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Altice USA, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2018 September (Form 10-Q)




UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the quarterly period ended
September 30, 2018
 
 
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the transition period from
 
to
 
 
 
Commission File Number
 
Registrant; State of Incorporation; Address and Telephone Number
 
IRS Employer Identification No.
 
 
 
 
 
001-38126
 
alticelogoa17.jpg
 
38-3980194
 
 
Altice USA, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Delaware
 
 
 
 
1 Court Square West
 
 
 
 
Long Island City, New York  11101
 
 
 
 
(516) 803-2300
 
 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrants were required to submit and post such files). Yes   ý    No o
Indicate by check mark whether each Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company", and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
o
 
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
ý
 
Smaller reporting company
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
Emerging growth company
o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes
o
No
ý
Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of November 2, 2018:
715,100,411

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 






ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
FORM 10-Q
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
Page
Item 1. Financial Statements of Altice USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 2018 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2017
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (Unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (Unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity - Nine months ended September 30, 2018 (Unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
 
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 1. Legal Proceedings
 
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
 
Item 6. Exhibits
 
 
SIGNATURES





PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION
This Quarterly Report includes statements that express our opinions, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or projections regarding future events or future results and therefore are, or may be deemed to be, “forward‑looking statements.” These “forward‑looking statements” appear throughout this Quarterly Report and relate to matters such as anticipated future growth in revenues, operating income, cash provided by operating activities and other financial measures. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “seeks,” “potential,” “continue,” “intends,” “plans” and similar words and terms used in the discussion of future operating results, future financial performance and future events identify forward‑looking statements. All of these forward‑looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs about future events. As with any projection or forecast, they are susceptible to uncertainty and changes in circumstances.
We operate in a highly competitive, consumer and technology driven and rapidly changing business that is affected by government regulation and economic, strategic, technological, political and social conditions. Various factors could adversely affect our operations, business or financial results in the future and cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward‑looking statements. In addition, important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in our forward‑looking statements include:
competition for broadband, pay television and telephony customers from existing competitors (such as broadband communications companies, direct broadcast satellite ("DBS") providers and Internet‑based providers) and new competitors entering our footprint;
changes in consumer preferences, laws and regulations or technology that may cause us to change our operational strategies;
increased difficulty negotiating programming agreements on favorable terms, if at all, resulting in increased costs to us and/or the loss of popular programming;
increasing programming costs and delivery expenses related to our products and services;
our ability to achieve anticipated customer and revenue growth, to successfully introduce new products and services and to implement our growth strategy;
our ability to complete our capital investment plans on time and on budget, including our plan to build a fiber-to-the-home ("FTTH") network, and deploy Altice One, our new home communications hub;
our ability to develop and deploy mobile voice and data services pursuant to the agreement we entered into with Sprint in the fourth quarter of 2017, and our ability to attract customers to these services;
the effects of economic conditions or other factors which may negatively affect our customers’ demand for our current and future products and services;
the effects of industry conditions;
demand for digital and linear advertising products and services;
our substantial indebtedness and debt service obligations;
adverse changes in the credit market;
changes as a result of any tax reforms that may affect our business;
financial community and rating agency perceptions of our business, operations, financial condition and the industries in which we operate;
the restrictions contained in our financing agreements;
our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt service obligations;
fluctuations in interest rates which may cause our interest expense to vary from quarter to quarter;
technical failures, equipment defects, physical or electronic break-ins to our services, computer viruses and similar problems;



1




the disruption or failure of our network, information systems or technologies as a result of computer hacking, computer viruses, “cyber-attacks,” misappropriation of data, outages, natural disasters and other material events;
our ability to obtain necessary hardware, software, communications equipment and services and other items from our vendors at reasonable costs;
our ability to effectively integrate acquisitions and to maximize expected operating efficiencies from our acquisitions or as a result of the transactions, if any;
significant unanticipated increases in the use of bandwidth-intensive Internet-based services;
the outcome of litigation, government investigations and other proceedings;
our ability to successfully operate our business following the completion of our separation from Altice Europe N.V.; and
other risks and uncertainties inherent in our cable and other broadband communications businesses and our other businesses, including those listed under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 6, 2018 (the "Annual Report").
These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward‑looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward‑looking statements.
Given these uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this Quarterly Report. Except to the extent required by law, we do not undertake, and specifically decline any obligation, to update any forward‑looking statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of such statements to reflect future events or developments. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.
You should read this Quarterly Report with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all forward‑looking statements by these cautionary statements.
Certain numerical figures included in this quarterly report have been subject to rounding adjustments. Accordingly, such numerical figures shown as totals in various tables may not be arithmetic aggregations of the figures that precede them.





2




Item 1. Financial Statements
ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
September 30, 2018
(Unaudited)
 
December 31, 2017
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
486,208

 
$
329,848

Restricted cash
253

 
252

Accounts receivable, trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $13,259 and $13,420)
436,550

 
370,765

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
167,836

 
130,425

Amounts due from affiliates
18,387

 
19,764

Derivative contracts
3,269

 
52,545

Total current assets
1,112,503

 
903,599

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $3,708,770 and $2,599,579
5,760,479

 
6,023,826

Investment securities pledged as collateral
1,521,045

 
1,720,357

Derivative contracts
31,510

 

Other assets
97,537

 
57,904

Amortizable customer relationships, net of accumulated amortization of $1,979,595 and $1,409,021
3,991,289

 
4,561,863

Amortizable trade names, net of accumulated amortization of $678,248 and $588,574
388,835

 
478,509

Other amortizable intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $16,772 and $10,978
20,872

 
26,082

Indefinite-lived cable television franchises
13,020,081

 
13,020,081

Goodwill
8,012,416

 
8,019,861

Total assets
$
33,956,567

 
$
34,812,082


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



3





ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)   
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
September 30, 2018
(Unaudited)
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
883,408

 
$
795,128

Accrued liabilities:
 
 
 

Interest
321,327

 
397,422

Employee related costs
123,387

 
147,727

Other accrued expenses
329,122

 
411,988

Amounts due to affiliates
23,424

 
10,998

Deferred revenue
131,133

 
111,197

Liabilities under derivative contracts

 
52,545

Credit facility debt
57,650

 
42,650

Senior notes and debentures
531,206

 
507,744

Capital lease obligations
4,147

 
9,539

Notes payable
71,873

 
33,424

Total current liabilities
2,476,677

 
2,520,362

Defined benefit plan obligations
84,755

 
103,163

Other liabilities
169,473

 
144,289

Deferred tax liability
4,809,745

 
4,769,286

Liabilities under derivative contracts
153,850

 
187,406

Collateralized indebtedness
1,400,398

 
1,349,474

Credit facility debt
6,163,843

 
4,600,873

Senior notes and debentures
14,824,532

 
15,352,688

Capital lease obligations
17,304

 
12,441

Notes payable
5,218

 
32,478

Deficit investment in affiliates

 
3,579

Total liabilities
30,105,795

 
29,076,039

Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)


 


Redeemable equity
179,799

 
231,290

Stockholders' Equity:
 
 
 

Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding

 

Class A common stock: $0.01 par value, 4,000,000,000 shares authorized, 510,702,726 and 246,982,292 issued and outstanding
5,107

 
2,470

Class B common stock: $0.01 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 490,086,674 issued and 213,146,331and 490,086,674 outstanding
2,131

 
4,901

Class C common stock: $0.01 par value, 4,000,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding

 

Paid-in capital
3,618,709

 
4,665,229

Retained earnings
38,744

 
840,636

 
3,664,691

 
5,513,236

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(2,291
)
 
(10,022
)
Total stockholders' equity
3,662,400

 
5,503,214

Noncontrolling interest
8,573

 
1,539

Total stockholders' equity
3,670,973

 
5,504,753

 
$
33,956,567

 
$
34,812,082

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


4





ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Revenue (including revenue from affiliates of $545, $426, $1,397 and $820, respectively) (See Note 14)
$
2,417,801

 
$
2,322,521

 
$
7,111,668

 
$
6,947,142

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Programming and other direct costs (including charges from affiliates of $1,671, $1,196, $6,690 and $3,026, respectively) (See Note 14)
790,533

 
755,101

 
2,373,021

 
2,272,147

Other operating expenses (including charges from affiliates of $905, $8,302, $15,154 and $24,266, respectively) (See Note 14)
569,070

 
570,111

 
1,727,842

 
1,769,477

Restructuring and other expense
16,587

 
53,448

 
29,865

 
142,765

Depreciation and amortization (including impairments)
536,053

 
823,286

 
1,827,285

 
2,138,800

 
1,912,243

 
2,201,946

 
5,958,013

 
6,323,189

Operating income
505,558

 
120,575

 
1,153,655

 
623,953

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense (including $90,405 related to affiliates and related parties in 2017) (See Note 9)
(389,594
)
 
(379,066
)
 
(1,157,395
)
 
(1,232,730
)
Interest income
1,427

 
961

 
9,843

 
1,373

Gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net
111,684

 
(18,900
)
 
(182,031
)
 
169,888

Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net
(79,628
)
 
(16,763
)
 
130,883

 
(154,270
)
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts
(19,554
)
 
1,051

 
(64,405
)
 
12,539

Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs (including $513,723 related to affiliates and related parties in 2017) (See Note 9)

 
(38,858
)
 
(41,616
)
 
(600,240
)
Other expense, net
(186
)
 
(2,984
)
 
(12,473
)
 
(9,019
)
 
(375,851
)
 
(454,559
)
 
(1,317,194
)
 
(1,812,459
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
129,707

 
(333,984
)
 
(163,539
)
 
(1,188,506
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
(95,968
)
 
141,550

 
(29,675
)
 
439,945

Net income (loss)
33,739

 
(192,434
)
 
(193,214
)

(748,561
)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(1,186
)
 
(135
)
 
(1,039
)
 
(737
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Altice USA, Inc. stockholders
$
32,553

 
$
(192,569
)
 
$
(194,253
)
 
$
(749,298
)
INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Altice USA, Inc. stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
0.04

 
$
(0.26
)

$
(0.26
)
 
$
(1.10
)
Basic weighted average common shares (in thousands)
732,963

 
$
737,069

 
735,685

 
682,234

Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Altice USA, Inc. stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
0.04

 
$
(0.26
)
 
$
(0.26
)
 
$
(1.10
)
Diluted weighted average common shares (in thousands)
732,963

 
737,069

 
735,685

 
682,234


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


5





ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
33,739

 
$
(192,434
)
 
$
(193,214
)
 
$
(748,561
)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Defined benefit pension plans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized actuarial gain (loss)
9,602

 
(4,056
)
 
13,794

 
(8,389
)
Applicable income taxes
(2,592
)
 
1,622

 
(3,723
)
 
3,356

Unrecognized gain (loss) arising during period, net of income taxes
7,010

 
(2,434
)
 
10,071

 
(5,033
)
Settlement loss included in other expense, net
65

 
1,014

 
929

 
1,403

Applicable income taxes
(18
)
 
(406
)
 
(252
)
 
(561
)
Settlement loss included in other expense, net, net of income taxes
47

 
608

 
677

 
842

Curtailment loss






(3,195
)
Applicable income taxes






1,278

Curtailment loss, net of income taxes






(1,917
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
437




1,351



Applicable income taxes
(27
)



(365
)


Foreign currency translation adjustment, net
410




986



Other comprehensive gain (loss)
7,467

 
(1,826
)
 
11,734

 
(6,108
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
41,206

 
(194,260
)
 
(181,480
)
 
(754,669
)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(1,186
)
 
(135
)
 
(1,039
)
 
(737
)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Altice USA, Inc. stockholders
$
40,020

 
$
(194,395
)
 
$
(182,519
)
 
$
(755,406
)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



6








ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 

Class A
Common
Stock
 

Class B
Common
Stock
 
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
 
Non-controlling
Interest
 
Total
Equity
Balance at January 1, 2018, as reported
$
2,470

 
$
4,901

 
$
4,642,128

 
$
854,824

 
$
(10,022
)
 
$
5,494,301

 
$
1,539

 
$
5,495,840

Impact of change in accounting policies (See Note 3)

 

 

 
12,666

 

 
12,666

 

 
12,666

Impact of ATS Acquisition (See Note 3)

 

 
23,101

 
(26,854
)
 

 
(3,753
)
 

 
(3,753
)
Balance at January 1, 2018, as adjusted
2,470

 
4,901

 
4,665,229

 
840,636

 
(10,022
)
 
5,503,214

 
1,539

 
5,504,753

Net loss attributable to stockholders

 

 

 
(194,253
)
 

 
(194,253
)
 

 
(194,253
)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,039

 
1,039

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 
5,995

 
5,995

Pension liability adjustments, net of income taxes

 

 

 

 
10,748

 
10,748

 

 
10,748

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 
986

 
986

 

 
986

Share-based compensation expense

 

 
46,176

 

 

 
46,176

 

 
46,176

Redeemable equity vested

 

 
124,415

 

 

 
124,415

 

 
124,415

Change in redeemable equity

 

 
(72,924
)
 

 

 
(72,924
)
 

 
(72,924
)
Dividend payment

 

 
(963,711
)
 
(536,224
)
 

 
(1,499,935
)
 

 
(1,499,935
)
Class A shares acquired through share repurchase program and retired
(133
)
 

 
(240,666
)
 

 

 
(240,799
)
 

 
(240,799
)
Conversion of Class B to Class A shares, including $2,424 in connection with the Distribution
2,770

 
(2,770
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Impact of i24 Acquisition

 

 
61,049

 
(73,578
)
 
(1,840
)
 
(14,369
)
 

 
(14,369
)
Other changes to equity

 

 
(859
)
 

 

 
(859
)
 

 
(859
)
Adoption of ASU No. 2018-02

 

 

 
2,163

 
(2,163
)
 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2018
$
5,107

 
$
2,131

 
$
3,618,709

 
$
38,744

 
$
(2,291
)
 
$
3,662,400

 
$
8,573

 
$
3,670,973


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


7





ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(193,214
)
 
$
(748,561
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments)
1,827,285

 
2,138,800

Equity in net loss of affiliates
10,849

 
5,697

Loss (gain) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net
182,031

 
(169,888
)
Loss (gain) on derivative contracts, net
(130,883
)
 
154,270

Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs
41,616

 
600,240

Amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts (premiums) on indebtedness
60,526

 
18,517

Settlement loss related to pension plan
929

 
1,403

Share-based compensation expense
46,176

 
40,932

Deferred income taxes
14,399

 
(470,841
)
Provision for doubtful accounts
50,643

 
54,501

Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, trade
(111,446
)
 
(45,493
)
Other receivables
(138
)
 
(5,520
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
(41,890
)
 
(816
)
Amounts due from and due to affiliates
7,203

 
(40,355
)
Accounts payable
85,497

 
53,433

Accrued liabilities
(198,196
)
 
(303,717
)
Deferred revenue
56,326

 
9,382

Liabilities related to interest rate swap contracts
62,549

 
(9,552
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
1,770,262

 
1,282,432

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 

Capital expenditures
(832,824
)
 
(718,919
)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(10,753
)
 
(43,608
)
Sale of affiliate interest
(3,537
)
 

Settlement of put call options

 
(24,039
)
Proceeds related to sale of equipment, including costs of disposal
7,802

 
3,398

Increase in other investments
(2,500
)
 
(4,800
)
Additions to other intangible assets
(584
)
 
(1,700
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(842,396
)
 
(789,668
)
 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


8





ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
(In thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from credit facility debt, net of discounts
$
2,217,500

 
$
5,602,425

Repayment of credit facility debt
(635,738
)
 
(3,684,668
)
Issuance of senior notes and debentures
2,050,000

 

Redemption of senior notes, including premiums and fees
(2,623,756
)
 
(1,729,400
)
Proceeds from collateralized indebtedness, net
516,513

 
662,724

Repayment of collateralized indebtedness and related derivative contracts, net
(516,513
)
 
(654,989
)
Dividends to stockholders
(1,499,935
)
 
(919,317
)
Proceeds from notes payable
15,955

 
24,649

Repayment of notes payable
(14,089
)
 

Principal payments on capital lease obligations
(8,581
)
 
(11,518
)
Purchase of shares of Altice USA, Inc. Class A common stock, pursuant to a share repurchase program
(226,803
)
 

Additions to deferred financing costs
(21,570
)
 
(9,486
)
Other
(859
)
 

Contingent payment for acquisition
(30,000
)
 

Contributions from noncontrolling interests, net
5,995

 
50,800

Proceeds from IPO, net of fees

 
348,460

Net cash used in financing activities
(771,881
)
 
(320,320
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
155,985

 
172,444

 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
376

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
156,361

 
172,444

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year
330,100

 
503,093

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
$
486,461

 
$
675,537


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



9



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)




NOTE 1.    DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND RELATED MATTERS
The Company and Related Matters
Altice USA, Inc. ("Altice USA" or the "Company") was incorporated in Delaware on September 14, 2015. Prior to the Altice N.V. distribution discussed below, Altice USA was majority-owned by Altice N.V., a public company with limited liability (naamloze vennootshcap) under Dutch law. Since the completion of the Altice N.V. distribution discussed below, the Company is no longer majority-owned by Altice N.V. Altice N.V. changed its name to Altice Europe N.V. ("Altice Europe") upon completion of the distribution.
The Company provides broadband communications and video services in the United States. It delivers broadband, pay television, telephony services, proprietary content and advertising services to residential and business customers.
Altice N.V., through a subsidiary, acquired Cequel Corporation ("Cequel" or "Suddenlink") on December 21, 2015 (the "Cequel Acquisition") and Cequel was contributed to Altice USA on June 9, 2016. Altice USA acquired Cablevision Systems Corporation ("Cablevision" or "Optimum") on June 21, 2016 (the "Cablevision Acquisition").
The Company classifies its operations into two reportable segments: Cablevision, which operates in the New York metropolitan area, and Cequel, which principally operates in markets in the south-central United States.
The accompanying condensed combined consolidated financial statements ("condensed consolidated financial statements") include the accounts of the Company and all subsidiaries in which the Company has a controlling interest and gives effect to the ATS Acquisition and the i24 Acquisition discussed below on a combined basis. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The accompanying condensed consolidated operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 reflect the retrospective adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and ASU No. 2017-07 Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715). See Note 3 for further details of the impact on the Company's historical financial statements.
In June 2017, the Company completed its initial public offering ("IPO") of 71,724,139 shares of its Class A common stock. The Company’s Class A common stock began trading on June 22, 2017, on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ATUS".
Acquisition of Altice Technical Services US Corp
ATS was formed in 2017 to provide network construction and maintenance services and commercial and residential installations, disconnections, and maintenance. During the second quarter of 2017, a substantial portion of the Company's technical workforce at the Cablevision segment either accepted employment with ATS or became employees of ATS and ATS commenced operations and began to perform services for the Company. A substantial portion of the Cequel segment technical workforce became employees of ATS in December 2017.
In January 2018, the Company acquired 70% of the equity interests in Altice Technical Services US Corp. ("ATS") for $1.00 (the "ATS Acquisition") and the Company became the owner of 100% of the equity interests in ATS in March 2018. ATS was previously owned by Altice N.V. and a member of ATS's management through a holding company. As the acquisition was a combination of businesses under common control, the Company combined the results of operations and related assets and liabilities of ATS for all periods since its formation. See Note 3 for the impact of the ATS Acquisition on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 and on the Company's statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.
Acquisition of i24NEWS
In April 2018, Altice N.V. transferred its ownership of i24 US and i24 Europe ("i24NEWS"), Altice N.V.'s 24/7 international news and current affairs channels to the Company for minimal consideration (the "i24 Acquisition"). As the acquisition was a combination of businesses under common control, the Company combined the results of operations and related assets and liabilities of i24NEWS as of April 1, 2018. Operating results for periods prior to April 1, 2018 and the balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 have not been revised to reflect the i24 Acquisition as the impact was deemed immaterial.


10



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Altice N.V. Distribution
On June 8, 2018, Altice N.V. distributed substantially all of its equity interest in the Company through a distribution in kind to holders of Altice N.V.'s common shares A and common shares B (the “Distribution”). The Distribution took place by way of a special distribution in kind by Altice N.V. of its 67.2% interest in the Company to Altice N.V. shareholders. Each shareholder of Altice N.V. on May 23, 2018, the Distribution record date, received 0.4163 shares of the Company's common stock for every share held by such shareholder in Altice N.V. Between May 24, 2018 and June 4, 2018, each Altice N.V. shareholder was given the opportunity to elect the percentage of shares of the Company's Class A common stock and shares of the Company's Class B common stock such shareholder would receive in the Distribution, whereby the number of shares of the Company's Class B common stock to be distributed was subject to a cap of 50% of the total shares of the Company's common stock being distributed (the “Class B Cap”). Because the Class B Cap had been exceeded, the shares of the Company's Class B common stock delivered to Altice N.V.’s shareholders of record who elected to receive them were subject to proration, and such shareholders received shares of the Company's Class A common stock.
Immediately following the Distribution, there were 489,384,523 shares of Altice USA Class A common stock and 247,684,443 shares of Altice USA Class B common stock outstanding.
Prior to Altice N.V.'s announcement of the Distribution, the Board of Directors of Altice USA, acting through its independent directors, approved the payment of a $2.035 dividend to all shareholders of record on May 22, 2018. The payment of the dividend, aggregating $1,499,935, was made on June 6, 2018, and was funded with cash at CSC Holdings LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cablevision, from financings completed in January 2018, and cash generated from operations at Cequel. In connection with the payment of the dividend, the Company recorded a decrease in retained earnings of $536,224, representing the cumulative earnings through the payment date, and a decrease in paid in capital of $963,711.
In connection with the Distribution, the Management Advisory and Consulting Services Agreement with Altice N.V. which provided certain consulting, advisory and other services was terminated. Compensation under the terms of the agreement was an annual fee of $30,000 paid by the Company.
In addition, the Board of Directors of Altice USA also authorized a share repurchase program of $2.0 billion, effective June 8, 2018. Under the repurchase program, shares of Altice USA Class A common stock may be purchased from time to time in the open market and may include trading plans entered into with one or more brokerage firms in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Size and timing of these purchases will be determined based on market conditions and other factors.  
From inception through September 30, 2018, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 13,219,909 shares for a total purchase price of approximately $240,799.  These acquired shares were retired and the cost for these shares was recorded in paid in capital in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet.  As of September 30, 2018, the Company had approximately $1,759,201 of availability remaining under its stock repurchase program and had 723,849,057 combined Class A and Class B shares outstanding.
NOTE 2.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X for interim financial information.  Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all the information and notes required for complete annual financial statements.
The interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the Company's financial statements and notes thereto included on Form 8-K filed on May 21, 2018.
The financial statements presented in this report are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, such financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods presented.


11



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that might be expected for future interim periods or for the full year ending December 31, 2018.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The primary provision of ASU No. 2018-02 allows for the reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. ASU No. 2018-02 also requires certain disclosures about stranded tax effects. ASU No. 2018-02 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted and will be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is recognized. The Company elected to adopt ASU No. 2018-02 during the first quarter of 2018. The adoption resulted in the reclassification of stranded tax amounts of $2,163 associated with net unrecognized losses from the Company's pension plans from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718). ASU No. 2017-09 provides clarity and guidance on which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. ASU No. 2017-09 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018 and it had no impact to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715). ASU No. 2017-07 requires that an employer disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost. It also provides guidance on how to present the service cost component and the other components of net benefit cost in the income statement and what component of net benefit cost is eligible for capitalization. ASU No. 2017‑07 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018 and was applied retrospectively. As a result of the adoption, the Company reclassified the non-service cost components of the Company's pension expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 from other operating expenses to other income (expense), net. The Company elected to apply the practical expedient which allowed it to reclassify amounts disclosed previously in the benefits plan note as the basis for applying retrospective presentation for comparative periods, as the Company determined it was impracticable to disaggregate the cost components for amounts capitalized and amortized in those periods. See Note 3 for information on the impact of the adoption of ASU No. 2017-07.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805), Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which amends Topic 805 to interpret the definition of a business by adding guidance to assist in evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The Company adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2018 and it had no impact to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, in order to clarify the Codification and to correct any unintended application of the guidance. The amendments in this update affected the guidance in ASC 606. ASC 606 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018 on a full retrospective basis, which required the Company to reflect the impact of the updated guidance for all periods presented. The adoption of ASC 606 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. See Note 3 for information on the impact of the adoption of ASC 606.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash, which requires that the statement of cash flows disclose the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. Restricted cash should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-18 provides specific guidance on the presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-18 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018 and was applied retrospectively for all periods presented.


12



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments which clarifies how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-15 also clarifies how the predominance principle should be applied when cash receipts and cash payments have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. The Company adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2018 and it had no impact to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10), Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.  ASU No. 2016-01 modifies how entities measure certain equity investments and also modifies the recognition of changes in the fair value of financial liabilities measured under the fair value option. Entities will be required to measure equity investments that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income. For financial liabilities measured using the fair value option, entities will be required to record changes in fair value caused by a change in instrument-specific credit risk (own credit risk) separately in other comprehensive income. ASU No. 2016-01 was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018 and it had no impact to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"), requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASC 606 replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP (See Note 3).
Recently Issued But Not Yet Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans, which amends ASC 715 to clarify certain disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. ASU 2018-14 becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2022, although early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-14 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Also in August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract, which requires upfront implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement (or hosting arrangement) that is a service contract to be amortized to hosting expense over the term of the arrangement, beginning when the module or component of the hosting arrangement is ready for its intended use. ASU No. 2018-14 becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2020, although early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU No. 2018-15 will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). ASU No. 2017-04 simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by removing the second step of the two‑step impairment test. The amendment requires an entity to perform its annual, or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. ASU No. 2017-04 becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted and will be applied prospectively.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which increases transparency and comparability by recognizing a lessee’s rights and obligations resulting from leases by recording them on the balance sheet as lease assets and lease liabilities. The new guidance becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. Although the Company has not yet completed its evaluation of the guidance, or quantified its impact, the Company believes the most significant impact will be the recognition of right of use assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet. The Company expects its lease obligations designated as operating leases will be reported on the consolidated balance sheets upon adoption. The Company is also evaluating other potential lease arrangements of the business, including arrangements that have been previously disclosed as a contractual commitment. The Company is currently in the process of collecting and validating lease data and implementing a software solution. In addition, the Company is assessing practical expedients and policy elections offered by the standard, and is evaluating its processes and internal controls to meet the accounting, reporting and disclosure requirements.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2017 financial statements to conform to the 2018 presentation.


13



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

NOTE 3.    CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ATS ACQUISITION
Adoption of ASC 606 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the guidance pursuant to ASC 606. The Company elected to apply the guidance on a full retrospective basis, which required the Company to reflect the impact of the updated guidance for all periods presented. The adoption of the guidance resulted in the deferral of certain installation revenue, the deferral of certain commission expenses, and a reduction of revenue due to the reclassification of certain third party giveaways and incentives from operating expense. Additionally, the Company made changes in the composition of revenue resulting from the allocation of value related to bundled services sold to residential customers at a discount.
Installation Services Revenue
Pursuant to ASC 606, the Company's installation services revenue is deferred and recognized over the benefit period. For residential customers, the benefit period is less than one year. For business and wholesale customers, the benefit period is the contract term. Prior to the adoption of ASC 606, the Company recognized installation services revenue for residential and small and medium-sized business ("SMB") customers when installations were completed. As a result of the deferral of installation services revenue for residential and SMB customers, the Company recognized contract liabilities of $6,978 and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $5,093 (net of tax of $1,885) to retained earnings. The accounting for installation services revenue related to business and wholesale customers has not changed.
Commission Expenses
Pursuant to ASC 606, the Company defers commission expenses related to obtaining a contract with a customer when the expected period of benefit is greater than one year and amortizes these costs over the average contract term. For commission expenses related to customer contracts with a term of one year or less, the Company is utilizing the practical expedient and is recognizing the costs when incurred.  Prior to the adoption of ASC 606, the Company recognized commission expenses related to the sale of its services when incurred. As a result of the change in the timing of recognition of these commission expenses, the Company recognized contract assets of $24,329 and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $17,759 (net of tax of $6,570) to retained earnings.
Third Party Product Giveaways and Incentives
When the Company acts as the agent in providing certain product giveaways or incentives, revenue is recorded net of the costs of the giveaways and incentives. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, costs of $4,094 and $13,490, respectively for the giveaways and incentives recorded in other operating expense have been reclassified to revenue.
Bundled Services
The Company provides bundled services at a discounted rate to its customers. Under ASC 606, revenue should be allocated to separate performance obligations within a bundled offering based on the relative stand-alone selling price of each service within the bundle. In connection with the adoption of ASC 606, the Company revised the amounts allocated to each performance obligation within its bundled offerings which reduced previously reported revenue for telephony services and increased previously reported revenue allocated to pay television and broadband services.
Adoption of ASU No. 2017-07 - Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715)
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the guidance pursuant to ASU No. 2017‑07. ASU No. 2017‑07 requires that an employer disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost. In connection with the adoption of ASU No. 2017‑07, the Company retroactively reclassified certain pension costs from other operating expenses to other income (expense), net. The adoption of ASU No. 2017-07 had no impact on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet.
Acquisition of ATS
As discussed in Note 1, the Company completed the ATS Acquisition in the first quarter of 2018. ATS was previously owned by Altice N.V. and a member of ATS's management through a holding company. As the acquisition is a combination of businesses under common control, the Company combined the results of operations and related assets and liabilities


14



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

of ATS for all periods since the formation of ATS, including goodwill of $23,101, representing the amount previously transferred to ATS.
The following table summarizes the impact of adopting ASC 606 and the impact of the ATS Acquisition on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet: 
 
December 31, 2017
 
As Reported
 
Impact of ASC 606
 
Impact of ATS Acquisition
 
As Adjusted
Cash and cash equivalents
$
273,329

 
$

 
$
56,519

 
$
329,848

Other current assets
580,231

 
14,068

 
(20,548
)
 
573,751

Property, plant and equipment, net
6,063,829

 

 
(40,003
)
 
6,023,826

Goodwill
7,996,760

 

 
23,101

 
8,019,861

Other assets, long-term
19,861,076

 
10,261

 
(6,541
)
 
19,864,796

Total assets
$
34,775,225

 
$
24,329

 
$
12,528

 
$
34,812,082

Current liabilities
$
2,492,983

 
$
6,978

 
$
20,401

 
$
2,520,362

Deferred tax liability, long-term
4,775,115

 
4,685

 
(10,514
)
 
4,769,286

Liabilities, long-term
21,779,997

 

 
6,394

 
21,786,391

Total liabilities
29,048,095

 
11,663

 
16,281

 
29,076,039

Redeemable equity
231,290

 

 

 
231,290

Paid-in capital
4,642,128

 

 
23,101

 
4,665,229

Retained earnings
854,824

 
12,666

 
(26,854
)
 
840,636

Total stockholders' equity
5,495,840

 
12,666

 
(3,753
)
 
5,504,753

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
34,775,225

 
$
24,329

 
$
12,528

 
$
34,812,082



15



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

The following table summarizes the impact of adopting ASC 606 and ASU No. 2017-07 and the impact of the ATS Acquisition on the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations:
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
As Reported
 
Impact of ASC 606
 
Impact of ASU No. 2017-07
 
Impact of ATS Acquisition
 
As Adjusted
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay TV
$
1,054,392

 
$
15,807

 
$

 
$
(253
)
 
$
1,069,946

Broadband
646,094

 
12,372

 

 
(188
)
 
658,278

Telephony
204,753

 
(32,155
)
 

 
(119
)
 
172,479

Business services and wholesale
324,760

 
(118
)
 

 

 
324,642

Advertising
89,292

 

 

 

 
89,292

Other
7,884

 

 

 

 
7,884

Total revenue
2,327,175

 
(4,094
)
 

 
(560
)
 
2,322,521

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

Programming and other direct costs
755,101

 

 

 

 
755,101

Other operating expenses
560,497

 
(4,094
)
 
(2,921
)
 
16,629

 
570,111

Restructuring and other expense
53,448

 

 

 

 
53,448

Depreciation and amortization
823,265

 

 

 
21

 
823,286

Operating income
134,864

 

 
2,921

 
(17,210
)
 
120,575

Other expense, net
(451,638
)
 

 
(2,921
)
 

 
(454,559
)
Loss before income taxes
(316,774
)
 

 

 
(17,210
)
 
(333,984
)
Income tax benefit
134,688

 

 

 
6,862

 
141,550

Net loss
$
(182,086
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(10,348
)
 
$
(192,434
)

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
As Reported
 
Impact of ASC 606
 
Impact of ASU No. 2017-07
 
Impact of ATS Acquisition
 
As Adjusted
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay TV
$
3,185,610

 
$
39,630

 
$

 
$
(253
)
 
$
3,224,987

Broadband
1,887,279

 
39,725

 

 
(188
)
 
1,926,816

Telephony
624,077

 
(92,257
)
 

 
(119
)
 
531,701

Business services and wholesale
968,291

 
(588
)
 

 

 
967,703

Advertising
270,154

 

 

 

 
270,154

Other
25,781

 

 

 

 
25,781

Total revenue
6,961,192

 
(13,490
)
 

 
(560
)
 
6,947,142

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Programming and other direct costs
2,272,147

 

 

 

 
2,272,147

Other operating expenses
1,767,624

 
(13,490
)
 
(9,852
)
 
25,195

 
1,769,477

Restructuring and other expense
142,765

 

 

 

 
142,765

Depreciation and amortization
2,138,776

 

 

 
24

 
2,138,800

Operating income
639,880

 

 
9,852

 
(25,779
)
 
623,953

Other expense, net
(1,802,608
)
 

 
(9,852
)
 
1

 
(1,812,459
)
Loss before income taxes
(1,162,728
)
 

 

 
(25,778
)
 
(1,188,506
)
Income tax benefit
429,664

 

 

 
10,281

 
439,945

Net loss
$
(733,064
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(15,497
)
 
$
(748,561
)


16



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)


NOTE 4.    NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS
Basic net income (loss) per common share attributable to Altice USA stockholders is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to Altice USA stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted income per common share attributable to Altice USA stockholders reflects the dilutive effects of stock options. For such awards that are performance based, the diluted effect is reflected upon the achievement of the performance criteria. Diluted net loss per common share attributable to Altice USA excludes the effects of common stock equivalents as they are anti-dilutive.
Anti-dilutive shares (options whose exercise price exceeds the average market price of the Company's common stock during the period) totaling approximately 5,841,000 shares, have been excluded from diluted weighted average shares outstanding when calculating diluted net income per share attributable to Altice USA stockholders for the three months ended September 30, 2018. In addition, approximately 73,000 performance based options for the three months ended September 30, 2018, issued pursuant to the Company's employee stock plan have also been excluded from the diluted weighted average shares outstanding as the performance criteria on these awards had not yet been satisfied for the respective period.
The weighted average number of shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 reflect the retroactive impact of certain organizational transactions that occurred prior to the Company's IPO.
NOTE 5.    REVENUE AND CONTRACT ASSETS
Revenue Recognition
Residential Services
The Company derives revenue through monthly charges to residential customers of its pay television, broadband, and telephony services, including installation services. In addition, the Company derives revenue from digital video recorder ("DVR"), video-on-demand ("VOD"), pay-per-view, home shopping commissions and equipment fees which are reflected in "Residential pay TV" revenues. The Company recognizes pay television, broadband, and telephony revenues as the services are provided to a customer on a monthly basis. Revenue from the sale of bundled services at a discounted rate is allocated to each product based on the standalone selling price of each performance obligation within the bundled offer. The relative standalone selling price requires judgment and is typically determined based on the current prices at which the separate services are sold by the Company. Installation revenue for the Company's residential services is deferred and recognized over the benefit period, which is estimated to be less than one year. The estimated benefit period takes into account both quantitative and qualitative factors including the significance of average installation fees to total recurring revenue per customer.
The Company is assessed non-income related taxes by governmental authorities, including franchising authorities (generally under multi-year agreements), and collects such taxes from its customers.  In instances where the tax is being assessed directly on the Company, amounts paid to the governmental authorities are recorded as programming and other direct costs and amounts received from the customers are recorded as revenue. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 the amount of franchise fees and certain other taxes and fees included as a component of revenue aggregated $63,703 and $190,895, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 the amount of franchise fees and certain other taxes and fees included as a component of revenue aggregated $64,254 and $194,045, respectively.
Business and Wholesale Services
The Company derives revenue from the sale of products and services to both large enterprise and SMB customers, including broadband, telephony, networking, and pay television services reflected in "Business services and wholesale" revenues. The Company's business services also include Ethernet, data transport, and IP-based virtual private networks. The Company also provides managed services to businesses, including hosted telephony services (cloud based SIP-based private branch exchange), managed Wi-Fi, managed desktop and server backup and managed collaboration services including audio and web conferencing. The Company also offers fiber-to-the-tower services to wireless carriers for cell tower backhaul and enable wireline communications service providers to connect to customers that their own networks


17



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

do not reach. The Company recognizes revenues for these services as the services are provided to a customer on a monthly basis.
Substantially all of our SMB customers are billed monthly and large enterprise customers are billed in accordance with the terms of their contracts which is typically also on a monthly basis. Contracts with large enterprise customers typically range from three to five years. Installation revenue related to our large enterprise customers is deferred and recognized over the average contract term. Installation revenue related to SMB customers is deferred and recognized over the benefit period, which is less than a year. The estimated benefit period for SMB customers takes into account both quantitative and qualitative factors including the significance of average installation fees to total recurring revenue per customer.
Advertising
As part of the agreements under which the Company acquires pay television programming, the Company typically receives an allocation of scheduled advertising time during such programming into which the Company's cable systems can insert commercials. In several of the markets in which the Company operates, it has entered into agreements commonly referred to as interconnects with other cable operators to jointly sell local advertising. In some of these markets, the Company represents the advertising sales efforts of other cable operators; in other markets, other cable operators represent the Company. Advertising revenues are recognized when commercials are aired. Arrangements in which the Company controls the sale of advertising and acts as the principal to the transaction, the Company recognizes revenue earned from the advertising customer on a gross basis and the amount remitted to the distributor as an operating expense. Arrangements in which the Company does not control the sale of advertising and acts as an agent to the transaction, the Company recognizes revenue net of any fee remitted to the distributor.
The Company's advanced advertising businesses provide data-driven, audience-based advertising solutions using advanced analytics tools that provide granular measurement of consumer groups, accurate hyper-local ratings and other insights into target audience behavior not available through traditional sample-based measurement services. Revenue earned from the Company's advanced advertising businesses are recognized when services are provided.
Other
Revenues derived from other sources are recognized when services are provided or events occur.
Contract Assets
Incremental costs incurred in obtaining a contract with a customer are deferred and recorded as a contract asset if the period of benefit is expected to be greater than one year. Sales commissions for enterprise and certain SMB customers are deferred and amortized over the average contract term. For sales commission expenses related to residential and SMB customers with a term of one year or less, the Company is utilizing the practical expedient and is recognizing the costs when incurred.  Cost of fulfilling a contract with a customer are deferred and recorded as a contract asset if they generate or enhance resources of the Company that will be used in satisfying future performance obligations and are expected to be recovered. Installation costs related to residential and SMB customers that are not capitalized as part of the initial deployment of new customer premise equipment are expensed as incurred pursuant to industry-specific guidance.
The following table provides information about contracts assets and contract liabilities related to contracts with customers:
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017,
as adjusted
Contract assets (a)
$
25,806

 
$
24,329

Deferred revenue (b)
173,956

 
117,679

 
(a)
Contract assets include primarily sales commissions for enterprise customers that are deferred and amortized over the average contract term.
(b)
Deferred revenue represents payments received from customers for services that have yet to be provided and installation revenue which is deferred and recognized over the benefit period. The majority of the Company's deferred revenue represents


18



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

payments for services for up to one month in advance from residential and SMB customers which is realized within the following month as services are performed.
A significant portion of our revenue is derived from residential and SMB customer contracts which are month-to month. As such, the amount of revenue related to unsatisfied performance obligations is not necessarily indicative of the future revenue to be recognized from our existing customer base. Contracts with enterprise and wholesale customers generally range from three to five years, and services may only be terminated in accordance with the contractual terms.
NOTE 6.    SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
The Company considers the balance of its investment in funds that substantially hold securities that mature within three months or less from the date the fund purchases these securities to be cash equivalents.  The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents either approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments or are at fair value.
The Company's non-cash investing and financing activities and other supplemental data were as follows:
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Continuing Operations:
 
 
 
Conversion of notes payable to affiliates and related parties of $1,750,000 (together with accrued and unpaid interest and applicable premium) to common stock (See Note 9)
$

 
$
2,264,252

Property and equipment accrued but unpaid
166,800

 
84,847

Notes payable issued to vendor for the purchase of equipment
49,780

 
25,879

Capital lease obligations
8,162

 

Leasehold improvements paid by landlord
350

 
3,998

Deferred financing costs accrued but unpaid
1,006

 

Contingent consideration for acquisitions
6,733

 
30,000

Receivable related to the sale of an investment
11,954

 

Unsettled purchases of shares of Altice USA, Inc. Class A common stock, pursuant to a share repurchase program
13,996

 

Supplemental Data:
 
 
 
Cash interest paid
1,174,154

 
1,481,363

Income taxes paid, net
12,148

 
26,396

 
The Company’s previously reported statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 reflected distributions to stockholders of $79,617 in cash flows from operating activities. These distributions should have been reflected in cash flows from financing activities.
NOTE 7.    RESTRUCTURING COSTS AND OTHER EXPENSE
Restructuring
Beginning in the first quarter of 2016, the Company commenced restructuring initiatives that were intended to simplify the Company's organizational structure.


19



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

The following table summarizes the activity for these initiatives during 2018:
 
 
 
Severance and Other Employee Related Costs
 
Facility Realignment and Other Costs
 
Total
Accrual balance at December 31, 2017
$
113,474

 
$
9,626

 
$
123,100

Restructuring charges
4,182

 
3,334

 
7,516

Payments and other
(65,692
)
 
(5,853
)
 
(71,545
)
Accrual balance at June 30, 2018
51,964

 
7,107

 
59,071

Restructuring charges
5,841

 
8,826

 
14,667

Payments and other
(24,991
)
 
(2,613
)
 
(27,604
)
Accrual balance at September 30, 2018
$
32,814

 
$
13,320

 
$
46,134

The Company recorded restructuring charges of $52,081 and $141,078 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 relating to these restructuring initiatives.
Cumulative costs to date relating to these initiatives amounted to $327,521 and $71,162 for our Cablevision and Cequel segments, respectively.
Transaction Costs
The Company incurred transaction costs of $1,920 and $7,682 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 relating to the Distribution discussed in Note 1 and $1,367 and $1,687 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 related to the acquisition of a business.
NOTE 8.    INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The following table summarizes information relating to the Company's acquired amortizable intangible assets: 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net Carrying Amount
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net Carrying Amount
 
Estimated Useful Lives
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer relationships
$
5,970,884

 
$
(1,979,595
)
 
$
3,991,289

 
$
5,970,884

 
$
(1,409,021
)
 
$
4,561,863

 
8 to 18 years
Trade names
1,067,083

 
(678,248
)
 
388,835

 
1,067,083

 
(588,574
)
 
478,509

 
2 to 5 years
Other amortizable intangibles
37,644

 
(16,772
)
 
20,872

 
37,060

 
(10,978
)
 
26,082

 
1 to 15 years
 
$
7,075,611

 
$
(2,674,615
)
 
$
4,400,996

 
$
7,075,027

 
$
(2,008,573
)
 
$
5,066,454

 
 
Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 aggregated $208,172 and $666,041, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 aggregated $426,419 and $981,657, respectively.
The following table summarizes information relating to the Company's acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets:
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
Cable television franchises
$
8,113,575

 
$
4,906,506

 
$
13,020,081

 
$
8,113,575

 
$
4,906,506

 
$
13,020,081

Goodwill
5,873,716

 
2,138,700

 
8,012,416

 
5,866,120

 
2,153,741

 
8,019,861

Total
$
13,987,291

 
$
7,045,206

 
$
21,032,497

 
$
13,979,695

 
$
7,060,247

 
$
21,039,942



20



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

The carrying amount of goodwill is presented below:
Gross goodwill as of December 31, 2017, as reported
$
7,996,760

ATS goodwill included in Cablevision segment (See Note 3 for further details)
23,101

Gross goodwill as of December 31, 2017, as adjusted
8,019,861

Goodwill recorded in Cablevision segment in connection with an acquisition during the third quarter of 2018
7,608

Adjustment to Cablevision segment purchase accounting relating to business acquired in fourth quarter of 2017
(12
)
Reclassification of Cequel segment goodwill to property, plant and equipment
(15,041
)
Net goodwill as of September 30, 2018
$
8,012,416

NOTE 9.    DEBT
The following table provides details of the Company's outstanding credit facility debt:
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Maturity Date
 
Interest Rate
 
Principal Amount
 
Carrying Amount (a)
 
Principal Amount
 
Carrying Amount (a)
CSC Holdings Restricted Group:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility (b)
$20,000 on October 9, 2020, remaining balance on November 30, 2021
 
5.40
%
 
$
575,000

 
$
554,908

 
$
450,000

 
$
425,488

Term Loan Facility
July 17, 2025
 
4.41
%
 
2,962,500

 
2,946,318

 
2,985,000

 
2,967,818

Incremental Term Loan Facility
January 25, 2026
 
4.66
%
 
1,496,250

 
1,478,995

 

 

Cequel:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility (c)
$65,000 on November 30, 2021, and remaining balance on April 5, 2023
 
%
 

 

 

 

Term Loan Facility
July 28, 2025
 
4.49
%
 
1,249,188

 
1,241,272

 
1,258,675

 
1,250,217

 
 
 
 
 
$
6,282,938

 
6,221,493

 
$
4,693,675

 
4,643,523

Less: Current portion
 
 
 
57,650

 
 
 
42,650

Long-term debt
 
 
 
$
6,163,843

 
 
 
$
4,600,873


(a)
The carrying amount is net of the unamortized deferred financing costs and/or discounts/premiums.
(b)
At September 30, 2018, $139,929 of the revolving credit facility was restricted for certain letters of credit issued on behalf of the Company and $1,585,071 of the facility was undrawn and available, subject to covenant limitations.
(c)
At September 30, 2018, $7,636 of the revolving credit facility was restricted for certain letters of credit issued on behalf of the Company and $342,364 of the facility was undrawn and available, subject to covenant limitations.
In January 2018, CSC Holdings borrowed $150,000 under its revolving credit facility and entered into a new $1,500,000 incremental term loan facility (the "Incremental Term Loan") under its existing credit facilities agreement. The Incremental Term Loan was priced at 99.5% and will mature on January 25, 2026. The Incremental Term Loan is comprised of eurodollar borrowings or alternate base rate borrowings, and bears interest at a rate per annum equal to the adjusted LIBO rate or the alternate base rate, as applicable, plus the applicable margin, where the applicable margin is (i) with respect to any alternate base rate loan, 1.50% per annum and (ii) with respect to any eurodollar loan, 2.50% per annum.
The Company made a voluntary repayment of $600,000 under the CSC Holdings revolving credit facility in January 2018.
On March 22, 2018, Altice US Finance I Corporation, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a Fourth Amendment to the Cequel Credit Agreement (Extension Amendment), by and among the borrower, the Revolving Consent Lenders (as defined in the Fourth Amendment) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders (the “Fourth Amendment”).  The Fourth Amendment amends and supplements the Borrower’s


21



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

credit agreement, dated as of June 12, 2015, as amended by the first amendment (refinancing amendment), dated as of October 25, 2016, the second amendment (extension amendment), dated as of December 9, 2016, and the third amendment (incremental loan assumption agreement and refinancing amendment), dated as of March 15, 2017, as so amended and as may be further amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time and as further amended by the Fourth Amendment among, inter alios, the borrower, the lenders party thereto and the administrative agent.
The Fourth Amendment extends the maturity date of the revolving loans and/or commitments of the Revolving Consent Lenders to April 5, 2023. The Fourth Amendment and the extended maturity date will not apply to the revolving loans and/or commitments of revolving lenders under the Cequel Credit Agreement that are not Revolving Consent Lenders.
In July 2018, the Company borrowed $575,000 under the CSC Holdings revolving credit facility agreement and used a portion of the proceeds to repay the $500,000 principal amount of senior notes due July 15, 2018.
As of September 30, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under the CSC Holdings credit facilities agreement and the Cequel credit facilities agreement.


22



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Senior Guaranteed Notes, Senior Secured Notes and Senior Notes and Debentures
The following table summarizes the Company's senior guaranteed notes, senior secured notes and senior notes and debentures:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Date Issued
 
Maturity Date
 
Interest Rate
 
 
 
Principal Amount
 
Carrying Amount (a)
 
Principal Amount
 
Carrying Amount (a)
CSC Holdings Senior Notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
February 6, 1998
 
February 15, 2018
 
7.875
%
(b)
(f)
(o)
$

 
$

 
$
300,000

 
$
301,184

July 21, 1998
 
July 15, 2018
 
7.625
%
(b)
(f)
(q)

 

 
500,000

 
507,744

February 12, 2009
 
February 15, 2019
 
8.625
%
(c)
(f)
 
526,000

 
531,206

 
526,000

 
541,165

November 15, 2011
 
November 15, 2021
 
6.750
%
(c)
(f)
 
1,000,000

 
966,913

 
1,000,000

 
960,146

May 23, 2014
 
June 1, 2024
 
5.250
%
(c)
(f)
 
750,000

 
668,918

 
750,000

 
660,601

October 9, 2015
 
January 15, 2023
 
10.125
%
(e)
 
 
1,800,000

 
1,780,504

 
1,800,000

 
1,777,914

October 9, 2015
 
October 15, 2025
 
10.875
%
(e)
 
 
1,684,221

 
1,662,507

 
1,684,221

 
1,661,135

CSC Holdings Senior Guaranteed Notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
October 9, 2015

October 15, 2025

6.625
%
(e)


1,000,000


987,707


1,000,000


986,717

September 23, 2016

April 15, 2027

5.500
%
(g)


1,310,000


1,304,816


1,310,000


1,304,468

January 29, 2018

February 1, 2028

5.375
%
(n)


1,000,000


991,896





Cablevision Senior Notes (k):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
April 15, 2010

April 15, 2018

7.750
%
(c)
(f)
(o)




750,000


754,035

April 15, 2010

April 15, 2020

8.000
%
(c)
(f)
 
500,000


494,445


500,000


492,009

September 27, 2012

September 15, 2022

5.875
%
(c)
(f)
 
649,024


582,236


649,024


572,071

Cequel and Cequel Capital Senior Notes (l):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oct. 25, 2012 Dec. 28, 2012
 
September 15, 2020
 
6.375
%
(d)
(m)
 

 

 
1,050,000

 
1,027,493

May 16, 2013 Sept. 9, 2014
 
December 15, 2021
 
5.125
%
(d)
 
 
1,250,000

 
1,157,405

 
1,250,000

 
1,138,870

June 12, 2015
 
July 15, 2025
 
7.750
%
(i)
 
 
620,000

 
605,540

 
620,000

 
604,374

April 5, 2018

April 1, 2028

7.500
%
(p)


1,050,000


1,048,222





Altice US Finance I Corporation Senior Secured Notes (l):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 12, 2015
 
July 15, 2023
 
5.375
%
(h)
 
 
1,100,000

 
1,084,542

 
1,100,000

 
1,082,482

April 26, 2016
 
May 15, 2026
 
5.500
%
(j)
 
 
1,500,000

 
1,488,881

 
1,500,000

 
1,488,024

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
15,739,245

 
15,355,738

 
$
16,289,245

 
15,860,432

Less: current portion
 
 
531,206

 
 
 
507,744

Long-term debt
 
 
$
14,824,532

 
 
 
$
15,352,688

 
(a)
The carrying amount is net of the unamortized deferred financing costs and/or discounts/premiums.
(b)
The debentures are not redeemable by CSC Holdings prior to maturity.
(c)
Notes are redeemable at any time at a specified "make-whole" price plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.
(d)
The Company may redeem some or more of all the notes at the redemption price set forth in the relevant indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
(e)
The Company may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes at any time on or after January 15, 2019, and some or all of the 2025 Notes and 2025 Guaranteed Notes at any time on or after October 15, 2020, at the redemption prices set forth in the relevant indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.  The Company may also redeem up to 40% of each series of


23



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

the notes using the proceeds of certain equity offerings before October 15, 2018, at a redemption price equal to 110.125% for the 2023 Notes, 110.875% for the 2025 Notes and 106.625% for the 2025 Guaranteed Notes, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, at any time prior to January 15, 2019, CSC Holdings may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes, and at any time prior to October 15, 2020, the Company may redeem some or all of the 2025 Notes and the 2025 Guaranteed Notes, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus a “make whole” premium specified in the relevant indenture plus accrued and unpaid interest.
(f)
The carrying value of the notes was adjusted to reflect their fair value on the date of the Cablevision Acquisition (aggregate reduction of $52,788 at the date of the acquisition).
(g)
The 2027 Guaranteed Notes are redeemable at any time on or after April 15, 2022 at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.  In addition, up to 40% may be redeemed for each series of the 2027 Guaranteed Notes using the proceeds of certain equity offerings before October 15, 2019, at a redemption price equal to 105.500%, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
(h)
Some or all of these notes may be redeemed at any time on or after July 15, 2018, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.
(i)
Some or all of these notes may be redeemed at any time on or after July 15, 2020, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.
(j)
Some or all of these notes may be redeemed at any time on or after May 15, 2021, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. Up to 40% of the notes may be redeemed using the proceeds of certain equity offerings before May 15, 2019, at a redemption price equal to 105.500%.
(k)
The issuers of these notes have no ability to service interest or principal on the notes, other than through any dividends or distributions received from CSC Holdings. CSC Holdings is restricted, in certain circumstances, from paying dividends or distributions to the issuers by the terms of the CSC Holdings credit facilities agreement.
(l)
The issuers of these notes have no ability to service interest or principal on the notes, other than through any contributions/distributions from Cequel Communications, LLC (an indirect subsidiary of Cequel and the parent of Altice US Finance I). Cequel Communications, LLC is restricted in certain circumstances, from paying dividends or distributions to the issuers by the terms of the Cequel credit facilities agreement.
(m)
These notes were repaid in April 2018 with the proceeds from the issuance of new senior notes.
(n)
The 2028 Guaranteed Notes are redeemable at any time on or after February 1, 2023 at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.  In addition, up to 40% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes may be redeemed using the proceeds of certain equity offerings before February 1, 2021, at a redemption price equal to 105.375%, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
(o)
These notes were repaid in February 2018 with the proceeds from the 2028 Guaranteed Notes (defined below) and with the proceeds from the Incremental Term Loan.
(p)
The 2028 Senior Notes are redeemable at any time prior to April 1, 2023 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the applicable premium plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. Up to 40% of the original aggregate principal amount of the 2028 Senior Notes may be redeemed using the proceeds of certain equity offerings before April 1, 2021, at a redemption price equal to 107.50% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, the 2028 Senior Notes are redeemable at any time on or after April 1, 2023 at the redemption prices set forth in indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
(q)
These notes were repaid in July 2018 with borrowings under CSC Holdings revolving credit facility agreement.
In January 2018, CSC Holdings issued $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior guaranteed notes due February 1, 2028 (the "2028 Guaranteed Notes"). The 2028 Guaranteed Notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the existing and future senior indebtedness, including the existing senior notes and the CVC Credit Facilities and rank senior in right of payment to all of existing and future subordinated indebtedness.
The proceeds from the 2028 Guaranteed Notes, together with proceeds from the Incremental Term Loan (discussed above), borrowings under the CVC revolving credit facility and cash on hand, were used in February 2018 to repay $300,000 principal amount of CSC Holdings' senior notes due in February 2018 and $750,000 principal amount of Cablevision senior notes due in April 2018 and a portion was used to fund the dividend of $1,499,935 to the Company's stockholders immediately prior to and in connection with the Distribution discussed in Note 1. In connection with the redemption of Cablevision senior notes, the Company paid a call premium of approximately $7,019, which was recorded as a loss on extinguishment of debt and also recorded a write-off of the unamortized premium of $2,314.
In April 2018, Cequel Communications Holdings I, LLC and Cequel Capital Corporation each an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, issued $1,050,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.50% senior notes due April 1, 2028 (the "2028 Senior Notes"). The proceeds of these notes were used in April 2018 to redeem the $1,050,000 aggregate principal amount 6 3/8% senior notes due September 15, 2020. In connection with the redemption of these notes, the Company


24



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

paid a call premium of approximately $16,737, which was recorded as a loss on extinguishment of debt and also recorded a write-off of deferred financings costs aggregating $20,173.
The indentures under which the senior notes and debentures were issued contain various covenants.  The Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under these indentures as of September 30, 2018.
Notes Payable to Affiliates and Related Parties
On June 21, 2016, in connection with the Cablevision acquisition, the Company issued notes payable to affiliates and related parties aggregating $1,750,000, of which $875,000 bore interest at 10.75% and matured on December 20, 2023 and $875,000 bore interest at 11% and matured on December 20, 2024.
In connection with the Company's IPO in June 2017, the Company converted the notes payable to affiliates and related parties (together with accrued and unpaid interest of $529 and applicable premium of $513,723) into shares of the Company’s common stock at the IPO price. The premium was recorded as a loss on extinguishment of debt on the Company's statement of operations in the second quarter of 2017. In connection with the conversion of the notes, the Company recorded a credit to paid in capital of $2,264,252 in the second quarter of 2017.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recognized $90,405 of interest expense related to these notes prior to their conversion.
Summary of Debt Maturities
The future maturities of debt payable by the Company under its various debt obligations outstanding as of September 30, 2018, including notes payable, collateralized indebtedness (see Note 10), and capital leases, are as follows:
Years Ending December 31,
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
2018
$
30,678

 
$
6,446

 
$
37,124

2019
598,210

 
43,999

 
642,209

2020
550,396

 
12,720

 
563,116

2021
3,083,892

 
1,262,729

 
4,346,621

2022
697,147

 
12,739

 
709,886

Thereafter
11,815,174

 
5,466,230

 
17,281,404

NOTE 10.    DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS AND COLLATERALIZED INDEBTEDNESS
Prepaid Forward Contracts
The Company has entered into various transactions to limit the exposure against equity price risk on its shares of Comcast Corporation ("Comcast") common stock.  The Company has monetized all of its stock holdings in Comcast through the execution of prepaid forward contracts, collateralized by an equivalent amount of the respective underlying stock.  At maturity, the contracts provide for the option to deliver cash or shares of Comcast stock with a value determined by reference to the applicable stock price at maturity.  These contracts, at maturity, are expected to offset declines in the fair value of these securities below the hedge price per share while allowing the Company to retain upside appreciation from the hedge price per share to the relevant cap price.  
The Company received cash proceeds upon execution of the prepaid forward contracts discussed above which has been reflected as collateralized indebtedness in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.  In addition, the Company separately accounts for the equity derivative component of the prepaid forward contracts.  These equity derivatives have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes.  Therefore, the net fair values of the equity derivatives have been reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as an asset or liability and the net increases or decreases in the fair value of the equity derivative component of the prepaid forward contracts are included in gain (loss) on derivative contracts in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
All of the Company's monetization transactions are obligations of its wholly-owned subsidiaries that are not part of the Restricted Group; however, CSC Holdings has provided guarantees of the subsidiaries' ongoing contract payment expense obligations and potential payments that could be due as a result of an early termination event (as defined in the agreements).  If any one of these contracts were terminated prior to its scheduled maturity date, the Company would be obligated to


25



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

repay the fair value of the collateralized indebtedness less the sum of the fair values of the underlying stock and equity collar, calculated at the termination date.  As of September 30, 2018, the Company did not have an early termination shortfall relating to any of these contracts.
The Company monitors the financial institutions that are counterparties to its equity derivative contracts.  All of the counterparties to such transactions carry investment grade credit ratings as of September 30, 2018.
Interest Rate Swap Contracts
In May 2018, the Company entered into two interest rate swap contracts that mature in April 2019 whereby one contract converts the interest rate on $2,970,000 of the CSC Holdings Term Loan Facility from a one-month LIBO rate to a three-month LIBO rate minus 0.226% and the second contract converts the interest rate on $1,496,250 of the CSC Holdings Incremental Term Loan from a one-month LIBO rate to a three-month LIBO rate minus 0.226%. The objective of these swaps is to potentially pay a lower interest rate than what the Company can elect under the terms of the CSC Holdings credit facilities agreement.
In April 2018, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract that matures in May 2019 which converts the interest rate on $1,255,513 of the Cequel Term Loan B from a one-month LIBO rate to a three-month LIBO rate minus 0.225%. The objective of this swap is to potentially pay a lower interest rate than what the Company can elect under the terms of the Cequel credit facilities agreement.
In June 2016, the Company entered into two fixed to floating interest rate swap contracts that mature in May 2026. One fixed to floating interest rate swap is converting $750,000 from a fixed rate of 1.6655% to a six-month LIBO rate and a second tranche of $750,000 from a fixed rate of 1.68% to a six-month LIBO rate. The objective of these swaps is to adjust the proportion of total debt that is subject to fixed and variable interest rates.
These swap contracts were not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. Accordingly, the changes in the fair value of these interest rate swap contracts are recorded through the statements of operations.
The Company does not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
The following represents the location of the assets and liabilities associated with the Company's derivative instruments within the condensed consolidated balance sheets:
 
 
 
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
Fair Value at September 30, 2018
 
Fair Value at December 31, 2017
 
Fair Value at September 30, 2018
 
Fair Value at December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap contracts
 
Derivative contracts, current
 
$
3,269

 
$

 
$

 
$

Prepaid forward contracts
 
Derivative contracts, current
 

 
52,545

 

 
(52,545
)
Prepaid forward contracts
 
Derivative contracts, long-term
 
31,510

 

 
(10,131
)
 
(109,504
)
Interest rate swap contracts
 
Liabilities under derivative contracts, long-term
 

 

 
(143,719
)
 
(77,902
)
 
 
 
 
$
34,779

 
$
52,545

 
$
(153,850
)
 
$
(239,951
)
Gains (losses) from the Company's derivative contracts related to the Comcast common stock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 of $(79,628) and $130,883, respectively, are reflected in gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded a gain (loss) on investments of $111,684 and $(199,312), respectively, representing the net increase (decrease) in the fair values of the investment securities pledged as collateral. 
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded a loss on interest rate swap contracts of $19,554 and $64,405, respectively.


26



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Settlements of Collateralized Indebtedness
The following table summarizes the settlement of the Company's collateralized indebtedness relating to Comcast shares that were settled by delivering cash equal to the collateralized loan value, net of the value of the related equity derivative contracts during the nine months ended September 30, 2018: 
Number of shares
16,139,868

Collateralized indebtedness settled
$
(516,537
)
Derivatives contracts settled
24

 
(516,513
)
Proceeds from new monetization contracts
516,513

Net cash proceeds
$

The cash to settle the collateralized indebtedness was obtained from the proceeds of new monetization contracts covering an equivalent number of Comcast shares.  The terms of the new contracts allow the Company to retain upside participation in Comcast shares up to each respective contract's upside appreciation limit with downside exposure limited to the respective hedge price. 
NOTE 11.    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
The fair value hierarchy is based on inputs to valuation techniques that are used to measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable.  Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entity's pricing based upon their own market assumptions.  The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:
Level I - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level II - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.
Level III - Instruments whose significant value drivers are unobservable.
The following table presents for each of these hierarchy levels, the Company's financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
Fair Value
Hierarchy
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds
Level I
 
$
296,123

 
$
5,949

Investment securities pledged as collateral
Level I
 
1,521,045

 
1,720,357

Prepaid forward contracts
Level II
 
31,510

 
52,545

Interest rate swap contracts
Level II
 
3,269

 

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Prepaid forward contracts
Level II
 
10,131

 
162,049

Interest rate swap contracts
Level II
 
143,719

 
77,902

Contingent consideration related to 2017 and 2018 acquisitions
Level III
 
6,733

 
32,233

The Company's cash equivalents, investment securities and investment securities pledged as collateral are classified within Level I of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices.
The Company's derivative contracts and liabilities under derivative contracts on the Company's balance sheets are valued using market-based inputs to valuation models.  These valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves, and measures of volatility.  When appropriate, valuations are adjusted for various factors such as liquidity, bid/offer spreads and credit risk considerations.  Such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence.  Since model inputs can generally be verified and do not involve significant management


27



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

judgment, the Company has concluded that these instruments should be classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy.
The fair value of the contingent consideration as of September 30, 2018 related to the acquisitions in the third quarter of 2018 and fourth quarter of 2017 amounted to approximately $4,500 and $2,233, respectively. The estimated amount recorded as of September 30, 2018 is 100% of the contractual amount related to the acquisition in the third quarter 2018 and 51% of the contractual amount related to the acquisition in the fourth quarter 2017. The fair value of the consideration was estimated based on a probability assessment of attaining the targets as of September 30, 2018.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate:
Credit Facility Debt, Collateralized Indebtedness, Senior Notes and Debentures, Senior Secured Notes, Senior Guaranteed Notes, and Notes Payable
The fair values of each of the Company's debt instruments are based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to the Company for instruments of the same remaining maturities. The fair value of notes payable is based primarily on the present value of the remaining payments discounted at the borrowing cost.
The carrying values, estimated fair values, and classification under the fair value hierarchy of the Company's financial instruments, excluding those that are carried at fair value in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, are summarized as follows:
 
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Fair Value
Hierarchy
 
Carrying
Amount (a)
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount (a)
 
Estimated
Fair Value
CSC Holdings debt instruments:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Credit facility debt
Level II
 
$
4,980,221

 
$
5,033,750

 
$
3,393,306

 
$
3,435,000

Collateralized indebtedness
Level II
 
1,400,398

 
1,352,771

 
1,349,474

 
1,305,932

Senior guaranteed notes
Level II
 
3,284,419

 
3,293,125

 
2,291,185

 
2,420,000

Senior notes and debentures
Level II
 
5,610,048

 
6,245,760

 
6,409,889

 
7,221,846

Notes payable
Level II
 
42,810

 
42,653

 
56,956

 
55,289

Cablevision senior notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior notes and debentures
Level II
 
1,076,681

 
1,189,098

 
1,818,115

 
1,931,239

Cequel debt instruments:
 
 


 


 


 


Cequel credit facility debt
Level II
 
1,241,272

 
1,249,188

 
1,250,217

 
1,258,675

Senior secured notes
Level II
 
2,573,423

 
2,604,930

 
2,570,506

 
2,658,930

Senior notes
Level II
 
2,811,167

 
3,013,615

 
2,770,737

 
2,983,615

Notes payable
Level II
 
34,281

 
34,281

 
8,946

 
8,946

 
 
 
$
23,054,720

 
$
24,059,171

 
$
21,919,331

 
$
23,279,472

 
(a)
Amounts are net of unamortized deferred financing costs, premiums and discounts.
The fair value estimates related to the Company's debt instruments presented above are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument.  These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgments and therefore cannot be determined with precision.  Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
Fair Value of Non-financial Assets and Liabilities
The Company’s non-financial assets such as cable-television franchises, property, plant, and equipment, other intangible assets and cost-method investments, are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis, however, they are subject to fair value adjustments whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be


28



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

recoverable. No material impairments were recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.
NOTE 12.    INCOME TAXES
In general, the Company is required to use an estimated annual effective tax rate ("AETR") to measure the income tax expense or benefit recognized on a year to date basis in an interim period. In addition, certain items included in income tax expense as well as the tax impact of certain items included in pretax income must be treated as discrete items. The income tax expense or benefit associated with these discrete items is fully recognized in the interim period in which the items occur.
The Company recorded income tax expense of $95,968 and $29,675 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. Included in the income tax expense for each period was tax expense of $49,052 as a result of the revaluation of the Company's deferred tax liability in connection with tax law changes in the State of New Jersey. Absent this item, the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2018 would have been 36%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the tax benefit was more than offset by the $49,052 expense recorded in the period. The tax expense was calculated based upon the actual effective tax rate for the year-to-date period. The Company determined this to represent the best estimate of the annual effective tax rate in light of the magnitude of the expected income and the significant permanent differences.
Pursuant to the enactment of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act ("Tax Reform"), effective on January 1, 2018, the corporate federal income tax rate was reduced to 21% from 35%. The Company is subject to Tax Reform’s limitation on interest deductibility which is based on a limit calculated without regard to depreciation or amortization through 2021. The resulting interest deduction that is deferred can be carried forward indefinitely. Nevertheless, as is the case with any future deductible temporary difference, management will continue to evaluate realizability to determine whether a valuation allowance is required as a result of these limitations. Therefore a valuation allowance may need to be recorded in the future subject to the relative levels of future interest expense versus taxable income.
The Company recorded income tax benefit of $141,550 and $439,945 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, reflecting the AETR of approximately 42% and 37%, respectively.
As of September 30, 2018, the Company's federal net operating losses (“NOLs”) were approximately $2,419,000. The utilization of certain pre-merger NOLs of Cablevision and Cequel are limited pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 382. The Company does not expect such limitations to impact the ability to utilize the NOLs prior to their expiration.
NOTE 13.    SHARE BASED COMPENSATION
Certain employees of the Company and its affiliates received awards of units in a carry unit plan of Neptune Management LP, an entity which has an ownership interest in the Company. The awards generally vest as follows: 50% on the second anniversary of June 21, 2016 for Cablevision employees or December 21, 2015 for Cequel employees ("Base Date"), 25% on the third anniversary of the Base Date, and 25% on the fourth anniversary of the Base Date.  Neptune Holding US GP LLC, the general partner of Neptune Management LP, has the right to repurchase (or to assign to an affiliate, including the Company, the right to repurchase) vested awards held by employees for sixty days following their termination.  For performance-based awards under the plan, vesting occurs upon achievement or satisfaction of a specified performance condition. The Company considered the probability of achieving the established performance targets in determining the share-based compensation with respect to these awards at the end of each reporting period.
Beginning on the fourth anniversary of the Base Date, the holders of carry units have an annual opportunity (a sixty day period determined by the administrator of the plan) to sell their units back to Neptune Holding US GP LLC (or affiliate, including the Company, designated by Neptune Holding US GP LLC). Accordingly, the carry units are presented as temporary equity on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Adjustments to fair value at each reporting period are recorded in paid-in capital.
The right of Neptune Holding US GP LLC to assign to an affiliate, including the Company, the right to repurchase an employee’s vested units during the sixty-day period following termination, or to satisfy its obligation to repurchase an employee’s vested units during annual 60 day periods following the fourth anniversary of the Base Date, may be exercised by Neptune Holding US GP LLC in its discretion at the time a repurchase right or obligation arises. The carry unit plan


29



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

requires the purchase price payable to the employee or former employee, as the case may be, to be paid in cash, a promissory note (with a term of not more than 3 years and bearing interest at the long-term applicable federal rate under Section 1274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code) or combination thereof, in each case as determined by Neptune Holding US GP LLC in its discretion at the time of the repurchase. Neptune Holding US GP LLC expects that vested units will be redeemed for shares of the Company's Class A common stock upon vesting.
The following table summarizes activity relating to carry units:
 
Number of Time
Vesting Awards
 
Number of Performance
Based Vesting Awards
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance, December 31, 2017
168,550,001

 
10,000,000

 
$
0.71

Vested
(48,337,500
)
 

 
0.37

Forfeited
(15,500,001
)
 

 
0.56

Balance, September 30, 2018
104,712,500

 
10,000,000

 
1.01

The weighted average fair value per unit was $2.28 and $2.50 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recognized an expense of $7,510 and $33,004 related to the push down of share-based compensation expense related to the carry unit plan. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recognized an expense of $15,005 and $40,932 related to the push down of share-based compensation related to the carry unit plan.
Stock Option Plan
The following table summarizes activity related to employee stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2018:
 
Shares Under Option
 
Weighted Average
Exercise
Price Per Share
 
Weighted Average Remaining
Contractual Term
(in years)
 
 
 
Time
Vesting
 
Performance
Based Vesting
 
 
 
Aggregate Intrinsic
Value (a)
Balance at December 31, 2017
5,110,747

 

 
$
17.45

 
9.97

 
$
8,944

Granted
2,332,540

 
95,953

 
17.76

 
 
 
 
Forfeited
(496,491
)
 
(22,314
)
 
17.76

 
 
 
 
Balance at September 30, 2018
6,946,796

 
73,639

 
17.51

 
9.43

 
4,417

Options exercisable at September 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 
(a)
The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price and the closing price of the Company's Class A common stock at the respective date.
The Company recognized share based compensation expense related to employee stock options for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 of $4,817 and $13,172, respectively.
The following weighted-average assumptions were used to calculate the fair values of stock option awards granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2018:
Risk-free interest rate
 
2.77%
Expected life (in years)
 
6.48
Dividend yield
 
—%
Volatility
 
35.23%
Grant date fair value
 
$7.12


30



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

NOTE 14.    AFFILIATE AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Equity Method Investments
In April 2018, Altice N.V. transferred its ownership of i24 US and i24 Europe ('i24NEWS"), Altice N.V.'s 24/7 international news and current affairs channels to the Company for minimal consideration (the "i24NEWS Acquisition"). As the acquisition was a combination of businesses under common control, the Company combined the results of operations and related assets and liabilities of i24NEWS as of April 1, 2018. Operating results for periods prior to April 1, 2018 and the balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 have not been revised to reflect the combination of i24NEWS as the impact was deemed immaterial.
The Company's equity in the net losses of i24NEWS prior to April 1, 2018 of $1,130 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and $541 and $3,126 for three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 were recorded using the equity method and reflected in other expense, net in the Company's statements of operations. The Company's investment in i24NEWS as of December 31, 2017 of $930 is included in investment in affiliates on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet.
In April 2018, the Company redeemed a 24% interest in Newsday LLC ("Newsday") and recognized a gain of $13,298, reflected in gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net in the Company's statements of operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded equity in the net loss of Newsday of $9,719. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded equity in net loss of Newsday of $1,034 and $2,571, respectively, reflected in other expense, net in the Company's statements of operations. The Company's deficit investment in Newsday as of December 31, 2017 of $3,579 is included in deficit investment in affiliates on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Affiliate and Related Party Transactions
Altice USA is controlled by Patrick Drahi who is also the controlling stockholder of Altice Europe (formerly Altice N.V.) and its subsidiaries.
As the transactions discussed below were conducted between entities under common control by Mr. Drahi and equity method investees, amounts charged for certain services may not have represented amounts that might have been received or incurred if the transactions were based upon arm's length negotiations.
The following table summarizes the revenue and charges related to services provided to or received from subsidiaries of Altice Europe and Newsday:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Revenue
$
545

 
$
426

 
$
1,397

 
$
820

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Programming and other direct costs
(1,671
)
 
(1,196
)
 
(6,690
)
 
$
(3,026
)
Other operating expenses, net
(905
)
 
(8,302
)
 
(15,154
)
 
(24,266
)
Operating expenses, net
(2,576
)
 
(9,498
)
 
(21,844
)
 
(27,292
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense (a)

 

 

 
(90,405
)
Other income, net

 

 
149

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs

 

 

 
(513,723
)
Net charges
$
(2,031
)
 
$
(9,072
)
 
$
(20,298
)
 
$
(630,600
)
Capital expenditures
$
3,945

 
$
3,549

 
$
6,679

 
$
12,914


(a)
In connection with the Company's IPO in June 2017, the Company converted the notes payable to affiliates and related parties into shares of the Company’s common stock at the IPO price.


31



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

Revenue
The Company recognized revenue primarily in connection with the sale of advertising to Newsday.
Programming and other direct costs
Programming and other direct costs include costs incurred by the Company for the transport and termination of voice and data services provided by a subsidiary of Altice Europe.
Other operating expenses
A subsidiary of Altice Europe provided certain executive services, as well as consulting, advisory and other services, including, prior to the IPO, CEO, CFO and COO services, to the Company. Compensation under the terms of the agreement was an annual fee of $30,000 to be paid by the Company. Fees associated with this agreement recorded by the Company amounted to approximately $13,250 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and $7,500 and $22,500 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. As of June 20, 2017, the CEO, CFO and COO became employees of the Company and the agreement was assigned to Altice Europe. by a subsidiary of Altice Europe. This agreement was terminated upon the completion of the Distribution discussed in Note 1.
Other operating expenses also include charges for services provided by other subsidiaries of Altice Europe aggregating $905 and $1,904 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and $802 and $1,766 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, net of credits of $76 and $917 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, for transition services provided to Newsday.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures include $3,945 and $6,679 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and $3,549 and $12,914, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, for equipment purchases and software development services provided by subsidiaries of Altice Europe.
Aggregate amounts that were due from and due to related parties are summarized below:
 
September 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Due from:
 
 
 
Altice US Finance S.A. (a)
$
13,100

 
$
12,951

Newsday (b)
541

 
2,713

Altice Management Americas (b)
1,271

 
33

Altice Dominican Republic (b)
2,551

 

i24 News (b)

 
4,036

Other Altice Europe subsidiaries (b)
924

 
31

 
$
18,387

 
$
19,764

Due to:
 
 
 
Altice Europe (c)
$
13,250

 
$

Newsday (b)
32

 
33

Altice Labs S.A. (d)
1,463

 
7,354

Other Altice Europe subsidiaries (d)
8,679

 
3,611

 
$
23,424

 
$
10,998

 
(a)
Represents interest on senior notes paid by the Company on behalf of the affiliate.
(b)
Represents amounts paid by the Company on behalf of the respective related party, and for Newsday the net amounts due from the related party also include charges for certain transition services provided.
(c)
Represents amounts due to Altice Europe pursuant to the agreement discussed above.
(d)
Represents amounts due to affiliates for the purchase of equipment and advertising services, as well as reimbursement for payments made on our behalf.


32



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

NOTE 15.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Matters
Following expiration of the affiliation agreements for carriage of certain Fox broadcast stations and cable networks on October 16, 2010, News Corporation terminated delivery of the programming feeds to Cablevision, and as a result, those stations and networks were unavailable on Cablevision's cable television systems. On October 30, 2010, Cablevision and Fox reached an agreement on new affiliation agreements for these stations and networks, and carriage was restored. Several purported class action lawsuits alleging breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and consumer fraud and seeking unspecified compensatory damages, punitive damages and attorneys' fees were subsequently filed on behalf of Cablevision's customers seeking recovery for the lack of Fox programming. Those lawsuits were consolidated in an action before the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and a consolidated complaint was filed in that court on February 22, 2011. On March 28, 2012, in ruling on Cablevision's motion to dismiss, the Court dismissed all of plaintiffs’ claims, except for breach of contract.  On March 30, 2014, the Court granted plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. The parties have entered into a settlement agreement, which was granted final approval by the Court on May 17, 2018. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had an estimated liability associated with a potential settlement totaling $6,000. The amount ultimately paid in connection with the proposed settlement could exceed the amount recorded.
In October 2015, the New York Attorney General began an investigation into whether the major Internet Service Providers in New York State deliver advertised Internet speeds. The Company is cooperating with this investigation and is currently in discussions with the New York Attorney General about resolving the investigation as to the Company, which resolution may involve operational and or financial components. While the Company is unable to predict the outcome of the investigation or these discussions, at this time it does not expect that the outcome will have a material adverse effect on its operations, financial conditions or cash flows.
The Company receives notices from third parties and, in some cases, is named as a defendant in certain lawsuits claiming infringement of various patents relating to various aspects of the Company's businesses.  In certain of these cases other industry participants are also defendants.  In certain of these cases the Company expects that any potential liability would be the responsibility of the Company's equipment vendors pursuant to applicable contractual indemnification provisions.  In the event that the Company is found to infringe on any patent rights, the Company may be subject to substantial damages and/or an injunction that could require the Company or its vendors to modify certain products and services the Company offers to its subscribers, as well as enter into royalty or license agreements with respect to the patents at issue. The Company believes that the claims are without merit, but is unable to predict the outcome of these matters or reasonably estimate a range of possible loss.
In addition to the matters discussed above, the Company is party to various lawsuits, disputes and investigations, some of which may involve claims for substantial damages, fines or penalties.  Although the outcome of these other matters cannot be predicted and the impact of the final resolution of these other matters on the Company's results of operations in a particular subsequent reporting period is not known, management does not believe that the resolution of these other lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company or the ability of the Company to meet its financial obligations as they become due.
NOTE 16.    SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company classifies its operations into two reportable segments: Cablevision and Cequel. The Company's reportable segments are strategic business units that are managed separately.  The Company evaluates segment performance based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is business segment Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure.  The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) excluding income taxes, income (loss) from discontinued operations, non-operating other income or expenses, loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs, gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts, gain (loss) on derivative contracts, gain (loss) on investments, interest expense (including cash interest expense), interest income, depreciation and amortization (including impairments), share-based compensation expense or benefit, restructuring expense or credits and transaction expenses.  The Company has presented the components that reconcile Adjusted EBITDA to operating income, an accepted GAAP measure:


33



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
Operating income (loss)
$
340,455

 
$
165,103

 
$
505,558

 
$
(3,103
)
 
$
123,678

 
$
120,575

Share-based compensation
9,038

 
3,289

 
12,327

 
11,555

 
3,450

 
15,005

Restructuring and other expense
14,122

 
2,465

 
16,587

 
35,364

 
18,084

 
53,448

Depreciation and amortization (including impairments)
378,549

 
157,504

 
536,053

 
656,122

 
167,164

 
823,286

Adjusted EBITDA
$
742,164

 
$
328,361

 
$
1,070,525

 
$
699,938

 
$
312,376

 
$
1,012,314

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
Operating income
$
714,413

 
$
439,242

 
$
1,153,655

 
$
228,740

 
$
395,213

 
$
623,953

Share-based compensation
35,567

 
10,609

 
46,176

 
28,597

 
12,335

 
40,932

Restructuring and other expense
25,720

 
4,145

 
29,865

 
105,182

 
37,583

 
142,765

Depreciation and amortization (including impairments)
1,337,051

 
490,234

 
1,827,285

 
1,641,501

 
497,299

 
2,138,800

Adjusted EBITDA
$
2,112,751

 
$
944,230

 
$
3,056,981

 
$
2,004,020

 
$
942,430

 
$
2,946,450

A reconciliation of reportable segment amounts to the Company's condensed consolidated balances are as follows:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Operating income for reportable segments
$
505,558

 
$
120,575

 
$
1,153,655

 
$
623,953

Items excluded from operating income:
 
 

 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(389,594
)
 
(379,066
)
 
(1,157,395
)
 
(1,232,730
)
Interest income
1,427

 
961

 
9,843

 
1,373

Gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net
111,684

 
(18,900
)
 
(182,031
)
 
169,888

Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net
(79,628
)
 
(16,763
)
 
130,883

 
(154,270
)
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts
(19,554
)
 
1,051

 
(64,405
)
 
12,539

Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs

 
(38,858
)
 
(41,616
)
 
(600,240
)
Other expense, net
(186
)
 
(2,984
)
 
(12,473
)
 
(9,019
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
$
129,707

 
$
(333,984
)
 
$
(163,539
)
 
$
(1,188,506
)


34



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

The following tables present the composition of revenue by reportable segment:
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Eliminations (a)
 
Total
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Eliminations (a)
 
Total
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay TV
$
783,252

 
$
271,415

 
$

 
$
1,054,667

 
$
798,583

 
$
271,363

 
$

 
$
1,069,946

Broadband
457,709

 
272,198

 

 
729,907

 
416,972

 
241,306

 

 
658,278

Telephony
130,494

 
30,857

 

 
161,351

 
140,830

 
31,649

 

 
172,479

Business services and wholesale
242,305

 
101,888

 

 
344,193

 
230,200

 
94,442

 

 
324,642

Advertising
105,719

 
18,107

 
(760
)
 
123,066

 
72,316

 
17,456

 
(480
)
 
89,292

Other
2,209

 
2,408

 

 
4,617

 
2,458

 
5,426

 

 
7,884

Total Revenue
$
1,721,688

 
$
696,873

 
$
(760
)
 
$
2,417,801

 
$
1,661,359

 
$
661,642

 
$
(480
)
 
$
2,322,521

 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Eliminations (a)
 
Total
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Eliminations (a)
 
Total
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay TV
$
2,313,229

 
$
809,550

 
$

 
$
3,122,779

 
$
2,397,233

 
$
827,754

 
$

 
$
3,224,987

Broadband
1,347,486

 
796,244

 

 
2,143,730

 
1,218,504

 
708,312

 

 
1,926,816

Telephony
399,714

 
91,174

 

 
490,888

 
432,710

 
98,991

 

 
531,701

Business services and wholesale
713,240

 
301,431

 

 
1,014,671

 
689,708

 
277,995

 

 
967,703

Advertising
276,343

 
53,541

 
(9,338
)
 
320,546

 
216,250

 
54,384

 
(480
)
 
270,154

Other
8,697

 
10,357

 

 
19,054

 
8,467

 
17,314

 

 
25,781

Total Revenue
$
5,058,709

 
$
2,062,297

 
$
(9,338
)
 
$
7,111,668

 
$
4,962,872

 
$
1,984,750

 
$
(480
)
 
$
6,947,142


 
(a)     Reflects revenue recognized by Cablevision from the sale of services to Cequel.
Capital expenditures (cash basis) by reportable segment are presented below:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Cablevision
$
217,326

 
$
180,287

 
$
554,483

 
$
505,852

Cequel
117,201

 
75,042

 
278,341

 
213,067

 
$
334,527

 
$
255,329

 
$
832,824

 
$
718,919

Primarily all revenues and assets of the Company's reportable segments are attributed to or located in the United States.
Total assets by segment are not provided as such amounts are not regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision makers for purposes of decision making regarding resource allocations.
NOTE 17.    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Revolver Repayment


35



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

On October 15, 2018, CSC Holdings made a voluntary repayment under its revolving credit facility of $125,000.
Incremental CSC Holdings Term Loan Facility
In October 2018, in connection with its intention to combine the Cequel and Cablevision businesses under a single credit silo, the Company commenced an exchange of senior and senior secured notes (see below) and successfully entered into a new $1,275,000 7-year senior secured term loan maturing January 2026 (the “Senior Secured Term Loan B”), providing for the refinancing of the entire principal amount of loans under Cequel’s existing Term Loan Facility and other transaction costs related to the credit silo combination. The new Senior Secured Term Loan B will have a margin of 2.25% over LIBOR and was issued with an original issue discount of 25 basis points.
Senior Notes Exchange
On October 2, 2018, Cequel, Cequel Capital and Altice US Finance I Corporation (the "Issuers"), commenced offers to exchange (the "Exchange Offers") any and all outstanding senior notes and senior secured notes issued by them (the "Original Notes") for up to $5,520,000 aggregate principal amount of new notes (the "New Notes") and, in the case of the 5.375% secured notes due 2023 and 5.500% secured notes due 2026, cash. These New Notes will be automatically converted into new CSC Holdings notes upon satisfaction (or waiver) of certain conditions set forth in the Exchange Offers.
Additionally, in connection with the Exchange Offers, the Issuers solicited consents to amend each of the Original Notes, except the 5.125% Notes due 2021, and the indentures governing such notes. The proposed amendments, which require the consent of a majority in outstanding aggregate principal amount of each series of relevant Original Notes, respectively, will eliminate or waive substantially all of the restrictive covenants, eliminate certain events of default, and modify or eliminate certain other provisions. Each of the Exchange Offers is subject to the condition that there have been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn a majority of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of each of the 5.375% Secured Notes due 2023 and 5.500% Secured Notes due 2026 (the “Minimum Tender Condition”).
Eligible holders who validly tendered and did not validly withdraw Original Notes on October 16, 2018 (the "Early Tender Time") received for each $1,000 principal amount of Original Notes tendered and accepted by the applicable Issuer, $1,000 principal amount of New Notes, plus, in the case of the 5.375% secured notes due 2023 and 5.500% secured notes due 2026, at least $2.50 in cash. Eligible holders who didn't validly tender Original Notes after the Early Tender Time, but prior to October 30, 2018 received for each $1,000 principal amount of Original Notes tendered and accepted by the applicable Issuer, $950 principal amount of New Notes.
In connection with the Early Tender Time described above, the Issuers exchanged $1,232,328 aggregate principal amount of the 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021, $610,698 aggregate principal amount of the 7.750% Senior Notes due 2025, $1,045,443 aggregate principal amount of the 7.500% Senior Notes due 2028, $1,095,493 aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 and $1,495,642 aggregate principal amount of the 5.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2026. 
For the period subsequent to the Early Tender Time through October 30, 2018, the Issuers exchanged $8,786 aggregate principal amount of the 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021, $7,562 aggregate principal amount of the 7.750% Senior Notes due 2025, $439 aggregate principal amount of the 7.500% Senior Notes due 2028, $350 aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 and $3,309 aggregate principal amount of the 5.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2026.
The principal amount of the unexchanged Original Notes include $8,886 aggregate principal amount of the 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021, $1,740 aggregate principal amount of the 7.750% Senior Notes due 2025, $4,118 aggregate principal amount of the 7.500% Senior Notes due 2028, $4,157 aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 and $1,049 aggregate principal amount of the 5.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2026.
Deferred financing costs and unamortized discounts related to the Cequel term loan, senior notes and secured senior notes aggregated $143,326 at September 30, 2018. The Company is evaluating whether the term loan refinancing and the exchange of notes is deemed an extinguishment of debt and whether any of these costs will be written off in the fourth quarter of 2018.



36





Item 2.         Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
All dollar amounts, except per customer and per share data, included in the following discussion, are presented in thousands.
The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and the related disclosure of contingent assets and contingent liabilities. For a complete discussion of the accounting judgments and estimates that we have identified as critical in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements, please refer to our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Overview
Our Business
We deliver broadband, pay television, telephony services, proprietary content and advertising services to approximately 4.9 million residential and business customers. Our footprint extends across 21 states through a fiber‑rich broadband network with approximately 8.7 million homes passed as of September 30, 2018. We have two reportable segments: Cablevision and Cequel. Cablevision provides broadband, pay television and telephony services to residential and business customers in and around the New York metropolitan area. Cequel provides broadband, pay television and telephony services to residential and business customers in the south-central United States, with the majority of its customers located in the ten states of Texas, West Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Arizona, California, Missouri and Ohio.
Key Factors Impacting Operating Results and Financial Condition
Our future performance is dependent, to a large extent, on the impact of direct competition, general economic conditions (including capital and credit market conditions), our ability to manage our businesses effectively, and our relative strength and leverage in the marketplace, both with suppliers and customers. For more information see “Risk Factors” and “Business-Competition” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
We derive revenue principally through monthly charges to residential subscribers of our pay television, broadband, and telephony services. We also derive revenue from DVR, VOD, pay-per-view, installation, home shopping commissions and equipment fees. Our residential pay television, broadband and telephony services accounted for approximately 44%, 30% and 7%, respectively, of our consolidated revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. We also derive revenue from the sale of a wide and growing variety of products and services to both large enterprise and SMB customers, including broadband, telephony, networking and pay television services. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, 14% of our consolidated revenue was derived from these business and wholesale services. In addition, we derive revenues from the sale of advertising primarily from time available on the programming carried on our cable television systems, which accounted for approximately 5% of our consolidated revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Our other revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 accounted for less than 1% of our consolidated revenue.
Revenue is impacted by rate increases, changes in the number of customers to our services, including additional services sold to our existing customers, programming package changes by our pay television customers, speed tier changes by our broadband customers, and acquisitions of cable systems that result in the addition of new subscribers.
Our ability to increase the number of customers to our services is significantly related to our penetration rates.
We operate in a highly competitive consumer-driven industry and we compete against a variety of broadband, pay television and telephony providers and delivery systems, including broadband communications companies, wireless data and telephony providers, satellite-delivered video signals, Internet-delivered video content and broadcast television signals available to residential and business customers in our service areas. Our competitors include AT&T Inc. and its DirecTV subsidiary, CenturyLink, Inc., DISH Network Corp., Frontier Communications Corp. and Verizon Communications Inc. Consumers’ selection of an alternate source of service, whether due to economic constraints, technological advances or preference, negatively impacts the demand for our services. For more information on our competitive landscape, see “Risk Factors” and “Business-Competition” included our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.


37





Our programming costs, which are the most significant component of our operating expenses, have increased and are expected to continue to increase primarily as a result of contractual rate increases and new channel launches. See “-Results of Operations” below for more information regarding our key factors impacting our revenues and operating expenses.
Historically, we have made substantial investments in our network and the development of new and innovative products and other service offerings for our customers as a way of differentiating ourselves from our competitors and may continue to do so in the future. We have commenced construction on a fiber-to-the-home ("FTTH") network, which will enable us to deliver more than 10 Gbps broadband speeds across our entire Optimum footprint and part of our Suddenlink footprint. We may incur greater than anticipated capital expenditures in connection with this initiative, fail to realize anticipated benefits, experience delays and business disruptions or encounter other challenges to executing it as planned. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources-Capital Expenditures” for additional information regarding our capital expenditures.
Acquisition of Altice Technical Services US Corp
As discussed in Note 1 of the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company completed the ATS Acquisition in January 2018. ATS was previously owned by Altice N.V. and a member of ATS's management through a holding company. As the acquisition is a combination of businesses under common control, the Company combined the results of operations and related assets and liabilities of ATS for all periods since the formation of ATS.
Acquisition of i24NEWS
In April 2018, Altice N.V. transferred its ownership of i24 US and i24 Europe ("i24NEWS"), Altice N.V.'s 24/7 international news and current affairs channels, to the Company for minimal consideration (the "i24 Acquisition"). As the acquisition was a combination of businesses under common control, the Company combined the results of operations and related assets and liabilities of i24NEWS as of April 1, 2018. Operating results for periods prior to April 1, 2018 and the balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 have not been revised to reflect the combination of i24NEWS as the impact was deemed immaterial.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We define Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as net income (loss) excluding income taxes, income (loss) from discontinued operations, other non-operating income or expenses, loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs, gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts, gain (loss) on derivative contracts, gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net, interest expense (including cash interest expense), interest income, depreciation and amortization (including impairments), share-based compensation expense or benefit, restructuring expense or credits and transaction expenses. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the Company. Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures with similar titles are common performance measures used by investors, analysts and peers to compare performance in our industry. Internally, we use revenue and Adjusted EBITDA measures as important indicators of our business performance, and evaluate management’s effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. We believe Adjusted EBITDA provides management and investors a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our core business and operating results by excluding items that are not comparable across reporting periods or that do not otherwise relate to the Company’s ongoing operating results. Adjusted EBITDA should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for operating income (loss), net income (loss), and other measures of performance presented in accordance with GAAP. Since Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, this measure may not be comparable to similar measures with similar titles used by other companies.


38





Results of Operations - Altice USA
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential:

 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay TV
$
1,054,667

 
$
1,069,946

 
$
3,122,779

 
$
3,224,987

Broadband
729,907

 
658,278

 
2,143,730

 
1,926,816

Telephony
161,351

 
172,479

 
490,888

 
531,701

Business services and wholesale
344,193

 
324,642

 
1,014,671

 
967,703

Advertising
123,066

 
89,292

 
320,546

 
270,154

Other
4,617

 
7,884

 
19,054

 
25,781

Total revenue
2,417,801

 
2,322,521

 
7,111,668

 
6,947,142

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Programming and other direct costs
790,533

 
755,101

 
2,373,021

 
2,272,147

Other operating expenses
569,070

 
570,111

 
1,727,842

 
1,769,477

Restructuring and other expense
16,587

 
53,448

 
29,865

 
142,765

Depreciation and amortization (including impairments)
536,053

 
823,286

 
1,827,285

 
2,138,800

Operating income
505,558

 
120,575

 
1,153,655

 
623,953

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(388,167
)
 
(378,105
)
 
(1,147,552
)
 
(1,231,357
)
Gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net
111,684

 
(18,900
)
 
(182,031
)
 
169,888

Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net
(79,628
)
 
(16,763
)
 
130,883

 
(154,270
)
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts
(19,554
)
 
1,051

 
(64,405
)
 
12,539

Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs

 
(38,858
)
 
(41,616
)
 
(600,240
)
Other expense, net
(186
)
 
(2,984
)
 
(12,473
)
 
(9,019
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
129,707

 
(333,984
)
 
(163,539
)
 
(1,188,506
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
(95,968
)
 
141,550

 
(29,675
)
 
439,945

Net income (loss)
33,739

 
(192,434
)
 
(193,214
)
 
(748,561
)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(1,186
)
 
(135
)
 
(1,039
)
 
(737
)
Net income (loss) attributable to Altice USA stockholders
$
32,553

 
$
(192,569
)
 
$
(194,253
)
 
$
(749,298
)



39




The following is a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA:
 
Altice USA
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net income (loss)
$
33,739

 
$
(192,434
)
 
$
(193,214
)
 
$
(748,561
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
95,968

 
(141,550
)
 
29,675

 
(439,945
)
Other expense, net
186

 
2,984

 
12,473

 
9,019

Loss (gain) on interest rate swap contracts
19,554

 
(1,051
)
 
64,405

 
(12,539
)
Loss (gain) on derivative contracts, net
79,628

 
16,763

 
(130,883
)
 
154,270

Loss (gain) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net
(111,684
)
 
18,900

 
182,031

 
(169,888
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs

 
38,858

 
41,616

 
600,240

Interest expense, net
388,167

 
378,105

 
1,147,552

 
1,231,357

Depreciation and amortization
536,053

 
823,286

 
1,827,285

 
2,138,800

Restructuring and other expense
16,587

 
53,448

 
29,865

 
142,765

Share-based compensation
12,327

 
15,005

 
46,176

 
40,932

Adjusted EBITDA
$
1,070,525

 
$
1,012,314

 
$
3,056,981

 
$
2,946,450

The following table sets forth certain customer metrics by segment (unaudited):
 
September 30, 2018
 
June 30, 2018
 
September 30, 2017
 
Cablevision
Cequel
Total
 
Cablevision
Cequel
Total
 
Cablevision
Cequel
Total
 
(in thousands, except per customer amounts)
Homes passed (a)
5,197.3

3,504.4

8,701.7

 
5,187.3

3,483.7

8,671.0

 
5,134.4

3,442.8

8,577.2

Total customer relationships (b)(c)
3,145.9

1,765.3

4,911.2

 
3,153.5

1,761.6

4,915.1

 
3,148.9

1,749.2

4,898.1

Residential
2,882.8

1,652.1

4,534.9

 
2,889.7

1,650.1

4,539.8

 
2,887.0

1,642.0

4,529.0

SMB
263.1

113.2

376.3

 
263.8

111.5

375.3

 
261.9

107.2

369.1

Residential customers:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay TV
2,306.6

1,016.2

3,322.8

 
2,327.3

1,023.6

3,350.9

 
2,382.2

1,048.0

3,430.2

Broadband
2,682.9

1,413.4

4,096.3

 
2,681.3

1,400.8

4,082.1

 
2,653.1

1,367.8

4,020.9

Telephony
1,942.8

590.7

2,533.5

 
1,949.4

596.1

2,545.6

 
1,958.8

588.4

2,547.2

Residential triple product customer penetration (d):
63.4
%
25.6
%
49.6
%
 
63.5
%
25.8
%
49.8
%
 
64.3
%
25.4
%
50.2
%
Penetration of homes passed (e):
60.5
%
50.4
%
56.4
%
 
60.8
%
50.6
%
56.7
%
 
61.3
%
50.8
%
57.1
%
ARPU(f)
$
158.39

$
115.98

$
142.96

 
$
155.69

$
113.10

$
140.19

 
$
156.55

$
110.30

$
139.77

 
(a)
Represents the estimated number of single residence homes, apartments and condominium units passed by the cable distribution network in areas serviceable without further extending the transmission lines. In addition, it includes commercial establishments that have connected to our cable distribution network. For Cequel, broadband services were not available to approximately 100 homes passed and telephony services were not available to approximately 500 homes passed.
(b)
Represents number of households/businesses that receive at least one of the Company's services.



40




(c)
Customers represent each customer account (set up and segregated by customer name and address), weighted equally and counted as one customer, regardless of size, revenue generated, or number of boxes, units, or outlets.  In calculating the number of customers, we count all customers other than inactive/disconnected customers.  Free accounts are included in the customer counts along with all active accounts, but they are limited to a prescribed group.  Most of these accounts are also not entirely free, as they typically generate revenue through pay-per-view or other pay services and certain equipment fees.  Free status is not granted to regular customers as a promotion.  In counting bulk residential customers, such as an apartment building, we count each subscribing family unit within the building as one customer, but do not count the master account for the entire building as a customer. We count a bulk commercial customer, such as a hotel, as one customer, and do not count individual room units at that hotel.
(d)
Represents the number of customers that subscribe to three of our services divided by total residential customer relationships.
(e)
Represents the number of total customer relationships divided by homes passed.
(f)
Calculated by dividing the average monthly revenue for the respective quarter (fourth quarter for annual periods) derived from the sale of broadband, pay television and telephony services to residential customers for the respective quarter by the average number of total residential customers for the same period.
 
Segment Results
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay TV
$
783,252

 
$
271,415

 
$

 
$
1,054,667

 
$
798,583

 
$
271,363

 
$

 
$
1,069,946

Broadband
457,709

 
272,198

 

 
729,907

 
416,972

 
241,306

 

 
658,278

Telephony
130,494

 
30,857

 

 
161,351

 
140,830

 
31,649

 

 
172,479

Business services and wholesale
242,305

 
101,888

 

 
344,193

 
230,200

 
94,442

 

 
324,642

Advertising
105,719

 
18,107

 
(760
)
 
123,066

 
72,316

 
17,456

 
(480
)
 
89,292

Other
2,209

 
2,408

 

 
4,617

 
2,458

 
5,426

 

 
7,884

Total revenue
1,721,688

 
696,873

 
(760
)
 
2,417,801

 
1,661,359

 
661,642

 
(480
)
 
2,322,521

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Programming and other direct costs
585,117

 
206,120

 
(704
)
 
790,533

 
570,995

 
184,283

 
(177
)
 
755,101

Other operating expenses
403,445

 
165,681

 
(56
)
 
569,070

 
401,981

 
168,433

 
(303
)
 
570,111

Restructuring and other expense
14,122

 
2,465

 

 
16,587

 
35,364

 
18,084

 

 
53,448

Depreciation and amortization
378,549

 
157,504

 

 
536,053

 
656,122

 
167,164

 

 
823,286

Operating income (loss)
$
340,455

 
$
165,103

 
$

 
$
505,558

 
$
(3,103
)
 
$
123,678

 
$

 
$
120,575




41




 
Segment Results
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Eliminations
 
Total
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay TV
$
2,313,229

 
$
809,550

 
$

 
$
3,122,779

 
$
2,397,233

 
$
827,754

 
$

 
$
3,224,987

Broadband
1,347,486

 
796,244

 

 
2,143,730

 
1,218,504

 
708,312

 

 
1,926,816

Telephony
399,714

 
91,174

 

 
490,888

 
432,710

 
98,991

 

 
531,701

Business services and wholesale
713,240

 
301,431

 

 
1,014,671

 
689,708

 
277,995

 

 
967,703

Advertising
276,343

 
53,541

 
(9,338
)
 
320,546

 
216,250

 
54,384

 
(480
)
 
270,154

Other
8,697

 
10,357

 

 
19,054

 
8,467

 
17,314

 

 
25,781

Total revenue
5,058,709

 
2,062,297

 
(9,338
)
 
7,111,668

 
4,962,872

 
1,984,750

 
(480
)
 
6,947,142

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Programming and other direct costs
1,765,544

 
616,047

 
(8,570
)
 
2,373,021

 
1,710,245

 
562,079

 
(177
)
 
2,272,147

Other operating expenses
1,215,981

 
512,629

 
(768
)
 
1,727,842

 
1,277,204

 
492,576

 
(303
)
 
1,769,477

Restructuring and other expense
25,720

 
4,145

 

 
29,865

 
105,182

 
37,583

 

 
142,765

Depreciation and amortization
1,337,051

 
490,234

 

 
1,827,285

 
1,641,501

 
497,299

 

 
2,138,800

Operating income
$
714,413

 
$
439,242

 
$

 
$
1,153,655

 
$
228,740

 
$
395,213

 
$

 
$
623,953

Altice USA - Comparison of Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 compared to the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017.
Pay Television Revenue
Pay television revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $1,054,667 and $3,122,779, respectively, of which $783,252 and $2,313,229 was derived from the Cablevision segment and $271,415 and $809,550 relates to our Cequel segment. Pay television revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $1,069,946 and $3,224,987, respectively, of which $798,583 and $2,397,233 was derived from the Cablevision segment and $271,363 and $827,754 relates to our Cequel segment. Pay television revenue is derived principally through monthly charges to residential customers of our pay television services. Revenue is impacted by rate increases, changes in the number of customers, including additional services sold to our existing customers, and changes in programming packages.
Pay television revenue for our Cablevision segment decreased $15,331 (2%) and $84,004 (4%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was due primarily to a decline in pay television customers, partially offset by higher average revenue per pay television customer. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was due primarily to a decline in pay television customers and lower average revenue per pay television customer.
Pay television revenue for our Cequel segment increased $52 and decreased $18,204 (2%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was due primarily from higher average revenue per pay television customer,



42




offset by a decline in pay television customers. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was due primarily to a decline in pay television customers, partially offset by higher average revenue per pay television customer.
We believe our pay television customer declines noted in the table above are largely attributable to competition, particularly from Verizon in our Cablevision footprint and DBS providers in our Cequel footprint, as well as competition from companies that deliver video content over the Internet directly to customers. These factors are expected to continue to impact our ability to maintain or increase our existing customers and revenue in the future.
Broadband Revenue
Broadband revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $729,907 and $2,143,730, respectively, of which $457,709 and $1,347,486 was derived from our Cablevision segment and $272,198 and $796,244 was derived from our Cequel segment. Broadband revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $658,278 and $1,926,816, respectively, of which $416,972 and $1,218,504 was derived from our Cablevision segment and $241,306 and $708,312 was derived from our Cequel segment. Broadband revenue is derived principally through monthly charges to residential subscribers of our broadband services. Revenue is impacted by rate increases, changes in the number of customers, including additional services sold to our existing subscribers, and changes in speed tiers.
Broadband revenue for our Cablevision segment increased $40,737 (10%) and $128,982 (11%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The increases were due primarily to higher average recurring broadband revenue per broadband customer, primarily driven by certain rate increases and service level changes, and an increase in broadband customers.
Broadband revenue for our Cequel segment increased $30,892 (13%) and $87,932 (12%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increases were due primarily to higher average recurring broadband revenue per broadband customer, primarily driven by certain rate increases and service level changes, and an increase in broadband customers.
Telephony Revenue
Telephony revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $161,351 and $490,888 of which $130,494 and $399,714 was derived from the Cablevision segment and $30,857 and $91,174 was derived from our Cequel segment. Telephony revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $172,479 and $531,701 of which $140,830 and $432,710 was derived from the Cablevision segment and $31,649 and $98,991 was derived from our Cequel segment. Telephony revenue is derived principally through monthly charges to residential customers of our telephony services. Revenue is impacted by changes in rates for services, changes in the number of customers, and additional services sold to our existing customers.
Telephony revenue for our Cablevision segment decreased $10,336 (7%) and $32,996 (8%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The decreases were due primarily to lower average revenue per telephony customer.
Telephony revenue for our Cequel segment decreased $792 (3%) and $7,817 (8%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The decreases were due primarily to lower average revenue per telephony customer.
Business Services and Wholesale Revenue
Business services and wholesale revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $344,193 and $1,014,671, respectively of which $242,305 and $713,240 was derived from the Cablevision segment and $101,888 and $301,431 was derived from our Cequel segment. Business services and wholesale revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $324,642 and $967,703, respectively of which $230,200 and $689,708 was derived from the Cablevision segment and $94,442 and $277,995 was derived from our Cequel segment. Business services and wholesale revenue is derived primarily from the sale of fiber based telecommunications services to the business market, and the sale of broadband, pay television and telephony services to small and medium sized business ("SMB") customers.
Business services and wholesale revenue for our Cablevision segment increased $12,105 (5%) and $23,532 (3%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The increases were primarily due to higher average recurring broadband revenue per SMB customer, higher Ethernet and managed services revenue and an increase in the number of customers, partially offset by reduced traditional voice and data services for commercial customers.
Business services and wholesale revenue for our Cequel segment increased $7,446 (8%) and $23,436 (8%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.



43




The increases were primarily due to an increase in customers and higher commercial rates for broadband services and increases in wholesale data and telephony services.
Advertising Revenue
Advertising revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, net of inter-segment revenue, was $123,066 and $320,546, respectively, of which $105,719 and $276,343 was derived from our Cablevision segment and $18,107 and $53,541 was derived from our Cequel segment. Advertising revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, net of inter-segment revenue, was $89,292 and $270,154, respectively, of which $72,316 and $216,250 was derived from our Cablevision segment and $17,456 and $54,384 was derived from our Cequel segment. Advertising revenue is primarily derived from the sale of advertising time available on the programming carried on our cable television systems, digital advertising and data analytics revenue.
Advertising revenue for our Cablevision segment increased $33,403 (46%) and $60,093 (28%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The increases were primarily due to an increase in digital and linear advertising and data analytics revenue.
Advertising revenue for our Cequel segment increased $651 (4%) and decreased $843 (2%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.
Other Revenue
Other revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $4,617 and $19,054, respectively, of which $2,209 and $8,697 was derived from our Cablevision segment and $2,408 and $10,357 was derived from our Cequel segment. Other revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $7,884 and $25,781, respectively, of which $2,458 and $8,467 was derived from our Cablevision segment and $5,426 and $17,314 was derived from our Cequel segment. Other revenue includes other miscellaneous revenue streams.
Programming and Other Direct Costs
Programming and other direct costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 amounted to $790,533 and $2,373,021, respectively, of which $585,117 and $1,765,544 relate to our Cablevision segment and $206,120 and $616,047 relate to our Cequel segment. Programming and other direct costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 amounted to $755,101 and $2,272,147, respectively, of which $570,995 and $1,710,245 relate to our Cablevision segment and $184,283 and $562,079 relate to our Cequel segment. Programming and other direct costs include cable programming costs, which are costs paid to programmers (net of amortization of any incentives received from programmers for carriage) for cable content (including costs of VOD and pay-per-view) and are generally paid on a per‑customer basis. These costs typically rise due to increases in contractual rates and new channel launches and are also impacted by changes in the number of customers receiving certain programming services. These costs also include interconnection, call completion, circuit and transport fees paid to other telecommunication companies for the transport and termination of voice and data services, which typically vary based on rate changes and the level of usage by our customers. These costs also include franchise fees which are payable to the state governments and local municipalities where we operate and are primarily based on a percentage of certain categories of revenue derived from the provision of pay television service over our cable systems, which vary by state and municipality. These costs change in relation to changes in such categories of revenues or rate changes.
The increases of $35,432 (5%) and $100,874 (4%) in programming and other direct costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, net of inter-segment eliminations, as compared to the prior year periods are attributable to the following:
Cablevision segment:
Three Months
 
Nine Months
Increase primarily in costs of digital media and linear advertising spots for resale
$
10,388

 
$
32,881

Increase in programming costs due primarily to contractual rate increases, partially offset by lower pay television customers and lower video-on-demand and pay-per-view costs
2,306

 
16,863

Other net increases (including an increase of $1,400 and $2,666 in costs related to i24NEWS for the three and nine months, respectively)
1,428

 
5,555

 
14,122

 
55,299




44




Cequel segment:
 
 
 
Increase in programming costs due primarily to contractual rate increases and new channel launches, partially offset by lower pay television customers and lower video-on-demand and pay-per-view costs
21,965

 
52,187

Other net increases (decreases)
(128
)
 
1,781

 
21,837

 
53,968

Inter-segment eliminations
(527
)
 
(8,393
)
 
$
35,432

 
$
100,874

Programming costs
Programming costs aggregated $654,104 and $1,967,150 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, and $629,833 and $1,898,100 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Our programming costs in 2018 will continue to be impacted by changes in programming rates, which we expect to increase by high single digits, and by changes in the number of pay television customers.
Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 amounted to $569,070, and $1,727,842, respectively, of which $403,445 and $1,215,981 relate to our Cablevision segment and $165,681 and $512,629 relate to our Cequel segment. Other operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 amounted to $570,111, and $1,769,477, respectively, of which $401,981 and $1,277,204 relate to our Cablevision segment and $168,433 and $492,576 relate to our Cequel segment. Other operating expenses include staff costs and employee benefits including salaries of company employees and related taxes, benefits and other employee related expenses, as well as third party labor costs. Other operating expenses also include network management and field service costs, which represent costs associated with the maintenance of our broadband network, including costs of certain customer connections and other costs associated with providing and maintaining services to our customers.
Customer installation and repair and maintenance costs may fluctuate as a result of changes in the level of activities and the utilization of contractors as compared to employees. Also, customer installation costs fluctuate as the portion of our expenses that we are able to capitalize changes. Costs associated with the initial deployment of new customer premise equipment necessary to provide broadband, pay television and telephony services are capitalized (asset-based). The redeployment of customer premise equipment is expensed as incurred. Network repair and maintenance and utility costs also fluctuate as capitalizable network upgrade and enhancement activity changes.
Other operating expenses also include costs related to the operation and maintenance of our call center facilities that handle customer inquiries and billing and collection activities and sales and marketing costs, which include advertising production and placement costs associated with acquiring and retaining customers. These costs vary period to period and certain of these costs, such as sales and marketing, may increase with intense competition. Additionally, other operating expenses include various other administrative costs, including legal fees, and product development costs.



45




The decreases of $1,041 and $41,635 (2%) in other operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, net of inter-segment eliminations, as compared to the prior year periods, including the impact of a net increase related to i24NEWS of $9,285 and $19,408 for the three and nine month periods, are attributable to the following:
Cablevision segment:
Three Months
 
Nine Months
Increase in labor costs and benefits (including costs related to i24NEWS of $6,197), partially offset by an increase in capitalizable activity for the three month period. Decrease in labor costs and benefits, net of costs of $12,609 related to i24NEWS, and an increase in capitalizable activity for the nine month period.
$
11,219

 
$
(67,413
)
Decrease in insurance costs
(419
)
 
(8,351
)
Decrease in management fee relating to certain executive, administrative and managerial services provided to Cablevision from Altice N.V. prior to separation in June 2018
(5,000
)
 
(6,104
)
Increase in marketing costs
2,796

 
8,673

Increase (decrease) in share-based compensation and long-term incentive plan awards expense
(2,059
)
 
5,627

Increase in commissions in connection with the New York Interconnect business
3,868

 
4,620

Increase (decrease) in repairs and maintenance costs relating to our operations
(594
)
 
4,221

Other net decrease
(8,347
)
 
(2,496
)
 
1,464

 
(61,223
)
Cequel segment:
 
 
 
Decrease primarily in labor costs, partially offset by lower capitalizable activity
(2,417
)
 
(10,823
)
Decrease in share-based compensation and long-term incentive plan awards expense
(885
)
 
(4,330
)
Decrease in management fee relating to certain executive, administrative and managerial services provided to Cequel from Altice N.V. prior to separation in June 2018
(2,500
)
 
(3,146
)
Increase in marketing costs
2,382

 
19,090

Increase (decrease) in repairs and maintenance costs relating to our operations
(2,549
)
 
2,691

Other net increase
3,217

 
16,571

 
(2,752
)
 
20,053

Inter-segment eliminations
247

 
(465
)
 
$
(1,041
)
 
$
(41,635
)
Restructuring and Other Expense
Restructuring and other expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 amounted to $16,587 and $29,865, respectively, ($14,122 and $25,720 for our Cablevision segment and $2,465 and $4,145 for our Cequel segment) as compared to $53,448 and $142,765 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, ($35,364 and $105,182 for our Cablevision segment and $18,084 and $37,583 for our Cequel segment). These amounts primarily relate to costs incurred in connection with severance and other employee related costs resulting from headcount reductions related to initiatives which commenced in 2016 that are intended to simplify the Company's organizational structure. We currently anticipate that additional restructuring expenses will be recognized as we continue to analyze our organizational structure.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 amounted to $536,053 and $1,827,285, respectively, of which $378,549 and $1,337,051 relates to our Cablevision segment and $157,504 and $490,234 relates to our Cequel segment. Depreciation and amortization for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 amounted to $823,286 and $2,138,800, respectively, of which $656,122 and $1,641,501 relates to our Cablevision segment and $167,164 and $497,299 relates to our Cequel segment.
Depreciation and amortization for our Cablevision segment decreased $277,573 (42%) and $304,450 (19%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The decreases are due primarily to certain fixed assets and intangible assets becoming fully depreciated or amortized. These decreases were partially offset by depreciation of new asset additions.
Depreciation and amortization for our Cequel segment decreased $9,660 (6%) and $7,065 (1%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The decreases are due primarily to certain fixed assets and intangible assets becoming fully depreciated or amortized. These decreases were partially offset by depreciation of new asset additions.



46




Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $1,070,525 and $3,056,981 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, of which $742,164 and $2,112,751 relates to our Cablevision segment and $328,361 and $944,230 relates to our Cequel segment. Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $1,012,314 and $2,946,450 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, of which $699,938 and $2,004,020 relates to our Cablevision segment and $312,376 and $942,430 relates to our Cequel segment.
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure that is defined as net income (loss) excluding income taxes, income (loss) from discontinued operations, non-operating income or expenses, loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs, gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts, gain (loss) on derivative contracts, gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net, interest expense (including cash interest expense), interest income, depreciation and amortization (including impairments), share-based compensation expense or benefit, restructuring expense or credits and transaction expenses. See reconciliation of net loss to adjusted EBITDA above.
The increases in adjusted EBITDA of our Cablevision segment for the three months ended September 30, 2018 as compared to the prior year period was due to an increase in revenue, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization expense, restructuring expense, share-based compensation and transaction expenses) as discussed above. The increases in adjusted EBITDA of our Cablevision segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 as compared to the prior year period was due to an increase in revenue and a decrease in operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization expense, restructuring expense, share-based compensation and transaction expenses).
The increases in adjusted EBITDA of our Cequel segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as compared to the prior year periods were due primarily to an increase in revenue, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization expense, restructuring expense, share-based compensation and transaction expenses) as discussed above.
Interest Expense, net
Interest expense, net was $388,167 and $378,105, for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and $1,147,552 and $1,231,357, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increase of $10,062 (3%) and decrease of $83,805 (7%) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as compared to the prior year periods are attributable to the following:
 
Three Months
 
Nine Months
 
 
 
 
Decrease due to changes in average debt balances and interest rates on our indebtedness and collateralized debt
$
(808
)
 
$
(114,205
)
Higher interest income
(466
)
 
(8,470
)
Other net increases, primarily amortization of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts
11,336

 
38,870

 
$
10,062

 
$
(83,805
)
See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" discussion below for a detail of our borrower groups.
Gain (Loss) on Investments and Sale of Affiliate Interests, net
Gain (loss) on investments, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 of $111,684 and $(182,031), respectively, and $(18,900) and $169,888 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 consists primarily of the increase (decrease) in the fair value of Comcast common stock owned by the Company for the periods. The effects of these gains or losses are partially offset by the losses and gains on the related equity derivative contracts, net described below. The amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 includes a net gain of $17,281 related to the sale of investments and affiliate interests.
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Contracts, net
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 amounted to $(79,628) and $130,883, respectively and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 amounted to $(16,763) and $(154,270), respectively, and include realized and unrealized gains or losses due to the change in fair value of equity derivative contracts relating to the Comcast common stock owned by the Company.  The effects of these gains or losses are offset by gains and losses on investment securities pledged as collateral, which are included in gain (loss) on investments, net discussed above. The loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 also includes the realized loss on the settlement of certain put-call options, as well as the loss resulting from the change in the fair value on the put-call contracts aggregating $72,365.



47




Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Swap Contracts
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts was $(19,554) and $(64,405) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, and $1,051 and $12,539 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. These amounts represent the increase or decrease in fair value of interest rate swaps. These swap contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt and Write-off of Deferred Financing Costs
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs amounted to $41,616 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and includes the write-off of unamortized discount and deferred financing costs and the premium paid in connection with early redemption of the Cequel 2020 Notes in the second quarter of 2018 and the write-off of unamortized premium and deferred financing costs and the premium paid in connection with early redemption of the $750,000 7.75% Cablevision senior notes due in April 2018 in the first quarter of 2018.
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs amounted to $38,858 and $600,240 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and includes the premium of $513,723 related to the notes payable to affiliates and related parties that were converted into shares of the Company’s common stock, $18,976 related to the CSC Holdings credit facility extension amendment and the redemption of senior notes, and $28,684 related to the Cequel credit facility extension amendment and the redemption of senior notes and $38,858 related primarily to a premium paid from the prepayment of principal on certain senior notes outstanding.
Income Tax Benefit/Expense
The Company recorded income tax expense of $95,968 and $29,675 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. Included in the income tax expense for each period was an expense of $49,052 as a result of the revaluation of the Company's deferred tax liability in connection with tax law changes in the State of New Jersey. Absent this item, the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2018 would have been 36%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the tax benefit was more than offset by the $49,052 expense recorded in the period. The tax expense was calculated based upon the actual effective tax rate for the year-to-date period. The Company determined this to represent the best estimate of the annual effective tax rate in light of the magnitude of the expected income and the significant permanent differences.
Pursuant to the enactment of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act ("Tax Reform"), effective on January 1, 2018, the corporate federal income tax rate was reduced to 21% from 35%. The Company is subject to Tax Reform’s limitation on interest deductibility which is based on a limit calculated without regard to depreciation or amortization through 2021. The resulting interest deduction that is deferred can be carried forward indefinitely. Nevertheless, as is the case with any future deductible temporary difference, management will continue to evaluate realizability to determine whether a valuation allowance is required as a result of these limitations. Therefore a valuation allowance may need to be recorded in the future subject to the relative levels of future interest expense versus taxable income.
The Company recorded income tax benefit of $141,550 and $439,945 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, reflecting the estimated annual effective tax rate of approximately 42% and 37%, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Altice USA has no operations independent of its subsidiaries, Cablevision and Cequel. Funding for our subsidiaries has generally been provided by cash flow from their respective operations, cash on hand and borrowings under their revolving credit facilities and the proceeds from the issuance of securities and borrowings under syndicated term loans in the capital markets.  Our decision as to the use of cash generated from operating activities, cash on hand, borrowings under the revolving credit facilities or accessing the capital markets has been based upon an ongoing review of the funding needs of the business, the optimal allocation of cash resources, the timing of cash flow generation and the cost of borrowing under the revolving credit facilities, debt securities and syndicated term loans. We manage our business to a long-term net leverage ratio target of 4.5x to 5.0x. We calculate our consolidated net leverage ratio as net debt to L2QA EBITDA (Adjusted EBITDA for the two most recent consecutive fiscal quarters multiplied by 2.0).
We expect to utilize free cash flow and availability under the revolving credit facilities, as well as future refinancing transactions, to further extend the maturities of, or reduce the principal on, our debt obligations. The timing and terms of any refinancing transactions will be subject to, among other factors, market conditions. Additionally, we may, from time to time, depending on market conditions and other factors, use cash on hand and the proceeds from other borrowings to repay the outstanding debt securities through open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases, tender offers, or redemptions.
We believe existing cash balances, operating cash flows and availability under our revolving credit facilities will provide adequate funds to support our current operating plan, make planned capital expenditures and fulfill our debt service



48




requirements for the next twelve months. However, our ability to fund our operations, make planned capital expenditures, make scheduled payments on our indebtedness and repay our indebtedness depends on our future operating performance and cash flows and our ability to access the capital markets, which, in turn, are subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. However, competition, market disruptions or a deterioration in economic conditions could lead to lower demand for our products, as well as lower levels of advertising, and increased incidence of customers' inability to pay for the services we provide.  These events would adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows and financial position.  Although we currently believe that amounts available under the revolving credit facilities will be available when, and if, needed, we can provide no assurance that access to such funds will not be impacted by adverse conditions in the financial markets or other conditions.  The obligations of the financial institutions under the revolving credit facilities are several and not joint and, as a result, a funding default by one or more institutions does not need to be made up by the others.
In the longer term, we do not expect to be able to generate sufficient cash from operations to fund anticipated capital expenditures, meet all existing future contractual payment obligations and repay our debt at maturity.  As a result, we will be dependent upon our continued access to the capital and credit markets to issue additional debt or equity or refinance existing debt obligations.  We intend to raise significant amounts of funding over the next several years to fund capital expenditures, repay existing obligations and meet other obligations, and the failure to do so successfully could adversely affect our business.  If we are unable to do so, we will need to take other actions including deferring capital expenditures, selling assets, seeking strategic investments from third parties or reducing or eliminating stock repurchases or discretionary uses of cash.
Debt Outstanding
The following tables summarize the carrying value of our outstanding debt, net of eliminations, deferred financing costs, discounts and premiums (excluding accrued interest), as well as interest expense.
 
As of September 30, 2018
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
Debt outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
Credit facility debt
$
4,980,221

 
$
1,241,272

 
$
6,221,493

Senior guaranteed notes
3,284,419

 

 
3,284,419

Senior secured notes

 
2,573,423

 
2,573,423

Senior notes and debentures
6,686,729

 
2,811,167

 
9,497,896

Subtotal
14,951,369

 
6,625,862

 
21,577,231

Capital lease obligations
20,057

 
1,394

 
21,451

Notes payable
42,810

 
34,281

 
77,091

Subtotal
15,014,236

 
6,661,537

 
21,675,773

Collateralized indebtedness relating to stock monetizations (a)
1,400,398

 

 
1,400,398

Total debt
$
16,414,634

 
$
6,661,537

 
$
23,076,171

 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense:
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
Credit facility debt, senior notes, capital leases and notes payable
$
792,319

 
$
317,218

 
$
1,109,537

Collateralized indebtedness relating to stock monetizations (a)
47,858

 

 
47,858

Total interest expense
$
840,177

 
$
317,218

 
$
1,157,395

 
(a)
This indebtedness is collateralized by shares of Comcast common stock. We intend to settle this debt by (i) delivering shares of Comcast common stock and the related equity contracts or (ii) delivering cash from the net proceeds on new monetization contracts.



49




The following table provides details of our outstanding credit facility debt as of September 30, 2018: 
 
Maturity Date
 
Interest Rate
 
Principal
 
Carrying Value (a)
Cablevision:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CSC Holdings Revolving Credit Facility (b)
$20,000 on October 9, 2020, remaining balance on November 30, 2021
 
5.40%
 
$
575,000

 
$
554,908

CSC Holdings Term Loan Facility
July 17, 2025
 
4.41%
 
2,962,500

 
2,946,318

CSC Holdings Incremental Term Loan Facility
January 25, 2026
 
4.66%
 
1,496,250

 
1,478,995

Cequel:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revolving Credit Facility (c)
$65,000 on November 30, 2021, and remaining balance on April 5, 2023
 
—%
 

 

Term Loan Facility
July 28, 2025
 
4.49%
 
1,249,188

 
1,241,272

 
 
 
 
 
$
6,282,938

 
$
6,221,493

 
(a)
Carrying amounts are net of unamortized discounts and deferred financing costs.
(b)
At September 30, 2018, $139,929 of the revolving credit facility was restricted for certain letters of credit issued on behalf of the Company and $1,585,071 of the facility was undrawn and available, subject to covenant limitations.
(c)
At September 30, 2018, $7,636 of the revolving credit facility was restricted for certain letters of credit issued on behalf of the Company and $342,364 of the facility was undrawn and available, subject to covenant limitations.
Payment Obligations Related to Debt
As of September 30, 2018, total amounts payable by us in connection with our outstanding obligations, including related interest, as well as capital lease obligations, notes payable, and the value deliverable at maturity under monetization contracts are as follows:
 
Cablevision (a)
 
Cequel
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$
207,754

 
$
139,353

 
$
347,107

2019
1,631,374

 
447,062

 
2,078,436

2020
1,538,521

 
414,523

 
1,953,044

2021
4,036,257

 
1,663,689

 
5,699,946

2022
1,525,348

 
349,050

 
1,874,398

Thereafter
13,960,675

 
6,575,521

 
20,536,196

Total
$
22,899,929

 
$
9,589,198

 
$
32,489,127

 
(a)
Includes $1,550,609 related to the Company's collateralized indebtedness (including related interest).  This indebtedness is collateralized by shares of Comcast common stock. We intend to settle this debt by (i) delivering shares of Comcast common stock and the related equity contracts or (ii) delivering cash from the net proceeds on new monetization contracts.
CSC Holdings Restricted Group
CSC Holdings and those of its subsidiaries which conduct its broadband, pay television and telephony services operations, as well as Lightpath, which provides Ethernet-based data, Internet, voice and video transport and managed services to the business market, comprise the "Restricted Group" as they are subject to the covenants and restrictions of the credit facility and indentures governing the notes and debentures issued by CSC Holdings.  In addition, the Restricted Group is also subject to the covenants of the debt issued by Cablevision.
Sources of cash for the Restricted Group include primarily cash flow from the operations of the businesses in the Restricted Group, borrowings under its credit facility and issuance of securities in the capital markets, contributions from its parent, and, from time to time, distributions or loans from its subsidiaries.  The Restricted Group's principal uses of cash include: 



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capital spending, in particular, the capital requirements associated with the upgrade of its digital broadband, pay television and telephony services, including costs to build a FTTH network and enhancements to its service offerings such as a broadband wireless network (WiFi); debt service, including distributions made to Cablevision to service interest expense and principal repayments on its debt securities; other corporate expenses and changes in working capital; and investments that it may fund from time to time.
Cablevision Credit Facilities
On October 9, 2015, Finco, which merged with and into CSC Holdings on June 21, 2016, entered into a senior secured credit facility, which currently provides U.S. dollar term loans currently in an aggregate principal amount of $3,000,000 ($2,962,500 outstanding at September 30, 2018) (the “CVC Term Loan Facility”, and the term loans extended under the CVC Term Loan Facility, the “CVC Term Loans”) and U.S. dollar revolving loan commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $2,300,000 (the “CVC Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the CVC Term Loan Facility, the “CVC Credit Facilities”), which are governed by a credit facilities agreement entered into by, inter alios, CSC Holdings certain lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and security agent (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified on June 20, 2016, June 21, 2016, July 21, 2016, September 9, 2016, December 9, 2016, March 15, 2017 and January 12, 2018, respectively, and as further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “CVC Credit Facilities Agreement”).
In January 2018, CSC Holdings borrowed $150,000 under its revolving credit facility and entered into a new $1,500,000 incremental term loan facility (the "Incremental Term Loan") under its existing CVC Credit Facilities Agreement. The Incremental Term Loan was priced at 99.50% and will mature on January 25, 2026. The Incremental Term Loan is comprised of eurodollar borrowings or alternate base rate borrowings, and bears interest at a rate per annum equal to the adjusted LIBO rate or the alternate base rate, as applicable, plus the applicable margin, where the applicable margin is (i) with respect to any alternate base rate loan, 1.50% per annum and (ii) with respect to any eurodollar loan, 2.50% per annum. See discussion below regarding use of proceeds from the Incremental Term Loan.
The Company made a voluntary repayment of $600,000 under the CSC Holdings revolving credit facility in January 2018.
In July 2018, the Company borrowed $575,000 under the CSC Holdings revolving credit facility agreement and used a portion of the proceeds to repay the $500,000 principal amount of senior notes due July 15, 2018.
The Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under the CVC Credit Facilities Agreement as of September 30, 2018.
See Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and our current report on Form 8-K as of May 21, 2018 for further information regarding the CVC Credit Facilities Agreement.
Incremental CSC Holdings Term Loan Facility
In October 2018, in connection with its intention to combine the Suddenlink and Cablevision businesses under a single credit silo, the Company commenced an exchange of senior and senior secured notes (see below) and successfully entered into a new $1,275,000 7-year senior secured term loan maturing January 2026 (the “Senior Secured Term Loan B”), providing for the refinancing of the entire principal amount of loans under Cequel’s existing Term Loan Facility and other transaction costs related to the credit silo combination. The new Senior Secured Term Loan B will have a margin of 2.25% over LIBOR and was issued with an original issue discount of 25 basis points.
On October 15, 2018, CSC Holdings made a voluntary repayment under its revolving credit facility of $125,000.
Cequel Credit Facilities
On June 12, 2015, Altice US Finance I Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cequel, entered into a senior secured credit facility which currently provides U.S. dollar term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $1,265,000 ($1,249,188 outstanding at September 30, 2018) (the “Cequel Term Loan Facility” and the term loans extended under the Cequel Term Loan Facility, the “Cequel Term Loans”) and U.S. dollar revolving loan commitments in an aggregate principal amount of $350,000 (the “Cequel Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the Cequel Term Loan Facility, the “Cequel Credit Facilities”) which are governed by a credit facilities agreement entered into by, inter alios, Altice US



51




Finance I Corporation, certain lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as administrative agent and security agent (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified on October 25, 2016, December 9, 2016, March 15, 2017, and March 22, 2018 and as further amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “Cequel Credit Facilities Agreement”).
The Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under the Cequel Credit Facilities Agreement as of September 30, 2018.
See Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and our current report on Form 8-K as of May 21, 2018 for further information regarding the Cequel Credit Facilities Agreement.
Senior Notes
Cablevision Notes
On April 15, 2010, Cablevision issued $750,000 aggregate principal amount of its 7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2018 (the "CVC 2018 Notes") and $500,000 aggregate principal amount of its 8% Senior Notes due 2020. On September 27, 2012, Cablevision issued $750,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5 7/8% Senior Notes due 2022 ($649,024 principal outstanding at September 30, 2018). The CVC 2018 Notes were repaid in February 2018.
As of September 30, 2018, Cablevision was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under the indentures under which the Cablevision Notes were issued.
CSC Holdings Notes
CSC Holdings Senior Guaranteed Notes
On October 9, 2015, Finco issued $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6 5/8% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2025 (the "CSC 2025 Senior Guaranteed Notes"). CSC Holdings assumed the obligations as issuer of the CSC 2025 Senior Guaranteed Notes upon the merger of Finco and CSC Holdings on June 21, 2016. On September 23, 2016, CSC Holdings issued $1,310,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5 1/2% Senior Guaranteed Notes due 2027.
In January 2018, CSC Holdings issued $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5 3/8% senior guaranteed notes due February 1, 2028 (the "2028 Guaranteed Notes"). The 2028 Guaranteed Notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the existing and future senior indebtedness, including the existing senior notes and the Credit Facilities and rank senior in right of payment to all of existing and future subordinated indebtedness.
The proceeds from the 2028 Guaranteed Notes, together with proceeds from the Incremental Term Loan (discussed above), borrowings under the CVC revolving credit facility and cash on hand, were used in February 2018 to repay $300,000 principal amount of CSC Holdings' senior notes due in February 2018 and $750,000 principal amount of Cablevision senior notes due in April 2018 and a portion was used to fund the dividend of $1,499,935 to the Company's stockholders on June 6, 2018.
As of September 30, 2018, CSC Holdings was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under the indentures under which the CSC Holdings senior guaranteed notes were issued.
CSC Holdings Senior Notes
On February 6, 1998, CSC Holdings issued $300,000 aggregate principal amount of its 7 7/8% Senior Debentures which matured and were repaid in February 2018. On July 21, 1998, CSC Holdings issued $500,000 aggregate principal amount of its 7 5/8% Senior Debentures which matured and were repaid in July 2018. On February 12, 2009, CSC Holdings issued $526,000 aggregate principal amount of its 8 5/8% Senior Notes due 2019 and 8 5/8% Series B Senior Notes due 2019. On November 15, 2011, CSC Holdings issued $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2021 and 6 3/4% Series B Senior Notes due 2021. On May 23, 2014, CSC Holdings issued $750,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5 1/4% Senior Notes due 2024 and 5 1/4% Series B Senior Notes due 2024.
On October 9, 2015, Finco issued $1,800,000 aggregate principal amount of its 10 1/8% Senior Notes due 2023 (the "CSC 2023 Senior Notes") and $2,000,000 ($1,684,221 principal amount outstanding at September 30, 2018) of its 10 7/8% Senior Notes due 2025 (the "CSC 2025 Senior Notes). CSC Holdings assumed the obligations as issuer of the CSC 2023 Senior Notes and the CSC 2025 Senior Notes upon the merger of Finco and CSC Holdings on June 21, 2016.



52




As of September 30, 2018, CSC Holdings was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under the indentures under which the CSC Holdings senior notes were issued.
Cequel Notes
Cequel Senior Secured Notes
On June 12, 2015, Altice US Finance I Corporation issued $1,100,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5 3/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2023. On April 26, 2016, Altice US Finance I Corporation issued $1,500,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2026.
As of September 30, 2018, Cequel was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under the indentures under which the Cequel senior secured notes were issued.
Cequel Senior Notes
On October 25, 2012, Cequel Capital Corporation and Cequel Communications Holdings I, LLC (collectively, the "Cequel Senior Notes Co-Issuers") issued $500,000 aggregate principal amount of their 6 3/8% Senior Notes due 2020 (the "Cequel 2020 Senior Notes"). On December 28, 2012, the Cequel Senior Notes Issuers issued an additional $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of their Cequel 2020 Senior Notes. In April 2017, the Company redeemed $450,000 of the Cequel 2020 Senior Notes from proceeds of the Cequel Term Loan pursuant to the March 15, 2017 amendment. In April 2018, the remaining principal amount of the notes outstanding of $1,050,000 were repaid from proceeds of new senior notes issued (see discussion below).
On May 16, 2013, the Cequel Senior Notes Co-Issuers issued $750,000 aggregate principal amount of their 5 1/8% Senior Notes due 2021. On September 9, 2014, the Cequel Senior Notes Co-Issuers issued $500,000 aggregate principal amount of their 5 1/8% Senior Notes due 2021.
On June 12, 2015, Altice US Finance II Corporation issued $300,000 aggregate principal amount of its 7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2025 (the "Cequel 2025 Senior Notes"). Following the Cequel Acquisition, Altice US Finance II Corporation was merged into Cequel and the Cequel 2025 Senior Notes became the obligation of the Cequel Senior Notes Co-Issuers.
Also on June 12, 2015, Altice US Finance S.A., an indirect subsidiary of Altice, issued $320,000 principal amount of 7 3/4% Senior Notes due 2025 (the "Cequel Holdco Notes"), the proceeds from which were placed in escrow, to finance a portion of the purchase price for the Cequel Acquisition. The Cequel Holdco Notes were automatically exchanged into an equal aggregate principal amount of Cequel 2025 Senior Notes during the second quarter of 2016.
In April 2018, Cequel Communications Holdings I, LLC and Cequel Capital Corporation, each an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, issued $1,050,000 aggregate principal amount of 7 1/2% senior notes due April 1, 2028. The proceeds of these notes were used in April 2018 to redeem the $1,050,000 aggregate principal amount of 6 3/8% senior notes due September 15, 2020.
As of September 30, 2018, Cequel was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under the indentures under which the Cequel senior notes were issued.
Senior Notes Exchange
On October 2, 2018, Cequel, Cequel Capital and Altice US Finance I Corporation (the "Issuers"), commenced offers to exchange (the "Exchange Offers") any and all outstanding senior notes and senior secured notes issued by them (the "Original Notes") for up to $5,520,000 aggregate principal amount of new notes (the "New Notes") and, in the case of the 5.375% secured notes due 2023 and 5.500% secured notes due 2026, cash. These New Notes will be automatically converted into new CSC Holdings notes upon satisfaction (or waiver) of certain conditions set forth in the Exchange Offers.
Additionally, in connection with the Exchange Offers, the Issuers solicited consents to amend each of the Original Notes, except the 5.125% Notes due 2021, and the indentures governing such notes. The proposed amendments, which require the consent of a majority in outstanding aggregate principal amount of each series of relevant Original Notes, respectively, will eliminate or waive substantially all of the restrictive covenants, eliminate certain events of default, and modify or eliminate certain other provisions. Each of the Exchange Offers is subject to the condition that there have been validly



53




tendered and not validly withdrawn a majority of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of each of the 5.375% Secured Notes due 2023 and 5.500% Secured Notes due 2026 (the “Minimum Tender Condition”).
Eligible holders who validly tendered and did not validly withdraw Original Notes on October 16, 2018 (the "Early Tender Time") received for each $1,000 principal amount of Original Notes tendered and accepted by the applicable Issuer, $1,000 principal amount of New Notes, plus, in the case of the 5.375% secured notes due 2023 and 5.500% secured notes due 2026, at least $2.50 in cash. Eligible holders who didn't validly tender Original Notes after the Early Tender Time, but prior to October 30, 2018 received for each $1,000 principal amount of Original Notes tendered and accepted by the applicable Issuer, $950 principal amount of New Notes.
In connection with the Early Tender Time described above, the Issuers exchanged $1,232,328 aggregate principal amount of the 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021, $610,698 aggregate principal amount of the 7.750% Senior Notes due 2025, $1,045,443 aggregate principal amount of the 7.500% Senior Notes due 2028, $1,095,493 aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 and $1,495,642 aggregate principal amount of the 5.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2026. 
For the period subsequent to the Early Tender Time through October 30, 2018, the Issuers exchanged $8,786 aggregate principal amount of the 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021, $7,562 aggregate principal amount of the 7.750% Senior Notes due 2025, $439 aggregate principal amount of the 7.500% Senior Notes due 2028, $350 aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 and $3,309 aggregate principal amount of the 5.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2026.
The principal amount of the unexchanged Original Notes include $8,886 aggregate principal amount of the 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021, $1,740 aggregate principal amount of the 7.750% Senior Notes due 2025, $4,118 aggregate principal amount of the 7.500% Senior Notes due 2028, $4,157 aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 and $1,049 aggregate principal amount of the 5.500% Senior Secured Notes due 2026.
Deferred financing costs and unamortized discounts related to the Cequel term loan, senior notes and secured senior notes aggregated $143,326 at September 30, 2018. The Company is evaluating whether the term loan refinancing and the exchange of notes is deemed an extinguishment of debt and whether any of these costs will be written off in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Capital Expenditures
The following tables provide details of the Company's capital expenditures:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
Customer premise equipment
$
72,970

 
$
39,598

 
$
112,568

 
$
61,599

 
$
26,552

 
$
88,151

Network infrastructure
87,492

 
42,304

 
129,796

 
50,534

 
21,391

 
71,925

Support and other
40,447

 
14,362

 
54,809

 
35,501

 
17,810

 
53,311

Business services
16,417

 
20,937

 
37,354

 
32,653

 
9,289

 
41,942

Capital purchases (cash basis)
$
217,326

 
$
117,201

 
$
334,527

 
$
180,287

 
$
75,042

 
$
255,329

Capital purchases (including accrued not paid)
$
262,095

 
$
130,403

 
$
392,498

 
$
192,391

 
$
90,656

 
$
283,047




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Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
Customer premise equipment
$
192,791

 
$
81,179

 
$
273,970

 
$
161,440

 
$
78,885

 
$
240,325

Network infrastructure
180,931

 
103,748

 
284,679

 
164,213

 
67,375

 
231,588

Support and other
107,507

 
46,815

 
154,322

 
102,553

 
39,882

 
142,435

Business services
73,254

 
46,599

 
119,853

 
77,646

 
26,925

 
104,571

Capital purchases (cash basis)
$
554,483

 
$
278,341

 
$
832,824

 
$
505,852

 
$
213,067

 
$
718,919

Capital purchases (including accrued not paid)
$
582,628

 
$
303,577

 
$
886,205

 
$
466,760

 
$
211,230

 
$
677,990

Customer premise equipment includes expenditures for set-top boxes, cable modems, routers and other equipment that is placed in a customer's home, as well as installation costs for placing the assets into service. Network infrastructure includes: (i) scalable infrastructure, such as headend equipment, (ii) line extensions, such as fiber/coaxial cable, amplifiers, electronic equipment, make-ready and design engineering, and (iii) upgrade and rebuild, including costs to modify or replace existing fiber/coaxial cable networks, including enhancements. Support and other capital expenditures includes costs associated with the replacement or enhancement of non-network assets, such as office equipment, buildings and vehicles. Business services capital expenditures include primarily equipment, installation, support, and other costs related to our fiber based telecommunications business.
Cash Flow Discussion
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities amounted to $1,770,262 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $1,282,432 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.  The 2018 cash provided by operating activities resulted from $1,910,357 of income before depreciation and amortization and non-cash items, an increase in liabilities related to interest rate swap contracts of $62,549, an increase in deferred revenue of $56,326, and a net increase in amounts due to affiliates of $7,203, partially offset by a net decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $112,699, an increase in accounts receivable of $111,446 and an increase in other assets of $42,028.
The 2017 cash provided by operating activities resulted from $1,625,070 of income before depreciation and amortization and non-cash items, an increase in deferred revenue of $9,382, partially offset by $250,284 resulting from a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses, a net decrease of $40,355 in amounts due to affiliates, a decrease in the liability related to interest rate swap contracts of $9,552, and an increase in current and other assets of $51,829.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $842,396 compared to $789,668 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.  The 2018 investing activities consisted primarily of capital expenditures of $832,824, and other net cash payments of $9,572.
The 2017 investing activities consisted primarily of capital expenditures of $718,919, payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired of $43,608, and $27,141 in other cash payments.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities amounted to $771,881 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $320,320 for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.  In 2018, the Company's financing activities consisted primarily of the redemption and repurchase of senior notes, including premiums and fees of $2,623,756, dividends to stockholders of $1,499,935, the purchase of common stock pursuant to a share repurchase program of $226,803, the repayment of credit facility debt of $635,738, payments of collateralized indebtedness and related derivatives of $516,513, contingent payment for acquisition of $30,000, additions to deferred financing costs of $21,570, and other net cash payments of $9,440, partially offset by proceeds from credit facility debt of $2,217,500, proceeds from the issuance of senior notes of $2,050,000, proceeds from collateralized indebtedness of $516,513, contributions from noncontrolling interests of $5,995 and net proceeds from notes payable of $1,866.



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In 2017, the Company's financing activities consisted primarily of proceeds from credit facility debt of $5,602,425 and collateralized indebtedness of $662,724, proceeds from IPO, net of fees of $348,460, contributions from noncontrolling interests of $50,800, and proceeds from the issuance of notes payable of $24,649, partially offset by repayments of credit facility debt of $3,684,668, redemption of senior notes, including premiums and fees of $1,729,400, dividends to stockholders of $919,317, repayments of collateralized indebtedness and related derivative contracts of $654,989, principal payments on capital lease obligations of $11,518 and additions to deferred financing costs of $9,486.
Settlements of Collateralized Indebtedness
The following table summarizes the settlement of the Company's collateralized indebtedness relating to Comcast shares that were settled by delivering cash equal to the collateralized loan value, net of the value of the related equity derivative contracts during the nine months ended September 30, 2018: 
Number of shares (a)
16,139,868

Collateralized indebtedness settled
$
(516,537
)
Derivatives contracts settled
24

 
(516,513
)
Proceeds from new monetization contracts
516,513

Net cash proceeds
$

The cash to settle the collateralized indebtedness was obtained from the proceeds of new monetization contracts covering an equivalent number of Comcast shares.  The terms of the new contracts allow the Company to retain upside participation in Comcast shares up to each respective contract's upside appreciation limit with downside exposure limited to the respective hedge price. 
In April 2017, the Company entered into new monetization contracts related to 32,153,118 shares of Comcast common stock held by Cablevision, which synthetically reversed the then existing contracts related to these shares (the "Synthetic Monetization Closeout"). As the then existing collateralized debt matured, the Company settled the contracts with proceeds received from the new monetization contracts. The new monetization contracts mature on April 28, 2021. The new monetization contracts provide the Company with downside protection below the hedge price of $35.47 and upside benefit of stock price appreciation up to $44.72 per share.
Commitments and Contingencies
As of September 30, 2018, the Company's commitments and contingencies not reflected in the Company's balance sheet decreased to approximately $7,465,000 as compared to approximately $9,069,000 at December 31, 2017. This decrease relates primarily to payments made pursuant to programming commitments, offset by renewed multi-year programming agreements entered into during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.
Common Stock Repurchase
On June 8, 2018, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $2.0 billion of Altice USA Class A common stock.  Under the repurchase program, shares of Altice USA Class A common stock may be purchased from time to time in the open market and may include trading plans entered into with one or more brokerage firms in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Size and timing of these purchases will be determined based on market conditions and other factors.  Funding for the repurchase program will be met with cash on hand and/or borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facilities. Through September 30, 2018, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 13,219,909 shares for a total purchase price of $240,799.  These acquired shares have been retired and the associated cost was recorded in paid-in capital in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.
Recently Issued But Not Yet Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2018-14, Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans, which amends ASC 715 to clarify certain disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. ASU 2018-14 becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2022, although early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-14 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.



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Also in August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract, which requires upfront implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement (or hosting arrangement) that is a service contract to be amortized to hosting expense over the term of the arrangement, beginning when the module or component of the hosting arrangement is ready for its intended use. ASU 2018-14 becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2020, although early adoption is permitted. . The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU No. 2018-15 will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017‑04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). ASU No. 2017‑04 simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by removing the second step of the two‑step impairment test. The amendment requires an entity to perform its annual, or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. ASU No. 2017‑04 becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted and will be applied prospectively.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which increases transparency and comparability by recognizing a lessee’s rights and obligations resulting from leases by recording them on the balance sheet as lease assets and lease liabilities. The new guidance becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. Although the Company has not yet completed its evaluation of the guidance, or quantified its impact, the Company believes the most significant impact will be the recognition of right of use assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet. The Company expects its lease obligations designated as operating leases (as disclosed in Note 8 to the audited consolidated financial statements in its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K) will be reported on the consolidated balance sheets upon adoption. The Company is also evaluating other potential lease arrangements of the business, including arrangements that have been previously disclosed as a contractual commitment. The Company has established a team to implement the standard and is currently in the process of collecting and validating lease data and implementing a software solution. In addition, the Company is assessing practical expedients and policy elections offered by the standard, and is evaluating its processes and internal controls to meet the guidance’s accounting, reporting and disclosure requirements.
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
All dollar amounts, except per share data, included in the following discussion are presented in thousands.
Equity Price Risk
We are exposed to market risks from changes in certain equity security prices.  Our exposure to changes in equity security prices stems primarily from the shares of Comcast common stock we hold.  We have entered into equity derivative contracts consisting of a collateralized loan and an equity collar to hedge our equity price risk and to monetize the value of these securities.  These contracts, at maturity, are expected to offset declines in the fair value of these securities below the hedge price per share while allowing us to retain upside appreciation from the hedge price per share to the relevant cap price.  The contracts' actual hedge prices per share vary depending on average stock prices in effect at the time the contracts were executed.  The contracts' actual cap prices vary depending on the maturity and terms of each contract, among other factors.  If any one of these contracts is terminated prior to its scheduled maturity date due to the occurrence of an event specified in the contract, we would be obligated to repay the fair value of the collateralized indebtedness less the sum of the fair values of the underlying stock and equity collar, calculated at the termination date.  As of September 30, 2018, we did not have an early termination shortfall relating to any of these contracts.
The underlying stock and the equity collars are carried at fair value on our condensed consolidated balance sheet and the collateralized indebtedness is carried at its principal value, net of discounts and, as of December 31, 2017, the unamortized fair value adjustment for contracts that existed at the date of the Cablevision Acquisition. The fair value adjustment is being amortized over the term of the related indebtedness.  The carrying value of our collateralized indebtedness amounted to $1,400,398 at September 30, 2018.  At maturity, the contracts provide for the option to deliver cash or shares of Comcast common stock, with a value determined by reference to the applicable stock price at maturity.
As of September 30, 2018, the fair value and the carrying value of our holdings of Comcast common stock aggregated $1,521,045.  Assuming a 10% change in price, the potential change in the fair value of these investments would be approximately $152,105.  As of September 30, 2018, the net fair value and the carrying value of the equity collar component of the equity derivative contracts entered into to partially hedge the equity price risk of our holdings of



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Comcast common stock aggregated $21,379, a net asset position.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recorded a net gain (loss) of $(79,628) and $130,883, respectively, related to our outstanding equity derivative contracts and recorded an unrealized gain (loss) of $111,684 and $(199,312), respectively, related to the Comcast common stock that we held.
Fair Value of Equity Derivative Contracts
 
Fair value as of December 31, 2017, net liability position
$
(109,504
)
Change in fair value, net
130,883

Fair value as of September 30, 2018, net asset position
$
21,379

The maturity, number of shares deliverable at the relevant maturity, hedge price per share, and the lowest and highest cap prices received for the Comcast common stock monetized via an equity derivative prepaid forward contract are summarized in the following table:
 
 
 
 
Hedge Price
 
Cap Price (b)
# of Shares Deliverable
 
Maturity
 
per Share (a)
 
Low
 
High
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
42,955,236
 
2021
 
$29.25- $35.47
 
$
43.88

 
$
44.80

 
(a)
Represents the price below which we are provided with downside protection and above which we retain upside appreciation.  Also represents the price used in determining the cash proceeds payable to us at inception of the contracts.
(b)
Represents the price up to which we receive the benefit of stock price appreciation.
Fair Value of Debt
At September 30, 2018, the fair value of our fixed rate debt of $17,776,233 was higher than its carrying value of $16,833,227 by $943,006.  The fair value of these financial instruments is estimated based on reference to quoted market prices for these or comparable securities.  Our floating rate borrowings bear interest in reference to current LIBOR-based market rates and thus their principal values approximate fair value.  The effect of a hypothetical 100 basis point decrease in interest rates prevailing at September 30, 2018 would increase the estimated fair value of our fixed rate debt by $571,987 to $18,348,220. This estimate is based on the assumption of an immediate and parallel shift in interest rates across all maturities.
Interest Rate Risk
In May 2018, the Company entered into two interest rate swap contracts whereby one contract converts the interest rate on $2,970,000 of the CSC Holdings Term Loan Facility from a one-month LIBO rate to a three-month LIBO rate minus 0.226% and the second contract converts the interest rate on $1,496,250 of the CSC Holdings Incremental Term Loan from a one month LIBO rate to a three-month LIBO rate minus 0.226%. The objective of these swaps is to potentially pay a lower interest rate than what the Company can elect under the terms of the CSC Holdings Credit Facilities Agreement.
In April 2018, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract which converts the interest rate on $1,255,513 of the Cequel Term Loan B from a one month LIBO rate to a three-month LIBO rate minus 0.225%. The objective of this swap is to potentially pay a lower interest rate than what the Company can elect under the terms of the Cequel Credit Facilities Agreement.
In June 2016, a subsidiary of Cequel entered into two fixed to floating interest rate swaps. One fixed to floating interest rate swap is converting $750,000 from a fixed rate of 1.6655% to six-month LIBOR and a second tranche of $750,000 from a fixed rate of 1.68% to six-month LIBOR. The objective of these swaps is to adjust the proportion of total debt that is subject to fixed and variable interest rates.
These swap contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. Accordingly, the changes in the fair value of these interest rate swap contracts are recorded through the statement of operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded a loss on interest rate swap contracts of $19,554 and $64,405, respectively.



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As of September 30, 2018, our outstanding interest rate swap contracts in a liability position had an aggregate fair value and carrying value of $143,719 reflected in “Liabilities under derivative contracts” on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. Our outstanding interest rate swap contracts in an asset position had an aggregate fair value and carrying value of $3,269 reflected in “Derivative contracts” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet.
We do not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.




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Item 4.         Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
An evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of Altice USA's management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under SEC rules).  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2018.
Changes in Internal Control
During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, there were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
The Company plans to migrate Cequel’s customer billing system to the Cablevision billing system platform in a phased approach beginning in the fourth quarter of 2018. Additionally, the Company plans to implement and upgrade certain other customer billing systems.
PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.        Legal Proceedings
Refer to Note 15 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of our legal proceedings.
Item 2.        Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Set forth below is information related to transactions under the Company's share repurchase program for the quarter ended September 30, 2018.
 
(a)
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased
 
(b)
Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)
 
(c)
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1)(2)
 
(d)
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
August 1 - August 31
6,307,121

 
$
17.80

 
6,307,121

 
$
1,887,712,634

September 1 - September 30
6,912,788

 
18.59

 
13,219,909

 
1,759,200,809

 
(1)
On June 8, 2018, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $2.0 billion of Altice USA Class A common stock. Under the repurchase program, shares of Altice USA Class A common stock may be purchased from time to time in the open market. The program does not have an expiration date and may be suspended at any time at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
(2)
This column reflects the cumulative number of shares acquired pursuant to the repurchase program at the end of the respective period.



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Item 6.        Exhibits
EXHIBIT NO.
 
DESCRIPTION
 
Section 302 Certification of the CEO.
 
Section 302 Certification of the CFO.
 
Section 906 Certifications of the CEO and CFO.
101
 
The following financial statements from Altice USA's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2018, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language):  (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss); (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity; (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. 
 
 
 
ALTICE USA, INC.
Date:
November 6, 2018
 
 
/s/ Charles Stewart
 
 
 
By:
Charles Stewart as Co-President and Chief Financial Officer




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