Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007
Index to Financial Statements

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007,

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                              to                             

Commission File Number 001-32601

 

 

LIVE NATION, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   20-3247759
(State of Incorporation)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

9348 Civic Center Drive

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(310) 867-7000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

  

Name of Each Exchange on which Registered

Common Stock, $.01 Par Value per Share;
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
   New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    ¨  Yes    x  No

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.     x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨
Non-accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller reporting company  ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    ¨  Yes    x  No

On June 30, 2007, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the Common Stock beneficially held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $1.2 billion. (For purposes hereof, directors, executive officers and 10% or greater shareholders have been deemed affiliates).

On February 22, 2008, there were 74,938,143 outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting, expected to be filed within 120 days of our fiscal year end, are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 

 

 


Index to Financial Statements

LIVE NATION, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-K

 

          Page
PART I

ITEM 1.

   BUSINESS    1

ITEM 1A.

   RISK FACTORS    25

ITEM 1B.

   UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS    43

ITEM 2.

   PROPERTIES    43

ITEM 3.

   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS    44

ITEM 4.

   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS    44
PART II

ITEM 5.

  

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

   45

ITEM 6.

   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA    47

ITEM 7.

  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   48

ITEM 7A.

   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK    82

ITEM 8.

   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA    83

ITEM 9.

  

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

   129

ITEM 9A.

   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES    129

ITEM 9B.

   OTHER INFORMATION    132
PART III

ITEM 10.

   DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE    132

ITEM 11.

   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION    132

ITEM 12.

  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

   132

ITEM 13.

  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

   132

ITEM 14.

   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES    132
PART IV

ITEM 15.

   EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES    133

 


Index to Financial Statements

PART I

“Live Nation” (which may be referred to as the “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) means Live Nation, Inc. and its subsidiaries, or one of our segments or subsidiaries, as the context requires.

Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this Form 10-K (or otherwise made by us or on our behalf from time to time in other reports, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, news releases, conferences, internet postings or otherwise) that are not statements of historical fact constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, notwithstanding that such statements are not specifically identified. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our financial position, business strategy, competitive position, potential growth opportunities, potential operating performance improvements, the effects of competition, the effects of future legislation or regulations and plans and objectives of our management for future operations. We have based our forward-looking statements on our beliefs and assumptions based on information available to us at the time the statements are made. Use of the words “may,” “should,” “continue,” “plan,” “potential,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “outlook,” “could,” “target,” “project,” “seek,” “predict,” or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those set forth under Item 1A.—Risk Factors as well as other factors described herein or in our annual, quarterly and other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (collectively, “cautionary statements”). Based upon changing conditions, should any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in any forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the applicable cautionary statements. We do not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Our Company

We are the world’s largest live music company. Globally, we own, operate, have booking rights for and/or have an equity interest in more than 155 venues, including House of Blues® music venues and prestigious locations such as The Fillmore in San Francisco, Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in New York and London’s Wembley Arena. In addition, we also produce, promote or host theatrical, specialized motor sports and other live entertainment events. In 2007, we connected over 64 million fans, including over 45 million live music fans, with their favorite performers at approximately 28,000 events in 18 countries around the world.

Our principal executive offices are located at 9348 Civic Center Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90210 (telephone: 310-867-7000). Our principal website is www.livenation.com. Live Nation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol “LYV”.

Our Strategy

Our strategy is to connect the artist to the fan. We believe that this focus will enable us to increase shareholder value by developing new ancillary revenue streams around the live music event and the artist themselves. We will continue to focus on our live music assets. We plan to expand our business through building

 

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a stronger connection with the fan through the live event and our ticketing platform. We will seek to connect corporate sponsors with this fan through the live music experience. We have begun, and will continue, to execute on this strategy through pursuing the objectives listed below.

 

 

Improve the Profitability of Our Existing Core Business. We continue to be focused on improving the profitability of our existing core live music operations by implementing strategies to increase ancillary sales per fan at all events and at all venues we operate in, as well as striving to be the low-cost operator.

 

 

Extend Relationships with Artists and Sponsors. We seek to develop deeper relationships with touring artists centered on the live music event. We plan to expand our relationship with the artist through longer-term and broader relationships by providing more services and partnering with the artist to grow their music properties. We believe that we should be able to expand the business lines related to the live music event, such as the sale of tour merchandise and live concert DVDs as well as providing other products and services to fans and artists both before and after the concert, including the development of artist fan clubs and websites. We also believe that we have an opportunity to expand our relationship with corporate sponsors by providing strategic programs that deliver more value to the sponsor through our unique relationship to the music fan and to the artist and by utilizing our distribution network of venues and our extensive online presence.

 

 

Develop Ticketing and Online Services. Our goal is to have a direct relationship with the music fan through managing our own ticketing platform and to be the leading online live music destination website. Our database of customer contacts has grown to a database of 23 million customers since 2005, and in 2007 we rolled out local versions of www.livenation.com to our international operations. Currently, our website offers comprehensive information about live concerts, regardless of whether they are Live Nation promoted events, and access to tickets and artist merchandise. We seek to continue to drive the growth of our website by expanding our online offering to increase traffic and generating incremental revenue from additional ticket sales, merchandise sales, online advertising and other goods and services.

 

 

Increase Our Global Live Music Platform. We plan to expand our promoter presence to include the top music markets and population centers around the world. We currently operate in 19 global markets. Our focus internationally is on increasing our promoter presence. We intend to expand our North American platform in key larger markets through ownership or operation of key venues and by growing our festival presence.

 

 

Divest Non-Core Assets. We are focused on building our live music business and ancillary services in major music markets around the world. As a result, we expect, where it is economically justifiable, to continue to divest non-live music related assets and/or underperforming live music assets and use the net proceeds to re-invest in our core live music business, repay outstanding indebtedness or for general corporate purposes.

In order to achieve our objectives and successfully implement our strategies, we have made, and expect to continue to pursue, investments, acquisitions and divestitures that contribute to the above goals where the valuations, returns and growth potential are consistent with our long-term goal of increasing shareholder value.

Our Assets

We believe we have a unique portfolio of assets that is unmatched in the live music industry.

 

 

Fans. During 2007, our events and venues were attended by over 64 million fans, including over 45 million live music fans. Our database includes contact information for 23 million fans, providing us with the means to efficiently market our shows to these fans as well as offer them other music related products and services. This database is an invaluable asset that we are able to use to service our artists and corporate clients.

 

 

Artists. We have extensive relationships with artists ranging from those acts that are just beginning their careers to superstars. In 2007, we promoted shows or tours for over 1,500 artists globally. We believe our

 

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Index to Financial Statements
 

artist relationships are a competitive advantage and will help us pursue our strategy to develop additional ancillary revenue streams around the live music event and the artists themselves.

 

 

Distribution Network. We believe that our extensive global distribution network of promoters, venues and festivals provides us with a strong position in the live music industry. We believe we have one of the largest global networks of music promoters in the world, with offices in 27 cities in North America and a total of 18 countries worldwide. In addition, we own, operate, have booking rights and/or have an equity interest in over 155 venues located across six countries at December 31, 2007, making us, we believe, the second largest operator of entertainment venues in the world. We also believe that we produce one of the largest networks of music festivals in the world with over 20 festivals globally.

 

 

Sponsors. We employed a sales force of approximately 250 people that worked with over 500 sponsors during 2007, through a combination of local venue related deals and national deals, both in North America and internationally. Our sponsors include some of the most well-recognized national and global brands including Rogers Communications, AT&T, Nokia and our newly announced relationship with Citi®.

 

 

Employees. At December 31, 2007, we employed approximately 4,700 full-time employees who are dedicated to providing first-class service to our artists, fans and corporate sponsors. Many of our employees have decades of experience in promoting and producing live concerts, as well as operating live entertainment venues.

Our History

We were formed through acquisitions of various entertainment businesses and assets by our predecessors. On August 1, 2000, Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (“Clear Channel”) acquired our live entertainment business, which was initially formed in 1997. On August 2, 2005, we were incorporated in our current form as a Delaware corporation to own substantially all of the entertainment business of Clear Channel. In December 2005, the separation of the business previously conducted by Clear Channel’s live entertainment segment and sports representation business, now comprising our business, and the distribution by Clear Channel of all of our common stock to its shareholders, was completed in a tax free spin-off (the “Distribution,” the “Separation” or the “spin-off”). Following our separation from Clear Channel, we became a separate publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange trading under the symbol “LYV”.

Live Music Industry

The live music industry includes concert promotion and/or production. According to Pollstar, North American gross concert revenue increased from $3.1 billion in 2005 to $3.9 billion in 2007, a compound annual growth rate of approximately 12%. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, in the 2005 to 2007 period, our North American Music, International Music and Global Artists revenue, comprised primarily of gross concert related revenue, increased from $2.4 billion to $3.1 billion, a compound annual growth rate of 16%. We believe this growth was primarily due to increasing ticket prices for top-grossing acts and the desire of these acts such as Madonna, The Rolling Stones and U2, to tour.

Typically, to initiate live entertainment events or tours, booking agents directly contract with performers to represent them for defined periods. Booking agents then contact promoters, who will contract with them or directly with performers to arrange events. Booking agents generally receive fixed or percentage fees from performers for their services. Promoters earn revenue primarily from the sale of tickets. Performers are paid by the promoter under one of several different formulas, which may include fixed guarantees and/or a percentage of ticket sales or event profits. In addition, promoters may also reimburse performers for certain costs of production, such as sound and lights. Under guaranteed payment formulas, promoters assume the risks of unprofitable events. Promoters may renegotiate lower guarantees or cancel events because of insufficient ticket sales in order to reduce their losses. Promoters can also reduce the risk of losses by entering into global or national touring agreements with performers and including the right to offset lower performing shows with higher performing shows on the tour in the determination of overall artist fees.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

For music tours, one to four months typically elapse between booking performers and the first performances. Promoters, in conjunction with performers, managers and booking agents, set ticket prices and advertise events. Promoters market events, sell tickets, rent or otherwise provide venues (if not provided by booking agents) and arrange for local production services, such as stages and sets.

Venue operators typically contract with promoters to rent their venues for specific events on specific dates. Venue operators provide services such as concessions, parking, security, ushering and ticket-taking, and receive some or all of the revenue from concessions, merchandise, sponsorships, parking and premium seats. For the events they host, venue operators typically receive fixed fees or percentages of ticket sales, as well as percentages of total concession sales from the vendors and percentages of total merchandise sales from the merchandisers.

Theatrical Industry

The theatrical industry includes groups engaged in promoting, which is generally referred to in the theatrical industry as “presenting,” and producing live theatrical presentations. According to data from members of The Broadway League, gross ticket sales for the North American theatrical industry of touring Broadway theatrical performances has increased from $934 million during the 2004-05 season to $950 million during the 2006-07 season, a compound annual growth rate of 1%. In the 2005 to 2007 period, our global theatrical revenue increased from $339.4 million to $362.4 million, a compound annual growth rate of 3%.

Live theater consists mainly of productions of existing musicals and dramatic works and the development of new works. While musicals require greater investments of time and capital than dramatic productions, they are more likely to become touring theatrical shows. Producers of touring theatrical shows first acquire the rights to works from their owners, who typically receive royalty payments in return. Producers then assemble casts, hire directors and arrange for the design and construction of sets and costumes. Producers also arrange transportation and schedule shows with local presenters. Local presenters, who generally operate or have relationships with venues, provide all local services such as selling tickets, hiring local personnel, buying advertising and paying fixed guarantees to producers. Presenters then have the right to recover the guarantees plus their local costs from ticket revenue. Presenters and producers typically share any remaining show profit. In order to secure exclusive touring rights, investors may take equity positions in Broadway (New York) or West End (London) shows. Touring rights are generally granted to investors for three to four years.

Other

Specialized Motor Sports Industry

The specialized motor sports industry includes promoters and producers of specialized motor sports events. Typical events include motorcycle road racing, supercross racing, monster truck shows, freestyle motocross events and other similar events. In general, in most markets where we operate we produce one to four motor sports events each year, with larger markets hosting more events. Venue operators of stadiums and arenas typically work with producers and promoters to schedule individual events or full seasons of events. Corporate sponsorships and television exposure are important financial components that contribute to the success of a single event or a season of events.

Specialized motor sports events make up a growing segment of the live entertainment industry. This growth has resulted from additional demand in existing markets and new demand in markets, including Europe, where arenas and stadiums have been built. The increasing popularity of specialized motor sports over the last several years has coincided with the increased popularity of other professional motor sports events, such as professional auto racing, including the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, or NASCAR, and the Indy Racing League, or IRL. A number of events are also broadcast domestically and internationally.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Our Business

We operate in five reportable business segments: North American Music, International Music, Global Artists, Global Digital and Global Theater. In addition, we operate in the specialized motor sports, sports representation and other businesses, which are included under “other.”

Information related to these operating segments and other operations for 2007, 2006 and 2005 is included in Note 16—Segment Data in the Notes to Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements in Item 8.

North American Music. Our North American Music business principally involves the promotion of live music shows in our owned and/or operated venues and in rented third-party venues. During 2007, our North American Music business generated approximately $2.0 billion, or 47%, of our total revenue. We promoted over 10,000 North American live music events in 2007, including artists such as Van Halen, Dave Matthews Band and Kenny Chesney.

International Music. Our International Music business principally involves the promotion of live music shows in our owned and/or operated venues and in rented third-party venues and the production of music festivals. For 2007, our International Music business generated approximately $1.1 billion, or 26%, of our total revenue. We promoted or produced over 2,500 live music events internationally in 2007, including artists such as Vasco Rossi, Michael Buble and Cirque De Soleil’s Delirium as well as several large festivals in Europe, such as Rock Werchter in Belgium, Lowlands Festival in Holland, and Reading Festival and Leeds Festival, both in the United Kingdom.

Global Artists. Our Global Artists business principally involves the production and/or promotion of global music tours as well as providing various services to artists, such as Madonna. During 2007, our Global Artists business generated approximately $640.6 million, or 15%, of our total revenue. We produced or promoted over 150 live music events in 2007, including tours for artists such as The Police, The Rolling Stones, Genesis and The Who.

Global Digital. Our Global Digital business principally involves the management of our in-house ticketing operations and online and wireless distribution activities, including the development of our website. Our Global Digital business generated approximately $11.4 million, or 0.3%, of our total revenue in 2007. Our online database includes the contact information for over 23 million fans as of December 31, 2007. We expect this business to expand as a result of both our licensing of a ticketing platform which allows us to begin selling tickets for 2009 events.

Global Theater. Our Global Theater business principally involves the presentation and/or production of theatrical performances in our owned and/or operated venues and in rented third-party venues. For 2007, our Global Theater business generated approximately $362.4 million, or 9%, of our total revenue. In 2007, we presented and/or produced over 5,000 theatrical performances such as tours of Chicago in the United Kingdom and our North American touring productions of The Lion King, Mamma Mia! and Spamalot.

Other. We promote and/or produce specialized motor sports events in rented third-party venues. During 2007, we held over 550 specialized motor sports events in stadiums, arenas and other venues including monster truck shows, supercross races, motocross races, freestyle motocross events, motorcycle road racing and dirt track motorcycle racing. For 2007, businesses included under “other” generated approximately $163.6 million, or 4%, of our total revenue.

Recent Acquisitions

Jackie Lombard. In January 2007, we acquired a 51% interest in Jackie Lombard Productions, one of the leading concert promoters in France.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

TRUNK, Ltd. In April 2007, we acquired the remaining 49% interest in Cinq Group, LLC, which operates as TRUNK, Ltd. Trunk is a specialty merchandise company, located in the United States, which acquires licenses primarily from music artists to design, manufacture and sell merchandise through various distribution channels.

HOB Canada. In June 2007, we acquired the remaining 50% interest in House of Blues Concerts Canada, or HOB Canada. HOB Canada is a live music company located in Canada which operates or has booking rights for one amphitheater and three small-sized music venues in Toronto and Vancouver.

Academy Music Group. In July 2007, we completed our two-step acquisition of a 55.9% interest in Academy Music Holdings Limited, or AMG, through our joint venture with Gaiety Investments. We own 50.1% of this joint venture with Gaiety Investments. AMG owns and/or operates 12 music venues in the United Kingdom, including the Carling Academy Brixton and Shepherds Bush Empire.

Musictoday. In July 2007, we acquired the remaining 49% interest in Musictoday, LLC, a leader in connecting artists directly to their fans through online fan clubs, artist e-commerce and fulfillment and artist fan club ticketing.

Concert Productions International. In September 2007, we acquired the remaining interests in the touring business and several entities in the non-touring business of a commonly owned group of companies operating under the name of Concert Productions International, or CPI. Founded and led by entertainment industry veteran Michael Cohl, CPI provides full service global touring, having produced tours for top acts such as The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and U2. CPI has also developed additional revenue streams around the tours that it produces, such as VIP ticketing, fan clubs, merchandising and DVDs.

Anthill. In October 2007, we acquired Anthill Trading Ltd., a global merchandising company which represents some of the most prestigious icons and trademarked properties in music, entertainment and lifestyle. Anthill has relationships with over 50 artists, including The Police, AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Neil Young and Pearl Jam.

Signatures. In December 2007, we acquired Signatures Network, Inc., the global leader in music merchandise that holds master merchandise licenses for some of the most successful artists in music. Signatures holds the rights to market and license a diverse array of more than 150 major music artists in all genres, including The Beatles, U2, Barbra Streisand, Justin Timberlake and many others. In addition, it has expanded its core business by offering print-on-demand merchandising and custom manufacturing, allowing music fans to create unique one-of-a-kind products.

Recent Divestitures

Consistent with our strategy to focus on our core live music business, we continued to divest of non-music or non-core assets during 2007.

Donington Park. In January 2007, we sold Donington Park, an arena/race track in Leicestershire, England.

Phantom Vegas. In March 2007, we sold our remaining 50.1% interest in the production of Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino.

Starwood Amphitheater. In April 2007, we sold the non-core Starwood Amphitheater located in Nashville, Tennessee.

San Francisco Office. In May 2007, we sold an office building located in San Francisco, California.

Mean Fiddler Venues. In August 2007, we sold seven non-core, small-sized music venues in London. The venues sold included Jazz Café, G-A-Y, G-A-Y Late, Borderline, Old Fiddler, Garage and Upstairs at the

 

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Garage. These venues were owned by our joint venture with Gaiety Investments. We own 50.1% of this joint venture with Gaiety Investments.

Odeon. In August 2007, we sold the Odeon, a non-core small-sized music venue located in Cleveland, Ohio.

Broadway in Chicago. In December 2007, we sold the Oriental Theater in Chicago, Illinois and our 50% interest in Broadway in Chicago, LLC.

Apollo Hammersmith and Forum. In addition, in June 2007, we sold the Hammersmith Apollo and Forum mid-sized music venues located in London as a regulatory requirement of the AMG transaction.

Operating Segments

North American Music

Our North American Music segment principally involves the promotion of live music events in our owned and/or operated venues and in rented third-party venues in the United States and Canada.

As a promoter, we typically book performers, arrange performances and tours, secure venues, provide for third-party production services, sell tickets and advertise events to attract audiences. We earn revenue primarily from the sale of tickets and pay performers under one of several formulas, including a fixed guaranteed amount and/or a percentage of ticket sales or event profits. For each event, we either use a venue we own and/or operate, or rent a third-party venue. Revenues are generally related to the number of events, volume of ticket sales and ticket prices. Event costs such as artist and production service expenses are included in direct operating expenses and are typically substantial in relation to the revenue. As a result, significant increases or decreases in promotion revenue do not typically result in comparable changes to operating income.

As a venue operator, we contract with promoters to rent our venues for events and provide operational services such as concessions, merchandising, parking, security, ushering and ticket-taking. We generate revenue primarily from the sale of food and beverages, parking, premium seating, venue sponsorships and ticket rebates earned on tickets sold through phone, outlet and internet by third parties under our ticketing agreements for events we promote. In our amphitheaters, the sale of food and beverage is outsourced and we receive a share of the net revenue from the concessionaire which is recorded in revenue with no significant direct operating expenses associated with it. Revenue generated from venue operations typically have a higher margin than promotion revenue and therefore typically have a more direct relationship to operating income.

We believe that we have a unique opportunity to connect the music fan to corporate sponsors and therefore seek to optimize this relationship through the development of strategic sponsorship programs. We continue to also pursue the sale of national and local sponsorships and placement of advertising, including signage and promotional programs. Many of our venues have venue naming rights sponsorship programs. We believe national sponsorships allow us to maximize our network of venues and to arrange multi-venue branding opportunities for advertisers. Our national sponsorship programs include companies such as Anheuser-Busch, Verizon, MBNA UK and Citi®. Our local and venue-focused sponsorships include venue signage, promotional programs, on-site activation, hospitality and tickets, and are derived from a variety of companies across various industry categories.

International Music

Our International Music segment principally involves the promotion of live music events in our owned and/or operated venues and in rented third-party venues and the production of music festivals.

As a promoter, we typically book performers, arrange performances and tours, secure venues, provide for third-party production services, sell tickets and advertise events to attract audiences. We earn revenue primarily

 

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Index to Financial Statements

from the sale of tickets and pay performers under one of several formulas, including a fixed guaranteed amount and/or a percentage of ticket sales or event profits. For each event, we either use a venue we own and/or operate, or rent a third-party venue. Revenues are generally related to the number of events, volume of ticket sales and ticket prices. Event costs such as artist and production service expenses are included in direct operating expenses and are typically substantial in relation to the revenue. As a result, significant increases or decreases in promotion revenue do not typically result in comparable changes to operating income.

As a venue operator, we contract with promoters to rent our venues for events and provide operational services such as concessions, merchandising, security, ushering and ticket-taking. We generate revenue primarily from rental income, the sale of food and beverages, venue sponsorships and ticket rebates earned on tickets sold through phone, outlet and internet by third parties under our ticketing agreements for events we promote. Revenue generated from venue operations typically have a higher margin than promotion revenue and therefore typically have a more direct relationship to operating income.

Global Artists

Our Global Artists segment principally involves the production and/or promotion of global music tours as well as providing various services to artists.

As a producer, we generally hire artistic talent, develop sets and coordinate the performances of the events. We usually produce tours on a global basis. We generate revenue by sharing in a percentage of event or tour profits primarily related to the sale of tickets, merchandise and event and tour sponsorships. These production revenue are generally related to the size and profitability of the music tour. Artist and production costs, included in direct operating expenses, are typically substantial in relation to the revenue. As a result, significant increases or decreases in production revenue do not typically result in comparable changes to operating income.

In addition to global touring services, our Global Artists segment includes our newly formed Live Nation Artists division. Live Nation Artists was formed to partner with artists to manage their diverse rights, grow their fan bases and provide a direct connection to fans through our global distribution platform and marketing proficiencies. The operations of this division include merchandise, artist fan sites and ticketing, broadcast/digital media rights, recorded music and music publishing distribution and sponsorship and marketing services. Live Nation Artists currently generates revenue primarily through the sale of fan club memberships, artist and special event ticketing and merchandise. Direct operating expenses include the artist’s share of profits and cost of goods sold.

Global Digital

Within our Global Digital segment, we are engaged in managing our in-house ticketing operations and online and wireless distribution activities, including the development of our website. This segment derives the majority of its revenue from service charges earned on tickets sold through our in-house centralized ticketing operations and sponsorships. The tickets sold by this segment are the tickets that we are allowed to sell directly to customers in North America under our agreements with outside ticketing agencies. For these tickets, Global Digital pays our North American Music and Global Theater segments a ticket rebate equivalent to the amount that they would have received had the ticket been sold by an outside ticketing agency. The remainder of the service charge is retained by Global Digital.

Global Theater

Our Global Theater segment principally involves the presentation and production of touring and other theatrical performances, owning and/or operating theatrical venues and selling sponsorships and advertising.

As a presenter, we typically book touring theatrical performances of revivals of previous commercial successes and new productions of theatrical performances playing on Broadway in New York or the West End in

 

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Index to Financial Statements

London. We pre-sell tickets for our touring and other theatrical performances through Broadway Across America, one of the largest subscription series in the United States and Canada (with 223,000 subscribers in the 2007-2008 season). We present these subscription series in approximately 42 touring markets in North America. Occasionally, we invest in shows or productions to obtain touring rights and favorable scheduling to distribute them across our presentation network. Revenues are generally related to the number of events, volume of ticket sales and ticket prices. Event costs such as touring company and production service expenses are included in direct operating expenses and are typically substantial in relation to the revenue. As a result, significant increases or decreases in presentation revenue do not typically result in comparable changes to operating income.

We derive revenue from our theater venue operations primarily from rental income, sponsorships, concessions, merchandise and ticket rebates earned on tickets sold through phone, outlet and internet by third parties under our ticketing agreements for events we present. For each theatrical event we host, we typically receive a fixed fee for the use of the venue, as well as fees representing a percentage of total concession sales from the vendors and total merchandise sales from the performer or tour producer. Revenue generated from theater venue operations typically have a higher margin than presentation revenue and therefore typically have a more direct relationship to operating income.

Other

Included under our Other operations are our operations in specialized motor sports, sports representation and other businesses.

Specialized Motor Sports. Our specialized motor sports events are primarily held in stadiums and arenas and include monster truck shows, supercross races, motocross races, freestyle motocross events, motorcycle road racing and dirt track motorcycle racing. Other events included in this division are thrill acts and other motor sports concepts and events. Our specialized motor sports activities consist principally of the promotion and production of specialized motor sports events, which generate revenue primarily from ticket sales and sponsorships, as well as merchandising and video rights.

Sports Representation. Our sports representation business specializes in the negotiation of professional sports contracts and endorsement contracts for clients.

Live Nation Venue Details

In the live entertainment industry, venues generally consist of:

 

 

Stadiums—Stadiums are multi-purpose facilities, often housing local sports teams. Stadiums typically have 30,000 or more seats. Although they are the largest venues available for live music, they are not specifically designed for live music. At December 31, 2007, we did not own or lease any stadiums, although on occasion we may rent them for certain events.

 

 

Amphitheaters—Amphitheaters are generally outdoor venues with between 5,000 and 30,000 seats that are used primarily in the summer season. We believe they are popular because they are designed specifically for concert events, with premium seat packages and better lines of sight and acoustics. At December 31, 2007, we owned nine, leased 27, operated five and had booking rights for six amphitheaters located in North America.

 

 

Arenas—Arenas are indoor venues that are used as multi-purpose facilities, often housing local sports teams. Arenas typically have between 5,000 and 20,000 seats. Because they are indoors, they are able to offer amenities other similar-sized outdoor venues cannot such as luxury suites and premium club memberships. As a result, we believe they have become increasingly popular for higher-priced concerts aimed at audiences willing to pay for these amenities. At December 31, 2007, we leased one, operated two and had booking rights for four arenas located in the United Kingdom and North America.

 

9


Index to Financial Statements
 

Mid-Sized Music Venues—Mid-sized music venues are indoor venues that are built primarily for music events. These venues typically have a capacity between 1,000 and 6,500. Because these venues have a smaller capacity than an amphitheater, they do not offer as much economic upside on a per show basis. However, because mid-sized music venues can be used year-round, unlike most amphitheaters, they can generate annual profits similar to those of an amphitheater. Mid-sized music venues represent less risk to concert promoters because they have lower fixed costs associated with hosting a concert and may provide a more appropriately sized venue for developing artists and more artists in general. At December 31, 2007, we owned seven, leased 24, operated three, had booking rights for seven and an equity interest in one mid-sized music venues located in North America, the United Kingdom and Sweden.

 

 

Small-Sized Music Venues—Small-sized music venues are indoor venues that are built primarily for music events but may also include comedy clubs. These venues typically have a capacity of less than 1,000 and often without full fixed seating. Because of their small size, they do not offer as much economic upside, but they also represent less risk to a concert promoter because they have lower fixed costs associated with hosting a concert and also may provide a more appropriate size venue for developing artists. Small-sized music venues can also be used year-round and can therefore generate higher profits for the year, even though per show profits are lower. At December 31, 2007, we owned two, leased eight and had booking rights for eight small-sized music venues in North America.

 

 

Small-Sized Music Venues—House of Blues—House of Blues venues are indoor venues that offer customers an integrated live music and dining experience. The live music halls are specially designed to provide optimum acoustics and typically can accommodate between 1,000 to 2,000 guests. A full-service restaurant and bar is located adjacent to the live music hall. We believe that the high quality of the food, service and atmosphere in our restaurants attracts customers to these venues independently from an entertainment event, and generates a significant amount of repeat business from local customers. At December 31, 2007, we owned two and leased eight House of Blues venues located in North America. One of the House of Blues venues is comprised of two buildings where we own one of the buildings and lease the other building. We have included this venue as an owned venue.

 

 

Festival Sites—Festival sites are outdoor locations used primarily in the summer season to stage day-long or multi-day concert events featuring several performers. Depending on the location, festival site capacities can range from 10,000 to 120,000. We believe they are popular because of the value provided to the fan by packaging several performers for a day-long or multi-day event. While festival sites only host a few events each year, they can provide higher operating income because they have lower costs associated with producing the event and maintaining the site. At December 31, 2007, we owned two festival sites, one in each of North America and the United Kingdom.

 

 

Theatrical Theaters—Theatrical theaters are generally indoor venues that are built specifically for theatrical events, with substantial aesthetic and acoustic consideration. These venues typically have less than 5,000 seats. Additionally, given their size, they are able to host events aimed at niche audiences. At December 31, 2007, we owned 10, leased nine, operated 11 and had an equity interest in one theatrical theaters located in North America, the United Kingdom and Spain.

 

10


Index to Financial Statements

At December 31, 2007, we owned, operated, had booking rights for and/or had an equity interest in the following domestic and international venues primarily used for music events:

 

Market and Venue  

DMA®

Region

Rank (1)

  Type of Venue   Live Nation’s Interest  

Estimated

Seating

Capacity

NEW YORK, NY

  1        

PNC Bank Arts Center

    Amphitheater   22-year lease that expires
October 31, 2017
  17,500

Nikon at Jones Beach Theater

    Amphitheater   20-year license agreement that expires December 31, 2019   14,400

North Fork Theatre at Westbury

    Mid-Sized   43-year lease that expires
December 31, 2034
  2,800

Hammerstein Ballroom

    Mid-Sized   Booking agreement   3,600

Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza

    Small-Sized   10-year lease that expires
October 31, 2016
  1,000

Blender Theater at Gramercy

    Small-Sized   10-year lease that expires
December 31, 2016
  600

Roseland Ballroom

      Small-Sized   Booking agreement   3,700

LOS ANGELES, CA

  2        

Glen Helen Pavilion

    Amphitheater   25-year lease that expires
June 30, 2018
  65,000

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

    Amphitheater   20-year lease that expires
February 28, 2017
  16,300

Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal Citywalk

    Mid-Sized   15-year lease that expires September 9, 2014   6,185

Long Beach Arena

    Arena   Booking agreement   13,500

Hollywood Paladium

    Mid-Sized   20 year lease that expires
January 31, 2027
  4,000

The Wiltern

    Mid-Sized   5-year lease that expires
June 30, 2010
  2,300

Avalon Hollywood

    Small-Sized   Booking agreement   1,400

The Roxy Theatre

    Small-Sized   Booking agreement   500

House of Blues—Sunset Strip

    House of Blues   10-year lease that expires
April 30, 2012
  1,000

House of Blues—Anaheim

      House of Blues   10-year lease that expires
January 8, 2011
  950

CHICAGO, IL

  3        

First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre

    Amphitheater   Owned   28,600

Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island

    Amphitheater   4-year lease that expires
December 31, 2008
  8,500

Allstate Arena

    Arena   Booking agreement   19,000

Rosemont Theatre

    Mid-Sized   Booking agreement   4,400

House of Blues—Chicago

      House of Blues   Owned   1,300

PHILADELPHIA, PA

  4        

Susquehanna Bank Center

    Amphitheater   31-year lease that expires September 29, 2025   25,000

Tower Theater

    Mid-Sized   Owned   3,050

Fillmore at the Theater of the Living Arts

    Small-Sized   Owned   810

Electric Factory

      Small-Sized   Booking agreement   2,250

 

11


Index to Financial Statements
Market and Venue  

DMA®

Region

Rank (1)

  Type of Venue   Live Nation’s Interest  

Estimated

Seating

Capacity

DALLAS—FORT WORTH, TX

  5        

Superpages.com Music Center

    Amphitheater   30-year lease that expires
December 31, 2018
  20,100

House of Blues—Dallas

      House of Blues   15-year lease that expires
April 30, 2022
  1,625

SAN FRANCISCO—
OAKLAND—SAN JOSE, CA

  6        

Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View

    Amphitheater   20-year lease that expires
December 31, 2025
  22,000

Sleep Train Pavilion at Concord

    Amphitheater   5-year management agreement that expires December 31, 2011   12,500

The Warfield

    Mid-Sized   10-year lease that expires
May 31, 2008
  2,250

The Fillmore

    Mid-Sized   15-year lease that expires
August 31, 2012
  1,200

Punch Line Comedy Club—San Francisco

    Small-Sized   5-year lease that expires
September 15, 2011
  500

Cobb’s Comedy Club

      Small-Sized   10-year lease that expires November 1, 2015   150

BOSTON, MA

  7        

Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts

    Amphitheater   Owned   19,900

Bank of America Pavilion

    Amphitheater   Indefinite license agreement that expires 18 months after notification that pier is to be occupied for water dependent use   4,900

Orpheum Theatre

    Mid-Sized   5-year operating agreement that expires December 31, 2010   2,700

Paradise Rock Club

    Small-Sized   Booking agreement   650

Avalon

      Small-Sized   Currently not in operation   1,920

ATLANTA, GA

  8        

Lakewood Amphitheatre

    Amphitheater   35-year lease that expires
December 31, 2033
  19,000

Chastain Park Amphitheatre

    Amphitheater   10-year lease that expires
December 31, 2010
  6,400

The Tabernacle

    Mid-Sized   20-year lease that expires
January 31, 2018
  2,500

Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre

      Small-Sized   1-year lease that expires
March 31, 2008
  1,200

WASHINGTON, DC

  9        

Nissan Pavilion

      Amphitheater   Owned   22,500

HOUSTON, TX

  10        

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

    Amphitheater   Booking agreement   16,400

Verizon Wireless Theater

      Mid-Sized   15-year lease that expires
December 31, 2012
  2,900

 

12


Index to Financial Statements
Market and Venue  

DMA®

Region

Rank (1)

  Type of Venue   Live Nation’s Interest  

Estimated

Seating

Capacity

DETROIT, MI

  11        

The Fillmore Detroit

    Mid-Sized   15-year lease that expires
February 28, 2018
  2,900

St. Andrews Hall

      Small-Sized   Owned   820

PHOENIX, AZ

  12        

Cricket Wireless Pavilion

    Amphitheater   60-year lease that expires
June 30, 2049
  20,000

Dodge Theatre

      Mid-Sized   10-year lease that expires
December 31, 2016
  5,500

TAMPA—ST. PETERSBURG—SARASOTA, FL

  13        

Ford Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds

      Amphitheater   15-year lease that expires
December 31, 2018
  20,000

SEATTLE—TACOMA, WA

  14        

White River Amphitheatre

      Amphitheater   25-year management agreement that expires October 31, 2028   20,000

MIAMI—FT. LAUDERDALE, FL

  16        

The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater

    Mid-Sized   10-year lease that expires
August 21, 2017
  2,700

Revolution Live

      Small-Sized   Booking agreement   1,000

CLEVELAND—AKRON, OH

  17        

Blossom Music Center

    Amphitheater   15-year lease that expires
October 31, 2014
  19,550

Time Warner Cable Amphitheater at Tower City

    Amphitheater   6-year lease that expires
April 30, 2011
  5,500

The Plain Dealer Pavilion at Nautica

    Amphitheater   3-year management agreement that expires December 31, 2008   5,000

House of Blues—Cleveland

      House of Blues   20-year lease that expires November 19, 2024   1,200

DENVER, CO

  18        

Coors Amphitheatre

    Amphitheater   20-year lease that expires
December 31, 2012
  16,820

The Fillmore Auditorium

    Mid-Sized   Owned   3,600

Paramount Theatre

      Mid-Sized   Booking agreement   1,850

ORLANDO—DAYTONA BEACH—MELBOURNE, FL

  19        

House of Blues—Orlando

      House of Blues   15-year lease that expires September 1, 2012   2,100

SACRAMENTO— STOCKTON—MODESTO, CA

  20        

Sleep Train Amphitheatre

    Amphitheater   Owned   18,500

Punch Line Comedy Club – Sacramento

      Small-Sized   5-year lease that expires
December 31, 2010
  100

 

13


Index to Financial Statements
Market and Venue  

DMA®

Region

Rank (1)

  Type of Venue   Live Nation’s Interest  

Estimated

Seating

Capacity

ST. LOUIS, MO

  21        

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

St. Louis

    Amphitheater   Owned   21,000

The Pageant

      Mid-Sized   50% equity interest   2,300

PITTSBURGH, PA

  22        

Post Gazette Pavilion

      Amphitheater   45-year lease that expires
December 31, 2034
  23,100

BALTIMORE, MD

  24        

Rams Head Live!

      Mid-Sized   Booking agreement   1,600

CHARLOTTE, NC

  25        

Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

      Amphitheater   Owned   18,800

INDIANAPOLIS, IN

  26        

Verizon Wireless Music Center

    Amphitheater   Owned   24,400

The Lawn at White River State Park

    Amphitheater   Booking agreement   6,000

The Murat Centre

      Mid-Sized   50-year lease that expires
August 31, 2045
  2,500

SAN DIEGO, CA

  27        

Coors Amphitheatre—San Diego

    Amphitheater   20-year lease that expires
October 31, 2023
  19,490

SDSU Open Air Theater

    Amphitheater   Booking agreement   4,790

Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl

    Arena   Booking agreement   12,500

4th and B

    Small-Sized   Booking agreement   1,500

House of Blues—San Diego

      House of Blues   15-year lease that expires
May 31, 2020
  1,100

RALEIGH—DURHAM, NC

  28        

Walnut Creek Amphitheatre

      Amphitheater   40-year lease that expires
October 31, 2030
  20,000

HARTFORD—NEW HAVEN, CT

  29        

New England Dodge Music Center

    Amphitheater   40-year lease that expires
June 30, 2035
  24,200

Mohegan Sun Arena

    Arena   Booking agreement   9,000

Chevrolet Theatre

      Mid-Sized   Owned   4,560

KANSAS CITY, MO

  31        

Starlight Theatre

      Mid-Sized   Booking agreement   8,105

COLUMBUS, OH

  32        

Germain Amphitheater

      Amphitheater   Currently not in operation   20,000

CINCINNATI, OH

  33        

Riverbend Music Center

    Amphitheater   Booking agreement   20,500

Taft Theatre

    Mid-Sized   5-year lease that expires
July 31, 2010
  2,500

Bogart’s

      Small-Sized   10-year lease that expires September 30, 2012   1,470

 

14


Index to Financial Statements
Market and Venue  

DMA®

Region

Rank (1)

  Type of Venue   Live Nation’s Interest  

Estimated

Seating

Capacity

MILWAUKEE, WI

  34        

Alpine Valley Music Theatre

    Amphitheater   21-year management agreement that expires December 31, 2019   35,300

Marcus Amphitheater

      Amphitheater   Booking agreement   23,000

SAN ANTONIO, TX

  37        

Verizon Wireless Amphitheater

      Amphitheater   Owned   19,300

WEST PALM BEACH—
FORT PIERCE, FL

  38        

Cruzan Amphitheatre

      Amphitheater   10-year lease that expires
December 31, 2015
  19,300

BIRMINGHAM, AL

  40        

Verizon Wireless Music Center – Birmingham

      Amphitheater   Owned   10,550

NORFOLK—PORTSMOUTH—NEWPORT NEWS, VA

  42        

Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater

      Amphitheater   30-year lease that expires
December 31, 2026
  20,000

LAS VEGAS, NV

  43        

The Pearl

    Mid-Sized   Booking agreement   2,500

House of Blues—Las Vegas

      House of Blues   15-year lease that expires
March 15, 2014
  1,800

ALBUQUERQUE—
SANTA FE, NM

  45        

Journal Pavilion

      Amphitheater   20-year lease that expires
April 16, 2021
  12,000

LOUISVILLE, KY

  48        

The Louisville Palace

      Mid-Sized   Owned   2,700

BUFFALO, NY

  50        

Darien Lake Performing Arts Center

    Amphitheater   25-year lease that expires
October 15, 2020
  21,800

Seneca Events Center

      Mid-Sized   Booking agreement   2,100

AUSTIN, TX

  51        

The Backyard

    Amphitheater   Booking agreement   5,000

Austin Music Hall

      Mid-Sized   Booking agreement   3,000

PROVIDENCE, RI —NEW BEDFORD, MA

  52        

Twin Rivers Event Center

      Mid-Sized   Booking agreement   2,500

NEW ORLEANS, LA

  53        

House of Blues—New Orleans

      House of Blues   One building owned and one building under 35-year lease that expires October 31, 2027   1,000

WILKES BARRE—
SCRANTON, PA

  54        

Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain

      Amphitheater   10-year lease that expires
December 31, 2011
  17,500

 

15


Index to Financial Statements
Market and Venue  

DMA®

Region

Rank (1)

  Type of Venue   Live Nation’s Interest  

Estimated

Seating

Capacity

ALBANY—SCHNECTADY—TROY, NY

  56        

Saratoga Performing Arts Center

      Amphitheater   10-year license agreement that expires September 7, 2009   25,200

FLORENCE—MYRTLE BEACH, SC

  103        

House of Blues—Myrtle Beach

      House of Blues   27-year lease that expires
May 31, 2025
  2,000

YAKIMA—PASCO—RICHLAND—KENNEWICK, WA

  126        

The Gorge Amphitheatre

      Amphitheater   20-year lease that expires
October 31, 2023
  20,000

WHEELING, WV STEUBENVILLE, OH

  159        

Jamboree in the Hills

    Festival Site   Owned   35,000

Capitol Music Hall

      Mid-Sized   Currently not in operation   2,490

TORONTO, CANADA

  N/A        

Molson Amphitheatre

    Amphitheater   35-year lease that expires
December 31, 2010
  16,000

The Guvernment-Koolhaus

    Small-Sized   Booking agreement   2,400

The Guvernment-Drink

      Small-Sized   Booking agreement   1,200

VANCOUVER, CANADA

  N/A        

Commodore Ballroom

      Small-Sized   10-year lease that expires
July 31, 2009
  1,100

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND

  N/A        

Bar Academy Birmingham

    Mid-Sized   Currently not in operation   3,000

Carling Academy Birmingham

      Mid-Sized   8-year lease that expires
March 25, 2008
  3,200

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND

  N/A        

Brighton Academy

      Mid-Sized   Currently not in operation   2,500

BRISTOL, ENGLAND

  N/A        

Carling Academy Bristol

      Mid-Sized   25-year lease that expires
December 25, 2022
  1,900

LEEDS, ENGLAND

  N/A        

Leeds Academy

      Mid-Sized   Currently not in operation   2,300

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND

  N/A        

Carling Academy Liverpool

      Mid-Sized   34-year lease that expires
May 30, 2036
  1,200

LONDON, ENGLAND

  N/A        

Wembley Arena

    Arena   15-year management agreement that expires March 31, 2021   12,750

Carling Academy Brixton

    Mid-Sized   98-year lease that expires
December 4, 2024
  4,920

Carling Academy Shepherds Bush

      Mid-Sized   Owned   2,000

 

16


Index to Financial Statements
Market and Venue  

DMA®

Region

Rank (1)

  Type of Venue   Live Nation’s Interest  

Estimated

Seating

Capacity

Astoria

    Mid-Sized   15-year lease that expires
December 31, 2008
  1,800

Astoria 2

    Mid-Sized   15-year lease that expires
December 31, 2008
  1,000

Carling Academy Islington

      Mid-Sized   25-year lease that expires
June 20, 2028
  800

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND

  N/A        

Manchester Apollo

      Mid-Sized   Owned   3,500

NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND

  N/A        

Carling Academy Newcastle

      Mid-Sized   15-year lease that expires
March 24, 2021
  2,000

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND

  N/A        

Media

      Small-Sized   Currently not in operation   1,380

OXFORD, ENGLAND

  N/A        

Carling Academy Oxford

      Mid-Sized   25-year lease that expires
September 1, 2031
  1,020

READING, ENGLAND

  N/A        

Little John’s Farm and Battle Farm

      Festival
Site
  Owned   30,000

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND

  N/A        

Sheffield Hallam FM Arena

      Arena   18-year management agreement that expires March 31, 2008   11,250

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND

  N/A        

Southampton Guildhall

      Mid-Sized   25-year management agreement that expires February 10, 2028   1,750

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND

  N/A        

Glasgow Academy

    Mid-Sized   Owned   2,500

Universe

      Small-Sized   Currently not in operation   200

CARDIFF, WALES

  N/A        

Cardiff International Arena

      Arena   137-year lease that expires
December 31, 2131
  6,700

DUBLIN, IRELAND

  N/A        

The Point

      Arena   Currently not in operation   8,500

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

  N/A        

Cirkus

      Mid-Sized   10-year lease that expires
March 31, 2009
  3,000

(1)

DMA® region refers to a United States designated market area as of January 1, 2008. At that date, there were 210 DMA®s. DMA® is a registered trademark of Nielsen Media Research, Inc.

 

17


Index to Financial Statements

At December 31, 2007, we owned, operated and/or had an equity interest in the following domestic and international venues primarily used for theatrical events:

 

Market and Venue   DMA®
Region
Rank (1)
   Type of Venue   Live Nation’s Interest   Estimated
Seating
Capacity

NEW YORK, NY

  1         

Hilton Theatre

       Theatrical Theater   40-year lease that expires December 31, 2038   1,800

PHILADELPHIA, PA

  4         

Chestnut Theatre

       Theatrical Theater   Currently not in operation   2,350

BOSTON, MA

  7         

Boston Opera House

     Theatrical Theater   Owned   2,700

Colonial Theatre

     Theatrical Theater   10-year lease that expires August 31, 2011   1,725

Charles Playhouse

       Theatrical Theater   Owned   550

WASHINGTON, DC

  9         

Warner Theatre

       Theatrical Theater   10-year lease that expires September 30, 2012   1,850

MINNEAPOLIS, MN

  15         

Orpheum Theatre

     Theatrical Theater   30-year management agreement that expires December 1, 2035   2,610

State Theatre

     Theatrical Theater   30-year management agreement that expires December 1, 2035   2,160

Pantages Theatre

       Theatrical Theater   30-year management agreement that expires December 1, 2035   1,000

BALTIMORE, MD

  24         

France-Merrick Performing Arts Center

       Theatrical Theater   20-year operating agreement that expires June 18, 2022   1,600

TORONTO, CANADA

  N/A         

Canon Theatre

     Theatrical Theater   Owned   2,300

Panasonic Theatre

       Theatrical Theater   Owned   710

ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE, ENGLAND

  N/A         

Tameside Hippodrome

       Theatrical Theater   15-year management agreement that expires March 31, 2008   1,260

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND

  N/A         

Alexandra Theatre

       Theatrical Theater   20-year lease that expires February 20, 2014   1,350

BRISTOL, ENGLAND

  N/A         

The Bristol Hippodrome

       Theatrical Theater   Owned   1,980

FOLKSTONE, ENGLAND

  N/A         

Leas Cliff Hall

       Theatrical Theater   20-year management agreement that expires August 20, 2023   1,510

GRIMSBY, ENGLAND

  N/A         

Grimsby Auditorium

       Theatrical Theater   10-year management agreement that expires March 31, 2011   1,700

 

18


Index to Financial Statements
Market and Venue   DMA®
Region
Rank (1)
   Type of Venue   Live Nation’s Interest   Estimated
Seating
Capacity

HASTINGS, ENGLAND

  N/A         

White Rock Theatre-Hastings

       Theatrical Theater   11-year management agreement that expires March 31, 2013   1,450

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND

  N/A         

Liverpool Empire Theatre

       Theatrical Theater   125-year lease that expires
June 8, 2127
  2,365

LONDON, ENGLAND

  N/A         

Lyceum Theatre

     Theatrical Theater   150-year lease that expires November 21, 2138   2,095

Apollo Victoria Theatre

     Theatrical Theater   Owned   2,600

The Dominion Theatre

       Theatrical Theater   33% equity interest   2,100

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND

  N/A         

Palace Theatre Manchester

     Theatrical Theater   Owned   1,995

Opera House Manchester

       Theatrical Theater   Owned   1,915

OXFORD, ENGLAND

  N/A         

New Theatre Oxford

     Theatrical Theater   75-year lease that expires December 24, 2007 (currently negotiating new terms)   1,780

O.F.S. Studio

       Theatrical Theater   20-year lease that expires February 22, 2021   170

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND

  N/A         

Southport Theatre

       Theatrical Theater   12-year lease that expires
March 31, 2008
  1,600

SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND

  N/A         

Sunderland Empire

       Theatrical Theater   25-year management agreement that expires December 31, 2029   2,025

TORBAY, ENGLAND

  N/A         

Princess Theatre

       Theatrical Theater   60-year management agreement that expires November 30, 2058   1,490

YORK, ENGLAND

  N/A         

Grand Opera House York

       Theatrical Theater   Owned   970

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

  N/A         

The Edinburgh Playhouse

       Theatrical Theater   Owned   3,055

MADRID, SPAIN

  N/A         

Teatro Rialto

       Theatrical Theater   10-year lease that expires February 28, 2014   1,100

(1)

DMA® region refers to a United States designated market area as of January 1, 2008. At that date, there were 210 DMA®s. DMA® is a registered trademark of Nielsen Media Research, Inc.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

The following table summarizes the number of venues by type that we owned, operated, had booking rights for and/or had an equity interest in as of December 31, 2007.

 

Venue Type

   Capacity    Owned    Leased    Operated    Booking
Rights
   Equity
Interest
   Total

Music Venues:

                    

Festival Site

   10,000 – 120,000    2                2

Amphitheater

   5,000 – 30,000    9    27    5    6       47

Arena

   5,000 – 20,000       1    2    4       7

Mid-Sized Music Venue

   1,000 – 6,500    7    24    3    7    1    42

Small-Sized Music Venue

   Less than 1,000    2    8       8       18

House of Blues

   1,000 – 2,000    2    8             10
                                

Sub-total

      22    68    10    25    1    126

Theatrical Theater

   Less than 5,000    10    9    11       1    31
                                

Total

      32    77    21    25    2    157
                                

Venues currently not in operation

      4    5       1       10

Competition

Competition in the live entertainment industry is intense. We believe that we compete primarily on the basis of our ability to deliver quality entertainment products and enhanced fan experiences from music concerts, touring theatrical performances and specialized motor sports events. We believe that our primary strengths include:

 

   

the quality of service delivered to our artists, fans and corporate sponsors;

 

   

our track record in promoting and producing live entertainment events and tours both in the United States and internationally;

 

   

the scope and effectiveness of our expertise of marketing and sponsorship programs; and

 

   

our financial stability.

Although we believe that our entertainment products and services currently compete favorably with respect to such factors, we cannot provide any assurance that we can maintain our competitive position against current and potential competitors, especially those with significantly greater brand recognition, financial, marketing, service, support, technical and other resources.

North American Music, International Music and Global Artists. In the markets in which we promote music concerts, we face competition from promoters, as well as from certain artists that promote their own concerts. We believe that barriers to entry into the promotion services business are low and that certain local promoters are increasingly expanding the geographic scope of their operations.

Our main competitors in the live music industry include Anschutz Entertainment Group, Jam Productions and Palace Sports & Entertainment, in addition to numerous smaller regional companies and various casinos in North America and Europe. Anschutz Entertainment Group operates under a number of different names including AEG Live, Concerts West and The Messina Group. Some of our competitors in the live music industry have a stronger presence in certain markets, and have access to other sports and entertainment assets, as well as greater financial resources and brand recognition, which may enable them to gain a greater competitive advantage in relation to us.

In markets where we own and/or operate a venue, we compete with other venues to serve artists likely to perform in that general region. In markets where we do not own or operate venues, we compete with other

 

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Index to Financial Statements

venues and promoters for popular tours. Consequently, touring artists have significant alternatives to our venues in scheduling tours. Our main competitors in venue management include SMG and Anschutz Entertainment Group, in addition to numerous smaller regional companies and various casinos in North America and Europe. Some of our competitors in venue management have a greater number of venues in certain markets as well as greater financial resources and brand recognition in those markets.

Our main competitors at the local market level for sponsorship consists of local sports teams, which often offer state of the art venues and strong local media packages. Additionally, our competitors locally can include festivals, theme parks and other local events. On the national level, our competitors include the major sports leagues that all sell sponsorships combined with significant national media packages.

Global Digital. In the online environment, we compete with other website companies to provide event information, sell tickets and provide other online services such as fan clubs and artist websites. Our main competitors for online event sites include Ticketmaster and secondary ticketing companies such as StubHub.

Global Theater. In the markets in which we present theatrical performances, we compete with other presenters to obtain presentation arrangements with venues and performing arts organizations, including markets with more than one venue suitable for presenting a touring or other theatrical show. We compete with other New York- and London-based production companies for the rights to produce particular shows. As a producer of Broadway and West End shows, we compete with producers of other theatrical performances for box office sales, talent and theater space. As the producer of a touring show, we compete with producers of other touring or other theatrical performances to book the production in desirable presentation markets.

Our main competitors in the global theatrical industry include Nederlander Producing Company of America, Mirvish Productions, The Shubert Organization, The Walt Disney Company and Jujamcyn Theaters in North America. In Europe, our competitors include Cameron Mackintosh, Really Useful Theater Group and Ambassadors Theatre Group, as well as smaller regional players. Some of our competitors in the theatrical industry have more Broadway show interests than we do in New York City, from which most North American theatrical touring productions originate. In addition, these competitors may have significantly greater brand recognition and greater financial and other resources, which could enable them to strengthen their competitive positions against us.

Other. Our main competitors in the specialized motor sports industry are primarily smaller regional promoters. On a broader level in the United States we compete against other outdoor motor sports such as NASCAR. Some of our competitors in the specialized motor sports industry enjoy stronger brand recognition and larger revenue in the motor sports industry than we do and may have greater financial and other resources enabling them to gain a greater competitive advantage in relation to us.

Government Regulations

We are subject to federal, state and local laws both domestically and internationally governing matters such as construction, renovation and operation of our venues, as well as:

 

   

licensing and permitting;

 

   

human health, safety and sanitation requirements;

 

   

the service of food and alcoholic beverages;

 

   

working conditions, labor, minimum wage and hour, citizenship and employment laws;

 

   

compliance with The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the United Kingdom’s Disability Discrimination Act 1995;

 

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Index to Financial Statements
   

sales and other taxes and withholding of taxes;

 

   

historic landmark rules; and

 

   

environmental protection.

We believe that our venues are in material compliance with these laws. The regulations relating to our food and support service in our venues are many and complex. A variety of regulations at various governmental levels relating to the handling, preparation and serving of food (including in some cases requirements relating to the temperature of food), the cleanliness of food production facilities and the hygiene of food-handling personnel are enforced primarily at the local public health department level.

We also must comply with applicable licensing laws, as well as state and local service laws, commonly called dram shop statutes. Dram shop statutes generally prohibit serving alcoholic beverages to certain persons such as an individual who is intoxicated or a minor. If we violate dram shop laws, we may be liable to third parties for the acts of the patron. Although we generally hire outside vendors to provide these services at our larger operated venues and regularly sponsor training programs designed to minimize the likelihood of such a situation, we cannot guarantee that intoxicated or minor patrons will not be served or that liability for their acts will not be imposed on us.

We are also required to comply with The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or the ADA, the United Kingdom’s Disability Discrimination Act 1995, or the DDA, and certain state statutes and local ordinances that, among other things, require that places of public accommodation, including both existing and newly constructed venues, be accessible to customers with disabilities. The ADA and DDA require that venues be constructed to permit persons with disabilities full use of a live entertainment venue. The ADA and DDA may also require that certain modifications be made to existing venues in order to make them accessible to patrons and employees who are disabled. In order to comply with the ADA, DDA and other similar ordinances, we may face substantial capital expenditures in the future.

From time to time, state and federal governmental bodies have proposed legislation that could have an effect on our business. For example, some legislatures have proposed laws in the past that would impose potential liability on us and other promoters and producers of live entertainment events for entertainment taxes and for incidents that occur at our events, particularly relating to drugs and alcohol.

In addition, we and our venues are subject to extensive environmental laws and regulations relating to the use, storage, disposal, emission and release of hazardous and non-hazardous substances, as well as zoning and noise level restrictions which may affect, among other things, the hours of operations of our venues.

Intellectual Property

We create, own and distribute intellectual property worldwide. It is our practice to protect out trademarks, brands, copyrights, patents and other original and acquired works, ancillary goods and services. Our trademarks include, among others, the word marks “Live Nation,” House of Blues” and “The Fillmore,” as well as the Live Nation, House of Blues, and The Fillmore logos. We have registered our most significant trademarks in many foreign countries. We believe that our trademarks and other proprietary rights have significant value and are important to our brand-building efforts and the marketing of our services. We cannot predict, however, whether steps taken by us to protect our proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent misappropriation of these rights.

Employees

At December 31, 2007, we had approximately 4,700 full-time employees, including 3,500 domestic and 1,200 international employees, of which approximately 4,600 were employed in our operations departments and approximately 100 were employed in our corporate area.

 

22


Index to Financial Statements

Our staffing needs vary significantly throughout the year. Therefore, we also, from time to time, employ part-time and/or seasonal employees. At December 31, 2007, we employed approximately 7,500 seasonal and/or part-time employees and during peak seasonal periods, particularly in the summer months, we have employed as many as 17,600 seasonal employees. The stagehands at some of our venues, and the actors, musicians and others involved in some of our business operations are subject to collective bargaining agreements. Our union agreements typically have a term of three years and thus regularly expire and require negotiation in the course of our business. We believe that we enjoy good relations with our employees and other unionized labor involved in our events, and there have been no significant work stoppages in the past three years. Upon the expiration of any of our collective bargaining agreements, however, we may be unable to renegotiate our collective bargaining agreements on terms favorable to us, and our business operations at one or more of our facilities may be interrupted as a result of labor disputes or difficulties and delays in the process of renegotiating our collective bargaining agreements. A work stoppage at one or more of our owned and/or operated venues or at our produced and/or presented events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. We cannot predict the effect that new collective bargaining agreements will have on our expenses.

Executive Officers

Set forth below are the names, ages and current positions of our executive officers and other significant employees as of February 22, 2008.

 

Name

   Age   

Position

Michael Rapino

   42    President and Chief Executive Officer and Director

Kathy Willard

   41    Chief Financial Officer

Brian Capo

   41    Chief Accounting Officer

Michael Rowles

   42    General Counsel and Secretary

Jason Garner

   35    Chief Executive Officer—North American Music

Thomas O. Johansson

   59    Chairman—International Music

Alan Ridgeway

   41    Chief Executive Officer—International Music

Michael Cohl

   60    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer—Live Nation Artists and Director

Arthur Fogel

   54    Chief Executive Officer—Global Touring and Chairman—Global Music

Bryan Perez

   40    Chief Executive Officer—Global Digital

Michael Rapino is our President and Chief Executive Officer and has served in this capacity since August 2005. He has also served on our board of directors since December 2005. From August 2004 to August 2005, Mr. Rapino was Chief Executive Officer and President of our predecessor’s Global Music division. From July 2003 to July 2004, Mr. Rapino served as Chief Executive Officer and President of our predecessor’s International Music division. From July 2001 to 2003, Mr. Rapino served as Chief Executive Officer of our predecessor’s European Music division.

Kathy Willard is our Chief Financial Officer and has served in this capacity since September 2007. From September 2005 to August 2007, Ms. Willard was our Chief Accounting Officer. Prior to that, Ms. Willard served as Chief Financial Officer of Clear Channel Entertainment from December 2004 to September 2005. From January 2001 to December 2004 she served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Clear Channel Entertainment.

Brian Capo is our Chief Accounting Officer and has served in this capacity since December 2007. Prior to that, Mr. Capo served as a Senior Finance Director at BMC Software, Inc. from November 2005 to November 2007. From August 2004 to October 2005, he served as a Finance Director at Waste Management, Inc. and was a Managing Finance Director at American Electric Power Company, Inc. from November 2002 to July 2004.

Michael Rowles is our General Counsel and has served in this capacity since March 2006 and as our Secretary since May 2007. Previously, Mr. Rowles served as General Counsel and Secretary of Entravision Communications Corporation since September 2000.

 

23


Index to Financial Statements

Jason Garner is the Chief Executive Officer of our North American Music division and has served in this capacity since September 2007. Prior to that, Mr. Garner held various positions within our North American Music division including President of North American Music.

Thomas O. Johansson is the Chairman of our International Music division and has served in this capacity since September 2004. Previously, Mr. Johansson served as the Chief Executive Officer of our subsidiary EMA Telstar Group, a company he founded in April 1969 and which our predecessor acquired in 1999.

Alan Ridgeway is the Chief Executive Officer of our International Music division and has served in this capacity since September 2007. From September 2005 to August 2007, Mr. Ridgeway was our Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that, Mr. Ridgeway served as President of our European Music division. From October 2003 to 2004, Mr. Ridgeway was Chief Operating Officer of the European Music division. Mr. Ridgeway served as Chief Financial Officer for the European Music division from January 2002 to October 2003.

Michael Cohl is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of our Live Nation Artists division and has served in this capacity since September 2007. Previously, Mr. Cohl was Chief Executive Officer of CPI. He has also been on our board of directors since May 2006, became Vice Chairman of our board of directors in November 2007 and became Chairman of our board of directors in February 2008.

Arthur Fogel is the Chief Executive Officer of our Global Touring division and Chairman of our Global Music group and has served in this capacity since 2005. Previously, Mr. Fogel served as President of our Music Touring division since 1999.

Bryan Perez is the Chief Executive Officer of our Global Digital division and has served in this capacity since September 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Perez served as our Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business Development. From October 2002 through 2004, Mr. Perez was Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Dallas Stars Hockey Club.

Available Information

We are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. You may read and copy any materials we have filed with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

You can find more information about us at our internet website located at www.livenation.com. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports are available free of charge on our internet website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with the SEC.

 

24


Index to Financial Statements
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider each of the following risks and all of the other information set forth in this Annual Report. The following risks relate principally to our leverage, our convertible notes, our business, our common stock and our separation from Clear Channel. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business. If any of the following risks and uncertainties develop into actual events, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline.

Risks Associated with Our Leverage

We have a large amount of debt, redeemable preferred stock and lease obligations that could restrict our operations and impair our financial condition.

As of December 31, 2007, our total indebtedness for borrowed money, including our redeemable preferred stock, was approximately $862.6 million. Our available borrowing capacity under the revolving portion of our senior secured credit facility at that date was approximately $184.3 million, with sub-limits up to $235.0 million available for letters of credit. At December 31, 2007, outstanding letters of credit were approximately $45.7 million. We may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future.

Our substantial indebtedness could have adverse consequences, including:

 

   

making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations;

 

   

increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic, regulatory and industry conditions;

 

   

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for future working capital, capital expenditures, mergers and other purposes;

 

   

requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our debt, thereby reducing funds available for operations and other purposes;

 

   

limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

 

   

making us more vulnerable to increases in interest rates;

 

   

placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; and

 

   

having a material adverse effect on us if we fail to comply with the covenants in the instruments governing our debt and preferred stock.

To service our debt, preferred stock and lease obligations and to fund potential acquisitions, artist rights payments and capital expenditures, we will require a significant amount of cash, which depends on many factors beyond our control.

As of December 31, 2007, approximately $36.3 million of our total indebtedness (excluding interest) is due in 2008, $22.2 million is due in the aggregate for 2009 and 2010, $125.5 million is due in the aggregate for 2011 and 2012 and $678.6 million is due thereafter. See the table in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Contractual Obligations and Commitments—Firm Commitments.

Our redeemable preferred stock bears an annual dividend rate of 13%, or $5.2 million annually, and is subject to financial and other covenants substantially similar to the covenants applicable to our senior secured credit facility. If we default under any of these covenants, we will have to pay additional dividends. In addition,

 

25


Index to Financial Statements

as of December 31, 2007, we had approximately $1.1 billion in operating lease agreements, of which approximately $74.3 million is due in 2008 and $69.1 million is due in 2009.

Our ability to service our debt, preferred stock and lease obligations and to fund potential acquisitions, artist rights payments and capital expenditures for venue construction, expansion or renovation will require a significant amount of cash, which depends on many factors beyond our control. Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our debt will also depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. This, to an extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.

We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow or that future borrowings will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our debt or to fund our other liquidity needs. We cannot predict the impact to our ability to access additional capital in light of the current uncertainty in the credit market. If our future cash flow from operations and other capital resources are insufficient to pay our obligations as they mature or to fund our liquidity needs, we may be forced to reduce or delay our business activities and capital expenditures, sell assets, obtain additional equity capital or restructure or refinance all or a portion of our debt on or before maturity. We may be subject to limitations on the assets we can sell under the terms of the tax matters agreement with Clear Channel. In addition, the terms of our existing debt, including our senior secured credit facility, other future debt and our preferred stock may limit our ability to pursue any of these alternatives.

These measures might also be unsuccessful or inadequate in permitting us to meet scheduled debt, redeemable preferred stock or lease service obligations. We may be unable to restructure or refinance our obligations and obtain additional equity financing or sell assets on satisfactory terms or at all. As a result, the inability to meet our debt, redeemable preferred stock or lease obligations could cause us to default on those obligations. Any such defaults could materially harm our financial condition and liquidity.

The agreement governing our senior secured credit facility, our preferred stock designations and certain of our other indebtedness impose restrictions on us that limit the discretion of management in operating our business and that, in turn, could impair our ability to meet our obligations under our debt.

The agreement governing our senior secured credit facility, our preferred stock designations and certain of our other indebtedness include restrictive covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to:

 

   

incur additional debt or issue preferred stock;

 

   

pay dividends and make distributions;

 

   

make certain investments;

 

   

repurchase our stock and prepay certain indebtedness;

 

   

create liens;

 

   

enter into transactions with affiliates;

 

   

modify the nature of our business;

 

   

enter into sale-leaseback transactions;

 

   

transfer and sell material assets; and

 

   

merge or consolidate.

In addition, our senior secured credit facility and preferred stock designations include other restrictions, including requirements to maintain certain financial ratios. Our failure to comply with the terms and covenants in our indebtedness could lead to a default under the terms of the governing documents, which would entitle the lenders to accelerate the indebtedness and declare all amounts owed due and payable. If we default under any of

 

26


Index to Financial Statements

the covenants applicable to our preferred stock, the holder of our preferred stock may be entitled to elect a director of one of our subsidiaries, and we will have to pay additional dividends.

These covenants could materially and adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs. Furthermore, they may restrict our ability to expand, to pursue our business strategies and otherwise to conduct our business. Our ability to comply with these covenants may be affected by circumstances and events beyond our control, such as prevailing economic conditions and changes in regulations, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to comply. A breach of these covenants could result in a default under our debt. If there were an event of default under our outstanding indebtedness and the obligations thereunder accelerated, our assets and cash flow might not be sufficient to repay our outstanding debt and we could be forced into bankruptcy.

We will depend on the cash flows of our subsidiaries in order to satisfy our obligations.

We will rely on distributions and advances from our subsidiaries in order to meet our payment requirements under our obligations. If our subsidiaries are unable to pay dividends or otherwise make payments to us, we may not be able to make debt service payments on our obligations. We are a holding company and conduct substantially all of our operations through our subsidiaries. Our operating cash flows and consequently our ability to service our debt is therefore principally dependent upon our subsidiaries’ earnings and their distributions of those earnings to us and may also be dependent upon loans, advances or other payments of funds to us by those subsidiaries. Our subsidiaries are separate legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amount due pursuant to our obligations or to make any funds available for that purpose. In addition, the ability of our subsidiaries to provide funds to us is subject to restrictions under our senior secured credit facility and the outstanding preferred stock of our subsidiary and may be subject to the terms of such subsidiaries’ future indebtedness, as well as the availability of sufficient surplus funds under applicable law.

Any inability to fund the significant up-front cash requirements associated with our touring business could result in the loss of key tours.

In order to secure a tour, including global tours by major artists, we are often required to post a letter of credit or advance cash to the artist prior to the sale of any tickets for that tour. If we do not have sufficient cash on hand or capacity under our revolving credit facility to advance the necessary cash or post the required letter of credit, for any given tour, we would not be able to promote that tour and our touring business would be negatively impacted.

Risks Relating to our 2.875% Convertible Senior Notes

We may not have the funds necessary to finance the repurchase of the notes or to pay the cash payable upon a conversion (if we make the net share settlement election), or we may otherwise be restricted from making such payments, which may increase note holders’ credit risk.

In July 2007, we issued $220 million of 2.875% convertible senior notes due 2027 in a private placement in the United States to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. On July 15, 2014, July 15, 2017 and July 15, 2022, or in the event of a fundamental change (as defined in the indenture governing the notes), holders may require us to repurchase their notes at a price of 100% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, including contingent interest and additional amounts, to the repurchase date. In addition, at any time on or prior to June 15, 2027, we may irrevocably elect net share settlement of the notes, and thereafter we will be required to make a cash payment of up to $1,000 for each $1,000 in principal amount of notes converted. However, it is possible that we will not have sufficient funds available at such time to make the required repurchase or settlement of converted notes. In addition, some of our existing financing agreements contain, and any future credit agreements or other agreements relating to our

 

27


Index to Financial Statements

indebtedness could contain, provisions prohibiting the repurchase of the notes under certain circumstances, or could provide that a fundamental change constitutes an event of default under that agreement, restrict our ability to make cash payments upon conversion of the notes or restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to make funds available to us for that purpose. If any agreement governing our indebtedness prohibits or otherwise restricts us from repurchasing the notes or making the cash payment upon conversion when we become obligated to do so, we could seek the consent of the lenders to repurchase the notes or settle the conversion or attempt to refinance the other debt. If we do not obtain such a consent or refinance the debt, we would not be permitted to repurchase the notes or settle the conversion without potentially causing a default under the other debt. Our failure to repurchase tendered notes or to pay any cash payable on a conversion would constitute an event of default under the indenture, which might constitute a default under the terms of our other indebtedness.

The additional shares of common stock payable on any notes converted in connection with specified corporate transactions may not adequately compensate holders of notes for any loss they may experience as a result of such specified corporate transactions.

If certain specified corporate transactions occur on or prior to July 15, 2014, we will under certain circumstances increase the conversion rate on notes converted in connection with the specified corporate transaction by a number of additional shares of common stock. The number of additional shares of common stock will be determined based on the date on which the specified corporate transaction becomes effective and the price paid per share of our common stock in the specified corporate transaction. The additional shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the notes in connection with a specified corporate transaction may not adequately compensate holders of notes for any loss they may experience as a result of such specified corporate transaction. Furthermore, holders of notes will not receive the additional consideration payable as a result of the increase in the conversion rate until the effective date of the specified corporate transaction or later, which could be a significant period of time after holders of notes have tendered their notes for conversion. If the specified corporate transaction occurs after July 15, 2014, or if the price paid per share of our common stock in the specified corporate transaction is less than the common stock price at the date of issuance of the notes or above a specified price, there will be no increase in the conversion rate. In addition, in certain circumstances upon a change of control arising from our acquisition by a public company, we may elect to adjust the conversion rate and, if we so elect, holders of notes will not be entitled to the increase in the conversion rate determined as described above.

The conditional conversion feature of the notes could result in holders of notes receiving less than the value of the common stock for which a note would otherwise be convertible.

Prior to July 15, 2027, the notes are convertible for shares of our common stock (or cash or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock) only if specified conditions are met. If the specific conditions for conversion are not met, holders of notes will not be able to convert their notes, and they may not be able to receive the value of the common stock or cash and common stock, as applicable, for which the notes would otherwise be convertible.

Upon conversion of the notes, holders of notes may receive less proceeds than expected because the value of our common stock may decline after the exercise of the conversion right.

If we elect to settle conversions other than solely in shares of common stock, including by making a net share settlement election, the conversion value that holders of notes will receive upon conversion of their notes are in part determined, subject to certain exceptions, by the average of the last reported sale prices of our common stock for the 20 trading days beginning on the second trading day immediately following the day the notes are tendered for conversion, or, if tendered within the 20 days leading up to the maturity date or a specified redemption date, beginning on the fifth day following the maturity date or the redemption date. Accordingly, if the price of our common stock decreases after holder of notes tender their notes for conversion, the conversion value they will receive may be adversely affected.

 

28


Index to Financial Statements

The conversion rate of the notes may not be adjusted for all dilutive events.

The conversion rate of the notes is subject to adjustment only for certain specified events, including, but not limited to, the issuance of stock dividends on our common stock, the issuance of certain rights or warrants, subdivisions, combinations, distributions of capital stock, indebtedness or assets, cash dividends and certain issuer tender or exchange offers. However, the conversion rate will not be adjusted for other events, such as an issuance of common stock for cash or acquisition, that may adversely affect the trading price of the notes or the common stock, or for a third-party tender offer.

Risks Relating to Our Business

Our live entertainment business is highly sensitive to public tastes and dependent on our ability to secure popular artists and other live entertainment events, and we may be unable to anticipate or respond to changes in consumer preferences, which may result in decreased demand for our services.

Our ability to generate revenue from our entertainment operations is highly sensitive to rapidly changing public tastes and dependent on the availability of popular artists and events. Our success depends in part on our ability to anticipate the tastes of consumers and to offer events that appeal to them. Since we rely on unrelated parties to create and perform live entertainment content, any unwillingness to tour or lack of availability of popular artists, touring theatrical performances, specialized motor sports talent and other performers could limit our ability to generate revenue. In particular, there are a limited number of artists that can headline a major North American or global tour or who can sell out larger venues, including many of our amphitheaters. If those key artists do not continue to tour, or if we are unable to secure the rights to their future tours, then our business would be adversely affected.

In addition, we typically book our live music tours one to four months in advance of the beginning of the tour and often agree to pay an artist a fixed guaranteed amount prior to our receiving any operating income. Therefore, if the public is not receptive to the tour or we or a performer cancel the tour, we may incur a loss for the tour depending on the amount of the fixed guarantee or incurred costs relative to any revenue earned, as well as foregone revenue we could have earned at booked venues. We have cancellation insurance policies in place to cover our losses if a performer cancels a tour. Furthermore, consumer preferences change from time to time, and our failure to anticipate, identify or react to these changes could result in reduced demand for our services, which would adversely affect our operating results and profitability.

We have incurred net losses and may experience future net losses.

Our operating results have been adversely affected by, among other things, increased cost of artists and a decline in ticket sales. We incurred net losses of approximately $11.9 million, $31.4 million and $130.6 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. We may face reduced demand for our live entertainment events and other factors that could adversely affect our results of operations in the future. We cannot predict whether we will achieve profitability in future periods.

Our operations are seasonal and our results of operations vary from quarter to quarter and year over year, so our financial performance in certain financial quarters or years may not be indicative of, or comparable to, our financial performance in subsequent financial quarters or years.

We believe our financial results and cash needs will vary greatly from quarter to quarter and year to year depending on, among other things, the timing of tours and theatrical productions, tour cancellations, capital expenditures, seasonal and other fluctuations in our operating results, the timing of guaranteed payments and receipt of ticket sales, financing activities, acquisitions and investments and receivables management. Because our results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year, our financial results for one quarter or year cannot necessarily be compared to another quarter or year and may not be indicative of our future financial

 

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Index to Financial Statements

performance in subsequent quarters or years. Typically, we experience our lowest financial performance in the first and fourth quarters of the calendar year as our outdoor venues are primarily used, and our festivals primarily occur, during May through September. In addition, the timing of tours of top grossing acts can impact comparability of quarterly results year over year and potentially annual results.

The following table sets forth our operating income (loss) for the last eight fiscal quarters:

 

(in thousands)       

Fiscal Quarter Ended

   Operating
income (loss)
 

March 31, 2006

   $ 8,063  

June 30, 2006

   $ 11,682  

September 30, 2006

   $ 28,037  

December 31, 2006

   $ (14,660 )

March 31, 2007

   $ (30,404 )

June 30, 2007

   $ 36,387  

September 30, 2007

   $ 71,969  

December 31, 2007

   $ 4,190  

We may be adversely affected by a general deterioration in economic conditions, which could affect consumer and corporate spending and, therefore, significantly adversely impact our operating results.

A decline in attendance at or reduction in the number of live entertainment events may have an adverse effect on our revenue and operating income. In addition, during the most recent economic slowdown in the United States, many consumers reduced their discretionary spending and advertisers reduced their advertising expenditures. The impact of slowdowns on our business is difficult to predict, but they may result in reductions in ticket sales, sponsorship opportunities and our ability to generate revenue. The risks associated with our businesses become more acute in periods of a slowing economy or recession, which may be accompanied by a decrease in attendance at live entertainment events.

Our business depends on discretionary consumer and corporate spending. Many factors related to corporate spending and discretionary consumer spending, including economic conditions affecting disposable consumer income such as employment, fuel prices, interest and tax rates and inflation can significantly impact our operating results. Business conditions, as well as various industry conditions, including corporate marketing and promotional spending and interest levels, can also significantly impact our operating results. These factors can affect attendance at our events, premium seats, sponsorship, advertising and hospitality spending, concession and souvenir sales, as well as the financial results of sponsors of our venues, events and the industry. Negative factors such as challenging economic conditions, public concerns over additional terrorism and security incidents, particularly when combined, can impact corporate and consumer spending, and one negative factor can impact our results more than another. There can be no assurance that consumer and corporate spending will not be adversely impacted by economic conditions, thereby possibly impacting our operating results and growth.

Loss of our key promoters, management and other personnel could result in the loss of key tours and negatively impact our business.

The live music business is uniquely dependent upon personal relationships, as promoters and executives within the live music companies such as ours leverage their existing network of relationships with artists, agents and managers in order to secure the rights to the live music tours and events which are critical to our success. Due to the importance of those industry contacts to our business, the loss of any of our promoters, officers or other key personnel could adversely affect our operations. Although we have entered into long-term agreements with many of those individuals to protect our interests in those relationships, we can give no assurance that all or any of these key employees will remain with us or will retain their associations with key business contacts.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Doing business in foreign countries creates risks not found in doing business in the United States.

Our international operations accounted for approximately 33% of our revenue in 2007. The risks involved in foreign operations that could result in losses against which we are not insured include:

 

   

exposure to local economic conditions;

 

   

potential adverse changes in the diplomatic relations of foreign countries with the United States;

 

   

restrictions on the withdrawal of foreign investment and earnings;

 

   

investment restrictions or requirements on businesses owned by foreigners;

 

   

expropriations of property;

 

   

potential instability of foreign governments;

 

   

risks of renegotiation or modification of existing agreements with governmental authorities;

 

   

diminished ability to legally enforce our contractual rights in foreign countries;

 

   

foreign exchange restrictions;

 

   

withholding and other taxes on remittances and other payments by subsidiaries; and

 

   

changes in foreign taxation structures.

In addition, we may incur substantial tax liabilities if we repatriate any of the cash generated by our international operations back to the United States due to our current inability to recognize any foreign tax credits that would be associated with such repatriation. We currently expect to repatriate some of the cash generated by our international operations and to use certain of our substantial net operating losses to offset associated tax liabilities. We are not currently in a position to recognize any tax assets in the United States that are the result of payments of income or withholding taxes in foreign jurisdictions.

Exchange rates may cause fluctuations in our results of operations that are not related to our operations.

Because we own assets overseas and derive revenue from our international operations, we may incur currency translation losses or gains due to changes in the values of foreign currencies relative to the United States Dollar. We cannot predict the effect of exchange rate fluctuations upon future operating results. For the year ended December 31, 2007, our international operations accounted for approximately 33% of our revenue. Although we cannot predict the future relationship between the United States Dollar and the currencies used by our international businesses, principally the British Pound and the Euro, in 2007 and 2006, we experienced foreign exchange rate net gains of $4.5 million and $3.2 million, respectively, for those periods, which had a positive effect on our operating income, while in 2005, we experienced a foreign exchange rate net loss of $1.3 million which had a negative effect on our operating income. See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk—Foreign Currency Risk.

We may enter into future acquisitions and long-term artist rights arrangements and take certain actions in connection with such transactions that could affect the price of our common stock.

As part of our growth strategy, we expect to review acquisition prospects that would offer growth opportunities. We also anticipate entering into long-term arrangements with certain artists under which we would acquire the rights to certain music-related activities, including touring, merchandising, recording, online fan clubs, film/DVD and other rights. In the event of future acquisitions or artist rights arrangements, we could:

 

   

use a significant portion of our available cash;

 

   

issue equity securities, which would dilute current stockholders’ percentage ownership;

 

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Index to Financial Statements
   

incur substantial debt;

 

   

incur or assume contingent liabilities, known or unknown;

 

   

incur amortization expenses related to intangibles; and

 

   

incur large, immediate accounting write-offs.

Such actions by us could harm our results from operations and adversely affect the price of our common stock.

We may be unsuccessful in our future acquisition endeavors, if any, which may have an adverse effect on our business. Our compliance with antitrust, competition and other regulations may limit our operations and future acquisitions.

Our future growth rate depends in part on our selective acquisition of additional businesses. A significant portion of our recent growth has been attributable to acquisitions, including, among others, our acquisitions of HOB Entertainment, Inc., or HOB, Musictoday, CPI and of an equity interest in AMG. We may be unable to identify other suitable targets for further acquisition or make further acquisitions at favorable prices. If we identify a suitable acquisition candidate, our ability to successfully implement the acquisition would depend on a variety of factors, including our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms and requisite government approvals. Acquisitions involve risks, including those associated with:

 

   

integrating the operations, financial reporting, technologies and personnel of acquired companies;

 

   

managing geographically dispersed operations;

 

   

the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns;

 

   

the inherent risks in entering markets or lines of business in which we have either limited or no direct experience; and

 

   

the potential loss of key employees, customers and strategic partners of acquired companies.

We may not successfully integrate any businesses or technologies we may acquire in the future and may not achieve anticipated revenue and cost benefits. Acquisitions may be expensive, time consuming and may strain our resources. Acquisitions may not be accretive to our earnings and may negatively impact our results of operations as a result of, among other things, the incurrence of debt, one-time write-offs of goodwill and amortization expenses of other intangible assets. In addition, future acquisitions that we may pursue could result in dilutive issuances of equity securities.

We are also subject to laws and regulations, including those relating to antitrust, that could significantly affect our ability to expand our business through acquisitions. For example, the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice with respect to our domestic acquisitions, and the European Commission (the antitrust regulator of the European Union) and the United Kingdom Competition Commission with respect to our European acquisitions, have the authority to challenge our acquisitions on antitrust grounds before or after the acquisitions are completed. State agencies may also have standing to challenge these acquisitions under state or federal antitrust law. Comparable authorities in other jurisdictions also have the ability to challenge our foreign acquisitions. Our failure to comply with all applicable laws and regulations could result in, among other things, regulatory actions or legal proceedings against us, the imposition of fines, penalties or judgments against us or significant limitations on our activities. In addition, the regulatory environment in which we operate is subject to change. New or revised requirements imposed by governmental regulatory authorities could have adverse effects on us, including increased costs of compliance. We also may be adversely affected by changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and regulations by these governmental authorities.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

In addition, restrictions contained in the tax matters agreement between us and Clear Channel, the credit agreement for the senior secured credit facility and the terms of our subsidiary’s preferred stock restrict our ability to make acquisitions.

Certain of our new or expanded business lines, including ticketing and artist rights arrangements, may not develop as currently anticipated, causing an adverse impact on our financial performance.

We are currently in the process of expanding our operations to encompass music-related businesses beyond the live music event. These include launching a full-scale in-house ticketing operation which is anticipated to be operational by the beginning of 2009, as well as continuing to invest in long-term rights arrangements with key artists. In each of these and other new or expanding business lines, we currently anticipate incurring costs to build infrastructure, making advances to artists and otherwise investing in these new businesses. If these businesses do not develop as currently anticipated, either due to our inability to execute on our strategic plans or as a result of other factors, our profitability could be negatively impacted.

There is the risk of personal injuries and accidents in connection with our live entertainment events, which could subject us to personal injury or other claims and increase our expenses, as well as reduce attendance at our live entertainment events, causing a decrease in our revenue.

There are inherent risks involved with producing live entertainment events. As a result, personal injuries and accidents have, and may, occur from time to time, which could subject us to claims and liabilities for personal injuries. Incidents in connection with our live entertainment events at any of our venues or venues that we rent could also result in claims, reducing operating income or reducing attendance at our events, causing a decrease in our revenue. We are currently subject to wrongful death claims, as well as other litigation. While we maintain insurance polices that provide coverage within limits that are sufficient, in management’s judgment, to protect us from material financial loss for personal injuries sustained by persons at our venues or accidents in the ordinary course of business, there can be no assurance that such insurance will be adequate at all times and in all circumstances.

Costs associated with, and our ability to obtain, adequate insurance could adversely affect our profitability and financial condition.

Heightened concerns and challenges regarding property, casualty, liability, business interruption and other insurance coverage have resulted from the terrorist and related security incidents on and after September 11, 2001 in the United States, as well as the more recent terrorist attacks in Madrid and London. As a result, we may experience increased difficulty obtaining high policy limits of coverage at reasonable costs, including coverage for acts of terrorism. We have a material investment in property and equipment at each of our venues, which are generally located near major cities and which hold events typically attended by a large number of fans. At December 31, 2007, we had property and equipment with a net book value of approximately $915.0 million.

These operational, geographical and situational factors, among others, may result in significant increases in insurance premium costs and difficulties obtaining sufficiently high policy limits with deductibles that we believe to be reasonable. We cannot assure you that future increases in insurance costs and difficulties obtaining high policy limits will not adversely impact our profitability, thereby possibly impacting our operating results and growth.

In addition, under our Live Nation Artists platform we enter into various agreements with artists from time to time, including long-term artist rights arrangements. The profitability of those arrangements depends upon those artists’ willingness and ability to continue performing, and we may not be able to obtain sufficient insurance coverage at reasonable costs to adequately protect us against the death, disability or other failure of such artists to continue engaging in revenue-generating activities under those agreements.

 

33


Index to Financial Statements

We cannot guarantee that our insurance policy coverage limits, including insurance coverage for property, casualty, liability, artists and business interruption losses and acts of terrorism, would be adequate under the circumstances should one or multiple events occur at or near any of our venues, or that our insurers would have adequate financial resources to sufficiently or fully pay our related claims or damages. We cannot guarantee that adequate coverage limits will be available, offered at reasonable costs, or offered by insurers with sufficient financial soundness. The occurrence of such an incident or incidents affecting any one or more of our venues could have a material adverse effect on our financial position and future results of operations if asset damage and/or company liability were to exceed insurance coverage limits or if an insurer were unable to sufficiently or fully pay our related claims or damages.

Costs associated with capital improvements could adversely affect our profitability and liquidity.

Growth or maintenance of our existing revenue depends in part on consistent investment in our venues. Therefore, we expect to continue to make substantial capital improvements in our venues to meet long-term increasing demand, to increase entertainment value and to increase revenue. We frequently have a number of significant capital projects underway. Numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, may influence the ultimate costs and timing of various capital improvements at our venues, including:

 

   

availability of financing on favorable terms;

 

   

unforeseen changes in design;

 

   

increases in the cost of construction materials and labor;

 

   

additional land acquisition costs;

 

   

fluctuations in foreign exchange rates;

 

   

litigation, accidents or natural disasters affecting the construction site;

 

   

national or regional economic changes;

 

   

environmental or hazardous conditions; and

 

   

undetected soil or land conditions.

The amount of capital expenditures can vary significantly from year to year. In addition, actual costs could vary materially from our estimates if the factors listed above and our assumptions about the quality of materials or workmanship required or the cost of financing such construction were to change. Construction is also subject to governmental permitting processes which, if changed, could materially affect the ultimate cost.

We are subject to extensive governmental regulation, and our failure to comply with these regulations could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our live entertainment venue operations are subject to federal, state and local laws, both domestically and internationally, governing matters such as construction, renovation and operation of our venues, as well as:

 

   

licensing and permitting;

 

   

human health, safety and sanitation requirements;

 

   

requirements with respect to the service of food and alcoholic beverages;

 

   

working conditions, labor, minimum wage and hour, citizenship and employment laws;

 

   

compliance with the ADA and the DDA;

 

   

sales and other taxes and withholding of taxes;

 

   

historic landmark rules; and

 

   

environmental protection laws.

 

34


Index to Financial Statements

We cannot predict the extent to which any future laws or regulations will impact our operations. The regulations relating to our food and support service in our venues are many and complex. Although we generally contract with a third-party vendor for these services at our operated venues, we cannot assure you that we or our third-party vendors are in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations at all times or that we or our third-party vendors will be able to comply with any future laws and regulations or that we will not be held liable for violations by third-party vendors. Furthermore, additional or amended regulations in this area may significantly increase the cost of compliance.

We also serve alcoholic beverages at many of our venues during live entertainment events and must comply with applicable licensing laws, as well as state and local service laws, commonly called dram shop statutes. Dram shop statutes generally prohibit serving alcoholic beverages to certain persons such as an individual who is intoxicated or a minor. If we violate dram shop laws, we may be liable to third parties for the acts of the patron. Although we generally hire outside vendors to provide these services at our operated venues and regularly sponsor training programs designed to minimize the likelihood of such a situation, we cannot guarantee that intoxicated or minor patrons will not be served or that liability for their acts will not be imposed on us. We cannot assure you that additional regulation in this area would not limit our activities in the future or significantly increase the cost of regulatory compliance. We must also obtain and comply with the terms of licenses in order to sell alcoholic beverages in the states in which we serve alcoholic beverages.

From time to time, state and federal governmental bodies have proposed legislation that could have an effect on our business. For example, some legislatures have proposed laws in the past that would impose potential liability on us and other promoters and producers of live entertainment events for entertainment taxes and for incidents that occur at our events, particularly relating to drugs and alcohol.

We and our venues are subject to extensive environmental laws and regulations relating to the use, storage, disposal, emission and release of hazardous and non-hazardous substances, as well as zoning and noise level restrictions which may affect, among other things, the hours of operations of our venues. Additionally, certain laws and regulations could hold us strictly, jointly and severally responsible for the remediation of hazardous substance contamination at our facilities or at third-party waste disposal sites, and could hold us responsible for any personal or property damage related to any contamination.

We face intense competition in the live entertainment industry, and we may not be able to maintain or increase our current revenue, which could adversely affect our financial performance.

Our business segments are in highly competitive industries, and we may not be able to maintain or increase our current live entertainment revenue. We compete in the live entertainment industries, and within such industries we compete with other venues to book performers, and, in the markets in which we promote music concerts, we face competition from other promoters, as well as from certain performers who promote their own concerts. Our competitors also compete with us for key employees who have relationships with popular music artists that have a history of being able to book such artists for concerts and tours. These competitors may engage in more extensive development efforts, undertake more far-reaching marketing campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies and make more attractive offers to existing and potential artists. Our competitors may develop services, advertising options or entertainment venues that are equal or superior to those we provide or that achieve greater market acceptance and brand recognition than we achieve. It is possible that new competitors may emerge and rapidly acquire significant market share. Other variables that could adversely affect our financial performance by, among other things, leading to decreases in overall revenue, the numbers of advertising customers, event attendance, ticket prices or profit margins include:

 

   

an increased level of competition for advertising dollars, which may lead to lower sponsorships as we attempt to retain advertisers or which may cause us to lose advertisers to our competitors offering better programs that we are unable or unwilling to match;

 

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Index to Financial Statements
   

unfavorable fluctuations in operating costs, including increased guarantees to performers, which we may be unwilling or unable to pass through to our customers;

 

   

our competitors may offer more favorable terms than we do in order to obtain agreements for new venues or to obtain events for the venues they operate;

 

   

technological changes and innovations that we are unable to adopt or are late in adopting that offer more attractive entertainment alternatives than we currently offer, which may lead to reduction in attendance at live events, a loss of ticket sales or to lower ticket prices;

 

   

other entertainment options available to our audiences that we do not offer;

 

   

unfavorable changes in labor conditions which may require us to spend more to retain and attract key employees; and

 

   

unfavorable shifts in population and other demographics which may cause us to lose audiences as people migrate to markets where we have a smaller presence, or which may cause sponsors to be unwilling to pay for sponsorship and advertising opportunities if the general population shifts into a less desirable age or geographical demographic from an advertising perspective.

We believe that barriers to entry into the live entertainment promotion business are low and that certain local promoters are increasingly expanding the geographic scope of their operations.

We depend upon unionized labor for the provision of some of our services and any work stoppages or labor disturbances could disrupt our business.

The stagehands at some of our venues, and the actors, musicians and others involved in some of our business operations are subject to collective bargaining agreements. Our union agreements typically have a term of three years and thus regularly expire and require negotiation in the course of our business. Upon the expiration of any of our collective bargaining agreements, however, we may be unable to negotiate new collective bargaining agreements on terms favorable to us, and our business operations may be interrupted as a result of labor disputes or difficulties and delays in the process of renegotiating our collective bargaining agreements. A work stoppage at one or more of our owned and/or operated venues or at our produced and/or presented events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. We cannot predict the effect that new collective bargaining agreements will have on our expenses.

We are dependent upon our ability to lease, acquire and develop live entertainment venues, and if we are unable to do so on acceptable terms, or at all, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

We require access to venues to generate revenue from live entertainment events. For these events, we use venues that we own, but we also operate a number of our live entertainment venues under various agreements which include leases with third parties or equity or booking agreements, which are agreements where we contract to book the events at a venue for a specific period of time. Our long-term success in the live entertainment business will depend in part on the availability of venues, our ability to lease these venues and our ability to enter into booking agreements upon their expiration. As many of these agreements are with third parties over whom we have little or no control, we may be unable to renew these agreements or enter into new agreements on acceptable terms or at all, and may be unable to obtain favorable agreements with venues. Our ability to renew these agreements or obtain new agreements on favorable terms depends on a number of other factors, many of which are also beyond our control, such as national and local business conditions and competition from other promoters. If the cost of renewing these agreements is too high or the terms of any new agreement with a new venue are unacceptable or incompatible with our existing operations, we may decide to forego these opportunities. There can be no assurance that we will be able to renew these agreements on acceptable terms or at all, or that we will be able to obtain attractive agreements with substitute venues, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

36


Index to Financial Statements

We plan to continue to expand our operations through the development of live entertainment venues and the expansion of existing live entertainment venues, which poses a number of risks, including:

 

   

construction of live entertainment venues may result in cost overruns, delays or unanticipated expenses;

 

   

desirable sites for live entertainment venues may be unavailable or costly; and

 

   

the attractiveness of our venue locations may deteriorate over time.

Additionally, the market potential of live entertainment venues sites cannot be precisely determined, and our live entertainment venues may face competition in markets from unexpected sources. Newly constructed live entertainment venues may not perform up to our expectations. We face significant competition for potential live entertainment venue locations and for opportunities to acquire existing live entertainment venues. Because of this competition, we may be unable to add to or maintain the number of our live entertainment venues on terms we consider acceptable.

Our revenues depend in part on the promotional success of our marketing campaigns, and there can be no assurance that such advertising, promotional and other marketing campaigns will be successful or will generate revenue or profits.

Similar to many companies, we spend significant amounts on advertising, promotional and other marketing campaigns for our live entertainment events and other business activities. Such marketing activities include, among others, promotion of ticket sales, premium seat sales, hospitality and other services for our events and venues and advertising associated with our distribution of related souvenir merchandise and apparel. During 2007, we spent approximately 5.8% of our revenue on marketing, including advertising, and there can be no assurance that such advertising, promotional and other marketing campaigns will be successful or will generate revenue or profits.

Poor weather adversely affects attendance at our live entertainment events, which could negatively impact our financial performance from period to period.

We promote many live entertainment events. Weather conditions surrounding these events affect sales of tickets, concessions and souvenirs, among other things. Poor weather conditions can have a material effect on our results of operations particularly because we promote a finite number of events. Due to weather conditions, we may be required to reschedule an event to the next available day or a different venue, which would increase our costs for the event and could negatively impact the attendance at the event, as well as food, beverage and merchandise sales. Poor weather can affect current periods as well as successive events in future periods. If we are unable to reschedule events due to poor weather, we are forced to refund the tickets for those events.

Increased costs associated with corporate governance compliance may significantly affect our results of operations.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, require compliance with corporate governance and securities disclosure requirements, and require an ongoing review of our internal control procedures. These requirements could make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors, or qualified executive officers. In addition, director and officer liability insurance for public companies like us has become more difficult and more expensive to obtain, and we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur higher costs to obtain coverage that is satisfactory to us and our officers or directors. We continue to evaluate and monitor regulatory developments and cannot estimate the timing or magnitude or additional costs we may incur as a result.

If in any year we are unable to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or our internal control over financial reporting is not effective, the reliability of our financial statements may be questioned and our stock price may suffer.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires any company subject to the reporting requirements of the United States securities laws to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its and its consolidated subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting. To comply with this statute, we are required to document and test our internal control procedures and our management is required to assess and issue a report concerning our internal control over financial reporting. The rules governing the standards that must be met for management to assess our internal control over financial reporting are complex and require significant documentation, testing and possible remediation to meet the detailed standards under the rules. During the course of annual testing, our management may identify material weaknesses or deficiencies which may not be remediated in time to meet the deadline imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. If our management cannot favorably assess the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting or our auditors identify material weaknesses in our internal control, investor confidence in our financial results may weaken, and our stock price may suffer. Our efforts to comply with these regulations have resulted in, and are likely to continue resulting in, increased general and administrative expenses and diversion of management time and attention from revenue generating activities to compliance activities.

We may be adversely affected by the occurrence of extraordinary events, such as terrorist attacks.

The occurrence and threat of extraordinary events, such as terrorist attacks, intentional or unintentional mass-casualty incidents, natural disasters or similar events, may substantially decrease the use of and demand for our services and the attendance at live entertainment events, which may decrease our revenue or expose us to substantial liability. The terrorism and security incidents of September 11, 2001, military actions in Iraq, and periodic elevated terrorism alerts have raised numerous challenging operating factors, including public concerns regarding air travel, military actions and additional national or local catastrophic incidents, causing a nationwide disruption of commercial and leisure activities.

Following September 11, 2001, some artists refused to travel or book tours, which adversely affected our music business, and many people did not travel to New York City, which caused us to experience lower attendance levels at our theatrical performances playing on Broadway in New York City and adversely affected our theatrical business. The occurrence of the 2005 terrorist attacks in London, England, also caused us to experience lower attendance levels at our theatrical performances playing on the West End in London. The occurrence or threat of future terrorist attacks, military actions by the United States, contagious disease outbreaks, natural disasters such as earthquakes and severe floods or similar events cannot be predicted, and their occurrence can be expected to negatively affect the economies of the United States and other foreign countries where we do business.

Risks Relating to Our Common Stock

We cannot predict the prices at which our common stock may trade.

Our stock price has fluctuated between $9.26 and $25.63 since the spin-off in December 2005. The market price of our common stock may continue to fluctuate significantly due to a number of factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including:

 

   

our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other companies in our industry;

 

   

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results due to the seasonality of our business and other factors related to our business;

 

   

our loss or inability to obtain significant popular artists or theatrical productions;

 

   

changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;

 

   

announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts or acquisitions;

 

   

the publication by securities analysts of financial estimates or reports about our business;

 

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Index to Financial Statements
   

changes by securities analysts of earnings estimates or reports, or our inability to meet those estimates or achieve any goals described in those reports;

 

   

the disclosure of facts about our business that may differ from those assumed by securities analysts in preparing their estimates or reports about our company;

 

   

the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies;

 

   

overall market fluctuations; and

 

   

general economic conditions.

In particular, the realization of any of the risks described in these Risk Factors could have a significant and adverse impact on the market price of our common stock. In addition, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. This volatility has had a significant impact on the market price of securities issued by many companies, including companies in our industry. The changes frequently appear to occur without regard to the operating performance of these companies. The price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our company, and these fluctuations could materially reduce our stock price.

The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, and investors could lose all or part of the value of their common stock.

In recent years, the stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had a significant impact on the market price of securities issued by many companies, including companies in our industry. The changes frequently appear to occur without regard to the operating performance of these companies. The price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our company, and these fluctuations could materially reduce our stock price.

In the past, some companies that have had volatile market prices for their securities have been subject to securities class action suits filed against them. If a suit were to be filed against us, regardless of the outcome, it could result in substantial legal costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our corporate governance documents, rights agreement and Delaware law may delay or prevent an acquisition of us that shareholders may consider favorable, which could decrease the value of our common stock.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and Delaware law contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us without the consent of our board of directors. These provisions include restrictions on the ability of our shareholders to remove directors and supermajority voting requirements for shareholders to amend our organizational documents, a classified board of directors and limitations on action by our shareholders by written consent. Two of our eleven directors are also directors of Clear Channel. In addition, our board of directors has the right to issue preferred stock without shareholder approval, which could be used to dilute the stock ownership of a potential hostile acquirer. Delaware law, for instance, also imposes some restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between any holder of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock and us. Although we believe these provisions protect our shareholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics and thereby provide for an opportunity to receive a higher bid by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our board of directors, these provisions apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some shareholders.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, subject to any written agreement to the contrary, which agreement does not currently exist, Clear Channel will have no duty to refrain from engaging in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us or doing business with any of our customers or

 

39


Index to Financial Statements

vendors or employing or otherwise engaging or soliciting any of our officers, directors or employees. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that if Clear Channel acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter which may be a corporate opportunity for both us and Clear Channel, we will generally renounce our interest in the corporate opportunity. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation renounces any interest or expectancy in such corporate opportunity that will belong to Clear Channel. Clear Channel will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have satisfied its fiduciary duty with respect to such a corporate opportunity and will not be liable to us or our shareholders for breach of any fiduciary duty as our shareholder by reason of the fact that it acquires or seeks the corporate opportunity for itself, directs that corporate opportunity to another person or does not present that corporate opportunity to us. These provisions could make an acquisition of us less advantageous to a third party.

Our obligation to indemnify, under certain circumstances, Clear Channel and its affiliates pursuant to the tax matters agreement against tax-related liabilities, if any, caused by the failure of the spin-off to qualify as a tax-free transaction under Section 355 of the Code (including as a result of Section 355(e) of the Code) could deter a change of control of us.

We have also adopted a shareholder rights plan intended to deter hostile or coercive attempts to acquire us. Under the plan, if any person or group acquires, or begins a tender or exchange offer that could result in such person acquiring, 15% or more of our common stock, and in the case of certain Schedule 13G filers, 20% or more of our common stock, without approval of our board of directors under specified circumstances, our other shareholders have the right to purchase shares of our common stock, or shares of the acquiring company, at a substantial discount to the public market price. Therefore, the plan makes an acquisition much more costly to a potential acquirer.

In addition, the terms of our senior secured credit facility provide that the lenders can require us to repay all outstanding indebtedness upon a change of control, and the preferred stock requires one of our subsidiaries to offer to repurchase the preferred stock at 101% of the liquidation preference upon a change of control. These provisions make an acquisition more costly to a potential acquirer. See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Redeemable Preferred Stock.

We have no plans to pay dividends on our common stock, which could affect its market price.

We currently intend to retain any future earnings to finance the growth, development and expansion of our business. Accordingly, we do not intend to declare or pay any dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. The declaration, payment and amount of future dividends, if any, will be at the sole discretion of our board of directors after taking into account various factors, including our financial condition, results of operations, cash flow from operations, current and anticipated capital requirements and expansion plans, the income tax laws then in effect and the requirements of Delaware law. In addition, our preferred stock and the agreement governing our senior secured credit facility include restrictions on our ability to pay cash dividends without meeting certain financial ratios and obtaining the consent of the lenders. Accordingly, holders of common stock will not receive cash payments on their investment and the market price may be adversely affected.

Future sales or other issuances of our common stock could adversely affect its market price.

We have a large number of shares of common stock outstanding and available for resale beginning at various points in time in the future. Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the possibility that these sales may occur, could cause the market price for our common stock to decline. As of December 31, 2007, there were 74,893,005 shares of our common stock outstanding. As of December 31, 2007, there were 62,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $11.35 per share.

 

40


Index to Financial Statements

We continually explore acquisition opportunities consistent with our strategy. These acquisitions may involve the payment of cash, the incurrence of debt or the issuance of common stock or other securities. Any such issuance could be at a valuation lower than the trading price of our common stock at the time. The price of our common stock could also be affected by possible sales of our common stock by hedging or arbitrage trading activity that may develop involving our common stock. The hedging or arbitrage could, in turn, affect the trading prices of the notes.

Conversion of the notes may dilute the ownership interest of existing stockholders and may affect our per share results and the trading price of our common stock.

The issuance of shares of our common stock upon conversion of the notes may dilute the ownership interests of existing stockholders. Issuances of stock on conversion may also affect our per share results of operations. Any sales in the public market of our common stock issuable upon such conversion could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock.

We can issue preferred stock without stockholder approval, which could materially adversely affect the rights of common stockholders.

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue “blank check” preferred stock, the designation, number, voting powers, preferences and rights of which may be fixed or altered from time to time by our board of directors. Our subsidiaries may also issue additional shares of preferred stock. Accordingly, the board of directors has the authority, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with rights that could materially adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the common stockholders or the market value of the common stock.

Risks Relating to Our Separation from Clear Channel

We have a short operating history as a separate publicly-traded company and our historical combined and consolidated financial information is not necessarily representative of the results we would have achieved as a separate publicly-traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results.

In December 2005, we were spun-off from Clear Channel, and, therefore, we have minimal operating history as a separate publicly-traded company. The historical consolidated and combined financial information included in this Form 10-K for years prior to 2006 does not necessarily reflect the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows we would have achieved as a separate publicly-traded company during the periods presented or those we will achieve in the future. This is primarily a result of the following factors:

 

   

Prior to the Separation, our working capital requirements and capital for our general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and capital expenditures, were satisfied as part of the corporate-wide cash management policies of Clear Channel. As a result of our separation, Clear Channel is no longer providing us with funds to finance our working capital or other cash requirements. Without the opportunity to obtain financing from Clear Channel, we may need to obtain additional financing from banks, or through public offerings or private placements of debt or equity securities, strategic relationships or other arrangements. We currently have a credit rating of B1 by Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. and B by Standards & Poor’s Rating Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., that is lower than Clear Channel’s credit rating and, as a result, we will incur debt on terms and at interest rates that will not be as favorable as those generally enjoyed by Clear Channel.

 

   

Significant changes may occur in our cost structure, management, financing and business operations as a result of our operating as a company separate from Clear Channel. These changes may result in increased costs associated with reduced economies of scale, stand-alone costs for services previously provided by Clear Channel, the need for additional personnel to perform services previously provided

 

41


Index to Financial Statements
 

by Clear Channel and the legal, accounting, compliance and other costs associated with being a public company with equity securities listed on a national stock exchange. During 2007, we continued to use on a temporary basis certain services of Clear Channel under the transition services agreement. We have now implemented, or are in the process of implementing these functions. As we continue to implement these functions, the costs may be higher than previous years’ allocations or current estimates and our losses may increase.

The Separation could result in significant tax liability to our initial public shareholders.

Clear Channel received a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service substantially to the effect that the distribution of our common stock to its shareholders qualifies as a tax-free distribution for United States federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. Although a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service generally is binding on the Internal Revenue Service, if the factual representations or assumptions made in the letter ruling request are untrue or incomplete in any material respect, we will not be able to rely on the ruling.

Furthermore, the Internal Revenue Service will not rule on whether a distribution satisfies certain requirements necessary to obtain tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code. Rather, the ruling is based upon representations by Clear Channel that these conditions have been satisfied, and any inaccuracy in such representations could invalidate the ruling. Therefore, in addition to obtaining the ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, Clear Channel made it a condition to the Separation that Clear Channel obtain an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP that the Distribution will qualify as a tax-free distribution for United States federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. The opinion relies on the ruling as to matters covered by the ruling. In addition, the opinion is based on, among other things, certain assumptions and representations as to factual matters made by Clear Channel and us, which if incorrect or inaccurate in any material respect would jeopardize the conclusions reached by counsel in its opinion. The opinion is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or the courts, and the Internal Revenue Service or the courts may not agree with the opinion.

Notwithstanding receipt by Clear Channel of the ruling and opinion of counsel, the Internal Revenue Service could assert that the Distribution does not qualify for tax-free treatment for United States federal income tax purposes. If the Internal Revenue Service were successful in taking this position, our initial public shareholders could be subject to significant United States federal income tax liability. In general, our initial public shareholders could be subject to tax as if they had received a taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of our common stock that was distributed to them.

The Separation could result in significant tax-related liabilities to us.

As discussed above, notwithstanding receipt by Clear Channel of the ruling and the opinion of counsel, the Internal Revenue Service could assert that the Distribution does not qualify for tax-free treatment for United States federal income tax purposes. If the Internal Revenue Service were successful in taking this position, Clear Channel could be subject to significant United States federal income tax liability. In general, Clear Channel would be subject to tax as if it had sold the common stock of our company in a taxable sale for its fair market value. In addition, even if the Distribution otherwise were to qualify under Section 355 of the Code, it may be taxable to Clear Channel as if it had sold the common stock of our company in a taxable sale for its fair market value under Section 355(e) of the Code, if the Distribution were later deemed to be part of a plan (or series of related transactions) pursuant to which one or more persons acquire directly or indirectly stock representing a 50% or greater interest in Clear Channel or us. For this purpose, any acquisitions of Clear Channel stock or of our stock within the period beginning two years before the Distribution and ending two years after the Distribution are presumed to be part of such a plan, although we or Clear Channel may be able to rebut that presumption.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Although such corporate-level taxes, if any, resulting from a taxable distribution generally would be imposed on Clear Channel, we have agreed in the tax matters agreement to indemnify Clear Channel and its affiliates against tax-related liabilities, if any, caused by the failure of the Separation to qualify as a tax-free transaction under Section 355 of the Code (including as a result of Section 355(e) of the Code) if the failure to so qualify is attributable to actions, events or transactions relating to our stock, assets or business, or a breach of the relevant representations or covenants made by us in the tax matters agreement. If the failure of the Separation to qualify under Section 355 of the Code is for any reason for which neither we nor Clear Channel is responsible, we and Clear Channel have agreed in the tax matters agreement that we will each be responsible for 50% of the tax-related liabilities arising from the failure to so qualify. Clear Channel reported a $2.4 billion capital loss as a result of the Separation. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 10 Related-Party Transactions—Relationship with Clear Channel for a more detailed discussion of the tax matters agreement between Clear Channel and us.

We could be liable for income taxes owed by Clear Channel.

Each member of the Clear Channel consolidated group, which includes Clear Channel, our company and our subsidiaries through December 21, 2005, and Clear Channel’s other subsidiaries, is jointly and severally liable for the United States federal income tax liability of each other member of the consolidated group. Consequently, we could be liable in the event any such liability is incurred, and not discharged, by any other member of the Clear Channel consolidated group. Disputes or assessments could arise during future audits by the Internal Revenue Service in amounts that we cannot quantify. In addition, Clear Channel has recognized a capital loss for United States federal income tax purposes in connection with the Separation. If Clear Channel is unable to deduct such capital loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of any action we take following the Separation or our breach of a relevant representation or covenant made by us in the tax matters agreement, we have agreed in the tax matters agreement to indemnify Clear Channel for the lost tax benefits that Clear Channel would have otherwise realized if it were able to deduct this loss. See Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 10 Related-Party Transactions—Relationship with Clear Channel.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

As of December 31, 2007, we own, operate or lease 93 entertainment venues and 66 other facilities, including office leases, throughout North America and 37 entertainment venues and 33 other facilities internationally. We believe our venues and facilities are generally well-maintained and in good operating condition and have adequate capacity to meet our current business needs. We have a five-year lease ending June 30, 2010 for our corporate headquarters in Beverly Hills, California, used primarily by our executive and domestic operations management staff. We also have a nine-year lease ending September 29, 2016, for office space in London, England, used primarily by our international operations management staff.

Our leases are for varying terms ranging from monthly to multi-year. These leases can typically be for terms of three to ten years for our office leases and 15 to 25 years for our venue leases, and many provide for renewal options. There is no significant concentration of venues under any one lease or subject to negotiation with any one landlord. We believe that an important part of our management activity is to negotiate suitable lease renewals and extensions.

 

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Index to Financial Statements
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We were a defendant in a lawsuit filed by Malinda Heerwagen on June 13, 2002, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The plaintiff, on behalf of a putative class consisting of certain concert ticket purchasers, alleged that anti-competitive practices for concert promotion services by us nationwide caused artificially high ticket prices. On August 11, 2003, the Court ruled in our favor, denying the plaintiff’s class certification motion. The plaintiff appealed this decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. On January 10, 2006, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the ruling in our favor by the District Court. On January 17, 2006, the plaintiff filed a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal of her action in the Southern District of New York.

We are a defendant in twenty-two putative class actions filed by different named plaintiffs in various U.S. District Courts throughout the country. The claims made in these actions are substantially similar to the claims made in the Heerwagen action described above, except that the geographic markets alleged are regional, statewide or more local in nature, and the members of the putative classes are limited to individuals who purchased tickets to concerts in the relevant geographic markets alleged. The plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory, punitive and treble damages, declaratory and injunctive relief and costs of suit, including attorneys’ fees. We have filed our answers in some of these actions, and we have denied liability. On December 5, 2005, we filed a motion before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to transfer these actions and any similar ones commenced in the future to a single federal district court for coordinated pre-trial proceedings. On April 17, 2006, the Panel granted our motion and ordered the consolidation and transfer of the actions to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. On June 4, 2007, the Court conducted a hearing on the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. On June 25, 2007, the Court entered an order to stay all proceedings in the case pending the Court’s ruling on the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. On October 22, 2007, the Court ruled in the plaintiffs’ favor, granting the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification and certifying a class in the Chicago, New England, New York/New Jersey, Colorado and Southern California regional markets. On November 5, 2007, we filed a Petition for Permission to Appeal from Order Granting Class Certification with the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. At a status conference conducted on November 5, 2007, the U.S. District Court extended its stay of all proceedings pending further developments in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. On February 15, 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued an order denying our Petition for Permission to Appeal. On February 20, 2008, we filed a Motion with the U.S. District Court for Reconsideration of its October 22, 2007 order granting the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. We intend to vigorously defend all claims in all of the actions.

From time to time, we are involved in other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business, including proceedings and claims based upon violations of antitrust laws and tortious interference, which could cause us to incur significant expenses. We also have been the subject of personal injury and wrongful death claims relating to accidents at our venues in connection with our operations. As required, we accrue our estimate of the probable settlement or other losses for the resolution of any outstanding claims. These estimates have been developed in consultation with counsel and are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. It is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular period could be materially affected by changes in our assumptions or the effectiveness of our strategies related to these proceedings. In addition, under our agreements with Clear Channel, we have assumed and will indemnify Clear Channel for liabilities related to our business for which they are a party in the defense.

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock was listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “LYV” on December 21, 2005. There were 3,513 shareholders of record as of February 22, 2008. This figure does not include an estimate of the indeterminate number of beneficial holders whose shares may be held of record by brokerage firms and clearing agencies. The following table presents the high and low sales prices of the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange during the calendar quarter indicated.

 

     Common Stock
Market Price
     High    Low

2006

     

First Quarter

   $ 19.99    $ 12.77

Second Quarter

   $ 24.90    $ 18.87

Third Quarter

   $ 22.66    $ 18.17

Fourth Quarter

   $ 24.66    $ 19.60

2007

     

First Quarter

   $ 25.63    $ 21.07

Second Quarter

   $ 24.09    $ 18.75

Third Quarter

   $ 23.27    $ 16.85

Fourth Quarter

   $ 24.03    $ 12.50

Dividend Policy

Since the Separation and through December 31, 2007, we have not declared or paid any dividends. We presently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the expansion of our business. Therefore, we do not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Moreover, the terms of our senior secured credit facility and the designations of our preferred stock limit the amount of funds which we will have available to declare and distribute as dividends on our common stock. Payment of future cash dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors in accordance with applicable law after taking into account various factors, including our financial condition, operating results, current and anticipated cash needs, plans for expansion and contractual restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Equity Compensation Plans

Information regarding our equity compensation plans is incorporated by reference from Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters of this annual report on Form 10-K and should be considered an integral part of this Item 5.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On December 27, 2007, in connection with our acquisition of Signatures, we issued 1,526,036 shares of our common stock with a value of $30.0 million to a trust company which was the sole stockholder of Signatures. The shares were not initially registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and were issued in reliance upon the exemptions from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D. The merger agreement contained representations from the holder of the shares to support our reasonable belief that the holder acquired the shares for its own account and not with a view to distribution, and that the holder is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D. On January 31, 2008, we registered 1,017,408 of these shares for resale under the Securities Act pursuant to a registration rights agreement.

 

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Index to Financial Statements
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

     Year Ended December 31, (1) (2)  
(in thousands, except per share data)    2003     2004     2005     2006     2007  

Results of Operations Data:

          

Revenue

   $ 2,707,902     $ 2,806,128     $ 2,936,845     $ 3,711,715     $ 4,184,981  

Operating Expenses:

          

Direct operating expenses

     2,039,499       2,185,127       2,310,925       2,997,863       3,333,572  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     467,136       460,166       518,907       530,340       653,811  

Depreciation and amortization

     63,436       64,095       64,622       128,167       120,828  

Loss (gain) on sale of operating assets

     (978 )     6,371       4,859       (11,640 )     (51,226 )

Corporate expenses

     30,820       31,386       50,715       33,863       45,854  
                                        

Operating income (loss)

     107,989       58,983       (13,183 )     33,122       82,142  

Interest expense

     2,788       3,119       6,059       37,218       61,915  

Interest expense with Clear Channel Communications

     41,415       42,355       46,437       —         —    

Interest income

     (6,870 )     (3,221 )     (2,506 )     (12,446 )     (14,479 )

Equity in losses (earnings) of nonconsolidated affiliates

     (1,357 )     (2,906 )     276       (8,407 )     (4,806 )

Minority interest expense

     3,280       3,300       5,236       12,209       7,869  

Other expense (income)—net

     366       1,611       446       (1,220 )     (13 )
                                        

Income (loss) before income taxes

     68,367       14,725       (69,131 )     5,768       31,656  

Income tax expense (benefit):

          

Current

     (68,272 )     (55,946 )     (53,025 )     26,876       35,943  

Deferred

     79,607       54,411       114,513       10,334       7,649  
                                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 57,032     $ 16,260     $ (130,619 )   $ (31,442 )   $ (11,936 )
                                        

Basic and diluted net loss per common share

       $ (1.96 )   $ (0.48 )   $ (0.17 )
                            

Cash dividends per share

       $ —       $ —       $ —    
                            

 

     As of December 31, (1) (2)
(in thousands)    2003    2004    2005    2006    2007

Balance Sheet Data:

              

Total assets

   $ 1,495,715    $ 1,478,706    $ 1,776,584    $ 2,225,002    $ 2,752,103

Long-term debt, including current maturities

   $ 617,838    $ 650,675    $ 366,841    $ 639,146    $ 822,606

Redeemable preferred stock

   $ —      $ —      $ 40,000    $ 40,000    $ 40,000

Business/Shareholders’ equity

   $ 188,283    $ 156,976    $ 636,700    $ 638,662    $ 867,066

 

(1) Acquisitions and dispositions significantly impact the comparability of the historical consolidated financial data reflected in this schedule of Selected Financial Data.
(2) Prior to the Separation, the combined financial statements include amounts that are comprised of businesses included in the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of Clear Channel, using the historical bases of assets and liabilities of the entertainment business. As a result of the Separation, we recognized the par value and additional paid-in capital in connection with the issuance of our common stock in exchange for the net assets contributed at that time.

The Selected Financial Data should be read in conjunction with Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

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Index to Financial Statements
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations together with the audited consolidated and combined financial statements and notes to the financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections about our industry, business and future financial results. Our actual results could differ materially from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed under Item 1A. Risk Factors and other sections in this Annual Report.

Executive Overview

During 2007 we continued to execute on our strategy to improve and build our core business, comprised of our North American Music, International Music, Global Artists and Global Digital segments and to divest non-core operations. The highlights for each of our segments for 2007 were:

North American Music

 

   

For the year ended December 31, 2007, our live music attendance increased by 3.3 million to 28.0 million total fans, a 13% increase over the prior year.

 

   

During 2007, our goal was to improve the operating results of our amphitheaters versus 2006, stopping the annual declines in operating income we had seen in this business in prior years. We were successful in achieving our goal this year even as the 2007 summer concert season proved to be weaker than in 2006 overall.

 

   

Of particular importance, we held 856 events in our owned and/or operated amphitheaters, a decrease of 67 events in those venues over the prior year. This decrease was intentional and was based on our focused plan to reduce the number of events that had less than 7,500 attendees at these venues as these smaller events tend to be less profitable and do not produce the best experience for the artist. Overall, our amphitheater attendance increased by 0.1 million attendees over the same period of the prior year.

 

   

We have substantially completed the integration of the 2006 acquisition of House of Blues, or HOB, and were successful in our overall cost reduction of $15.8 million of costs through the achievement of synergies between our existing business and HOB.

 

   

Our North American venue portfolio was expanded during 2007 through the addition of the Dodge Theater in January 2007, the Hollywood Palladium in April 2007 and The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater in June 2007.

 

   

We continued to focus on the process of divesting of a small number of non-core or underperforming venues in 2007 where economically feasible. We were successful in selling the Starwood Amphitheater in Nashville and also sold an office building that we owned in San Francisco.

International Music

 

   

For the year ended December 31, 2007, our number of events increased by 443 events to 2,894, an 18% increase over the prior year. In addition, our attendance increased by 0.8 million fans over the prior year. These increases were largely driven by acquisitions.

 

   

We expanded our international venue portfolio in 2007 through our two-step acquisition of a consolidating interest in AMG, which owns or operates 12 music venues in the United Kingdom. In line with its strategy to expand its venue portfolio throughout the United Kingdom, AMG opened the

 

48


Index to Financial Statements
 

Oxford Academy in September 2007 and has further venues in development for Sheffield, Leeds and Brighton, with Sheffield expected to open in April 2008.

 

   

Despite bad weather impacting much of Europe over the summer, our festivals continued to grow. Established festivals such as Reading and Leeds in the United Kingdom, Werchter in Belgium and Lowlands in Holland all experienced increases in attendance and more recently created festivals, such as Latitude in the United Kingdom, firmly established themselves on the festival calendar.

Global Artists

 

   

This segment includes the results from our global tours for artists such as The Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna and The Police. In addition, it includes our Live Nation Artists division which partners with artists to help them reach their fullest potential by managing their diverse rights in a unified manner, increasing their fan bases and providing a direct connection to fans through Live Nation’s global distribution platform and sponsorship relationships.

 

   

The Police, who reformed after 23 years, returned in 2007 resulting in the highest domestic grossing tour of the year. The tour included over 70 events across 19 countries around the world and played to largely sold out audiences.

 

   

In October 2007, we announced that we had signed Madonna to a ten-year relationship which encompasses Madonna’s future music and music-related businesses, including the exploitation of the Madonna brand, touring, merchandising, fan club/website, DVDs, music-related television and film projects, distribution of recorded music and associated sponsorship agreements. This unique new business model will address all of Madonna’s music ventures as a total business enterprise for the first time in her career.

 

   

Our acquisitions in 2007 have been built around our strategy of providing more services to the artist, and included the acquisitions of the remaining interest in Musictoday in July 2007, the remaining interest in CPI in September 2007, Anthill, a global merchandising company, in October 2007, and Signatures, the global leader in artist merchandising, in December 2007.

 

   

As expected, our global touring season was not as strong as the 2006 season solely due to the decline in the number of tours by major artists. In addition, during 2007 we made investments in building the Live Nation Artists division of this business.

Global Digital

 

   

Live Nation’s domestic website, www.livenation.com, continued to grow with over 27.7 million unique visitors during 2007. Globally, Live Nation’s websites had over 110.7 million unique visitors during 2007.

 

   

During 2007, we launched globally consistent websites in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Poland which offer fans a powerful concert search engine and special online access to tickets and merchandise. In January 2008, we launched similar websites in Norway, Finland, Denmark and Sweden. In addition, in October 2007, we announced a partnership with viagogo, Europe’s leading online secondary ticketing company, to become our official secondary ticketing partner in the Netherlands. We also launched additional functionality to our website including ticket auctions, 3D seat maps for a number of our amphitheaters and video recorded at our events.

 

   

In December 2007, we entered into a long-term agreement with CTS Eventim which will enable us to launch our own ticketing business utilizing what we believe to be one of the most technologically advanced ticketing platforms in the world. We will exclusively license the Eventim platform in North America, and Eventim will provide back-office ticketing services in the United Kingdom and ticketing services across Europe. The new agreement will allow us to begin selling tickets for 2009 events. The

 

49


Index to Financial Statements
 

new ticketing platform will also allow us to control customer data, to create enhanced ticket-based concert products and to capitalize on expanded distribution channels and sponsorship opportunities.

Global Theater

 

   

Early in 2007, we announced that we had commenced a process to divest the majority of our North American theatrical business operations. As part of this process, we sold our 50% nonconsolidated interest in Broadway in Chicago, or BIC, in December 2007.

 

   

In January 2008, we completed the sale of the majority of the remaining North American theatrical business through the sale of our Broadway Across America business, which produces and/or presents Broadway shows at primarily third-party venues in the United States and Canada, as well as our interest in three owned and five leased and/or managed theatrical venues located in Minneapolis, Boston, Baltimore and Toronto.

Other Information

 

 

 

As part of our focus on expanding our strategic marketing alliances, we announced in February 2008 that we have entered into an agreement with Citi® that leverages Live Nation’s fully integrated music platform, including concerts, online ticketing and access to Live Nation Artists, to deliver what we believe to be a uniquely comprehensive music experience to Citi® customers in the United States. Citi’s® investment will grant them “official credit card partner” status at Live Nation and will give Citi® customers potential benefits including access to presale and preferred tickets, box seats at select venues, premium seats, exclusive merchandise and a variety of unique VIP experiences.

Our Separation from Clear Channel

We were formed through acquisitions of various entertainment businesses and assets by our predecessors. On August 1, 2000, Clear Channel acquired our entertainment business. On August 2, 2005, we were incorporated in our current form as a Delaware corporation to own substantially all of the entertainment business of Clear Channel. On December 21, 2005, the separation of the business previously conducted by Clear Channel’s live entertainment segment and sports representation business, now comprising our business, and the distribution by Clear Channel of all of our common stock to its shareholders, was completed in a tax free spin-off. Following our separation from Clear Channel, we became a separate publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange trading under the symbol “LYV”.

Basis of Presentation

Prior to the Separation, our combined financial statements include amounts that are comprised of businesses included in the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of Clear Channel, using the historical bases of assets and liabilities of the entertainment business. Management believes the assumptions underlying the combined financial statements are reasonable. However, the combined financial statements included herein may not reflect what our results of operations, financial position and cash flows would have been had we operated as a separate, stand-alone entity during the periods presented. As a result of the Separation, we recognized the par value and additional paid-in capital in connection with the issuance of our common stock in exchange for the net assets of Clear Channel’s entertainment business contributed at that time, and we began accumulating retained earnings and currency translation adjustments upon completion of the Separation. Beginning on December 21, 2005, our consolidated financial statements include all accounts of Live Nation and our majority owned subsidiaries and also variable interest entities for which we are the primary beneficiary.

 

50


Index to Financial Statements

Segment Overview

Our reportable segments are North American Music, International Music, Global Artists, Global Digital and Global Theater. In addition, we have operations in the specialized motor sports, sports representation and other businesses which are included under “other”.

North American Music

Our North American Music segment principally involves the promotion of live music events in our owned and/or operated venues and in rented third-party venues. While our North American Music segment operates year-round, we experience higher revenue during the second and third quarters due to the seasonal nature of shows at our outdoor amphitheaters, which primarily occur May through September.

To judge the health of our North American Music segment, we primarily monitor the number of confirmed events in our network of owned and/or operated and third-party venues, talent fees, average paid attendance and advance ticket sales. In addition, at our owned and/or operated venues, we monitor attendance, food and beverage sales per attendee, premium seat sales and corporate sponsorship sales.

See further discussion of our North American Music segment in Item 1. Business—Operating Segments.

International Music

Our International Music segment principally involves the promotion of live music events in our owned and/or operated venues and in rented third-party venues and the production of music festivals. While our International Music segment operates year-round, we experience higher revenue during the second and third quarters due to the seasonal nature of our international festivals, which primarily occur June through August.

To judge the health of our International Music segment, we primarily monitor the number of confirmed events in our network of owned and/or operated and third-party venues, talent fees, average paid attendance and advance ticket sales. In addition, at our owned and/or operated venues, we monitor attendance and food and beverage sales per attendee. Because this business is conducted in foreign markets, we look at the operating results from our foreign operations on a constant dollar basis.

See further discussion of our International Music segment in Item 1. Business—Operating Segments.

Global Artists

Our Global Artists segment principally involves the production and/or promotion of global music tours as well as providing various services to artists. While our Global Artists segment operates year-round, the timing of tours of top-grossing acts can impact comparability of quarterly results year over year, although annual results may or may not be impacted.

To judge the health of our Global Artists segment, we primarily monitor the number of confirmed events, paid attendance and tour contribution margin. In addition, for our Live Nation Artists services, we monitor the number of artist clients, services provided per artist client and revenue per artist client.

See further discussion of our Global Artists segment in Item 1. Business—Operating Segments.

Global Digital

Our Global Digital segment is creating the new internet and digital platform for Live Nation. This segment is involved in managing our in-house ticketing operations and online and wireless distribution activities, including the development of our website.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

To judge the health of our Global Digital segment, we primarily review the number of tickets sold through our in-house centralized ticketing operations, the number of unique visitors to our websites and the overall number of customers in our database.

See further discussion of our Global Digital segment in Item 1. Business—Operating Segments.

Global Theater

Our Global Theater segment principally involves the presentation and production of touring and other theatrical performances, owning and/or operating theatrical venues and selling sponsorships and advertising. While our Global Theater segment operates year-round, we experience higher revenue during the first, second and fourth quarters as the theatrical touring season typically runs from September to April.

To judge the health of our Global Theater segment, we primarily monitor the number of confirmed events, average show profit, paid attendance and advance ticket sales. In addition, at our owned and/or operated theater venues, we monitor attendance, food and beverage sales per attendee and corporate sponsorship sales. Because a portion of our global theater business is conducted in foreign markets, we look at the operating results from our foreign operations on a constant dollar basis.

See further discussion of our Global Theater segment in Item 1. Business—Operating Segments.

Consolidated and Combined Results of Operations

 

     Year Ended December 31,     % Change
2007 vs. 2006
    % Change
2006 vs. 2005
 
(in thousands)    2007     2006     2005      

Revenue

   $ 4,184,981     $ 3,711,715     $ 2,936,845     13 %   26 %

Operating expenses:

Direct operating expenses

     3,333,572       2,997,863       2,310,925     11 %   30 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     653,811       530,340       518,907     23 %   2 %

Depreciation and amortization

     120,828       128,167       64,622     (6 )%   98 %

Loss (gain) on sale of operating assets

     (51,226 )     (11,640 )     4,859     340 %   * *

Corporate expenses

     45,854       33,863       50,715     35 %   (33 )%
                            

Operating income (loss)

     82,142       33,122       (13,183 )   148 %   * *

Operating margin

     2.0 %     0.9 %     (0.5 )%    

Interest expense

     61,915       37,218       6,059      

Interest expense with Clear Channel Communications

     —         —         46,437      

Interest income

     (14,479 )     (12,446 )     (2,506 )    

Equity in losses (earnings) of nonconsolidated affiliates

     (4,806 )     (8,407 )     276      

Minority interest expense

     7,869       12,209       5,236      

Other expense (income)—net

     (13 )     (1,220 )     446      
                            

Income (loss) before income taxes

     31,656       5,768       (69,131 )    

Income tax expense (benefit): Current

     35,943       26,876       (53,025 )    

Deferred

     7,649       10,334       114,513      
                            

Net loss

   $ (11,936 )   $ (31,442 )   $ (130,619 )    
                            

 

Note:

Non-cash compensation expense of $10.8 million and $1.6 million is included in corporate expenses and $18.4 million and $1.7 million is included in selling, general and administrative expenses for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2005, non-cash

 

52


Index to Financial Statements
 

compensation expense of $1.3 million was included in corporate expenses and was based on an allocation from Clear Channel related to issuance of Clear Channel stock awards above fair value. The non-cash compensation expense for 2007 includes expenses related to stock option and restricted stock grants as well as incentive bonuses being paid in stock in lieu of cash.

** Percentages are not meaningful.

Key Operating Metrics

 

    Year Ended December 31,
    2007   2006   2005

Events

     

North American Music promotions

  10,251   7,857   6,850

North American Music third-party rentals at our owned and/or operated venues

  860   893   698

International Music promotions

  2,894   2,451   1,458

International Music third-party rentals at our owned and/or operated venues

  2,022   1,439   777

Global Artists promotions

  161   167   111

Global Theater promotions

  5,015   5,264   5,478

Global Theater third-party rentals at our owned and/or operated venues

  6,621   6,931   7,283

Motor sports promotions

  560   560   551

Motor sports third-party rentals at our owned and/or operated venues

  —     23   25
           

Total events

  28,384   25,585   23,231
           

Further detail of North American Music promotions:

Owned and/or operated amphitheaters

  856   923   768

All other

  9,395   6,934   6,082
           

Total North American Music promotion events

  10,251   7,857   6,850
           

Attendance (rounded)

     

North American Music promotions

  28,004,000   24,730,000   22,405,000

North American Music third-party rentals at our owned and/or operated venues

  1,523,000   989,000   664,000

International Music promotions

  9,398,000   8,581,000   6,790,000

International Music third-party rentals at our owned and/or operated venues

  3,703,000   3,244,000   2,110,000

Global Artists promotions

  2,928,000   3,254,000   3,395,000

Global Theater promotions

  7,383,000   7,747,000   9,074,000

Global Theater third-party rentals at our owned and/or operated venues

  6,498,000   6,479,000   6,621,000

Motor sports promotions

  4,837,000   4,641,000   4,643,000

Motor sports third-party rentals at our owned and/or operated venues

  —     79,000   89,000
           

Total attendance

  64,274,000   59,744,000   55,791,000
           

Further detail of North American Music promotions:

Owned and/or operated amphitheaters

  8,421,000   8,329,000   7,124,000

All other

  19,583,000   16,401,000   15,281,000
           

Total North American Music promotion attendance

  28,004,000   24,730,000   22,405,000
           

 

Note: Promotions listed above include events in our owned and/or operated venues as well as events we promote in third-party venues. Events and attendance information for our exhibition and sports representation businesses have been excluded as the majority of these businesses were either sold or shut down during 2006. The 2007 Global Artists data excludes 88 events and 31,000 attendees for a theatrical production. The 2006 International Music data is not comparable to 2005 because the 2006 promotion data includes 710 events and 221,000 attendees for 2006 for Mean Fiddler Music Group, Plc, or Mean Fiddler, venues in the United Kingdom and the 2006 third-party rental data includes 526 events and 349,000 attendees for 2006 for Mean Fiddler venues. The data for Mean Fiddler for 2005 is not available.

 

53


Index to Financial Statements

Revenue

Our revenue increased $473.3 million, or 13%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increases in revenue from our North American Music, International Music and Global Artists segments of $325.8 million, $211.3 million and $17.5 million, respectively, partially offset by decreases in revenue in our Global Theater and other operations of $26.0 million and $41.7 million, respectively. The total increase in revenue includes the impact of our acquisitions during the year. Included in the increase in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007 is approximately $116.7 million from increases in foreign exchange rates as compared to the same period of 2006.

Our revenue increased $774.9 million, or 26%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increases in revenue from our North American Music, International Music, Global Artists and Global Theater segments of $277.3 million, $164.4 million, $324.5 million and $49.0 million, respectively, partially offset by a decrease in revenue in our other operations of $41.1 million. The total increase in revenue includes the impact of our acquisitions during the year. Included in the increase in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2006 is approximately $39.6 million from increases in foreign exchange rates as compared to the same period of 2005.

More detailed explanations of the years ended 2007 and 2006 changes are included in the applicable segment discussions contained herein.

Direct operating expenses

Our direct operating expenses increased $335.7 million, or 11%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increases in direct operating expenses in our North American Music, International Music and Global Artists segments of $208.7 million, $178.1 million and $20.5 million, respectively, partially offset by a decrease in our Global Theater and other operations of $34.5 million and $21.5 million, respectively. Included in the increase in direct operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2007 is approximately $93.5 million from increases in foreign exchange rates as compared to the same period of 2006.

Our direct operating expenses increased $686.9 million, or 30%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increases in direct operating expenses in our North American Music, International Music, Global Artists and Global Theater segments of $240.9 million, $137.0 million, $280.1 million and $44.5 million, respectively, partially offset by a decrease in our other operations of $14.6 million. We recorded write-downs on certain prepaid production costs related to DVDs and a theatrical production of $4.8 million during 2006 in our Global Theater segment and other operations. Direct operating expenses in 2005 included $13.4 million of write-offs of advances on certain music and theater projects and other reorganization costs. Included in the increase in direct operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2006 is approximately $32.2 million from increases in foreign exchange rates as compared to the same period of 2005.

Direct operating expenses include artist fees, show related marketing and advertising expenses along with other costs.

More detailed explanations of the years ended 2007 and 2006 changes are included in the applicable segment discussions contained herein.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased $123.5 million, or 23%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increases in selling, general

 

54


Index to Financial Statements

and administrative expenses of our North American Music, International Music and Global Artists segments of $84.6 million, $27.3 million and $25.7 million, respectively, partially offset by a decrease in our other operations of $14.9 million. Included in the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2007 is approximately $16.0 million from increases in foreign exchange rates as compared to the same period of 2006.

Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased $11.4 million, or 2%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increases in selling, general and administrative expenses of our North American Music, International Music and Global Artists segments of $20.9 million, $20.6 million and $18.4 million, respectively, partially offset by decreases in our Global Theater segment and other operations of $10.8 million and $46.4 million, respectively. Partially offsetting the overall increase was a reduction of $7.0 million related to certain pre-acquisition contingencies for legal matters which were resolved during the year. In addition there were reductions due to expenses of approximately $45.0 million related to severance costs and litigation contingencies and expenses that were recorded during the year ended December 31, 2005. Included in the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2006 is approximately $2.6 million from increases in foreign exchange rates as compared to the same period of 2005.

More detailed explanations of the years ended 2007 and 2006 changes are included in the applicable segment discussions contained herein.

Depreciation and amortization

Our depreciation and amortization decreased $7.3 million, or 6%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to decreases in depreciation and amortization of our North American Music and Global Theater segments of $17.5 million and $7.2 million, respectively, partially offset by an increase in our Global Artists segment of $13.7 million.

Our depreciation and amortization increased $63.5 million, or 98%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increases in depreciation and amortization of our North American Music, International Music, Global Artists and Global Theater segments of $43.8 million, $9.2 million, $5.8 million and $6.6 million, respectively. Driving this increase was an impairment charge of $51.6 million primarily related to several amphitheaters and one theater development project that is no longer being pursued.

More detailed explanations of the years ended 2007 and 2006 changes are included in the applicable segment discussions contained herein.

Loss (gain) on sale of operating assets

Our gain on sale of operating assets increased $39.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to gains recorded in 2007 on the sale of an arena/race track in Leicestershire, England, an amphitheater in Nashville, an office building in San Francisco, two mid-sized music venues in London, seven small-sized music venues in London, a theatrical theater in Chicago and our 50% interest in Broadway in Chicago. These gains were partially offset by an $8.1 million loss recorded in 2007 on the sale of our ownership interest in the production of Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular. These increases were further offset by gains recorded in 2006 on the sale of a portion of our sports representation business assets and the sale of certain show-related prepaid production assets, theatrical productions and investments in nonconsolidated affiliates.

Our gain on sale of operating assets increased $16.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to gains recorded in 2006 on the sale of portions of

 

55


Index to Financial Statements

our sports representation business assets related to basketball, golf, football, tennis, media, baseball, soccer and rugby. These gains were partially offset by a loss recorded in 2006 on the disposal of certain theatrical venue interests in Spain and further increased by a loss recorded in 2005 on the sale of certain exhibition assets.

Corporate expenses

Corporate expenses increased $12.0 million, or 35%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to $9.2 million of higher non-cash compensation expense for additional stock-based awards and increased headcount related to the building of corporate functions previously provided by Clear Channel, partially offset by a reduction in rent expense in our New York office due to subleasing of available space.

Corporate expenses decreased $16.9 million, or 33%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to $17.0 million of litigation contingencies and expenses related to a case recorded and settled in 2005 and $4.7 million of severance expense recorded in 2005. Partially offsetting these decreases were increases in consultant expense primarily related to corporate functions that were provided by Clear Channel in 2005 and insurance expense primarily due to increased rates in 2006.

Interest expense

Interest expense increased $24.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to interest expense related to our additional term loan which we obtained in the fourth quarter of 2006, our convertible notes which were issued in the third quarter of 2007, borrowings under the revolving credit facility during the period and amortization of additional debt issuance costs.

Interest expense increased $31.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to interest expense related to our term loans, revolving credit facility and redeemable preferred stock, which did not exist until late December 2005, and a loan from a minority interest holder, which occurred in the third quarter of 2005. Partially offsetting the increase was interest expense recorded in 2005 related to a contingent purchase price payment for a prior acquisition.

Our debt balances, including redeemable preferred stock, and weighted average cost of debt were $862.6 million and 6.77%, respectively, at December 31, 2007, and $679.1 million and 8.18%, respectively, at December 31, 2006.

Interest expense with Clear Channel Communications

The increases and decreases in interest expense with Clear Channel Communications are directly related to the respective increase or decrease in average debt outstanding as the rate charged remained relatively consistent throughout the periods. As of December 21, 2005, this debt was repaid to or contributed to our capital by Clear Channel.

Our weighted average cost of this debt during 2005 was 7.0%.

Interest income

Interest income increased $2.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to interest income earned on excess cash invested in money market funds and other short-term investments and interest income earned on HOB purchase price held in escrow.

Interest income increased $9.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to interest income earned on excess cash invested in money market funds

 

56


Index to Financial Statements

and other short-term investments. Excess cash balances in 2005 were used to pay down intercompany debt with Clear Channel and therefore did not generate interest income.

Equity in losses (earnings) of nonconsolidated affiliates

Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates decreased $3.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to a write-down of $2.2 million on an investment in 2007 with no similar significant write-down in 2006 and losses recorded for our investment in Rock in Rio Madrid S.A. primarily related to advertising expenses incurred in advance of the festival.

Equity in losses (earnings) of nonconsolidated affiliates increased $8.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to an increase in earnings from our investments in NBC-Live Nation Ventures, LLC, Dominion Theatre and Marek Lieberberg Konzertagentur, partially offset by losses on other investments. This is further increased by a write-down recorded in 2005 of $4.9 million on an investment with no similar significant write-down in 2006.

Minority interest expense

Minority interest expense decreased $4.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to our acquisition of the remaining interests in the CPI entities during the third quarter of 2007, partially offset by our acquisition of a controlling interest in AMG during the third quarter of 2007.

Minority interest expense increased $7.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to our acquisition of controlling interests in the CPI entities during the second quarter of 2006.

Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate was 138% for 2007 compared to an effective tax rate of 645% in 2006. This effective tax rate represents net tax expense of $43.6 million and $37.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Of the $43.6 million of 2007 tax expense, $2.7 million relates to state and local taxes, $0.8 million relates to reserves for uncertain tax positions, $11.8 million relates to adjustments for significant, unusual and extraordinary items and $1.2 million relates to U.S. tax on nonconsolidated entities. The remainder of $27.1 million relates to statutory tax on profitable operations which are principally operations outside of the United States and reflect effective tax rates in those jurisdictions. The net increase in 2007 tax expense as compared to 2006 tax expense is primarily attributable to an increase in taxable gains in the United Kingdom and an increase in other European earnings.

Our effective tax rate is 645% for 2006 compared to an effective tax rate of (89)% in 2005. Our effective tax rate for 2006 was impacted by valuation allowances recorded against increases in deferred tax assets related to impairments recorded during the year effects of tax reserves.

The negative effective tax rate in 2005 was due primarily to a valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets during the fourth quarter of 2005 and other nondeductible expenses incurred. This effective tax rate represents net tax expense of $37.2 million and $61.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The net decrease in tax expense is primarily attributable to increases in taxable income and a reduction in deferred tax expense due to a smaller valuation allowance adjustment in 2006. Our effective tax rate is higher than the U.S. statutory rate of 35% due primarily to nondeductible expenses, state income taxes, tax reserves and tax rate differences since a significant portion of our full year earnings are subject to tax in countries other than the United States.

 

57


Index to Financial Statements

North American Music Results of Operations

Our North American Music segment operating results were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,     % Change
2007 vs. 2006
    % Change
2006 vs 2005
 
(in thousands)    2007     2006     2005      

Revenue

   $ 1,955,059     $ 1,629,247     $ 1,351,942     20 %   21 %

Operating expenses:

          

Direct operating expenses

     1,566,144       1,357,414       1,116,467     15 %   22 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     323,528       238,940       218,029     35 %   10 %

Depreciation and amortization

     60,286       77,775       33,973     (22 )%   129 %

Loss (gain) on sale of operating

assets

     (6,725 )     (63 )     109     * *   * *
                            

Operating income (loss)

     11,826       (44,819 )     (16,636 )   * *   (169 )%

Operating margin

     0.6 %     (2.8 )%     (1.2 )%    

 

** Percentages are not meaningful.

Year Ended 2007 Compared to Year Ended 2006

North American Music revenue increased $325.8 million, or 20%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to $319.5 million of revenue related to our acquisitions of HOB during the fourth quarter of 2006 and HOB Canada during the second quarter of 2007.

North American Music direct operating expenses increased $208.7 million, or 15%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to $230.8 million of direct operating expenses related to our acquisitions of HOB and HOB Canada. This increase was partially offset by a reduction in direct operating expenses for our owned and/or operated amphitheaters due to a decline in the number of events and reduced show costs. The net increase in direct operating expenses was less than the increase in revenue primarily due to more strategic talent buying and reduced show costs at our amphitheaters and due to HOB clubs, acquired in 2006, having lower direct operating expenses as a percentage of revenue as compared to our other promotion and venue operation businesses.

North American Music selling, general and administrative expenses increased $84.6 million, or 35%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to $64.4 million of selling, general and administrative expenses related to our acquisitions of HOB and HOB Canada. In addition, we experienced an increase in legal expenses of $4.8 million related to ongoing cases, increased salary expense for promoters and additional staff at venues and other incremental expenses related to the commencement of the Dodge Theater operating agreement in January 2007, the Hollywood Palladium operating agreement in April 2007 and The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater operating agreement in June 2007.

North American Music depreciation and amortization expense decreased $17.5 million, or 22%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year due to an impairment of $42.5 million recorded during 2006 related to several amphitheaters. This decrease was partially offset by an additional $17.3 million primarily for the amortization of the intangible assets resulting from our acquisition of HOB during 2006, which were recorded as part of the purchase price allocations, and an impairment of $3.8 million recorded during the fourth quarter of 2007 related to two amphitheaters.

North American Music gain on sale of operating assets increased $6.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to the sales of an office building in San Francisco and the Starwood Amphitheater in Nashville.

 

58


Index to Financial Statements

The increase in operating income for North American Music was primarily a result of operating income from our HOB and HOB Canada acquisitions, improved results at our owned and/or operated amphitheaters, decreased depreciation expense due to the amphitheater impairments recorded in 2006, and the gains recorded in 2007 on the asset sales.

Year Ended 2006 Compared to Year Ended 2005

North American Music revenue increased $277.3 million, or 21%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increases in the number of events and related attendance at our owned and/or operated amphitheaters of 155 and 1.2 million, respectively, as we focused on increasing the bookings for these venues. This increase was partially achieved through successful packaging of artists such as Def Leppard and Journey. In addition, the increased attendance at our owned and/or operated amphitheaters and increased attendance from third-party rentals increased service charge rebates, food and beverage and merchandise revenue. Finally, the number of events at our owned and/or operated mid-sized music venues and related attendance increased by 161 and 0.5 million, respectively. Included in the increase was $59.9 million of revenue related to our acquisition of HOB during the fourth quarter of 2006.

North American Music direct operating expenses increased $240.9 million, or 22%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increases in the number of events in our owned and/or operated amphitheaters and mid-sized music venues, all of which resulted in higher talent fees, other event related costs and merchandise direct operating expenses. However, these increases were partially offset by a decline in sponsorship direct operating expenses primarily due to a one-time sponsorship event held in 2005. Also offsetting these increases, was the elimination in 2006 of $5.6 million of write-offs of advances on certain domestic music projects during the fourth quarter of 2005. Included in the increase was $40.7 million of direct operating expenses related to our acquisition during of HOB.

North American Music selling, general and administrative expenses increased $20.9 million, or 10%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increased compensation related expense due to building the venue management team and incentive plans based on driving increased food and beverage sales at our owned and/or operated venues, increased property insurance expense and increased utility expenses. Partially offsetting these increases was the elimination in 2006 of $11.2 million of severance and other reorganization costs and $6.7 million of litigation contingencies and expenses recorded during 2005. Included in the increase was $17.4 million of selling, general and administrative expenses related to our acquisition of HOB.

North American Music depreciation and amortization expense increased $43.8 million, or 129%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to an impairment of $42.5 million recorded during the third and fourth quarters of 2006 related primarily to several amphitheaters. In addition, we incurred increased depreciation expense related to capital expenditures to improve the audience experience at our amphitheaters.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

International Music Results of Operations

Our International Music segment operating results were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,     % Change
2007 vs. 2006
    % Change
2006 vs. 2005
 
(in thousands)    2007     2006     2005      

Revenue

   $ 1,078,696     $ 867,423     $ 703,060     24 %   23 %

Operating expenses:

          

Direct operating expenses

     857,867       679,732       542,753     26 %   25 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     146,526       119,276       98,714     23 %   21 %

Depreciation and amortization

     14,928       15,006       5,815     (1 )%   158 %

Loss (gain) on sale of operating assets

     (18,807 )     1,041       (914 )   * *   * *
                            

Operating income

     78,182       52,368       56,692     50 %   (8 )%

Operating margin

     7.3 %     6.0 %     8.1 %    

 

** Percentages are not meaningful.

Year Ended 2007 Compared to Year Ended 2006

International Music revenue increased $211.3 million, or 24%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year. Excluding the increase related to the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates of $93.1 million, the increase in revenue was $118.2 million, or 14%, primarily due to incremental revenue of $107.8 million, prior to intersegment eliminations, related to the effect of acquisitions in France and Spain since the same period in the prior year, our acquisition of AMG in July 2007 and the addition of the Wembley Arena operating agreement in the United Kingdom in April 2006. We also experienced an increase in revenue from our other European operations driven by increased promotion activity in Italy, Finland, Norway and Holland and stronger results for several festivals in the United Kingdom. Partially offsetting these increases, was a decline in revenue from The Point, an arena in Ireland, due to the venue being closed for renovations in August 2007.

International Music direct operating expenses increased $178.1 million, or 26%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year. Excluding the increase related to the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates of $76.1 million, the increase in direct operating expenses was $102.0 million, or 15%, primarily due to incremental direct operating expenses of $80.3 million, prior to intersegment eliminations, related to the acquisitions since the same period in the prior year and the addition of the Wembley Arena operating agreement. Our direct operating expenses also increased due to the improved results for our other European operations noted above and increased direct operating expenses for several festivals in the United Kingdom.

International Music selling, general and administrative expenses increased $27.3 million, or 23%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year. Excluding the increase related to the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates of $11.7 million, the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was $15.6 million, or 13%, primarily due to $15.7 million of selling, general and administrative expenses related to the acquisitions made since the same period in the prior year and the addition of the Wembley Arena operations.

International Music gain on sale of operating assets increased $19.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to the sale of the Hammersmith Apollo and Forum mid-sized music venues and seven small-sized music venues in London.

Overall, the increase in operating income for International Music during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year was primarily due to gains recorded on the sale of the two

 

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Index to Financial Statements

mid-sized and seven small-sized music venues noted above. In addition, our recent acquisitions in Spain and France and our acquisition of AMG improved overall operating income during 2007. Finally, we experienced stronger results at several of our festivals in the United Kingdom.

Year Ended 2006 Compared to Year Ended 2005

International Music revenue increased $164.4 million, or 23%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to improved attendance at several music festivals in the United Kingdom such as Download and the newly created Hyde Park Calling, as well as stronger promotion activity for international tours by artists such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Partially offsetting these increases was a decline in revenue resulting from our divestiture of an artist agency business in the United Kingdom during the fourth quarter of 2005 and reduced revenue from an arena due to weaker content in 2006. Included in the increase was $36.4 million of revenue related to our acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2006 and full year revenue of our acquisitions during 2005.

International Music direct operating expenses increased $137.0 million, or 25%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to improved attendance at several international music festivals and other events, all of which resulted in higher talent fees and other event related costs. Partially offsetting these increases was a decline in direct operating expenses resulting from our divestiture of an artist agency business in the United Kingdom during 2005. Included in the increase was $17.9 million of direct operating expenses related to our acquisitions during 2006 and a full year of direct operating expenses for our acquisitions completed during 2005.

International Music selling, general and administrative expenses increased $20.6 million, or 21%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to $15.3 million of selling, general and administrative expenses related to our acquisitions during 2006 and a full year of selling, general and administrative expenses for our acquisitions completed during 2005, offset by the elimination in 2006 of $1.6 million of costs related to severance and reorganization of the business incurred during 2005.

International Music depreciation and amortization expense increased $9.2 million, or 158%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to asset retirement obligations and intangible assets resulting from our acquisition of Mean Fiddler in the third quarter of 2005 due to the finalization of the purchase price allocations between goodwill and intangibles.

International Music loss on sale of operating assets increased $2.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to a loss recorded on the disposal of our interest in two venues in Spain.

Global Artists Results of Operations

Our Global Artists segment operating results were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,     % Change
2007 vs. 2006
    % Change
2006 vs. 2005
 
(in thousands)    2007     2006     2005      

Revenue

   $ 640,620     $ 623,147     $ 298,622     3 %   109 %

Operating expenses:

          

Direct operating expenses

     581,526       561,046       280,984     4 %   100 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     52,381       26,704       8,262     96 %   223 %

Depreciation and amortization

     19,849       6,121       336     224 %   * *

Gain on sale of operating

assets

     —         —         (1 )   * *   * *
                            

Operating income (loss)

     (13,136 )     29,276       9,041     * *   224 %

Operating margin

     (2.1 )%     4.7 %     3.0 %    

 

** Percentages are not meaningful.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Year Ended 2007 Compared to Year Ended 2006

Global Artists revenue increased $17.5 million, or 3%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to incremental revenue of $107.5 million related to our acquisitions of CPI, Trunk and Musictoday during the second and third quarters of 2006 and Anthill during the fourth quarter of 2007. This increase was partially offset by a decline in global touring revenue due to a decline in the average ticket price. Tours during 2007 included The Rolling Stones, The Who, Barbra Streisand, The Police, Genesis and a non-music touring production.

Global Artists direct operating expenses increased $20.5 million, or 4%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to incremental direct operating expenses of $87.6 million related to our acquisitions of CPI, Trunk and Musictoday during 2006 and Anthill during 2007. This increase was partially offset by a decline in direct operation expenses for global tours due to the timing and mix of tours in 2007 as compared to 2006.

Global Artists selling, general and administrative expenses increased $25.7 million, or 96%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to incremental expenses of $19.9 million related to our 2006 acquisitions of CPI, Trunk and Musictoday and our 2007 acquisition of Anthill. In addition, we experienced an increase in selling general and administrative expenses due to increased salary and consultant expense related to increased headcount and activity for Live Nation Artists as we invest in the infrastructure of this division.

Global Artists depreciation and amortization expense increased $13.7 million, or 224%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to amortization of the intangible assets resulting from our 2006 and 2007 acquisitions of CPI and intangible assets associated with certain artist rights agreements.

The increased operating loss for Global Artists is primarily a result of a decline in the average ticket price for global tours, the timing and mix of global tours year over year and the amortization of intangible assets related to our acquisition of CPI and artist rights agreements.

Year Ended 2006 Compared to Year Ended 2005

Global Artists revenue increased $324.5 million, or 109%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to $212.7 million of revenue related to our acquisitions during 2006. In addition, we experienced an increase of events primarily due to the number of artists on tour during the respective years. We had an extraordinary year in 2006 with the Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna, Barbra Streisand and The Who all touring. In 2005, U2 and Sting were the only significant tours.

Global Artists direct operating expenses increased $280.1 million, or 100%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to $180.9 million of direct operating expenses related to our acquisitions during 2006. In addition, direct operating expenses increased due to the increase in the number of events and the number of artists on tour during the year which resulted in higher talent fees and other event-related costs.

Global Artists selling, general and administrative expenses increased $18.4 million, or 223%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to $14.2 million of selling, general and administrative expenses related to our acquisitions during 2006.

Global Artists depreciation and amortization expense increased $5.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to amortization of the intangible assets resulting from our acquisition of CPI during the second quarter of 2006.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Global Digital Results of Operations

Our Global Digital segment operating results were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,     % Change
2007 vs. 2006
    % Change
2006 vs. 2005
 
(in thousands)    2007     2006     2005      

Revenue

   $ 11,358     $ 8,893     $ 7,654     28 %   16 %

Operating expenses:

          

Direct operating expenses

     3,128       2,665       3,058     17 %   (13 )%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     15,379       11,829       3,153     30 %   275 %

Depreciation and amortization

     3,311       501       278     * *   80 %
                            

Operating income (loss)

     (10,460 )     (6,102 )     1,165     71 %   * *

Operating margin

     (92.1 )%     (68.6 )%     15.2 %    

 

** Percentages are not meaningful.

Year Ended 2007 Compared to Year Ended 2006

Global Digital revenue increased $2.5 million, or 28%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increased sponsorship revenue and ticket service charge rebates associated with our in-house ticketing operations.

Global Digital direct operating expenses remained relatively flat during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year due to the minimal amount of direct operating expenses that are required for our internal ticketing operations.

Global Digital selling, general and administrative expenses increased $3.6 million, or 30%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increased salary related to new staff, increased maintenance and consultant expenses related to our internal information technology and our website management.

Global Digital depreciation and amortization expense increased $2.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to depreciation expense related to our website development.

Year Ended 2006 Compared to Year Ended 2005

Global Digital revenue increased $1.2 million, or 16%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to an increase in ticket service charge rebates from our in-house ticketing operations resulting from the increase in the number of events and attendance in our North American Music segment.

Global Digital direct operating expenses remained relatively flat during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year due to the minimal amount of direct operating expenses that are required for our internal ticketing operations.

Global Digital selling, general and administrative expenses increased $8.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increases in salary for new staff and consultant expenses related to our website and internet management primarily due to the launch of our consolidated website www.livenation.com.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Global Theater Results of Operations

Our Global Theater segment operating results were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,     % Change
2007 vs. 2006
    % Change
2006 vs. 2005
 
(in thousands)    2007     2006     2005      

Revenue

   $ 362,378     $ 388,391     $ 339,441     (7 )%   14 %

Operating expenses:

          

Direct operating expenses

     244,808       279,260       234,768     (12 )%   19 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     83,314       86,071       96,825     (3 )%   (11 )%

Depreciation and amortization

     15,587       22,784       16,139     (32 )%   41 %

Loss (gain) on sale of operating assets

     (22,294 )     (2,052 )     2,996     * *   * *
                            

Operating income (loss)

     40,963       2,328       (11,287 )   * *   * *

Operating margin

     11.3 %     0.6 %     (3.3 )%    

 

** Percentages are not meaningful.

Year Ended 2007 Compared to Year Ended 2006

Global Theater revenue decreased $26.0 million, or 7%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to an increase in the number of fixed fee events for our North American presenting markets, as opposed to events where we recognize all the revenue and direct operating expense. In addition, we sold our interest in the production of Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular which opened during the third quarter of 2006. Our interest in this production was sold effective March 2007. These decreases were partially offset by increases in our United Kingdom operations driven by strong results from our production of Chicago and increased rental, merchandise and concession revenue for our United Kingdom theatrical theaters due to an increase in the number of events and related attendance driven by shows such as Wicked, The Producers and Mamma Mia!.

Global Theater direct operating expenses decreased $34.5 million, or 12%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to an increase in the number of fixed fee events for our North American presenting markets and the sale of our interest in the production of Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular noted above. The decrease is also impacted by the elimination of $1.8 million in expenses in 2006 related to a write-down of certain theatrical prepaid production assets. These decreases were partially offset by the strong results from our United Kingdom theatrical productions and theaters noted above.

Global Theater selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $2.8 million, or 3%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to reduced salary and rent expense during 2007 as a result of headcount reductions.

Global Theater depreciation and amortization expense decreased $7.2 million, or 32%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to an impairment of $9.1 million recorded during 2006 primarily related to a theater development project.

Global Theater gain on sale of operating assets increased $20.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to a gain of $31.3 million from the sale of the Oriental Theater in Chicago and our 50% interest in Broadway in Chicago, partially offset by a loss of $8.1 million from the sale of our 50.1% interest in the production of Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular.

Year Ended 2006 Compared to Year Ended 2005

Global Theater revenue increased $49.0 million, or 14%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to our production of Phantom of the Opera opening

 

64


Index to Financial Statements

in Las Vegas at the end of the second quarter of 2006, an increase in the number of North American theater rental events and stronger results for our touring productions of Chicago, Starlight Express and Cats in the United Kingdom. Included in the increase was $3.2 million of revenue related to our acquisition of Historic Theatre Group, or HTG, during the year ended December 31, 2006. These increases were partially offset by a decline in revenue from a few of our larger theatrical venues due to weaker content in 2006.

Global Theater direct operating expenses increased $44.5 million, or 19%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to the opening and pre-opening costs of our production of Phantom of the Opera in Las Vegas and the increase in the number of North American theater rental events noted above. We also recorded $1.8 million related to a write-down of certain theatrical prepaid production assets. Partially offsetting these increases was the elimination in 2006 of $7.8 million of write-offs of advances on certain theater projects and other reorganization costs during the fourth quarter of 2005. Included in the increase was $0.4 million of direct operating expenses related to our acquisition of HTG during the year ended December 31, 2006.

Global Theater selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $10.8 million, or 11%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to $4.6 million of severance and other reorganization costs recorded during 2005. In addition, we experienced reduced salary expense during 2006 as a result of the headcount reductions made in 2005. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $4.7 million related to our acquisition of HTG during the year ended December 31, 2006.

Global Theater depreciation and amortization expense increased $6.6 million, or 41%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to an impairment of $9.1 million recorded during the third and fourth quarters of 2006 related primarily to a theater development project that we have decided not to pursue.

Global Theater gain on sale of operating assets increased $5.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year due to a gain recorded on the sale of certain theatrical assets in 2006 and a loss recorded on certain exhibition assets in 2005.

Other Results of Operations

Our other operating results were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,     % Change
2007 vs. 2006
    % Change
2006 vs. 2005
 
(in thousands)    2007     2006     2005              

Revenue

   $ 163,625     $ 205,288     $ 246,349     (20 )%   (17 )%

Operating expenses:

Direct operating expenses

     106,851       128,350       142,990     (17 )%   (10 )%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     32,686       47,590       93,999     (31 )%   (49 )%

Depreciation and amortization

     1,313       2,963       4,085     (56 )%   (27 )%

Loss (gain) on sale of operating assets

     (3,231 )     (10,445 )     604     (69 )%   * *
                            

Operating income

     26,006       36,830       4,671     (29 )%   688 %

Operating margin

     15.9 %     17.9 %     1.9 %    

 

** Percentages are not meaningful.

Year Ended 2007 Compared to Year Ended 2006

Other revenue decreased $41.7 million, or 20%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to the sale of portions of our sports representation business assets in 2006 and the sale of Donington Park in the United Kingdom.

 

65


Index to Financial Statements

Other direct operating expenses decreased $21.5 million, or 17%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to the sale of portions of our sports representation business assets, the sale of Donington Park and a decline in write-offs and costs related to certain DVD/CD production and distribution projects.

Other selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $14.9 million, or 31%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to the sale of portions of our sports representation business assets and the sale of Donington Park. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses for our motor sports operations driven by a reserve recorded against receivables due to a sponsor’s bankruptcy.

Other depreciation and amortization expense decreased $1.7 million, or 56%, during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to the sale of Donington Park.

Other gain on sale of operating assets decreased $7.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year as the gain recorded in 2007 on the sale of Donington Park, an arena/race track in Leicestershire, England, was less than the gain on the sale of a portion of our sports representation business assets recorded in 2006.

Year Ended 2006 Compared to Year Ended 2005

Other revenue decreased $41.1 million, or 17%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily as a result of the sale of portions of our sports representation business assets related to basketball, golf, football, tennis, media, baseball, soccer and rugby and the loss of a golf event due to its relocation to another country.

Other direct operating expenses decreased $14.6 million, or 10%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily as a result of the sale of portions of our sports representation business assets and the loss of a golf event. We also recorded $3.0 million related to a write-down of certain DVD prepaid production assets.

Other selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $46.4 million, or 49%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to the sale of portions of our sports representation business assets. In addition, we experienced a decline in litigation contingencies and expenses in 2006 as compared to the prior year due to $7.0 million of certain pre-acquisition contingencies for legal matters which were resolved during the year. Finally, 2006 benefited from the elimination of $17.3 million of increased litigation contingencies and expenses and $3.6 million of costs related to severance and reorganization of the business incurred during 2005.

Other depreciation and amortization expense decreased $1.1 million, or 27%, during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to the sale of portions of our sports representation business assets.

Other gain on sale of operating assets increased $11.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to gains recorded in 2006 on the sale of portions of our sports representation business assets.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income (Loss)

     Year Ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2007     2006     2005  

North American Music

   $ 11,826     $ (44,819 )   $ (16,636 )

International Music

     78,182       52,368       56,692  

Global Artists

     (13,136 )     29,276       9,041  

Global Digital

     (10,460 )     (6,102 )     1,165  

Global Theater

     40,963       2,328       (11,287 )

Other

     26,006       36,830       4,671  

Corporate

     (51,239 )     (36,759 )     (56,776 )

Eliminations

     —         —         (53 )
                        

Consolidated and combined operating income (loss)

   $ 82,142     $ 33,122     $ (13,183 )
                        

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our working capital requirements and capital for our general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and capital expenditures, are funded from operations or from borrowings under our senior secured credit facility described below. Our cash is currently managed on a worldwide basis.

Our balance sheet reflects cash and cash equivalents of $339.0 million and current and long-term debt of $822.6 million at December 31, 2007, and cash and cash equivalents of $313.9 million and current and long-term debt of $639.1 million at December 31, 2006. These debt balances do not include our outstanding redeemable preferred stock.

We may need to incur additional debt or issue equity to make other strategic acquisitions or investments. There can be no assurance that such financing will be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. Our ability to issue additional equity may be constrained because the issuance of additional stock may cause the Distribution to be taxable under section 355(e) of the Internal Revenue Code, and, under our tax matters agreement with Clear Channel, we would be required to indemnify Clear Channel against the tax, if any. We may make significant acquisitions in the near term, subject to limitations imposed by our financing documents, market conditions and the tax matters agreement.

We generally receive cash related to ticket revenue in advance of the event, which is recorded in deferred revenue until the event occurs. With the exception of some upfront costs and artist deposits, which are recorded in prepaid expenses until the event occurs, we pay the majority of event-related expenses at or after the event. We view our available cash as cash and cash equivalents, less event-related deferred revenue, less accrued expenses due to artists and for cash collected on behalf of others, plus event-related prepaids. This is essentially our cash available to, among other things, repay debt balances, make acquisitions, repurchase stock and finance revenue-generating capital expenditures.

Our intra-year cash fluctuations are impacted by the seasonality of our various businesses. Examples of seasonal effects include our North American Music and International Music segments, which report the majority of their revenue in the second and third quarters, while our Global Theater segment reports the majority of its revenue in the first, second and fourth quarters of the year. Cash inflows and outflows depend on the timing of event-related payments but the majority of the inflows generally occur prior to the event. See “—Seasonality” below. We believe that we have sufficient financial flexibility to fund these fluctuations and to access the global capital markets on satisfactory terms and in adequate amounts, although there can be no assurance that this will be the case. We expect cash flow from operations and borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, along with other financing alternatives, to satisfy working capital, capital expenditure and debt service requirements for at least the succeeding year.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Sources of Cash

Senior Secured Credit Facility

We have a senior secured credit facility consisting of term loans totaling $550 million and a $285 million revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility provides for borrowings up to the amount of the facility with sub-limits of up to $235 million to be available for the issuance of letters of credit and up to $100 million to be available for borrowings in foreign currencies. The term loans of $325 million and $225 million mature in June 2013 and December 2013, respectively, and the revolving credit portion of the credit facility matures in June 2012. For the term loan maturing in June 2013, minimum quarterly principal repayments of approximately $2.7 million per year are required through March 2013, with the balance due at maturity. For the term loan maturing in December 2013, minimum quarterly principal repayments of approximately $1.9 million per year are required through September 2013, with the balance due at maturity. We are required to prepay the outstanding term loans, subject to certain exceptions and conditions, from certain asset sale proceeds and casualty and condemnation proceeds that we do not reinvest within a 365-day period or from certain additional debt issuance proceeds.

During the year ended December 31, 2007, we made principal payments totaling $95.0 million and $185.5 million on the term loans and revolving credit facility, respectively. The payments on the revolving credit facility were primarily to repay short-term borrowings used to fund working capital requirements during the year. At December 31, 2007, the outstanding balances on the term loans and revolving credit facility were $451.7 million and $55.0 million, respectively. Taking into account letters of credit of $45.7 million, $184.3 million was available for future borrowings.

As of February 22, 2008, the outstanding balances on the term loans and revolving credit facility were $451.7 million and $20.0 million, respectively. Taking into account letters of credit of $45.5 million, $219.5 million was available for future borrowings.

Borrowings under the term loan portion of the credit facility bear interest at per annum floating rates equal, at our option, to either (a) the base rate (which is the greater of the prime rate offered by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. or the federal funds rate plus 0.5%) plus 1.75% or (b) Adjusted LIBOR plus 2.75%. Borrowings under the revolving portion of the credit facility bear interest at per annum floating rates equal, at our option, to either (a) the base rate (which is the prime rate offered by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. ) plus an applicable margin or (b) Adjusted LIBOR plus an applicable margin. Sterling and Euro-denominated borrowings under the revolving portion of the credit facility currently bear interest at per annum floating rates equal to either Adjusted LIBOR or Adjusted EURIBOR, respectively, plus an applicable margin. The revolving credit facility margins are subject to change based upon the amount of leverage for the previous calendar quarter. In the event our leverage ratio improves, the interest rate on revolving credit borrowings declines gradually to 0.75% at a total leverage ratio of less than, or equal to, 1.25 times. Under the terms of the original term loan, we are required to enter into an interest rate swap for a minimum of 50% of the outstanding debt for a minimum of three years.

The interest rate we pay on borrowings on our senior term loans is 2.75% above LIBOR. The interest rate we pay on our $285 million multi-currency revolving credit facility depends on our total leverage ratio. Based on our current total leverage ratio, our interest rate on revolving credit borrowings is 1.75% above LIBOR. In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal under the credit facility, we are required to pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the revolving credit facility in respect of the unutilized commitments. As of December 31, 2007, the commitment fee rate was 0.375%. We also are required to pay customary letter of credit fees, as necessary.

 

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The senior secured credit facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to incur additional debt, pay dividends and make distributions, make certain investments and acquisitions, repurchase stock and prepay certain indebtedness, create liens, enter into agreements with affiliates, modify the nature of the business, enter into sale-leaseback transactions, transfer and sell material assets and merge or consolidate.

Convertible Senior Notes

In July 2007, we issued $220 million of convertible senior notes due 2027 in a private placement in the United States to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. The notes pay interest semiannually at a rate of 2.875% per annum. Beginning with the period commencing on July 20, 2014 and ending on January 14, 2015, and for each of the interest periods commencing thereafter, we will pay contingent interest on the notes if the average trading price of the notes during the five consecutive trading days ending on the second trading day immediately preceding the first day of the applicable interest period equals or exceeds 120% of the principal amount of the notes. The contingent interest payable per note will equal 0.25% per year of the average trading price of such note during the applicable five trading-day reference period, payable in arrears. The notes will be convertible, under certain circumstances, at an initial conversion rate of 36.8395 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which represents a 27.5% conversion premium based on the last reported sale price of $21.29 per share on July 10, 2007. Upon conversion, the notes may be settled in shares of Live Nation common stock or, at our election, cash or a combination of cash and shares of Live Nation common stock. The net proceeds from the offering, after deducting estimated offering expenses payable by us, were approximately $212.4 million.

Holders of the convertible senior notes may require us to purchase for cash all or a portion of their notes on July 15, 2014, July 15, 2017 and July 15, 2022 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, subject to specified additional conditions. In addition, if we experience a fundamental change, as defined in the indenture governing the notes, holders may require us to purchase for cash all or a portion of their notes, subject to specified exceptions, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

On or after July 20, 2014, we may redeem all or a portion of the notes for cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

Redeemable Preferred Stock

As part of the Separation, one of our subsidiaries sold 200,000 shares of Series A (voting) mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock to third-party investors and issued 200,000 shares of Series B (non-voting) mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock to Clear Channel which then sold this Series B Redeemable Preferred Stock to third-party investors. We did not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the Series B Redeemable Preferred Stock sold by Clear Channel. As of December 31, 2007, we had 200,000 shares of Series A Redeemable Preferred Stock and 200,000 shares of Series B Redeemable Preferred Stock outstanding (collectively, the Preferred Stock) with an aggregate liquidation preference of $40 million. The Preferred Stock accrues dividends at 13% per annum and is mandatorily redeemable on December 21, 2011, although we are obligated to make an offer to repurchase the Preferred Stock at 101% of the liquidation preference in the event of a change of control.

In June 2007, we entered into an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation governing the Redeemable Preferred Stock (the Amended Preferred Stock Agreement) which amended and restated the certificate of incorporation to modify certain covenants and other provisions and facilitate potential future acquisitions. The Amended Preferred Stock Agreement contains a covenant that requires us to pay additional dividends in the event the ratio of consolidated total indebtedness minus unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, up to a maximum of $150 million (all as defined by the Amended Preferred Stock Agreement), to consolidated

 

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earnings-before-interest-taxes-depreciation-and-amortization (as defined by the Amended Preferred Stock Agreement) exceeds 4.0 times.

The Amended Preferred Stock Agreement contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to incur additional debt, issue certain equity securities, create liens, merge or consolidate, modify the nature of our business, make certain investments and acquisitions, transfer and sell material assets, enter into sale-leaseback transactions, enter into swap agreements, pay dividends and make distributions, and enter into agreements with affiliates. If we default under any of these covenants, we will have to pay additional dividends.

At December 31, 2007, we were in compliance with all Redeemable Preferred Stock covenants. We expect to remain in compliance with all of our Redeemable Preferred Stock covenants throughout 2008.

Guarantees of Third-Party Obligations

As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, we guaranteed the debt of third parties of approximately $2.8 million and $1.9 million for each of the respective periods, primarily related to maximum credit limits on employee and tour related credit cards and guarantees of bank lines of credit of a nonconsolidated affiliate and a third-party promoter. In addition, in connection with the sale of a portion of our sports representation business assets, we guaranteed the performance of a third party related to an employment contract in the amount of approximately $0.4 and $0.9 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

During 2006, in connection with our acquisition of Historic Theatre Group, we guaranteed obligations related to a lease agreement. In the event of default, we could be liable for obligations which have future lease payments (undiscounted) of approximately $30.9 million through the end of 2035.

Disposal of Assets

During the year ended December 31, 2007, we received $132.1 million of proceeds primarily related to the sales of the Oriental Theater in Chicago and our interest in BIC, the Apollo Hammersmith and Forum mid-sized music venues in London, Donington Park, an arena/race track in Leicestershire, England, seven small-sized music venues in London, an office building in San Francisco, the Starwood Amphitheater in Nashville, our remaining 50.1% interest in the production of Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular and a small-sized music venue in Cleveland. These proceeds are presented net of any cash included in the assets sold.

Debt Covenants

The significant covenants on our multi-currency senior secured credit facility relate to total leverage, senior leverage, interest coverage and capital expenditures contained and defined in the credit agreement. The adjusted leverage ratio covenant requires us to maintain a ratio of consolidated total indebtedness minus unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, up to a maximum of $150 million (all as defined by the credit agreement), to consolidated earnings-before-interest-taxes-depreciation-and-amortization (as defined by the credit agreement, “Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA”) of less than 4.5 times through June 30, 2008, and less than 4.0 times thereafter, provided that aggregated subordinated indebtedness and permitted holding company indebtedness (as defined by the credit agreement) is less than $25 million or 6.0 times if greater than $25 million. The senior leverage covenant, which is only applicable provided aggregate subordinated indebtedness and permitted holding company indebtedness is greater than $25 million, requires us to maintain a ratio of adjusted consolidated senior indebtedness minus unrestricted cash and cash equivalents to Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA of less than 4.5 times through March 31, 2008 and 4.0 times thereafter. The interest coverage covenant requires us to maintain a minimum ratio of Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA to cash interest expense (as defined by the credit agreement) of 2.5 times. The capital expenditure covenant limits annual capital expenditures (as defined by the credit agreement) to $110 million or less. In the event that we do not meet these covenants, we are considered to be in default on the credit facilities at which time the credit facilities may become immediately due. This credit facility

 

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contains a cross default provision that would be triggered if we were to default on any other indebtedness greater than $10 million.

Some of our other indebtedness includes restrictions on acquisitions and prohibit payment of ordinary dividends. They also have financial covenants including minimum consolidated EBITDA to consolidated net interest payable, minimum consolidated cash flow to consolidated debt service, and maximum consolidated debt to consolidated EBITDA, all as defined in the applicable debt agreements.

Our other indebtedness does not contain provisions that would make it a default if we were to default on our credit facilities.

Other than the convertible notes, we believe there are no other agreements that contain provisions that trigger an event of default upon a change in long-term debt ratings that would have a material impact on our financial statements.

At December 31, 2007, we were in compliance with all debt covenants. We expect to remain in compliance with all of our debt covenants throughout 2008.

Uses of Cash

Acquisitions

When we make acquisitions, especially of entities where we buy a controlling interest only, the acquired entity may have cash on its balance sheet at the time of acquisition. All amounts discussed in this section are presented net of any cash acquired. During 2007, we used $124.3 million in cash for acquisitions in our various segments. Our North American Music segment acquired the remaining interest in HOB Canada, a live music company located in Canada which operates or has booking rights for one amphitheater and three small-sized music venues in Toronto and Vancouver, and acquired an interest in Bamboozle, LLC, a festival promotion company located in the United States. Our International Music segment acquired an interest in Jackie Lombard, a concert promotion company in France, an interest in AMG, a live music company located in the United Kingdom which owns and/or operates 12 music venues, along with payment of an additional working capital adjustment related to our acquisition of Gamerco, S.A. in December 2006. Our Global Artists segment acquired the remaining 49% interest in Trunk, a specialty merchandise company, located in the United States, that acquires licenses primarily from music artists to design, manufacture and sell merchandise through various distribution channels, the remaining 49% interest in Musictoday which provides services to artists for online fan clubs, artist e-commerce and fulfillment, VIP packaging and artist fan club ticketing, the remaining interests in the CPI entities which engage in full service global tours, VIP ticketing, artist fan clubs, merchandising and DVDs, Anthill, a merchandising company located in New York and Signatures, a merchandising company located in San Francisco.

During 2006, our North American Music segment used $334.9 million in cash for our acquisition of HOB. HOB owns and/or operates ten branded clubs in Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Diego, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Chicago, Cleveland, Orlando, Myrtle Beach and Atlantic City; The Commodore Ballroom, a small-sized music venue in Vancouver; and eight amphitheaters in Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, Denver, Dallas, Atlanta, Cleveland and Toronto. In addition, our International Music segment used $21.8 million in cash, primarily for our acquisitions of an interest in Angel Festivals Limited, a dance festival promotion company in the United Kingdom and Gamerco, S.A., a concert promotion company in Spain. Also, our Global Theater segment used $2.0 million in cash for our acquisition of Historic Theatre Group which operates three theaters in the Minneapolis area that primarily host theatrical performances. As an offset to our use of cash for acquisitions, our Global Artists segment received $6.8 million in cash, primarily related to our acquisitions of interests in several Concert Productions International entities, which engage in full service global tours, provide certain artist services and invest in theatrical productions; an interest in Musictoday which provides services to artists for online fan clubs and artist e-commerce and fulfillment; and an interest in Trunk Ltd., a specialty merchandise company.

 

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Capital Expenditures

Venue operations is a capital intensive business, requiring consistent investment in our existing venues in order to address audience and artist expectations, technological industry advances and various federal, state and/or local regulations.

We categorize capital outlays into maintenance capital expenditures and revenue generating capital expenditures. Maintenance capital expenditures are associated with the renewal and improvement of existing venues and, to a lesser extent, capital expenditures related to information systems, web development and administrative offices. Revenue generating capital expenditures relate to either the construction of new venues or major renovations to existing buildings or buildings that are being added to our venue network. Capital expenditures typically increase during periods when venues are not in operation.

Our capital expenditures consisted of the following:

 

(in thousands)    2007    2006    2005

Maintenance capital expenditures

   $ 45,194    $ 48,120    $ 56,325

Revenue generating capital expenditures

     71,655      17,585      36,195
                    

Total capital expenditures

   $ 116,849    $ 65,705    $ 92,520
                    

Revenue generating capital expenditures for 2007 increased significantly from the prior year due to the development and renovation of various venues including The Point in Ireland, the House of Blues club in Dallas and the acquisition of an additional portion of the land on which we annually stage our Reading Festival in the United Kingdom. In addition, we invested additional capital in transforming our venues into wired studios to expand on the distribution opportunities of the live concert experience.

Revenue generating capital expenditures declined during 2006 primarily due to the timing of capital expenditures associated with the development and renovation of five venues, three of which were completed in 2005. In addition, in May 2006, we sold one of these venue projects which would have required us to incur capital expenditures to build-out this venue. This sale relieved us of these future capital expenditure commitments and reimbursed us for capital expenditures already incurred on this venue. Although management has determined not to pursue the development of this remaining venue project, we expect our revenue generating capital expenditures in 2007 to increase related to the renovation or construction of other venues.

Share Repurchase Program

Our board of directors authorized a $150 million share repurchase program in December 2005. That program expired on December 31, 2006 and no new program was approved for 2007. A total of 3.4 million shares were repurchased under this share repurchase program for an aggregate purchase price of $42.7 million, including commissions and fees, with an average purchase price of $12.65 per share.

Summary

Our primary short-term liquidity needs are to fund general working capital requirements and capital expenditures while our long-term liquidity needs are primarily acquisition related. Our primary sources of funds for our short-term liquidity needs will be cash flows from operations and borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, while our long-term sources of funds will be from cash from operations, long-term bank borrowings and other debt or equity financing.

 

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Contractual Obligations and Commitments

Firm Commitments

In addition to the scheduled maturities on our debt, we have future cash obligations under various types of contracts. We lease office space, certain equipment and the venues used in our entertainment operations under long-term operating leases. Some of our lease agreements contain renewal options and annual rental escalation clauses (generally tied to the consumer price index), as well as provisions for our payment of utilities and maintenance. We also have minimum payments associated with noncancelable contracts related to our operations such as artist guarantee contracts and theatrical production payments. As part of our ongoing capital projects, we will enter into construction related commitments for future capital expenditure work. The scheduled maturities discussed below represent contractual obligations as of December 31, 2007 and thus do not represent all expected expenditures for those periods.

The scheduled maturities of our long-term debt outstanding, future minimum rental commitments under noncancelable lease agreements, minimum payments under other noncancelable contracts and capital expenditures commitments as of December 31, 2007 are as follows:

 

     Payments Due by Period
(in thousands)    Total    2008    2009-2010    2011-2012    2013 and thereafter

Long-term debt obligations, including current maturities

              

Term loans and revolving credit facility

   $ 506,730    $ 4,540    $ 9,080    $ 64,080    $ 429,030

2.875% convertible senior notes

     220,000      —        —        —        220,000

Other long-term debt

     95,876      31,805      13,141      21,418      29,512

Preferred stock

     40,000      —        —        40,000      —  

Estimated interest payments (1)

     281,530      40,072      100,526      94,922      46,010

Non-cancelable operating lease obligations (4)

     1,120,056      74,275      134,506      122,403      788,872

Non-cancelable contracts (2) (4)

     541,473      364,850      68,671      33,419      74,533

Capital expenditures

     10,330      7,830      —        2,500      —  

Other long-term liabilities (3)

              
                                  

Total

   $ 2,815,995    $ 523,372    $ 325,924    $ 378,742    $ 1,587,957
                                  

 

(1) Includes dividends on the Series A and Series B redeemable preferred stock. Includes interest on the 2.875% convertible senior notes through July 2014. Excludes interest on the outstanding revolver balance. Based on the outstanding revolver balance of $55.0 million at December 31, 2007, annual interest expense through maturity in June 2012 would be approximately $3.6 million assuming a rate of 6.60% and that we maintain this level of indebtedness under the revolver.
(2) Excluded from the non-cancelable contracts is $90.4 million related to minimum severance obligations for all employment contracts calculated as if all such employees were terminated on January 1, 2008.
(3) Other long-term liabilities consist of $24.2 million of tax contingencies, $7.2 million of deferred revenue, $35.7 million of accrued rent and $24.4 million of various other obligations. All of our other long-term liabilities do not have contractual maturities and, therefore, we cannot predict when, or if, they will become due.
(4) Commitment amounts for non-cancelable operating leases and non-cancelable contracts which stipulate an increase in the commitment amount based on an inflationary index have been estimated using an inflation factor of 3% for North America and 1.75% for the United Kingdom.

During 2006, in connection with our acquisition of the Historic Theatre Group, we guaranteed obligations related to a lease agreement. In the event of default, we could be liable for obligations which have future lease payments (undiscounted) of approximately $30.9 million through the end of 2035 which are not reflected in the

 

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table above. The scheduled future minimum rentals for this lease for the years 2008 through 2012 are $1.6 million each year. We believe that the likelihood of material liability being triggered under this lease is remote, and no liability has been accrued for these contingent lease obligations as of December 31, 2007.

Minimum rentals of $112.5 million to be received in years 2008 through 2020 under non-cancelable subleases are excluded from the commitment amounts in the above table.

Cash Flows

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
(in thousands)    2007     2006     2005  

Cash provided by (used in):

      

Operating activities

   $ 49,810     $ 17,628     $ (3,917 )

Investing activities

   $ (141,059 )   $ (376,071 )   $ (106,049 )

Financing activities

   $ 110,188     $ 268,294     $ 363,268  

Operating Activities

Year Ended 2007 Compared to Year Ended 2006

Cash provided by operations was $49.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to $17.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The $32.2 million increase in cash provided by operations primarily resulted from changes in the event-related operating accounts which are dependent on the number and size of events for upcoming periods. Accounts receivable decreased, rather than increased, due to the timing and number of events during 2007 as compared to 2006 and the timing of cash collections resulting in an increase to cash provided by operations. In addition, we received more deferred revenue and paid less accrued event related expenses during 2007 as compared to 2006 resulting in an increase to cash provided by operations. Conversely, the other assets increase was higher primarily due to advances under long-term artist rights agreements resulting in a decrease to cash provided by operating activities. Finally, we paid more prepaid event related expenses during 2007 as compared to 2006 resulting in a decrease to cash provided by operating activities. These changes in event-related operating accounts are impacted by the timing, size and number of events related to music activity in the period.

Year Ended 2006 Compared to Year Ended 2005

Cash provided by operations was $17.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared to cash used in operations of $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. The $21.5 million increase in cash provided by operations primarily resulted from an increase in net income, adjusted for non-cash charges and non-operating activities, and changes in the event related operating accounts which are dependent on the number and size of events ongoing at period end. We paid less prepaid event related expenses in 2006 as compared to 2005 resulting in an increase to cash provided by operations. Conversely, we paid more accrued event related expenses and received less deferred revenue in 2006 as compared to 2005 resulting in a decrease to cash provided by operations. In addition, the accounts receivable increase was higher due to the timing and number of events in 2006 as compared to 2005 resulting in a decrease to cash provided by operations. Finally, the other assets increase was higher due primarily to prepaid rent for new lease agreements in 2006 as compared to 2005 resulting in a decrease to cash provided by operations.

Investing Activities

Year Ended 2007 Compared to Year Ended 2006

Cash used in investing activities was $141.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, as compared to $376.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The $235.0 million decrease in cash used in investing

 

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activities was primarily due to our acquisition of HOB during 2006. In addition, we received higher proceeds from the divestiture of the Oriental Theater in Chicago and our 50% interest in BIC, the Apollo Hammersmith and Forum mid-sized venues in London, Donington Park in Leicestershire, England, seven small-sized music venues in London, an office building in San Francisco, the Starwood Amphitheater in Nashville, our remaining 50.1% interest in the production of Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular and a small-sized music venue in Cleveland, Ohio. These decreases were partially offset by increases in our capital expenditures during 2007 as compared to the prior year primarily due to the development of the House of Blues club in Dallas, the renovation of The Point in Ireland, the acquisition of an additional portion of the land on which we annually stage our Reading Festival in the United Kingdom and the wiring of our venues into live studios. Also offsetting the decreases was an increase in cash used for investing activities primarily related to intangible assets acquired for long-term artist rights agreements.

Year Ended 2006 Compared to Year Ended 2005

Cash used in investing activities was $376.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, as compared to $106.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. The $270.1 million increase in cash used in investing activities is primarily due to $351.9 million of cash used primarily for our acquisitions of HOB and Gamerco, S.A. during 2006. This increase is offset by $36.3 million of proceeds received from the sale of certain theatrical assets and portions of our sports representation business assets. In addition, our capital expenditures declined during 2006 as compared to the prior year due to the timing of five venue development and renovation projects, three of which were completed in 2005. Finally, we received more distributions from our nonconsolidated affiliates in 2006 as compared to 2005.

Financing Activities

Prior to the Separation from Clear Channel, we had funded our cash needs through an intercompany promissory note with Clear Channel. The intercompany promissory note functioned as part of a sweep account that allowed excess operating cash generated by our domestic operations to be transferred to Clear Channel, generally on a daily basis. As we had cash needs, they were funded from Clear Channel through this account.

Since our separation from Clear Channel, we have funded our cash needs through cash from operations, borrowings under long-term debt and our revolving credit facility and available cash and cash equivalents.

Year Ended 2007 Compared to Year Ended 2006

Cash provided by financing activities was $110.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, as compared to $268.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. The $158.1 million decrease in cash provided by financing activities was primarily a result of net payments made on our term loans and revolving credit facility partially offset by increased proceeds received from the issuance of our 2.875% convertible notes during 2007 as compared to the proceeds received from the additional term loan during 2006 which was partially used to fund our acquisition of HOB last year.

Year Ended 2006 Compared to Year Ended 2005

Cash provided by financing activities was $268.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to $363.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. The $95.0 million decrease in cash provided by financing activities was primarily a result of repayments on our senior secured credit facility during 2006, repurchases of our common stock during 2006, proceeds received from the issuance of redeemable preferred stock during 2005 and a slight decline in proceeds received from borrowings under our senior secured credit facility. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase in contributions from minority interest partners primarily related to a contribution received in advance of certain capital expenditures during 2006 compared to a contribution received from the minority interest partner for the Mean Fiddler acquisition during 2005.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Seasonality

Our North American Music and International Music segments typically experience higher operating income in the second and third quarters as our outdoor venues and international festivals are primarily used or occur during May through September. Our Global Theater segment typically experiences its higher operating income during the first, second and fourth quarters of the calendar year as the theatrical touring season typically runs from September through April. In addition, the timing of tours of top-grossing acts in our Global Artists segment can impact comparability of quarterly results year over year, although annual results may not be impacted.

Cash flows from our North American Music, International Music and Global Theater segments typically have a slightly different seasonality as payments are often made for artist performance fees and production costs in advance of the date the related event tickets go on sale. These artist fees and production costs are expensed when the event occurs. Once tickets for an event go on sale, we begin to receive payments from ticket sales, still in advance of when the event occurs. We record these ticket sales as revenue when the event occurs.

We expect these trends to continue in the future. See Item 1A. Risk Factors—Our operations are seasonal and our results of operations vary from quarter to quarter, so our financial performance in certain financial quarters may not be indicative of or comparable to our financial performance in subsequent financial quarters.

Market Risk

We are exposed to market risks arising from changes in market rates and prices, including movements in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.

Foreign Currency Risk

We have operations in countries throughout the world. The financial results of our foreign operations are measured in their local currencies. As a result, our financial results could be affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in the foreign markets in which we have operations. Currently, we do not operate in any hyper-inflationary countries. Our foreign operations reported operating income of $92.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. We estimate that a 10% change in the value of the United States dollar relative to foreign currencies would change our operating income for the year ended December 31, 2007 by $9.2 million. As of December 31, 2007, our primary foreign exchange exposure included the Euro, British Pound, Swedish Kroner and Canadian Dollar.

This analysis does not consider the implication such currency fluctuations could have on the overall economic conditions of the United States or other foreign countries in which we operate or on the results of operations of our foreign entities.

Occasionally, we will use forward currency contracts to reduce our exposure to foreign currency risk. The principal objective of such contracts is to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with artist fee commitments. At December 31, 2007 we had no outstanding foreign currency contracts.

Interest Rate Risk

Our market risk is also affected by changes in interest rates. We had $822.6 million total debt outstanding as of December 31, 2007. Of the total amount, we have interest rate hedges with an aggregate notional amount of $162.5 million, an additional interest rate swap with a notional amount of $28.5 million, $273.1 million of fixed rate debt and $358.5 million of floating-rate debt.

Based on the amount of our floating-rate debt as of December 31, 2007, each 25 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would increase or decrease our annual interest expense and cash outlay by

 

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approximately $0.9 million. This potential increase or decrease is based on the simplified assumption that the level of floating-rate debt remains constant with an immediate across-the-board increase or decrease as of December 31, 2007 with no subsequent change in rates for the remainder of the period.

We currently use interest rate swaps to reduce our exposure to market risk from changes in interest rates. We do not intend to hold or issue interest rate swaps for trading purposes. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship, and further, on the type of hedging relationship. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, we must designate the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. We formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions. We formally assess, both at inception and at least quarterly thereafter, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in either the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. If a derivative ceases to be a highly effective hedge, we discontinue hedge accounting. We account for our derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in current earnings during the period of change.

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a fair value hedge (i.e., hedging the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or a liability or an identified portion thereof that is attributable to a particular risk), the gain or loss on the derivative instrument as well as the offsetting loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in the same line item associated with the hedged item in current earnings during the period of the change in fair values (for example, in interest expense when the hedged item is fixed-rate debt). For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge (i.e., hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that is attributable to a particular risk), the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the same line item associated with the forecasted transaction in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings (for example, in interest expense when the hedged transactions are interest cash flows associated with floating-rate debt). The remaining gain or loss on the derivative instrument in excess of the cumulative change in the present value of future cash flows of the hedged item, if any, is recognized in other expense (income)—net in current earnings during the period of change. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a hedge of a net investment in a foreign currency, the gain or loss is reported in other comprehensive income (loss) as part of the cumulative translation adjustment to the extent it is effective. Any ineffective portions of net investment hedges are recognized in other expense (income)—net in current earnings during the period of change.

In March 2006, we entered into two separate interest rate swaps for which we purchased a series of interest rate caps and sold a series of interest rate floors with a $162.5 million aggregate notional amount that effectively converts a portion of our floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis. These agreements expire in March 2009. The fair value of these agreements at December 31, 2007 was a liability of $1.8 million. These agreements were put in place to eliminate or reduce the variability of a portion of the cash flows from the interest payments related to the senior secured credit facility. The terms of the senior secured credit facility required that an interest rate swap be put in place for at least 50% of the original $325 million senior term loan and for at least three years.

As part of the acquisition of AMG, we have interest rate swap agreements with a $28.5 million aggregate notional amount that effectively converts a portion of our floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis. These agreements expire in January 2015. These interest rate swap agreements have not been designated as hedging instruments. Therefore, any change in fair value is recorded in earnings during the period of the change.

In July 2007, we issued $220.0 million of convertible senior notes due 2027. Beginning with the period commencing on July 20, 2014 and ending on January 14, 2015, and for each of the interest periods commencing thereafter, we will pay contingent interest on the notes if the average trading price of the notes during the five

 

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consecutive trading days ending on the second trading day immediately preceding the first day of the applicable interest period equals or exceeds 120% of the principal amount of the notes. The contingent interest payable per note will equal 0.25% per year of the average trading price of such note during the applicable five trading-day reference period, payable in arrears.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, or Statement 157. Statement 157 provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities and also responds to investors’ requests for expanded information about the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value, and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings. Statement 157 applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. Statement 157 does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. Statement 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Earlier application is encouraged, provided that the reporting entity has not yet issued financial statements for that year, including financial statements for an interim period within that fiscal year. The provisions of Statement 157 are applied prospectively with retrospective application to certain financial instruments. We adopted Statement 157 on January 1, 2008 and do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, or Statement 159. Statement 159 allows entities to voluntarily choose, at specified election dates, to measure many financial assets and financial liabilities (as well as certain nonfinancial instruments that are similar to financial instruments) at fair value, or the fair value option. The election is made on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable. If the fair value option is elected for an instrument, Statement 159 specifies that all subsequent changes in fair value for that instrument will be reported in earnings. Statement 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. Upon initial adoption, Statement 159 provides entities with a one-time chance to elect the fair value option for existing eligible items. The effect of the first measurement to fair value should be reported as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the year of adoption. We adopted Statement 159 on January 1, 2008 and do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 which delays the effective date for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The effective date for these items was delayed to years beginning after November 15, 2008.

In August 2007, the FASB issued for comment an exposure draft of a proposed FASB Staff Position APB 14-a, or Proposed FSP, that would change the accounting for certain convertible debt instruments, including our 2.875% convertible senior notes. Under the proposed new rules, for convertible debt instruments that may be settled entirely or partially in cash upon conversion, an entity should separately account for the liability and equity components of the instrument in a manner that reflects the issuer’s economic interest cost. The effect of the proposed new rules for our 2.875% convertible senior notes is that the equity component would be included in the additional paid-in capital section of shareholders’ equity on our balance sheet and the value of the equity component would be treated as an original issue discount for purposes of accounting for the debt component of the 2.875% convertible senior notes. Higher interest expense would result by recognizing the accretion of the discounted carrying value of the 2.875% convertible senior notes to their face amount as interest expense over the expected term of the 2.875% convertible senior notes using an effective interest rate method of amortization. This Proposed FSP, if issued in its current state, would be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007, would not permit early application and would be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. We are

 

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currently evaluating the proposed new rules and its impact on our current accounting for the 2.875% convertible senior notes. However, if the Proposed FSP is adopted in its current form, we expect to recognize additional interest expense in future periods due to the interest expense accretion associated with the 2.875% convertible senior notes and to report greater than previously reported interest expense due to retrospective application.

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141(R), Business Combinations, or Statement 141(R). Statement 141(R) establishes revised principles and requirements for the recognition and measurement of assets and liabilities in a business combination. Statement 141(R) requires (i) recognition of 100% of the fair values of acquired assets, including goodwill, and assumed liabilities upon obtaining control, (ii) contingent consideration to be fair valued at acquisition date, (iii) transaction costs to be expensed as incurred, (iv) pre-acquisition contingencies to be accounted for at acquisition date at fair value and (v) costs of a plan to exit an activity or terminate or relocate employees to be accounted for as post combination costs. Statement 141(R) is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We will adopt Statement 141(R) on January 1, 2009 and apply the requirements of Statement 141(R) for business combinations that occur after the date of adoption.

In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment of ARB No. 51, or Statement 160. Statement 160 clarifies the classification of noncontrolling interests in consolidated statements of financial position and the accounting for and reporting of transactions between the reporting entity and holders of such noncontrolling interests. Statement 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The provisions of Statement 160 are applied prospectively with the exception of reclassifying noncontrolling interests to equity and recasting consolidated net income (loss) to include net income (loss) attributable to both the controlling and noncontrolling interests, which are required to be adopted retrospectively. We will adopt Statement 160 on January 1, 2009 and are currently assessing the impact its adoption will have on our financial position and results of operations.

Stock Option Accounting

We adopted Statement 123(R), which is a revision of FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, or Statement 123, effective January 1, 2006. Statement 123(R) supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, or APB 25, and amends FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows. Generally, the approach in Statement 123(R) is similar to the approach described in Statement 123. However, Statement 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. In accordance with Statement 123(R), we continue to use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of our stock options at the date of grant. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative. We chose the modified-prospective application of Statement 123(R) and recorded $2.1 million of non-cash compensation expense during the year ended December 31, 2006. The total amount of compensation costs not yet recognized related to nonvested stock options at December 31, 2007 was $17.1 million with a weighted average period over which it is expected to be recognized of five years.

Prior to our adoption of Statement 123(R), we accounted for our stock-based award plans in accordance with APB 25, and related interpretations, under which compensation expense was recorded only to the extent that the current market price of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price. In addition, we disclosed the pro forma net income (loss) as if the stock-based awards had been accounted for using the provisions of Statement 123. Pro forma earnings (loss) per share amounts are not disclosed as we had no common stock prior to the Separation. There have been no modifications made to or changes in the terms related to any outstanding stock options prior to our adoption of Statement 123(R).

 

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates that are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The result of these evaluations forms the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the reported amount of expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates, and such difference could be material. Management believes that the following accounting estimates are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results, and they require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The following narrative describes these critical accounting estimates, the judgments and assumptions and the effect if actual results differ from these assumptions.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We evaluate the collectibility of our accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. Generally, we record specific reserves to reduce the amounts recorded to what we believe will be collected when a customer’s account ages beyond typical collection patterns, or we become aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations.

We believe that the credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited due to the large number and the geographic diversification of our customers.

Long-lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, are reviewed for impairment when events and circumstances indicate that depreciable and amortizable long-lived assets might be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amount of those assets. When specific assets are determined to be unrecoverable, the cost basis of the asset is reduced to reflect the current fair value.

We use various assumptions in determining the current fair market value of these assets, including future expected cash flows and discount rates, as well as future salvage values and other fair value measures. Our impairment loss calculations require us to apply judgment in estimating future cash flows, including forecasting useful lives of the assets and selecting the discount rate that reflects the risk inherent in future cash flows.

If actual results are not consistent with our assumptions and judgments used in estimating future cash flows and asset fair values, we may be exposed to future impairment losses that could be material to our results of operations.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations. We review goodwill for any potential impairment at least annually using the income approach to determine the fair value of our reporting units. The fair value of our reporting units is used to apply value to the net assets of each reporting unit. To the extent that the carrying amount of net assets would exceed the fair value, an impairment charge may be required to be recorded.

The income approach we use for valuing goodwill involves estimating future cash flows expected to be generated from the related assets, discounted to their present value using a risk-adjusted discount rate. Terminal values are also estimated and discounted to their present value.

 

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If actual results are not consistent with our assumptions and judgments used in estimating future cash flows, we may be exposed to future impairment losses that could be material to our results of operations.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from the presentation and production of an event is recognized after the performance occurs upon settlement of the event. Revenue related to larger global tours is recognized after the performance occurs; however, any profits related to these tours, primarily related to music tour production and tour management services, is recognized after minimum revenue thresholds, if any, have been achieved. Revenue collected in advance of the event is recorded as deferred revenue until the event occurs. Revenue collected from sponsorships and other revenue, which is not related to any single event, is classified as deferred revenue and generally amortized over the operating season or the term of the contract.

We account for taxes that are externally imposed on revenue producing transactions on a net basis, as a reduction to revenue.

Litigation Accruals

We are currently involved in certain legal proceedings and, as required, have accrued our estimate of the probable costs for the resolution of these claims. Management’s estimates used have been developed in consultation with counsel and are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. It is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular period could be materially affected by changes in our assumptions or the effectiveness of our strategies related to these proceedings.

Stock-Based Compensation

We adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment, or Statement 123(R), which is a revision of FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, or Statement 123, effective January 1, 2006. Generally, the approach in Statement 123(R) is similar to the approach described in Statement 123. However, Statement 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. In accordance with Statement 123(R), we continue to use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of our stock options at the date of grant. Judgment is required in estimating the amount of stock-based awards expected to be forfeited prior to vesting. If actual forfeitures differ significantly from these estimates, non-cash compensation expense could be materially impacted.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes using the liability method in accordance with FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting bases and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the periods in which the deferred tax asset or liability is expected to be realized or settled. Deferred tax assets are reduced by valuation allowances if we believe it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire asset will not be realized. As all earnings from our foreign operations are permanently reinvested and not distributed, our income tax provision does not include additional U.S. taxes on foreign operations. It is not practical to determine the amount of federal income taxes, if any, that might become due in the event that the earnings were distributed.

We adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected

 

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to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31,
2007   2006   2005   2004   2003
1.28   0.96   0.07   1.18   2.04

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was computed on a total company basis. Earnings represent income from continuing operations before income taxes less equity in undistributed net income (loss) of nonconsolidated affiliates plus fixed charges. Fixed charges represent interest, amortization of debt discount and expense and the estimated interest portion of rental charges. Rental charges exclude variable rent expense for events in third-party venues. Prior period calculations have been revised to conform to the current period presentation.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Required information is within Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Market Risk.

 

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Live Nation, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Live Nation, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated and combined statements of operations, changes in business/shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007. Our audit also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)2. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Live Nation, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the consolidated and combined results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

As discussed in Notes 1 and 11 to the consolidated financial statements, in 2007 the Company changed its method of accounting for income taxes. As discussed in Notes 1 and 13 to the consolidated financial statements, in 2006 the Company changed its method of accounting for stock based compensation.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Live Nation, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 27, 2008 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/    Ernst & Young LLP

Los Angeles, California

February 27, 2008

 

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LIVE NATION, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     December 31,  
      2007     2006  
    

(in thousands except

share data)

 

ASSETS

  

Current assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 338,991     $ 313,880  

Accounts receivable, less allowance of $18,928 in 2007 and $13,465 in 2006

     264,316       250,831  

Prepaid expenses

     186,379       136,938  

Other current assets

     44,722       38,519  
                

Total current assets

     834,408       740,168  

Property, plant and equipment

    

Land, buildings and improvements

     1,018,079       999,561  

Furniture and other equipment

     236,320       193,290  

Construction in progress

     51,725       43,370  
                
     1,306,124       1,236,221  

Less accumulated depreciation

     391,079       360,049  
                
     915,045       876,172  

Intangible assets

    

Intangible assets—net

     382,999       73,398  

Goodwill

     471,542       423,169  

Other long-term assets

    

Notes receivable, less allowance of $745 in 2007 and $545 in 2006

     1,703       2,613  

Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates

     23,443       59,283  

Other long-term assets

     122,963       50,199  
                

Total assets

   $ 2,752,103     $ 2,225,002  
                

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities

    

Accounts payable

   $ 79,273     $ 40,646  

Accrued expenses

     529,984       471,414  

Deferred revenue

     259,868       230,179  

Current portion of long-term debt

     36,345       31,721  
                

Total current liabilities

     905,470       773,960  

Long-term debt

     786,261       607,425  

Other long-term liabilities

     91,465       88,790  

Minority interest liability

     61,841       76,165  

Series A and Series B redeemable preferred stock

     40,000       40,000  

Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 9)

    

Shareholders’ equity

    

Preferred stock—Series A Junior Participating, $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

     —         —    

Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding

     —         —    

Common stock, $.01 par value; 450,000,000 shares authorized; 74,893,005 and 67,174,912 shares issued and outstanding in 2007 and 2006, respectively

     749       672  

Additional paid-in capital

     940,848       757,748  

Retained deficit

     (130,941 )     (119,005 )

Cost of shares held in treasury (1,697,227 shares in 2006)

     —         (21,472 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     56,410       20,719  
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     867,066       638,662  
                

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 2,752,103     $ 2,225,002  
                

See Notes to Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements

 

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LIVE NATIONS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2007     2006     2005  
     (in thousands except share and per share data)  

Revenue

   $ 4,184,981     $ 3,711,715     $ 2,936,845  

Operating expenses:

      

Direct operating expenses

     3,333,572       2,997,863       2,310,925  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     653,811       530,340       518,907  

Depreciation and amortization (Note 2)

     120,828       128,167       64,622  

Loss (gain) on sale of operating assets

     (51,226 )     (11,640 )     4,859  

Corporate expenses

     45,854       33,863       50,715  
                        

Operating income (loss)

     82,142       33,122       (13,183 )

Interest expense

     61,915       37,218       6,059  

Interest expense with Clear Channel Communications

     —         —         46,437  

Interest income

     (14,479 )     (12,446 )     (2,506 )

Equity in losses (earnings) of nonconsolidated affiliates

     (4,806 )     (8,407 )     276  

Minority interest expense

     7,869       12,209       5,236  

Other expense (income)—net

     (13 )     (1,220 )     446  
                        

Income (loss) before income taxes

     31,656       5,768       (69,131 )

Income tax expense (benefit):

      

Current

     35,943       26,876       (53,025 )

Deferred

     7,649       10,334       114,513  
                        

Net loss