UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-K/A

þ		ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007

o		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number 000-51205

DISCOVERY HOLDING COMPANY

 

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

State of Delaware   (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		20-2471174   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

12300 Liberty Boulevard Englewood, Colorado   (Address of principal executive offices)		80112   (Zip Code)

     Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (720) 875-4000

     Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Name of exchange on which registered
Series A Common Stock, par value $.01 per share		Nasdaq Global Select Market
Series B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share		Nasdaq Global Select Market

     Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

     Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933. Yes þ   No o

     Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes o   No þ

     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ   No o

     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer þ		Accelerated filer o		Non-accelerated filer o		Smaller reporting company o
		(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act) Yes o   No þ

     The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of Discovery Holding Company computed by reference to the last sales price of such stock, as of the closing of trading on June 30, 2007, was approximately $6.1 billion.

     The number of shares outstanding of Discovery Holding Company’s common stock as of March 31, 2008 was:

Series A Common Stock — 269,180,104 shares
Series B Common Stock — 11,869,696 shares

 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Registrant is filing this Amendment No. 2 on Form 10-K/A to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 to include the signature of the independent registered public accounting firm on the audit reports for Discovery Communications, Inc. and Discovery Communications Holding, LLC, the financial statements for which companies are included in Part IV. Accordingly, the Registrant hereby amends and replaces in its entirety Item 15 of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Except as described above, this amendment does not update or modify in any way the disclosures in the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, and does not purport to reflect any information or events subsequent to the filing thereof.

 

 

(a) (1)  Financial Statements

 

Included in Part II of this Report:

 

 

(a) (2)  Financial Statement Schedules

 

Included in Part IV of this Report:

 

 

 

 

(a) (3)  Exhibits

 

Listed below are the exhibits which are filed as a part of this Report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):

 

 

 

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Discovery Communications, Inc.:

 

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and related consolidated statements of operations, of changes in stockholders’ deficit, and of cash flows, present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Discovery Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the period from January 1, 2007 through May 14, 2007, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2006 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

As discussed in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for uncertain tax positions effective January 1, 2007.

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

McLean, Virginia

February 14, 2008

 

To the Board of Directors and Members of

Discovery Communications Holding, LLC:

 

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and related consolidated statements of operations, of changes in members’ equity, and of cash flows, present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Discovery Communications Holding, LLC and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2007 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the period from May 15, 2007 through December 31, 2007 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

McLean, Virginia

February 14, 2008

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Member’s Equity and Stockholders’ Deficit

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1.  Basis of Presentation and Description of Business

 

  Basis of Presentation

 

Discovery Communications Holding, LLC (“Discovery” or “the Company”) was formed through a conversion completed by Discovery Communications, Inc. (“DCI” or “the Predecessor Company”) on May 14, 2007. As part of the conversion, DCI became Discovery Communications, LLC (“DCL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Discovery, and the former shareholders of DCI, including Cox Communications Holdings, Inc. (“Cox”), Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnerships, and Discovery Holding Company (“DHC”) became members of Discovery. Subsequent to this conversion, each of the members of Discovery held the same ownership interests in Discovery as their previous capital stock ownership interest had been in DCI.

 

The formation of Discovery required “pushdown” accounting and each shareholder’s basis has been pushed down to Discovery. The pushdown of the investors’ bases resulted in the recording of approximately $4.6 billion of additional goodwill, which had been previously recorded on the investors’ books. No other basis differentials existed on the investors’ books; therefore, no other assets or liabilities were adjusted. The application of push down accounting represents the termination of the predecessor reporting entity, DCI, and the creation of the successor reporting entity, Discovery. Accordingly, the results for the year ended December 31, 2007 are required to be presented as two distinct periods. The “Predecessor” period refers to the period from January 1 through May 14, 2007, while the “Successor” period refers to the period from May 15 through December 31, 2007. Accordingly, a vertical black line is shown to separate the Company financial statements from those of the Predecessor Company for periods ended prior to May 15, 2007. As the entire pushdown was associated with non-amortizable goodwill, there was no adjustment to the income statement during the Successor period as a result of this transaction.

 

Subsequent to the formation of Discovery, Cox exchanged its 25% ownership interest in Discovery for all of the capital stock of a subsidiary of Discovery that held the Travel Channel and travelchannel.com (collectively, the “Travel Business”) and approximately $1.3 billion in cash. Discovery retired the membership interest previously owned by Cox. The distribution of the Travel Business, which was valued at $575.0 million, resulted in a $134.7 million tax-free gain included in continuing operations. The gain was net of $280.8 million in reporting unit goodwill and $159.5 million in net assets. The net impact to goodwill as a result of the pushdown of investor basis and disposition of the Travel Business was $4.3 billion.

 

  Description of Business

 

Discovery is a global media and entertainment company that provides original and purchased cable and satellite television programming across multiple platforms in the United States and over 170 other countries. Discovery also develops and sells proprietary merchandise, other products and educational product lines in the United States and internationally. Discovery operates through three divisions: (1) U.S. networks, (2) international networks, and (3) Discovery commerce and education.

 

2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

  Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. In addition, the Company evaluates its relationships with other entities to identify whether they are variable interest entities as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51” as revised in December 2003 (“FIN 46R”) and to assess whether it is the primary beneficiary of such entities. Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”)are generally entities that lack sufficient equity to finance their activities without additional financial support from other parties or whose equity holders possess rights not proportionate to their ownership. The equity method of accounting is used for affiliates over which the Company exercises significant influence but does not control.

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

  Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results may differ from those estimates and could have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

  Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“FAS 159”). FAS 159 gives entities the irrevocable option to carry most financial assets and liabilities at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. FAS 159 is effective for the Company as of the beginning of the Company’s 2008 fiscal year. The Company expects to adopt fair value accounting for its equity investment in HSWi (see Note 4). The impact could be material to the financial statements depending upon changes in fair value. The Company is currently assessing the potential effect of FAS 159 on its other assets and liabilities.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 defines fair value and establishes a framework to make the measurement of fair value in generally accepted accounting principles more consistent and comparable. FAS 157 requires expanded disclosures about the extent to which fair value is used to measure assets and liabilities, the methods and assumptions used to measure fair value and the effect of fair value measures on earnings. FAS 157 will be effective for the Company’s 2008 fiscal year. The Company is currently assessing the potential effect of FAS 157 on its financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“FAS 141R”). FAS 141R replaces Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, “Business Combinations” (“FAS 141”), although it retains the fundamental requirement in FAS 141 that the acquisition method of accounting be used for all business combinations. FAS 141R establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer in a business combination (a) recognizes and measures the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, (b) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in a business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase and (c) determines what information to disclose regarding the business combination. FAS 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the Company’s 2009 fiscal year.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” (“FAS 160”). FAS 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary, commonly referred to as minority interest. Among other matters, FAS 160 requires (a) the noncontrolling interest be reported within equity in the balance sheet and (b) the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest to be clearly presented in the statement of income. FAS 160 is effective for the Company’s 2009 fiscal year. FAS 160 is to be applied prospectively, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements, which shall be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. The Company is currently assessing the potential effect of FAS 160 on its financial statements.

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

  Revenue Recognition

 

The Company derives revenue from three primary sources: (1) advertising revenue for commercial spots aired on the Company’s networks and websites, (2) distribution revenue from cable system and satellite operators (distributors), and (3) Other, which is largely e-commerce and educational sales.

 

Advertising revenue is recorded net of agency commissions and audience deficiency liabilities in the period advertising spots are broadcast. Distribution revenue is recognized over the service period, net of launch incentives and other vendor consideration. E-commerce and educational product revenues are recognized either at the point-of-sale or upon product shipment. Educational service sales are generally recognized ratably over the term of the agreement.

 

  Advertising Costs

 

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs of $107.7 million, $71.6 million, $207.7 million and $208.6 million were incurred from May 15, 2007 through December 31, 2007, from January 1, 2007 through May 14, 2007, in 2006 and in 2005, respectively.

 

  Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Highly liquid investments with original maturities of ninety days or less are recorded as cash equivalents. Restricted cash of $7.6 million and $7.1 million is included in other current assets as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Book overdrafts representing outstanding checks in excess of funds on deposit are a component of accounts payable and total $10.9 million and $30.9 million in 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

  Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“FAS 133”), requires every derivative instrument to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value as either an asset or a liability. The statement also requires that changes in the fair value of derivatives be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. The Company uses financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges. The effective changes in fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Amounts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as interest expense is recorded for debt. The Company uses the cumulative dollar offset method to assess effectiveness. To be highly effective, the ratio calculated by dividing the cumulative change in the value of the actual swap by the cumulative change in the hypothetical swap must be between 80% and 125%. The ineffective portion of a derivative’s change in fair value is immediately recognized in earnings. The Company uses derivatives instruments principally to manage the risk associated with the movements of foreign currency exchange rates and changes in interest rates that will affect the cash flows of its debt transactions. See Note 17 for additional information regarding derivative instruments held by the Company and risk management strategies.

 

  Inventories

 

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the weighted average cost method.

 

  Content Rights

 

Costs incurred in the direct production, co-production or licensing of content rights are capitalized and stated at the lower of unamortized cost, fair value, or net realizable value. The Company evaluates the net realizable value of content by considering the fair value of the underlying produced and co-produced content and the net realizable values of the licensed content quarterly.

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

The costs of produced and co-produced content airing on the Company’s networks are capitalized and amortized based on the expected realization of revenues, resulting in an accelerated basis over four years for developed networks (Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet) in the United States, and a straight-line basis over no longer than five years for developing networks (all other networks in the United States) and all networks in the International division. The cost of licensed content is capitalized and amortized over the term of the license period based on the expected realization of revenues, resulting in an accelerated basis for developed networks in the United States, and a straight-line basis for all International networks, developing networks in the United States and educational ventures. The costs of content for electronic, video and hardcopy educational supplements are amortized on a straight-line basis over a three to five year period.

 

All produced and co-produced content is classified as long-term. The portion of the unamortized licensed content balance that will be amortized within one year is classified as a current asset. The Company’s co-production arrangements generally represent the sharing of production cost. The Company records its share of costs gross and records no amounts for the portion of costs borne by the other party as the Company does not share any associated economics of exploitation.

 

  Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of three to seven years for equipment, furniture and fixtures, five to forty years for building structure and construction, and six to twelve years for satellite transponders. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lesser of their estimated useful lives or the terms of the related leases, beginning on the date the asset is put into use. Equipment under capital lease represents the present value of the minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease, net of accumulated depreciation.

 

  Capitalized Software Costs

 

All capitalized software costs are for internal use. Capitalization of costs occurs during the application development stage. Costs incurred during the pre and post implementation stages are expensed as incurred. Capitalized costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of one to five years. Unamortized capitalized costs totaled $57.1 million and $61.4 million at December 31, 2007 and 2006 respectively. Software costs of $8.7 million, $7.2 million, $21.6 million and $23.2 million were capitalized from May 15, 2007 through December 31, 2007, from January 1, 2007 through May 14, 2007, in 2006 and in 2005, respectively. Amortization of capitalized software costs totaled $12.7 million, $7.3 million, $18.3 million, and $19.3 million from May 15, 2007 through December 31, 2007, from January 1, 2007 through May 14, 2007, in 2006 and in 2005, respectively. There were no write-offs for capitalized software costs during 2007, 2006 and 2005.

 

  Recoverability of Long-Lived Assets, Goodwill, and Intangible Assets

 

The Company annually assesses the carrying value of its acquired intangible assets, including goodwill, and its other long-lived assets, including deferred launch incentives, to determine whether impairment may exist, unless indicators of impairment become evident requiring immediate assessment. Goodwill impairment is identified by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the implied fair value of the goodwill within the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Intangible assets and other long-lived assets are grouped for purposes of evaluating recoverability at the lowest level for which independent cash flows are identifiable. If the carrying amount of an intangible asset, long-lived asset, or asset grouping exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized. Fair values for reporting units, goodwill and other asset groups are determined based on discounted cash flows, market multiples, or comparable assets as appropriate. During the Predecessor period, DCI recorded an asset impairment of $26.2 million for education assets related to its consumer business, which is included as a component of depreciation and amortization. During the Successor period, the Company recorded a $28.3 million

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

write-off of leasehold improvements related to store closures which is included in loss from discontinued operations.

 

The determination of recoverability of goodwill and other intangibles and long-lived assets requires significant judgment and estimates regarding future cash flows, fair values, and the appropriate grouping of assets. Such estimates are subject to change and could result in impairment losses being recognized in the future. If different reporting units, asset groupings, or different valuation methodologies had been used, the impairment test results could have differed.

 

  Deferred Launch Incentives

 

Consideration issued to cable and satellite distributors in connection with the execution of long-term network distribution agreements is deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction to revenue over the terms of the agreements. Obligations for fixed launch incentives are recorded at the inception of the agreement. Following the renewal of a distribution agreement, the remaining deferred consideration is amortized over the extended period. Amortization of deferred launch incentives and interest on unpaid deferred launch incentives was $61.4 million, $39.0 million, $79.1 million and $74.1 million from May 15, 2007 through December 31, 2007, from January 1, 2007 through May 14, 2007, in 2006 and in 2005, respectively. During 2007, in connection with the settlement of terms under a pre-existing distribution agreement, Discovery completed negotiations for the renewal of long-term distribution agreements for certain of its U.K. networks and paid a distributor $195.8 million, most of which is being amortized over a 5 year period.

 

  Foreign Currency Translation

 

The Company’s foreign subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, while results of operations are translated at average exchange rates for the respective periods. The resulting translation adjustments are included as a separate component of members’ equity/stockholders’ deficit in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Intercompany accounts of a trading nature are revalued at exchange rates in effect at each month end and are included as part of operating income in the consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

  Long-term Incentive Plans

 

Prior to August 2005, DCI maintained two unit-based, cash settled, long-term incentive plans. Under these plans, unit awards, which vest over a period of years, were granted to eligible employees and increased or decreased in value based on a specified formula of DCI’s business metrics. DCI accounted for these units similar to stock appreciation rights and applied the guidance in FASB Interpretation Number 28, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“FIN 28”). Accordingly, DCI adjusted compensation expense for changes in the accrued value of these awards over the period outstanding.

 

In August 2005, DCI discontinued one of its long-term incentive plans and settled all amounts with cash payments. In October 2005, DCI established a new long-term incentive plan for certain eligible employees. Substantially all participants in the remaining plan redeemed their vested units for cash payment and received units in the new plan.

 

Under the new plan, eligible employees receive cash settled unit awards indexed to the price of Class A DHC stock. As the units are indexed to the equity of another entity, the Company treats the units similar to a derivative, by determining their fair value each reporting period. The Company attributes compensation expense for the new awards on a straight-line basis; the Company attributes compensation expense for the initial grant of partially vested units by continuing to apply the FIN 28 model that was utilized over the awards’ original vesting periods. Once units are fully vested, the Company recognizes all mark-to-market adjustments to fair value in each period as compensation expense. In March 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) issued Staff

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (“SAB 107”) regarding the classification of compensation expense associated with share-based payment awards. By applying the provisions of SAB 107, all long term incentive compensation expense is recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

The Company classifies as a current liability the lesser of 100% of the intrinsic value of the units that are vested or will become vested within one year or the Black-Scholes value of units that have been attributed. Upon voluntary termination of employment, the Company distributes 100% of unit benefits if employees agree to certain provisions. Prior to a plan amendment in August 2007, the Company classified as a current liability 75% of the intrinsic value of vested units or units vesting within one year, as this amount corresponded to the value potentially payable should all participants separate from the Company. Upon voluntary termination of employment, the Company distributed 75% of unit benefits. The remainder was paid at the one-year anniversary of termination date. The August 2007 plan amendment eliminated the deferral of the final 25%. As such, employees are paid 100% of their vested amount upon separation from the Company.

 

Mandatorily Redeemable Interest in Subsidiaries

 

For those instruments with an estimated redemption value, mandatorily redeemable interest in subsidiaries is accreted or decreted to an estimated redemption value ratably over the period to the redemption date. Accretion and decretion are recorded as a component of minority interest expense. For instruments with a specified rate of return, DCI records interest expense as incurred. Cash receipts and payments for the sale or purchase of mandatorily redeemable interests in subsidiaries are included as a component of investing cash flows.

 

Minority Interest

 

In addition to the accretion and decretion on redeemable minority interests, the Company records minority interest expense for the portion of the earnings of consolidated entities which are applicable to the minority interest partners.

 

Treasury Stock

 

Treasury stock is accounted for using the cost method by DCI, the Predecessor. The repurchased shares are held in treasury and are presented as if retired. There was no treasury stock activity from January 1, 2007 through May 14, 2007 or for the year ended December 31, 2006. Discovery, the Successor, purchased and retired the membership equity of Cox. (See Note 1 Basis of Presentation and Description of Business.)

 

Discontinued Operations

 

In determining whether a group of assets disposed of should be presented as a discontinued operation, the Company makes a determination as to whether the group of assets being disposed of comprises a component of the entity, which requires cash flows that can be clearly distinguished from the rest of the entity. The Company also determines whether the cash flows associated with the group of assets have been or will be significantly eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company as a result of the disposal transaction and whether the Company has no significant continuing involvement in the operations of the group of assets after the disposal transaction. If these determinations can be made affirmatively, the results of operations of the group of assets being disposed of (as well as any gain or loss on the disposal transaction) are aggregated for separate presentation apart from continuing operating results of the Company in the consolidated financial statements. The Company has elected not to segregate the cash flows from discontinued operations in its presentation of the Statements of Cash Flows.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes are recorded using the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not such assets will be unrealized.

 

Effective January 1, 2007, DCI adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company’s financial statements, and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. In instances where the Company has taken or expects to take a tax position in its tax return and the Company believes it is more likely than not that such tax position will be upheld by the relevant taxing authority upon settlement, the Company may record the benefits of such tax position in its consolidated financial statements. The tax benefit to be recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Upon adoption of FIN 48, DCI recorded a $5.0 million net tax liability recorded directly to accumulated deficit.

 

 

 

 

On December 17, 2007, Discovery completed its acquisition of HowStuffWorks.com (“HSW”), an on-line source of explanations of how the world actually works. This acquisition provides an additional platform for Discovery’s library of video content and positions its brands as a hub for satisfying curiosity on both television and on-line. The results of operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements since December 17, 2007. The aggregate purchase price was $264.9 million, including $14.9 million of transaction costs. The Company also assumed net working capital of $1.1 million, content of $9.0 million, and deferred tax liabilities of $44.6 million. As of December 31, 2007, $4.6 million of the purchase price has not yet been paid. Of the $269.6 million of acquired intangibles, $95.8 million was ascribed to intangibles subject to amortization with useful lives between two and five years and the balance of $173.8 million to non-tax deductible goodwill. Acquired intangibles include trademarks, customer lists, and other items with weighted average useful lives of 4 years. The Company funded the purchase through additional borrowings under its credit facilities. HSW’s content is highly ranked by the world’s leading search engines and provides a natural link to the Company’s video library. The purchase provides the Company with an expanded platform for content, additional ad sales outlet, and brand enhancement.

 

As part of the transaction, Discovery acquired approximately 49.5% of HSW International, Inc. (“HSWi”) outstanding shares, resulting in an investment balance of $79.4 million. Discovery has gained voting rights which are capped at 45% of the outstanding votes, three non-controlling board seats and certain other governance rights. As a result of its noncontrolling interest, the Company has recorded its investment in HSWi under the equity method. Discovery will hold approximately 77% of these shares over a period of at least 12-24 months. Per terms of

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

the agreement, the Company may distribute the HSWi stock or sell and distribute substantially all of the proceeds to former HSW shareholders. The Company initially recorded a liability of $53.7 million at closing, which represents its estimated obligation to the HSW shareholders. The Company has estimated the fair value of its investment and associated liability with information from an investment bank. The Company will adjust the liability each period to fair value through adjustments to earnings. The valuation considers forecasted operating results and market valuation factors. The estimated liability at December 31, 2007 is unchanged from December 17, 2007. HSWi has a perpetual royalty free license to exploit HSW content in certain foreign markets.

 

On July 31, 2007, the Company acquired Treehugger.com, an eco-lifestyle website for $10.0 million. As of December 31, 2007, $1.8 million of this purchase price has not yet been paid. The results of operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements since that date. The acquisition furthers the Company’s goal of developing original programming related to the environment, sustainable development, conservation and organic living. The Company also has certain contingent considerations in connection with this acquisition payable in the event specific business metrics are achieved totaling up to $6.0 million over 2 years, which could result in the recording of additional goodwill.

 

Subsequent to the formation of Discovery, the Company acquired an additional 5% interest in Animal Planet L.P. (“APLP”) from Cox for $37.0 million. This transaction increased the Company’s ownership interest in APLP from 80% to 85% and has been recorded as a step acquisition. The $37.0 million has been recorded as brand intangibles of $7.0 million, affiliate relationships of $10.0 million, and goodwill of $17.0 million. The brand intangibles and affiliate relationships will be amortized over 10 years.

 

The following table summarizes the combined estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the dates of acquisition in 2007 for HSW, Animal Planet additional 5% interest and Treehugger.com. The HSW fair value allocation of assets and liabilities is preliminary because the acquisition closed December 17, 2007 and the fair value determination of assets and liabilities are subject to finalization.

 

 

During February 2006, DCI acquired 98% of DMAX (formerly known as XXP), a free-to-air network in Germany. The results of operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements since that date. The acquisition of a free-to-air network is intended to support strengthening global presence. The aggregate purchase price was $60.2 million primarily in cash. Of the $54.3 million of acquired intangible assets, $23.0 million was assigned to contract-based distribution channels subject to amortization with a useful life of approximately 5 years and the remaining balance of $31.3 million to goodwill. During 2007, Discovery acquired the remaining 2% in conjunction with the return of purchase escrow balances, for a net cash return amount of $8.1 million.

 

In March 2006, DCI acquired all of the outstanding common shares of Antenna Audio Limited (“Antenna”), a provider of audio tours and multimedia at museums and cultural attractions around the globe. The results of

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

Antenna’s operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements since that date. DCI acquired Antenna to facilitate the expansion of its Travel brand and media content to other platforms. The aggregate purchase price was $64.4 million, primarily in cash. Of the $49.1 million of acquired intangibles, $6.4 million was assigned to assets subject to amortization with useful lives between two and seven years and the balance of $42.7 million to goodwill. Antenna and the Travel Channel had been integrated within a single reporting.

 

In 2006, DCI also acquired the following four entities for a total cost of $70.4 million, which was paid primarily in cash:

 

 

Goodwill recognized for these transactions amounted to $27.9 million in 2006. Purchased identifiable intangible assets for these acquisitions are being amortized on a straight-line basis over lives ranging from one to ten years (weighted-average life of 4.4 years).

 

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the dates of acquisition in 2006.

 

 

 

Following a comprehensive strategic review of its businesses, the Company decided to close its 103 mall based and stand alone Discovery Stores (Retail) in the third quarter of 2007. The Company will continue to leverage its products through retail arrangements and its e-commerce platform. As there is no continuing involvement in the retail stores or significant migration of retail customers to e-commerce, the results of the Retail business are accounted for as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements for the periods presented herein, in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment and Disposal of Long-lived Assets” (“FAS 144”).

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

The following amounts related to Retail have been segregated from continuing operations and included in loss from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of income:

 

 

No interest expense was allocated to discontinued operations for the periods presented herein since there was no debt specifically attributable to discontinued operations or required to be repaid following the closure of the retail stores. For the Successor period, the loss from discontinued operations includes $31.1 million in lease terminations and other exit costs, $8.8 million for severance and other employee-related costs and $28.3 million in asset impairment charges, along with normal business operations.

 

Summarized balance sheet information for discontinued operations for Retail is as follows:

 

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

 

 

Amortization of content rights is recorded as a component of cost of revenue and was $558.0 million, $257.0 million, $696.0 million and $601.1 million from May 15, 2007 through December 31, 2007, from January 1, 2007 through May 14, 2007, in 2006 and in 2005, respectively. Amortization of content rights includes incremental amortization for certain programs to net realizable value of $171.7 million, $1.9 million, $40.1 million and $16.6 million from May 15, 2007 through December 31, 2007, from January 1, 2007 through May 14, 2007, in 2006 and in 2005, respectively. The $171.7 million of incremental amortization includes an impairment charge of $129.1 million at U.S. networks, where new programming leadership evaluated the networks’ programming portfolio assets and identified certain programming which no longer fit the go forward strategy of the networks. The Company wrote off those assets no longer intended for use.

 

The Company estimates that approximately 96% of unamortized costs of content rights at December 31, 2007 will be amortized within the next three years. The Company expects to amortize $434.3 million of unamortized content rights, not including in-process, not released, and prepaid productions, during the next twelve months.

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

 

 

The cost and accumulated depreciation of equipment under capital leases was $53.3 million and $19.8 million, respectively, at December 31, 2007, and $39.7 million and $13.2 million, respectively, at December 31, 2006 respectively. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment, including equipment under capital lease, was $57.3 million, $40.4 million, $78.4 million and $74.5 million from May 15, 2007 through December 31, 2007, from January 1, 2007 through May 14, 2007, in 2006 and in 2005, respectively. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment for Retail discontinued operations was $0.1 million, $3.2 million, $10.2 million and $10.4 million from May 15, 2007 through December 31, 2007, from January 1, 2007 through May 14, 2007, in 2006 and in 2005, respectively, exclusive of impairment write-downs.

 

 

In April 2006 and January 2005, DCI recorded gains of $1.5 million and $12.8 million, respectively, as a component of other non-operating expenses for the sale of certain investments accounted for under the cost method. The gains represent the difference between the proceeds received and the net book value of the investments.

 

9.  Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

During 2007, changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill were as follows:

 

 

In April 2007, DCI completed a strategic analysis of the Education business and does not expect to generate revenue from the assets acquired from the Academy 123, Inc. acquisition. Goodwill of $11.5 million and intangible assets of $9.1 million were written-off as a component of amortization expense.

 

Goodwill is not amortized. Trademarks are amortized on a straight-line basis over 3 to 10 years. Customer lists are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of three to seven years. Non-compete assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the contractual term of one to seven years. Other intangibles are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of three to ten years. The weighted-average amortization period for intangible assets is 5.1 years.

 

Amortization of intangible assets, totaled $22.3 million, $36.7 million, $43.6 million and $38.2 million from May 15, 2007 through December 31, 2007, from January 1, 2007 through May 14, 2007, in 2006 and in 2005, respectively. The Company estimates that unamortized costs of intangible assets at December 31, 2007 will be amortized over the next five years as follows: $52.5 million in 2008, $40.9 million in 2009, $37.2 million in 2010, $20.4 million in 2011, and $12.2 million in 2012.

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

10.  Investments

 

The following table outlines the Company’s less than wholly-owned ventures and the method of accounting during 2007:

 

 

Joint Ventures with the BBC

 

The Company and the BBC have formed several cable and satellite television network joint ventures, JVP, a venture to produce and acquire factual-based content, and JVN, a venture to provide debt funding to these joint ventures.

 

In addition to its own funding requirements, the Company has assumed the BBC funding requirements, giving the Company preferential cash distribution with these ventures. The Company controls substantially all of the BBC ventures and consolidates them accordingly. As the BBC does not have risk of loss, no BBC cumulative losses were allocated to minority interest for consolidated joint ventures with the BBC, and the Company recognizes both its and the BBC’s share of cumulative losses in the equity method venture with the BBC. After December 31, 2006, JVP obtained a level of cumulative profitability. Minority interest expense of $4.3 million and $1.1 million for the BBC’s share of earnings in JVP was recognized from May 15, 2007 through December 31, 2007 and from January 1, 2007 through May 14, 2007, respectively.

 

Other Ventures

 

The Company is a partner in international joint venture cable and satellite television networks. The Company also acquired an equity interest in HSWi stock as a result of its acquisition of HSW. DCI provided no funding to the equity ventures in 2007, 2006 or 2005. At December 31, 2007, the Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the equity joint ventures is the $47.0 million investment book value and future operating losses, should they occur, of the equity joint ventures that the Company is obligated to fund.

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

 

 

In May 2007, Discovery entered into a $1,500.0 million, seven year term loan credit agreement. Borrowings under this agreement bear interest at London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus an applicable margin of 2.0% or the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1% or (b) “prime rate” set by Bank of America plus an applicable margin of 1.0%. The company capitalized $4.7 million of deferred financing costs as a result of this transaction. At the end of 2007 there was $1,492.5 million outstanding under the term loan agreement (net of mandatory principal repayments) with a weighted average interest rate of 6.83%. The average interest rate under this credit agreement was 7.44% for the period May 15, 2007 through December 31, 2007.

 

In September 2007, the Company’s United Kingdom subsidiary, Discovery Communications Europe Limited (“DCEL”) executed a £10 million uncommitted facility to supplement working capital requirements. The facility is available through August 1, 2008 and is guaranteed by Discovery. At December 31, 2007 there was £4.4 million (approximately $8.8 million) outstanding under this facility.

 

In March 2006, DCEL entered into a €70.0 million three year multicurrency revolving credit agreement (“UK credit agreement”) which enables the Company to draw Euros and British Pounds. In April 2006, the UK credit agreement was amended and restated to provide for syndication and to increase the revolving commitments to €260.0 million. The Company guarantees DCEL’s obligations under the UK credit agreement. Borrowings under this agreement bear interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin based on the Company’s leverage ratios. The cost of the UK credit agreement also includes a fee on the revolving commitments (ranging from 0.1% to 0.3%) based on the Company’s leverage ratio. DCEL capitalized £0.7 million (approximately $1.4 million) of deferred financing costs as a result of this transaction. At the end of 2007 there was £47.5 million (approximately U.S. $94.2 million) outstanding under the multicurrency credit agreement with a weighted average interest rate of 6.75%. At the end of 2006 there was £95.9 million (approximately $187.8 million) outstanding under the multicurrency credit agreement with a weighted average interest rate of 5.91%. The interest rate averaged 7.05% and 6.42% from May 15, 2007

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

through December 31, 2007 and from January 1, 2007 through May 14, 2007, respectively. The UK credit agreement matures April 2009.

 

In March 2006 DCI borrowed additional funds under its US Credit Facility (Revolving Loan and Term A) to redeem the maturing $300.0 million Senior Notes. At the end of 2007 there was $1,337.5 million outstanding ($1,000 million Term A and $337.5 million Revolving Loan) under the facility with a weighted average interest rate of 5.61%. The amount available under the facility was $1,214.9 million, net of amounts committed for standby letters of credit of $2.6 million issued. At the end of 2006 there was $1,249.5 million outstanding under the facility with a weighted average interest rate of 6.35%. The amount available under the facility was $1,302.8 million, net of amounts committed for standby letters of credit of $2.7 million issued. The average interest rate under the U.S. Credit Facility was 6.11%, 6.22% and 6.01% from May 15, 2007 through December 31, 2007, from January 1, 2007 through May 14, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company’s debt agreements have certain restrictions on the payment of dividends from subsidiaries.

 

The Company uses derivative instruments to modify its exposure to interest rate fluctuations on its debt. The Term Loans, Revolving Facility, and Senior Notes contain covenants that require the Company to meet certain financial ratios and place restrictions on the payment of dividends, sale of assets, borrowing level, mergers, and purchases of capital stock, assets, and investments.

 

Future principal payments under the current debt arrangements, excluding obligations under capital leases and other notes payable, are as follows: $266.3 million in 2008, $539.2 million in 2009, $915.0 million in 2010, $235.0 million in 2011, $340.0 million in 2012 and $1,807.5 million thereafter. Of the $266.3 million of principal payments due in 2008, $242.5 million is excluded from the current portion of long-term debt as of December 31, 2007 because the Company has the intent and ability to refinance its obligations on a long-term basis.

 

Future minimum payments under capital leases are as follows: $9.0 million in 2008 and 2009, $6.8 million in 2010, $6.2 million in 2011, $3.0 million in 2012 and $10.0 million thereafter.

 

 

 

Animal Planet LP

 

As of December 31, 2006, one of the DCI’s stockholders held 44,000 senior preferred partnership units of Animal Planet LP (“APLP”) that had a redemption value of $44.0 million and carried a rate of return ranging from 8.75% to 13%. Payments were made quarterly and totaled $4.6 million during 2006. APLP’s senior preferred partnership units were called by DCI in January 2007 for $44.0 million, plus accrued interest of $0.5 million. At December 31, 2006, DCI recorded this security at the redemption value of $44.0 million plus accrued returns of $5.0 million. Preferred returns were recorded as a component of interest expense based on a constant rate of return of 10.75% through the full term and aggregated $4.7 million in 2006 and 2005. DCI reversed $5.0 million of accrued interest upon exercise of the call.

 

People & Arts Latin America and Animal Planet Channel Group

 

The BBC has the right, upon a failure of the People & Arts Latin America or the Animal Planet Channel Group (comprised of Animal Planet Europe, Animal Planet Asia, and Animal Planet Latin America), the Channel Groups,

 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

to achieve certain financial performance benchmarks to put its interests back to the Company for a value determined by a specified formula every three years which commenced December 31, 2002. The Company accretes the mandatorily redeemable equity in a subsidiary to its estimated redemption value through the applicable redemption date. The redemption value estimate is based on a contractual formula considering the projected results of each network within the channel group.

 

Based on the Company’s calculated performance benchmarks, the Company believes the BBC has the right to put their interests as of December 2005. The BBC has 90 days following the valuation of the Channel Groups by an independent appraiser to exercise their right. During 2006 DCI was notified that the BBC is evaluating whether to execute their rights under the agreement. As of December 31, 2007, the BBC and the Company are assigning a valuation firm to formally assess the performance benchmarks and the BBC’s right to put. The Company has accreted to an estimated redemption value of $48.7 million as of December 31, 2007, based on certain estimates and legal interpretations. Changes in these assumptions could materially impact current estimates. Accretion to the redemption value has been recorded as a component of minority interest expense of $1.7 million, $1.1 million, $9.1 million and $34.6 million from May 15, 2007 through December 31, 2007, from January 1, 2007 through May 14, 2007, in 2006 and 2005, respectively.