UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

Crown Media Holdings, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

6430 S. Fiddlers Green Circle,

Suite 225,

Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111

(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

 

(303) 220-7990

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

(Former Name, Former Address, and Former Fiscal Year,

if Changed Since Last Report.)

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).  Yes  ý     No  o

 

As of August 2, 2004, the number of shares of Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value outstanding was 73,863,037, and the number of shares of Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value, outstanding was 30,670,422.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I		Financial Information
Item 1		Financial Statements (Unaudited)
		CROWN MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
		Consolidated Balance Sheets – December 31, 2003 and June 30, 2004 (Unaudited)
		Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) - Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2004
		Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2004
		Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 2		Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3		Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 4		Controls and Procedures
PART II		Other Information
Item 2		Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Item 4		Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Item 6		Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
Signatures

 

2

 

In this Form 10-Q the terms “Crown Media Holdings” or the “Company,” refer to Crown Media Holdings, Inc.  and, unless the context requires otherwise, subsidiaries of Crown Media Holdings that operate or have operated our businesses, Crown Media International, LLC (“Crown Media International”), Crown Media United States, LLC (“Crown Media United States”), Crown Media Distribution, LLC (“Crown Media Distribution”), Crown Entertainment Limited (“Crown Entertainment”), and Crown Media Trust (“Crown Media Trust”). The term “common stock” refers to our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, unless the context requires otherwise.

 

The names Hallmark, Hallmark Entertainment and other product or service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their owners.

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

CROWN MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

3

 

CROWN MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

4

 

CROWN MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2003			2004			2003			2004
		(Unaudited)
Revenue:
Subscriber fees, net		$	17,864		$	20,193		$	33,890		$	40,152
Advertising		23,321			31,053			45,330			60,708
Advertising by Hallmark Cards		350			444			700			794
Film asset license fees		3,865			4,087			7,404			12,434
Other revenue		23			63			57			85
Total revenue, net		45,423			55,840			87,381			114,173
Cost of services:
Programming costs:
Affiliates		9,987			11,234			18,724			21,833
Non-affiliates		14,087			19,802			28,793			39,030
Amortization of film assets		6,809			5,484			13,586			15,466
Subscriber acquisition fee amortization		6,610			6,091			12,606			12,032
Depreciation and amortization of technical facilities		1,186			1,183			2,371			2,366
Operating costs		11,591			8,253			22,083			19,863
Total cost of services		50,270			52,047			98,163			110,590
Selling, general and administrative expense		12,285			17,801			26,450			34,609
Marketing expense		8,732			8,177			14,171			13,960
Reorganization recovery		—			(279		)	—			(279		)
Depreciation and amortization expense		2,648			2,317			5,071			4,730
Loss from operations		(28,512		)	(24,223		)	(56,474		)	(49,437		)
Guaranteed preferred beneficial accretion		(12,171		)	—			(23,218		)	—
Interest expense, net		(7,514		)	(15,895		)	(14,856		)	(31,682		)
Loss before income taxes		(48,197		)	(40,118		)	(94,548		)	(81,119		)
Income tax provision		(1,200		)	(469		)	(1,539		)	(944		)
Net loss		$	(49,397	)	$	(40,587	)	$	(96,087	)	$	(82,063	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment		635			30			410			481
Comprehensive loss		$	(48,762	)	$	(40,557	)	$	(95,677	)	$	(81,582	)
Weighted average number of Class A and Class B shares outstanding, basic and diluted		104,465			104,533			104,465			104,533
Net loss per share, basic and diluted		$	(0.47	)	$	(0.39	)	$	(0.92	)	$	(0.79	)

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

5

 

CROWN MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

		Six Months Ended June 30,
		2003			2004
		(Unaudited)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss		$	(96,087	)	$	(82,063	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		84,795			103,496
Accretion on guaranteed preferred beneficial interest		22,018			—
Loss on change in fair value of derivative liability		1,200			—
Accretion on convertible debt		5,191			—
Accretion on company obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred interest		—			1,073
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts		1,566			(11		)
Gain on sale of property and equipment		(15		)	(98		)
Stock-based compensation		323			5,808
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in accounts receivable		(5,732		)	(4,673		)
Additions to program license fees		(65,813		)	(44,679		)
Additions to subtitling and dubbing		(1,767		)	(1,198		)
Additions to subscriber acquisition fees		(1,224		)	(13,319		)
Increase in prepaid and other assets		(474		)	(1,870		)
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities.		(11,710		)	(38,527		)
Increase (decrease) in interest payable		(768		)	22,943
Increase (decrease) in subscriber acquisition fees payable		(23,024		)	9,796
Increase in license fees payable to affiliates		17,264			14,259
Increase in payables to affiliates		1,007			1,378
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue		(197		)	1,011
Net cash used in operating activities		(73,447		)	(26,674		)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment		(1,781		)	(1,206		)
Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment		38			140
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,743		)	(1,066		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from tax sharing agreement with Hallmark Cards		21,300			23,600
Borrowings under the HC Crown note payable		70,000			—
Borrowings under the credit facility		—			10,000
Distribution to holders of guaranteed preferred beneficial interest		(7,406		)	—
Principal payments under capital lease obligation		(702		)	(760		)
Net cash provided by financing activities		83,192			32,840
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(51		)	104
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		7,951			5,204
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		335			4,306
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	8,286		$	9,510
Supplemental disclosure of cash and non-cash activities:
Interest paid		$	7,706		$	6,743
Interest paid on preferred securities		$	8,944		$	—
Income taxes paid		$	1,539		$	944

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

6

 

CROWN MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2004

 

1. Business and Organization

 

Organization

 

Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (“Crown Media Holdings” or the “Company”), through its subsidiaries, owns and operates pay television channels (collectively the “Hallmark Channel” or the “Channel”) dedicated to high quality, entertainment programming for adults and families, in the United States and in various countries throughout the world. The international operations of the Hallmark Channel are operated by Crown Media International LLC (“Crown Media International”) and, in the United Kingdom, by Crown Entertainment Limited (“Crown Entertainment”). Crown Media International commenced its operations outside the United States in 1995. Domestically, the Hallmark Channel is operated and distributed by Crown Media United States LLC (“Crown Media United States”). Crown Media International acquired an interest in Crown Media United States in 1998 and as a result of subsequent transactions Crown Media Holdings owned 100% of the common interests of Crown Media United States by March 2001. Significant investors in Crown Media Holdings include Hallmark Entertainment Investments Co. (“Hallmark Entertainment Investments”), a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Incorporated (“Hallmark Cards”), the National Interfaith Cable Coalition, Inc. (“NICC”), and, indirectly through their investments in Hallmark Entertainment Investments, Liberty Media Corporation (“Liberty Media”) and J.P. Morgan Partners (BHCA), L. P. (“J.P. Morgan”).

 

Liquidity

 

Cash Flows

 

As of June 30, 2004, the Company had $9.5 million in cash and cash equivalents on hand and $10.0 million available under its bank credit facility. The Company’s principal sources of funds are currently cash inflows from operations, cash on hand, periodic cash inflows expected under the tax sharing agreement with Hallmark Cards and amounts available for borrowing under its bank credit facility.

 

The Company’s principal uses of funds during 2004 are expected to be the payment of operating expenses, payments for licensing of programming and subscriber acquisition fees, and interest payments under its bank credit facility. As part of the Company’s growth strategy, the Company expects to continue making investments in programming and distribution during 2004.

 

As of June 30, 2004, the Company believes that cash inflows from its operations, cash on hand, remaining availability under its bank credit facility and payments anticipated under the tax sharing agreement with Hallmark Cards, all of which are currently its principal sources of funds, will be sufficient to meet its liquidity needs for at least the next twelve months. In any event, in order to provide more liquidity, we may consider pursuing alternatives to raise additional cash, which could include the issuance of additional equity or debt securities or extension of our bank line of credit. There can be no assurance, however, that additional funding will be available, if at all, on terms acceptable to the Company. Any new debt financing would require the agreement of existing lenders, including HC Crown.

 

Potential Sale of the International Business

 

On April 13, 2004, the Company announced that it is exploring strategic alternatives for its international operations and the international rights to its film library, including, but not necessarily limited to, a sale or other corporate transaction in an effort to maximize shareholder value.  Any sale would, and any other corporate transaction might, require the consent of existing lenders, and be subject to other customary conditions. The Company contemplates using any proceeds from any such transaction to pay down its debt and/or other obligations.  The Company can not provide assurance that any such transaction will occur.

 

7

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Interim Financial Statements

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and related interim consolidated statements of operations and cash flows, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring items necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis and consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Crown Media Holdings, Inc. 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the consolidated accounts of Crown Media Holdings, including those of its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Crown Media Holdings considers all highly liquid financial instruments purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The fair value of Crown Media Holdings’ cash equivalents approximates cost at each balance sheet date.

 

Subscriber Acquisition Fees

 

Crown Media United States has distribution agreements with every major pay television distributor (based on the number of subscribers) in the United States. These distributors carry the Hallmark Channel on certain of their cable, satellite, terrestrial television, or satellite master antenna television systems. Under certain of these agreements, Crown Media United States is obligated to pay subscriber acquisition fees, if defined subscriber levels are met, in order to obtain additional carriage of the Hallmark Channel by those distributors. Such costs are accrued when Crown Media United States receives notice from the distributors that they have met the penetration percentage or subscriber count defined in the underlying agreements.

 

Subscriber acquisition fees are amortized over the contractual life of the distribution agreements (ranging from 4 to 9 years) as a reduction of subscriber fee revenue. If the amortization expense exceeds the revenue recognized on a per distributor basis, the excess amortization is included as a component of cost of services. Crown Media Holdings assesses the recoverability of these costs periodically. It also assesses the recoverability when events such as changes in distributor relationships occur or other indicators, which would suggest impairment.

 

Subscriber acquisition fees are comprised of the following:

 

		As of December 31, 2003			As of June 30, 2004
					(unaudited)
		(In thousands)
Subscriber acquisition fees, at cost		$	191,377		$	204,696
Accumulated amortization		(78,181		)	(95,661		)
Subscriber acquisition fees, net		$	113,196		$	109,035

 

As of December 31, 2003, and June 30, 2004, the consolidated balance sheets also reflect subscriber acquisition fees payable of $10.6 million and $19.8 million, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, Crown Media United States made cash payments of $12.8 million and $984,000, respectively, reducing subscriber acquisition fees payable. For the six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, Crown Media United States made cash payments of $24.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively, reducing subscriber acquisition fees payable.

 

8

 

Under certain of the agreements with distributors mentioned above, additional subscriber acquisition fees will become payable by the Company if defined incremental subscriber levels are reached. Under certain of the agreements, the Company may also be required to pay substantial marketing support payments, if subscribers exceed proscribed benchmarks, as defined in the respective agreements. These marketing support payments are expensed when it becomes probable that subscribers will exceed such benchmarks.

 

Program License Fees

 

Program license fees are payable in connection with the acquisition of the rights to air programs acquired from others. In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 63, Financial Reporting by Broadcasters, program rights are generally deferred and then amortized on a straight-line basis over their license periods or anticipated usage. At the inception of these contracts and periodically thereafter, Crown Media Holdings evaluates the recoverability of these costs compared to the estimated future revenues directly associated with the programming and related expenses. Where an evaluation indicates that a programming contract will ultimately result in a loss, additional amortization is provided to currently recognize that loss. The Company broadcasts certain of its film assets on the Hallmark Channel, primarily in its international markets.  The Company accounts for such usage by first calculating the cost of the broadcast rights under the individual-film-forecast-computation method and then amortizes the computed cost over the respective license period using the straight-line method.

 

Subtitling and Dubbing

 

Subtitling and dubbing represent costs incurred to prepare programming for airing in international markets. These costs are capitalized as incurred and are amortized over the shorter of the program’s airing window for programming licensed from unaffiliated third-parties or the program’s estimated life for programming licensed from Hallmark Entertainment Distribution and the Company’s film assets. Costs related to programming licensed from Hallmark Entertainment Distribution are amortized over a maximum period of 3 years. Amortization expense for subtitling and dubbing costs was $1.2 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Amortization expense for subtitling and dubbing costs was $2.3 million and $2.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively.

 

		As of December 31, 2003			As of June 30, 2004
					(unaudited)
		(In thousands)
Subtitling and dubbing assets, at cost		$	7,863		$	7,340
Accumulated amortization		(3,016		)	(3,293		)
Subtitling and dubbing assets, net		$	4,847		$	4,047

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, ranging from three to eight years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the underlying lease. When a property is sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in income. The costs of normal maintenance and repairs are charged to expense when incurred.

 

Accounting for Trust Preferred Securities

 

In December 2001, Crown Media Holdings formed a special-purpose entity, Crown Media Trust. Crown Media Trust issued trust preferred securities in Crown Media Trust’s name to investors in a private placement and loaned the proceeds to Crown Media Holdings. This loan was designed so that interest and principal payments matched the dividend and any redemption requirements on the trust preferred securities issued by Crown Media Trust. Interest received by Crown Media Trust from Crown Media Holdings funded distributions to the holders of the preferred securities.

 

9

 

Crown Media Holdings owned 100% of the common equity in Crown Media Trust. The trust preferred securities included terms that allowed the holder to earn a return above the stated dividend rate on the securities under certain conditions. Based on fair value calculations using discounted cash flows and Black-Scholes models, a portion of the proceeds from the preferred securities was allocated and classified in Crown Media Holdings’ balance sheet as guaranteed preferred beneficial interest in Crown Media Trust’s debentures and a portion was classified as convertible debt. Issuance costs related to the guaranteed preferred beneficial interest portion were netted against the guaranteed preferred beneficial interest and accreted as additional expense in earnings. Issuance costs related to the convertible debt portion were recorded as a deferred debt issuance costs asset and were amortized as additional interest expense, using the effective interest method.

 

On December 17, 2001, Crown Media Holdings completed the $265.0 million private placement of the trust preferred securities to a group of institutional investors. Under the terms of the private placement, Crown Media Holdings issued units to the investors, each unit consisted of one preferred security of Crown Media Trust, and one contingent appreciation certificate, issued by Crown Media Holdings.

 

Crown Media Holdings calculated the initial value of the contingent appreciation certificate portion of the trust preferred securities by using Black-Scholes models and by using a combination of put and call options that would provide the same future payout as the convertible debt portion. Crown Media Holdings calculated the initial fair value of the guaranteed preferred beneficial interest portion of the trust preferred securities using a discounted cash flow model.  The proceeds from the private placement of the trust preferred securities of $265.0 million were bifurcated between the convertible debt and guaranteed preferred beneficial interest portions based upon their relative fair values.

 

On August 5, 2003, Crown Media Holdings repurchased all of the preferred securities of Crown Media Trust and related contingent appreciation certificates issued by the Company. The securities were repurchased for approximately $329.1 million, including approximately $2.4 million of scheduled cash distributions on the trust preferred securities during the quarter.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Subscriber fees from pay television distributors are recognized each month as revenue when an agreement is executed, programming is provided, the price is determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. Subscriber fees from pay television distributors are recorded net of amortization of subscriber acquisition costs in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) No. 01-9, Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor’s Products). Subscriber acquisition fee expense is recorded to the extent that the amortization of subscriber acquisition costs exceeds the related revenue earned from the pay television distributor.

 

Advertising revenues are recognized as earned in the period in which the advertising is telecast and are generally billed monthly in arrears. If the collectibility of this revenue is not reasonably assured with any individual customer, the revenue is not recognized until cash is received. Advertising revenues are recorded net of agency commissions. Agency commissions are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing revenue for the Company’s broadcasting operations. Customers remit the gross billing amount to the agency and the agency remits gross billings less their commission to the Company. Payments received in advance of being earned are recorded as deferred revenue.

 

Advertising revenue and expenses in barter transactions are recorded at the fair value of the advertising to be provided. The fair value is determined based upon amounts paid in cash for similar advertisements from buyers unrelated to the other party in the barter transaction. When the revenue does not meet the requirements of EITF No. 99-17, Accounting for Advertising Barter Transactions, no revenue is recognized. For each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, revenue from advertising barter transactions of $94,000 and the corresponding barter expenses were included as a component of both advertising revenue and marketing expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. For each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, the Company did not record any revenue from advertising barter transactions.

 

10

 

Revenue from film asset licensing agreements is recognized when an agreement is executed, the film is available for exhibition by the licensee, the license fee is fixed or reasonably determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured and the cost of each film is known or reasonably determinable. Revenue from film asset licensing agreements containing multiple film titles is allocated among the various film titles based on their relative fair values. Payments received from licensees prior to the availability of a film are recorded as deferred revenue.

 

Revenues from foreign sources for the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, represented 47% and 40%, respectively, of total revenue. Revenues from foreign sources for the six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, represented 46% and 40%, respectively, of total revenue. Such revenues, generally denominated in United States dollars, were primarily from sales to customers in Australia, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom, during all periods presented. The Company records revenue from certain foreign countries only when the cash is received due to the uncertainty regarding collection. For the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, $1.2 million and $396,000, respectively, was invoiced, but not recorded as revenue. For the six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, $2.9 million and $597,000, respectively, was invoiced, but not recorded as revenue.

 

Cost of Services

 

Cost of services includes signal distribution expenses, depreciation of the Company’s Network Operations Center and amortization of the capital lease for uplink and transponder space, amortization of program license fees, subtitling and dubbing amortization and costs, subscriber acquisition amortization in excess of subscriber revenue and costs, and amortization of film assets.

 

Film Assets

 

In September 2001, the Company acquired certain film assets from Hallmark Entertainment Distribution. The Company amortizes its film assets using the individual-film-forecast-computation method over a maximum period of 10 years. The individual-film-forecast-computation method amortizes such assets in the same ratio that current period actual revenue bears to estimated unrecognized ultimate revenues. The Company’s projections of ultimate revenue regarding sales of certain rights related to its film assets to third parties and anticipated internal use of its film assets are based on the history of each film and similar films, sales and marketing plans, and other factors, all of which require significant judgment by management. The 10-year period used for sales to third parties and internal use commences on the date of acquisition.

 

The Company reviews the film assets for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the film assets may not be recoverable. If the carrying value of the individual film assets exceeds its fair value, the film assets are written-down to their fair values. On an annual basis, the Company is required by the covenants in its credit agreement to have an outside expert perform a valuation of the film assets. This valuation supported the Company’s determination that the estimated fair value of the film assets exceeded the carrying value at December 31, 2003. A discounted cash flows model is used by the Company and its valuation expert to estimate fair value. Future cash flows are based on the terms of any existing contractual arrangements plus the projected cash inflows from future license sales. The Company and its valuation expert considered the following factors, among others, in estimating future cash inflows for a film:  (a) if previously released, the film’s performance in historical markets, (b) the public’s perception of the film’s story, cast, director, or producer, (c) historical results of similar films, (d) historical results of the cast, director, or producer on prior films, and (e) running time of the film.  In estimating a film’s fair value, the Company and its valuation expert consider those cash outflows necessary to generate the film’s cash inflows.  Therefore, future exploitation and participation costs are factored into the estimation of fair value. When estimating the fair value of a film under the discounted cash flow methodology, the discount rate is determined using a combination of the estimated incremental borrowing rate of the Company’s film license customers in the case of projected third party sales, and the Company’s incremental borrowing rate in the case of projected internal use.

 

Amortization expense for the film assets was $6.8 million and $5.5 million for the three months ended June 30,

 

11

 

2003 and 2004, respectively. Amortization expense for the film assets was $13.6 million and $15.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Based upon the carrying amount of the film assets at June 30, 2004, the Company expects to amortize $55.0 million to $65.0 million of film assets during the year ending December 31, 2004.

 

		As of December 31, 2003			As of June 30, 2004
					(unaudited)
		(In thousands)
Film assets		$	810,928		$	810,928
Residual assets		9,129			11,298
Accumulated amortization		(69,320		)	(84,689		)
Film assets, net		$	750,737		$	737,537

 

Goodwill

 

The Company has allocated all of its goodwill to its domestic reporting unit, Crown Media United States, since the goodwill was recorded as a result of a series of transactions whereby the Company became the owner of 100% of the membership units of Crown Media United States.  In accordance with SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Crown Media Holdings ceased amortizing goodwill on January 1, 2002. Annually, the Company employs a valuation expert to evaluate the carrying value of the Company’s goodwill for impairment, as required by SFAS No. 142.  The Company has selected November 30 as its annual goodwill impairment review date. The evaluation utilized a discounted cash flow methodology to estimate the fair value of the domestic reporting unit. The estimated cash flow available for distribution over a ten-year period was added to the estimated terminal value and discounted to the present using the domestic reporting unit’s estimated weighted average cost of capital.  The assumptions utilized in the discounted cash flow model required significant judgment by management and its valuation expert. As this valuation exceeded the carrying value of the domestic reporting unit as of November 30, 2003, the step one test described by SFAS No. 142 was deemed to have been passed and the step two test was not performed.

 

Taxes on Income

 

Pursuant to the Tax Sharing Agreement entered into with Hallmark Cards on March 11, 2003, the Company’s results of operations for tax purposes became a part of the Hallmark Cards consolidated federal tax return as of and subsequent to March 11, 2003.  However, the Company continues to account for income taxes on a separate return basis. The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability method that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company reduces deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Any payments received from Hallmark Cards under the Tax Sharing Agreement are recorded as an increase in paid-in capital and any future reversal of the valuation allowance will be recorded as a reduction in paid-in capital, to the extent payments were received for such benefits under the Tax Sharing Agreement.

 

Translation of Foreign Currency

 

The balance sheets and statements of operations of certain Crown Media Holdings’ foreign subsidiaries are measured using local currency as the functional currency. Revenues, expenses and cash flows of such subsidiaries are translated into United States dollars at the average exchange rates prevailing during the period. Assets and liabilities are translated at the rates of exchange at the balance sheet date. Translation gains and losses are deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Foreign currency transaction gains and losses recorded upon the remeasurement of financial assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the subsidiary are included in determining net loss for the period.

 

12

 

Net Loss Per Share

 

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares and potentially dilutive common shares outstanding. The calculation of diluted net loss per share excludes potential common shares if the effect would be antidilutive. Potential common shares consist of incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and restricted stock units. Approximately 1.7 million and 1.4 million stock options for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively, have been excluded from the calculations of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive. Approximately 2.1 million restricted stock units for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, respectively, have been excluded from the calculations of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive. Approximately 2.8 million restricted stock units for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, respectively, have been excluded from the calculations of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been antidilutive. Additionally, 10.1 million contingent appreciation certificates issued in conjunction with the private placement of the trust preferred securities have also been excluded from the calculations of diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, as their effect would have been antidilutive.

 

Stock-Based Compensation, Employee Incentives and Retention

 

The Company accounts for its stock-based employee compensation plan using the intrinsic value method under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations. Accordingly, compensation cost for stock options issued to employees is measured as the excess, if any, of the quoted market price of the Company’s stock at the date of the grant over the exercise price of the underlying stock options. In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure – an amendment of SFAS No. 123. SFAS No. 148 requires certain additional disclosures of the estimated fair value of stock-based compensation. Such estimated fair value is determined through the use of the Black-Scholes option pricing model. SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, encourages, but does not require, companies to record compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation plans at fair value.

 

In April 2003, the Company’s Board of Directors approved actions to provide additional incentives to encourage retention of its employees. Crown Media Holdings’ then outstanding stock options held by employees had exercise prices significantly above the current market value of its Class A common stock.  The Company made an offer in May 2003 to senior management and vice presidents, totaling approximately 55 persons, to exchange their options for restricted stock units (“RSUs”).  The exchange ratio was one RSU for every 2.5 options for shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, resulting in a total of 5,126,732 options exchanged for 2,050,693 RSUs. Each RSU, upon vesting, represents the right to receive one share of Class A common stock or the value of the share in cash at the time of vesting.  The RSUs vest over three years in one-third increments on the anniversary of the grant date each year. The Company’s Board may determine, at its discretion, whether the payment is made in common stock or cash for each of the one-third increments. As a result of the Board’s decision to settle the first one-third increment in cash, Crown Media Holdings is recording compensation expense based on the fair value of the common stock required to settle the RSUs at each reporting period end during the vesting period of the RSUs. Such compensation expense is calculated using variable plan accounting. Options for 279,254 shares of common stock that were not exchanged are also subject to variable plan accounting in which compensation is remeasured at each reporting date until the options are exercised, expire unexercised or are forfeited.

 

In May 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an additional grant to employees of 1,065,000 RSUs. The Employment RSUs, which constitute 70% of the award, vest in equal one-third installments over the next three years on the anniversary of the grant date each year. The Company is accruing expense related to the Employment RSUs ratably over each installment’s vesting period. The Performance RSUs, constituting 30% of the grant, vest on the 3^rd anniversary of the grant date, provided that the price of the Crown common stock is $14 or higher on that date. The Company will begin to accrue compensation expense for the Performance RSUs when it becomes probable that the price of the Company’s stock will be $14 or more on the 3^rd anniversary of the grant date. The Company’s Board determines, whether the RSUs are settled in cash or common stock. Crown Media Holdings is

 

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adjusting compensation expense at the end of each reporting period based on the fair value of the common stock required to settle the RSUs. Such compensation expense is calculated using variable plan accounting.

 

In May 2004, the Company granted 115,000 RSUs to a Company executive and changed the original vesting terms of this employee’s 2003 grant such that one-half of the grant will vest in January 2004 and the other half will vest in January 2005. Compensation expense already recorded for this employee’s 2003 grant will not be adjusted, rather, compensation expense for the remaining unvested portion of the grant will be accrued in one-half increments ratably over the new vesting periods. Crown Media Holdings is adjusting compensation expense at the end of each reporting period based on the fair value of the common stock required to settle the RSUs at each reporting period end during the vesting period of the RSUs. Such compensation expense is calculated using variable plan accounting.

 

The Company recorded $317,288 of compensation expense associated with the RSUs during the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, which has been recorded as an accrued liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and is included in selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. The Company recorded $3.5 million and $5.8 million of compensation expense associated with the RSUs during the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, respectively, which has been recorded as an accrued liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and is included in selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. The Company settled the first one-third increment of the 2003 RSUs in June 2004 for approximately $3.5 million in cash.

 

In addition, in May 2003, the Company’s Board immediately vested the stock options of all employees below the vice-president level who held options at that time and granted them a right to receive a future cash payment of $1.00 for each outstanding option held by the employee. The immediate vesting of the employees’ stock options created a new measurement date which required the Company to record stock compensation expense, if any, for the excess of the Company’s stock price on the measurement date over the underlying stock options’ exercise price.  Since the price of the Company’s Class A common stock on the measurement date was less than the exercise price of all of the stock options owned by the employees, no compensation expense was recorded under APB 25. However, the June 2004 cash payments totaling $344,386 was contingent upon each respective employees’ continuous employment through that date. As a result, the Company was recording compensation expense from June 2003 through May 2004 as the compensation was earned. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, $29,000 of compensation expense was recorded related to this obligation, which has been included in accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, $60,000 and $140,000 of compensation expense was recorded related to this obligation, which has been included in accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. In June 2004, eligible employees received the $1.00 per option payment.

 

Had compensation expense for these plans been determined consistent with SFAS No. 123, Crown Media Holdings’ net loss and loss per share would have been increased to the following pro forma amounts for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004:

 

Pro Forma Effects

(unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

There were no stock options granted during 2003 or during the three and six months ended June 30, 2004.

 

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Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company follows the provisions of SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended. The standard requires the recognition of all derivative instruments on the balance sheet as either assets or liabilities measured at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized immediately in earnings unless the derivatives qualify as hedges of future cash flows. The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting the cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or the derivative is no longer designated as a hedging instrument. Changes in the fair value of the contingent appreciation certificates included in the trust preferred securities were recognized immediately in earnings.  The trust preferred securities were repurchased in August 2003 and the cost associated with the settlement of the contingent appreciation certificates has been included in the loss on early extinguishment of debt in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires Crown Media Holdings to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates employed by the Company are as follows.

 

The Company estimates and records the level of subscriber fees one month in advance based upon the actual prior month’s subscriber levels. The Company’s advertising revenue is heavily reliant upon third party ratings estimates to determine the quantity of advertising delivered to viewers.

 

When multiple films are sold under a single arrangement, in order to properly recognize revenue when each license fee commences, the Company must estimate the relative fair value of each film and allocate the total contracted price to the different films in the arrangement. The Company’s estimation of relative fair value uses similar information as is used in its annual third party valuation of its film assets.

 

The Company has established an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon historical charge-off experience. Periodically, management analyzes the attributes of the accounts which management has written-off during the period and adjusts the allowance percentages management applies to its aged receivable balances.

 

The initial recoverability of subscriber acquisition fees is evaluated by projecting the incremental subscriber fee and advertising revenue attributable to the incremental subscribers obtained through the distribution agreement.  This analysis includes significant judgment and estimation by management in terms of the estimated incremental advertising per subscriber.

 

The Company amortizes its film assets using the individual-film-forecast-computation method over a maximum period of 10 years from the date of acquisition, which amortizes such assets in the same ratio that current period actual revenue bears to estimated unrecognized ultimate revenues. Estimated unrecognized ultimate revenues are based on the history of each film and similar films, sales and marketing plans, and other factors, all of which require significant judgment by management.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments, which potentially subject Crown Media Holdings to a concentration of credit risk, consist primarily of cash, restricted cash, cash equivalents and accounts receivable. Generally, Crown Media Holdings does not require collateral to secure receivables. Crown Media Holdings has no significant off-balance sheet financial instruments with risk of accounting losses.

 

Fair Value

 

Accounts payable and receivable, are reasonable estimates of their fair values because of their short-term nature.

 

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The interest rates on the bank credit facility and the line of credit with HC Crown are variable and/or reset periodically, therefore, the fair value of this debt is not significantly affected by fluctuations in interest rates. The carrying amount of the senior unsecured note to HC Crown at June 30, 2004, was $438.5 million, its fair value was $431.7 million and its unrealized gain was $6.8 million, assuming an interest rate of 10.50%. The company obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred interest was revalued to its fair value as of July 1, 2003, upon adoption of SFAS No. 150 Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.  The Company estimates the fair value of the company obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred interest on an annual basis in November as it is not practicable to perform the valuation more frequently.  The Company employs a discounted cash flow approach to value the company obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred interest that involves a significant amount of time to perform.  The valuation is dependent upon the future pre-tax income of Crown Media United States since the Company is only obligated to make payments on the instrument to the extent pre-tax income is generated by Crown Media United States.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

At a recent meeting, the FASB unanimously voted for proposed accounting standards relating to equity-based compensation to be effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2004 (January 1, 2005 for the Company).  An exposure draft was released in the first quarter of 2004 and the final standard is expected to be issued in 2004.  The accounting standard is expected to require all companies to utilize the fair value method of accounting for equity-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” Companies can currently voluntarily adopt SFAS No. 123, using a variety of adoption methods.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the proposed accounting standards and the adoption alternatives provided under both the current standards and the proposed standards.  Crown Media Holdings discloses the pro forma impact of stock based compensation on its earnings in its notes to financial statements.

 

In December 2003, the FASB issued an exposure draft that would amend the computational guidance in SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share,” for calculating the number of incremental shares included in diluted shares when applying the treasury stock method.  Also, this proposed Statement would eliminate the provisions of SFAS No. 128 that allow an entity to rebut the presumption that contracts with the option of settling in either cash or stock will be settled in stock.  In addition, this proposed Statement would require that shares that will be issued upon conversion of a mandatorily convertible security be included in the weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding used in computing basic earnings per share from the date when conversion becomes mandatory.  This Statement will be effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2004 (January 1, 2005 for the Company). After the effective date, all prior-period earnings per share data presented shall be adjusted retrospectively (including interim financial statements, summaries of earnings and selected financial data) to conform with the provisions of this Statement.  At this time, the Company does not believe any prior period earnings per share restatements will result from the exposure draft, since all of the Company’s convertible financial instruments are already included in the diluted earnings per share calculation.

 

3. Reorganization

 

In October 2002, the Company began reorganizing its operations in order to concentrate its efforts on the Hallmark Channel in the U.S. and in its more successful international markets.  The Company completed decentralizing many oversight and non-technical support functions formerly located in the Company’s U.S.-based offices and transferred those responsibilities to regional staff.  In Latin America, the Company entered into an agreement with a local distribution partner, Pramer S.C.A., who is now responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Hallmark Channel in this region.  At the completion of the reorganization in April 2003, the Company’s workforce was reduced by approximately 30% or 130 positions. Accordingly, the Company recorded a reorganization charge of $28.8 million during the fourth quarter of 2002. This charge was comprised of a charge of $5.5 million for severance costs and charges of $23.3 million related to exit costs for permanently abandoned satellite, transponder and facility leases.

 

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The following table displays the activity and balances of the reorganization accrual account from December 31, 2002, to June 30, 2004, which have been included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

		Severance			Facilities			Satellite and Transponder			Total
		(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2003		$	4		$	1,523		$	13,511		$	15,038
Additions due to accretion		—			—			22			22
Deductions due to payments		—			(67		)	(923		)	(990		)
Balance at March 31, 2004		4			1,456			12,610			14,070
Additions due to accretion		—			—			16			16
Deductions due to adjustments to estimates		(4		)	(126		)	(149		)	(279		)
Deductions due to payments		—			(142		)	(919		)	(1,061		)
Balance at June 30, 2004		$	—		$	1,188		$	11,558		$	12,746

 

4. Program license fees

 

Program license fees are comprised of the following:

 

 

Programming costs for the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, were $24.1 million and $31.0 million, respectively. Programming costs for the six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, were $47.5 million and $60.9 million, respectively. Amortization of program license fees, included as a component of programming cost in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, was $22.5 million and $31.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004. Amortization of program license fees, included as a component of programming cost in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, was $46.3 million and $60.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004.

 

At December 31, 2003, and June 30, 2004, $4.8 million and $4.5 million, respectively, of program license fees were included in prepaid and other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets since the airing windows had not begun but payment had been made.

 

License fees payable are comprised of the following:

 

 

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5. Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are comprised of the following:

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $2.9 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment was $5.7 million and $5.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively. Software and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization, of $4.6 million and $3.9 million as of December 31, 2003, and June 30, 2004, respectively, have been included in prepaid and other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

6. Credit Facility

 

In connection with the completion of the purchase of the film assets, Crown Media Holdings entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks, led by JP Morgan Chase Bank, under which the banks have extended to Crown Media Holdings a five-year $320.0 million secured credit facility. The credit facility includes a term loan of $100.0 million and a revolving line of credit of $220.0 million, up to $20.0 million of which can be letters of credit issued at the request of Crown Media Holdings. At June 30, 2004, Crown Media Holdings had outstanding borrowings of $310.0 million under the credit facility and there were no letters of credit outstanding. The entire balance is due in 2006 and, therefore, is classified as a non-current liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. This loan is guaranteed by Crown Media Holdings’ subsidiaries and is secured by all tangible and intangible property of Crown Media Holdings and its subsidiaries. The Company is obligated to maintain certain financial debt covenants in conjunction with the credit facility. As of March 31, 2004, the Company was not in compliance with the twelve-month trailing EBITDA covenant (as defined) associated with its bank credit facility. On May 4, 2004, the Company amended its bank credit facility and obtained a waiver for this event of non-compliance.

 

Interest expense on borrowings under the credit facility for the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, was $3.5 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Interest expense on borrowings under the credit facility for the six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, was $7.0 million and $6.4 million, respectively.

 

7. Related Party Transactions

 

Senior Unsecured Note

 

In August 2003, the Company issued a senior unsecured note to HC Crown for $400.0 million. A portion of the proceeds was used to repurchase the Company’s outstanding trust preferred securities, and the balance of the proceeds, after expenses, was used to reduce amounts outstanding under its bank credit facility.

 

The senior unsecured note payable to HC Crown does not require cash interest payments for four years. Instead, the principal amount of the senior unsecured note accretes at 10.25% per annum, compounding semi-annually, to $596.6 million on August 5, 2007.  From that date, interest at 10.25% per annum will be payable semi-annually on the accreted value of the senior unsecured note to HC Crown.  The note matures on August 5, 2011, and may be prepaid by Crown Media Holdings at any time after August 5, 2004, without penalty. At December 31, 2003, $400.0 million of principal and $17.1 million of accreted interest were included in the senior unsecured note payable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. At June 30, 2004, $400.0 million of principal and $38.5 million of

 

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accrued interest were included in the senior unsecured note payable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The note purchase agreement for the senior unsecured note contains certain covenants which restrict on the part of the Company, among other matters, from the incurrence of any additional indebtedness, the repurchase or other acquisitions of the Company’s stock, investments in other parties and the incurrence of liens on the Company’s assets.  As a fee for the issuance of the notes, the Company paid $3.0 million to HC Crown, which is being amortized as additional interest expense over the term of the note payable.

 

Line of Credit to HC Crown

 

On December 14, 2001, the Company executed a line of credit promissory note with a maturity date of December 21, 2007, in the amount of $75.0 million payable to HC Crown. This note replaced the promissory note previously issued to HC Crown dated September 28, 2001. This line of credit is subordinate to the bank credit facility. The rate of interest under this line of credit is equal to LIBOR plus three percent, payable quarterly. At both December 31, 2003, and June 30, 2004, borrowings under the note were $75.0 million. Accrued interest on the note of $2.7 million and $4.2 million as of December 31, 2003, and June 30, 2004, respectively, is included in interest payable to HC Crown on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

Tax Sharing Agreement

 

On March 11, 2003, Crown Media Holdings became a member of Hallmark Cards consolidated federal tax group and entered into a federal tax sharing agreement with Hallmark Cards (the “Tax Sharing Agreement”). Hallmark Cards includes Crown Media Holdings in its consolidated federal income tax return.  Accordingly, Hallmark Cards has benefited from past tax losses and will benefit from future federal tax losses, which may be generated by Crown Media Holdings.  Based on the Tax Sharing Agreement, Hallmark Cards has agreed to pay Crown Media Holdings all of the benefits realized or realizable by Hallmark Cards as a result of including Crown Media Holdings in its consolidated income tax return, 75% in cash on a quarterly basis and the balance when Crown Media Holdings becomes a federal taxpayer.  Under the Tax Sharing Agreement, at Hallmark Cards’ option, the balance of the 25% in federal tax benefits may also be applied as an offset against any amounts owed by Crown Media Holdings to any member of the Hallmark Cards consolidation group under any loan, line of credit or other payable, subject to limitations under any loan indentures or contracts restricting such offsets. As of June 30, 2004, Hallmark Cards has not exercised this option.

 

The Company received $49.4 million under the Tax Sharing Agreement during 2003. The Company received $21.3 million and $23.6 million under the Tax Sharing Agreement during the six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively. These receipts have been recorded as an addition to paid-in capital in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

 

Hallmark Entertainment Investments

 

On March 11, 2003, Hallmark Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (“Hallmark Entertainment Holdings”, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hallmark Cards) contributed 100% of the Crown Media Holdings shares owned by it to Hallmark Entertainment Investments. Two of Crown Media Holdings’ investors, Liberty Crown, Inc., a subsidiary of Liberty Media, and JP Morgan, also contributed 100% of their Crown Media Holdings shares to Hallmark Entertainment Investments, and VISN contributed 10% of its Crown Media Holdings shares to Hallmark Entertainment Investments, all in return for shares in Hallmark Entertainment Investments. Hallmark Entertainment Holdings, now an owner of more than 80% of Hallmark Entertainment Investments, has voting power over all of the Crown Media Holdings shares owned by Hallmark Entertainment Investments.

 

Costs Incurred on Crown Media Holdings’ Behalf

 

Since inception, Hallmark Entertainment has at times paid certain costs on behalf of Crown Media Holdings. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, the Company paid $845,000 to Hallmark Entertainment as a reimbursement of such costs. Hallmark Entertainment incurred $445,000 on Crown Media Holdings behalf for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003. No amounts were reimbursed to Hallmark Entertainment during the three and six months ended June 30, 2004. Hallmark Entertainment incurred $1.9 million and $2.4 million, respectively,

 

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on Crown Media Holdings behalf for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004. Unreimbursed costs of $670,000 and $3.1 million are included in payable to affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2003, and June 30, 2004, respectively.

 

Services Agreement with Hallmark Cards

 

Crown Media Holdings entered into an Intercompany Services Agreement with Hallmark Cards, which was effective January 1, 2003, under which Hallmark Cards agreed for a term of three years to provide Crown Media Holdings with tax, risk management, health safety, environmental, insurance, legal, treasury and cash management services and real estate consulting services.  Under the agreement, the Company agreed to pay Hallmark Cards $515,000 per year for these services, plus out-of-pocket expenses and third party fees, payable in arrears on the last business day of each quarter. At December 31, 2003 and June 30, 2004, unpaid accrued service fees and unreimbursed expenses of $6.8 million and $8.3 million, respectively, have been included in payable to affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

Film Asset Services Agreement with Hallmark Entertainment

 

The Company entered into a film asset services agreement with Hallmark Entertainment, under which Hallmark Entertainment provides Crown Media Holdings with services related to the administration, distribution and other exploitation of the Company’s film assets. The services agreement expires on December 31, 2006, subject to cancellation by either party after the first or second year. In consideration for the services provided by Hallmark Entertainment, Crown Media Holdings is obligated to pay a service fee of $1.5 million per year, payable in quarterly installments of $375,000. Crown Media Holdings paid $375,000 to Hallmark Entertainment during both of the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004. Crown Media Holdings paid $750,000 to Hallmark Entertainment during both of the six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004. At both December 31, 2003, and June 30, 2004, unpaid accrued service fees of $375,000 were included in payable to affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

 

Trademark Agreement with Hallmark Cards

 

Crown Media United States, Crown Media International and Crown Entertainment have trademark license agreements with Hallmark Cards and Hallmark Licensing, Inc. for use of the “Hallmark” mark for the versions of the Hallmark Channel distributed both in the United States and internationally and for the Hallmark Movie Channel.  These trademark license agreements expire on September 1, 2004.

 

Program License Agreements with Hallmark Entertainment Distribution

 

Crown Media International has a program license agreement with Hallmark Entertainment Distribution dated January 1, 2001. The agreement expires on December 31, 2005, subject to a renewal through December 31, 2010. Under the terms of the agreement, Crown Media International has the exclusive right to exhibit Hallmark Entertainment Distribution produced programming in the territories in which Crown Media International operates during three 18-month windows. Crown Media International also has the exclusive right to exhibit programming in markets where it does not currently operate, if it elects to distribute the Channel in those markets, subject to any agreement between Hallmark Entertainment Distribution and a third party existing at the time Crown Media International launches the Channel in those markets. In addition, under the agreement, Hallmark Entertainment Distribution is generally obligated to sell to Crown Media International all of the programming it produces and Crown Media International is obligated to purchase up to 50 programs produced per year during the term of the agreement.

 

Crown Media United States also licenses programming for distribution in the United States from Hallmark Entertainment Distribution under a separate program license agreement, dated January 1, 2001. Under this program agreement, Crown Media United States licenses programs owned or controlled by Hallmark Entertainment Distribution, as well as all programming produced by or on behalf of Hallmark Entertainment Distribution for Crown Media United States. The program agreement has a term of five years and is automatically renewable for additional three-year periods, subject to rate adjustments, so long as Hallmark Entertainment Distribution or its

 

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affiliates, owns an interest of 35% or more of Crown Media Holdings.  If, at any time, Hallmark Entertainment Distribution ceases to own a 35% interest in Crown Media Holdings, and if, at that time, the remaining term of the program agreement is less than two years, then the remaining term of the program agreement will be extended to the date two years after the date on which Hallmark Entertainment Distribution ceased to own a 35% interest in Crown Media Holdings.

 

If either Crown Media United States or Crown Media International sub-licenses any licensed program to a third party, they must equally share with Hallmark Entertainment Distribution the excess, if any, of the sublicensing fee over the initial program license fee paid by the Company.  The Company did not sub-license any licensed programs to third parties during the three and six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004.  Amounts due to Hallmark Entertainment Distribution as a result of sub-licensing agreements entered into in other periods have been included in license fees payable to affiliates in the accompanying balance sheets as noted below.

 

Programming costs related to the Hallmark program agreements were $6.3 million and $8.1 million, respectively, for the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004. Programming costs related to the Hallmark program agreements were $12.1 million and $15.9 million, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004. As of December 31, 2003, and June 30, 2004, $90.6 million and $102.4 million, respectively, are included in license fees payable to affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Interest and NICC License Agreements

 

VISN owns a $25.0 million company obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred interest in Crown Media United States (the “preferred interest”) issued in connection with an investment by Crown Media International in Crown Media United States. On November 13, 1998, HEN Domestic Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Crown Media International, Vision Group, VISN and Henson Cable Networks, Inc. signed an amended and restated company agreement governing the operation of Crown Media United States, which agreement was further amended on February 22, 2001 and January 1, 2002 (the “company agreement”).

 

 Under the company agreement, the members agreed that if during any year ending after January 1, 2005 and prior to December 31, 2009, Crown Media United States has net profits in excess of $10.0 million, and the preferred interest has not been redeemed, Crown Media United States will redeem the preferred interest in an amount equal to the lesser of: (i) such excess net profits; (ii) $5.0 million; or (iii) the amount equal to the preferred liquidation preference on the date of redemption.  Crown Media United States may voluntarily redeem the preferred interest at any time, however, it is obligated to do so on the date of redemption (December 31, 2010). Due to the mandatory redemption provision of the preferred interest, on July 1, 2003, the preferred interest was remeasured at fair value and reclassified to non-current liabilities in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 150.

 

Under the company agreement, Crown Media United States may be required to make certain payments in regards to programming provisions to the National Interfaith Cable Coalition (“NICC”).  Specifically, Crown Media United States may be required to pay license fees to NICC or fund production costs consisting of: (i) a total of $5.3 million per year, with CPI escalations, for two recurring programming blocks produced by NICC; (ii) up to $10 million per year for an additional recurring “signature” series program block co-produced by NICC and Crown Media United States; (iii) up to $600,000 per “non-dramatic” holiday special produced by NICC; and (iv) $1.0 million per “dramatic” holiday special co-produced by NICC and Hallmark Entertainment. In addition, six months prior to the expiration of the agreement, Crown Media United States must negotiate in good faith with NICC regarding a continuation of this programming and funding commitment. If agreement is not reached and Crown Media United States does not continue the NICC programming and funding commitments at the same levels, NICC is entitled to compel Crown Media Holdings to buy all of NICC’s Crown Media Holdings shares at their then-current market value no later than 60 days following the expiration of the amendment. Crown Media United States, however, can nullify this put by electing to continue the NICC programming and funding commitments at the same levels.

 

Pursuant to additional amendments effective January 1, 2002, and January 1, 2004, Crown Media United States agreed to advance NICC $3,000,000 in each of 2002, 2003 and 2004 to help fund NICC’s cost of expanding its production operations to produce the aforementioned programming.  This advance will be recovered from the

 

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license fees payable for this programming when such programming is produced and accepted by Crown Media United States for distribution on the Channel. These expenses are included as components of affiliate programming costs in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, Crown Media United States paid NICC in the aggregate of $674,000 and $3.7 million, respectively, related to the company agreement. During the six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, Crown Media United States paid NICC in the aggregate of $5.0 million and $7.2 million, respectively, related to the company agreement. As of December 31, 2003, and June 30, 2004, $291,000 and $2.8 million, respectively, related to this arrangement are included in license fees payable to affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

8. Operations in Different Geographic Areas

 

Information relating to Crown Media Holdings’ operations in different geographic regions is set forth in the following table.

 

 

British Sky Broadcasting, which is domiciled in the United Kingdom and revenues from which are included in the Company’s international segment, accounted for 14% and 13% of the Company’s consolidated revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively. British Sky Broadcasting, accounted for 14% of the Company’s consolidated revenues for each of the six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, respectively. No other individual country, other than the United States and the United Kingdom, accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenues. No individual pay television distributor accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated subscribers for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004.

 

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9. Subsequent Events

 

The Company has established a retention bonus program for approximately 175 employees who could be affected if Crown Media Holdings’ international business is sold. Under the program, the Company will pay a total of at least $3.0 million in retention bonuses.  If the Company's international business is sold or negotiations for a sale continue past December 31, 2004, the Company may be obligated to pay as much as $6.0 million in total retention bonuses.  In addition, the Company  intends to create a severance plan for affected employees who are not re-employed by the buyer.

 

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ITEM 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Overview

 

Current Challenges

 

The Company faces many challenges in the current domestic and international marketplaces. The domestic cable industry is saturated with channels striving to position themselves on lower analog tiers and on digital platforms of cable TV distributors. The Company has less leverage in the marketplace in regard to tier positioning and advertising sales than many of our competitors since they operate multiple channels while we operate only one channel. Among other things, owners of multiple channels are able to leverage demand for their more popular channels to convince distributors and advertisers to distribute and advertise on their less successful channels. Our ratings and subscribers must continue to grow in future years in order to increase subscriber demand for our Channel and our advertising revenues. The Company strives to obtain additional subscribers by renegotiating distribution agreements, and, as a result, may face increased subscriber acquisition fee payments. The Company also attempts, and has succeeded, in improving its ratings by acquiring new programming and revising its programming schedules to meet the demands of its viewers. A larger audience share results in higher advertising rates, which, in turn, increases revenue. Domestically, we foresee in 2004 an increase in our advertising revenues due to an enhanced programming schedule and growing subscriber counts.

 

In the United Kingdom and our Europe Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) market, we have acquired programming, much of which has not been previously aired on cable television in the aforementioned markets. We expect this programming to attract additional viewers, resulting in increased ratings. In our Latin American and Asian markets, our primary focus is to manage our investment, minimize our programming expenditures through the use of our film assets, expand our subscriber base and thereby command increased subscriber fees and advertising revenue. We face challenges to overcoming the political and economic problems in certain of our international markets. Management continuously evaluates our position in these countries. The Company completed the restructuring of its international segment during 2003 by decentralizing many oversight and non-technical support functions formerly located in the Company’s U.S.-based offices and transferring those responsibilities to regional staff. Certain operating expenses decreased because of this action, primarily the ongoing expense related to salaries and leasing transponder space.

 

Utilization of our film assets, both through external sales and internal use, is a significant focus of management. This business provides us with a significant, additional source for revenue and cash flow. External demand for our film library assets improved during 2003 and we have seen higher sales with the improvement of the economy and an increase in incentives for our sales force.

 

The primary financial and non-financial measures analyzed by management are Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) and the metrics driving each of our revenue lines such as: subscriber counts, advertising rates, domestic ratings and ratings for certain international markets, and demographics of our viewing audiences.

 

Cash Flow

 

Our management is striving to increase cash flows in 2004 and future years through the sale of advertising and ongoing cost management.  The Company believes it will be cash flow positive in the fourth quarter of 2004 and Adjusted EBITDA positive for the fourth quarter of 2004, barring unforeseen circumstances.  We will continue to monitor expenses, and, potentially, reduce marketing and other general and administrative expenses in 2004 to meet our cash flow goals.  If our cash flow improves, we will also focus in the future on repaying borrowings under our bank credit facility.  Our present plan includes the expansion of our line of credit in 2004 and the refinancing of the bank credit facility during 2006 as well as the HC Crown line of credit.

 

Significant uses of cash during the six months ended June 30, 2004 were for program acquisitions in primarily our domestic and United Kingdom markets. The Company also paid subscriber acquisition fees resulting from

 

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distribution agreements renegotiated in 2003 and prior years. Attainment of certain subscriber levels will also cause an increase in subscriber acquisition fee payments in future years, but, as many of our more significant distribution agreements expire in 2007, we do not foresee significant subscriber acquisition fee payments until after 2007.

 

On April 13, 2004, the Company announced that it is exploring strategic alternatives for its international operations and the international rights to its film library, including, but not necessarily limited to, a sale or other corporate transaction in an effort to maximize shareholder value.  Any sale would, and any other corporate transaction might, require the consent of existing lenders, and be subject to other customary conditions. The Company contemplates using any proceeds from any such transaction to pay down its debt and/or other obligations.  The Company can not provide assurance that any such transaction will occur.

 

The Company has established a retention bonus program for approximately 175 employees who could be affected if Crown Media Holdings’ international business is sold. Under the program, the Company will pay a total of at least $3.0 million in retention bonuses.  If the Company's international business is sold or negotiations for a sale continue past December 31, 2004, the Company may be obligated to pay as much as $6.0 million in total retention bonuses.  In addition, the Company  intends to create a severance plan for affected employees who are not re-employed by the buyer.

 

Revenue

 

Our revenue consists of subscriber fees, advertising and film license fees.

 

Subscriber Fees

 

Subscriber fees are generally payable to us on a per subscriber basis by pay television distributors for the right to carry our Channels. In the United States, we pay certain television distributors up-front subscriber acquisition fees to carry our Channel. However, such payments are not common in the international cable television markets. Subscriber acquisition fees that we pay are capitalized and amortized over the contractual term of the applicable distribution agreement as a reduction in subscriber fee revenue. If the amortization expense exceeds the revenue recognized on a per distributor basis, the excess amortization is included as a component of cost of services. At the time we sign a distribution agreement, we evaluate the recoverability of the costs we incur against the incremental revenue directly and indirectly associated with each agreement.

 

Rates we receive per subscriber vary according to:

 

•                                          the level of sophistication and degree of competition in the market;

 

•                                          the relative position in the market of the distributor and the popularity of the Channel;

 

•                                          the packaging arrangements for the Channel; and

 

•                                          other commercial terms such as granting the distributor exclusivity to carry our Channel (only in territories outside the U.S.) and length of the contract term.

 

In some circumstances, international distributors provide minimum revenue guarantees.

 

We are in continuous negotiations with both our existing distributors and new distributors to increase our subscriber base in order to enhance our advertising results. In the United States, we are often subject to requests by distributors to pay subscriber acquisition fees for additional subscribers or to waive or accept lower subscriber fees if certain numbers of additional subscribers are provided. In both domestic and international markets we also may help fund the

 

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distributors’ efforts to market our Channels or we may permit distributors to offer limited promotional periods without payment of subscriber fees. As we continue our efforts to add subscribers, our subscriber revenue will continue to be negatively affected by subscriber acquisition fee amortization, waiver of subscriber fees and bulk discounts resulting from the attainment of certain subscriber levels; however, we believe that as a result of these measures, our subscriber counts will increase which in turn will allow us to attract additional advertisers and command higher advertising rates.

 

We also expect international subscriber rates to decrease as we renew distribution agreements. These international rates are affected by the increasing competitive nature of the industry, the growth of digital cable, the shift in the industry in more developed countries from subscriber fee revenue to advertising revenue, foreign currency devaluation associated with global economies and the economic turbulence in certain of our markets. Although we anticipate international subscriber rates to decrease, we expect subscriber counts to increase and, thereby, offset the negative effect the decreased rates will have on revenue.

 

Our distribution agreement with a primary pay television distributor in Spain was amended on October 1, 2003. Under the amendment, the distribution of our Channel to that party will end on December 31, 2004, at which time a new distribution agreement will have to be negotiated. Prior to that date, we will begin negotiations to renew a distribution agreement in Spain beyond 2004.

 

Our Channel is usually offered as one of a number of channels on either a basic tier or part of other program packages. Our Channel is generally not offered on a stand-alone basis. Thus, while a cable or satellite customer may subscribe and unsubscribe to the tiers and program packages in which our Channel is placed, these customers do not subscribe and unsubscribe to our Channel alone. We are not provided with information from the distributors on their overall subscriber churn and in what manner their churn rates affect our subscriber counts; we instead are provided information on the total number of subscribers who receive the Hallmark Channel.

 

Our subscriber count depends on the number of distributors carrying the Hallmark Channel and the size of such distributors as well as the program tiers on which our Channel is carried by these distributors. From time to time, we experience decreases in the number of subscribers domestically and internationally as promotional periods end or a distributor arrangement is amended or is terminated by us or the distributor. Changes to distribution arrangements in 2004 have not been significant. Management analyzes the estimated effect each new or amended distribution agreement will have on revenues and costs. Based upon these analyses, management endeavors to achieve a fair combination of subscriber commitments and subscriber acquisition fees with each of our domestic distributors.

 

Advertising

 

Advertising sales generally are made on the basis of a price per advertising spot or per unit of audience measurement (for example, a ratings point). Thus, our advertising revenues are heavily dependent on third parties ratings of the persons viewing our Channel. Prices vary on a market-by-market basis. Rates differ among markets depending on audience demographics.

 

In markets where regular audience measurements are available, our advertising rates are generally calculated on the basis of an agreed upon price per unit of audience measurement in return for a guaranteed investment level by the advertiser. In these countries, we commit to provide advertisers certain rating levels in connection with their advertising. Revenue is recorded net of estimated delivery shortfalls, which are usually settled by providing the advertiser additional advertising time. In other less sophisticated markets, our advertising rates are calculated on the basis of cost per advertising spot or package of advertising spots, and the price varies by audience level expected (but not measured) during a particular time slot. This is the predominant arrangement in the countries outside the United States in which we sell advertising time. Advertising rates also vary by time of year due to seasonal changes in television viewership.

 

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Film Licensing

 

Crown Media Distribution generates revenue from the film assets by granting licenses to exhibit the films to third parties. We are also using the films as programming for our Channel. Customers for our film assets consist of other television channels, home video distributors and brokers who resell rights to our film assets in various international markets. License fees for our film assets are generally negotiated based upon the size of the potential audience who will be viewing the programming.

 

Cost of Services

 

Our cost of services consists primarily of program license fees, amortization of our film assets; subscriber acquisition fee expense; the cost of signal distribution; dubbing and subtitling programming for foreign audiences; administration, distribution and other exploitation of our film assets; and the cost of promotional segments that are aired between programs. We expect cost of services to continue to increase in the future as we expand our existing markets and third party programming to support our advertising strategy. We expect the cost of services to increase in 2004 as compared to 2003 because of the following: we intend to acquire or use a greater amount and variety of quality programming as a part of our efforts to continue the increases in our ratings; the amortization of film assets will increase when sales of those assets increase; and we anticipate higher levels of subscriber acquisition fee amortization as result of incremental increases in the distribution of our Channel.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires Crown Media Holdings to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

For information regarding use of estimates, accounting treatment and accounting policies concerning revenue, subscriber acquisition fees, program license fees, subtitling and dubbing, film assets, property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets, taxes on income, stock-based compensation, the 2002 reorganization and recently issued accounting pronouncements, please see the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

The following discussion concerns certain accounting estimates and assumptions that are considered to be material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for uncertain matters and the susceptibility of such matters to changes.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Subscriber fees from pay television distributors are recognized as revenue when an agreement is executed, programming is provided, the price is determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. We estimate and record the level of subscriber fees one month in advance based upon the actual prior month’s subscriber levels. Historical results support our method of estimating subscriber fee revenue as subscriber levels generally increase each month.

 

Advertising revenues are recognized as earned in the period in which the advertising is telecast and are generally billed monthly. If uncertainty as to the collectibility of this revenue exists, the revenue is recognized on a cash basis. Advertising revenue and expenses in barter transactions are recorded at the fair value of the advertising to be provided. In certain markets, delivery of advertising is determined based upon data received from third parties who measure the ratings of our Channels. The ratings information drives our calculations of impressions delivered which in turn drives the amount of revenue we recognize from each advertising spot. Our advertising revenue is therefore heavily reliant upon these third party ratings estimates to determine the quantity of advertising delivered to viewers.

 

Revenue from film asset licensing agreements is recognized when an agreement is executed, the film is available for exhibition by the licensee, the license fee is fixed or reasonably determinable, collectibility is reasonably assured and the cost of each film is known or reasonably determinable. When multiple films are sold under a single arrangement, in order to properly recognize revenue when each license period commences, we must estimate the

 

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relative fair value of each film and allocate the total contracted price to the different films in the arrangement. Our estimation of relative fair value uses similar information as is used in our annual third party valuation of our film assets.

 

The Company records revenue from customers in certain foreign countries only when the cash is received due to the uncertainty regarding collection.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

The Company has established an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon historical charge-off experience.  Periodically, we analyze the attributes of the accounts which we have written-off during the period and adjust the allowance percentages we apply to our aged receivable balances.  As noted previously, for revenue generated in certain countries in which economic factors lead us to believe that collectibility of these revenues is not reasonably assured, we recognize such revenue as it is received in cash.

 

Subscriber Acquisition Fees

 

Crown Media United States has distribution agreements with every major cable distributor in the United States, some of which require the payment of subscriber acquisition fees. The initial recoverability of these subscriber acquisition fees is evaluated by projecting the incremental subscriber fee and advertising revenue attributable to the incremental subscribers obtained through the distribution agreement.  This analysis includes significant judgment and estimation by management in terms of the estimated incremental advertising per subscriber.

 

Film Assets

 

The Company amortizes its film assets using the individual-film-forecast-computation method over a maximum period of 10 years from the date of acquisition. The individual-film-forecast-computation method amortizes such assets in the same ratio that current period actual revenue bears to estimated unrecognized ultimate revenues. Estimated unrecognized ultimate revenues are based on the historical performance of each film and similar films, sales and marketing plans, and other factors, all of which require significant judgment by management.

 

The Company reviews the film assets for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the film assets may not be recoverable. If the carrying value of the individual film assets exceeds its fair value, the film assets are written-down to their fair values.  The Company estimates the fair value of individual film assets using a discounted cash flow approach.  This fair value method requires significant judgment by management.

 

Effects of Transactions with Related and Certain Other Parties

 

Hallmark Transactions

 

In 2003 and in prior years, we entered into a number of significant transactions with Hallmark Cards and its subsidiaries. These transactions concern, among other things, programming, trademark licenses, administrative services, a line of credit, a Tax Sharing Agreement and the issuance of a $400.0 million senior unsecured note.

 

Tax Sharing Agreement

 

In March 2003, the Company became a member of Hallmark Cards consolidated federal tax group and entered into a Tax Sharing Agreement with Hallmark Cards, which was amended at the time the Company issued the senior unsecured note to HC Crown. We account for income taxes as if Crown Media Holdings were a separate taxpayer. Accordingly, Hallmark Cards’ ability to use our tax losses does not impact our assessment of the need for a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, including future tax losses. Any payments received from Hallmark Cards under the Tax Sharing Agreement are recorded as an increase in paid-in capital. During 2003, the Company received

 

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$49.4 million under the Tax Sharing Agreement. During the six months ended June 30, 2004, the Company received $23.6 million under the Tax Sharing Agreement. For information regarding the Tax Sharing Agreement, please see Notes 2 and 7 to the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Senior Unsecured Note

 

On August 5, 2003, Crown Media Holdings repurchased all of the outstanding trust preferred securities of Crown Media Trust and related contingent appreciation certificates issued by the Company. The securities were repurchased for approximately $329.1 million. Funds for this repurchase were obtained from the proceeds from the issuance of a senior unsecured note issued to HC Crown in the amount of $400.0 million. After repayment of certain expenses for the issuance, including a fee of $3.0 million to HC Crown, the Company used the balance of the proceeds of the note, approximating $67.3 million, to pay principal, interest and prepayment penalties on its bank revolving credit loans. For information regarding our senior unsecured note, please see Note 7 to the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

NICC License Agreement

 

For information regarding our amendment to our license agreement with NICC, please see Note 7 to the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Pramer Agreement

 

On January 30, 2003, Crown Media International entered into an agreement with Pramer S.C.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation, under which Pramer provides affiliate and advertising sales representation services, as well as programming, production and technical services in connection with the distribution of the Hallmark Channel in Central and South America. Pramer receives a 35% commission on advertising sales and a 20% commission on affiliate sales and is reimbursed for its costs of providing production and technical services. The agreement with Pramer will terminate on December 31, 2005, unless certain early termination rights arise and are exercised. One of our Board members is an executive of Liberty Media Corporation, one of our significant investors.

 

Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data of Crown Media Holdings

 

In the table below, we provide selected historical consolidated financial and other data of Crown Media Holdings and its subsidiaries. The following selected consolidated statement of operations data for three and six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2004, are derived from the unaudited financial statements of Crown Media Holdings and its subsidiaries. This data should be read together with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q.

 

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								Percent Change								Percent Change
		Three Months Ended June 30,						2004 vs.		Six Months Ended June 30,						2004 vs.
		2003			2004			2003		2003			2004			2003
Revenues:
Subscriber fees		$	17,864		$	20,193		13	%	$	33,890		$	40,152		18	%
Advertising		23,671			31,497			33	%	46,030			61,502			34	%
Film asset license fees		3,865			4,087			6	%	7,404			12,434			68	%
Other revenue		23			63			174	%	57			85			49	%
Total revenues		45,423			55,840			23	%	87,381			114,173			31	%
Cost of Services:
Programming costs		24,074			31,036			29	%	47,517			60,863			28	%
Amortization of film assets		6,809			5,484			-19	%	13,586			15,466			14	%
Subscriber acquisition fee amortization expense		6,610			6,091			-8	%	12,606			12,032			-5	%
Operating costs		12,777			9,436			-26	%	24,454			22,229			-9	%
Total cost of services		50,270			52,047			4	%	98,163			110,590			13	%
Selling, general and administrative expense		14,933			19,839			33	%	31,521			39,060			24	%
Marketing expense		8,732			8,177			-6	%	14,171			13,960			-1	%
Loss from operations		$	(28,512	)	$	(24,223	)	-15	%	$	(56,474	)	$	(49,437	)	-12	%
Other Data:
Net cash used in operating activities		$	25,104		$	6,873		-73	%	$	73,447		$	26,674		-64	%
Capital expenditures		$	949		$	1,085		14	%	$	1,781		$	1,206		-32	%
Net cash provided by financing activities		$	27,092		$	8,918		-67	%	$	83,192		$	32,840		-61	%
Adjusted EBITDA (1)		$	(9,801	)	$	(6,385	)	-35	%	$	(19,938	)	$	(9,394	)	-53	%
Total domestic day household ratings (2)(4)		0.490			0.564			15	%	0.468			0.601			28	%
Total domestic primetime household ratings (3)(4)		0.736			0.810			10	%	0.708			0.846			19	%
Total subscribers at year end:
Hallmark Channel – International		56,827			57,322			1	%	56,827			57,322			1	%
Hallmark Channel – U.S.		51,808			60,605			17	%	51,808			60,605			17	%
Total subscribers		108,635			117,927			9	%	108,635			117,927			9	%

 

(1) See reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA below.

(2)  Total day is the time period measured from the time each day the broadcast of commercially sponsored programming commences to the time such commercially sponsored programming ends.

(3)  Primetime is defined as 8:00 - 11:00 P.M. in the United States.

(4)  These Nielsen ratings are for the time period January 1 through June 30.

 

Crown Media Holdings evaluates operating performance based on several factors, including Adjusted EBITDA. Our measure of Adjusted EBITDA differs from the normal definition of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) used by most companies. We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, subscriber acquisition fee amortization and amortization of film assets. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is meaningful because it provides investors a means to evaluate the operating performance of our company on an ongoing basis using criteria that are used by other companies in our industry and investment bankers and analysts who track our industry. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is a meaningful measure because it represents a transparent view of our recurring operating performance and allows our management and investors to readily view operating trends, perform analytical comparisons and benchmark our company to similar companies in our industry. Adjusted EBITDA is used by our management to monitor segment operations and to determine the allocation of resources to segments. Our credit facility also contains covenants that are based on an

 

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adjusted EBITDA measure. Consequently, management views Adjusted EBITDA as a critical measure of our operating performance to meet our debt covenants and monitors this measure closely. We disclose Adjusted EBITDA so that our investors can have some of the same information available to our management to evaluate their investment in our Company. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides an indication of the Company’s ability to generate cash flows from operating activities since the majority of our non-cash expenses are excluded from our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA. A significant portion of the Company’s cost structure relates to the amortization of film assets and subscriber acquisition costs, which are significant non-cash charges. The cash costs of acquiring film assets and adding subscribers are essentially discretionary expenditures. The adjusted EBITDA calculation allows the Company to assess how much is available to pay debt service and gives a further indication of how much remains to fund discretionary expenditures such as the acquisition of film assets or additional subscriber base. However, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, historical operating income or loss, net loss, cash flow from operations and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

 

Adjusted EBITDA differs significantly from cash flows from operating activities reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Cash flow from operating activities is net of interest and taxes paid and is a more comprehensive determination of periodic income on a cash basis, exclusive of non-cash items of income and expenses such as depreciation and amortization. In contrast, Adjusted EBITDA is derived from accrual basis income and is not reduced for cash invested in working capital. Consequently, Adjusted EBITDA is not affected by the timing of receivable collections or when accrued expenses are paid. We are not aware of any uniform standards for determining EBITDA or our Adjusted EBITDA and believe presentations of EBITDA may not be calculated consistently by different entities in the same or similar businesses. In the table below, we provide a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss and to net cash used in operating activities of Crown Media Holdings and its subsidiaries.

 

		Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
		2003			2004			2003			2004
Net loss		$	(49,397	)	$	(40,587	)	$	(96,087	)	$	(82,063	)
Amortization of film assets		6,809			5,484			13,586			15,466
Subscriber acquisition fee amortization expense		8,068			8,854			15,508			17,481
Depreciation and amortization		3,834			3,500			7,442			7,096
Guaranteed preferred beneficial interest expense		12,171			—			23,218			—
Interest expense and accretion		7,514			15,895			14,856			31,682
Income tax provision		1,200			469			1,539			944
Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization		$	(9,801	)	$	(6,385	)	$	(19,938	)	$	(9,394	)
Restricted stock unit and stock-based compensation		320			3,469			323			5,808
Programming, subtitling and dubbing amortization		23,465			32,607			48,259			63,452
Provision for allowance for doubtful account		238			(1,328		)	1,566			(11		)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Additions to program license fees		(20,698		)	(18,537		)	(65,813		)	(44,680		)
Additions to subscriber acquisition fees		(364		)	(8,544		)	(1,224		)	(13,319		)
Decrease in subscriber acquisition fees payable		(12,494		)	7,557			(23,024		)	9,796
Interest paid		(4,873		)	(3,229		)	(10,116		)	(6,743		)
Income taxes paid		(1,200		)	(469		)	(1,539		)	(944		)
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net of adjustments above		303			(12,014		)	(1,941		)	(30,639		)
Net cash used in operating activities		$	(25,104	)	$	(6,873	)	$	(73,447	)	$	(26,674	)

 

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Results of Operations

 

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 Compared to Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2003

 

Revenue.

 

 Our revenue, which is comprised of subscriber fees, advertising and film asset license fees, increased 23% and 31% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004. Our 13% and 18% increases in subscriber fee revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, were the result of the expiration of free carriage periods for certain of our domestic distributors. Subscriber acquisition fee expense recorded as a reduction of revenue was $2.8 million and $5.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, and $1.5 million and $2.9 million for the comparable periods in 2003. Although the number of subscribers to the Hallmark Channel increased as of June 30, 2004, compared to June 30, 2003, subscriber revenue was also affected by a number of other, offsetting factors, including discounts for new subscribers, and the waiver of subscriber fees and bulk discounts resulting from the attainment of certain subscriber levels. Eighty-five percent and 87% of subscriber fee revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, and 91% of subscriber fee revenue for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, was earned internationally. Subscriber fee revenue was $3.0 million and $5.3 million for the domestic Hallmark Channel for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, and $1.6 million and $3.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003. Certain of our international subscriber fee rates have and will continue to decrease as we renew distribution agreements, which may provide for lower per subscriber rates than under previous agreements.

 

The increase in advertising revenue reflects the following during 2004: the 9% growth in domestic and international subscribers; higher ratings in the United States; higher advertising rates resulting from the increase in distribution and viewership; and expanded sales of advertising time primarily in the United States. Our domestic advertising revenue increased to $26.5 million and $50.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to $18.6 million and $36.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003. Additionally, the number of advertisers on our domestic Channel rose from 195 at June 30, 2003, to 302 at June 30, 2004. Our international advertising revenue, primarily from the United Kingdom, increased to $11.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to $9.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2003.

 

Among the 52 ad-supported cable channels in the United States market, the Hallmark Channel ranked 10th in total day with a 0.6 household rating for the second quarter of 2004 and 18th for primetime with a 0.8 household rating for the same quarter based on Nielsen ratings.

 

Film asset licensing fees earned during the second quarter of 2004 remained flat.  We have focused our selling effort on a small number of larger customers in the United States market, resulting in increased film asset licensing fees during the first six months of 2004 compared to the same period in 2003.

 

Cost of services.  Cost of services as a percent of revenue decreased to 93% and 97% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, as compared to 111% and 112% in the prior year’s periods. These decreases were primarily due to our increases in total revenue discussed above and the changes in operating expenses explained below.

 

Total programming costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, increased 29% and 28% due to the increased costs associated with the amortization of certain programming such as MASH, Matlock and Little House on the Prairie, for our domestic Channel in 2003. The decrease in amortization of film assets was primarily due to a decrease in the internal use of our film assets. The increase in amortization of film assets was primarily due to increased sales during the six months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Operating costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, decreased $3.3 million and $2.2 million primarily due to a $1.6 million decrease in bad debt expense.

 

Selling, general and administrative expense.  The primary reason for the increases in this expense was compensation expense of $3.5 million and $5.8 million related to our RSUs for the three and six months ended June

 

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30, 2004. We commenced recording compensation expense for our RSUs in June 2003. Our general and administrative expense may increase in 2004 because of our retention bonus program described above, depending upon the results of exploring strategic alternatives for our international business.

 

Loss from Operations.  Losses from operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, were $24.2 million and $49.4 million, which were comprised of a losses from operations of our domestic segment of $17.4 million and $37.2 million, losses from operations of our international segment of $5.2 million and $7.7 million, and losses from operations of our film distribution segment of $1.6 million and $4.5 million. Losses from operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, were $28.5 million and $56.5 million, which were comprised of a losses from operations of our domestic segment of $23.1 million and $38.0 million, losses from operations of our international segment of $1.3 million and $9.8 million, and losses from operations of our film distribution segment of $4.1 million and $8.7 million.

 

Guaranteed preferred beneficial interest accretion.  This expense related to future obligations on our debentures issued on December 17, 2001, in connection with the trust preferred securities of Crown Media Trust. The 2003 expense only included guaranteed preferred beneficial interest accretion for a partial year due to the repurchase of our preferred securities on August 5, 2003.

 

Interest expense.  Interest expense increased for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, compared to June 30, 2003, by $8.4 million and $16.8 million.  This increase was primarily due to interest on our $400.0 million senior unsecured note payable commencing August 5, 2003, which amounted to $10.6 million and $21.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash used in operating activities was $26.7 million and $73.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Cash was used primarily to fund operating expenditures related to net losses of $82.1 million and $96.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The decrease in cash flow used in operations was primarily due to higher domestic advertising revenue and resulting cash receipts, as well as an increase in film asset sales and decreases in programming expenditures and subscriber acquisition fee payments.

 

Cash used in investing activities was $1.1 million and $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Cash used in investing activities decreased primarily due to expenditures in our Network Operations Center to accommodate the launch of our domestic Channel in the first quarter 2003 and our new domestic and international Channel websites being placed into service during that period.

 

Cash provided by financing activities was $32.8 million and $83.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, we received proceeds of $23.6 million and $21.3 million, respectively, from our Tax Sharing Agreement with Hallmark Cards. We borrowed $70.0 million under our line of credit with HC Crown to meet our operating demands during the six months ended June 30, 2003.

 

The following table aggregates all of our contractual commitments as of June 30, 2004.

 

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		Scheduled Payments by Period
Contractual Obligations		Total			Less than 1 Year			2-3 Years			4-5 Years			After 5 Years
Long-Term Debt		$	310.3		$	0.3		$	310.0		$	—		$	—
Company Obligated Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Interest		25.0						7.6			10.0			7.4
HC Crown Line of Credit		75.0						—			75.0
Senior Unsecured Note to HC Crown, including accretion		596.6			—			—			—			596.6
Capital Lease Obligations		31.3			2.7			5.9			5.7			17.0
Operating Leases		55.1			14.7			21.1			13.4			5.9
Other Obligations
Program license fees payable to non-affiliates and NICC		137.3			70.2			47.1			20.0			—
Program license fees payable to Hallmark Entertainment Distribution		102.3			42.1			60.2			—			—
Program license fees payable for future windows		189.5			86.6			72.1			17.5			13.3
Subscriber acquisition fees (a)		19.8			18.4			1.4			—			—
Deferred compensation and interest		2.0			—			2.0			—			—
Payable to Hallmark Entertainment Holdings (b)		52.1			—			52.1			—			—
Payable to Hallmark Entertainment (b)		47.9			—			47.9			—			—
Total Contractual Cash Obligations		$	1,644.2		$	235.0		$	627.4		$	141.6		$	640.2

 

(a)                                  Current domestic distribution agreements could significantly increase subscriber acquisition fees payable in the future by a maximum amount of $149.0 million, which would result if 42.0 million additional subscribers were provided with the Hallmark Channel.

 

(b)                                 Can only be paid subsequent to repayment of the bank credit facility per agreement.

 

Cash Flows

 

As of June 30, 2004, the Company had $9.5 million in cash and cash equivalents on hand and $10.0 million available under its bank credit facility. The Company’s principal sources of funds are currently cash inflows from operations, cash on hand, periodic cash inflows expected under the tax sharing agreement with Hallmark Cards and amounts available for borrowing under its bank credit facility. The Company projects that cash inflows from advertising revenue and film asset licensing fees will increase in 2004.  The Company anticipates cash inflows from its film assets to be approximately $35.0 million to $40.0 million in 2004 and $35.0 million to $45.0 million in 2005. The Company also believes that since it has a tax sharing agreement with its largest shareholder and since currently only 75% of the tax benefit generated by the Company is being funded, there is potential that future tax sharing payments could become available to the Company at an earlier date than specified in the tax sharing agreement.

 

In connection with the Company’s growth strategy, the Company expects to continue making investments in programming and distribution during 2004. Programming and distribution expenditures for 2004 are expected to be in the range of $150.0 million to $200.0 million. If necessary, the Company may reduce some of this anticipated spending in 2004. The Company’s principal uses of funds during 2004 are expected to be the payment of operating expenses, payments for licensing of programming and subscriber acquisition fees, and interest payments under its bank credit facility.

 

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As of June 30, 2004, the Company believes that cash inflows from its operations, cash on hand, remaining availability under its bank credit facility and payments anticipated under the tax sharing agreement with Hallmark Cards, all of which are currently its principal sources of funds, will be sufficient to meet its liquidity needs for at least the next twelve months. In any event, in order to provide more liquidity, we may consider pursuing alternatives to raise additional cash, which could include the issuance of additional equity or debt securities or extension of our bank line of credit. There can be no assurance, however, that additional funding will be available, if at all, on terms acceptable to the Company. Any new debt financing would require the agreement of existing lenders, including HC Crown.

 

Credit Facilities

 

Through June 30, 2004, Crown Media Holdings had borrowed $310.0 million under the line of credit in that amount with HC Crown. Because of the partial repayment on the bank credit facility on August 5, 2003, the Company has available funds under the bank credit facility of approximately $10.0 million at June 30, 2004.

 

Potential Sale of the International Business

 

On April 13, 2004, the Company announced that it is exploring strategic alternatives for its international operations and the international rights to its film library, including, but not necessarily limited to, a sale or other corporate transaction in an effort to maximize shareholder value.  Any sale would, and any other corporate transaction might, require the consent of existing lenders, and be subject to other customary conditions. The Company contemplates using any proceeds from any such transaction to pay down its debt and/or other obligations.  The Company can not provide assurance that any such transaction will occur.

 

Bank Credit Facility; Private Placement and HC Crown Line of Credit

 

Our bank credit facility, the HC Crown line of credit and the senior unsecured note to HC Crown are described in detail in Item 7 of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Historical Financial Condition and Results of Operation in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, and earlier in this Report.  As a result of these agreements, we are subject to a number of affirmative and negative covenants.

 

Under the Note Purchase Agreement for the senior unsecured note to HC Crown, the Company and its subsidiaries are restricted from, among others, incurring additional indebtedness, repurchasing or otherwise acquiring its own stock and making investments in other parties and incurring additional liens.

 

Risk Factors and Forward-Looking Statements

 

The discussion set forth in this Form 10-Q contains statements concerning potential future events. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions by Crown Media Holdings management, as of the date of this Form 10-Q including assumptions about risks and uncertainties faced by Crown Media Holdings. Readers can identify these forward-looking statements by their use of such verbs as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” or similar verbs or conjugations of such verbs. If any of management’s assumptions prove incorrect or should unanticipated circumstances arise, Crown Media Holdings’ actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements could materially differ from those anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are those discussed below in this Form 10-Q. Crown Media Holdings will not update any forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q to reflect future events or developments.

 

If we do not successfully address the risks described below, our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations or cash flow could be materially adversely affected. The trading price of our Class A common stock could decline because of any of these risks.

 

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Risks Relating to Our Business

 

Our business has incurred net losses since inception and may continue to incur losses.

 

Both our international and domestic Channels have a history of net losses and we expect to continue to report net losses for the foreseeable future. As of June 30, 2004, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $1.1 billion, total stockholders’ equity of approximately $255.5 million, goodwill of approximately $314.0 million, and film assets of $737.5 million.

 

We cannot assure you that we will achieve or sustain profitability. If we are not able to achieve or sustain profitability, the trading price of our Class A common stock may fall significantly. To diminish our losses and become profitable, we will need to substantially increase our revenue, particularly advertising and licensing revenue. This will require, among other things, increasing the distribution of our Channels, attracting more viewers to our Channels, attracting more advertisers, and increasing our advertising rates. Risks associated with these areas of our business are described below.

 

In addition, in order to accomplish these goals, the management of Crown Media Holdings continues to believe that it is necessary to increase subscribers and enhance our programming, which results in increased subscriber acquisition fees and higher costs for programming. Over the last three years, these actions have resulted in increased net losses for Crown Media Holdings.

 

Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health, and the restrictions imposed by the terms of our debt instruments may severely limit our ability to plan for or respond to changes in our business.

 

We have a substantial amount of indebtedness. As of June 30, 2004, our total debt was $846.9 million and we had $9.5 million of cash and cash equivalents. In addition, we may borrow additional amounts under our bank credit facility (to supplement the payments received under the tax sharing agreement with Hallmark Cards) to cover the negative cash flow resulting from our current operations. Subject to restrictions under our debt agreements, we may also seek equity or debt financing from time to time to cover our operating losses, to finance acquisitions or capital expenditures or for other purposes.

 

As a result of our level of debt and the terms of our debt instruments:

 

• our vulnerability to adverse general economic conditions is heightened;

 

• we will be required to dedicate a portion of our cash flow from operations to repayment of debt, limiting the availability of cash for other purposes;

 

• we are and will continue to be limited by financial and other restrictive covenants in our ability to borrow additional funds, consummate asset sales, enter into transactions with affiliates or conduct mergers and acquisitions;

 

• our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and industry will be limited;

 

• we are sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates; and

 

• our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, general corporate purposes or other purposes may be impaired.

 

Our ability to meet our debt and other obligations and to reduce our total debt depends on our future operating performances and on economic, financial, competitive and other factors. There can be no assurance that our leverage and such restrictions will not materially and adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs or to engage in other business activities.

 

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We have increasing interest expense, which may impact our future operations.

 

High levels of interest expense could have negative effects on our future operations. Interest expense, which is net of interest income and includes amortization of debt issuance costs and interest expense on borrowings under our senior and demand notes and bank credit facility, increased substantially over the past year. The increase in interest expense in the past twelve months resulted from an increase in the average borrowings outstanding, due to cash generated from operations being insufficient to cover operating expenses and capital expenditures. A substantial portion of our cash flow from operations must be used to pay our interest expense and will not be available for other business purposes. In addition, we may need to incur additional indebtedness in the future. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow or that future financings will be available to provide sufficient proceeds to meet our obligations or to service our total debt.

 

Our liquidity is dependent on external funds.

 

Because we currently operate at a loss and may have a negative cash flow, any unanticipated significant expense or any development that hampers our growth in revenue or decreases any of our revenue, would result in the need for additional external funds in order to continue operations. We have no arrangements for any external financings, whether debt or equity, and are not certain whether any such new external financing would be available on acceptable terms. Any new debt financing would require the cooperation and agreement of existing lenders.

 

Modification of any existing agreements with United States distributors could decrease our subscriber fees revenue but, if our distribution is increased, it could also result in higher advertising revenue.

 

Several of the Crown Media United States’ existing distribution agreements contain “most favored nations” clauses. These clauses typically provide that, in the event Crown Media United States enters into an agreement with another distributor on more favorable terms, these terms must be offered to the existing distributor, subject to certain exceptions and conditions. Distribution agreements which we may enter into in the future may also contain similar “most favored nation clauses.” In the past, Crown Media United States was asked to comply with such clauses and modify its distribution agreements with certain distributors after entering into new distribution agreements.  Any claims under these clauses in the future could result in the payment of cash or the issuance of stock by us to our distributors and would negatively affect subscriber revenues; however, if our subscription base is increased as a result of such modification, it could result in higher advertising revenue.

 

If we are unable to obtain programming from third parties, we may be unable to increase our subscriber base.

 

We compete with other pay television channel providers to acquire programming. If we fail to continue to obtain programming on reasonable terms for any reason, including as a result of competition, we could be forced to incur additional costs to acquire such programming or look for alternative programming, which may hinder the growth of our subscriber base.

 

If our programming declines in popularity, our subscriber fees and advertising revenue could fall and the additional revenue we expect as a result of the acquisition of film assets from Hallmark Entertainment Distribution may be lower than we anticipate.

 

Our success depends partly upon unpredictable and volatile factors beyond our control, such as viewer preferences, foreign exchange rates, competing programming and the availability of other entertainment activities. We may not be able to anticipate and react effectively to shifts in tastes and interests in our markets. In particular, our ability to react effectively may be limited by our obligation to license programming from Hallmark Entertainment Distribution, which has standards that limit the types of programming that it will provide to us. Our competitors may have more flexible programming arrangements, as well as greater amounts of production, better distribution, and greater capital resources, and may be able to react more quickly to shifts in tastes and interests. As a result, we may be unable to maintain the commercial success of any of our current programming, or to generate sufficient demand and market acceptance for our new programming. A shift in viewer preferences in programming or alternative entertainment activities could also reduce the amount of revenue we anticipate receiving from licensing of our film assets and cause a decline in both advertising and subscriber fees revenue. The decline in revenue could hinder or prevent us from achieving profitability and could adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock.

 

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We are currently dependent on Hallmark Entertainment to distribute and maximize licensing fees from the film assets.

 

Currently, we are dependent on Hallmark Entertainment, a related party, to distribute and license our film assets to third parties for us under a services agreement. This services agreement expired on December 31, 2003, and the parties renewed this agreement. The new services agreement contains the same terms and conditions as the previous agreement and will expire on December 31, 2006. This arrangement reduces our control over the sales and distribution of the film assets and might delay our realization of the full revenue stream from the film assets. We and Hallmark Entertainment each have the right to terminate the service agreement on a yearly basis. If Hallmark Entertainment elects to terminate the agreement before we have established our own distribution network, we may not be able to establish our own or obtain alternative distribution services of equivalent quality or on terms as favorable to us. Termination of this services agreement could hinder our ability, at least in the short-term, to achieve the amount of additional revenue anticipated from these activities and could adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock.

 

We anticipate that in due course we will develop our own distribution/sales network and hire employees to perform the services currently performed by Hallmark Entertainment under the service agreement. Our ability to do so is unproven and will require financial, operational and management resources. We may not be able to hire the number of employees, or employees who are sufficiently qualified, to perform these services, or do so in a cost efficient manner. If the cost to develop and maintain this employee base is greater, or if this process takes longer than anticipated, it could have a negative impact on the revenue we anticipate generating from the film assets.

 

If we are unable to increase our advertising revenue, we may be unable to achieve profitability.

 

Although it is expected over time that our advertising revenue will increase, if we fail to increase significantly our advertising revenue, we may be unable to achieve or sustain profitability or to expand our business.  A failure to increase advertising revenue may be a result of any or all of the following: (i) we have a limited history of marketing and selling advertising time, particularly internationally; (ii) we may be unable to identify, attract and retain experienced sales and marketing personnel with relevant experience for our U.S. Channel; (iii) our sales and marketing organization may be unable to successfully compete against the significantly more extensive and well-funded sales and marketing operations of our current or potential competitors; (iv) the advancement of technologies such as Digital Video Recording may cause industry-wide changes concerning the frequency in which individuals are exposed to advertising on television; and/or (v) we will not be able to increase our advertising sales rate-card or may be required to run additional advertising spots which affect the availability of advertising inventory for future sales. Success in increasing our advertising revenue also depends upon the number and coverage of the distributors who carry our Channels, our number of subscribers, and the viewership ratings for our programming.

 

The international cable advertising market is much less developed than in the United States, the United Kingdom and Central Europe. We believe that only certain international markets have the potential for growth in advertising revenues and intend to emphasize those markets but cannot assure success.

 

Hallmark Entertainment Investments controls us and this control could create conflicts of interest or inhibit potential changes of control.

 

Hallmark Entertainment Investments controls all of our outstanding shares of Class B common stock and owns shares of Class A common stock, representing approximately 96.1% of the outstanding voting power on all matters submitted to our stockholders. Hallmark Entertainment Holdings, a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, controls the voting of all our shares held by Hallmark Entertainment Investments. Hallmark Entertainment Investments’ control could discourage others from initiating potential merger, takeover or other change of control transactions that may otherwise be beneficial to our business or holders of Class A common stock. As a result, the market price of our Class A common stock could suffer, and our business could suffer. Hallmark Entertainment Investments’ control relationship with us also could give rise to conflicts of interest in certain situations.

 

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We could lose the right to use the name “Hallmark” because we have limited-duration trademark license agreements, which could harm our business.

 

We license the name “Hallmark” from Hallmark Cards and Hallmark Licensing, Inc., for various uses, including in the name of our international and domestic Channels, and this license expires on September 1, 2004. If Hallmark Cards determines not to renew the trademark license agreements for any reason, including our failure to meet minimum programming thresholds dependent on programming provided by affiliates of Hallmark Cards or to comply with Hallmark Cards’ programming standards, we would be forced to significantly revise our business plan and operations, and could experience a significant erosion of our subscriber base and advertising revenue, particularly in the United States.

 

If our third-party suppliers fail to provide us with network infrastructure services on a timely basis, our costs could increase and our growth could be hindered.

 

We currently rely on third parties to supply key network infrastructure services, including uplink, playback, transmission and satellite services to certain of our markets, which are available only from limited sources. We have occasionally experienced delays and other problems in receiving communications equipment, services and facilities and may, in the future, be unable to obtain such services, equipment or facilities on the scale and within the time frames required by us on terms we find acceptable, or at all. If we are unable to obtain, or if we experience a delay in the delivery of, such services, we may be forced to incur significant unanticipated expenses to secure alternative third party suppliers or adjust our operations, which could hinder our growth and reduce our revenue and potential profitability.

 

If our Network Operations Center fails or its operations are disrupted, our costs could increase and our growth could be hindered.

 

We are currently using the Network Operations Center for the origination and playback of signals for the Hallmark Channel both domestically and internationally. Like other single-point facilities, the Network Operations Center is subject to interruption from fire, tornadoes, lightning and other unexpected natural causes. Although we have redundant systems in place, equipment failure, employee misconduct or outside interference could also disrupt the Network Operations Center’s services. We currently do not have and are not planning a duplicate operations facility. Any significant interruption at the Network Operations Center affecting the distribution of our Channels could have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.

 

If our local distribution partner for the Latin American region fails to perform, our operations could be disrupted and our business harmed.

 

In the first quarter of 2003, we moved the majority of our operations concerning the distribution of the Hallmark Channel in Mexico, Central and South America to a local distribution partner in Argentina, Pramer, primarily to substantially reduce our expenses for operations in this region. If Pramer is unable to adequately perform the functions of selling our Channel to local operators, to gain sufficient advertising sales and to appropriately market the Channel, or, if Pramer’s services are significantly interrupted for any reason, we may not improve our performance in Latin America.

 

If we are unable to retain key executives and other personnel, our growth could be inhibited and our business harmed.

 

Our success depends on the expertise and continued service of our executive officers and key employees of our subsidiaries. If we fail to attract, hire or retain the necessary personnel, or if we lose the services of our key executives, we may be unable to implement our business plan or keep pace with developing trends in our industry.

 

We are subject to the risks of doing business outside the United States.

 

Historically, a significant portion of our revenue has been generated from foreign operations. In order to maintain or expand our presence in foreign markets, we have entered and may in the future enter into strategic relationships with local operators in those markets. Certain foreign laws, regulations and judicial procedures may not be as protective of programmer rights as those applicable in the United States. In addition, many foreign countries

 

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have currency and exchange laws regulating the international transfer of currencies. To the extent that significant currency fluctuations result in materially higher costs to any of our foreign customers, those customers may be unable or unwilling to make the required payments. We may be subject to delays in access to courts and to the remedies local laws impose in order to collect our payments and recover our assets. We also may experience problems with collecting accounts due from foreign customers, which would adversely affect our revenue and income. Our growth and profitability may also suffer as a result of, among other matters, competitive pressures on video delivery, labor stoppages, recessions and other political or economic events adversely affecting world or regional trading markets or affecting a particular customer.

 

Our current and future operations in emerging markets may be harmed by the increased political and economic risks associated with these markets.

 

We currently broadcast in several foreign markets where market economies have only recently begun to develop, and we may expand these operations in the future. If the governments in these markets adopt more restrictive economic policies, we may not be able to continue operating, or to implement our expansion plans, in those markets. More generally, we are exposed to certain risks, many of which are beyond our control, inherent in operating in emerging market countries. These risks include changes in laws and policies affecting trade, investment and taxes (including laws and policies relating to the repatriation of funds and to withholding taxes), differing degrees of protection for intellectual property and the instability of emerging market economies, currencies, and governments.

 

The amount of our goodwill, as well as our film costs, may hinder our ability to achieve profitability.

 

As a result of our acquisitions of all the common interests in Crown Media United States, we have generated a significant amount of goodwill. We ceased the amortization of this acquired goodwill, and we are required to periodically review whether the value of our goodwill has been impaired. If we are required to write down our goodwill, our results of operations, stockholders’ equity or profitability could be materially adversely affected.

 

We also have a film cost relating to the amortization of the purchase price for the film assets that we use and license to others. This film cost is, and will continue to be, a significant component of our cost of services each quarter.

 

Our stock price may be volatile and could decline substantially.

 

The stock market has, from time to time, experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. Many factors may cause the market price for our Class A common stock to decline, including:

 

• our operating results failing to meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors in any quarter;

 

• material announcements by us or our competitors;

 

• governmental regulatory action;

 

• technological innovations by competitors or competing technologies;

 

• investor perceptions of our industry or prospects, or those of our customers; and

 

• changes in general market conditions or economic trends.

 

 Additionally, of the approximately 73.9 million shares of the Company’s outstanding Class A common stock, only 9.6 million shares (approximately 13%) are not held by affiliates of the Company.  This stock ownership structure may also be a cause of volatility in the market price of the Company’s Class A common stock.

 

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Risks Relating to Our Industry

 

The proposed change in television ratings in the United States could reduce our Channel revenue and our ability to achieve profitability.

 

Our domestic advertising revenues are partially dependent on television ratings provided by Nielsen Media Research. Nielsen is currently modifying its ratings system by increasing its household sample size.  Our ratings could either be positively or negatively affected by these changes, depending on the demographic characteristics of the households added to the Nielsen sample.

 

Competition could reduce our Channel revenue and our ability to achieve profitability.

 

We operate in the pay television business, which is highly competitive. If we are unable to compete effectively with large diversified entertainment companies that have substantially greater resources than we have, our operating margins and market share could be reduced, and the growth of our business inhibited. In particular, we compete for distribution with other pay television channels and, when distribution is obtained, for viewers and advertisers with pay television channels, broadcast television networks, radio, the Internet and other media. We also compete, to varying degrees, with other leisure-time activities such as movie theaters, the Internet, radio, print media, personal computers and other alternative sources of entertainment and information. Future technological developments may affect competition within this business.

 

A continuing trend towards business combinations and alliances in both the domestic and foreign communications industries may create significant new competitors for us or intensify existing competition. Many of these combined entities have more than one channel and resources far greater than ours. These combined entities may provide bundled packages of programming, delivery and other services that compete directly with the products we offer. These entities may also offer services sooner and at more competitive rates than we do. In addition, these alliances may benefit from both localized content and the local political climate.

 

We may need to reduce our prices or license additional programming to remain competitive, and we may be unable to sustain future pricing levels as competition increases. Our failure to achieve or sustain market acceptance of our programming at desired pricing levels could impair our ability to achieve profitability or positive cash flow, which would harm our business.

 

Distributors in the United States may attempt to increasingly pressure smaller pay TV channels in terms of viewership, such as our domestic Hallmark Channel, to accept decreasing amounts for subscriber fees, to pay higher subscriber acquisition fees or to allow carriage of the Channel without the payment of subscriber fees. Factors that may lead to this pressure include the number of competing pay TV channels, the limited space available on services of distributors in the United States and the desire of distributors to maintain or reduce costs. Any reduction in subscriber fees revenue now or in the future could have a material impact on our ability to achieve profitability and cash flow.

 

New distribution technologies may fundamentally change the way we distribute our Channels and could significantly decrease our revenue or require us to incur significant capital expenditures.

 

Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to anticipate and adapt to technological changes and to offer, on a timely basis, services that meet customer demands and evolving industry standards. The pay television industry has been, and is likely to continue to be, subject to:

 

• rapid and significant technological change, including continuing developments in technology which do not presently have widely accepted standards; and

 

• frequent introductions of new services and alternative technologies, including new technologies for providing video services.

 

For example, the advent of digital technology is likely to accelerate the convergence of broadcast, telecommunications, Internet and other media and could result in material changes in the economics, regulations, intellectual property usage and technical platforms on which our business relies, including lower retail rates for video services. These changes could fundamentally affect the scale, source, and volatility of our revenue streams,

 

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cost structures, and profitability, and may require us to significantly change our operations.

 

We also rely in part on third parties for the development of, and access to, communications and network technology. As a result, we may be unable to obtain access to new technology on a timely basis or on satisfactory terms, which could harm our business and prospects.

 

Moreover, the increased capacity of digital distribution platforms, including the introduction of digital terrestrial television, may reduce the competition for the right to carry channels and allow development of extra services at low incremental cost. These lower incremental costs could lower barriers to entry for competing channels, and place pressure on our operating margins and market position. In addition, a greater number of channels would likely increase competition among channels for viewers and advertisers, which could affect our ability to attract advertising and new distribution at desired pricing levels, and could therefore hinder or prevent the growth of our subscriber base.

 

If we fail to comply with applicable government regulations, our business could be harmed.

 

If, as a provider of television channels, we fail to comply with applicable present or future government regulations in any markets in which we operate, we could be prohibited from operating in those markets and could be subject to monetary fines, either of which would increase our operating costs, reduce our revenue and limit our ability to achieve profitability. The scope of regulation to which we are subject varies from country to country, although in many significant respects a similar approach is taken to the regulation of broadcasting across all of the markets in which we operate. Typically, broadcasting regulation in each of the countries in which we operate requires that domestic broadcasters and platform providers secure broadcasting licenses from the domestic broadcasting authority. Additionally, most nations have broadcasting legislation and regulations, which set minimum standards regarding program content, and prescribe minimum standards for the content and scheduling of television advertisements. Some countries require that a certain portion of programming carried by broadcasters be produced domestically.

 

Moreover, broadcasting regulations are generally subject to periodic and on-going governmental review and legislative initiatives, which may, in the future, affect the nature of programming we are able to offer and the means by which it is distributed. The timing, scope or outcome of these reviews could be unfavorable to us, and any changes to current broadcasting legislation or regulations could require adjustments to our operations.

 

The Federal Communications Commission or Congress may enact requirements that cable program services be offered to subscribers on an “a la carte” basis, i.e. be made available for purchase separately and not as part of a package of services. Such requirements could result in a reduction in the total number of subscribers to our domestic program services and adversely affect advertising revenue.

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

We only invest in instruments that meet high credit and quality standards, as specified in our investment policy guidelines. These instruments, like all fixed income instruments, are subject to interest rate risk. The fixed income portfolio will decline in value if there is an increase in interest rates. If market interest rates were to increase immediately and uniformly by 10% from levels as of June 30, 2004, the decline of the fair value of the fixed income portfolio would not be material.

 

As of June 30, 2004, our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments had a fair value of $9.5 million, which was invested in cash and short-term commercial paper. The primary purpose of these investing activities has been to preserve principal until the cash is required to fund operations. Consequently, the size of this portfolio fluctuates significantly as cash is provided by and used in our business.

 

The value of certain investments in this portfolio can be impacted by the risk of adverse changes in securities and economic markets and interest rate fluctuations. At June 30, 2004, all of our investments in this category were in fixed rate instruments or money market type accounts. A decrease in interest rates has the effect of reducing our future annual interest income from this portfolio, since funds would be reinvested at lower rates as the instruments

 

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mature. Over time, any net percentage decrease in our interest rates could be reflected in a corresponding net percentage decrease in our interest income. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, the impact of interest rate fluctuations, changed business prospects and all other factors did not have a material impact on the fair value of this portfolio, or on our income derived from this portfolio.

 

We have not used derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. As of June 30, 2004, we are not hedged or otherwise protected against risks associated with any of our investing or financing activities.

 

We are exposed to market risk.

 

We are exposed to market risk, including changes to interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and equity investment prices. To reduce the volatility relating to these exposures, we may enter into various derivative investment transactions in the near term pursuant to our investment and risk management policies and procedures in areas such as hedging and counterparty exposure practices. We have not and will not use derivatives for speculative purposes.

 

Though we intend to use risk management control policies, there will be inherent risks that may only be partially offset by our hedging programs should there be any unfavorable movements in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or equity investment prices.

 

The estimated exposure discussed below is intended to measure the maximum amount we could lose from adverse market movements in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and equity investment prices, given a specified confidence level, over a given period of time. Loss is defined in the value at risk estimation as fair market value loss.

 

Our interest income and expense is subject to fluctuations in interest rates.

 

Our material interest bearing assets consisted of cash equivalents and short-term investments. The balance of our interest bearing assets was $9.5 million, or less than 1% of total assets, as of June 30, 2004. Our material liabilities subject to interest rate risk consisted of a capital lease obligation, our bank credit facility, our line of credit with HC Crown and our note payable to HC Crown. The balance of those liabilities was $836.7 million, or 66% of total liabilities, as of June 30, 2004. Net interest expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, was $15.9 million, 28%, of our total revenue and $31.7 million, 28% of our total revenue. Our net interest expense of these liabilities is sensitive to changes in the general level of interest rates, primarily U.S. and LIBOR interest rates. In this regard, changes in U.S. and LIBOR interest rates affect the fair value of interest bearing liabilities.

 

We are exposed to risks relating to foreign currency exchange rates and foreign economic conditions.

 

We evaluate our foreign currency exposure on a net basis. We receive subscriber fees and advertising revenue from countries throughout the world. Increasingly, however, expenses arising from our foreign facilities as well as non-U.S. denominated dollar expenses are offsetting these revenues. Generally, payments required under our agreements are denominated in U.S. dollars and, therefore, unaffected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. We have some exposure to changes in exchange rates in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. However, our exposure to foreign exchange rates primarily exists with the British pound. When the U.S. dollar strengthens against the currencies in these countries, the U.S. dollar value of non-U.S. dollar denominated revenue decreases; when the U.S. dollar weakens, the U.S. dollar value of non-U.S. dollar denominated revenue increases. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates, and in particular, a strengthening of the U.S. dollar, may adversely affect our revenue as expressed in U.S. dollars.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and

 

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operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of June 30, 2004.  Based upon this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of that date for purposes of recording, processing, summarizing and timely reporting material information required to be disclosed in reports that the Company files under the Exchange Act.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2004, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 2.  Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

In May 2004, we issued restricted stock units as described in Note 2 to the Condensed Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1, of this Report under the heading “Employee Incentives and Retention.”

 

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

Our 2003 annual meeting of stockholders was held on June 3, 2004.  The following proposal was voted upon at the meeting, with the following number of votes cast for, against or withheld:

 

Proposal One – Elect 14 directors to our Board of Directors.

 

 

All 14 persons listed above were existing directors and were re-elected as our directors at that meeting.

 

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Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

(a)

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit Number		Exhibit Title
3.1		Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (Amendment No. 2), Commission File No. 333-95573, and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2		Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.3		Amended and Restated By-Laws (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (Amendment No. 3), Commission File No. 333-95573, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1*		Letter Agreement, dated as of July 9, 2004, by and between Crown Media Holdings, Inc. and Jeff Henry.
10.2*		Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement, dates as of May 28, 2004, by and between Crown Media Holdings, Inc. and David Evans.
10.3		Form of Amended and Restated Crown Media Holdings, Inc. Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.
10.4		Form of Crown Media Holdings, Inc. 2004 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement
10.5		Crown Media Holdings, Inc. 2004 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, dated as of May 28, 2004, by and between Crown Media Holdings, Inc. and David Evans.
10.6		Amended and Restated Crown Media Holdings, Inc. Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, dated as of May 25, 2004, by and between Crown Media Holdings, Inc. and David Evans.
31.1		Rule 13a-14(a) Certification executed by the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
31.2		Rule 13a-14(a) Certification executed by the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
32		Section 1350 Certifications.

 

* Management contract or compensating plan or arrangement.

 

(b)      Reports on Form 8-K

 

During the quarter ended June 30, 2004, we filed the following Form 8-K report:

 

•                  Report filed on April 13, 2004, regarding Items 5 and 7; and

•                  Report filed on May 10, 2004, regarding Items 7 and 12.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

	CROWN MEDIA HOLDINGS, INC.
		Signature				Title		Date
		By:         /s/ DAVID J. EVANS				Director and Principal Executive Officer		August 9, 2004
		David J. Evans
		By:       /s/ WILLIAM J. ALIBER				Principal Financial and Accounting Officer		August 9, 2004
		William J. Aliber

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit Number		Exhibit Title
3.1		Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (Amendment No. 2), Commission File No. 333-95573, and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2		Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 31, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference).
3.3		Amended and Restated By-Laws (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (Amendment No. 3), Commission File No. 333-95573, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.1*		Letter Agreement, dated as of July 9, 2004, by and between Crown Media Holdings, Inc. and Jeff Henry.
10.2*		Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement, dates as of May 28, 2004, by and between Crown Media Holdings, Inc. and David Evans.
10.3		Form of Amended and Restated Crown Media Holdings, Inc. Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.
10.4		Form of Crown Media Holdings, Inc. 2004 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement
10.5		Crown Media Holdings, Inc. 2004 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, dated as of May 28, 2004, by and between Crown Media Holdings, Inc. and David Evans.
10.6		Amended and Restated Crown Media Holdings, Inc. Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, dated as of May 25, 2004, by and between Crown Media Holdings, Inc. and David Evans.
31.1		Rule 13a-14(a) Certification executed by the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
31.2		Rule 13a-14(a) Certification executed by the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
32		Section 1350 Certifications.

 

* Management contract or compensating plan or arrangement.

 

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