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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-KSB
(Mark One)
/X/ ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934 [Fee Required]
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996
/ / TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934
[No Fee Required]
For the transition period from __________ to __________
Commission file number 0-20939
CNET, INC.
(Name of small business issuer in its charter)
Delaware 13-3696170
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
150 Chestnut Street
San Francisco, CA 94111
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Issuer's telephone number (415) 395-7800
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value Nasdaq Stock Market
Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
Title of class
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value
Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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 /X/ No / /
Check if there is no disclosure of delinquent filers in response to Item
405 of Regulation S-B is not contained in this form, and no disclosure will be
contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-KSB
or any amendment to this Form 10-KSB./X/
The issuer's revenues for its most recent fiscal year were $14,830,348.
The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates, based on
the closing price at which the stock was sold, at February 28, 1997 approximated
$84.4 million.
The total number of shares outstanding of the issuer's common stock (its
only class of equity securities), as of
February 28, 1997, was 13,302,924.
Transitional small business disclosure format (check one): Yes / / No /X/
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PART I
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
BUSINESS
CERTAIN INFORMATION IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT MAY CONTAIN "FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS" WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934, AS AMENDED. ALL STATEMENTS OTHER THAN STATEMENTS OF HISTORICAL FACT
ARE "FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS" FOR PURPOSES OF THESE PROVISIONS, INCLUDING
ANY PROJECTIONS OF EARNINGS, REVENUES OR OTHER FINANCIAL ITEMS, ANY
STATEMENTS OF THE PLANS AND OBJECTIVES OF MANAGEMENT FOR FUTURE OPERATIONS,
ANY STATEMENTS CONCERNING PROPOSED NEW PRODUCTS OR SERVICES, ANY STATEMENTS
REGARDING FUTURE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OR PERFORMANCE, AND ANY STATEMENT OF
ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING ANY OF THE FOREGOING. IN SOME CASES, FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE USE OF TERMINOLOGY SUCH AS "MAY," "WILL,"
"EXPECTS," "BELIEVES," "PLANS," "ANTICIPATES," "ESTIMATES," "POTENTIAL," OR
"CONTINUE," OR THE NEGATIVE THEREOF OR OTHER COMPARABLE TERMINOLOGY.
ALTHOUGH THE COMPANY BELIEVES THAT THE EXPECTATIONS REFLECTED IN ITS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE REASONABLE, IT CAN GIVE NO ASSURANCE THAT SUCH
EXPECTATIONS OR ANY OF ITS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WILL PROVE TO BE
CORRECT, AND ACTUAL RESULTS COULD DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE PROJECTED OR
ASSUMED IN THE COMPANY'S FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. THE COMPANY'S FUTURE
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS, AS WELL AS ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS,
ARE SUBJECT TO INHERENT RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, SOME OF WHICH ARE SUMMARIZED
IN ITEM 6, "MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - OUTLOOK AND UNCERTAINTIES".
CNET: The Computer Network is a media company focused on providing
original Internet content and television programming relating to information
technology and the Internet. The Company seeks to use its editorial,
technical and programming expertise to create compelling content to engage
technology-oriented consumers and attract advertisers wishing to reach this
audience. The Company believes that its strategy of combining Internet and
television-based programming enhances its ability to promote the CNET brand,
improves its ability to create high quality content and provides the Company
with a source of competitive advantage and differentiation. The Company is
focused on leveraging its market position, the awareness of its brand among
consumers and its relationships with advertisers to create new Internet sites
and services related to information technology and the Internet and to
capitalize on new business opportunities such as Internet-based electronic
commerce. Based on the volume of traffic on its Internet sites and the size
of its television audience, the Company believes that it has established a
leadership position in its targeted content market. During the fourth quarter
1996, the Company's Internet sites displayed an average of over 2.2 million
pages per day on an aggregate basis, and the Company's television programs
attracted an average audience of over 2.0 million viewers per week.
The Company's network of Internet properties began with the launch of
CNET.COM in June 1995 and has since attracted more than 1.1 million
registered members. CNET.COM is a World Wide Web site that provides news,
product reviews, feature stories, interviews and other content about
information technology and the Internet. The Company's other Internet
properties include NEWS.COM, a technology news service which provides
technology news and feature articles; SHAREWARE.COM, ACTIVEX.COM and
DOWNLOAD.COM, software services which allow users to search and browse a
master index of over 240,000 software titles and to download shareware and
freeware from a variety of Internet software archives; BUYDIRECT.COM, which
allows users to purchase software for delivery over the Internet; SEARCH.COM,
a search service which provides an organized, customizable collection of over
450 Internet search engines and directories that are reviewed by the
Company's editorial staff; GAMECENTER.COM, which provides editorial, reviews
and downloading services for the online gaming community; and MEDIADOME.COM,
a site developed in conjunction with Intel Corporation, which provides
periodic webisodes to showcase media events taking advantage of the latest
Internet media enabling technologies. In March 1997, the Company entered
into licensing agreements for the international distribution of its content
through the planned launch of international sites called CNET Briefs. These
licensing agreements are with local companies in markets in Canada, Japan,
Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and the
Philippines.
The Company's television series include: CNET CENTRAL, which launched in
April 1995 and is a half-hour magazine format program devoted to exploring
the world of information technology and the Internet; THE NEW EDGE, which
launched in July 1996 and is a half-hour magazine format program showcasing
technological breakthroughs and how they will change our lives; THE WEB,
which also launched in July 1996 and is a one hour program showing viewers
the hottest Web sites and technologies and includes interviews with industry
leaders; and TV.COM, a syndicated program which launched in September 1996
and showcases for a broadcast audience the world of the Internet and digital
technologies. CNET's television shows are produced by the Company and, with
the exception of TV.COM, are carried nationally on the USA Network and the
Sci-Fi Channel, both of which are owned by USA Networks. TV.COM is produced
in conjunction with Golden Gate Productions, and is syndicated into over 120
markets nationally. Additionally, CNET television has been licensed to
broadcasters in Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Thailand.
The Company is a Delaware corporation and was formed in December 1992.
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INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
The Company believes that a significant opportunity exists to provide
Internet content and television programming related to information technology
and the Internet. Growing use of the Internet and the World Wide Web (the
"Web") has created opportunities for content providers and their advertising
customers to reach and interact with millions of Internet users. Due to its
interactive nature, the Web is emerging as a vehicle that is complementary
and, in several respects, superior to traditional television and print media
in terms of its ability to provide targeted content to consumers and to
generate cost-effective results for certain advertisers.
The market for computer-related content has historically been served
primarily through print publications. According to Cowles/Simba Information
Inc., the top 18 consumer publications focused on computers and related
technologies had $805 million in advertising revenues in 1996, and the top 32
trade publications within this category had $983 million in advertising
revenues in 1996. The Company believes that the market for content relating
to information technology and the Internet is growing rapidly and is emerging
as an area well-suited to a combined Internet and television-based
programming approach. According to Jupiter Communications, the market for
advertising on the Internet was approximately $260 million in 1996 and is
expected to grow to over $5 billion by the year 2000.
The advertising model that is emerging on the Internet is similar to the
model prevalent in print and television media and involves the payment by
advertisers to Internet content and service providers of advertising fees,
based primarily on the demographics of the audience and the number of
impressions delivered. The Company believes that the opportunities for
Internet content providers to generate advertising revenues are growing due
to increasing Internet usage by businesses and consumers and the growing
recognition by advertisers of the potential advantages of Internet-based
advertising over advertising in traditional media. Today, many advertisers
are paying Internet content providers to display their corporate logos and
current promotions in advertising banners on the providers' Internet sites.
STRATEGY
The Company's objective is to be the leading provider of Internet
content and television programming related to information technology and the
Internet. The Company seeks to provide entertaining and interactive content
to engage technology-oriented consumers and attract advertisers wishing to
reach this audience. Key elements of the Company's strategy include:
PROVIDE COMPELLING CONTENT
The Company seeks to provide current, comprehensive and entertaining
editorial content through its Internet sites and television programs, with
the objective of building a loyal audience of repeat Internet users and
television viewers.
FURTHER DEVELOP MARKET AWARENESS AND BRAND RECOGNITION
The Company believes that further leverage of the CNET brand is a
critical aspect of its efforts to attract and expand its Internet and
television audience. The Company seeks to promote and reinforce its brand
through leveraging traffic on its network of Internet sites, through the
continued launch of new sites which address the editorial needs of
information technology consumers, and through its television programming.
LEVERAGE TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
In addition to using its television programming to promote the CNET
brand, the Company believes that its experience in developing and producing
television programming complements and strengthens its ability to develop
high-quality Internet content. The Company believes that the Internet as a
medium is more closely analogous to a hybrid between television and print,
and that quality Internet sites should be produced as multimedia offerings,
rather than being written like printed publications.
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LEVERAGE TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE CONTENT
The Company seeks to capitalize on available technology to create
compelling Internet content, to improve the speed and performance of its
Internet sites and to enhance the user's experience through customization and
personalization of content. The Company strives to improve the attractiveness
and usefulness of its Internet content by using the latest software tools and
supporting the latest technology standards, including Macromedia's Shockwave,
Microsoft's ActiveX, Progressive Networks' RealAudio and Sun Microsystems'
Java, as well as the leading Web browsers.
CREATE VALUE FOR ADVERTISERS
The Company believes that its Internet users, given their interest in
computer-related technology and their ability and willingness to obtain
information over the Internet, are generally an attractive audience for
advertisers and are relatively comfortable buying software and other
computer-related products over the Internet. The Company employs a
combination of proprietary and third party advertising generation, placement,
tracking and feedback technologies and services to help advertisers qualify
and quantify the effectiveness of their Internet advertising campaigns.
LEVERAGE BRAND, INFRASTRUCTURE AND EXISTING RELATIONSHIPS
The Company is continually exploring opportunities to leverage its
brand, infrastructure and existing audience and advertising customer base by
introducing new Internet sites and television programs and by offering new
services. For example, the Company believes that the successful introduction
of NEWS.COM was facilitated by the Company's ability to use its existing
infrastructure, to direct traffic from existing sites and to sell
advertisements to existing advertising customers. The Company's
site management software is also available to enhance the functionality of
all of the Company's sites, and features developed for one site can often be
employed by other sites. The Company attempts to move quickly to take
advantage of new opportunities, and believes that a significant competitive
advantage could be obtained by seizing market initiatives more quickly and
decisively than its competitors.
The success of the Company's business strategy will depend to a significant
extent on the Company's ability to expand its operations by successfully
developing new Internet sites and services and enhancing existing ones. From
time to time, the Company also entertains new business opportunities and
ventures in a broad range of areas. Any decision by the Company to pursue a
significant business expansion or new business opportunity would likely
require a substantial investment of capital, which could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and its ability to
implement its existing business strategy. Such an investment could also
result in large and prolonged operating losses for the Company. Further, the
pursuit of expansion or new business opportunities would place additional,
substantial burdens on the Company's management personnel and its financial
and operational systems. There can be no assurance that any new Internet site
or service or other new business venture would be developed in a cost
effective or timely matter or would achieve market acceptance. Any such
venture that is not favorably received by consumers could damage the
Company's reputation or the CNET brand. There can be no assurance that any
significant business expansion or new business opportunity would ever be
profitable, and a failure by the Company to recover the substantial
investment required could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and operating results.
INTERNET SITES AND SERVICES
All of the Company's Internet sites are offered under the CNET brand and
provide content and services to users interested in information technology
and the Internet. CNET Internet sites have attracted over 1.1 million
registered members and currently send over 1.4 million electronic mail
newsletters to members each week.
Internet sites currently operated by the Company include:
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LAUNCH DATE DESCRIPTION
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CNET.COM June 1995 The Company's flagship site, offering news, product
reviews, feature stories, interviews and other editorial
content about information technology and the Internet
SHAREWARE.COM November 1995 Editorial site, search engine and
download facility focused on freeware and shareware
SEARCH.COM March 1996 Organized collection of over 450 search
engines and directories, including
popular, broad-based search engines and
directories and those dedicated to
specific subject areas
NEWS.COM September 1996 Editorial site featuring the latest news and
analysis about the Internet and the
computer industry
DOWNLOAD.COM October 1996 Editorial site, search engine
and download facility focused on software
ACTIVEX.COM October 1996 Editorial site featuring ActiveX software
downloads, news and information
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GAMECENTER.COM November 1996 Editorial site featuring reviews and
information about popular computer games and
links to downloadable games
BUYDIRECT.COM November 1996 Secure environment for facilitating the purchase
of software direct from the vendor
MEDIADOME.COM December 1996 Site co-developed with Intel offering rich,
interactive multi-media experiences
</TABLE>
CNET.COM. The Company's flagship Internet site, CNET.COM, was launched in
June 1995 and serves as a central point on the Internet for the members of
the CNET community. The Company believes that CNET.COM has become a leading
source on the Internet of news, reviews and other editorial content related
to information technology and the Internet.
SHAREWARE.COM. The Company's second Internet site, SHAREWARE.COM, was
launched in November 1995. SHAREWARE.COM accesses CNET's Virtual Software
Library ("VSL"), through which users can search, browse and download from a
master index of over 240,000 shareware and freeware titles available on the
Internet. Users of SHAREWARE.COM can search the VSL index based on their
particular computer or operating system or by keywords related to the
functions of the software. Users can also browse through the contents of the
database by category (for example, utilities, games, business applications or
communications) or browse through a listing of new arrivals or the most
popular titles.
SEARCH.COM. Launched in March 1996, SEARCH.COM is an organized collection of
search engines and directories, including popular, broad-based search engines
and directories and those dedicated to specific subject areas. As the amount
of content on the Internet has grown, numerous companies have developed very
specific search engines that allow users to find Internet sites or
information related to specific subject areas. SEARCH.COM provides easy
access to the Internet's most popular search engines, as well as specialty
search engines, and currently presents them in categories such as Arts,
Business, Computing, Directories, Employment, Entertainment, Government,
News, Sports, Travel, Usenet and World Wide Web. Users also have the ability
through SEARCH.COM to personalize their default page with search boxes from
pre-selected search engines and links to particular Internet sites chosen by
the user.
NEWS.COM. In September 1996, the Company launched NEWS.COM, which is an
editorial site focused exclusively on providing daily coverage of breaking
news and scheduled events, in-depth analyses and original reporting related
to the computer industry, the Internet and computer industry personalities.
NEWS.COM is designed to provide broad coverage of these industries and to
appeal to information technology professionals, as well as industry
participants, corporate information systems officers and members of the
financial community. The site competes with weekly computer trade
publications by offering more current news and information and by integrating
text, audio and video to deliver high quality content. As a complement to
its daily news, the Company produces a daily audio report on the digital news
of the day. Using Progressive Networks' RealAudio software (which users can
download through the Company's Internet sites), users can hear the voices of
the newsmakers themselves on the issues of the day, such as a U.S.
Congressman responding to the morning's developments on telecommunications
reform or the president of a technology company announcing a new Internet
product.
DOWNLOAD.COM. In October 1996, the Company launched DOWNLOAD.COM, to provide
search, browse and download capabilities similar to SHAREWARE.COM. Whereas
SHAREWARE.COM is a search engine for users trying to find an ftp site for a
specific title across a database encompassing hundreds of thousands of
software titles, DOWNLOAD.COM is an organized directory of approximately
7,000 files which have descriptions and can be sorted by the user to find the
most popular titles in a given category.
ACTIVEX.COM. In October 1996, the Company launched ACTIVEX.COM to offer
Internet users the definitive site for finding news, reviews, information and
downloads of ActiveX components.
GAMECENTER.COM. Launched in November 1996, GAMECENTER.COM provides the
latest news and information about popular computer games and serves online
game players with current information and interactive product reviews, as
well as links to popular downloads of the newest games, tips and tricks, and
information for connecting with other game players.
BUYDIRECT.COM. In November 1996, the Company launched BUYDIRECT.COM, a site
which enables users to purchase and download software direct from the vendor.
MEDIADOME.COM. The December 1996 launch of Mediadome brought together the
Web media competencies of CNET and Intel Corporation to produce a site which
showcases multimedia enabling hardware and software technologies. Mediadome
produces periodic "webisodes" in conjunction with the launch of movies,
concerts and other media events. A recent webisode on Mediadome gave users
an opportunity to simulate landing a plane within an environment designed to
look and feel like the plane in the movie "Turbulence".
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The Company's future success depends upon its ability to deliver
original and compelling Internet content about information technology and the
Internet in order to attract users with demographic characteristics valuable
to the Company's advertising customers. There can be no assurance that the
Company's content will be attractive to a sufficient number of Internet users
to generate advertising revenues. There also can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to anticipate, monitor and successfully respond to
rapidly changing consumer tastes and preferences so as to attract a
sufficient number of users to its sites. Internet users can freely navigate
and instantly switch among a large number of Internet sites, many of which
offer original content, making it difficult for the Company to distinguish
its content and attract users. In addition, many other Internet sites offer
very specific, highly targeted content that could have greater appeal than
the Company's sites to particular subsets of the Company's target audience.
If the Company is unable to develop Internet content that allows it to
attract, retain and expand a loyal user base possessing demographic
characteristics attractive to advertisers, the Company will be unable to
generate advertising revenues, and its business, financial condition and
operating results will be materially adversely affected.
The Company's ability to advertise on other Internet sites and the
willingness of the owners of such sites to direct users to the Company's
Internet sites through hypertext links are critical to the success of the
Company's Internet operations. Other Internet sites, particularly search
engines, directories and other navigational tools managed by Internet service
providers and Web browser companies, significantly affect traffic to the
Company's Internet sites. In addition, the Company relies on the cooperation
of owners and operators of shareware and software archives and Internet
content and search services in connection with the operation of its Virtual
Software Library and its SEARCH.COM sites and expects to rely on
such owners and operators in connection with future Internet sites. There can
be no assurance that such cooperation will be available on acceptable
commercial terms or at all. The Company's ability to develop original and
compelling Internet content is also dependent on maintaining relationships
with and using products provided by third party vendors of Internet
development tools and technologies, such as Macromedia's Shockwave,
Microsoft's ActiveX, Progressive Networks' RealAudio and Sun Microsystems'
Java. Developing and maintaining satisfactory relationships with third
parties could become more difficult and more expensive as competition
increases among Internet content providers. If the Company is unable to
develop and maintain satisfactory relationships with such third parties on
acceptable commercial terms, or if the Company's competitors are better able
to leverage such relationships, the Company's business, financial condition
and operating results will be materially adversely affected.
There can be no assurance that any of the Company's recently developed
Internet sites or television programming will achieve market acceptance or
that the Company will be able to develop additional Internet sites or
television programs in a cost effective or timely manner. New Internet sites
and television programs could also divert users from the Company's existing
sites and programs and bring the Company into direct competition with new
competitors. In addition, any new Internet site or television program
launched by the Company that is not favorably received by consumers could
damage the Company's reputation or the CNET brand. Launching new Internet
sites and television programs will also require significant additional
expenses and programming and editorial resources and will strain the
Company's management, financial and operational resources. Furthermore,
certain of the Company's Internet sites rely on untested business
models, such as generating transaction-based revenue through Internet
commerce. Although the Company has begun to generate some revenue from
Internet commerce, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
continue to generate revenues from new sources in the future. The Company's
failure to launch new Internet sites or television programs in a cost
effective and timely manner, the lack of market acceptance of new sites or
television programs or the Company's inability to generate revenues from new
sites or television programs sufficient to offset the associated costs could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition
or operating results.
Rapid growth in the use of and interest in the Internet is a recent
phenomenon, and there can be no assurance that acceptance and use of the
Internet will continue to develop or that a sufficient base of users will
emerge to support the Company's business. Revenues from the Company's
Internet operations will depend largely on the widespread acceptance and use
of the Internet as a source of information and entertainment and as a vehicle
for commerce in goods and services. The Internet may not be accepted as a
viable commercial medium for a number of reasons, including potentially
inadequate development of the necessary network infrastructure, timely
development of enabling technologies or commercial support for Internet-based
advertising. To the extent that the Internet continues to experience an
increase in users, an increase in frequency of use or an increase in the
bandwidth requirements of users, there can be no assurance that the Internet
infrastructure will be able to support the demands placed upon it. In
addition, the Internet could lose its viability as a commercial medium due to
delays in the development or adoption of new standards and protocols required
to handle increased levels of Internet activity, or due to increased
government regulation. Changes in the pricing or quality of, or insufficient
availability of, telecommunications services to support the Internet also
could result in higher prices to end users or slower response times and could
adversely affect use of the Internet generally and of the Company's Internet
sites in particular. If use of the Internet does not continue to grow or
grows more slowly than expected, or if the Internet infrastructure does not
effectively support growth that may occur, the Company's business, financial
condition and operating results would be materially adversely affected.
TELEVISION
The Company produces television programming for viewers interested in
information technology and the Internet. The Company's television programming
is intended to complement and strengthen the Company's Internet operations by
building brand
<PAGE>
awareness, attracting new users and generating content that can also be
presented through the Internet. Three of the Company's programs are carried
nationally on cable television through the USA Network and the Sci-Fi
Channel, both of which are owned by USA Networks, and one program is aired
nationally on broadcast television. All the programs are produced in-house by
the Company in its San Francisco headquarters studio. CNET employs a
permanent staff of producers, researchers, editors and directors to create
its programs and hires additional freelance camera crews and freelance
producers as appropriate.
DIGITAL DOMAIN. Three of the Company's programs, CNET CENTRAL, THE WEB,
and THE NEW EDGE are aired in a two hour programming block on the Sci-Fi
Channel, and are referred to as THE DIGITAL DOMAIN. Additionally, CNET CENTRAL
is aired nationally on USA Network and locally on KPIX-TV, the San Francisco
CBS affiliate. The USA Network reaches over 70 million cable television homes,
and the Sci-Fi Channel (an affiliate of USA Networks), reaches over 40
million cable homes. Based on Nielson Ratings, the three programs reached an
average weekly audience of 1,000,000 viewers during the fourth quarter of 1996.
CNET CENTRAL. Launched in April 1995 as the Company's first television
program, CNET CENTRAL covers the latest in news, features and human interest
stories relating to information technology and the Internet. The series
includes news updates from CNET's news staff and demonstrations of new and
interesting Internet sites. CNET CENTRAL also covers new product
introductions, such as the release of new games, applications and tools, and
related product reviews and demonstrations. Viewers are encouraged to visit
CNET's Internet sites for more detailed information and reviews and to
download available software.
THE WEB. Launched in July 1996, THE WEB is an hour long show
focused on the Internet and online services and is similar in style
to CNET CENTRAL, but with increased use of in-studio interviews and
demonstrations. The Web shows viewers the hottest Web sites, explains the
latest tools and covers the Internet culture.
THE NEW EDGE. Launched in July 1996, THE NEW EDGE is a half-hour,
magazine format show that focuses on new technological breakthroughs and how
they will change our lives. Each program contains four segments that cover
topics from action/adventure and entertainment, to the healthcare industry
and computer science.
TV.COM. Launched in September 1996, TV.COM is a half-hour program that
offers the latest news, gossip and interviews relating to information
technology and the Internet. TV.COM is distributed under a syndication
agreement with Golden Gate Productions, L.P. and airs nationally on broadcast
television in over 120 markets. During the fourth quarter of 1996, TV.COM
achieved an average weekly audience of approximately 1,000,000 viewers.
Using material from its tape library, the Company also produces
90-second inserts about information technology and the Internet for
syndication to local news operations around the country. These inserts are
designed to help promote the CNET brand and typically feature a host from
CNET CENTRAL standing in the CNET studio in front of the CNET logo. The
inserts are syndicated into 40 local markets (including Los Angeles,
California and Cleveland, Ohio) and achieved an average cumulative audience
estimated at over 6 million viewers per week. The Company's technology
inserts are sold by Preview Media pursuant to an agreement between the two
companies under which CNET is responsible for producing the inserts and
Preview Media is responsible for syndicating and distributing them into local
news markets. The Company and Preview Media share all net revenues of the
venture equally.
There can be no assurance that the Company's television programming will
be accepted by television broadcasters, cable networks or their viewers. The
successful development and production of television programming is subject to
numerous uncertainties, including the ability to anticipate and successfully
respond to rapidly changing consumer tastes and preferences, obtain favorable
distribution rights, fund new program development and attract and retain
qualified producers, writers, technical personnel and television hosts. If
the Company is unable to develop television programming that allows it to
attract, retain and expand a loyal television audience, the Company will be
unable to achieve its strategic objectives, and its business, financial
condition and operating results will be materially adversely affected.
AGREEMENT WITH USA NETWORKS
Through June 30, 1996, CNET CENTRAL was carried nationally by
USA Networks pursuant to an agreement between the Company and USA Networks,
entered into in February 1995, under which the Company paid USA Networks a
monthly fee of approximately $147,000 and received the right to sell all of
the available advertising during the program and to retain all advertising
revenues. In connection with this agreement, the Company issued USA Networks
a warrant to purchase an aggregate of 516,750 shares of Common Stock at an
exercise price of $2.41 per share. The warrant was scheduled to vest in eight
equal quarterly installments beginning July 1, 1996, provided that USA
Networks continued to carry CNET CENTRAL in accordance with the agreement.
In April 1996, the Company and USA Networks amended their agreement,
effective July 1, 1996. Under the amended agreement, USA Networks licenses
the right to carry CNET CENTRAL, THE WEB and THE NEW EDGE for an initial one
year term and is
<PAGE>
entitled to sell all available advertising on the three programs. In
exchange, USA Networks pays a fee to the Company which is limited to the
Company's costs of producing the three programs and will in no event exceed
$5.2 million for the initial one year term. In January 1997, USA Networks
extended the agreement with respect to the three programs for an additional
year, during which the fee payable to the Company will again be limited to
the costs of producing such programs, subject to a maximum amount of $5.5
million. There can be no assurance that the contract with USA Networks will
be extended after June 30, 1998 or that the Company will be able to
distribute its programming through USA Networks or any other television
network if the contract is not extended. USA Networks is not required to
carry any of the programming that it purchases from the Company under the
agreement. If USA Networks chooses not to carry the Company's television
programming, there can be no assurance that the Company would be able to
obtain alternative distribution through other cable channels or networks on
acceptable commercial terms or at all. If the Company is unable to secure and
maintain distribution for its television programming on acceptable commercial
terms, the Company will be unable to achieve the strategic objectives of its
television programming, which would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and operating results.
Pursuant to the amended agreement, the Company and USA Networks also
agreed to modify the vesting provisions of the warrant previously granted to
USA Networks. Under the amended agreement, the warrant became exercisable
with respect to 206,700 shares of Common Stock (40% of the total) on July 1,
1996. The warrant will become exercisable with respect to an additional
155,025 shares (30% of the total) on June 30, 1997 if, during the year ended
on such date, USA Networks has transmitted at least 90% of the three programs
covered by the agreement during their regularly scheduled time periods, or
during other times at least as favorable. The warrant will become exercisable
with respect to the remaining 155,025 shares (30% of the total) on June 30,
1998, if during the year ended June 30, 1998, USA Networks has transmitted at
least 90% of the episodes of such programs during their regularly scheduled
time periods, or during other times at least as favorable. With respect to
the June 30, 1997 and 1998 vesting provisions, if USA Networks transmits less
than 90% but more than 70% of the required programs, then the warrant will
vest with respect to a portion of the scheduled amount based on the extent to
which such percentage exceeds 70%.
In connection with the extension of the agreement in January 1997, the
Company agreed that the warrants will vest in full on December 31, 2006, to
the extent they have not previously vested. As a result of this change, the
Company will incur a one-time charge to earnings of approximately $7.0
million during the first quarter of 1997.
During the initial one-year term of the amended agreement, which ends on
June 30, 1997, the Company has agreed to pay USA Networks a fee of $1.0
million for the right to cross-market the Company's Internet sites on the
television programs produced by the Company for USA Networks. During the
second year extension the Company will pay a fee of $750,000 for the right to
continue such cross-marketing activities. These fees are reported by the
Company as marketing expenses.
SALES AND MARKETING
The Company's sales and marketing staff consisted of 52 full-time
employees at December 31, 1996, located in the Company's headquarters in
San Francisco, California, and in a sales office in New York, New York.
The Company's Internet revenues are derived from the sale of advertising
by the Company's direct sales organization. The Company provides discounts
from its rate card for multiple package purchases and for longer-term
agreements. CNET provides a number of services free of charge to its
advertisers, including advertising response tools and advertising targeting.
Advertisers can also take advantage of the Company's full-time consulting
group, which provides assistance and advice in implementing Internet-based
advertising campaigns.
Under the Company's initial agreement with USA Networks, the Company
had the right to sell all of the available advertising during its CNET
CENTRAL television series through June 30, 1996, and the Company's direct
sales organization had been responsible for advertising sales related to
the series. Under the Company's amended agreement with USA Networks, which
became effective on July 1, 1996, USA Networks is entitled to sell all
available advertising on the three programs covered by the agreement, and the
Company receives a license fee payable to the Company by USA Networks.
Consequently, beginning on July 1, 1996, the Company's direct sales
force was no longer involved in the sale of television advertising.
<PAGE>
The Company's revenues through December 31, 1996 were derived from the sale
of advertising on its Internet sites and from advertising and license fees
from producing its television programs. Each of the Company's advertising
contracts can be terminated by the customer at any time on very short notice.
Consequently, the Company's advertising customers may move their advertising
to competing Internet sites or from the Internet to traditional media,
quickly and at low cost, thereby increasing the Company's exposure to
competitive pressures and fluctuations in net revenues and operating results.
In selling Internet advertising, the Company also depends to a significant
extent on advertising agencies, which exercise substantial control over the
placement of advertising for the Company's existing and potential advertising
customers. If the Company loses advertising customers, fails to attract new
customers or is forced to reduce advertising rates in order to retain or
attract customers, the Company's business, financial condition and operating
results will be materially adversely affected. See Note 7 of Notes to
Financial Statements.
The Company's marketing activities are designed to promote the CNET
brand and to attract consumers to its Internet sites and television
programming. The Company currently retains approximately 20% of its
inventory of Internet advertising banners to promote its own content and
services. The Company also uses its electronic newsletters, NEWS.COM
DISPATCH, DIGITAL DISPATCH and SOFTWARE DISPATCH, to promote and cross-market
its services. The Company's marketing efforts also include participation in
trade shows, conferences, speaking engagements, print, television, radio and
Internet advertising campaigns and efforts to generate exposure in trade
magazines and general interest magazines and newspapers.
The Company's Internet advertising customers have only limited
experience with the Internet as an advertising medium and neither such
customers or their advertising agencies have devoted a significant portion of
their advertising budgets to Internet-based advertising in the past. A
significant portion of the Company's potential customers have no experience
with the Internet as an advertising medium and have not devoted any
significant portion of their advertising budgets to Internet-based
advertising in the past. In order for the Company to generate advertising
revenues, advertisers and advertising agencies must direct a significant
portion of their budgets to the Internet and, specifically, to the Company's
Internet sites. There can be no assurance that advertisers or advertising
agencies will be persuaded to allocate or continue to allocate significant
portions of their budgets to Internet-based advertising, or, if so persuaded,
that they will find Internet-based advertising to be more effective than
advertising in traditional media such as print, broadcast and cable
television, or in any event decide to advertise or continue to advertise on
the Company's Internet sites. Acceptance of the Internet among advertisers
and advertising agencies will also depend to a large extent on the level of
use of the Internet by consumers, which is highly uncertain, and on the
acceptance of new methods of conducting business and exchanging information.
Advertisers and advertising agencies that have invested substantial resources
in traditional methods of advertising may be reluctant to modify their media
buying behavior or their systems and infrastructure to use Internet-based
advertising. Furthermore, no standards to measure the effectiveness of
Internet-based advertising have yet gained widespread acceptance, and there
can be no assurance that such standards will be adopted or adopted broadly
enough to support widespread acceptance of Internet-based advertising. If
Internet-based advertising is not widely accepted by advertisers and
advertising agencies, the Company's business, financial condition and
operating results will be materially adversely affected.
Promotion of the CNET brand will depend largely on the Company's success
in providing high quality Internet and television programming, which cannot
be assured. If consumers do not perceive the Company's existing Internet and
television content to be of high quality, or if the Company introduces new
Internet sites or television programs or enters into new business ventures
that are not favorably received by consumers, the Company will be
unsuccessful in promoting and maintaining its brand. To the extent the
Company expands the focus of its operations beyond providing Internet and
television content related to information technology and the Internet, the
Company risks diluting its brand, confusing consumers and decreasing the
attractiveness of its audience to advertisers. Furthermore, in order to
attract and retain Internet users and television viewers, and to promote and
maintain the CNET brand in response to competitive pressures, the Company may
find it necessary to increase its budgets for Internet content and television
programming or otherwise to increase substantially its financial commitment
to creating and maintaining a distinct brand loyalty among consumers. If the
Company is unable to provide high quality content or otherwise fails to
promote and maintain its brand, or if the Company incurs excessive expenses
in an attempt to improve its content or promote and maintain its brand, the
Company's business, financial condition and operating results will be
materially adversely affected.
TECHNOLOGY
The Company maintains a technology office in Bridgewater, New Jersey,
that focuses on developing and implementing proprietary tools to manage and
improve the Company's Internet sites and advertising services. The Company's
efforts to develop Internet site management technologies are focused on
improving the speed and reliability of the Company's Internet sites, creating
publishing tools for Internet content and developing advertisement tracking
and management tools. Using its internally developed publishing tools, the
Company is able to separate its Internet content, which resides in a
database, from the presentation or formatting of the content on the Internet.
This separation of content and presentation allows the Company to quickly
incorporate new presentation technologies into its sites and to customize the
presentation of content and also speeds the production process by enabling
the Company's
<PAGE>
editorial staff of journalists and editors to enter information quickly and
to post time-sensitive material with minimal lead time. The Company's Dynamic
Advertisement Delivery system allows the Company to customize the delivery of
advertisements by placing advertisements on specific Internet pages based on
the user's method of Internet access and hardware and software configuration.
The Company has also developed an Advertising Response and Monitoring
program, which allows advertisers to track and test the effectiveness of
their Internet-based marketing programs.
In July 1996, the Company invested $512,000 in cash and transferred rights
to certain of its proprietary site management software systems to Vignette
Corporation ("Vignette"), an Austin, Texas, based software development company,
in exchange for a minority equity interest in Vignette. Vignette intends to
market an Internet site management system to operators of large Internet sites,
such as those operated by the Company, and the Company and various unrelated
third parties are currently testing a beta version of Vignette's system. As a
result of the Company's investment in Vignette, certain site management
technologies that were previously proprietary to the Company are now available
to the Company's competitors.
The market for Internet products and services is characterized by rapid
technological developments, frequent new product introductions and evolving
industry standards. The emerging character of these products and services and
their rapid evolution will require that the Company continually improve the
performance, features and reliability of its Internet content, particularly in
response to competitive offerings. There can be no assurance that the Company
will be successful in responding quickly, cost effectively and sufficiently to
these developments. In addition, the widespread adoption of new Internet
technologies or standards could require substantial expenditures by the Company
to modify or adapt its Internet sites and services and could fundamentally
affect the character, viability and frequency of Internet-based advertising,
either of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition or operating results. In addition, new Internet services or
enhancements offered by the Company may contain design flaws or other defects
that could require costly modifications or result in a loss of consumer
confidence, either of which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition or operating results.
The satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of the Company's
Internet sites and its network infrastructure are critical to attracting
Internet users and maintaining relationships with advertising customers. The
Company's Internet advertising revenues are directly related to the number of
advertisements delivered by the Company to users. System interruptions that
result in the unavailability of the Company's Internet sites or slower response
times for users would reduce the number of advertisements delivered and reduce
the attractiveness of the Company's Internet sites to users and advertisers. The
Company has experienced periodic system interruptions in the past and believes
that such interruptions will continue to occur from time to time in the future.
Additionally, any substantial increase in traffic on the Company's Internet
sites will require the Company to expand and adapt its network infrastructure.
The Company's inability to add additional software and hardware to accommodate
increased traffic on its Internet sites may cause unanticipated system
disruptions and result in slower response times. There can be no assurance that
the Company will be able to expand its network infrastructure on a timely basis
to meet increased demand. Any increase in system interruptions or slower
response times resulting from the foregoing factors could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or operating
results.
A party who is able to circumvent the Company's security measures could
misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions in the Company's
Internet operations. The Company may be required to expend significant capital
and resources to protect against the threat of such security breaches or to
alleviate problems caused by such breaches. Concerns over the security of
Internet transactions and the privacy of users may also inhibit the growth of
the Internet generally, particularly as a means of conducting commercial
transactions. To the extent that activities of the Company or third party
contractors involve the storage and transmission of proprietary information,
such as computer software or credit card numbers, security breaches could expose
the Company to a risk of loss or litigation and possible liability. There can be
no assurance that contractual provisions attempting to limit the Company's
liability in such areas will be successful or enforceable, or that other parties
will accept such contractual provisions as part of the Company's agreements.
JOINT VENTURE WITH E! ENTERTAINMENT
In January 1996, the Company announced the creation of a joint venture with
E! Entertainment to launch an Internet site focusing on entertainment
news, movies, television, celebrities and gossip. The new Internet site, which
the joint venture launched in the third quarter of 1996, is called E! ONLINE
(http://www.eonline.com) and is designed to complement the television
programming of E! Entertainment's 24 hour cable network, which reaches over
39 million homes, with programming that includes E! NEWS DAILY, THE GOSSIP
SHOW, TALK SOUP and THE HOWARD STERN SHOW. The joint venture, which is owned
50% by the Company and 50% by E! Entertainment, is managed as a separate
business and has its own employees, but each party has agreed to provide
certain overhead and support services. As part of its commitment, E!
Entertainment has given the joint venture online rights to its television
programming and agreed to provide marketing support by including the site's
Internet address in its on-air and off-air promotions. The Company has agreed
to provide certain administrative and infrastructure support, to license
certain proprietary technology to the joint venture and to provide oversight
with respect to the development of the joint venture's Internet site and the
hiring of employees. The Company has also agreed to provide $3.0 million in
debt financing to the joint venture during its first two
<PAGE>
years of operations, which amount is being advanced pursuant to a seven year
note, bearing interest at 9% per annum. In addition, the Company has agreed
to provide up to an additional $3.0 million in equity capital to the joint
venture through January 1999. Except for its commitment to provide $3.0
million in debt financing and $3.0 million in equity capital, the Company is
not obligated to provide any financing to the joint venture, but may choose
to do so with the consent of E! Entertainment. E! Entertainment is not
required to provide any financing to the joint venture. As with other new
business opportunities, the E! ONLINE venture will place additional burdens
on the Company's management and existing operations. There can be no
assurance that E! ONLINE will achieve market acceptance, generate revenues or
become profitable, and losses incurred by the joint venture or the inability
of the Company to generate an adequate return on its investment could
materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition or
operating results.
COMPETITION
Competition among content providers is intense and is expected to increase
significantly in the future. The Company's Internet and television operations
compete against a variety of firms that provide content through one or more
media, such as print, broadcast, cable television and the Internet. As with any
other content provider, the Company competes generally with other content
providers for the time and attention of consumers and for advertising revenues.
To compete successfully, the Company must provide sufficiently compelling and
popular Internet content and television programming to attract Internet users
and television viewers and to support advertising intended to reach such users
and viewers. In the Company's content niche of information technology and the
Internet, the Company competes in particular with the publishers of computer-
oriented magazines, such as Ziff-Davis Publishing Company, International Data
Group and CMP Publications, and with television companies that offer computer-
related programming, such as the Cable News Network, the Discovery Channel,
Jones Computer Network, Mind Extension University and MSNBC, a joint venture
between Microsoft Corporation and General Electric's NBC Television Network.
Each of these competitors also offers one or more Internet sites with content
designed to complement its magazines or television programming.
In the market for Internet content, the Company competes with other
Internet content and service providers, including Web directories, search
engines, shareware archives, sites that offer original editorial content,
commercial online services and sites maintained by Internet service providers.
These competitors include Excite, Inc., Infoseek Corporation, Lycos, Inc.,
Microsoft Corporation, Netscape Communications Corporation, Time Warner, Inc.,
PointCast Incorporated, SOFTBANK Corporation, Starwave Corporation and Yahoo!
Inc., as well as America Online, Inc., CompuServe, Inc. and Prodigy Services Co.
The market for Internet content and services is new, intensely competitive and
rapidly evolving. There are minimal barriers to entry, and current and new
competitors can launch new sites at relatively low cost. In addition, the
Company competes for the time and attention of Internet users with thousands of
non-profit Internet sites operated by individuals, government and educational
institutions. Existing and potential competitors also include magazine and
newspaper publishers, cable television companies and startup ventures attracted
to the Internet market. Accordingly, the Company expects competition to persist
and intensify and the number of competitors to increase significantly in the
future. As the Company expands the scope of its Internet content and services,
it will compete directly with a greater number of Internet sites and other media
companies. Because the operations and strategic plans of existing and future
competitors are undergoing rapid change, it is extremely difficult for the
Company to anticipate which companies are likely to offer competitive services
in the future. There can be no assurance that the Company's Internet operations
will compete successfully.
With respect to its television operations, the Company competes directly
with established broadcast and cable television networks and with other
distributors and producers of programming about information technology and the
Internet. The Company also faces potential competition from a wide range of
existing broadcast and cable television companies, and from joint ventures
between television companies and computer-oriented magazine publishers or
computer hardware or software vendors, any of which could produce television
programming that competes directly with the Company's television programming.
For example, Ziff-Davis Publishing Company has commenced production of a
computer-oriented television series called The Site, which is carried on
MSNBC.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 1996, the Company had a total of 372 employees, all of
whom are based in the United States. Of the total, 201 were involved in the
Company's Internet operations, 52 were engaged in marketing and sales, 49 were
involved in television production, 41 provided creative services for the
Company's Internet and television operations and 29 were in administration and
finance. The Company's performance is substantially dependent on the continued
services of Halsey M. Minor, Shelby W. Bonnie and the other members of its
senior management team, as well as on the Company's ability to retain and
motivate its other officers and key employees. The Company does not have "key
person" life insurance policies on any of its officers or other employees. The
Company's future success also depends on its continuing ability to attract and
retain highly qualified personnel. The production of content for the Internet
and television requires highly skilled writers and editors and personnel with
sophisticated technical expertise, and the number of such personnel available is
extremely limited. Competition for such personnel among
<PAGE>
companies with operations involving computer technology, the Internet and
television production is intense, and there can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to retain its existing employees or that it will be able
to attract, assimilate or retain sufficiently qualified personnel in the
future. In particular, the Company has encountered difficulties in attracting
qualified software developers for its Internet sites and related
technologies, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
attract and retain such developers. The inability to attract and retain the
necessary technical, managerial, editorial and sales personnel could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or
operating results. None of the Company's employees is represented by a labor
union. The Company has not experienced any work stoppages and considers its
relations with its employees to be good.
The Company has rapidly and significantly expanded its operations and
anticipates that significant expansion of its operations will continue to be
required in order to address potential market opportunities. This rapid growth
has placed, and is expected to continue to place, a significant strain on the
Company's management, operational and financial resources. From January 1, 1996
to December 31, 1996, the Company grew from 105 to 372 employees. The increase
in the number of employees and the Company's market diversification and product
development activities have resulted in increased responsibility for the
Company's management. The Company's management will be required to successfully
maintain relationships with various advertising customers, advertising agencies,
other Internet sites and services, Internet service providers and other third
parties and to maintain control over the strategic direction of the Company in a
rapidly changing environment. There can be no assurance that the Company's
current personnel, systems, procedures and controls will be adequate to support
the Company's future operations, that management will be able to identify, hire,
train, motivate or manage required personnel or that management will be able to
successfully identify and exploit existing and potential market opportunities.
If the Company is unable to manage growth effectively, the Company's business,
financial condition and operating results will be materially adversely affected.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
The Company's success and ability to compete is dependent in part on the
protection of its original content for the Internet and television and on the
goodwill associated with its trademarks, trade names, service marks and other
proprietary rights. The Company relies on copyright laws to protect the
original content that it develops for the Internet and television, including
its editorial features and its Virtual Software Library database. In
addition, the Company relies on federal trademark laws to provide additional
protection for the appearance of its Internet sites. A substantial amount of
uncertainty exists concerning the application of copyright and trademark laws
to the Internet, and there can be no assurance that existing laws will
provide adequate protection for the Company's original content or its
Internet domain names. In addition, because copyright laws do not prohibit
independent development of similar content, there can be no assurance that
copyright laws will provide any competitive advantage to the Company.
The Company has filed applications to register a number of its
trademarks and service marks, including the name "CNET" and the related logo
and the names CNET.COM, SHAREWARE.COM, SEARCH.COM and DOWNLOAD.COM, but no
federal registrations have been granted for any names or marks used by the
Company. The Company also asserts common law protection on certain names and
marks that it has used in connection with its business activities. Two third
parties objected to the Company's application to register the service mark
"c|net: the computer network," and, in connection with one of these
objections, the Company agreed not to use such mark for any real estate or
insurance related services. There can be no assurance that the Company will
be able to secure registration for any of its marks. The Company has also
invested significant resources in purchasing Internet domain names for
existing and potential Internet sites from the registered owners of such
names. There is a substantial degree of uncertainty concerning the
application of federal trademark law to the protection of Internet domain
names, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be entitled to use
such domain names.
The Company relies on trade secret and copyright laws to protect the
proprietary technologies that it has developed to manage and improve its
Internet sites and advertising services, but there can be no assurance that such
laws will provide sufficient protection to the Company, that others will not
develop technologies that are similar or superior to the Company's, or that
third parties will not copy or otherwise obtain and use the Company's
technologies without authorization. The Company has filed patent applications
with respect to certain of its software systems, methods and related
technologies, but there can be no assurance that such applications will be
granted or that any future patents will not be challenged, invalidated or
circumvented, or that the rights granted thereunder will provide a competitive
advantage for the Company. In addition, the Company relies on certain technology
licensed from third parties, and may be required to license additional
technology in the future, for use in managing its Internet sites and providing
related services to users and advertising customers. The Company's ability to
generate revenues from Internet commerce may also depend on data encryption and
authentication technologies that the Company may be required to license from
third parties. There can be no assurance that these third party technology
licenses will be available or will continue to be available to the Company on
acceptable commercial terms or at all. The inability to enter into and maintain
any of these technology licenses could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition or operating results.
<PAGE>
Policing unauthorized use of the Company's proprietary technology and
other intellectual property rights could entail significant expense and could
be difficult or impossible, particularly given the global nature of the
Internet and the fact that the laws of other countries may afford the Company
little or no effective protection of its intellectual property. In addition,
there can be no assurance that third parties will not bring claims of
copyright or trademark infringement against the Company or claim that the
Company's use of certain technologies violates a patent. The Company
anticipates an increase in patent infringement claims involving
Internet-related technologies as the number of products and competitors in
this market grows and as related patents are issued. Further, there can be no
assurance that third parties will not claim that the Company has
misappropriated their creative ideas or formats or otherwise infringed upon
their proprietary rights in connection with its Internet content or
television programming. Any claims of infringement, with or without merit,
could be time consuming to defend, result in costly litigation, divert
management attention, require the Company to enter into costly royalty or
licensing arrangements or prevent the Company from using important
technologies or methods, any of which could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, financial condition or operating results.
As a publisher and a distributor of content over the Internet and
television, the Company also faces potential liability for defamation,
negligence, copyright, patent or trademark infringement and other claims based
on the nature and content of the materials that it publishes or distributes.
Such claims have been brought, and sometimes successfully pressed, against
online services. In addition, the Company could be exposed to liability with
respect to material indexed in its Virtual Software Library or its various
search services. Although the Company carries general liability insurance, the
Company's insurance may not cover potential claims of this type or may not be
adequate to indemnify the Company for all liability that may be imposed. Any
imposition of liability that is not covered by insurance or is in excess of
insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition or operating results.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
As a provider of Internet content, the Company is subject to the provisions
of the recently enacted Communications Decency Act (the "CDA"), which, among
other things, impose criminal penalties on anyone that distributes "obscene" or
"indecent" material over the Internet. Although the manner in which the CDA and
similar state laws will be interpreted and enforced and their effect on the
Company's operations cannot yet be fully determined, they could subject the
Company to substantial liability. For example, the Company does not and cannot
practically screen the contents of its Virtual Software Library, which generates
an index and facilitates the downloading of over 240,000 software titles,
some of which could contain material that implicates the CDA. The CDA and
similar state laws could also dampen the growth of the Internet generally and
decrease the acceptance of the Internet as an advertising medium, and could,
thereby, have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition or operating results. It is also possible that new laws and
regulations will be adopted covering issues such as privacy, copyright
infringement, obscene or indecent communications and the pricing,
characteristics and quality of Internet products and services. Application to
the Internet of existing laws and regulations governing issues such as property
ownership, libel and personal privacy is also subject to substantial
uncertainty.
The television industry is subject to extensive regulation at the
federal, state and local levels. In addition, legislative and regulatory
proposals under consideration by Congress and federal agencies may materially
affect the industry and the Company's ability to obtain distribution for its
television programming.
There can be no assurance that the CDA or other current or new government
laws and regulations, or the application of existing laws and regulations, will
not subject the Company to significant liabilities, significantly dampen growth
in Internet usage, prevent the Company from obtaining distribution for its
television programming, prevent the Company from offering certain Internet
content or services or otherwise cause a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition or operating results.
ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
The Company leases approximately 55,000 square feet of office and studio
space in San Francisco, California, that, together with approximately 19,000
square feet of additional space under short-term leases in two other buildings
in San Francisco, California, houses the Company's principal administrative,
finance, sales, marketing, Internet production and television production
operations. In addition, the Company leases approximately 8,000 square feet of
office space in Bridgewater, New Jersey, that is used primarily by technology
personnel and 3,000 square feet of office space in New York, New York, that is
used primarily by sales personnel.
<PAGE>
The Company's San Francisco headquarters facility is leased through
December 31, 1999, and the Company has two five year renewal options. In the
first quarter of 1997, the Company entered into leases on approximately
57,000 square feet of additional office space. The Company occupied and
commenced lease payments on approximately 12,000 square feet in January 1997;
and expects to occupy and commence lease payments on 16,000 square feet in
May 1997 and 29,000 square feet in September 1997. The leases expire between
April 2001 and August 2004. The Company believes that the general condition
of its leased real estate is good and that its facilities are generally
suitable for the purposes for which they are being used. However, the Company
anticipates that additional facilities will be required if the Company is
successful in achieving its growth objectives.
The Company's Internet and television operations are vulnerable to
interruption by fire, earthquake, power loss, telecommunications failure and
other events beyond the Company's control. All of the Company's servers and
television production equipment is currently located in San Francisco,
California, an area that is susceptible to earthquakes. Since launching its
first Internet site in June 1995, the Company has experienced system downtime
for limited periods of up to a few hours due to power loss and
telecommunications failures, and there can be no assurance that interruptions in
service will not materially adversely affect the Company's operations in the
future. The Company does not carry sufficient business interruption insurance to
compensate the Company for losses that may occur, and any losses or damages
incurred by the Company could have a material adverse effect on its business,
financial condition or operating results.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is from time to time a party to legal proceedings that arise in
the ordinary course of business. There is no pending or threatened legal
proceeding to which the Company is a party that, in the opinion of the Company's
management, is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition or operating results.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The Company's common stock is traded on the National Market System of
the Nasdaq Stock Market ("Nasdaq") under the symbol "CNWK".
On July 2, 1997 the Company effected its initial public offering (the
"IPO"). The following table sets forth the ranges of high and low trading prices
of the common stock for the quarterly periods indicated, as reported by Nasdaq.
High Low
------- -------
Year ended December 31, 1996
Third quarter $20.500 $12.000
Fourth quarter $29.000 $14.188
At March 14, 1997 the closing price for the Company's common stock, as
reported by Nasdaq, was $21.50.
At March 14, 1997, the approximate number of holders of record of the
Company's common stock was 107.
Simultaneously with the closing of the IPO, the Company sold 600,000
shares of common stock to Intel Corporation in a private offering at a price
of $14.88 per share. The purchase agreement governing this transaction
includes registration rights pursuant to which Intel can require the Company
to effect one registration of the common stock during the first six months of
1997. Thereafter, Intel will be able to require the Company to maintain an
effective shelf registration statement covering its shares. Intel is also
entitled to incidental registration rights with respect to any offering of
common stock by the Company. For so long as Intel owns at least 300,000 of
the 600,000 shares purchased, the Company will allow a designee of Intel to
attend meetings of the Company's Board of Directors as an observer or, at
Intel's option, the Company will appoint a designee of Intel to the Board of
Directors of the Company.
<PAGE>
ITEM 6. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
CNET: the computer network is a media company focused on providing original
Internet content and television programming relating to information technology
and the Internet.
The Company was formed in December 1992, and its primary operating
activities through December 1994 were producing the television pilot for CNET
CENTRAL, marketing the pilot to cable networks for distribution, recruiting
personnel, purchasing operating assets, marketing the CNET brand and performing
initial planning and development for CNET.COM. The Company began to recognize
television advertising revenues in April 1995 with the launch of CNET CENTRAL on
the USA Network and the Sci-Fi Channel. The Company's first Internet site on the
World Wide Web, CNET.COM, became operational in June 1995 and began to generate
advertising revenues in October 1995.
The Company's cost of revenues and operating expenses have grown
substantially since the Company's inception. This trend reflects the costs
associated with formation of the Company, marketing of CNET CENTRAL to various
cable networks to obtain distribution, building an infrastructure, development
and preproduction activities for the Company's Internet sites, ongoing costs
related to the production of Internet sites and television programming and sales
and marketing for the Company and its services. The Company believes that
continued expansion of its operations is essential to achieving its strategic
goals. The Company therefore intends to continue to substantially increase
expenditures in all areas of its operations, resulting in continued increases in
cost of revenues and operating expenses.
The Company has an extremely limited operating history upon which an
evaluation of the Company and its prospects can be based. The Company's
prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties
frequently encountered by start-up companies in the television programming
industry and in the new and rapidly evolving market for Internet products,
content and services. To address these risks, the Company must, among other
things, effectively develop new relationships and maintain existing
relationships with its advertising customers, their advertising agencies and
other third parties, provide original and compelling content to Internet users
and television viewers, develop and upgrade its technology, respond to
competitive developments and attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel.
There can be no assurance that the Company will succeed in addressing such risks
and the failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition or operating results. Additionally, the limited
operating history of the Company makes the prediction of future operating
results difficult or impossible, and there can be no assurance that the
Company's revenues will increase or even continue at their current level or that
the Company will achieve or maintain profitability or generate cash from
operations in future periods. Since inception, the Company has incurred
significant losses and, as of December 31, 1996, had an accumulated deficit of
$29.3 million. The Company expects to continue to incur significant losses on a
quarterly and annual basis in the future.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
REVENUES
TOTAL REVENUES. The Company began to generate revenues in April 1995, and total
revenues were $14.8 million and $3.5 million for 1996 and 1995, respectively.
TELEVISION REVENUES. Revenues attributable to television operations were $4.7
million and $3.1 million for 1996 and 1995 respectively. From April 1995 through
June 1996, television revenues were derived primarily from the sale of
advertising during the Company's CNET CENTRAL television series. CNET CENTRAL
was carried nationally on USA Network and the SciFi Channel pursuant to an
agreement with USA Networks under which the Company was entitled to sell
available advertising included in the program. Revenues were recognized upon
broadcast based on the number of viewers of the program.
Effective July 1, 1996, the Company and USA Networks amended their
agreement, whereby USA Networks licensed the right to carry CNET CENTRAL and two
additional programs, THE NEW EDGE and THE WEB, on its networks for an initial
one-year term for a fee equal to the cost of production of those programs up to
a maximum of $5.2 million. In January 1997, USA Networks agreed to extend the
agreement for an additional year beginning July 1, 1997 and revenues will again
be limited to the costs of producing such programs, subject to a maximum amount
of $5.5 million. In connection with this extension to the agreement, the Company
agreed that the warrants held by USA Networks will vest in full on December 31,
2006, to the extent they have not previously vested. As a result of this change,
the Company will incur a one-time charge to earnings of approximately $7.0
million during the first quarter of 1997.
In August 1996, the Company entered into an agreement with Golden Gate
Production, L.P.
<PAGE>
("GGP"), whereby the Company produces a television program, TV.COM, which is
exclusively distributed by GGP. Any revenue from the distribution of TV.COM
will first be used to offset costs of distribution and production and
thereafter will be shared equally by CNET and GGP.
INTERNET REVENUES. Revenues attributable to the Company's Internet operations
commenced October 1, 1995 and were $10.1 million and $393,000 for 1996 and 1995,
respectively. Internet revenues consist primarily of revenues derived from the
sale of advertisements on pages delivered to users of the Company's Internet
sites. Each delivery of an advertisement on a page of an Internet site is
recognized by the Company as a confirmed ad delivered ("CAD"). Advertising
revenues are derived principally from arrangements with the Company's
advertising customers that provide for a fixed monthly payment for a guaranteed
number of CADs. Monthly advertising rates vary depending primarily on the
particular Internet site on which advertisements are placed, the total number of
CADs purchased during the month and the length of the advertiser's commitment.
Advertising revenues are recognized in the period in which the advertisements
are delivered. The Company's ability to sustain or increase revenues for
Internet advertising will depend on numerous factors, which include, but are not
limited to, the Company's ability to increase its inventory of delivered
Internet pages on which advertisements can be displayed and its ability to
maintain or increase its advertising rates.
During 1996 and 1995, approximately $760,000 and $104,000, respectively, of
Internet revenues were derived from barter transactions whereby the Company
delivered advertisements on its Internet sites in exchange for advertisements on
the Internet sites of other companies. These revenues and marketing expenses
were recognized at the fair value of the advertisements received and delivered,
and the corresponding revenues and marketing expenses were recognized when the
advertisements were delivered.
REVENUE MIX. Television operations accounted for 32% and 89% and Internet
operations accounted for 68% and 11% of total revenues for 1996 and 1995,
respectively. This revenue mix was significantly impacted by the different
commencement dates of the Company's television and Internet operations in 1995,
and additionally by the increase in Internet sites produced by the Company from
two at the end of 1995 to nine at the end of 1996.
The Company expects to experience fluctuations in television and Internet
revenues in the future that may be dependent on many factors, including demand
for the Company's Internet sites and television programming, the timing of
revenue recognition under current or future television licensing arrangements,
the costs of producing the television programs under its amended agreement with
USA Networks, and the Company's ability to develop, market and introduce new and
enhanced Internet content and television programming.
SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS. Two customers accounted for over 10% of total revenues
during 1996 with USA Networks and Microsoft Corporation accounting for
approximately 19% and 12% of total revenue, respectively. Three customers
accounted for over 10% of total revenues during 1995, with MCI, IBM and
Hewlett-Packard accounting for approximately 23%, 19% and 14% of total revenues,
respectively. There can be no assurance that any of these customers will
continue to account for a significant portion of total revenues in any future
period. The Company's success will depend on its ability to broaden and
diversify its base of advertising customers. If the Company loses advertising
customers, fails to attract new customers or is forced to reduce advertising
rates in order to retain or attract customers, the Company's business, financial
condition and operating results will be materially adversely affected.
COST OF REVENUES
TOTAL COST OF REVENUES. The Company did not incur any cost of revenues for
1994 as the Company had not begun its revenue generating activities. Total cost
of revenues were $15.3 million and $5.6 million for 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Cost of revenues includes the costs associated with the production and delivery
of the Company's television programming and the production of its Internet
sites. The principal elements of cost of revenues for the Company's television
programming have been the production costs of its television programs, which
primarily consist of payroll and related expenses for the editorial and
production staff, the fee payable, through June 30, 1996, to USA Networks under
its initial agreement with the Company and costs for facilities and equipment.
The principal elements of cost of revenues for the Company's Internet sites have
been payroll and related expenses for the editorial, production and technology
staff, as well as costs for facilities and equipment.
COST OF TELEVISION REVENUES. Cost of revenues related to television
programming were $6.2 million and $4.7 million, or 132% and 153% of the related
revenues, for 1996 and 1995, respectively. Cost of revenues for television
programming for 1995 included costs of approximately $320,000 associated with
the initial staffing and preproduction of CNET CENTRAL and costs of
approximately $200,000 associated with the special production of a segment used
in the first two episodes of the program. Additionally, under its initial
agreement with USA Networks, in effect through June 30, 1996, the Company paid
fees of $869,000 and $1.4 million in 1996 and 1995, respectively, which were
included in cost of revenues. In exchange for this fee, USA Networks agreed to
carry the Company's program and allowed the Company to sell available
advertising. Under the Company's amended agreement with USA Networks, which
became effective July 1, 1996, such a fee was no longer required, and USA
Networks was entitled to sell all of the
<PAGE>
advertising during the Company's programs. In addition, under the amended
agreement, the Company produced two new programs in addition to CNET CENTRAL,
which increased cost of revenues for television production. In August 1996,
the Company entered into an agreement with GGP, whereby the Company produced
a television program, TV.COM, which was exclusively distributed by GGP. If
the cost of producing all three television programs for USA Networks exceeds
the maximum licensing fee or if production costs for TV.COM exceed
distribution revenues, the Company may incur a gross deficit with respect to
its television operations.
COST OF INTERNET REVENUES. Cost of revenues for Internet operations were $9.1
million and $891,000 for 1996 and 1995, or 90% and 226% of the related revenues
for 1996 and 1995, respectively. The recognition of cost of revenues for
Internet operations commenced on October 1, 1995, the date on which the Company
began to sell advertising on its first Internet site. Costs incurred prior to
October 1, 1995 were recognized as development costs.
The increase in cost of revenues for Internet operations of $8.2 million
from 1995 to 1996 was attributable to twelve months of Internet operations in
1996 as compared to three months of operation in 1995, and additionally, to the
increase in Internet sites produced by the Company from two at the end of 1995
to nine at the end of 1996. The increase in Internet sites produced by the
Company required significant additional expenditures in payroll and related
expenses, and for facilities and equipment. The Company anticipates substantial
increases in cost of revenues for Internet production in the future.
COST OF REVENUES MIX. Cost of television revenues accounted for 41% and 84% and
cost of Internet revenues accounted for 59% and 16%, of total cost of revenues
for 1996 and 1995, respectively. This mix of cost of revenues was significantly
impacted by the different commencement dates of the Company's television and
Internet operations in 1995 and by more rapid growth of Internet operations in
1996. The Company anticipates that its cost of Internet revenues will continue
to account for an increasing percentage of total cost of revenues in future
periods.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to generate
sufficient advertising or other revenues in the future to cover its cost of
revenues, and failure to do so will result in continued gross deficits and will
continue to have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and operating results.
SALES AND MARKETING
Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of payroll and related
expenses, consulting fees and advertising expenses. Sales and marketing expenses
were $7.8 million, $2.4 million and $258,000 for 1996, 1995, and 1994,
respectively. Sales and marketing expense represented 53% and 68% of total
revenue in 1996 and 1995, respectively. Sales and marketing expenses increased
by $5.5 million from 1995 to 1996, primarily the result of increased salaries
and related expenses of $1.7 million and increased advertising expenses of $2.7
million. Sales and marketing expenses increased by $2.1 million from 1994 to
1995, primarily due to salaries and related expenses of $575,000 for additional
personnel and substantial increases in advertising and promotional campaigns for
the Company, its television program and its Internet sites. The Company expects
sales and marketing expenses to increase substantially in the future.
DEVELOPMENT
Development expenses consist of expenses incurred in the Company's initial
development of new television programming prior to the commencement of its
production activities in 1995, the development of new Internet sites and in
research and development of new or improved technologies designed to enhance the
performance of the Company's Internet sites. Development expenses for television
programming included salaries and related expenses, facilities and production
equipment and costs for research and development of new programming. Development
expenses for Internet operations include expenses for the development and
production of new Internet sites and research and development of new or improved
technologies, including payroll and related expenses for editorial, production
and technology staff, as well as costs for facilities and equipment. Costs
associated with the development of a new Internet site are no longer recognized
as development expenses when the new site begins generating revenue.
Development expenses were $3.4 million, $2.3 million and $1.1 million for
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Development expenses represented 23% and 65%
of total revenues for 1996 and 1995, respectively. Development expenses
increased $1.2 million from 1995 to 1996, primarily due to the development of
the seven new Internet sites that the Company launched at various times during
1996. The costs associated with the development of new sites are primarily
personnel related but also include other costs, such as facilities and
equipment. Development expenses increased $1.2 million from 1994 to 1995,
primarily due to costs of $1.9 million for the development of Internet sites,
which more than offset a $775,000 decrease in the costs
<PAGE>
incurred for development of television programming. The Company expects
development expenses to increase substantially in the future.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
General and administrative expenses consist of payroll and related expenses
for executive, finance and administrative personnel, professional fees and other
general corporate expenses. General and administrative expenses were $3.8
million, $1.7 million and $1.4 million for 1996, 1995 and 1994 respectively.
General and administrative costs represented 25% and 49% of total revenues for
1996 and 1995, respectively. The increase in general and administrative expenses
of $2.1 million from 1995 to 1996 was primarily attributable to increased
salaries and related expenses for additional personnel. General and
administrative expenses increased $318,000 from 1994 to 1995, due primarily to
an increases in salaries and benefits. The Company expects general and
administrative expenses to increase in future periods as the Company incurs
additional costs related to being a public company and expands its
administrative staff and facilities to facilitate the growth in its business.
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Other income (expense) consists of interest income, interest expense and
losses from the Company's investments including a minority interest in Vignette
and the joint venture with E! Entertainment. The joint venture, which is owned
50% by the Company and 50% by E! Entertainment, was formed in January 1996 and
operates an Internet site, E! ONLINE. The Company agreed to provide $3.0 million
in debt financing to the joint venture during its first two years of operations.
The Company has recognized 100% of all losses incurred by the joint venture. As
of December 31, 1996, the Company had provided $1,776,588 in debt financing to
the joint venture and had recognized losses of approximately $1,865,299.
INCOME TAXES
The Company had a net loss for each of 1996, 1995 and 1994. As of
December 31, 1996, the Company has approximately $26.0 million of net operating
loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes, which expire between 2008
and 2011. The Company also has approximately $11.3 million of net operating loss
carryforwards for state income tax purposes, which expire between 1998 and 2001.
The Company experienced an "ownership change" as defined by Section 382 of the
Internal Revenue Code in October 1994. As a result of the ownership change, the
Company's use of its federal and state net operating loss carryforwards is
subject to limitation. The ability to use net operating loss carryforwards may
be further limited should the Company experience another "ownership change" as
defined by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. See Note 3 of Notes to
Financial Statements.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company initially financed its operations through private sales of
preferred stock which totaled approximately $23.8 million in gross proceeds
(including approximately $3.6 million in principal and $118,000 in accrued
interest on notes that were cancelled in exchange for preferred stock). In July
1996, the Company effected an initial public offering (IPO) of 2,000,000 shares
of common stock and simultaneously sold 600,000 shares of common stock to Intel
Corporation. The net proceeds from the two offerings were $37.8 million.
Net cash used in operating activities of $8.9 million, $5.3 million and
$2.0 million for 1996, 1995 and 1994 respectively, were primarily attributable
to net losses in such periods. Net cash used in investing activities of $18.5
million, $5.0 million and $809,000 for 1996, 1995 and 1994 respectively, were
primarily attributable to purchases of equipment and cash expended for
programming assets. Cash flows provided by financing activities in 1996 consist
primarily of proceeds from the Company's IPO , the private sale to Intel
Corporation and the issuance of preferred stock. Cash flows provided by
financing activities in each of 1995 and 1994 consisted primarily of proceeds
from the issuance of preferred stock. In addition, the issuance of debt provided
cash flows from financing activities in each of 1996, 1995 and 1994.
The Company currently has obligations outstanding under a note payable
and under certain capital leases of $859,000. Such obligations were incurred
to finance equipment purchases and are payable through April 2001. In
addition, in January 1996 the Company entered into a joint venture with E!
Entertainment to launch an Internet site called E! ONLINE. The Company
has agreed to provide $3.0 million in debt financing to the joint venture
during its first two years of operations and advances to the venture are being
made pursuant to a seven year note, bearing interest at 9% per annum. Through
December 31, 1996 the Company has loaned the joint venture approximately
$1.8 million. In addition, the Company has agreed to provide up to an
additional $3.0 million in equity capital to the joint venture through
January 1999.
<PAGE>
As of December 31, 1996 the Company's principal source of liquidity was
approximately $20.2 million in cash and cash equivalents. The Company believes
that the $20.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, together with other sources
of capital expected to be available to the Company, will be sufficient to meet
the Company's anticipated cash needs for working capital and capital
expenditures for at least the next 12 months. However, any projection of future
cash needs and cash flows is subject to substantial uncertainty. See "--Outlook
and Uncertainties" below. If cash generated by operations is insufficient to
satisfy the Company's liquidity requirements, the Company may be required to
sell additional equity or debt securities. The sale of additional equity or
convertible debt securities would result in additional dilution to the Company's
stockholders. There can be no assurance that financing will be available to the
Company in amounts or on terms acceptable to the Company.
SEASONALITY
The Company believes that advertising sales in traditional media, such as
television, are generally lower in the first and third calendar quarters of each
year than in the respective preceding quarters and that advertising expenditures
fluctuate significantly with economic cycles. Depending on the extent to which
the Internet is accepted as an advertising medium, seasonality and cyclicality
in the level of advertising expenditures generally could become more pronounced
for Internet advertising. Seasonality and cyclicality in advertising
expenditures generally, or with respect to Internet-based advertising
specifically, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
financial condition or operating results.
The Company's quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly in
the future as a result of a variety of factors, many of which are outside the
Company's control. Factors that may adversely affect the Company's quarterly
operating results attributable to its Internet operations include the level of
use of the Internet, demand for Internet advertising, seasonal trends in both
Internet use and advertising placements, the addition or loss of advertisers,
advertising budgeting cycles of individual advertisers, the level of traffic on
the Company's Internet sites, the amount and timing of capital expenditures and
other costs relating to the expansion of the Company's Internet operations, the
introduction of new sites and services by the Company or its competitors, price
competition or pricing changes in the industry, technical difficulties or system
downtime, general economic conditions and economic conditions specific to the
Internet and Internet media. Quarterly operating results attributable to the
Company's television operations are generally dependent on the costs
incurred by the Company in producing its television programming. Further, the
size and demographic characteristics of the Company's viewing audience
may be adversely affected by the popularity of competing television programs,
including special events, the time slots chosen for the Company's programs by
the cable network carrying such programs and the popularity of programs
immediately preceding the Company's programs. As a result of the Company's
strategy to cross market its television and Internet operations, the Company
believes that any decrease in the number of viewers of its television programs
will have a negative effect on the usage of its Internet sites. Accordingly, a
decrease in viewership of the Company's television programs could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or
operating results.
Due to all of the foregoing factors, it is likely that the Company's
operating results will fall below the expectations of the Company, securities
analysts or investors in some future quarter. In such event, the trading price
of the Company's Common Stock would likely be materially and adversely affected.
OUTLOOK AND UNCERTAINTIES
The Company's future financial condition and results are subject to
substantial risks and uncertainties, some of which are summarized in this
section.
LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY; ACCUMULATED DEFICIT; ANTICIPATED LOSSES. The
Company was founded in December 1992 and first recognized revenues from its
television operations in April 1995 and from its Internet operations in October
1995. Accordingly, the Company has an extremely limited operating history upon
which an evaluation of the Company and its prospects can be based. See
introduction to Item 6, "Management's Discussion and Analysis." Since inception,
the Company has incurred significant losses and, as of December 31, 1996, had an
accumulated deficit of $29.3 million. The Company expects to continue to incur
significant losses on a quarterly and annual basis in the future. If cash
generated by operations is insufficient to satisfy the Company's liquidity
requirements, the Company may be required to sell additional equity or debt
securities. The sale of additional equity or convertible debt securities would
result in additional dilution to the Company's stockholders. There can be no
assurance that financing will be available to the Company in amounts or on terms
acceptable to the Company. See Item 6, "Management's Discussion and Analysis -
Liquidity and Capital Resources."
POTENTIAL FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS. The Company's
quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly in the future as a
result of a variety of factors, many of which are outside the Company's control,
including, the
<PAGE>
level of use of the Internet, demand for Internet advertising, seasonal
trends in both Internet use and advertising placements, the addition or loss
of advertisers, advertising budgeting cycles of individual advertisers, the
level of traffic on the Company's Internet sites, the amount and timing of
capital expenditures and other costs relating to the expansion of the
Company's Internet operations, the introduction of new sites and services by
the Company or its competitors, price competition or pricing changes in the
industry, technical difficulties or system downtime, general economic
conditions and economic conditions specific to the Internet and Internet
media. Due to the foregoing factors, among others, it is likely that the
Company's operating results will fall below the expectations of the Company,
securities analysts or investors in some future quarter. In such event, the
trading price of the Company's Common Stock would likely be materially and
adversely affected. See Item 6, "Management's Discussion and Analysis --
Seasonality."
DEPENDENCE ON ADVERTISING REVENUES; CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION. A substantial
percentage of the Company's revenues are derived from the sale of advertising on
its Internet sites and television programs. Each of the Company's advertising
contracts can be terminated by the customer at any time on very short notice.
Furthermore, substantially all of the Company's revenues have been derived from
a limited number of advertising customers. If the Company loses advertising
customers, fails to attract new customers or is forced to reduce advertising
rates in order to retain or attract customers, the Company's business, financial
condition and operating results will be materially adversely affected. See Item
1, "Business -- Sales and Marketing" and Note 7 of Notes to Financial
Statements.
UNCERTAIN ACCEPTANCE OF THE INTERNET AS AN ADVERTISING MEDIUM. Use of the
Internet by consumers is at a very early stage of development, and market
acceptance of the Internet as a medium for information, entertainment, commerce
and advertising is subject to a high level of uncertainty. If Internet-based
advertising is not widely accepted by advertisers and advertising agencies, the
Company's business, financial condition and operating results will be materially
adversely affected. See Item 1, "Business -- Sales and Marketing."
UNCERTAIN ACCEPTANCE OF THE COMPANY'S INTERNET CONTENT. The Company's
future success depends upon its ability to deliver original and compelling
Internet content about computers, the Internet and digital technologies in order
to attract users with demographic characteristics valuable to the Company's
advertising customers. There can be no assurance that the Company's content
will be attractive to a sufficient number of Internet users to generate
advertising revenues. See Item 1, "Business -- Internet Sites and Services."
UNCERTAIN ACCEPTANCE OF THE COMPANY'S TELEVISION PROGRAMMING. The
Company's television programming is critical to its overall business strategy,
and the Company expects to rely to a significant extent on its television
programming to promote the CNET brand and attract users to its Internet sites.
To achieve these objectives, the Company must develop original and compelling
television programming and obtain distribution for such programming. The
successful development and production of television programming is subject to
numerous uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that the Company's
television programming will be accepted by television broadcasters, cable
networks or their viewers. See Item 1, "Business -- Television."
COMPETITION. The market for Internet content and services is new,
intensely competitive and rapidly evolving; there are minimal barriers to entry,
and current and new competitors can launch new sites at relatively low cost.
There can be no assurance that the Company will compete successfully with
current or future competitors. See Item 1, "Business -- Competition."
UNCERTAIN ACCEPTANCE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CNET BRAND. The Company
believes that establishing and maintaining the CNET brand is a critical aspect
of its efforts to attract and expand its Internet and television audience and
that the importance of brand recognition will increase due to the growing number
of Internet sites and the relatively low barriers to entry in providing Internet
content. If the Company is unable to provide high quality content or otherwise
fails to promote and maintain its brand, or if the Company incurs excessive
expenses in an attempt to improve its content or promote and maintain its brand,
the Company's business, financial condition and operating results will be
materially adversely affected. See Item 1, "Business -- Sales and Marketing."
MANAGING POTENTIAL GROWTH. The Company has rapidly and significantly
expanded its operations and anticipates that significant expansion of its
operations will continue to be required in order to address potential market
opportunities. This rapid growth has placed, and is expected to continue to
place, a significant strain on the Company's management, operational and
financial resources. If the Company is unable to manage growth effectively, the
Company's business, financial condition and operating results will be materially
adversely affected. See Item 1, "Business -- Employees."
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL. The Company's performance is substantially
dependent on the continued services of Halsey M. Minor, Shelby W. Bonnie, and
the other members of its senior management team, as well as on the Company's
ability to retain and motivate its other officers and key employees. The
Company's future success also depends on its continuing ability
<PAGE>
to attract and retain highly qualified personnel. The inability to attract
and retain the necessary technical, managerial, editorial and sales personnel
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition or operating results. See Item 1, "Business -- Employees."
RISKS OF TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION; DEPENDENCE ON USA NETWORKS. The
Company's television programming is currently carried primarily on the USA
Network and the Sci-Fi Channel, both of which are owned by USA Networks,
pursuant to an agreement between the Company and USA Networks, which expires on
June 30, 1998. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
obtain distribution for its television programming after June 30, 1998. See
Item 1, "Business -- Television -- Agreement with USA Networks."
DEPENDENCE ON THIRD PARTIES FOR INTERNET OPERATIONS. The Company's ability
to advertise on other Internet sites and the willingness of the owners of such
sites to direct users to the Company's Internet sites through hypertext links
are critical to the success of the Company's Internet operations. The Company
also relies on the cooperation of owners and operators of shareware and software
archives and Internet search services and on its relationships with third party
vendors of Internet development tools and technologies. There can be no
assurance that the necessary cooperation from third parties will be available on
acceptable commercial terms or at all. If the Company is unable to develop
and maintain satisfactory relationships with such third parties on acceptable
commercial terms, or if the Company's competitors are better able to leverage
such relationships, the Company's business, financial condition and operating
results will be materially adversely affected. See Item 1, "Business --
Internet Sites and Services."
RISKS OF NEW BUSINESS AREAS. The success of the Company's business
strategy will depend to a significant extent on the Company's ability to expand
its operations by successfully developing new Internet sites and services and
television programming and enhancing existing ones. There can be no assurance
that any of the Company's new Internet sites and services or television
programming will be developed in a cost effective or timely manner or will
achieve market acceptance. See introduction to Item 6, "Management's Discussion
and Analysis"; Item 1, "Business - Strategy"; and Item 1, "Business --
Employees."
RISKS OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE. The market for Internet products and
services is characterized by rapid technological developments, frequent new
product introductions and evolving industry standards. The emerging character
of these products and services and their rapid evolution will require that the
Company continually improve the performance, features and reliability of its
Internet content, particularly in response to competitive offerings. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be successful in responding quickly, cost
effectively and sufficiently to these developments. See Item 1, "Business --
Technology."
DEPENDENCE ON CONTINUED GROWTH IN USE OF THE INTERNET. Rapid growth in the
use of and interest in the Internet is a recent phenomenon, and there can be no
assurance that acceptance and use of the Internet will continue to develop or
that a sufficient base of users will emerge to support the Company's business.
If use of the Internet does not continue to grow or grows more slowly than
expected, or if the Internet infrastructure does not effectively support growth
that may occur, the Company's business, financial condition and operating
results would be materially adversely affected. See Item 1, "Business --
Internet Sites and Services."
CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS AND SYSTEM DISRUPTIONS. The satisfactory performance,
reliability and availability of the Company's Internet sites and its network
infrastructure are critical to attracting Internet users and maintaining
relationships with advertising customers. System interruptions that result in
the unavailability of the Company's Internet sites or slower response times for
users would reduce the number of advertisements delivered and reduce the
attractiveness of the Company's Internet sites to users and advertisers. See
Item 1, "Business -- Technology." The Company's Internet and television
operations are also vulnerable to interruption by fire, earthquake, power loss,
telecommunications failure and other events beyond the Company's control. All
of the Company's servers and television production equipment is currently
located in San Francisco, California, an area that is susceptible to
earthquakes. See Item 2, "Description of Property."
LIABILITY FOR INTERNET AND TELEVISION CONTENT. As a publisher and a
distributor of content over the Internet and television, the Company faces
potential liability for defamation, negligence, copyright, patent or trademark
infringement and other claims based on the nature and content of the materials
that it publishes or distributes. See Item 1, "Business -- Intellectual
Property." The Company is subject to the provisions of the Communications
Decency Act, which, among other things, imposes criminal penalties on anyone
that distributes "obscene" or "indecent" material over the Internet. See Item
1, "Business -- Government Regulation."
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH POTENTIAL ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS. The
Company's current strategy is to broaden the number, scope and content of its
Internet sites through the acquisition of existing sites and businesses
specializing in Internet-related technologies and content, as well as through
internally developed Internet sites and services. Any such investments would
<PAGE>
involve many of the same risks posed by acquisitions, particularly risks
related to the diversion of resources, the inability to generate revenues,
the impairment of relationships with third parties and potential additional
expenses. There can be no assurance that the Company would be successful in
overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with
such acquisitions or new investments. See Item 1, "Business -- Strategy" and
Item 1, "Business -- Employees."
SECURITY RISKS. A party who is able to circumvent the Company's security
measures could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions in
the Company's Internet operations. The Company may be required to expend
significant capital and resources to protect against the threat of such security
breaches or to alleviate problems caused by such breaches. See Item 1,
"Business -- Technology."
DEPENDENCE ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS; RISKS OF INFRINGEMENT. The
Company relies on trade secret and copyright laws to protect its proprietary
technologies, but there can be no assurance that such laws will provide
sufficient protection to the Company, that others will not develop technologies
that are similar or superior to the Company's, or that third parties will not
copy or otherwise obtain and use the Company's technologies without
authorization. See Item 1, "Business -- Intellectual Property."
DEPENDENCE ON LICENSED TECHNOLOGY. The Company relies on certain
technology licensed from third parties, and there can be no assurance that these
third party technology licenses will be available or will continue to be
available to the Company on acceptable commercial terms or at all. See Item 1,
"Business -- Intellectual Property."
GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND LEGAL UNCERTAINTY. Although there are currently
few laws and regulations directly applicable to the Internet, it is possible
that new laws and regulations will be adopted covering issues such as privacy,
copyrights, obscene or indecent communications and the pricing, characteristics
and quality of Internet products and services. The adoption of restrictive laws
or regulations could decrease the growth of the Internet or expose the Company
to significant liabilities. See Item 1, "Business -- Government Regulation."
<PAGE>
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors
CNET, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CNET, Inc.
as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, stockholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the years
in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996. These consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
CNET, Inc. as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of their operations
and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
San Francisco, California
January 21, 1997
<PAGE>
CNET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------
1996 1995
--------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 20,155,935 $ 703,083
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
doubtful accounts of $100,000 and $25,000
in 1996 and 1995, respectively 5,292,177 1,201,238
Other current assets 940,691 205,549
--------------- -------------
Total current assets 26,388,803 2,109,870
Property and equipment, net 11,743,291 2,392,788
Other assets 1,709,775 154,146
--------------- -------------
Total assets $ 39,841,869 $ 4,656,804
--------------- -------------
--------------- -------------
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 2,911,663 $ 531,303
Accrued liabilities 2,973,364 706,617
Current portion of long-term debt 281,145 152,755
--------------- -------------
Total current liabilities 6,166,172 1,390,675
Long-term debt 577,543 467,339
--------------- -------------
Total liabilities 6,743,715 1,858,014
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Convertible preferred stock Series A, B, C, and D;
$0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized;
no shares issued and outstanding in 1996
3,439,202 shares issued and outstanding in 1995 -- 34,392
Common stock; $0.0001 par value; 25,000,000 shares
authorized; 13,281,462 and 2,700,000 shares issued
and outstanding in 1996 and 1995, respectively 1,328 270
Additional paid-in capital 62,424,993 15,143,633
Accumulated deficit (29,328,167) (12,379,505)
--------------- -------------
Total stockholders' equity 33,098,154 2,798,790
--------------- -------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 39,841,869 $ 4,656,804
--------------- -------------
--------------- -------------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
CNET, INC.
CONDOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
------------ ----------- ------------
Revenues:
Television $ 4,696,664 $ 3,106,642 $ --
Internet 10,133,684 393,455 --
------------ ----------- ------------
Total revenues 14,830,348 3,500,097 --
Cost of revenues:
Television 6,212,959 4,742,109 --
Internet 9,120,545 890,858 --
------------ ----------- ------------
Total cost of revenues 15,333,504 5,632,967 --
------------ ----------- ------------
Gross deficit (503,156) (2,132,870) --
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing 7,821,454 2,369,759 257,914
Development 3,438,333 2,264,455 1,129,413
General and administrative 3,772,368 1,703,136 1,385,109
------------ ----------- ------------
Total operating expenses 15,032,155 6,337,350 2,772,436
------------ ----------- ------------
Operating loss (15,535,311) (8,470,220) (2,772,436)
Other (expenses) income:
Loss on joint venture (1,865,299) -- --
Interest income 766,952 89,448 11,143
Interest expense (315,004) (226,586) (65,256)
------------ ----------- ------------
Total other (expense) income (1,413,351) (137,138) (54,113)
------------ ----------- ------------
Net loss $(16,948,662) $(8,607,358) $(2,826,549)
------------ ----------- ------------
------------ ----------- ------------
Net loss per share $ (1.51) $ (0.93) $ (0.38)
------------ ----------- ------------
------------ ----------- ------------
Shares used in calculating per
share data 11,239,815 9,216,045 7,453,744
------------ ----------- ------------
------------ ----------- ------------
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
CNET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONVERTIBLE TOTAL
PREFERRED STOCK COMMON STOCK ADDITIONAL STOCKHOLDERS'
----------------------- ------------------ PAID-IN ACCUMULATED EQUITY
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL DEFICIT (DEFICIT)
---------- -------- ---------- ------ ----------- ------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balances as of
December 31, 1993 900,000 $ 9,000 2,700,000 $ 270 $ 881,012 $ (945,598) (55,316)
Conversion of debt to
Series C convertible
preferred stock 205,357 2,054 -- -- 572,946 -- 575,000
Issuance of Series C
convertible preferred
stock, net of $21,372
issuance costs 1,749,447 17,494 -- -- 3,481,468 -- 3,498,962
Net loss -- -- -- -- -- (2,826,549) (2,826,549)
---------- -------- ---------- ------ ----------- ------------ -------------
Balances as of
December 31, 1994 2,854,804 28,548 2,700,000 270 4,935,426 (3,772,147) 1,192,097
Issuance of Series C
convertible preferred
stock -- -- -- -- 2,500,000 -- 2,500,000
Issuance of Series D
convertible preferred
stock 342,290 3,423 -- -- 4,405,273 -- 4,408,696
Conversion of debt to
Series D convertible
preferred stock 242,108 2,421 -- -- 3,115,934 -- 3,118,355
Issuance of warrants -- -- -- -- 187,000 -- 187,000
Net loss -- -- -- -- -- (8,607,358) (8,607,358)
---------- -------- ---------- ------ ----------- ------------ -------------
Balances as of
December 31, 1995 3,439,202 34,392 2,700,000 270 15,143,633 (12,379,505) 2,798,790
Issuance of Series B
convertible preferred
stock 366,144 3,661 -- -- 362,483 -- 366,144
Issuance of Series D
convertible preferred
stock 2,588 26 -- -- 33,307 -- 33,333
Issuance of Series E
convertible preferred
stock 453,169 4,532 -- -- 8,364,102 -- 8,368,634
Issuance of warrants -- -- -- -- 164,000 -- 164,000
Public stock offering,
net of $3,151,406
issuance costs -- -- 2,600,000 260 37,776,334 -- 37,776,594
Conversion of preferred
stock into common stock (4,261,103) (42,611) 7,816,673 782 41,829 -- --
Exercise of stock options -- -- 153,000 15 369,545 -- 369,560
Employee stock purchase
plan -- -- 11,789 1 169,760 -- 169,761
Net loss -- -- -- -- -- (16,948,662) (16,948,662)
---------- -------- ---------- ------ ----------- ------------ -------------
Balances as of
December 31, 1996 -- $ -- 13,281,462 $ 1,328 $ 62,424,993 $ (29,328,167) $ 33,098,154
---------- -------- ---------- ------ ----------- ------------ -------------
---------- -------- ---------- ------ ----------- ------------ -------------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
CNET, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
------------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss $ (16,948,662) $ (8,607,358) $ (2,826,549)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 1,928,496 475,836 49,358
Amortization of program costs 4,673,201 3,154,893 700,958
Interest expense converted into preferred
stock 222,141 118,356 --
Allowance for doubtful accounts 75,000 25,000 --
Reserve for joint venture 1,865,299 -- --
Other -- 45,000 --
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (4,165,939) (1,226,238) --
Other current assets 29,750 (164,049) (39,300)
Other assets (1,237,499) (121,580) (6,316)
Accounts payable 2,380,360 453,769 33,643
Accrued liabilities 2,266,747 510,199 89,424
------------- ------------ ------------
Net cash used in operating activities (8,911,106) (5,336,172) (1,998,782)
------------- ------------ ------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of equipment, excluding capital leases (10,739,354) (1,861,607) (86,063)
Purchases of programming assets (5,438,092) (3,132,700) (723,151)
Loan to joint venture (1,776,588) -- --
Investment in Vignette Corporation (511,500) -- --
------------- ------------ ------------
Net cash used in investing activities (18,465,534) (4,994,307) (809,214)
------------- ------------ ------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of convertible
preferred stock 4,543,826 6,908,695 3,498,962
Net proceeds from initial public offering 37,776,594 -- --
Allocated proceeds from issuance of warrants 164,000 187,000 --
Proceeds from stockholder receivable 594,654 -- --
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan 169,761 -- --
Proceeds from debt 3,636,000 3,000,000 830,000
Proceeds from exercise of options 141,050 -- --
Repayments of debt -- -- (255,000)
Principal payments on capital leases (104,542) (230,909) (52,415)
Principal payments on equipment note (91,851) (55,146) --
------------- ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by financing activities. 46,829,492 9,809,640 4,021,547
------------- ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 19,452,852 (520,839) 1,213,551
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 703,083 1,223,922 10,371
------------- ------------ ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 20,155,935 $ 703,083 $ 1,223,922
------------- ------------ ------------
------------- ------------ ------------
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid $ 88,792 $ 73,587 $ 65,256
------------- ------------ ------------
------------- ------------ ------------
Supplemental disclosure of noncash transactions:
Non cash portion of Investment $ 105,000 $ -- $ --
------------- ------------ ------------
------------- ------------ ------------
Capital lease obligations incurred $ 297,436 $ 169,896 $ 240,000
------------- ------------ ------------
------------- ------------ ------------
Note issued in exchanged for equipment $ 137,551 $ 548,668 $ --
------------- ------------ ------------
------------- ------------ ------------
Exercise of stock options through issuance
of note receivable from stockholder $ 594,654 $ -- $ --
------------- ------------ ------------
------------- ------------ ------------
Conversion of preferred stock into common stock $ 42,611 $ -- $ --
------------- ------------ ------------
------------- ------------ ------------
Conversion of debt and interest into 208,548,
242,108, and 205,357 shares of convertible
preferred stock, respectively $ 3,858,141 $ 3,218,356 $ 575,000
------------- ------------ ------------
------------- ------------ ------------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
CNET, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
CNET, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated in the state of Delaware in
December 1992 and is a media company focused on providing original Internet
content and television programming relating to information technologies and the
Internet. The Company's properties include four television programs and nine
Internet sites. Revenues for television are derived primarily from licensing
fees for the distribution of the television programming the Company produces.
Internet revenues are primarily derived from the sale of advertising. The
Company first recognized revenue in April 1995 and prior to that time was a
development stage enterprise.
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CNET, Inc.,
and its majority owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original
maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
The Company utilizes the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 115, ACCOUNTING FOR CERTAIN INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY
SECURITIES. Short-term investments are classified as "available-for-sale" under
the provisions of SFAS No. 115 and are stated at fair value. Any unrealized
gains and losses are reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity,
but to date have not been significant.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of the assets. Property and equipment recorded under capital leases
and leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the
shorter of the lease terms or their estimated useful lives.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments potentially subjecting the Company to concentration
of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents and accounts receivable.
The Company maintains substantially all of its cash equivalents with one
financial institution. Management believes the financial risks associated with
such deposits are minimal. Substantially all of the Company's accounts
receivable are derived from domestic sales. Historically, the Company has not
incurred material credit related losses.
DEVELOPMENT
Development expenses include expenses which were incurred in the
development of new television programming prior to the Company's commencement of
production activities and include expenses incurred in the development of new
Internet sites and in research and development of new or improved technologies
that enhance the performance of the Company's Internet sites. Costs for
development are expensed as incurred. Costs are no longer recognized as
development expenses when a new Internet site is launched and is generating
revenue.
INCOME TAXES
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax
bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates
expected
<PAGE>
to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences
are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax
assets and liabilities of changes in tax rates is recognized in income in the
period that includes the enactment date.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Through June 30, 1996, television revenues were principally derived from
the sale of advertising during the Company's CNET CENTRAL television program and
were recognized upon broadcast based on the number of viewers of the program.
Effective July 1, 1996, the Company licenses CNET CENTRAL and two additional
programs it produces for broadcast on a cable network. Revenue recognized under
the contract varies on a quarterly basis depending on the delivery of original
or refreshed programming. The Company also produces TV.COM, which is
exclusively distributed by Golden Gate Productions, L.P. (GGP). The revenue is
used first to offset costs of distribution and production and thereafter is
shared equally by CNET and GGP.
Internet revenues are derived from the sale of advertisements on "pages"
delivered to users of the Company's Internet sites and are recognized in the
period in which the advertisements are delivered. The Company guarantees to
certain customers a minimum number of pages to be delivered to users of its
Internet sites for a specified period. To the extent minimum guaranteed page
deliveries are not met, the Company would defer recognition of the corresponding
revenues until guaranteed page delivery levels are achieved. As of December 31,
1996 no revenues have been deferred since the Company has exceeded its minimum
delivery commitments through such date.
NET LOSS PER SHARE
Net loss per share is computed based on the weighted average number of
shares of common stock outstanding and common equivalent shares from stock
options and warrants (under the treasury stock method, if dilutive). In
accordance with certain SEC Staff Accounting Bulletins, such computations
include all common equivalent shares (using the treasury stock method) issued
subsequent to May 10, 1995 as if they were outstanding for all periods presented
using the IPO price. Common equivalent shares issued prior to May 10, 1995 are
excluded from the computation if their effect is anti-dilutive. Furthermore,
common equivalent shares from convertible preferred stock that automatically or
voluntarily converted upon the completion of the Company's IPO are included in
the calculation using the as-converted method from the original date of
issuance.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Prior to January 1, 1996, the Company accounted for its stock option plan
in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion
No. 25, ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK ISSUED TO EMPLOYEES, and related interpretations.
As such, compensation expense would be recorded on the date of grant only if the
current market price of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price. On
January 1, 1996, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123, ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED
COMPENSATION, which permits entities to recognize as expense over the vesting
period the fair value of all stock-based awards on the date of grant.
Alternatively, SFAS No. 123 also allows all entities to continue to apply the
provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide pro forma net income and pro forma
earnings per share disclosures for employee stock option grants made in 1995 and
future years as if the fair-value-based method defined in SFAS No. 123 had been
applied. The Company has elected to continue to apply the provisions of APB
Opinion No. 25 and provide the pro forma disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The carrying value of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, accounts
receivable, and accounts payable approximate their respective fair values.
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS TO BE DISPOSED OF
The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of", on
January 1, 1996. This statement requires that long-lived assets and certain
identifiable intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes
in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be
recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a
comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected
to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the
impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying
amount of the assets exceed the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed
of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to
sell. Adoption of this Statement did not have a material impact on the
Company's financial position or results of operations.
<PAGE>
USE OF ESTIMATES
The Company's management has made a number of estimates and assumptions
relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and
the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Actual
results could differ from those estimates.
BARTER TRANSACTIONS
The Company trades advertisements on its Internet sites in exchange for
advertisements on the Internet sites of other companies. These revenues and
marketing expenses are recorded at the fair market value of services provided or
received, whichever is more determinable in the circumstances. Revenue from
barter transactions is recognized as income when advertisements are delivered on
the Company's Internet sites and expense from barter transactions is recognized
when advertisements are delivered on the other companies' Internet sites. No
such revenues or expenses were recorded in 1994. Barter revenues were
approximately $760,000 and $104,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996 and
1995, respectively.
(2) BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents consisted of:
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
1996 1995
----------- --------
Commercial Paper $19,856,611 $ --
Money market mutual funds 249,051 212,581
Cash 50,273 490,502
----------- --------
$20,155,935 $703,083
----------- --------
----------- --------
All cash equivalents have been classified as available-for-sale
securities as of December 31, 1996. The carrying value of the Company's cash
equivalents as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 approximate their fair values
based on quoted market prices.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
A summary of property and equipment follows:
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
1996 1995
----------- ----------
Computer equipment $ 6,389,144 $1,057,225
Production equipment 2,017,546 1,494,012
Office equipment 1,349,978 235,975
Leasehold improvements 4,128,625 110,137
Furniture & Fixtures 156,861 --
Other 50,169 20,633
----------- ----------
14,092,323 2,917,982
Less accumulated depreciation
and amortization 2,349,032 525,194
----------- ----------
$11,743,291 $2,392,788
----------- ----------
----------- ----------
As of December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company had equipment under capital
lease agreements of $759,797 and $409,896, respectively, and accumulated
amortization of $365,881 and $156,185, respectively.
As of December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Company acquired $189,256 and
$759,726, respectively, of equipment pursuant to loan agreements with the
manufacturer. As of December 31, 1996 and 1995, the equipment had accumulated
amortization of $322,816 and $126,621, respectively.
<PAGE>
ACCRUED LIABILITIES
A summary of accrued liabilities follows:
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
1996 1995
---------- -----------
Compensation and related benefits $1,298,700 $327,243
Marketing and Advertising 734,934 159,000
Other 939,730 220,374
---------- -----------
$2,973,364 $706,617
---------- -----------
---------- -----------
NOTES PAYABLE
During 1996 and 1995, the Company financed certain production equipment
through notes at an interest rate of 12.25%. The notes are secured by
the equipment financed. The current and long-term portion of the notes are
included in current portion of long-term debt and long-term debt,
respectively, in the accompanying balance sheet (along with capital lease
obligations, Note 4). The aggregate annual principal payments for notes
payable outstanding as of December 31, 1996, are summarized as follows:
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
1997 $126,050
1998 142,928
1999 160,844
2000 80,220
2001 29,842
--------
$539,884
--------
--------
(3) INCOME TAXES
The Company's effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal income
tax rate of 34% as shown in the following schedule:
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
1996 1995 1994
------- ------- ------
Income tax benefit at statutory rate 34.0% 34.0% 34.0%
Operating losses with no current tax
benefit (34.0) (34.0) (34.0)
------- ------- ------
Effective tax rate -- -- --
------- ------- ------
------- ------- ------
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions
of deferred tax assets are presented below:
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
------------- ------------ ------------
Capitalized "start-up" expenses $ 1,217,000 $ 1,582,000 $ 1,345,000
Net operating losses 9,596,000 2,960,000 26,000
Accruals, reserves, and other 1,027,000 94,000 137,000
------------- ------------ ------------
11,840,000 4,636,000 1,508,000
Less valuation allowance 11,840,000 4,636,000 1,508,000
------------- ------------ ------------
$ -- $ -- $ --
------------- ------------ ------------
------------- ------------ ------------
<PAGE>
As of December 31, 1996, the Company has approximately $26,000,000 of net
operating losses for federal income tax purposes, which expire between 2008 and
2011. The Company also has approximately $11,300,000 of net operating loss
carryforwards for state income tax purposes, which expire between 1998 and 2001.
The Company may have experienced an "ownership change" as defined by
section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. If an ownership change has occurred,
the Company's ability to utilize its net operating losses may be limited.
(4) LEASES
The Company has several non-cancelable leases primarily for general office,
facilities, and equipment that expire over the next six years. Future minimum
lease payments under these leases are as follows:
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, CAPITAL LEASES OPERATING LEASES
----------------------- -------------- ----------------
1997 $ 183,680 $ 1,188,110
1998 123,288 1,276,875
1999 53,336 1,021,165
2000 -- 636,016
2001 -- 461,606
Thereafter -- 451,143
-------------- ----------------
Total minimum lease payments 360,304 $ 5,034,915
----------------
----------------
Less amount representing
interest 41,500
Less current portion 155,095
--------------
$ 163,705
--------------
--------------
Rental expense from operating leases amounted to $789,678, $384,777, and
$245,554 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively.
(6) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
STOCK SPLIT
In May 1996, the Company effected a three-for-two split of its common stock
in connection with the IPO. The accompanying financial statements have been
retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock split.
INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING
On July 2, 1996 the Company effected an initial public offering (IPO) of
2,000,000 shares of its common stock for $16 per share. Simultaneously with
the IPO, the Company sold 600,000 shares of common stock to Intel Corporation
at 93% of the IPO price. The net proceeds from these two offerings (after
deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses) were
$37.8 million, and were received on July 8, 1996.
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
The convertible preferred stock may be issued in series, and shares of
each will have such rights and preference as are fixed by the Board in the
resolutions authorizing the issuance of that particular series. The convertible
preferred stock issued and outstanding as of December 31, 1995 comprised the
series designated as follows:
<PAGE>
DECEMBER 31, 1995
------------------------
ISSUED AND CARRYING
SERIES OUTSTANDING VALUE
--------- ----------- ---------
A 250,000 $ 2,500
B 650,000 6,500
C 1,954,804 19,548
D 584,398 5,844
----------- ----------
3,439,202 $ 34,392
----------- ----------
----------- ----------
On July 8, 1996, the closing date of the IPO, all of the outstanding Series
A, B, C, D and E convertible preferred stock were automatically converted into
7,816,673 shares of common stock.
STOCK OPTION PLAN
In 1994, the Board of Directors adopted a Stock Option Plan (the "Plan")
pursuant to which the Company's Board of Directors may grant stock options to
officers and key employees. The Plan authorizes grants of options to purchase up
to 2,750,000 shares of authorized but unissued common stock. Stock options are
granted with an exercise price equal to the stock's fair market value at the
date of grant. All stock options have 10-year terms and vest and become fully
exerciseable after 3 years from the date of grant.
A summary of the status of the Company's stock option plan as of December
31, 1996 and 1995, and changes during the years ended on those dates is
presented below:
WEIGHTED AVERAGE
NUMBER OF OPTIONS EXERCISE PRICES
----------------- -------------------
Balance as of December 31, 1994 1,137,000 $1.25
Granted 345,250 2.77
Cancelled (6,000) 2.41
----------------- -------------------
Balance as of December 31, 1995 1,476,250 1.60
Granted 864,200 11.44
Exercised (696,967) 1.03
Cancelled (79,017) 5.45
----------------- -------------------
Balance as of December 31, 1996 1,564,466 7.09
----------------- -------------------
----------------- -------------------
As of December 31, 1996 and 1995, the number of options exerciseable was
402,397 and 901,985, respectively, and the weighted-average exercise price of
those options was $2.21 and $1.20, respectively. As of December 31, 1996, there
were 488,567 additional shares available for grant under the Plan.
The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for the Plan and,
accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the Plan in the
financial statements. Had the Company determined compensation cost based on
the fair value at the grant date for its stock options under SFAS No. 123,
the Company's net loss and net loss per share would have been increased to the
pro forma amounts indicated below:
DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------
1996 1995
------------ -----------
Net Loss
As Reported $(16,948,662) $(8,607,358)
Pro forma $(18,259,031) $(8,647,971)
Net Loss Per Share
As Reported $ (1.51) $ (0.93)
Pro forma $ (1.62) $ (0.94)
The weighted-average fair value of options granted in 1996 and 1995, was
$6.07 and $0.31, respectively.
<PAGE>
The effects of applying SFAS 123 in this pro forma disclosure is not
indicative of the effects on reported results for future years. SFAS 123 does
not apply to awards prior to 1995, and additional awards in future years are
anticipated.
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using
Black Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions used for grants in 1996 and 1995, respectively: no dividend yield,
expected volatility of 75% and 0%, risk-free interest rate of 6%, and an
expected life of one year.
The following table summarizes information about stock options
outstanding as of December 31, 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTIONS OUTSTANDING
--------------------------------- OPTIONS EXERCISABLE
WEIGHTED -------------------------------
RANGE NUMBER AVERAGE WEIGHTED NUMBER WEIGHTED
OF OUTSTANDING REMAINING AVERAGE EXERCISABLE AVERAGE
EXERCISE PRICES AS OF 12/31/96 CONTRACTUAL LIFE EXERCISE PRICE AS OF 12/31/96 EXERCISE PRICE
- ---------------- -------------- ----------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 1.20 75,000 9.90 $ 1.20 39,375 $ 1.20
1.87 482,784 7.51 1.87 297,213 1.87
2.41 158,957 8.08 2.41 47,089 2.41
8.59 319,350 9.20 8.59 16,220 8.59
12.00 40,500 9.58 12.00 -- --
12.25 183,500 9.62 12.25 -- --
12.33 210,100 9.46 13.44 2,500 13.00
14.63 68,475 9.84 14.63 -- --
16.00 23,300 9.83 16.00 -- --
18.00 2,500 9.92 18.00 -- --
-------------- ---------------- -------------- --------------- --------------
$ 1.20-18.00 1,564,466 8.73 7.09 402,397
-------------- ---------------
-------------- ---------------
</TABLE>
401(k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
In 1996, the Company adopted a 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the "401(k)
Plan") that is intended to qualify under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended. The 401(k) Plan covers substantially all of the
Company's employees. Participants may elect to contribute a percentage of their
compensation to this plan, up to the statutory maximum amount. The Company may
make discretionary contributions to the 401(k) Plan.
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
In July 1996, the Company adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan that
covers substantially all employees. Participants may elect to purchase the
Company's stock by contributing a percentage of their compensation. The
maximum percentage allowed is 10%.
(7) MAJOR CUSTOMERS AND CONTRACTS
CUSTOMERS
For the year ended December 31, 1996, two customers accounted for over 10%
of the Company's revenues, with USA Networks and Microsoft Corporation
accounting for approximately 19% and 12% of total revenues, respectively. Three
customers accounted for over 10% of the Company's revenues during 1995 with MCI
Telecommunications Corporation, International Business Machines Corporation and
Hewlett-Packard Company accounting for 23%, 19% and 14% of total revenues,
respectively.
CONTRACTS
In February 1995, the Company entered into an agreement with USA Networks
to carry its television program, CNET CENTRAL. The contract allowed the Company
to sell the available advertising on the program. In connection with this
agreement, the Company issued 516,750 common stock warrants at an exercise price
of $2.41 per share to USA Networks. As of December 31, 1996, all such warrants
were outstanding and 206,700 of such warrants were exercisable. The warrants
expire on December 31, 1999 to the extent they are vested on such date;
otherwise the warrants expire on January 31, 2007.
In April 1996, the agreement with USA Networks was amended, effective
July 1, 1996, to license USA Networks to carry CNET CENTRAL and two additional
programs for broadcast on the USA Network and the SciFi Channel and certain
affiliates for an initial term of one year. Under the amended agreement, USA
Networks licenses the rights to all three programs for a fee equal to the cost
of production of the three television programs up to a maximum of $5,250,000 for
the first year with an option to extend the term for an additional year. In
January, 1997, USA Networks exercised this option. In addition, pursuant to the
amended agreement, USA Networks, at its option (exercisable through July 1,
1996), may allow the Company to include cross promotions for its online
<PAGE>
sites within the produced programs. If USA Networks chooses to exercise this
option, the Company will be required to pay a $1,000,000 marketing fee to USA
Networks. USA Networks has chosen to exercise such option.
In January 1996, the Company entered into a joint venture agreement with E!
Entertainment Television, Inc. ("E! Entertainment") that launched an Internet
site in August 1996, called E! ONLINE, focusing on entertainment, news, gossip,
movies, and television. The Company has agreed to provide $3,000,000 in debt
financing to the joint venture during its first two years of operations, which
amount is being advanced pursuant to a seven year note, bearing interest at 9%
per annum. In addition, the Company has agreed to provide up to an additional
$3,000,000 in equity capital to the joint venture through January 1999. As of
December 31, 1996, the Company had provided $1,776,588 of debt financing to the
joint venture. Due to the Company's current commitment to exclusively fund the
operations of the joint venture, the Company is accounting for its financing and
investments under the modified equity method. Accordingly the Company has
recorded all of the losses incurred by the joint venture through December 31,
1996 in its December 31, 1996 statement of operations. The joint venture,
E! Online LLC, is owned 50% by the Company and 50% by E! Entertainment.
In August 1996, the Company entered into an agreement with GGP whereby the
Company produces a television program, TV.COM, which will be exclusively
distributed by GGP. Any revenues from the distribution of TV.COM will be first
used to offset costs of distribution and production and thereafter will be
shared equally by CNET and GGP.
(8) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Included in other assets on the accompanying balance sheets is an advance
to an officer of the Company for $26,250.
In 1994, the Company leased $354,000 of production equipment from an
officer of the Company. The lease was paid in full by December 31, 1995.
An officer and stockholder of the Company provided capital infusions to the
Company of $165,405 and $200,000 during 1995 and 1994, respectively. Further,
an affiliate of this same stockholder loaned the Company $800,000 in 1996 at an
interest rate of 8% and was granted 9,800 warrants to purchase Series D
Convertible preferred stock at an exercise price of $12.88 per share. This loan
was subsequently converted to Series E convertible preferred stock. As of
December 31, 1996, all of these warrants were outstanding and exercisable and
expire in January 2001. Such warrants were valued at estimated fair market value
at the date of issuance.
A stockholder of the Company provided a capital infusion of $2,500,000 in
exchange for 1,385,502 shares of Series C convertible preferred stock in 1994.
The stockholder was obligated to pay an additional $2,500,000 for these shares
if the Company entered into an agreement with a cable network to carry its
television program with a launch date no later than June 10, 1995. An agreement
was entered into with USA Networks in February 1995 and the Company received the
additional $2,500,000. The same stockholder loaned the Company $3,000,000 during
1995 at an interest rate of 9%. Interest expense related to the loan was
$118,356 in 1995. The entire principal amount and accrued interest was converted
into 242,108 shares of Series D preferred stock during 1995. In connection with
this loan agreement, the Company granted the stockholder 36,750 warrants to
purchase Series C convertible preferred stock at an exercise price of $3.61 per
share. Further, the same stockholder loaned the Company an additional $3,000,000
in 1996 at an interest rate of 8%. Interest expense related to the loan was
$34,000 in 1996. This loan was subsequently converted to Series E
Convertible preferred stock. In connection with this loan agreement, the Company
granted the lender 36,750 warrants to purchase Series D convertible preferred
stock at an exercise price of $12.88 per share. As of December 31, 1996, all of
these warrants were outstanding and exercisable and expire on dates from May
2000 to February 2001. Such warrants were valued at estimated fair market value
at the date of issuance.
In April 1996, a stockholder exercised options to purchase 366,144 shares
of Series B preferred stock and 136,500 shares of common stock for an aggregate
of $694,654. The consideration was paid by $100,000 in cash and the issuance of
a note for $594,654, which was repaid in July 1996. Such shares of Series B
preferred stock were converted into 549,216 shares of common stock at the IPO.
(9) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In January 1997, USA Networks exercised its option to extend its agreement
with the Company to carry the Company's three television programs through
June 30, 1998. In connection with this extension to the agreement, the Company
agreed that the warrants held by USA Networks will vest in full on December 31,
2006, to the extent they have not previously vested. As a result of this change,
the Company will incur a one-time charge to earnings of approximately
$7.0 million during the first quarter of 1997.
In the first quarter 1997, the Company entered into leases on approximately
57,000 square feet of additional office space at annual rental rates between $23
per square foot and $29 per square foot. The leases expire between April 2001
and August 2004.
<PAGE>
ITEM 8. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENT WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None
PART III
ITEM 9. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS AND CONTROL PERSONS;
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's 1996 Proxy Statement to be
filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.
ITEM 10. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's 1996 Proxy Statement to be
filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.
ITEM 11. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNER AND MANAGEMENT
Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's 1996 Proxy Statement to be
filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.
ITEM 12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's 1996 Proxy Statement to be
filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.
<PAGE>
ITEM 13. EXHIBITS, LIST AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) EXHIBITS:
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- -------- ------------
3.1+ -- Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company
3.2+ -- Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company
4.1+ -- Specimen of Common Stock Certificate
10.1+ -- CNET, Inc. Amended and Restated Stock Option
Plan
10.2+ -- Employment Agreement, dated as of October 19,
1994, between the Company and Halsey M. Minor
10.3+ -- Employment Agreement, dated as of October 19,
1994, between the Company and Shelby W. Bonnie
10.4+ -- Employment Agreement, dated to be effective as
of December 1, 1993 and amended as of August 1,
1995 and as of April 1, 1996, between the
Company and Kevin Wendle
10.5+ -- Employment Agreement, dated to be effective as
of August 22, 1994 and amended as of April 12,
1996, between the Company and Lon Otremba
10.6+ -- Employment Agreement, dated to be effective as
of February 20, 1995 and amended as of September
19, 1995, between the Company and Jonathan
Rosenberg
10.7+ -- Option Exercise Agreement, dated as of April 9,
1996, between the Company and Kevin Wendle
10.8+ -- Promissory Note of Kevin Wendle, payable to the
Company, dated as of April 9, 1996
10.9+ -- Lease Agreement, dated as of January 28, 1994,
between the Company and Montgomery/North
Associates and amended as of January 31, 1995
and as of October 19, 1995
10.10+ -- Lease, dated as of October 19, 1995, between the
Company and The Ronald and Barbara Kaufman
Revocable Trust, et al.
10.11+ -- Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October
26, 1994, between the Company and Vulcan
Ventures Incorporated
10.12+ -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
October 26, 1994, and amended as of May 25, 1995
and as of February 20, 1996, between the Company
and Vulcan Ventures Incorporated
10.13+ -- Agreement, dated as of February 1, 1995, between
the Company and USA Networks
10.14+ -- Warrant to Purchase Common Stock, dated as of
February 9, 1995, issued by the Company to USA
Networks
10.15+ -- CNET, Inc. 9% Convertible Promissory Note, dated
as of May 25, 1995, issued by the Company to
Vulcan Ventures Incorporated
10.16+ -- Series C Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase
Warrant, dated as of May 25, 1995, issued by the
Company to Vulcan Ventures Incorporated
10.17+ -- Subscription Agreement, dated as of November 1,
1995, between the Company and the Series D
Purchasers identified therein
10.18+ -- CNET, Inc. 8% Convertible Promissory Note, dated
as of January 23, 1996, issued by the Company to
the Bonnie Family Partnership
10.19+ -- Series D Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase
Warrant, dated as of January 23, 1996, issued by
the Company to the Bonnie Family Partnership
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- -------- ------------
10.20+ -- Operating Agreement of E! Online, LLC, dated as
of January 30, 1996, between the Company and E!
Entertainment Television, Inc.
10.21+ -- CNET, Inc. 8% Convertible Promissory Note, dated
as of February 20, 1996, issued by the Company
to Vulcan Ventures Incorporated
10.22+ -- Series D Convertible Preferred Stock Purchase
Warrant, dated as of February 20, 1996, issued
by the Company to Vulcan Ventures Incorporated
10.23+ -- Amended and Restated Agreement, dated as of July
1, 1996, between the Company and USA Networks
10.24+ -- Subscription Agreement, dated as of April 26,
1996, between the Company and the Series E Purchasers
identified therein
10.25+ -- Memorandum of Understanding, dated as of June
14, 1996, between Intel Corporation and the
Company
10.26+ -- 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan of the Company
10.27+ -- Stock Purchase Agreement between Intel
Corporation and the Company
10.28* -- Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 19,
1996, between Vignette Corporation and the
Company
10.29 -- Letter Agreement, dated February 20, 1997,
between the Company and Kevin Wendle
11.1 -- Statement regarding computation of net loss per share
21.1+ -- List of Subsidiary Corporations
23.2 -- Consent of Independent Auditors
+ Incorporated by reference from a previously filed exhibit to the
Company's Registration Statement on Form SB-2, registration
no. 333-4752-LA.
* Incorporated by reference from a previously filed exhibit to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended
June 30, 1996.
(b) No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the last quarter of the
period covered by this report.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant
has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.
By /s/ HALSEY M. MINOR
---------------------------------------------
Halsey M. Minor
Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer
Date March 31, 1997
-------------------------------------------
By /s/ SHELBY W. BONNIE
---------------------------------------------
Shelby W. Bonnie
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating
Officer, Chief Financial and Accounting
Officer and Secretary
Date March 31, 1997
--------------------------------------------
In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
By /s/ HALSEY M. MINOR
---------------------------------------------
Halsey M. Minor
Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer
Date March 31, 1997
------------------------------------------
By /s/ SHELBY W. BONNIE
---------------------------------------------
Shelby W. Bonnie
Director, Executive Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial
and Accounting Officer and Secretary
Date March 31, 1997
-------------------------------------------
By /s/ JOHN C. "BUD" COLLIGAN
---------------------------------------------
John C. "Bud" Colligan
Director
Date March 31, 1997
-------------------------------------------
By /s/ DOUGLAS HAMILTON
---------------------------------------------
Douglas Hamilton
Director
Date March 31, 1997
-------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
By /s/ MITCHELL KERTZMAN
---------------------------------------------
Mitchell Kertzman
Director
Date March 31, 1997
---------------------------------------------
By /s/ ERIC ROBISON
---------------------------------------------
Eric Robison
Director
Date March 31, 1997
---------------------------------------------
By /s/ WILLIAM SAVOY
---------------------------------------------
William Savoy
Director
Date March 31, 1997
---------------------------------------------
By /s/ KEVIN WENDLE
---------------------------------------------
Kevin Wendle
Director
Date March 31, 1997
---------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
February 20, 1997
Kevin Wendle
CNET, Inc.
150 Chestnut Street
San Francisco, California 94111
Re: Phase Out and Resignation Agreement
Dear Kevin:
This letter sets forth our agreement (the "Agreement") concerning
various matters related to your phase out as an officer and employee of
C|NET, Inc. (the "Company"). Reference is made to the letter agreement
between the Company and you dated September 14, 1995, as amended by the
Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and you dated May 23,
1996 (as so amended, the "Employment Agreement").
Both the Company and you desire that your separation from the
Company be on a friendly basis and want to avoid any disputes and
controversies concerning your employment and separation. Consequently, we
have agreed as follows:
1. PHASE OUT AND RESIGNATION. Effective as of March 1, 1997
(the "Phase Out Date"), you hereby resign as an officer of the Company and
your duties as an employee of the Company will be limited to the consulting
and advisory duties specified in paragraph 2 below. Effective as of May 1,
1997 (the "Resignation Date"), you hereby resign as an employee of the
Company.
2. ADVISORY SERVICES. From the Phase Out Date until November
30, 1997 (the "Advisory Period"), it is expected that you will continue to
serve as Executive Producer of the Company's TV.COM television series and as
a director of E! Online, Inc. During the Advisory Period, you will also
provide consulting and advisory services to the Company in connection with
TV.COM and other television programs, as reasonably requested by the Company
in order to ensure a successful transition. You may also serve as an
Executive Consultant for other television programs. In such capacities, you
will remain in close contact with the producers of TV.COM and will provide
notes on general series direction and all scripts, rough cuts and final cuts
of TV.COM and, to the extent requested, other television programs. During
the Advisory Period, you will be expected to devote approximately 40 hours
per month to the Company's business, including approximately 10 hours per
month in San Francisco. From the Phase Out Date to the Resignation Date, you
will be acting as an employee of the Company. From the Resignation Date
until the end of the Advisory Period, you will be acting as an independent
contractor, and not as an employee, of the Company. You understand that your
role as Executive Producer of TV.COM may be on a non-exclusive basis, if
necessary. In addition,
1
<PAGE>
notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time following the Resignation Date,
the Company will have the right to terminate your status as Executive
Producer of TV.COM, your status as a director of E! Online, Inc. and your
other consulting and advisory activities if it determines, in good faith,
that a continuation of such status or activities would be detrimental to the
Company.
3. COMPENSATION PRIOR TO PHASE OUT. You will continue to
receive all salary, bonuses, profit participation rights and other benefits
to which you are entitled under the Employment Agreement based on services
rendered through and including February 28, 1997.
4. COMPENSATION FOLLOWING PHASE OUT. Beginning on the Phase
Out Date, you will have no further rights of any kind under the Employment
Agreement (including without limitation rights to salary, bonuses, profit
participations or benefits), except as follows:
(a) From the Phase-Out Date until the Resignation Date,
you will receive a monthly salary of $500.
(b) You will be entitled to receive 25% of any Net
Proceeds (as defined in the Employment Agreement) earned by the
Company during the four years following the Phase Out Date from
contingent compensation actually received by the Company. It is
expressly understood and agreed that you will have no right to
participate in the Net Proceeds of any other television programs
produced by the Company, now or in the future.
(c) To the extent permissible under the Company's
insurance plans, the Company will continue to provide medical
insurance to you, at your cost, until the end of the Advisory Period.
(d) All of your outstanding stock options will remain
effective and will be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
In particular,
(i) your option to purchase an aggregate of
214,284 shares at $1.87 per share pursuant to the Stock
Option Agreement dated April 30, 1994 (the "1994 Option")
will remain effective, and the Company acknowledges and
agrees that the modification of your duties between the
Phase Out Date and the Resignation Date will not affect the
vesting of the final installment of 53,571 shares under the
1994 Option on April 30, 1997; and
(ii) your option to purchase an aggregate of
8,100 shares at $13.00 per share pursuant to the Stock
Option Agreement dated June 5, 1996 (the "1996 Option"),
which was fully vested on the date of grant, will remain
exercisable in accordance with its terms.
(e) The Company hereby waives the termination payment
that would otherwise be required under Section 1(b) of the Amendment
to the Employment
2
<PAGE>
Agreement dated May 23, 1996, which relates to 46,500 shares that
you were allowed to purchase at $2.41 per share.
(f) The Company will reimburse you, in accordance with
its reimbursement policies as in effect from time to time, for
reasonable business expenses (including travel expenses) incurred by
you in connection with performing your duties for the Company
hereunder; provided that any travel other than from Los Angeles to
San Francisco must be approved in advance. For purposes of applying
the Company's reimbursement policies to your duties hereunder,
Shelby Bonnie will be considered your "manager." For so long as you
remain a director of the Company, you will have access to the
Company's electronic mail and voice mail systems and the Company
will provide you with use of a guest office in San Francisco (along
with related office supplies) and reasonable secretarial services in
San Francisco related to your duties hereunder.
5. Board Membership. Effective as of the Phase Out Date, you
hereby resign as a Class I director of the Company. Shelby Bonnie has agreed
to resign as a Class II director of the Company, and the Company will use its
best efforts to cause you to be elected to fill the resulting vacancy among
the Class II directors, so that you would continue to serve as a director of
the Company until the Company's annual meeting of stockholders in 1998. You
will not receive any compensation for your duties as a director. The Company
acknowledges that you may resign as a director of the Company at any time,
without any penalty under this Agreement. You hereby agree, however, that
until the Company's annual meeting of stockholders in 1998 (and regardless of
whether you have resigned as a director of the Company prior to such date),
you will not sell any of your common stock in the Company unless such sale
complies with the volume limitations set forth in Rule 144(e)(1) under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as if you were then an "affiliate" of the
Company; provided that such restriction will not apply if you are not
reappointed to the Board as a Class II director.
6. Confidential Information.
(a) In the course of performing services for the
Company, you have received and had access to, and may in the future
receive and have access to, commercially valuable, confidential or
proprietary information ("Confidential Information"). Confidential
Information means all information, whether oral or written, now or
hereafter developed, acquired or used by the Company or any
Affiliate (as hereinafter defined) and relating to the business of
the Company or any Affiliate that is not generally known to others
in the Company's or such Affiliate's area of business, including
without limitation (i) any trade secrets, work product, processes,
analyses or know-how of the Company or any Affiliate; (ii) ideas and
development plans related to new or improved television programs or
Internet sites or services; (iii) the Company's or any Affiliate's
marketing, development, strategic and business plans and
information; and (iv) the Company's or any Affiliate's financial
statements and other financial information. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Affiliate" means any entity directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the
Company. A person shall be deemed to control an entity if such
person owns 50% or more of the equity interests in such entity or
possesses, directly or indirectly, the power
3
<PAGE>
to direct or cause the direction of management and policies of such
corporation, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
contract, or otherwise.
(b) You acknowledge and agree that the Confidential
Information is and will be the sole and exclusive property of the
Company and its Affiliates. You will not use any Confidential
Information for your own benefit or disclose any Confidential
Information to any third party (except in the course of performing
your authorized duties for the Company), either during or subsequent
to your employment with the Company. At the Company's request at
any time following the Resignation Date, you will promptly deliver
to the Company all documents, computer disks and other computer
storage devices and other papers and materials (including all copies
thereof in whatever form) containing or incorporating any
Confidential Information or otherwise relating in any way to the
business of the Company or its Affiliates that are in your
possession or under your control.
7. Restrictive Covenant. In consideration of the benefits
provided to you hereunder following the Phase Out Date, and as a condition
precedent to the continued delivery of Confidential Information to you, you
hereby agree that, until March 1, 1998, you will not (except in the course of
performing your authorized duties for the Company and its Affiliates),
directly or indirectly, either as an employee, partner, owner, director,
adviser or consultant or in any other capacity:
(a) engage in (i) the creation, development or
production of television programming focused primarily on computers,
the Internet or digital technologies, (ii) the creation, development
or operation of any Internet site focused primarily on computers,
the Internet or digital technologies, or (iii) any other business
then conducted by the Company or any Affiliate (collectively, the
"Business");
(b) directly or indirectly influence or attempt to
influence any advertising customer or potential advertising customer
of the Company or any Affiliate to purchase advertising on any
competing television program or Internet site or for any competitive
Business; or
(c) employ or attempt to employ or solicit for any
employment competitive with the Company or any Affiliate any
individuals who are employees of the Company or such Affiliate at
such time, or who were employees of the Company or such Affiliate
within one year prior to such time, or influence or seek to
influence any such employees to leave the Company's or such
Affiliate's employment.
8. Enforcement.
(a) You acknowledge that the Company's agreement to pay
compensation to you pursuant to SECTION 4(b), which extends
throughout the term of the restrictive covenant set forth in SECTION
7, was included on the express condition that you agree to such
restrictive covenant. You represent to the Company that you are
willing and able to engage
4
<PAGE>
in businesses other than Business and that enforcement of the
restrictions set forth in SECTION 7 would not be unduly burdensome
to you. The Company and you acknowledge and agree that the
restrictions set forth in SECTION 7 are reasonable as to time,
geographic area and scope of activity and do not impose a greater
restraint than is necessary to protect the goodwill and other
business interests of the Company, and you agree that that the
Company is justified in believing the foregoing.
(b) If any provisions of SECTION 7 are found by a court
of competent jurisdiction to contain unreasonable or unnecessary
limitations as to time, geographical area or scope of activity, then
such court is hereby directed to reform such provisions to the
minimum extent necessary to cause the limitations contained therein
as to time, geographical area and scope of activity to be reasonable
and to impose a restraint that is not greater than necessary to
protect the goodwill and other business interests of the Company.
(c) You acknowledge and agree that the Company would be
irreparably harmed by any violation of your obligations under
SECTIONS 6 and 7 hereof and that, in addition to all other rights or
remedies available at law or in equity, the Company will be entitled
to injunctive and other equitable relief to prevent or enjoin any
such violation.
(d) If you commit a material breach of your obligations
under SECTION 6 or SECTION 7 hereof, then (i) you will not be
entitled to the participation payments contemplated by SECTION 4(b);
and (ii) if such material breach occurs prior to December 1, 1997,
the waiver of the termination payment set forth in SECTION 4(e)
above will be revoked and you will be required to make such payment
within 30 days of demand by the Company. You acknowledge and agree
that the damages to the Company from any violation of your
obligations under SECTIONS 6 and 7 hereof would be difficult to
ascertain and that the termination payment referenced in SECTION
4(e) is a reasonable estimate of the actual amount of such damages
and is the best current estimate of the parties concerning the
actual amount of such damages.
9. MUTUAL RELEASE.
(a) You acknowledge and agree that you have voluntarily
requested the modification of your employment relationship
contemplated by this Agreement and that the Company has not
terminated your employment, actually or constructively. Except as
specifically provided in this Agreement, you understand and agree
that, beginning on the Phase Out Date, you will not be entitled to
any further salary, consulting fees, incentive compensation,
participation rights, equity interests, vacation or sick pay,
severance pay, health insurance, retirement benefits, disability or
life insurance or any other compensation or benefits of any kind.
You voluntarily and knowingly waive, release, and discharge the
Company, its successors, affiliates, employees, officers, directors,
owners and agents from all claims, liabilities, demands and causes
of action, known or unknown, fixed or contingent, that you may have
or claim to have against any of them as a result of your employment
and/or separation from employment with the Company, except for
amounts due and other rights and obligations provided for under this
Agreement. You
5
<PAGE>
agree not to file a lawsuit to assert any such claims, and you
also agree not to seek reinstatement or future employment with the
Company. The foregoing includes, but is not limited to, the
following: (a) claims arising under federal, state, or local laws
prohibiting employment discrimination; (b) claims for breach of
contract; (c) claims for personal injury, harm, or damages (whether
intentional or unintentional); (d) claims arising out of any legal
restrictions on the Company's right to terminate its employees; and
(e) claims arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act. In addition, you specifically waive all rights and benefits
afforded by any state laws that provide in substance that a general
release does not extend to claims of which a person does not know of
or suspect to exist at the time of executing a release. However,
you are not waiving rights or claims, if any, that may arise after
the date that you sign this Agreement out of facts or circumstances
not contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) The Company voluntarily and knowingly waives,
releases, and discharges you and your agents, successors, affiliates
and heirs from all claims, liabilities, demands and causes of
action, known or unknown, fixed or contingent, that the Company may
have or claim to have against any of them as a result of your
employment and/or separation from employment with the Company,
except for amounts due and other rights and obligations provided for
under this Agreement and claims arising out of your willful
misconduct not known to the Company on the date of this Agreement.
10. CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542. You hereby represent that you are
not aware of any claim against the Company that is not specifically addressed
and released by this Agreement. You also acknowledge that you have been
advised by legal counsel and are familiar with the provisions of California
Civil Code Section 1542, which provides as follows:
"A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES
NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING
THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS
SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR."
You and the Company, being aware of said code section, agree to
expressly waive any rights they may have thereunder, as well as under any
other statute or common law principles of similar effect.
11. PUBLICITY. The Company and you will work together in good
faith to coordinate a public announcement by the Company concerning the
change in your employment status contemplated by this Agreement. Until such
public announcement, you agree to maintain the confidentiality of and not to
publicly disclose the existence or terms of this Agreement or the change in
your employment status contemplated hereby. You further agree not to make
any libelous, disparaging or otherwise injurious statements about the
Company, its business or operations or its officers, employees or
representatives, and the Company agrees not to make any libelous, disparaging
or otherwise injurious statements about you.
6
<PAGE>
12. RIGHT TO ATTORNEY. You acknowledge and agree that you have
the right to discuss all aspects of this Agreement with a private attorney,
have been encouraged to do so by the Company, and have done so to the extent
you desire.
13. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement contains all terms,
provisions and understandings between the Company and you and supersedes all
previous agreements, whether oral or in writing, between the Company and you.
You represent and agree that, in executing this Agreement, you have not
relied on any representations or statements, whether written or oral, not set
forth herein. No modification of this Agreement can be made except in
writing and signed by both parties. This Agreement is binding on you and
your representatives, heirs, and assigns.
14. SEVERABILITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain
in full force and effect.
15. INDEMNIFICATION. The Company agrees to indemnify you for
any claims brought against you in your capacity as a director, officer,
employee or agent of the Company or in any other capacity in which you are
acting (or have acted) on behalf of the Company, to the maximum extent
permitted under Delaware law.
16. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal substantive laws of the State of
California (with the exception of Section 15 hereof, which shall be governed
by the substantive laws of the State of Delaware), without regard to the
choice of law rules thereof.
If the foregoing accurately reflects all of the terms of our
agreement, please sign and date in the space provided. Upon signature, this
Agreement will constitute a legally binding agreement between you and the
Company on the terms set forth herein.
Very truly yours,
CNET, INC.
By: /s/ Shelby W. Bonnie
-----------------------------
Shelby W. Bonnie,
Executive Vice President
Agreed to and accepted:
/s/ Kevin Wendle
- --------------------
Kevin Wendle
7
<PAGE>
Exhibit 11.1
CNET, Inc.
STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF NET LOSS PER SHARE
Year ended December 31
--------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
------------ ------------ ------------
Net Loss $(16,948,662) $( 8,607,358) $( 2,826,549)
------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------
Weighted average shares
outstanding during the period:
Preferred 2,869,281 5,707,204 3,944,903
Common 7,963,897 2,700,000 2,700,000
Shares issued and stock option
and warrants granted in
accordance with
SAB No. 83 406,637 808,841 808,841
Shares used in calculating per ----------- ---------- -----------
share data 11,239,815 9,216,045 7,453,744
----------- ---------- -----------
----------- ---------- -----------
Net loss per share $ (1.51) $ (0.93) $ (0.38)
----------- ---------- -----------
----------- ---------- -----------
<PAGE>
Exhibit 23.2
Consent of Independent Auditors
The Board of Directors
CNET, Inc.
We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statement on
Form S-8 of CNET, Inc. of our report dated January 21, 1997, relating to the
consolidated financial statements of CNET, Inc. and subsidiaries as of
December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, stockholders' equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the
years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996, which report appears
in the December 31, 1996 annual report on Form 10-KSB of CNET, Inc.
KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
San Francisco, California
March 31, 1997
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1996
<CASH> 20,155,935
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 5,392,177
<ALLOWANCES> 100,000
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 26,388,803
<PP&E> 14,092,323
<DEPRECIATION> 2,349,032
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 39,841,869
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 6,166,172
<BONDS> 0
0
0
<COMMON> 1,328
<OTHER-SE> 62,424,993
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 39,841,869
<SALES> 14,830,348
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 14,830,348
<CGS> 15,333,504
<TOTAL-COSTS> 15,032,155
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 1,865,299
<LOSS-PROVISION> 75,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 315,004
<INCOME-PRETAX> (16,948,662)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (16,948,662)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (16,948,662)
<EPS-PRIMARY> (1.51)
<EPS-DILUTED> (1.51)
</TABLE>
