<PAGE> 1
FORM 10-Q
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1996
or
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 33-83740
--------
Diamond Cable Communications Plc
--------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
England and Wales N/A
- ---------------------------------------- --------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
Diamond Plaza, Daleside Road
Nottingham NG2 3GG, England N/A
- ----------------------------------------- ---------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
</TABLE>
44-115-912-2217
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
--- ---
The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's Ordinary Shares of
2.5 pence each outstanding as of September 30, 1996 was 59,138,791.
<PAGE> 2
DIAMOND CABLE COMMUNICATIONS PLC
INDEX
Page
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
INTRODUCTION.................................................. 3
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- ---------- -------------------------------------------------
Item 1. Financial Statements
Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of
operations--Three and nine months ended
September 30, 1996 and 1995.................... 5
Unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets--
September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995....... 6
Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of
shareholders' equity -- Three and nine months
ended September 30, 1996....................... 7
Unaudited condensed consolidated statements of
cash flows -- Nine months ended September 30,
1996 and 1995.................................. 8
Notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements........................... 9
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results
of Operations and Financial Condition.......... 12
Part II. OTHER INFORMATION
- ---------- -------------------------------------------------
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K................. 24
SIGNATURES ................................................... 25
- ----------
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE> 3
INTRODUCTION
Diamond Cable Communications Plc (the "Company") is a public limited
company (with registered number 2965241) incorporated under the laws of England
and Wales. The Company is a holding company which holds all of the shares of
(i) Diamond Cable Communications (UK) Limited (formerly Diamond Cable
(Nottingham) Limited) ("DCL") and its subsidiaries and (ii) a group of companies
acquired by the Company (collectively referred to herein as "LCL"), in both
cases through an intermediate holding company, Jewel Holdings Limited ("Jewel").
References herein to the "Group" refer to the Company and its subsidiaries,
including, since September 27, 1995, LCL. References herein to "Diamond" refer
to the Company and its subsidiaries, excluding LCL.
The Group operates a telecommunications and cable television business
focused on the East Midlands area of England. The Group is currently
constructing a broadband fiber-optic network to serve the approximately
1,229,900 homes and an estimated 60,600 businesses within its fifteen
contiguous franchise areas. As of September 30, 1996, the Group's cable
television and telecommunications network had passed by civils construction
approximately 420,300 homes and an estimated 21,700 businesses, of which
portions of the network passing approximately 306,800 homes and an estimated
16,100 businesses had been activated. As of that date, the Group also had
approximately 89,900 residential telephone lines, 50,100 cable television
subscribers and 17,200 business telephone lines. Through that date, L.283
million had been invested (at original cost) in the construction of the network
and related systems.
On September 27, 1995, the Group acquired substantially all of the share
capital of East Midlands Cable Group Limited ("EMCG"), East Midlands Cable
Communications Limited ("EMCC") and East Midlands Cable Holdings Limited ("EMCH"
and, together with EMCC and EMCG, "LCL"), which includes three franchises
covering an aggregate of approximately 342,000 homes and an estimated 20,100
businesses. On October 4, 1995 the Group acquired the remaining share capital
(less than 1%) of LCL not already acquired by it in the September 27
transaction. For financial accounting purposes, the acquisition was given
effect as of September 30, 1995.
This document contains certain forward-looking statements, identified as
such, with respect to which the Company is seeking to utilize the safe harbor
provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
statements are accompanied by, and should be read in conjunction with, an
explanation of important factors that could cause actual results
3
<PAGE> 4
to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
--------------------------
The Company operates only in the United Kingdom and, accordingly, publishes
its financial statements in pounds sterling. In this Report, references to
"pounds sterling," "L." "pence" or "p" are to the lawful currency of the United
Kingdom and references to "U.S. dollars," "$" or "c." are to the lawful currency
of the United States. Merely for convenience, this Report contains translations
of certain pound sterling amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates. These
translations should not be construed as representations that the pound sterling
amounts actually represent such U.S. dollar amounts or could have been or could
be converted into U.S. dollars at the rate indicated or at any other rate.
Unless otherwise indicated, the translations of pounds sterling into U.S.
dollars have been made at $1.5653 per L.1.00, the noon buying rate in The City
of New York for cable transfers in pounds sterling as certified for customs
purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the "Noon Buying Rate") on
September 30, 1996. On November 12, 1996, the Noon Buying Rate was $1.6470 per
L.1.00.
4
<PAGE> 5
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DIAMOND CABLE COMMUNICATIONS PLC
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
-------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
1995 1996 1996 1995 1996 1996
--------- --------- ------- -------- --------- --------
(NOTE 1) (NOTE 1)
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUE
Business telecommunications.... L. 1,398 L. 2,117 $3,314 L. 3,798 L. 7,170 $11,224
Residential telephone.......... 1,531 4,549 7,120 3,551 12,431 19,458
Cable television............... 777 2,488 3,895 1,861 6,776 10,606
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------
3,706 9,154 14,329 9,210 26,377 41,288
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
Telephone...................... (1,258) (1,899) (2,973) (3,319) (7,772) (12,166)
Programming.................... (408) (1,472) (2,304) (990) (4,035) (6,316)
Selling, general, and
administrative................. (3,312) (5,505) (8,617) (7,322) (16,058) (25,136)
Depreciation and amortization.. (1,844) (5,724) (8,960) (4,696) (15,459) (24,197)
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------
(6,822) (14,600) (22,854) (16,327) (43,324) (67,815)
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------
OPERATING LOSS................. (3,116) (5,446) (8,525) (7,117) (16,947) (26,527)
Unrealized loss on interest
rate swap...................... -- (322) (504) -- (3) (5)
Interest income................ 918 1,031 1,614 3,273 2,899 4,538
Interest expense and
amortization of debt discount
and expenses................... (3,813) (10,613) (16,613) (10,347) (30,742) (48,120)
Foreign exchange gain net...... 664 2,904 4,546 1,140 3,045 4,766
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------
Loss before income taxes....... (5,347) (12,446) (19,482) (13,051) (41,748) (65,348)
Income taxes................... -- -- -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------
Net loss....................... L.(5,347) L.(12,446) $(19,482) L.(13,051) L.(41,748) $(65,348)
=========== =========== =========== ========== ========== =========
</TABLE>
See the accompanying notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements.
5
<PAGE> 6
DIAMOND CABLE COMMUNICATIONS PLC
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AT
DECEMBER
31, AT SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------
1995 1996 1996
---------- --------- --------
(NOTE 1)
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents..................... L. 93,308 L.54,832 $85,829
Trade receivables (net of allowance
for doubtful accounts of L.773 at
December 31, 1995 and L.1,333 at
September 30, 1996)........................... 3,583 5,448 8,528
Other assets.................................. 5,358 4,782 7,485
Deferred financing costs (less
accumulated amortization of
L.382 in 1995 and L.1,078 in 1996)............ 12,016 19,630 30,727
Property and equipment, net (note 3).......... 163,721 247,469 387,363
Goodwill (less accumulated amortization of
L.1,212 in 1995 and L.4,853 in 1996).......... 95,748 92,107 144,175
Franchise costs (less accumulated
amortization of L.69 in 1995 and
L.89 in 1996)................................ 438 425 665
---------- ---------- ---------
TOTAL ASSETS................................. L.374,172 L.424,693 $664,772
========== ========== =========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Accounts payable.............................. L. 18,627 L.17,953 $28,102
Other liabilities............................. 10,920 13,666 21,391
Senior discount notes......................... 307,729 333,821 522,530
Capital lease obligations..................... 9,263 8,515 13,328
Mortgage loan................................. 2,500 2,494 3,904
Shareholders' equity
Ordinary shares (70,000,000 authorized;
43,754,175 issued at December 31, 1995 and
59,138,791 issued at September 30, 1996)...... 1,094 1,479 2,315
Non-voting deferred shares.................... -- -- --
Additional paid-in-capital.................... 70,186 134,465 210,478
Unrealized loss on securities................. (330) (135) (211)
Accumulated deficit........................... (45,817) (87,565) (137,065)
---------- ---------- ---------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY........................................ L.374,172 L.424,693 $664,772
========== ========== =========
</TABLE>
See the accompanying notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements.
6
<PAGE> 7
DIAMOND CABLE COMMUNICATIONS PLC
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS
OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADDITIONAL
NON-VOTING PAID-
ORDINARY SHARES DEFERRED SHARES IN-CAPITAL
------------------ ----------------- -----------
Number Number
--------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE AT JANUARY 1, 1996... 43,754,175 L.1,094 6 -- L.70,186
Shares issued and capital
contributions (net of
expenses).................... 15,384,616 385 -- -- 64,279
Unrealized gain on securities
Net loss.....................
----------- ------- ---- ---- ---------
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 59,138,791 L.1,479 6 -- L.134,465
=========== ======= ==== ==== =========
BALANCE AT JULY 1, 1996...... 59,138,791 L.1,479 6 -- L.134,465
Shares issued and capital
contributions (net of
expenses).................... -- -- -- -- --
Unrealized gain on securities
Net loss.....................
----------- ------- ---- ---- ---------
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 59,138,791 L.1,479 6 -- L.134,465
=========== ======= ==== ==== =========
UNREALIZED TOTAL
GAIN/(LOSS) ACCUMULATED SHAREHOLDERS'
ON SECURITIES DEFICIT EQUITY
------------- ----------- --------------
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE AT JANUARY 1, 1996... L.(330) L.(45,817) L.25,133
Shares issued and capital
contributions (net of
expenses).................... 64,664
Unrealized gain on securities 195 195
Net loss..................... (41,748) (41,748)
------- ----------- ---------
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 L.(135) L.(87,565) L.48,244
======= =========== ==========
BALANCE AT JULY 1, 1996...... L.(180) L.(75,119) L.60,645
Shares issued and capital
contributions (net of
expenses).................... --
Unrealized gain on securities 45 45
Net loss..................... (12,446) (12,446)
-------- ----------- ----------
BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 L.(135) L.(87,565) L.48,244
======== =========== ==========
- -----------------
</TABLE>
See the accompanying notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements.
7
<PAGE> 8
DIAMOND CABLE COMMUNICATIONS PLC
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
----------------------------------
1995 1996 1996
--------- --------- ---------
(NOTE 1)
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss.................................................... L.(13,051) L.(41,748) $(65,348)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided
by/(used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization............................... 4,696 15,459 24,198
Unrealized foreign exchange gains........................... (863) (2,809) (4,397)
(Profit)/Loss on disposition of assets...................... (7) 18 28
Accretion of Senior Note discount........................... 9,748 28,901 45,239
Provision for losses on accounts receivables................ 388 560 877
Amortization of deferred financing costs.................... 215 696 1,089
Accretion of investment income.............................. 524 -- --
Profit on sale of investments............................... (2,733) -- --
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Change in trade receivables................................. (675) (2,425) (3,796)
Change in other assets...................................... (2,241) 576 901
Change in accounts payable.................................. 4,232 226 354
Change in other liabilities................................. (798) 2,612 4,089
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities......... (565) 2,066 3,234
--------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash invested in property and equipment..................... (69,129) (96,089) (150,408)
Cash invested in marketable securities...................... (17,445) -- --
Proceeds from disposition of assets......................... 32 26 41
Proceeds from disposition of securities..................... 73,644 -- --
Cash paid for franchises.................................... (32) (7) (11)
Payment for purchase of LCL (net of cash acquired).......... (108,844) -- --
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities....................... (121,774) (96,070) (150,378)
--------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
New loans................................................... 94,000 -- --
Repayment of loan........................................... (2,619) (6) (9)
Capital element of capital lease repayments................. (548) (748) (1,171)
Issue of shares and capital contribution (net of expenses).. 26,978 64,664 101,219
Net increase in short-term borrowings....................... 537 -- --
Debt financing costs (note 4)............................... -- (8,577) (13,426)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by financing activities................... 118,348 55,333 86,613
--------- --------- ---------
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents................... (3,991) (38,671) (60,531)
--------- --------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period............ 41,066 93,308 146,055
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents -- 195 305
--------- --------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period.................. L.37,075 L.54,832 $85,829
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
See the accompanying notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements.
8
<PAGE> 9
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. BASIS OF PREPARATION
Diamond Cable Communications Plc (the "Company") owns and operates cable
television and telecommunications systems through its subsidiaries. The
unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries
(the "Group") have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles and the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Accordingly, certain information and footnote
disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted.
The financial statements are stated in pounds sterling (L.). Merely for
convenience the financial statements contain translations of certain pound
sterling amounts into U.S. dollars at $1.5653 per L.1.00, the noon buying rate
in the City of New York for cable transfers in pounds sterling as certified for
customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on September 30, 1996.
2. RESPONSIBILITY FOR INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements as of and for the periods ended September 30,
1996 and 1995 are unaudited. However, in the opinion of the management, such
statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring
accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods
presented. The results of operations for any interim period are not
necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. The interim financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the financial information
included in the Company's 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
9
<PAGE> 10
3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LAND AND CABLE OFFICE MOTOR
BUILDINGS NETWORK EQUIPMENT VEHICLES TOTAL
--------- ------- --------- -------- -----
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ACQUISITION COSTS
Balance at January 1, 1996....... L.3,863 L.170,660 L.4,701 L.644 L.179,868
Additions........................ 618 93,166 1,787 19 95,590
Dispositions..................... -- (2) (154) (181) (337)
Reclassification................. 467 (10) (457) -- --
------- --------- ------- ----- ---------
Balance at September 30, 1996.... 4,948 263,814 5,877 482 275,121
------- --------- ------- ----- ---------
ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
Balance at January 1, 1996....... 74 14,295 1,450 328 16,147
Charge for period............... 106 10,628 993 71 11,798
Dispositions..................... -- (1) (154) (138) (293)
Reclassification................. 90 (50) (40) -- --
------- --------- ------- ----- ---------
Balance at September 30, 1996.... 270 24,872 2,249 261 27,652
------- --------- ------- ----- ---------
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 NET BOOK VALUE 4,678 238,942 3,628 221 247,469
======= ========= ======= ===== =========
DECEMBER 31, 1995 NET BOOK VALUE. L.3,789 L.156,365 L.3,251 L.316 L.163,721
======= ========= ======= ===== =========
</TABLE>
The reclassification to land and buildings more appropriately allocates
expenditure on leasehold properties.
4. DEBT FINANCING COSTS
Cash expended for debt financing cost in respect of the nine-month period
ended September 30, 1996 consist of payments of L.1.15 million to holders of the
Initial Senior Notes in connection with their consent to certain amendments to
the Initial Senior Notes indenture which were made to conform certain provisions
thereof to provisions of the New Senior Notes indenture, and payments of L.7.42
million relating to the arrangement costs of the Senior Bank Facility (described
herein).
5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is obligated under the terms of its existing licenses, and
under the milestone requirements of its local delivery licenses ("LDLs"), to
construct cable systems passing a predetermined number of premises. Should the
Company fail to achieve these milestones, without license modifications, the
Director General could commence proceedings to require compliance. Similarly,
the Independent Television Commission ("ITC") may commence proceedings to
require compliance with the build milestones in the LDLs. If the Company is
unable to comply, its licenses in respect of which milestones have not been
10
<PAGE> 11
met could be revoked, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
The Company entered into a foreign exchange forward contract on November
1, 1996 for settlement on May 6, 1997 to sell L.200 million at a rate of
$1.6289 to L.1.00. Although the Company's obligations to pay principal and
interest on the Senior Notes are denominated in U.S. dollars and the Group
incurs a portion of its capital expenditures in U.S. dollars, this forward
contract does not qualify as a "hedge" under applicable accounting principles.
Therefore, the Company will recognize a gain or loss on the settlement of the
contract depending on the prevailing exchange rate. The Company may from time
to time in the future enter into similar foreign currency contracts based on
its assessment of market conditions.
11
<PAGE> 12
DIAMOND CABLE COMMUNICATIONS PLC
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND
FINANCIAL CONDITION
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company expended cash to fund investing activities of L.155.5 million
and L.96.1 million in the year ended 1995 and the first nine months of 1996,
respectively. Net cash provided by financing activities in the year ended
December 31, 1995 was L.212.2 million and net cash provided by financing
activities was L.55.3 million in the first nine months of 1996, including
L.64.6 million provided by the issue of equity referred to below and L.8.6
million used for debt financing costs. The Company's investing activities
consisted almost exclusively of the ongoing construction of the network (L.96.1
million in the first nine months of 1996 and L.102.9 million in 1995). In 1995
the Company's net cash used in operating activities was L.4.1 million and in
the nine months to September 30, 1996 the Company's net cash provided by
operating activities was L.2.1 million. The Company's cash and funding
requirements historically have been met principally through equity capital,
advances from its shareholders, the issuance of its senior discount notes in
September 1994 and December 1995 (the "Senior Notes") and from bank and lease
financing.
In August 1996, certain of the Company's subsidiaries entered into a
senior bank loan agreement (the "Senior Bank Facility") of up to L.340 million
to help meet the Group's funding requirements. Indebtedness under the Senior
Bank Facility will be incurred by a subsidiary of the Company, guaranteed by
the Company's other subsidiaries and secured by a lien on the assets of Jewel
and its subsidiaries and a pledge of the issued shares of the Company's
subsidiaries other than Jewel but including DCL and LCL.
The Senior Bank Facility is divided into two tranches. The aggregate
amount that may be drawn down under both tranches at any time is no more than
L.340 million. These drawings are subject to the satisfaction of certain
conditions at the time of each drawing. The Tranche A borrowings bear interest
at adjusted sterling LIBOR plus a margin. All Tranche A borrowings are
expected to be capable of being refinanced with borrowings under Tranche B (if
available). Tranche B borrowings up to a stated amount are subject to
additional conditions, including conditions relating to operating cash flow of
Jewel's subsidiaries which are not currently met. Tranche B borrowings bear
interest at adjusted sterling LIBOR plus a margin that is lower than the
margin on Trance A borrowings and varies depending upon the
12
<PAGE> 13
leverage ratio of Jewel and its subsidiaries. Advances will be repaid in
quarterly installments of outstanding principal amounts beginning in 2001, with
final repayment in 2004. The Senior Bank Facility contains various covenants,
including financial covenants restricting the leverage of Jewel and its
subsidiaries and requiring the maintenance of specified interest and fixed
charge coverage ratios and operating cash flow, restricting a change of control
of the Company or Jewel and restricting the payment of dividends and intra-group
debt.
As required by the terms of the Senior Notes issued in December 1995, the
Company issued additional ordinary shares for proceeds of $100 million (L.64.6
million net of issue costs) in June 1996. These shares were issued to the
Company's existing equity investors.
The Group is obligated by the milestones in its telecommunications
licenses and the new LDLs to construct a network to pass an aggregate of
1,021,894 premises within prescribed time periods. Due to financing
constraints previously faced by the Company, the build-out of the Company's
network did not meet the Company's original regulatory milestones. LCL also
failed to meet its original regulatory milestones. In the past, both Diamond
and LCL requested and received appropriate milestone modifications or waivers
from the Director General of the Office of Telecommunications ("OFTEL").
At December 31, 1995, the Group was obligated to meet specified milestones
in eight of the Group's franchise areas where building was due to have
commenced. Compliance with the milestones in these areas is in each case
monitored by OFTEL. During June 1996, OFTEL informed the Company that it did
not agree with the Company's historical method for calculating compliance with
its milestone obligations and that the number of premises passed should be
based only on the number of premises activated (the number of premises that can
be connected to the cable network without further extension of transmission
lines, apart from the final drop to the home). In calculating premises passed,
the Company had historically included premises passed by civils construction
(premises with ducting buried outside) but not yet activated. Based on OFTEL's
method of calculating premises passed, the Group failed to meet its year-end
1995 milestones in six of its eight franchise areas. In three of these
franchise areas -- Grantham, Newark-on-Trent and Melton Mowbray, the 1995
year-end milestones represented the final milestones required under each
license.
The Company has renegotiated its milestone obligations with OFTEL. In the
five franchise areas where the final milestone has not yet fallen due, the
Director General of OFTEL has formally modified the interim but not the final
milestone
13
<PAGE> 14
obligations under the licenses to provide new quarterly milestones which the
Group had met as at September 30, 1996. In the other three franchise areas,
OFTEL has not made any formal modification to the existing licenses but has
indicated that it does not currently intend to take immediate action to enforce
the licenses, on the condition that the Group meet the final milestones in
November 1996, or, in the case of Melton Mowbray, October 1996. The Melton
Mowbray final milestone was achieved prior to the end of October 1996.
In the seven franchise areas in which the Group has been granted LDLs by
the Independent Television Commission (the "ITC"), the Group was originally
required under the LDLs to meet its first milestone obligations by year-end 1996
or, in the case of two LDLs recently granted, year-end 1997. However, due to
delays by the Department of Trade and Industry in the granting of
telecommunications licenses, which are required before construction can
commence, the ITC has agreed formally to modify the Group's licenses to remove
milestones that fall due at year-end 1996 and otherwise shift the annual
milestones for those licenses back by 12 months.
Failure by the Group to meet its milestones could potentially subject the
Group to enforcement orders from OFTEL or the ITC, which could lead to
revocation of the relevant licenses or a shortening of an LDL period or fines.
In addition, under the Senior Banking Facility, failure to meet the Group's
milestone obligations could under certain circumstances prevent further
borrowing or result in an event of default.
The Company estimates that the total further cost required for its current
construction plan for its network in the Group's franchise areas will be
approximately L.560 million prior to January 1, 2001, although the amount could
vary significantly. The Company believes that available cash resources, the
initial tranche available for borrowing under the Senior Bank Facility and cash
flows from operations will be sufficient to complete the planned construction
through the first quarter of 1997. Thereafter, the Company expects, subject to
satisfying various conditions, including conditions relating to operating cash
flow which are not currently met, to be able to utilize (through its
subsidiaries) the remaining amounts under the Senior Bank Facility or, if such
remaining amounts are not available, to obtain further debt or equity
financing.
The statements in the preceding paragraph are forward-looking in nature. To
the extent that (i) the Company is unable to borrow amounts under the Senior
Bank Facility, (ii) the amounts required to complete the Group's planned build
out exceed its estimates or (iii) the Group's operating cash flow does not meet
expectations, the Company will require additional debt or
14
<PAGE> 15
other financing. There can be no assurance that any such debt financing will be
permitted under the terms of the Group's current debt instruments limiting the
incurrence of additional debt, or that any such financing will be available on
acceptable commercial terms or at all. Further, the amount of funding required
by the Group may vary significantly depending on many factors, including the
ability of the Group to meet its construction schedule, variations in
construction costs, the number of customers and the services they subscribe for,
the nature and penetration of new services that may be offered by the Group in
the future and changes in technology. The Group may also make franchise
acquisitions or investments, including investments in LDLs, or investments in
programming, as a result of which additional funds would be required to complete
construction of the network.
The Group's revenues are denominated in pounds sterling, while its
obligations to pay interest and principal on the Senior Notes are denominated
in U.S. dollars. In addition, the Company has entered into a foreign exchange
forward purchase contract for settlement on May 6, 1997 to sell L.200 million
at a rate of $1.6289 to L.1.00. Therefore, the Company and the Group are
subject to currency exchange risks that may adversely affect their ability to
meet their obligations, including obligations under outstanding debt
instruments, as they become due.
15
<PAGE> 16
SELECTED OPERATING DATA
The following table sets forth certain data concerning the Group's
franchises at and for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 and at and for
the six-month period ended June 30, 1996 and the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1996. The combined operating data at and for the year ended
December 31, 1995 reflects the acquisition of LCL on a pro-forma basis as if it
had been completed at the beginning of 1995.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30 SEPT. 30
----------------------------------- ------- --------
1994 1995 1996 1996
------- -------------------------- ------- --------
DIAMOND LCL COMBINED
------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Homes passed by civils
construction(1)............... 55,919 222,335 58,976 281,311 369,194 420,358
Homes activated(2)............ 32,033 105,951 51,955 157,906 242,827 306,861
Homes marketed(3)............. 31,330 77,657 48,950 126,607 190,551 217,066
CABLE TELEVISION
Basic service subscribers..... 8,936 20,261 10,488 30,749 44,402 50,181
Penetration rate of homes
marketed(4)................... 28.5% 26.1% 21.4% 24.3% 23.3% 23.1%
Average monthly revenue per
subscriber(5)................. L.14.71 L.16.80 L.18.89 L.17.62 L.18.11(6) L.17.97
Churn(7)...................... 28.5% 35.5% 31.0% 33.8% 37.4% 40.4%
RESIDENTIAL TELEPHONE
Residential lines connected... 14,150 36,122 16,576 52,698 78,429 89,954
Penetration rate of homes
marketed(4)................... 45.2% 46.5% 33.9% 41.6% 41.2% 41.4%
Average monthly revenue per
line(8)(9).................... L.18.83 L.18.68 L.22.19 L.19.88 L.19.85(6) L.18.78
Pro-forma average monthly
revenue per line(9)........... L.18.83 L.18.27 L.21.56 L.19.39 L.18.99 L.19.03
Churn(7)...................... 13.8% 13.9% 17.2% 15.0% 17.9% 20.7%
BUSINESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Business customers accounts... 979 1,627 772 2,399 3,156 3,587
Business lines connected...... 3,928 7,036 2,843 9,879 15,273 17,261
Private circuits(10).......... 70 151 10 161 194 225
Average lines per business(11) 4.0 4.3 3.7 4.1 4.8 4.8
Average monthly revenue per
line(9)(12)................... L.88.68 L.74.60 L.59.60 L.70.23 L.60.95 L.53.15
Pro-forma average monthly
revenue per line(9)........... L.88.68 L.72.73 L.57.57 L.68.32 L.58.51 L.54.28
- ------------
</TABLE>
(1) Homes passed by civils is the number of homes that have had ducting buried
outside.
(2) Homes activated is the number of homes that are capable of receiving cable
service without further extension of transmission lines, apart from the
final connection to the home.
(3) Homes marketed is the number of homes activated for which the initial
marketing phase has been completed.
(4) Penetration rate of homes marketed is calculated by dividing the number of
homes receiving basic cable television or the number of residential lines
connected, as the case may be, on the given date by the total number of
homes marketed for the given service as of such date, expressed as a
percentage.
(5) The average monthly revenue per cable television subscriber is calculated
by dividing total cable television subscriber revenues (excluding
installation revenues) for the period by the average number of cable
television subscribers (calculated as a simple average of the number of
basic service subscribers at the end of each month during the period) and
dividing that amount by 12 (for the years ended December 31, 1994 and
1995), by 6 (for the six months ended June 30, 1996) or by 9 (for the
nine months ended September 30, 1996).
(6) Average monthly revenue per cable television subscriber and average
monthly revenue per residential telephone line as previously reported for
the six months ended June 30, 1996 were L.18.54 and L.19.63, respectively.
These figures have been restated following a reclassification during the
third quarter of 1996 of L.97,784 of residential
16
<PAGE> 17
telephone revenues that had previously been reported as cable television
revenues. This amount has been reduced from previously reported cable
television revenues for purposes of restating the average monthly revenue
for the six months ended June 30, 1996, and the same amount, net of
installation revenues, has been included with previously reported
residential telephone revenues for purposes of restating the average
monthly revenue for the same period.
(7) Churn is calculated by dividing net disconnections (total disconnections
less the number of disconnected accounts for which service is later
restored) in a period by the average number of subscribers in the period
(calculated as a simple average of the number of subscribers at the end of
each month during the period). Churn for the six months ended June 30,
1996 is annualized by multiplying the amount calculated above by two.
Churn for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 is annualized by
multiplying the amount as calculated above by 1 1/3.
(8) The average monthly revenue per residential telephone line is calculated
by dividing (i) line and equipment rental, outgoing call charges and
incoming call charges for the period by (ii) the average number of
residential telephone lines (calculated as a simple average of the number
of subscribed lines at the end of each month during the period) and
dividing that amount by 12 (for the years ended December 31, 1994 and
1995), by 6 (for the six months ended June 30, 1996) or by 9 (for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996).
(9) The calculation of the average monthly revenue per line (for both
residential telephone and business telecommunication revenues) for the
nine-month period to September 30, 1996 reflects the reduction in revenues
stemming from rebates to BT on incoming termination revenues relating in
part to prior periods but recorded in full against revenues in the third
quarter of 1996. The rebates were calculated in accordance with recently
revised interconnect agreements with BT that were made effective
retroactively from April 1995. The pro-forma average monthly revenue per
line gives effect to the revised interconnect agreements as if they had
been in effect from April 1995 and allocates to each period the portion of
the rebates that relates to such period.
(10) Private circuits are point-to-point customer specific connections for
which a fixed annual rental charge is made.
(11) Average lines per business account is calculated by dividing the number of
business lines connected on the given date by the number of business
customer accounts on such date.
(12) The average monthly business telecommunications revenue per line is
calculated by dividing (i) business telecommunications line and equipment
rental, outgoing call charges and incoming call charges (including revenue
from private circuits) for the period by (ii) the average number of
business telecommunications lines and private circuits (calculated as a
simple average of the number of subscribed lines and private circuits at
the end of each month during the period) and dividing that amount by 12
(for the years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995), by 6 (for the six months
ended June 30, 1996) or by 9 (for the nine months ended September 30,
1996).
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE AND NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1995 AND 1996
The Group continued to experience significant increases in its subscribers,
revenues and expenses during the three-month and nine-month periods ended
September 30, 1996. In general, such increases were attributable to Diamond's
continued network construction and marketing of new homes and businesses.
During the period from December 31, 1995 to September 30, 1996, homes passed by
civils construction increased by 139,047 homes (49%), homes activated increased
by 148,955 homes (94%) and homes marketed increased by 90,459 homes (71%). The
number of homes that had been passed by civils construction at September 30,
1996 exceeded homes activated by 113,497 compared to a difference of 123,405
homes at December 31, 1995 The difference between homes passed by civils
construction and homes activated is a result of the fast pace of civils
construction coupled with the lead time between civils construction and
activation.
17
<PAGE> 18
REVENUE
For the three months ended September 30, 1996, total revenues were L.9.15
million, a 147% increase over total revenues of L.3.71 million for the
comparable period in 1995. For the nine months ended September 30, 1996, total
revenues were L.26.38 million, a 186% increase over total revenues of L.9.21
million for the comparable period of 1995. This growth is attributable to
increases in revenues in all three of Diamond's primary lines of business and
additional revenues of L.7.69 million resulting from the inclusion of LCL's
results for the nine months ended September 30, 1996.
As a result of entering into revised interconnect agreements with British
Telecommunications PLC ("BT") which will apply retroactively from April 1995,
the Company will receive outgoing interconnect charge rebates relating to the
period from April 1, 1995 to July 31, 1996 (the date from which the Company
began to pay outgoing interconnect charges under the new rates) and must pay
incoming termination rebates relating to the period from April 1, 1995 to July
31, 1996. The rebates that will be given to BT relating to the incoming
termination element amount to an estimated L.842,000. This amount has been
provided by reducing residential telephone and business telecommunications
revenues in the quarter to September 30, 1996 by L.475,000 and L.367,000
respectively. The total amount of rebates to be received by the Company will be
determined by the parties once BT has furnished to the Company a proposed
calculation and supporting data. The Company has estimated that the amount of
the rebate due to the Company from BT will exceed the amount of the rebates to
be provided by the Company to BT. Pending final determination of rebates, the
Company has recognized a reduction in interconnect charges in the same period
during which the related reduction in revenues is being recognized.
Accordingly, a reduction in telephone expenses of L.842,000 has been recorded in
the three month period ended September 30, 1996.
The analysis of revenue and average revenue per line is provided below on
the basis of revenues as reported as well as on a pro-forma basis adjusting for
the incoming termination rebates in the appropriate periods as if the revised
interconnect agreements had been in effect since April 1995.
Business Telecommunications. Business telecommunications revenue was
L.2.12 million and L.7.17 million for the three and nine-month periods ended
September 30, 1996, compared to L.1.40 million and L.3.80 million for the
comparable periods in 1995, representing increases of 51% and 89%, respectively.
Adjusting for rebates on the pro-forma basis described above, revenues were
L.1.36 million and L.2.49 million for the three month periods ended September
30, 1995 and 1996, respectively, and L.3.72 million and L.7.31 million for the
nine month periods ended September 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively, representing
increases of 83% and 96% for the three and nine month periods, respectively.
The growth in
18
<PAGE> 19
reported revenues is due primarily to an increase in the number of Diamond's
business lines installed from 6,343 at September 30, 1995 to 13,404 at September
30, 1996, and the inclusion of L.1.73 million of revenue attributable to LCL in
the nine months to September 30, 1996. There were 3,857 business lines for the
LCL operation at September 30, 1996. The growth in the number of business lines
for Diamond is partially offset by lower monthly revenue per line. The monthly
revenue per line for Diamond decreased to L.52.62 (L.53.90 on a pro-forma basis)
in the nine months ended September 30, 1996 from L.77.93 (L.76.25 on a pro-forma
basis) in the comparable period in 1995. This decline continued the trend over
the past several quarters and was due to a combination of (i) Diamond's success
in marketing Centrex services which has the effect of increasing the average
number of lines held by existing and new customers taking those services
(Diamond operated 987 Centrex lines at September 30, 1995 compared to 5,349
Centrex lines at September 30, 1996) (ii) the installation for existing
customers of an increasing number of lines utilized for incoming calls in
addition to existing lines dedicated solely to outgoing calls and (iii) a
reduction in certain tariffs in response to price reductions by the competition.
BT, Diamond's principal competitor for business telecommunications services
reduced its prices by an average of 10% for most of its business customers in
June 1996. Diamond responded with a similar level of reductions with the aim of
maintaining competitive advantage.
Residential Telephone. Residential telephone revenues were L.4.55 million
(pro-forma L.4.87 million) and L.12.43 million (pro-forma L.12.59 million) for
the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1996, compared to L.1.53
million (pro-forma L.1.49 million) and L.3.55 million (pro-forma L.3.48 million)
for the comparable periods in 1995, representing increases of 197% and 250%
(pro-forma 226% and 261%) respectively. The growth in residential telephone
revenue resulted from an increase in the number of Diamond's residential
telephone lines from 29,591 at September 30, 1995 to 66,061 at September 30,
1996 and the inclusion of L.3.94 million of residential telephone revenue for
the LCL operation for the nine months ended September 30, 1996. There were
23,893 residential telephone lines for the LCL operation at September 30, 1996.
Monthly revenue per line for Diamond decreased from L.18.32 for the nine-month
period ended September 30, 1995 to L.17.87 in the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1996. On a pro-forma basis, Diamond's average monthly revenues
per line for the two nine-month periods increased from L.17.98 in 1995 to
L.18.13 in 1996. Monthly revenue per line for Diamond decreased from L.18.50 in
the three months to September 30, 1995 to L.17.13 in the three months to
September 30, 1996, reflecting the reduction in revenues relating to the rebate
to BT recorded in full during the third quarter, which was offset in part by a
reclassification of revenues that had been recorded in prior periods as cable
television revenues. On a pro-forma basis, and adjusting for the
reclassification of revenues relating to prior periods, Diamond's monthly
revenue per line
19
<PAGE> 20
increased from L.18.04 to L.18.16 during these same periods. The Group's churn
rate (annualized) was 25.0% for the third quarter and 20.7% for the first nine
months of 1996 as compared to 19.4% for the third quarter and 15.4% for the
first nine months of 1995. The increase in churn in 1996 is attributable in
part to a tightening of the disconnect policy for certain customers and certain
efforts by BT aimed at regaining former customers.
Cable Television. Cable television revenues increased 220% from L.0.77
million in the three months ended September 30, 1995 to L.2.48 million in the
comparable period in 1996 and 264% from L.1.86 million in the nine months ended
September 30, 1995 to L.6.78 million in the nine months ended September 30,
1996. This growth in cable television revenue was primarily due to a
combination of (i) an increase in the number of Diamond's cable television
subscribers which rose from 16,493 at September 30, 1995 to 35,785 at September
30, 1996, (ii) an increase in the average monthly revenue per subscriber from
L.16.36 in the nine months ended September 30, 1995 to L.17.71 in the nine
months ended September 30, 1996 and from L.16.19 in the three-month period ended
September 30, 1995 to L.17.58 in the comparable period in 1996 and (iii) the
inclusion of cable television revenue for the LCL operation for the nine months
ended September 30, 1996 of L.2.12 million. The increase in average revenue per
subscriber is primarily due to increases in cable television pricing.
The Group's churn rate (annualized) was 45.2% for the third quarter and
40.4% for the first nine months of 1996 as compared to 23.5% for the third
quarter and 35.2% for the first nine months of 1995. The Company believes that
the increase in churn was due in part to the application of a stricter
disconnect policy relating to nonpayment implemented in June 1996 in the LCL
areas, which resulted in an increase in customer disconnections, particularly in
the third quarter of 1996. With the aim of reducing churn among new
subscribers, the Group has begun to require payment of an installation fee in
connection with the subscription for new residential services and is evaluating
other means to reduce its churn in the future.
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
Telephone expenses, consisting principally of interconnect charges payable
to BT and Mercury increased from L.1.26 million for the three-month period ended
September 30, 1995 to L.1.9 million for the comparable period in 1996, an
increase of 51% and from L.3.32 million for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1995 to L.7.77 million for the comparable period in 1996, an
increase of 134%. On a pro-forma basis reflecting the apportioned reduction in
interconnect charges resulting from the revised interconnect agreements in the
appropriate periods to which they relate, telephone expenses would have been
L.1.18 million and L.2.64 million during the three months ended September 30,
1995 and 1996, respectively, and L.3.18 million and L.8.08
20
<PAGE> 21
million during the nine months ended September 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively.
These increases reflect the substantially larger volume of telephone business
generated by the Group. As a percentage of combined business telecommunications
and residential telephone revenues, these direct costs decreased from 45% for
the nine-month period ended September 30, 1995 to 40% for the comparable period
in 1996 due in part to reduced interconnect charges paid to other operators.
Taking into account on a pro-forma basis the rebate-related adjustments to both
revenues and expenses during the appropriate periods, telephone expenses as a
percentage of combined business telecommunications and residential telephone
revenues would have been 44% and 41% for the nine months ended 1995 and 1996,
respectively.
Direct costs for cable television programming, which generally depend on
the number of subscribers and per-subscriber rates charged by programming
suppliers, increased from L.0.41 million for the three-month period ended
September 30, 1995 to L.1.47 million for the comparable period in 1996, a 261%
increase, and increased from L.0.99 million for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1995 to L.4.04 million for the comparable period in 1996, a 308%
increase. As a percentage of cable television revenues, these direct costs
were 52% and 53% respectively for the three and nine-month periods ended
September 30, 1995 and 59% and 60%, respectively, for the same period in 1996.
The percentage increase in 1996 compared to 1995 stemmed from an increase in
rates charged by certain programming suppliers, and increases in the number of
channels provided as part of program packages which were not fully offset by
increases in the subscriber rates charged to existing subscribers by Diamond.
As from October 1996, the Company increased its prices for premium programming,
and it expects to increase the price of its basic subscriber package prior to
the end of 1996.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 66% from L.3.31
million for the three-month period ended September 30, 1995 to L.5.51 million
for the comparable period in 1996 and increased by 119% from L.7.32 million for
the nine-month period ended September 30, 1995 to L.16.06 million for the
comparable period in 1996. The increases were due to a combination of increased
sales commissions and higher administration costs associated with the expansion
of the Group's business and the inclusion of expenses related to LCL during the
first nine months of 1996.
Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by 210% when comparing
the three-month period ended September 30, 1995 to the comparable period in
1996 and by 229% when comparing the nine-month period ended September 30, 1995
to the comparable period in 1996. These increases were attributable to the
increasing size of the Company's network as well as the LCL acquisition.
21
<PAGE> 22
INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME/EXPENSES
Interest expense was L.3.81 million and L.10.61 million for the third
quarter of 1995 and 1996, respectively and L.10.35 million and L.30.74 million
for the first nine months of 1995 and 1996 respectively. The 1996 increase is
due primarily to the accretion of the discount on the Senior Notes of L.9.81
million during the third quarter of 1996 (compared to L.3.36 million during the
comparable period in 1995) and L.28.9 million during the nine months of 1996
(compared to L.9.75 million during the comparable period in 1995), as well as
other interest expense of L.0.32 million in the third quarter and L.0.90
million in the first nine months of 1996. In addition, amortization of debt
financing costs was L.0.24 million in the three-month period ended September
30, 1996 and L.0.70 million in the first nine months of 1996 (compared to
L.0.07 million and L.0.22 million in the comparable periods in 1995) and debt
facility commitment fees were L.0.25 million in the three months to September
30, 1996. Interest received in the third quarter of 1996 was L.1.03 million
and L.2.90 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 1996, through
temporary investment of the proceeds of the Senior Notes.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
A substantial portion of the Group's existing debt obligations are
denominated in dollars, while the Group's revenues and accounts are generated
and stated in pounds sterling. Foreign currency translation gains and losses,
except for unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are
reported as part of the profit or loss of the Group. For the nine months ended
September 30, 1996, the Group has recognized an unrealized foreign exchange
gain on the translation of its Senior Note liability of L.2.8 million and a net
realized foreign exchange gain of L.0.2 million relating to its operations.
The Company entered into a foreign exchange forward contract on November
1, 1996 for settlement on May 6, 1997 to sell L.200 million at a rate of
$1.6289 to L.1. Although the Company's obligations to pay principal and
interest on the Senior Notes is denominated in U.S. dollars and the Group
incurs a portion of its capital expenditures in U.S. dollars, this forward
contract does not qualify as a "hedge" under applicable accounting principles.
Therefore, the Company will recognize a gain or loss on the settlement of the
contract depending on the prevailing exchange rate. The Company may from time
to time in the future enter into similar foreign currency contracts based on
its assessment of market conditions. Therefore, changes in currency exchange
rates may continue to have a material effect on the results of operations of
the Group and may materially affect the Company and the Group's ability to
satisfy their obligations, including obligations under outstanding debt
instruments, as they become due.
22
<PAGE> 23
NET LOSS
As a result of the foregoing factors, Diamond had net losses of L.12.45
million and L.41.75 million in the three and nine-month periods ended September
30, 1996, compared to net losses of L.5.35 million and L.13.05 million recorded
in the comparable periods of 1995.
23
<PAGE> 24
DIAMOND CABLE COMMUNICATIONS PLC
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Exhibits -
None.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K -
None.
24
<PAGE> 25
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
DIAMOND CABLE COMMUNICATIONS PLC
Date: November 14, 1996 By: /s/ Robert Goad
----------------------------------
Robert Goad
(Chief Executive Officer)
Date: November 14, 1996 By: /s/ Nicholas Millard
----------------------------------
Nicholas Millard
(Chief Financial Officer)
Date: November 14, 1996 By: /s/ Duncan Craig
----------------------------------
Duncan Craig
(Chief Accounting Officer)
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM SEC FORM
10-Q DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<CURRENCY> POUNDS STERLING
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE RATE> 1.5653
<CASH> 54,832
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 6,781
<ALLOWANCES> 1,333
<INVENTORY> 0
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 0
<PP&E> 275,121
<DEPRECIATION> 27,652
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 424,693
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 0
<BONDS> 333,821
0
0
<COMMON> 1,479
<OTHER-SE> 46,765
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 424,693
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 26,377
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 43,324
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 560
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 30,742
<INCOME-PRETAX> (41,748)
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> (41,748)
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> (41,748)
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>
