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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3)
(cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended January 29, 2011
or
TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 0-20243
ValueVision Media, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Minnesota
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or Organization)
6740 Shady Oak Road, Eden Prairie, MN
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
41-1673770
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
55344-3433
(Zip Code)
952-943-6000
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Name of exchange on which registered: Nasdaq Global Market
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange 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:1)
No (cid:3)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange
Act. Yes (cid:1) 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:1)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, 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:1)
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 to this Form 10-K. (cid:1)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a
smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer (cid:1)
Accelerated filer (cid:3)
Non-accelerated filer (cid:1) Smaller reporting company (cid:1)
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Yes (cid:1)
No (cid:3)
As of March 15, 2011, 37,831,688 shares of the registrant’s common stock were outstanding. The aggregate market value of
the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on July 31, 2010, based upon the closing sale price for the registrant’s
common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Global Market on July 31, 2010 was approximately $42,274,256. For purposes of
determining such aggregate market value, all officers and directors of the registrant are considered to be affiliates of the registrant,
as well as shareholders holding 10% or more of the outstanding common stock as reflected on Schedules 13D or 13G filed with
the registrant. This number is provided only for the purpose of this annual report on Form 10-K and does not represent an
admission by either the registrant or any such person as to the status of such person.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to
Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the close of its fiscal year ended January 29, 2011 are incorporated by reference in
Part III of this annual report on Form 10-K.
VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended
January 29, 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Business
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Reserved
PART I
PART II
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of
Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information
PART III
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder
Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule
PART IV
Item 15.
Signatures
EX-10.25
EX-21
EX-23
EX-31.1
EX-31.2
EX-32
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This annual report on Form 10-K, as well as other materials filed by us with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, and information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by us,
contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding guidance, industry
prospects or future results of operations or financial position made in this report are forward-looking.
We often use words such as anticipates, believes, expects, intends and similar expressions to identify forward-
looking statements. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and accordingly are subject to
uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from the expectations contained herein.
Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those described in the “Risk
Factors” section of this annual report on Form 10-K, as well as risks relating to: consumer spending and debt levels;
the general economic and credit environment; interest rates; seasonal variations in consumer purchasing activities;
changes in the mix of products sold by us; competitive pressures on sales; pricing and sales margins; the level of
cable and satellite distribution for our programming and the associated fees; our ability to continue to manage our
cash, cash equivalents and investments to meet our company’s liquidity needs; our ability to manage our operating
expenses successfully; our management and information systems infrastructure; changes in governmental or
regulatory requirements; litigation or governmental proceedings affecting our operations; significant public events
that are difficult to predict, such as widespread weather catastrophes or other significant television-covering events
causing an interruption of television coverage or that directly compete with the viewership of our programming; and
our ability to obtain and retain key executives and employees. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking
statements involve risk and uncertainty. The facts and circumstances that exist when any forward-looking statements
are made and on which those forward-looking statements are based may significantly change in the future, thereby
rendering the forward-looking statements obsolete. 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, future events or
otherwise.
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Item 1. Business
PART I
When we refer to “we,” “our,” “us” or the “Company,” we mean ValueVision Media, Inc. and its subsidiaries
unless the context indicates otherwise. ValueVision Media, Inc. is a Minnesota corporation with principal and
executive offices located at 6740 Shady Oak Road, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344-3433. ValueVision Media, Inc.
was incorporated on June 25, 1990. Our fiscal year ended January 29, 2011 is designated fiscal 2010, our fiscal year
ended January 30, 2010 is designated fiscal 2009, and our fiscal year ended January 31, 2009 is designated fiscal
2008.
A. General
We are an interactive retailer that markets, sells and distributes products to consumers through TV, telephone,
online, mobile and social media. Our principal form of product exposure is our 24-hour television shopping network,
ShopNBC, which markets a broad assortment of brand name and private label products in the categories. Orders are
taken via telephone, online and mobile channels.
ShopNBC is distributed into approximately 78.3 million homes, primarily through cable and satellite affiliation
agreements and the purchase of month-to-month full- and part-time lease agreements of cable and broadcast
television time. ShopNBC programming is also streamed live on the Internet at www.ShopNBC.tv . We also
distribute our programming through a company-owned full power television station in Boston, Massachusetts and
through leased carriage on full power television stations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Seattle, Washington.
We also operate ShopNBC.com, a comprehensive e-commerce platform that sells products appearing on our
television shopping channel as well as an extended assortment of online-only merchandise. Our programming and
products are also marketed via mobile devices — including smartphones and tablets such as the iPad, and through the
leading social networking sites Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
We have an exclusive trademark license from NBCUniversal Media, LLC, formerly known as NBC Universal,
Inc., (“NBCU”) for the worldwide use of an NBC-branded name through May 2012. Additionally, the agreement
provides for a one-year extension to May 2013 upon the mutual agreement of both parties. Pursuant to the license,
we operate our television home shopping network and our Internet websites, ShopNBC.com and ShopNBC.tv.
Multi-media Retailing
Our primary form of multi-media retailing is on our live 24-hour per day television shopping network.
ShopNBC is the third largest television shopping channel in the United States. ShopNBC.com is a comprehensive
e-commerce website with complementary and web-only product. Net sales, including shipping and handling
revenues, totaled $562.3 million, $527.9 million and $565.4 million for fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008,
respectively. Shoppers can interact and shop via a toll-free telephone number and place orders directly with us or
enter an order on the ShopNBC.com website. Our television programming is produced at our Eden Prairie,
Minnesota headquarters facility and is transmitted nationally via satellite to cable system operators, satellite system
operators, broadcast television station operators and to our owned full power broadcast television station WWDP
TV-46 in Boston, Massachusetts.
Products and Product Mix
Products sold on our multi-media platforms include primarily jewelry & watches, home & electronics, beauty,
health & fitness, and fashion & accessories. We believe that having a broad base of products appeals to a larger
segment of active and new customers and is important to our future growth. Our product diversification strategy is to
continue to develop new product offerings across multiple merchandise categories as needed in response to customer
demand and to maximize margin dollars across our multi-media retailing platforms.
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The following table shows our merchandise mix as a percentage of television shopping and internet net sales
during the past three fiscal years by product category:
Category
Jewelry & Watches
Home & Electronics
Beauty, Health & Fitness
Fashion (apparel, outerwear & accessories)
Fiscal 2010
Fiscal 2009
52 %
32 %
10 %
6 %
Fiscal 2008
56 %
33 %
5 %
6 %
55 %
31 %
7 %
7 %
Jewelry & Watches. Our high quality jewelry assortment features fine and fashion jewelry including gold,
sterling silver, and platinum along with a variety of gemstone products. Our watch category features a broad
assortment of men’s and women’s watches from traditional to modern styling.
Home & Electronics. Our home assortment features home décor, mattresses, bed and bath textiles, kitchen
appliances, dining accessories, and a variety of unique furnishings that add functionality and style to any home. Our
consumer electronics assortment features the latest innovations from nationally recognized brands in TVs,
computers, GPS devices, cameras, camcorders, video game systems and more.
Beauty, Health & Fitness. Our beauty assortment features skincare, cosmetics, and hair care that inspire
today’s woman to look and feel great. Our health and fitness assortment features innovative products including
nutritional supplements as well as workout gear and accessories to help enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
Fashion (apparel, outerwear & accessories). Our fashion assortment features stylish apparel, outerwear,
handbags, accessories, and footwear that fit the lifestyle of today’s woman.
B. Business Strategy
As a premium interactive retailer, our strategy is to offer our customers differentiated quality brands and
products at a compelling value proposition. We also seek to provide today’s consumers with flexible programming
formats and access that allow them to view and interact with our content and products at their convenience —
whenever and wherever they are able. Our merchandise positioning aims to make us a trusted destination for quality
and an authority in a broad category of merchandise. We focus on creating a customer experience that builds strong
loyalty and a growing customer base.
In support of this strategy, we are pursuing the following actions to improve the operational and financial
performance of our company: (i) broadening and optimizing our product mix to appeal to more customers and to
encourage additional purchases per customer, (ii) increasing new and active customers and improving household
penetration, (iii) increasing our gross margin dollars by improving merchandise margins in key product categories
while prudently managing inventory levels, (iv) reducing our transactional operating expenses while managing our
fixed operating expenses, (v) growing our Internet business with expanded product assortments and Internet-only
merchandise offerings, (vi) expanding our Internet, mobile and social networking reach to attract and retain more
customers, and (vii) moving cable and satellite carriage contracts to shorter terms of one to two years while seeking
cost savings opportunities.
C. Television Program Distribution and Internet Operations
Television Home Shopping Network
Net sales from our television home shopping business, inclusive of shipping and handling revenues, totaled
$330 million, $350 million and $384 million, representing 59%, 66% and 68% of consolidated net sales for fiscal
2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively. Our television programming continues to be the most significant
medium through which we reach our customers.
Satellite Delivery of Programming. Our programming is presently distributed via a leased communications
satellite transponder to cable systems and direct-to-home satellite providers, a full power television station in
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Boston, and two other leased broadcast stations, and satellite dish operators. On January 31, 2005, we entered into a
long-term satellite lease agreement with our present provider of satellite services. Pursuant to the terms of this
agreement, we distribute our programming through a satellite that was launched in August 2005. The agreement
provides us with preemptible back-up services if satellite transmission is interrupted.
Television Distribution. As of January 29, 2011, we have entered into affiliation agreements with parties
representing approximately 1,500 cable systems allowing each operator to offer our television home shopping
programming substantially on a full-time basis over their systems. The terms of the affiliation agreements typically
range from one to two years. During the fiscal year, certain agreements with cable, satellite or other distributors may
expire. Under certain circumstances, the television operators or we may cancel the agreements prior to their
expiration. The affiliation agreements generally provide that we will pay each operator a monthly access fee and in
some cases marketing support payments based on the number of homes receiving our programming. We frequently
review distribution opportunities with cable system operators and broadcast stations providing for full- or part-time
carriage of our programming.
Cable operators serving a large majority of cable households offer cable programming on a digital basis. The use
of digital compression technology provides cable companies with greater channel capacity. While greater channel
capacity increases the opportunity for distribution and, in some cases, reduces access fees paid by us, it also may
adversely impact our ability to compete for television viewers to the extent it results in a higher channel position for
us, placement of our programming in separate programming tiers, the broadcast of additional competitive channels or
viewer fragmentation due to a greater number of programming alternatives.
During fiscal 2010, there were approximately 115 million homes in the United States with at least one television
set. Of those homes, there were approximately 60 million basic cable television subscribers and approximately
31 million direct-to-home satellite subscribers or DTH. We include with our cable homes those homes who receive
programming through telephone service providers, such as AT&T and Verizon. Homes that receive our television
home shopping programming 24 hours per day are each counted as one full-time equivalent, or FTE, and homes that
receive our programming for any period less than 24 hours are counted based upon an analysis of time of day and
day of week that programming is received. We have continued to experience growth in the number of FTE subscriber
homes that receive our programming.
Our programming is carried on DTH satellite services DIRECTV and DISH Network. Carriage is full-time and
we pay each operator a monthly access fee based upon the number of subscribers receiving our programming. As of
January 29, 2011, our programming reached approximately 31 million DTH subscribers on a full-time basis which
represents 100% of the total number of DTH satellite subscribers in the United States.
As of January 29, 2011, we served approximately 78.3 million subscriber homes, or approximately 76.4 million
average FTEs, compared with approximately 76.3 million subscriber homes, or approximately 73.6 million average
FTEs, as of January 30, 2010.
Other Methods of Program Distribution. Our programming is also made available full-time to “C”-band
satellite dish owners nationwide and is made available to homes in the Boston, Pittsburgh and Seattle markets over
the air via television broadcast stations owned by us or where we lease the broadcast time. In fiscal 2010 and fiscal
2009, our Boston, leased access Pittsburgh and Seattle stations and “C”-band satellite dish transmissions were
responsible for approximately 5% of our total consolidated net sales. As of January 29, 2011, we also have carriage
agreements with companies primarily known for offering telephone services which have recently begun offering
video services using internet protocol delivery. In addition, our programming is also available through our internet
retailing websites, www.ShopNBC.com and www.ShopNBC.tv.
Internet Website
Our websites, ShopNBC.com and ShopNBC.tv, provide customers with a broad array of consumer merchandise,
including all products being featured on our television programming. The websites include a live webcast feed of our
television programming, an archive of recent past programming, videos of many individual products that the
customer can view on demand.
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Net sales from our internet website business, inclusive of shipping and handling revenues, totaled $232 million,
$178 million and $181 million, representing 41%, 34% and 32% of consolidated net sales for fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009
and fiscal 2008, respectively. We believe that our internet business represents an important component of our future
growth opportunities, and we will continue to invest in and enhance our internet-based capabilities.
Our e-commerce activities are subject to a number of general business regulations and laws regarding taxation
and online commerce. There have been continuing efforts to increase the legal and regulatory obligations and
restrictions on companies conducting commerce through the internet, primarily in the areas of taxation, consumer
privacy and protection of consumer personal information. For example, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has
promulgated regulations that have taken effect on March 1, 2010 that impose a number of data security requirements
on companies that collect certain types of information concerning Massachusetts residents. There are indications that
other states may adopt similar requirements in the future. A patchwork of state laws imposing differing security
requirements depending on the residence of our customers could impose added compliance costs without a
compensating increase in income.
In November 2002, a number of states approved a multi-state agreement to simplify state sales tax laws by
establishing one uniform system to administer and collect sales taxes on traditional retailers and electronic commerce
merchants. The agreement became effective on October 3, 2005. To date, 24 of the 44 states that approved the
agreement have passed conforming legislation. A number of states and the US Congress are considering legislative
initiatives that would impose tax collection obligations on sales made through the internet. No prediction can be
made as to whether individual states will enact legislation requiring retailers such as us to collect and remit sales
taxes on transactions that occur over the internet. On October 31, 2007, the United States enacted a seven-year
moratorium on internet access taxes, extending a ban on internet access taxes and it is set to expire in 2014.
The federal Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003, or the CAN-
SPAM Act, was signed into law on December 16, 2003 and went into effect on January 1, 2004. The CAN-SPAM
Act pre-empts similar laws passed by over thirty states, some of which contain restrictions or requirements that are
viewed as stricter than those of the CAN-SPAM Act. The CAN-SPAM Act is primarily an opt-out type law; that is,
prior permission to send e-mail solicitations to a recipient is not required, but a recipient may affirmatively opt out of
such future e-mail solicitations. The CAN-SPAM Act requires commercial e-mails to contain a clear and
conspicuous identification that the message is an advertisement or solicitation for goods or services (unless the
sender obtains prior affirmative consent from the recipient to receive such messages), as well as a clear and
conspicuous unsubscribe function that allows recipients to alert the sender that they do not desire to receive future
e-mail solicitation messages. In addition, the CAN-SPAM Act requires that all commercial e-mail messages include
a valid physical postal address. The CAN-SPAM implementing regulations were amended in 2008 by the FTC to
include, among other things, a prohibition that e-mail senders make it difficult for a recipient to opt-out of receiving
future emails from the sender. We believe the CAN-SPAM Act limits our ability to pursue certain direct marketing
activities, thus limiting our sales and potential customers.
Changes in consumer protection laws also may impose additional burdens on those companies conducting
business online. The adoption of additional laws or regulations may decrease the growth of the internet or other
online services, which could, in turn, decrease the demand for our products and services and increase our cost of
doing business through the internet.
In addition, since our website is available over the internet in all states, various states may claim that we are
required to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in such state, a requirement that could result in fees and
taxes as well as penalties for the failure to qualify. Any new legislation or regulation, the application of laws and
regulations from jurisdictions whose laws do not currently apply to our business or the application of existing laws
and regulations to the internet and other online services could have a material adverse effect on the growth of our
business in this area.
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D. Strategic Relationships
Strategic Alliance with GE Equity and NBCU
In March 1999, we entered into a strategic alliance with GE Capital Equity Investments, Inc. (“GE Equity”) and
NBCU, pursuant to which we issued Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and common stock warrants,
and entered into a shareholder agreement, a registration rights agreement, a distribution and marketing agreement
and, the following year, a trademark license agreement. On February 25, 2009, the Company entered into an
exchange agreement with the same parties, pursuant to which GE Equity exchanged all outstanding shares of the
Company’s Series A Preferred Stock for (i) 4,929,266 shares of the Company’s Series B Redeemable Preferred
Stock, (ii) a warrant to purchase up to 6,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of
$0.75 per share and (iii) a cash payment in the amount of $3.4 million. In connection with the exchange, the parties
also amended and restated the 1999 shareholder agreement and registration rights agreement. The outstanding
agreements with GE Equity and NBCU are described in more detail below.
In January 2011, General Electric Company (“GE”) consummated a transaction with Comcast Corporation
(“Comcast”) pursuant to which GE contributed all of its holdings in NBCU to NBCUniversal, LLC, a newly formed
entity beneficially owned 51% by Comcast and 49% by GE. As a result of that transaction, NBCU is now a wholly
owned subsidiary of NBCUniversal, LLC, and the aggregate equity ownership of GE Equity in the Company is
4,929,266 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase up to 6,000,000 shares of common stock and
the direct ownership of NBCU in the Company consists of 6,452,194 shares of common stock and warrants to
purchase 14,744 shares of common stock. The Company is currently making arm’s length negotiated payments to
Comcast for cable distribution under a pre-existing contract.
In connection with the transfer of its ownership in NBCU, GE also agreed with Comcast that, for so long as GE
Equity is entitled to appoint three members of our board of directors, NBCU will be entitled to retain a board seat
provided that NBCU beneficially owns at least 5% of our adjusted outstanding common stock. Furthermore, GE
agreed to obtain the consent of NBCU prior to consenting to our adoption of any shareholders rights plan or certain
other actions that would impede or restrict the ability of NBCU to acquire or dispose of shares of our voting stock or
our taking any action that would result in NBCU being deemed to be in violation of Federal Communications
Commission multiple ownership regulations.
Series B Preferred Stock Issued to GE Equity
On February 25, 2009, we issued 4,929,266 shares of Series B Preferred Stock to GE Equity. The shares of
Series B Preferred Stock are redeemable at any time by us for the initial redemption amount of $40.9 million, plus
accrued dividends. The Series B Preferred Stock accrues cumulative dividends at a base annual rate of 12%, subject
to adjustment. All payments on the Series B Preferred Stock will be applied first to any accrued but unpaid
dividends, and then to redeem shares.
On February 25, 2013, a $14,667,000 payment is due and will redeem 30% of the Series B Preferred Stock and
any unpaid accrued dividends. The remaining unpaid accrued dividends and outstanding shares of preferred stock
will be redeemed on February 25, 2014. In addition, the Series B Preferred Stock includes a cash sweep mechanism
that may require accelerated redemptions if we generate excess cash above agreed upon thresholds. Specifically, our
excess cash balance at the end of each fiscal year, and at the end of any fiscal quarter during which we dispose of
assets or incur indebtedness above agreed upon thresholds, must be used to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock and
pay accrued and unpaid dividends thereon. Excess cash balance is defined as our Company’s cash and cash
equivalents and marketable securities, adjusted to (i) exclude cash pledged to vendors to secure the purchase of
inventory, (ii) account for variations that are due to our management of payables, (iii) exclude any operating cash
needs for the next twelve months, and (iv) provide us with additional operating cash of $20 million. Any redemption
as a result of this cash sweep mechanism will reduce the amounts required to be redeemed on February 25, 2013 and
February 25, 2014. The Series B Preferred Stock (including accrued but unpaid dividends) is also required to be
redeemed, at the option of the holders, upon a change in control. The Series B Preferred Stock is not convertible into
common stock or any other security, but initially will vote with the common stock on a one-for-one basis on general
corporate matters other than the election of directors. In addition, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock have
class voting rights and rights to designate members of the Company’s board of directors including the right to elect
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the GE Equity director-designees described below. On November 16, 2010 and February 18, 2011, the Company
made two $2.5 million payments to GE Equity, reducing the outstanding accrued dividends payable on the Series B
Preferred Stock.
NBCU Trademark License Agreement
On November 16, 2000, we entered into a trademark license agreement with NBCU pursuant to which NBCU
granted us an exclusive, worldwide license for a term of ten years to use certain NBC trademarks, service marks and
domain names to rebrand our business and corporate name and website. We subsequently selected the names
ShopNBC and ShopNBC.com.
Under the license agreement we have agreed, among other things, to (i) certain restrictions on using trademarks,
service marks, domain names, logos or other source indicators owned or controlled by NBCU, (ii) the loss of our
rights under the license with respect to specific territories outside of the United States in the event we fail to achieve
and maintain certain performance targets in such territories, (iii) not own, operate, acquire or expand our business to
include certain businesses without NBCU’s prior consent, (iv) comply with NBCU’s privacy policies and standards
and practices, and (v) not own, operate, acquire or expand our business such that one-third or more of our revenues
or our aggregate value is attributable to certain services (not including retailing services similar to our existing
e-commerce operations) provided over the internet. The license agreement also grants to NBCU the right to terminate
the license agreement at any time upon certain changes of control of our Company, in certain situations upon the
failure by NBCU to own a certain minimum percentage of our outstanding capital stock on a fully diluted basis, and
certain other situations. On March 28, 2007, we and NBCU agreed to extend the term of the license by six months,
such that the license would continue through May 15, 2011, and to provide that certain changes of control involving
a financial buyer would not provide the basis for an early termination of the license by NBCU.
On November 18, 2010, the Company announced a further extension of the license agreement to May 2012, an
option to further extend the license agreement to May 2013 upon the mutual agreement of both parties, and an
agreement to enter into a separate transition agreement, on the terms and subject to the conditions to be mutually
agreed between the parties, relating to the twelve month period following the ultimate expiration of the license
agreement. In consideration for the license agreement extension, the Company will issue shares of the Company’s
common stock valued at $4 million to NBCU on May 15, 2011.
Amended and Restated Shareholder Agreement
On February 25, 2009, we entered into an amended and restated shareholder agreement with GE Equity and
NBCU, which provides for certain corporate governance and standstill matters. The amended and restated
shareholder agreement provides that GE Equity is entitled to designate nominees for three out of nine members of the
Company’s board of directors so long as the aggregate beneficial ownership of GE Equity and NBCU (and their
affiliates) is at least equal to 50% of their beneficial ownership as of February 25, 2009 (i.e. beneficial ownership of
approximately 8.75 million common shares), and two out of nine members so long as their aggregate beneficial
ownership is at least 10% of the “adjusted outstanding shares of common stock,” as defined in the amended and
restated shareholder agreement. In addition, the amended and restated shareholder agreement provides that GE
Equity may designate any of its director-designees to be an observer of the Audit, Human Resources and
Compensation, and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees of our board of directors.
The amended and restated shareholder agreement requires the consent of GE Equity prior to our entering into
any material agreements with any of CBS, Fox, Disney, Time Warner or Viacom (and their respective affiliates),
provided that this restriction will no longer apply when either (i) our trademark license agreement with NBCU
(described below) has terminated or (ii) GE Equity is no longer entitled to designate at least two director nominees.
In addition, the amended and restated shareholder agreement requires the consent of GE Equity prior to our
(i) exceeding certain thresholds relating to the issuance of securities, the payment of dividends, the repurchase or
redemption of common stock, acquisitions (including investments and joint ventures) or dispositions, and the
incurrence of debt; (ii) entering into any business different than what we and our subsidiaries are currently engaged;
and (iii) amending our articles of incorporation to adversely affect GE Equity and NBCU (or their affiliates);
provided, however, that these restrictions will no longer apply when both (i) GE Equity is no longer entitled to
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designate three director nominees and (ii) GE Equity and NBCU no longer hold any Series B Preferred Stock. We are
also prohibited from taking any action that would cause any ownership interest by us in television broadcast stations
from being attributable to GE Equity, NBCU or their affiliates.
The amended and restated shareholder agreement further provides that during the “standstill period” (as defined
in the amended and restated shareholder agreement), subject to certain limited exceptions, GE Equity and NBCU are
prohibited from: (i) any asset/business purchases from us in excess of 10% of the total fair market value of our assets;
(ii) increasing their beneficial ownership above 39.9% of our shares, treating as outstanding and actually owned for
such purpose shares of our common stock issuable to GE Equity upon exercise of the warrant for 6,000,000 shares of
our common stock; (iii) making or in any way participating in any solicitation of proxies; (iv) depositing any of our
securities in a voting trust; (v) forming, joining or in any way becoming a member of a “13D Group” with respect to
any of our voting securities; (vi) arranging any financing for, or providing any financing commitment specifically
for, the purchase of any of our voting securities; (vii) otherwise acting, whether alone or in concert with others, to
seek to propose to us any tender or exchange offer, merger, business combination, restructuring, liquidation,
recapitalization or similar transaction involving us, or nominating any person as a director of the Company who is
not nominated by the then incumbent directors, or proposing any matter to be voted upon by our shareholders. If,
during the standstill period, any inquiry has been made regarding a “takeover transaction” or “change in control,”
each as defined in the amended and restated shareholder agreement, that has not been rejected by our board of
directors, or our board of directors pursues such a transaction, or engages in negotiations or provides information to a
third party and the board has not resolved to terminate such discussions, then GE Equity or NBCU may propose to us
a tender offer or business combination proposal.
In addition, unless GE Equity and NBCU beneficially own less than 5% or more than 90% of the adjusted
outstanding shares of common stock, GE Equity and NBCU shall not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any
securities of our Company except for transfers: (i) to certain affiliates who agree to be bound by the provisions of the
amended and restated shareholder agreement, (ii) that have been consented to by us, (iii) subject to certain
exceptions, pursuant to a third-party tender offer, (iv) pursuant to a merger, consolidation or reorganization to which
we are a party, (v) in an underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement, (vi) pursuant to
Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, or (vii) in a private sale or pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of
1933; provided, that in the case of any transfer pursuant to clause (v), (vi) or (vii), the transfer does not result in, to
the knowledge of the transferor after reasonable inquiry, any other person acquiring, after giving effect to such
transfer, beneficial ownership, individually or in the aggregate with that person’s affiliates, of more than 10% (or
20% in the case of a transfer by NBCU) of the adjusted outstanding shares of the common stock, as determined in
accordance with the amended and restated shareholder agreement.
The standstill period will terminate on the earliest to occur of (i) the ten-year anniversary of the amended and
restated shareholder agreement, (ii) our entering into an agreement that would result in a “change in control” (subject
to reinstatement), (iii) an actual “change in control” (subject to reinstatement), (iv) a third-party tender offer (subject
to reinstatement), or (v) six months after GE Equity can no longer designate any nominees to our board of directors.
Following the expiration of the standstill period pursuant to clause (i) above and two years in the case of clause (v)
above, GE Equity and NBCU’s beneficial ownership position may not exceed 39.9% of our adjusted outstanding
shares of common stock, except pursuant to issuances or exercises of any warrants or pursuant to a 100% tender offer
for our Company.
Registration Rights Agreement
On February 25, 2009, we entered into an amended and restated registration rights agreement providing GE
Equity, NBCU and their affiliates and any transferees and assigns, an aggregate of four demand registrations and
unlimited piggy-back registration rights. In addition, NBCU was subsequently granted one additional demand
registration right pursuant to the second amendment of the NBCU Trademark License Agreement.
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E. Marketing and Merchandising
Television and Internet Retailing
Our television and internet revenues are generated from sales of merchandise and services offered through our
“ShopNBC Anywhere” initiative, which includes cable and satellite television, online at www.ShopNBC.com, live
streaming at www.ShopNBC.tv, mobile devices and social networking sites. Our television home shopping business
utilizes live television 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to create an interactive and entertaining atmosphere to
describe and demonstrate our merchandise. Selected customers participate through live conversations with on-air
sales hosts and occasional on-air guests. We believe our customers are primarily women between the ages of 40 and
69, married, with average annual household incomes of $50,000 or more. Our customers make purchases based on
our unique products, quality merchandise and value. Over the past fiscal year, we have changed our product mix in
order to diversify our product offerings, which we believe will continue to drive new and active customer
development and the retention of repeat customers. We schedule special programming at different times of the day
and week to appeal to specific viewer and customer profiles. We feature announced and unannounced promotions to
drive interest and incremental sales, including “Today’s Top Value,” a sales program that features one special offer
every day. We also feature other major and special promotional events and inventory-clearance sales.
Our merchandise is generally offered at or below comparable retail values. We continually introduce new
products on our television home shopping program and website. Inventory sources include manufacturers,
wholesalers, distributors and importers. We intend to continue to promote private label merchandise, which generally
has higher margins than branded merchandise.
ShopNBC Private Label and Co-Brand Credit Card Program
The Company has a private label and co-brand revolving consumer credit card program (the “Program”). The
Program is made available to all qualified consumers for the financing of purchases of products from ShopNBC and
for the financing of purchases of products and services from other non-ShopNBC retailers. The Program provides a
number of benefits to customers including deferred billing options and free shipping promotions throughout the year.
During fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009, customer use of the private label and co-branded cards accounted for
approximately 15% and 16% of our television and internet sales, respectively. We believe that the use of the
ShopNBC credit card furthers customer loyalty and reduces our overall bad debt exposure since the credit card
issuing bank bears the risk of bad debt on ShopNBC credit card transactions that do not utilize our ValuePay
installment payment program.
Purchasing Terms
We obtain products for our direct marketing businesses from domestic and foreign manufacturers and suppliers
and are often able to make purchases on favorable terms based on the volume of products purchased or sold. Some of
our purchasing arrangements with our vendors include inventory terms that allow for return privileges for a portion
of the order or stock balancing. We generally do not have long-term commitments with our vendors, and a variety of
sources are available for each category of merchandise sold. During fiscal 2010 products purchased from one vendor
accounted for approximately 18% of our consolidated net sales. We believe that we could find alternative sources for
this vendor’s products if this vendor ceased supplying merchandise; however, the unanticipated loss of any large
supplier could impact our sales and earnings on a temporary basis.
F. Order Entry, Fulfillment and Customer Service
Our products are available for purchase via toll-free telephone numbers or on our websites. We maintain
agreements with West Corporation, 24-7 INtouch as well as other call surge providers to support us with telephone
order-entry operators and automated order-processing services for the taking of customer orders. We process orders
with our own home based phone agents and with agents at our Bowling Green, Kentucky and Eden Prairie,
Minnesota facilities. At the present time, we do not utilize any call center services based overseas.
We own a 262,000 square foot distribution facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which we use for the
fulfillment of all merchandise purchased and sold by us and for certain call center operations. We also lease
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approximately 136,000 square feet of additional warehouse space in Bowling Green, Kentucky under an
18-month lease agreement, which includes an extension option.
The majority of customer purchases are paid by credit or debit cards. As discussed above, we maintain a private
label and a co-brand credit card program using the ShopNBC name. Purchases made with the ShopNBC private label
credit card are non-recourse to us. We also utilize an installment payment program called ValuePay, which entitles
customers to pay by credit card for certain merchandise in two or more equal monthly installments. We intend to
continue to sell merchandise using the ValuePay program due to its significant promotional value. It does, however,
create a credit collection risk for us from the potential inability to collect outstanding balances.
We maintain a product inventory, which consists primarily of consumer merchandise held for resale. The
product inventory is valued at the lower of average cost or realizable value. As of January 29, 2011 and January 30,
2010, we had inventory balances of $39.8 million and $44.1 million, respectively. We do not have any material
amounts of backlog orders.
Merchandise is shipped to customers by the United States Postal Service, UPS, Federal Express or other
recognized carriers. We also have arrangements with certain vendors who ship merchandise directly to our customers
after an approved customer order is processed.
We perform all customer service functions at our Eden Prairie, Minnesota and Bowling Green, Kentucky
facilities.
Our return policy allows a standard 30-day refund period from the date of invoice for all customer purchases.
Our return rate was 20% in fiscal 2010 compared to 21% in fiscal 2009. We attribute the decrease in the 2010 and
2009 return rates primarily to operational improvements in our delivery time and customer service, our overall
product quality and quality control enhancements and our lower price points. Prior to fiscal 2009, our return rates
have historically been in the range of approximately 31% to 33%. These historical return rates have been higher than
the average return rates reported by our larger competitors in the television home shopping industry. Management
believes that historically our return rates were high partially as a result of (i) the significantly higher historic average
selling prices of our products as compared to the average selling prices of our competitors, and (ii) the fact that we
have had a higher percentage of sales attributable to high-priced jewelry products. Both of these characteristics are
associated with higher product return rates. We continue to manage our return rates and adjust our product mix
accordingly to maintain lower average selling price points in an effort to continue to reduce the overall return rates
related to our television home shopping and internet businesses.
G. Competition
The direct marketing and retail businesses are highly competitive. In our television home shopping and
e-commerce operations, we compete for customers with other television home shopping and e-commerce retailers;
infomercial companies; other types of consumer retail businesses, including traditional “brick and mortar”
department stores, discount stores, warehouse stores and specialty stores; catalog and mail order retailers; and other
direct sellers.
In the competitive television home shopping sector, we compete with QVC Network, Inc. and HSN, Inc., both
of whom are substantially larger than we are in terms of annual revenues and customers, and whose programming is
carried more broadly to U.S. households than our programming. The American Collectibles Network, which operates
Jewelry Television, also competes with us for television home shopping customers in the jewelry category. In
addition, there are a number of smaller niche players and startups in the television home shopping arena who
compete with our Company. We believe that our major competitors incur cable and satellite distribution fees
representing a significantly lower percentage of their sales attributable to their television programming than do we;
and that their fee arrangements are substantially on a commission basis (in some cases with minimum guarantees)
rather than on the predominantly fixed-cost basis that we currently have. At ShopNBC’s current sales level, our
distribution costs as a percentage of total consolidated net sales are higher than our competition.
The e-commerce sector is also highly competitive, and we are in direct competition with other internet retailers,
many of whom are larger, better financed and/or have broader customer bases.
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We anticipate continuing competition for viewers and customers, for experienced home shopping personnel, for
distribution agreements with cable and satellite systems and for vendors and suppliers — not only from television
home shopping companies, but also from other companies that seek to enter the home shopping and internet retail
industries, including telecommunications and cable companies, television networks, and other established retailers.
We believe that our ability to be successful in the television home shopping and e-commerce sectors will be
dependent on a number of key factors, including (i) increasing the number of customers who purchase products from
us and (ii) increasing the dollar value of sales per customer from our existing customer base.
H. Federal Regulation
The cable television industry and the broadcasting industry in general are subject to extensive regulation by the
Federal Communications Commission, or FCC. The following does not purport to be a complete summary of all of
the provisions of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, known as the Communications Act; the Cable
Television Consumer Protection Act of 1992, known as the Cable Act; the Telecommunications Act of 1996, known
as the Telecommunications Act; or other laws and FCC rules or policies that may affect our operations.
Cable Television
The cable industry is regulated by the FCC under the Cable Act and FCC regulations promulgated thereunder, as
well as by state or local governments with respect to certain franchising matters.
Must Carry. In general, the FCC’s “must carry” rules under the Cable Act entitle full power television stations
to mandatory cable carriage of the primary video and program-related material in their signals, at no charge, to all
cable homes located within each station’s broadcast market provided that the signal is of adequate strength, and the
must carry signals occupy no more than one-third of the cable system’s capacity.
Broadcast Television
General. Our acquisition and operation of television stations is subject to FCC regulation under the
Communications Act. The Communications Act prohibits the operation of television broadcasting stations except
under a license issued by the FCC. The statute empowers the FCC, among other things, to issue, revoke and modify
broadcasting licenses, adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of the Communications Act and impose penalties
for violation of such regulations. Such regulations impose certain obligations with respect to the programming and
operation of television stations, including requirements for carriage of children’s educational and informational
programming, programming responsive to local problems, needs and interests, advertising upon request by legally
qualified candidates for federal office, closed captioning, and other matters. In addition, FCC rules prohibit foreign
governments, representatives of foreign governments, aliens, representatives of aliens and corporations and
partnerships organized under the laws of a foreign nation from holding broadcast licenses. Aliens may own up to
20% of the capital stock of a licensee corporation, or generally up to 25% of a U.S. corporation, which, in turn, has a
controlling interest in a licensee.
Full Power Television Stations. In April 2003, one of our wholly owned subsidiaries acquired a full power
television station serving the Boston, Massachusetts market. On April 11, 2007, the FCC granted our application for
renewal of the station’s license. We also distribute our programming via leased carriage on full power television
stations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Seattle, Washington. Our Boston station, WWDP-DT, currently broadcasts
in a digital format on channel 10.
The FCC has begun proceedings to consider reclaiming portions of the electro-magnetic spectrum now used for
broadcast television service with the goal of reallocating some of that spectrum for wireless broadband service. The
FCC has proposed to use “incentive auctions” that would permit broadcasters on a voluntary basis to agree to give up
some or all of their spectrum and obtain a portion of the proceeds the FCC would collect from auctioning that
spectrum. The FCC may also consider “repacking” broadcast television channels to clear spectrum. Legislation
would be required for the FCC to conduct these incentive auctions. There can be no assurance that Congress will give
the FCC that authority. Similarly, there can be no assurance of the impact of any “repacking” on existing ability of
television stations to reach their audience.
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Telephone Companies’ Provision of Programming Services
The Telecommunications Act eliminated the previous statutory restriction forbidding the common ownership of
a cable system and telephone company. Verizon, AT&T, and a number of other local telephone companies are
planning to provide or are providing video services through fiber to the home or fiber to the neighborhood
technologies, while other local exchange carriers are using video digital subscriber loop technology, known as
VDSL, to deliver video programming, high-speed internet access and telephone service over existing copper
telephone lines or new fiber optic lines. In March 2007 and November 2007, the FCC released orders designed to
streamline entry by carriers by preempting the imposition by local franchising authorities of unreasonable conditions
on entry. A number of franchising authorities have sought judicial review of the March 2007 order, and those cases
were consolidated before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. On June 27, 2008, the United States Court
of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit denied the petitions for review of the FCC’s decision. In addition, a number of
parties have requested that the FCC reconsider various aspects of the March 2007 and November 2007 orders, and
those requests remain pending. A number of states have also enacted franchise reform legislation to make it easier for
telephone companies to provide video services. Both Verizon and AT&T have deployed video delivery systems in
many markets across the country, and other telephone companies are also entering the market as a result of these
FCC and state decisions. As of September 2010, Verizon and AT&T, respectively, were the seventh and ninth largest
multi-channel video programming distributors. No prediction can be made as to their further deployment or success
in attracting customers.
Regulations Affecting Multiple Payment Transactions
The antitrust settlement between MasterCard, VISA and approximately 8 million retail merchants raises certain
issues for retailers who accept telephonic orders that involve consumer use of debit cards for multiple or continuity
payments. A condition of the settlement agreement provided that the code numbers or other means of distinguishing
between debit and credit cards be made available to merchants by VISA and MasterCard. Under Federal Reserve
Board regulations, this may require merchants to obtain consumers’ written consent for preauthorized transfers where
the merchant is aware that the method of payment is a debit card as opposed to a credit card. We believe that debit
cards are currently being offered as the payment vehicle in approximately 36% of our transactions with VISA and
MasterCard. Effective February 9, 2006, the Federal Reserve Board amended language in its official commentary to
Regulation E by removing an express prohibition on the use of taped verbal authorization from consumers as
evidence of a written authorization for purposes of the regulation. There can be no assurance that compliance with
the authorization procedures under this regulation will not adversely affect the customer experience in placing orders
or adversely affect sales.
Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act
In an attempt to combat identity theft, in 2003, Congress enacted the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act.
(“FACTA”). In 2008, the federal bank regulatory agencies and the Federal Trade Commission finalized a joint rule
implementing FACTA. Compliance with the rule became mandatory on June 1, 2010. FACTA requires companies to
take steps to prevent, detect and mitigate the occurrences of identity theft. Pursuant to FACTA, covered companies
are required to, among other things, develop an identity theft prevention program to identify and respond
appropriately to “red flags” that may be indicative of possible identity theft. We adopted our FACTA policy on
May 14, 2009.
I. Seasonality and Economic Sensitivity
Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuation, with the highest sales activity normally occurring during our
fourth fiscal quarter of the year, primarily November through January. Our business is also sensitive to general
economic conditions and business conditions affecting consumer spending. Additionally, our television audience
(and therefore sales revenue) can be significantly impacted by major world or domestic events which attract
television viewership and diverts audience attention away from our programming.
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J. Employees
At January 29, 2011, we had approximately 905 employees, the majority of whom are employed in customer
service, order fulfillment and television production. Approximately 16% of our employees work part-time. We are
not a party to any collective bargaining agreement with respect to our employees.
K. Executive Officers of the Registrant
Set forth below are the names, ages and titles of the persons serving as our executive officers.
Name
Keith R. Stewart
Robert Ayd
William McGrath
Carol Steinberg
Jean-Guillaume Sabatier
Michael A. Murray
Mark A. Ahmann
Nicholas J. Vassallo
Beth McCartan
Ashish G. Akolkar
Age
47 Chief Executive Officer and Director
62 President
53 Senior Vice President — Chief Financial Officer
Position(s) Held
51
41
Senior Vice President — E-Commerce, Marketing and
Business Development
Senior Vice President — Sales & Product Planning and
Programming
52 Senior Vice President — Operations
54 Senior Vice President — Human Resources & TV Sales
47 Vice President — Corporate Controller
41 Vice President — Financial Planning & Analysis
38 Vice President — IT Operations
Keith R. Stewart was named our President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2009 after having joined
ShopNBC as President and Chief Operating Officer in August 2008. Mr. Stewart retired from QVC in July 2007
where he served the majority of his retail career, most recently as Vice President — Merchandising of QVC (USA),
and Vice President — Global Sourcing of QVC (USA) from April 2004 to June 2007. Previously, Mr. Stewart was
General Manager of QVC’s large and profitable German business unit from 1998 to March 2004. Mr. Stewart first
joined QVC as a consumer electronics buyer in 1992 and through a series of progressively responsible positions
developed expertise in all areas of TV shopping, including merchandising, programming, cable distribution, strategic
planning, organizational development, and international sourcing.
Robert Ayd joined ShopNBC in February 2010 as President, overseeing Merchandising, Planning, Programming,
Broadcast Operations, and On-Air Talent. Mr. Ayd brings an extensive background and proven track record of
success to ShopNBC, including executive leadership roles at QVC and Macy’s. Most recently, Mr, Ayd served as
Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer at QVC (U.S.) from 2006 to 2008. During his tenure at
QVC, Mr. Ayd also served as Senior Vice President, Design Development & Global Sourcing and Brand
Development from 2005 to 2006, and Senior Vice President of Jewelry and Fashion from 2000 to 2004. Prior to
joining QVC in 1995 as Vice President of Fashion, Mr. Ayd held numerous executive leadership positions for
Macy’s, culminating with Senior Vice President in Women’s Sportswear from 1991 to 1995. Mr. Ayd began his
career at Macy’s in 1975 as a buyer of handbags, bodywear and footwear.
William McGrath was named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in August 2010 after having
joined ShopNBC in January 2010 as Vice President of Quality Assurance and being named interim Chief Financial
Officer in February 2010. Most recently, Mr. McGrath served as Vice President Global Sourcing Operations and
Finance at QVC in 2008. During his tenure at QVC, he also served as Vice President Corporate Quality Assurance
and Quality Control from 1999 — 2008; Vice President Merchandise Operations and Inventory Control from
1995-1999; Vice President Market Research and Sales Analysis from 1992 — 1995; and Director Financial Planning
and Analysis from 1990-1992. Prior to QVC, Mr. McGrath held a variety of leadership positions at Subaru of
America from 1983-1990 and Arthur Andersen from 1979-1983. He holds an MBA in finance from Drexel
University and a BS in Accounting from Saint Joseph’s University.
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Carol Steinberg joined ShopNBC as Senior Vice President, E-Commerce, Marketing and Business Development
in June 2009. Previously she was Vice President at David’s Bridal from September 2006 to June 2009 where she
expanded its internet presence by designing and implementing marketing and merchandising strategies that drove
traffic in store and online. Prior to this position, Ms. Steinberg spent 12 years at QVC from July 1994 to September
2006, most recently having served as the Director of Online Marketing and Business Development.
Jean-Guillaume Sabatier joined ShopNBC as Senior Vice President, Sales & Product Planning and
Programming in November 2008. Most recently, Mr. Sabatier served as Director, Sales and Product Planning for
QVC, Inc., from July 2007 to October 2008. Prior to that time, Mr. Sabatier held various positions in QVC’s German
business unit, including Director, Programming and Planning from July 2003 to July 2007. He began his QVC career
as a sales and product planner in June 1997.
Michael A. Murray joined ShopNBC as Vice President of Operations in May 2004. Mr. Murray has over
25 years of operations and business management experience. Prior to joining ShopNBC, Mr. Murray was Senior
Vice President of Operations for the Fingerhut Companies and Federated Department Stores direct to consumer
divisions primarily from May 1991 to October 2002. While at Fingerhut, Mr. Murray also led FBSI operations,
Fingerhut’s 3rd party direct to consumer arm serving Walmart.com, Intuit, Levi’s, Wet Seal and others. Mr. Murray
has held executive leadership positions in various direct to consumer and retail companies including Merrill
Corporation, Lieberman Enterprises, and Associated Wholesale Grocers. Mr. Murray began his career with John
Deere as an Industrial Engineer.
Mark A. Ahmann has served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources and TV Sales since January 2009, after
joining ShopNBC in September 2008 as Senior Vice President, Human Resources. Prior to ShopNBC Mr. Ahmann
served as an independent consultant with HR Connection from October 2007 to August 2008 and as Senior Vice
President of Operations and Human Resources at Prime Therapeutics, a pharmacy benefit management services
provider, from August 2005 to September 2007. Previously, Mr. Ahmann was Vice President of Human Resources at
Cargill, a global agricultural and trading company from November 2003 to March 2005. Prior to that time he served
as Vice President of Administration and Human Resources at FSI International and as Vice President of Human
Resources — Acquisitions and Divestitures at Aetna. He began his career in human resources with Honeywell.
Nicholas J. Vassallo has served as Vice President and Corporate Controller since 2000. He first joined
ValueVision Media as director of financial reporting in October 1996. During that time he also had responsibility for
direct-mail acquisitions and other corporate business development ventures. Mr. Vassallo was named corporate
controller in 1999 and the following year was promoted to vice president. Prior to ValueVision he served as
corporate controller for Fourth Shift Corporation, a software development company. Mr. Vassallo began his career
with Arthur Anderson, LLP where he spent eight years in their audit practice group. Mr. Vassallo is a CPA and holds
a BS in Accounting from Saint John’s University in New York.
Beth K. McCartan has served as Vice President Financial Planning & Analysis since 2006. She first joined
ValueVision Media as Finance Manager in January 2001. She was promoted to Finance Director in 2003 and to Vice
President three years later. Prior to ValueVision she worked for The Pillsbury Company in several finance positions
including Sr. Financial Analyst for Green Giant and Progresso brands and as a plant controller. She began her career
with Pillsbury in February 1993. Ms. McCartan holds an MBA in finance from the University of Minnesota and has
undergraduate degrees in Finance, Marketing and Advertising from The University of St. Thomas.
Ashish G. Akolkar has served as Vice President of IT Operations since June 2007. Mr. Akolkar joined ShopNBC
in November 2000 and has held director and managerial positions at ShopNBC overseeing enterprise architecture,
software development, application support & maintenance and technology infrastructure functions. Prior to joining
ShopNBC Mr. Akolkar served as a technology consultant for ERP applications while working for companies
including netbriefings.com and Sunflower Information Technologies. Mr. Akolkar has an MBA in finance and BS in
Electronics engineering from Mumbai University, India.
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L. Available Information
Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and
amendments to these reports if applicable, are available, without charge, on our Investor Relations website as soon as
reasonably practicable after they are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies also
are available, without charge, by contacting the General Counsel, ValueVision Media, Inc., 6740 Shady Oak Road,
Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344-3433.
Our Investor Relations internet address is www.valuevisionmedia.com. The information contained on and
connected to our Investor Relations website is not incorporated into this report.
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
In addition to the general investment risks and those factors set forth throughout this document, including those
set forth under the caption “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Information,” the following risks
should be considered regarding our Company.
We have a history of losses and a high fixed cost operating base and may not be able to achieve or maintain
profitable operations in the future.
We experienced operating losses of approximately $15.5 million, $41.2 million and $88.5 million in fiscal 2010,
fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively. We reported a net loss of $25.9 million, $42.0 million and $97.8 million in
fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively. There is no assurance that we will be able to achieve or
maintain profitable operations in future fiscal years.
Our television home shopping business operates with a high fixed cost base, primarily driven by fixed fees under
distribution agreements with cable and direct-to-home satellite providers to carry our programming. In order to
operate on a profitable basis, we must reach and maintain sufficient annual sales revenues to cover our high fixed
cost base and/or negotiate a reduction in this cost structure. If our sales levels are not sufficient to cover our operating
expenses, our ability to reduce operating expenses in the near term will be limited by the fixed cost base. In that case,
our earnings, cash balance and growth prospects could be materially and adversely affected.
If we do not reverse our current trend of operating losses, we could reduce our operating cash resources to the
point where we will not have sufficient liquidity to meet the ongoing cash commitments and obligations to
continue operating our business.
As of January 29, 2011, we had approximately $46.5 million in unrestricted cash, with an additional $5.0 million
of restricted cash used to secure letters of credit. We expect to use our cash to fund any further operating losses, to
finance our working capital requirements and to make necessary capital expenditures in order to operate our
business. We also have significant future commitments for our cash, which primarily includes payments for cable
and satellite program distribution obligations, including a deferred payment obligation to a service provider of
approximately $24 million, $12 million of which was paid in February 2011 and $12 million of which is due in
March 2012; Redemption of our Series B redeemable preferred stock for $40.9 million; and repayment of our
$25 million term loan. Based on our current projections for fiscal 2011, we believe that our existing cash balances
will be sufficient to maintain liquidity to fund our normal business operations over the next twelve months. However,
our amended and restated shareholder agreement with GE Equity and NBCU requires the consent of GE Equity in
order for us to issue new equity securities and to incur indebtedness above certain thresholds, and there can be no
assurance that we would receive such consent if we made a request. Furthermore, our term loan facility includes
certain restrictions on our ability to incur additional debt, as well as restrictions on our ability to make material
changes in the nature of our business, both of which may be necessary in times of liquidity constraints. Therefore,
there can be no assurance that, if required, we would be able to raise additional capital or reduce spending to have
sufficient liquidity to meet our ongoing cash commitments and obligations to continue operating our business. Any
issuances of additional equity, which could include GE Equity’s exercise of its warrant for six million shares of our
common stock, and which will include the issuance of shares of our common stock valued at $4 million to NBCU on
May 15, 2011, are dilutive to our existing shareholders.
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The failure to secure suitable placement for our television programming and the expansion of digital cable
systems could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain television viewers and could result in a decrease
in revenue.
We are dependent upon our ability to compete for television viewers. Effectively competing for television
viewers is dependent on our ability to secure placement of our television programming within a suitable
programming tier at a desirable channel position. The majority of cable operators now offer cable programming on a
digital basis. While the growth of digital cable systems may over time make it possible for our programming to be
more widely distributed, there are several risks as well. The primary risks associated with the growth of digital cable
are demonstrated by the following:
• we could experience a reduction in the growth rate or an absolute decline in sales per digital tier subscriber
because of the increased number of channels offered on digital systems competing for the same number of
viewers and the higher channel location we typically are assigned in digital tiers;
• more competitors may enter the marketplace as additional channel capacity is added; and
• more programming options being available to the viewing public in the form of new television networks and
time-shifted viewing ( e.g. , personal video recorders, video-on-demand, interactive television and streaming
video over broadband internet connections).
Failure to adapt to these risks will result in lower revenue and may harm our results of operations. In addition,
failure to anticipate and adapt to technological changes in a cost-effective manner that meets customer demands and
evolving industry standards will also reduce our revenue, harm our results of operations and financial condition and
have a negative impact on our business.
We may not be able to expand or could lose some of our existing programming distribution if we cannot
negotiate profitable distribution agreements.
We are seeking to continue to reduce the costs associated with our cable and satellite distribution agreements.
However, while we were able to achieve reductions in such costs during fiscal 2010 on a per unit level without a loss
in households, there can be no assurance that we will achieve comparable cost reductions in the future or that we will
be able to maintain or grow our households on financial terms that are profitable to us. It is possible that we may
need to reduce our programming distribution in certain systems if we are unable to obtain appropriate financial terms.
Failure to successfully renew agreements covering a material portion of our existing cable and satellite households on
acceptable financial and other terms could adversely affect our future growth, sales revenues and earnings unless we
are able to arrange for alternative means of broadly distributing our television programming.
NBCU, GE Equity and Comcast as the majority owner of NBCU, have the ability to exert significant influence
over us and have the right to disapprove of certain actions by us.
As a result of their equity ownership in our Company, NBCU (and Comcast, as the majority owner of NBCU)
and GE Equity together are currently our largest shareholder and have the ability to exert significant influence over
actions requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors, adoption of equity-based compensation
plans and approval of mergers or other significant corporate events. Through the provisions in the amended and
restated shareholder agreement and certificate of designation for the Series B redeemable preferred stock, NBCU
(and Comcast, as the majority owner of NBCU) and GE Equity also have the right to block us from taking certain
actions that might otherwise be in the interests of our other shareholders (as discussed in greater detail under
“Business — Strategic Relationships — Amended and Restated Shareholder Agreement” above).
Expiration or termination of the NBC branding license would require us to pursue a new branding strategy that
may not be successful.
We have branded our television home shopping network and internet site as ShopNBC and ShopNBC.com,
respectively, under an exclusive, worldwide licensing agreement with NBCU for the use of NBC trademarks, service
marks and domain names. The license agreement continues through May 2012, with an option to extend the term
through May 2013 upon the mutual agreement of both parties. We do not have the right to automatic renewal at
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the end of the extension period, and consequently may choose or be required to pursue a new branding strategy in the
next 12-24 months which may not be as successful as the NBC brand with current or potential customers. NBCU also
has the right to terminate the license prior to the end of the license term in certain circumstances, including without
limitation in the event of a breach by us of the terms of the license agreement, upon certain changes of control, upon
our inability to pay our debts as they become due, and upon NBCU’s failure to own a certain percentage of our
outstanding capital stock on a fully diluted basis (as discussed in greater detail under “Business — Strategic
Relationships — NBCU Trademark License Agreement” above).
Our directors, executive officers and principal shareholders have substantial control over us and could delay or
prevent a change in corporate control.
Our directors, executive officers and holders of more than 5% of our common stock, together with their
affiliates, beneficially own, in the aggregate, over 38% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, these
shareholders, acting together, would have the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to our shareholders
for approval, including the election of directors and any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our
assets. In addition, these shareholders, acting together, would have the ability to control the management and affairs
of our Company. Accordingly, this concentration of ownership might harm the market price of our common stock
by:
• delaying, deferring or preventing a change in corporate control;
• impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving us; or
• discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.
Competition in the general merchandise retailing industry and particularly the live home shopping and
e-commerce sectors could limit our growth and reduce our profitability.
As a general merchandise retailer, we compete for consumer expenditures with other forms of retail businesses,
including other television home shopping and e-commerce retailers, infomercial companies, other types of consumer
retail businesses, including traditional “brick and mortar” department stores, discount stores, warehouse stores,
specialty stores, catalog and mail order retailers and other direct sellers. In the competitive television home shopping
sector, we compete with QVC Network, Inc., HSN, Inc. and Jewelry Television, as well as a number of smaller
“niche” home shopping competitors. QVC Network, Inc and HSN, Inc. both are substantially larger than we are in
terms of annual revenues and customers, their programming is more broadly available to U.S. households than is our
programming and in many markets they have more favorable channel locations than we have. The internet retailing
industry is also highly competitive, with numerous e-commerce websites competing in every product category we
carry, in addition to the websites operated by the other television home shopping companies. This competition in the
internet retailing sector makes it more challenging and expensive for us to attract new customers, retain existing
customers and maintain desired gross margin levels.
We may not be able to maintain our satellite services in certain situations, beyond our control, which may cause
our programming to go off the air for a period of time and cause us to incur substantial additional costs.
Our programming is presently distributed to cable systems, full power television stations and satellite dish
operators via a leased communications satellite transponder. Satellite service may be interrupted due to a variety of
circumstances beyond our control, such as satellite transponder failure, satellite fuel depletion, governmental action,
preemption by the satellite service provider, solar activity and service failure. The agreement provides us with
preemptible back-up service if satellite transmission is interrupted under certain conditions. In the event of a serious
transmission interruption where back-up service is not available, we may need to enter into new arrangements,
resulting in substantial additional costs and the inability to broadcast our signal for some period of time.
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The FCC could limit must-carry rights, which would impact distribution of our television home shopping
programming and might impair the value of our Boston FCC license.
The Federal Communications Commission, known as the FCC, issued a public notice on May 4, 2007 stating
that it was updating the public record for a petition for reconsideration filed in 1993 and still pending before the FCC.
The petition challenges the FCC’s prior determination to grant the same mandatory cable carriage (or “must-carry”)
rights for TV broadcast stations carrying home shopping programming that the FCC’s rules accord to other TV
stations. The time period for comments and reply comments regarding the reconsideration closed in August 2007,
and we submitted comments supporting the continuation of must-carry rights for home shopping stations. If the FCC
decides to change its prior determination and withdraw must-carry rights for home shopping stations as a result of
this updating of the public record, we could lose our current carriage distribution on cable systems in three markets:
Boston, Pittsburgh and Seattle, which currently constitute approximately 3.4 million full-time equivalent households,
or FTE’s, receiving our programming. We own our Boston television station and have carriage contracts with the
third party Pittsburgh and Seattle television stations. In addition, if must-carry rights for home shopping stations are
withdrawn, it may not be possible to replace these FTE’s on commercially reasonable terms and the carrying value of
our Boston FCC license ($23.1 million as of January 29, 2011) may become impaired.
We may be subject to product liability claims for on-air misrepresentations or if people or properties are harmed
by products sold by us.
Products sold by us and representations related to these products may expose us to potential liability from claims
by purchasers of such products, subject to our rights, in certain instances, to seek indemnification against this liability
from the suppliers or manufacturers of the products. In addition to potential claims of personal injury, wrongful death
or damage to personal property, the live unscripted nature of our television broadcasting may subject us to claims of
misrepresentation by our customers, the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general. We maintain, and
have generally required the manufacturers and vendors of these products to carry, product liability and errors and
omissions insurance. There can be no assurance that we will maintain this coverage or obtain additional coverage on
acceptable terms, or that this insurance will provide adequate coverage against all potential claims or even be
available with respect to any particular claim. There also can be no assurance that our suppliers will continue to
maintain this insurance or that this coverage will be adequate or available with respect to any particular claims.
Product liability claims could result in a material adverse impact on our financial performance.
Our ValuePay installment payment program could lead to significant unplanned credit losses if our credit loss
rate was to materially deteriorate.
We utilize an installment payment program called ValuePay that entitles customers to purchase merchandise and
generally pay for the merchandise in two or more equal monthly installments. As of January 29, 2011 we had
approximately $82.7 million due from customers under the ValuePay installment program. We maintain allowances
for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments.
There is no guarantee that we will continue to experience the same credit loss rate that we have in the past or that
losses will be within current provisions. A significant increase in our credit losses above what we have been
experiencing could result in a material adverse impact on our financial performance.
Failure to comply with existing laws, rules and regulations, or to obtain and maintain required licenses and
rights, could subject us to additional liabilities.
We market and provide a broad range of merchandise through multiple channels. As a result, we are subject to a
wide variety of statutes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures in various jurisdictions which are subject to
change at any time, including laws regarding consumer protection, privacy, the regulation of retailers generally, the
importation, sale and promotion of merchandise and the operation of warehouse facilities, as well as laws and
regulations applicable to the internet and businesses engaged in e-commerce. Our failure to comply with these laws
and regulations could result in fines and proceedings against us by governmental agencies and consumers, which
could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, unfavorable changes in
the laws, rules and regulations applicable to us could decrease demand for merchandise offered by us, increase costs
and subject us to additional liabilities. Finally, certain of these regulations impact our marketing efforts.
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We may be subject to claims by consumers and state and federal authorities for security breaches involving
customer information, which could materially harm our reputation and business.
In order to operate our business we take orders for our products from customers. This requires us to obtain
personal information from these customers including credit card numbers. Although we take reasonable and
appropriate security measures to protect customer information, there is still the risk that external or internal security
breaches could occur. In addition, new tools and discoveries by third parties in computer or communications
technology or software or other developments may facilitate or result in a future compromise or breach of our
computer systems. Such compromises or breaches could result in significant liability or costs to us from consumer
lawsuits for monetary redress, state and federal authorities for fines and penalties, and could also lead to interruptions
in our operations and negative publicity causing damage to our reputation and limiting customers’ willingness to
purchase products from us. In the recent past, a major discount retailer and a credit reporting agency experienced
theft of credit card numbers of millions of consumers resulting in multi-million dollar fines and consumer settlement
costs, FTC audit requirements, and significant internal administrative costs.
Nearly all of our sales are paid for by customers using credit or debit cards and the increasingly heightened
Payment Card Industry (“PCI”) standards regarding the storage and security of customer information could
potentially impact our ability to accept card brands
Nearly all of ShopNBC’s customers pay for purchases via a credit or debit card. Credit and debit card brand
issuers continue to heighten PCI standards that are applicable to all merchants who accept these cards. These
standards primarily pertain to the processes and procedures for secure storage of customer data. Failure to comply
with PCI standards, as required by card issuers, could result in card brand fines and/or the possible inability for us to
accept a card brand. Our inability to accept one or all card brands could materially affect sales in a negative manner.
We depend on relationships with numerous domestic and foreign manufacturers and suppliers; a decrease in
product quality or an increase in product cost, or the unanticipated loss of several of our larger suppliers, could
impact our sales.
We procure merchandise from numerous domestic and foreign manufacturers and suppliers generally pursuant
to short-term contracts and purchase orders. Our ability to identify and establish relationships with these parties, as
well as access quality merchandise in a timely and efficient manner on acceptable terms and at acceptable costs, can
be challenging. We depend on the ability of these parties in the U.S. and abroad to timely produce and deliver goods
that meet applicable quality standards, which is impacted by a number of factors not within the control of these
parties, such as political or financial instability, trade restrictions, tariffs, currency exchange rates and transport
capacity and costs, among others, and to deliver products that meet or exceed our customers’ expectations.
Our failure to identify new vendors and manufacturers, maintain relationships with a significant number of
existing vendors and manufacturers and/or access quality merchandise in a timely and efficient manner could cause
us to miss customer delivery dates or delay scheduled promotions, which would result in the failure to meet customer
expectations and could cause customers to cancel orders or cause us to be unable to source merchandise in sufficient
quantities, which could result in lost sales.
It is possible that one or more of our larger suppliers could experience financial difficulties, including
bankruptcy, or otherwise could determine to cease doing business with us. During fiscal 2010, products purchased
from one vendor accounted for approximately 18% of our consolidated net sales. While we have periodically
experienced the loss of a major vendor, if a number of our larger vendors ceased doing business with us, this could
materially and adversely impact our sales and profitability on a short term basis.
Many of our key functions are concentrated in a single location, and a natural disaster could seriously impact
our ability to operate.
Our television broadcast studios, internet operations, IT systems, merchandising team, inventory control
systems, executive offices and finance/accounting functions, among others, are centralized in our adjacent offices at
6740 and 6690, Shady Oak Road in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. In addition, our only fulfillment and distribution facility
is centralized at a location in Bowling Green, Kentucky. A natural disaster, such as a tornado, could
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seriously disrupt our ability to continue or resume normal operations for some period of time. While we have certain
business continuity plans in place, no assurances can be given as to how quickly we would be able to resume
operations and how long it may take to return to normal operations. We could incur substantial financial losses above
and beyond what may be covered by applicable insurance policies, and may experience a loss of customers, vendors
and employees during the recovery period.
We could be subject to additional sales tax collection obligations and claims for uncollected amounts.
A number of states have adopted new legislation that would require the collection of state and/or local taxes on
transactions originating on the internet or by other out-of-state retailers, such as home shopping, infomercial and
catalog companies. In some cases these new laws seek to establish grounds for asserting “nexus” by the
out-of-state retailer in the applicable state, and are being challenged by internet and other retailers under federal
constitutional grounds. Adding sales tax to our internet transactions could negatively impact consumer demand.
ShopNBC partners with numerous affiliate companies across the country to publicize links from different websites to
our website, ShopNBC.com. In 2008, the state of New York enacted legislation which required certain sellers like us
to collect sales tax on our New York sales if we utilized New York “resident representatives”, which term was
intended to include internet companies that publicize e-commerce retailers through links from different websites to
the e-commerce retailer’s website. Court challenges to this tax have, to date, been unsuccessful. North Carolina and
Rhode Island have passed similar laws and several other state legislatures, including California, are considering
similar legislation. As a result of this legislation as well as other legislation passed, we registered and started
collecting sales tax in New York, North Carolina and Colorado. If this trend continues and the laws are upheld after
legal challenges, we could be required to collect additional state and local taxes which could negatively impact sales
as well as creating an additional administrative burden which could be costly to the business.
We place a significant reliance on technology and information management tools to run our existing
businesses, the failure of which could adversely impact our operations.
Our businesses are dependent, in part, on the use of sophisticated technology, some of which is provided to us
by third parties. These technologies include, but are not necessarily limited to, satellite based transmission of our
programming, use of the internet in relation to our on-line business, new digital technology used to manage and
supplement our television broadcast operations and a network of complex computer hardware and software to
manage an ever increasing need for information and information management tools. The failure of any of these
technologies, or our inability to have this technology supported, updated, expanded or integrated into other
technologies, could adversely impact our operations. Although we have, when possible, developed alternative
sources of technology and built redundancy into our computer networks and tools, there can be no assurance that
these efforts to date would protect us against all potential issues or disaster occurrences related to the loss of any such
technologies or their use.
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
None
Item 2. Properties
We own two commercial buildings occupying approximately 209,000 square feet in Eden Prairie, Minnesota (a
suburb of Minneapolis). These buildings are used for office space including executive offices, television studios,
broadcast facilities and administrative offices. We own a 262,000 square foot distribution facility on a 34-acre parcel
of land in Bowling Green, Kentucky. We also lease approximately 136,000 square feet of additional warehouse space
in Bowling Green, Kentucky under an 18-month lease agreement, which includes an extension option. Additionally,
we rent transmitter site and studio locations in Boston, Massachusetts for our full power television station. We
believe that our existing facilities are adequate to meet our current needs and that suitable additional alternative space
will be available as needed to accommodate expansion of operations.
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Item 3. Legal Proceedings
We are involved from time to time in various claims and lawsuits in the ordinary course of business. In the
opinion of management, these claims and suits individually and in the aggregate have not had a material adverse
effect on our operations or consolidated financial statements.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency commenced an investigation
into an undervaluation and corresponding underpayment of the customs duty owed by one of our vendors relating to
a particular shipment of goods to the United States. We notified the vendor and have withheld certain funds from the
vendor under contractual indemnification obligations to cover any potential costs, penalties or fees that may result
from the investigation. We made a formal request for indemnification from the vendor but the request was refused.
As a result, in December 2009, through the U.S. District Court of Minnesota, we commenced litigation against the
vendor for breach of contract. The vendor filed counterclaims for payments it claims were owed by us. We believe
that the funds we are withholding from the vendor will be sufficient to cover any costs or possible liabilities against
us that may result from the investigation.
Item 4. Reserved
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PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
Market Information for Common Stock
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “VVTV.” The following table sets
forth the range of high and low sales prices of our common stock as quoted by the Nasdaq Global Market for the
periods indicated.
Fiscal 2010
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
Fiscal 2009
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
Holders
High
Low
$ 4.77 $ 2.96
1.45
3.09
1.41
2.69
2.15
7.24
0.83
3.22
4.15
5.27
0.18
0.50
2.61
3.00
As of March 15, 2011 we had approximately 519 common shareholders of record.
Dividends
We have never declared or paid any dividends with respect to our common stock. Pursuant to the amended and
restated shareholder agreement with GE Equity and NBCU, we are prohibited from paying dividends on our common
stock without GE Equity’s prior consent. Except as required in connection with the Series B Preferred Stock, we
currently expect to retain our earnings for the development and expansion of our business and do not anticipate
paying cash dividends on the common stock in the foreseeable future. The Company is further restricted from paying
dividends on its common and preferred stock by its Credit Agreement. Any future determination by us to pay cash
dividends on the common stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent upon our
results of operations, financial condition, any contractual restrictions then existing and other factors deemed relevant
at the time by the board of directors.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
During fiscal 2009, we repurchased a total of 1,622,000 shares of common stock for a total investment of
$937,000 at an average price of $0.58 per share. During fiscal 2008, we repurchased a total of 556,000 shares of
common stock for a total investment of $3.3 million at an average price of $5.96 per share. As of January 29, 2011,
all authorizations for repurchase programs have expired.
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Stock Performance Graph
The graph below compares the cumulative five-year total return to our shareholders (based on appreciation or
depreciation of the market price of our common stock) on an indexed basis with (i) a broad equity market index and
(ii) two published industry indices. The presentation compares the common stock price in the period from
February 4, 2006 to January 29, 2011, to the Nasdaq Composite Index, the S&P 500 Retailing Index and the
Morningstar Specialty Retail Index. The cumulative return is calculated assuming an investment of $100 on
February 4, 2006, and reinvestment of all dividends. You should not consider shareholder return over the indicated
period to be indicative of future shareholder returns.
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Among ValueVision Media, Inc. The NASDAQ Composite Index,
S&P 500 Retailing Index, and the Morningstar Specialty Retail Index
ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON FEB. 05, 2006
ASSUMES DIVIDEND REINVESTED
FISCAL YEAR ENDING JAN. 29, 2011
February 4, May 10, February 3, February 2, January 31, January 30, January 29,
2008
2006
2007
2009
2010
2006
2011
ValueVision Media, Inc.
NASDAQ Composite
Index
S&P 500 Retailing Index
Morningstar Specialty
Retail Index
$ 100.00 $ 107.25 $
99.92 $
49.36 $
1.97 $
33.17 $
51.93
$ 100.00 $ 102.75 $ 110.17 $ 108.11 $
95.14 $
$ 100.00 $ 106.51 $ 116.57 $
66.71 $
59.26 $
97.99 $ 123.77
92.17 $ 117.21
$ 100.00 $ 100.15 $
99.08 $
91.86 $
55.56 $
92.46 $ 116.85
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Table of Contents
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table provides information as of January 29, 2011 for our compensation plans under which
securities may be issued:
Plan Category
Number of Securities to be Issued
Upon Exercise of Outstanding
Options, Warrants and Rights
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights Equity Compensation Plans
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance under
Number of Securities
Equity Compensation Plans
Approved by Security holders
Equity Compensation Plans Not
Approved by Security holders
(2)
Total
4,188,000
$
5.74
1,154,000 (1)
540,000 (2) $
$
4,728,000
3.86
5.52
—
1,154,000
(1) Includes securities available for future issuance under shareholder approved compensation plans other than upon
the exercise of outstanding options, warrants or rights, as follows: 333,000 shares under the 2001 Omnibus Stock
Plan and 821,000 shares under the 2004 Omnibus Stock Plan.
(2) Reflects 15,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants held by NBCU and 525,000 shares of
common stock issuable upon exercise of nonstatutory employee stock options granted at exercise prices equal to
the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant. Each of these options expires 10 years
from the grant date and vests over three years.
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Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The selected financial data for the five years ended January 29, 2011 have been derived from our audited
consolidated financial statements. The selected financial data presented below are qualified in their entirety by, and
should be read in conjunction with, the financial statements and notes thereto and other financial and statistical
information referenced elsewhere herein including the information referenced under the caption “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Year Ended
January 29, January 30, January 31, February 2, February 3,
2009(c)
2011(a)
2010(b)
(In thousands, except per share data)
2008(d)
2007
Statement of Operations Data:
Net sales
Gross profit
Operating loss
Net income (loss)(e)
Per Share Data:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per common
$ 562,273 $ 527,873 $ 567,510 $ 781,550 $ 767,275
199,529 173,772 182,749 271,015 267,161
(15,466 ) (41,171 ) (88,458 ) (23,052 ) (9,479 )
(25,868 ) (41,998 ) (97,793 ) 22,452 (2,396 )
share
$
(0.78 ) $
(0.45 ) $
(2.92 ) $
0.53 $
(0.07 )
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per common
share — assuming dilution
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic
Diluted
$
(0.78 ) $
(0.45 ) $
(2.92 ) $
0.53 $
(0.07 )
33,326 32,538 33,598 41,992 37,646
33,326 32,538 33,598 42,011 37,646
January 29,
2011
January 30,
2010
January 31,
2009
(In thousands)
February 2,
2008
February 3,
2007
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and
investments
Current assets
Long-term investments
Property, equipment and other
assets
Total assets
Current liabilities
Series B redeemable preferred
stock
Other long-term obligations
Series A redeemable preferred
stock
Shareholders’ equity
$ 46,471
$ 17,000
$ 53,845
$ 59,078
$ 71,294
4,961
185,357
—
53,002
238,359
103,798
14,599
36,810
—
83,152
5,060
139,361
—
56,853
196,214
85,992
11,243
10,675
—
88,304
1,589
161,469
15,728
64,303
241,500
95,988
—
—
—
252,183
26,306
80,591
359,080
118,350
—
—
44,191
99,472
43,898
194,510
—
260,445
—
91,535
351,980
105,274
—
2,553
43,607
198,847
Year Ended
January 29, January 30, January 31, February 2, February 3,
2009
(In thousands, except statistical data)
2007
2011
2010
2008
Other Data:
Gross profit
Working capital
Current ratio
Adjusted EBITDA (as defined)(f)
Cash Flows:
Operating
Investing
Financing
32.9 %
35.5 %
$ 81,559 $ 53,369 $ 65,481 $ 133,833 $ 155,171
2.5
$ 2,351 $ (19,411 ) $ (51,421 ) $ 6,850 $ 14,690
34.7 %
32.2 %
1.6
1.8
2.1
1.7
34.8 %
327 $ (37,896 ) $ 7,100 $ 11,189 $ 3,542
$
$ (7,430 ) $ 8,307 $ 24,557 $
(475 ) $ (1,562 )
$ 36,574 $ (7,256 ) $ (3,417 ) $ (26,605 ) $ (3,627 )
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(a) Results of operations for fiscal 2010 include the following: (i) a $1.2 million charge due to early payment of
preferred stock obligations and (ii) a $1.1 million charge related to incremental restructuring charges incurred in
fiscal 2010. See Notes 9 and 18 to the consolidated financial statements.
(b) Results of operations for fiscal 2009 include the following: (i) a $3.6 million gain on the sale of auction rate
securities, (ii) a $2.3 million charge related to the restructuring of certain company operations and (iii) a
$1.9 million charge related to costs associated with our chief executive officer transition. See Notes 7, 18 and 19
to the consolidated financial statements.
(c) Results of operations for fiscal 2008 include the following: (i) an $11.1 million auction rate securities write
down, (ii) an $8.8 million FCC license intangible asset impairment, (iii) a $4.3 million charge related to the
restructuring of certain company operations and (iv) a $2.7 million charge related to costs associated with our
chief executive officer transition. See Notes 4, 7, 18 and 19 to the consolidated financial statements.
(d) Results of operations for fiscal 2007 include the following: (i) a $40.2 million gain on the sale of Ralph Lauren
Media, LLC, (ii) a $5.0 million charge related to the restructuring of certain company operations and (iii) a
$2.5 million charge related to costs associated with our chief executive officer transition.
(e) Net income (loss) includes a net pre-tax gain of $40.2 million from the sale of Ralph Lauren Media, LLC in
fiscal 2007.
(f) EBITDA as defined for this statistical presentation represents net income (loss) for the respective periods
excluding depreciation and amortization expense, interest income (expense) and income taxes. We define
Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA excluding debt extinguishment, non-operating gains (losses); non-cash
impairment charges and write downs; restructuring and CEO transition costs; and non-cash share-based
compensation expense. Management has included the term Adjusted EBITDA in its EBITDA reconciliation in
order to adequately assess the operating performance of our “core” television and internet businesses and in
order to maintain comparability to our analyst’s coverage and financial guidance, when given. Management
believes that Adjusted EBITDA allows investors to make a more meaningful comparison between our core
business operating results over different periods of time with those of other similar companies. In addition,
management uses Adjusted EBITDA as a metric measure to evaluate operating performance under its
management and executive incentive compensation programs. Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an
alternative to operating income (loss), net income (loss) or to cash flows from operating activities as determined
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and should not be construed as a measure of
liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly entitled measures reported by other companies.
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A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to its comparable GAAP measurement, net income (loss), follows:
Adjusted EBITDA
Less:
Debt extinguishment
Non-operating gains (losses) and equity in income of
Ralph Lauren Media, LLC
Write-down of auction rate investments
FCC license impairment
Restructuring costs
CEO transition costs
Non-cash share-based compensation expense
EBITDA (as defined)
A reconciliation of EBITDA to net income (loss) is as
follows:
EBITDA, as defined
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization
Interest income
Interest expense
Income tax (provision) benefit
Net income (loss)
Year Ended
January 29, January 30, January 31, February 2, February 3,
2009
(In thousands)
2008
2010
2007
2011
$
2,351 $ (19,411 ) $ (51,421 ) $
6,850 $ 14,690
(1,235 )
—
—
—
—
3,628
3,356
—
—
— (11,072 )
—
—
(8,832 )
—
—
(29 )
(4,299 )
(2,303 )
(1,130 )
—
(2,681 )
(1,932 )
—
(3,350 )
(1,901 )
(3,928 )
(3,205 )
(3,364 ) (23,223 ) (83,202 ) 37,604 16,116
(969 ) 40,663
—
—
(5,043 )
(2,451 )
(2,415 )
(3,364 ) (23,223 ) (83,202 ) 37,604 16,116
(13,337 ) (14,320 ) (17,297 ) (19,993 ) (22,239 )
3,802
—
(75 )
(2,396 )
5,680
—
(839 )
$ (25,868 ) $ (41,998 ) $ (97,793 ) $ 22,452 $
382
(4,928 )
91
2,739
—
(33 )
51
(9,795 )
577
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Introduction
The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is qualified by reference to
and should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included
elsewhere in this annual report.
Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995
This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations and other materials we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (as
well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by us) contain certain
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All
statements other than statements of historical fact, including statements regarding guidance, industry prospects or
future results of operations or financial position, made in this annual report on Form 10-K are forward looking. We
often use words such as anticipates, believes, expects, intends and similar expressions to identify forward-looking
statements. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are accordingly subject to
uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from the expectations contained herein
due to various important factors, including (but not limited to): consumer spending and debt levels; the general
economic and credit environment; interest rates; seasonal variations in consumer purchasing activities; changes in the
mix of products sold by us; competitive pressures on sales; pricing and sales margins; the level of cable and satellite
distribution for our programming and the associated fees; our ability to manage our operating expenses successfully;
our management and information systems infrastructure; changes in governmental or regulatory requirements;
litigation or governmental proceedings affecting our operations; the risks identified under “Risk Factors” in this
report; significant public events that are difficult to predict, such as widespread weather catastrophes or other
significant television-covering events causing an interruption of television coverage or that
29
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directly compete with the viewership of our programming; and our ability to obtain and retain key executives and
employees. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty. The facts and
circumstances that exist when any forward-looking statements are made and on which those forward-looking
statements are based may significantly change in the future, thereby rendering the forward-looking statements
obsolete. 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, future events or otherwise.
Overview
Company Description
We are an interactive retailer that markets, sells and distributes products to consumers through TV, telephone,
online, mobile and social media. Our principal form of product exposure is our 24-hour television shopping network,
ShopNBC, which is distributed primarily through cable and satellite affiliation agreements, and markets brand name
and private label products in the categories of Jewelry & Watches; Home and Electronics; Beauty, Health & Fitness;
and Fashion & Accessories. We also operate ShopNBC.com, a comprehensive e-commerce platform that sells
products appearing on our television shopping channel as well as an extended assortment of online-only
merchandise. Our programming and products are also marketed via mobile devices — including smartphones and
tablets such as the iPad, and through the leading social networking sites Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. We have
an exclusive trademark license from NBCUniversal Media, LLC, formerly known as NBC Universal, Inc.
(“NBCU”), for the worldwide use of an NBC-branded name for a period ending in May 2012. Pursuant to the
license, we operate our television home shopping network under the ShopNBC brand name and operate our internet
website under the ShopNBC.com and ShopNBC.tv brand names.
Products and Customers
Products sold on our multi-media platforms include primarily jewelry & watches, home & electronics, beauty,
health & fitness, and fashion & accessories. Historically jewelry and watches have been our largest merchandise
categories. More recently, our product mix has been shifting to include a more diversified product assortment in
order to continue growing our new and active customer base. The following table shows our merchandise mix as a
percentage of television home shopping and internet net sales for the years indicated by product category group:
Merchandise Mix
Jewelry & Watches
Home & Electronics
Beauty, Health & Fitness
Fashion (apparel, outerwear & accessories)
January 29,
2011
Year Ended
January 30,
2010
January 31,
2009
52 %
32 %
10 %
6 %
55 %
31 %
7 %
7 %
56 %
33 %
5 %
6 %
Our product strategy is to continue to develop new product offerings across multiple merchandise categories as
needed in response to both customer demand and in order to maximize margin dollars per minute in our television
and internet shopping operations. Our multichannel customers are primarily women between the ages of 40 and 69,
married, with average annual household incomes of $50,000 or more. We believe our customers make purchases
based on our unique products, quality merchandise and value. Over the past fiscal year, we have changed our product
mix in order to diversify our product offerings, which we believe will continue to drive new and active customer
development and the retention of repeat customers.
Company Strategy
As a premium interactive retailer, our strategy is to offer our customers differentiated quality brands and
products at a compelling value proposition. We also seek to provide today’s consumers with flexible programming
formats and access that allow them to view and interact with our content and products at their convenience —
30
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whenever and wherever they are able. Our merchandise positioning aims to make us a trusted destination for quality
and an authority in a broad category of merchandise. We focus on creating a customer experience that builds strong
loyalty and a growing customer base.
In support of this strategy, we are pursuing the following actions to improve the operational and financial
performance of our Company: (i) broadening and optimizing our product mix to appeal to more customers and to
encourage additional purchases per customer, (ii) increasing new and active customers and improving household
penetration, (iii) increasing our gross margin dollars by improving merchandise margins in key product categories
while prudently managing inventory levels, (iv) reducing our transactional operating expenses while managing our
fixed operating expenses, (v) growing our Internet business with expanded product assortments and Internet-only
merchandise offerings, (vi) expanding our Internet, mobile and social networking reach to attract and retain more
customers, and (vii) moving cable and satellite carriage contracts to shorter terms of one to two years while seeking
cost savings opportunities.
Our Competition
The direct marketing and retail businesses are highly competitive. In our television home shopping and
e-commerce operations, we compete for customers with other television home shopping and e-commerce retailers;
infomercial companies; other types of consumer retail businesses, including traditional “brick and mortar”
department stores, discount stores, warehouse stores and specialty stores; catalog and mail order retailers and other
direct sellers.
In the competitive television home shopping sector, we compete with QVC Network, Inc. and HSN, Inc., both
of whom are substantially larger than we are in terms of annual revenues and customers, and whose programming is
carried more broadly to U.S. households than our programming. The American Collectibles Network, which operates
Jewelry Television, also competes with us for television home shopping customers in the jewelry category. In
addition, there are a number of smaller niche players and startups in the television home shopping arena who
compete with our Company. We believe that our major competitors incur cable and satellite distribution fees
representing a significantly lower percentage of their sales attributable to their television programming than do we;
and that their fee arrangements are substantially on a commission basis (in some cases with minimum guarantees)
rather than on the predominantly fixed-cost basis that we currently have. At ShopNBC’s current sales level, our
distribution costs as a percentage of total consolidated net sales are higher than our competition.
The e-commerce sector also is highly competitive, and we are in direct competition with numerous other internet
retailers, many of whom are larger, better financed and/or have a broader customer base than we do.
We anticipate continuing competition for viewers and customers, for experienced home shopping personnel, for
distribution agreements with cable and satellite systems and for vendors and suppliers — not only from television
home shopping companies, but also from other companies that seek to enter the home shopping and internet retail
industries, including telecommunications and cable companies, television networks, and other established retailers.
We believe that our ability to be successful in the television home shopping and e-commerce sectors will be
dependent on a number of key factors, including (i) increasing the number of customers who purchase products from
us and (ii) increasing the dollar value of sales per customer from our existing customer base.
Results for Fiscal 2010, 2009 and 2008
Consolidated net sales from continuing operations in fiscal 2010 were $562.3 million compared to
$527.9 million in fiscal 2009, a 7% increase. Consolidated net sales in fiscal 2009 were $527.9 million compared to
$567.5 million in fiscal 2008, a 7% decrease. We reported an operating loss of $15.5 million and net loss of
$25.9 million for fiscal 2010. Operating expenses in fiscal 2010 included $1.1 million of restructuring charges and
our net loss in fiscal 2010 included a $1.2 million debt extinguishment charge. We reported an operating loss of
$41.2 million and net loss of $42.0 million for fiscal 2009, which included a pretax gain of $3.6 million from the sale
of our auction rate securities. Operating expenses in fiscal 2009 included $2.3 million of restructuring charges and
CEO transition costs of $1.9 million. We reported an operating loss of $88.5 million and net loss of $97.8 million for
fiscal 2008, which included a pretax loss of $11.1 million related to an impairment write-down of
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our auction rate securities. Operating expenses in fiscal 2008 included $4.3 million of restructuring charges, an
$8.8 million FCC license intangible asset write-down and CEO transition costs of $2.7 million.
Term Loan Credit Agreement
On November 17, 2010, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Crystal Financial LLC, as agent for
the lending group, which provides for a term loan of $25 million (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement
has a five-year maturity and bears interest on the outstanding principal amount based on fixed interest rates and
floating interest rates based on LIBOR plus variable margins. The interest rate calculated for the fourth quarter was
11%. The term loan is subject to a minimum borrowing base of $25 million and is based on eligible accounts
receivable, eligible inventory, certain real estate and certain eligible cash and is secured by substantially all of the
Company’s personal property, as well as the Company’s real property located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Under
certain circumstances, the borrowing base may be adjusted if there were to be a significant deterioration in value of
the Company’s accounts receivable and inventory. The term loan is subject to mandatory prepayment in certain
circumstances. In addition, any voluntary or mandatory prepayments made prior to November 18, 2013 would
require an early termination fee of the greater of the first year’s yield revenue or 3% if terminated in year one; 2% if
terminated in year two; and 1% if terminated in year three. The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants and
conditions, including, among other things, maintaining a minimum of unrestricted cash of $5,000,000 at all times. In
addition, the Credit Agreement places restrictions on the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness or
prepay existing indebtedness, to create liens or other encumbrances, to sell or otherwise dispose of assets, to merge
or consolidate with other entities, and to make certain restricted payments, including payments of dividends to our
common and preferred shareholders. As of January 29, 2011, the Company was in compliance with the applicable
covenants of the facility and was in compliance with its minimum borrowing base requirement and expects to be in
compliance in the near and long term. In connection with the execution of this new credit agreement, the Company
terminated its revolving credit and security agreement with PNC Bank.
Preferred Stock Exchange
On February 25, 2009, GE Equity exchanged all outstanding shares of our Series A Preferred Stock for
(i) 4,929,266 shares of our Series B Redeemable Preferred Stock, (ii) warrants to purchase up to 6,000,000 shares of
our common stock at an exercise price of $0.75 per share and (iii) a cash payment in the amount of $3.4 million.
The shares of Series B Preferred Stock are redeemable at any time by us for the initial redemption amount of
$40.9 million, plus accrued dividends. The Series B Preferred Stock accrues cumulative dividends at a base annual
rate of 12%, subject to adjustment. All early payments on the Series B Preferred Stock will be applied first to any
accrued but unpaid dividends, and then to redeem shares. 30% of the Series B Preferred Stock (including accrued but
unpaid dividends) is required to be redeemed on February 25, 2013, and the remainder on February 25, 2014. In
addition, the Series B Preferred Stock includes a cash sweep mechanism that may require accelerated redemptions if
we generate excess cash above agreed upon thresholds. Due to the mandatory redemption feature of the preferred
stock, we classified the carrying value of the Series B Preferred Stock, and related accrued dividends, as long-term
liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. In November 2010, the Company agreed to a $2.5 million payment to
GE Equity in connection with obtaining a consent for the execution of the Crystal term loan reducing the outstanding
accrued dividend payable on the Series B Preferred Stock. In February 2011, the Company made an additional
$2.5 million payment to GE Equity, in connection with obtaining a consent for our common stock equity offering,
reducing the outstanding accrued dividend payable on the Series B Preferred Stock.
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Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain statement of operations data expressed as a
percentage of net sales.
Year Ended
January 29, January 30, January 31,
2010
2011
2009
Net sales
Gross margin
Operating expenses:
Distribution and selling
General and administrative
Depreciation and amortization
Restructuring costs
CEO transition costs
FCC license impairment
Total operating expenses
Operating loss
Interest expense
Other income (loss), net
Loss before income taxes
Income taxes
Net loss
100.0 %
35.5
100.0 %
32.9
100.0 %
32.2
32.3
3.4
2.3
0.2
—
—
38.2
(2.7 )
(1.7 )
(0.2 )
(4.6 )
0.1
(4.5 )%
33.7
3.5
2.7
0.4
0.4
—
40.7
(7.8 )
(0.9 )
0.7
(8.0 )
—
(8.0 )%
37.9
4.1
3.0
0.8
0.4
1.6
47.8
(15.6 )
—
(1.6 )
(17.2 )
—
(17.2 )%
Key Performance Metrics
For the Twelve Months Ended
January 29,
January 30,
2011
Change
2010
Change
January 31,
2009
76,437
4 %
73,576
3 %
71,740
580,117
1,144,028
11 %
12 %
523,314
1,021,725
63 %
36 %
321,054
753,538
$
35.5 % 260 bps
14 %
5,175
(6 )% $
101
19.8 % (120 )bps
41.2 % 750 bps
70 bps
32.9 %
47 %
4,537
(39 )% $
108
21.0 % (1020 )bps
180 bps
33.7 %
32.2 %
3,088
176
31.2 %
31.9 %
Program Distribution, (in thousands)
Total Average FTE Homes
Customer counts:
New (12 month rolling)
Active (12 month rolling)
Merchandise Metrics
Gross Margin %
Net Shipped Units (in thousands)
Average Selling Price
Return Rate
Internet Net Sales %
Program Distribution
Average FTE subscribers grew 4% in fiscal 2010, resulting in a 2.8 million increase in average FTE’s compared
to fiscal 2009. Average FTE subscribers grew 3% in fiscal 2009, resulting in a 1.9 million increase in average FTE’s
compared to fiscal 2008. The annual increases were driven by continued growth in satellite distribution of our
programming and increased distribution of our programming on digital cable. We anticipate that
33
Table of Contents
our cable programming distribution will increasingly shift towards a greater mix of digital as opposed to analog cable
tiers, both through growth in the number of digital subscribers and through cable system operators moving
programming that is carried on analog channels over to digital channels. Nonetheless, because of the broader
universe of programming choices available for viewers in digital systems and the higher channel placements
commonly associated with digital tiers, the shift towards digital systems may adversely impact our ability to compete
for television viewers even if our programming is available in more homes. Our television home shopping
programming is also simulcast live 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through our internet websites,
www.ShopNBC.com and www.ShopNBC.TV, which is not included in total FTE households.
Cable and Satellite Distribution Agreements
We have entered into cable and DTH distribution agreements that require each operator to offer our television
home shopping programming substantially on a full-time basis over their systems. The terms of these existing
agreements typically range from one to two years. Under certain circumstances, the television operators or we may
cancel the agreements prior to their expiration. If certain of these agreements are terminated, the termination may
materially or adversely affect our business. Failure to maintain our cable agreements covering a material portion of
our existing cable households on acceptable financial and other terms could materially and adversely affect our future
growth, sales revenues and earnings unless we are able to arrange for alternative means of broadly distributing our
television programming.
Customer Counts
During fiscal 2010, customer trends, on a 12 month rolling basis, improved with new and active customers up
11% and 12%, respectively, over fiscal 2009. During fiscal 2009, new and active customers were up 63% and 36%,
respectively, over fiscal 2008. We attribute the increases in new and active customers to our merchandise strategy of
a broader assortment, a change in our merchandise mix, lower price points and new products, brands and concepts
that proved successful in driving increased customer activity.
Net Shipped Units
The number of units shipped during fiscal 2010 increased 14% from fiscal 2009 to 5.2 million from 4.5 million.
The number of units shipped during fiscal 2009 increased 47% from fiscal 2008 to 4.5 million from 3.1 million. The
decline in average selling prices, discussed below, along with our increased customer counts and productivity were
major contributing factors to the increase in unit sales during fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009.
Average Selling Price
Our average selling price, or ASP, per net unit was $101 in fiscal 2010, a 6% decrease over fiscal 2009. The
decrease in the fiscal 2010 ASP, which is part of our overall merchandise strategy, was driven primarily by unit
selling price decreases within almost all product categories. We intentionally modified our product mix to reduce our
average selling price points in order to appeal to a broader audience, to allow for a broader merchandise assortment
and to reduce our return rates. For fiscal 2009, the average selling price per net unit was $108, a 39% decrease over
fiscal 2008. The decrease in the 2009 ASP was driven primarily by selling price decreases within almost all product
categories.
Return Rates
Our return rate was 19.8% in fiscal 2010 compared to 21.0% in fiscal 2009, a 6% decrease or a 120 basis point
decrease. We attribute the decrease in the 2010 return rate primarily to operational improvements in our delivery time
and customer service, our overall product quality and quality control enhancements, and our lower price points. Our
return rate was 21.0% in fiscal 2009 compared to 31.2% in fiscal 2008, a 33% decrease or a 1020 basis point
decrease. We will continue to monitor our return rates in an effort to continue to reduce the overall return rates
related to our television home shopping and internet businesses.
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Table of Contents
Net Sales
Consolidated net sales, inclusive of shipping and handling revenue, for fiscal 2010 were $562.3 million
compared to $527.9 million for fiscal 2009, a 7% increase. The increase in consolidated net sales are primarily
attributed to higher net sales in the categories of jewelry, health & beauty and home as we continue to modify our
product mix. Consolidated net sales also increased as a result of higher shipping and handling revenues due to fewer
free shipping promotions offered. Our internet net sales increased 31% over prior fiscal year and our
e-commerce sales penetration was 41% during fiscal 2010 compared to 34% for fiscal 2009 driven primarily by
strong cross-channel promotions from our core television channel, online marketing efforts and mobile and social
media platforms.
Consolidated net sales, inclusive of shipping and handling revenue, for fiscal 2009 were $527.9 million
compared to $567.5 million for fiscal 2008, a 7% decrease. The decline in consolidated net sales were directly
attributed to an approximate 39% decrease in our average selling price offset by a 47% increase in net shipped units.
The reduction in our selling price during fiscal 2009 was an essential part of our strategy to increase viewership,
rebuild our customer base and increase unit volume. Sales during fiscal 2009 were also negatively impacted by a
change in our on-air merchandise mix as we allocated more airtime to categories such as health & beauty and certain
home categories and away from higher priced consumer electronics and jewelry. From a product category
perspective, our gemstone and gold categories experienced significant declines as these businesses were being
repositioned at lower price points in order to broaden their appeal and reduce return rates. During fiscal 2009, our
watch and health & beauty sales off-set some of the decline experienced in our jewelry business. In addition, total net
sales decreased during fiscal 2009 due to reduced total revenues associated with our discontinued polo.com
fulfillment operations.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for fiscal 2010 was $199.5 million compared to $173.8 million for fiscal 2009, an increase of 15%.
Gross profit for fiscal 2009 was $173.8 million compared to $182.7 million for fiscal 2008, a decrease of 5%. The
increase in the gross profits experienced during fiscal 2010 was driven primarily by merchandise margin
improvements targeted in a majority of our key product categories and increased shipping and handling margins
resulting from fewer promotions.
Gross margin as a percentage of sales (sales margin) for fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 was 35.5%,
32.9% and 32.2%, respectively. The increase in the gross margin percentages experienced during fiscal 2010 was
driven primarily by merchandise margin improvements targeted in a majority of our key product categories,
increased shipping and handling margins resulting from fewer promotions and due to the impact of having a lower
consumer electronics product mix during fiscal 2010, offset partially by increased cost of inventory liquidations
during fiscal 2010. The increase in gross margins experienced during fiscal 2009 was driven primarily by a shift in
our merchandise mix away from low margin consumer electronics to higher margin product categories, such as
watches and health & beauty, and as a result of reduced charges during fiscal 2009 for inventory obsolescence.
During fiscal 2008, we recorded inventory obsolescence charges of $3.3 million relating to unsold aged inventory
items which impacted our gross margins.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $215.0 million, $214.9 million and $271.2 million for fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009
and fiscal 2008, respectively, representing an increase of $0.1 million, or less than 0.1% from fiscal 2009 to fiscal
2010, and a decrease of $56.3 million, or 21% from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2009. Fiscal 2010 total operating expenses
includes $1.1 million of restructuring charges. Fiscal 2009 total operating expenses included $2.3 million of
restructuring charges and $1.9 million of chief executive officer transition costs. Fiscal 2008 total operating expenses
included $4.3 million of restructuring charges, a $2.7 million charge relating to the termination and transition of our
chief executive officer and an $8.8 million intangible asset impairment charge relating to our Boston FCC license.
Distribution and selling expense for fiscal 2010 increased $3.5 million, or 2%, to $181.5 million, or 32% of net
sales compared to $178.1 million, or 34% of net sales in fiscal 2009. Distribution and selling expense increased
35
Table of Contents
from fiscal 2009 primarily due to a $2.6 million increase in cable and satellite fees resulting from an increase in the
number of homes broadcasted to during the fiscal year 2010 and certain contractual rate increases, partially offset by
third quarter fiscal 2010 favorable retroactive billing adjustments from certain carriers. Distribution and selling
expense also increased during fiscal 2010 as a result of increased credit card fees and bad debt expense of
$3.8 million due to the overall increase in net sales and order transactions over fiscal 2009 and increased salaries,
bonuses and consulting costs of $400,000. Distribution and selling expense increases were offset by: decreases in
customer service and telecommunication expenses of $2.0 million resulting primarily from efficiencies gained during
the fiscal year in the areas of increased order process automation as well as reductions achieved in our average talk
time for both order capture and customer service; decreases in advertising and promotion expense of $1.7 million and
a decrease in third-party cable affiliation fees of $100,000. Distribution and selling expense for fiscal 2009 decreased
$36.9 million, or 17%, to $178.1 million, or 34% of net sales compared to $215.0 million, or 38% of net sales in
fiscal 2008. Distribution and selling expense decreased from fiscal 2008 primarily due to a $23.5 million decrease in
net cable and satellite rates; a decrease in third-party cable affiliation fees of $848,000; decreases in salaries,
headcount and other related personnel costs associated with merchandising, television production and show
management personnel and on-air talent of $4.4 million; decreases in marketing expenses of $2.5 million; decreases
in stock option expense of $159,000 and decreases in credit card fees and bad debt expense of $6.6 million due to the
overall decrease in net sales during the year and a decrease in net write-offs experienced during fiscal 2009.
General and administrative expense for fiscal 2010 increased $798,000, or 4%, to $19.2 million, or 3.4% of net
sales compared to $18.4 million, or 3.5% of net sales in fiscal 2009. General and administrative expense increased
from fiscal 2009 primarily as a result of an increase in salaries and related benefits and consulting fees totaling
$1.0 million, increased share-based compensation expense of $220,000 and decreased cash payment discounts
received of $246,000, offset by decreases in legal expenses of $708,000. General and administrative expense for
fiscal 2009 decreased $4.8 million, or 21%, to $18.4 million, or 3.5% of net sales compared to $23.1 million, or 4.1%
of net sales in fiscal 2008. General and administrative expense decreased from fiscal 2008 primarily as a result of our
restructuring initiatives that included reductions in salaries, related benefits and consulting fees totaling $3.0 million;
decreases in our board of director related expenses of $319,000; increased cash payment discounts received of
$418,000 and a $545,000 decrease associated with share-based compensation expense.
Depreciation and amortization expense was $13.2 million, $14.3 million and $17.3 million for fiscal 2010, fiscal
2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively, representing a decrease of $1.1 million, or 8%, from fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2010
and a decrease of $3.0 million, or 17%, from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2009. Depreciation and amortization expense as a
percentage of net sales was 2.3%, 2.7% and 3.0% for fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively. The fiscal
2010 and fiscal 2009 decreases in depreciation and amortization expense relates to reduced capital spending and the
timing of fully depreciated assets year over year, reduced amortization of our NBC distribution agreement due to the
expiration of this agreement, offset by increased depreciation and amortization as a result of assets placed in service
in connection with our various application software development and functionality enhancements.
Restructuring Costs
As a result of a number of restructuring initiatives taken by us in order to simplify and streamline our
organizational structure, reduce operating costs and pursue and evaluate strategic alternatives, we recorded
restructuring charges of $1,130,000 in fiscal 2010, $2,303,000 in fiscal 2009 and $4,299,000 in fiscal 2008.
Restructuring costs primarily include employee severance and retention costs associated with the consolidation and
elimination of positions across the Company and costs associated with strategic alternative initiatives.
Chief Executive Officer Transition Costs
During fiscal 2009, we recorded a $1.9 million charge relating primarily to settlement and legal costs associated
with the termination of our former chief executive officer. During fiscal 2008, we recorded a $2.7 million charge
relating primarily to accrued severance and other costs associated with the departures of four senior officers and costs
associated with hiring our current chief executive officer, Mr. Stewart, in August 2008.
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Operating Loss
We reported an operating loss of $15.5 million for fiscal 2010 compared with an operating loss of $41.2 million
for fiscal 2009, a decrease of $25.7 million. Our operating loss decreased during fiscal 2010 primarily as a result of
increased gross profit dollars achieved, which resulted from increased sales and improved margins attained during
the year, as noted above, and reduced CEO transition costs. The increased gross profit dollars were offset by a slight
increase in our overall operating expenses year over year, particularly our cable and satellite fees within our
distribution and selling expenses as a result of increased subscriber homes.
We reported an operating loss of $41.2 million for fiscal 2009 compared with an operating loss of $88.5 million
for fiscal 2008, a decrease of $47.3 million. Our operating loss decreased during fiscal 2009 primarily as a result of
decreases in our overall operating expenses year over year, particularly the cable and satellite fees within our
distribution and selling expenses and decreases in operating expenses associated with our restructuring efforts and
CEO transition. In addition, total operating expenses decreased in fiscal 2009 from fiscal 2008 due to our recording
an $8.8 million FCC license asset impairment in fiscal 2008. These expense decreases were offset by decreases in net
sales and gross profit margin due to the factors noted above.
Net Loss
For fiscal 2010, we reported a net loss available to common shareholders of $25.9 million, or $0.78 per basic
and dilutive share, on 33,326,000 weighted average common shares outstanding. For fiscal 2009, we reported a net
loss available to common shareholders of $14.7 million, or $0.45 per basic and dilutive share, on 32,538,000
weighted average common shares outstanding. For fiscal 2008, we reported a net loss available to common
shareholders of $98.1 million, or $2.92 per basic and dilutive share, on 33,598,000 weighted average common shares
outstanding. Net loss available to common shareholders for fiscal 2010 includes interest expense of $9.8 million,
relating primarily to accrued interest and debt discount amortization on our Series B Preferred Stock, bank term loan
interest expense and the amortization of fees paid to obtain our bank credit facilities. Net loss available to common
shareholders for fiscal 2010 also included a $1.2 million debt extinguishment charge relating to a $2.5 million
Series B preferred stock dividend payment made in the fourth quarter in connection with the execution of our Crystal
term loan and interest income totaling $51,000 earned on our cash and investments. The decrease in our net loss
available to common shareholders from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2009 is primarily due to a $27.4 million addition to
earnings related to the recording of the excess of the carrying amount of the Series A Preferred Stock over the fair
value of the Series B Preferred Stock. Other factors affecting our net loss during fiscal 2009 include interest expense
of $4.9 million primarily related to the Series B preferred stock, the recording of a pre-tax gain of $3.6 million from
the sale of our auction rate investments and interest income totaling $382,000 earned on our cash and investments.
Net loss available to common shareholders for fiscal 2008 includes an $11.1 million
other-than-temporary impairment charge related to a write down of our auction rate securities, investment losses
totaling $969,000 relating to the sale of three held-to-maturity securities due to the significant deterioration at the
time of sale of the issuer’s creditworthiness and interest income totaling $2.7 million earned on our cash and
investments.
For fiscal 2010, net loss reflects an income tax benefit of $577,000 relating to a federal income tax carryback
refund claim filed and received during fiscal 2010, offset in part by state income tax expense on certain income for
which there is no loss carryforward benefit available. For fiscal 2009, net loss reflects an income tax benefit of
$91,000 relating to certain amended state returns for which tax refunds have been received, offset by the recording of
state income taxes payable on income for which there is no loss carryforward benefit available. For fiscal 2008, net
loss reflects an income tax provision of $33,000 relating to state income taxes payable on certain income for which
there is no loss carryforward benefit available.
We have not recorded any income tax benefit on the losses recorded during fiscal 2010 due to the uncertainty of
realizing income tax benefits in the future as indicated by our recording of an income tax valuation allowance. Based
on our recent history of losses, a full valuation allowance has been recorded and was calculated in accordance with
GAAP, which places primary importance on our most recent operating results when assessing the need for a
valuation allowance. We intend to maintain a full valuation allowance for our net deferred tax assets and net
operating loss carryforwards until we believe it is more likely than not that these assets will be realized in the future.
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Quarterly Results
The following summarized unaudited results of operations for the quarters in fiscal 2010 and 2009 have been
prepared on the same basis as the annual financial statements and reflect adjustments (consisting of normal recurring
adjustments) that we consider necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations for the periods presented. Our
results of operations have varied and may continue to fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. Results of
operations in any period should not be considered indicative of the results to be expected for any future period.
Fiscal 2010:
Net sales
Gross profit
Gross profit margin
Operating expenses
Operating income (loss)
Other loss, net
Net loss
Net loss per share
Net loss per share — assuming dilution
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic
Diluted
Fiscal 2009:
Net sales
Gross profit
Gross profit margin
Operating expenses
Operating loss
Other income (loss), net
Excess of Preferred Stock carrying value over
redemption value
Net income (loss)
Net income (loss) per share
Net income (loss) per share — assuming dilution
Weighted average shares outstanding:
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
Total
(In thousands, except percentages and per share amounts)
$ 124,977 $ 126,177 $ 132,283 $ 178,836 $ 562,273
45,737 47,156 47,049 59,587 199,529
36.6 %
37.4 %
35.6 %
33.3 %
35.5 %
(6,237 )
(2,086 )
(9,139 )
(1,808 )
54,876 53,393 50,645 56,081 214,995
3,506 (15,466 )
(4,882 ) (10,979 )
$ (10,971 ) $ (7,693 )) $ (5,814 ) $ (1,390 ) $ (25,868 )
(.78 )
$
(.78 )
$
(3,596 )
(2,203 )
(.04 ) $
(.04 ) $
(.34 ) $
(.34 ) $
(.18 ) $
(.18 ) $
(.24 ) $
(.24 ) $
32,680 32,703 32,781 35,141 33,326
32,680 32,703 32,781 35,141 33,326
$ 133,802 $ 119,345 $ 119,441 $ 155,285 $ 527,873
42,189 41,560 39,667 50,356 173,772
31.5 %
34.8 %
33.2 %
32.4 %
32.9 %
53,836 52,329 51,238 57,540 214,943
(7,184 ) (41,171 )
(11,647 ) (10,769 ) (11,571 )
(918 )
(1,583 )
(1,348 )
2,540
(527 )
—
27,362
— 27,362
$ 15,288 $ (8,234 ) $ (12,919 ) $ (8,833 ) $ (14,698 )
(.45 )
$
(.45 )
$
(.27 ) $
(.27 ) $
(.40 ) $
(.40 ) $
(.26 ) $
(.26 ) $
.46 $
.46 $
—
Basic
Diluted
33,104 32,273 32,332 32,443 32,538
33,110 32,273 32,332 32,443 32,538
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Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of January 29, 2011, we had cash and cash equivalents of $46.5 million and had restricted cash of
$5.0 million pledged as collateral for our issuances of standby and commercial letters of credit. Our restricted cash is
generally restricted for a period ranging from 30-60 days and / or to the extent that standby and commercial letters of
credit remain outstanding. As of January 30, 2010 we had cash and cash equivalents of $17.0 million and had
restricted cash of $5.1 million pledged as collateral for our issuances of standby and commercial letters of credit.
During fiscal 2010 working capital increased $28.3 million to $81.6 million compared to working capital of
$53.4 million for fiscal 2009. The current ratio was 1.8 at January 29, 2011 compared to 1.6 at January 30, 2010.
Sources of Liquidity
Our principal source of liquidity is our available cash and cash equivalents of $46.5 million as of January 29,
2011. Our $5.0 million restricted cash and investment balance is used as collateral for our issuances of standby and
commercial letters of credit and is expected to fluctuate in relation to the level of our seasonal overseas inventory
purchases. At January 29, 2011, our cash and cash equivalents were held in bank depository accounts primarily for
the preservation of cash liquidity.
On November 17, 2010, we entered into a credit agreement with Crystal Financial LLC, as agent for the lending
group, which provides for an initial term loan of $25 million. Net proceeds of approximately $22 million from the
credit agreement with Crystal Financial were received and deposited enhancing our near-term liquidity. In
connection with entering into this new credit agreement, we terminated the revolving credit and security agreement
with PNC Bank.
On December 22, 2010, we completed a public equity offering of 4,900,000 common shares at a price to the
public of $3.75 per share. Net proceeds from the offering were approximately $17.0 million after deducting
underwriting discount and other offering expenses. Cash proceeds from the offering are being used to fund our
working capital needs. On February 23, 2011, we filed a $75 million shelf registration statement on Form S-3 to offer
common stock, preferred stock, stock purchase contracts, securities warrants, rights and/or units in one or more
offerings and in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the time of such offerings.
Another source of near-term liquidity is our ability to increase our cash flow resources by reducing the
percentage of our sales offered under our ValuePay installment program or by decreasing the length of time we
extend credit to our customers under this installment program.
Cash Requirements
Currently, our principal cash requirements are to fund our business operations, which consist primarily of
purchasing inventory for resale, funding accounts receivable growth in support of sales growth, funding our basic
operating expenses, particularly our contractual commitments for cable and satellite programming and, to a lesser
extent, the funding of necessary capital expenditures. We are closely managing our cash resources and our working
capital in an effort to preserve our cash resources in order to sustain our ongoing operations during our efforts to
sustain profitability. We manage our inventory receipts and reorders through a system that minimizes our inventory
investment commensurate with our sales levels. We also monitor the collection of our credit card and ValuePay
installment receivables and manage our vendor payment terms in order to more effectively manage our working
capital which includes matching cash receipts from our customers with related cash payments to our vendors.
We also have significant future commitments for our cash, primarily payments for cable and satellite program
distribution obligations, redemption obligations related to our Series B preferred stock and repayment of our
$25 million term loan. These future commitments also include a deferred payment obligation to a service provider of
approximately $24 million, $12 million of which was paid in February 2011 and $12 million is due in March 2012.
Based on our current projections for fiscal 2011, we believe that our existing cash balances will be sufficient to
maintain liquidity to fund our normal business operations over the next twelve months. We have total contractual
cash obligations and commitments primarily with respect to our cable and satellite agreements, Series B Preferred
Stock, term loan and operating leases totaling approximately $285 million over the next five fiscal years with average
annual cash payments of approximately $57 million from fiscal 2011 through fiscal 2015.
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For fiscal 2010, net cash provided by operating activities totaled $327,000 compared to net cash used for
operating activities of $37.9 million in fiscal 2009 and net cash provided by operating activities of $7.1 million in
fiscal 2008. Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2010 reflects a net loss, as adjusted for depreciation
and amortization, share-based payment compensation, amortization of deferred revenue, amortization of debt
discount, debt extinguishment and asset write-offs. In addition, net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal
2010 reflects primarily an increase in accounts receivable, offset by an increase in accounts payable and accrued
liabilities, an increase in accrued dividends, a decrease in inventories and a decrease in prepaid expenses and other.
Accounts receivable increased primarily as a result of our increased use of our ValuePay extended credit program as
a promotional tool to stimulate fourth quarter 2010 sales. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities increased
primarily due to deferred payments for accrued cable and satellite fees, increases in accrued salaries due to merit
increases and accrued dividends related to the Series B preferred stock. Inventories decreased primarily as a result of
our strong fourth quarter 2010 sales activity and our effort to manage inventory levels and our product assortments as
we continue to introduce new merchandise categories to improve sales performance and to ensure our inventory
levels remain commensurate with our sales levels.
Net cash used for operating activities for fiscal 2009 reflects a net loss, as adjusted for depreciation and
amortization, share-based payment compensation, amortization of deferred revenue, amortization of debt discount,
gain on sale of investments and asset impairments and write-offs. In addition, net cash used for operating activities
for fiscal 2009 reflects primarily an increase in accounts receivable and prepaid expenses and other, a decrease in
accounts payable and accrued liabilities, offset by a decrease in inventories and an increase in accrued dividends
payable. Accounts receivable increased primarily as a result of our increased use of our ValuePay extended credit as
a promotional tool to stimulate sales. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities decreased primarily due to decreased
inventory purchases, decreased cable and satellite accruals resulting from lower cable and satellite rates effective in
fiscal 2009, decreases in accrued salaries and 401(k) payable due to reduced vacation accruals and the cessation of
our Company matching policy in fiscal 2009 and payments made in connection with our restructuring liability. We
extended payment terms during fiscal 2009 with certain service providers in an effort to more effectively manage our
working capital and match cash receipts from our customers with the related cash payments. Our day’s payable
outstanding (DPO) increased by approximately 2% compared to the same quarter last year. Inventories decreased
primarily as a result of our strong fiscal 2009 fourth quarter sales activity and management’s focused effort to
aggressively manage our inventory balance down as we introduce new merchandise categories and reinvest in new
jewelry inventory in an effort to reposition our merchandise offerings to improve sales performance.
Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2008 reflects a net loss, as adjusted for depreciation and
amortization, share-based payment compensation, amortization of deferred revenue, loss on sale of investments and
asset impairments and write-offs. In addition, net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2008 reflects
primarily a decrease in accounts receivable and inventories, offset by an increase in prepaid expenses and other
expenses, a decrease in deferred revenue and a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Accounts
receivable decreased primarily as a result of our overall decreased sales volume experienced and due to a reduction in
the use of extended credit as a promotional tool. In addition, certain credit scoring criteria were tightened during the
year in an effort to avoid increased bad debt expense. Inventories decreased during fiscal 2008 as a result of our
clearance promotions and increased inventory obsolescence charges taken during the fiscal year due to aged
inventory. The decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities relates directly to our overall
year-to-date reduction in merchandise inventory and reductions in accrued operating expenses driven by our
decreased sales during fiscal 2008. In addition, we experienced reductions in accrued liabilities associated with
salaries, our restructuring effort, internet marketing fees and the reserve for product returns due to lower sales.
Net cash used for investing activities totaled $7.4 million in fiscal 2010, compared to net cash provided by
investing activities of $8.3 million in fiscal 2009 and net cash provided by investing activities of $24.6 million in
fiscal 2008. Expenditures for property and equipment were $7.6 million in fiscal 2010 compared to $7.6 million in
fiscal 2009 and $8.3 million in fiscal 2008. Expenditures for property and equipment during fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009
and fiscal 2008 primarily include capital expenditures made for the development, upgrade and replacement of
computer software, customer care management and merchandising systems, related computer equipment, digital
broadcasting equipment and other office equipment, warehouse equipment and production equipment. Principal
future capital expenditures are expected to include the development, upgrade and replacement of various enterprise
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software systems, the expansion of warehousing capacity and security in our fulfillment network, the upgrade and
digitalization of television production and transmission equipment and related computer equipment associated with
the expansion of our home shopping business and e-commerce initiatives. During fiscal 2010, we decreased our
restricted cash and investments by $99,000 and received net cash proceeds totaling $55,000 in connection with the
sale of property and equipment. During fiscal 2009, we increased our restricted cash and investments by $3.5 million
and received net cash proceeds totaling $19.4 million in connection with the sale of our auction rate securities.
During fiscal 2008, we received proceeds of $34.5 million from the sale of short and long-term investments and
increased our restricted cash collateral balance by $1.6 million.
Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $36.6 million in fiscal 2010 and related primarily to proceeds
from the issuance of a $25.0 million long-term debt agreement, net proceeds of $17.0 million as a result of our
common stock equity offering and cash proceeds received of $357,000 from the exercise of stock options, offset by
deferred debt issuance payments totaling $3.3 million made in connection with obtaining our debt facilities and a
$2.5 million Series B preferred stock dividend payment made in connection with the execution of the Crystal term
loan. Net cash used for financing activities totaled $7.3 million in fiscal 2009 and related primarily to a $3.4 million
cash payment made in conjunction with our Series A preferred stock redemption, payments made totaling $937,000
in conjunction with the purchase of 1,622,000 shares of our common stock and payments of $3.6 million made in
conjunction with obtaining a secured bank line of credit, the Series B preferred stock issuance, and an equity offering
initiative, offset by cash proceeds received of $729,000 from the exercise of stock options. Net cash used for
financing activities totaled $3.4 million in fiscal 2008 and related primarily to payments of $3.3 million made in
conjunction with the repurchase of 556,000 shares of our common stock and deferred offering cost payments of
$100,000.
Contractual Cash Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes our obligations and commitments as of January 29, 2011, and the effect these
obligations and commitments are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods:
Payments Due by Period
Total
Less than
1 Year
More than
1-3 Years 3-5 Years 5 Years
(In thousands)
Cable and satellite agreements(a)
Series B preferred stock redemption
Series B preferred stock interest(b)
Term loan
Operating leases
Employment agreements
Purchase order obligations
Total
$ 170,046 $ 98,698 $ 71,273 $
40,854
26,356
25,000
5,126
2,901
15,173
$ 285,456 $ 120,558 $ 87,700 $ 76,678 $
—
2,500
—
1,291
2,896
15,173
75 $ —
—
—
—
520
—
—
520
12,256
2,411
—
1,755
5
—
28,598
21,445
25,000
1,560
—
—
(a) Future cable and satellite payment commitments are based on subscriber levels as of January 29, 2011 and future
payment commitment amounts could increase or decrease as the number of cable and satellite subscribers
increase or decrease. Under certain circumstances, operators or we may cancel the agreements prior to
expiration.
(b) Interest commitments on the Series B preferred stock is estimated based on scheduled contractual redemption
dates.
Impact of Inflation
We believe that inflation has not had a material impact on our results of operations for each of the fiscal years in
the three-year period ended January 29, 2011. We cannot assure you that inflation will not have an adverse impact on
our operating results and financial condition in future periods.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses our
consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to
make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting periods. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and assumptions,
including those related to the realizability of deferred tax assets, intangible assets, accounts receivable, inventory and
product returns. Management bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other
factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making
judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. There
can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Management believes the following critical accounting policies affect the more significant assumptions and
estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements:
• Accounts receivable. We utilize an installment payment program called ValuePay that entitles customers to
purchase merchandise and generally pay for the merchandise in two to six equal monthly credit card
installments in which we bear the risk of collection. As of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, we had
approximately $82.7 million and $62.5 million respectively, due from customers under the ValuePay
installment program. We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the
inability of our customers to make required payments. Estimates are used in determining the provision for
doubtful accounts and are based on historical rates of actual write offs and delinquency rates, historical
collection experience, credit policy, current trends in the credit quality of our customer base, average length of
ValuePay offers, average selling prices, our sales mix and accounts receivable aging. The provision for
doubtful accounts receivable (primarily related to our ValuePay program) for fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and
fiscal 2008 were $9.3 million, $6.8 million and $9.8 million, respectively. Based on our fiscal 2010 bad debt
experience, a one-half point increase or decrease in our bad debt experience as a percentage of total television
home shopping and internet net sales would have an impact of approximately $2.8 million on consolidated
distribution and selling expense.
• Inventory. We value our inventory, which consists primarily of consumer merchandise held for resale,
principally at the lower of average cost or realizable value. As of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, we
had inventory balances of $39.8 million and $44.1 million, respectively. We regularly review inventory
quantities on hand and record a provision for excess and obsolete inventory based primarily on a percentage
of the inventory balance as determined by its age and specific product category. In determining these
percentages, we look at our historical write-off experience, the specific merchandise categories on hand, our
historic recovery percentages on liquidations, forecasts of future product television shows, historic show
pricing and the current market value of gold. Provision for excess and obsolete inventory for fiscal 2010,
fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 were $1.7 million, $1.7 million and $5.0 million, respectively. Based on our fiscal
2010 inventory write down experience, a 10% increase or decrease in inventory write downs would have had
an impact of approximately $166,000 on consolidated gross profit.
• Product returns. We record a reserve as a reduction of gross sales for anticipated product returns at each
month-end and must make estimates of potential future product returns related to current period product
revenue. Our return rates on our television and internet sales was 20% in fiscal 2010, 21% in fiscal 2009 and
31% in fiscal 2008. We estimate and evaluate the adequacy of our returns reserve by analyzing historical
returns by merchandise category, looking at current economic trends and changes in customer demand and by
analyzing the acceptance of new product lines. Assumptions and estimates are made and used in connection
with establishing the sales returns reserve in any accounting period. Reserves for product returns for fiscal
2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 were $4.5 million, $2.7 million and $2.8 million, respectively. Based on our
fiscal 2010 sales returns, a one-point increase or decrease in our television and internet sales returns rate
would have had an impact of approximately $2.7 million on gross profit.
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• FCC broadcasting license. As of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, we have recorded an intangible
FCC broadcasting license asset totaling $23.1 million as a result of our acquisition of Boston television station
WWDP TV-46 in fiscal 2003. The Company annually reviews its FCC broadcast license for impairment in the
fourth quarter, or more frequently if an impairment indicator is present. The Company estimated the fair value
of its FCC broadcast license in fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009 by using an income-based discounted cash flow
model with the assistance of an independent outside fair value consultant. The discounted cash flow model
includes certain assumptions including revenues, operating profit and a discount rate. Further, the Company
also considers recent comparable asset market data to assist in determining fair value. While we believe that
our estimates and assumptions regarding the valuation of our reporting unit are reasonable, different
assumptions or future events could materially affect our valuations. In fiscal 2008, we recorded an intangible
asset impairment of $8.8 million and reduced the carrying value of our intangible FCC broadcast license asset
as of January 31, 2009.
• Deferred taxes. We account for income taxes under the liability method of accounting whereby income taxes
are recognized during the fiscal year in which transactions enter into the determination of financial statement
income (loss). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of
temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax
assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of the enactment
of such laws. We assess the recoverability of our deferred tax assets in accordance with GAAP. The ultimate
realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods
in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of
deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.
In accordance with that standard, as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, we recorded a valuation
allowance of approximately $107.3 million and $102.4 million, respectively, for our net deferred tax assets,
including net operating and capital loss carryforwards. Based on our recent history of losses, a full valuation
allowance was recorded in fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 and was calculated in accordance with
GAAP, which places primary importance on our most recent operating results when assessing the need for a
valuation allowance. We intend to maintain a full valuation allowance for our net deferred tax assets until
sufficient positive evidence exists to support reversal of allowances.
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We do not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes and do not currently utilize
derivative financial instruments as a hedge to offset market risk. Our operations are conducted primarily in the
United States and are not subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk. Some of our products are sourced
internationally and may fluctuate in cost as a result of foreign currency swings, however, we believe these
fluctuations have not been significant. We currently have long-term debt that has exposure to interest rate risk,
changes in market interest rates could impact the level of interest expense and income earned on our cash and cash
equivalents portfolio.
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Table of Contents
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OF VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARIES
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and
January 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and
January 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and
January 31, 2009
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Statement Schedule — Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Page
45
46
47
48
49
50
75
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
ValueVision Media, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ValueVision Media, Inc. and subsidiaries (the
“Company”) as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 and the related consolidated statements of operations,
shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 29, 2011. Our audits also
included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and financial
statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion
on these financial statements and the financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated
financial position of ValueVision Media, Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, and the
results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 29, 2011, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the
financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a
whole, presents fairly in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 29, 2011, based on criteria established
in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission, and our report dated March 21, 2011, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal
control over financial reporting.
Minneapolis, MN
March 21, 2011
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
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Table of Contents
VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
January 29, January 30,
2011
2010
(In thousands, except share
and per share data)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and investments
Accounts receivable, net
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other
Total current assets
Property and equipment, net
FCC broadcasting license
NBC Trademark License Agreement, net
Other assets
3,942
4,961
$ 46,471 $ 17,000
5,060
90,183 68,891
39,800 44,077
4,333
185,357 139,361
25,775 28,342
23,111 23,111
4,154
928
1,246
3,188
$ 238,359 $ 196,214
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Deferred revenue
Current portion of accrued dividends
Total current liabilities
Deferred revenue
Long-term payable
Term loan
Accrued Dividends — Series B Redeemable Preferred Stock
Series B Redeemable Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, 4,929,266 shares authorized;
4,929,266 shares issued and outstanding
Total liabilities
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 14 and 15)
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 37,781,688 and
32,672,735 shares issued and outstanding
Warrants to purchase 6,014,744 and 6,022,115 shares of common stock
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated deficit
Total shareholders’ equity
$ 58,310 $ 58,777
43,405 26,487
728
728
—
1,355
103,798 85,992
1,153
425
4,841
4,894
25,000
—
4,681
6,491
14,599 11,243
155,207 107,910
327
378
637
602
337,421 316,721
(255,249 ) (229,381 )
83,152 88,304
$ 238,359 $ 196,214
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Operating expenses:
Distribution and selling
General and administrative
Depreciation and amortization
Restructuring costs
CEO transition costs
FCC license impairment
Total operating expenses
Operating loss
Other income (expense):
Write down of auction rate investments
Gain (loss) on sale of investments
Debt extinguishment
Interest expense
Interest income
Total other expense
Loss before income taxes
Income tax benefit (provision)
Net loss
For the Years Ended
January 29, January 30, January 31,
2010
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
2011
2009
$
562,273 $
362,744
199,529
527,873 $
354,101
173,772
567,510
384,761
182,749
181,536
19,171
13,158
1,130
—
—
214,995
(15,466 )
178,015
18,373
14,320
2,303
1,932
—
214,943
(41,171 )
—
—
(1,235 )
(9,795 )
51
(10,979 )
(26,445 )
577
(25,868 )
—
—
(25,868 ) $
(0.78 ) $
(0.78 ) $
—
3,628
—
(4,928 )
382
(918 )
(42,089 )
91
(41,998 )
27,362
(62 )
(14,698 ) $
(0.45 ) $
(0.45 ) $
214,956
23,142
17,297
4,299
2,681
8,832
271,207
(88,458 )
(11,072 )
(969 )
—
—
2,739
(9,302 )
(97,760 )
(33 )
(97,793 )
—
(293 )
(98,086 )
(2.92 )
(2.92 )
Excess of preferred stock carrying value over redemption value
Accretion of redeemable Series A preferred stock
Net loss available to common shareholders
Net loss per common share
Net loss per common share — assuming dilution
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
$
$
$
Basic
Diluted
33,326,200 32,537,849 33,598,177
33,326,200 32,537,849 33,598,177
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Years Ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and January 31, 2009
Comprehensive Common Stock
Common
Stock Additional
Accumulated
Other
Total
Income
(Loss)
Number of Par Purchase Paid-In Comprehensive Accumulated Shareholders’
Shares
Value Warrants Capital
Losses
Deficit
Equity
Balance, February 2, 2008
Net loss
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Unrealized loss on securities
Losses on securities included in net loss
Comprehensive loss
Repurchases of common stock
Common stock issuances pursuant to equity compensation
plans
Stock purchase warrants forfeited
Share-based payment compensation
Accretion on Series A redeemable preferred stock
Balance, January 31, 2009
Net loss
Value assigned to common stock purchase warrants
Repurchases of common stock
Common stock issuances pursuant to equity compensation
plans
Stock purchase warrants forfeited
Share-based payment compensation
Excess of Series A preferred stock carrying value over
redemption value
Accretion on Series A redeemable preferred stock
Balance, January 30, 2010
(In thousands, except share data)
37,070,422 $ 341 $ 12,041 $ 274,172 $
(2,454 ) $
(89,590 ) $
(97,793 )
194,510
(97,793 )
— —
— —
—
—
—
—
(3,860 )
6,314
—
(3,860 )
6,314
$
(97,793 )
(3,860 )
6,314
(95,339 )
$
(556,330 )
(6 )
—
(3,311 )
2
—
176,174
(19 )
— — (11,903 ) 11,903
3,928
— —
(293 )
— —
138 286,380
33,690,266 337
—
—
$
(41,998 )
(1,622,168 )
— —
(16 )
533
—
—
(921 )
604,637
6
— —
— —
—
(34 )
—
723
34
3,205
— —
— —
32,672,735 327
— 27,362
(62 )
—
637 316,721
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(3,317 )
—
—
—
—
(187,383 )
(41,998 )
—
—
—
—
—
(17 )
—
3,928
(293 )
99,472
(41,998 )
533
(937 )
729
—
3,205
—
—
(229,381 )
(25,868 )
27,362
(62 )
88,304
(25,868 )
Net loss
$
(25,868 )
Common stock issuances pursuant to equity compensation
plans
Stock purchase warrants forfeited
Share-based payment compensation
Common stock issuances
Balance, January 29, 2011
208,953
2
— —
— —
49
4,900,000
37,781,688 $ 378 $
355
—
35
(35 )
—
3,350
— 16,960
602 $ 337,421 $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $ (255,249 ) $
357
—
3,350
17,009
83,152
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Years Ended
January 29, January 30, January 31,
2010
(In thousands)
2009
2011
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used for)
$ (25,868 ) $ (41,998 ) $ (97,793 )
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
Share-based payment compensation
Amortization of deferred revenue
Amortization of debt discount
Amortization of deferred financing costs
Loss (gain) on sale of investments
Asset impairments and write-offs
Debt extinguishment
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other
Deferred revenue
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Accrued dividends payable — Series B preferred stock
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Property and equipment additions
Proceeds from sale of short and long-term investments
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
Change in restricted cash
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for repurchases of common stock
Payment on redemption of Series A preferred stock
Payment for Series B preferred stock and other issuance costs
Payment for deferred issuance costs
Payment for Series B preferred stock dividend
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Proceeds from issuance of term loan
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
BEGINNING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
ENDING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
13,337 14,320 17,297
3,928
3,205
(287 )
(715 )
—
181
—
—
969
(3,628 )
1,446 19,904
—
3,350
(728 )
2,121
305
—
809
1,235
—
4,277
348
—
16,768
5,665
(21,292 ) (17,581 ) 58,179
6,980 28,387
(64 )
(493 )
(118 )
31
(4,325 ) (23,302 )
—
4,681
7,100
327 (37,896 )
(7,584 )
(7,578 )
(8,318 )
— 19,356 34,464
—
55
—
(3,471 )
(1,589 )
99
8,307 24,557
(7,430 )
(937 )
(3,400 )
(3,648 )
—
—
729
—
—
(7,256 )
(3,317 )
—
—
—
(100 )
—
—
(3,292 )
—
(2,500 )
—
357
—
25,000
—
17,009
36,574
(3,417 )
29,471 (36,845 ) 28,240
17,000 53,845 25,605
$ 46,471 $ 17,000 $ 53,845
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years Ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010, and January 31, 2009
1. The Company:
ValueVision Media, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) is an interactive retailer that markets, sells and
distributes products to consumers through TV, telephone, online, mobile and social media. Our principal form of
product exposure is our 24-hour television shopping network, ShopNBC, which markets brand name and private
label products in the categories of Jewelry & Watches; Home & Electronics; Beauty, Health & Fitness; and,
Fashion & Accessories. Orders are fulfilled via telephone, online and mobile channels. ShopNBC is distributed into
approximately 78.3 million homes, primarily through cable and satellite affiliation agreements and the purchase of
month-to-month full- and part-time lease agreements of cable and broadcast television time. ShopNBC programming
is also streamed live on the Internet at www.ShopNBC.tv . We also distribute our programming through a company-
owned full power television station in Boston, Massachusetts and through leased carriage on full power television
stations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Seattle, Washington.
The Company also operates ShopNBC.com, a comprehensive e-commerce platform that sells products
appearing on our television shopping channel as well as an extended assortment of online-only merchandise. Its
programming and products are also marketed via mobile devices — including smartphones and tablets such as the
iPad, and through the leading social networking sites Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
The Company has an exclusive trademark license from NBCUniversal Media, LLC, formerly known as NBC
Universal, Inc. (“NBCU”), for the worldwide use of an NBC-branded name through May 2012. Additionally, the
agreement allows for a one-year extension to May 2013 upon the mutual agreement of both parties. Pursuant to the
license, we operate our television home shopping network and our Internet websites, ShopNBC.com and
ShopNBC.tv.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
Fiscal Year
The Company’s most recently completed fiscal year ended on January 29, 2011 and is designated fiscal 2010.
The year ended January 30, 2010 is designated fiscal 2009 and the year ended January 31, 2009 is designated fiscal
2008. The Company reports on a 52/53 week fiscal year which ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31. The
52/53 week fiscal year allows for the weekly and monthly comparability of sales results relating to the Company’s
television home-shopping and internet business. Each of fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 contained 52 weeks.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned
subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable
Revenue is recognized at the time merchandise is shipped or when services are provided. Shipping and handling
fees charged to customers are recognized as merchandise is shipped and are classified as revenue in the
accompanying statements of operations in accordance with GAAP. The Company classifies shipping and handling
costs in the accompanying statements of operations as a component of cost of sales. Revenue is reported net of
estimated sales returns and excludes sales taxes. Sales returns are estimated and provided for at the time of sale based
on historical experience. Payments received for unfilled orders are reflected as a component of accrued liabilities.
Accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts due from customers for merchandise sales and from credit
card companies, and are reflected net of reserves for estimated uncollectible amounts of $5,643,000 at January 29,
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VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
2011 and $4,819,000 at January 30, 2010. The Company utilizes an installment payment program called ValuePay
that entitles customers to purchase merchandise and generally pay for the merchandise in two or more equal monthly
credit card installments. As of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, the Company had approximately $82,659,000
and $62,492,000, respectively, of net receivables due from customers under the ValuePay installment program. The
Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its
customers to make required payments. Provision for doubtful accounts receivable (primarily related to the
Company’s ValuePay program) for fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 were $9,321,000, $6,813,000 and
$9,826,000, respectively.
Cost of Sales and Other Operating Expenses
Cost of sales includes primarily the cost of merchandise sold, shipping and handling costs, inbound freight costs,
excess and obsolete inventory charges and customer courtesy credits. Purchasing and receiving costs, including costs
of inspection, are included as a component of distribution and selling expense and were approximately $7,888,000,
$7,877,000 and $9,524,000 for fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively. Distribution and selling expense
consist primarily of cable and satellite access fees, credit card fees, bad debt expense and costs associated with
purchasing and receiving, inspection, marketing and advertising, show production, website marketing and
merchandising, telemarketing, customer service, warehousing and fulfillment. General and administrative expense
consists primarily of costs associated with executive, legal, accounting and finance, information systems and human
resources departments, software and system maintenance contracts, insurance, investor and public relations and
director fees.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on deposit and money market funds. The Company maintains its cash
balances at financial institutions in demand deposit accounts that are federally insured and in investment accounts
that are not federally insured. The Company has not experienced losses in such accounts and believes it is not
exposed to any significant credit risk on its cash and cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash and Investments
The Company had restricted cash and investments of $4,961,000 and $5,060,000 for fiscal 2010 and 2009. The
restricted cash primarily collateralizes the Company’s issuances of standby and commercial letters of credit. The
Company’s restricted cash and investments consist of government money markets and certificates of deposit.
Dividends or interest income is recognized when earned.
Inventories
Inventories, which consists of consumer merchandise held for resale, are stated principally at the lower of
average cost or realizable value and are reflected net of markdowns of $2,292,000 at January 29, 2011 and
$2,998,000 at January 30, 2010.
Marketing and Advertising Costs
Marketing and advertising costs are expensed as incurred and consist primarily of contractual marketing fees
paid to certain cable operators for cross channel promotions and internet advertising including amounts paid to online
search engine operators, customer mailings and traffic-driving affiliate websites. The Company receives vendor
allowances for the reimbursement of certain advertising costs. Advertising allowances received by the Company are
recorded as a reduction of expense and were $630,000, $1,203,000 and $1,472,000 for fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and
fiscal 2008, respectively. Total marketing and advertising costs and internet search marketing fees, after reflecting
allowances given by vendors, totaled $5,662,000, $7,799,000 and $18,099,000 for fiscal 2010, fiscal
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VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively. The Company includes advertising costs as a component of distribution and
selling expense in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Improvements and renewals that extend the life of an asset are
capitalized and depreciated. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. The cost and accumulated
depreciation of property and equipment retired or otherwise disposed of are removed from the related accounts, and
any residual values are charged or credited to operations. Depreciation and amortization for financial reporting
purposes are provided on the straight-line method based upon estimated useful lives. Costs incurred to develop
software for internal use and the Company’s websites are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of
the software. Costs related to maintenance of internal-use software and for the Company’s website are expensed as
incurred.
Intangible Assets
The Company’s primary identifiable intangible assets include an FCC broadcast license and a trademark license
agreement. Identifiable intangibles with finite lives are amortized and those identifiable intangibles with indefinite
lives are not amortized. Identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Identifiable
intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events warrant.
The impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying amount.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the liability method of accounting whereby deferred tax assets
and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between financial
statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of
changes in tax laws and rates on the date of the enactment of such laws. The Company assesses the recoverability of
its deferred tax assets in accordance with GAAP.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions within income tax expense.
Net Loss Per Common Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing reported earnings by the weighted average number of common
shares outstanding for the reported period. Diluted loss per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if
securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock of the Company
during reported periods.
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VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
A reconciliation of earnings per share calculations and the number of shares used in the calculation of basic
earnings per share and diluted earnings per share is as follows:
For the Years Ended
January 29,
January 30,
January 31,
Net loss available to common shareholders
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding using
two-class method — Basic
Dilutive effect of stock options, non-vested shares and warrants
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding —
2011
2010
$ (25,868,000 ) $ (14,698,000 ) $ (98,086,000 )
2009
33,326,200
—
32,538,000
—
33,598,000
—
Diluted
Net loss per common share
Net loss per common share — assuming dilution
33,326,200
$
$
(0.78 ) $
(0.78 ) $
32,538,000
33,598,000
(2.92 )
(2.92 )
(0.45 ) $
(0.45 ) $
For fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, approximately 4,719,000, 3,107,000 and 40,000, respectively,
incremental in-the-money potentially dilutive common share stock options and warrants have been excluded from the
computation of diluted earnings per share, as the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. In addition, for the
year ended January 31, 2009, 5,340,000 shares of convertible Series A preferred stock have been excluded from the
computation of basic earnings per share, as the effect of their inclusion would be antidilutive.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
GAAP requires disclosures of fair value information about financial instruments for which it is practicable to
estimate that value. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using
present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used,
including discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. In that regard, the derived fair value estimates cannot be
substantiated by comparison to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate
settlement of the instrument. GAAP excludes certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments from its
disclosure requirements.
The Company used the following methods and assumptions in estimating its fair values for financial
instruments:
The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets approximate the fair value for
cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, trade payables and accrued liabilities, due to
the short maturities of those instruments. The fair value of the Company’s $25 million term loan is estimated based
on rates available to the Company for issuance of debt. As of January 29, 2011, the $25 million carrying amount of
the term loan approximates its fair value.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP in the United States of America requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during reporting periods. These estimates relate primarily to the carrying amounts of accounts
receivable and inventories, the realizability of certain long-term assets and the recorded balances of certain accrued
liabilities and reserves. Ultimate results could differ from these estimates.
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VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Stock-Based Compensation
Compensation is recognized for all stock-based compensation arrangements by the Company, including
employee and non-employee stock options granted. The estimated grant date fair value of each stock-based award is
recognized in income over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period). The estimated fair value of each
option is calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Non-vested share awards are recorded as
compensation cost over the requisite service periods based on the market value on the date of grant.
3. Property and Equipment:
Property and equipment in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consisted of the following:
Land and improvements
Buildings and improvements
Transmission and production equipment
Office and warehouse equipment
Computer hardware, software and telephone equipment
Leasehold improvements
Less — Accumulated depreciation
Estimated
Useful Life
(In Years)
— $
2010
January 30,
January 29,
2011
3,399,000 $ 3,454,000
22,298,000
8,194,000
10,832,000
76,026,000
3,197,000
(95,659,000 )
$ 25,775,000 $ 28,342,000
22,462,000
8,292,000
11,065,000
83,106,000
3,105,000
(105,654,000 )
5-40
5-10
3-15
3-7
3-5
Depreciation expense in fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 was $10,111,000, $10,937,000 and
$13,354,000, respectively.
4. Intangible Assets:
Intangible assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consisted of the following:
Weighted
Average
Life
(Years)
January 29, 2011
January 30, 2010
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Definite-lived intangible assets:
NBC trademark license agreement
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
FCC broadcast license
10.5 $ 34,437,000 $ (33,509,000 ) $ 34,437,000 $ (30,283,000 )
$ 23,111,000
$ 23,111,000
Amortization expense in fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 was $3,226,000, $3,383,000 and $3,943,000,
respectively. Estimated amortization expense for fiscal 2011 is $928,000.
The Company annually reviews its FCC broadcast license for impairment in the fourth quarter, or more
frequently if an impairment indicator is present. The Company estimates the fair value of its FCC broadcast license
by using an income-based discounted cash flow model with the assistance of an independent outside fair value
consultant. The discounted cash flow model includes certain assumptions including revenues, operating profit and a
discount rate. Further, the Company also considers recent comparable asset market data to assist in determining fair
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VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
value. In fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009, no impairment was indicated as a result of the fair value assessment. In fiscal
2008, as a result of its fair value assessment, the Company recorded an intangible asset impairment of $8,832,000 in
the fourth quarter and reduced the carrying value of the intangible FCC broadcast license asset as of January 31,
2009.
5. Accrued Liabilities:
Accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consisted of the following:
Accrued cable access fees
Accrued salaries and related
Reserve for product returns
Other
January 29,
2011
January 30,
2010
$ 28,730,000 $ 11,636,000
1,412,000
2,093,000
2,742,000
4,522,000
8,060,000
10,697,000
$ 43,405,000 $ 26,487,000
6. ShopNBC Private Label and Co-Brand Credit Card Program:
The Company has a private label and co-brand revolving consumer credit card program (the “Program”). The
Program is made available to all qualified consumers for the financing of purchases of products from ShopNBC and
for the financing of purchases of products and services from other non-ShopNBC retailers. The Program provides a
number of benefits to customers including deferred billing options and free shipping promotions throughout the year.
In connection with the introduction of the Program in September 2006, the Company entered into a Private Label
Credit Card and Co-Brand Credit Card Consumer Program Agreement with GE Money Bank. Use of the ShopNBC
credit card reduces the Company’s overall bad debt exposure since the credit card issuing bank bears the risk of bad
debt on ShopNBC credit card transactions that do not utilize our ValuePay installment payment program. The
Company received a million dollar signing bonus as an incentive for the Company to enter into the agreement. The
signing bonus has been recorded as deferred revenue in the accompanying financial statements and is being
recognized as revenue over the six-year term of the agreement.
GE Money Bank, the issuing bank for the program, is indirectly wholly-owned by the General Electric Company
(“GE”), which is also the parent company of GE Equity. GE Equity has a substantial percentage ownership in the
Company and has the right to select three members of the Company’s board of directors.
7. Long-Term Investments:
In the second quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company sold its long-term illiquid auction rate securities portfolio for
net proceeds of $19,356,000. The auction rate securities had a carrying value of $15,728,000 and the Company
recorded a $3,628,000 non-operating gain in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. During fiscal 2008, the Company sold
held-to-maturity securities with a net carrying amount of $8,881,000 due to the significant deterioration of the
issuer’s creditworthiness The sales of these securities resulted in the recording of losses totaling $969,000. During
fiscal 2008, the Company also recorded an impairment charge of $11,072,000 relating to its auction rate securities.
The cost of all securities sold is based on the specific identification method.
8. Fair Value Measurements:
GAAP uses a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value
into three broad levels. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to observable quoted prices (unadjusted) in
active markets for identical assets and liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.
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VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
As of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, the Company had $4,961,000 and $3,961,000 in Level 2
investments in the form of bank Certificates of Deposit and had no Level 3 investments that used significant
unobservable inputs.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of items measured at fair
value on a recurring basis that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
Beginning balance
Total gains or losses:
Included in earnings
Settlements
Ending balance
2009
Marketable
securities —
auction rate
securities only
$ 15,728,000
3,628,000
(19 356,000 )
—
$
Measured at Fair Value — Nonrecurring Basis
During the fiscal quarter ended May 2, 2009, the Company measured the fair value of the Series B Preferred
Stock issued in connection with the preferred stock exchange described in Note 9. The Company originally estimated
the fair value of the Series B Preferred Stock before issuance costs of $12,959,000 utilizing a discounted cash flow
model estimating the projected future cash payments over the life of the five-year redemption term. The assumptions
used in preparing the discounted cash flow model include estimates for discount rate and expected timing of
repayment of the Series B Preferred Stock. The Company concluded that the inputs used in its Series B Preferred
Stock valuation are Level 3 inputs.
9. Preferred Stock and Long-Term Deferred Payable:
Series B Preferred Stock
Unamortized debt discount on Series B Preferred Stock
Series B Preferred Stock, carrying value
Long-Term Deferred payable
January 29,
January 30,
2011
2010
$ 40,854,000 $ 40,854,000
(26,255,000 )
(29,611,000 )
$ 14,599,000 $ 11,243,000
$ 4,894,000 $ 4,841,000
The shares of Series B Preferred Stock are redeemable at any time by the Company for the initial redemption
amount of $40,854,000, plus accrued dividends. The Series B Preferred Stock accrues cumulative dividends at a base
annual rate of 12%, subject to adjustment. All early payments on the Series B Preferred Stock will be applied first to
any accrued but unpaid dividends, and then to redeem shares. 30% of the Series B Preferred Stock (including accrued
but unpaid dividends) is required to be redeemed on February 25, 2013, and the remainder on February 25, 2014. In
addition, the Series B Preferred Stock includes a cash sweep mechanism that may require accelerated redemptions if
the Company generates excess cash above agreed upon thresholds. Specifically, the Company’s excess cash balance
at the end of each fiscal year, and at the end of any fiscal quarter during which the Company sells or disposes of
assets or incurs indebtedness above agreed upon thresholds, will trigger a calculation to determine whether the
Company needs to redeem a portion of the Series B Preferred Stock and pay accrued and unpaid dividends thereon.
Excess cash balance is defined as the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities, adjusted to
(i) exclude cash pledged to vendors to secure the purchase of inventory, (ii) account for variations that are due to the
Company’s management of payables, (iii) exclude any operating
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VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
cash needs for the next twelve months, and (iv) provide the Company with additional operating cash of $20,000,000.
Any redemption as a result of this cash sweep mechanism will reduce the amounts required to be redeemed first on
February 25, 2013 and then on February 25, 2014. The Series B Preferred Stock (including accrued but unpaid
dividends) is also required to be redeemed, at the option of the holders, upon a change in control. In addition, the
holders of the Series B Preferred Stock have class voting rights and rights to designate members of the Company’s
board of directors, including the right to elect the GE Equity director-designees.
In Fiscal 2010, the Company agreed to a $2.5 million payment to GE Equity in connection with obtaining a
consent for the execution of the Crystal term loan reducing the outstanding accrued dividends payable on the
Series B Preferred Stock and recorded a $1.3 million charge related to the early preferred stock debt obligation
extinguishment. In February 2011, the Company made an additional $2.5 million payment to GE Equity, in
connection with obtaining a consent for our common stock equity offering, reducing the outstanding accrued
dividends payable on the Series B Preferred Stock. The Company was not required to make an accelerated
redemption payment under the cash sweep mechanism during fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009. On February 25, 2013, a
$14,667,000 redemption payment is due and will redeem 30% of the Series B Preferred Stock and any unpaid
accrued dividends. The remaining unpaid accrued dividends and outstanding shares of preferred stock will be
redeemed on February 25, 2014. Accrued dividends as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 were $7,846,000
and $4,681,000, respectively.
As a result of the preferred stock exchange transaction, the Company recorded the Series B Preferred Stock at
fair value upon issuance and the excess of the carrying amount of the Series A Preferred Stock over the fair value of
the Series B Preferred Stock as an addition to earnings to arrive at net earnings available to common shareholders.
The Company estimated the fair value of the Series B Preferred Stock utilizing the assistance of an independent fair
value consultant and using a discounted cash flow model estimating the projected future cash payments over the life
of the five-year redemption term. The excess of the Series B Preferred Stock redemption value over its carrying value
(discount) is being amortized and charged to interest expense over the five year redemption period using the effective
interest method. Due to the mandatory redemption feature, the Company has classified the carrying value of the
Series B Preferred Stock, and related accrued dividends not currently payable, as long-term liabilities on its
consolidated balance sheet.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company entered into a long-term agreement with one of its larger service
providers to defer a significant portion of its monthly contractual cash payment obligation over the next three fiscal
years. All services under this arrangement are being recognized as expense ratably over the term of the agreement.
Amounts recognized as expense in excess of amounts paid, plus accrued interest at 5% annually totaled $16,820,000,
of which $11,926,000 is included in accrued liabilities and $4,894,000 is included in long-term payables in the
accompanying January 29, 2011 balance sheet. As of January 30, 2010, the total deferred amount was $4,841,000
and was reported as a deferred long-term payable. Estimated future cash commitments, inclusive of accrued interest,
relating to this deferred cash payment agreement will require future cash payments of approximately $24.3 million to
be paid in two installments in February of fiscal 2011 and March of fiscal 2012. In connection with this deferral
agreement, the Company has granted a security interest in its Eden Prairie, Minnesota headquarters facility and its
Boston television station to this service provider.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Aggregate contractual maturities of Preferred Stock shares and estimated future cash commitments on deferred
payables are as follows:
Fiscal Year
2011
2012
2013
2014
Preferred Stock
$
Deferred Payable
— $ 11,926,000
12,415,000
—
—
12,256,000
—
28,598,000
$ 40,854,000 $ 24,341,000
10. Term Loan Credit Agreement:
On November 17, 2010, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Crystal Financial LLC, as agent for
the lending group, which provides for a term loan of $25 million (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement
has a five-year maturity and bears interest on the outstanding principal amount based on fixed interest rates and
floating interest rates based on LIBOR plus variable margins. The interest rate calculated for the fourth quarter was
11%. The term loan is subject to a minimum borrowing base of $25 million and is based on eligible accounts
receivable, eligible inventory, certain real estate and certain eligible cash and is secured by substantially all of the
Company’s personal property, as well as the Company’s real property located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Under
certain circumstances, the borrowing base may be adjusted if there were to be a significant deterioration in value of
the Company’s accounts receivable and inventory. The term loan is subject to mandatory prepayment in certain
circumstances. In addition, any voluntary or mandatory prepayments made prior to November 18, 2013 would
require an early termination fee of the greater of the first year’s yield revenue or 3% if terminated in year one; 2% if
terminated in year two; and 1% if terminated in year three. The $25 million term loan matures and is payable in
November 2015. Interest paid in fiscal 2010 was $567,000.
The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants and conditions, including, among other things, maintaining
a minimum of unrestricted cash of $5,000,000 at all times. In addition, the Credit Agreement places restrictions on
the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness or prepay existing indebtedness, to create liens or other
encumbrances, to sell or otherwise dispose of assets, to merge or consolidate with other entities, and to make certain
restricted payments, including payments of dividends to common and preferred shareholders. As of January 29,
2011, the Company was in compliance with the applicable covenants of the facility and was in compliance with its
minimum borrowing base requirement and expects to be in compliance in the near and long term. Costs incurred to
obtain the Credit Agreement totaling approximately $2,898,000 have been capitalized and are being expensed as
additional interest over the five-year term of the Credit Agreement. In connection with the execution of this new
credit agreement, the Company terminated its revolving credit and security agreement with PNC Bank.
11. Shareholders’ Equity:
Common Stock
The Company currently has authorized 100,000,000 shares of undesignated capital stock, of which
approximately 37,782,000 shares were issued and outstanding as common stock as of January 29, 2011. The board of
directors may establish new classes and series of capital stock by resolution without shareholder approval, however,
approval of GE Equity is required in certain circumstances.
Dividends
The Company has never declared or paid any dividends with respect to its capital stock. Under the terms of the
amended and restated shareholder agreement between the Company and GE Capital Equity Investments, Inc. (“GE
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Equity”), the Company is prohibited from paying dividends on its common stock without GE Equity’s prior consent.
The Company is further restricted from paying dividends on its common and preferred stock by its term loan Credit
Agreement.
Warrants
As of January 29, 2011, the Company had outstanding warrants to purchase 6,000,000 shares of the Company’s
common stock at an exercise price of $0.75 per share issued to GE Equity. The warrants are fully vested and expire
ten years from date of grant. The warrants were issued in connection with the issuance of the Company’s Series B
Redeemable Preferred Stock in February 2009. In addition, the Company also has outstanding warrants to purchase
14,744 shares of the Company’s stock at an exercise price of $15.74 per share issued to NBCU. These warrants are
fully vested and expire one half in November 2011 and 2012.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense charged to continuing operations for fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008
related to stock option awards was $3,274,000, $2,752,000 and $3,069,000, respectively. The Company has not
recorded any income tax benefit from the exercise of stock options due to the uncertainty of realizing income tax
benefits in the future.
As of January 29, 2011, the Company had two active omnibus stock plans for which stock awards can be
currently granted: the 2004 Omnibus Stock Plan (as amended and restated in fiscal 2006) that provides for the
issuance of up to 4,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock; and the 2001 Omnibus Stock Plan that provides
for the issuance of up to 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s stock. These plans are administered by the human
resources and compensation committee of the board of directors and provide for awards for employees, directors and
consultants. All employees and directors of the Company and its affiliates are eligible to receive awards under the
plans. The types of awards that may be granted under these plans include restricted and unrestricted stock, incentive
and nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance units, and other stock-based awards. Incentive
stock options may be granted to employees at such exercise prices as the human resources and compensation
committee may determine but not less than 100% of the fair market value of the underlying stock as of the date of
grant. No incentive stock option may be granted more than ten years after the effective date of the respective plan’s
inception or be exercisable more than ten years after the date of grant. Options granted to outside directors are
nonstatutory stock options with an exercise price equal to 100% of the fair market value of the underlying stock as of
the date of grant. Options granted under these plans are exercisable and generally vest over three years in the case of
employee stock options and vest immediately on the date of grant in the case of director options, and generally have
contractual terms of either five years from the date of vesting or ten years from the date of grant.
The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing
model that uses assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of
the Company’s stock. Expected term is calculated using the simplified method taking into consideration the option’s
contractual life and vesting terms. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is
based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Expected dividend yields were not used in the
fair value computations as the Company has never declared or paid dividends on its common stock and currently
intends to retain earnings for use in operations.
Expected volatility
Expected term (in years)
Risk-free interest rate
Fiscal
2010
80%-88%
6 years
1.9%-3.3%
Fiscal
2009
66%-78%
6 years
2.3%-3.4%
Fiscal
2008
41%-56%
6 years
2.9%-3.7%
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
A summary of the status of the Company’s stock option activity as of January 29, 2011 and changes during the
year then ended is as follows:
Balance outstanding,
January 30, 2010
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited or canceled
Balance outstanding,
January 29, 2011
Options exercisable at:
January 29, 2011
January 30, 2010
January 31, 2009
2004
Incentive
Stock
Option
Plan
2001
Incentive
Weighted
Average
Stock
Exercise Option
Price
Plan
Weighted Other Non- Weighted
Average
Average Qualified
Exercise
Exercise
Price
Price
Stock
Options
— $ —
2,442,000 $ 6.52 2,018,000 $ 6.21
500,000 2.17 100,000 1.34 525,000 3.58
— —
— —
(26,000 ) 2.46 (153,000 ) 2.10
(542,000 ) 6.92 (219,000 ) 8.95
2,374,000 $ 5.72 1,746,000 $ 5.97 525,000 $ 3.58
— $ —
1,735,000 $ 6.65 1,192,000 $ 7.03
— $ —
1,342,000 $ 8.79 969,000 $ 8.32
1,412,000 $ 9.90 1,103,000 $ 9.85 1,400,000 $ 15.46
The following table summarizes information regarding stock options at January 29, 2011:
Weighted
Weighted Average
Average Remaining Aggregate Vested or Average Remaining Aggregate
Exercise Contractual
Weighted
Weighted Average
Expected to Exercise Contractual
Intrinsic
Intrinsic
Life (Years) Value
Vest
Price
Life (Years) Value
7.3 $ 4,614,000 2,310,000 $ 5.79
7.3 $ 3,422,000 1,691,000 $ 6.05
7.2 $ 4,406,000
7.1 $ 3,258,000
Options
Outstanding Price
2,374,000 $ 5.72
1,746,000 $ 5.97
Option Type
2004 Incentive:
2001 Incentive:
Other Non-Qualified
Incentive:
525,000 $ 3.58
9.3 $ 1,507,000 473,000 $ 3.58
9.3 $ 1,357,000
The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted in fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 was
$2.26, $1.17 and $1.51, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and
fiscal 2008 was $355,000, 898,000 and $-0-, respectively. As of January 29, 2011, total unrecognized compensation
cost related to stock options was $2,430,000 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of
approximately 0.8 year.
Stock Option Tax Benefit
The exercise of certain stock options granted under the Company’s stock option plans gives rise to
compensation, which is includible in the taxable income of the applicable employees and deductible by the Company
for federal and state income tax purposes. Such compensation results from increases in the fair market value of the
Company’s common stock subsequent to the date of grant of the applicable exercised stock options and these
increases are not recognized as an expense for financial accounting purposes, as the options were originally granted
at the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The related tax benefits will be
recorded as additional paid-in capital if and when realized, and totaled $121,000, $332,000 and $-0- in fiscal 2010,
fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively. The Company has not recorded the tax benefit through paid in capital in
these fiscal years, as the related tax deductions were not taken due to the losses incurred. These benefits will be
recorded in the applicable future periods.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Restricted Stock
Compensation expense recorded in fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 relating to restricted stock grants was
$76,000, $453,000 and $859,000, respectively. As of January 29, 2011, there was $32,000 of total unrecognized
compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock granted. That cost is expected to be recognized over a
weighted average period of 0.4 years. The total fair value of restricted stock vested during fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009
and fiscal 2008 was $68,000, $306,000 and $464,000 respectively.
A summary of the status of the Company’s non-vested restricted stock activity as of January 29, 2011 and
changes during the twelve-month period then ended is as follows:
Non-vested outstanding, January 30, 2010
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Non-vested outstanding, January 29, 2011
Common Stock Repurchase Program
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Shares
39,000 $
40,000 $
(39,000 ) $
—
40,000 $
Value
2.26
1.90
2.26
—
1.90
The Company’s board of directors had, in previous fiscal years, authorized common stock repurchase programs.
During 2009, the Company repurchased a total of 1,622,000 shares of common stock for a total investment of
$937,000 at an average price of $0.58 per share. During fiscal 2008, the Company repurchased a total of
556,000 shares of common stock for a total investment of $3,317,000 at an average price of $5.96 per share. The
authorizations for repurchase programs have expired.
Equity Offering
On December 22, 2010, the Company completed a public equity offering of 4,900,000 common shares at a price
to the public of $3.75 per share. Net proceeds from the offering were approximately $17 million after deducting
underwriting discount and other offering expenses.
12. Sales by Product Group:
Information on net sales by significant product groups is as follows (in thousands):
Jewelry & Watches
Home & Electronics
Beauty, Health & Fitness
Fashion (apparel, outerwear & accessories)
All other
Total
61
January 29,
2011
January 31,
2009
For the Years Ended
January 30,
2010
$ 272,151 $ 278,784 $ 306,366
160,762
170,714
24,854
46,612
35,845
30,815
39,683
41,981
$ 562,273 $ 527,873 $ 567,510
149,358
36,648
27,084
35,999
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VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
13. Income Taxes:
The Company records deferred taxes for differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of
assets and liabilities, computed in accordance with tax laws in effect at that time. The deferred taxes related to such
differences as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 were as follows (in thousands):
January 29,
2011
January 30,
2010
Accruals and reserves not currently deductible for tax purposes
Inventory capitalization
Basis differences in intangible assets
Differences in depreciation lives and methods
Differences in investments and other items
Net operating loss carryforwards
Valuation allowance
Net deferred tax asset
The (provision) benefit from income taxes consisted of the following:
Current
Deferred
$
6,747 $
665
(2,881 )
2,617
1,900
98,270
(107,318 )
$
5,038
640
(2,100 )
2,626
(185 )
96,353
(102,372 )
—
— $
January 29,
2011
For the Years Ended
January 30,
2010
$ 577,000 $ 91,000 $ (33,000 )
—
$ 577,000 $ 91,000 $ (33,000 )
January 31,
2009
—
—
A reconciliation of the statutory tax rates to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:
January 29,
2011
For the Years Ended
January 30,
2010
January 31,
2009
Taxes at federal statutory rates
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
Non-cash stock option vesting expense
Non-deductible interest
Other
Valuation allowance and NOL carryforward benefits
Effective tax rate
35.0 %
1.3
(3.7 )
(12.2 )
0.5
(18.7 )
2.2 %
35.0 %
1.9
(1.6 )
(4.0 )
0.8
(31.9 )
0.2 %
35.0 %
1.9
(1.1 )
—
—
(35.8 )
0.0 %
Based on the Company’s recent history of losses, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance for its
net deferred tax assets as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010 in accordance with GAAP, which places primary
importance on the Company’s most recent operating results when assessing the need for a valuation allowance. The
ultimate realization of these deferred tax assets depends on the ability of the Company to generate sufficient taxable
income and capital gains in the future. The Company intends to maintain a full valuation allowance for its net
deferred tax assets until sufficient positive evidence exists to support reversal of the allowance. As of January 29,
2011, the Company has gross operating loss carryforwards for Federal and state income tax purposes of
approximately $254 million and $108 million, respectively, which begin to expire in January 2023 and 2012,
respectively.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
If the Company were to experience substantial changes in its ownership, Section 382 of the Internal Revenue
Code (as amended) would limit the amount of net operating loss carryforwards that can be utilized annually in the
future to offset taxable income. As of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, there were no unrecognized tax
benefits for uncertain tax positions.
The Company is subject to U.S. federal income taxation and the taxing authorities of various states. The
Company’s tax years for 2007, 2008, and 2009 are currently subject to examination by taxing authorities. With
limited exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, or local examinations by tax authorities
for years before 2007.
14. Commitments and Contingencies:
Cable and Satellite Affiliation Agreements
As of January 29, 2011, the Company has entered into affiliation agreements that represent approximately 1,500
cable systems along with the satellite companies DIRECTV and DISH that require each to offer the Company’s
television home shopping programming on a full-time basis over their systems. The affiliation agreements generally
provide that the Company will pay each operator a monthly access fee and in some cases a marketing support
payment based upon the number of homes carrying the Company’s television home shopping programming. For
fiscal 2010, fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008, respectively, the Company expensed approximately $102,440,000,
$99,637,000 and $123,144,000 under these affiliation agreements.
Cable and satellite distribution agreements representing a majority of the total cable and satellite households in
the United States currently receiving the Company’s television programming were scheduled to expire at the end of
the 2008 and 2009 calendar years. Over the past year, each of the material cable and satellite distribution agreements
up for renewal have been renegotiated and renewed with no reduction to the Company’s distribution footprint.
Failure to maintain the cable agreements covering a material portion of the Company’s existing cable households on
acceptable financial and other terms could adversely affect future growth, sales revenues and earnings unless the
Company is able to arrange for alternative means of broadly distributing its television programming. In addition,
many cable operators are moving to transition the Company’s programming (and other cable content providers as
well) in many of their local cable systems to digital instead of analog programming tiers. As this occurs, the
Company may experience temporary reductions in cable households in certain markets.
The Company has entered into, and will continue to enter into, affiliation agreements with other television
operators providing for full- or part-time carriage of the Company’s television home shopping programming.
Future cable and satellite affiliation cash commitments at January 29, 2011 are as follows:
Fiscal Year
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015 and thereafter
Employment Agreements
Amount
$ 98,698,000
66,703,000
4,570,000
75,000
—
The Company has entered into employment agreements with its on-air hosts and the chief executive officer of
the Company with original terms of 12 months. These agreements specify, among other things, the term and duties of
employment, compensation and benefits, termination of employment (including for cause, which would reduce the
Company’s total obligation under these agreements), severance payments and non-disclosure and non-compete
restrictions. The aggregate commitment for future base compensation at January 29, 2011 was approximately
$2,901,000.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The Company has a policy and practice regarding severance for its senior executive officers whereby up to
12 months of base salary could become payable in the event of terminations without cause only under specified
circumstances. Senior executive officers are also eligible for 12 months of base salary in the event of a change in
control under specified circumstances. The chief executive officer’s employment agreement provides for 12 months
of base salary and his target bonus payment in the event of termination without cause and 24 months of base salary
for change of control severance under specified circumstances.
Operating Lease Commitments
The Company leases certain property and equipment under non-cancelable operating lease agreements. Property
and equipment covered by such operating lease agreements include offices and warehousing facilities at subsidiary
locations, satellite transponder, office equipment and certain tower site locations.
Future minimum lease payments at January 29, 2011 are as follows:
Fiscal Year
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015 and thereafter
Amount
$ 1,291,000
975,000
780,000
780,000
1,300,000
Total rent expense under such agreements was approximately $1,971,000 in fiscal 2010, $2,180,000 in fiscal
2009 and $2,679,000 in fiscal 2008.
Retirement and Savings Plan
The Company maintains a qualified 401(k) retirement savings plan covering substantially all employees. The
plan allows the Company’s employees to make voluntary contributions to the plan. The Company’s contribution, if
any, is determined annually at the discretion of the board of directors. During fiscal 2010 and fiscal 2009, the
Company did not make any matching contributions to the plan. During fiscal 2008, the Company matched $.50 for
every $1.00 contributed by eligible participants up to a maximum of 6% of eligible compensation. The Company
made plan contributions totaling approximately $935,000 in fiscal 2008.
15. Litigation:
In the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency commenced an investigation
into an undervaluation and corresponding underpayment of the customs duty owed by one of our vendors relating to
a particular shipment of goods to the United States. The Company notified the vendor and has withheld certain funds
from the vendor under contractual indemnification obligations to cover any potential costs, penalties or fees that may
result from the investigation. The Company made a formal request for indemnification from the vendor but the
request was refused. As a result, in December 2009, through the U.S. District Court of Minnesota, the Company
commenced litigation in federal court against the vendor for breach of contract. The vendor filed counterclaims for
payments it claims were owed by the Company. The Company believes that the funds it is withholding from the
vendor will be sufficient to cover any costs or possible liabilities against us that may result from the investigation.
The Company is involved from time to time in various claims and lawsuits in the ordinary course of business. In
the opinion of management, the claims and suits individually and in the aggregate have not had a material adverse
effect on the Company’s operations or consolidated financial statements.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
16. Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Supplemental cash flow information and noncash investing and financing activities were as follows:
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid
Income taxes paid
Supplemental non-cash investing and financing activities:
January 29,
2011
For the Years Ended
January 30,
2010
January 31,
2009
$ 647,000 $
$ 100,000 $
11,000 $
43,000 $
—
208,000
Common stock purchase warrants forfeited
Deferred financing costs included in accrued liabilities
Property and equipment purchases included in accounts payable
Accretion of redeemable Series A Preferred Stock
Issuance of Series B Preferred Stock
Excess of preferred stock carrying value over redemption value
Redemption of Series A Preferred Stock
Issuance of 6,000,000 common stock warrants
$ 35,000 $
4,000 $
$
72,000 $
$ 87,000 $
— $
$
62,000 $
— $ 12,959,000 $
$
— $ 27,362,000 $
$
— $ 40,854,000 $
$
533,000 $
— $
$
34,000 $ 11,903,000
414,000 $ 1,283,000
94,000
293,000
—
—
—
—
17. Relationship with NBCU and GE Equity:
Strategic Alliance with GE Equity and NBCU
In March 1999, the Company entered into a strategic alliance with GE Capital Equity Investments, Inc. (“GE
Equity”) and NBCUniversal Media, LLC, pursuant to which the Company issued Series A Redeemable Convertible
Preferred Stock and common stock warrants, and entered into a shareholder agreement, a registration rights
agreement, a distribution and marketing agreement and, the following year, a trademark license agreement. On
February 25, 2009, the Company entered into an exchange agreement with the same parties, pursuant to which GE
Equity exchanged all outstanding shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock for (i) 4,929,266 shares of the
Company’s Series B Redeemable Preferred Stock, (ii) a warrant to purchase up to 6,000,000 shares of the
Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.75 per share and (iii) a cash payment in the amount of
$3.4 million. In connection with the exchange, the parties also amended and restated the 1999 shareholder agreement
and the registration rights agreement. The outstanding agreements with GE Equity and NBCU are described in more
detail below.
In January 2011, General Electric Company (“GE”) consummated a transaction with Comcast Corporation
(“Comcast”) pursuant to which GE contributed all of its holdings in NBCU to NBCUniversal, LLC, a newly formed
entity beneficially owned 51% by Comcast and 49% by GE. As a result of that transaction, NBCU is now a wholly
owned subsidiary of NBCUniversal, LLC, and the aggregate equity ownership of GE Equity in the Company is
4,929,266 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase up to 6,000,000 shares of common stock and
the direct ownership of NBCU in the Company consists of 6,452,194 shares of common stock and warrants to
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
purchase 14,744 shares of common stock. The Company is currently making arm’s length negotiated payments to
Comcast for cable distribution under a pre-existing contract.
In connection with the transfer of its ownership in NBCU, GE also agreed with Comcast that, for so long as GE
Equity is entitled to appoint two members of our board of directors, NBCU will be entitled to retain a board seat
provided that NBCU beneficially owns at least 5% of our adjusted outstanding common stock. Furthermore, GE
agreed to obtain the consent of NBCU prior to consenting to our adoption of any shareholders rights plan or certain
other actions that would impede or restrict the ability of NBCU to acquire or dispose of shares of our voting stock or
our taking any action that would result in NBCU being deemed to be in violation of Federal Communications
Commission multiple ownership regulations.
NBCU Trademark License Agreement
On November 16, 2000, the Company entered into a trademark license agreement with NBCU pursuant to which
NBCU granted it an exclusive, worldwide license for a term of ten years to use certain NBC trademarks, service
marks and domain names to rebrand the Company’s business and corporate name and website. The Company
subsequently selected the names ShopNBC and ShopNBC.com.
Under the license agreement the Company has agreed, among other things, to (i) certain restrictions on using
trademarks, service marks, domain names, logos or other source indicators owned or controlled by NBCU, (ii) the
loss of its rights under the license with respect to specific territories outside of the United States in the event it fails to
achieve and maintain certain performance targets in such territories, (iii) not own, operate, acquire or expand its
business to include certain businesses without NBCU’s prior consent, (iv) comply with NBCU’s privacy policies and
standards and practices, and (v) not own, operate, acquire or expand its business such that one-third or more of our
revenues or the Company’s aggregate value is attributable to certain services (not including retailing services similar
to our existing e-commerce operations) provided over the internet. The license agreement also grants to NBCU the
right to terminate the license agreement at any time upon certain changes of control of the Company, in certain
situations upon the failure by NBCU to own a certain minimum percentage of the Company’s outstanding capital
stock on a fully diluted basis, and certain other situations. In connection with the license agreement, the Company
issued to NBCU warrants to purchase 6,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of
$17.375 per share all of which have expired unexercised. In March 2001, the Company established a measurement
date with respect to the license agreement by amending the agreement, and fixed the fair value of the trademark
license asset at $32,837,000, which is being amortized over the remaining term of the license agreement. As of
January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010, accumulated amortization related to this asset totaled $33,509,000 and
$30,283,000, respectively. On March 28, 2007, the Company and NBCU agreed to extend the term of the license by
six months, such that the license would continue through May 15, 2011, and to provide that certain changes of
control involving a financial buyer would not provide the basis for an early termination of the license by NBCU.
On November 18, 2010, the Company announced a further extension of the license agreement to May 2012, an
option to further extend the license agreement to May 2013 upon the mutual agreement of both parties, and an
agreement to enter into a separate transition agreement, on the terms and subject to the conditions to be mutually
agreed between the parties, relating to the twelve month period following the ultimate expiration of the license
agreement. In consideration for the license agreement extension, the Company will issue shares of the Company’s
common stock valued at $4 million to NBCU on May 15, 2011.
Amended and Restated Shareholder Agreement
On February 25, 2009, the Company entered into an amended and restated shareholder agreement with GE
Equity and NBCU, which provides for certain corporate governance and standstill matters. The amended and restated
shareholder agreement provides that GE Equity is entitled to designate nominees for three out of nine members of the
Company’s board of directors so long as the aggregate beneficial ownership of GE Equity and
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VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
NBCU (and their affiliates) is at least equal to 50% of their beneficial ownership as of February 25, 2009 (i.e.
beneficial ownership of approximately 8.75 million common shares), and two out of nine members so long as their
aggregate beneficial ownership is at least 10% of the “adjusted outstanding shares of common stock,” as defined in
the amended and restated shareholder agreement. In addition, the amended and restated shareholder agreement
provides that GE Equity may designate any of its director-designees to be an observer of the Audit, Human
Resources and Compensation, and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees of our board of directors. The
amended and restated shareholder agreement requires the consent of GE Equity prior to the Company entering into
any material agreements with any of CBS, Fox, Disney, Time Warner or Viacom (and their respective affiliates),
provided that this restriction will no longer apply when either (i) the Company’s trademark license agreement with
NBCU (described below) has terminated or (ii) GE Equity is no longer entitled to designate at least two director
nominees. In addition, the amended and restated shareholder agreement requires the consent of GE Equity prior to
the Company (i) exceeding certain thresholds relating to the issuance of securities, the payment of dividends, the
repurchase or redemption of common stock, acquisitions (including investments and joint ventures) or dispositions,
and the incurrence of debt; (ii) entering into any business different than what the Company and its subsidiaries are
currently engaged; and (iii) amending the Company’s articles of incorporation to adversely affect GE Equity and
NBCU (or their affiliates); provided, however, that these restrictions will no longer apply when both (i) GE Equity is
no longer entitled to designate three director nominees and (ii) GE Equity and NBCU no longer hold any Series B
Preferred Stock. The Company is also prohibited from taking any action that would cause any ownership interest by
the Company in television broadcast stations from being attributable to GE Equity, NBCU or their affiliates.
The amended and restated shareholder agreement further provides that during the “standstill period” (as defined
in the amended and restated shareholder agreement), subject to certain limited exceptions, GE Equity and NBCU are
prohibited from: (i) any asset/business purchases from the Company in excess of 10% of the total fair market value
of the Company’s assets; (ii) increasing their beneficial ownership above 39.9% of our shares, treating as outstanding
and actually owned for such purpose shares of our common stock issuable to GE Equity upon exercise of the warrant
for 6,000,000 shares of our common stock; (iii) making or in any way participating in any solicitation of proxies;
(iv) depositing any securities of the Company in a voting trust; (v) forming, joining or in any way becoming a
member of a “13D Group” with respect to any voting securities of the Company; (vi) arranging any financing for, or
providing any financing commitment specifically for, the purchase of any voting securities of the Company;
(vii) otherwise acting, whether alone or in concert with others, to seek to propose to the Company any tender or
exchange offer, merger, business combination, restructuring, liquidation, recapitalization or similar transaction
involving the Company, or nominating any person as a director of the Company who is not nominated by the then
incumbent directors, or proposing any matter to be voted upon by the Company’s shareholders. If, during the
standstill period, any inquiry has been made regarding a “takeover transaction” or “change in control,” each as
defined in the amended and restated shareholder agreement, that has not been rejected by the Company’s board of
directors, or the Company’s board of directors pursues such a transaction, or engages in negotiations or provides
information to a third party and the board of directors has not resolved to terminate such discussions, then GE Equity
or NBCU may propose to the Company a tender offer or business combination proposal.
In addition, unless GE Equity and NBCU beneficially own less than 5% or more than 90% of the adjusted
outstanding shares of common stock, GE Equity and NBCU shall not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any
securities of the Company except for transfers: (i) to certain affiliates who agree to be bound by the provisions of the
amended and restated shareholder agreement, (ii) that have been consented to by the Company, (iii) subject to certain
exceptions, pursuant to a third-party tender offer, (iv) pursuant to a merger, consolidation or reorganization to which
the Company is a party, (v) in an underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement,
(vi) pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, or (vii) in a private sale or pursuant to Rule 144A of the
Securities Act of 1933; provided, that in the case of any transfer pursuant to clause (v), (vi) or (vii), the transfer does
not result in, to the knowledge of the transferor after reasonable inquiry, any other person acquiring, after giving
effect to such transfer, beneficial ownership, individually or in the aggregate with that person’s
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VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
affiliates, of more than 10% (or 20% in the case of a transfer by NBCU) of the adjusted outstanding shares of the
common stock, as determined in accordance with the amended and restated shareholder agreement.
The standstill period will terminate on the earliest to occur of (i) the ten-year anniversary of the amended and
restated shareholder agreement, (ii) the Company entering into an agreement that would result in a “change in
control” (subject to reinstatement), (iii) an actual “change in control” (subject to reinstatement), (iv) a third-party
tender offer (subject to reinstatement), or (v) six months after GE Equity can no longer designate any nominees to the
Company’s board of directors. Following the expiration of the standstill period pursuant to clause (i) above and two
years in the case of clause (v) above, GE Equity and NBCU’s beneficial ownership position may not exceed 39.9%
of the Company’s adjusted outstanding shares of common stock, except pursuant to issuances or exercises of any
warrants or pursuant to a 100% tender offer for the Company.
Registration Rights Agreement
On February 25, 2009, the Company entered into an amended and restated registration rights agreement
providing GE Equity, NBCU and their affiliates and any transferees and assigns, an aggregate of four demand
registrations and unlimited piggy-back registration rights. In addition, NBCU was subsequently granted one
additional demand registration right pursuant to the second amendment of the NBCU Trademark License Agreement.
18. Restructuring Costs:
As a result of a number of restructuring initiatives taken by the Company in order to simplify and streamline the
Company’s organizational structure, reduce operating costs and pursue and evaluate strategic alternatives, the
Company recorded restructuring charges of $1,130,000 in fiscal 2010, $2,303,000 in fiscal 2009 and $4,299,000 in
fiscal 2008. Restructuring costs primarily include employee severance and retention costs associated with the
consolidation and elimination of positions across the Company and costs associated with strategic alternative
initiatives.
The table below sets forth for the years ended January 29, 2011, and January 30, 2010 the significant
components and activity under the restructuring program:
Severance and retention
Incremental restructuring charges
Severance and retention
Incremental restructuring charges
Balance at
January 30,
2010
Charges
Cash
Balance at
January 29,
Payments
2011
$ 255,000 $ 278,000 $ (533,000 ) $ —
179,000 852,000
(1,031,000 ) —
$ 434,000 $ 1,130,000 $ (1,564,000 ) $ —
Balance at
January 31,
2009
Charges
Cash
Payments
Balance at
January 30,
2010
$ 1,509,000 $ 743,000 $ (1,997,000 ) $ 255,000
(1,476,000 ) 179,000
$ 1,604,000 $ 2,303,000 $ (3,473,000 ) $ 434,000
1,560,000
95,000
19. Chief Executive Officer Transition Costs:
During fiscal 2009, the Company recorded a $1.9 million charge relating primarily to settlement and legal costs
associated with the termination of the Company’s former chief executive officer. During fiscal 2008, the Company
recorded a $2.7 million charge relating primarily to accrued severance and other costs associated with the
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VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
departures of four senior officers and costs associated with hiring the Company’s current chief executive officer,
Mr. Stewart, in August 2008.
20. Related Party Transactions:
The Company entered into marketing agreements with Creative Commerce and its subsidiary, International
Commerce Agency, LLC (“International Commerce”), under which Creative Commerce and International
Commerce agreed to provide vendor sourcing and retailing consulting services to the Company. One of the
Company’s directors, Edwin Garrubbo, is the majority owner of both Creative Commerce and International
Commerce. The Company made payments totaling approximately $787,000 during fiscal 2010 and $117,000 during
fiscal 2009 relating to these services.
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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, management conducted an evaluation, under the supervision
and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the effectiveness of our
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934). Based on this evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure
controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file
or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the
time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and to ensure that information
required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and
communicated to management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to
allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
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MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The management of ValueVision Media, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal
control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act 1934. Our
company’s internal control system was 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.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those
systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement
preparation and presentation. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not
prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to
the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with
the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of our company’s internal control over financial reporting as of
January 29, 2011. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control — Integrated Framework.
Based on management’s evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework ,
management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of January 29, 2011.
Our independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has issued an attestation report on
our company’s internal control over financial reporting for January 29, 2011. The Deloitte & Touche LLP attestation
report is set forth below.
/s/ KEITH R. STEWART
Keith R. Stewart
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ WILLIAM MCGRATH
William McGrath
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
March 22, 2011
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting
Management, with the participation of the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, performed an
evaluation as to whether any change in the internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15 and
15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) occurred during the quarter ended January 29, 2011. Based on
that evaluation the chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that no change occurred in the
internal controls over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal controls over financial reporting.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
ValueVision Media, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of ValueVision Media, Inc. and subsidiaries (the
“Company”) as of January 29, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is
responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual
Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included
obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness
exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk,
and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit
provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the
company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected
by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel 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 (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) 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 (3) 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 the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of
collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be
prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control
over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of
changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial
reporting as of January 29, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by
the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule listed in the index at Item 15
as of and for the year ended January 29, 2011, of the Company and our report dated March 21, 2011, expressed an
unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Minneapolis, MN
March 21, 2011
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Item 9B.
Other Information
None
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
PART III
Information in response to this item with respect to certain information relating to our executive officers is
contained in Item 1 under the heading “Executive Officers of the Registrant” and with respect to other information
relating to our executive officers and directors is incorporated herein by reference to the sections titled
“Proposal 1 — Election of Directors,” “Corporate Governance” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance” in our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end
of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to all of our directors and employees,
including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller and other
employees performing similar functions. A copy of this code of business conduct and ethics is available on our
website at www.shopnbc.com, under “Investor Relations — Business Ethics Policy.” In addition, we have adopted a
code of ethics policy for our senior financial management; this policy is also available on our website at
www.shopnbc.com, under “Investor Relations — Code of Ethics Policy for Chief Executive and Senior Financial
Officers.”
We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirements under Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or waiver from, a
provision of our code of business conduct and ethics by posting such information on our website at the address
specified above.
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
Information in response to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the sections titled “Director
Compensation for Fiscal 2010.” “Executive Compensation” and “Corporate Governance” in our definitive proxy
statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this
Form 10-K.
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters
Information in response to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section titled “Security Ownership
of Principal Shareholders and Management” in our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A
within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Information in response to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section titled “Certain
Transactions” and “Corporate Governance” in our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A
within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Information in response to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section titled “Proposal 2 —
Ratification of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in our definitive proxy statement to be filed
pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.
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Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule
PART IV
1. Financial Statements
• Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
• Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 29, 2011 and January 30, 2010
• Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and
January 31, 2009
• Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and
January 31, 2009
• Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended January 29, 2011, January 30, 2010 and
January 31, 2009
• Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
2. Financial Statement Schedule
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VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Column A
For the year ended January 29, 2011:
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Reserve for returns
For the year ended January 30, 2010:
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Reserve for returns
For the year ended January 31, 2009:
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Reserve for returns
Column C
Column B Additions
Balances at Charged to
Beginning of Costs and
Expenses
Year
Column D
Deductions
Column E
Balance at
End of Year
$ 4,819,000 $ 9,321,000 $ (8,497,000 )(1)
$ 2,742,000 $ 49,335,000 $ (47,555,000 )(2)
$ 5,643,000
$ 4,522,000
$ 6,063,000 $ 6,813,000 $ (8,057,000 )(1)
$ 2,770,000 $ 49,276,000 $ (49,304,000 )(2)
$ 4,819,000
$ 2,742,000
$ 6,888,000 $ 9,826,000 $ (10,651,000 )(1)
$ 8,376,000 $ 85,112,000 $ (90,718,000 )(2)
$ 6,063,000
$ 2,770,000
(1) Write off of uncollectible receivables, net of recoveries.
(2) Refunds or credits on products returned.
3. Exhibits
The exhibits filed with this report are set forth on the exhibit index filed as a part of this report immediately
following the signatures to this report.
75
Table of Contents
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, on March 22, 2011.
SIGNATURES
VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC.
(Registrant)
By: /s/ KEITH R. STEWART
Keith R. Stewart
Chief Executive Officer
Each of the undersigned hereby appoints Keith R. Stewart and William McGrath, and each of them (with full
power to act alone), as attorneys and agents for the undersigned, with full power of substitution, for and in the name,
place and stead of the undersigned, to sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act of 1934, any and all amendments and exhibits to this annual report on Form 10-K and any and all
applications, instruments, and other documents to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pertaining
to this annual report on Form 10-K or any amendments thereto, with full power and authority to do and perform any
and all acts and things whatsoever requisite and necessary or desirable. 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 indicated on March 22, 2011.
Name
Title
/s/ KEITH R. STEWART
Keith R. Stewart
/s/ WILLIAM MCGRATH
William McGrath
/s/ RANDY S. RONNING
Randy S. Ronning
/s/ JOSEPH F. BERARDINO
Joseph F. Berardino
Catherine Dunleavy
Patrick O. Kocsi
/s/ ROBERT J. KORKOWSKI
Robert J. Korkowski
/s/ EDWIN GARRUBBO
Edwin Garrubbo
/s/ JOHN D. BUCK
John D. Buck
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Chairman of the Board
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
76
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Exhibit No.
3 .1
3 .2
3 .3
EXHIBIT INDEX
Description
Method of Filing
Incorporated by reference(A)
Incorporated by reference(R)
Incorporated by reference(Q)
Incorporated by reference(O)
Articles of Incorporation, as amended
Certificate of Designation of Series B Redeemable Preferred Stock
Statement of Cancellation of Certificate of Designation of Series A
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock dated February 26, 2009.
Amended and Restated By-Laws, as amended through September 21,
2010
2001 Omnibus Stock Plan of the Registrant
Incorporated by reference(L)†
Amendment No. 1 to the 2001 Omnibus Stock Plan of the Registrant Incorporated by reference(N)†
Incorporated by reference(P)†
Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under the 2001 Omnibus
Stock Plan of the Registrant
Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement under the 2001
Omnibus Stock Plan of the Registrant
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under the 2001 Omnibus Stock
Plan of the Registrant
2004 Omnibus Stock Plan
Form of Stock Option Agreement (Employees) under 2004 Omnibus
Stock Plan
Form of Stock Option Agreement (Executive Officers) under 2004
Omnibus Stock Plan
Form of Stock Option Agreement (Executive Officers) under 2004
Omnibus Stock Plan
Form of Stock Option Agreement (Directors — Annual Grant) under
2004 Omnibus Stock Plan
Form of Stock Option Agreement (Directors — Other Grants) under
2004 Omnibus Stock Plan
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (Directors) under 2004 Omnibus
Stock Plan
Incorporated by reference(I)†
Incorporated by reference(G)†
Incorporated by reference(G)†
Incorporated by reference(G)†
Incorporated by reference(G)†
Incorporated by reference(G)†
Incorporated by reference(C)†
Incorporated by reference(P)†
Incorporated by reference(P)†
3 .4
10 .1
10 .2
10 .3
10 .4
10 .5
10 .6
10 .7
10 .8
10 .9
10 .10
10 .11
10 .12
10 .13 Form of Option Agreement between the Registrant and John D. Buck Incorporated by reference(B)†
Incorporated by reference(J)†
10 .14
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between the
Registrant and Keith R. Stewart dated February 19, 2010
10 .15 2007 Annual Management Incentive Plan
10 .16 Description of Director Compensation Program
10 .17
10 .18
10 .19
10 .20
Investment Agreement by and between the Registrant and GE Capital
Equity Investments, Inc. dated as of March 8, 1999
First Amendment and Agreement dated as of April 15, 1999 to the
Investment Agreement, dated as of March 8, 1999, by and between
the Registrant and GE Capital Equity Investments, Inc.
Letter Agreement dated March 8, 1999 between NBC Universal, Inc.,
GE Capital Equity Investments, Inc. and the Registrant
Amended and Restated Shareholder Agreement dated February 25,
2009 between the Registrant, GE Capital Equity Investments, Inc. and
NBC Universal, Inc.
Incorporated by reference (D)†
Incorporated by reference(R)†
Incorporated by reference(E)
Incorporated by reference(F)
Incorporated by reference(E)
Incorporated by reference(Q)
77
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Exhibit No.
10 .21
Description
10 .22
10 .23
10 .24
10 .25
10 .26
Common Stock Purchase Warrants issued on February 25, 2009
between the Registrant, GE Capital Equity Investments, Inc. and NBC
Universal, Inc.
Exchange Agreement dated February 25, 2009 between the
Registrant, GE Capital Equity Investments, Inc. and NBC Universal,
Inc.
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement dated
February 25, 2009 between the Registrant, GE Capital Equity
Investments, Inc. and NBC Universal, Inc.
Letter Agreement dated November 16, 2000 between the Registrant
and NBC Universal, Inc.
Trademark License Agreement, between NBC Universal, Inc. and the
Registrant, as amended through November 17, 2010
Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of February 9, 2005 between GE
Capital Equity Investments, Inc. and Delta Onshore, LP, Delta
Institutional, LP, Delta Pleiades, LP and Delta Offshore, Ltd.
10 .27 William McGrath Severance Eligibility
10 .28
Credit Agreement dated November 17, 2010 among the Registrant, as
the lead borrower, certain of its subsidiaries party thereto as
borrowers, Crystal Financial LLC, as agent and a lender and the
lenders party thereto.
Form of Indemnification Agreement with Directors and Officers of
the Registrant
Significant Subsidiaries of the Registrant
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Powers of Attorney
Certification
Certification
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer
10 .29
21
23
24
31 .1
31 .2
32
Method of Filing
Incorporated by reference(Q)
Incorporated by reference(Q)
Incorporated by reference(Q)
Incorporated by reference(K)
Filed herewith
Incorporated by reference(H)
Incorporated by reference(S)†
Incorporated by reference(T)
Incorporated by reference(A)†
Filed herewith
Filed herewith
Included with signature pages
Filed herewith
Filed herewith
Filed herewith
† Management compensatory plan/arrangement.
(A) Incorporated herein by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 27, 2010, filed on
September 27, 2010, File No. 0-20243.
(B) Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 25, 2008, filed
on August 28, 2008, File No. 0-20243.
(C) Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 21, 2006, filed on
June 26, 2006, File No. 0-20243.
(D) Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement in connection with its annual meeting of
shareholders held on June 28, 2007, filed on June 1, 2007, File No. 0-20243.
(E) Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 8, 1999, filed on
March 18, 1999, File No. 0-20243.
(F) Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 15, 1999, filed on
April 29, 1999, File No. 0-20243.
(G) Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 14, 2005, filed
on January 14, 2005, File No. 0-20243.
(H) Incorporated by reference to the Schedule 13D/A (Amendment No. 7) dated February 11, 2005, filed
February 15, 2005, File No. 005-41757.
78
Table of Contents
(I)
(J)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement in connection with its annual meeting of
shareholders held on June 21, 2006, filed on May 23, 2006, File No. 0-20243.
Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 19, 2010, filed
on February 23, 2010, File No. 0-20243.
(K) Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
January 31, 2001, File No. 0-20243.
(L) Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on January 25,
2002, File No. 333-81438.
(M) Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
April 30, 2001, filed on June 14, 2001, File No. 0-20243.
(N) Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement in connection with its annual meeting of
shareholders held on June 20, 2002, filed on May 23, 2002, File No. 0-20243.
(O) Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 26, 2009, filed
on February 27, 2009, File No. 0-20243.
(P) Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
January 31, 2003, File No. 0-20243.
(Q) Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 25, 2009, filed
on February 26, 2009, File No. 0-20243.
(R) Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
January 30, 2010, filed on April 15, 2010, File No. 0-20243.
(S) Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 4, 2010, filed on
August 6, 2010, File No. 0-20243.
(T) Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 19, 2010,
filed on November 22, 2010, File No. 0-20243.
79
Exhibit 10.25
TRADEMARK LICENSE AGREEMENT
(Conformed Copy — Includes all amendments through November 17, 2010)
This Trademark License Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into as of November 16, 2000, between NBC Universal, Inc. (f/k/a
National Broadcasting Company, Inc.), a Delaware corporation (“NBC”), and ValueVision Media, Inc. (f/k/a/ ValueVision International, Inc.),
a Minnesota corporation (“VV”).
WHEREAS, NBC owns rights in and to certain trademarks, service marks and domain names, including without limitation “NBC” and
the “NBC Peacock” logo;
WHEREAS, VV currently operates a 24 hour/7 day per week cable television program service, consisting primarily of home shopping
and transactional television and an Internet web site which offers for sale products substantially similar to those advertised on such cable
television program service;
WHEREAS , NBC desires to grant, and VV desires to obtain, a license to use certain NBC trademarks, service marks and domain
names to rebrand its businesses and corporate name, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS , VV agrees that this Agreement is not intended to adversely impact NBC’s core businesses, including without limitation
broadcast and Multichannel Television (as defined herein) and the online distribution of content, even if the economic model for such
businesses evolves over time from customary advertising to a more direct response or product placement model;
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual agreements and understandings set forth herein, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
Section 1 — DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Agreement, in addition to the capitalized terms defined elsewhere herein, the following terms shall have the
following respective meanings:
1.1 Advertising . (a) Communications, content and materials in any current or future medium, manner or form that intend to raise consumer
or trade awareness and are disseminated by any means of advertising, marketing, publicity, promotion, or identification, whether on a paid
basis or free of charge, including, but not limited to, magazines, newspapers, point of purchase, outdoor and transit billboards and signage,
speaker podiums, building and other signage, packaging, direct mail materials, commercials, publicity and print materials, public relations
materials, press kits, television (including infomercials), radio and other audio and video outlets (including home video), computer, online and
interactive services and networks (including click-throughs, banner ads and direct response advertising), theatre, on-air graphics (including
channel identification or interstitial elements), classified advertisements; and (b) any other medium or vehicle used for advertisement, publicity
or promotion now known or hereafter created that is reasonably acceptable to NBC and consistent with the terms and conditions herein.
Advertise shall mean to disseminate, display, distribute or publish Advertising.
2
1.2 Advertising Materials . Shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.
1.3 Affiliate . With respect to any Person, any Person, directly or indirectly, Controlling, Controlled by or under common Control with such
first Person.
1.4 Cable Shopping Service . A nationally-distributed, full-time Multichannel Television service that has as its exclusive or predominant
purpose the retail sale to consumers of a broad range of products and shopping-related services across numerous categories from a variety of
sources/producers ( i.e. , at least as many categories and sources/producers as offered via the current VV Cable Shopping Service), including
any converged Online Shopping Service.
1.5 Change of Control. The occurrence of any of the following with respect to VV:
(a) Any Person or group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) becomes the beneficial owner of
securities representing more than 40% of the aggregate voting power of VV’s then outstanding voting securities, as a result of a tender offer or
exchange offer, open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases or otherwise;
(b) Any NBC Competitor becomes the beneficial owner of VV securities representing greater aggregate voting power than the VV
securities beneficially owned by NBC at such time, whether as a result of a tender offer or exchange offer, open market purchases, privately
negotiated purchases or otherwise; provided, however, that if, during the period from the effective date hereof to the date of calculation, NBC
(or any Affiliate of NBC to whom NBC has transferred shares of VV capital stock (“NBC Transferred Shares”)) disposes of more VV shares
(or in the case of an NBC Affiliate, only NBC Transferred Shares) than it acquires, the difference between the shares disposed and the shares
acquired shall be added back to NBC’s holdings for purposes of determining beneficial ownership pursuant to this clause (b);
(c) Any merger, consolidation or other transaction immediately following which the holder of common equity securities of such Person
immediately prior to such transaction does not own securities representing more than 50% of the aggregate voting power of the outstanding
voting securities of the resulting or surviving entity; or
(d) A majority of VV’s Board of Directors consists at any time of individuals other than (x) the current directors and (y) Persons
recommended to become a director by a majority of the current directors or by directors so recommended; or
(e) The sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of VV’s assets.
1.6 Control . With respect to a Person: (A) having the power to elect or appoint, through ownership, membership or otherwise, either
directly or indirectly, a majority of such Person’s governing body, (B) owning or controlling the right to vote a majority number of the shares
of such Person’s voting stock or other voting interest, or (C) having the right to direct the general management of the affairs of such Person by
contract or otherwise.
1.7 Excluded Affiliates . (i) the CNBC cable networks worldwide, CNBC.com, MSNBC Cable, MSNBC.com; provided, however , that any
such entity shall be an Excluded Affiliate only for so long as such entity does not engage in the retail sale of products and
3
shopping-related services to consumers as the exclusive or predominant portion of its business (excluding financial, business, insurance and
related services); (ii) NBC’s owned and operated television stations; provided, however, that each such station shall be an Excluded Affiliate
only for so long as each station’s website or other online activities of each station are directed predominantly at such station’s local market;
(iii) NBC Sports; (iv) the online site for NBC’s bricks and mortar retail business; and (v) NBC Internet, Inc. (“NBCi”).
1.8 Exhibition . Shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
1.9 Interactive Delivery . The delivery of content for use by an end user to a monitor or viewing screen, whereby such delivery occurs by
means of telephone lines, cable television systems, optical fiber connections, cellular phones, satellites, electronic media, wireless broadcast or
other means of transmission now known or hereafter devised, provided that the end user has the ability to effect substantive content changes
during its use via voluntary, selective manipulation. By way of example, “Interactive Delivery” includes the Internet, because a user can
selectively manipulate which Internet pages to view within a site, but excludes network television, in the case where a user cannot affect the
substantive content being broadcast by a station at a particular time.
1.10 Law . Any foreign, international, multinational, federal, state or local law, rule, regulation, directive, injunction, standard, code,
limitation, restriction, condition, prohibition, notice, demand or other requirement, determination, decision, order or ruling of a court, other
governmental authority.
1.11 Licensed Advertising . Shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.
1.12 Licensed Services . Cable Shopping Services and the Online Shopping Services.
1.13 Multichannel Television . Any transmission of video and audio to individual or multiple television receivers by cable, wire or fiber,
cable television, master antenna, satellite master antenna, multi-channel multi-point distribution services or microwave system, or direct-to-
home or direct broadcast satellite services; provided, however , that Multichannel Television shall not include transmission by Interactive
Delivery.
1.14 NBC Competitor . Any Person, division or operation (and all Affiliates thereof) in which NBC does not have direct or indirect
ownership of 5% or more, a principal business of which is the distribution of (i) broad-based audio and/or visual content and or (ii) video
content, in each case through a monitor or viewing device (whether the distribution is through broadcast or cable, optical fiber connections,
satellite, wireless broadcast or any other means of transmission now known or hereafter devised), and whether on one or more channels, across
several different types of content (such as news, business news/finance, sports, comedies, talk shows, movies, dramas or children’s
programming) on a scale and in a territory such that the business could reasonably be considered to compete with NBC and its Affiliates. The
parties agree that, as of the date hereof, the NBC Competitors include (a) Time Warner, CBS/Viacom, News Corp., Disney, and USA
Networks, and (b) America Online, Microsoft, Lycos and Yahoo; provided, however , if NBC’s ownership of NBCi or any successor, falls
below 15% on a fully diluted basis, America Online, Lycos, Yahoo and/or any other Person, division or operation whose principal business is
the online distribution of original content shall no longer be deemed
4
“NBC Competitors” unless at that time they fall within definition (ii) referenced in sentence one of this paragraph.
1.15 NBC Marks . The trademarks and service marks “NBC” in block letters, the NBC Peacock logo and the NBC Chimes.
1.16 New Marks . The trademarks, service marks, logos, corporate names, trade names and/or domain names specifically set forth on
Schedule A and as otherwise mutually and reasonably agreed by NBC and VV from time to time after the date hereof for use in connection
with the VV Permitted Businesses.
1.17 Online Shopping Service . A nationally-targeted, full-service (i.e. consumer interface, inventory and fulfillment), online destination that
has as its exclusive or predominant purpose the retail sale to consumers of a broad range of products and shopping-related services across
numerous categories from a variety of sources/producers (i.e., at least as many categories and sources/producers as offered via the current VV
Online Shopping Services and competing online home shopping services), including any converged Cable Shopping Service.
1.18 Permitted Businesses . Cable Shopping Services, Online Shopping Services and any other permitted lines of businesses set forth on
Schedule B hereto.
1.19 Person . Any individual, corporation, limited liability company, general or limited partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock
company, trust, unincorporated business or organization, government or agency or political subdivision thereof, or other entity, whether acting
in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.
1.20 Standards and Practices . NBC’s Broadcast Standards and Practices as in effect from time to time and as determined by NBC in its sole
discretion, in each case as NBC would apply to any material or content that is broadcast on NBC Television Network or delivered over the
Internet, as the case may be.
1.21 Term . Shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.
1.22 Territory . The world, subject to Section 3.
1.23 VV Cable Shopping Service . The Cable Shopping Service that is presently known as “ValueVision Television” and is to be rebranded
with the New Mark hereunder, and including (i) part-time carriages of ValueVision Television and (ii) programs produced by ValueVision
Television, and any segments or extensions of ValueVision Television.
1.24 VV Online Shopping Service . The Online Shopping Service that is currently known as VVTV.com and currently located on the World
Wide Web of the Internet at vvtv.com.
1.25 VV Permitted Businesses . The VV Cable Shopping Service, the VV Online Shopping Service and VV’s operation of the permitted
lines of businesses set forth on Schedule B.
5
Section 2 — GRANT OF LICENSE
2.1 Grant . Subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, NBC hereby grants to VV, and VV hereby accepts from NBC an exclusive,
non-transferable (except as provided in Section 12.1) license in the Territory (the “License”) to use the New Marks: (a) in connection with the
dissemination, display, distribution, exhibition, transmission and other publication, Licensed Advertising, marketing and promotion
(“Exhibition”) of the VV Permitted Businesses; (b) in connection with the sale of goods and services as part of VV’s conduct of the Permitted
Businesses; (c) as VV’s new corporate and trade name; and (d) as part of new domain name (s) and URL(s). After the date hereof, the parties
shall mutually agree on the selection of the New Marks, and VV shall not use any trademarks, service marks, domain names, logos or other
source indicators owned or controlled by NBC or its Affiliates in connection with the VV Permitted Businesses before such mutual agreement.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, VV agrees that this Agreement is not intended to have any restrictive effect on or to
limit in any way NBCi or its business operations.
2.2 Sublicenses . (a) Subject to the terms and conditions contained herein and the prior written consent of NBC (which shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed), during the Term, VV may sublicense the License only as follows: (i) as required to create Licensed
Advertising; (ii) to use the New Marks in connection with VV’s conduct of VV Permitted Businesses, without any changes thereto, and (iii) in
any program guide or other channel listing containing the VV Cable Shopping Service.
(b) Any purported sublicense granted without NBC’s prior approval shall be null and void ab initio and of no force and effect. To fulfill its
obligations regarding NBC’s approval, VV and NBC shall cooperate in good faith to create a form of sublicense agreement to be used with
authorized sublicensees. If NBC approves such form, VV need not resubmit the form for approval when it is executed with new sublicensees;
provided that no non-trivial changes are made to such form and provided further that VV provides NBC with all executed sublicenses promptly
thereafter.
2.3 Restrictions . (a) VV shall not use (i) the New Marks other than as expressly authorized hereunder, and (ii) any marks owned or
controlled by NBC, including the NBC Mark, other than the New Marks as expressly authorized hereunder. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, without the prior written consent of NBC, which may be withheld in its sole discretion, VV shall not use the New Marks (i) in
connection with sponsoring or hosting, either directly or indirectly, any goods, services or programs other than the VV Permitted Businesses,
(ii) on or in connection with any specific goods or merchandise; (iii) for any other branding, merchandising or related activities and/or (iv) in
connection with any online auction, market, bazaar or any other forum in which consumers, not established retail businesses, are the source of
sold merchandise.
(b) VV further agrees that it will not enter into any Co-Branding Agreement using the New Marks without NBC’s written consent, which
may be withheld in its sole discretion. For purposes of this Section 2.3(b) alone, a “Co-Branding Agreement” shall mean an arrangement
pursuant to which one party authorizes another party to use the brands or trademarks of the first party in connection with the other party’s
property, products or services. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties understand and agree that the distribution (including,
6
without limitation, video streaming) and promotion of solely the content of the Licensed Services on the Internet, or any successor technology,
through a third party distributor does not constitute a Co-Branding Agreement, so long as VV does not grant to any such third party distributor
any use of the NBC Marks other than for the limited purpose of distributing and promoting through customary promotional technologies and
techniques now or hereafter developed the content of the Licensed Services and the properties on which they appear, but only to the extent such
promotion relates directly to the availability of the Licensed Services on such properties.
(c) VV agrees to use the New Marks exactly as such words, terms or logos appear on Schedule A, and not to modify, stylize, translate or
combine them with other trademarks, service marks, domain names, logos or source indicators without NBC’s prior written consent, which
may be withheld in its sole discretion.
2.4 Retention of Rights . All rights not expressly granted to VV herein are expressly reserved to NBC. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing and except as provided in Section 3:
(a) NBC and its Affiliates retain the right to engage in any business anywhere in the world; provided, however , that NBC and its
Affiliates (other than the Excluded Affiliates) shall not use the New Marks in connection with the Permitted Businesses during the Term. This
right shall include, without limitation the right to use the NBC Mark (but not the New Marks) anywhere in the world for any and all purposes
other than branding Licensed Services, including: (i) Advertising products and services, (ii) creating, producing, licensing or Exhibiting
television, online or interactive programming, including interactive and enhanced television, and (iii) engaging in other electronic commerce,
other Online Shopping Services and “brick and mortar” retail services. For the avoidance of doubt, VV acknowledges that NBC and its
Affiliates (excluding the Excluded Affiliates) may use the NBC Mark (but not the New Mark) to sell, offer to sell, or Advertise proprietary or
third-party merchandise on television (including enhanced or interactive television) or online, and that such activities shall not violate the
exclusivity of the License provided that such activities are not actually Licensed Services.
(b) For the avoidance of doubt, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Excluded Affiliates may use the NBC Mark (but not
the New Marks) for any legitimate business purpose, including in connection with Licensed Services, anywhere in the world.
Section 3 — TERRITORY
3.1 Territory . The territory of this License shall be worldwide.
3.2 Territory Outside the United States . (a) During the Term, in any Territory which falls outside the United States where VV conducts a
Licensed Service, VV and NBC agree that VV must meet certain minimum performance targets, which shall be mutually agreed on by the
parties for any given country or jurisdiction as further described below. If (i) VV is not engaged in a Licensed Service or is engaged in a
Licensed Service which does not meet the applicable performance targets in a jurisdiction (other than a jurisdiction in the United States) within
12 months of the date of the parties’ mutual agreement on such performance target for such country or jurisdiction, and (ii) NBC has a
proposed bona fide use for the NBC Marks branding a
7
Licensed Service in such jurisdiction or has received a bona fide offer from a third party to use the NBC Marks branding a Licensed Service in
such jurisdiction, and (iii) NBC desires to use the NBC Marks for such use in such jurisdiction or license the NBC Marks to such third party in
such jurisdiction, then NBC may provide written notice to VV describing in reasonable detail such proposed use or such proposed license of
the NBC Marks. VV shall have 30 days to notify NBC that VV has a proposed bona fide use and can demonstrate in reasonable detail a
business plan for use of the New Marks in such jurisdiction within four months from the date of such notice. Upon such notice, the parties shall
mutually agree on minimum performance targets and dates for VV’s operation there and execute an agreement with respect thereto (the
“Performance Targets’). If VV does not timely notify NBC in this regard, if the two parties cannot negotiate such agreement in good faith in a
reasonable time, or as otherwise pursuant to such negotiated agreement, such country or jurisdiction shall be removed from the definition of
“Territory” hereunder and NBC shall have the right (but not the obligation) to use or allow others to use the NBC Marks to engage in any
Licensed Service in such new country or jurisdiction. The provisions of this Section 3 shall not be construed so as to limit or qualify in any
manner the retention of rights set forth in Section 2.4 herein with respect to the Excluded Affiliates. If VV does not respond to NBC within
30 days of receiving NBC’s written notice of proposed use, or the proposed license of the NBC Marks within the jurisdiction, then NBC shall
be entitled to use the NBC Marks, or license the NBC Marks, within such jurisdiction as proposed in the notice to VV.
(b) In the event that a country or jurisdiction has been removed from the definition of “Territory” hereunder pursuant to operation of
Section 3.2(a) (a “Removed Territory”), and VV subsequently has a proposed bona fide use of the New Marks for Licensed Services in such
Removed Territory and can demonstrate in reasonable detail a reasonable business plan for such use within the next twelve (12) months, then
VV may provide written notice to NBC of such proposed use. NBC shall then be required to demonstrate to VV that the users of the NBC
Marks engaging in Licensed Services in such Removed Territory, no later than 12 months following the date of receipt of written notice from
VV, are meeting the applicable minimum performance targets for such Removed Territory as were mutually agreed between VV and NBC
prior to such Removed Territory being removed from the definition of Territory; or, if no minimum performance targets were mutually agreed
between NBC and VV prior to such removal, then the applicable performance target for purposes of this subsection 3.2(b) shall be the last
performance target that had been proposed by NBC prior to the determination to remove the Removed Territory from the definition of
Territory. If NBC is unable to demonstrate that either NBC or the applicable users of the NBC Marks in the Removed Territory are meeting the
applicable minimum performance targets at the end of the 12-month period, then the Removed Territory shall be again included in the
definition of Territory, and VV shall have the rights with respect to such formerly Removed Territory as otherwise set forth in this Agreement,
including without limitation, Section 3.2(a).
Section 4 — CONSIDERATION
As consideration for the License, NBC (i) shall receive, inter alia , a warrant to purchase six million (6,000,000) shares of common stock,
par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), of VV at a price of $17.375 per share, and (ii) NBC and VV shall enter into the Warrant
Purchase Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit B, and Amendment No. 1
8
to the Shareholder Agreement dated as of April 15, 1999 among VV, NBC and GE Capital Equity Investments, Inc. (“GECEI”) in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit C. No additional royalties shall be due to NBC hereunder.
As consideration for entering into Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement, VV shall issue to NBC, on May 15, 2011, shares of Common Stock
of VV in an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing $4 million by the per share price of Common Stock equal to the average closing
price of the Common Stock as quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Market during the six (6) months immediately preceding the date of issuance of
such shares. As promptly as practicable after the date of Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement, VV will take such actions as are necessary and
appropriate to provide NBC with one additional “demand” registration right pursuant to an amendment of that certain Amended and Restated
Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 25, 2009 among VV, NBC and GECEI to register the shares of Common Stock issued in
connection with Amendment No. 2 to the Agreement.
Section 5 — VV’s OBLIGATIONS
5.1 Licensed Services . VV and NBC agree that (i) the VV Cable Shopping Service shall consist of at least one full-time, 7 day per week
Multichannel Television programming service, (ii) the VV Online Shopping Service shall consist of a continuously broadcast Online Shopping
Service that complies with the service level standards set forth on Schedule D, and (iii) from and after the date on which VV commences
commercial use of the New Marks, VV shall use only the New Marks for branding any Licensed Services, and shall have the right, but not the
obligation to use the New Marks in connection with other VV Permitted Businesses. For so long as the VV corporate name includes the New
Marks, without the prior written consent of NBC, which may be withheld at its sole discretion, VV shall not, either directly or indirectly, own,
operate, acquire or expand its business to include any businesses other than the VV Permitted Businesses.
5.2 Compliance . VV shall, at its sole expense, ensure that the operation of the VV Permitted Businesses (including the Advertising and
Exhibition of all proprietary and third-party content therein) complies at all times with (a) all Laws materially affecting the Licensed Services
or the VV Permitted Businesses that VV is conducting at the time; and (b) sound industry practice, including those respecting (i) intellectual
property rights (including copyrights, patents and trademarks, moral rights, publicity and privacy rights); (ii) obscenity, pornography, profane
and indecent material; (iii) illegal, abusive, threatening or harassing speech or content; (iv) advertising, sweepstakes, lotteries and gambling;
(v) defamation, libel, slander and disparagement; and (vi) consumer protection, fraud, trade practices, direct marketing and solicitation in any
media (including facsimile, telephone and mail) and consumer data, disclosure and privacy; and (c) the GE Integrity Policy, NBC’s Privacy
Policies and Standards and Practices (each of which are set forth on Schedule E) and (d) following reasonable prior notice to VV, any other
related NBC guidelines or policies issued from time to time in its reasonable discretion that are generally applicable to NBC and its Affiliates.
5.3 Quality of Services . VV shall (i) operate first-class VV Permitted Businesses (including the sale of products and services, Advertising
and Exhibition of content) at a level of quality, performance, customer satisfaction and utility consistent with the current reputation of NBC;
(ii) Exhibit and sell only the highest quality products from reputable manufacturers and
9
create only the highest quality Advertising Materials; (iii) not Exhibit or sell products or create Advertising Materials which, taken as a whole,
are of lesser quality than those products currently sold on , or the Advertising Materials currently affiliated with, the VV Cable Shopping
Service and VV Online Shopping Service; (iv) maintain the highest standards of customer support and fulfillment (including any set forth in a
separate agreement between the parties or on Schedule C); and (v) ensure all Advertising Materials, advertisers, co-sponsors, affiliates and
other third parties publicly affiliated with the VV Permitted Businesses shall be consistent with NBC’s reputation as a first-class media and
entertainment company. NBC acknowledges that the current operation of the VV Cable Shopping Service and the VV Online Shopping Service
as of the date hereof satisfies all of VV’s obligations under this Section 5.3.
5.4 Prohibited Services . Without limiting the generality of Section 5.3, VV shall not Advertise, Exhibit or sell any: (i) products or services
that are prohibited by, do not comply or are inconsistent with the Standards and Practices (which are included in Schedule E) or any other NBC
guidelines or policies as described in Section 5.2(d); (ii) weapons or ammunition of any kind, including handguns; (iii) pornography, obscenity,
sexually explicit or sexually themed materials; (iv) materials offensive to reasonable persons due to concerns based upon race, creed, gender,
sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or national origin; (v) hard liquor; (vi) cigarettes and other tobacco products and paraphernalia associated
with the use of illegal drugs; (vii) goods or services associated with gambling or lotteries; provided , however , that VV may Exhibit or sell
vacations to legal gaming sites, such as Las Vegas, and engage in similar promotional activities, including, but not limited to, promotional
sweepstakes consistent with VV’s past business practices, consistent with the policies and guidelines set forth in Section 5.2 and Schedule D;
and/or (viii) other goods or services which would not be accepted for advertising on the NBC Television Network according to the then-current
guidelines and policies.
5.5 Trademark Standards . VV agrees to use the New Marks in good faith and in a manner that (i) complies with the Standards and Practices
and any other NBC guidelines or policies as described in Section 5.2(d) issued from time to time in its reasonable discretion; (ii) is consistent
with NBC’s reputation as a first-class media and entertainment company; (iii) is consistent with good trademark practice in the applicable
country or jurisdiction.
5.6 Notice . VV agrees to include on all Exhibitions of the New Marks all notices and legends required by applicable Laws to preserve their
validity and NBC’s rights therein, including those notices and legends requested by NBC.
5.7 Internet Business . From the date hereof until the earlier of (a) the expiration of this Agreement, or (b) the termination or expiration of
all restrictions on NBC and its subsidiaries existing as of the date hereof with respect to the operation of any Internet Business, VV shall not,
either directly or indirectly, own, operate, acquire or expand its business such that its Primary Business is to operate an Internet Business. For
purposes of this Section 5.7, (i) the “ Primary Business ” of a Person means a business that (a) generates at least one third of that Person’s
revenues and more revenues than any subsidiary, other business, division or operation of such Person or (b) accounts for at least one third of
that Person’s value and more value than any other subsidiary, business, division or operation of such Person; and (ii) “ Internet Business ”
means (a) an information, navigation and content aggregation service distributed, all or substantially all, through the Internet that provides,
across more than six topics of general interest that do not relate to each other or to a common topic, a combination of all or
10
substantially all of the following: Internet searching, content aggregation, topical interest categories and web directories, (b) a broad-based
community service distributed, all or substantially all, through the Internet that offers its members homepages, e-mail and chat rooms and may
offer, in some cases, message boards, clip art, software libraries and/or online greeting cards; or (c) a service of direct marketing a broad range
of third party products and services through Internet e-mail to registered members of such service.
Section 6 — ADVERTISING
6.1 Right to Review . VV shall notify NBC in advance of the proposed Exhibition of any new (i) series or groups of Advertisements to
consumers or the trade; (ii) media or press kits; or (iii) sales presentations or templates therefor, in any form or media and shall have prepared
to submit to NBC fair and reasonable representative samples of all materials and content in any form or media to be used in connection with
any such Advertising ( e.g. , trade gifts, Internet site content, scripts, story boards, promotional items, sales sheets, binders and press kits) (“
Advertising Materials ”). NBC has the right, but not the obligation, to review in advance any proposed Advertising relating to the VV
Permitted Businesses.
6.2. Approval . NBC shall notify VV within ten (10) days of its receipt of written notice from VV in accordance with Section 6.1 if NBC
wishes to review any such Advertising Materials. NBC shall be deemed to approve automatically any of the foregoing that it declines to review
hereunder. NBC shall approve or disapprove any submitted Advertising Materials, or notify VV that it needs additional time to consider the
request, within ten (10) days of its receipt thereof, or such submissions shall be deemed approved automatically; provided , however , that such
Advertising Materials comply with all terms and conditions hereof, including those in Section 5 herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if VV
requests expedited review of such submitted Advertising Materials due to extraordinary circumstances, NBC shall use all commercially
reasonable efforts to approve or disapprove of any such submitted Advertising Materials within the next 24 hours of the standard business week
(i.e., Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. local time). Advertising Materials approved (or deemed to be approved) by NBC pursuant to this
Section 6.1 shall be deemed “ Licensed Advertising ” hereunder and need not be resubmitted for approval, unless they are materially changed
and/or NBC later revokes such approval for any reason. Any such revocation shall not be retroactive and shall be effective upon ten (10) days
written notice to VV. VV shall not exhibit any Advertising Materials with respect to the VV Permitted Businesses that are not Licensed
Advertising. It is agreed and understood that NBC’s approval of Advertising Materials, so long as the Advertising Materials are in full
compliance with the standards and provisions set forth in Section 5 hereof and the use of the New Mark(s) in such Advertising Materials is in
full compliance with Section 2.3(b) hereof, shall not be unreasonably withheld (and in particular shall not be unreasonably withheld on the
basis of creative differences between NBC and VV).
6.3 Samples . Upon NBC’s reasonable request, VV, at its sole cost and expense, shall deliver to NBC within five (5) business days (or
sooner, if justified under the circumstances) reasonable samples of applicable Licensed Advertising as Exhibited to the public.
6.4 NBC’s Obligations . NBC shall use commercially reasonable efforts to support VV’s overall advertising and marketing plans, in terms
of providing general advice to VV from time to time. VV shall reimburse NBC’s reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in this regard. NBC
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and VV shall explore in good faith other opportunities to integrate and cross-promote their respective programming. To the extent VV requests
further advertising assistance from NBC beyond the above general advice, the parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to negotiate a
separate agreement, pursuant to which NBC shall provide such assistance to VV for additional consideration. If such negotiations fail to result
in an executed agreement, NBC shall have no further obligations to VV with respect to advertising assistance for the VV Permitted Businesses,
except as provided herein.
Section 7 — OWNERSHIP
7.1 Ownership . VV agrees that NBC is the sole and exclusive owner of all right, title and interest in the NBC Mark and the New Marks.
VV agrees not to directly or indirectly question, attack, contest or in any other manner impugn the validity of the NBC Mark or New Marks or
NBC’s rights therein, including without limitation thereto, in any action in which enforcement of a provision hereof is sought, nor shall VV
willingly become a party adverse to NBC in any claim, action, suit, arbitration, litigation or other proceeding (“Action”) in which a third party
contests the validity of the NBC Mark or the New Marks or NBC’s rights therein.
7.2 No Adoption . VV shall at no time adopt, use, reserve, register or attempt to register (or allow others to do same) any NBC Mark or New
Mark or any trademark, service mark, domain name, logo or other indicator of origin confusingly similar thereto, except as expressly
authorized herein with respect to the New Marks. VV agrees to abandon promptly its federal trademark application for “SnapTV” and
“SnapShopTV,” and upon the request of NBC, abandon or transfer to NBC any future applications or domain name reservations that violate the
preceding sentence. If VV requests to coin or create a new trademark, service mark, domain name, logo or other indicator of origin that is the
same or confusingly similar to a New Mark, NBC Mark or any other trademark or service mark owned by NBC, VV shall provide written
notice to NBC thereof. NBC may withhold consent to VV’s request at its sole discretion. If NBC consents to such request, such new trademark,
service mark, domain name, logo or other indicator of origin shall be owned by NBC and included in definition of New Marks hereunder.
7.3 Goodwill . VV and NBC intend that any and all goodwill arising from VV’s use of the New Marks hereunder shall inure solely to the
benefit of NBC as rightful owner, and neither during nor after the expiration or termination hereof shall VV assert any claim to the New Marks
or the related goodwill. VV shall not take any action that could be detrimental to the value, validity, or NBC’s rights in the NBC Mark or New
Marks or related goodwill.
Section 8 — TRADEMARK PROTECTION
8.1 Maintenance . NBC shall have the sole right, but not the obligation, to apply to register, prosecute, maintain and renew any New Mark
(whether as a trademark registration, domain name, or otherwise) anywhere in the Territory. At NBC’s request, VV shall cooperate fully with
NBC to assist NBC in such activities, including signing documents and maintaining evidence of its use of the New Marks. VV may notify NBC
of any request that NBC apply for a new registration for a New Mark (whether a trademark, domain name, or otherwise) anywhere in the
Territory. Within 20 days of receipt of such notice, subject to Section 8.2, NBC shall decide either to apply for such registration or to designate
VV to file and prosecute such application, to be approved in final form before submission by NBC, in NBC’s name at VV’s expense. In the
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latter case, NBC shall cooperate as required by applicable Law to allow VV to file and prosecute such application. All registrations (whether a
trademark, domain name, or otherwise) shall be owned by NBC and licensed to VV as New Marks hereunder.
8.2 Refusals . Notwithstanding Section 8.1, NBC may refuse to apply to register, prosecute, maintain and renew any New Mark (whether as
a trademark registration, domain name, or otherwise) in any country or jurisdiction, if NBC reasonably believes that (i) the registration cannot
be obtained there; (ii) a third party may claim that VV’s proposed registration infringes or violates its rights; and/or (iii) such registration may
conflict with any prior agreement to which NBC or an Affiliate is a party.
8.3 Infringement . VV agrees to notify NBC immediately after it becomes aware of any actual or threatened infringement, dilution or other
violation or impairment of the New Marks. NBC shall decide whether to assert or file an Action against such activities at its sole discretion. If
such activities have occurred in the Territory, at NBC’s sole option, NBC may prosecute the Action or may notify VV that VV may prosecute
the Action in its own name. If VV then chooses to prosecute the Action, VV shall pay all expenses and fees (including attorneys’ fees and
expenses and costs of investigation and litigation) incurred in connection therewith, and shall retain any judgments, proceeds, damages or
settlements resulting therefrom. VV may not compromise or settle any such Action without NBC’s consent, which may be withheld in its sole
discretion. Each of NBC and VV agrees to cooperate with each other as necessary, in any such Action, at the expense of the party prosecuting
such Action.
Section 9 — TERM
9.1 Term . The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) commences on the date hereof and continues until May 15, 2012; unless termination
occurs earlier pursuant to Section 9.2 or 9.3. The Term may further be extended for an additional 12 months on terms to be agreed by the
parties and upon the mutual written agreement of VV and NBC. No later than eighteen (18) months prior to the expiration hereof, the parties
shall begin commercially reasonable, good faith efforts to negotiate a renewal hereof, such renewal to provide additional consideration to NBC.
If such negotiations fail to result in an executed agreement, the parties shall have no further obligations to each other with respect to renewing
the Term; provided, however , that NBC shall not use or license the New Marks in use by VV at such time in connection with any of the
Licensed Services for a period of nine (9) months after expiration of the Term.
9.2 Prompt Termination . (a) NBC has the right to terminate this Agreement, effective immediately upon written notice to VV, at any time
after the occurrence of any of the following:
(i) VV commits a material breach of or default under its obligations herein, including without limitation any breach of or default under
Sections 5 or 6.2, and fails to cure such breach or default within thirty (30) days after receiving written notice of such breach or default from
NBC; provided , however , that VV shall not be entitled to a cure period if such breach is not reasonably subject to cure.
(ii) Control of VV is acquired by a Person that is or becomes an NBC Competitor (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 1.5
(b)).
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(iii) (A) VV makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) VV admits in writing its inability to pay debts as they mature; (C) a
trustee or receiver (or local equivalent) is appointed for a substantial part of VV’s assets; (D) to the extent termination is enforceable under
applicable bankruptcy (or local equivalent) laws, a proceeding in bankruptcy (or local equivalent) is instituted against VV which is acquiesced
in, is not dismissed within 120 days, or results in an adjudication of bankruptcy (or local equivalent); (E) any material assets, rights or shares of
VV are nationalized, impounded, seized or sequestered; provided, however , that the termination right pursuant to this clause (E) shall apply
only to such jurisdiction(s) in which material assets, rights or shares of VV are nationalized, impounded, seized or sequestered, and shall not
affect the License in any other jurisdiction.
(iv) NBC reasonably determines that a VV Permitted Business is operating in material violation, or in a manner that is reasonably likely to
constitute a material violation, of (A) a Law and/or (B) third-party rights in one or more countries or jurisdictions; provided , however , that the
termination right pursuant to this clause (iv) shall apply only to the relevant jurisdiction(s) and, with respect to any third-party rights, those
specific New Marks in the relevant jurisdiction(s); and shall not affect the License in any other jurisdiction.
(v) VV engages in any illegal conduct that materially affects any VV Permitted Business then being conducted and/or VV violates the
Standards and Practices, and VV fails to cure such conduct or such violation within thirty (30) days after receiving written notice from NBC;
provided that NBC may terminate this Agreement immediately upon written notice if any such conduct or violation reasonably justifies
termination under the circumstances.
(vi) The parties using all good-faith efforts have not agreed on the New Marks within ninety (90) days after the date hereof.
(b) VV has the right to terminate this Agreement, effective immediately upon written notice to NBC, at any time after the occurrence of any
of the following:
(i) NBC commits a material breach of or default under its obligations herein, such that VV could reasonably claim that rescission of the
License had occurred, and fails to cure such breach or default within thirty (30) days after receiving written notice of such breach or default
from VV; provided , however , that NBC shall not be entitled to a cure period if such breach is not reasonably subject to cure.
(ii) (A) NBC makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) NBC admits in writing its inability to pay debts as they mature; (C) a
trustee or receiver (or local equivalent) is appointed for a substantial part of NBC’s assets; (D) to the extent termination is enforceable under
applicable bankruptcy (or local equivalent) laws, a proceeding in bankruptcy is instituted against NBC which is acquiesced in, is not dismissed
within 120 days, or results in an adjudication of bankruptcy; (E) any material assets, rights or shares of NBC are nationalized, impounded,
seized or sequestered;
(iii) The parties using all good-faith efforts have not agreed on the New Marks within ninety (90) days after the date hereof.
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(iv) The expiration of the thirty (30) day period after written notice by VV to NBC that VV has determined to relinquish voluntarily all of its
rights under this Agreement.
9.3 Six Months’ Termination . NBC has the right to terminate this Agreement, effective upon one hundred eighty (180) days written notice
to VV, at any time after the occurrence of any of the following events and VV fails to cure such event within 30 days after receiving written
notice of the occurrence of such event from NBC:
(a) Control of VV is acquired by, or VV or its Affiliates or senior officers make a prominent public affiliation or sponsorship with, a
(i) Person who engages in a transaction that is not approved by VV’s board of directors; (ii) by a Person materially engaged in a business which
is (a) weapons or ammunition, (b) pornography, obscenity, sexually explicit or sexually themed materials, (c) offensive to a reasonable person
based on issues of race, creed, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or national origin, (d) hard liquor, (e) cigarettes and other tobacco
products, (f) paraphernalia associated with the use of illegal drugs, and (g) goods or services associated with gambling, or (iii) a Person who
has a criminal or similarly unsavory background, provided that NBC may announce such future termination immediately after such decision is
reached.
(b) NBC or GECEI ceases to have a representative on VV’s board of directors for any reason other than (i) NBC’s failure to own
beneficially sufficient common shares as set forth in the Shareholder Agreement, dated as of April 15, 1999 between the Company, NBC and
GECEI, or (ii) by NBC’s together with its Affiliates’, decision to relinquish such board seat(s) either voluntarily or as otherwise required by
law; provided, however. that NBC shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.3 if NBC or GECEI cease to have a
representative on VV’s board of directors as a result of a Change of Control of VV under 1.5(a), (c), (d) or (e) where the Person(s) acquiring
Control are financial acquiring Persons, i.e., private equity funds, investment banking firms, hedge funds, entities engaged primarily in the
business of investing or holding securities, financial institutions, or similar entities (any such entity, a “Financial Buyer”) provided that any
such Financial Buyer is adequately capitalized and agrees to execute an assumption instrument agreeing to be bound by all of the Company’s
obligations under this Agreement.
(c) NBC fails to own, directly or indirectly, fifteen percent (15%), on a fully-diluted basis of the outstanding shares of VV’s capital stock;
provided, however, that if, prior to the date of such calculation, NBC (or any Affiliate of NBC to whom NBC has transferred VV Transferred
Shares) actively disposes of more share of VV’s capital stock, together with any other securities convertible into shares of VV’s capital stock
(or in the case of an NBC Affiliate, only NBC Transferred Shares) than it subsequently acquires, such threshold shall be reduced pro rata to
reflect such net disposition in the same proportion that the number of shares of VV capital stock so transferred, together with any securities
convertible into shares of VV’s capital stock (or in the case of an NBC Affiliate, only NBC Transferred Shares) so transferred bears to the total
number of shares of VV capital stock owned by NBC directly or indirectly on a fully-diluted basis immediately prior to such transfer; provided,
however, that NBC shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 9.3 if NBC fails to own, directly or indirectly, fifteen
percent (15%), on a fully diluted basis, of the outstanding shares of VV’s capital stock as a result of a Change of Control of VV under
Section 1.5(a), (c), (d) or (e) where the Person(s) acquiring Control is a Financial Buyer provided that any such Financial Buyer is adequately
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capitalized and agrees to execute an assumption instrument agreeing to be bound by all of the Company’s obligations under this Agreement.
9.4 Post-Termination . Upon expiration or termination hereof, (i) VV and NBC shall cooperate so as best to preserve the value of the NBC
Marks; and (ii) VV shall immediately discontinue all use of the NBC Marks, and at NBC’s request, destroy or return all physical materials
(including Advertising Materials) bearing same and delete all intangible (e.g., electronic) copies of same. Upon the decision to terminate this
Agreement, NBC shall have the immediate right to announce the termination of this Agreement.
9.5 Transition . NBC and VV hereby agree to enter into a transition agreement, on the terms and subject to the conditions to be mutually
agreed between NBC and VV, relating to the twelve (12) month period following the expiration of the Term.
Section 10 — REPRESENTATIONS/WARRANTIES
10.1 By Each Party . Each party represents and warrants to the other party that (i) it has taken all corporate actions necessary to authorize its
execution and delivery of this Agreement and performance of the transactions or obligations contemplated hereby; (ii) this Agreement has been
duly executed and delivered by each party and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such, enforceable against such in
accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights
generally or by general principles of equity; and (iii) it has entered and will enter into no agreements with third parties that conflict with its
obligations hereunder.
10.2 By NBC . NBC represents and warrants to VV that (x) NBC is the owner of all right, title and interest in and to the New Marks in the
United States, and (y) the New Marks do not infringe any trademark, service mark, trade name or other similar intellectual property right of any
other Person in the United States.
10.3 By VV . VV represents and warrants to NBC that:
(a) as of the date of this Agreement VV has no understanding, arrangement or agreement with Yahoo regarding the distribution,
promotion and streaming of the Licensed Services other than the commercial relationship and arrangement between Yahoo and VV to be
announced on November 20, 2000 (the “ VV-Yahoo Distribution Deal ”) regarding the inclusion of the Licensed Services within Yahoo and
affiliated-branded properties (the “ Yahoo Shopping Site ”); and
(b) the VV-Yahoo Distribution Deal: (i) provides Yahoo with the right to distribute and promote solely the content of the Licensed
Services (which may contain the NBC Marks after the completion of the integration of the NBC brands is complete) only on the Yahoo
Shopping Site, and (ii) does not grant to Yahoo any use of the NBC Marks, other than in connection with the distribution, promotion
(excluding co-branding) and streaming of the content of the Licensed Services as set forth in the preceding (i); provided, however , that solely
as and to the extent represented herein, NBC hereby approves of the use by VV of the New Marks in connection with the VV-Yahoo
Distribution Deal; provided, further , that VV shall
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obtain NBC’s prior written consent to renew the VV-Yahoo Distribution Deal, in whole or in part, and NBC shall not unreasonably withhold
such consent.
Section 11 — INDEMNITY
11.1 By NBC . NBC hereby indemnifies, defends, and holds harmless VV and its Affiliates, successors and assigns and their respective
directors, officers, employees, representatives and agents of each (“ Related Parties ”) from and against any claims, actions, suits, assessments,
losses, damages, awards, settlements, interest, penalties, judgments, liabilities, costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs
of litigation) (collectively, “ Losses ”) asserted against, resulting to, imposed upon, or incurred by any of them, solely to the extent such Losses
arise out of: (i) the operation of NBC’s business; (ii) any breach by NBC of a representation, warranty, covenant or agreement herein; and
(iii) VV’s use of the New Marks in the United States as expressly authorized hereunder.
11.2 By VV . VV hereby indemnifies, defends, and holds harmless NBC and its Related Parties from and against any Losses asserted
against, resulting to, imposed upon, or incurred by any of them, solely to the extent such Losses arise out of: (i) the operation of VV’s business
and the sale of any products by or via VV (including any personal injury or other claims relating to such products); (ii) any breach by VV of a
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement herein; and (iii) VV’s use of the New Marks and the NBC Marks other than as expressly
authorized hereunder.
11.3 Notice of Claim . The party seeking indemnification hereunder (the “ Claimant ”) shall promptly deliver to the other party (the “
Obligor ”) notice in writing of any potential indemnified claim (“ Claim ”); provided , however, that the failure to provide such notice shall not
limit Claimant’s right to indemnification hereunder except to the extent that Obligor is materially prejudiced thereby. Obligor shall promptly
notify Claimant of its acknowledgment of its obligation of indemnity and its assumption of the defense of such Claim and any litigation
resulting therefrom (and any prosecution by way of counterclaim or third party complaint arising out of or relating to such Claim) or of any
dispute regarding such obligation. Obligor and Claimant shall cooperate fully in the defense of any Claim.
11.4 Defense . (a) After Obligor notifies Claimant of its assumption of defense of a Claim, Obligor shall not be liable for any costs or
expenses subsequently incurred by Claimant in connection with the Claim without Obligor’s prior written consent; provided , however, that
Obligor shall be responsible for all such reasonable costs and expenses prior to such notification.
(b) Obligor may defend a Claim with reasonable counsel of its own choosing; provided , that Claimant may participate in its own defense,
with reasonable counsel of its own choosing, at its own expense; and provided further , that Claimant may participate in its own defense, with
reasonable counsel of its own choosing, at Obligor’s expense if Claimant can reasonably establish that Obligor’s defense is reasonably likely to
prejudice Claimant due to the nature of any claims or counterclaims presented or conflict of interest issues.
(c) If Obligor, after receiving due notice of a Claim, fails to assume its defense within a reasonable time so as reasonably to avoid
prejudicing the rights of Claimant, then until Obligor makes such assumption, Claimant may participate in its own defense, with reasonable
counsel of
17
its own choosing, without Obligor’s consent. Such defense shall be at Obligor’s cost if Obligor subsequently assumes such defense, or if it is
subsequently determined that Obligor was obligated to do so.
(d) Obligor or Claimant may compromise or settle any Claim in its reasonable discretion, except that neither party may compromise or settle
any Claim that compromises the other party’s rights or imposes additional obligations upon such party without such party’s prior written
consent. Obligor’s consent is not required hereunder in cases where Obligor has not acknowledged its obligation of indemnity for such Claim.
Section 12 — MISCELLANEOUS
12.1 Assignment . Neither party may assign or otherwise transfer this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, except
that (i) NBC may transfer this Agreement to an Affiliate of NBC without consent, and (ii) VV may assign this Agreement to any party that is a
successor to VV by merger or by way of an acquisition of substantially all of VV’s assets or capital stock, subject to NBC’s rights under
Section 9. Any purported assignment made in contravention of this Section 12.1 shall be null and void ab initio and of no force or effect. In the
event of a permitted assignment, this Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the respective
successors and assigns of the parties hereto.
12.2 Amendment . Only a written instrument duly executed by both parties hereto may amend this Agreement.
12.3 Waiver . Any failure of a party to comply with any obligation, covenant, agreement or condition herein may be waived by the party
entitled to the benefits thereof by a written instrument signed by waiving party. Such waiver shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with
respect to, any subsequent or other failure.
12.4 Notices . All notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and delivered by hand or sent by first class
mail or overnight carrier or sent by facsimile (with such facsimile to be confirmed promptly in writing sent by first class mail or overnight
carrier) as follows:
If to NBC, addressed to:
National Broadcasting Company, Inc.
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, New York 10112
Attention: Trademark Counsel
Fax: (212) 957-3213
With a copy to:
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017-3954
Attention: Casey Cogut
Fax: (212) 455-2502
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If to VV, addressed to:
ValueVision International, Inc.
6740 Shady Oak Road
Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344-3433
Attention: General Counsel
Fax: (612) 947-0188
With a copy to:
Latham & Watkins
633 West Fifth Street, Suite 4000
Los Angeles, California 90071
Attention: James P. Beaubien
Fax: (213) 891-8763
and
Faegre & Benson LLP
2200 Norwest Center
90 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Attention: Andrew Humphrey
Fax: (612) 336-3026
or to such other address or addresses or facsimile number or numbers as any of the parties hereto may most recently have designated in writing
to the other parties hereto by such notice. All such communications shall be deemed to have been given or made when so delivered by hand or
sent by facsimile or one business day after being sent by an overnight carrier or three business days after being sent by first class mail.
12.5 Entire Agreement . This Agreement (including the Schedules referred to herein) contains the entire agreement between the parties
hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements and understandings between the parties
hereto with regard to such subject matter.
12.6 Confidentiality . (a) In connection with the activities contemplated by this Agreement, each party may have access to non-public,
confidential or proprietary information of the other party, including (i) proposals, ideas or research related to possible new products or services;
(ii) financial, business and technical statements and other information; (iii) any information marked as confidential; and (vi) the material terms
of this Agreement and the relationship between the parties (collectively, “ Confidential Information ”).
(b) Each party will take reasonable precautions to protect the confidentiality of the other party’s Confidential Information at least equivalent
to those taken by such party to protect its own Confidential Information. Except as required by law or as necessary to perform under this
Agreement, neither party will disclose the Confidential Information of the other party or use
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such Confidential Information for its any unauthorized purpose.
(c) “Confidential Information” shall not include any information that the receiving party (“ Recipient ”) can document (i) was in the public
domain before or at the time it was communicated to the Recipient by the disclosing party (“ Discloser ”) through no fault of Recipient; (ii) was
rightfully in Recipient’s possession free of any obligation of confidence before or at the time it was communicated to Recipient by Discloser;
(iii) is or was developed or acquired by Recipient independently of and without reference to any Confidential Information disclosed by
Discloser; (iv) was communicated by Discloser to an unaffiliated third party free of any obligation of confidence; or (v) was in response to a
valid order by a court or other governmental body, was otherwise required by Law (including regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission) or was necessary to establish the rights of either party under this Agreement; provided that the Recipient informs Discloser of its
need to disclose under this subsection (v) as promptly as possible and either cooperates with all efforts by Discloser to obtain a protective order
or confidential treatment, as the case may be, or at the sole option of the Discloser, uses its own best efforts to obtain a protective order, or
confidential treatment, as the case may be.
12.7 Cumulative Remedies . The rights and remedies provided by this Agreement are cumulative, and the use of any one right or remedy by
any party shall not preclude or waive its right to seek any or all other remedies. Said rights and remedies are given in addition to any other
rights the parties may have by Law.
12.8 Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, applicable
to contracts executed and to be performed entirely in such state.
(b) Each party irrevocably and unconditionally submits, to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in the County of
New York, New York, in any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement and for recognition or enforcement of any judgment relating
thereto. Each party irrevocably and unconditionally (i) waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue in such
jurisdiction of any such Action and (ii) accepts, with regard to any such Action, the personal jurisdiction of such New York courts and waives
any defense or objection that it might otherwise have to such courts’ exercise of personal jurisdiction with respect to it. Any and all service of
process shall be effective against any party if given by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by any other means of mail
which requires a signed receipt, postage prepaid.
(c) The parties hereto agree that NBC shall suffer irreparable harm in the event of a breach or default by VV relating to the NBC Marks,
and that notwithstanding Section 12.9(b), NBC has the right, in addition to all other remedies at law or in equity, to seek an injunction to enjoin
any such breach in any court of competent jurisdiction.
12.9 Service of Process; Dispute Resolution . (a) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably consents to the service of process, pleading, notices
or other papers by the mailing of copies thereof by registered, certified or first class mail, postage prepaid, to such party at such party’s address
set forth herein, or by any other method provided or permitted under New York law.
(b) Any and all disputes, controversies or differences arising from or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled by mutual
consultation between the parties hereto in good faith as
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promptly as possible, but failing an amicable settlement shall be resolved by arbitration before a panel of three arbitrators (unless a single
arbitrator can be agreed upon by the parties) in the County of New York, New York, in accordance with the Commercial Dispute Resolution
Procedures (as amended and effective on January 1, 1999) of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). The parties expressly adopt
AAA’s Optional Rules for Emergency Measures Protection. The panel shall render a final opinion and award in writing stating the reasons
therefore, and the award shall be final and binding upon the parties hereto. In the event such final opinion and award was issued in connection
with a material breach of or default as provided for in Section 9.2(a)(i) or (b)(i), the party held to have been in material breach or default shall
be able to cure such breach or default within thirty (30) days after receipt of such final opinion and award prior to entry of judgment thereon.
Thereafter judgment upon the award may be entered in any court of applicable jurisdiction. Any proceeding to obtain a judgment upon the
award shall be brought in the federal courts of the United States of America in the City and County of New York, New York or in any court of
general jurisdiction in the County of New York. Each party irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction and venue of any such court in any such
suit, action or proceeding, and waives any objection which such party may have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in
any such court.
(c) The parties hereto agree that NBC shall suffer irreparable harm in the event of a breach or default by VV relating to the New Marks,
and that notwithstanding Section 12.9(b), NBC has the right, in addition to all other remedies at law or in equity, to seek an injunction to enjoin
any such breach in any court of competent jurisdiction.
12.10 Severability . In the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable or invalid by any court of
competent jurisdiction, the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not be affected thereby.
12.11 Construction . The Section and paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in
any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be construed as if it was drafted jointly by the parties. Unless
otherwise expressly provided herein or unless the context shall otherwise require, any provision hereof using an undefined term relating to
television programming shall have the meaning customarily ascribed thereto in the television industry in the applicable territory. The words
“include(s)” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by “without limitation.” All references to “party(ies)” shall be deemed references
to the parties hereto unless the context shall otherwise require.
12.12 Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
21
VALUEVISION MEDIA, INC.
By: /s/ Nathan E. Fagre
Nathan E. Fagre
Senior Vice President & General Counsel
NBC Universal, Inc.
By: /s/ Jay Bockhaus
Jay Bockhaus
Senior Vice President, Business Development
All of the Company’s subsidiaries listed below are wholly owned.
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
Name
ValueVision Interactive, Inc.
VVI Fulfillment Center, Inc.
ValueVision Media Acquisitions, Inc.
ValueVision Retail, Inc.
Iosota, Inc.
FanBuzz, Inc.
FanBuzz Retail, Inc.
Norwell Television, LLC
Exhibit 21
State of Incorporation or Organization
Minnesota
Minnesota
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-167396, 333-168312, and 333-172392 on Form S-3 and 333-
81438, 333-125183, and 333-139597 on Form S-8 of our reports dated March 21, 2011, relating to the consolidated financial statements and
financial statement schedule of ValueVision Media, Inc. and subsidiaries, and the effectiveness of ValueVision Media, Inc. and subsidiaries’
internal control over financial reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of ValueVision Media Inc. and subsidiaries for the
year ended January 29, 2011.
Exhibit 23
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 21, 2011
Exhibit 31.1
I, Keith R. Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of ValueVision Media, Inc, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of ValueVision Media, Inc.;
CERTIFICATION
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period
covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a. designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by
others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b. designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under
our supervision, 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;
c. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d. disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most
recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial
reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions):
a. all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s
internal control over financial reporting.
Date: March 22, 2011
/s/ KEITH R. STEWART
Keith R. Stewart
Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
Exhibit 31.2
I, William McGrath, Chief Financial Officer of ValueVision Media, Inc., certify that:
1. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of ValueVision Media, Inc.;
CERTIFICATION
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period
covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-15(f) and 15(d)-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a. designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by
others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b. designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under
our supervision, 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;
c. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d. disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most
recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial
reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions):
a. all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s
internal control over financial reporting.
Date: March 22, 2011
/s/ WILLIAM MCGRATH
William McGrath
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)
Exhibit 32
CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE AND FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of ValueVision Media, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the “ Company ”), for the year
ended January 29, 2011, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “ Report ”), the undersigned officers of
the Company certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to their knowledge:
•
the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
•
the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company
and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
Date: March 22, 2011
Date: March 22, 2011
/s/ KEITH R. STEWART
Keith R. Stewart
Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
/s/ WILLIAM MCGRATH
William McGrath
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)