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Altice USA, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2018 June (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
June 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
 
alticelogoa16.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 August 3, 2018:
737,068,966

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 






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 - June 30, 2018 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2017
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 (Unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss - Three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 (Unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity - Six months ended June 30, 2018 (Unaudited)
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Six months ended June 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 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;
the effects of economic conditions or other factors which may negatively affect our customers’ demand for our products and services;
the effects of industry conditions;
demand for advertising on our cable systems;
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 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
June 30, 2018
(Unaudited)
 
December 31, 2017
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
381,140

 
$
329,848

Restricted cash
253

 
252

Accounts receivable, trade (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $12,737 and $13,420)
382,207

 
370,765

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
166,963

 
130,425

Amounts due from affiliates
17,612

 
19,764

Derivative contracts
9,992

 
52,545

Total current assets
958,167

 
903,599

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $3,393,628 and $2,599,579
5,694,812

 
6,023,826

Investment securities pledged as collateral
1,409,361

 
1,720,357

Derivative contracts
101,007

 

Other assets
117,696

 
57,904

Amortizable customer relationships, net of accumulated amortization of $1,797,079 and $1,409,021
4,173,805

 
4,561,863

Amortizable trade names, net of accumulated amortization of $654,498 and $588,574
412,585

 
478,509

Other amortizable intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $14,865 and $10,978
22,195

 
26,082

Indefinite-lived cable television franchises
13,020,081

 
13,020,081

Goodwill
8,004,808

 
8,019,861

Total assets
$
33,914,517

 
$
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
June 30, 2018
(Unaudited)
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
801,448

 
$
795,128

Accrued liabilities:
 
 
 

Interest
398,024

 
397,422

Employee related costs
122,404

 
147,727

Other accrued expenses
317,270

 
411,988

Amounts due to affiliates
24,392

 
10,998

Deferred revenue
121,913

 
111,197

Liabilities under derivative contracts
9,623

 
52,545

Credit facility debt
53,900

 
42,650

Senior notes and debentures
1,035,212

 
507,744

Capital lease obligations
5,561

 
9,539

Notes payable
67,109

 
33,424

Total current liabilities
2,956,856

 
2,520,362

Defined benefit plan obligations
97,518

 
103,163

Other liabilities
141,939

 
144,289

Deferred tax liability
4,716,681

 
4,769,286

Liabilities under derivative contracts
123,470

 
187,406

Collateralized indebtedness
1,392,648

 
1,349,474

Credit facility debt
5,625,732

 
4,600,873

Senior notes and debentures
14,805,268

 
15,352,688

Capital lease obligations
11,639

 
12,441

Notes payable
5,408

 
32,478

Deficit investment in affiliates

 
3,579

Total liabilities
29,877,159

 
29,076,039

Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)


 


Redeemable equity
170,165

 
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, 492,812,285 and 246,982,292 issued and outstanding
4,928

 
2,470

Class B common stock: $0.01 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 490,086,674 issued and 244,256,681 and 490,086,674 outstanding
2,443

 
4,901

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

 

Paid-in capital
3,856,682

 
4,665,229

Retained earnings
6,191

 
840,636

 
3,870,244

 
5,513,236

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(10,438
)
 
(10,022
)
Total stockholders' equity
3,859,806

 
5,503,214

Noncontrolling interest
7,387

 
1,539

Total stockholders' equity
3,867,193

 
5,504,753

 
$
33,914,517

 
$
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 June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Revenue (including revenue from affiliates of $727, $253, $852 and $394, respectively) (See Note 14)
$
2,364,153

 
$
2,322,362

 
$
4,693,867

 
$
4,624,621

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Programming and other direct costs (including charges from affiliates of $3,865, $1,095, $5,019 and $1,830, respectively) (See Note 14)
795,127

 
758,694

 
1,582,488

 
1,517,046

Other operating expenses (including charges from affiliates of $6,255, $8,666, $14,249 and $15,964, respectively) (See Note 14)
575,749

 
591,222

 
1,158,772

 
1,199,366

Restructuring and other expense
9,691

 
12,388

 
13,278

 
89,317

Depreciation and amortization (including impairments)
648,527

 
706,790

 
1,291,232

 
1,315,514

 
2,029,094

 
2,069,094

 
4,045,770

 
4,121,243

Operating income
335,059

 
253,268

 
648,097

 
503,378

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense (including $42,817 and $90,405 related to affiliates and related parties in 2017) (See Note 9)
(390,543
)
 
(420,370
)
 
(767,801
)
 
(853,664
)
Interest income
5,313

 
180

 
8,416

 
412

Gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net
(45,113
)
 
57,130

 
(293,715
)
 
188,788

Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net
42,159

 
(66,463
)
 
210,511

 
(137,507
)
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts
(12,929
)
 
9,146

 
(44,851
)
 
11,488

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 10)
(36,911
)
 
(561,382
)
 
(41,616
)
 
(561,382
)
Other expense, net
(629
)
 
(3,935
)
 
(12,287
)
 
(6,035
)
 
(438,653
)
 
(985,694
)
 
(941,343
)
 
(1,357,900
)
Loss before income taxes
(103,594
)
 
(732,426
)
 
(293,246
)
 
(854,522
)
Income tax benefit
5,590

 
252,487

 
66,293

 
298,395

Net loss
(98,004
)
 
(479,939
)
 
(226,953
)

(556,127
)
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
149

 
(365
)
 
147

 
(602
)
Net loss attributable to Altice USA, Inc. stockholders
$
(97,855
)
 
$
(480,304
)
 
$
(226,806
)
 
$
(556,729
)
Basic and diluted net loss per share
$
(0.13
)
 
$
(0.73
)
 
$
(0.31
)
 
$
(0.85
)
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares (in thousands)
737,069

 
659,145

 
737,069

 
654,362


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


5





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

 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(98,004
)
 
$
(479,939
)
 
$
(226,953
)
 
$
(556,127
)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Defined benefit pension plans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized actuarial gain (loss)
(359
)
 
(4,333
)
 
4,192

 
(4,333
)
Applicable income taxes
97

 
1,733

 
(1,131
)
 
1,733

Unrecognized gain (loss) arising during period, net of income taxes
(262
)
 
(2,600
)
 
3,061

 
(2,600
)
Settlement loss included in other expense, net
258

 
389

 
864

 
389

Applicable income taxes
(70
)
 
(156
)
 
(234
)
 
(156
)
Settlement loss included in other expense, net, net of income taxes
188

 
233

 
630

 
233

Curtailment loss


(3,195
)



(3,195
)
Applicable income taxes


1,278




1,278

Curtailment loss, net of income taxes


(1,917
)



(1,917
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
914




914



Applicable income taxes
(338
)



(338
)


Foreign currency translation adjustment, net
576




576



Other comprehensive gain (loss)
502

 
(4,284
)
 
4,267

 
(4,284
)
Comprehensive loss
(97,502
)
 
(484,223
)
 
(222,686
)
 
(560,411
)
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
149

 
(365
)
 
147

 
(602
)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Altice USA, Inc. stockholders
$
(97,353
)
 
$
(484,588
)
 
$
(222,539
)
 
$
(561,013
)

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

 

 

 
(226,806
)
 

 
(226,806
)
 

 
(226,806
)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 
(147
)
 
(147
)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 
5,995

 
5,995

Pension liability adjustments, net of income taxes

 

 

 

 
3,691

 
3,691

 

 
3,691

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 
576

 
576

 

 
576

Share-based compensation expense

 

 
33,849

 

 

 
33,849

 

 
33,849

Redeemable equity vested

 

 
111,521

 

 

 
111,521

 

 
111,521

Change in redeemable equity
 
 
 
 
(50,396
)
 
 
 
 
 
(50,396
)
 
 
 
(50,396
)
Dividend payment

 

 
(963,711
)
 
(536,224
)
 

 
(1,499,935
)
 

 
(1,499,935
)
Conversion of Class B to Class A shares, including $2,424 in connection with the Distribution
2,458

 
(2,458
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

Impact of i24 Acquisition

 

 
61,049

 
(73,578
)
 
(2,520
)
 
(15,049
)
 

 
(15,049
)
Other changes to equity

 

 
(859
)
 

 

 
(859
)
 

 
(859
)
Adoption of ASU No. 2018-02

 

 

 
2,163

 
(2,163
)
 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2018
$
4,928

 
$
2,443

 
$
3,856,682

 
$
6,191

 
$
(10,438
)
 
$
3,859,806

 
$
7,387

 
$
3,867,193


See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


7





ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net loss
$
(226,953
)
 
$
(556,127
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments)
1,291,232

 
1,315,514

Equity in net loss of affiliates
10,849

 
4,122

Loss (gain) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net
293,715

 
(188,788
)
Loss (gain) on derivative contracts, net
(210,511
)
 
137,507

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

 
561,382

Amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts (premiums) on indebtedness
36,971

 
7,214

Settlement loss related to pension plan
864

 
389

Share-based compensation expense
33,849

 
25,927

Deferred income taxes
(80,280
)
 
(311,809
)
Provision for doubtful accounts
29,462

 
32,918

Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, trade
(37,224
)
 
(8,006
)
Other receivables
(5,926
)
 
7,949

Prepaid expenses and other assets
(31,951
)
 
(2,015
)
Amounts due from and due to affiliates
8,573

 
(28,005
)
Accounts payable
49,449

 
67,482

Accrued liabilities
(110,227
)
 
(256,661
)
Deferred revenue
20,536

 
10,614

Liabilities related to interest rate swap contracts
45,199

 
(8,500
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
1,159,243

 
811,107

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 

Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(5,308
)
 
(43,608
)
Sale of affiliate interests
(3,537
)
 

Capital expenditures
(498,297
)
 
(463,590
)
Proceeds related to sale of equipment, including costs of disposal
6,858

 
1,536

Increase in other investments
(2,500
)
 
(3,550
)
Additions to other intangible assets

 
(744
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(502,784
)
 
(509,956
)
 
 
 
 
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


8





ALTICE USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued)
(In thousands)
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from credit facility debt, net of discounts
$
1,642,500

 
$
4,977,425

Repayment of credit facility debt
(621,325
)
 
(3,573,750
)
Issuance of senior notes and debentures
2,050,000

 

Proceeds from collateralized indebtedness, net
337,124

 
490,816

Repayment of collateralized indebtedness and related derivative contracts, net
(337,124
)
 
(483,081
)
Dividends to stockholders
(1,499,935
)
 
(919,317
)
Redemption of senior notes, including premiums and fees
(2,123,756
)
 
(979,280
)
Repayment of notes payable
(446
)
 

Principal payments on capital lease obligations
(6,019
)
 
(8,061
)
Additions to deferred financing costs
(22,277
)
 
(7,352
)
Other
(859
)
 

Contingent payment for acquisition
(28,940
)
 

Contributions from noncontrolling interests
5,995

 
51,135

Proceeds from IPO, net of fees

 
349,156

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(605,062
)
 
(102,309
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
51,397

 
198,842

 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(104
)
 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
51,293

 
198,842

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

 
503,093

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
$
381,393

 
$
701,935


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.
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 six months ended June 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 six months ended June 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 addition, the Board of Directors of Altice USA also authorized a share repurchase program of $2.0 billion, effective June 8, 2018.
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.
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.
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.


11



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

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 six months ended March 31, 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 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 and allowed the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method.
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.


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.
Recently Issued But Not Yet Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
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 the evaluation of the effect that ASU No. 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements, upon adoption, the Company expects to recognize a right of use asset and liability related to substantially all operating lease arrangements on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2017 financial statements to conform to the 2018 presentation.
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.


13



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

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 six months ended June 30, 2017, costs of $5,979 and $9,396, 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 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



14



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 June 30, 2017
 
As Reported
 
Impact of ASC 606
 
Impact of ASU No. 2017-07
 
Impact of ATS Acquisition
 
As Adjusted
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay TV
$
1,059,857

 
$
11,306

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,071,163

Broadband
629,416

 
13,204

 

 

 
642,620

Telephony
208,451

 
(30,190
)
 

 

 
178,261

Business services and wholesale
323,940

 
(299
)
 

 

 
323,641

Advertising
97,501

 

 

 

 
97,501

Other
9,176

 

 

 

 
9,176

Total revenue
2,328,341

 
(5,979
)
 

 

 
2,322,362

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

Programming and other direct costs
758,694

 

 

 

 
758,694

Other operating expenses
593,690

 
(5,979
)
 
(5,055
)
 
8,566

 
591,222

Restructuring and other expense
12,388

 

 

 

 
12,388

Depreciation and amortization
706,787

 

 

 
3

 
706,790

Operating income
256,782

 

 
5,055

 
(8,569
)
 
253,268

Other expense, net
(980,640
)
 

 
(5,055
)
 
1

 
(985,694
)
Loss before income taxes
(723,858
)
 

 

 
(8,568
)
 
(732,426
)
Income tax benefit
249,068

 

 

 
3,419

 
252,487

Net loss
$
(474,790
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(5,149
)
 
$
(479,939
)

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
As Reported
 
Impact of ASC 606
 
Impact of ASU No. 2017-07
 
Impact of ATS Acquisition
 
As Adjusted
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay TV
$
2,131,218

 
$
23,823

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,155,041

Broadband
1,241,185

 
27,353

 

 

 
1,268,538

Telephony
419,324

 
(60,102
)
 

 

 
359,222

Business services and wholesale
643,531

 
(470
)
 

 

 
643,061

Advertising
180,862

 

 

 

 
180,862

Other
17,897

 

 

 

 
17,897

Total revenue
4,634,017

 
(9,396
)
 

 

 
4,624,621

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Programming and other direct costs
1,517,046

 

 

 

 
1,517,046

Other operating expenses
1,207,127

 
(9,396
)
 
(6,931
)
 
8,566

 
1,199,366

Restructuring and other expense
89,317

 

 

 

 
89,317

Depreciation and amortization
1,315,511

 

 

 
3

 
1,315,514

Operating income
505,016

 

 
6,931

 
(8,569
)
 
503,378

Other expense, net
(1,350,970
)
 

 
(6,931
)
 
1

 
(1,357,900
)
Loss before income taxes
(845,954
)
 

 

 
(8,568
)
 
(854,522
)
Income tax benefit
294,976

 

 

 
3,419

 
298,395

Net loss
$
(550,978
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(5,149
)
 
$
(556,127
)


15



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


NOTE 4.    NET LOSS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO STOCKHOLDERS
Basic net loss per common share attributable to Altice USA stockholders is computed by dividing net loss attributable to Altice USA stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted net loss per common share attributable to Altice USA stockholders excludes the effects of common stock equivalents as they are anti-dilutive.
The weighted average number of shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share for the three and six months ended June 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, and home shopping commissions 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 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 six months ended June 30, 2018 the amount of franchise fees and certain other taxes and fees included as a component of revenue aggregated $63,362 and $127,192, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 the amount of franchise fees and certain other taxes and fees included as a component of revenue aggregated $64,804 and $129,790, 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 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.


16



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

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:
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017,
as adjusted
Contract assets (a)
$
24,358

 
$
24,329

Deferred revenue (b)
138,165

 
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 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 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


17



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

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:
 
Six Months Ended June 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
120,958

 
87,003

Notes payable issued to vendor for the purchase of equipment
44,466

 

Capital lease obligations
1,349

 

Leasehold improvements paid by landlord
350

 

Supplemental Data:
 
 
 
Cash interest paid
732,231

 
1,000,276

Income taxes paid, net
8,940

 
19,442

 
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 its restructuring initiatives (the "2016 Restructuring Plan") that are intended to simplify the Company's organizational structure.
The following table summarizes the activity for the 2016 Restructuring Plan 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

The Company recorded restructuring charges of $12,246 and $88,997 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 relating to the 2016 Restructuring Plan.
Cumulative costs through June 30, 2018 relating to the 2016 Restructuring Plan amounted to $315,319 and $68,696 for our Cablevision and Cequel segments, respectively.
Transaction Costs
The Company incurred transaction costs of $3,496 and $5,762 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 relating to the Distribution discussed in Note 1 and $142 and $320 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 related to the acquisition of a business.



18


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

NOTE 8.    INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The following table summarizes information relating to the Company's acquired amortizable intangible assets: 
 
June 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

 
$
(1,797,079
)
 
$
4,173,805

 
$
5,970,884

 
$
(1,409,021
)
 
$
4,561,863

 
8 to 18 years
Trade names
1,067,083

 
(654,498
)
 
412,585

 
1,067,083

 
(588,574
)
 
478,509

 
2 to 5 years
Other amortizable intangibles
37,060

 
(14,865
)
 
22,195

 
37,060

 
(10,978
)
 
26,082

 
1 to 15 years
 
$
7,075,027

 
$
(2,466,442
)
 
$
4,608,585

 
$
7,075,027

 
$
(2,008,573
)
 
$
5,066,454

 
 
Amortization expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 aggregated to $226,052 and $457,869, respectively, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 aggregated $317,219 and $555,238, respectively.
The following table summarizes information relating to the Company's acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets:
 
June 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
5,866,108

 
2,138,700

 
8,004,808

 
5,866,120

 
2,153,741

 
8,019,861

Total
$
13,979,683

 
$
7,045,206

 
$
21,024,889

 
$
13,979,695

 
$
7,060,247

 
$
21,039,942

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

Adjustment to 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 June 30, 2018
$
8,004,808



19



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

NOTE 9.    DEBT
The following table provides details of the Company's outstanding credit facility debt:
 
 
 
 
 
June 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
 
—%
 
$

 
$

 
$
450,000

 
$
425,488

Term Loan Facility
July 17, 2025
 
4.32%
 
2,970,000

 
2,953,265

 
2,985,000

 
2,967,818

Incremental Term Loan Facility
January 25, 2026
 
4.57%
 
1,500,000

 
1,482,214

 

 

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

 

 

 

Term Loan Facility
July 28, 2025
 
4.34%
 
1,252,350

 
1,244,153

 
1,258,675

 
1,250,217

 
 
 
 
 
$
5,722,350

 
5,679,632

 
$
4,693,675

 
4,643,523

Less: Current portion
 
 
 
53,900

 
 
 
42,650

Long-term debt
 
 
 
$
5,625,732

 
 
 
$
4,600,873


(a)
The carrying amount is net of the unamortized deferred financing costs and/or discounts/premiums.
(b)
At June 30, 2018, $138,323 of the revolving credit facility was restricted for certain letters of credit issued on behalf of the Company and $2,161,677 of the facility was undrawn and available, subject to covenant limitations.
(c)
At June 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 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 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.
As of June 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.


20



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:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 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

 
500,600

 
500,000

 
507,744

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

 
534,611

 
526,000

 
541,165

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

 
964,587

 
1,000,000

 
960,146

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

 
666,063

 
750,000

 
660,601

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

 
1,779,609

 
1,800,000

 
1,777,914

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

 
1,662,002

 
1,684,221

 
1,661,135

CSC Holdings Senior Guaranteed Notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
October 9, 2015

October 15, 2025

6.625
%
(e)


1,000,000


987,368


1,000,000


986,717

September 23, 2016

April 15, 2027

5.500
%
(g)


1,310,000


1,304,697


1,310,000


1,304,468

January 29, 2018

February 1, 2028

5.375
%
(n)


1,000,000


991,730





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


493,606


500,000


492,009

September 27, 2012

September 15, 2022

5.875
%
(c)
(f)
 
649,024


578,734


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

 
1,151,107

 
1,250,000

 
1,138,870

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

 
605,143

 
620,000

 
604,374

April 5, 2018

April 1, 2028

7.500
%
(p)


1,050,000


1,048,185





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

 
1,083,846

 
1,100,000

 
1,082,482

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

 
1,488,592

 
1,500,000

 
1,488,024

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
16,239,245

 
15,840,480

 
$
16,289,245

 
15,860,432

Less: current portion
 
 
1,035,212

 
 
 
507,744

Long-term debt
 
 
$
14,805,268

 
 
 
$
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


21



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).
(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. Up to 40% of the notes may be redeemed using the proceeds of certain equity offerings before July 15, 2018, at a redemption price equal to 105.375%.
(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. Up to 40% of the notes may be redeemed using the proceeds of certain equity offerings before July 15, 2018, at a redemption price equal to 107.750%.
(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 (see Note 17).
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.


22



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

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 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 June 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 three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recognized $42,817 and $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 June 30, 2018, including notes payable, collateralized indebtedness (see Note 10), and capital leases, are as follows:
Years Ending December 31,
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
2018
$
540,854

 
$
11,657

 
$
552,511

2019
595,243

 
43,984

 
639,227

2020
548,570

 
12,705

 
561,275

2021
2,506,990

 
1,262,715

 
3,769,705

2022
695,917

 
12,726

 
708,643

Thereafter
11,813,209

 
5,466,380

 
17,279,589

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.


23



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

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 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 June 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 June 30, 2018.
Interest Rate Swap Contracts
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, the Company entered into two fixed to floating interest rate swap contracts. 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 June 30, 2018
 
Fair Value at December 31, 2017
 
Fair Value at June 30, 2018
 
Fair Value at December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap contracts
 
Derivative contracts, current
 
$
369

 
$

 
$

 
$

Prepaid forward contracts
 
Derivative contracts, current
 
9,623

 
52,545

 
(9,623
)
 
(52,545
)
Prepaid forward contracts
 
Derivative contracts, long-term
 
101,007

 

 

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

 

 
(123,470
)
 
(77,902
)
 
 
 
 
$
110,999

 
$
52,545

 
$
(133,093
)
 
$
(239,951
)
Gains from the Company's derivative contracts related to the Comcast common stock for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 of $42,159 and $210,511, respectively, are reflected in gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 , the Company recorded a loss on investments of $58,420 and $310,996, respectively, primarily representing the net decrease in the fair values of the investment securities pledged as collateral. 


24



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

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company recorded a loss on interest rate swap contracts of $12,929 and $44,851, respectively.
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 six months ended June 30, 2018: 
Number of shares (a)
10,802,118

Collateralized indebtedness settled
$
(337,148
)
Derivatives contracts settled
24

 
(337,124
)
Proceeds from new monetization contracts
337,124

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
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds
Level I
 
$
218,940

 
$
5,949

Investment securities pledged as collateral
Level I
 
1,409,361

 
1,720,357

Prepaid forward contracts
Level II
 
110,630

 
52,545

Interest rate swap contracts
Level II
 
369

 

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Prepaid forward contracts
Level II
 
9,623

 
162,049

Interest rate swap contracts
Level II
 
123,470

 
77,902

Contingent consideration related to 2017 acquisitions
Level III
 
2,233

 
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


25



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

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 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 June 30, 2018 related to the acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2017 amounted to approximately $2,233. The estimated amount recorded as of June 30, 2018 is approximately 51% of the contractual amount. The fair value of the consideration was estimated based on a probability assessment of attaining the targets as of June 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:
 
 
 
June 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
 
$
4,435,479

 
$
4,470,000

 
$
3,393,306

 
$
3,435,000

Collateralized indebtedness
Level II
 
1,392,648

 
1,338,105

 
1,349,474

 
1,305,932

Senior guaranteed notes
Level II
 
3,283,795

 
3,195,375

 
2,291,185

 
2,420,000

Senior notes and debentures
Level II
 
6,107,472

 
6,727,849

 
6,409,889

 
7,221,846

Notes payable
Level II
 
36,161

 
35,962

 
56,956

 
55,289

Cablevision senior notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior notes and debentures
Level II
 
1,072,340

 
1,165,034

 
1,818,115

 
1,931,239

Cequel debt instruments:
 
 


 


 


 


Cequel credit facility debt
Level II
 
1,244,153

 
1,252,350

 
1,250,217

 
1,258,675

Senior secured notes
Level II
 
2,572,438

 
2,535,500

 
2,570,506

 
2,658,930

Senior notes
Level II
 
2,804,435

 
2,942,800

 
2,770,737

 
2,983,615

Notes payable
Level II
 
36,356

 
36,356

 
8,946

 
8,946

 
 
 
$
22,985,277

 
$
23,699,331

 
$
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.
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


26



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

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 benefit of $5,590 and $66,293 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, reflecting an effective tax rate of approximately 5% and 23%, respectively. The tax benefit 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.
The Company recorded income tax benefit of $252,487 and $298,395 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, reflecting the AETR of approximately 34% and 35%, respectively.
As of June 30, 2018, the Company's federal net operating losses (“NOLs”) were approximately $2,274,000. 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 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
(43,462,500
)
 

 
0.37

Forfeited
(7,375,001
)
 

 
0.60

Balance, June 30, 2018
117,712,500

 
10,000,000

 
0.94

The weighted average fair value per unit was $2.14 and $2.50 as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company recognized an expense of $7,993 and $25,494 related to the push down of share-based compensation expense related to the carry unit plan. For the three and six months ended


27



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

June 30, 2017, the Company recognized an expense of $18,079 and $25,927 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 six months ended June 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

 

 
$
19.48

 
9.97

 
$
8,944

Granted
1,943,676

 
95,953

 
18.34

 
 
 
 
Forfeited
(179,705
)
 
(22,314
)
 
20.94

 
 
 
 
Balance at June 30, 2018
6,874,718

 
73,639

 
19.10

 
9.30

 
(14,202
)
Options exercisable at June 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 six months ended June 30, 2018 of $4,233 and $8,355, respectively.
The following aggregate assumptions were used to calculate the fair values of stock option awards granted during the six months ended June 30, 2018:
Risk-free interest rate
 
2.75%
Expected life (in years)
 
6.49
Dividend yield
 
—%
Volatility
 
35.16%
Grant date fair value
 
$7.08
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 six months ended June 30, 2018 and $1,338 and $2,585 for three and six months ended June 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 three and six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company recorded equity in the net loss of Newsday of $407 and $9,719, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded equity in net loss of Newsday of $27 and $1,537, respectively, reflected in other expense, net in the Company's statements of operations.


28



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

The Company's deficit investment in Newsday as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 of $0 and $3,579, respectively, 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 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 N.V. and Newsday:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Revenue
$
727

 
$
253

 
$
852

 
$
394

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Programming and other direct costs
(3,865
)
 
(1,095
)
 
(5,019
)
 
$
(1,830
)
Other operating expenses, net
(6,255
)
 
(8,666
)
 
(14,249
)
 
(15,964
)
Operating expenses, net
(10,120
)
 
(9,761
)
 
(19,268
)
 
(17,794
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense (a)

 
(42,817
)
 

 
(90,405
)
Other expense, net
149

 

 
149

 

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

 
(513,723
)
 

 
(513,723
)
Net charges
$
(9,244
)
 
$
(566,048
)
 
$
(18,267
)
 
$
(621,528
)
Capital Expenditures
$
1,108

 
$
8,473

 
$
2,734

 
$
9,365


(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.
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 N.V.
Other operating expenses
A subsidiary of Altice N.V. 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 $5,750 and $13,250 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively and $7,500 and $15,000 for the three and six months ended June 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 N.V. by a subsidiary of Altice N.V. 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 N.V. aggregating $505 and $999 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and $1,166 and $964 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, net of credits of $359 and $841 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, for transition services provided to Newsday.


29



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

Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures include $1,108 and $2,734 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and $8,473 and $9,365, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, for equipment purchases and software development services provided by subsidiaries of Altice N.V.
Aggregate amounts that were due from and due to related parties are summarized below:
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Due from:
 
 
 
Altice US Finance S.A. (a)
$
13,100

 
$
12,951

Newsday (b)
2,581

 
2,713

Altice Management Americas (b)
1,271

 
33

i24 News (b)

 
4,036

Other Altice N.V. subsidiaries (b)
660

 
31

 
$
17,612

 
$
19,764

Due to:
 
 
 
Altice N.V. (c)
13,250

 

Newsday (b)
42

 
33

Altice Labs S.A. (d)
1,899

 
7,354

Other Altice N.V. subsidiaries (d)
9,201

 
3,611

 
$
24,392

 
$
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 N.V. 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.
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


30



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

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.  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, some involving claims for substantial damages.  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:
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
Operating income
$
203,265

 
$
131,794

 
$
335,059

 
$
109,799

 
$
143,469

 
$
253,268

Share-based compensation
10,357

 
1,869

 
12,226

 
11,960

 
6,119

 
18,079

Restructuring and other expense
8,515

 
1,176

 
9,691

 
11,171

 
1,217

 
12,388

Depreciation and amortization (including impairments)
473,138

 
175,389

 
648,527

 
542,203

 
164,587

 
706,790

Adjusted EBITDA
$
695,275

 
$
310,228

 
$
1,005,503

 
$
675,133

 
$
315,392

 
$
990,525

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
Operating income
$
373,958

 
$
274,139

 
$
648,097

 
$
231,843

 
$
271,535

 
$
503,378

Share-based compensation
26,529

 
7,320

 
33,849

 
17,042

 
8,885

 
25,927

Restructuring and other expense
11,598

 
1,680

 
13,278

 
69,818

 
19,499

 
89,317

Depreciation and amortization (including impairments)
958,502

 
332,730

 
1,291,232

 
985,379

 
330,135

 
1,315,514

Adjusted EBITDA
$
1,370,587

 
$
615,869

 
$
1,986,456

 
$
1,304,082

 
$
630,054

 
$
1,934,136



31



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

A reconciliation of reportable segment amounts to the Company's condensed consolidated balances are as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Operating income for reportable segments
$
335,059

 
$
253,268

 
$
648,097

 
$
503,378

Items excluded from operating income:

 

 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(390,543
)
 
(420,370
)
 
(767,801
)
 
(853,664
)
Interest income
5,313

 
180

 
8,416

 
412

Gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net
(45,113
)
 
57,130

 
(293,715
)
 
188,788

Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net
42,159

 
(66,463
)
 
210,511

 
(137,507
)
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts
(12,929
)
 
9,146

 
(44,851
)
 
11,488

Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs
(36,911
)
 
(561,382
)
 
(41,616
)
 
(561,382
)
Other expense, net
(629
)
 
(3,935
)
 
(12,287
)
 
(6,035
)
Loss before income taxes
$
(103,594
)
 
$
(732,426
)
 
$
(293,246
)
 
$
(854,522
)
The following tables present the composition of revenue by segment:
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Eliminations (a)
 
Total
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay TV
$
766,257

 
$
268,147

 
$

 
$
1,034,404

 
$
796,456

 
$
274,707

 
$
1,071,163

Broadband
449,426

 
262,776

 

 
712,202

 
405,199

 
237,421

 
642,620

Telephony
133,635

 
29,864

 

 
163,499

 
145,323

 
32,938

 
178,261

Business services and wholesale
236,763

 
100,625

 

 
337,388

 
230,964

 
92,677

 
323,641

Advertising
95,981

 
18,366

 
(4,449
)
 
109,898

 
78,802

 
18,699

 
97,501

Other
3,665

 
3,097

 

 
6,762

 
2,782

 
6,394

 
9,176

Total Revenue
$
1,685,727

 
$
682,875

 
$
(4,449
)
 
$
2,364,153

 
$
1,659,526

 
$
662,836

 
$
2,322,362

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Eliminations (a)
 
Total
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay TV
$
1,529,977

 
$
538,135

 
$

 
$
2,068,112

 
$
1,598,650

 
$
556,391

 
$
2,155,041

Broadband
889,777

 
524,046

 

 
1,413,823

 
801,532

 
467,006

 
1,268,538

Telephony
269,220

 
60,317

 

 
329,537

 
291,880

 
67,342

 
359,222

Business services and wholesale
470,935

 
199,543

 

 
670,478

 
459,508

 
183,553

 
643,061

Advertising
170,624

 
35,434

 
(8,578
)
 
197,480

 
143,934

 
36,928

 
180,862

Other
6,488

 
7,949

 

 
14,437

 
6,009

 
11,888

 
17,897

Total Revenue
$
3,337,021

 
$
1,365,424

 
$
(8,578
)
 
$
4,693,867

 
$
3,301,513

 
$
1,323,108

 
$
4,624,621

 
(a)     Reflects revenue recognized by Cablevision from the sale of services to Cequel.


32



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

Capital expenditures (cash basis) by reportable segment are presented below:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Cablevision
$
170,356

 
$
141,166

 
$
337,157

 
$
325,565

Cequel
70,326

 
64,997

 
161,140

 
138,025

 
$
240,682

 
$
206,163

 
$
498,297

 
$
463,590

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 maker for purposes of decision making regarding resource allocations.
NOTE 17.    SUBSEQUENT EVENT
In July 2018, CSC Holdings repaid its $500,000 principal amount of senior notes due July 15, 2018 with borrowings under the CSC Holdings revolving credit facility agreement.



33





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 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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 June 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 and home shopping commissions. Our residential pay television, broadband and telephony services accounted for approximately 44%, 30% and 7%, respectively, of our consolidated revenue for the six months ended June 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 six months ended June 30, 2018, 14% of our consolidated revenue was derived from these business services and wholesale. In addition, we derive revenues from the sale of advertising time available on the programming carried on our cable television systems, which accounted for approximately 4% of our consolidated revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2018. Our other revenue for the six months ended June 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 and its DirecTV subsidiary, CenturyLink, DISH Network, Frontier and Verizon. 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.
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 “-


34





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, the Company and Altice N.V. completed 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.
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, 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.


35





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

 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay TV
$
1,034,404

 
$
1,071,163

 
$
2,068,112

 
$
2,155,041

Broadband
712,202

 
642,620

 
1,413,823

 
1,268,538

Telephony
163,499

 
178,261

 
329,537

 
359,222

Business services and wholesale
337,388

 
323,641

 
670,478

 
643,061

Advertising
109,898

 
97,501

 
197,480

 
180,862

Other
6,762

 
9,176

 
14,437

 
17,897

Total revenue
2,364,153

 
2,322,362

 
4,693,867

 
4,624,621

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Programming and other direct costs
795,127

 
758,694

 
1,582,488

 
1,517,046

Other operating expenses
575,749

 
591,222

 
1,158,772

 
1,199,366

Restructuring and other expense
9,691

 
12,388

 
13,278

 
89,317

Depreciation and amortization (including impairments)
648,527

 
706,790

 
1,291,232

 
1,315,514

Operating income
335,059

 
253,268

 
648,097

 
503,378

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense, net
(385,230
)
 
(420,190
)
 
(759,385
)
 
(853,252
)
Gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net
(45,113
)
 
57,130

 
(293,715
)
 
188,788

Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net
42,159

 
(66,463
)
 
210,511

 
(137,507
)
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts
(12,929
)
 
9,146

 
(44,851
)
 
11,488

Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs
(36,911
)
 
(561,382
)
 
(41,616
)
 
(561,382
)
Other expense, net
(629
)
 
(3,935
)
 
(12,287
)
 
(6,035
)
Loss before income taxes
(103,594
)
 
(732,426
)
 
(293,246
)
 
(854,522
)
Income tax benefit
5,590

 
252,487

 
66,293

 
298,395

Net loss
(98,004
)
 
(479,939
)
 
(226,953
)
 
(556,127
)
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
149

 
(365
)
 
147

 
(602
)
Net loss attributable to Altice USA stockholders
$
(97,855
)
 
$
(480,304
)
 
$
(226,806
)
 
$
(556,729
)



36




The following is a reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA:
 
Altice USA
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Net loss
$
(98,004
)
 
$
(479,939
)
 
$
(226,953
)
 
$
(556,127
)
Income tax benefit
(5,590
)
 
(252,487
)
 
(66,293
)
 
(298,395
)
Other expense, net
629

 
3,935

 
12,287

 
6,035

Loss (gain) on interest rate swap contracts
12,929

 
(9,146
)
 
44,851

 
(11,488
)
Loss (gain) on derivative contracts, net
(42,159
)
 
66,463

 
(210,511
)
 
137,507

Loss (gain) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net
45,113

 
(57,130
)
 
293,715

 
(188,788
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs
36,911

 
561,382

 
41,616

 
561,382

Interest expense, net
385,230

 
420,190

 
759,385

 
853,252

Depreciation and amortization
648,527

 
706,790

 
1,291,232

 
1,315,514

Restructuring and other expense
9,691

 
12,388

 
13,278

 
89,317

Share-based compensation
12,226

 
18,079

 
33,849

 
25,927

Adjusted EBITDA
$
1,005,503

 
$
990,525

 
$
1,986,456

 
$
1,934,136

The following table sets forth certain customer metrics by segment (unaudited):
 
June 30, 2018
 
March 31, 2018
 
June 30, 2017
 
Cablevision
Cequel
Total
 
Cablevision
Cequel
Total
 
Cablevision
Cequel
Total
 
(in thousands, except per customer amounts)
Homes passed (a)
5,187.3

3,483.7

8,671.0

 
5,174.0

3,468.0

8,642.0

 
5,139.7

3,430.4

8,570.1

Total customer relationships (b)(c)
3,153.5

1,761.6

4,915.1

 
3,151.2

1,765.4

4,916.6

 
3,150.9

1,753.3

4,904.3

Residential
2,889.7

1,650.1

4,539.8

 
2,888.0

1,655.5

4,543.4

 
2,889.1

1,647.8

4,536.9

SMB
263.8

111.5

375.3

 
263.2

109.9

373.2

 
261.8

105.5

367.3

Residential customers:


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay TV
2,327.3

1,023.6

3,350.9

 
2,340.1

1,035.0

3,375.1

 
2,400.9

1,061.8

3,462.7

Broadband
2,681.3

1,400.8

4,082.1

 
2,673.4

1,399.2

4,072.6

 
2,646.0

1,358.4

4,004.4

Telephony
1,949.4

596.1

2,545.6

 
1,953.5

596.2

2,549.7

 
1,954.3

589.5

2,543.8

Residential triple product customer penetration (d):
63.5
%
25.8
%
49.8
%
 
63.8
%
25.7
%
49.9
%
 
64.3
%
25.3
%
50.1
%
Penetration of homes passed (e):
60.8
%
50.6
%
56.7
%
 
60.9
%
50.9
%
56.9
%
 
61.3
%
51.1
%
57.2
%
ARPU(f)
$
155.69

$
113.10

$
140.19

 
$
154.48

$
113.58

$
139.63

 
$
155.47

$
109.81

$
138.83

 
(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.
(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



37




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 June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay TV
$
766,257

 
$
268,147

 
$

 
$
1,034,404

 
$
796,456

 
$
274,707

 
$
1,071,163

Broadband
449,426

 
262,776

 

 
712,202

 
405,199

 
237,421

 
642,620

Telephony
133,635

 
29,864

 

 
163,499

 
145,323

 
32,938

 
178,261

Business services and wholesale
236,763

 
100,625

 

 
337,388

 
230,964

 
92,677

 
323,641

Advertising
95,981

 
18,366

 
(4,449
)
 
109,898

 
78,802

 
18,699

 
97,501

Other
3,665

 
3,097

 

 
6,762

 
2,782

 
6,394

 
9,176

Total revenue
1,685,727

 
682,875

 
(4,449
)
 
2,364,153

 
1,659,526

 
662,836

 
2,322,362

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Programming and other direct costs
591,846

 
207,303

 
(4,022
)
 
795,127

 
570,939

 
187,755

 
758,694

Other operating expenses
408,963

 
167,213

 
(427
)
 
575,749

 
425,414

 
165,808

 
591,222

Restructuring and other expense
8,515

 
1,176

 

 
9,691

 
11,171

 
1,217

 
12,388

Depreciation and amortization
473,138

 
175,389

 

 
648,527

 
542,203

 
164,587

 
706,790

Operating income
$
203,265

 
$
131,794

 
$

 
$
335,059

 
$
109,799

 
$
143,469

 
$
253,268




38




 
Segment Results
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Eliminations
 
Total
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pay TV
$
1,529,977

 
$
538,135

 
$

 
$
2,068,112

 
$
1,598,650

 
$
556,391

 
$
2,155,041

Broadband
889,777

 
524,046

 

 
1,413,823

 
801,532

 
467,006

 
1,268,538

Telephony
269,220

 
60,317

 

 
329,537

 
291,880

 
67,342

 
359,222

Business services and wholesale
470,935

 
199,543

 

 
670,478

 
459,508

 
183,553

 
643,061

Advertising
170,624

 
35,434

 
(8,578
)
 
197,480

 
143,934

 
36,928

 
180,862

Other
6,488

 
7,949

 

 
14,437

 
6,009

 
11,888

 
17,897

Total revenue
3,337,021

 
1,365,424

 
(8,578
)
 
4,693,867

 
3,301,513

 
1,323,108

 
4,624,621

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Programming and other direct costs
1,180,427

 
409,927

 
(7,866
)
 
1,582,488

 
1,139,250

 
377,796

 
1,517,046

Other operating expenses
812,536

 
346,948

 
(712
)
 
1,158,772

 
875,223

 
324,143

 
1,199,366

Restructuring and other expense
11,598

 
1,680

 

 
13,278

 
69,818

 
19,499

 
89,317

Depreciation and amortization
958,502

 
332,730

 

 
1,291,232

 
985,379

 
330,135

 
1,315,514

Operating income
$
373,958

 
$
274,139

 
$

 
$
648,097

 
$
231,843

 
$
271,535

 
$
503,378

Altice USA - Comparison of Results for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 compared to the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2017.
Pay Television Revenue
Pay television revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was $1,034,404 and $2,068,112, respectively, of which $766,257 and $1,529,977 was derived from the Cablevision segment and $268,147 and $538,135 relates to our Cequel segment. Pay television revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 was $1,071,163 and $2,155,041, respectively, of which $796,456 and $1,598,650 was derived from the Cablevision segment and $274,707 and $556,391 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 $30,199 (4%) and $68,673 (4%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The decreases were due primarily due to a decline in pay television customers and lower average revenue per pay television customer.
Pay television revenue for our Cequel segment decreased $6,560 (2%) and $18,256 (3%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The decreases were due primarily to a decline in the number of pay television customers, partially offset by an increase in 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.



39




Broadband Revenue
Broadband revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was $712,202 and $1,413,823, respectively, of which $449,426 and $889,777 was derived from our Cablevision segment and $262,776 and $524,046 was derived from our Cequel segment. Broadband revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 was $642,620 and $1,268,538, respectively, of which $405,199 and $801,532 was derived from our Cablevision segment and $237,421 and $467,006 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 $44,227 (11%) and $88,245 (11%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three and six months ended June 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 $25,355 (11%) and $57,040 (12%) for the three and six months ended June 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 six months ended June 30, 2018 was $163,499 and $329,537 of which $133,635 and $269,220 was derived from the Cablevision segment and $29,864 and $60,317 was derived from our Cequel segment. Telephony revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 was $178,261 and $359,222 of which $145,323 and $291,880 was derived from the Cablevision segment and $32,938 and $67,342 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 $11,688 (8%) and $22,660 (8%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The decreases were due primarily to lower average revenue per telephony customer.
Telephony revenue for our Cequel segment decreased $3,074 (9%) and $7,025 (10%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three and six months ended June 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 six months ended June 30, 2018 was $337,388 and $670,478, respectively of which $236,763 and $470,935 was derived from the Cablevision segment and $100,625 and $199,543 was derived from our Cequel segment. Business services and wholesale revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 was $323,641 and $643,061, respectively of which $230,964 and $459,508 was derived from the Cablevision segment and $92,677 and $183,553 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 $5,799 (3%) and $11,427 (2%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The increases were primarily due to higher average recurring broadband revenue per SMB customer and higher Ethernet and managed services revenue, partially offset by reduced traditional voice and data services for commercial customers.
Business services and wholesale revenue for our Cequel segment increased $7,948 (9%) and $15,990 (9%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The increases were primarily due to higher commercial rates and customers for broadband services and increases in wholesale data and telephony services.
Advertising Revenue
Advertising revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, net of inter-segment revenue, was $109,898 and $197,480, respectively, of which $95,981 and $170,624 was derived from our Cablevision segment and $18,366 and $35,434 was derived from our Cequel segment. Advertising revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, net of inter-segment revenue, was $97,501 and $180,862, respectively, of which $78,802 and $143,934 was derived from our Cablevision



40




segment and $18,699 and $36,928 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.
Advertising revenue for our Cablevision segment increased $17,179 (22%) and $26,690 (19%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the three and six months ended June 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 decreased $333 (2%) and $1,494 (4%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively.
Other Revenue
Other revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was $6,762 and $14,437, respectively, of which $3,665 and $6,488 was derived from our Cablevision segment and $3,097 and $7,949 was derived from our Cequel segment. Other revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 was $9,176 and $17,897, respectively, of which $2,782 and $6,009 was derived from our Cablevision segment and $6,394 and $11,888 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 six months ended June 30, 2018 amounted to $795,127 and $1,582,488, respectively, of which $591,846 and $1,180,427 relate to our Cablevision segment and $207,303 and $409,927 relate to our Cequel segment. Programming and other direct costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 amounted to $758,694 and $1,517,046, respectively, of which $570,939 and $1,139,250 relate to our Cablevision segment and $187,755 and $377,796 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 $36,433 (5%) and $65,442 (4%) in programming and other direct costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, net of inter-segment eliminations, as compared to the prior year periods are attributable to the following:
Cablevision segment:
Three Months
 
Six Months
Increase in costs of digital media and linear advertising spots for resale
$
14,248

 
$
28,274

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
10,082

 
14,557

Other net decreases (including an increase of $1,266 in costs related to i24NEWS)
(3,423
)
 
(1,654
)
 
20,907

 
41,177

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
18,503

 
30,222

Other net increases
1,045

 
1,909

 
19,548

 
32,131

Inter-segment eliminations
(4,022
)
 
(7,866
)
 
$
36,433

 
$
65,442

Programming costs
Programming costs aggregated $660,618 and $1,313,046 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $632,035 and $1,268,267 for the three and six months ended June 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.



41




Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 amounted to $575,749, and $1,158,772, respectively, of which $408,963 and $812,536 relate to our Cablevision segment and $167,213 and $346,948 relate to our Cequel segment. Other operating expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 amounted to $591,222, and $1,199,366, respectively, of which $425,414 and $875,223 relate to our Cablevision segment and $165,808 and $324,143 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). 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.
The decreases of $15,473 (3%) and $40,594 (3%) in other operating expenses for the three and six months ended June 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 $10,123 in both the three and six month periods, are attributable to the following:
Cablevision segment:
Three Months
 
Six Months
Decrease in labor costs, benefits and an increase in capitalizable activity
$
(28,480
)
 
$
(78,632
)
Increase (decrease) in share-based compensation and long-term incentive plan awards expense
(2,445
)
 
7,686

Decrease in insurance costs
(5,537
)
 
(7,932
)
Increase in repairs and maintenance costs relating to our operations
5,049

 
4,814

Increase in legal fees (including accruals for legal matters)
4,628

 
1,723

Increase in marketing costs
2,580

 
5,876

Other net increase (decrease), including an increase in the allocation of certain general and administrative costs between segments in three month period
7,754

 
3,778

 
(16,451
)
 
(62,687
)
Cequel segment:
 
 
 
Decrease in share-based compensation and long-term incentive plan awards expense
(5,099
)
 
(3,445
)
Decrease primarily in labor costs, partially offset by lower capitalizable activity
(2,623
)
 
(3,729
)
Increase in marketing costs
12,093

 
16,708

Increase in professional fees
2,407

 
2,371

Increase in repairs and maintenance costs relating to our operations
944

 
5,240

Other net increase (decrease), including a decrease in the allocation of certain general and administrative costs between segments in the three month period
(6,317
)
 
5,660

 
1,405

 
22,805

Inter-segment eliminations
(427
)
 
(712
)
 
$
(15,473
)
 
$
(40,594
)
Restructuring and Other Expense
Restructuring and other expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 amounted to $9,691 and $13,278, respectively, ($8,515 and $11,598 for our Cablevision segment and $1,176 and $1,680 for our Cequel segment) as compared to $12,388 and $89,317 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, ($11,171 and $69,818 for our Cablevision segment and $1,217 and $19,499 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.



42




Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 amounted to $648,527 and $1,291,232, respectively, of which $473,138 and $958,502 relates to our Cablevision segment and $175,389 and $332,730 relates to our Cequel segment. Depreciation and amortization for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 amounted to $706,790 and $1,315,514, respectively, of which $542,203 and $985,379 relates to our Cablevision segment and $164,587 and $330,135 relates to our Cequel segment.
Depreciation and amortization for our Cablevision segment decreased $69,065 (13%) and $26,877 (3%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The decreases are due primarily to lower amortization expense for certain intangible assets that are being amortized using an accelerated method, offset by depreciation of new asset additions.
Depreciation and amortization for our Cequel segment increased $10,802 (7%) and $2,595 (1%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The increases are due primarily to depreciation of new asset additions.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $1,005,503 and $1,986,456 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, of which $695,275 and $1,370,587 relates to our Cablevision segment and $310,228 and $615,869 relates to our Cequel segment. Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $990,525 and $1,934,136 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, of which $675,133 and $1,304,082 relates to our Cablevision segment and $315,392 and $630,054 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, 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 June 30, 2018 as compared to the prior year periods were 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 six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the prior year periods were 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 decreases in adjusted EBITDA of our Cequel segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the prior year periods were due primarily to an increase in operating expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization expense, restructuring expense, share-based compensation and transaction expenses), partially offset by an increase in revenue as discussed above.
Interest Expense, net
Interest expense, net was $385,230 and $420,190, for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, and $759,385 and $853,252, for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The decreases of $34,960 (8%) and $93,867 (11%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the prior year period are attributable to the following:
 
Three Months
 
Six Months
 
 
 
 
Decrease due to changes in average debt balances and interest rates on our indebtedness and collateralized debt
$
(45,021
)
 
$
(113,397
)
Higher interest income
(5,132
)
 
(8,004
)
Other net increases, primarily amortization of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts
15,193

 
27,534

 
$
(34,960
)
 
$
(93,867
)
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 six months ended June 30, 2018 of $(45,113) and $(293,715), respectively, and $57,130 and $188,788 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 consists primarily of the increase (decrease)



43




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 amounts for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 include net gains of $13,307 and $17,281 related to the sale of affiliate interests.
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Contracts, net
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 amounted to $42,159 and $210,511, respectively and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 amounted to $66,463 and $137,507, 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.
Gain (Loss) on Interest Rate Swap Contracts
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts was $12,929 and $44,851 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $9,146 and $11,488 for the three and six months ended June 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 $36,911 for the three ended June 30, 2018 and includes the write-off of unamortized discount and the premium paid in connection with early redemption of the $1,050,000 6.375% Cequel senior notes due in September 2020 ("Cequel 2020 Notes").
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs amounted to $41,616 for the six months ended June 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 $561,382 for the three and six months ended June 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.
Income Tax Benefit
The Company recorded income tax benefit of $5,590 and $66,293 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, reflecting an effective tax rate of approximately 5% and 23%, respectively. The tax benefit 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.
The Company recorded income tax benefit of $252,487 and $298,395 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, reflecting an effective tax rate of approximately 34% and 35%, 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.



44




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 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. Our collateralized debt maturing in the next 12 months will be settled with proceeds from monetization contracts entered into pursuant to the Synthetic Monetization Closeout discussed below. 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 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 June 30, 2018
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
Debt outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
Credit facility debt
$
4,435,479

 
$
1,244,153

 
$
5,679,632

Senior guaranteed notes
3,283,795

 

 
3,283,795

Senior secured notes

 
2,572,438

 
2,572,438

Senior notes and debentures
7,179,812

 
2,804,435

 
9,984,247

Subtotal
14,899,086

 
6,621,026

 
21,520,112

Capital lease obligations
15,739

 
1,461

 
17,200

Notes payable
36,161

 
36,356

 
72,517

Subtotal
14,950,986

 
6,658,843

 
21,609,829

Collateralized indebtedness relating to stock monetizations (a)
1,392,648

 

 
1,392,648

Total debt
$
16,343,634

 
$
6,658,843

 
$
23,002,477

 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense:
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
Credit facility debt, senior notes, capital leases and notes payable
$
529,100

 
$
211,516

 
$
740,616

Collateralized indebtedness and notes payable relating to stock monetizations (a)
27,185

 

 
27,185

Total interest expense
$
556,285

 
$
211,516

 
$
767,801

 
(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, (ii) delivering cash from the net proceeds on new



45




monetization contracts, or (iii) delivering cash from the proceeds of monetization contracts entered into pursuant to the Synthetic Monetization Closeout discussed below.
The following table provides details of our outstanding credit facility debt as of June 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
 
—%
 
$

 
$

CSC Holdings Term Loan Facility
July 17, 2025
 
4.32%
 
2,970,000

 
2,953,265

CSC Holdings Incremental Term Loan Facility
January 25, 2026
 
4.57%
 
1,500,000

 
1,482,214

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

 

Term Loan Facility
July 28, 2025
 
4.34%
 
1,252,350

 
1,244,153

 
 
 
 
 
$
5,722,350

 
$
5,679,632

 
(a)
Carrying amounts are net of unamortized discounts and deferred financing costs.
(b)
At June 30, 2018, $138,323 of the revolving credit facility was restricted for certain letters of credit issued on behalf of the Company and $2,161,677 of the facility was undrawn and available, subject to covenant limitations.
(c)
At June 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 June 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
$
1,074,436

 
$
212,559

 
$
1,286,995

2019
1,595,888

 
446,075

 
2,041,963

2020
1,501,014

 
412,665

 
1,913,679

2021
3,419,939

 
1,661,856

 
5,081,795

2022
1,520,320

 
347,236

 
1,867,556

Thereafter
13,947,915

 
6,571,125

 
20,519,040

Total
$
23,059,512

 
$
9,651,516

 
$
32,711,028

 
(a)
Includes $1,558,861 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, (ii) delivering cash from the net proceeds on new monetization contracts, or (iii) delivering cash from the proceeds of monetization contracts entered into pursuant to the Synthetic Monetization Closeout discussed above.
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



46




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:  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 ($2,970,000 outstanding at June 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, CSC Holdings repaid its $500,000 principal amount of senior notes due July 15, 2018 with borrowings under the CSC Holdings revolving credit facility agreement.
The Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under the CVC Credit Facilities Agreement as of June 30, 2018.
See Note 9 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 for further information regarding the CVC Credit Facilities Agreement.
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 ($1,252,350 outstanding at June 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 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”).



47




The Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under the Cequel Credit Facilities Agreement as of June 30, 2018.
See Note 9 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 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 June 30, 2018). The CVC 2018 Notes were repaid in February 2018.
As of June 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 June 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 due 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 outstanding at June 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.
As of June 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.



48




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 June 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.
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.
As of June 30, 2018, Cequel was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under the indentures under which the Cequel senior notes were issued.
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 6 3/8% senior notes due September 15, 2020.
Capital Expenditures
The following tables provide details of the Company's capital expenditures:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
Customer premise equipment
$
57,515

 
$
23,160

 
$
80,675

 
$
52,166

 
$
24,054

 
$
76,220

Network infrastructure
58,722

 
23,320

 
82,042

 
38,731

 
19,956

 
58,687

Support and other
25,471

 
11,200

 
36,671

 
28,854

 
13,618

 
42,472

Business services
28,648

 
12,646

 
41,294

 
21,415

 
7,369

 
28,784

Capital purchases (cash basis)
$
170,356

 
$
70,326

 
$
240,682

 
$
141,166

 
$
64,997

 
$
206,163

Capital purchases (including accrued not paid)
$
184,775

 
$
92,267

 
$
277,042

 
$
158,749

 
$
73,250

 
$
231,999




49




 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
 
Cablevision
 
Cequel
 
Total
Customer premise equipment
$
119,821

 
$
41,581

 
$
161,402

 
$
99,841

 
$
52,333

 
$
152,174

Network infrastructure
93,439

 
61,444

 
154,883

 
113,679

 
45,984

 
159,663

Support and other
67,060

 
32,453

 
99,513

 
67,052

 
22,072

 
89,124

Business services
56,837

 
25,662

 
82,499

 
44,993

 
17,636

 
62,629

Capital purchases (cash basis)
$
337,157

 
$
161,140

 
$
498,297

 
$
325,565

 
$
138,025

 
$
463,590

Capital purchases (including accrued not paid)
$
320,533

 
$
173,174

 
$
493,707

 
$
274,369

 
$
120,574

 
$
394,943

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 $1,159,243 for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $811,107 for the six months ended June 30, 2017.  The 2018 cash provided by operating activities resulted from $1,220,814 of income before depreciation and amortization and non-cash items, an increase in liabilities related to interest rate swap contracts of $45,199, an increase in deferred revenue of $20,536, and an increase in amounts due to and due from affiliates of $8,573, partially offset by a net decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $60,778, an increase in accounts receivable of $37,224 and an increase in other assets of $37,877.
The 2017 cash provided by operating activities resulted from $1,028,249 of income before depreciation and amortization and non-cash items, an increase in deferred revenue of $10,614, and a decrease in current and other assets of $5,934, partially offset by $189,179 resulting from a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses, a net decrease of $28,005 in amounts due to affiliates, a decrease in the liability related to interest rate swap contracts of $8,500, and an increase in accounts receivable of $8,006.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $502,784 compared to $509,956 for the six months ended June 30, 2017.  The 2018 investing activities consisted primarily of capital expenditures of $498,297, and other net cash payments of $4,487.
The 2017 investing activities consisted primarily of capital expenditures of $463,590, payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired of $43,608, and $2,758 in other cash payments.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities amounted to $605,062 for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $102,309 for the six months ended June 30, 2017.  In 2018, the Company's financing activities consisted primarily of the redemption and repurchase of senior notes, including premiums and fees of $2,123,756, dividends to stockholders of $1,499,935, the repayment of credit facility debt of $621,325, payments of collateralized indebtedness and related derivatives of $337,124, contingent payment for acquisition of $28,940, additions to deferred financing costs of $22,277, and other net cash payments of $7,324, partially offset by proceeds from credit facility debt of $1,642,500, proceeds from the issuance of senior notes of $2,050,000, proceeds from collateralized indebtedness of $337,124, and contributions from noncontrolling interests of $5,995.



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In 2017, the Company's financing activities consisted primarily of proceeds from credit facility debt of $4,977,425 and collateralized indebtedness of $490,816, proceeds from IPO, net of fees of $349,156, and contributions from noncontrolling interests of $51,135, partially offset by repayments of credit facility debt of $3,573,750, redemption of senior notes, including premiums and fees of $979,280, dividends to stockholders of $919,317, repayments of collateralized indebtedness and related derivative contracts of $483,081, principal payments on capital lease obligations of $8,061 and additions to deferred financing costs of $7,352.
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 six months ended June 30, 2018: 
Number of shares (a)
10,802,118

Collateralized indebtedness settled
$
(337,148
)
Derivatives contracts settled
24

 
(337,124
)
Proceeds from new monetization contracts
337,124

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 existing contracts related to these shares (the "Synthetic Monetization Closeout"). As the existing collateralized debt matures, the Company will settle 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 June 30, 2018, the Company's commitments and contingencies not reflected in the Company's balance sheet decreased to approximately $7,872,000 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 six months ended June 30, 2018.
Recently Issued But Not Yet Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("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 with early adoption permitted and will be applied using the modified retrospective method. Although, the Company has not yet completed the evaluation of the effect that ASU No. 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements, upon adoption, the Company expects to recognize a right of use asset and liability related to substantially all operating lease arrangements on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.



51





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 June 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 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 $1,392,648 at June 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 June 30, 2018, the fair value and the carrying value of our holdings of Comcast common stock aggregated $1,409,361.  Assuming a 10% change in price, the potential change in the fair value of these investments would be approximately $140,936.  As of June 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 Comcast common stock aggregated $101,007, a net asset position.  For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, we recorded a net gain of $42,159 and $210,511, respectively, related to our outstanding equity derivative contracts and recorded an unrealized loss of $58,420 and $310,996, 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
210,511

Fair value as of June 30, 2018, net asset position
$
101,007

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 (a)
 
Maturity
 
per Share (a)
 
Low
 
High
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5,337,750
 
2018
 
$33.61
 
$
40.33

 
$
40.33

37,617,486
 
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.



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Fair Value of Debt
At June 30, 2018, the fair value of our fixed rate debt of $17,976,981 was higher than its carrying value of $17,305,645 by $671,336.  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 June 30, 2018 would increase the estimated fair value of our fixed rate debt by $619,120 to $18,596,101. 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 six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company recorded a loss on interest rate swap contracts of $12,929 and $44,851, respectively.
As of June 30, 2018, our outstanding interest rate swap contracts in a liability position had an aggregate fair value and carrying value of $123,470 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 $369 reflected in “Derivative contracts” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet.
We do not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
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 June 30, 2018.
Changes in Internal Control
During the six months ended June 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 2018. Additionally, the Company plans to implement and upgrade certain other customer billing systems.




53




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 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 June 30, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 2018, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business ReportingLanguage):  (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive 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.



54




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:
August 9, 2018
 
 
/s/ Charles Stewart
 
 
 
By:
Charles Stewart as Co-President and Chief Financial Officer




55