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FY2016 Annual Report · Tanger Factory Outlet Centers
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SKY NETWORK TELEVISION LIMITED 
ANNUAL REPORT JUNE 2016

The way we consume 
entertainment 
continues to evolve  
at a rapid pace.  
This is an exciting  
new era for SKY that  
we look forward to 
taking to a new level 
with Vodafone NZ.

NEW PLATFORMS. 
MORE CONTENT, 
MORE CHOICE.  
IT’S FAST FORWARD 
FOR SKY. 

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  3

SKY AT A GLANCE 

YEAR IN REVIEW
Chairman’s Letter 

Chief Executive’s Letter 

Board of Directors 

IN FOCUS
Creating a Leading  
Telecommunications  
and Media Group

We’ve got the Best Shows 
from the Best Studios 

Good Sport 

Full Stream Ahead 

COMMUNITY AND  
SPONSORSHIP

SKY CHANNELS 

2016 FINANCIALS 
Financial Overview  

Financial Trends 

Directors’ Responsibility  
Statement

Consolidated Statement of  
Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Balance Sheet 

Consolidated Statement of  
Changes in Equity

Consolidated Statement of  
Cash Flows

Notes to the Consolidated  
Financial Statements

Independent Auditors’ Report 

OTHER INFORMATION  
Corporate Governance 

Interests Register 

Company and Bondholder  
Information 

Waivers and Information 

Share Market and  
Other Information

Directory 

2

4

6

10

12 

14 

16

18

20 

22

24
25

29

31 

32 

33

34 

35 

36 

63

64
65

67

69 

74

75 

76

 
 
2 

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

SKY AT A GLANCE

CUSTOMERS
This year we have more total customers across all 
our products, with digital offerings FAN PASS and NEON 
driving the growth.

852,679

KIWIS ENJOY SKY
EVERY DAY

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Our financial performance remains strong.

$928M

REVENUE

$325M

EBITDA

SOCIAL
SKY’s social reach continues to grow, with over 800,000 
followers across our entertainment and sports brands on 
the country’s most popular social media platforms. Our social 
content gains over 13 million impressions per month with both 
entertainment and sports content resonating with audiences 
in New Zealand and around the world.

800,000

FOLLOWERS

13M

IMPRESSIONS PER MONTH

INNOVATION
We are constantly reviewing how we can deliver the 
entertainment our customers want, in the way they 
want. Each week hundreds of thousands of pieces of 
great content are downloaded via SKY GO, FAN PASS, 
NEON and SKY On Demand.  

CONTENT
We have New Zealand’s largest portfolio of content 
with entertainment, sports, movies, news and much more. 
It can be viewed on a variety of platforms and devices. 
We’ve secured exclusive premium content and long term 
rights with Disney, Discovery, HBO, Universal, Warner Bros., 
SANZAR Rugby, NZ Cricket, Netball NZ and the NRL.  

TOTAL STAFF

SENIOR EXECUTIVES

47%

FEMALE

53%

MALE

37%

FEMALE

63%

MALE

$147M

NPAT

1,254

EMPLOYEES

TOTAL DIVIDEND

30

PER SHARE

PEOPLE

We employ over 1,200 permanent employees 

and work with over 500 contractors hailing from 

many different countries. Over 50% of us have 

been part of the crew for more than five years. 

INVESTORS

We have achieved strong growth over the years 

and continue to deliver profits. Our dividend policy 

provides our investors with continuous returns.

COMMUNITY

We love supporting local communities and are proud 

to be a Five Star Partner of the Starship Foundation. 

We’re contributing to the rebuild of Christchurch via 

the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal by gifting one 

million dollars over a five year period. We’re supporting 

talented young kiwi athletes through our SKY NEXT 

programme, giving them funding and support. We’re 

also the major sponsor of the Special Christmas Children’s 

Parties, which our staff give their time to freely. 

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 

3

CUSTOMERS

This year we have more total customers across all 

our products, with digital offerings FAN PASS and NEON 

driving the growth.

852,679

KIWIS ENJOY SKY

EVERY DAY

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Our financial performance remains strong.

$928M

REVENUE

$325M

EBITDA

SOCIAL

SKY’s social reach continues to grow, with over 800,000 

followers across our entertainment and sports brands on 

the country’s most popular social media platforms. Our social 

content gains over 13 million impressions per month with both 

entertainment and sports content resonating with audiences 

in New Zealand and around the world.

800,000

FOLLOWERS

13M

IMPRESSIONS PER MONTH

PEOPLE
We employ over 1,200 permanent employees 
and work with over 500 contractors hailing from 
many different countries. Over 50% of us have 
been part of the crew for more than five years. 

$147M

NPAT

1,254

EMPLOYEES

TOTAL STAFF

SENIOR EXECUTIVES

47%
FEMALE

53%
MALE

37%
FEMALE

63%
MALE

INNOVATION

We are constantly reviewing how we can deliver the 

entertainment our customers want, in the way they 

want. Each week hundreds of thousands of pieces of 

great content are downloaded via SKY GO, FAN PASS, 

NEON and SKY On Demand.  

CONTENT

We have New Zealand’s largest portfolio of content 

with entertainment, sports, movies, news and much more. 

It can be viewed on a variety of platforms and devices. 

We’ve secured exclusive premium content and long term 

rights with Disney, Discovery, HBO, Universal, Warner Bros., 

SANZAR Rugby, NZ Cricket, Netball NZ and the NRL.  

INVESTORS
We have achieved strong growth over the years 
and continue to deliver profits. Our dividend policy 
provides our investors with continuous returns.

TOTAL DIVIDEND

30

PER SHARE

COMMUNITY
We love supporting local communities and are proud 
to be a Five Star Partner of the Starship Foundation. 
We’re contributing to the rebuild of Christchurch via 
the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal by gifting one 
million dollars over a five year period. We’re supporting 
talented young kiwi athletes through our SKY NEXT 
programme, giving them funding and support. We’re 
also the major sponsor of the Special Christmas Children’s 
Parties, which our staff give their time to freely. 

 
4 

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

CHAIRMAN’S 
LETTER

SKY IS IN A STRONG 
POSITION TO FACE  
THE FUTURE.

Dear shareholders

The 2016 financial year has been 
very challenging and this can be 
seen in our results. SKY’s revenue  
is up at an all-time high of $928.2 
million from $927.5 million in the 
previous period, however net profit 
after tax fell 14.4% to $147.1 million  
from $171.8 million reflecting  
higher programming costs and 
increased churn following the 
Rugby World Cup. It should also  
be noted that these results include 
$13.4 million of costs associated 
with progressing the acquisition  
of Vodafone New Zealand. 

While traditional SKY subscribers are 
declining we have seen good growth 
for our new online products and a 
pleasing overall growth in subscriber 
numbers from 851,561 to 852,679.  
SKY customers in 2016 comprised 
729,058 residential and wholesale  
subscribers and 123,621 other 
subscribers including hotels, motels,  
and restaurants, along with NEON,  
FAN PASS and IGLOO. 

Average revenue per user (ARPU) was 
fairly flat dropping from $79.54 to $78.63 
or down 1.2%. This can be attributed to 

the change of balance in SKY to new 
NEON and FAN PASS customers.

For SKY’s board and management team 
there has been an intense focus this 
financial year on the future options for 
SKY to develop and grow its business, 
eventuating in the proposed merger 
with Vodafone. This transaction is one 
of the largest in New Zealand’s history 
and has required dedication from the 
team to secure an excellent future for 
SKY’s shareholders, customers and 
staff. Commerce Commission and 
Overseas Investment Office approvals 
have been sought, with an indicated 
decision time at the end of 2016.  
I, along with SKY’s board and staff  
are looking forward to working with 
Vodafone to deliver New Zealanders 
the very best in entertainment into  
the future. I thank our shareholders  
for considering the proposal and  
voting overwhelmingly 99% in favour  
of our recommendation to merge  
with Vodafone New Zealand.

SKY is in a strong position to face  
the future. We have extensive content 
deals in place with entertainment  
and sports rights that you can read 

more about later in this report.  
Our digital products, fuelled with the 
very best content, are off to a strong 
start, and can only be enhanced  
further with Vodafone’s global 
telecommunications expertise.

Our software rollout to all SKY boxes  
is complete and I am pleased to report 
nearly 30% of boxes are internet 
connected and enjoying content 
downloaded online.

The coming year has plenty to look 
forward to. The Rio Olympics dominated 
screens during August. The America’s 
Cup and 2017 Lions Tour, exclusively  
on SKY, will grab the attention of many 
New Zealanders. I’m also delighted  
to see the very best of world golf and 
football firmly back on SKY screens.

In August 2015 Susan Paterson  
ONZM joined SKY’s board. Susan has 
been a professional director for the 
past 15 years and is a Fellow of the 
Institute of Directors. Among other 
board roles she is the Chair of Airways 
Corporation of New Zealand Ltd, Chair 
of IT consultancy Theta Systems Ltd 
and former Deputy Chair of Abano 

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 

5

The way we consume 
entertainment 
continues to evolve  
at a rapid pace.  
This is an exciting  
new era for SKY that  
we look forward to 
taking to a new level 
with Vodafone NZ.

SKY IS IN A STRONG 
POSITION TO FACE  
THE FUTURE.

Healthcare Ltd. Susan brings a wealth  
of experience and we welcome her  
to SKY’s board.

This year more than any other I  
thank John Fellet and all of SKY’s staff  
and contractors for their dedication  
and hard work. Thank you also to you, 
our shareholders for your continued 
support. I am pleased to announce  
a final dividend of 15 cents per share.

Peter Macourt 
Chairman

$928.2M REVENUE IS AT AN

ALL TIME HIGH

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

(NZD 000)

 928,200

 927,525

 909,001

885,024 

843,074 

 
6 

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

CHIEF 
EXECUTIVE’S 
LETTER

Dear shareholders

This is the 15th CEO letter that  
has been my pleasure to send to 
you. My goal, as always, is to write 
this letter as if it was going to a 
shareholder whose only knowledge 
about the company was gleaned 
from this annual report.

The financial information contained  
in this report is quite detailed but still 
only gives you a financial snapshot of 
the business. In this letter I try to keep 
you up to date with the financial and 
non-financial trends I am seeing. 

SKY is a multi-platform entertainment 
company. We deliver a wide range of 
content every day to our customers, 
including movies, television series, 
music, sports, documentaries, news 
and much more. 

INDUSTRY DISRUPTION
The opening topic in each of my  
last two letters has centered on the 
ongoing change in the media industry. 
When I joined SKY in 1991 the three 
nationwide Free to Air (FTA) channels 
did not start their programming day 
until 3pm. Video stores renting out 
“videos” were everywhere and jam 
packed on Friday and Saturday nights. 

Now we have numerous nationwide  
and regional FTA channels which 
schedule content 24 hours a day,  
and any number of online options.  
I cannot remember the last time I  
saw a Blockbuster store or a VCR 
machine for sale. Back in 1991, SKY  
was in the right place at the right time as 
New Zealanders looked for more options 
than what normal FTAs could offer. 

We need to ensure that SKY continues 
to be in the right place at the right time. 
Two years ago if you asked me how SKY 
was doing I would have said we have 
the right content mix for New Zealand 
and the best delivery platform for the 
majority of New Zealand. My biggest 
concerns would have been the new 
business models that the roll out of  
the Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) would 
bring. In fact with 4G we started seeing 
a younger generation consuming  
more video on their mobile devices  
and telecommunications companies 
entering the content game. These firms 
were offering “triple play options” of 
voice, internet and video content. And 
more worrisome, telecommunication 
firms were acquiring content and giving 
it away to drive data usage of their 
broadband customers. 

PENDING MERGER
After much debate at board level we 
determined the best option for SKY’s 
future was a merger with Vodafone 
New Zealand. I am pleased many of 
you felt the same way with 99% of 
voting shareholders agreeing to the 
decision. The shareholders agreed  
to increase SKY’s outstanding shares 
from 397 million to 798 million and 
using these additional shares as well  
as cash to buy Vodafone New Zealand 
from Vodafone Group Plc. The result 
will have Vodafone Group Plc being a 
51% owner of the merged companies 
of SKY and Vodafone New Zealand. 

There are still two hurdles to clear.  
We need to get clearance from the 
Commerce Commission and the 
Overseas Investment Office, a date  
for a Commerce Commission decision 
has been set for 11 November this year.

I think it is our best option. As I will 
discuss later, in the last few years the roll 
out of UFB and changing demographics 
have generated the launch of numerous 
new business models. These changes 
have challenged all incumbent media 
players both in New Zealand and the 
rest of the world. This merger will give 

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 

7

“ The SKY and  
Vodafone merger  
will give us a pathway 
to deliver content to 
the next generation  
of customers.”

WE NEED TO 
ENSURE THAT SKY 
CONTINUES TO 
BE IN THE RIGHT 
PLACE AT THE 
RIGHT TIME. 

us a pathway to deliver content to  
the next generation of customers.

NEW TRENDS
A Macquarie Report issued in 2015  
said that in 2004 advertising on the 
internet accounted for less than 1%  
of total advertising revenue, but by 
2014 the figure had increased to  
24.7%. While it has impacted television 
advertising revenue, most of the 
revenue has been diverted from 
newspapers who have seen their share 
of revenue drop from 38.1% of total 
advertising spend in New Zealand  
to 20.3%, a significant decrease.

In that same report it said that data 
used by fixed-line broadband 
subscribers rose from 10GBs in 2011 to 
32GBs a month in 2014. Mobile phone 
usage, which I think is the next frontier 
in video consumption, has seen data 
usage double from the previous year. 

In another report issued by a firm 
called NPD in March 2016, it was 
claimed that 81% of all US smartphone 
users now stream video on their 
devices. This usage was being driven 
primarily by users under the age of 25. 
This age group spends twice as much 

time watching video content on 
YouTube and Netflix apps compared  
to users over the age of 25. 

While the majority of video streaming 
occurs over the Wi-Fi network, 
smartphones users now rely on mobile 
data more than ever. According to the 
“NPD Smartmeter”, an opt-in metering 
application that tracks live smartphone 
and tablet usage behavior, the average 
US smartphone user consumes close 
to 3GBs of mobile data per month, with 
video streaming services driving data 
consumption.

NEW BUSINESS MODELS
We have successfully launched both 
NEON, a general entertainment 
Subscription Video on Demand Service 
(SVOD) and FAN PASS which allows an 
individual to order SKY Sport Channels 
1 through 4 for a day, week or month. 
These are considered OTT (Over the 
Top) services which use the internet  
for delivery. 

The biggest concern any traditional 
pay television company has in 
launching these OTT services is 
ensuring that they expand your 
subscriber base as opposed to 

cannibalising it. And to this degree we 
have been successful. As of 30 June 
2016 we had 852,679 subscribers 
between our traditional subscribers 
and new OTT customers, an increase 
on the 2014/2015 financial year.

Each month we look at all new  
internet based customers and so far  
we are seeing less than 3% of them 
were traditional SKY subscribers in  
the previous three months.  

It is important to note that at this stage 
these new internet based services are 
not as shareholder friendly as our 
traditional core satellite subscribers. 
Keep in mind when we first went from 
SKY’s original UHF based three channel 
offering, to the first of our satellite 
offering, our financials were negative 
on each conversion for the first few 
years. Likewise the same financial pain 
was felt when the original satellite 
customers migrated to the first of the 
MY SKY decoders and again later on 
when they upgraded to high definition.

That said, the new internet based 
customers typically don’t require  
much in the way of capital expenditure. 
The subscriber typically provides their 

 
8 

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

WE HAVE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF YEARS OF 
EXPERIENCE THAT TELLS US EXACTLY WHAT EVERY  
PIECE OF CONTENT IS WORTH TO NEW ZEALANDERS. 

own decoder in the form of a 
computer, Smart TV or smartphone. 
The subscriber does a self-install 
connecting to the available Wi-Fi as 
opposed to SKY rolling out a truck  
and installing. There is also very  
limited customer interaction with 
customer service representatives.  
And finally these internet offerings  
can ramp up much faster than we 
could in the traditional business 
because of the need we have for  
lead time to acquire vehicles, 
contractors and train technicians.

On the other hand internet based 
customers have no problems in 
disconnecting one week and  
re-subscribing a few weeks later.  
With multiple offerings in the market 
they will go and sample all of them one  
at a time selecting and watching their 
programming jewels before moving  
on to the next SVOD service. I think  
the biggest problem is that these 
services tend to be priced too low  
to be commercially viable. A good 
example is Netflix, the largest SVOD 
company in the world with over  
80 million subscribers. In its latest 
quarterly results they reported US 
$2,105,204,000 in revenues and US 
$40,755,000 in profits or a 1.9% profit 
margin. They are the most profitable 
and largest SVOD service in the world 
with a profit significantly less than ours.

Financial Statement  
COMPARISONS
In comparing this year’s financial 
statements to last year there are  
a couple things you should know.  
The first is that in preparation for the 
Vodafone New Zealand acquisition  
we performed a large amount of due 
diligence. This involved hiring the  
best experts we could and contracting 
Citibank who acted as our advisor.  
The due diligence cost came to about 
$13 million. This figure is a one off 
expense and there was no similar 
expenditure in last year’s account. 

The other big jump in costs for the year 
ending 30 June 2016 was in programming 

expenditures. In a lot of industries 
competition normally results in a price 
war. In the content industry it becomes 
an arms race. Content deals that we 
have signed over the last three years 
are now being recognised in the year 
ending 30 June 2016 and 30 June 2017. 

CONTENT COSTS
At SKY we know that we do our 
customers no favour by paying 
whatever it takes to win every bid.  
We walk that fine line between trying  
to retain or obtain all the content our 
customers want yet acquiring it at a 
price they will accept. One of the two 
greatest strengths we have is that we 
have built the best platform to amortise 
content in New Zealand (and by “built”  
I mean digesting large financial losses 
for a decade before we could get to  
a critical size). Other companies can 
and have outbid us for content but we 
can break even at a higher price than 
anyone else. In these periods one 
cannot take the stand to win every 
content fight at all costs.

The second advantage is that we  
have intellectual property of years of 
experience that tells us exactly what 
every piece of content is worth to  
New Zealanders. But this does not 
mean we win every time.

Over the years there have been  
periods of a surge in innovation where 
new entrants entered the field typically 
around a technical advancement.  
In the 1990s two telecommunication 
companies (Telecom and Saturn) both 
started laying cable for broadcasting 
television and started acquiring 
content at prices we were not prepared 
to match. While the prices seemed too 
high we spent far more time studying 
their business model to see if we 
should transition our UHF system to 
cable. We instead went with a satellite 
delivery model where we could cover 
all of New Zealand.

Around 2000, Telecom’s TIVO (a digital 
TV recorder service) launched and 
started outbidding us for pay-per-view 
rights. We did not see a business model 

that had limited content and required 
an upfront $500 investment by 
customers making sense for a large 
segment of the population. After the 
TIVO model collapsed, rights costs 
returned to normal. 

A few years later Freeview was 
announced promising many more  
FTA channels. Existing FTAs, including 
Prime, were promised additional 
bandwidth for new FTA channels.  
All the other networks took advantage 
of the grant. We felt that tripling the 
number of FTAs would not triple  
the number of viewers. As a result 
content costs initially went up, while 
viewers were spread out across  
many more options. 

Over the next few years the existing 
FTAs converted their new channels into 
Plus 1s (a second channel that is just a 
delayed channel) thus giving one the 
ability to earn two revenue streams 
from the same content. Content  
costs soon reduced.

In the last three years there has  
been a resurgence in content costs.  
It is somewhat ironic. There has never 
been more television content. This year 
the industry is on track to produce a 
staggering 425 original scripted series 
in English up from a record output a 
few years ago of 371. That doesn’t factor 
in the additional reality shows, sports, 
movies or children’s programmes.  
So we have more programmes than 
ever before, costing more than ever 
before, on more platforms than ever 
before, spread over a similar population 
size during the same size day. Even  
in sport, a field of endeavour that  
you think is impervious to expansion, 
entrepreneurs are inventing or 
“recreating” new sports. A good 
example is darts. It was once only  
seen in pubs. Now it is the highest 
rated sports event on our platform  
over the Christmas holidays. With  
the oversupply of content and a 
deflationary economic environment 
one would expect the price of content 
to hit an all-time low. Sadly that has  
not been the case.

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 

9

ADVERTISING REVENUES
Our Advertising Sales Department 
continues to defy industry results. 
Selling television air time has never 
been more of a challenge. In seven  
of the last nine quarters television 
advertising has declined year on year. 
In the two improved quarters revenue 
increases were driven by the success 
SKY had in selling advertising for the 
2015 Rugby and Cricket World Cups.

I believe there are two reasons for  
this decline. As mentioned earlier the 
consumer has more options to view 
content than ever before and it is 
growing. This makes it particularly  
hard on large linear channels who 
currently dominate viewing ratings. 
When I arrived in New Zealand in 1995 
the three FTA channels combined had 
95% of the ratings in the country. Now 
you would have to combine the top 
100 TV channels to get to 95%. 

The second biggest impact is caused 
by video on demand. Be it SVOD 
competitors, social media platforms 
like YouTube or Facebook or existing 
linear channels offering catch-up, the 
“appointment viewing” concept that 
built up the strength of linear channels 
has now truly been broken. 

We have exciting times ahead – we  
look forward to bringing New Zealanders 
more great content, more great viewing 
platforms and continuing support of 
grassroots sport in New Zealand.

Finally don’t forget to attend the  
AGM which will take place at the 
Pullman Hotel Auckland (Regatta  
Room D), Corner Princes Street  
and Waterloo Quadrant, Auckland,  
on 20 October 2016, commencing  
at 2.00pm.

John Fellet 
Chief Executive Officer

ONCE AGAIN BLAME  
TECHNICAL INNOVATION
The roll out of the UFB has been 
another technical innovation that 
allowed new business models to 
launch. Some of these new competitors 
are not “burdened with our knowledge” 
of what the content deals are worth. 
They get excited about creating new 
business models to deliver content  
and then they have to go out and  
buy content to test their model. 

UFB allowed companies like Coliseum 
and SVOD companies to launch three 
years ago. 

Over the following three years  
we lost the English Premier League,  
The Professional Golfers’ Association, 
The European Golfers’ Association,  
The Ladies Professional Golfers’ 
Association and other European  
Rugby competitions. Lightbox, 
Quickflix and Netflix all launched  
and started hoovering up content  
on the entertainment side.

Once again pundits predicted the 
demise of SKY. The content market  
had become irrational. We can take  
a stand not to ever be outbid for 
content rights again. While that is a 
staunch position, we run the risk of not 
taking a back step on content at the 
expense of a financially sound future. 
We can take a stand and refuse to pay 
anything more than what we know the 
content is worth but then we run the 
risk of being a principled company, but 
not necessarily a financially strong one. 

Instead we took the middle road.  
We took a deep breath, analysed  
the competing models, revalued  
the content and determined what  
we could lose and what we needed  
to hold on to. In that transition, as well 
as a couple of others before, the key 
step we took was to secure the most 
important content. The content rule 
applies now as well. We have secured 
SANZAR Rugby, Cricket, the NRL and 
Netball. In addition, we locked down 
the FIFA World Cups until 2022 and  
the Olympic Games through to 2024. 
The gold standard with premium 
entertainment is HBO, which provides 
SKY and Prime with such shows as 
Game of Thrones and True Detective.  
If there was one studio you would not 
want to lose to a competitor during  
a difficult time, it would be Disney.  

In addition to their Star Wars Franchise 
and great movies in general, they also 
own the Marvel stable which holds the 
record of winning 12 straight opening 
box office weekends in a row. For our 
linear channels we have protected 
Discovery, Viacom and Disney.  
This cornerstone content along  
with another 400 contracts improves 
our navigation through the siege. 

These insurance policies came at  
a cost. In securing important movies, 
sports, television series and channels 
we have seen our content costs go  
up by the largest dollar amount in our 
history. Our biggest agreement we have 
is the SANZAR rugby contract. This five 
year deal started in January 2016.

IMPORTANCE OF SKY TO  
NEW ZEALAND SPORT
These insurance policies also  
come with another important benefit. 
By securing the SANZAR rugby 
contract, the NRL, cricket and netball 
contracts, we have continued our long 
running support of grassroots sport  
in New Zealand. In fact, over the last 
decade, SKY has spent over one billion 
dollars on sports rights and sports 
production. New Zealand rugby,  
New Zealand netball, New Zealand 
cricket, New Zealand rugby league – 
these competitions and sporting bodies 
have all benefitted from the immense 
financial contribution made by SKY.

CHURN
You will note our churn was up  
for the year. It was 17.5% vs last  
year’s 14.5%. While I am always 
disappointed when churn goes up  
this has been the hardest year we  
have ever encountered. We had more 
competitors launch against us than  
all the other years combined. 

We also sadly scored an “own goal”.  
In late 2015 we launched new software 
to our MY SKY boxes that greatly 
enhanced viewing options by allowing 
our customers to download additional 
content on demand via the internet. 
While this improvement was much 
beloved by the majority of customers 
(we now have over a million downloads 
a month), a sizeable number of 
customers had trouble reading the new 
font that came with the new software. 
The font was improved but not before 
we broke the trust of some subscribers. 

 
10  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PETER MACOURT
CHAIRMAN 

JOHN FELLET
DIRECTOR AND CEO

JOHN WALLER 
DIRECTOR 

Mr Fellet joined SKY as chief  
operating officer in 1991. He was 
appointed as chief executive in  
January 2001 and as a director of  
SKY in April 2001. Mr Fellet holds a  
BA degree in Accounting from Arizona 
State University, United States and has 
over 36 years’ experience in the pay 
television industry, including ten years’ 
experience with Telecommunications 
Inc. in the United States.

Mr Macourt was appointed as chairman 
of the board of SKY in August 2002.  
He is a director of Prime Media Limited 
and Virtus Health Limited, and a former 
director and chief operating officer of 
News Limited based in Sydney, Australia. 
Previously Mr Macourt has also served 
as a director of Premier Media, Foxtel, 
Independent Newspapers Limited and  
a number of subsidiaries and associated 
companies of the News Corporation 
Limited. He holds a degree in commerce 
from the University of New South Wales, 
is a member of the Australian Institute 
of Chartered Accountants and the 
Australian Institute of Company 
Directors. Mr Macourt is chairman of 
SKY’s Nomination and Remuneration 
Committee and Related Parties 
Committee. 

Mr Waller was appointed a director  
of SKY in April 2009. He was a partner  
at PricewaterhouseCoopers for over  
20 years, was a member of their  
board and led their Advisory practice. 
He is a director of Donaghys Limited, 
Property for Industry Limited, GS Group 
Services, Global Motors NZ and various 
other companies. On 31 January 2015,  
Mr Waller retired as Chairman of the 
Eden Park Trust Board. On 31 July 2015, 
he retired as Chairman of Bank of  
New Zealand and as a director of 
National Australia Bank Limited, Bank  
of New Zealand, BNZ Investments  
and National Equities Limited. He has 
also announced his retirement as  
a director of Fonterra Co-operative 
Group Limited, effective 31 August 
2016. Mr Waller is Chairman of SKY’s 
Audit and Risk Committee and a 
member of the Nomination and 
Remuneration Committee.

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 

11

DEREK HANDLEY
DIRECTOR

GERALDINE MCBRIDE
DIRECTOR

SUSAN PATERSON 
DIRECTOR

Ms McBride was appointed to the 
board in September 2013. She is a BSc 
Zoology major from Victoria University, 
served as president of SAP North 
America, president of SAP Asia Pacific 
Japan and global vice president of  
Dell Services. Ms McBride is a director 
of Fisher and Paykel Healthcare 
Corporation Limited and National 
Australia Bank Limited and is the chief 
executive and founder of MyWave 
Holdings, a leading edge consumer 
experience and enterprise relationship 
technology company.

Mr Handley was appointed to the 
board in September 2013. Mr Handley 
is an entrepreneur who recently 
created the Aera Foundation, a venture 
studio advancing new models that fuse 
social and financial goals. Before that 
he spent two years helping Sir Richard 
Branson set up the B Team, a global 
non-profit leadership collective. In 2001 
at the age of 23, he co-founded The 
Hyperfactory, one of the first agencies 
in the world to recognise the power  
of mobile devices for connecting 
consumers, brands and mass media 
(acquired by NYSE-listed Meredith 
Corporation). Mr Handley has attended 
Massey University, MIT Sloan School of 
Management, Singularity University and 
was named a Distinguished Alumni of 
Victoria University.

Ms Paterson began her career as a 
pharmacist and later completed an MBA 
at London Business School, leading to  
a career in management and strategy 
consulting in New Zealand, Europe  
and the United States of America.  
She is now a professional director  
and a Chartered Fellow of the Institute 
of Directors. Ms Paterson is Chair  
of Airways and Theta, and a director  
of Goodman NZ, Arvida Group and  
Les Mills NZ. She is also a Member of 
the Electricity Authority, Chairman of  
Home of Cycling (Avantidrome), and 
past director or Chair of a number of 
commercial infrastructure and growth 
companies. In 2015 Ms Paterson was 
made an Officer of the New Zealand 
Order of Merit for her services to 
corporate governance.

 
12  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

CREATING A LEADING  
TELECOMMUNICATIONS  
AND MEDIA GROUP

SUMMARY OF THE DEAL

SKY will acquire 100% of shares  
in Vodafone NZ and will pay 
Vodafone Group Plc $3.44 billion, 
consisting of $1.25 billion in cash 
and $2.19 billion satisfied by issuing 
new shares to Vodafone Group Plc, 
equivalent to 51% of the total 
number of shares that will be on 
issue following completion.

With the full support of SKY’s board, 
shareholders voted overwhelmingly 
in support of the proposed merger 
with 99% in favour.

NEXT STEPS

Commerce Commission and 
Overseas Investment Office 
approvals have been sought.  
Decisions are expected at the  
end of  2016.

100%SKY’S SHARES IN VODAFONE NZ

3.44B

TOTAL VALUE OF DEAL

51%SHARES ISSUED ON COMPLETION

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 

13

99%

OF SHAREHOLDER VOTES  
IN FAVOUR OF THE MERGER  
WITH VODAFONE

“  We knew it was the 
right way to go but  
it is still particularly 
gratifying to get 
such a resounding 
yes from the 
company’s owners.” 

John Fellet

TRANSACTION HIGHLIGHTS 
anD BeneFitS

•  Creating a market leader in New Zealand

•  Using the enhanced scale and expertise

• 

Improving the customer experience

•  Enhancing the ability to create attractive packages

•  Driving accelerated data growth

•  Leveraging Vodafone Group’s global capabilities

•  Realising cost, capital expenditure and revenue synergies 

•  Significant opportunities to generate additional revenue synergies

•  Stronger cash flow generation

 
14  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

WE’VE GOT THE 
BEST SHOWS  
FROM THE  
BEST STUDIOS

SKY has long been proud to bring New Zealanders the  
best in premium entertainment content from the best 
international studios. 

Over the last 12 months we have renewed and greatly 
expanded our core content deals, providing greater access 
for our viewers to the must-see shows and movies they 
want, however and whenever they choose to see them. 

Our HBO and CBS deals continue to provide SKY viewers 
the best in quality drama, while SKY is also renowned for 
its breadth and depth of its feature film deals. Together 
they add up to the most exciting television viewing in  
New Zealand from the world’s premier studios.

HBO provides outstanding drama for SoHo and NEON, 
with shows like Game Of Thrones, The Night Of and 
Westworld. Meanwhile, SKY’s deal with CBS and Showtime 
makes titles like Ray Donovan, Billions, and the much 
anticipated return of Twin Peaks, all available exclusive  
to SKY, SKY On Demand, and also to NEON customers.

We’ve targeted the world’s best independent international 
drama – American Crime Story: The People vs O.J. Simpson, 
with its outstanding 22 Emmy nominations mesmerised 
SoHo viewers this year, and titles such as Fear The Walking 
Dead, 11.22.63, Shannara, Roadies, Kingdom and Into The 
Badlands are all available exclusively on SKY and NEON. 
Closer to home, SKY Movies and Prime viewers can look 
forward to exciting New Zealand releases like the upcoming 
reinvigorated Goodbye Pork Pie and Chasing Great:  
The Richie McCaw Story. So too SKY Movies and NEON  
will be home to Disney’s new “homegrown instant classic” 
Moana, directed by Taika Waititi with voice talent from 
Jemaine Clement and Temuera Morrison.

Many major movie studio deals have been renewed by  
SKY during the 2016 financial year including Universal, 
Warner Bros., MGM, and Twentieth Century Fox. These 
studios join Disney, the home of Marvel and Star Wars,  
in providing an incredible and exclusive range of new 
feature titles every month for SKY Movies viewers, now 
with enhanced On Demand rights, and we have exclusive 
NEON rights to titles from all these studios. 

Showtime ©2016 “Ray Donovan” Showtime Networks Inc. All rights reserved.  
RAY DONOVAN is available on SoHo and NEON.

  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 

15

They don’t come better than this

WARNER BROS.

20TH CENTURY FOX

UNIVERSAL

MGM

BEST FROM THE BEST
In the last 12 months, SKY has  
renewed and expanded its core  
content deals with the world’s  
best movie studios.

To supplement these blockbuster studio releases,  
the new deal we’ve signed with E1 Entertainment gives 
new access to quality drama and independent feature 
films that will intrigue viewers and enhance SKY Movies’ 
already rich offering, again with versatile On Demand 
viewing options for Movies subscribers. 

POP UP CHANNELS
Innovation has been flourishing at SKY as we look for  
fresh ways to expand and curate content. Our Pop up 
channels, like Game Of Thrones for SoHo subscribers,  
Star Wars and the upcoming Harry Potter Pop up for  
SKY Movies viewers are proving very popular. 

We’ve also shown Pop up channels for The Zone,  
and every school holidays Disney Family Movies has  
a well viewed Pop up. SKY Basic customers enjoyed  
an Attenborough Pop up which attracted 900,000  
viewer hours in just nine days!

PRIME
Prime continues to stake out its territory as the New Zealand 
home for quality, well-researched documentaries with its 
major new documentary series Uncharted. This six-part 
series, an international collaboration with Australia and  
the UK and supported by New Zealand On Air, sees actor 
Sam Neill retrace Captain Cook’s three Pacific voyages.

In addition, Prime has commissioned Loggers, a new 
10-part series that follows the working lives of a Māori 
whānau in the high stakes forestry business and the 
dangers they face every day. 

A one-hour documentary called All In The Mind will  
also make us all wiser by explaining the structural 
differences between male and female brains. Finally,  
Prime has had funding approved for the return series  
of this year’s enormously popular local documentaries, 
Forensics and Decades In Colour, as well as another  
series of University Challenge.

16  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

GOOD SPORT

BIG EVENTS ON SKY
RWC 2015 – As the exclusive rights holder the 2015 Rugby 
World Cup proved very successful with New Zealanders 
watching the event and, of course, the incredible success 
of our All Blacks. 

Rio Olympics – This year all eyes turned to SKY’s exclusive 
coverage of the Rio Olympic Games. That included access 
to 12 channels of gripping Olympic coverage, a new SKY 
Olympics app, plus up to 15 hours a day free to air on 
Prime. What’s more, SKY has winter and summer Olympic 
rights though to 2024.

ALL THE BEST SPORT  
EXCLUSIVELY ON SKY
Providing the backbone for SKY Sport are all the  
top sports played and watched in New Zealand; Rugby, 
Cricket, Netball and Rugby League. SKY has worked hard 
over many years to secure rights to deliver a world class 
viewing experience of these popular codes. We have long 
term deals and relationships with each and we look forward 
again to supporting these organisations and players while 
delivering great drama to the screens of our SKY Sport  
and FAN PASS viewers – week in, week out.

America’s Cup – For the first time, the exclusive home  
of the America’s Cup will be SKY. During 2016 and 2017 
we’ll be following Emirates Team New Zealand through  
the qualifying events towards the finals in Bermuda  
in June 2017.

British and Irish Lions – Perhaps the most anticipated event 
of all is the British and Irish Lion’s Tour of New Zealand in 
June and July 2017. More than 20,000 fans are expected  
to fly into New Zealand for this event and we know many 
screens will be tuned into this action across the country.

  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 

17

THE BEST IN 
INTERNATIONAL  
EVENTS AND  
LOCAL SPORTS

OUR SPORTS  
TROPHY CABINET 
IS FULL

PREMIUM INTERNATIONAL 
FOOTBALL ON BEIN SPORTS
For football fans the viewing could not be better than on 
SKY. beIN SPORTS 1 is a 24/7 dedicated Premier League 
channel broadcasting live football games, highlights and 
studio shows, and is available in HD for customers with an 
HD ticket. beIN SPORTS 2 shows the best of live European 
football from the Spanish La Liga, English Football League 
Cup and Sky Bet Championship. Further live games from 
the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League 
complement SKY Sport’s existing coverage of these 
competitions. For extended football coverage, subscribers 
to the beIN SPORTS tier also have access to up to three 
Pop up channels. To top that, SKY also has rights to the 
FIFA World Cups through to 2022.

WELCOME BACK EPL  AND 
WELCOME BACK GOLF
New service providers will continue to come and  
go but SKY is here for the long haul. After a short  
hiatus we are excited to have the English Premier  
League, The Professional Golfers’ Association,  
The European Golfers’ Association and The Ladies  
Professional Golfers’ Association firmly back with SKY.

18  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

FULL STREAM 
AHEAD

SKY GO 
SKY GO continues to grow and the iOS and Android apps 
have been downloaded 420,000 times. It’s the perfect 
supplement to a SKY subscription with customers flocking  
to the service when they can’t get to their big screen at 
home. We’ve invested a lot of effort into improving the 
reliability of New Zealand’s largest service for live online 
subscription content. Customers tell us SKY GO is one  
of the best things they love about SKY.

ON DEMAND
With our major software upgrade complete and a  
brand new window into the world of SKY in every  
home, we are delighted to see nearly 30% of homes  
have already connected their boxes to the internet to  
access SKY On Demand. Each week more than 100,000  
titles are downloaded and that number is set to keep 
climbing. SKY On Demand gives SKY customers so much 
more value and convenience. With around 5,000 TV, movie  
and sports titles available at any time, we love to see what 
our customers are enjoying – right now it’s hard to knock 
Game of Thrones off the top perch, but plenty of great 
movies titles are vying for that position.

4M

DOWNLOADS OF SKY  
ON DEMAND TITLES  
SINCE LAUNCH 

  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 

19

SKY GO

Wherever and whenever  
you want to watch.

NEON 
NEON has had a very successful year with strong growth, 
surpassing one million monthly content requests earlier  
in 2016. The NEON app has been downloaded 100,000  
times across Samsung Smart TV’s, iOS, Android and Xbox. 
Ensuring NEON is available on more devices has been a 
tremendous achievement in the past year. Look out for  
more to come. About half of NEON’s viewership is on a 
desktop computer and half on devices. Unsurprisingly, Game 
of Thrones, again, sits at the top of the most downloaded  
list. And SKY’s NEON is the only subscription video on 
demand service to offer this critically acclaimed show.

FAN PASS
It has been a winning year for FAN PASS with  
New Zealanders appreciating the flexible and quality  
service. The ability to enjoy SKY’s sports channels and  
very recently the introduction of pay-per-view events  
with no long term contact, has proven a winning formula  
for sports fans without SKY. The app, available for Samsung 
Smart TVs, iOS, Android and Apple TV has been downloaded 
more than 60,000 times and we see strong growth ahead. 
All Black matches are the most popular viewing on FAN PASS 
and we expect they will remain so.

20  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

COMMUNITY AND SPONSORSHIP

THE STARSHIP FOUNDATION 
For 15 years SKY has been right behind the Starship 
Foundation as it raises much needed funds for our 
National Children’s Hospital. We are proud to be  
a Starship Foundation Five Star Partner.

SKY AMBASSADOR:  
SHAUN JOHNSON
SKY Ambassador Shaun Johnson has come with us  
to schools across New Zealand to meet, inspire and  
train some of his biggest fans. 

In the past year, SKY became the key sponsor of Starship’s 
National Air Ambulance, a vital service to which we have 
dedicated all our fundraising. We launched Starship Regular 
Giving through our staff payroll and SKY Department 
Fundraising which proves everyone at SKY is passionate 
about Starship. 

Furthermore, thousands of customers got behind the 
cause by purchasing some of our most popular channels 
during our $5 channel initiative, with every dollar raised 
going to Starship. 

Beyond providing valuable funds, we’ve loved putting  
a smile on Starship children’s faces wherever possible  
with SKY in every room, regular Starship movie nights  
and visits from famous TV characters like Paw Patrol and 
athletes like Shaun Johnson and our SKY NEXT team.

WE’RE GETTING CHRISTCHURCH 
SCHOOL KIDS BACK ON THE TURF
This year SKY gifted large artificial turfs to eleven 
Christchurch primary schools who lost or incurred 
significant damage to their playing fields during  
the earthquakes. 

The gift, worth $200,000, is part of our $1 million five-year 
commitment to help repair Christchurch. We’ve focused 
our efforts on sport and recreational facilities because 
these are fundamental to the health and wellbeing  
of local communities, particularly their young people.

SKY SPECIAL CHILDREN’S 
CHRISTMAS PARTIES
Hundreds of SKY crew from all across New Zealand 
volunteered again this year to create an incredible day 
filled with bouncy castles, life size television characters, 
games, activities, rides and prizes for 10,000 children  
at SKY Special Children’s Parties in Hawkes Bay, Taranaki, 
Christchurch, Wellington, Waikato and Auckland. 

SKY has supported Special Children’s Christmas  
Parties for 12 years, and we are really proud to be  
naming rights sponsor and have all our staff get  
behind these special kids.

  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  21

SAM WEBSTER 
Track Cycling

ETHAN MITCHELL 
Track Cycling

EMMA TWIGG 
Rowing

ANGIE PETTY 
Track Running

KANE RUSSELL 
Hockey

LUUKA JONES 
Canoe Slalom

JACKO GILL 
Shot Put

JASMINE PEREIRA 
Football

TYLA NATHAN-WONG 
Rugby Sevens

SUPPORTING TALENTED  
KIWI ATHLETES
SKY NEXT supports young, talented Kiwi athletes  
on their epic journey to succeed. We are really proud  
of our team members who represented New Zealand  
at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

22  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

SKY CHANNELS

As at 30 June 2016

TYPES OF CHANNELS

KEY

Basic Channels 

Sport Channels 

Specialist Channels 

47

12

9

Movie Channels 

Free-to-air Channels 

Radio Channels 

10

12

8

PPV Event Channels 

PPV Movie Channels 

PPV Adult Channels 

Audio Music Channels 

14

Total 

1

9

3

125

Created and 
produced by SKY

47 BASIC CHANNELS

R

When available (055)

12 SPORT CHANNELS

When available (056) When available (057) When available (058)

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  23

9 SPECIALIST CHANNELS

10 MOVIE CHANNELS

When available

During school holidays

12 FREE-TO-AIR CHANNELS

8 RADIO CHANNELS

OTHER

14 Audio Music Channels

1 PPV Event Channel

SKY GO

9 PPV Movie Channels

3 PPV Adult Channels

 
2016 FinancialS

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW 
FINANCIAL TRENDS 
DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS  
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT 

25
29
31
32
33
34
35
36
63

Financial OVeRVieW

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  25

SUMMARY
The net profit after tax has decreased to $147.1 million for the year ended 30 June 2016, a decrease of 14.4% on the previous year’s net profit 
after tax of $171.8 million. 

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (“EBITDA”) decreased by 14.3% to $325.3 million. 

Operating expenses include costs relating to the acquisition of Vodafone NZ of $13.4 million. Adjusted EBIDTA would be $338.7 million,  
a decrease of 10.8% from the prior year.

The results are summarised as follows:

For the years ended 30 June

IN NZD MILLIONS

Financial performance data

Total revenue

Total operating expenses

EBITDA

Less

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

Net finance costs

Net profit before income tax

Income tax expense

Profit after tax

16%PROFIT

2016

2015

 % inc/(dec)

928.2

602.9

325.3

100.2

20.1

205.0

57.9

147.1

927.5

547.7

379.8

119.2

21.7

238.9

67.1

171.8

0.1

10.1

(14.3)

(15.9)

(7.4)

(14.2)

(13.7)

(14.4)

TAX

6%INCOME
2%FINANCIAL 

EXPENSES

11%DEPRECIATION,

AMORTISATION 
AND IMPAIRMENT

INCOME
STATEMENT
CATEGORIES

AS A % OF REVENUE

65%OPERATING

EXPENSES

 
26  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

Financial OVeRVieW (CONTINUED)

REVENUE ANALYSIS
SKY’s total revenue increased to $928.2 million, as follows:

For the years ended 30 June

IN NZD MILLIONS

Residential – Digital

Residential – MYSKY

Other subscription revenue

Total subscription revenue

Advertising

Installation and other revenue

Total other revenue

Total revenue

2016

160.3

592.8

79.3

832.4

74.0

21.8

95.8

928.2

2015

192.5

567.5

71.2

831.2

69.5

26.8

96.3

927.5

 % inc/(dec)

(16.7)

4.5

11.4

0.1

6.5

(18.7)

(0.5)

0.1

Residential subscription revenue decreased marginally by 0.9% to $753.1 million due to fewer satellite customers. The decrease is mainly 
due to a lower uptake of premium services (Sports and Movies) and lower pay-per-view buys. 

Other subscription revenue includes commercial revenue earned from SKY subscriptions at hotels, motels, restaurants and bars 
throughout New Zealand, revenue derived from transmission of programming for third parties and revenue from other subscription 
services such as NEON, FAN PASS and IGLOO. This revenue increased 11.4% to $79.3 million in 2016.  

Advertising sales revenue increased by 6.5% to $74.0 million in 2016. Pay television advertising revenues increased from $45.2 million in 
2015 to $49.3 million in 2016, an increase of 9.1% whilst Prime revenues increased from $24.3 million in 2015 to $24.7 million in 2016, partly 
due to additional revenue from the Rugby World Cup earned in the current year. 

Installation and other revenues decreased by 18.7% to $21.8 million in 2016. This is mainly the result of low installation revenue due to 
customers moving to lower price services and lower outside broadcasting revenue.

17%RESIDENTIAL

DIGITAL

2%INSTALLATION AND 

OTHER REVENUE

8%ADVERTISING

9%OTHER

SUBSCRIPTION
REVENUE

REVENUE
SPLIT

64%RESIDENTIAL

MYSKY

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  27

EXPENSE ANALYSIS
A breakdown of SKY’s operating expenses for 2016 and 2015 is provided below:

IN NZD MILLIONS

Programming

Subscriber related costs

Broadcasting and infrastructure

Other costs

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

Total operating expenses

2016

331.1

106.3

96.0

69.5

100.2

703.1

2016
% of revenue

35.7

11.5

10.3

7.5

10.8

75.8

2015

296.6

107.1

91.2

52.9

119.2

667.0

2015
% of revenue

 % inc/(dec)

32.0

11.5

9.8

5.7

12.9

71.9

11.6

(0.7)

5.4

31.4

(15.9)

5.4

Programming costs comprise both the costs of purchasing programme rights and also programme operating costs. Programme rights 
costs include the costs of sports rights, pass-through channel rights (e.g. Disney Channel, Living Channel, etc.), movies (including PPV) and 
music rights. Programme operating costs include the costs of producing live sports events, satellite and fibre linking costs and in-house 
studio produced shows. 

SKY’s programming expenses have increased to 35.7% of revenue in 2016, from 32.0% in 2015. The higher programming costs in 2016 
included the rights costs of the Rugby World Cup as well as the new SANZAAR contract from 1 January 2016, costs relating to On Demand 
content and new channels such as “Turbo and TLC”.

A significant proportion of SKY’s programme rights costs are in Australian dollars (AUD) dollars and United States dollars (USD). This means 
the NZ dollar cost included in SKY’s accounts is affected by the strength of the NZ dollar during a particular year and by SKY’s foreign 
exchange hedging policy.

The board’s policy is to hedge a minimum of 85% of the forecast exposures over 0 to 12 months, up to 50% of variable exposures over 
13 to 24 months and up to 30% over 25 to 36 months. Fixed price contracts denominated in foreign currencies are fully hedged at the time 
of placing the order.

Subscriber related costs include the costs of servicing and monitoring equipment installed at subscribers’ homes, indirect installation 
costs, the costs of SKY’s customer service department, sales and marketing costs and general administrative costs associated with 
SKY’s ten provincial offices.  

In 2016, subscriber related costs decreased marginally to $106.3 million.

10%OTHER COSTS

14%DEPRECIATION,

AMORTISATION
AND IMPAIRMENT

14%BROADCASTING AND

INFRASTRUCTURE

EXPENSES
SPLIT

47%PROGRAMMING

15%SUBSCRIBER

RELATED COSTS

 
28  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

Financial OVeRVieW (CONTINUED)

EXPENSE ANALYSIS (CONTINUED)
Broadcasting and infrastructure costs consist of transmission and linking costs for transmitting SKY, Prime and IGLOO’s television signals 
from its studios in Auckland to other locations in New Zealand and the costs of operating SKY’s television stations at Mt Wellington and 
Albany. The costs of leasing seven transponders on the Optus D1 satellite are included, as is the cost of high definition television broadcasting. 
Broadcasting and infrastructure costs have increased by 5.4% to $96.0 million or 10.3% of revenue compared to 9.8% in the prior year due  
to increased internet delivery costs for on demand content and OTT products (NEON, FANPASS).

Other costs include advertising costs, the overhead costs relating to corporate management and the affiliated businesses such as IGLOO  
and FATSO. These costs have increased by 31.4% to $69.5 million from $52.9 million in the prior year due mainly to the professional fees  
of $13.4 million incurred in relation to the planned acquisition of Vodafone NZ which was announced in July 2016 (refer note 17 of the  
financial statements). 

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment costs include depreciation charges for subscriber equipment including satellite dishes and 
decoders owned by SKY and fixed assets such as television station facilities. Depreciation, amortisation and impairment costs have decreased 
by 15.9% to $100.2 million for the current year due to many assets being fully depreciated. Impairment charges in the current year were $NiI 
compared with $10.7 million in the prior year.

Finance costs, net have decreased marginally from $21.7 million to $20.1 million. The reduction in interest is due to reduced interest rates  
on the floating rate borrowings which are not hedged. SKY’s weighted average interest rates are as follows:

Bank loans

Bonds

Finance lease

Combined weighted average

Capital expenditure

SKY’s capital expenditure over the last five years is summarised as follows:

IN NZD MILLIONS

Subscriber equipment

Installation costs

HD broadcasting truck

Other

Total capital expenditure

2016

63.8

32.6

–

32.4

128.8

2015

22.8

29.7

–

63.0

115.5

2014

20.6

36.9

–

35.5

93.0

2016

6.19%

5.33%

0.00%

5.47%

2013

22.9

40.2

–

19.3

82.4

2015

6.46%

5.40%

6.80%

5.66%

2012

57.4

48.9

2.6

28.0

136.9

Capital expenditure increased by $13.3 million in 2016 to $128.8 million.

Subscriber equipment expenditure increased substantially by $41.0 million due to the acquisition of the new internet enabled decoders being 
rolled out to customers to replace the old legacy digital decoders.

Installation costs were marginally up by $2.9 million. Other capital expenditure of $32.4 million included $15.9 million of software additions 
(mainly internet connectivity for SKY’s decoders), $5.8 million of other plant and equipment, as well as $10.7 million of capital work in progress.  

 
Financial tRenDS

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  29

incOme Statement – FiVe YeaR SUmmaRY

IN NZD 000

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

For the year ended 30 June

Total revenue

Total operating expenses (1) (4)

EBITDA (2) (4)

Less

928,200

602,914

325,286

927,525

547,756

379,769

909,001

529,961

379,040

885,024

531,884

353,140

843,074

507,052

336,022

Depreciation and amortisation

100,241

119,194

126,143

134,260

134,119

Net interest expense and financing 
charges

Unrealised losses/(gains) on currency 
and other

Net profit before income tax (4)

19,684

21,696

27,097

29,193

29,346

371

204,990

–

238,879

1,293

224,507

692

188,995

923

171,634

Balance SHeet – FiVe YeaR SUmmaRY

IN NZD 000

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

As at 30 June
Property, plant, equipment and  
non-tangible intangibles

Goodwill

Total assets

Total debt and lease liabilities

Working capital (3)

Total liabilities

Total equity

(1)  Exclusive of depreciation and amortisation.

331,157

1,425,331

1,943,564

348,085

(35,230)

612,641

299,243

1,425,331

1,942,021

350,763

(36,285)

604,818

302,929

1,426,393

1,865,369

387,191

(48,325)

624,205

338,002

1,424,494

1,900,293

483,786

(39,790)

718,396

388,646

1,424,494

1,962,467

472,469

(20,717)

708,603

1,330,923

1,337,203

1,241,164

1,181,897

1,253,864

(2)  Net profit before income tax, interest expense, depreciation and amortisation, unrealised gains and losses on currency and interest rate swaps.

(3)  Working capital excludes current borrowing, bonds and derivative financial instruments.

(4)   Exclusion of Vodafone acquisition costs of $13,371,000 (refer note 3) would result in a normalised adjusted EBITDA of $338,657,000 and adjusted net profit before 

income tax of $218,361,000.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
30  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

Financial tRenDS (CONTINUED)

DEPRECIATION AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

IN NZD 000

Depreciation

Capital expenditure

2016

100,241

128,800

2015

119,194

115,500

2014

126,143

93,000

2013

134,260

82,400

2012

134,119

136,900

HISTORY OF DIVIDEND PAYMENTS

(BY CALENDAR YEAR IN CENTS PER SHARE)

Interim dividend (paid in March)

Final dividend (paid in September)

Total ordinary dividend

Special dividend

Total dividend paid

2016

15.0

–

15.0

–

15.0

2015

15.0

15.0

30.0

–

30.0

2014

14.0

15.0

29.0

–

29.0

2013

12.0

12.0

24.0

–

24.0

2012

11.0

11.0

22.0

32.0

54.0

SUBSCRIBER BASE
The following operating data has been taken from the Company records and is not audited.  

As at 30 June

Total subscribers

Average monthly revenue per residential  
subscriber

Gross churn  (2)

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

852,679

851,561

865,055

855,898

846,931

 78.63  (1)                                       79.54 

 17.5% 

 14.5% 

 77.52 

13.2%

 75.83 

14.4%

 71.93 

14.2%

(1)  Includes IGLOO, NEON and FAN PASS not included in previous periods. 

(2)  Gross churn refers to the percentage of residential subscribers over the 12-month period ended on the date shown who terminated their satellite pay TV 

subscription net of existing subscribers who transferred their service to new residences during the period.   

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  31

The directors of Sky Network Television Limited (the Group) are responsible for ensuring that the financial statements of the Group present fairly 
the financial position of the Group as at 30 June 2016 and the results of its operations and cash flows for the year ended on that date.

The directors consider that the financial statements of the Group have been prepared using appropriate accounting policies, consistently applied 
and supported by reasonable judgements and estimates and that all relevant financial reporting and accounting standards have been followed.

The directors believe that proper accounting records have been kept which enable, with reasonable accuracy, the determination of the financial 
position of the Group and facilitate compliance of the financial statements with the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.

The directors consider they have taken adequate steps to safeguard the assets of the Group and to prevent and detect fraud and 
other irregularities.

The directors have pleasure in presenting the financial statements of the Group for the year ended 30 June 2016.

The board of directors of Sky Network Television Limited authorise these financial statements for issue on 25 August 2016.

For and on behalf of the board of directors

Peter Macourt
Chairman

John Waller
Director

25 August 2016

 
 
 
32  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT
OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 

For the year ended 30 June 2016

IN NZD 000

Total revenue

Expenses

Programming

Subscriber related costs

Broadcasting and infrastructure

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

Other costs

Operating profit

Finance costs, net

Profit before tax

Income tax expense

Profit for the year

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the Company

Non-controlling interests

Earnings per share

Basic and diluted earnings per share (cents)

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Profit for the year

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit and loss

Cash flow hedges

Income tax effect

Other comprehensive income for the year, net of income tax

13

Total comprehensive income for the year

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the Company

Non-controlling interest

Notes

2

2016

928,200

 2015

927,525

3

4

5

331,050

106,340

96,040

100,241

69,484

703,155

225,045

20,055

204,990

57,867

147,123

146,718

405

147,123

296,559

107,136

91,184

119,194

52,877

666,950

260,575

21,696

238,879

67,115

171,764

171,581

183

171,764

13

37.70

44.09

147,123

171,764

(49,989)

13,997

(35,992)

111,131

110,726

405

111,131

56,972

(15,951)

41,021

212,785

212,602

183

212,785

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  33

Notes

2016

 2015

6

7

12

8

9

1

12

11

11 

10 

12 

11 

11 

5 

12 

13 

13 

22,863

70,030

79,765

2,982

17,895

69,509

72,813

28,424

175,640

188,641

283,316

1,473,172

4,832

6,604

1,767,924

1,943,564

282,219

1,442,355

 –   

28,806

1,753,380

1,942,021

199,912

 –   

200,817

7,071

9,670

417,470

49,468

98,705

36,047

10,951

195,171

612,641

577,403

(5,112)

757,417

 –   

3,294

184,218

12,284

1,320

201,116

49,424

298,045

48,438

7,795

403,702

604,818

577,403

30,880

727,441

1,329,708

1,335,724

1,215

1,330,923

1,943,564

1,479

1,337,203

1,942,021

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET 

As at 30 June 2016

IN NZD 000

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Programme rights inventory

Derivative financial instruments

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Available for sale investment

Derivative financial instruments

Total assets

Current liabilities

Bonds

Lease liabilities

Trade and other payables

Income tax payable

Derivative financial instruments

Non-current liabilities

Bank loans

Bonds

Deferred tax

Derivative financial instruments

Total liabilities

Equity

Share capital

Hedging reserve

Retained earnings

Total equity attributable to equity holders of the Company

Non-controlling interest

Total equity

Total equity and liabilities 

Peter Macourt 
Chairman

John Waller 
Director

For and on behalf of the board 25 August 2016

 
 
 
34  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT 
OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the year ended 30 June 2016

                                                                                          ATTRIBUTABLE TO OWNERS OF THE PARENT

Notes

Share 
capital

Hedging 
reserve

Retained 
earnings

Non-
controlling 
interest

Total

Total 
equity

IN NZD 000

For the year ending 30 June 2016

Balance at 1 July 2015

Profit for the year

Cash flow hedges, net of tax

13

Total comprehensive income for the year

Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners

Dividend paid

Supplementary dividends

Foreign investor tax credits

Balance at 30 June 2016

For the year ending 30 June 2015

Balance at 1 July 2014

Profit for the year

Cash flow hedges, net of tax

13

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners

Change in non-controlling interest

Dividend paid

Supplementary dividends

Foreign investor tax credits

Balance at 30 June 2015

577,403

30,880

727,441

1,335,724

–

146,718

146,718

 1,479 
405

1,337,203

147,123

–

–

 –

–

–

–   
 –

(35,992)

–

(35,992)

–   

(35,992)

(35,992)

 146,718 

 110,726 

 405 

 111,131 

 –   
–

–   
–   

(116,742)

(116,742)

(669)

(117,411)

(14,965)

(14,965)

 14,965 

14,965

 –   
 –

(14,965)

14,965

(116,742)

(116,742)

(669)

(117,411)

577,403

(5,112)

757,417

1,329,708

1,215

1,330,923

577,403

(10,141)

672,605

1,239,867

 1,297 

1,241,164

–   

 –  

 –   

 –  

–  

–   

–  

 –   

–   

171,581

171,581

183

171,764

41,021

–

41,021

–  

41,021

41,021

 171,581 

 212,602 

 183 

 212,785 

–

–

–

–   

–

(3)

(3)

(116,742)

(116,742)

(14,317)

(14,317)

 14,317 

14,317

(1)

–

–  

–

(4)

(116,742)

(14,317)

14,317

(116,745)

(116,745)

(1)

(116,746)

577,403

30,880

727,441

1,335,724

1,479

1,337,203

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT 
OF caSH FLOWS 

For the year ended 30 June 2016

IN NZD 000

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit before tax

Adjustments for:

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 

Unrealised foreign exchange loss

Interest expense

Bad debts and movement in provision for doubtful debts

Amortisation of bond issue costs 

Other non-cash items

Movement in working capital items:

(Increase)decrease in receivables

Increase in payables

Increase in programme rights

Cash generated from operations

Interest paid

Income tax paid

Net cash from operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

Acquisition of property, plant, equipment and intangibles

Acquisition of available for sale investment 

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Repayment of borrowings – bank loan

Advances received – bank loan

Payment of finance lease liabilities

Payment of bank facility fees

Dividend paid to minority shareholders

Dividends paid

Net cash used in financing activities

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  35

Notes

2016

2015

204,990

238,879

3

4

4

3

4

1

 11

11

100,241

305

20,379

2,427

573

419

(2,736)

23,576

(6,952)

343,222

(20,920)

(46,458)

275,844

  –   

(128,803)

(4,832)

(133,635)

(103,000)

103,000 

(3,294)

(1,571)

(669)

(131,707)

(137,241)

4,968 

17,895 

22,863 

119,194

423

22,496

3,328

571

263

2,589

11,518

(29,924)

369,337

(22,756)

(63,666)

282,915

46 

(115,462)

  –   

(115,416)

(126,000)

96,000 

(7,375)

(1,022)

  –   

(131,059)

(169,456)

(1,957)

19,852 

17,895 

 
36  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
Financial StatementS

For the year ended 30 June 2016

1. GENERAL INFORMATION

This section sets out the Group’s accounting policies that relate to the financial statements as a whole. Where an accounting policy is 
specific to one note, the policy is described in the note to which it relates. 

SKY Network Television Limited (SKY) is a Company incorporated and domiciled in New Zealand. The address of its registered office is 
10 Panorama Road, Mt Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand. The consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended 30 June 2016 
comprise the Company, Sky Network Television Limited and its subsidiaries. 

SKY is a company registered under the Companies Act 1993 and is a reporting entity under Part 7 of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013.

The Group’s primary activity is to operate as a provider of multi-channel, pay television and free-to-air television services in New Zealand.

These financial statements were authorised for issue by the Board on 25 August 2016.

Basis of preparation

The financial statements of the Group have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Part 7 of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 
2013, the NZX Main Board Listing Rules and the ASX Listing Rules.

Accounting policies applied in these financial statements comply with NZ IFRS effective for the year beginning 1 July 2015, as applicable to SKY 
as a profit-oriented entity. The Group financial statements are in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).  

These financial statements are prepared on the basis of historical cost except where otherwise identified.

The financial statements are presented in New Zealand dollars.

Group structure 

The Group has a majority share in the following subsidiaries, all of which are incorporated in and have their principal place of business in 
New Zealand:

Name of Entity

Principal Activity 

Parent

                          Interest held

SKY DMX Music Limited

Commercial Music

SKY Ventures Limited (previously Cricket Max Limited)

Investment

Media Finance Limited

Outside Broadcasting Limited 

Screen Enterprises Limited

Igloo Limited

Believe It Or Not Limited

Non-trading

Broadcasting services

Online DVD rental

Multi-channel pay television

Entertainment quizzes

SKY

SKY

SKY

SKY

SKY

SKY

SKY

2016

50.50%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

51.00%

2015

50.50%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

100.00%

51.00%

During the year Cricket Max Limited was renamed SKY Ventures Limited and given a mandate by the Board to undertake minority equity 
investments in certain early stage companies which are aligned to the Group’s strategic objectives. In March 2016 SKY Ventures acquired 
a 15.79% interest in 90 Seconds Pty Limited (a cloud video production company) for a cost of $4.8 million. This investment is classified  
as an available for sale financial asset, recognised initially and subsequently at fair value, with changes in fair value recognised in other 
comprehensive income.

 During the prior year the Group sold its interest in SKY Arena Limited. 

Basis of consolidation

The Group financial statements consolidate the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries.

The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries and businesses by the Group. The consideration 
transferred in a business combination is measured at fair value, which is calculated as the sum of the acquisition date fair value of the assets 
transferred and the liabilities incurred. Each identifiable asset and liability is generally measured at its acquisition date fair value except if another 
NZ IFRS requires another measurement basis. The excess of the consideration of the acquisition and the amount of any non-controlling interest 
in the acquired company, less the Group’s share of the net of the acquisition date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities 
assumed is recognised as goodwill. Acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred.

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  37

1. GENERAL INFORMATION (CONTINUED)
Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are entities that are controlled, either directly or indirectly, by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, 
or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns from its power over the entity. 
Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are deconsolidated from the date on which 
control ceases.

Intragroup balances and any unrealised gains and losses or income and expenses arising from intragroup transactions, are eliminated in 
preparing the consolidated financial statements. Unrealised losses are eliminated in the same way as are unrealised gains unless the transaction 
provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.

Transactions with non-controlling interests

Transactions with non-controlling interests that do not result in loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions – that is, as transactions 
with the owners in their capacity as owners. The difference between fair value of any consideration paid and the relevant share acquired of 
the carrying value of net assets of the subsidiary is recorded in equity. Gains or losses on disposals to non-controlling interests are also recorded 
in equity.

New standards, amendments and interpretations

Other than NZ IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments’, NZ IFRS 15 “Revenue from contracts with customers” and NZ IFRS 16 “Leases”, there are no new 
standards, amendments or interpretations that have been issued and effective, or not yet effective, that are expected to have a significant impact 
on the Group. The Group has yet to assess the full impact of NZ IFRS 9 (effective date: 1 January 2018), NZ IFRS 15 (effective date: 1 January 2018) 
and NZ IFRS 16 (effective date: 1 January 2019).

Goods and services tax (GST)

The statement of comprehensive income and statement of cash flows have been prepared so that all components are stated exclusive of GST. 
All items in the balance sheet are stated net of GST, with the exception of receivables and payables, which include GST invoiced.

Segmental reporting

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to SKY’s group of executive directors who are the 
chief operating decision-makers. SKY’s group of executive directors is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the 
operating segments. SKY operates in a single business segment; the provision of multi-channel television services in New Zealand. 

2. REVENUE

IN NZD 000

Residential satellite subscriptions

Other subscriptions

Advertising

Other revenue

2016

753,115

79,286

74,046

21,753

2015

760,000

71,183

69,540

26,802

928,200

927,525

Revenue comprises the fair value of the sales of goods and services, net of goods and services tax and is recognised as follows:

Subscription revenue – over the period to which the subscription relates. Unearned subscriptions and deferred revenues are revenues 
that have been invoiced relating to services not yet performed, principally subscriptions paid in advance (refer note 10);

Advertising revenue – over the period in which the advertising is screened;

Other revenue – when the product has been delivered to the customer or retailer or in the accounting period in which the actual service 
is provided. Other revenue comprises revenues received from installation of decoders and other non-subscriber related revenue. 

 
38  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
Financial StatementS (CONTINUED)

For the year ended 30 June 2016

3. OPERATING EXPENSES
Profit before tax includes the following separate expenses/(credits): 

IN NZD 000

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (1)

Impairment of property, plant and equipment

Amortisation of intangibles

Impairment of intangibles

Total depreciation, amortisation and impairment

Bad and doubtful debts

Movement in provision

Net write-off

Total bad and doubtful debts

Fees paid to external auditors 

Audit fees paid to principal auditors (2)

Other services by principal auditors

Audit of regulatory returns

Other assurance services (3)

Agreed upon procedures (4)

Advisory services by principal auditors

Treasury

Consulting services (5)

Total fees to external auditors 

Professional fees in relation to acquisition of Vodafone NZ

Employee costs (6)

KiwiSaver employer contributions

Donations

Operating lease and rental expenses

Related party transactions

Remuneration of key personnel (included in employee costs)

Directors’ fees

Total related party transactions

Notes

2016

2015

8

8

9

9

6

89,086

 –   

11,155

 –   

99,023

1,981

9,468

8,722

100,241

119,194

(218)

2,427

2,209

(27)

3,328

3,301

264

269

6

1

6

27

8

312

13,371

100,674

2,244

366

37,265

12,172

626

12,798

6

1

 –   

27

–

303

–

93,672

1,977

347

39,523

12,132

619

12,751

(1) The majority of depreciation, amortisation and impairment relates to broadcasting assets (refer note 8 and 9).

(2) The audit fee includes the fee for both the annual audit of the financial statements and the review of the interim financial statements.

(3) Other assurance services comprise reporting on trust deed requirements.

(4) Agreed upon procedures were undertaken in relation to the Special Shareholders Meeting. 

(5) Consulting services in relation to the economic contribution of the NZ film and TV sector. 

(6) All employee costs are short-term employee benefits. 

Leases under which all the risks and benefits of ownership are substantially retained by the lessor are classified as operating leases. 
Operating lease payments are recognised as an expense in the periods the amounts are payable. 

Employee entitlements to salaries and wages and annual leave, to be settled within 12 months of the reporting date represent present 
obligations resulting from employees’ services provided up to the reporting date, calculated at undiscounted amounts based on 
remuneration rates that the Group expects to pay.

Bonus plans are recognised as a liability and an expense for bonuses based on a formula that takes into account the economic value 
added by employees during the reporting period. The Group recognises this provision where contractually obliged or where there is a past 
practice that has created a constructive obligation.

 
 
 
 
 
 
4. Finance cOStS, net

IN NZD 000

Finance income

Interest income

Finance expense

Interest expense on bank loans

Interest expense on bonds

Finance lease interest

Amortisation of bond costs 

Bank facility finance fees

Total interest expense (net)

Unrealised exchange (gain)/loss – foreign currency payables

Unrealised exchange loss/(gain) – foreign currency hedges

Realised exchange gain – foreign currency payables

Realised exchange (loss)/gain – foreign currency hedges

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  39

2016

2015

(695)

(695)

2,127

15,995

31

573

1,653

20,379

(4,962)

5,267

(484)

550

(800)

(800)

3,570

16,412

571

571

1,372

22,496

4,742

(4,319)

(418)

(5)

20,055

21,696

Interest income is recognised on a time-proportion basis using the effective interest method, which is the rate that exactly discounts 
estimated future cash flow receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that asset’s net carrying amount.

Borrowing costs directly attributable to acquisition, construction or production of an asset that takes a substantial period of time to 
prepare for its intended use are capitalised as part of the cost of the respective assets. All other borrowing costs are expensed in the period 
in which they are incurred. Borrowing costs consist of interest and other costs that the Group incurs with the borrowing of funds.

Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the foreign exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Non-monetary items 
carried at fair value that are denominated in foreign currencies are translated to New Zealand dollars at the rates prevailing on the date 
when the fair value was determined. Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not  
re-translated. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of foreign currency transactions and from the translation at 
the year-end exchange rate of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in profit and loss except 
where hedge accounting is applied and foreign exchange gains and losses are deferred in other comprehensive income.

 
40  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
Financial StatementS (CONTINUED)

For the year ended 30 June 2016

5. TAXATION
Income tax expense

The total charge for the year can be reconciled to the accounting profit as follows:

IN NZD 000

Profit before tax

Prima facie tax expense at 28%

Non deductible expenses

Prior year adjustment

Other

Income tax expense

Allocated between

Current tax payable

Deferred tax

Income tax expense

Imputation credits

IN NZD 000

Imputation credits available for subsequent reporting periods based on a tax rate of 28%.

2016

204,990

57,397

585

(115)

 –   

2015

238,879

66,886

613

(171)

(213)

57,867

67,115

56,261

1,606

 57,867 

69,683

(2,568)

 67,115 

2016

 77,347 

2015

 67,066 

The above amounts represent the balance of the imputation account as at the end of the reporting period adjusted for:

•  Imputation credits that will arise from the payment of the amount of the provision for income tax.

•  Imputation debits that will arise from the payment of dividends (excluding the final dividend announced in August).

 Availability of these credits is subject to continuity of ownership requirements. 

Current income tax expense

 Income tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax, except to the extent that it relates to items 
recognised directly in other comprehensive income, in which case the tax expense is also recognised in other comprehensive income. 
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit as reported in profit and loss because 
it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable 
or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated using the rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the 
balance date.

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  41

5. TAXATION (CONTINUED)
Deferred tax liabilities and (assets)

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets and the movements thereon during the current and prior reporting periods.

IN NZD 000

For the year ended 30 June 2016

At 1 July 2015

NZ IAS 39 hedging adjustment credited direct  
to other comprehensive income

(Credited)/charged to profit and loss 

Balance at 30 June 2016

Deferred tax reversing within 12 months

Deferred tax to reverse after more than 12 months

For the year ended 30 June 2015
At 1 July 2014

NZ IAS 39 hedging adjustment credited direct  
to other comprehensive income 

(Credited)/charged to profit and loss 

Balance at 30 June 2015
Deferred tax reversing within 12 months

Deferred tax to reverse after more than 12 months

Notes

Fixed 
assets

Leased 
assets

Other

Hedges 
through 
equity

Total

9,028

28,978

(1,576)

12,008

48,438

13

 –

 –

 – 

(13,997)

(13,997)

2,888

11,916

2,610

9,306

11,916

2,139

31,117

(5,348)

36,465

31,117

(3,421)

(4,997)

(4,997)

 –

(4,997)

 – 

(1,989)

(721)

(1,268)

(1,989)

16,647

26,378

(4,027)

(3,943)

13

 –

(7,619)

9,028

2,409

6,619

9,028

 –

 – 

15,951

2,600

28,978

(114)

29,092

28,978

2,451

(1,576)

(1,576)

 – 

12,008

5,676

6,332

(1,576)

12,008

 – 

(2,568)

1,606

36,047

(8,456)

44,503

36,047

35,055

15,951

48,438

6,395

42,043

48,438

Certain deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset as allowed under NZ IAS 12 where there is a legally enforceable right to set off current 
tax assets against current tax liabilities and where the deferred tax assets and liabilities are levied by the same taxation authority.

Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets 
and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the financial statements. Deferred income tax is not accounted for if it arises from initial 
recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction, other than a business combination, that at the time of the transaction neither affects 
accounting nor taxable profit or loss. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted 
by the balance date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the deferred income tax liability 
is settled. Deferred income tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against 
which the temporary differences can be utilised.

Key estimates and assumptions

Deferred tax assets are recognised for unused tax losses and other deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable 
that taxable profit will be available against which the losses and other deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Significant 
management judgement is required to determine the amount of deferred tax assets that can be recognised based upon the likely timing 
and level of future taxable profits. No deferred tax asset has been recognised in relation to Igloo Limited’s (IGLOO) accumulated losses of 
$12,150,000 (30 June 2015: $12,150,000). Those tax losses can be carried forward for use against future taxable profits of IGLOO subject 
to meeting the requirements of the income tax legislation including shareholder continuity. 

 
42  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
Financial StatementS (CONTINUED)

For the year ended 30 June 2016

6. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

IN NZD 000

Trade receivables

Less provision for impairment of receivables

Trade receivables – net

Other receivables 

Prepaid expenses

Balance at end of year

Deduct prepaid expenses

Balance financial instruments 

IN NZD 000

Residential subscribers

Commercial subscribers

Wholesale customers

Advertising

Commercial music

Other

Note

2016

 62,120 

(763)

 61,357 

 678 

 7,995 

2015

 64,404 

(981)

 63,423 

 830 

 5,256 

 70,030 

 69,509 

14

(7,995)

62,035

(5,256)

64,253

Gross

Impairment

Gross

Impairment

2016

2015

36,435

5,269

10,190

7,057

129

3,040

62,120

244

54

–  

103

17

345

763

40,653

4,792

10,046

6,111

102

2,700

64,404

531

13

–  

156

9

272

981

Trade and other receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest 
method, less provision for impairment. Collectability of trade receivables is reviewed on an on-going basis. Debts which are known to be 
uncollectible are written off. A provision for impairment of trade receivables is established when there is objective evidence, such as default 
or delinquency in payments, that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables. 
The amount of the provision is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of the estimated future cash flows, 
discounted at the effective interest rate. The amount of the provision is expensed in profit and loss.

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  43

6. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES (CONTINUED)
As at 30 June, the ageing analysis of trade receivables is as follows:

IN NZD 000

Not past due

Past due 0-30 days

Past due 31-60 days

Past due 61-90 days

Greater than 90 days

Neither 
past due nor 
impaired

53,359

– 

–

–

– 

53,359

2016

Past due  
but not 
impaired

– 

5,863

1,005

331

799 

7,998

Neither 
past due nor 
impaired

55,589

– 

–

– 

– 

55,589

Impaired

11

65

40

215

432

763

2015

Past due  
but not 
 impaired

– 

6,380

1,105

225

124 

7,834

Impaired

– 

51

88

258

584

981

Accounts receivables relating to advertising sales are individually impaired when it is clear that the debt is unlikely to be recovered. Impairment 
for all other trade receivables is calculated as a percentage of overdue subscribers in various time buckets based on historical performance of 
subscriber payments.

Movements in the provision for impairment of receivables were as follows:

IN NZD 000

Opening balance

Charged during the year

Utilised during the year

Closing balance

Notes

3

2016

981

2,209

(2,427)

 763 

2015

 1,008 

 3,301 

(3,328)

981

The creation and release of the provision for impaired receivables has been included in subscriber related costs in profit and loss. Amounts 
charged to the allowance account are generally written off when there is no expectation of receiving additional cash. The maximum exposure 
to credit risk at the reporting date is the fair value of each class of receivable. The Group does not hold any collateral as security.

7. PROGRAMME RIGHTS INVENTORY

IN NZD 000

Cost

Less utilisation

Balance at end of year

2016

 147,670 

(67,905)

 79,765 

2015

 136,983 

(64,170)

 72,813 

The current year programme rights’ utilisation charge of $271,658,000 (2015: $236,868,000) is included within programming expenses in profit 
and loss.

Programme rights are recognised at cost, as an asset in the balance sheet provided the programme is available and the rights period has 
commenced at the balance date. Long-term sports rights are executory contracts as the obligation to pay for the rights does not arise until 
the event has been delivered. Most sports rights contracts are, however, payable in advance and as such, are recognised only to the extent 
of the portion of the amount paid not yet utilised. Rights are expensed over the period they relate to on a proportionate basis depending 
on the type of programme right and the expected screening dates, generally not exceeding twelve months. Any rights not expected to be 
utilised are written off during the period.

 
44  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
Financial StatementS (CONTINUED)

For the year ended 30 June 2016

8. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

IN NZD 000

For the year ended 30 June 2016

Cost 

Balance at 1 July 2015

Transfer between categories

Transfer to software assets

Additions

Disposals

Balance at 30 June 2016

Accumulated depreciation

Balance at 1 July 2015

Depreciation for the year

Disposals

Balance at 30 June 2016

Net book value at 30 June 2016

For the year ended 30 June 2015

Cost

Balance at 1 July 2014

Transfer between categories

Transfer to software assets

Additions

Disposals

Balance at 30 June 2015

Accumulated depreciation

Balance at 1 July 2014

Depreciation for the year

Impairment charge

Disposals

Balance at 30 June 2015

Net book value at 30 June 2015

Land, 
buildings and 
leasehold 
improvements

Broadcasting 
and studio 
equipment

Decoders and 
associated 
equipment

Capitalised 
installation 
costs

Other  
plant and 
equipment

Projects 
under 
development

Total

 58,199 

 2,409 

 – 

 2,986 

(5)

 158,539 

 452,128 

 427,338 

78

– 

703

(4,052)

 – 

 – 

–

–

 67,292 

(39,038)

 32,559 

(56,367)

 78,241 

 2,043 

–

 2,039 

(772)

 38,553 

1,212,998

(4,530)

(26,023)

 10,655 

–

(26,023)

116,234

–

(100,234)

63,589

155,268

480,382

403,530

81,551

18,655

1,202,975

18,213

 2,266 

(1)

20,478

43,111

130,152

9,501

(4,042)

398,063

30,169

336,924

39,189

(39,038)

(56,367)

135,611

389,194

319,746

19,657

91,188

83,784

 51,103 

 154,687 

 536,104 

 579,571 

 115 

 – 

 7,134 

(153)

 9,909 

– 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 8,606 

 22,298 

 29,692 

(14,663)

(106,274)

(181,925)

47,427

7,961

(758)

54,630

26,921

 69,433 

 3,793 

–

 7,656 

(2,641)

–

–

–

–

930,779

89,086

(100,206)

919,659

18,655

283,316

 22,844 

1,413,742

(13,817)

(991)

–

(991)

 30,517 

105,903

–

(305,656)

58,199

158,539

452,128

427,338

78,241

38,553

1,212,998

16,262

 1,996 

 – 

(45)

18,213

39,986

134,781

10,009

–

469,025

35,312

 – 

475,068

43,781

–

(14,638)

(106,274)

(181,925)

130,152

398,063

336,924

28,387

54,065

90,414

40,149

7,925

1,981

(2,628)

47,427

30,814

–

–

–

–

–

1,135,285

99,023

1,981

(305,510)

930,779

38,553

282,219

Land, buildings and leasehold improvements at 30 June 2016 includes land with a cost of $8,820,000 (30 June 2015: $8,820,000).

In the current year there are no assets subject to finance leases. In the prior year the net book value of assets held by subsidiaries and subject to 
finance leases totalled $2,825,000 of which $2,457,000 was included in broadcasting and studio equipment and $368,000 was included in other 
plant and equipment.

Depreciation related to broadcasting assets (including decoders and capitalised installation costs) of $78,859,000 (30 June 2015: $89,102,000) 
accounts for the majority of the total depreciation charge. Due to immateriality of the remaining depreciation, no allocation has been made 
across expense categories in profit and loss.  

 
SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  45

8. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (CONTINUED)

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses except land which is shown at 
cost less impairment. Cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. Capitalised installation costs 
are represented by the cost of satellite dishes, installation costs and direct labour costs. Where parts of an item of property, plant and 
equipment have different useful lives, they are accounted for as separate items of property, plant and equipment.

Subsequent costs are included in the asset’s carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable 
that the future economic benefits embodied within the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. 
The cost of additions to plant and other assets constructed by the Group consist of all appropriate costs of development, construction 
and installation, comprising material, labour, direct overhead and transport costs. For qualifying assets directly attributable interest costs 
incurred during the period required to complete and prepare the asset for its intended use are capitalised as part of the total cost. All other 
costs are recognised in profit and loss as an expense as incurred. Additions in the current year include $575,000 of capitalised labour costs 
(30 June 2015: $1,686,000)

Costs may also include transfers from equity of any gains or losses on qualifying cash flow hedges of foreign currency purchases of 
property, plant and equipment.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and recognised in other costs in 
profit and loss.

Depreciation

Property, plant and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method so as to allocate the costs of assets to their residual values 
over their estimated useful lives as follows:

Assets

Land

Leasehold improvements

Buildings

Broadcasting and studio equipment

Decoders and associated equipment

Other plant and equipment

Capitalised installation costs

Time

Nil

5 – 50 years

50 years

5 – 10 years

4 – 5 years

3 – 10 years

5 years

Projects under development are not depreciated until commissioned. 

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each balance date.

Key estimates and assumptions

The estimated life of technical assets such as decoders and other broadcasting assets is based on management’s best estimates.  
Changes in technology may result in the economic life of these assets being different from that estimated previously. The board and 
management regularly review economic life assumptions of these assets as part of management reporting procedures.

 
 
46  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
Financial StatementS (CONTINUED)

For the year ended 30 June 2016

9. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

IN NZD 000

For the year ended 30 June 2016

Cost 

Balance at 1 July 2015

Transfer from projects under development

Additions

Disposals

Balance at 30 June 2016

Accumulated amortisation

Balance at 1 July 2015

Amortisation for the year

Disposals

Balance at 30 June 2016

Net book value at 30 June 2016

For the year ended 30 June 2015

Cost

Balance at 1 July 2014

Transfer from projects under development

Additions

Disposals

Balance at 30 June 2015

Accumulated amortisation

Balance at 1 July 2014

Amortisation for the year

Impairment charge

Disposals

Balance at 30 June 2015

Net book value at 30 June 2015

Software

Broadcasting 
rights

Other 
intangibles

Indefinite life 
goodwill

Total

 96,849 

 26,023 

 15,949 

(5,228)

 2,185 

 3,167 

 1,426,293 

 1,528,494 

–   

–   

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 26,023 

 15,949 

(5,228)

133,593

2,185

3,167

1,426,293

1,565,238

 81,535 

 10,300 

(5,228)

 86,607 

46,986

 88,206 

 991 

 8,789 

(1,137)

96,849

 65,551 

 9,361 

 7,760 

(1,137)

 81,535 

15,314

 564 

 855 

–

 1,419 

766

 3,078 

–

–

 3,078 

 962 

–

–

 962 

 86,139 

 11,155 

(5,228)

 92,066 

89

1,425,331

1,473,172

 2,185 

 3,167 

 1,426,293 

 1,519,851 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 991 

 8,789 

(1,137)

2,185

3,167

1,426,293

1,528,494

 457 

 107 

–

–

 564 

1,621

 3,078 

–

–

–

 3,078 

–

–

 962 

–

 962 

 69,086 

 9,468 

 8,722 

(1,137)

 86,139 

89

1,425,331

1,442,355

The majority of the amortisation and impairment charge relates to broadcasting intangibles. Consequently no allocation has been made across 
expense categories in profit and loss.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net identifiable assets, liabilities 
and contingent liabilities of the acquired subsidiary at the date of acquisition and the fair value of the non-controlling interest in the acquiree. 
The goodwill balance is allocated to the Group’s single operating segment. The majority of the goodwill ($1,422,115,000) arose as a result of 
the acquisition of SKY by Independent Newspapers Limited (INL) in 2005. Subsequent acquisitions have resulted in immaterial increases 
to goodwill.

Broadcasting rights, consisting of UHF spectrum licences, are recognised at cost and are amortised on a straight-line basis over the lesser 
of the period of the licence term and 20 years.

Software development costs recognised as assets are amortised over their estimated useful lives (three to five years).

Direct costs associated with the development of broadcasting and business software for internal use are capitalised where it is probable 
that the asset will generate future economic benefits. Capitalised costs include external direct costs of materials and services consumed 
and direct payroll-related costs for employees (including contractors) directly associated with the project and interest costs incurred 
during the development stage of a project. Additions in the current year to software include $9,591,000 of accumulated capitalised labour 
costs, $5,707,000 of which were incurred in the current year (30 June 2015: $1,672,000).

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  47

9. INTANGIBLE ASSETS (CONTINUED)

Key estimates and assumptions

Assets that are subject to amortisation and depreciation are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances 
indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying 
amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value-in-use. 
Impairment losses in the prior year represent the write-down of certain intangible assets where the estimated recoverable amount is less 
than the carrying value.

In the prior year the impairment loss of $7,760,000 represented the write-down of certain intangible assets relating to new products to the 
recoverable amount. The impairment was recognised because it is considered unlikely that these products will generate future cash flows 
in excess of the carrying value. 

Assets that have an indefinite useful life, for example goodwill, are not subject to amortisation and are tested at each reporting date for 
impairment and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

The Group operates as a single business segment and monitors goodwill for the business as a whole. If the testing indicates the carrying 
value exceeds the recoverable amount, goodwill is considered to be impaired. The recoverable amounts of cash generating units (CGU’s) 
have been determined based on value-in-use calculations. The value-in-use calculation is based on estimated future cash flows derived 
from the most recent financial budgets and forecasts approved by management for the next five years and incorporates a present value 
calculation based on a long term growth rate of 0% and a pre-tax discount rate of 12.5%. In the prior year the long term growth rate was 
0.0% and the pre-tax discount rate was 12.5%.

Key assumptions are subscriber numbers, churn rates, foreign exchange rates, expected changes to revenue and costs and a discount rate 
based on current market rates adjusted for risks specific to the business. Growth rates are based on expected forecasts and changes in 
prices and direct costs based on past practice and expectations of future changes in the market. 

The Group also compares its estimated recoverable amount with the market capitalisation value at the balance date.

Sensitivity of recoverable amounts

The assessment of value-in-use is most sensitive to the assumptions made for the net gain in subscriber numbers and the USD/NZD 
exchange rate. Based on the sensitivity analysis carried out, directors believe that no reasonable change in any of the key assumptions 
would cause the carrying value of goodwill to exceed its recoverable amount.

 
48  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
Financial StatementS (CONTINUED)

For the year ended 30 June 2016

10. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

IN NZD 000

Trade payables

Unearned subscriptions and deferred revenue

Employee entitlements

Accruals

Balance at end of year

Less

Unearned subscriptions and deferred revenue

Balance financial instruments 

Note

2016

 84,302 

 66,175 

 15,353 

 34,987 

2015

 75,582 

 66,238 

 13,495 

 28,903 

 200,817 

 184,218 

14

(66,175)

134,642

(66,238)

117,980

Trade and other payables are initially measured at fair value and are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective 
interest method.

11. BORROWINGS

IN NZD 000

Bank loans

Bonds

Lease liabilities

Repayment terms

IN NZD 000

Less than one year

Between one and five years

More than five years

Bank Loans

2016

Current

Non-current

 – 

 199,912 

–

 49,468 

 98,705 

–

Total

 49,468 

 298,617 

–

 199,912 

 148,173 

 348,085 

2016

 199,912 

 49,468 

 98,705 

 348,085 

2015

Current

Non-current

– 

 –

3,294

 3,294 

 49,424 

 298,045 

–

Total

 49,424 

 298,045 

 3,294 

 347,469 

 350,763 

2015

 3,294 

 249,037 

 98,432 

 350,763 

The Group has a four year revolving credit bank facility expiring 17 July 2020 from a syndicate of banks comprising ANZ National Bank Limited, 
Bank of New Zealand, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Westpac Bank. In July 2015, SKY increased the facility limit from $200 million to 
$250 million. In June 2016, the facility limit was increased to $350 million. Interest is charged on drawings under the facility at a rate between 
1.45% and 2.15% per annum above the average bid rate for the purchase of bank accepted bills of exchange. There is a commitment fee 
payable on the undrawn balance of the facility of between 0.96% and 0.64% per annum. There are no required repayment tranches of the facility. 
The facility can be partially or fully cancelled at SKY’s discretion. In July 2016 the bank facility limit was decreased to $300 million. In the prior 
year, SKY decreased its facility limit from $400 million to $200 million. No security other than a negative pledge over the total Group’s assets  
has been provided.

Cash balances held with the Bank of New Zealand are subject to a netting arrangement. Bank overdrafts of $2,744,000 (30 June 2015: 
$3,022,000) have been set off against the cash balances.

Interest-bearing borrowings are recognised initially at fair value less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, 
interest-bearing borrowings are stated at amortised cost with any difference between cost and redemption value being recognised in profit 
and loss over the period of the borrowings, using the effective interest method. Arrangement fees are amortised over the term of the loan 
facility. Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at 
least 12 months after the balance date.

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and call deposits with maturities of three months or less. Bank overdrafts that are 
repayable on demand and which form an integral part of the Group’s cash management are included as a component of cash and cash 
equivalents for the purpose of the statement of cash flows.

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  49

11. BORROWINGS (CONTINUED)

Bonds

On 16 October 2006, the Group issued bonds for a value of $200 million which were fully subscribed (Bond A). 

On 31 March 2014 the Group issued bonds for a value of $100 million which were fully subscribed (Bond B).

Terms and conditions of outstanding bonds are as follows:

Nominal interest rate

Market yield

Issue date

Date of maturity

IN NZD 000

Carrying amount

Fair value

Face value

2016

2015

Bond A

3.38%

4.97%

16-Oct-06

16-Oct-16

 199,912 

 199,000 

 200,000 

Bond B

6.25%

4.01%

31-Mar-14

31-Mar-21

 98,705 

 109,644 

 100,000 

Bond A

4.43%

5.48%

16-Oct-06

16-Oct-16

 199,613 

 199,200 

 200,000 

Bond B

6.25%

4.72%

31-Mar-14

31-Mar-21

 98,432 

 107,655 

 100,000 

Bonds are recognised initially at fair value less costs of issue. Costs of issue are amortised over the period of the bonds. Subsequent to initial 
recognition, bonds are stated at amortised cost with any difference between cost and redemption value being recognised in profit and loss 
over the period of the bonds, using the effective interest method. Bonds are classified in the balance sheet as non-current liabilities unless 
settlement of the liability is due within twelve months after the balance date.

The difference between carrying amount and fair value has not been recognised in the financial statements as the bonds are intended to be 
held until maturity.

Lease Liabilities

The Group has no obligations under finance leases in the current year. The prior year obligation of $3,294,000 has been repaid in full.

Interest paid in the current period includes $31,000 (2015: $571,000) relating to finance leases. The effective interest rate is 6.8%.

The fair value of the finance lease liabilities at 30 June 2016 was $Nil (30 June 2015: $3,294,000). 

Leases in terms of which the Group assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership are classified as finance leases. 
Assets acquired under finance leases are included as non-current assets in the balance sheet. The lower of fair value and the present 
value of the minimum lease payments is recognised as an asset at the beginning of the lease term and depreciated on a straight-line basis 
over the shorter of the lease term or the expected useful life of the leased asset. A corresponding liability is also established and each 
lease payment is allocated between the liability and interest expense so as to produce a constant period rate of interest on the remaining 
balance of the liability.   

 
50  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
Financial StatementS (CONTINUED)

For the year ended 30 June 2016

12. DeRiVatiVe Financial inStRUmentS 

2016

2015

IN NZD 000

Notes

Assets

Liabilities

Notional 
amounts

Assets

Liabilities

Notional 
amounts

Interest rate swaps – cash flow hedges

Interest rate swaps – fair value through profit and loss

Total interest rate derivatives
Forward foreign exchange contracts – cash flow 
hedges

 –   

 105 

105

(9,663)

 198,000 

 –  

 10,000 

(9,663)

 208,000 

 9 

–   

9

(8,132)

 188,000 

–   

 –  

(8,132)

 188,000 

9,481

(7,594)

 478,778 

51,662

(979)

 501,589 

Forward foreign exchange contracts – dedesignated

 –   

(3,364)

 55,057 

 5,559 

(4)

 41,071 

Total forward foreign exchange derivatives

9,481

9,586

(10,958)

 533,835 

(20,621)

 741,835 

57,221

57,230

(983)

 542,660 

(9,115)

 730,660 

Analysed as:

Current

Non-current

Derivatives used for hedging – cash flow hedges 

At fair value through profit or loss

14

14

2,982

 6,604 

9,586

9,481

(9,670)

279,281

28,424

(10,951)

462,554

 28,806 

(1,320)

(7,795)

253,160

477,500

(20,621)

741,835

57,230

(9,115)

730,660

(17,257)

676,778

 105 

(3,364)

65,057

51,671

 5,559 

(9,111)

689,589

(4)

41,071

Exchange rates

Foreign exchange rates used at balance date for the New Zealand dollar are:

9,586

(20,621)

741,835

57,230

(9,115)

730,660

USD

AUD

GBP

EUR

JPY

2016

0.7091

0.9544

0.5276

0.6385

2015

0.6802

0.8864

0.4333

0.6091

72.7466

83.2497

Forward foreign exchange contracts

The hedged highly probable forecast transactions denominated in foreign currency are expected to occur at various dates during  
the next 36 months. Gains and losses recognised in the hedging reserve in equity (note 13) on forward exchange contracts as of  
30 June 2016 are recognised in profit and loss in the period or periods during which the hedged forecast transaction affects profit  
and loss. Generally, the gain or loss is recognised as a basis price adjustment for the purchase of programme rights, and is written  
off to profit and loss over the rights’ period.

Credit risk – derivative financial instruments

The maximum exposure to credit risk on the derivative financial instruments is the value of the derivative assets’ receivable portion of $9,586,000 
(2015: $57,230,000).

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  51

12. DeRiVatiVe Financial inStRUmentS (CONTINUED)

Exposure to currency risk

The Group’s exposure to foreign currency risk that has been covered by forward foreign exchange contracts is as follows:

IN NZD 000

Foreign currency payables 

Dedesignated forward exchange contracts

Net balance sheet exposure

Forward exchange contracts (for forecasted transactions)

326,853

151,248

Total forward exchange contracts

361,104

172,054

2016

2015

USD

AUD

Other

USD

AUD

Other

(26,592)

(24,542)

34,251

7,659

20,806

(3,736)

–

 –  

 –  

677

677

(24,970)

(21,653)

24,772

(198)

16,299

(5,354)

375,613

124,845

400,385

141,144

 –   

 –   

 –  
1,131

1,131

Sensitivity analysis

A 10% strengthening or weakening of the NZD against the following currencies as at 30 June would have resulted in changes to equity  
(hedging reserve) and unrealised gain/losses (before tax) as shown below. Based on historical movements, a 10% increase or decrease in  
the NZD is considered to be a reasonable estimate. This analysis assumes that all other variables, in particular interest rates, remain constant.  
The analysis is performed on the same basis for the prior year.

IN NZD 000 gain/(loss)

As at 30 June 2016

Foreign currency payables

USD 

AUD

Foreign exchange hedges

USD

AUD

Other

As at 30 June 2015

Foreign currency payables

USD 

AUD

Foreign exchange hedges

USD

AUD

Other

10% rate increase

10% rate decrease

Equity

Profit 
or loss

Equity

Profit 
or loss

 –   

–   

(29,112)

(13,018)

(62)

(42,192)

 –  

 –  

(35,991)

(11,579)

(108)

(47,678)

2,417

2,230

(2,812)

(1,843)

 –   

(8)

1,968

2,270

(2,669)

(1,525)

–

44

 –   

 –

(2,954)

(2,726)

35,582

15,911

75

51,568

3,437

2,253

 –   

10

–   

–

(2,413)

(2,774)

43,989

14,153

132

58,274

3,262

1,864

–

(61)

 
52  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
Financial StatementS (CONTINUED)

For the year ended 30 June 2016

12. DeRiVatiVe Financial inStRUmentS (CONTINUED)

Interest rates

During the year ended 30 June 2016, interest rates on borrowings varied in the range of 3.2% to 6.5% (2015: 2.6% to 6.5%).

The Group’s interest rate structure is as follows:

IN NZD 000

Assets

2016

2015

Effective 
interest rate

Notes

Current Non-current

Effective 
interest rate

Current Non-current

Cash and cash equivalents

2.02%

22,863

– 

3.28%

17,895

 –  

Liabilities

Bank loans

Bonds

Lease liabilities

Derivatives

Floating to fixed interest rate swaps

Fixed to floating interest rate swaps

11

11

11

6.19%

5.33%

 –   

 –   

(49,468)

(199,912)

(98,705)

 –    

 –   

–    

–    

198,000

 10,000 

6.46%

5.40%

6.80%

 –  

 –   

(49,424)

(298,045)

(3,294)

–   

–   

–   

188,000

–  

(177,049)

59,827

14,601

(159,469)

Gains and losses recognised in the hedging reserve in equity (note 13) on interest rate hedges as at 30 June 2016 will be continuously released 
to profit and loss within finance cost until the repayment of the bank borrowings and bonds. It is anticipated that the revolving credit facility will 
be utilised to repay the bond due on 16th October 2016. The interest rate swaps currently designated to the bond will be redesignated to the 
floating rate debt.

Sensitivity analysis for interest-bearing instruments

A change of 100 basis points in interest rates on the reporting date, would have (increased)/decreased equity (hedging reserve) and profit or loss 
(before tax) by the amounts shown below. Based on historical movements a 100 basis point movement is considered to be a reasonably possible 
estimate. The analysis is performed on the same basis for the prior year. This analysis assumes that all other variables remain constant.

IN NZD 000 gain/(loss)

As at 30 June 2016

Expense/(income)

Variable rate instruments – bank loans

Interest rate hedges – cash flow

As at 30 June 2015

Expense/(income)

Variable rate instruments – bank loans

Interest rate hedges – cash flow

100 BP increase

100 BP decrease

Equity

Profit 
and loss

Equity

Profit 
and loss

 –   

(3,507)

(3,507)

 –  

(5,026)

(5,026)

 266

 –   

266

314

–   

314

–  

3,633

3,633

 –   

5,240

5,240

(266)

–  

(266)

(314)

 –   

(314)

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  53

12. DeRiVatiVe Financial inStRUmentS (CONTINUED)

Derivative financial instruments are used to hedge the Group’s exposure to foreign exchange and interest rate risks. The Group does not 
hold or issue derivatives for trading purposes. However derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting are accounted for as trading 
instruments. Derivative financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are 
re-measured at their fair value at subsequent reporting dates. The method of recognising the resulting gain or loss depends on whether 
the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument and, if so, the nature of the item being hedged. 

At inception the Group documents the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management 
objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives designated as hedges to 
specific assets and liabilities or to specific firm commitments or forecast transactions. The Group also documents its assessment, both at 
hedge inception and on an on-going basis, of whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting 
changes in cash flows of hedged items.

Derivatives consist mainly of currency forwards and interest rate swaps. The fair value is recognised in the hedging reserve within equity 
until such time as the hedged item will affect profit and loss. The amounts accumulated in equity are either released to profit and loss or 
used to adjust the carrying value of assets purchased. For example, when hedging forecast purchases of programme rights in foreign 
currency, the gains and losses previously deferred in equity are transferred from equity and included in the initial measurement of the cost 
of the programme rights. The deferred amounts are ultimately recognised in programme rights’ expenses in profit and loss. 

Amounts accumulated in the hedging reserve in equity on interest rate swaps are recycled in profit and loss in the periods when the 
hedged item affects profit and loss (for example when the forecast interest payment that is hedged is made). The gain or loss relating to any 
ineffective portion is recognised in profit and loss as “interest rate swaps – fair value” in finance costs. The gain or loss relating to interest rate 
swaps which do not qualify for hedge accounting is recognised in profit and loss within the interest expense charge in “finance costs, net”.

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain or 
loss existing in equity at that time remains in equity and is recognised when the forecast transaction is ultimately recognised in profit and 
loss. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss that was reported in equity is immediately 
transferred to profit and loss. Changes in the fair value of any derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are 
recognised immediately in profit and loss.

 
54  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
Financial StatementS (CONTINUED)

For the year ended 30 June 2016

13. EQUITY

Share capital

Shares on issue at 30 June 2016 and 30 June 2015

Number of shares 
(000)

Ordinary shares 
(NZD 000)

389,140

577,403

Ordinary shares are fully paid and have no par value. The shares rank equally, carry voting rights and participate in distributions. 

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share

Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing the profit attributable to equity holders of the Company by the weighted average number of 
ordinary shares in issue during the year.

Profit after tax attributable to equity holders of Parent (NZD 000)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares on issue (thousands)

Basic earnings per share (cents)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

Issued ordinary shares at beginning of year

Issued ordinary shares at end of year 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares

Diluted earnings per share

2016

146,718

389,140

37.70

2015

171,581

389,140

44.09

Number

Number

389,139,785

389,139,785

389,139,785

389,139,785

389,139,785

389,139,785

Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average of ordinary shares outstanding to assume conversion of all dilutive 
potential ordinary shares. SKY had no dilutive potential ordinary shares during the current or prior period. 

Hedging reserve

IN NZD 000

Balance at 1 July

Cash flow hedges

Unrealised gains/(losses) during the year

Transfer to basis price adjustment programme rights inventory

Transfer to operating expenses

Deferred tax 

Balance at end of year

Notes

5

2016

30,880

(44,681)

(3,865)

(1,443)

13,997

(35,992)

(5,112)

2015

(10,141)

59,060

(131)

(1,957)

(15,951)

41,021

30,880

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  55

14. Financial RiSK manaGement

Financial risk management objectives

The Group undertakes transactions in a range of financial instruments which include cash and cash deposits, receivables, payables, derivatives 
and various forms of borrowings including bonds and bank loans.

These activities result in exposure to financial risks that include market risk (currency risk, fair value interest rate risk, cash flow interest rate risk 
and price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk.

The Group seeks to minimise the effects of currency and interest rate risks by using derivative financial instruments to hedge these risk 
exposures. The use of financial derivatives is governed by the Group’s policies approved by the board of directors, which provides written 
principles on foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, the use of financial derivatives and non-derivative financial instruments, and 
the investment of excess liquidity. The Group does not enter into or trade financial instruments, including derivative financial instruments, 
for speculative purposes.

The Corporate Treasury function reports monthly to the board of directors. The board has an audit and risk committee which is responsible for 
developing and monitoring the Group’s risk management policies.

Market risk

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as foreign exchange rates and interest rates, will affect the Group’s income or the 
value of its holdings of financial instruments. The objective of market risk management is to manage and control market risk exposures within 
acceptable parameters, while optimising the return on risk.

The Group buys and sells derivatives in the ordinary course of business, and also incurs financial liabilities, in order to manage market risks. 
All such transactions are carried out within the guidelines set by the board. Generally the Group seeks to apply hedge accounting in order to 
manage income statement volatility.

a) Foreign exchange risk

The Group is exposed to foreign exchange risk arising from various currency exposures primarily with respect to the Australian dollar and the 
United States dollar in relation to purchases of programme rights and the lease of transponders on the satellite. Foreign exchange risk arises 
when purchases are denominated in a currency that is not the entity’s functional currency. The net position in each foreign currency is managed 
by using forward currency contracts and foreign currency options and collars to limit the Group’s exposure to currency risk.

The Group’s risk management policy is to hedge foreign capital expenditure (Capex) and foreign operating expenditure (Opex) in accordance 
with the following parameters. Approximately 90% of anticipated transactions in each major currency qualify as ‘highly probable’ forecast 
transactions for hedge accounting purposes.

Capex

Capex order greater than NZD $250,000

Opex

Fixed commitments

Opex

Variable commitments

Period

Time of issuing order

Up to 3 years

> 3 years

0-12 months

13-24 months

25-26 months

Minimum 
hedging

100%

100%

0%

85%

0%

0%

Maximum 
hedging

100%

100%

100%

95%

50%

30%

 
56  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
Financial StatementS (CONTINUED)

For the year ended 30 June 2016

14. Financial RiSK manaGement (CONTINUED)

b) Cash flow and fair value interest rate risk

The Group’s interest rate risk arises from long-term borrowings. Borrowings issued at variable rates expose the Group to cash flow interest rate 
risk. Borrowings issued at fixed rates expose the Group to fair value interest rate risk. Group policy is to maintain its borrowings in fixed rate 
instruments as follows:

Variable rate borrowings

Period

1-3 years

3-5 years

5-10 years

Minimum 
hedging

Maximum 
hedging

20%

20%

0%

80%

60%

30%

The Group manages its cash flow interest rate risk by using floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps. Such interest rate swaps have the economic 
effect of converting borrowings from floating rates to fixed rates. Under the interest rate swaps, the Group agrees with other parties to exchange, 
at specified intervals (quarterly), the difference between fixed contract rates and floating rate interest amounts calculated by reference to the 
agreed notional principal amounts. The Group also enters into fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps to hedge fair value interest rate risk arising 
where it has borrowed at fixed rates.

c) Price risk

The Group does not have any price risk exposure. 

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations 
and arises from cash and cash equivalents, deposits with banks, derivative financial instruments and the Group’s receivables from customers.

The Group has no significant concentrations of credit risk.  

Credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited due to the large number of subscribers included in the Group’s subscriber base. In addition, 
receivables balances are monitored on an on-going basis with the result that the Group’s exposure to bad debts is not significant. The Group 
establishes an allowance for impairment that represents its estimate of incurred losses in respect of trade receivables. The main components of 
this allowance are a specific loss component that relates to individually significant exposures, and a collective loss component established for 
groups of similar assets in respect of losses that have been incurred but not yet identified. The collective loss allowance is determined based on 
historical data of payment statistics for similar financial assets. The maximum exposure is the carrying amount as disclosed in note 6.   

Derivative counterparties and cash transactions are limited to high credit quality financial institutions. The Group has policies that limit the 
amount of credit exposure to any one financial institution. 

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. Prudent liquidity risk management implies 
maintaining sufficient cash and cash equivalents, the availability of funding through an adequate amount of committed credit facilities and the 
ability to close out market positions. The Group aims to maintain flexibility in funding by keeping committed credit lines available.

Management monitors the Group’s cash requirements on a daily basis against expected cash flows based on a rolling daily cash flow forecast for 
at least 90 days in advance. In addition the Group compares actual cash flow reserves against forecast and budget on a monthly basis.

The Group had an undrawn facility balance of $300,000,000 (June 2015: $150,000,000) that can be drawn down to meet short-term working 
capital requirements as well as repayment of the bond on 16 October 2016. On 17 July 2015, there was an increase in the facility limit of 
$50,000,000 and on 28 June 2016 the facility limit was increased by another $100,000,000). 

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  57

14. Financial RiSK manaGement (CONTINUED)

The table below analyses the Group’s financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period from the balance date 
to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows, including interest payments in 
respect of financial liabilities and the net settled interest rate derivatives that are in a loss position at balance date. Balances due within 12 months 
equal their carrying value as the impact of discounting is not significant.  

IN NZD 000

At 30 June 2016

Non derivative financial liabilities

Secured bank loans 

Bonds

Trade and other payables

Derivative financial liabilities
Forward exchange contracts used  
for hedging – net outflow/inflow (1)

Interest rate swaps (1)

At 30 June 2015

Non derivative financial liabilities

Secured bank loans 

Lease liabilities 

Bonds

Trade and other payables

Derivative financial liabilities
Forward exchange contracts used  
for hedging – net outflow/inflow (1)

Interest rate swaps (1)

Notes

Carrying 
amount

Contractual 
cash flows

Less than 
one year

1-2 years

2-5 years

> 5 years

11

11

10

12

12

11

11

11

10

12

12

49,468 

(57,688)

(1,900)

298,617 

(333,068)

(209,630)

134,642 

(134,642)

(134,642)

(1,900)

(6,250)

  –   

(53,888)

(117,188)

–   

10,958 

(11,159)

(9,041)

(1,440)

(678)

9,663 

(8,867)

(4,325)

(3,099)

(1,443)

–

–

–

–

–

503,348

(545,424)

(359,538)

(12,689)

(173,197)

 –   

49,424 

3,294 

(59,720)

(3,294)

(2,430)

(3,294)

(2,430)

(54,860)

–

–

–

–

298,045 

(347,448)

(15,110)

(208,896)

(6,250)

(117,192)

117,980 

(117,980)

(117,980)

983 

(986)

(986)

–

–

–

–

8,132 

(6,260)

(2,090)

(2,077)

(2,093)

–

–

–

477,858

(535,688)

(141,890)

(213,403)

(63,203)

(117,192)

(1) The table excludes the contractual cash flows of the interest rate swaps and forward exchange contracts which are included in assets.

 
58  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
Financial StatementS (CONTINUED)

For the year ended 30 June 2016

14. Financial RiSK manaGement (CONTINUED)

The table below analyses the Group’s foreign exchange derivative financial instruments which will be settled on a gross basis into relevant 
maturity groupings based on the remaining period at the balance date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table are 
the contractual undiscounted cash flows. Inflows have been calculated using balance date spot rates. 

Contractual 
cash flows 
foreign 
exchange 
amount

Exchange 
rate

Contractual 
cash flows

Less than 
one year

1-2 years

3-5 years

(361,104)

(172,054)

(677)

354,994

166,577

678

(11,586)

(400,384)

(141,144)

(1,131)

433,308

146,817

1,185

38,651

(163,481)

(105,123)

(677)

160,715

101,777

678

(6,111)

(155,592)

(96,437)

(1,131)

177,038

99,607

1,185

24,670

(76,474)

(47,279)

 –   

75,180

45,774

 –   

(121,149)

(19,652)

 –   

119,099

19,026

 –   

(2,799)

(2,676)

(74,825)

(44,707)

 –  

79,851

47,210

 –   

7,529

(169,967)

–  

–

 176,419 

–   

–   

 6,452 

0.7091

0.9544

72.7466

 251,727 

 158,981 

 49,329 

0.6802

0.8864

83.2497

 294,736 

 130,139 

 98,658 

IN NZD 000

At 30 June 2016

Forward foreign exchange contracts 

Outflow (at FX hedge rate)

   USD

   AUD

   YEN

Inflow (at year end market rate)

   USD

   AUD

   YEN

At 30 June 2015

Forward foreign exchange contracts 

Outflow (at FX hedge rate)

   USD

   AUD

   YEN

Inflow (at year end market rate)

   USD

   AUD

   YEN

Capital risk management

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern in order to provide returns for 
shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital. The Group’s overall 
strategy for capital risk management remains unchanged from 2015.

The capital structure of the Group consists of debt which includes the borrowings disclosed in note 11, cash and cash equivalents and equity 
attributable to equity holders of the Parent comprising share capital, hedging reserve and retained earnings as disclosed in note 13. It is 
anticipated that the Group’s revolving credit facility will be utilised to repay the bond due for repayment on 16 October 2016. 

The board reviews the Group’s capital structure on a regular basis. The Group has a facility agreement in place with a syndicate of banks and 
a retail bond issue as described in note 11.

14. Financial RiSK manaGement (CONTINUED)

The gearing ratio at the year-end was as follows:

IN NZD 000

Debt 

Cash and cash equivalents

Net debt

Equity

Net debt to equity ratio

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  59

Note

11

2016

 348,085 

(22,863)

 325,222 

 1,330,923 

2015

 350,763 

(17,895)

 332,868 

 1,337,203 

24%

25%

The Group’s bank loan facility is subject to a number of covenants, including interest and debt cover ratios, calculated and reported quarterly, 
with which it has complied for the entire year reported (2015: complied). 

Fair value estimation

The methods used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments are as follows:

Level 1:  Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:    Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as prices) or 

indirectly (that is, derived from prices).

Level 3:  Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is unobservable inputs), for example discounted  

cash flow.

SKY’s financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are valued on a level 2 basis other than the available for sale investment (refer note 1)  
that is valued on a level 3 basis.  

IN NZD 000

Assets measured at fair value

Trading derivatives – dedesignated or not hedge accounted

Derivatives used for hedging – cash flow hedges

Available for sale investment

Total assets 

Liabilities measured at fair value

Trading derivatives – dedesignated or not hedge accounted

Derivatives used for hedging – cash flow hedges

Total liabilities

Note

12

12

1

12

12

2016

105

9,481

4,832

14,418

(3,364)

(17,257)

(20,621)

2015

5,559 

51,671

–

57,230

(4)

(9,111)

(9,115)

The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market is determined by using valuation techniques. These valuation 
techniques maximise the use of observable market data where it is available and rely as little as possible on entity specific estimates. If all 
significant inputs required to fair value an instrument are observable, the instrument is included in level 2.

The Group uses a variety of methods and assumptions that are based on market conditions existing at each balance date. Techniques, such as 
estimated discounted cash flows, are used to determine the fair value of financial instruments. The fair value of forward exchange contracts is 
based on market forward foreign exchange rates at year end. The fair value of interest rate swaps is the estimated amount that the Group would 
receive or pay to terminate the swap at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates, observable yield curves and the current 
creditworthiness of the swap counterparties. 

 
 
 
60  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
Financial StatementS (CONTINUED)

For the year ended 30 June 2016

14. Financial RiSK manaGement (CONTINUED)

Fair value of financial instruments carried at amortised cost

Financial assets 

Loans and receivables

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Total assets

Financial liabilities held at amortised cost

Bank loans 

Lease liabilities 

Bonds 

Trade and other payables 

Total liabilities

2016

2015

Notes

Carrying 
Amount

Fair 
Value

Carrying 
Amount

Fair 
Value

6

11

11

11

10

22,863

62,035

84,898

49,468

 –   

298,617

134,642

482,727

22,863

62,035

84,898

44,366

 –   

308,644

134,642

487,652

17,895

64,253

82,148

49,424

3,294

298,045

117,980

17,895

64,253

82,148

48,759

3,294

306,865

117,980

468,743

476,898

The fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities are determined as follows:

Cash and short-term deposits, trade and other receivables carried at amortised cost, trade and other payables, and other current liabilities 
approximate their carrying amounts largely due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.

The fair value of quoted notes and bonds is based on price quotations at the reporting date being a level 1 basis. The fair value of loans from 
banks and lease liabilities is estimated on a level 3 basis by discounting future cash flows using rates currently available for debt on similar terms, 
credit risk and remaining maturities. The fair value of related party receivables is estimated on a level 3 basis by discounting future cash flows 
using rates currently available for deposits on similar terms.

Classification

Financial assets are classified in the following categories: at fair value through profit or loss, or loans and receivables. The classification 
depends on the purpose for which the financial assets were acquired. Management determines the classification of its financial assets at 
initial recognition and re-evaluates this designation at each reporting date.

All purchases and sales of financial assets are recognised on the trade date, which is the date that the Group commits to purchase the 
assets. Purchases or sales of financial assets are sales or purchases that require delivery of assets within the period generally established by 
regulation or convention in the marketplace.

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are financial assets held for trading. A financial asset is classified in this category 
if acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the short-term. Derivatives are categorised as held for trading unless they are designated 
as hedges. Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of the “financial assets at fair value through profit or loss” category are 
recognised in profit and loss.

Loans and receivables

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. 
They are included in current assets, except for those assets with maturities greater than 12 months after the balance date when they are 
classified as non-current assets. The Group’s loans and receivables comprise trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents in 
the balance sheet. Gains or losses are recognised in profit or loss when the loans and receivables are derecognised or impaired as well as 
through the amortisation process.

Impairment of financial assets

The Group assesses at each balance date whether there is objective evidence, such as default or delinquency in payment, that a financial 
asset or group of financial assets is impaired. If there is objective evidence that an impairment loss on assets carried at amortised cost 
has been incurred, the amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of 
estimated future cash flows discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate. The carrying amount of the asset is reduced 
through use of an allowance account with the amount of the loss being recognised in profit or loss.

 
15. COMMITMENTS

IN NZD 000

Operating leases – future minimum lease payments:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Later than five years

Contracts for transmission services:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Contracts for future programmes:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Later than five years

Capital expenditure commitments:

Property, plant and equipment

Year 1

Year 2

Other services commitments:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  61

2016

2015

35,978

34,323

33,413

33,140

33,102

14,049

35,629

36,570

36,487

35,918

35,648

50,714

184,005

230,966

6,428

2,951

539

245

9,203

6,144

2,462

49

10,163

17,858

187,787

184,703

155,257

115,457

66,366

30,449

176,871

150,140

115,231

75,656

62,616

27,930

740,019

608,444

16,197

–

16,197

7,190

2,650

526

–

–

73,538

34,259

107,797

10,017

1,141

493

43

–

10,366

11,694

The Group has entered into a contract with Optus Networks Pty Limited (Optus) to lease transponders on the D1 satellite which was launched 
in October 2006 and commissioned in November 2006. The contract is for a period of 15 years from the time of commissioning with monthly 
payments in Australian dollars. This contract is accounted for as an operating lease. Non-cancellable operating lease payments, including Optus 
lease payments, are included in operating leases above.

SKY is currently utilising seven transponders, six of which are on a long-term lease. Access to the seventh transponder was negotiated, 
effective from 1 April 2011, to enable the launch of additional channels. The cost of leasing the seventh transponder for the first three years to 
31 March 2014 is based on a revenue share of certain specified SKY channels. Payments thereafter are for a fixed amount.   

 
62  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
Financial StatementS (CONTINUED)

For the year ended 30 June 2016

16. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

The Group has undrawn letters of credit at 30 June 2016 of $650,000 (30 June 2015: $650,000), relating to Datacom Employer Services for 
SKY executive and Screen Enterprises Limited payroll liabilities in the current year.

The Group is subject to litigation incidental to their business, none of which is expected to be material. No provision has been made in the 
Group’s financial statements in relation to any current litigation and the directors believe that such litigation will not have a significant effect on 
the Group’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

17. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In July 2016 the facility limit was decreased to $300 million, from $350 million (refer note 11).

Acquisition of Vodafone: At a special meeting on 6 July 2016 SKY shareholders voted to approve the acquisition of Vodafone NZ for a proposed 
transaction price of $3.44 billion, to approve the incurrence of new debt and to approve the issue of new shares to Vodafone Plc.

Subject to regulatory approvals, which is expected to be by December 2016, SKY will acquire all of the shares in Vodafone NZ from Vodafone 
Europe B.V for a total purchase price of $3.44 billion, paid for through a mixture of cash and SKY shares. The issue of shares will result in Vodafone 
owning 51% of the total number of shares in SKY. The purchase price will consist of the issue of 405,023,041 shares at a price of $5.40 and a cash 
payment of $1.25 billion totalling approximately $3.44 billion.

The transaction will be financed by new debt of up to $1.8 billion which has been negotiated at favourable terms with Vodafone Overseas 
Finance Limited. However SKY retains the right to renegotiate the revolving credit portion of this debt with one or more third parties. 

For further details relating to this transaction please refer to the Explanatory Memorandum on SKY’s website ww.skytv.co.nz/investor.

On 25 August 2016 the Board of Directors announced that it will pay a fully imputed dividend of 15 cents per share with the record date being 
9 September 2016. A supplementary dividend of 2.6471 cents per share will be paid to non-resident shareholders subject to the foreign investor 
tax credit regime.

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  63

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT

To the shareholders of SKY Network Television Limited

RePORt On tHe cOnSOliDateD Financial StatementS

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of SKY Network Television Limited (“the Company”) on pages 32 to 62, which comprise 
the consolidated balance sheet as at 30 June 2016, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of 
changes in equity and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and the notes to the financial statements that include 
significant accounting policies and other explanatory information for the Group. The Group comprises the Company and the entities it controlled 
at 30 June 2016 or from time to time during the financial year.

Directors’ Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements

The Directors are responsible on behalf of the Company for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in 
accordance with New Zealand Equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards and for 
such internal controls as the Directors determine are necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditors’ Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in  
accordance with International Standards on Auditing (New Zealand) and International Standards on Auditing. These standards require that  
we comply with relevant ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated 
financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. 
The procedures selected depend on the auditors’ judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated 
financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditors consider the internal controls relevant to the 
Company’s preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate 
in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control. An audit also 
includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates, as well as evaluating the 
overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

We are independent of the Group. Our firm carries out other services for the Group in the areas of assurance and advisory services. In addition, 
certain partners and employees of our firm may have dealt with the Group on normal terms within the ordinary course of the trading activities  
of the Group. The provision of these other services has not impaired our independence.

Opinion

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements on pages 32 to 62 present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the  
Group as at 30 June 2016 and its financial performance and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with New Zealand Equivalents  
to International Financial Reporting Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards.

Restriction on Use of our Report

This report is made solely to the Company’s shareholders, as a body, in accordance with the Companies Act 1993. Our audit work has been 
undertaken so that we might state those matters which we are required to state to them in an auditors’ report and for no other purpose.  
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s 
shareholders, as a body, for our audit work, for this report or for the opinions we have formed.

Chartered Accountants 
25 August 2016

Auckland

PricewaterhouseCoopers, 188 Quay Street, Private Bag 92162, Auckland 1142, New Zealand 
T: +64 (9) 355 8000, F: +64 (9) 355 8001, www.pwc.com/nz

 
OTHER  
INFORMATION

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
INTERESTS REGISTER 
COMPANY AND BONDHOLDER INFORMATION 
WAIVERS AND INFORMATION 
SHARE MARKET AND OTHER INFORMATION  
DIRECTORY  

65
67
69
74
75
76

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  65

This section includes a summary of SKY’s corporate governance 
practices, policies and procedures. SKY has a more detailed corporate 
governance statement available online at www.sky.co.nz/investor-
relations, which provides the required disclosures and compliance 
statements under the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and 
Recommendations and the NZX Corporate Governance Best Practice 
Code as at 18 August 2016. That corporate governance statement has 
been approved by the board. 

independence policy to ensure that SKY’s relationship with its auditors 
is appropriate. The audit and risk committee charter is posted on 
SKY’s website at www.sky.co.nz/investor-relations. The audit and risk 
committee focuses on internal controls and risk management and 
particular areas of emphasis include:

•  adequacy, appropriateness and effectiveness of accounting and 

operating controls;

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Membership

SKY’s board is elected or appointed by the shareholders of SKY  
by ordinary resolution. SKY’s constitution provides for a minimum  
of three directors and a maximum of ten directors. The actual  
number of directors may be changed by resolution of the board.  
As at 30 June 2016, the board consisted of six directors whose 
relevant skills, experience and expertise are outlined in their 
biographies on pages 10 and 11 and in the detailed corporate 
governance statement on SKY’s website. Following completion of  
the intended acquisition of Vodafone New Zealand Limited, SKY’s 
board will be expanded to comprise nine directors, as explained 
further in the Notice of Meeting and Explanatory Memorandum.   
In relation to other appointments, the nomination and remuneration 
committee has a formal process by which it assesses the overall skills, 
experience and diversity required on the board and works with the 
board to ensure that diversity remains one of the key criteria when 
evaluating potential board candidates. The aim of the board is to  
have a mix of skills represented on the board that are relevant to  
SKY’s business.

The board may appoint directors to fill casual vacancies that occur 
or add persons to the board up to the maximum number prescribed 
by the constitution. At each annual meeting all directors appointed 
by the board must retire and one third of the other directors must 
retire, although they can offer themselves for re-election if they wish. 
Directors’ fees are currently set at a maximum amount of $950,000 
per annum.

Independent and Executive Directors

At 30 June 2016 all of the directors of SKY other than John Fellet were 
considered to be independent directors. John Fellet is currently the 
only executive director on the board. In determining independence, 
the board applies the materiality thresholds set out in the NZX and 
ASX Listing Rules.

POLICIES, PRACTICES AND PROCESSES
SKY has a number of policies, practices and processes that establish 
guidelines and practices to be followed in certain circumstances or 
in relation to certain matters. These policies, practices and processes 
are under regular review by management and the board. Further 
information is also set out in the corporate governance statement 
available online at www.sky.co.nz/investor-relations.

Audit and Risk Committee Charter and Audit Independence Policy 

SKY has in place an audit and risk committee charter to govern 
the operation of the audit and risk committee as well as an audit 

•  extent of compliance with SKY policies and procedures;

•  accuracy of, and security over, data and information;

•  accountability for SKY’s assets to safeguard against loss;

•  ensuring an effective internal control environment is fostered; and

•  economy and efficiency with which resources are employed.

The audit independence policy is designed to ensure that there is no 
perception of conflict in the independent role of the external auditor.  
It restricts and monitors the types of services that the external auditor 
can provide to SKY, prohibits contingency-type fees and requires 
audit partner rotation every five years.  

Code of Conduct

SKY has a code of conduct which outlines SKY’s policies in respect  
of conflicts of interest, corporate opportunities, confidentiality, insider 
trading and dealing with corporate assets, in addition to encouraging 
compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The code of conduct 
is posted on SKY’s website: www.sky.co.nz/investor-relations.

Communication and Disclosure Policy

SKY has a communication and disclosure policy designed to keep 
both the market and SKY’s shareholders properly informed. The 
policy is also designed to ensure compliance with SKY’s continuous 
disclosure obligations and includes posting press releases, annual 
reports and assessments, and other investor-focused material on  
its website. The policy is overseen by SKY’s Chief Executive and 
Company Secretary. A copy of this policy is available on SKY’s website 
at www.sky.co.nz/investor-relations. 

Diversity Policy

Diversity of gender, skill, age, ethnicity, experience and beliefs 
are valued by SKY. SKY recognises the value of diversity and the 
organisational strength, problem solving ability and innovative 
approach that it brings. The provision of equal opportunities for  
all employees is fundamental to the way in which SKY functions  
as a business. SKY established a diversity policy during 2012  
(updated in 2015) and has posted this on SKY’s website at  
www.sky.co.nz/investor-relations. The board acknowledges there 
is a lot of focus on gender diversity both on boards and within 
companies, and as noted in SKY’s diversity policy, this is one of  
the diversity characteristics that is considered when evaluating  
new director candidates. As at 30 June 2016, SKY’s board had two 
female directors and four male directors (compared to one female 
director and six male directors as at 30 June 2015). 

 
66  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE (CONTINUED)

SKY takes a holistic approach to diversity. SKY’s measurable objectives 
for achieving diversity are that: 

•  Each year, the board actively considers the composition of the 
board and any opportunities for new directors to join the board 
with diversity (including gender diversity) being one of the key 
criteria when considering new appointments. Three recent board 
appointments (Susan Paterson, Geraldine McBride and Derek 
Handley) demonstrate a commitment to these diversity objectives.

•  Each year the board compares the number of female and male 

employees at SKY to the previous financial year’s figures to ensure 
that SKY is maintaining a strong level of female participation at all 
levels of the organisation.

•  Each year the board considers the extent of age diversification  
at SKY by comparing the number of employees aged over and 
under 45 years to the previous financial year’s figures, in order to 
ensure SKY is benefiting from a mix of experience and new ways  
of thinking. 

For the year ended 30 June 2016, the board is satisfied that SKY 
achieved its gender diversity objectives and other measureable 
diversity objectives as follows:

•  The board considered opportunities for new directors to join  

the board with diversity (including gender diversity) in mind for  
new appointments.

•  There was almost equal representation of male and female 

employees across SKY (47% of staff are female as at 30 June 2016, 
compared to 47% at 30 June 2015).

•  SKY had good female participation at all levels of the organisation, 

including 28 female senior executives compared to 47 male 
senior executives as at 30 June 2016 (there were 25 female senior 
executives and 48 male senior executives at 30 June 2015)(1).

•  There was strong participation at senior levels of the organisation 
of employees under the age of 45 years (including 40% of senior 
executives as at 30 June 2016 compared to 28% at 30 June 2015), 
compared to employees over the age of 45 years (60% of senior 
executives as at 30 June 2016 compared to 72% at 30 June 2015). 

Health and Safety 

SKY has an occupational health and safety policies and procedures 
manual and a group health and safety management committee to 
ensure that SKY fully complies with its health and safety obligations.

SKY’s strategic approach to health and safety is to:

•  provide a safe workplace for all;

•  fulfil all safety obligations within the business, in line with  
the strategic intent, corporate objectives and legislative 
requirements; and

•  share a vision and commitment to a safety culture that  
drives continual improvement and resilience at all levels  
within the company.

Insider Trading Policy

SKY has a formal policy in relation to insider trading which is  
posted on SKY’s website at www.sky.co.nz/investor-relations.  
The policy provides that directors, officers and employees of  
SKY may not buy or sell securities in SKY, nor may they tip others, 
while in the possession of inside information. SKY’s policy affirms 
the law relating to insider trading contained in the Financial Markets 
Conduct Act 2013 and complies with ASX Listing Rule 12.9.

Investor Communications Policy

SKY has posted an investor communications policy on its website  
at www.sky.co.nz/investor-relations. This policy explains how SKY 
facilitates effective two way communication with investors. 

Independent Advice

SKY has a procedure for board members to seek independent legal 
advice at SKY’s expense.   

Remuneration Policy and Performance Monitoring

SKY has policies in place to ensure that it remunerates fairly and 
responsibly. All executives and employees receive a portion of  
their salary based on individual and companywide performance.  
The executive incentive scheme is based on the concept of 
economic value added. In addition to their base salary, executives  
are remunerated for increasing the level of economic return on 
capital employed in the business. Bonuses are “banked”, with 33%  
of the bank being paid out each year at the discretion of the board.  
The scheme promotes employee loyalty while ensuring that the cost 
of the scheme is proportionate to SKY’s level of economic return. 

The performance of key executives is monitored on a continual basis 
by the board and Chief Executive but principally as part of annual 
salary reviews.

Regulatory Policy

SKY has policies and procedures in place to ensure compliance with 
relevant laws, regulations and the NZX and ASX Listing Rules.

Treasury Policy

SKY has a formalised treasury policy that establishes a framework for:

•  foreign exchange risk management;

•  interest rate risk management;

•  borrowing, liquidity and funding risk;

•  cash management;

•  counterparty credit risk;

•  operational risk and dealing procedures; and

•  reporting and performance management.

The objective of the policy is to reduce, spread and smooth interest 
rate and foreign exchange risk impacts on financial results over  
a multi-year period, reduce volatility in financial performance and 
ensure appropriate debt and liquidity arrangements for the business.

(1)  ‘Senior executives’ are executives at one and two levels below the Chief Executive in terms of reporting lines. For the year ended 30 June 2016, 8 out of 21 senior 

executives one level below the Chief Executive were female and 20 out of 54 senior executives two levels below the Chief Executive were female.

 
INTERESTS REGISTER

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  67

DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST – GENERAL NOTICES
Directors have given general notices disclosing interests in various entities pursuant to section 140(2) of the Companies Act 1993. Those notices 
which remain current as at 30 June 2016 are as follows:(2)

Director

John Fellet

Derek Handley

Peter Macourt

Geraldine McBride

Susan Paterson

ONZM

John Waller

ONZM

Entity 

Media Finance Limited

Outside Broadcasting Limited

SKY Ventures Limited (formerly Cricket Max Limited)

Igloo Limited

Iliad Management Limited

Aera Foundation

Aera Limited 

Far East Associated Traders Limited

Virtus Health Limited

Prime Media Limited

My Wave Holdings Limited 

My Wave Limited

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Limited

National Australia Bank Limited

Theta Systems Limited

Les Mills Holdings Limited

Airways Corporation of New Zealand Limited

Airways International Limited

Goodman Property Aggregated Limited

Goodman (NZ) Limited

Arvida Group Limited

GMT Bond Issuer Limited

GMT Wholesale Bond Issuer Limited

The Electricity Authority

Tertiary Education Commission

The Home of Cycling Charitable Trust

Institute of Directors Auckland Branch
Housing Corporation New Zealand(3)
Abano Healthcare Group Limited(3)

Donaghys Limited
Fonterra Co-Operative Group Limited(4)

Haydn & Rollett Limited
BNZ Investments Limited(4) 
Bank of New Zealand(4)
National Australia Bank Limited(4)
National Equities Limited(4)

Property for Industry Limited and subsidiary

GS Group Services Limited

Hyundai Motors New Zealand Limited

IFX Services Limited

Sunrise Group NZ Limited

Isuzu Utes New Zealand Limited

New World Motors Limited

Global Motors NZ Limited

Relationship

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Trustee

Director

Director

Director/Chair

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Chair/Shareholder

Director

Chair

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Board Member

Commissioner

Chair

Member

Director

Director

Director/Shareholder

Director

Director

Director

Director/Chair

Director/Shareholder

Director

Director/Shareholder

Director/Chair

Director/Chair

Director

Director

Director/Chair

Director

Director

(2)  Robert Bryden retired from the board on 21 October 2015. Mr Bryden had not disclosed any interests pursuant to section 140(2) of the Companies Act 1993. 

Humphry Rolleston retired from the Board on 21 October 2015. Mr Rolleston had disclosed interests arising as a director of Infratil Limited, Matrix Security Group 
Limited and Media Metro NZ Limited, and as director and shareholder of Asset Management Limited, Mercer Group Limited and various subsidiaries, Property 
for Industry Limited and its subsidiaries, and Murray & Company Limited.

(3)  On 30 September 2015 Susan Paterson resigned as director of Housing Corporation New Zealand and on 30 November 2015 she resigned as director of Abano 

Healthcare Group Limited.

(4)  On 31 July 2015 Mr Waller retired as Chairman of Bank of New Zealand and as a director of Bank of New Zealand, BNZ Investments Limited, National Australia 

Bank Limited and National Equities Limited. Mr Waller has also announced his retirement as director of Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited, effective  
31 August 2016. 

 
68  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

INTERESTS REGISTER (CONTINUED)

DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST – AUTHORISATION  
OF RemUneRatiOn anD OtHeR BeneFitS 

SKY’s board did not authorise any additional payments of annual 
directors’ fees during the year to 30 June 2016. 

SKY SUBSIDIARIES’ INTEREST REGISTERS 
The directors of SKY’s subsidiaries have given notices disclosing 
interests in the various entities pursuant to section 140 of the 
Companies Act 1993. Those notices which remain current as at  
30 June 2016 are set out below:

DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST – PARTICULAR 
TRANSACTIONS/USE OF COMPANY INFORMATION 
During the year to 30 June 2016, in relation to SKY:

Screen Enterprises Limited: George McFarlane and Jason Hollingworth 
have each given a general notice disclosing interests arising from 
being employees of SKY.

•  no specific disclosures were made in the Interests Register under 

section 140(1) of the Companies Act 1993; and

•  no entries were made in the Interests Register as to the use of 
company information under section 145(3) of the Companies  
Act 1993.

DISCLOSURES OF RELEVANT INTERESTS  
IN SECURITIES 
During the year to 30 June 2016, in relation to SKY’s directors, officers 
and senior managers, the following disclosures were made in the 
Interests Register as to dealing in SKY’s shares under section 148  
of the Companies Act 1993 and section 297 of the Financial Markets 
Conduct Act 2013:

•  John Fellet made two ongoing disclosures in relation to the  

on-market acquisitions of 19,900 and 19,800 ordinary shares on  
15 June 2016 and 21 June 2016 respectively;

•  Susan Paterson made an ongoing disclosure in relation to the  

on-market acquisition of 10,000 ordinary shares on 14 June 2016 by 
the S M Taylor Family Trust (of which Ms Paterson is a trustee); and

Outside Broadcasting Limited: John Fellet and Jason Hollingworth 
have given notices disclosing interests arising from being employees 
of SKY and, in John Fellet’s case, a director of SKY.

SKY DMX Music Limited: Martin Wrigley and Grant McKenzie have 
each given a general disclosure notice disclosing interests arising  
from being senior employees of SKY and, in Martin Wrigley’s case,  
a shareholder of SKY.

Igloo Limited: John Fellet, Jason Hollingworth, Michael Watson, and 
Matthew Orange have given notices disclosing interests arising from 
being employees of SKY and, in John Fellet’s case, a director of SKY.

Believe It Or Not Limited: Grant McKenzie and Eggherick Van Der Plank 
have given notices disclosing interests arising from being employees 
of SKY. Brendan Lochead has given a general notice disclosing his 
interest arising from being a shareholder of Believe It Or Not Limited 
and a director and shareholder of Mad If You Don’t Limited. Annabelle 
Lochead has given a general notice disclosing her interest arising  
from being the wife of Brendan Lochead (who is a shareholder of 
Believe It Or Not Limited) and a director and shareholder of Mad If  
You Don’t Limited.

•  John Waller made one ongoing disclosure in relation to the  

on-market acquisition of 5,000 ordinary shares on 14 June 2016  
by the JAW No2 Trust (of which Mr Waller is a trustee).  

SKY Ventures Limited: John Fellet and Jason Hollingworth have given 
notices disclosing interests arising from being employees of SKY and, 
in John Fellet’s case, a director of SKY. 

INSURANCE AND INDEMNITIES
SKY has in place directors’ and officers’ liability insurance to cover risks 
normally covered by such policies arising out of acts or omissions of 
SKY directors or employees in that capacity. This policy was replaced  
in June 2016 (and SKY’s interests register has been updated to reflect it).   

SKY has entered into a deed of indemnity pursuant to which it has 
agreed to indemnify directors, senior management and officers of  
SKY against liability incurred from acts or omissions of such directors, 
senior management or officers, subject to certain exceptions which  
are normal in such indemnities. This deed of indemnity was replaced  
in June 2016 (and SKY’s interests register has been updated to reflect it). 

SKY has also taken out prospectus liability insurance for the directors 
and officers of SKY relating to the merger of the businesses of SKY 
and Vodafone New Zealand Limited (and the transactions and 
documentation relating to that merger). Particulars of this insurance 
have been entered into SKY’s interests register. 

  
SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  69

COMPANY AND BONDHOLDER 
INFORMATION 

DiRectORS HOlDinG anD ceaSinG OFFice
Robert Bryden (retired 21 October 2015)

John Fellet 

Derek Handley

Peter Macourt

Geraldine McBride

Susan Paterson, ONZM (appointed 20 August 2015)

Humphry Rolleston (retired 21 October 2015)

John Waller, ONZM   

DIRECTORS OF SUBSIDIARIES

Subsidiary

Director

SKY DMX Music Limited

Grant McKenzie

Martin Wrigley

Steven Hughes

Claude Nahon 
(retired 24 February 2016)

Kenneth Eissing Jr   
(appointed 24 March 2016)

Screen Enterprises Limited

Jason Hollingworth

George McFarlane

Outside Broadcasting Limited

John Fellet

SUBSIDIARIES
At 30 June 2016, SKY had the following subsidiary companies:

Igloo Limited

Jason Hollingworth

John Fellet

Jason Hollingworth

Michael Watson

Mathew Orange

SKY DMX Music Limited, Screen Enterprises Limited, Outside 
Broadcasting Limited, Igloo Limited, Believe it Or Not Limited,  
SKY Ventures Limited (previously Cricket Max Limited) and Media 
Finance Limited. During the year to 30 June 2016, SKY DMX Music 
Limited operated the SKY DMX music business, Screen Enterprises 
Limited operated the FATSO DVD and blu-ray rental business, Outside 
Broadcasting Limited provided mobile on-site broadcasting facilities 
and services, Igloo Limited delivered a low-cost pay television service 
over a digital terrestrial network and via broadband,(4) Believe it Or Not 
Limited provided quizzes for the hotel entertainment industry and 
Cricket Max Limited was renamed as SKY Ventures Limited and began 
providing investment and sponsorship in the field of information and 
broadcast technology, initially by making a 15.79% investment in   
90 Seconds Pty Limited (a cloud video production company).  
Media Finance Limited did not trade during that year.

Believe It or Not Limited

Anabelle Lochead

SKY Ventures Limited  
(previously Cricket Max Limited)

Brendon Lochead

Grant McKenzie

Eggherick Van der Plank

John Fellet

Jason Hollingworth 
(appointed 3 February 2016)

Media Finance Limited

John Fellet

The remuneration of SKY’s employees acting as directors of 
subsidiary companies is disclosed in the relevant banding  
for employee remuneration on page 73 or in the case of  
John Fellet, his remuneration is disclosed below under the  
heading of “Remuneration of Directors”.

No director of any subsidiary company received directors’ fees  
or extra benefits by virtue of the fact that they are acting as 
directors of subsidiary companies.

(4) SKY announced in July 2016 that the Igloo service will be closing down from around March 2017.  

     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
70  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

COMPANY AND BONDHOLDER 
INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ INTERESTS
For the purposes of NZX Listing Rule 10.4.5(c), the following table sets 
out the equity securities (shares in SKY) in which each director had a 
relevant interest as at 30 June 2016*:

SUBSTANTIAL SECURITY HOLDERS 
According to notices given to SKY under the Securities Markets 
Act 1988 and the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 the following 
persons were substantial security holders in SKY as at 30 June 2016 
and 12 August 2016 (as indicated below):

Entity

Perpetual Limited

Lazard Asset Management Pacific Co

BlackRock, Inc

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

Securities as at 30 June 2016

51,403,681

32,662,347

32,317,037

23,427,062

Entity

Perpetual Limited 

BlackRock, Inc

Securities as at 12 August 2016

51,403,681

36,222,477

The total number of issued voting securities of SKY as at  
30 June 2016 and 12 August 2016 was 389,139,785.

Relevant interests

John Fellet 

Derek Handley

Peter Macourt

Geraldine McBride

Susan Paterson

John Waller

Shares

156,300

4,000

-

-

17,800

15,000

*  Robert Bryden and Humphry Rolleston retired on 21 October 2015.   

REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS 
Directors’ remuneration and value of other benefits received by 
directors of SKY during the year 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016 were  
as follows:

Name

Robert Bryden (5)  

John Fellet (6) 

Derek Handley 

Peter Macourt 

Geraldine McBride 

Susan Paterson (7)

Humphry Rolleston (8)  

John Waller 

Total remuneration 

$31,159

$2,003,250

$95,986

$161,000

$92,500

$97,940

$29,632

$117,500

(5) Robert Bryden retired on 21 October 2015.

(6)  John Fellet is also SKY’s Chief Executive and a director of Cricket Max Limited, Media Finance Limited, Outside Broadcasting Limited and Igloo Limited.  

He did not receive any directors’ fees during the above period. His remuneration, as specified above, comprises salary and performance based remuneration.

(7) Susan Paterson was appointed on 20 August 2015.

(8) Humphry Rolleston retired on 21 October 2015

TWENTY LARGEST SHAREHOLDERS AS AT 12 AUGUST 2016  

Holder name

HSBC Nominees (New Zealand) Limited 

RBC Investor Services Australia Nominees Pty Limited 

JP Morgan Chase Bank NA 

National Nominees New Zealand Limited 

Citibank Nominees (New Zealand) Limited 

JP Morgan Nominees Australia Limited  

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited  

Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited  

Accident Compensation Corporation 

BNP Paribas Nominees (NZ) Limited 

BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd 

National Nominees Limited  

Guardian Nominees No 2 A/C Westpac W/S Enhanced Cash Trust 

HSBC Nominees A/C NZ Superannuation Fund Nominees Limited 

ANZ Wholesale Australasian Share Fund 

UBS Nominees Pty Limited  

FNZ Custodians Limited  

ANZ Custodial Services New Zealand Limited 

Tea Custodians Limited 

New Zealand Permanent Trustees Limited 

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  71

Holding

Percentage  
(to 2 d.p.)

104,185,494

26.77

28,632,199

27,493,562

27,371,401

21,857,135

20,752,460

16,896,114

15,879,576

15,218,038

12,664,211

9,281,158

9,077,407

5,593,123

5,490,177

5,437,157

5,011,637

4,135,436

3,280,493

3,122,756

2,766,683

7.36

7.07

7.03

5.62

5.33

4.34

4.08

3.91

3.25

2.39

2.33

1.44

1.41

1.40

1.29

1.06

0.84

0.80

0.71

DISTRIBUTION OF ORDINARY SHARES AND SHAREHOLDINGS AS 12 AUGUST 2016

1 – 1,000

1,001 – 5,000

5,001 – 10,000

10,001 – 100,000

100,001 and over

Total

No. of 
shareholders

Percentage 
(to 2 d.p.)

No. of 
shares

Percentage 
(to 2 d.p.)

2,727

3,413

740

443

77

36.85

46.12

10.00

5.99

1.04

1,621,097

8,786,980

5,478,346

10,900,037

362,353,325

7,400

100.00

389,139,785

0.42

2.26

1.41

2.80

93.11

100.00

NON MARKETABLE PARCELS OF SHARES
As at 12 August 2016, 232 shareholders in SKY had non-marketable parcels of shares for the purposes of ASX Listing Rule 4.10.8.

OTHER INFORMATION
For the purposes of ASX Listing Rules 4.10.14, 4.10.18 and 4.10.21, as at 12 August 2016:

•  SKY had no restricted securities or securities subject to voluntary escrow on issue;

•  there was no on-market buy back; and

•  SKY was not subject to s611 of the Corporations Act 2001.

VOTING RIGHTS ATTACHED TO SHARES
Each share entitles the holder to one vote.

 
72  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

COMPANY AND BONDHOLDER 
INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

DISTRIBUTION OF BONDS AND BONDHOLDINGS AS AT 12 AUGUST 2016

SKTFA Bonds

1,001 – 5,000

5,001 – 10,000

10,001 – 100,000

100,001 and over

TOTAL

SKTO20 Bonds

1,001 – 5,000

5,001 – 10,000

10,001 – 100,000

100,001 and over

TOTAL

No. of 
bondholders

Percentage  
(to 2 d.p.)

No. of bonds

875,000

4,177,500

50,965,500

8.19

20.46

64.14

7.21

143,982,000

Percentage  
(to 2 d.p.)

0.44

2.09

25.48

71.99

100.00

200,000,000

100.00

175

437

1,370

154

2,136

No. of 
bondholders

Percentage  
(to 2 d.p.)

No. of bonds

Percentage  
(to 2 d.p.)

134

244

582

53

13.23

24.09

57.45

5.23

670,000

2,354,000

19,493,000

77,483,000

0.67

2.36

19.49

77.48

1,013

100.00

100,000,000

100.00

VOTING RIGHTS ATTACHED TO BONDS
Each bondholder is entitled to one vote for every dollar of principal outstanding on their bonds at meetings of bondholders. Bondholders do not 
have the right to attend or vote at shareholders’ meetings.

SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  73

EMPLOYEE REMUNERATION 
The number of employees or former employees of SKY and its subsidiaries (excluding directors of SKY but including employees of SKY holding 
office as directors of subsidiaries, other than the Chief Executive (9)) whose remuneration and benefits was within specified bands for the year to 
30 June 2016 is as follows: 

Remuneration $

100,000 – 110,000

110,001 – 120,000

120,001 – 130,000

130,001 – 140,000

140,001 – 150,000

150,001 – 160,000

160,001 – 170,000

170,001 – 180,000

180,001 – 190,000

190,001 – 200,000

200,001 – 210,000

210,001 – 220,000

220,001 – 230,000

230,001 – 240,000

240,001 – 250,000

250,001 – 260,000

270,001 – 280,000

280,001 – 290,000

300,001 – 310,000

310,001 – 320,000

410,001 – 420,000

420,001 – 430,000

500,001 – 510,000

510,001 – 520,000 

520,001 – 530,000

550,001 – 560,000

780,001 – 790,000

No. of employees

55

55

32

19

13

7

12

9

4

5

2

1

1

1

3

1

3

2

1

2

4

1

1

1

1

2

1

DONATIONS
During the year 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016, SKY made cash donations totalling $366,000. SKY’s subsidiaries did not make any donations.

AUDITORS
The auditors of SKY and its subsidiaries were PricewaterhouseCoopers. The amount paid to PricewaterhouseCoopers by SKY and its subsidiaries 
in the year to 30 June 2016 for statutory audit services and for other assurance services was:  

IN NZD 000

SKY

Statutory audit services

Other services

264

48

SKY’s subsidiaries did not pay PricewaterhouseCoopers any fees. 

(9)  The remuneration of SKY’s Chief Executive John Fellet is not included in the above table as he is also a director of SKY. His remuneration is disclosed under the 

heading “Remuneration of Directors” on page 70.

 
74  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

WAIVERS AND INFORMATION

CURRENT AND ONGOING WAIVERS
The following is a summary of all waivers granted in favour of SKY 
which were relied upon by SKY in the 12-month period preceding  
the date two months before the date of publication of this report. 
These were:

(a)   A waiver from ASX listing rule 7.3.2 to the extent necessary to 

permit the notice of meeting seeking shareholder approval for  
the issue of shares representing 51% of the post-issue shares in 
SKY to Vodafone Europe B.V. not to state that those shares will 
be issued no later than 3 months after the date of the meeting 
(subject to certain conditions);

(b)   A waiver to permit SKY to lodge its half yearly and final reports in 

the form of an NZX Appendix 1 instead of an ASX Appendix 4D 
and ASX Appendix 4E, on the condition that SKY provides any 
additional information required by the ASX Appendices as an 
annexure to the NZX Appendix 1;

(c)   A waiver from ASX Listing Rule 6.10.3 to the extent necessary 

to permit SKY to set the “specified time” to determine whether 
a security holder is entitled to vote at a shareholders’ meeting 
in accordance with the requirements of relevant New Zealand 
legislation;

(d)   A waiver from ASX Listing Rule 15.7 to permit SKY to provide 
announcements simultaneously to both ASX and NZX;

(e)   A waiver from ASX Listing Rule 14.3 to the extent necessary  

to allow SKY to receive director nominations between the  
date three months and the date two months before the  
annual meeting;

(f) 

 Confirmation that the rights attaching to SKY shares set out in 
SKY‘s constitution are appropriate and equitable for the purpose of 
ASX Listing Rule 6.1 and comply with ASX Listing Rule 2.1;

(g)   Confirmation that ASX will accept financial accounts  
prepared in accordance with New Zealand GAAP and  
New Zealand Auditing Standards, and denominated in  
New Zealand dollars; and

(h)   Confirmation that SKY can provide substantial holder information 
provided to it under the New Zealand Securities Markets Act 1988.

aDmiSSiOn tO tHe OFFicial liSt OF tHe 
AUSTRALIAN STOCK EXCHANGE  
In connection with SKY’s admission to the official list of the ASX,  
the following information is provided:

1.  SKY is incorporated in New Zealand.

2. 

 SKY is not subject to Chapters 6, 6A, 6B and 6C of the  
Australian Corporations Act 2001 dealing with the acquisition  
of shares (such as substantial holdings and takeovers).

3. 

 Limitations on the acquisition of the securities imposed by  
New Zealand law are as follows:  

(a)   In general, SKY securities are freely transferable and  

the only significant restrictions or limitations in relation  
to the acquisition of securities are those imposed by  
New Zealand laws relating to takeovers, overseas  
investment and competition.

(b)   The New Zealand Takeovers Code creates a general rule 
under which the acquisition of more than 20% of the  
voting rights in SKY or the increase of an existing holding  
of 20% or more of the voting rights in SKY can only occur  
in certain permitted ways. These include a full takeover offer 
in accordance with the Takeovers Code, a partial takeover 
offer in accordance with the Takeovers Code, an acquisition 
approved by an ordinary resolution, an allotment approved 
by an ordinary resolution, a creeping acquisition (in certain 
circumstances) or compulsory acquisition if a shareholder 
holds 90% or more of SKY shares.

(c)   The New Zealand Overseas Investment Act 2005 (and 
associated regulations) regulates certain investments  
in New Zealand by overseas persons. In general terms,  
the consent of the New Zealand Overseas Investment Office 
is likely to be required where an ‘overseas person’ acquires 
shares or an interest in shares in SKY that amount to more 
than 25% of the shares issued by SKY or, if the overseas 
person already holds 25% or more, the acquisition  
increases that holding.

(d)   The New Zealand Commerce Act 1986 is likely to prevent a 
person from acquiring SKY shares if the acquisition would 
have, or would be likely to have, the effect of substantially 
lessening competition in a market.

 
 
 
 
SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016  75

SHARE MARKET AND  
OTHER INFORMATION

NEW ZEALAND
SKY’s ordinary shares are listed on the main board of the NZX and 
trade under the symbol SKT. SKY’s bonds are listed on the NZDX and 
trade under the symbols SKTFA and SKT020. SKY’s International 
Security Identification Number issued for the Company by the NZX  
is NZSKTE0001S6.

ANNUAL MEETING
The next annual meeting of Sky Network Television Limited  
will be held at the Pullman Hotel Auckland (Regatta Room D),  
corner Princes Street and Waterloo Quadrant, Auckland, on  
20 October 2016, commencing at 2.00pm.

NZX Limited 
Level 1, NZX Centre 
11 Cable Street 
Wellington 6011, New Zealand

Mailing address: 
PO Box 2959 
Wellington 6140, New Zealand

Tel: +64 4 472 7599 Fax: +64 4 496 2893 
Website: nzx.com

AUSTRALIA
SKY’s ordinary shares are also listed on the ASX and trade under  
the symbol SKT.

ASX Limited 
Exchange Centre 
20 Bridge Street, Sydney 
NSW 2000, Australia

Mailing address: 
PO Box H224 
Australia Square, Sydney 
NSW 1215, Australia

Tel: +61 2 9338 0000 Fax: +61 2 9227 0885 
Website: asx.com.au

 
76  SKY ANNUAL REPORT 2016

DIRECTORY

REGISTRARS
Shareholders should address questions relating to share certificates, 
notify changes of address or address any administrative questions  
to SKY’s share registrar as follows:

NEW ZEALAND ORDINARY SHARE REGISTRAR

Computershare Investor Services Limited
Level 2, 159 Hurstmere Road 
Takapuna, North Shore City 0622
New Zealand

Mailing address: 
Private Bag 92119
Auckland Mail Centre 
Auckland 1142, New Zealand

Tel: +64 9 488 8777 Fax: +64 9 488 8787
Email: enquiry@computershare.co.nz

AUSTRALIAN BRANCH REGISTER

Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited
Yarra Falls, 452 Johnston Street
Abbotsford, VIC 3067
GPO Box 2975EE
Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Freephone: 1300 850 505 (within Australia)
Tel: +61 3 9415 4000 Fax: +61 3 9473 2500
Email: enquiry@computershare.co.nz

BONDHOLDER TRUSTEE

The New Zealand Guardian Trust Company Limited
Level 7, Vero Centre, 48 Shortland Street  
Auckland 1010, New Zealand

Mailing address: 
PO Box 1934
Auckland 1140, New Zealand

Tel: +64 9 377 7300 Fax: +64 9 377 7470
Email: web.corporatetrusts@nzgt.co.nz

DIRECTORS

Chief Executive

John Fellet  
Derek Handley
Peter Macourt  
Geraldine McBride
Susan Paterson ONZM  (Appointed 20 August 2015)
John Waller ONZM

Chairman

EXECUTIVES
John Fellet  
Jason Hollingworth  
Travis Dunbar  
Megan King  

Richard Last  
Cherie Lawrence  
Chris Major  
Rawinia Newton  
Cathryn Oliver  
Matthew Orange  
Michael Watson  
Tex Texeira 
Kirsty Way  
Julian Wheeler 
Martin Wrigley  

Director and Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Director of Entertainment Programming
Director of Content: Strategy,  
Planning and Delivery
Director of Sport 
General Counsel and Company Secretary
Director of Government Relations
Director of Advertising Sales
Chief of Staff
Director of Products and Ventures
Director of Marketing
Director of Broadcast and Media
Director of Corporate Communications
Director of Technology
Director of Operations

NEW ZEALAND REGISTERED OFFICE
10 Panorama Road, Mt Wellington,  
Auckland 1060, New Zealand

Tel: +64 9 579 9999 Fax: +64 9 579 8324 
Website: sky.co.nz

AUSTRALIAN REGISTERED OFFICE

c/- Allens Arthur Robinson Corporate Pty Limited
Level 28, Deutsche Bank Place
Corner Hunter and Philip Streets
Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia

Tel: +61 2 9230 4000 Fax: +61 2 9230 5333

AUDITORS TO SKY

PricewaterhouseCoopers 
PricewaterhouseCoopers Tower, 
188 Quay Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

Tel: +64 9 355 8000 Fax: +64 9 355 8001

SOLICITORS TO SKY

Buddle Findlay
PricewaterhouseCoopers Tower,
188 Quay Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

Tel: +64 9 358 2555 Fax: +64 9 358 2055

 
SKY NETWORK  
TELEVISION LIMITED

PO Box 9059 
Newmarket 
Auckland 1149 
New Zealand

10 Panorama Road 
Mt Wellington 
Auckland 1060  
New Zealand

sky.co.nz