Item 1. Business.
Capital Cities/ABC, Inc., directly or through its subsidiaries (the "Company"), operates the ABC Television Network, eight television stations, the ABC Radio Networks and 18 radio stations, and provides programming for cable television. The Company, through joint ventures, is engaged in international broadcast/cable services and television production and distribution. The Company also publishes daily and weekly newspapers, shopping guides, various specialized and business periodicals, books, provides research services and also distributes information from data bases.
Employees
At December 31, 1993, the Company had approximately 19,250 full-time equivalent employees: 10,000 in broadcasting operations, 9,000 in publishing operations and 250 in corporate activities.
Industry Segments
Information relating to the industry segments of the Company's operations is included on page 37 of the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders and is hereby incorporated by reference. In 1993, the Company derived approximately 85% and 70% of its broadcasting and publishing revenues, respectively, from the sale of advertising. The remainder of the broadcasting revenues are principally derived from subscriber-related fees and programming distribution activities. The balance of publishing revenues are derived primarily from subscription and other circulation receipts and the sale of books.
Broadcasting
Television and Radio Networks
The Company operates the ABC Television Network which as of December 31, 1993 had 228 primary affiliated stations reaching 99.9% of all U.S. television households. A number of secondary affiliated stations add to the primary coverage. The ABC Television Network broadcasts programs in "dayparts" and types as follows: Monday through Friday early morning, daytime and late night, Monday through Sunday Prime Time and News, Children's and Sports. The Company also operates the ABC Radio Networks which served a total of approximately 3,400 affiliates as of December 31, 1993 through eight different program services, each with its own group of affiliated stations. The ABC Radio Networks also produces and distributes a number of radio program series for radio stations nationwide.
Generally, the Company pays the cost of producing or purchasing the broadcast rights for its network programming and pays varying amounts of compensation to its affiliated stations for broadcasting the programs and commercial announcements included therein. Substantially all revenues from network operations are derived from the sale to advertisers of time in network programs for commercial announcements. The ability to sell time for commercial announcements and the rates received are dependent on the quantitative and qualitative audience that the network can deliver to the advertiser.
The Company also produces television programs for the ABC Television Network and for other exhibitors of television programs. For television programs it produces, the Company pays the costs of production and typically receives a license fee from the exhibitor for initial exhibition. Generally, the license fees received are less than the costs of production. The Company then licenses the programs it owns for foreign exhibition and, ultimately, for repeat exhibition in the United States.
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Television and Radio Stations
The Company owns seven very high frequency (VHF) television stations, one ultra high frequency (UHF) television station, nine standard (AM) radio stations and nine frequency modulation (FM) radio stations. All television stations are affiliated with the ABC Television Network and all radio stations, except as noted, are affiliated with the ABC Radio Networks. Markets, frequencies and other station details are set forth in the following tables:
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(1) Based on Nielsen U.S. Television Household Estimates, 1993-1994 season. (2) See "Licenses -- Federal Regulation of Broadcasting/Renewal Matters" below for description of pending license renewal applications and other matters. (3) No ABC network affiliation. (4) Based on Arbitron Radio Market Survey Schedule and Population Rankings (metro survey area) as of Fall 1993.
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Cable and International Broadcast
The Company's Cable and International Broadcast operations are principally involved in the production and distribution of cable television programming, in the licensing of programming to domestic and international markets and in joint ventures in foreign-based television operations and television production and distribution entities. Its primary services are:
ESPN, an 80%-owned cable sports programming service reaching 62,700,000 households domestically and 49,000,000 households in 90 countries internationally; ESPN2 reaching 13,000,000 households. ESPN also owns 33% of Eurosport, a pan-European satellite-delivered cable and direct-to-home sports programming service reaching 48,700,000 households; and 20% of Japan Sports Network reaching 910,000 households;
Arts & Entertainment Network, a 37 1/2%-owned cable programming service devoted to cultural and entertainment programming and reaching 52,900,000 households;
Lifetime, a 33 1/3%-owned cable programming service devoted to women's lifestyle programming and reaching 58,800,000 households;
Tele-Munchen Fernseh GmbH & Co., a 50%-owned Munich, Germany based television and theatrical production/distribution company with interests in cinemas and a minority interest in a Munich radio station;
RTL 2 Fernsehen GmbH & Co., a 20%-owned Cologne, Germany based general entertainment commercial broadcasting company reaching 19,600,000 households;
Scandinavian Broadcasting System SA, a 24%-owned Luxembourg based company operating television stations in Denmark reaching 1,300,000 households, and satellite-delivered cable and direct-to-home general entertainment television programming services in Sweden and Norway reaching 1,700,000 and 900,000 households, respectively;
Hamster Productions, S.A., 33 1/3%-owned, and Tesauro, S.A., 25%-owned, television and theatrical production/distribution companies based in Paris, France and Madrid, Spain, respectively; and
DIC Productions, L.P., a 95%-owned production/distribution venture of animated and live action programming for the children's television and video markets, and DIC Entertainment, L.P., a 100%-owned film library of similar type programming.
Multimedia
In late 1993, the Company created a Multimedia Group with the mandate to explore using video and print material to create new programming and software and to explore investment opportunities in emerging multimedia and interactive technologies. The division includes the Capital Cities/ABC Video Publishing unit, which acquires rights to and produces programming for the home video market.
Competition
The ABC Television Network competes for viewers with the other television networks, independent television stations and other video media such as cable television, multipoint distribution services ("MDS," which employ non-broadcast frequencies to transmit subscription television services to individual homes and businesses), satellite television program services and video cassettes; in the sale of advertising time, it competes with the other television networks, independent television stations, suppliers of cable television programs, and other advertising media such as newspapers, magazines and billboards. Substantial competition also exists for exclusive broadcasting rights for television programming. The ABC Radio Networks likewise compete with other radio networks and radio programming services, independent radio stations, and other advertising media.
The Company's television and radio stations are in competition with other television and radio stations, cable television systems, MDS, satellite television program services, video cassettes and other advertising media such as newspapers, magazines and billboards. Such competition occurs primarily in individual market areas. Generally, a television station in one market does not compete directly with
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other stations in other market areas. Nor does a group of stations, such as those owned by the Company, compete with any other group of stations as such. While the pattern of competition in the radio station industry is basically the same, it is not uncommon for radio stations outside of a market area to place a signal of sufficient strength within that area (particularly during nighttime hours) to gain a share of the audience. However, they generally do not realize significantly increased advertising revenues as a result.
The Company's Cable and International Broadcast operations compete with a number of companies involved in developing and supplying program services for cable, television syndication and theatrical distribution, and with conventional television broadcasters. The Multimedia operations face competition from numerous broadcast, cable, computer software, production and distribution companies which are also pursuing opportunities in the new technologies. The development of these businesses could adversely affect the future of conventional television broadcasting.
In addition, the Company's broadcast operations face potential competition from numerous new satellite, cable and telephone technologies and distribution systems, and from signal-enhancing technologies such as high definition television or, in radio, "digital audio" radio. Although most of these technologies are in experimental phases, all have the potential to further increase the entertainment and information alternatives available to consumers. In some instances, the Company may itself participate in these new technologies. Regulatory, technical and economic issues make it impossible to predict whether or when, such technologies will become viable or competitive.
Licenses--Federal Regulation of Broadcasting
Television and radio broadcasting are subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the "Communications Act"). The Communications Act empowers the FCC, among other things, to issue, revoke or modify broadcasting licenses, determine the location of stations, regulate the equipment used by stations, adopt such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the Communications Act and impose certain penalties for violation of its regulations.
Renewal Matters
Broadcasting licenses are granted for a maximum period of seven years, in the case of radio stations, and five years, in the case of television stations, and are renewable upon application therefor. During certain periods when a renewal application is pending, new applicants may file for the frequency and may be entitled to compete with the renewal applicant in a comparative hearing, and others may file petitions to deny the application for renewal of license. Renewal applications are now pending for KABC(AM), KLOS-FM, KTRK-TV, KABC-TV, KGO-TV and KFSN-TV. In the case of KABC(AM), KLOS-FM, KABC-TV, KGO-TV and KFSN- TV, the time to file competing applications and petitions to deny has passed, and no such filings have been made against these stations. In the case of KTRK- TV, two petitions to deny have been filed. The Company believes both petitions are without merit and is vigorously opposing them. All of the Company's other owned stations have been granted license renewals by the FCC for regular terms.
On April 15, 1992, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a Memorandum Opinion and Order in Shepherd et al. v. American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. et al., Civil Action No. 88-0954 (RCL), which entered a default judgment against American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. and the Company on a complaint alleging discrimination in employment practices at the ABC News Bureau in Washington, DC, in violation of District of Columbia law. The default was based on a conclusion that "the defendants impeded and obstructed the litigation process by . . . destruction and alteration of a crucial document and through the harassment of witnesses and filing false and misleading affidavits." On September 3, 1993, the District Court issued a Memorandum Opinion on reconsideration that withdrew many of the findings of misconduct previously made but reaffirmed other such findings (as well as the default judgment) and called for further proceedings with respect to damages.
The Company believes that the District Court's decision is factually and legally incorrect, and it is seeking to obtain a review of the default judgment (and the supporting findings of misconduct that remain) by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. However, the policies of the FCC call for the agency to evaluate whether an adjudication of misconduct of the kind found in Shepherd should bear on the qualifications of the licensee, even though the adjudication is pending
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on appeal. The FCC has recently approved the Company's acquisition of radio station WYAY(FM), Gainesville, GA without prejudice to any action the agency may take in light of the ultimate outcome of the Shepherd decision. On January 14, 1994, the Company submitted to the FCC amendments to its pending license renewal applications urging that it and its subsidiaries should be found fully qualified to hold broadcast licenses, even if the misconduct findings of the District Court were ultimately upheld. Pending FCC action on that issue the Company will urge thc FCC to apply the Gainesville, GA precedent to permit the acquisition of new stations, the sale of existing stations or the renewal of existing licenses.
Ownership Matters
The Communications Act prohibits the assignment of a license or the transfer of control of a licensee without prior approval of the FCC, and prohibits the Company from having any officer or director who is an alien, and from having more than one-fifth of its shares owned of record or voted by aliens, representatives of aliens, foreign governments, representatives of foreign governments or corporations organized under the laws of foreign countries.
The FCC's "multiple ownership" rules impose a variety of restrictions on the ownership or control of broadcast stations by a single party. The television "duopoly" rule bars control or ownership of significant interests in two television stations that serve the same area. Less severe restraints are imposed on the control or ownership of AM and FM radio stations that serve the same area; in a number of situations, a single party may control or own an AM and/or an FM "duopoly" -- two AM and/or two FM stations -- in the same market area. The rules also preclude the grant of applications for station acquisitions that would result in the creation of new radio-television combinations in the same market under common ownership, or the sale of such a combination to a single party, subject to the availability of waiver. Under FCC policy, waiver applications that involve radio-television station combinations in the top 25 TV markets where there would be at least 30 separately owned, operated and controlled broadcast licensees after the proposed combination will generally be favorably received. Under present FCC rules, a single entity may directly or indirectly own, operate or have a significant interest in up to eighteen AM and eighteen FM radio stations, and up to twelve television stations (VHF or UHF), provided that those television stations operate in markets containing cumulatively no more than 25% of the television households in the country. For this purpose, ownership of a UHF station will result in the attribution of only 50% of the television households in the relevant market. The Company owns eight television stations, of which seven are VHF, resulting in a total penetration of the nation's television households, for purposes of the multiple ownership rules, of 23.63%. The Company also owns nine AM and nine FM radio stations.
Furthermore, under the FCC's rules, radio and/or television licensees may not acquire new ownership interests in daily newspapers published in the same markets served by their broadcast stations. The Company currently owns daily newspapers in two markets in which it also holds radio licenses. For purposes of these rules, The Oakland Press and WJR(AM) and WHYT(FM), licensed to Detroit, are treated as in the same market, as are the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and WBAP(AM) and KSCS(FM), licensed to Fort Worth. Absent an FCC waiver, the Company could not under the rules acquire additional broadcast stations in these markets nor could the current broadcast/newspaper combinations be transferred together. In 1993, the Congress relaxed a restriction previously imposed on the FCC so as to allow the FCC to grant waivers of the rules with respect to newspaper/radio station cross-ownership in the top 25 markets where at least 30 independent broadcast voices would remain following a transfer if the FCC determines that a waiver would serve the public interest. This new policy creates potential new acquisition opportunities for the Company.
The FCC's rules also provide that television licensees may not own cable television systems in communities within the service contours of their television stations. In 1992, the FCC relaxed the rule that previously prohibited common ownership of television networks and cable television systems to permit such combinations subject to a national limit of 10% of "homes passed" (i.e., homes within the service areas of cable systems) by cable as well as a local limit of 50% of homes passed within any ADI (Area of Dominant Influence, i.e., local television market area as defined by Arbitron Television Ratings).
The FCC's rules generally provide that an entity will have the licensee's broadcast stations or newspapers attributed to it for purposes of the multiple ownership rules only if it holds the power to vote or control the vote of 5% or more of the stock of a licensee. Qualifying mutual funds, insurance
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companies, or bank trust departments may vote or control the vote of up to 10% of the stock of a broadcast licensee before the licensee's stations would be attributed to that entity.
Network Regulations
In May 1993, the FCC eliminated rules that previously restricted the ability of the Company as well as CBS Inc. ("CBS") and National Broadcasting Company, Inc. ("NBC") to acquire financial interests in network television programs. In the same proceeding, the FCC retained (subject to a complex two-year sunset provision) rules that prevent the networks from engaging in active first-run or "off-network" syndication of programs to television stations in the United States, constrain the networks' discretion to determine when programs owned by them will be made available for syndication, and prevent the networks from acquiring from independent producers interests in first-run syndicated programs. In September 1993, the FCC substantially denied petitions for reconsideration of its May 1993 decision. The lawfulness of the regulations the agency has retained, and of the 1993 modications, has been challenged in proceedings currently pending in the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. The Company is not able to predict the outcome of these proceedings. In addition, other FCC rules effectively restrict the regular prime-time programming schedules of ABC, CBS and NBC to three hours per night during the period 7:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M. on Monday through Saturday.
The Company's television network operations are subject to a consent judgment (United States v. American Broadcasting Companies, Inc., 74-3600-RJK), in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, entered into and effective on November 14, 1980. Similar judgments have been entered against CBS and NBC with respect to their television networks. In November 1993 the United States District Court, upon a joint motion by the United States Department of Justice, the Company, CBS and NBC, modified the consent judgment to eliminate those provisions which prohibited the acquisition of subsidiary rights and interests in television programs produced by independent suppliers and restricted the ability of the Company (as well as CBS and NBC) to engage in the business of distributing programs directly to television stations in the United States or overseas. The consent judgment continues to contain provisions regulating for a period expiring in 1995 certain aspects of the Company's contractual relationships with suppliers of entertainment programming and with talent performers and other creative contributors to ABC Television Network entertainment programming.
Cable Television and Other Competing Services
Cable television can provide more competition to a television station by making additional signals available to the audience. In 1992, Congress enacted the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act. The Act gives television stations the right to elect "must carry" protection (including protection on channel position) on local cable systems. (The FCC's "must carry" rules require cable television systems generally to carry the signals of television stations in whose service areas they operate.) In the alternative, the Act permits local stations to negotiate with cable systems the terms and conditions of "retransmission consent" to carry their signals and to withhold their signals in the event that no consent on terms and conditions is reached. The Act also reimposes cable system rate regulation and introduces new regulations designed to ensure that MDS and other multi-channel video programmers have access to programming to facilitate competition with cable systems. The Act requires the FCC to conduct rulemaking proceedings to establish national cable system ownership limits and limits on cable channels devoted to video programmers in which the cable system has an interest, and to prohibit coercive or discriminatory practices by cable operators in dealings with video programmers (such as ESPN, ESPN2, Arts & Entertainment and Lifetime). The FCC has adopted regulations implementing all of these statutory provisions. Cable operators have filed lawsuits challenging many of the new Act's provisions. The must carry, retransmission consent, rate regulation and program access provisions have been upheld as constitutional in federal court decisions. The decision relating to must carry is pending on appeal in the Supreme Court of the United States. The decision relating to the Act's other provisions has been appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this litigation.
Most cable television systems supply additional programming to subscribers that is not originated on, or transmitted from, conventional television broadcasting stations. Many of these services
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(including ESPN, ESPN2, Arts & Entertainment and Lifetime) are also being distributed directly to viewers by means of satellite transmissions to home satellite reception dishes.
The FCC also authorizes broadcast subscription television services and MDS, and has expanded the number of frequencies available for MDS by allocating two groups of four channels each for the so-called multichannel MDS, to be awarded by lottery. The FCC has authorized licensees in the Instructional Television Fixed Service to lease their excess capacity for commercial use, including subscription television service, and has adopted rules facilitating direct broadcast satellite operations. It has also created a new service of low power television facilities to supplement existing conventional television broadcast service.
The Company also faces potential competition to its broadcast and cable program services and to its newspaper operations from telephone companies. Telephone companies are seeking to expand their broadband networks to provide both data transmission services ("electronic publishing") and video services to the home. Until 1991, the regional Bell operating companies were prohibited from providing information services by the Modified Final Judgment that governed the break-up of American Telephone and Telegraph Company. While that prohibition has been lifted, there is a provision in the Cable Act of 1984 that prohibits telephone companies from providing video programming directly to their telephone subscribers ("the telco/cable cross ownership ban"). A number of recent developments may affect potential telephone company competition. First, the FCC decided in 1991 and 1992 to permit telephone companies to offer "video dialtone" distribution services to programmers on a common carrier basis without having to obtain a municipal cable franchise. Appeals challenging this decision are pending in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Second, in a suit filed by Bell Atlantic Corporation, a U.S. District Court ruled in August 1993 that the telco/cable cross ownership ban is unconstitutional. The decision has been appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Finally, there are a number of legislative proposals that would either eliminate or modify the telco/cable cross ownership ban. The Company cannot predict the outcome of these developments or the competitive effect of these services or potential services.
From time to time legislation may be introduced in Congress which, if enacted, might affect the Company's operations or its advertising revenues. Proceedings, investigations, hearings and studies are periodically conducted by Congressional committees and by the FCC and other government agencies with respect to problems and practices of, and conditions in, the broadcasting industry. The Company cannot generally predict whether new legislation or regulations may result from any such studies or hearings or the adverse impact, if any, upon the Company's operations which might result therefrom.
The information contained under this heading does not purport to be a complete summary of all the provisions of the Communications Act and the rules and regulations of the FCC thereunder, or of pending proposals for other regulation of broadcasting and related activities. For a complete statement of such provisions, reference is made to the Communications Act, and to such rules, regulations and pending proposals thereunder.
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Publishing
The Company publishes newspapers and shopping guides, various specialized and business periodicals and books; provides research services and also distributes information from data bases. Following is a summary of the Company's historical operating performance, by type of publication, for the last five years (000's omitted):
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Daily Newspapers
The Company publishes eight daily newspapers in eight communities (six of which have Sunday editions). The daily newspapers and their paid circulation are as follows:
Weekly Newspapers
The Company publishes weekly community newspapers in seven states. The location by state, number of publications and aggregate circulation is set forth below:
Shopping Guides and Real Estate Magazines
The Company distributes shopping guides and real estate magazines in thirteen states. The location by state, number of publications and aggregate circulation is set forth below:
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Specialized Publications
The Specialized Publications consists of three groups: the Diversified Publishing Group, the Fairchild Publications Group, and the Financial Services and Medical Group. Through these groups it is engaged in gathering and publishing business news and ideas for industries covered by its various publications; in the publishing of consumer, special interest, trade and agricultural publications; and in research and data base services. All of the publications are printed by outside printing contractors. Following are the significant publications and services:
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Certain operations within the Publishing Group also publish philatelic magazines, cable guides, books, visuals, journals and newsletters, and conduct meetings and seminars.
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Competition
The Company's newspapers, specialized publications and shopping guides operate in a highly competitive environment. In the Company's various news publishing activities it competes with almost all other information media, including broadcast media, and this competition may become more intense as new technologies are developed. Magazines and many newspapers publish substantial amounts of similar business news and information, and deal with the same or related special interests or industries, as those covered by the Company's specialized publications. The Company's newspapers, specialized publications and shopping guides compete for advertising with all other advertising forms of media.
Raw Materials
The primary raw materials used by the Company's Publishing Group are newsprint and other paper stock, which are purchased from paper merchants, paper mills and contract printers and are readily available from numerous suppliers.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties.
The Company's headquarters building at 77 West 66th Street in New York City houses the corporate offices and the television network administrative staff, and is owned by the Company.
The Company owns the ABC Television Center adjacent to the Company's headquarters building on West 66th Street and the ABC Radio Networks' studios at 125 West End Avenue in New York City. In Los Angeles, the Company owns the ABC Television Center. The Company leases the ABC Television Network offices in Los Angeles, the ABC News Bureau facility in Washington, DC and the computer facility in Hackensack, NJ under leases expiring on various dates through 2034. The Company's broadcast operations and engineering facility and local television studios and offices in New York City are leased, but the Company has the right to acquire such properties for a nominal sum in 1997. The Company's 80%-owned subsidiary ESPN owns ESPN Plaza in Bristol, CT from which it conducts its technical operations. The Company owns the majority of its other broadcast studios and offices and broadcast transmitter sites elsewhere, and those which it does not own are occupied under leases expiring on various dates through 2039.
The Company owns and leases publishing subsidiaries' executive, editorial and other offices and facilities in various cities. For leased properties, the leases expire on various dates through 2006. All of the significant premises occupied by the newspapers are owned by the Company.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
All litigation pending during 1993 was routine and incidental to the business of the Company. For a discussion of the relevance of one item of litigation in the regulatory context, see "Licenses - Federal Regulation of Broadcasting" under Item 1. Business.
Item 4.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
The information called for by this item is not applicable.
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Executive Officers of the Company
There is no relationship by blood, marriage or adoption among the officers. All officers hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
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PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Stock and Related Security Holder Matters.
The information called for by this item is included on page 41 of the 1993 Annual Report to Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
The information called for by this item is included on pages 26 and 27 of the 1993 Annual Report to Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The information called for by this item is included on pages 21 through 25 of the 1993 Annual Report to Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The information called for by this item is included on pages 28 through 41 of the 1993 Annual Report to Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
The information called for by this item is not applicable.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.
Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 19, 1994. Information concerning the executive officers is included in Part 1, on page K-14.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 19, 1994.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.
Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 19, 1994.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
The information called for by this item is not applicable.
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PART IV
Item 14.
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a) 1. & 2. Financial statements and financial statement schedules.
The financial statements and schedules listed in the accompanying index to the consolidated financial statements are filed as part of this annual report.
3. Exhibits.
The exhibits listed on the accompanying index to exhibits are filed as part of this annual report.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
None filed during Fourth Quarter 1993.
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CAPITAL CITIES/ABC,INC. INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES COVERED BY REPORT OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS (Item 14(a) 1. & 2.)
All other schedules have been omitted since the required information is not applicable or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto.
* * * * *
The consolidated financial statements of Capital Cities/ABC, Inc., listed in the above index which are included in the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1993, are hereby incorporated by reference. With the exception of the Items referred to in Items 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8, the 1993 Annual Report to Shareholders is not to be deemed filed as part of this report.
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CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1993 of our report dated February 28, 1994, included in the 1993 Annual Report to Shareholders of Capital Cities/ABC, Inc.
Our audits also included the financial statement schedules of Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. listed in item 14(a). These schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, the financial statement schedules referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements Form S-8 No. 2-59014 for the registration of 287,195 shares of the Company's common stock, Form S-8 No. 2-86863 for the registration of 300,000 shares, Form S-8 No. 33-2196 relating to the issuance of an indeterminate number of shares, Form S-8 No. 33-11806 for the registration of 200,000 shares, Form S-8 No. 33-16206 for the registration of 300,000 shares, Form S-8 No. 33-25918 for the registration of 200,000 shares, Form S-8 No. 33-33761 for the registration of 200,000 shares, Form S-3 No. 33-38117 for the registration of Debt Securities and Warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Form S-3 No. 33-39652 for the registration of Debt Securities and Warrants to purchase Debt Securities, and Form S-8 No. 33-52563 for the registration of 60,000 shares, and in the related Prospectuses and documents constituting Prospectuses, of our above report.
ERNST & YOUNG
New York, New York March 14, 1994
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CAPITAL CITIES/ABC, INC.
INDEX TO EXHIBITS (Item 14 (a) 3.)
(3)(a) Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, with amendments. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(a) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1989.
(3)(b) Current By-laws of the Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 1990.
(4)(a) Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. Standard Multiple-Series Indenture Provisions dated December 7, 1990. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(a) to Registration Statement No. 33-38117.
(4)(b) Indenture, dated as of December 15, 1990, between the Company and Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company (now Chemical Bank), as Trustee, with respect to Senior Debt Securities. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(b) to Registration Statement No. 33-38117.
(4)(c) Indenture, dated as of April 1, 1991 between the Company and Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company (now Chemical Bank), as Trustee, with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(c) to Registration Statement No. 33-39652.
(4)(d) Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of January 3, 1986, as amended and restated as of June 30, 1987, among the Company, Chemical Bank and certain other banks. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(d) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1987.
(4)(e) Second Amendment, dated as of June 30, 1989, to the Revolving Credit Agreement set forth in Exhibit (4)(d) above. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(e) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1989.
(4)(f) Third Amendment, dated as of April 30, 1992, to the Revolving Credit Agreement set forth in Exhibits (4)(d) and (4)(e) above. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(f) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1992.
(4)(g) Other instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries are not being filed since the total amount of securities authorized under any of such instruments does not exceed 10 percent of the total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The Company agrees to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
(4)(h) Rights Agreement, dated December 14, 1989, between the Company and Harris Trust Company of New York with respect to the Preferred Share Purchase Rights. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the Company's Form 8-K dated December 15,1989.
(10)(a) Stock Purchase Agreement between the Company and Berkshire Hathaway Inc., dated March 18, 1985. Incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Company's and American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.'s Joint Proxy Statement- Prospectus dated May 10, 1985.
(10)(b) Stock Purchase Agreement among the Company, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., National Indemnity Company, National Fire and Marine Insurance Company, Columbia Insurance Company, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Inc. and Cornhusker Casualty Company, dated January 2, 1986. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Schedule 13D dated January 8, 1986 filed by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and others in regard to the Company's common stock.
(10)(c) Amendment dated October 29, 1993 to the Stock Purchase Agreement set forth in Exhibit (10)(b) above. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(c) to the Company's Schedule 13E-4 dated November 2, 1993.
*(10)(d) Supplemental Profit Sharing Plan of the Company, as amended through April 9, 1992. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(c) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1992.
*(10)(e) Benefit Equalization Plan of the Company, as amended through January 1, 1994.
*(10)(f) Incentive Compensation Plan of the Company, as amended through December 9, 1993.
*(10)(g) Employee Stock Option Plan of the Company, as amended through December 15, 1987. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(f) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1992.
*(10)(h) 1991 Stock Option Plan of the Company, as amended through March 19, 1991. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(g) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1992.
*(10)(i) Contract dated January 2, 1968 between John B. Fairchild and Fairchild Publications, Inc., as amended by contract of June 1977 between Mr. Fairchild and Capital Cities Media, Inc. (a subsidiary of the Company) as successor to Fairchild Publications, Inc. (Mr. Fairchild is an executive
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officer and a director of the Company.) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(h) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1992.
*(10)(j) The Company's Retirement Plan for Nonemployee Directors, as adopted by Board of Directors resolution dated March 20, 1990. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(i) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1992.
(13) The Company's 1993 Annual Report to Shareholders. (This report, except for the portions thereof which are incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K, is furnished for the information of the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be deemed "filed" as part of this Form 10-K.)
(21) Subsidiaries of the Company.
(99)(a) Form 11-K for the Company's Savings & Investment Plan for the year ended December 31, 1993.
(99)(b) Undertakings.
- ---------- * Executive officers' and directors' compensation plans and arrangements.
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CAPITAL CITIES/ABC, INC. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT -- SCHEDULE V
(Thousands of Dollars)
- ---------- (a) Represents adjustments related to the adoption of Financial Accounting Standard No. 109 "Accounting for Income Taxes."
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS -- SCHEDULE VIII (Thousands of Dollars)
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CAPITAL CITIES/ABC, INC. ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION OF PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT--SCHEDULE VI (Thousands of Dollars)
- ---------- Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: buildings and improvements--10 to 55 years; broadcasting equipment--4 to 20 years; printing machinery and equipment--5 to 20 years.
SUPPLEMENTARY INCOME STATEMENT INFORMATION--SCHEDULE X (Thousands of Dollars)
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Annual Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CAPITAL CITIES/ABC, INC. (Registrant)
/s/ THOMAS S. MURPHY ------------------------ (Thomas S. Murphy) Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer March 14, 1994
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated:
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