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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event
reported):
FEBRUARY 12, 1998
CAPITAL MEDIA GROUP LIMITED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
NEVADA 0-21051 87-0453100
(State or other (Commission File (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction Number) Identification
of incorporation) No.)
25 JAMES STREET
LONDON W1M 5HY, ENGLAND
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 011-44-171-224-4141
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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
AGREEMENT WITH QVC
On March 31, 1998, Capital Media Group Limited (the "Company"), Capital
Media (UK) Limited, its wholly-owned subsidiary ("CM(UK)") and ONYX Television
GmbH ("Onyx"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CM(UK) [CMG, CM(UK) and Onyx are
collectively referred to as the "CMG Companies"] entered into an agreement (the
"Sharing Agreement") with QVC Deutschland GmbH ("QVC Germany"), a subsidiary of
QVC, Inc.
Under the terms of the Sharing Agreement, Onyx and QVC Germany will
initially seek approval from the applicable German media authorities for
permission for QVC Germany to share broadcast time equally with Onyx in respect
of 5.8 million of the approximately 8.1 million homes currently receiving the
Onyx cable television broadcast and not already receiving the QVC program (such
homes, the "Incremental Homes") (such phase being referred to as "Phase I"). The
parties will use their best efforts to obtain approval of Phase I from the
applicable German media authorities by September 1, 1998, provided that if, as
of June 30, 1998, the media authority of North Rhine Westphalia or Rheinland
Pfalz has rejected or not approved Phase I, any party may terminate the Sharing
Agreement upon 10 days' written notice.
Assuming Phase I is approved, Onyx and QVC Germany will next seek
approval from the German media authorities for permission to implement a second
phase which contemplates establishing a joint program which will consist
primarily of music video programming and teleshopping programming in addition to
the existing Onyx program and the QVC program. The teleshopping programming will
be produced by QVC Germany and will be transmitted for six hours per day to the
Incremental Homes in addition to the hours allocated to QVC Germany under Phase
I for, among other things, the testing of the concept of thematic shopping for
an Onyx and QVC Germany digital bouquet, according to a schedule to be agreed
upon by Onyx and QVC Germany (such phase referred to as, "Phase II"). The
parties have agreed to make application for approval of Phase II to the
applicable German media authorities on or before September 1, 1998 and to use
their best efforts to obtain approval for Phase II on or before January 1, 1999,
provided that if, as of March 31, 1999 the media authority of North Rhine
Westphalia (or any other media authority to which application for approval has
been made) has rejected or not approved Phase II, any party may terminate the
Sharing Agreement upon 10 days' written notice. Additionally, QVC Germany may,
in the future and subject to obtaining applicable regulatory approvals, increase
the number of hours of QVC Germany programming transmitted to the Incremental
Homes beyond the hours allocated to QVC Germany under Phase I.
The Sharing Agreement restricts Onyx from entering into a similar
arrangement with other providers of teleshopping programs or shopping services
except for certain specified infomercials, pre-recorded commercial spots of
limited duration, Onyx brand promotional merchandizing and music on demand
formats.
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In accordance with the Sharing Agreement, QVC Germany has paid the
Company a non-refundable sum of 200,000 Deutschmark ("DM"). Under the Sharing
Agreement, Onyx will be entitled to be paid a monthly fee (the "Monthly Fee"), a
fee on or prior to January 31, 1999 with respect to the implementation of Phase
I (the "Phase I Success Fee") and a fee on June 30, 1999 with respect to the
implementation of Phase II (the "Phase II Success Fee"), all if certain
conditions are met.
Once the Phase I programming is legally transmitted to more than
500,000 Incremental Homes, QVC Germany will be required to pay the Monthly Fee.
The Monthly Fee is DM 520,000 per month until September 30, 1998 and, from
October 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998, DM 125,000 per month. Onyx is required to
apply the Monthly Fees to the payment of the Phase I and Phase II transponder
service fees. The CMG Companies will have the obligation to repay previously
received Monthly Fees if, as of December 31, 1998, the Phase I programming
and/or the Phase II program is transmitted to fewer than 5.8 million Incremental
Homes. The precise amount required to be repaid will be based upon the extent to
which the Incremental Homes to which such programming is transmitted is less
than 5.8 million. The repayment would be required to made on the date of the
Phase I Success Fee. From and after January 1, 1999 until termination of the
Agreement, the Monthly Fee will be an amount equal to DM 125,000 reduced by the
proportion that 5.8 million bears to the number of Incremental Homes to which
the Phase I and/or Phase II programming is being transmitted on December 31,
1998. Payment of the Monthly Fees will cease at any time when the Phase I and/or
Phase II Programming is not transmitted by means of Onyx' transponder or the
number of Incremental Homes to which the Phase I and/or Phase II Programming is
being transmitted is less than 500,000.
The Phase I Success Fee of DM 6.5 million will be paid to Onyx by QVC
Germany in January 1999 if the Phase I and/or Phase II programming is
transmitted to at least 5.8 million Incremental Homes as of December 31, 1998,
subject to reduction to the extent of the proportion by which 5.8 million bears
to the number of Incremental Homes to which the transmission is then being made.
Within thirty (30) days after commencement of the transmission of the
Phase II program, QVC Germany is required to pay to Onyx DM 7.25 million,
subject to reduction on a prorata basis based on transmission to fewer than 5.8
million Incremental Homes.
Onyx may receive an advance of the Phase I Success Fee (the "Advance"),
which would bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 1% per annum prior to
January 1, 1999 and LIBOR plus 3% on amounts outstanding after January 1, 1999.
Such Advance would be made in eight installments with the payment of the first
and second installments of DM 500,000 each dependent upon the receipt of certain
notifications and/or approvals from the German Media authorities. The third
through seventh installments would be paid monthly thereafter in the amount of
DM 1,000,000 each, with the last installment being DM 500,000. Onyx is required
to use the Advance only for the current working capital needs of Onyx.
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No Advance may be made after December 31, 1998 and once the aggregate
amount of the Monthly Fees paid plus the Advance disbursed equals or exceeds DM
4.7 million, QVC Germany is not obligated to make further disbursements of the
Advance until the Phase I programming and/or the Phase II program is transmitted
legally to at least 2 million Incremental Homes. Disbursements of the Advance
are subject to customary conditions precedent, including the absence of any
legal challenge to the consideration or approval by certain German media
authorities of the Phase I and/or Phase II concepts. Additionally, in connection
with the Advance, QVC Germany and certain creditors of the Company, CM(UK) and
Onyx will be required to enter into an intercreditor agreement, and QVC Germany
or any of the CMG Companies may terminate the Sharing Agreement if a
satisfactory intercreditor agreement has not been entered into by May 15, 1998.
The principal amount of any Advance and all interest accrued thereon,
together with any Monthly Fee required to be repaid (without interest for the
periods prior to January 1, 1999 and thereafter at the rates applicable to the
Advance) to QVC Germany, are to be repaid through set-off against the Phase I
Success Fee and, thereafter, on the first of each month QVC Germany is to be
paid the greater of DM 200,000 or an amount equal to 10% of the balance existing
immediately after set-off. QVC Germany also has the right to set-off the payment
of the Monthly Fees and Phase II Success Fee against any outstanding Advance or
repayable Monthly Fee.
QVC Germany has the right to terminate the Agreement at any time after
March 31, 1999 by providing six (6) weeks prior written notice. Onyx has the
right to terminate the agreement at any time after March 31, 2004 upon six (6)
weeks prior written notice.
1997 PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company has recently announced its unaudited preliminary financial
results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 ("Fiscal
1997"). For Fiscal 1997, the Company reported a net loss of $15.76 million,
compared to a net loss of $16.26 million for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1996 ("Fiscal 1996"). The net loss for Fiscal 1997 includes a $2.65 million
non-cash currency exchange translation charge (Fiscal 1996 $0.5 million) arising
from changes in currency exchange rates at December 31, 1997 compared to
exchange rates at December 31, 1996.
The net loss per share for Fiscal 1997 was $0.56, compared to a net
loss per share of $1.32 for Fiscal 1996. Weighted average shares outstanding
were 27,966,383 for Fiscal 1997 compared to 12,359,029 for Fiscal 1996. The
increase in the number of shares outstanding is primarily due to the Company's
private placements completed in March and June 1997 and the Company's
acquisition of an 81.6% interest in Unimedia SA in August 1997.
The unaudited preliminary financial results include the consolidated
accounts of the Company, its wholly owned subsidiary CM(UK) and CM(UK)'s wholly
owned subsidiary, Onyx, its 51% owned subsidiary, Tinerama Investments AG
("Tinerama"), and its 81.6% owned subsidiary Unimedia, SA ("Unimedia"), and
Unimedia's 90% owned subsidiary TopCard SA ("TopCard"). The Company's 50% joint
venture investment interest in Blink TV Limited ("Blink") has been accounted for
using the equity method. The results of Unimedia and TopCard have been
consolidated from September 1997 and November 1997, which are the respective
dates of their acquisition during 1997. Pixel Ltd., which was effectively
acquired as of December 31, 1997, has not been consolidated into the Company's
Fiscal 1997 results.
Following the change in management announced in August 1997, the
operating revenue and operating loss for the three months ended December 31,
1997 were $1.06 million and $3.19 million,
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respectively (and included, for the first time, operating revenue and costs of
Unimedia and TopCard from the respective dates of their acquisition) compared to
operating revenue of $0.62 million and an operating loss of $4.75 million for
the three months ended December 31, 1996.
Operating revenues in Fiscal 1997 totaled $2.61 million, a net increase
of $0.53 million compared to revenues of $2.08 million in Fiscal 1996. While
sales at Tinerama decreased 58%, from $1.80 million in Fiscal 1996 to $1.14
million in Fiscal 1997, Onyx's advertising revenue increased to $0.65 million
from $0.28 million in Fiscal 1996. There were also first-time revenue
contributions from Unimedia and TopCard of $0.63 million and $0.19 million,
respectively, in Fiscal 1997.
Operating costs, including staff costs and depreciation, totaled $15.81
million in Fiscal 1997 compared to $17.86 million in Fiscal 1996. The net
decrease is principally reflective of the cost reductions made across all of the
group's operations, primarily at Onyx where costs decreased from $14.42 million
in Fiscal 1996 to $11.14 million in Fiscal 1997. Operating expenses of Onyx
include programming costs, broadcast studio expenses and transmission expenses.
There were also first-time operating costs included for Unimedia and TopCard of
$0.61 million and $0.17 million, respectively.
Depreciation and amortization for Fiscal 1997 was $0.65 million, an
increase of $0.13 million compared to $0.52 million for Fiscal 1996.
While advertising revenue at Onyx increased in Fiscal 1997, such
revenue was substantially lower than was anticipated and reflects the fact that
Onyx has taken longer to establish its product in the German advertising market,
which is extremely competitive. The Company is continuing to take steps to
develop Onyx's revenue and in that regard, as described above, has recently
announced a cooperation agreement with QVC, the home shopping television
company. At the present time, Onyx's television station reaches approximately
11.5 million cable and satellite homes in Germany, an increase of 43% compared
to approximately 8.1 million homes at the end of 1996.
During Fiscal 1997, each of the Tinerama companies continued to operate
at a small loss. The combined loss of the Tinerama companies for Fiscal 1997
totaled $88,000 compared to a loss of $143,000 for Fiscal 1996.
The Company's net loss for Fiscal 1997 included net profit
contributions from both Unimedia and TopCard of $0.39 million and $12,000,
respectively, which were consolidated with the Company's results from the dates
of their respective acquisitions.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 1997, Unimedia, TopCard and
Pixel had operating revenues of $0.93 million, $0.96 million and $1.99 million,
respectively, and net profit of $0.73 million, $0.08 million and $0.38 million,
respectively. Part of Unimedia's operating
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revenue and non-operating profit were non-recurring items relating to a change
of investment strategy. Full-year contributions from these three companies will
be consolidated for Fiscal 1998.
The Company continues to require additional capital to sustain its
level of operations. No assurance can be given that the Company will be
successful in procuring additional capital on terms deemed favorable by the
Company.
The Company is presently working with its auditors to complete their
audit of the Company's Fiscal 1997 financial statements. The delay in the
completion of the audit has principally been caused by the increase in the work
required to be completed by the auditors from that required in prior years, due
to the substantial changes which occurred at the Company during 1997. The
Company expects, in that regard, to file its Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for
Fiscal 1997 in the next few weeks.
PIXEL TRANSACTION
On February 12, 1998, the Company, Unimedia, and Pixel Multimedia Ltd.
("PMM") consummated the transactions contemplated by an agreement executed on
that date and effective as of December 31, 1997. PMM previously owed Unimedia
$2,700,000 for loans made to PMM and for other expenses. As part of the
transaction, Unimedia purchased the outstanding stock of Pixel Ltd., an Israeli
company ("Pixel") from PMM. Pixel specializes in computer graphic and 3D
animation for TV packaging, digital broadcasting and special effects. Pixel also
owns a 47.5% interest in Henry Communication Ltd., a service company operated in
a joint venture with Video Broadcast SB Ltd., an Israeli broadcasting company.
Pixel has, in addition, a contractual relationship with Israel Cable Programming
Company Ltd., providing TV packaging and animation programming for the cable
operators in Israel, utilizing Pixel's digital editing systems and located in
Israel Cable Programming's studio facilities. As part of the transaction,
Unimedia (through Pixel) also purchased certain software previously developed
for Unimedia by PMM for use in connection with the development of the Company's
and Unimedia's proposed entertainment and gaming platform.
The purchase price paid to acquire Pixel consisted of: (i) forgiveness
of $1.7 million of the debt owed by PMM to Unimedia ($950,000 of which was
utilized to purchase the entertainment and gaming software described above) and
(ii) the assumption by Pixel (guaranteed by Unimedia and the Company) of certain
PMM debt not exceeding $750,000 due to a financial institution. Additionally,
PMM may receive up to 600,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock owned by
Unimedia if certain performance objectives are achieved by Pixel. These shares
have been pledged by Unimedia to the financial institution to secure Pixel's
debt to the financial institution. Finally, the remaining $1,000,000 owed by PMM
to Unimedia will be forgiven in the event that certain future performance
objectives are achieved by Pixel. Rami Weitz, the President of Pixel, will
continue to work with Pixel and Unimedia on a consulting basis. Preliminarily,
Pixel's revenues and net profits for the year ended December 31, 1997 were $1.99
million (unaudited) and $0.38 million (unaudited), respectively.
ACQUISITION OF INTEREST IN TOPCARD
On November 1, 1997, Unimedia acquired an 80% interest in TopCard, a
French company engaged in the design and manufacture of infra-red contact less
smart card technology. Unimedia had previously owned 10% of the outstanding
shares of TopCard. The purchase price paid by Unimedia for the 80% interest
consisted of the transfer of 456,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock owned
by Unimedia to TopCard's shareholders and $150,000 in cash. Unimedia now owns
90% of TopCard.
TopCard has technology that will be useful to the Company in developing
secure access technology required for processing online transactions on the
entertainment and gaming platform
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being developed by the Company and Unimedia. TopCard has agreements to export
its smart card technology and turnkey solutions to Russia and China for use in
securing access to mobile phone applications and prepaid Internet services,
respectively. Preliminarily, TopCard's revenues and net profit for the year
ended December 31, 1997 were $0.96 million (unaudited) and $0.08 million
(unaudited).
RECENT FINANCINGS
The Company's short term funding requirements have been met over the
last several months through private placements of an aggregate of 733,335 shares
of its authorized but unissued Common Stock (raising $750,000) and through
recent borrowings.
On January 9, 1998, CM(UK) borrowed an aggregate of $1,250,000 from
Superstar Ventures Limited ("Superstar"). Such loan was evidenced by two 13%
Convertible Secured Promissory Notes in the original principal amounts of
$750,000 and $500,000, respectively (collectively, the "Notes"). Of the
aggregate proceeds, $500,000 was used to repay a loan previously made to CM(UK)
by Unbeatable Investments Limited ("Unbeatable"). The Notes bear interest at the
rate of 13% per annum and are convertible into the Company's Common Stock on the
basis of one share of Common Stock for each $0.50 of outstanding principal and
accrued interest on the Notes, provided, however, that the Notes may not be
converted until the Company has held a shareholders meeting at which its
Articles of Incorporation are amended to increase the number of authorized
shares of Common Stock of the Company to at least the number required for
conversion of the Company's Series A Preferred Stock and the Notes. The Notes
were due and payable on March 31, 1998 but, pursuant to the Notes and an
agreement among the Company, CM(UK), Superstar, Instar Holdings, Inc. ("Instar")
and Universal Independent Holdings Limited ("Universal"), payments on the Notes
may only be made pari passu pro rata as and when payments are made to Instar
Holdings Inc. according to a stated proportion. Instar and Universal are secured
creditors of the Company and CM(UK). To secure its obligations under the Note,
CM(UK) granted to Superstar a security interest on the same collateral upon
which Instar has been granted a security interest by CM(UK) and upon identical
terms and conditions as are set forth in the security documents entered into
between Instar and CM(UK) pursuant to the Facility Agreement dated October 31,
1996 between CM(UK) and Instar. The Company and Onyx are guarantors of the
Notes.
Superstar and Unbeatable were introduced to the Company by David Ho, a
Director of the Company. Mr. Ho has advised the Company that he does not have a
direct or indirect interest in these companies. Mr. Ho received a fee of 200,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock as a fee for arranging the original loan
made by Unbeatable to the Company and a fee of 400,000 shares for arranging the
January 1998 Superstar loan. Additionally, Superstar has been granted a
contingent option such that if such loan is repaid (and not converted),
Superstar shall have a one year option to purchase up to 2.5 million shares of
the Company's authorized and unissued Common Stock at an exercise price of $.40
per share.
On March 23, 1998, MMP, SA ("MMP"), a shareholder of the Company made
available to the Company a line of credit (the "MMP Line of Credit") pursuant to
which the Company may borrow up to $2,000,000. Outstanding amounts under the MMP
Line of Credit bear interest at the rate of 13% per annum. Any outstanding
principal amount and accrued interest is payable not later than December 31,
1998, but
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becomes due and payable upon the earlier of the consummation by the Company of
any significant transaction or when the Company's cash flow enables repayment.
MMP may withdraw the MMP Line of Credit at its sole discretion and without prior
notice in the event that the Company files for bankruptcy or is placed in
bankruptcy by its creditors.
As further consideration for granting the MMP Line of Credit, MMP was
granted the right, until March 31, 2000, to purchase shares of authorized but
unissued Common Stock of the Company at a price of $0.20 per share up to the
aggregate outstanding principal amount of and accrued interest on the line of
credit; provided, however, that the option may not be exercised until the
Company holds a shareholders meeting to authorize additional shares of
authorized but unissued Common Stock. Such purchase would not affect the
outstanding principal amount of and accrued interest on the MMP Line of Credit.
On March 25, 1998, Superstar loaned the Company an additional $400,000, payable
on the same terms as the MMP Line of Credit. In connection with this new loan,
Superstar was granted an option to purchase shares of the Company's common
stock on the same terms as the option granted to MMP as described above.
RECENT OPTION GRANTS
On March 10, 1998, the Board of Directors granted certain options to
purchase an aggregate of 4,500,000 shares to purchase the Company's common stock
at an exercise price of $0.35 per share (the fair market value of the Common
Stock on the date of grant). Messrs. Gilles Assouline, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, Michel Assouline, Chief Operating Officer of
the Company, Stephen Coleman, Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Barry
Llewellyn, Vice President and a Director, of the Company, were each granted
options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of the Company's authorized but unissued
Common Stock. Of each 1,000,000 share option grant, options to purchase 200,000
shares vested immediately with the remaining options vesting in equal portions
over the next three years.
Additionally, on the same date, each non-employee director of the
Company was granted 100,000 options to purchase Common Stock of the Company at
an exercise price of $0.35 per share, for each year of service on the Board of
Directors of the Company, with each non-employee director receiving a minimum of
100,000 options. An aggregate of options to purchase 500,000 shares were granted
to non-employee directors of the Company. These options vest immediately.
None of these options may be exercised until the Company has held a
shareholders meeting at which its Articles of Incorporation are amended to
increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock of the Company to at
least the number required for the issuance of shares upon exercise and/or
conversion of the Company's other derivative securities.
POSSIBLE DELISTING OF SECURITIES FROM NASDAQ SYSTEM
The Company's Common Stock is currently quoted on the NASDAQ Small-Cap
Market. Effective February 23, 1998, NASDAQ implemented changes to the standards
for companies to remain listed on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market, including new
corporate governance standards, a new requirement that the Company have net
tangible assets of $2.0 million, market capitalization of $35.0 million or net
income of $500,000 and other qualitative requirements.
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The Company was advised by NASDAQ that it does not meet the new
maintenance standard requirements and that it would be de-listed from the NASDAQ
SmallCap Market. The Company has appealed NASDAQ's determination and requested
that it postpone de-listing until June 30, 1998, in order to allow the Company
additional time to seek to bring itself into compliance with the new maintenance
standards. There can be no assurance that NASDAQ will determine not to de-list
the Company or that the Company will meet the NASDAQ continued listing standards
in the future. In such event, the Company may be delisted from the NASDAQ
SmallCap Market. If the Company is unable to satisfy the requirements for
continued inclusion on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market, trading of the Company's
Common Stock would again be conducted in the over-the-counter market. In such
event, holders of outstanding Common Stock may find it more difficult to dispose
of or obtain accurate quotations as to the market price of the Common Stock.
Additionally, because the Company has not timely filed its Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, NASDAQ has added an
"E" to the Company's NASDAQ trading symbol. The Company's failure to file its
1997 Annual Report in the near future may be an additional ground for the
delisting of the Company's Common Stock from the NASDAQ Small-Cap Market.
If the Common Stock were no longer to be quoted on the NASDAQ SmallCap
Market, then it is likely that the Company's Common Stock would become subject
to certain regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission which impose
sales practice requirements on broker-dealers because the Common Stock of the
Company has a market price of less than $5.00 per share. For example, in such
situation, broker-dealers selling the securities, would be required, prior to
effecting any transaction, to provide their customers with a document which
discloses the risks of investing in the Company's Common Stock. Furthermore, in
such situation, if the person purchasing the securities is someone other than an
accredited investor or an established customer of the broker-dealer, the
broker-dealer must also approve the potential customer's account by obtaining
information concerning the customer's financial situation, investment experience
and investment objectives. The broker-dealer must also make a determination
whether the transaction is suitable for the customer and whether the customer
has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial matters to be reasonably
expected to be capable of evaluating the risks of transactions in the security,
which could limit the number of potential purchasers of the Company's
securities. The additional burdens imposed upon broker-dealers by such
requirements could, in the event the Common Stock were deemed to be a penny
stock, discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in the Common Stock
which could severely limit the market liquidity of the Common Stock.
OTHER MATTERS
On March 12, 1998, the Company resolved a dispute with its former
President and Chief Executive Officer, Charles Koppel. Pursuant to the
settlement, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Koppel /pound sterling/60,000 over an
agreed period of time to resolve claims brought by him against the Company under
his services agreement with the Company. No payment has been made to date under
that settlement.
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ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) Exhibits
(99.1) Press Release dated February 23, 1998.
(99.2) Press Release dated April 15, 1998.
(99.3) Press Release dated April 16, 1998.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
CAPITAL MEDIA GROUP LIMITED
By: /S/ GILLES ASSOULINE
------------------------------------
Gilles Assouline
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Date: May 15, 1998
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EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
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(99.1) Press Release dated February 23, 1998.
(99.2) Press Release dated April 15, 1998.
(99.3) Press Release dated April 16, 1998.
EXHIBIT 99.1
Capital Media Group Limited Announces Completion of Acquisition
And Updates Market On Its Current Activities
PARIS, Feb. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Capital Media Group Limited (Nasdaq:
CPMG) ("CMG" or the "Company") today updated the market on its current
activities. CMG first reported that its 81.6% owned subsidiary, Unimedia, S.A.
("Unimedia") has recently completed two acquisitions. It further updated the
market on the status of its developments including its television operation in
Germany and on the current status of its efforts with respect to the funding of
the Company's operations.
The Company reported that the two acquisitions completed by Unimedia
were firstly of a 90% interest in TopCard, S.A. ("TopCard"), a French company
engaged in the design and manufacture of infra-red contactless smart card
technology, in which Unimedia already owned 10% of the outstanding shares, and
secondly of a 100% interest in Pixel Ltd. ("Pixel"), an Israeli company
specializing in computer graphic and 3D animation for TV packaging, digital
broadcasting and special effects.
The Company reported that the purchase price paid by Unimedia for the
90% interest in TopCard consisted of 456,000 shares of the Company's common
stock already owned by Unimedia and $150,000 in cash. The Company further
reported that TopCard's anticipated revenue and net profit for 1997 were
approximately $1.1 million and $50,000 respectively.
The Company reported that the acquisition of TopCard will provide the
Company and Unimedia with the technology required to develop the secure access
technology which will be needed to process on-line transactions on the
entertainment and gaining platform which the Company and Unimedia intend to
develop.
TopCard has recently signed two major contracts to export its front
edge software and hardware smartcard technology and turnkey solutions to use for
securing access to various mobile phone applications in Russia and to prepaid
transportation services in China. TopCard is now seeking to develop cost
effective turnkey solutions to secure access to prepaid internet services and to
design electronic purses of a new generation based on their existing devices.
Pixel owns a 47.5% interest in Henry Communication Ltd., a service
company operated in a joint venture with Video Broadcast SB Ltd., an Israeli
broadcasting company. Pixel has, in addition, a contractual relationship with
Israel Cable Programming Company Ltd. (ICP), providing TV packaging and
animation programming for all the cable operators, in Israel, utilizing Pixel's
digital editing systems, lodated in ICP's studio facilities. The acquisition
also included the purchase of certain software previously developed for Unimedia
by Pixel Multimedia Ltd., ("Multimedia"), the previous owner of Pixel, for use
in connection with the development of the Company's and Unimedia's proposed
entertainment and gaming platform. The Company reported that Pixel's anticipated
1997 revenues and net profits were approximately $2.0 million and $300,000,
respectively.
The purchase price paid by Unimedia to acquire Pixel consisted of: (i)
forgiveness of $1.75 million of the debt owed by Multimedia to Unimedia; and
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(ii) the assumption by Pixel (guaranteed by Unimedia and the Company) of Pixel's
debt due to a financial institution. Additionally, Multimedia may receive up to
600,000 of the shares of the CMG common stock owned by Unimedia, if certain
future performance objectives are attained by Pixel. These shares are presently
being pledged to the financial institution to secure Pixel's debt due to the
financial institution. Finally, the remaining $1.0 million still owed by
Multimedia to Unimedia will be forgiven in the event that certain future
performance objectives are achieved by Pixel. Rami Weitz, the President of
Pixel, will continue to work with Pixel and Unimedia on a consulting basis.
The Company also reported that its efforts to develop an on-line
entertainment and gaming platform is progressing and as previously reported that
Unimedia and CMG have entered into an exclusive consulting agreement with
Jacques Dubost, a renowned French gambling expert. It is planned that Jacques
Dubost will utilize his direct marketing strategy gained from some 35 years'
experience running several famous French casino operations, to promote and
further develop the new operation. It is planned to enter into a strategic
marketing alliance with a prestigious industry partner, who will in addition
provide the necessary private funding to accelerate the on-going developments.
The Company also reported that it continues to operate its German ONYX
television station and that it expects to make announcements shortly regarding
the improvements made in the current operations and in regard to proposed
alliances in respect to its digital broadcasting strategy. As previously
reported, the Company conntinues to seek a strategic partner for its operation
and is presently in negotiation with several potential partners and expects to
complete a transaction in the near future, although there can be no assurance
that this will occur.
The Company further reported on the status of its efforts to secure
continued funding for its operations. The Company reported that its short term
funding requirements have been met over the last several months through sales of
an aggregate of 733,335 shares of its authorised but unissued common stock and
through recent borrowings of $950,000. The Company continues to seek short term
and long term funding to satisfy the capital requirements of its various
activities.
Capital Media is an independent holding company with interests in the
broadcasting, publishing, computer software and multimedia businesses. With
subsidiaries in the UK, France, Germany and Romania, Capital Media's businesses
include television and radio broadcasting, newpaper titles and print operations,
and lifestyle programme production. Unimedia, the Company's 81.6% owned
subsidiary, is engaged in research, development and marketing activities of
computer software for providing, via multimedia vehicles such as the Internet,
new on-line services to business users and leisure consumers.
Except for the historical information contained herein, certain matters
discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements, and certain
important factors may affect the Company's actual results and could cause actual
results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements made in this
release, or which are otherwise made by or on behalf of the Company. Such
factors include, but are not limited to, the availability of sufficient capital
for the Company's ongoing operation, the successful integration of the Company's
businesses in the future, the level of revenues achieved by the Company's 1997
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE Capital Media Group Limited
-0- 2/23/98
/CONTACT: Gilles Assouline, Chiarman, President and CEO,
011-33-1-43-6999, or Stephen Coleman, Chief Financial Officer,
011-44-(0) 171-224-4141, both of Capital Media Group/
(CPMG)
Capital Media Group Limited Announces Cooperation Agreement Between
Onyx Television and QVC
PARIS, April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Capital Media Group Limited (Nasdaq:
CPMG) ("CMG" or the "Company") today announced that its subsidiary ONYX
TELEVISION (ONYX) GmbH has entered into a cooperation agreement with QVC
Deutschland GmbH (QVC), QVC Inc.'s German based television shopping company.
Following approval from the German Media Authorities, the initial phase
will commence with ONYX and QVC jointly transmitting a 24-hour program mix of
music and teleshopping products from QVC to certain areas of Germany in which
the ONYX program is already accessible via cable. The new program concept will
enhance the service offered to the viewership and will simultaneously improve
the efficiency of both channels by sharing the costs for this project.
Pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement signed on March 31, 1998, QVC
will firstly contribute up to approximately US$6 million to the ONYX
distribution and broadasting costs in a ratio which will be in proporation to
the number of homes effectively reached by the ONYX/QVC program after the
approval of the German Media authorities. The agreement also provides for the
possibility of a repayable advance to ONYX of certain fees. It is contemplated
that in this context QVC will actively cooperate with ONYX in the ongoing
development of its distribution network.
"The alliance between ONYX and QVC is the first step of its kind in the
European market and presents both an attractive concept and a challenge. The QVC
contribution will benefit both ONYX's ongoing network distribution development
and the enhancement of the quality and variety of its programs. Both ONYX and
QVC will mutually benefit from the potential operational synergies and ONYX
particularly welcomes the improved economic basis this cooperation will
provide," stated Michael Assouline, Managing Director of ONYX and Chief
Operating Officer of CMG.
"A possible expansion of the business synergy has been discussed by
both companies and may include the joint development of a European independent
digital television programming mix including thematic music and theme shopping
shows and the transmission of QVC Inc.'s Internet Shopping Service, iQVC
throughout Europe in the future," commented Gilles Assouline, Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of CMG.
ONYX GmbH, which is a wholly owned second tier subsidiary of CMG,
operates a national special interest Television Channel with a focus on
entertainment (music) and is currently distributed to 11.3 million homes in
Germany of which 8.1 million is through public and private cable operators. CMG
is an independent holding company with interests in the broadcasting,
publishing, computer software and multimedia businesses. With subsidiaries in
the UK, France, Germany, Israel and Romania, CMG's businesses include television
and radio broadcasting, newspaper titles and print operations, and lifestyle
program production. CMG is also involved in graphic animation, Smart Card and
Internet technology development through Unimedia, its 81.6% owned French
subsidiary.
QVC Inc. is the world's preeminent electronic retailer, marketing a
wide variety of brand name products, fashion and beauty, electronics and fine
jewelry. In addition to its core channel, QVC, which reaches 64 million homes
across the United States, the company's other divisions/subsidiaries include Q2,
Qdirect, QVC local, onQ Music, QVC International and iQVC.
For further QVC information please contact: Ellen Rubin,
Vice-President, public relations: 610-701-1647, in the U.S.
Except for the historical information contained herein, certain matters
discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements, and certain
important factors may affect the Company's actual results and could cause actual
results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements made in this
release, or which are otherwise made by, or on behalf of, the Company.
<PAGE>
Such factors include, but are not limited to, the availability of sufficient
capital for the Company's ongoing operation, the successful integration of the
Company as well as other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ
from those discussed herein.
SOURCE Capital Media Group Limited
-0- 4/15/98
/CONTACT: Gilles Assouline, Chairman, President & CEO, or Michael
Assouline, Chief Operating Officer, both of Capital Media Group Limited,
33-1-43-53-6999/
Capital Media Group Limited Announces Preliminary Unaudited Financial Results
For The Year Ended December 31, 1997
LONDON, April 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Capital Media Group Limited (Nasdaq:
CPMG) (the "Company") announced today its unaudited preliminary financial
results for the year ended December 31, 1997 ("Fiscal 1997").
The Company reported a net loss of $15.76 million for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1997 ("Fiscal 1997") as compared to a net loss of $16.26
million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 ("Fiscal 1996"). The net
loss for Fiscal 1997 includes a $2.65 million non-cash currency exchange
translation charge (Fiscal 1996 charge $0.5 million) arising from changes in
currency exchange rates at December 31, 1997 compared to exchange rates at
December 31, 1996.
The net loss per share for Fiscal 1997 was $0.56, compared to a net
loss per share of $1.32 for Fiscal 1996. Weighted average shares outstanding
were 27,966,383 for the year ended December 31, 1997, compared to 12,359,029 for
the year ended December 31, 1996. The increase in the number of shares is
primarily due to the Company's private placements completed in March and June
1997 and the Company's acquisition of an 81.6% interest in Unimedia SA in August
1997.
The unaudited preliminary financial results include the consolidated
accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary Capital Media (UK)
Limited ("CM(UK)") and CM(UK)'s wholly owned subsidiary Onyx Television GmbH
("Onyx"), its 51% owned subsidiary Tinerama Investment AG ("Tinerama"), together
with its 81.6% owned subsidiary Unimedia SA ("Unimedia") and Unimedia's 90%
owned subsidiary, Topcard SA ("Topcard"). CM(UK)'s 50% joint venture investment
interest in Blink TV Limited ("Blink"), has been accounted for using the equity
method. The results of Unimedia and Topcard have been consolidated from
September 1997 and November 1997 being their respective dates of their
acquisition. Pixel Limited, which was effectively acquired as of December 31,
1997, has not been consolidated into these results.
Following the change of management announced in August 1997, the
operating revenue and operating loss for the three months ended December 31,
1997 were $1.06 million and $3.19 million respectively and included also for the
first time, operating revenue and costs of Unimedia and Topcard from the
respective dates of their acquisition. This compares to operating revenue of
$0.62 million and an operating loss of $4.75 million for the three months ended
December 31, 1996.
Operating revenues in Fiscal 1997 totaled $2.61 million, a net increase
of $0.53 million compared to revenues of $2.08 million in Fiscal 1996. Whilst
sales at Tinerama decreased 58% from $1.80 million in Fiscal 1996 to $1.14
million in Fiscal 1997, Onyx increased its advertising revenue to $0.65 million
from $0.28 million in Fiscal 1996. There were also first-time revenue
contributions from Unimedia and Topcard of $0.63 million and $0.19 million
respectively.
Operating costs, including staff costs and depreciation totaled $15.81
million in Fical 1997 compared to $17.86 million in Fisal 1996. The
<PAGE>
net decrease is principally reflective of the cost reductions made across all
the group operations, primarily at Onyx Television where costs decreased from
$14.42 million in Fiscal 1996 to $11.14 million in Fiscal 1997. Operating
expenses of Onyx Television include programming costs, broadcast studio expenses
and transmission expenses. There were also first-time operating costs included
for Unimedia and Topcard of $0.61 million and $0.17 million respectively.
Depreciation and amortization for Fiscal 1997 was $0.65 million, an
increase of $0.13 million compared to $0.52 million for Fiscal 1996.
Whilst advertising revenue at Onyx Television increased in Fiscal 1997,
this increase was substantially lower than was anticipated and reflects the fact
that Onyx has taken longer to establish its product in the German advertising
market which is extremely competitive.
Management has taken decisive steps to substantially develop Onyx
Television's revenue and in that regard and as reported on April 15, 1998 the
Company has recently signed a cooperation agreement with QVC, the home shopping
television company. Following approval from the German Media Authorities, the
initial phase will commence with Onyx and QVC jointly transmitting a 24 hour
program mix of music and teleshopping products from QVC to certain areas of
Germany in which the Onyx program is already accessible via cable. The new
program concept will enhance the service offered to the viewership and will
simultaneously improve the efficency of both channels by sharing costs of this
project.
Pursuant to the agreement QVC will firstly contribute up to
approximately $6 million to the Onyx distribution and broadcasting costs in a
ratio which will be in proportion to the number of homes effectively reached by
the Onyx/QVC program after the approval of the German Media Authorities. The
Agreement also provides for the payment of a repayable advance to Onyx of
certain fees. It is contemplated that in this context QVC will actively
cooperate with Onyx in the ongoing development of its distribution network.
At the present time, Onyx Television reaches approximately 11.5 million
cable and satellite homes in Germany, an increase of 43% as compared to
approximately 8.1 million homes at the end of 1996. It is expected that this
will increase by approximately a further 3.5 million homes by the end of 1998.
During the fiscal year 1997, each of the Tinerama companies continued
to operate at a small loss. The combined loss of the Tinerama companies for
fiscal 1997 totaled $88,000 compared to a loss of $143,000 for fiscal 1996.
Management is currently reviewing various options for improving the position of
Tinerama.
The net loss for Fiscal 1997 included net profit contributions from
both Unimedia and Topcard of $0.39 million and $12,000 respectively, which were
consolidated from the date of their respective acquisitions.
For the 12 months ended December 31, 1997 Unimedia, Topcard and Pixel
reported operating revenues of $0.93 million, $0.96 million and $1.99 million
respectively and net profit of $0.73 million, $0.08 million and $0.38 million
respectively. Part of Unimedia's operating revenue and non operating profit were
non recurring items relating to a change of investment strategy. Full year
contributions from the three companies will be consolidated for Fiscal 1998.
The ownership, development and operation of media interests, including
television and radio stations requires substantial funding. To date the Company
has financed its capital requirements through sales of equity securities and
debt financing. The Company requires additonal working capital to continue its
operations and enable it to continue its pursuit of a turnaround of the
loss-making operations. The Company is exploring a number of possible funding
scenarios, which may involve additional issuances of equity securities and
direct investment or partnership agreements or the sale of any or all or part of
the Company's investments.
The Company is presently completing its 1997 audited reports and
expects to file its Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31,
1997
<PAGE>
in the next few weeks.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters
discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements which involve
risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive,
governmental and technological factors affecting the Company's operations,
markets, prices and factors discussed in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Capital Media is an independent holding Company with interests in the
broadcasting, publishing, computer software and multimedia businesses. With
subsidiaries in the UK, France, Germany, Israel and Romania, Capital Media's
businesses include television and radio broadcasting, newspaper titles and print
operations, and lifestyle program production. Capital Media is also involved in
graphic animation, Smart Card and Internet technology development.
CAPITAL MEDIA GROUP LIMITED
UNAUDITED INCOME STATEMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
1997 1996
------------ ------------
$ $ $ $
Revenues 2,611,005 2,075,407
Operating Costs
Staff costs 3,672,542 3,705,972
Depreciation and
amortization 655,553 521,069
Operating expenses 11,485,106 (15,813,201) 13,628,277 (17,855,318)
Operating loss (13,202,196) (15,779,911)
Other Income 640,224 42,531
Equity in net loss of
unconsolidated company (251,550) (211,414)
Interest (paid)
income, net (318,266) 132,950
Loss before taxation (13,131,788) (15,815,844)
Tax provision 1,390 (6,623)
Loss after taxation (13,130,398) (15,822,467)
Minority interest 14,395 58,033
Currency translation
differences on foreign
currency net investments (2,649,766) (497,670)
Net loss (15,765,769) (16,262,104)
Net loss per share ($0.56) ($1.32)
Weighted average
shares outstanding 27,966,383 12,359,029
SOURCE Capital Media Group Limited
<PAGE>
-0- 04/16/98
/CONTACT: Gilles Assouline, Chairman and President, +33 1 43 53 6999, or
Stephen Coleman, Chief Financial Officer, +44 171 224 4141, both of Capital
Media Group Limited/
(CPMG)
