associated
with extending, rebuilding, and upgrading our cable network. The following table presents certain information regarding our
net property, plant and equipment, including as a percentage of total assets, and our cash paid for property, plant and
equipment for the periods indicated (dollars in millions):
As of December 31,
2017
2016
Property, plant and equipment, net .................................................................................. $
Total assets ...................................................................................................................... $
Property, plant and equipment, net as a percentage of total assets ..................................
831.9 $
2,218.3 $
38%
642.9
1,421.1
45 %
Cash paid for property, plant and equipment
2017 ............................................................................................................................................................... $
2016 ............................................................................................................................................................... $
2015 ............................................................................................................................................................... $
Year ended
December 31,
175.2
147.0
161.8
Property, plant and equipment represents the costs incurred in the design, construction and implementation of plant,
infrastructure and capacity improvements and upgrades. Costs associated with the installation and upgrade of services and
acquiring and deploying customer premise equipment, including materials, internal and external labor costs and related
indirect and overhead costs are also capitalized. Indirect and overhead costs include payroll taxes, insurance and other benefits
and vehicle, tool and supply expense related to installation activities. Capitalized labor costs include the direct costs of
engineers and technical managers involved in the design and implementation of plant and infrastructure, the costs of
technicians involved in the installation and upgrades of services and customer premise equipment, and the costs of support
personnel directly involved in capitalizable activities, such as project managers and supervisors. Internal labor costs
capitalized for engineering and technical personnel are based on standards developed by position for the percentage of time
spent on capitalized projects while internal labor costs associated with installation and other plant activities are based on
standards developed from operational data. Overhead costs are capitalized based on standards developed from historical
information. Costs for repairs and maintenance, disconnecting service or reconnecting service are expensed as incurred.
The estimated useful lives assigned to our property, plant and equipment are reviewed on an annual basis or more
frequently if circumstances warrant and such lives are revised to the extent necessary due to changing facts and circumstances.
Any changes in estimated useful lives are reflected prospectively.
As previously disclosed, we changed our accounting related to the capitalization of certain internal labor and related
costs associated with construction and customer installation activities beginning in the first quarter of 2017 as a result of
additional information available from new systems and processes. We initially classified the change as a change in accounting
estimate. During the fourth quarter of 2017, we determined that a certain portion of the initial change in estimate should have
been categorized as a change in principle and have properly reflected the impact associated with the change in principle in
our 2017 consolidated financial statements. Capitalized labor costs increased $16.3 million during 2017 compared to 2016,
of which $15.6 million related to the change in principle. We also concurrently identified an error regarding the historical
accounting for certain categories of internal labor and related costs associated with construction and customer installation
activities and all financial information contained within this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been revised to reflect such
error correction.
49
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements
Recent accounting pronouncements which may be applicable to us are described in Note 2 to our consolidated financial
statements.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risk is the potential gain/loss arising from changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates. As
described under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial
Condition: Liquidity and Capital Resources—Financing Activity,” our long-term debt at December 31, 2017 consisted of
$450 million of the Notes and $744.4 million of borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities, which bear interest, at our
option, at a rate per annum determined by reference to either the LIBOR or an adjusted base rate, in each case plus an
applicable interest rate margin. Based on the principal outstanding under our Senior Credit Facilities as of December 31,
2017 and 2016, assuming, hypothetically, that the LIBOR rate applicable to the Senior Credit Facilities was 100 basis points
higher would have resulted in a change in annual interest expense of $7.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively. The year-
over-year increase is primarily due to an increase in outstanding principal under the Senior Credit Facilities. At December
31, 2017 and 2016, the aggregate fair value of the Notes, based upon quoted market prices, was $464.6 million and $463.5
million, respectively. An increase in the market rate of interest applicable to the Notes would not increase our interest expense
with respect to the Notes since the rate of interest we are required to pay on the Notes is fixed.
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Our consolidated financial statements, the related notes thereto, and the reports of independent accountants are
included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K beginning on page F-1.
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in
Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of December 31, 2017, the end of the period covered by this
Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in
recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company
in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act and were effective in ensuring that information required to be
disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the
Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to
allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
As a result of the RBI Holding LLC ("NewWave") acquisition on May 1, 2017, the Company has incorporated internal
controls over significant processes specific to the acquisition and to post-acquisition activities necessary for the integration
of the combined company, including controls associated with acquisition-related accounting and related disclosures as well
as the adoption of common financial reporting and internal control practices for the combined company. The NewWave
operations utilize a different billing system and processes, for which the Company has designed and implemented new
internal controls effective in the first quarter of 2018.
Except as disclosed above, there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as
such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended December 31, 2017
that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting.
50
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial
reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act). The Company’s internal control
over financial reporting is 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.
The 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.
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.
The Company’s management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting
as of December 31, 2017. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth in Internal Control—Integrated
Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). As
permitted by guidance issued by the SEC, the Company has excluded from the scope of its assessment of internal control
over financial reporting the operations and related assets of NewWave, which was acquired on May 1, 2017. Excluded assets
of NewWave as of December 31, 2017 represented 10% of total assets, and NewWave’s revenues for the period May 1, 2017
through December 31, 2017 represented 13% of total revenues. Based on the results of this assessment, management has
concluded that, as of December 31, 2017, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on
these criteria.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, has been audited
by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report on page F-2 of
this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
51
PART III
ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this item will be included in our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to
Regulation 14A within 120 days after our year ended December 31, 2017 in connection with our 2018 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders (the “2018 Proxy Statement”), or in amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and is incorporated herein
by reference.
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item will be included in the 2018 Proxy Statement, or in amendment to this Annual
Report on Form 10-K, and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this item will be included in the 2018 Proxy Statement, or in amendment to this Annual
Report on Form 10-K, and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this item will be included in the 2018 Proxy Statement, or in amendment to this Annual
Report on Form 10-K, and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item will be included in the 2018 Proxy Statement, or in amendment to this Annual
Report on Form 10-K, and is incorporated herein by reference.
52
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Documents filed as part of this report:
PART IV
(1) Financial Statements. The consolidated financial statements listed on the index set forth on page F-1 of this
Annual Report on Form 10-K are filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(2) Financial Statement Schedules. All financial statement schedules have been omitted since the information is
either not applicable or required or is included in the financial statements or notes thereof.
(b) Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number Description
2.1
2.2
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2015, by and between Graham Holdings Company
and Cable One, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Cable
One, Inc. filed on June 18, 2015).
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 17, 2017, by and among Cable One, Inc., RBI Holding LLC,
Frequency Merger Sub, LLC, RBI Blocker Corp., RBI Blocker Holdings LLC, and GTCR-RBI, LLC, solely in
its capacity as the equityholder representative (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K/A of Cable One, Inc. filed on January 20, 2017).
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Cable One, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Cable One, Inc. filed on July 1, 2015).
Amended and Restated By-laws of Cable One, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the
Current Report on Form 8-K of Cable One, Inc. filed on July 1, 2015).
Indenture, dated as of June 17, 2015, among Cable One, Inc., the Guarantors named therein and The Bank of
New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
Current Report on Form 8-K of Cable One, Inc. filed on June 18, 2015).
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2017, among Cable One, Inc., Avenue Broadband
Communications LLC, Telecommunications Management, LLC, Ultra Communications Group, LLC, and The
Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to
the Current Report on Form 8-K of Cable One, Inc. filed on May 4, 2017).
Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2015, by and among Cable One, Inc., as borrower, the lenders party
thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other agents party thereto (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Cable One, Inc. filed on July 1, 2015).
Tax Matters Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2015, by and between Graham Holdings Company and Cable One,
Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Cable One, Inc.
filed on June 18, 2015).
Employee Matters Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2015, by and between Graham Holdings Company and
Cable One, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Cable
One, Inc. filed on June 18, 2015).+
Individual Deferred Compensation Arrangement between Cable One, Inc. and Thomas O. Might, dated June
25, 1999 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 of Cable One, Inc.
filed on May 15, 2015).+
53
Exhibit
Number Description
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
Cable One, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to
the Current Report on Form 8-K of Cable One, Inc. filed on June 11, 2015).+
Cable One, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Current
Report on Form 8-K of Cable One, Inc. filed on June 11, 2015).+
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for restricted stock grants during 2015 (incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Cable One, Inc. filed on August 7, 2015).+
Form of Stock Appreciation Right Agreement for grants during 2015 and 2016 (incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Cable One, Inc. filed on August 10, 2015).+
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for performance-based restricted stock grants during 2016
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cable One, Inc. filed
on March 7, 2016).+
10.10
Form of Stock Appreciation Right Agreement for grants during 2017 (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.12 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cable One, Inc. filed on March 1, 2017).+
10.11
10.12
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for performance-based restricted stock grants during 2017
(incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cable One, Inc. filed
on March 1, 2017).+
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for time-based restricted stock grants during 2017 (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Cable One, Inc. filed on March 1,
2017).+
10.13 Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2017, among Cable One, Inc., the lenders
party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Cable One, Inc. filed on February 14, 2017).
10.14 Restatement Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2017, among Cable One, Inc., Cable One VoIP, LLC, JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Cable One, Inc. filed on May 4, 2017).
10.15 Amended and Restated Cable One, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan.*+
10.16
Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for grants beginning in 2017 (incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Cable One, Inc. filed on May 4,
2017).+
10.17
Form of Stock Appreciation Right Agreement for grants beginning in 2018.*+
10.18
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for performance-based restricted stock grants beginning in 2018.*+
10.19
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for time-based restricted stock grants beginning in 2018.*+
10.20
Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for grants in lieu of annual cash fees
beginning in 2018.*+
10.21
Separation Agreement with Alan H. Silverman dated November 17, 2017.*+
18.1
Letter regarding change in accounting principles from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.*
21.1
List of subsidiaries of Cable One, Inc.*
54
Exhibit
Number Description
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.*
24.1
Power of Attorney (included on Signatures page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K).*
31.1
31.2
Principal Executive Officer Certification required by Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 as adopted pursuant to Section
302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
Principal Financial Officer Certification required by Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 as adopted pursuant to Section
302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32
Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
101.INS XBRL Instance Document.*
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.*
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.*
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.*
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.*
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.*
_________
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
+ Management contract or compensatory arrangement.
ITEM 16.
FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
55
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SIGNATURES
CABLE ONE, INC.
(Registrant)
Date: March 1, 2018
By:
/s/ Julia M. Laulis
Julia M. Laulis
Chair of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints
Julia M. Laulis and Kevin P. Coyle, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any
and all amendments to this Report, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto each said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or either of them or their or his or her substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Title
Chair of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date
March 1, 2018
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
March 1, 2018
Signature
/s/ Julia M. Laulis
Julia M. Laulis
/s/ Kevin P. Coyle
Kevin P. Coyle
/s/ Brad D. Brian
Brad D. Brian
/s/ Thomas S. Gayner
Thomas S. Gayner
/s/ Deborah J. Kissire
Deborah J. Kissire
/s/ Thomas O. Might
Thomas O. Might
/s/ Alan G. Spoon
Alan G. Spoon
/s/ Wallace R. Weitz
Wallace R. Weitz
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
/s/ Katharine B. Weymouth
Katharine B. Weymouth
Director
S-1
March 1, 2018
March 1, 2018
March 1, 2018
March 1, 2018
March 1, 2018
March 1, 2018
March 1, 2018
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm ......................................................................................
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 ............................................................................
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2017,
Page
F-2
F-4
2016 and 2015 ......................................................................................................................................................
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 ..........
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 .........................
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements .............................................................................................................
F-5
F-6
F-7
F-8
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Cable One, Inc.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cable One, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December
31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, of stockholders’
equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, including the related notes
(collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated
Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control -
Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts
for the capitalization of certain internal labor and related costs in 2017.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal
control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting,
included in Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our
responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal
control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company
in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material
misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained
in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material
misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that
respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and
disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used
and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial
statements. 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 described in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management has excluded RBI
Holding LLC (“NewWave”) from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017
because it was acquired by the Company in a purchase business combination during 2017. We have also excluded
NewWave from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. NewWave is a wholly-owned subsidiary whose
total assets and total revenues excluded from management’s assessment and our audit of internal control over financial
reporting represent 10% and 13%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the
year ended December 31, 2017.
F-2
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
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
Phoenix, Arizona
March 1, 2018
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2014.
F-3
CABLE ONE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par value and share data)
Assets
Current Assets:
December 31,
2017
December 31,
2016
Cash and cash equivalents ........................................................................................... $
Accounts receivable, net ..............................................................................................
Income tax receivable ..................................................................................................
Prepaid assets ...............................................................................................................
Total Current Assets .................................................................................................
Property, plant and equipment, net ..................................................................................
Intangibles, net ................................................................................................................
Goodwill ..........................................................................................................................
Other assets .....................................................................................................................
Total Assets .............................................................................................................. $
161,752 $
51,141
21,331
8,160
242,384
831,892
965,745
172,129
6,179
2,218,329 $
138,040
33,049
4,547
10,824
186,460
642,915
497,480
84,928
9,306
1,421,089
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities .................................................................... $
Deferred revenue .........................................................................................................
Long-term debt – current portion .................................................................................
Total Current Liabilities ...........................................................................................
Long-term debt ................................................................................................................
Deferred income taxes .....................................................................................................
Accrued compensation and other liabilities .....................................................................
Total Liabilities ........................................................................................................
117,963 $
38,266
14,375
170,604
1,160,682
205,636
9,991
1,546,913
82,703
22,190
6,250
111,143
530,886
285,349
24,434
951,812
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 16)
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock ($0.01 par value; 4,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or
outstanding) ..............................................................................................................
-
-
Common stock ($0.01 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized; 5,887,899 shares
issued, and 5,731,442 and 5,708,223 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2017
and 2016, respectively) ............................................................................................
Additional paid-in capital ............................................................................................
Retained earnings .........................................................................................................
Accumulated other comprehensive loss .......................................................................
Treasury stock, at cost (156,457 and 179,676 shares held as of December 31, 2017
60
28,412
723,354
(352 )
59
17,669
526,542
(446)
and 2016, respectively) ............................................................................................
Total Stockholders' Equity .......................................................................................
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity ............................................................... $
(80,058 )
671,416
2,218,329 $
(74,547)
469,277
1,421,089
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
CABLE ONE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Year Ended December 31,
2016
2017
2015
960,029 $
819,625 $
807,266
(in thousands, except per share and share data)
Revenues ............................................................................................ $
Costs and Expenses
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) .....................
Selling, general and administrative .................................................
Depreciation and amortization ........................................................
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets .....................................................
Total operating costs and expenses ....................................................
Income from operations ......................................................................
Interest expense ..................................................................................
Other income (expense), net ...............................................................
Income before income taxes ...............................................................
Income tax provision (benefit) ...........................................................
Net income ......................................................................................... $
337,040
204,799
181,619
574
724,032
235,997
(46,864)
668
189,801
(44,227)
234,028 $
296,577
184,024
147,839
2,821
631,261
188,364
(30,221)
5,121
163,264
62,162
101,102 $
Other comprehensive gain (loss), net of tax .......................................
Comprehensive income ...................................................................... $
94
234,122 $
111
101,213 $
304,837
193,747
144,503
602
643,689
163,577
(16,090 )
(232 )
147,255
55,433
91,822
(557 )
91,265
Net income per common share:
Basic ............................................................................................ $
Diluted ......................................................................................... $
41.20 $
40.72 $
17.60 $
17.52 $
15.69
15.67
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic ............................................................................................
Diluted .........................................................................................
5,680,073
5,747,037
5,743,568
5,770,960
5,853,283
5,860,089
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
CABLE ONE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common Stock
Shares
(dollars in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2014 ...... 5,843,313 $
-
Dividends paid to GHC ...................
-
Net income .......................................
Net transfers to GHC .......................
-
Reclassification of Additional GHC
Additional
Paid-In
Amount Capital
58 $
-
-
-
Retained
Earnings
- $ 1,335,733 $
(450,000)
-
91,822
-
-
-
Additional
GHC
Investment
(Deficit)
Treasury
Stock,
at cost
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
(472,689) $
-
-
(36,199)
- $
-
-
-
- $
-
-
-
863,102
(450,000)
91,822
(36,199)
investment (deficit) in
-
connection with spin-off .............
-
Changes in pension, net of tax ........
36,612
Equity-based compensation .............
(8,347)
Forfeiture of restricted stock ...........
(38,136)
Repurchase of common stock..........
Dividends paid to stockholders .......
-
Balance at December 31, 2015 ...... 5,833,442
-
Net income .......................................
-
Changes in pension, net of tax ........
-
Equity-based compensation .............
Issuance of common stock under
restricted stock unit awards .........
947
Issuance of equity awards, net of
forfeitures ....................................
4,247
Repurchase of common stock.......... (126,797)
(3,616)
Withholding tax for equity awards ..
Excess income tax benefits for
equity-based compensation
activities ......................................
Dividends paid to stockholders .......
-
Balance at December 31, 2016 ...... 5,708,223
-
Net income .......................................
-
Changes in pension, net of tax ........
Equity-based compensation .............
-
Issuance of equity awards, net of
31,129
forfeitures ....................................
(900)
Repurchases of common stock ........
(7,010)
Withholding tax for equity awards ..
Dividends paid to stockholders .......
-
Balance at December 31, 2017 ...... 5,731,442 $
-
-
1
-
-
-
59
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
59
-
-
-
1
-
-
-
60 $
-
-
4,929
-
-
-
4,929
-
-
12,298
(380)
-
-
-
(508,888)
-
-
-
-
(8,782)
459,885
101,102
-
-
508,888
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
822
-
17,669
-
-
10,743
-
(34,445)
526,542
234,028
-
-
-
-
-
-
28,412 $
-
-
-
(37,216)
723,354 $
-
-
-
-
(16,367)
-
(16,367)
-
-
-
380
-
(56,370)
(2,190)
-
-
(74,547)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(528)
-
(4,983)
-
-
-
- $ (80,058) $
-
(557)
-
-
-
-
(557)
-
111
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(446)
-
94
-
-
-
-
-
(352) $
-
(557)
4,930
-
(16,367)
(8,782)
447,949
101,102
111
12,298
-
-
(56,370)
(2,190)
822
(34,445)
469,277
234,028
94
10,743
1
(528)
(4,983)
(37,216)
671,416
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-6
CABLE ONE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Year Ended December 31,
2016
2017
2015
Net income ................................................................................................. $
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
234,028 $
101,102 $
91,822
activities:
Depreciation and amortization ...............................................................
Amortization of debt issuance costs .......................................................
Equity-based compensation ....................................................................
Write-off of debt issuance costs .............................................................
Excess income tax benefits for equity-based compensation activities ....
Gain on sale of cable system ..................................................................
Deferred income taxes ............................................................................
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets .............................................................
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net.....................................................................
Income tax receivable .........................................................................
Prepaid assets .....................................................................................
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities ............................................
Deferred revenue ................................................................................
Income taxes payable .........................................................................
Other assets and other liabilities, net ..................................................
Net cash provided by operating activities ......................................................
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired .................................................
Capital expenditures ...................................................................................
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures ......................
Proceeds from sale of cable system, net .....................................................
Acquisition of cable system .......................................................................
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment and other ...............
Net cash used in investing activities ...............................................................
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net transfers to GHC ..................................................................................
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt .................................................
Payment of debt issuance costs ..................................................................
Payments on long-term debt .......................................................................
Repurchases of common stock ...................................................................
Payments of withholding tax for equity awards .........................................
Dividends paid to stockholders ..................................................................
Dividends paid to GHC ..............................................................................
Excess income tax benefits for equity-based compensation activities ........
Cash overdraft ............................................................................................
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities ........................................
181,619
3,174
10,743
613
-
-
(86,357)
574
(3,065)
(16,784)
4,950
6,982
1,560
-
(13,551)
324,486
(727,947)
(179,363)
4,167
-
-
11,976
(891,167)
-
750,000
(15,224)
(100,642)
(528)
(4,983)
(37,216)
-
-
(1,014)
590,393
147,839
1,642
12,298
-
(822 )
(4,096 )
(1,090 )
2,821
1,773
(4,547 )
243
4,052
(173 )
(5,928 )
2,007
257,121
-
(130,824 )
(16,190 )
6,752
(2,672 )
1,327
(141,607 )
-
-
-
(3,767 )
(56,370 )
(2,190 )
(34,445 )
-
822
(723 )
(96,673 )
Change in cash and cash equivalents .............................................................
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period .............................................
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period ....................................................... $
23,712
138,040
161,752 $
18,841
119,199
138,040 $
144,503
902
9,213
-
-
-
(12,078 )
602
(4,976 )
-
1,763
15,417
1,359
2,073
1,516
252,116
-
(172,064 )
10,225
-
-
911
(160,928 )
(42,665 )
541,114
(1,768 )
(1,250 )
(16,367 )
-
(8,782 )
(450,000 )
-
1,319
21,601
112,789
6,410
119,199
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest ........................................ $
Cash paid for income taxes ........................................................................ $
43,327 $
59,622 $
28,628 $
73,007 $
14,038
29,970
Non-cash investing and financing activity:
Equipment financed with capital lease ....................................................... $
- $
- $
301
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-7
CABLE ONE, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Cable One, Inc., together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, (collectively, “Cable One,” “us,” “our,” “we” or the
“Company”), owns and operates cable systems that provide data, video and voice services to residential and commercial
subscribers in 21 Western, Midwestern and Southern states of the United States. At the end of 2017, Cable One provided
service to 643,153 data customers, 363,888 video customers and 134,881 voice customers.
On July 1, 2015, Cable One became an independent company traded under the ticker symbol “CABO” on the New York
Stock Exchange after completion of its spin-off from its former parent, Graham Holdings Company (“GHC”). The spin-off
was effected through the distribution by GHC of 100% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Cable One to GHC
stockholders as of the record date for the distribution (the “spin-off”) in a pro rata dividend. In connection with the spin-off,
approximately 5.84 million shares of Cable One’s common stock were issued and outstanding on July 1, 2015, based on
approximately 0.96 million shares of GHC Class A Common Stock and 4.88 million shares of GHC Class B Common Stock
outstanding as of June 30, 2015. No preferred stock was issued or outstanding.
On May 1, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding equity interests of RBI Holding LLC
(“NewWave”), which became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cable One. The Company paid a purchase price of $740.2
million in cash on a debt-free basis and subject to customary post-closing adjustments. See Note 3 for details on this
transaction.
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
The consolidated financial statements reflect the Company’s results of operations and financial position as a stand-alone
company following the spin-off. Prior to the spin-off, the Company’s financial statements were derived from the consolidated
financial statements and accounting records of GHC. The impact of transactions between the Company and GHC was
included in the consolidated financial statements and was considered to be effectively settled for cash in the consolidated
financial statements at the time the spin-off was effective. The total net effect of the settlement of these intercompany
transactions was reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as a financing activity at the time of settlement and
in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity as Additional GHC investment (deficit).
The Company’s results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 may not be indicative of the
Company’s future results. In addition, as the Company did not operate as a stand-alone entity prior to July 1, 2015, the 2015
financial information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may not necessarily reflect what the Company’s financial
position, results of operations or cash flows would have been had the Company operated as a stand-alone entity during the
entirety of 2015.
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current year presentation.
Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company,
including its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Change in Accounting Principle, Change in Estimate, Error Correction and Revision of Previously Issued Financial
Statements. During 2017, the Company changed its accounting related to the capitalization of certain internal labor and
related costs associated with construction and customer installation activities as a result of additional information available
from new systems and processes. Initially, the Company classified the entire change as a change in accounting
estimate. During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company determined that a portion of what had previously been reported as
a change in estimate should have been categorized as a change in accounting principle, a portion was determined to be the
correction of an error and a portion remained a change in estimate.
F-8
Change in Accounting Principle
Effective January 1, 2017, the Company voluntarily changed its accounting principle for the capitalization of certain labor
related to the provision of service to a new customer relationship in an existing location and upgrades to individual services
in existing locations. In addition, the Company voluntarily changed its accounting principle for the capitalization of
supervisory activities performed by management positions. Under the Company’s previous policies, installation costs were
capitalized only when incurred to connect residences or businesses that had not been previously connected to the cable
infrastructure, and supervisory activities were expensed as incurred. The Company believes that the changes are preferable
as the new policies are a prevalent practice in the cable industry and therefore, reported results will be more consistent with
its peers. In addition, the application of the new policies provides a better matching of costs over the period of benefit and
reflect the total cost to acquire and deploy related assets. The changes were applied prospectively for all periods in fiscal year
2017 due to the impracticability of retrospective adoption. The Company determined that the retrospective application of the
change in accounting principle is impracticable for all prior periods as the Company would have to make significant estimates
and assumptions over a number of years due to the lack of a time tracking system and the change in mix of employee activities
resulting from the Company’s business changes over the years. The following tables reflect the changes to financial statement
line items as a result of the change in accounting principle for fiscal year 2017 (in thousands, except per share data):
Effect of
Accounting
Change
Increase (decrease) in financial statement line item
Consolidated Balance Sheet Information
Property, plant and equipment, net ................................................................................................................ $
Deferred income taxes ...................................................................................................................................
Retained earnings .......................................................................................................................................... $
14,604
5,550
9,054
Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income Information
Costs and expenses
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) ................................................................................ $
Selling, general and administrative ............................................................................................................
Depreciation and amortization ...................................................................................................................
Income before income taxes ..........................................................................................................................
Income tax provision (benefit) ......................................................................................................................
Net income ....................................................................................................................................................
Comprehensive income ................................................................................................................................. $
Net income per common share:
Basic ........................................................................................................................................................... $
Diluted ........................................................................................................................................................ $
(15,342)
(236)
974
14,604
5,550
9,054
9,054
1.59
1.58
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Information
Net cash provided by operating activities ...................................................................................................... $
Net cash used in investing activities .............................................................................................................. $
15,578
(15,578)
Change in Estimate
A portion of the accounting change remains classified as a change in accounting estimate as described above. The effect of
the change was applied prospectively starting on January 1, 2017 and was not material to the Company’s consolidated
financial statements.
Error Correction
During the fourth quarter, the Company also identified an error associated with the historical accounting for certain categories
of internal labor and related costs which resulted in the undercapitalization of labor costs in its previously issued 2016, 2015
and prior annual and interim financial statements. Although the Company has determined such error to be immaterial to its
prior financial statements, the cumulative effect of the error would be material if corrected in the current year. Therefore, the
Company has revised its historical financial statements to properly reflect the impact of the labor capitalization, including the
related impact to depreciation expense and income taxes. The $9.8 million cumulative impact of such errors for periods prior
to 2015 has been accounted for as an adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2015. In connection with this revision,
the Company has also corrected for other previously identified immaterial income tax and other errors.
F-9
Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements
The following tables present the effect of the revision on the previously issued 2016 and 2015 consolidated financial
statements as a result of the error correction described above (in thousands, except per share data):
As of and for the Year Ended December 31, 2016
As Reported Adjustment As Revised
Consolidated Balance Sheet Information
Accounts receivable, net ..................................................................... $
Property, plant and equipment, net .....................................................
Total Assets ....................................................................................
Deferred income taxes ........................................................................
Total Liabilities ...............................................................................
Retained earnings ...............................................................................
Total Stockholders’ Equity ............................................................. $
32,526 $
619,621
1,397,271
276,297
942,760
511,776
454,511 $
523 $
23,294
23,818
9,052
9,052
14,766
14,766 $
33,049
642,915
1,421,089
285,349
951,812
526,542
469,277
Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income Information
Costs and Expenses
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) ..................... $
Selling, general and administrative .................................................
Depreciation and amortization ........................................................
Total operating costs and expenses ....................................................
Income from operations ......................................................................
Income before income taxes ...............................................................
Income tax provision (benefit) ........................................................
Net income ......................................................................................... $
Comprehensive income ...................................................................... $
Net income per common share:
Basic ............................................................................................... $
Diluted ............................................................................................ $
301,617 $
184,797
142,183
631,418
188,207
163,107
64,168
98,939 $
99,050 $
17.23 $
17.14 $
(5,040 ) $
(773 )
5,656
(157)
157
157
(2,006 )
2,163 $
2,163 $
0.37 $
0.38 $
296,577
184,024
147,839
631,261
188,364
163,264
62,162
101,102
101,213
17.60
17.52
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Information
Net cash provided by operating activities ........................................... $
Net cash used in investing activities ................................................... $
251,831 $
(136,317) $
5,290 $
(5,290 ) $
257,121
(141,607)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
As Reported Adjustment As Revised
Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income Information
Costs and Expenses
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization) ..................... $
Selling, general and administrative .................................................
Depreciation and amortization ........................................................
Total operating costs and expenses ....................................................
Income from operations ......................................................................
Income before income taxes ...............................................................
Income tax provision (benefit) ........................................................
Net income ......................................................................................... $
Comprehensive income ...................................................................... $
Net income per common share:
Basic ............................................................................................... $
Diluted ............................................................................................ $
310,323 $
193,964
140,635
645,524
161,742
145,420
56,387
89,033 $
88,476 $
15.21 $
15.19 $
(5,486 ) $
(217 )
3,868
(1,835)
1,835
1,835
(954 )
2,789 $
2,789 $
0.48 $
0.48 $
304,837
193,747
144,503
643,689
163,577
147,255
55,433
91,822
91,265
15.69
15.67
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Information
Net cash provided by operating activities ........................................... $
Net cash used in investing activities ................................................... $
246,413 $
(155,225) $
5,703 $
(5,703 ) $
252,116
(160,928)
These accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements reflect the impact of this revision. The Company has also
reflected the impact of the revision in the applicable unaudited quarterly financial results. Refer to Note 17 for reconciliations
between previously reported and revised quarterly amounts.
F-10
Segment Reporting. Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 280 - Segment Reporting requires the disclosure of factors
used to identify an enterprise’s reportable segments. The Company’s operations are organized and managed on the basis of
cable systems within its geographic regions. Each cable system derives revenues from the delivery of similar products and
services to a customer base that is also similar. Each cable system deploys similar technology to deliver the Company’s
products and services, operates within a similar regulatory environment, has similar economic characteristics and is managed
by the Company’s chief operating decision maker as part of an aggregate of all cable systems. Management evaluated the
criteria for aggregation under ASC 280 and believes that the Company meets each of the respective criteria set forth therein.
Accordingly, management has identified one reportable segment.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management
to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported herein. Management bases its estimates and assumptions
on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the
inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may be affected by changes in
those estimates and underlying assumptions.
Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the fees are fixed or
determinable, the product or service has been delivered and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenues are primarily
derived from subscriber fees for data, video, and voice services, and from the sale of advertising.
The Company recognizes subscriber revenue as each service is provided. Revenue received from subscribers who purchase
bundled services (e.g., the Company sells data, video and voice services to a customer) at a discounted rate is allocated to
each product in a pro-rata manner based on the individual product’s selling price on a standalone basis. The Company
typically bills customers in advance on a monthly basis. The Company manages credit risk by screening applicants through
the use of internal customer information, identification verification tools and credit bureau data. Various measures are used
to collect outstanding amounts when a customer’s account is delinquent, including termination of the customer’s cable
services. Residential installation revenue is recognized when the connection of the customer to the Company’s cable system
is completed, as installation revenue is less than the related direct selling costs. Installation revenue derived from business
services customers is recognized over the associated contract term.
The Company generally receives an allocation of scheduled advertising time as part of its distribution agreements with cable
networks, which the Company sells to local, regional and national advertisers. The Company recognizes advertising sales
revenue when the commercials are aired. In most cases, the available advertising time is sold by the Company’s internal sales
force. Since the Company is acting as a principal in these arrangements, the advertising that is sold is reported as revenue on
a gross basis. In cases where advertising time is sold by agencies, the Company is not acting as a principal and the advertising
sold is reported net of agency fees.
Under the terms of the Company’s cable franchise agreements, the Company is generally required to pay to the franchising
authority an amount based on the gross amount billed to the customer. The Company normally passes these fees to its
customers and reports the fees on a gross basis as a component of revenue with the corresponding costs included in operating
expense. The franchise authority assesses the Company directly for these fees and it is the Company’s obligation to pay the
fees. The amount of such fees recorded on a gross basis was $15.7 million, $14.2 million and $15.7 million in 2017, 2016
and 2015, respectively.
Effective for 2018, the Company’s criteria for revenue recognition changed as a result of the adoption of a new accounting
standard as discussed within the Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements section.
Concentrations of Credit Risk. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk
are primarily cash and accounts receivable. Concentration of credit risk with respect to the Company’s cash balance is limited.
The Company maintains or invests its cash with highly qualified financial institutions. With respect to the Company’s
receivables, credit risk is limited due to the large number of customers, individually small balances and short payment terms.
Programming Costs. The Company’s programming costs are fees paid to license the programming that is distributed to
video customers and are recorded in the period the services are provided. Programming costs are recorded based on the
Company’s contractual agreements with its programming vendors, which are generally multi-year agreements that provide
for the Company to make payments to the programming vendors at agreed upon rates based on the number of subscribers to
which the Company provides the programming service. From time to time, these agreements expire and programming
continues to be distributed, often pursuant to an extension, to customers while the parties negotiate new contractual terms.
While payments are typically made under the prior agreement’s terms, the amount of programming costs recorded during
these interim periods is based on the Company’s estimates of the ultimate contractual terms expected to be negotiated.
F-11
Differences between actual amounts determined upon resolution of negotiations and amounts recorded during these interim
periods are recorded in the period of resolution.
Advertising Costs. The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. The total amount of such advertising expense
recorded was $25.3 million, $25.9 million and $22.5 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. For financial reporting purposes, the Company considers all highly liquid investments with
original maturities at purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. These investments are carried at cost, which
approximates market value.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. Accounts receivable have been reduced by an allowance for amounts that may be
uncollectible in the future. This estimated allowance is based primarily on the aging category, historical collection experience
and management’s evaluation of the financial condition of the customer. The Company generally considers an account past
due or delinquent when a customer misses a scheduled payment. The Company writes off accounts receivable balances
deemed uncollectible against the allowance for doubtful accounts generally when the account is turned over for collection to
an outside collection agency.
Fair Value Measurements. Fair value measurements are determined based on the assumptions that a market participant
would use in pricing an asset or liability based on a three-tiered hierarchy that draws a distinction between market participant
assumptions based on (i) observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets (Level 1); (ii) inputs other than quoted
prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2); and (iii) unobservable inputs that require
the Company to use present value and other valuation techniques in the determination of fair value (Level 3). Financial assets
and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measure.
The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment and
may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.
For assets that are measured using quoted prices in active markets, the total fair value is the published market price per unit
multiplied by the number of units held, without consideration of transaction costs. Assets and liabilities that are measured
using significant other observable inputs are primarily valued by reference to quoted prices of similar assets or liabilities in
active markets, adjusted for any terms specific to that asset or liability.
The Company measures certain assets including goodwill, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment at fair value
on a nonrecurring basis when they are deemed to be impaired. The fair value of these assets is determined with valuation
techniques using the best information available and may include quoted market prices, market comparables and discounted
cash flow models.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The carrying amounts reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements
for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value because
of the short-term nature of these financial instruments.
Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Replacements and major improvements
are capitalized; maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method
over the following estimated useful lives of the property, plant and equipment (in years):
Cable distribution systems ...................................................................................................................................
Customer premise equipment ..............................................................................................................................
Other equipment, vehicles and fixtures ...............................................................................................................
Capitalized software ............................................................................................................................................
Buildings and improvements ...............................................................................................................................
5 – 12
5
3 – 10
3 – 7
20
The costs of leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their useful lives or the remaining terms of the respective
leases.
Costs associated with the installation and upgrade of services and acquiring and deploying customer premise equipment,
including materials, internal and external labor costs and related indirect and overhead costs are capitalized. Indirect and
overhead costs include payroll taxes, insurance and other benefits and vehicle, tool and supply expense related to installation
activities. Capitalized labor costs include the direct costs of engineers and technical managers involved in the design and
implementation of plant and infrastructure, the costs of technicians involved in the installation and upgrades of services and
customer premise equipment, and the costs of support personnel directly involved in capitalizable activities, such as project
managers and supervisors. Internal labor costs capitalized for engineering and technical personnel are based on standards
F-12
developed by position for the percentage of time spent on capitalized projects while internal labor costs associated with
installation and other plant activities are based on standards developed from operational data. Overhead costs are capitalized
based on standards developed from historical information. Costs for repairs and maintenance, disconnecting service or
reconnecting service are expensed as incurred.
As previously disclosed, the Company changed its accounting related to the capitalization of certain internal labor and related
costs associated with construction and customer installation activities beginning in the first quarter of 2017 as a result of
additional information available from new systems and processes. The Company initially classified the change as a change
in accounting estimate. During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company determined that a certain portion of the initial change
in estimate should have been categorized as a change in principle and has properly reflected the impact associated with such
change in its 2017 consolidated financial statements. Capitalized labor costs increased $16.3 million during 2017 compared
to 2016, of which $15.6 million related to the change in principle. The Company also concurrently identified and corrected
an error regarding the historical accounting for certain categories of internal labor and related costs associated with
construction and customer installation activities and all financial information contained within this Annual Report on Form
10-K has been revised to reflect all error corrections.
The Company capitalizes certain internal and external costs incurred to acquire or develop internal-use software, including
costs associated with coding, software configuration, upgrades and enhancements.
Evaluation of Long-Lived Assets. The recoverability of property, plant and equipment and amortized intangible assets is
assessed whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate that recorded values may not be recoverable. A long-
lived asset is considered to not be recoverable when the undiscounted estimated future cash flows are less than the asset’s
recorded value. An impairment charge is measured based on estimated fair market value, determined primarily using
estimated future cash flows on a discounted basis. Losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of are determined in a similar
manner, but the fair market value would be reduced for estimated costs to dispose.
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets. Finite-lived intangible assets consist of cable franchise renewals and access rights, customer
relationships and trademarks and trade names, and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the respective estimated periods
for which the assets will provide economic benefit to the Company.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets. The Company’s intangible assets with an indefinite life are principally from cable
franchise agreements that it has with state and local governments allowing the Company to contract and operate a cable
business within a specified geographic area. The Company expects its cable franchise agreements to provide it with
substantial benefit for a period that extends beyond the foreseeable horizon, and the Company has historically obtained
renewals and extensions of such agreements for nominal costs and without material modifications to the agreements. The
Company grouped the recorded values of its various cable franchise agreements into regional cable systems or units of
account.
The Company assesses the recoverability of its indefinite-lived intangible assets as of November 30th of each year, or more
frequently whenever events or substantive changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. The Company
evaluates the unit of account used to test for impairment of its indefinite-lived intangible assets periodically or whenever
events or substantive changes in circumstances occur to ensure impairment testing is performed at an appropriate level. The
assessment of recoverability may first consider qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair
value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. A quantitative assessment is performed if the
qualitative assessment results in a more-likely-than-not determination or if a qualitative assessment is not performed. When
performing a quantitative assessment, the Company estimates the fair value of its indefinite-lived intangible assets primarily
based on a discounted cash flow analysis that involves significant judgment. When analyzing the fair values indicated under
the discounted cash flow models, the Company also considers multiples of Adjusted EBITDA generated by the underlying
assets, current market transactions, and profitability information. If the fair value of the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible
assets were less than the carrying amount, the Company would recognize an impairment charge for the difference between
the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the assets. The Company did not recognize any impairment charges in any
of the periods presented.
Goodwill. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the identifiable net assets acquired in a
business combination and represents the future economic benefits expected to arise from anticipated synergies and intangible
assets acquired that do not qualify for separate recognition, including assembled workforce, noncontractual relationships and
other agreements. The Company assesses the recoverability of its goodwill as of November 30th of each year, or more
frequently whenever events or substantive changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a reporting unit may
exceed its fair value. The Company tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level. To determine its reporting units,
F-13
the Company evaluates the components one level below the segment level and it aggregates the components if they have
similar economic characteristics. As a result of this assessment, the Company’s reporting units are established at the regional
cable system level. The Company evaluates the determination of its reporting units used to test for impairment periodically
or whenever events or substantive changes in circumstances occur. The assessment of recoverability may first consider
qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely
than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. A quantitative assessment is performed if the
qualitative assessment results in a more-likely-than-not determination or if a qualitative assessment is not performed. The
quantitative assessment considers whether the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, in which case the
second step of the goodwill impairment test would be performed, and the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill
is compared to its carrying amount to determine the amount of impairment. The Company did not recognize any impairment
charges in any of the periods presented.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits. The Company maintains various pension and incentive savings plans. The
Company recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of the defined benefit SERP (as defined in Note 13) as an asset
or liability in its statement of financial positon and recognizes changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes
occur through comprehensive income. The Company measures changes in the funded status of its plans using the projected
unit credit method and several actuarial assumptions, the most significant of which is the discount rate. The Company uses a
measurement date of December 31st for its pension and other postretirement benefit plans.
Self-Insurance. The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance for a number of risks, including claims
related to employee medical and dental care, disability benefits, workers’ compensation, general liability, property damage
and business interruption. Liabilities associated with these plans are estimated based on, among other things, the Company’s
historical claims experience, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. Accruals for expected loss are based on
estimates, and, while the Company believes that the amounts accrued are adequate, the ultimate loss may differ from the
amounts provided.
Equity-Based Compensation. The Company measures compensation expense for awards settled in shares based on the grant
date fair value of the award. The Company measures compensation expense for awards settled in cash, or that may be settled
in cash, based on the fair value at each reporting date. The Company recognizes the expense over the requisite service period,
which is generally the vesting period of the award.
Income Taxes. Subsequent to the spin-off, the Company’s income taxes have been prepared on a separate return basis as if
the Company was a stand-alone entity. Prior to the spin-off, the Company’s operations were historically included in GHC’s
consolidated U.S. Federal and certain state tax returns. The results from being included in the consolidated tax returns were
included in Additional GHC investment (deficit) for the applicable periods. The Company did not maintain taxes payable
to/from GHC and was deemed to settle the annual current tax balances immediately with the legal tax-paying entities in the
respective jurisdictions. These settlements were reflected as net transfer to/from GHC within Additional GHC investment
(deficit).
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax
assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements.
Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statements
and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to
reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that
includes the enactment date.
The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent that it believes these assets will more likely than not be realized.
In making such determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals
of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial
operations. This evaluation is made on an ongoing basis. In the event the Company were to determine that it was not able to
realize net deferred income tax assets in the future, the Company would record a valuation allowance, which would impact
the provision for income taxes.
The Company recognizes a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position when it is more likely than not that the position will be
sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits.
The Company records a liability for the difference between the benefit recognized and measured for financial statement
purposes and the tax position taken or expected to be taken on the tax return. Changes in the estimate are recorded in the
period in which such determination is made.
F-14
Asset Retirement Obligations. Certain of the Company’s cable franchise agreements and lease agreements contain
provisions requiring the Company to restore facilities or remove property in the event that the franchise or lease agreement
is not renewed. The Company expects to continually renew its cable franchise agreements and therefore cannot reasonably
estimate any liabilities associated with such agreements. A remote possibility exists that franchise agreements could be
terminated unexpectedly, which could result in the Company incurring significant expense in complying with restoration or
removal provisions. The Company does not have any significant liabilities related to asset retirements recorded in the financial
statements.
Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements. In May 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the
“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718):
Scope of Modification Accounting. ASU 2017-09 provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a
share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in accordance with Topic 718. The ASU is
effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this update will not have a material impact
on the Company’s financial reporting.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for
Goodwill Impairment. ASU 2017-04 removes Step 2 of the current goodwill impairment test under ASC 350 and replaces it
with a simplified model. Under the simplified model, a goodwill impairment will be calculated as the difference between the
carrying amount of a reporting unit and its fair value, but not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The amount of any
impairment under the simplified model may differ from what would have been recognized under the two-step test. The ASU
is effective for annual and any interim impairment tests performed for periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early
adoption permitted. The provisions of ASU 2017-04 would not have affected the Company’s last goodwill impairment
assessment, but no assurance can be provided that the simplified testing methodology will not affect the Company’s goodwill
impairment assessment in the future.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a
Business. The purpose of the amendment is to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to
assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or
businesses. The amendments in ASU 2017-01 are effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of 2018. The
adoption of this update has not had an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as no asset acquisitions or
business combinations have occurred since the effective date.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash
Receipts and Cash Payments. The guidance clarifies the way in which certain cash receipts and cash payments should be
classified on the statement of cash flows and also how the predominance principle should be applied when cash receipts and
cash payments have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for the Company beginning in
the first quarter of 2018. The adoption of this update will not have a material impact on the classification of any cash flows
within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to
Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The updated guidance changes how companies account for certain aspects of
share-based payment awards to employees, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax
withholding requirements, as well as the classification of related matters in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 was
effective beginning in the first quarter of 2017. The Company prospectively records a deferred tax benefit or expense
associated with the difference between book and tax for equity-based compensation expense, which is expected to result in
increased volatility to the Company’s income tax expense. The Company also established an accounting policy election to
assume zero forfeitures for stock award grants and account for forfeitures when they occur, which prospectively impacts
stock compensation expense. Other aspects of the adoption of ASU 2016-09 did not have a material impact on the Company’s
consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to record most of
their leases on the balance sheet, which will be recognized as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. The Company will be
required to classify each separate lease component as an operating or finance lease at the lease commencement date. Initial
measurement of the right-of-use asset and lease liability is the same for operating and finance leases, however, expense
recognition and amortization of the right-of-use asset differs. Operating leases will reflect lease expense on a straight-line
basis similar to current operating leases. The straight-line expense will reflect the interest expense on the lease liability
(effective interest method) and amortization of the right-of-use asset, which will be presented as a single line item in the
operating expense section of the income statement. Finance leases will reflect a front-loaded expense pattern similar to the
pattern for current capital leases. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the first quarter of 2019, with early adoption permitted. The
Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
F-15
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09
provides new guidance related to how an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services
to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods
or services. The new standard provides a single principles-based, five step model to be applied to all contracts with customers.
The steps are as follows: (1) identify the contract(s) with the customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract,
(3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (5)
recognize revenue when each performance obligation is satisfied. The updated guidance also requires additional disclosures
regarding the nature, timing and any uncertainty regarding potential revenue recognition. The Company adopted ASU 2014-
09 as of January 1, 2018 using the full retrospective method which requires the adjustment of all prior periods presented to
reflect the impacts of the updated guidance. The adoption results in the deferral of all business installation revenues and
residential and business commission expenses over a period of time instead of immediate recognition. The adoption of the
new standard will not have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
3. NEWWAVE ACQUISITION
Effective January 18, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire NewWave from funds affiliated with GTCR
LLC. NewWave was a cable operator providing data, video and voice services to residential and business customers
throughout non-urban areas of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Texas. Cable One and
NewWave shared similar strategies, customer demographics, and products. Accordingly, the acquisition of NewWave offers
the Company opportunities for revenue growth and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
(“Adjusted EBITDA”) margin expansion as well as the potential to realize cost synergies. The Company paid a purchase
price of $740.2 million in cash and completed the transaction on May 1, 2017. See Note 8 for details regarding the financing
of the acquisition.
The Company accounted for the NewWave acquisition as a business combination pursuant to ASC 805 – Business
Combinations. Accordingly, acquisition costs are not included as components of consideration transferred, and instead are
accounted for as expenses in the period in which the costs are incurred. During 2017, the Company incurred acquisition-
related costs of $5.9 million, which are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses within the Company’s
Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
In accordance with ASC 805, the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to assign fair value to the tangible and
intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The adjustments described below were developed
based on management's assumptions and estimates, including assumptions relating to the consideration paid and the allocation
to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from NewWave based on preliminary estimates of fair value. The preliminary
estimates of the fair values of consideration transferred and assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on the
information available as of the acquisition date.
Subsequent to the initial estimates in the second quarter of 2017, the Company recorded certain measurement period
adjustments to the fair value of certain acquired assets and assumed liabilities. These adjustments were based on information
obtained during the measurement period and have been properly reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as
of December 31, 2017. The Company will continue to obtain information to assist in finalizing the purchase price allocation
to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which is not expected to differ materially from the amounts below.
F-16
The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase price consideration (in thousands):
Original
Estimate
Measurement
Period
Adjustments
Purchase Price
Allocation
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents .................................................................. $
Accounts receivable ...........................................................................
Prepaid assets .....................................................................................
Property, plant and equipment ............................................................
Intangibles ..........................................................................................
Other assets ........................................................................................
Total ...................................................................................................
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities ............................................
Deferred revenue ................................................................................
Deferred income taxes ........................................................................
Total ...................................................................................................
12,220 $
15,027
1,184
192,234
476,300
370
697,335
24,542
14,516
10,720
49,778
Net assets acquired ...........................................................................
Purchase price consideration ..............................................................
Goodwill recognized ......................................................................... $
647,557
741,003
93,446 $
Acquired intangible assets consist of the following (dollars in thousands):
- $
-
1,102
-
-
814
1,916
583
-
(4,076)
(3,493)
5,409
(837)
(6,246) $
12,220
15,027
2,286
192,234
476,300
1,184
699,251
25,125
14,516
6,644
46,285
652,966
740,166
87,200
Original
Estimate
Measurement
Period
Adjustment (1) Fair Value
Weighted
Average
Useful Life
(in years)
Franchise agreements ........................................... $
Customer relationships ......................................... $
Trademarks and trade names ................................ $
______________
(1) Relates to an assumption change in the original valuation of certain acquired intangible assets based on better information
320,000 $
155,000 $
1,300 $
315,000
160,000
1,300
Indefinite
14.0
2.7
(5,000 ) $
5,000 $
- $
regarding customer attrition rates that was determinable at the time of the acquisition.
The total weighted average amortization period for the acquired intangibles is 13.9 years.
The acquisition produced $87.2 million of goodwill, increasing the Company’s goodwill balance to $172.1 million. Goodwill
represents the excess of the purchase price consideration over the fair value of the underlying net assets acquired and largely
results from expected future synergies from combining operations as well as an assembled workforce, which does not qualify
for separate recognition. As an indefinite-lived asset, goodwill is not amortized but rather is subject to impairment testing on
at least an annual basis. Goodwill arising from the NewWave acquisition is deductible for tax purposes.
The Company recognized revenues of $127.3 million and net income of $7.7 million during 2017 relating to the NewWave
operations, which included charges for the amortization of acquired intangible assets of $7.9 million.
F-17
The following unaudited pro forma combined results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 have
been prepared as if the acquisition of NewWave had occurred on January 1, 2016 and include adjustments for depreciation
and amortization expense of $0.6 million and $0.4 million, interest expense from financing of $2.2 million and $6.0 million,
non-recurring acquisition-related costs of $13.6 million and zero and the related aggregate impact on the income tax provision
(benefit) of $1.2 million and $7.5 million for 2017 and 2016, respectively (in thousands, except per share data):
Revenues ......................................................................................................................... $
Net income ...................................................................................................................... $
Net income per common share:
Basic ........................................................................................................................... $
Diluted ........................................................................................................................ $
(Unaudited)
Year Ended December 31,
2017
1,023,945 $
235,809 $
2016
1,001,246
89,121
41.52 $
41.03 $
15.52
15.44
The pro forma combined results of operations is provided for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative
of or intended to represent the results that would have been achieved had the NewWave acquisition been consummated as of
January 1, 2016 or the results that may be achieved in the future.
4. REVENUES
The Company’s revenues by product line were as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
2016
2017
2015
Residential
Data ................................................................................................. $
Video ..............................................................................................
Voice ...............................................................................................
Business services ................................................................................
Advertising sales ................................................................................
Other ...................................................................................................
Total revenues .................................................................................... $
414,525 $
332,536
43,733
131,155
24,824
13,256
960,029 $
344,184 $
294,781
42,949
100,311
27,496
9,904
819,625 $
294,486
332,716
50,148
88,741
31,034
10,141
807,266
5. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
Accounts receivable consisted of the following (in thousands):
Accounts receivable, net .................................................................................................. $
Other receivables .............................................................................................................
Total accounts receivable, net ......................................................................................... $
47,404 $
3,737
51,141 $
29,447
3,602
33,049
The changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts were as follows (in thousands):
As of December 31,
2017
2016
Balance at
Beginning
of
Period
Additions –
Charged to
Costs and
Expenses (1) Deductions
Balance at
End of
Period
2017 .............................................................................................. $
2016 .............................................................................................. $
2015 .............................................................................................. $
______________
(1) Additions for 2017 include a $1.1 million allowance for doubtful accounts assumed as part of the NewWave acquisition.
(3,554) $
(2,675) $
(3,051) $
4,925 $
2,316 $
3,294 $
505 $
864 $
621 $
1,876
505
864
F-18
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
As of December 31,
2017
2016
Accounts payable ............................................................................................................ $
Programming costs ..........................................................................................................
Accrued compensation and related benefits ....................................................................
Accrued sales and other operating taxes..........................................................................
Cash overdrafts ................................................................................................................
Franchise fees ..................................................................................................................
Subscriber deposits ..........................................................................................................
Customer refunds ............................................................................................................
Accrued insurance costs ..................................................................................................
Other accrued expenses ...................................................................................................
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities ............................................................. $
21,670 $
19,500
35,363
6,113
8,994
4,457
6,540
3,498
3,312
8,516
117,963 $
17,079
13,787
18,084
4,747
7,980
4,196
5,289
1,852
3,561
6,128
82,703
6.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
Cable distribution systems ............................................................................................... $
Customer premise equipment ..........................................................................................
Other equipment and fixtures ..........................................................................................
Buildings and leasehold improvements ...........................................................................
Capitalized software ........................................................................................................
Construction in progress ..................................................................................................
Land.................................................................................................................................
Total property, plant and equipment ............................................................................
Less accumulated depreciation ........................................................................................
Property, plant and equipment, net .............................................................................. $
As of December 31,
2017
1,329,451 $
200,175
378,968
95,314
89,773
67,564
11,585
2,172,830
(1,340,938 )
831,892 $
2016
1,098,976
181,852
359,957
88,592
83,815
64,822
9,612
1,887,626
(1,244,711)
642,915
The cable industry is capital intensive, and a significant portion of the Company’s resources are spent on capital activities
associated with extending, rebuilding, and upgrading the Company’s cable network. For the years ended December 31, 2017,
2016 and 2015, cash paid for property, plant and equipment was $175.2 million, $147.0 million and $161.8 million,
respectively.
Depreciation expense was $173.6 million, $147.7 million and $144.4 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The Company's previous headquarters building and adjoining property were held for sale at December 31, 2016. In January
2017, the Company sold a portion of this property for $10.1 million in gross proceeds and recognized a related gain of $6.6
million. The remaining property’s carrying value of $4.6 million is included in Other assets in the Consolidated Balance
Sheet as assets held for sale at December 31, 2017.
The prior year amounts above have been revised from previously reported amounts. The 2016 balance for cable distribution
systems increased by $50.2 million and accumulated depreciation increased by $26.9 million. Refer to Note 2 for further
discussion.
7. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The carrying amount of goodwill at December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $172.1 million and $84.9 million, respectively. During
2017, we recognized goodwill of $87.2 million related to the NewWave acquisition. During 2016, we sold the assets of a
cable system, which resulted in disposed goodwill of $0.6 million. The Company has not historically recorded any impairment
of goodwill.
F-19
Intangible assets (excluding goodwill) consisted of the following (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2017
Useful Life
Range
(in years)
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Carrying
Amount
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Cable franchise renewals and access rights .....................................
Customer relationships ....................................................................
Trademarks and trade names ...........................................................
Total Finite-Lived Intangible Assets ...................................................
1 – 25
14
2.7
$
4,138 $
160,000
1,300
$ 165,438 $
3,886 $
252
7,619 152,381
975
11,830 $ 153,608
325
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Franchise agreements .......................................................................
$ 812,137
December 31, 2016
Useful Life
Range
(in years)
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Carrying
Amount
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Cable franchise renewals and access rights .....................................
1 – 25
$
4,138 $
3,794 $
344
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Franchise agreements .......................................................................
$ 497,136
Amortization of intangible assets was $8.0 million in 2017 and less than $0.1 million in both 2016 and 2015.
As of December 31, 2017, the future amortization of intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):
Year Ending December 31,
2018 ................................................................................................................................................................. $
2019 .................................................................................................................................................................
2020 .................................................................................................................................................................
2021 .................................................................................................................................................................
2022 .................................................................................................................................................................
Thereafter ........................................................................................................................................................
Total ......................................................................................................................................................... $
Amount
11,999
11,994
11,477
11,448
11,437
95,253
153,608
8.
LONG-TERM DEBT
Senior Unsecured Notes. On June 17, 2015, the Company issued $450 million aggregate principal amount of 5.75% senior
unsecured notes due 2022 (the “Notes”). The Notes mature on June 15, 2022 and interest is payable on June 15th and
December 15th of each year.
The Notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or
the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or
an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws.
The Notes were offered in the United States only to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance
on the exemption from registration set forth in Rule 144A under the Securities Act and outside the United States to non-U.S.
persons in reliance on the exemption from registration set forth in Regulation S under the Securities Act.
The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture (the “Indenture”) dated as of June 17, 2015. The Indenture provides for early
redemption of the Notes, at the option of the Company, at the prices and subject to the terms specified in the Indenture. The
Indenture includes certain covenants relating to debt incurrence, liens, restricted payments, asset sales and transactions with
affiliates, changes in control and mergers or sales of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets. The Indenture also
provides for customary events of default (subject, in certain cases, to customary grace periods).
The Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis (the “Guarantees”) by each of the Company’s
subsidiaries that guaranteed the Senior Credit Facilities (as defined below) (the “Guarantors”). In addition, if a subsidiary of
the Company becomes a guarantor in respect of the Senior Credit Facilities or certain other indebtedness, it is required to
F-20
provide (subject to customary exceptions) a Guarantee in respect of the Notes. The Notes are unsecured and senior obligations
of the Company. The Guarantees are unsecured and senior obligations of the Guarantors.
At the option of the Company, the Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at any time prior to June 15, 2018 at a price
equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but excluding) the
redemption date plus a “make-whole” premium. The Company may also redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time
on or after June 15, 2018 at the redemption prices specified in the Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but
excluding) the redemption date.
Additionally, at any time prior to June 15, 2018, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of
the Notes with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at a price equal to 105.75% of the principal amount of the
Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but excluding) the redemption date.
The Indenture includes certain covenants relating to debt incurrence, liens, restricted payments, assets sales and transactions
with affiliates, changes in control and mergers or sales of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets. The Indenture also
provides for customary events of default (subject, in certain cases, to customary grace periods), which include nonpayment
on the Notes, breach of covenants in the Indenture, payment defaults or acceleration of other indebtedness over a specified
threshold, failure to pay certain judgments over a specified threshold and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency.
Generally, if an event of default occurs, the Trustee under the Indenture or holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal
amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the principal of, and accrued but unpaid interest, if any, on the then
outstanding Notes to be due and payable immediately.
Senior Credit Facilities. On June 30, 2015, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) among
the Company, as borrower, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”), as administrative agent,
and the other agents party thereto. The Credit Agreement provided for a five-year revolving credit facility in an aggregate
principal amount of $200 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and a five-year term loan facility in an aggregate principal
amount of $100 million (the “Term Loan Facility” and, together with the Revolving Credit Facility, the “Original Credit
Facilities”). Concurrently with its entry into the Credit Agreement, the Company borrowed the full amount of the Term Loan
Facility (the “Term Loan”).
Borrowings under the Original Credit Facilities bore interest, at the Company’s option, at a rate per annum determined by
reference to either the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or an adjusted base rate, in each case plus an applicable
interest rate margin. The applicable interest rate margin with respect to LIBOR borrowings was a rate per annum between
1.50% and 2.25% and the applicable interest rate margin with respect to adjusted base rate borrowings was a rate per annum
between 0.50% and 1.25%, in each case determined on a quarterly basis by reference to a pricing grid based upon the
Company’s total net leverage ratio. In addition, the Company is required to pay commitment fees on any unused portion of
the Revolving Credit Facility at a rate between 0.25% per annum and 0.40% per annum, determined by reference to the
pricing grid.
The Revolving Credit Facility also gives the Company the ability to issue letters of credit, which reduce the amount available
for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility. Letter of credit issuances under the Revolving Credit Facility of $3.1
million at December 31, 2017 were held for the benefit of certain general and liability insurance matters and bore interest at
a rate of 1.88% per annum at December 31, 2017. The Company had $196.9 million available for borrowing under the
Revolving Credit Facility at December 31, 2017.
On May 1, 2017, the Company entered into a Restatement Agreement (the “Restatement Agreement”) with JPMorgan, as
administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, pursuant to which the Company amended and restated the Credit
Agreement (as so amended and restated, the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”) and incurred $750 million of senior
secured loans (the “New Loans”) which were used, together with cash on hand, to (i) finance the transactions contemplated
by the Agreement and Plan of Merger relating to the NewWave acquisition, (ii) repay in full the Term Loan and (iii) pay
related fees and expenses.
The New Loans consist of (a) a five-year incremental term “A” loan in an aggregate principal amount of $250 million (the
“Term Loan A”) and (b) a seven-year incremental term “B” loan in an aggregate principal amount of $500 million (the “Term
Loan B” and, together with the Term Loan A and the Revolving Credit Facility, the “Senior Credit Facilities”). The
obligations under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries
and are secured, subject to certain exceptions, by substantially all assets of the Company and the Guarantors.
F-21
The interest margins applicable to the New Loans under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are, at the Company’s
option, equal to either LIBOR or a base rate, plus an applicable margin equal to, (x) with respect to the Term Loan A, 1.50%
to 2.25% for LIBOR loans and 0.50% to 1.25% for base rate loans, determined on a quarterly basis by reference to a pricing
grid based on the Company’s total net leverage ratio and (y) with respect to the Term Loan B, 2.25% for LIBOR loans and
1.25% for base rate loans. The Term Loan A may be prepaid at any time without premium and amortizes quarterly at a rate
(expressed as a percentage of the original principal amount) of 2.5% per annum for the first year after funding, 5.0% per
annum for the second year after funding, 7.5% per annum for the third year after funding and 10.0% per annum for the fourth
and fifth years after funding, with the outstanding balance due upon maturity. The Term Loan B amortizes quarterly at a rate
(expressed as a percentage of the original principal amount) of 1.0% per annum, with the balance due upon maturity. The
Term Loan B is subject to a 1.0% prepayment penalty if prepaid within six months of funding, benefits from certain “most
favored nation” pricing protections and is not subject to the financial maintenance covenants under the Amended and Restated
Credit Agreement. Other than as set forth above, the New Loans are subject to terms substantially similar to those under the
Credit Agreement.
The Company may, subject to the terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, obtain additional
credit facilities of up to $425 million under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement plus an unlimited amount so long
as, on a pro forma basis, the Company’s First Lien Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement) is no greater than 1.80 to 1.00. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains customary representations,
warranties and affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on indebtedness, liens, restricted payments,
prepayments of certain indebtedness, investments, dispositions of assets, restrictions on subsidiary distributions and negative
pledge clauses, fundamental changes, transactions with affiliates and amendments to organizational documents. The
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement also requires the Company to maintain specified ratios of total net leverage and
first lien net leverage to consolidated operating cash flow. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement also contains
customary events of default, including non-payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts, material inaccuracy of any
representation or warranty, failure to observe or perform any covenant, default in respect of other material debt of the
Company and of its restricted subsidiaries, bankruptcy or insolvency, the entry against the Company or any of its restricted
subsidiaries of a material judgment, the occurrence of certain ERISA events, impairment of the loan documentation and the
occurrence of a change of control.
The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants as of December 31, 2017.
As of December 31, 2017, outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan A and Term Loan B were $246.9 million and $497.5
million, and bore interest at a rate of 3.45% per annum and 3.95% per annum, respectively.
In connection with the New Loans, the Company incurred $15.2 million of debt issuance costs and wrote off $0.6 million of
existing unamortized debt issuance costs during 2017. The Company recorded $3.2 million, $1.6 million and $0.9 million of
debt issuance cost amortization for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These amounts are
reflected in Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Unamortized debt
issuance costs totaled $19.6 million and $8.1 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The carrying amount of long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
Notes ............................................................................................................................... $
Senior Credit Facilities ....................................................................................................
Capital lease obligation ...................................................................................................
Total debt .....................................................................................................................
Less unamortized debt issuance costs .............................................................................
Less current portion long-term debt ................................................................................
Total long-term debt .................................................................................................... $
450,000 $
744,375
267
1,194,642
(19,585 )
(14,375 )
1,160,682 $
450,000
95,000
284
545,284
(8,148)
(6,250)
530,886
As of December 31,
2017
2016
F-22
As of December 31, 2017, the future maturities of long-term debt were as follows (in thousands):
Year Ending December 31,
2018 ................................................................................................................................................................. $
2019 .................................................................................................................................................................
2020 .................................................................................................................................................................
2021 .................................................................................................................................................................
2022 .................................................................................................................................................................
Thereafter ........................................................................................................................................................
Total ......................................................................................................................................................... $
Amount
14,375
20,642
26,892
30,017
180,017
922,699
1,194,642
9.
INCOME TAXES
In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”) was enacted. The 2017 Tax Act includes a number of
changes to existing U.S. tax laws that impact the Company, most notably a reduction of the U.S. corporate income tax rate
from 35% to 21% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. The 2017 Tax Act also provides the acceleration of
depreciation for certain assets placed into service after September 27, 2017.
The 2017 Tax Act provides for an immediate deduction of 100% of the costs incurred to acquire qualified property placed in
service during the period from September 27, 2017 to December 31, 2022. The amount of accelerated depreciation will begin
to phase down by 20% per year beginning January 1, 2023 and will be completely phased out as of January 1, 2027.
The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that will apply in the years in which the
temporary differences are expected to be recovered or paid. The tax rate change, along with changes in tax basis resulting
from the 2017 Tax Act, resulted in a $113.0 million decrease in income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2017
and a corresponding $113.0 million decrease in net deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2017.
The Company recognized the income tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act in its 2017 financial statements in accordance with Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 118, which provides SEC staff guidance for the application of ASC 740 – Income Taxes, in the
reporting period in which the 2017 Tax Act was signed into law. As such, the Company’s financial results reflect the income
tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete as well as provisional amounts for those
specific income tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is incomplete but a reasonable
estimate could be determined. The Company has recognized the provisional tax impacts related to acceleration of depreciation
and the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and included these amounts in its consolidated financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 2017. The ultimate impact may differ from these provisional amounts, possibly materially,
due to, among other things, additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions the Company has made, additional
regulatory guidance that may be issued and actions the Company may take as a result of the 2017 Tax Act. The accounting
is expected to be complete when the Company’s 2017 U.S. corporate income tax return is filed in 2018.
The income tax provision (benefit) consisted of the following (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, 2017
U.S. Federal ........................................................................................ $
State and local ....................................................................................
Total ................................................................................................ $
37,975 $
4,156
42,131 $
(90,396) $
4,038
(86,358) $
(52,421 )
8,194
(44,227 )
Current
Deferred
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2016
U.S. Federal ........................................................................................ $
State and local ....................................................................................
Total ................................................................................................ $
56,564 $
6,688
63,252 $
(1,750) $
660
(1,090) $
Year Ended December 31, 2015
U.S. Federal ........................................................................................ $
State and local ....................................................................................
Total ................................................................................................ $
60,201 $
7,310
67,511 $
(11,552) $
(526)
(12,078) $
54,814
7,348
62,162
48,649
6,784
55,433
F-23
The income tax provision (benefit) is different than the amount of income tax determined by applying the U.S. Federal
statutory rate of 35% to income before income taxes as a result of the following (in thousands):
U.S. Federal taxes at statutory rate ..................................................... $
State and local taxes, net of U.S. Federal tax .....................................
Benefit from remeasurement of deferred taxes due to 2017 Tax Act .
Other, net ............................................................................................
Income tax provision (benefit) ........................................................... $
66,430 $
5,477
(113,045)
(3,089)
(44,227) $
57,142 $
4,052
-
968
62,162 $
51,539
3,861
-
33
55,433
Year Ended December 31,
2016
2017
2015
The net deferred income tax liability consisted of the following (in thousands):
As of December 31,
2017
2016
Other benefit obligations ................................................................................................. $
Equity-based compensation .............................................................................................
Accounts receivable ........................................................................................................
Net operating losses ........................................................................................................
Other ................................................................................................................................
Deferred tax assets .......................................................................................................
Property, plant and equipment .........................................................................................
Goodwill and other intangible assets ...............................................................................
Accrued bonus .................................................................................................................
Deferred tax liabilities .................................................................................................
Net deferred income tax liability .............................................................................. $
5,779 $
4,711
262
2,992
765
14,509
95,345
123,745
1,055
220,145
205,636 $
9,118
5,041
192
-
555
14,906
133,987
166,268
-
300,255
285,349
The Company has not established valuation allowances against any U.S. Federal or state deferred tax assets.
There were $2.7 million of tax-effected U.S. Federal tax net operating losses available for carryforward at December 31,
2017, which were generated by NewWave prior to the acquisition and have expiration dates through 2036. The use of pre-
acquisition operating losses is subject to limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The
Company does not anticipate that these limitations will affect utilization of the carryforwards prior to their expiration. The
Company had $0.3 million of tax-effected state tax net operating loss carryforwards at December 31, 2017 with varying
expiration dates through 2036.
Before the spin-off, the Company was included in consolidated U.S. Federal and Arizona corporate income tax returns filed
by GHC, and also filed in various other state and local governmental jurisdictions. The U.S. Federal tax return filing is
considered the only major tax jurisdiction. The statute of limitations has expired on all GHC consolidated U.S. Federal
corporate income tax returns filed through 2013, with the exception of an issue that does not involve the Company. The
Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed its examination of tax year 2013 and GHC received a refund check; however,
the statute of limitations for tax year 2013 was extended through July 31, 2018.
The Company endeavors to comply with tax laws and regulations where it does business, but cannot guarantee that, if
challenged, the Company’s interpretation of all relevant tax laws and regulations will prevail and that all tax benefits recorded
in the consolidated financial statements will ultimately be recognized in full. The Company has taken reasonable efforts to
address uncertain tax positions and has determined that there are no material transactions and no material tax positions taken
by the Company that would fail to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold for recognizing transactions or tax positions in
the consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the Company has not recorded a reserve for uncertain tax positions in the
consolidated financial statements, and the Company does not expect any significant tax increase or decrease to occur within
the next 12 months with respect to any transactions or tax positions taken and reflected in the consolidated financial
statements. In making these determinations, the Company presumes that taxing authorities pursuing examinations of the
Company’s compliance with tax law filing requirements will have full knowledge of all relevant information, and, if
necessary, the Company will pursue resolution of disputed tax positions by appeals or litigation. The Company classifies
interest and penalties, if applicable, associated with any uncertain tax positions as a component of Interest expense in its
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
The prior year amounts above have been revised from previously reported amounts. Refer to Note 2 for further discussion.
F-24
10. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company’s deferred compensation liabilities were $20.2 million and $18.2 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016,
respectively. These liabilities are included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (for the current portion) and Accrued
compensation and other liabilities (for the noncurrent portion) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These liabilities represent
the market value of participants’ balances in a notional investment account that is comprised primarily of mutual funds, which
is based on observable market prices. However, since the deferred compensation obligations are not exchanged in an active
market, they are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on deferred
compensation are included in income from operations.
The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s money market and commercial paper investments and long-term debt
(including the current portion) as of December 31, 2017 were as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2017
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Assets:
Money market investments .......................................................................................... $
Commercial paper ........................................................................................................ $
32,246 $
114,830 $
Long-term debt, including current portion:
Notes ............................................................................................................................ $
Senior Credit Facilities ................................................................................................ $
450,000 $
744,375 $
32,246
114,767
464,625
744,375
Money market investments are included in Cash and cash equivalents in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Commercial paper
investments with original maturities of 90 days or less are also included in Cash and cash equivalents. These investments are
primarily held in U.S. Treasury securities and registered money market funds. These investments were valued using a market
approach based on the quoted market prices of the money market investments (Level 1) or inputs that include quoted market
prices for investments similar to the commercial paper (Level 2). The fair value of the Notes was estimated based on market
prices in active markets (Level 2). The fair value of the Senior Credit Facilities is equal to the carrying value.
11. TREASURY STOCK
Share Repurchase Program. On July 1, 2015, the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) authorized up to $250 million
of share repurchases (subject to a total cap of 600,000 shares of Company common stock). Purchases under the share
repurchase program may be made from time to time on the open market and in privately negotiated transactions. The size
and timing of these purchases are based on a number of factors, including share price and business and market conditions.
Since the inception of the share repurchase program through December 31, 2017, the Company had repurchased 165,833
shares at an aggregate cost of $73.3 million. In 2017, the Company repurchased 900 shares at an aggregate cost of $0.5
million.
Tax Withholding for Equity Awards. Treasury stock is recorded at cost and is presented as a reduction of stockholders’
equity in the consolidated financial statements. Shares of common stock with a fair market value equal to the applicable
statutory minimum amount of the employee withholding taxes due are withheld by the Company upon vesting of restricted
stock and exercises of stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) to pay the applicable statutory minimum amount of employee
withholding taxes and are considered common stock repurchases. The Company then pays the applicable statutory minimum
amount of withholding taxes in cash. The amount remitted during 2017 was $5.0 million for which the Company withheld
7,010 shares of common stock. Treasury shares of 156,457 held at December 31, 2017 include such shares withheld for
withholding tax.
12. EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION
Prior to the spin-off, certain of the Company’s employees participated in an equity-based incentive compensation plan
maintained by GHC for the benefit of certain officers, directors and employees. Equity-based awards issued to employees
included non-qualified stock options and restricted stock awards.
On June 5, 2015, the Board adopted the Cable One, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Original 2015
Plan”), which became effective July 1, 2015. On May 2, 2017, the Company’s stockholders approved the Amended and
Restated Cable One, Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2015 Plan”), which automatically terminated,
replaced and superseded the Original 2015 Plan, except that any outstanding awards granted under the Original 2015 Plan
F-25
will remain in effect pursuant to their terms. The 2015 Plan is designed to promote the interests of the Company and its
stockholders by providing the employees and directors of the Company with incentives and rewards to encourage them to
continue in the service of the Company and with a proprietary interest in pursuing the long-term growth, profitability and
financial success of the Company. Any of the directors, officers and employees of the Company and its affiliates are eligible
to be granted one or more of the following types of awards under the 2015 Plan: (1) incentive stock options, (2) non-qualified
stock options, (3) restricted stock awards, (4) SARs, (5) restricted stock units (“RSUs”), (6) cash-based awards, (7)
performance-based awards, (8) dividend equivalent rights and (9) other stock-based awards, including, without limitation,
performance stock units and deferred stock units. Unless the 2015 Plan is sooner terminated by the Board, no awards may be
granted under the 2015 Plan after May 2, 2027.
The 2015 Plan provides that, subject to certain adjustments for specified corporate events, the maximum number of shares of
Company common stock that may be issued under the 2015 Plan is 334,870, which is equal to the number of remaining shares
of Company common stock available for future issuance under the Original 2015 Plan as of May 2, 2017, regardless of
whether such shares were subject to outstanding awards as of such date, and no more than 329,962 shares may be issued
pursuant to incentive stock options. At December 31, 2017, 302,827 shares were available for issuance under the 2015 Plan.
Total equity-based compensation expense recognized was $10.7 million, $12.3 million and $9.2 million for 2017, 2016 and
2015, respectively, and was included in Selling, general and administrative expenses within the Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Comprehensive Income. The Company recognized an income tax benefit of $3.4 million related to equity-
based awards during 2017. The deferred tax asset related to all outstanding equity-based awards was $4.7 million as of
December 31, 2017.
Restricted Stock Awards. The Company has granted restricted shares of Company common stock subject to service-based
and performance-based vesting conditions to employees of the Company. Restricted share awards generally cliff-vest on the
three-year anniversary of the grant date or in four equal ratable installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant
date (generally subject to the holder’s continued employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date), except
in the case of awards made to individuals (i) whose equity awards issued by GHC were forfeited in connection with the
Company’s spin-off from GHC (the “Replacement Shares”), which Replacement Shares vested on December 12, 2016 (with
certain exceptions as provided in the applicable award agreement), or (ii) who did not receive an equity award from GHC in
2015 in anticipation of the spin-off (the “Staking Shares”), which Staking Shares cliff-vested on January 2,
2018. Performance-based restricted shares are or were subject to performance metrics related primarily to year-over-year or
three-year cumulative growth in Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures or year-over-year growth in Adjusted EBITDA
and capital expenditures as a percentage of total revenues. Restricted shares are subject to the terms and conditions of the
Original 2015 Plan or the 2015 Plan (in the case of awards made on or following May 2, 2017) and are otherwise subject to
the terms and conditions of the applicable award agreement.
The current compensation arrangements for the Company’s non-employee directors provided that each non-employee
director is entitled to an annual retainer of $75,000 in cash, plus an additional annual cash retainer for each non-employee
director who serves as a committee chair or as lead independent director and approximately $125,000 in RSUs. Such RSUs
will generally be granted on the date of the Company’s annual stockholders’ meeting and will vest on the earlier of the first
anniversary of the grant date or the annual stockholders’ meeting date immediately following the grant date, subject to the
director’s continued service through such vesting date. Settlement of such RSUs will be in the form of one share of the
Company’s common stock and will follow vesting, unless the director has previously elected to defer such settlement until
his or her separation from service from the Board. Non-employee directors may elect to defer their annual retainer and receive
RSUs in lieu of annual cash fees. Such RSU awards granted on January 3, 2018 will vest in full on the date immediately
preceding the date of the 2018 annual stockholders’ meeting date and future awards will vest on the date immediately
preceding the date of the annual stockholders’ meeting immediately following the grant date, subject to the director’s
continued service through such vesting date. Any dividends associated with RSUs granted prior to the 2017 annual grant of
RSUs will be converted into Dividend Equivalent Units (“DEUs”), which will be delivered at the time of settlement of the
associated RSUs. Commencing with the 2017 annual grant of RSUs, dividends associated with RSUs will be paid out in cash
at the time of settlement. As of December 31, 2017, 3,182 RSUs, including DEUs, were vested and deferred.
F-26
Restricted shares, RSUs and DEUs are collectively referred to as “restricted stock.” A summary of restricted stock activities
is as follows:
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Per Share
Restricted
Stock
Outstanding as of December 31, 2014 ...........................................................................................
Granted ...........................................................................................................................................
Outstanding as of December 31, 2015 ...........................................................................................
Granted ...........................................................................................................................................
Forfeited .........................................................................................................................................
Vested ............................................................................................................................................
Outstanding as of December 31, 2016 ...........................................................................................
Granted ...........................................................................................................................................
Granted due to performance achievement ......................................................................................
Forfeited .........................................................................................................................................
Vested ............................................................................................................................................
Outstanding as of December 31, 2017 ...........................................................................................
- $
39,744 $
39,744 $
10,369 $
(1,343) $
(10,345) $
38,425 $
17,245 $
5,006 $
(6,223) $
(3,163) $
51,290 $
-
383.18
383.18
454.75
389.33
383.61
402.13
633.34
433.66
469.23
415.39
472.89
Vested and unissued as of December 31, 2017 ..............................................................................
5,368 $
418.55
Compensation expense associated with restricted stock is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, with
forfeitures recognized as incurred. Equity-based compensation expense for restricted stock was $7.5 million, $9.4 million
and $3.9 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. At December 31, 2017, there was $6.6 million of unrecognized
compensation expense related to restricted stock, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.8
years.
In connection with the spin-off, GHC modified the terms of 10,830 restricted stock awards in the second quarter of 2015
affecting certain Cable One employees. The modification resulted in the acceleration of the vesting period of 6,324 restricted
stock awards and the forfeiture of 4,506 restricted stock awards. The Company recorded $3.7 million of incremental stock
compensation expense, net of forfeitures, related to such awards during the second quarter of 2015.
Stock Appreciation Rights. The Company has granted SARs to certain executives and other employees of the Company.
The SARs are scheduled to vest in four equal ratable installments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date
(generally subject to the holder’s continued employment with the Company through the applicable vesting date). The SARs
are subject to the terms and conditions of the Original 2015 Plan or the 2015 Plan (in the case of awards made on or following
May 2, 2017) and will otherwise be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable award agreement.
A summary of SAR activity is as follows:
Outstanding as of December 31, 2014 .............
Granted .............................................................
Outstanding as of December 31, 2015 .............
Granted .............................................................
Forfeited ...........................................................
Outstanding as of December 31, 2016 .............
Granted .............................................................
Exercised ..........................................................
Forfeited ...........................................................
Outstanding as of December 31, 2017 .............
Vested and exercisable as of December 31,
2017 ...............................................................
Stock
Appreciation
Rights
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Fair
Value
- $
135,600 $
135,600 $
6,100 $
(5,700) $
136,000 $
24,432 $
(41,603) $
(16,371) $
102,458 $
- $
422.31 $
422.31 $
522.50 $
422.31 $
426.80 $
632.15 $
424.02 $
422.31 $
477.62 $
- $
87.22 $
87.22 $
106.15 $
87.22
88.07 $
140.44 $
87.54
87.22
100.91 $
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(in years)
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)
-
-
1,539
-
26,510
-
23,173
8.7
9.1
8.1
21,351 $
426.13 $
87.95 $
5,919
7.7
F-27
The fair value of the SARs was measured based on the Black-Scholes model. The weighted average inputs used in the model
for grants awarded during 2017, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
Expected volatility .............................................................................
Risk-free interest rate ........................................................................
Expected term (in years) ....................................................................
Expected dividend yield ....................................................................
20.83%
2.13%
6.25
0.95%
21.63 %
1.39 %
6.25
1.16 %
24.00 %
1.75 %
6.25
1.45 %
2017
2016
2015
Compensation expense associated with SARs is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, with forfeitures
recognized as incurred. Equity-based compensation expense for SARs was $3.3 million, $2.9 million and $1.0 million for
2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. At December 31, 2017, there was $6.9 million of unrecognized compensation expense
related to SARs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.3 years.
The Black-Scholes model used to estimate the fair value of the Company’s SARs requires the input of highly subjective
assumptions, including the expected volatility of the price of the Company’s common stock, risk-free interest rates, the
expected term of the SARs and the expected dividend yield of the Company’s common stock. These estimates involve
inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment. If factors change and different assumptions are used,
the Company’s equity-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future. These assumptions are
determined as follows:
(cid:2) Fair Value of Common Stock — Valued by reference to the closing price of the Company’s publicly traded common
stock on the date of grant.
(cid:2) Expected Volatility — Prior to the spin-off the Company did not have a history of market prices for its common
stock, and since the spin-off it does not have what the Company considers a sufficient trading history for its common
stock to use historical market prices for its common stock to estimate volatility. Accordingly, the Company estimates
the expected stock price volatility for its common stock by using leverage-adjusted average volatilities of industry
peers based on daily price observations over a period equivalent to the expected term of the SAR grants. Industry
peers consist of public companies in the cable, satellite, and integrated telecommunication services industry similar
in size, stage of life cycle and financial leverage. The Company intends to continue to consistently apply this process
using the same or similar public companies until a sufficient amount of historical information regarding the volatility
of its own common stock share price becomes available.
(cid:2) Risk-Free Interest Rate — The risk-free interest rate assumption is based on the yields of U.S. Treasury securities
with maturities similar to the expected term of the SARs.
(cid:2) Expected Term — The expected term represents the period that the Company’s stock-based awards are expected to
be outstanding. Prior to the spin-off, the Company did not have stock-based awards specific to Cable One and
therefore did not have a history of the period that its stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding. Accordingly,
the expected terms of the awards are based on the simplified method which defines the term as the average of the
contractual term of the SARs and the weighted-average vesting period for all tranches.
(cid:2) Expected Dividend Yield — The Company expects to continue to pay quarterly dividends in the future and, as such,
the expected dividend yield is calculated as the expected future annual dividend divided by the Company’s closing
stock price on the grant date.
13. POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT PLANS
Pension Plans. Prior to the spin-off, certain of the Company’s employees participated in the retirement plan for Graham
Holdings Company (the “GHC Retirement Plan”) and GHC’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (collectively with the
GHC Retirement Plan, the “GHC Plans”). The total cost of the GHC Plans was actuarially determined and the Company
received an allocation of the service cost associated with the GHC Plans based upon actual benefits earned by the Company’s
employees. Also, prior to the spin-off, the Company’s employees participated in defined contribution plans sponsored by
GHC that allowed eligible employees to contribute a portion of their salary to the plans, and in some cases, a matching
contribution to the funds was provided. The amounts of expense allocated to the Company in 2015 related to these
multiemployer plans was $2.1 million for the GHC Plans and $0.3 million for the GHC-sponsored defined contribution plans,
and are reflected within Operating and Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of
Operations and Comprehensive Income.
F-28
The Company assumed full financial and reporting responsibility for the postemployment benefit plans offered to eligible
employees, other than the GHC Retirement Plan. The accumulated benefits of Company employees participating in GHC
sponsored plans other than the GHC Retirement Plan were transferred into corresponding Cable One sponsored plans. After
the spin-off, GHC continues to administer the GHC Retirement Plan, including making payments under the plan, with respect
to current and former Company employees with vested rights thereunder.
On June 5, 2015, the Board adopted the Cable One, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”), which
became effective as of July 1, 2015. The SERP includes a defined benefit portion (the “DB SERP”) and a defined contribution
portion (the “DC SERP”). Upon the spin-off, a $5.4 million long-term liability was transferred from GHC to the Company
representing the accumulated DB SERP and DC SERP liabilities of $4.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively. As the DB
SERP is unfunded, the Company makes contributions to the DB SERP based on actual benefit payments. Participant
contributions to the DC SERP continued through December 31, 2015; however, no Company contributions were earned by
DC SERP participants on or after July 1, 2015.
The following table sets forth obligation information for the DB SERP (in thousands):
As of December 31,
2017
2016
Benefit obligation at beginning of period ........................................................................ $
Interest cost .....................................................................................................................
Actuarial (gain) loss ........................................................................................................
Benefits paid ....................................................................................................................
Benefit obligation at end of period .................................................................................. $
5,125 $
196
(123 )
(11 )
5,187 $
5,124
209
(197)
(11)
5,125
The accumulated benefit obligation for the DB SERP at December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $5.2 million and $5.1 million,
respectively. The amounts recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the DB SERP were as follows (in thousands):
As of December 31,
2017
2016
Current asset (liability) .................................................................................................... $
Noncurrent asset (liability) ..............................................................................................
Recognized asset (liability) ............................................................................................. $
(323 ) $
(4,864 )
(5,187 ) $
(336)
(4,789)
(5,125)
Key assumptions utilized for determining the benefit obligation included the use of a discount rate of 3.56% and 3.95% for
2017 and 2016, respectively.
The Company recognized $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.1 million in DB SERP expense for 2017, 2016 and 2015,
respectively. Company contributions to the DB SERP were not material for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and
2015.
At December 31, 2017, future estimated benefit payments were as follows (in thousands):
2018 ............................................................................................................................................................. $
2019 .............................................................................................................................................................
2020 .............................................................................................................................................................
2021 .............................................................................................................................................................
2022 .............................................................................................................................................................
2023 – 2027 .................................................................................................................................................
Total ..................................................................................................................................................... $
329
327
324
322
320
1,555
3,177
DB SERP
The actuarial loss expected to be recognized during 2018 as a component of net periodic cost for the DB SERP is immaterial.
401(k) Plans. Prior to the spin-off, the Company’s employees participated in defined contribution plans (primarily 401(k)
plans) sponsored by GHC. On June 5, 2015, the Board also adopted the Cable One 401(k) Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”),
which allows for eligible employees to contribute a portion of their salary to the 401(k) Plan, and in some cases, a matching
contribution to the 401(k) Plan is made by the Company. The Company recorded matching contributions to the 401(k) Plan
of $3.1 million, $2.8 million and $1.2 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
F-29
Deferred Compensation. The Company has and may continue to enter into arrangements with certain current and former
executives and officers of the Company who desire to defer all or a portion of their annual cash-based incentives under the
Cable One, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan. Upon execution of the agreements, the Company transfers the deferred
incentive to a long-term liability. Market-based gains and losses are applied to the respective outstanding balances at each
reporting period such that market-based period gains represent additional compensation expense to the Company and market-
based losses represent a reduction of compensation expense.
In addition, prior to the spin-off, the Company’s former CEO was granted a special deferred compensation award in
recognition of his efforts in growing the Company. Annual payouts under this arrangement will commence when he separates
service with the Company, which occurred on December 31, 2017. The base amounts began accruing interest on May 1, 2016
at an annual rate corresponding to the applicable rate for 12-month U.S. treasury bills (set at each anniversary and carried
forward), credited and compounded on an annual basis. The award may be payable in installments upon mutual agreement
of the Company and the former CEO, not to extend beyond a ten-year period, however, in the event of his death, all amounts
due will be payable in a lump sum within 60 days.
The Company recorded compensation expense of $2.8 million and $0.3 million for 2017 and 2016, respectively, and income
of $1.1 million for 2015. The total deferred compensation balance as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $20.2 million and
$18.2 million, respectively, and included $2.0 million of the special deferred compensation discussed above. The deferred
compensation liability is included within Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (for the current portion) and Accrued
compensation and other liabilities (for the noncurrent portion) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company expects to
distribute $17.1 million of deferred compensation payments in 2018.
14. NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing the net income allocable to common stockholders by the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income per share further includes any
common shares available to be issued upon vesting or exercise of outstanding equity awards if such inclusion would be
dilutive.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share (in thousands, except share
and per share amounts):
Numerator:
Net income ......................................................................................... $
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic ......................
Effect of dilutive equity awards (1) ......................................................
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted ...................
Year Ended December 31,
2016
2017
2015
234,028 $
101,102 $
91,822
5,680,073
66,964
5,747,037
5,743,568
27,392
5,770,960
5,853,283
6,806
5,860,089
Net income per share:
Basic ............................................................................................... $
Diluted ............................................................................................ $
41.20 $
40.72 $
17.60 $
17.52 $
15.69
15.67
_____________
(1) SARs outstanding that were not included in the diluted net income per share calculation because the effect would have
been anti-dilutive were 2,600, 438 and 89,909 as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Allocation of expenses. Prior to the spin-off, the consolidated financial statements included allocations of expenses from
GHC for certain overhead functions, including, but not limited to, finance, human resources, legal, information technology,
general insurance, risk management and other corporate functions. These expenses were allocated to the Company on the
basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder generally allocated on a proportional basis using revenue or
headcount. The Company was allocated $5.8 million in 2015 of corporate overhead costs incurred by GHC. These cost
allocations are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and
Comprehensive Income.
F-30
Additional GHC Investment (Deficit). Prior to the spin-off, the net assets of the Company were represented by the
cumulative investment in the Company by GHC that is shown as Additional GHC investment (deficit), which comprised
share capital, settlements of intercompany balances and transactions between the Company and GHC, and net transfers of
cash and cash equivalents. The settlement of intercompany balances and transactions between the Company and GHC that
were not historically settled in cash were included in Additional GHC investment (deficit) and thus effectively deemed settled
in cash for presentation purposes. In 2015, net transfers to GHC totaled $36.2 million, consisting of $39.1 million related to
the net change in current income tax accounts and $2.9 million in net advances to GHC, partially offset by $5.8 million in
allocated overhead and other expenses received from GHC.
16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Contractual Obligations. The Company has obligations to make future payments for goods and services under certain
contractual arrangements. These contractual obligations secure the future rights to various assets and services to be used in
the normal course of the Company’s operations. For example, the Company is contractually committed to make certain
minimum lease payments for the use of property under operating lease agreements. In accordance with applicable accounting
rules, the future rights and obligations pertaining to firm commitments, such as operating lease obligations and certain
purchase obligations under contracts, are not reflected as assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company’s rent expense, which primarily includes facility rental expense, was $11.1 million, $8.1 million and $8.4
million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company has lease obligations under various operating leases including
minimum lease obligations for real estate.
The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations outstanding as of December 31, 2017 under various
contractual obligations (including amounts associated with data processing services, high-speed data connectivity and fiber-
related obligations) and the estimated timing and effect that such obligations are expected to have on the Company’s liquidity
and cash flows in future periods (in thousands):
Years ending December 31,
2018 .............................................. $
2019 ..............................................
2020 ..............................................
2021 ..............................................
2022 ..............................................
Thereafter .....................................
Total ...................................... $
Programming
Purchase
Commitments
Total Debt,
including
Capital
Leases
Other
Purchase
Obligations (1)
Operating
Leases
208,900 $
155,086
88,224
32,147
-
-
484,357 $
1,852 $
1,344
948
699
317
418
5,578 $
14,375 $
20,642
26,892
30,017
180,017
922,699
1,194,642 $
23,362 $
12,785
7,658
4,980
851
3,985
53,621 $
Total
248,489
189,857
123,722
67,843
181,185
927,102
1,738,198
_______________
(1) Includes purchase obligations related to capital projects and other legally binding commitments. Other purchase orders
made in the ordinary course of business are excluded from the table above. Any amounts for which we are liable under
purchase orders are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet within Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
Programming purchase commitments represent contracts that the Company has with cable television networks and broadcast
stations to provide programming services to its subscribers. The amounts included above represent estimates of the future
programming costs for these purchase commitments based on subscriber numbers and tier placement as of December 31,
2017 applied to the per-subscriber rates contained in these contracts. Actual amounts due under such contracts may differ
from the amounts above based on the actual subscriber numbers and tier placements. In addition, programming purchases
sometimes occur pursuant to non-binding commitments, which are not reflected in the summary above.
F-31
The following items are not included as contractual obligations due to various factors discussed below. However, the
Company incurs these costs as part of its operations:
(cid:2) The Company rents utility poles used in its operations. Generally, pole rentals are cancellable on short notice, but
the Company anticipates that such rentals will recur. Rent expense for pole attachments was $7.8 million, $5.7
million and $5.7 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
(cid:2) The Company pays franchise fees under multi-year franchise agreements based on a percentage of revenues
generated from video service per year. Franchise fees and other franchise-related costs included in the Consolidated
Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income were $15.7 million, $14.2 million and $15.7 million in 2017,
2016 and 2015, respectively.
(cid:2) The Company has cable franchise agreements containing provisions requiring the construction of cable plant and the
provision of services to customers within the franchise areas. In connection with these obligations under existing
franchise agreements, the Company obtains surety bonds or letters of credit guaranteeing performance to
municipalities and public utilities and payment of insurance premiums. Such surety bonds and letters of credit as of
December 31, 2017 and 2016 totaled $12.0 million and $7.9 million, respectively. Payments under these
arrangements are required only in the event of nonperformance. The Company does not expect that these contingent
commitments will result in any amounts being paid.
Litigation and Legal Matters. The Company is subject to complaints and administrative proceedings and is a defendant in
various civil lawsuits that have arisen in the ordinary course of its business. Such matters include contract disputes; actions
alleging negligence; invasion of privacy; trademark, copyright and patent infringement; violations of applicable wage and
hour laws; statutory or common law claims involving current and former employees; and other matters. Although the
outcomes of the legal claims and proceedings against the Company cannot be predicted with certainty, based on currently
available information, management believes that there are no existing claims or proceedings that are likely to have a material
effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Also, based on currently available
information, management is of the opinion that either future material losses from existing legal proceedings are not reasonably
possible or that future material losses in excess of the amounts accrued are not reasonably possible.
Regulation in the Cable Industry. The operation of a cable system is extensively regulated by the Federal Communications
Commission (the “FCC”), some state governments and most local governments. The FCC has the authority to enforce its
regulations through the imposition of substantial fines, the issuance of cease and desist orders and/or the imposition of other
administrative sanctions, such as the revocation of FCC licenses needed to operate certain transmission facilities used in
connection with cable operations. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 altered the regulatory structure governing the
nation’s communications providers. It removed barriers to competition in both the cable television market and the voice
services market. Among other things, it reduced the scope of cable rate regulation and encouraged additional competition in
the video programming industry by allowing telephone companies to provide video programming in their own telephone
service areas. Future legislative and regulatory changes could adversely affect the Company’s operations.
GHC Agreements. On June 16, 2015, Cable One entered into several agreements with GHC that set forth the principal
actions taken in connection with the spin-off and that govern the relationship of the parties following the spin-off, including
a Separation and Distribution Agreement, a Tax Matters Agreement and an Employee Matters Agreement. The aggregate
costs and reimbursements paid to GHC totaled $0.4 million, $5.5 million and $4.8 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015,
respectively.
F-32
17. SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS (UNAUDITED)
Year Ended December 31, 2017
(Unaudited)
Second
Quarter (1)
(in thousands, except per share and share data)
Revenues ...................................................................................... $ 207,427 $ 241,042 $
183,527
Operating costs and expenses .......................................................
57,515
Income from operations ................................................................
27,874
Net income ...................................................................................
148,729
58,698
32,189
Quarter
First
Third
Quarter (2)
253,846 $
193,080
60,766
30,812
Fourth
Quarter (2)
257,714
198,696
59,018
143,153
Net income per common share:
Basic ......................................................................................... $
Diluted ...................................................................................... $
5.68 $
5.62 $
4.91 $
4.85 $
5.43 $
5.36 $
25.18
24.89
Weighted average common share outstanding:
Basic ......................................................................................... 5,671,838 5,678,394 5,680,600 5,684,785
Diluted ...................................................................................... 5,730,901 5,745,617 5,753,910 5,750,420
_______________
(1)
(2)
Includes two months of NewWave operations.
Includes NewWave operations for the full quarter.
Year Ended December 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
Second
Quarter
(in thousands, except per share and share data)
Revenues ...................................................................................... $ 202,805 $ 204,557 $
154,419
Operating costs and expenses .......................................................
50,138
Income from operations ................................................................
26,373
Net income ...................................................................................
154,148
48,657
25,788
Quarter
First
Third
Quarter
205,536 $
162,594
42,942
24,441
Fourth
Quarter
206,727
160,101
46,626
24,499
Net income per common share:
Basic ......................................................................................... $
Diluted ...................................................................................... $
4.45 $
4.44 $
4.59 $
4.57 $
4.27 $
4.25 $
4.29
4.25
Weighted average common share outstanding:
Basic ......................................................................................... 5,796,252 5,743,465 5,720,257 5,714,862
Diluted ...................................................................................... 5,810,639 5,766,312 5,755,161 5,760,834
The effect of the revision discussed within Note 2 on the 2017 unaudited quarterly financial results is as follows (in thousands,
except per share data). The 2017 quarterly revisions will be effected in connection with future 2018 unaudited interim
condensed consolidated financial statement filings in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
Quarter Ended March 31, 2017
(Unaudited)
As Reported Adjustment As Revised
Revenues ............................................................................................ $
Operating costs and expenses .............................................................
Income from operations ......................................................................
Net income .........................................................................................
207,427 $
147,074
60,353
33,215
- $
1,655
(1,655)
(1,026)
207,427
148,729
58,698
32,189
Net income per common share:
Basic ............................................................................................... $
Diluted ............................................................................................ $
5.86 $
5.80 $
(0.18) $
(0.18) $
5.68
5.62
F-33
Quarter Ended June 30, 2017
(Unaudited)
As Reported Adjustment As Revised
Revenues ............................................................................................ $
Operating costs and expenses .............................................................
Income from operations ......................................................................
Net income .........................................................................................
241,042 $
182,395
58,647
28,576
- $
1,132
(1,132)
(702)
241,042
183,527
57,515
27,874
Net income per common share:
Basic ............................................................................................... $
Diluted ............................................................................................ $
5.03 $
4.97 $
(0.12) $
(0.12) $
4.91
4.85
Quarter Ended September 30, 2017
(Unaudited)
As Reported Adjustment As Revised
Revenues ............................................................................................ $
Operating costs and expenses .............................................................
Income from operations ......................................................................
Net income .........................................................................................
253,846 $
191,948
61,898
31,514
- $
1,132
(1,132)
(702)
253,846
193,080
60,766
30,812
Net income per common share:
Basic ............................................................................................... $
Diluted ............................................................................................ $
5.55 $
5.48 $
(0.12) $
(0.12) $
5.43
5.36
The effect of the revision discussed within Note 2 on the 2016 unaudited quarterly financial results is as follows (in thousands,
except per share data):
Quarter Ended March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
As Reported Adjustment As Revised
Revenues ............................................................................................ $
Operating costs and expenses .............................................................
Income from operations ......................................................................
Net income .........................................................................................
202,805 $
155,422
47,383
27,044
- $
(1,274)
1,274
(1,256)
202,805
154,148
48,657
25,788
Net income per common share:
Basic ............................................................................................... $
Diluted ............................................................................................ $
4.67 $
4.65 $
(0.22) $
(0.21) $
4.45
4.44
Quarter Ended June 30, 2016
(Unaudited)
As Reported Adjustment As Revised
Revenues ............................................................................................ $
Operating costs and expenses .............................................................
Income from operations ......................................................................
Net income .........................................................................................
204,557 $
154,000
50,557
26,633
- $
419
(419)
(260)
204,557
154,419
50,138
26,373
Net income per common share:
Basic ............................................................................................... $
Diluted ............................................................................................ $
4.64 $
4.62 $
(0.05) $
(0.05) $
4.59
4.57
F-34
Quarter Ended September 30, 2016
(Unaudited)
As Reported Adjustment As Revised
Revenues ............................................................................................ $
Operating costs and expenses .............................................................
Income from operations ......................................................................
Net income .........................................................................................
205,536 $
161,716
43,820
20,874
- $
878
(878)
3,567
205,536
162,594
42,942
24,441
Net income per common share:
Basic ............................................................................................... $
Diluted ............................................................................................ $
3.65 $
3.63 $
0.62 $
0.62 $
4.27
4.25
Quarter Ended December 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
As Reported Adjustment As Revised
Revenues ............................................................................................ $
Operating costs and expenses .............................................................
Income from operations ......................................................................
Net income .........................................................................................
206,727 $
160,280
46,447
24,388
Net income per common share:
Basic ............................................................................................... $
Diluted ............................................................................................ $
4.27 $
4.23 $
- $
(179)
179
111
0.02 $
0.02 $
206,727
160,101
46,626
24,499
4.29
4.25
F-35
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Use of Non-GAAP Financial Metrics
Cable One, Inc. (the “Company”) uses certain measures that are not defined by generally accepted accounting principles in
the United States (“GAAP”) to evaluate various aspects of its business. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin
are non-GAAP financial measures and should be considered in addition to, not as superior to, or as a substitute for, net income
or net profit margin reported in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is reconciled to net income and Adjusted EBITDA
margin is reconciled to net profit margin below.
“Adjusted EBITDA” is defined as net income plus interest expense, income tax provision (benefit), depreciation and
amortization, equity-based compensation expense, severance expense, (gain) loss on deferred compensation, acquisition-
related costs, (gain) loss on disposal of assets, other (income) expense, net, and other unusual operating expenses, as provided
in the table below. As such, it eliminates the significant non-cash depreciation and amortization expense that results from the
capital-intensive nature of the Company’s business as well as other non-cash or special items and is unaffected by the
Company’s capital structure or investment activities. This measure is limited in that it does not reflect the periodic costs of
certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues and the Company’s cash cost of debt financing.
These costs are evaluated through other financial measures.
“Adjusted EBITDA margin” is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenues.
The Company uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin to assess its performance. In addition, Adjusted
EBITDA generally correlates to the measure used in the leverage ratio calculation under the Company’s credit facilities and
outstanding 5.75% senior unsecured notes due 2022 to determine compliance with the covenants contained in the facilities
and ability to take certain actions under the indenture governing the notes. For the purpose of calculating compliance with
the leverage ratio covenants in the Company’s debt instruments, the Company uses a measure similar to Adjusted EBITDA,
as presented. Adjusted EBITDA is also a significant performance measure used by the Company in its annual incentive
compensation program. Adjusted EBITDA does not take into account cash used for mandatory debt service requirements or
other non-discretionary expenditures, and thus does not represent residual funds available for discretionary uses.
The Company believes Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are useful to investors in evaluating the operating
performance of the Company. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin and similar measures with similar titles are
common measures used by investors, analysts and peers to compare performance in the Company’s industry, although the
Company’s measures of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin may not be directly comparable to similarly titled
measures reported by other companies.
(dollars in thousands)
Revenues ........................................................................................... $
Net income (1) .................................................................................... $
Net profit margin ...............................................................................
Interest expense .........................................................
Plus:
Income tax provision (benefit) ..................................
Depreciation and amortization...................................
Equity-based compensation expense .........................
Severance expense .....................................................
(Gain) loss on deferred compensation .......................
Acquisition-related costs ...........................................
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets ................................
Other (income) expense, net ......................................
Adjusted EBITDA (1) ......................................................................... $
Adjusted EBITDA margin ..................................................................
_________
NM = Not meaningful.
(1)
Year Ended December 31,
2016
% Change
2017
960,029 $
234,028 $
24.4%
46,864
(44,227)
181,619
10,743
5,461
2,753
5,942
574
(668)
443,089 $
46.2%
819,625
101,102
12.3 %
30,221
62,162
147,839
12,298
1,012
312
4,719
2,821
(5,121 )
357,365
43.6 %
17.1%
131.5%
55.1%
(171.1)%
22.8%
(12.6)%
NM
NM
25.9%
(79.7)%
(87.0)%
24.0%
Net income and Adjusted EBITDA results for 2017 include eight months of RBI Holding LLC (“NewWave”)
operations. Net income and Adjusted EBITDA for 2017 include the favorable impact of a reduction in expense of
$16.3 million due to the capitalized labor change discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Without the
contribution from NewWave operations, net income for 2017 would have increased 123.8% to $226.3 million and
Adjusted EBITDA would have increased 10.7% to $395.5 million. Excluding both the NewWave operations and the
capitalized labor change, net income for 2017 would have increased 113.8% to $216.2 million and Adjusted EBITDA
would have increased 6.1% to $379.2 million.
A-1
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Dear Valued Cable ONE Shareholders,
to realize additional revenue growth and cost synergies as
Growth, evolution and teamwork are the key themes that were
integration proceeds.
woven throughout the Cable ONE story in 2017. We celebrated
Looking ahead for the Northeast Division, we are accelerating
the acquisition of NewWave Communications, which brought
our integration ahead of schedule in many areas and
us exciting long-term opportunities for subscriber and revenue
applying our industrial engineering-driven approach to
growth. We launched best-in-class products such as Piranha
cost management in order to provide these customers with
Fiber and WiFi ONE, which enabled us to continue providing
additional Cable ONE services and benefits. We will continue
an outstanding customer experience. And together, we
prudent exploration of accretive M&A opportunities, looking
worked side-by-side with our customers in recovering from
to further cement our role as a natural aggregator of non-
the hurricanes which devastated several of our communities.
urban cable assets. Finally, honing the customer experience
As a team, our focus never wavered and we continued to
will be a priority for all of our associates in 2018. Although our
successfully execute on our vision.
Financially, strategically and operationally, 2017 was a
successful year for Cable ONE. We delivered strong financial
our competition.
customer service scores remain high, our focus is on creating
exceptional customer experiences that set us far apart from
results, generating more than $960 million in revenue,
Our accomplishments in 2017 would not have been possible
increasing Adjusted EBITDA1 by 24 percent year-over-year,
without our more than 2,300 dedicated and talented
and finishing the year with Adjusted EBITDA margins1
associates. In addition to their willingness to embrace change
north of 46 percent. Our strategy continues to bear fruit
and their steadfast dedication to taking care of our customers,
as we emphasize our growth products of Residential HSD
our associates share a common passion for giving back to the
and Business Services, drive operational efficiencies and
communities we serve. Our people spend thousands of hours
capitalize on favorable competitive dynamics in our largely
each year feeding the poor, raising money for the homeless,
non-metropolitan markets. From an operating perspective,
volunteering at schools, cleaning up their communities and
we are striving to make the lives of our customers easier by
so much more. This culture of compassion and commitment
offering value-added services. For example, we began offering
to service is what makes our associates the foundation of the
self-installation for Residential HSD service and we launched
success of our company, and I couldn’t be more proud to lead
WiFi ONE – a solution that provides our customers with
this team.
enhanced WiFi signal strength and extends and improves the
WiFi signal throughout their home.
We enter 2018 energized, enthusiastic and purposeful as we
embrace the many opportunities on our horizon. Our strategy
On May 1, 2017, we completed our acquisition of NewWave
is sound, and we are confident that it will continue to create
Communications. Since that time, we have been focused
lifetime value for our customers, associates and shareholders.
on integration not only from an operational and financial
On behalf of all of us at Cable ONE, thank you for your
perspective, but on combining the culture and best practices
continued trust and support.
of both organizations. We’ve doubled available speeds for
our HSD customers in the majority of these markets and
Best,
have nearly completed 32-channel bonding in NewWave
markets (which we now call our Northeast Division). This will
enable us to offer speeds up to one Gigabit to our residential
customers, allowing us to help eliminate the digital divide
in these communities. The Northeast Division contributed
Julia M. Laulis
more than $127 million of revenues during its eight months
Chair of the Board,
of operations as part of Cable ONE in 2017, and we expect
President & Chief Executive Officer
1 Please refer to the section entitled “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Metrics” appearing on page A-1 immediately after our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Board of Directors
Executive Team
Julia M. Laulis
Chair of the Board,
President & Chief Executive Officer
Brad D. Brian
Director
Thomas S. Gayner
Lead Independent Director;
Chair, Executive Committee &
Nominating and Governance Committee
Deborah J. Kissire
Chair, Audit Committee
Thomas O. Might
Director
Alan G. Spoon
Director
Wallace R. Weitz
Chair, Compensation Committee
Katharine B. Weymouth
Director
Julia M. Laulis, Chair of the Board, President & Chief Executive Officer
Michael E. Bowker, Chief Operating Officer
Kevin P. Coyle, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Stephen A. Fox, Senior Vice President, Chief Network Officer
Eric M. Lardy, Senior Vice President
Charles B. McDonald, Senior Vice President, Operations
Peter N. Witty, Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary
Christopher D. Boone, Vice President, Business Services
Michelle D. Cameron, Vice President, West Division
Kenneth E. Johnson, Vice President, Northeast Division
Kishore K. Reddy, Vice President, Product Support Development
William R. Robertson, Vice President, South Central Division
Julie A. Seff, Vice President, Residential Services
Janiece St. Cyr, Vice President, Human Resources
Raymond L. Storck, Jr., Vice President, Finance & Treasurer
Robert S. Thornock, Vice President, Strategy
Cary T. Westmark, Vice President, Information Technology
ANNUAL MEETING
STOCK EXCHANGE
The annual meeting of stockholders will be held on
May 8, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. MST at the Cable ONE Corporate
Office, 210 E. Earll Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85012.
Cable ONE common stock is traded on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol CABO.
STOCK TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
General shareholder correspondence:
Computershare
PO Box 505000
Louisville, KY 40233
SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES
TRANSFERS BY OVERNIGHT COURIER
Overnight correspondence:
Computershare
462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600
Louisville, KY 40202
Communication concerning transfer requirements, lost certificates, dividends and changes of address should be directed to
Computershare Investor Services: Tel: (800) 446-2617 | (781) 575-2723 | TDD: (800) 952-9245
Questions also may be sent via the website: www-us.computershare.com/investor/contact
A N N U A L R E P O R T
210 E. Earll Dr.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
(602) 364-6000