Form 10-Q
Index to Financial Statements

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


Form 10-Q

 


 

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 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)

 


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 whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.

x  Large accelerated filer     ¨  Accelerated filer     ¨  Non-accelerated filer

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 August 3, 2007, there were 65,975,747 outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share, excluding 1,261,165 shares held in treasury.

 



Index to Financial Statements

LIVE NATION, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

          Page
   PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements (unaudited)

   3
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006

   3
  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006

   4
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006

   5
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   6

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   21

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   45

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

   45
   PART II — OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

   47

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

   47

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   53

Item 3.

  

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   53

Item 4.

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   53

Item 5.

  

Other Information

   53

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

   54

 

2


Index to Financial Statements

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

    

June 30,

2007

   

December 31,

2006

 
   (unaudited)     (audited)  
   (in thousands)  
ASSETS     

CURRENT ASSETS

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 466,661     $ 313,880  

Accounts receivable, less allowance of $16,310 as of June 30, 2007 and $13,465 as of December 31, 2006

     405,169       248,772  

Prepaid expenses

     339,539       136,938  

Other current assets

     50,642       38,519  
                

Total Current Assets

     1,262,011       738,109  

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

    

Land, buildings and improvements

     991,555       999,561  

Furniture and other equipment

     211,175       193,290  

Construction in progress

     36,378       43,370  
                
     1,239,108       1,236,221  

Less accumulated depreciation

     374,433       360,049  
                
     864,675       876,172  

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

    

Intangible assets — net

     174,132       73,398  

Goodwill

     357,339       423,169  

OTHER ASSETS

    

Notes receivable, less allowance of $545 as of June 30, 2007 and as of December 31, 2006

     14,229       2,613  

Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates

     58,334       61,342  

Other assets

     82,570       50,199  
                

Total Assets

   $ 2,813,290     $ 2,225,002  
                
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

CURRENT LIABILITIES

    

Accounts payable

   $ 113,204     $ 40,646  

Accrued expenses

     523,307       471,414  

Deferred revenue

     764,988       230,179  

Current portion of long-term debt

     31,941       31,721  
                

Total Current Liabilities

     1,433,440       773,960  

Long-term debt

     578,024       607,425  

Other long-term liabilities

     83,405       88,790  

Minority interest liability

     59,650       76,165  

Series A and Series B redeemable preferred stock

     40,000       40,000  

Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 6)

    

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Common stock

     672       672  

Additional paid-in capital

     763,913       757,748  

Retained deficit

     (154,132 )     (119,005 )

Cost of shares held in treasury

     (21,884 )     (21,472 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     30,202       20,719  
                

Total Shareholders’ Equity

     618,771       638,662  
                

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

   $ 2,813,290     $ 2,225,002  
                

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3


Index to Financial Statements

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2007     2006     2007     2006  
     (in thousands except share and per share data)  

Revenue

   $ 1,039,565     $ 768,230     $ 1,623,750     $ 1,284,797  

Operating expenses:

        

Direct operating expenses

     814,993       604,779       1,236,305       982,611  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     173,163       129,187       324,496       245,203  

Depreciation and amortization

     25,027       16,306       52,713       31,311  

Gain on sale of operating assets

     (19,268 )     (1,682 )     (14,806 )     (9,410 )

Corporate expenses

     9,263       7,958       19,059       15,337  
                                

Operating income

     36,387       11,682       5,983       19,745  

Interest expense

     15,270       8,348       30,222       16,161  

Interest income

     (4,425 )     (4,496 )     (7,194 )     (5,976 )

Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates

     (2,875 )     (1,478 )     (3,218 )     (3,302 )

Minority interest expense (income)

     3,472       151       427       (684 )

Other income — net

     (325 )     (5,879 )     (385 )     (3,325 )
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     25,270       15,036       (13,869 )     16,871  

Income tax expense (benefit):

        

Current

     14,931       5,884       17,137       6,051  

Deferred

     417       (530 )     4,121       21  
                                

Net income (loss)

     9,922       9,682       (35,127 )     10,799  

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

        

Unrealized holding gain on cash flow derivatives

     871       1,377       435       1,869  

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     9,115       11,919       9,048       15,597  
                                

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 19,908     $ 22,978     $ (25,644 )   $ 28,265  
                                

Net income (loss) per common share:

        

Basic

   $ .15     $ .15     $ (.54 )   $ .17  
                                

Diluted

   $ .15     $ .15     $ (.54 )   $ .17  
                                

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     65,521,804       64,462,679       65,510,822       64,218,450  
                                

Diluted

     67,702,746       65,329,597       65,510,822       64,919,415  
                                

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

4


Index to Financial Statements

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2007     2006  
     (in thousands)  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income (loss)

   $ (35,127 )   $ 10,799  

Reconciling items:

    

Depreciation

     39,117       30,375  

Amortization of intangibles

     13,596       936  

Deferred income tax expense

     4,121       21  

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     618       292  

Non-cash compensation expense

     5,799       1,570  

Gain on sale of operating assets

     (14,806 )     (9,410 )

Loss (gain) on sale of other investments

     (64 )     2,051  

Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates

     (3,218 )     (3,302 )

Minority interest expense (income)

     427       (684 )

Decrease in other — net

     —         (39 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions:

    

Increase in accounts receivable

     (152,759 )     (63,170 )

Increase in prepaid expenses

     (217,800 )     (199,189 )

Increase in other assets

     (43,698 )     (13,828 )

Increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

     90,429       56,397  

Increase in deferred revenue

     528,341       383,508  
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     214,976       196,327  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Collection of notes receivable

     1,857       2,972  

Advances to notes receivable

     (12,880 )     (2,033 )

Distributions from nonconsolidated affiliates

     5,956       6,128  

Investments made to nonconsolidated affiliates

     (23,890 )     (7,307 )

Proceeds from disposal of other investments

     3,616       1,743  

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (39,462 )     (31,967 )

Proceeds from disposal of operating assets

     60,195       36,655  

Acquisition of operating assets, net of cash acquired

     (25,316 )     (4,022 )

Decrease (increase) in other — net

     417       (621 )
                

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (29,507 )     1,548  

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Proceeds from long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs

     87,051       1,228  

Payments on long-term debt

     (118,765 )     (6,351 )

Contributions from minority interest partners

     —         23,294  

Distributions to minority interest partners

     (4,020 )     (140 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     424       —    

Payments for purchases of common stock

     —         (24,717 )
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (35,310 )     (6,686 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     2,622       8,527  

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     152,781       199,716  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     313,880       403,716  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 466,661     $ 603,432  
                

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5


Index to Financial Statements

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business

Live Nation, Inc. (the “Company” or “Live Nation”) was incorporated in Delaware on August 2, 2005 in preparation for the contribution and transfer by Clear Channel Communications, Inc. (“Clear Channel”) of substantially all of its entertainment assets and liabilities to the Company (the “Separation”). The Company completed the Separation on December 21, 2005 and became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange trading under the symbol “LYV”.

Prior to the Separation, Live Nation was a wholly owned subsidiary of Clear Channel. As part of the Separation, holders of Clear Channel’s common stock received one share of Live Nation common stock for every eight shares of Clear Channel common stock.

Beginning in 2007, the Company reorganized its business units and the way in which these businesses are assessed and therefore changed its reportable segments to North American Music, International Music, Global Artists, Global Digital and Global Theater. The North American Music segment principally involves the promotion of live music events in the Company’s owned and/or operated venues and in rented third-party venues and the operation and management of music venues principally in the United States and Canada. The International Music segment principally involves the promotion of live music events in the Company’s owned and/or operated venues and in rented third-party venues, the production of music festivals and the operation and management of music venues outside of North America. The Global Artists segment principally involves the promotion and/or production of global music tours as well as providing various services to artists including fan clubs, advertising production services, merchandise services and DVD/CD production and distribution. The Global Digital segment principally involves the management of the Company’s in-house centralized ticketing operations and online and wireless distribution activities, including the development of the Company’s website. The Global Theater segment principally involves the presentation and production of touring and other theatrical performances and the operation and management of theatrical venues. In addition, the Company has operations in the specialized motor sports, sports representation and other businesses, which are included under “other”.

Seasonality

Due to the seasonal nature of shows in outdoor amphitheaters and festivals, which primarily occur May through September, the Company experiences higher revenues during the second and third quarters. This seasonality also results in higher balances in cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, accrued expenses and deferred revenue at different times in the year.

Preparation of Interim Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements included in this report have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals and adjustments necessary for adoption of new accounting standards) necessary to present fairly the results of the interim periods shown. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations. Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Due to seasonality and other factors, the results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. The financial statements contained herein should be read in conjunction with the consolidated and combined financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The consolidated financial statements include all accounts of the Company, its majority owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Significant intercompany accounts among the consolidated businesses have been eliminated in consolidation. Minority interest expense (income) is recorded for consolidated affiliates in which the Company owns more than 50%, but not all, of the voting common stock and also variable interest entities for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates in which the Company owns 20% to 50% of the voting common stock or otherwise exercises significant influence over operating and financial policies of the nonconsolidated affiliate are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates in which the Company owns less than 20% of the voting common stock are accounted for using the cost method of accounting.

 

6


Index to Financial Statements

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2006 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2007 presentation. The reclassifications primarily relate to a change on the consolidated statements of cash flows to reflect contributions from and distributions to minority interest partners as cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities. These cash flows had been reflected previously as cash flows provided by (used in) operating and investing activities. The increase to cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities was $23.1 million and the offsetting decreases to cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities and cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities was $7.8 million and $15.4 million, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2006. In addition, as of June 30, 2006, $24.6 million of long-term accrued rent was reclassified from accrued expenses to other long-term liabilities. None of these reclassifications are considered significant to the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 creates a single model to address uncertainty in tax positions. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007, as required. See Note 8 for further discussion of the effect that adoption of FIN 48 had on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“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. The provisions of Statement 157 are applied prospectively with retrospective application to certain financial instruments. The Company will adopt Statement 157 on January 1, 2008 and is currently assessing the impact its adoption will have on its financial position and 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 (“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 (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. The Company will adopt Statement 159 on January 1, 2008 and is currently assessing the impact its adoption will have on its financial position and results of operations.

 

7


Index to Financial Statements

NOTE 2 — LONG-LIVED ASSETS

Definite-lived Intangibles

The Company has definite-lived intangible assets which are amortized over the shorter of either the respective lives of the agreements or the period of time the assets are expected to contribute to the Company’s future cash flows. The following table presents the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of definite-lived intangible assets as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006:

 

     June 30, 2007     December 31, 2006  
    

Gross Carrying

Amount

  

Accumulated

Amortization

   

Gross Carrying

Amount

  

Accumulated

Amortization

 
     (in thousands)  

Venue management and leasehold interests

   $ 69,589    $ (5,190 )   $ 7,456    $ (1,937 )

Artist relationships

     47,635      (10,470 )     42,181      (5,123 )

Revenue-generating contracts

     44,104      (6,904 )     21,035      (2,777 )

Trademarks and naming rights

     9,420      (2,924 )     9,020      (2,196 )

Non-compete agreements

     2,211      (1,609 )     1,804      (1,432 )

Other

     4,364      (686 )     4,360      (584 )
                              

Total

   $ 177,323    $ (27,783 )   $ 85,856    $ (14,049 )
                              

During the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company recorded additional definite-lived intangible assets due to purchase accounting adjustments for venue management and leasehold interests, revenue-generating contracts and artist relationships resulting from the Company’s 2006 acquisitions of HOB Entertainment, Inc. (“HOB”) and Concert Productions International (“CPI”) and additional revenue-generating contracts resulting from the Company’s 2007 acquisition of the remaining interest in Cinq Group, LLC, which operates as TRUNK, Ltd. (“Trunk”), for an aggregate of $88.4 million with a weighted average life of approximately 12 years which represents the majority of the increase above.

Total amortization expense from definite-lived intangible assets for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 and the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 was $5.8 million, $0.6 million, $13.6 million and $0.9 million, respectively. The increase for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same periods of the prior year was primarily due to amortization of intangible assets recorded as part of the purchase price allocations of the Company’s acquisitions of HOB and CPI.

Indefinite-lived Intangibles

The Company has indefinite-lived intangible assets which consist primarily of the intangible value related to trade names which are reviewed for impairment at least annually. These indefinite-lived intangible assets had a carrying value of $24.6 million and $1.6 million as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. The increase in indefinite-lived intangible assets during 2007 was due primarily to the intangible value related to trade names resulting from purchase accounting adjustments for the Company’s 2006 acquisition of HOB.

Goodwill

The Company tests goodwill for impairment at least annually using a two-step process. The first step, used to screen for potential impairment, compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The second step, used to measure the amount of any potential impairment, compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit with the carrying amount of goodwill. As the Company has realigned its segments, beginning in 2007, in accordance with the change in the management of the business units, goodwill has been reallocated to the new reporting business units that make up these segments utilizing a fair value approach. For each reportable operating segment, the reporting units were determined to be either the operating segment or the components thereof in accordance with FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. The following table presents the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill in each of the Company’s business segments for the six-month period ended June 30, 2007:

 

    

North

American

Music

   

International

Music

   

Global

Artists

   

Global

Digital

  

Global

Theater

    Total  
     (in thousands)  

Balance as of December 31, 2006

   $ 291,053     $ 113,570     $ 13,211     $ —      $ 5,335     $ 423,169  

Acquisitions

     (67,681 )     5,161       (272 )     —        108       (62,684 )

Foreign currency

     805       816       185       —        293       2,099  

Adjustments

     (1,559 )     (2,755 )     (362 )     —        (569 )     (5,245 )
                                               

Balance as of June 30, 2007

   $ 222,618     $ 116,792     $ 12,762     $ —      $ 5,167     $ 357,339  
                                               

 

8


Index to Financial Statements

Included in the acquisition amounts above are $3.1 million and $39.0 million of goodwill related to the Company’s acquisitions of Jackie Lombard Productions (“Jackie Lombard”) in the first quarter of 2007 and the remaining interest in House of Blues Concerts Canada (“HOB Canada”) in the second quarter of 2007, respectively. In addition, a reduction of goodwill was recorded during 2007 related to adjustments in the purchase accounting for the Company’s acquisition of HOB in November 2006. This HOB adjustment included a reduction in goodwill of $105.3 million related to the recording of the fair value of definite-lived and indefinite-lived intangibles related to venue management and leasehold interests, revenue-generating contracts and trade names, and a $6.0 million reduction related to the fair value adjustment of fixed assets. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in goodwill of $4.2 million related to pre-acquisition liabilities for HOB. The Company is in the process of finalizing its purchase accounting for recent acquisitions which could result in a change to the allocation of the purchase price.

In addition, during 2007, the Company recorded adjustments of $5.2 million primarily related to deferred tax assets, with an offset to goodwill, due to the limited availability of future tax deductions as a result of the settlement of certain Internal Revenue Service audits of the Company for periods prior to Clear Channel’s acquisition in 2000.

NOTE 3 — RESTRUCTURING

As part of the Company’s acquisition of HOB Canada in June 2007, the Company accrued $1.0 million in restructuring costs in its North American Music segment related to severance costs which it expects to pay in 2007. These additional costs were recorded as an adjustment to the purchase price. As of June 30, 2007, the accrual balance for the HOB Canada restructuring was $1.0 million. This restructuring is expected to result in the termination of eight employees.

As part of the Company’s acquisition of HOB in November 2006, the Company accrued $5.5 million in restructuring costs in its North American Music segment related to severance costs which it expects to pay in 2007. These additional costs were recorded as an adjustment to the purchase price. As of June 30, 2007, the accrual balance for the HOB restructuring was $0.5 million. This restructuring will result in the termination of 80 employees, the majority of which have been terminated as of June 30, 2007.

As part of the Company’s acquisition of Mean Fiddler Music Group, PLC (“Mean Fiddler”) in July 2005, the Company accrued $4.7 million for the year ended 2005 and recorded an additional accrual of $2.7 million in 2006 in its International Music segment primarily related to lease terminations which it expects to pay over the next several years. These additional costs were recorded as adjustments to the purchase price. As of June 30, 2007, the accrual balance for the Mean Fiddler restructuring was $5.6 million.

In addition, the Company has a remaining restructuring accrual of $1.9 million as of June 30, 2007, related to its merger with Clear Channel in August 2000.

In total, the Company has recorded a liability in purchase accounting related to severance for terminated employees and lease terminations as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
   2007     2006  
   (in thousands)  

Severance and lease termination costs:

    

Accrual at January 1

   $ 13,132     $ 6,223  

Restructuring accrual recorded

     1,177       2,735  

Payments charged against restructuring accrual

     (5,348 )     (442 )
                

Remaining accrual at June 30

   $ 8,961     $ 8,516  
                

 

9


Index to Financial Statements

The remaining severance and lease accrual is comprised of $2.1 million of severance and $6.9 million of lease termination costs. The severance accrual includes amounts that will be paid over the next several years related to deferred payments to former employees, as well as other compensation. The lease termination accrual will be paid over the next 22 years. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, $0.9 million and $5.0 million, respectively, was charged to the restructuring reserve related to severance. The Company is continuing to evaluate its purchase accounting liabilities related to its recent acquisitions which may result in additional restructuring accruals.

NOTE 4 — INVESTMENTS

The Company has investments in various nonconsolidated affiliates. These investments are not consolidated, but are accounted for under the equity method of accounting whereby the Company records its investments in these entities in the balance sheet as investments in nonconsolidated affiliates. The Company’s interests in their operations are recorded in the statement of operations as equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the following three investments are considered significant:

Bodies the Exhibition

The Company owns a 50% interest in a joint venture which holds the right and license to present Bodies the Exhibition in various locations. This interest was acquired with the CPI acquisition in May of 2006.

Broadway in Chicago

The Company owns a 50% interest in Broadway in Chicago, a United States theatrical company involved in promotion, presentation and venue operations for live entertainment events.

Delirium Concert, L.P.

The Company owns a 50% interest in a joint venture with Cirque Du Soleil to develop, produce and promote a new type of live entertainment musical and visual event. This joint venture was formed in 2005 with the tour beginning in 2006. During the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company recorded an impairment write-down of $1.2 million related to this investment.

Summarized unaudited income statement information for these investments is as follows:

 

     Bodies   

Broadway

in

Chicago

  

Delirium

Concert (1)

 
     (in thousands)  

Three Months Ended June 30, 2007

        

Revenue

   $ 16,950    $ 17,278    $ 15,382  

Operating income (loss)

   $ 4,562    $ 4,993    $ (8,934 )

Net income (loss)

   $ 4,562    $ 5,405    $ (8,934 )

Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

        

Revenue

   $ 36,987    $ 28,746    $ 27,247  

Operating income (loss)

   $ 8,697    $ 6,779    $ (14,325 )

Net income (loss)

   $ 8,697    $ 7,360    $ (14,325 )

Three Months Ended June 30, 2006

        

Revenue

   $ —      $ 18,785    $ 18,954  

Operating income (loss)

   $ —      $ 3,971    $ (2,224 )

Net income (loss)

   $ —      $ 4,211    $ (2,224 )

Six Months Ended June 30, 2006

        

Revenue

   $ —      $ 28,727    $ 36,051  

Operating income (loss)

   $ —      $ 6,143    $ (2,051 )

Net income (loss)

   $ —      $ 6,636    $ (2,051 )

(1) Included in Delirium Concert’s operating income (loss) is amortization of production costs related to the event.

 

10


Index to Financial Statements

NOTE 5 — DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“Statement 133”), requires the Company to recognize all of its derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. 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, the Company 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. The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions. The Company formally assesses, 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, the Company discontinues hedge accounting. The Company accounts for its derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for speculation or trading purposes.

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.

In March 2006, the Company entered into two interest rate swap agreements, designated as cash flow hedges, which are combinations of purchased interest rate caps on a notional amount of a total of $162.5 million and sold floors over the same period on a total of $121.9 million of the notional amount to effectively convert a portion of its floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis. The principal objective of these contracts is to eliminate or reduce the variability of the cash flows in interest payments associated with the Company’s floating-rate debt as required by the Company’s senior secured credit facility, thus reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future interest expense. Approximately 30% of the Company’s outstanding term loans under its senior secured credit facility had its interest payments designated as the hedged forecasted transactions against the interest rate swap agreements at June 30, 2007. As of June 30, 2007, the interest rate for these hedges was fixed at 5.11% on a variable rate of 5.36% based on a 3-month LIBOR; this variable rate is subject to quarterly adjustments. For the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 and the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, these hedges were determined to be highly effective and the Company recorded an unrealized gain of $0.9 million, $1.4 million, $0.4 million and $1.9 million, respectively, as a component of other comprehensive income. Based on the current interest rate expectations, the Company estimates that approximately $0.3 million of this gain in other comprehensive income will be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months.

The Company has recorded a gain and related asset (liability) related to these derivative instruments during the period as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
   Six Months Ended
June 30,
   2007     2006    2007    2006
   (in thousands)

Balance at beginning of period

   $ (332 )   $ 492    $ 104    $ —  

Unrealized holding gain on cash flow derivatives

     871       1,377      435      1,869
                            

Balance at end of period

   $ 539     $ 1,869    $ 539    $ 1,869
                            

Occasionally, the Company will use forward currency contracts to reduce its 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 June 30, 2007, the Company had $5.1 million outstanding in forward currency contracts. The change in fair value of these instruments from date of purchase through June 30, 2007 was not significant to the Company’s results of operations.

 

11


Index to Financial Statements

NOTE 6 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

The Company has leases that contain contingent payment requirements for which payments vary depending on revenues, tickets sold or other variables.

As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the Company guaranteed the debt of third parties of approximately $2.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively, primarily related to maximum credit limits on employee and tour related credit cards and bank lines of credit of a nonconsolidated affiliate and a third-party promoter.

In connection with the sale of a portion of its sports representation business assets during 2006, the Company guaranteed the performance of a third party related to an employment contract in the amount of approximately $0.6 million. This guarantee is effective through December 31, 2008; however, it would only require payment by the Company in the event of the buyer’s insolvency. As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the carrying value of this liability recorded by the Company was $0.1 million for each of the respective periods.

Certain agreements relating to acquisitions provide for purchase price adjustments and other future contingent payments based on the financial performance of the acquired companies. The Company will accrue additional amounts related to such contingent payments if and when it is determinable that the applicable financial performance targets will be met. The aggregate of these contingent payments, if performance targets are met, would not significantly impact the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

The Company was a defendant in a lawsuit filed by Melinda 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 the Company nationwide caused artificially high ticket prices. On August 11, 2003, the Court ruled in the Company’s 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 the Company’s 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.

The Company is 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 discussed 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. The Company has filed its answers in some of these actions, and has denied liability. On December 5, 2005, the Company 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 the Company’s 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. Trial is set for January 15, 2008. The Company intends to vigorously defend all claims in all of the actions.

The Company is also currently involved in certain other legal proceedings and, as required, has accrued its best estimate of the probable settlement or other losses for the resolution of these 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 the Company’s assumptions or the effectiveness of its strategies related to these proceedings.

NOTE 7 — RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Relationship with Clear Channel

Master Separation and Distribution Agreement

The master separation and distribution agreement provides for, among other things, the principal corporate transactions required to effect the transfer of assets and the Company’s assumption of liabilities necessary to separate the transferred businesses from Clear Channel, the distribution of the Company’s common stock to the holders of record of Clear Channel’s common stock on December 14, 2005, and certain other agreements governing the Company’s relationship with Clear Channel after the date of the Separation. The transfers from Clear Channel to the Company occurred prior to the Separation and all of the assets were transferred on an “as is,” “where is” basis, and the Company and its subsidiaries agreed to bear the economic and legal risks that any conveyance was insufficient to vest in the Company good title, free and clear of any security interest, and that any necessary consents or approvals were not obtained or that any requirements of laws or

 

12


Index to Financial Statements

judgments were not complied with. The Company assumed and agreed to perform and fulfill all of the liabilities arising out of ownership or use of the transferred assets or the operation of the transferred businesses. The Company also agreed, among other things, that for the Company’s 2005 fiscal year and for any fiscal year thereafter for so long as Clear Channel is required to consolidate the Company’s results of operations and financial position with its results of operations and financial position, the Company will not select an independent registered public accounting firm different from Clear Channel.

Transition Services Agreement

The transition services agreement governs the provision by Clear Channel to the Company of certain transitional administrative and support services such as treasury, payroll and other financial related services; human resources and employee benefits; legal and related services; information systems, network and related services; investment services; and corporate services. The charges for the transition services are intended to allow Clear Channel to fully recover the allocated direct costs of providing the services, plus all out-of-pocket expenses, generally without profit. The allocation of costs is based on various measures depending on the service provided, including relative revenue, employee headcount or number of users of a service. The services will terminate or were terminated at various times after the completion of the Separation. As of June 30, 2007, only information systems related services are still being provided, all of which are expected to be terminated by the end of 2007.

Tax Matters Agreement

The tax matters agreement governs the respective rights, responsibilities and obligations of Clear Channel and the Company with respect to tax liabilities and benefits, tax attributes, tax contests and other matters regarding income taxes, non-income taxes and preparing and filing tax returns, as well as with respect to any additional taxes incurred by the Company attributable to actions, events or transactions relating to the Company’s stock, assets or business following the Separation, including taxes imposed if the Separation fails to qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or if Clear Channel is not able to recognize certain losses.

Employee Matters Agreement

The employee matters agreement provides that the Company will be solely responsible for the majority of the liabilities and expenses relating to the Company’s current and former employees and their covered dependents and beneficiaries, regardless of when incurred.

Transactions with Clear Channel Directors

The Company has three non-employee directors on its board of directors that are also directors and executive officers of Clear Channel. These three directors receive directors’ fees, stock options and restricted stock awards as do other non-employee members of the Company’s board of directors.

Transactions with Clear Channel

From time to time, the Company purchases advertising from Clear Channel and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business. For the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 and the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded an aggregate of $3.0 million, $3.8 million, $5.4 million and $6.4 million, respectively, as components of direct operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses for these advertisements.

Pursuant to the transition services agreement, subsequent to the Separation, Clear Channel provided or provides to the Company certain limited administrative and support services as discussed above. As of June 30, 2007, the only significant services that Clear Channel continues to provide are information systems related services. For the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 and the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded an aggregate of $0.9 million, $1.3 million, $1.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively, for these services as components of selling, general and administrative expenses and corporate expenses.

In connection with the Separation, the Company entered into various lease and licensing agreements with Clear Channel primarily for office space occupied by the Company’s employees. For the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 and the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded $0.2 million, $0.2 million, $0.4 million and $0.4 million respectively, of expense as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses related to these agreements.

As of June 30, 2007, the Company has recorded a liability in accrued expenses to Clear Channel of $0.9 million for the transition services described above and certain other costs paid for by Clear Channel on the Company’s behalf.

 

13


Index to Financial Statements

Other Relationships

Transactions with Directors

In May 2006, the Company acquired a 50.1% controlling interest in the touring business of a commonly owned group of companies operating under the name of Concert Productions International, or CPI, and a 50% interest in several entities in the non-touring business of CPI (collectively, the “CPI Entities”). Concurrent with the acquisition, Michael Cohl became a member of the Company’s board of directors. Mr. Cohl owns a 72.37% interest in Concert Productions International, Inc. (“CPI, Inc.”) which, together with other sellers, sold the Company its interests in the CPI Entities. Through his ownership in CPI, Inc., Mr. Cohl indirectly received consideration from the sale of $72,370 in cash and 54,519 shares of the Company’s common stock, which shares are subject to a Lockup and Registration Rights Agreement. The CPI Entities have entered into a Services Agreement with KSC Consulting (Barbados) Inc. for the executive services of Mr. Cohl, pursuant to which Mr. Cohl serves as Chief Executive Officer of the CPI Entities for a term of five years. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company incurred $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively, related to these services with KSC Consulting. In addition, the Company entered into a Securityholders Agreement and a Credit Agreement in connection with this transaction. The Securityholders Agreement provides, among other things, for the payment of fees and expenses to CPI, Inc. and CPI Entertainment Rights, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CPI, Inc., and the Credit Agreement requires the Company to make certain extensions of credit to the CPI Entities. Mr. Cohl receives stock option awards as do other members of the Company’s board of directors.

Other Related Parties

The Company conducts certain transactions in the ordinary course of business with companies that are owned, in part or in total, by various members of management of the Company’s subsidiaries. These transactions primarily relate to venue rentals, equipment rental, ticketing and other services and reimbursement of certain costs. Expenses of $2.7 million, $2.5 million, $4.2 million and $3.7 million were incurred for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 and the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and revenues of $0.5 million, $0.0 million, $0.8 million and $0.1 million were earned for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 and the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, from these companies for services rendered or provided in relation to these business ventures. None of these transactions were with directors or executive officers of the Company.

NOTE 8 — INCOME TAXES

The Company customarily calculates interim effective tax rates in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion 28, Interim Financial Reporting (“APB 28”). As required by APB 28, the Company applies the estimated annual effective tax rate to year-to-date pretax income (or loss) at the end of each interim period to compute a year-to-date tax expense (or benefit). FASB Interpretation No. 18 (“FIN 18”) requires departure from customary effective tax rate computations when losses incurred within tax jurisdictions cannot be carried back and future profits associated with operations in those tax jurisdictions cannot be assured beyond any reasonable doubt.

Total income tax expense as a percentage of the Company’s income (loss) before income taxes is (153%) for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Of the $21.3 million of total tax, 4% relates to state and local taxes, 3% relates to interest and penalties for uncertain tax positions, and 26% relates to adjustments for significant, unusual and extraordinary items. The remainder of the tax expense relates to statutory tax on profitable operations which are principally operations outside of the United States and reflect an effective tax rate for those jurisdictions of 29%. No tax benefit has been recorded for entities that have losses, as those losses cannot be carried back, and for which future profits associated with such operations in those tax jurisdictions do not meet the more likely than not criteria for asset recognition. The 29% effective tax rate has been applied to year-to-date earnings of taxable jurisdictions for which the Company currently expects to have taxable income. As required by APB 28, the Company also includes tax effects of significant, unusual or extraordinary items in income tax expense in interim periods in accordance with customary requirements.

During the first six months of 2006, the annual effective tax rate for 2006 was expected to be 38% to 40%. The decrease during 2007 is primarily related to the exclusion, in the computation of the overall estimated annual effective tax rate, of losses from operations for which tax benefits cannot be reasonably assured and the related impact of FIN 18 as discussed above.

In June 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, which became effective for the Company 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 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. As a result of the adoption of FIN 48, the Company recognized no material adjustment in the liability for unrecognized income tax benefits. At the adoption date on January 1, 2007, the Company had $21.9 million of unrecognized tax benefits, the majority of which would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. At June 30, 2007, the Company had $22.5 million of unrecognized tax benefits.

 

14


Index to Financial Statements

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company has recognized $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. As of June 30, 2007, the Company has approximately $2.7 million of accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions.

The tax years 2002 through 2006 remain open to examination by the major tax jurisdictions to which the Company is subject.

NOTE 9 — STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

In December 2005, the Company adopted its 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. The plan authorizes the Company to grant stock option awards, director shares, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and deferred stock awards, other equity-based awards and performance awards. The Company has granted options to purchase its common stock to employees and directors of the Company and its affiliates under the stock incentive plan at no less than the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant. These options are granted for a term not exceeding ten years and the nonvested options are forfeited in the event the employee or director terminates his or her employment or relationship with the Company or one of its affiliates. Any options that have vested at the time of termination are forfeited to the extent they are not exercised within the applicable post-employment exercise period provided in their option agreements. These options vest over one to five years. The stock incentive plan contains anti-dilutive provisions that require the adjustment of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock represented by, and the exercise price of, each option for any stock splits or stock dividends.

Stock Options

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“Statement 123(R)”), which is a revision of FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. The Company chose the modified-prospective transition application of Statement 123(R). The fair value of the options is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the options’ vesting period.

Prior to the adoption of Statement 123(R) and through June 30, 2007, no tax benefits from the exercise of stock options have been recognized. Any future excess tax benefits derived from the exercise of stock options will be recorded prospectively and reported as cash flows from financing activities in accordance with Statement 123(R).

The fair value for options in the Company’s stock was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Expected volatilities are based on implied volatilities of traded options and the historical volatility of stocks of similar companies since the Company’s common stock does not have sufficient trading history to reasonably predict its own volatility. The Company has used the simplified method for estimating the expected life within the valuation model which is the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk free rate for periods within the life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury Note rate. The following assumptions were used to calculate the fair value of the Company’s options on the date of grant:

 

     2007     2006  

Risk-free interest rate

   4.5% - 4.88 %   4.71 %

Dividend yield

   0.0 %   0.0 %

Volatility factors

   28 %   28 %

Weighted average expected life (in years)

   5 - 7.5     5 - 7.5  

The following table presents a summary of the Company’s stock options outstanding at, and stock option activity during, the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (“Price” reflects the weighted average exercise price per share):

 

     2007    2006
   Options     Price    Options     Price
   (in thousands, except per share data)

Outstanding, January 1

   2,152     $ 11.07    2,078     $ 10.60

Granted

   2,130       24.39    —         —  

Exercised

   (40 )     10.60    —         —  

Forfeited or expired

   (163 )     10.60    (12 )     10.60
                         

Outstanding, June 30

   4,079     $ 18.05    2,066     $ 10.60
                         

Exercisable, June 30

   32     $ 10.60    —         —  

Weighted average fair value per option granted

     $ 6.07      $ 3.72

 

15


Index to Financial Statements

The weighted average fair value of stock options granted is required to be based on a theoretical option pricing model. In actuality, because the Company’s stock options are not traded on an exchange, option holders can receive no value nor derive any benefit from holding stock options under the plan without an increase in the market price of Live Nation stock. Such an increase in stock price would benefit all shareholders commensurately.

Cash received from stock option exercises for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 was $0.0 million and $0.4 million. The Company did not realize any actual tax benefit from stock option exercises.

There were 4.4 million shares available for future grants under the stock incentive plan at June 30, 2007. Vesting dates on the stock options range from December 2007 to December 2011, and expiration dates range from December 2012 to May 2017 at exercise prices and average contractual lives as follows:

 

Range of Exercise Prices

  

Outstanding

as of

6/30/07

(in thousands)

  

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Life

(in years)

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

  

Exercisable

as of

6/30/07

(in thousands)

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

$10.00 - $14.99

   1,859    7.3    $ 10.60    32    $ 10.60

$15.00 - $19.99

   200    10.0    $ 19.36    —      $ —  

$20.00 - $24.99

   2,020    9.9    $ 24.78    —      $ —  

The total intrinsic value of options exercisable as of June 30, 2007 was $0.1 million.

Restricted Stock Awards

The Company has granted restricted stock awards to its employees and directors under the stock incentive plan. These common shares carry a legend which restricts their transferability for a term of one to five years and are forfeited in the event the recipient’s employment or relationship with the Company is terminated prior to the lapse of the restriction. In addition, certain restricted stock awards require the Company to achieve minimum performance targets in order for these awards to vest. Recipients of the restricted stock awards are entitled to all cash dividends as of the date the award was granted. The fair value of the restricted stock is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the restricted stock’s vesting period.

The following table presents a summary of the Company’s restricted stock awards outstanding at June 30, 2007 and 2006 (“Price” reflects the weighted average share price at the date of grant):

 

     2007    2006
     Awards    Price    Awards     Price
     (in thousands, except per share data)

Outstanding, January 1

   361    $ 12.39    319     $ 10.60

Granted

   121      24.95    5       18.21

Forfeited

   —        —      (1 )     10.60
                        

Outstanding, June 30

   482    $ 15.63    323     $ 10.72
                        

The Company recorded $3.0 million, $0.8 million, $5.4 million and $1.6 million of non-cash compensation expense during the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, related to nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements for stock options and restricted stock awards with $1.5 million, $0.4 million, $2.8 million and $0.8 million recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses and $1.8 million, $0.4 million, $2.9 million and $0.8 million recorded in corporate expenses for the same respective periods. As of June 30, 2007, there was $25.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements for stock options and restricted stock awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over the next four years.

NOTE 10 — EARNINGS PER SHARE

The Company computes net income per common share in accordance with FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings per Share (“Statement 128”). Under the provisions of Statement 128, basic net income per common share is computed by dividing the net income applicable to common shares by the weighted average of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share adjusts basic net income per common share for the effects of stock options, restricted stock and other potentially dilutive financial instruments only in the periods in which such effect is dilutive.

 

16


Index to Financial Statements

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share:

 

     Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
     June 30, 2007    June 30, 2006    June 30, 2007     June 30, 2006
     (in thousands, except per share data)

Numerator:

          

Net income (loss)

   $ 9,922    $ 9,682    $ (35,127 )   $ 10,799

Effect of dilutive securities — none

     —        —        —         —  
                            

Numerator for net income (loss) per common share — diluted

   $ 9,922    $ 9,682    $ (35,127 )   $ 10,799

Denominator:

          

Weighted average common shares

     65,522      64,463      65,511       64,218

Effect of dilutive securities:

          

Stock options and restricted stock

     2,181      867      —         701
                            

Denominator for net income (loss) per common share — diluted

     67,703      65,330      65,511       64,919

Net income (loss) per common share:

          

Basic

   $ .15    $ .15    $ (.54 )   $ .17

Diluted

   $ .15    $ .15    $ (.54 )   $ .17

The calculation of diluted net income (loss) per common share includes the effects of the assumed exercise of any outstanding stock options and the assumed vesting of shares of restricted stock where dilutive. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the Company has excluded all potentially dilutive securities, such as nonvested restricted stock and outstanding options to purchase common stock, from the calculation of diluted net loss per common share because such securities are anti-dilutive. For the three months ended June 30, 2007, the diluted weighted average common shares outstanding excludes the dilutive effect of 1,960,000 stock options since such options have an exercise price in excess of the average market price of the Company’s common stock. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the diluted weighted average common shares outstanding excludes 1,970,295 total shares which represents the dilutive effect of 4,561,285 stock options and shares of restricted stock because these securities were anti-dilutive.

NOTE 11 — RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

In April 2007, the Company acquired the remaining 49% interest in Trunk. Trunk is 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. In connection with the acquisition, the Company recorded an intangible asset of $2.5 million which will be amortized over the remaining lives of the various trademarks.

In June 2007, the Company acquired the remaining 50% interest in 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. The Company recorded goodwill of $39.0 million and is continuing to evaluate its purchase accounting related to this acquisition.

In June 2007, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”) which amends and restates the Company’s existing senior secured credit agreement to modify certain covenants and other provisions and facilitate potential future acquisitions. The Amended Credit Agreement consists of a $550 million term loan facility and a $285 million revolving credit facility, with the right, subject to certain conditions, to increase such facilities by up to $250 million in the aggregate. 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. Under the Amended Credit Agreement, revolving loans bear interest at an annual rate of LIBOR plus 1.75%, subject to stepdowns based on the Company’s leverage ratio at the time of borrowing, and term loans bear interest at an annual rate of LIBOR plus 2.75%.

NOTE 12 — OTHER INFORMATION

Included in loss (gain) on sale of operating assets for the three months ended June 30, 2007 are gains of $12.4 million, $0.7 million, and $0.5 million related to the sale of the Hammersmith Apollo, Forum and Starwood Amphitheater music venues, respectively. The Hammersmith Apollo and Forum music venues are located in London and Starwood Amphitheater is located in Nashville. In addition, the Company recorded a gain of $6.0 million related to the sale of an office building in San Francisco. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, in addition to the items noted above, included in loss (gain) on sale

 

17


Index to Financial Statements

of operating assets is an $8.1 million loss related to the sale of the Company’s remaining 50.1% interest in the production of Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular and a $3.5 million gain related to the sale of Donington Park, an arena/race track in Leicestershire, England.

Included in loss (gain) on sale of operating assets for the six months ended June 30, 2006 is a $7.7 million gain recorded for the sale of a portion of the Company’s sports representation business assets related to basketball representation. This sale was made to a former member of senior management of the Company. In addition, the Company recorded a gain of $1.5 million for certain theatrical assets that were sold during 2006.

Included in other expense (income) – net for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 is income of $5.9 million related to a fee received on the sale of land in Ireland which was sold in April 2006 to the minority interest holder in this entity. This fee was for payment of services provided by the Company in completing the sale. Under the terms of the original acquisition that included this asset, the Company did not have the rights to the appreciation in the value of this property. The minority interest holder contributed his share of the appreciation in the value of the land to the entity.

NOTE 13 — SEGMENT DATA

Beginning in 2007, the Company reorganized its business units and the way in which these businesses are assessed and therefore changed its reportable segments to North American Music, International Music, Global Artists, Global Digital and Global Theater. Multiple operating segments are aggregated as the reportable segment for Global Artists. The North American Music segment principally involves the promotion of live music events in the Company’s owned and/or operated venues and in rented third-party venues and the operation and management of music venues primarily in the United States and Canada. The International Music segment principally involves the promotion of live music events in the Company’s owned and/or operated venues and in rented third-party venues, the production of music festivals and the operation and management of music venues outside of North America. The Global Artists segment principally involves the production and/or promotion of global music tours as well as providing various services to artists including fan clubs, advertising production services, merchandise services and DVD/CD production and distribution. The Global Digital segment principally involves the management of the Company’s in-house centralized ticketing operations and online and wireless distribution activities, including the development of the Company’s website. The Global Theater segment principally involves the presentation and production of touring and other theatrical performances and the operation and management of theatrical venues. “Other” includes specialized motor sports, sports representation and other businesses.

The Company has reclassified all periods presented to conform to the current period presentation. Revenue and expenses earned and charged between segments are eliminated in consolidation. Corporate expenses, interest income, interest expense, equity in losses (earnings) of nonconsolidated affiliates, minority interest expense (income), other expense (income) — net and income tax expense (benefit) are managed on a total company basis.

There are no customers that individually account for more than ten percent of the Company’s consolidated revenues in any year.

 

   

North

American

Music

   

International

Music

   

Global

Artists

   

Global

Digital

   

Global

Theater

  Other     Corporate     Eliminations     Consolidated  
    (in thousands)  

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2007

                 

Revenue

  $ 705,926     $ 439,825     $ 151,428     $ 4,215     $ 198,396   $ 128,052     $ —       $ (4,092 )   $ 1,623,750  

Direct operating expenses

    546,418       343,808       131,199       772       134,234     83,966       —         (4,092 )     1,236,305  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    166,680       65,566       24,109       6,644       41,910     19,587       —         —         324,496  

Depreciation and amortization

    25,513       8,259       6,638       1,086       7,878     768       2,571       —         52,713  

Loss (gain) on sale of operating assets

    (6,060 )     (13,092 )     —         —         8,029     (3,625 )     (58 )     —         (14,806 )

Corporate expenses

    —         —         —         —         —       —         19,059       —         19,059  
                                                                     

Operating income (loss)

  $ (26,625 )   $ 35,284     $ (10,518 )   $ (4,287 )   $ 6,345   $ 27,356     $ (21,572 )   $ —       $ 5,983  
                                                                     

Intersegment revenues

  $ 99     $ 293     $ 2,185     $ —       $ —     $ 1,515     $ —       $ —       $ 4,092  

Identifiable assets

  $ 1,121,321     $ 847,131     $ 335,145     $ 14,152     $ 397,087   $ 39,308     $ 59,146     $ —       $ 2,813,290  

Capital expenditures

  $ 24,764     $ 1,916     $ 1,399     $ 5,309     $ 2,556   $ 17     $ 3,501     $ —       $ 39,462  

 

18


Index to Financial Statements
   

North

American

Music

   

International

Music

   

Global

Artists

   

Global

Digital

   

Global

Theater

    Other     Corporate     Eliminations     Consolidated  
    (in thousands)  

Three Months Ended June 30, 2007

                 

Revenue

  $ 462,769     $ 335,239     $ 128,569     $ 2,914     $ 89,198     $ 23,356     $ —       $ (2,480 )   $ 1,039,565  

Direct operating expenses

    358,119       272,096       113,906       766       56,682       15,904       —         (2,480 )     814,993  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    91,765       33,237       13,505       3,420       20,483       10,753       —         —         173,163  

Depreciation and amortization

    12,463       3,693       2,908       479       4,223       (42 )     1,303       —         25,027  

Gain on sale of operating assets

    (6,060 )     (13,027 )     —         —         —         (144 )     (37 )     —         (19,268 )

Corporate expenses

    —         —         —         —         —         —         9,263       —         9,263  
                                                                       

Operating income (loss)

  $ 6,482     $ 39,240     $ (1,750 )   $ (1,751 )   $ 7,810     $ (3,115 )   $ (10,529 )   $ —       $ 36,387  
                                                                       

Intersegment revenues

  $ 84     $ 293     $ 1,076     $ —       $ —       $ 1,027     $ —       $ —       $ 2,480  

Six Months Ended
June 30, 2006

                 

Revenue

  $ 521,687     $ 336,200     $ 96,484     $ 2,565     $ 189,018     $ 146,499     $ —       $ (7,656 )   $ 1,284,797  

Direct operating expenses

    425,620       259,592       88,473       926       125,412       90,243       —         (7,655 )     982,611  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    104,749       54,229       5,401       4,882       43,938       32,005       —         (1 )     245,203  

Depreciation and amortization

    16,838       3,957       495       181       7,100       1,397       1,343       —         31,311  

Loss (gain) on sale of operating assets

    2       87                   (1,788 )     (7,704 )     (7 )           (9,410 )

Corporate expenses

    —         —         —         —         —         —         15,337       —         15,337  
                                                                       

Operating income (loss)

  $ (25,522 )   $ 18,335     $ 2,115     $ (3,424 )   $ 14,356     $ 30,558     $ (16,673 )   $ —       $ 19,745  
                                                                       

Intersegment revenues

  $ 383     $ —       $ 5,909     $ —       $ —       $ 1,364     $ —       $ —       $ 7,656  

Identifiable assets

  $ 710,675     $ 649,446     $ 214,025     $ 7,188     $ 485,525     $ 83,500     $ 202,767     $ —       $ 2,353,126  

Capital expenditures

  $ 11,039     $ 1,629     $ 47     $ 2,698     $ 8,113     $ 6,043     $ 2,398     $ —       $ 31,967  

Three Months Ended June 30, 2006

                 

Revenue

  $ 314,410     $ 248,527     $ 66,302     $ 1,803     $ 106,853     $ 36,419     $ —       $ (6,084 )   $ 768,230  

Direct operating expenses

    251,090       201,416       61,760       677       76,115       19,803       —         (6,082 )     604,779  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    55,712       28,985       2,786       2,584       22,234       16,888       —         (2 )     129,187  

Depreciation and amortization

    8,343       2,216       427       115       3,587       771       847       —         16,306  

Loss (gain) on sale of operating assets

    (1 )     87       —         —         (1,792 )     (37 )     61       —         (1,682 )

Corporate expenses

    —         —         —         —         —         —         7,958       —         7,958  
                                                                       

Operating income (loss)

  $ (734 )   $ 15,823     $ 1,329     $ (1,573 )   $ 6,709     $ (1,006 )   $ (8,866 )   $ —       $ 11,682  
                                                                       

Intersegment revenues

  $ 144     $ —       $ 5,022     $ —       $ —       $ 918     $ —       $ —       $ 6,084  

 

19


Index to Financial Statements

The following table provides information on the Company’s foreign operations included in the consolidated amounts above:

 

    

United Kingdom

Operations (1)

  

Other Foreign

Operations

  

Total Foreign

Operations

     (in thousands)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

        

Revenue

   $ 248,797    $ 315,478    $ 564,275

Identifiable assets

   $ 508,658    $ 609,945    $ 1,118,603

Three Months Ended June 30, 2007

        

Revenue

   $ 169,412    $ 240,669    $ 410,081

Six Months Ended June 30, 2006

        

Revenue

   $ 188,966    $ 191,404    $ 380,370

Identifiable assets

   $ 452,093    $ 349,778    $ 801,871

Three Months Ended June 30, 2006

        

Revenue

   $ 143,136    $ 131,085    $ 274,221

(1) Includes the Company’s venue in Ireland.

NOTE 14 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In July 2007, the Company exercised its option to require Gaiety Investments to contribute its 12% interest in Academy Music Holdings Limited (“AMG”) to the joint venture between the Company and Gaiety Investments. Beginning in July 2007, AMG will be consolidated in the Company’s financial statements with a total interest through this joint venture of 55.9%. The Company owns 50.1% of this joint venture with Gaiety Investments.

In July 2007, the Company issued $220.0 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, as amended. The notes will 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, the Company 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 the Company’s 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 the Company, were approximately $212.4 million.

In July 2007, the Company acquired the remaining 49% interest in Musictoday, LLC (“Musictoday”) for a combination of cash and shares of the Company’s common stock. The shares are subject to lock-up restrictions which release upon the first, second and third anniversaries of issuance. Musictoday is based in the United States and provides services to artists for online fan clubs, artist e-commerce and fulfillment, VIP packaging and artist fan club ticketing.

 

20


Index to Financial Statements
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

“Live Nation” (which may be referred to as “we”, “us” or “our”) means Live Nation, Inc. and its subsidiaries, or one of our segments or subsidiaries, as the context requires. You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations together with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes to the financial statements included elsewhere in this quarterly report.

Special Note About Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this quarterly report (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 management’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available to our management 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 in both our 2006 Form 10-K and this quarterly report, as well as other factors described herein or in our annual, quarterly and other reports we file with the SEC (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.

Executive Overview

During 2006, our first year as a stand-alone public company, we organized our business into three reportable segments: Events, Venues and Sponsorship and Digital Distribution. As we moved into 2007, we defined our strategy to make Live Nation a live music company rather than a general live entertainment company. To that end, in March 2007, we announced that we are pursuing a potential sale of the majority of our North American theatrical business. In addition, we announced in January 2007, that we reorganized our music business to bring the Events and Venues and Sponsorship divisions under common management in order to ensure the alignment of goals for these two important parts of our business.

As a result of these changes in the operation and management of our business, beginning in 2007 we have now amended our reporting segments to be: 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”.

The primary impacts of this change in segments are:

 

   

Ticket sales and show related costs that were previously recorded in our Events segment are now separated between the new segments based on geography and/or type of event.

 

   

Food and beverage, sponsorship, merchandise, rental and other venue ancillary income and venue related costs that were previously recorded in our Venues and Sponsorship segment are now separated between the new segments based on geography and/or type of event.

 

   

Revenues from ticket rebates on tickets sold by third-parties under our ticketing agreements that were previously recorded in our Digital Distribution segment are now recorded with their respective events in the applicable segments.

 

   

Global Digital continues to record a portion of the service charge earned on tickets sold though our in-house centralized ticketing operations.

 

21


Index to Financial Statements
   

Our specialized motor sports business which was previously included in our Events segment is now recorded as part of other operations.

 

   

Global Artists now includes our artist services businesses such as Musictoday, LLC (Musictoday) and Cinq Group, LLC, which operates as TRUNK, Ltd. (Trunk), which were previously reported in our Digital Distribution and Events segments, respectively.

During the second quarter of 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 divest non-core operations. The highlights for each of our segments for the second quarter of 2007 were:

North American Music

 

   

Events promoted by North American Music increased by 956 to 2,450. This increase was largely a result of 574 events in House of Blues clubs that we did not own in the same period of the prior year.

 

   

We have reduced the number of amphitheater events with less than 7,500 attendees by 47, or 33% from the second quarter of 2006 on a comparative basis.

 

   

We have reduced our costs as a percentage of revenue at our amphitheaters primarily by better talent buying and reducing show costs.

 

   

We continued with our strategy to expand in the small and mid-size venue market by announcing an agreement in April to add the world famous Hollywood Palladium (4,000 capacity) to our portfolio which will re-open in the fall of 2008 after our renovation is complete, opening the House of Blues Dallas (1,625 capacity) in May and entering into an agreement to operate, manage and exclusively book the Fillmore Miami Beach at The Jackie Gleason Theater (2,700 capacity).

 

   

As part of our continuing plan to focus our operations in the top markets, in June 2007 we completed the acquisition of the remaining 50% interest in House of Blues Concerts Canada (HOB Canada). The results of this business are now consolidated in our financial results from the date of acquisition.

 

   

We continue to seek to appropriately maximize the value of our real estate portfolio. During April 2007, we were successful in divesting our amphitheater located in Nashville and an office building in San Francisco.

International Music

 

   

Events promoted by International Music increased by 191 to 953. This was mainly a result of our acquisitions of Gamerco and Jackie Lombard Productions and increased promotion activity in Finland and Denmark.

 

   

In July 2007, we exercised our option to require Gaiety Investments to contribute its 12% interest in Academy Music Holdings Limited (AMG) to the joint venture between us and Gaiety Investments, bringing our total ownership interest through this joint venture to 55.9%. We own 50.1% of this joint venture with Gaiety Investments.

 

   

During June 2007, we were successful in divesting the Hammersmith Apollo and Forum mid-sized music venues located in London which was a regulatory requirement of the AMG transaction.

Global Artists

 

   

This segment includes the results from our global tours for artists such as the Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna, Barbra Streisand and The Who. In addition, it includes the results of our operations that provide non-touring services to these global artists as well as other artists. These services include fan clubs, merchandise and DVD/CD production services provided by our subsidiaries including Musictoday and Trunk; all of which we refer to as “Artist Nation”.

 

   

During the second quarter of 2007, we produced and/or promoted global tours for The Police, the Rolling Stones, The Who and Barbra Streisand.

 

   

In April 2007, we acquired the remaining 49% interest in Trunk. 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. Live Nation acquired a majority stake in Trunk in June 2006. This deal affirms Live Nation’s continuing strategy to build businesses around live music concerts that benefit both artists and avid fans.

 

22


Index to Financial Statements
   

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

Global Digital

 

   

This segment includes the results of our in-house centralized ticketing operations and the revenues and costs associated with our website, www.livenation.com. This segment derives the majority of its revenues from service charges earned on tickets sold through our in-house centralized ticketing operations. 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.

 

   

In May 2007, we launched a number of exclusive new features on www.livenation.com, including livenation.tv, the sale of premium seats to registered livenation.com members, VIP parking spaces and VIP Club Access. Live Nation’s domestic websites collectively continue to be ranked as the second most popular entertainment/event site according to Nielsen//NetRatings with over 4.1 million unique visitors in the month of June 2007.

 

   

In June 2007, we were successful in distributing more than 400,000 free tickets to OZZFEST which demonstrates our continued improvements in our in-house ticketing operations.

 

   

In July 2007, we launched a globally consistent designed website in the United Kingdom which offers fans a powerful concert search engine and special online access to tickets and merchandise.

Global Theater

 

   

This segment includes the results from our North American presenting business (Broadway Across America), our United Kingdom theatrical producing and presenting business and our North American and United Kingdom theatrical venues.

 

   

In March 2007, we announced that we have commenced a process to divest the majority of our North American theatrical business assets. This sale process remains ongoing and is subject to us receiving acceptable terms of sale.

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 Communications, Inc. (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”.

Segment Overview

Beginning in 2007, we reorganized our business units and the way in which these businesses are assessed and therefore changed our reportable segments to 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”. Previously, we operated in three reportable business segments: Events, Venues and Sponsorship, and Digital Distribution. In addition, previously included under “other” were our operations in the sports representation and other businesses. We have reclassified all periods presented to conform to the current period presentation.

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 revenues during the second and third quarters due to the seasonal nature of shows at our outdoor amphitheaters, which primarily occur May through September.

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 revenues 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 show profits. For each event, we either use a venue we own and/or operate, or rent a third-party venue. Revenues are

 

23


Index to Financial Statements

generally related to the number of events, volume of ticket sales and ticket prices. Event costs, included in direct operating expenses, such as artist and production service expenses, are typically substantial in relation to the revenues. 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 we provide operational services such as concessions, merchandising, parking, security, ushering and ticket-taking. We generate revenues 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 beverages is outsourced and we receive a share of the net revenues from the concessionaire which is recorded in revenue with no significant direct operating expenses associated with it. Revenues generated from venue operations typically have a higher margin than promotion revenues and therefore typically have a more direct relationship to operating income.

We actively pursue the sale of national and local sponsorships and placement of advertising, including signage and promotional programs. Many of our venues also 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 have included companies such as American Express, Anheuser Busch, Nokia and Verizon. 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.

To judge the health of our North American Music segment, management primarily monitors 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, management monitors attendance, food and beverage sales per attendee, premium seat sales and corporate sponsorship sales.

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 revenues during the second and third quarters due to the seasonal nature of our international festivals, which primarily occur June through August.

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 revenues 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 show 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, included in direct operating expenses, such as artist and production service expenses, are typically substantial in relation to the revenues. 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 we provide operational services such as concessions, merchandising, security, ushering and ticket-taking. We generate revenues 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. Revenues generated from venue operations typically have a higher margin than promotion revenues and therefore typically have a more direct relationship to operating income.

To judge the health of our International Music segment, management primarily monitors 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, management monitors attendance and food and beverage sales per attendee. In addition, because this business is conducted in foreign markets, management looks at the operating results from our foreign operations on a constant dollar basis.

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 such as artist fan clubs and artist merchandising. 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 not be impacted.

As a producer, we generally hire artistic talent, develop sets and coordinate the actual performances of the events. We usually produce tours on a global basis. We generate revenues 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 revenues are generally related to

 

24


Index to Financial Statements

the size and profitability of the music tour. Artist and production costs, included in direct operating expenses, are typically substantial in relation to the revenues. As a result, significant increases or decreases in revenue related to these music tours do not typically result in comparable changes to operating income.

In addition to the above, we provide various services to artists including marketing, advertising production services and DVD/CD production and distribution. We refer to all of our non-touring artist services as “Artist Nation”.

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

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. This segment derives the majority of its revenues from service charges earned on tickets sold through our in-house centralized ticketing operations. 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.

To judge the health of our Global Digital segment, management primarily reviews the number of tickets sold through our in-house centralized ticketing operations and the number of unique visitors to our websites.

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 revenues during the first, second and fourth quarters as the theatrical touring season typically runs from September to April.

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 London. We pre-sell tickets for our touring and other theatrical performances through one of the largest subscription series, Broadway Across America, in the United States and Canada. We occasionally invest in the theatrical 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, included in direct operating expenses, such as touring company and production service expenses, are typically substantial in relation to the revenues. As a result, significant increases or decreases in presentation revenue do not typically result in comparable changes to operating income.

We derive revenues 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. Revenues generated from theater venue operations typically have a higher margin than presentation revenues and therefore typically have a more direct relationship to operating income.

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

 

25


Index to Financial Statements

Consolidated Results of Operations

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,    

%

Change

    Six Months Ended June 30,    

%

Change

 

(in thousands)

   2007     2006       2007     2006    

Revenue

   $ 1,039,565     $ 768,230     35 %   $ 1,623,750     $ 1,284,797     26 %

Operating expenses:

            

Direct operating expenses

     814,993       604,779     35 %     1,236,305       982,611     26 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     173,163       129,187     34 %     324,496       245,203     32 %

Depreciation and amortization

     25,027       16,306     53 %     52,713       31,311     68 %

Gain on sale of operating assets

     (19,268 )     (1,682 )   * *     (14,806 )     (9,410 )   * *

Corporate expenses

     9,263       7,958     16 %     19,059       15,337     24 %
                                    

Operating income

     36,387       11,682     * *     5,983       19,745     * *

Operating margin

     3.5 %     1.5 %       0.4 %     1.5 %  

Interest expense

     15,270       8,348         30,222       16,161    

Interest income

     (4,425 )     (4,496 )       (7,194 )     (5,976 )  

Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates

     (2,875 )     (1,478 )       (3,218 )     (3,302 )  

Minority interest expense (income)

     3,472       151         427       (684 )  

Other income — net

     (325 )     (5,879 )       (385 )     (3,325 )  
                                    

Income (loss) before income taxes

     25,270       15,036         (13,869 )     16,871    

Income tax expense (benefit):

            

Current

     14,931       5,884         17,137       6,051    

Deferred

     417       (530 )       4,121       21    
                                    

Net income (loss)

   $ 9,922     $ 9,682       $ (35,127 )   $ 10,799    
                                    

Note: Non-cash compensation expense of $1.9 million, $0.3 million, $3.0 million and $0.8 million is included in corporate expenses and $1.5 million, $0.4 million, $2.8 million and $0.8 million is included in selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 and the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
** Percentages are not meaningful.

 

26


Index to Financial Statements

Key Operating Metrics

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
  

Six Months Ended

June 30,

     2007    2006    2007    2006

Events

           

North American Music promotions

   2,450    1,494    4,272    2,889

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

   244    249    486    577

International Music promotions

   953    762    1,616    1,270

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

   318    395    688    741

Global Artists promotions

   33    20    44    20

Global Theater promotions

   1,061    1,020    2,356    1,842

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

   1,640    1,910    3,321    3,494

Motor sports promotions

   74    68    459    455
                   

Total events

   6,773    5,918    13,242    11,288
                   

Further detail of North American Music promotions:

           

Owned and/or operated amphitheaters

   217    214    233    227

All other

   2,233    1,280    4,039    2,662
                   

Total North American Music promotion events

   2,450    1,494    4,272    2,889
                   

Attendance (rounded)

           

North American Music promotions

   6,095,000    4,475,000    9,641,000    7,939,000

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

   545,000    110,000    853,000    239,000

International Music promotions

   3,699,000    2,675,000    4,750,000    3,677,000

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

   859,000    713,000    1,772,000    1,329,000

Global Artists promotions

   629,000    265,000    709,000    265,000

Global Theater promotions

   1,533,000    1,632,000    3,478,000    3,097,000

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

   1,536,000    1,690,000    3,186,000    3,095,000

Motor sports promotions

   317,000    340,000    4,237,000    4,148,000
                   

Total attendance

   15,213,000    11,900,000    28,626,000    23,789,000
                   

Further detail of North American Music promotions:

           

Owned and/or operated amphitheaters

   2,080,000    1,890,000    2,123,000    1,958,000

All other

   4,015,000    2,585,000    7,518,000    5,981,000
                   

Total North American Music promotion attendance

   6,095,000    4,475,000    9,641,000    7,939,000
                   

Note: Events and attendance information for our exhibitions and sports representation businesses have been excluded as the majority of these businesses were either sold or shut down during 2006. Promotions listed above include events in our owned and/or operated venues as well as events we promote in third-party venues.

Revenue

Our revenue increased $271.3 million, or 35%, during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increases in revenue in our North American Music, International Music and Global Artists segments of $148.4 million, $86.7 million and $62.3 million, respectively, partially offset by decreases in revenue in our Global Theater segment and other operations of $17.7 million and $13.1 million, respectively. Included in the increase in revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2007 is approximately $29.3 million from increases in foreign exchange rates as compared to the same period of 2006.

 

27


Index to Financial Statements

Our revenue increased $339.0 million, or 26%, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increases in revenue in our North American Music, International Music and Global Artists segments of $184.2 million, $103.6 million and $54.9 million, respectively, partially offset by a decrease in revenue in our other operations of $18.4 million. Included in the increase in revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2007 is approximately $41.8 million from increases in foreign exchange rates as compared to the same period of 2006.

More detailed explanations of the three- and six-month changes are included in the applicable segment discussions contained herein.

Direct operating expenses

Our direct operating expenses increased $210.2 million, or 35%, during the three months ended June 30, 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 $107.0 million, $70.7 million and $52.1 million, respectively, partially offset by a decrease in direct operating expenses in our Global Theater segment of $19.4 million. Included in the increase in direct operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2007 is approximately $23.5 million from increases in foreign exchange rates as compared to the same period of 2006.

Our direct operating expenses increased $253.7 million, or 26%, during the six months ended June 30, 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 $120.8 million, $84.2 million and $42.7 million, respectively. Included in the increase in direct operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2007 is approximately $31.8 million from increases in foreign exchange rates as compared to the same period of 2006.

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

More detailed explanations of the three- and six-month changes are included in the applicable segment discussions contained herein.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased $44.0 million, or 34%, during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increases in selling, general and administrative expenses in our North American Music and Global Artists segments of $36.1 million and $10.7 million, respectively. Included in the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2007 is approximately $3.3 million from increases in foreign exchange rates as compared to the same period of 2006.

Our selling, general and administrative expenses increased $79.3 million, or 32%, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increases in selling, general and administrative expenses in our North American Music, International Music and Global Artists segments of $61.9 million, $11.3 million and $18.7 million, respectively, partially offset by a decrease in our other operations of $12.4 million. Included in the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2007 is approximately $7.6 million from increases in foreign exchange rates as compared to the same period of 2006.

More detailed explanations of the three- and six-month changes are included in the applicable segment discussions contained herein.

Depreciation and amortization

Our depreciation and amortization increased $8.7 million, or 53%, during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increases in depreciation and amortization in our North American Music, International Music and Global Artists segments of $4.1 million, $1.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively.

Our depreciation and amortization increased $21.4 million, or 68%, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increases in depreciation and amortization in our North American Music, International Music and Global Artists segments of $8.7 million, $4.3 million and $6.1 million, respectively.

More detailed explanations of the three- and six-month changes are included in the applicable segment discussions contained herein.

 

28


Index to Financial Statements

Gain on sale of operating assets

Our gain on sale of operating assets increased $17.6 million during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to gains recorded in 2007 on the sale of an amphitheater in Nashville, an office building in San Francisco, and two mid-sized music venues in London. Partially offsetting this increase in the gain on sale of operating assets was a gain recorded in 2006 related to the sale of prepaid production assets, theatrical productions and investments in nonconsolidated affiliates.

Our gain on sale of operating assets increased $5.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 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, and two mid-sized music venues in London, partially offset by an $8.1 million loss recorded in 2007 on the sale of our production of Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular. Partially offsetting this increase in the gain on sale of operating assets were gains recorded in 2006 on the sale of a portion of our sports representation business assets related to basketball and the sale of prepaid production assets, theatrical productions and investments in nonconsolidated affiliates.

Corporate expenses

Corporate expenses increased $1.3 million, or 16%, during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to higher non-cash compensation expense for additional stock-based awards.

Corporate expenses increased $3.7 million, or 24%, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increased headcount related to the building of corporate functions previously provided by Clear Channel and higher non-cash compensation expense for additional stock-based awards, partially offset by a reduction in rent expense in our New York office due to subleasing of available space.

Interest expense

Interest expense increased $6.9 million and $14.1 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively, as compared to the same periods of the prior year primarily due to interest expense related to our additional term loan which we obtained in the fourth quarter of 2006, borrowings under the revolving credit facility and a 0.5% increase in the interest rate on our term loans.

Our debt balances and weighted average cost of debt, including redeemable preferred stock, were $650.0 million and 8.27%, respectively, at June 30, 2007, and $406.9 million and 8.03%, respectively, at June 30, 2006.

Interest income

Interest income increased $1.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to interest income earned on HOB Entertainment, Inc. (HOB) purchase price held in escrow and excess cash invested in money market funds and other short-term investments.

Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates

Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates increased $1.4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to earnings from investments acquired with Concert Productions International (CPI) and HOB, partially offset by losses from various other investments.

Minority interest expense (income)

Minority interest expense increased $3.3 million and $1.1 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively, as compared to the same periods of the prior year primarily due to operating income related to CPI which was acquired during the second quarter of 2006.

Other income — net

Other income decreased $5.6 million and $2.9 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively, as compared to the same periods of the prior year primarily due to a fee received on the sale of land in Ireland during the second quarter of 2006. The decrease for the six months ended June 30, 2007 is partially offset by a loss recorded in 2006 on a decrease in the value of stock investments received, or to be received, as part of a contractual obligation which was completed in the first quarter of 2007.

 

29


Index to Financial Statements

Income Taxes

We customarily calculate interim effective tax rates in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion 28, Interim Financial Reporting (APB 28). As required by APB 28, we apply the estimated annual effective tax rate to year-to-date pretax income (or loss) at the end of each interim period to compute a year-to-date tax expense (or benefit). Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 18 (FIN 18) requires departure from customary effective tax rate computations when losses incurred within tax jurisdictions cannot be carried back and future profits associated with operations in those tax jurisdictions cannot be assured beyond any reasonable doubt.

Total income tax expense as a percentage of our income (loss) before income taxes is (153%) for the six months ended June 30, 2007. Of the $21.3 million of total tax, 4% relates to state and local taxes, 3% relates to interest and penalties for uncertain tax positions, and 26% relates to adjustments for significant, unusual and extraordinary items. The remainder of the tax expense relates to statutory tax on profitable operations which are principally operations outside of the United States and reflect an effective tax rate for those jurisdictions of 29%. No tax benefit has been recorded for entities that have losses, as those losses cannot be carried back, and for which future profits associated with such operations in those tax jurisdictions do not meet the more likely than not criteria for asset recognition. The 29% effective tax rate has been applied to year-to-date earnings of taxable jurisdictions for which we currently expect to have taxable income. As required by APB 28, we also include tax effects of significant, unusual or extraordinary items in income tax expense in interim periods in accordance with customary requirements.

During the first six months of 2006, the effective tax rate for 2006 was expected to be 38% to 40%. The decrease during 2007 is primarily related to the exclusion, in the computation of the overall estimated annual effective tax rate, of losses from operations for which tax benefits cannot be reasonably assured and the related impact of FIN 18 as discussed above. These effective tax rates result in a net tax expense of $15.3 million and $5.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 and $21.3 million and $6.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

North American Music Results of Operations

Our North American Music segment operating results were as follows:

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,

   

%

Change

   

Six Months Ended

June 30,

   

%

Change

 

(in thousands)

   2007     2006       2007     2006    

Revenue

   $ 462,769     $ 314,410     47 %   $ 705,926     $ 521,687     35 %

Direct operating expenses

     358,119       251,090     43 %     546,418       425,620     28 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     91,765       55,712     65 %     166,680       104,749     59 %

Depreciation and amortization

     12,463       8,343     49 %     25,513       16,838     52 %

Loss (gain) on sale of operating assets

     (6,060 )     (1 )   * *     (6,060 )     2     * *
                                    

Operating income (loss)

   $ 6,482     $ (734 )   * *   $ (26,625 )   $ (25,522 )   4 %
                                    

Operating margin

     1.4 %     (0.2 )%       (3.8 )%     (4.9 )%  

** Percentages are not meaningful.

Three Months

North American Music revenue increased $148.4 million, or 47%, during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year due to $79.4 million of revenue related to our acquisitions of HOB during the fourth quarter of 2006 and, to a lesser extent, HOB Canada during the second quarter of 2007. In addition, we experienced an increase in revenue from events held at third-party arenas and our owned and/or operated amphitheaters and theaters primarily due to an increase in the number of events and attendance as well as strong results from arena tours such as Roger Waters during the second quarter of 2007.

North American Music direct operating expenses increased $107.0 million, or 43%, during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year due to $51.0 million of direct operating expenses related to our acquisitions of HOB during 2006 and, to a lesser extent, HOB Canada during 2007. In addition, we experienced an increase in our direct operating expenses associated with the increased number of events and attendance and strong results from arena tours discussed above. The net increase in direct operating expenses was less than the increase in revenue due to better talent buying and reduced show costs at our amphitheaters and 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 $36.1 million, or 65%, during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to $21.9 million of selling, general and administrative expenses related to our acquisitions of HOB during 2006 and, to a lesser extent, HOB Canada during 2007. In addition, we experienced an increase in legal expenses of $3.9 million related to ongoing cases and 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 opening of the Dallas House of Blues club in May 2007.

 

30


Index to Financial Statements

North American Music depreciation and amortization expense increased $4.1 million, or 49%, during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to amortization of the intangible assets resulting from our acquisition of HOB during 2006 which were recorded as part of the purchase price allocations. This increase was partially offset by a decline in depreciation expense for the amphitheaters and mid-sized music venues which were impaired during the third and fourth quarters of 2006.

North American Music gain on sale of operating assets increased $6.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year due to the sale of an office building in San Francisco and the sale of the Starwood Amphitheater in Nashville.

The increase in operating income for North American Music is primarily a result of the increase in the gain on sale of operating assets and better talent buying in the amphitheaters described above.

Six Months

North American Music revenue increased $184.2 million, or 35%, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year due primarily to $136.9 million of revenue related to our acquisitions of HOB during the fourth quarter of 2006 and, to a lesser extent, HOB Canada during the second quarter of 2007. In addition, we experienced an increase in revenue from events held at third-party venues due primarily to an increase in events and attendance with artists such as Roger Waters, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band and Josh Groban performing during the period.

North American Music direct operating expenses increased $120.8 million, or 28%, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to $83.4 million of direct operating expenses related to our acquisitions of HOB during 2006 and, to a lesser extent, HOB Canada during 2007. In addition, we experienced an increase in our direct operating expenses associated with the increased events and attendance at third-party venues discussed above. The net increase in direct operating expenses was less than the increase in revenue primarily due to better talent buying and reduced show costs at our amphitheaters and 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 $61.9 million, or 59%, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to $41.2 million of selling, general and administrative expenses related to our acquisitions of HOB during 2006 and, to a lesser extent, HOB Canada during 2007. In addition, we experienced an increase in legal expenses related to ongoing cases and 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 opening of the Dallas House of Blues club in May 2007.

North American Music depreciation and amortization expense increased $8.7 million, or 52%, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to amortization of the intangible assets resulting from our acquisition of HOB during 2006 which were recorded as part of the purchase price allocations.

North American Music gain on sale of operating assets increased $6.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year due to the sale of an office building in San Francisco and the sale of the Starwood Amphitheater in Nashville.

International Music Results of Operations

Our International Music segment operating results were as follows:

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,

   

%

Change

   

Six Months Ended

June 30,

   

%

Change

 

(in thousands)

   2007     2006       2007     2006    

Revenue

   $ 335,239     $ 248,527     35 %   $ 439,825     $ 336,200     31 %

Direct operating expenses

     272,096       201,416     35 %     343,808       259,592     32 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     33,237       28,985     15 %     65,566       54,229     21 %

Depreciation and amortization

     3,693       2,216     67 %     8,259       3,957     109 %

Loss (gain) on sale of operating assets

     (13,027 )     87     * *     (13,092 )     87     * *
                                    

Operating income

   $ 39,240     $ 15,823     * *   $ 35,284     $ 18,335     * *
                                    

Operating margin

     11.7 %     6.4 %       8.0 %     5.5 %  

** Percentages are not meaningful.

 

31


Index to Financial Statements

Three Months

International Music revenue increased $86.7 million, or 35%, during the three months ended June 30, 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 $25.5 million, the increase in revenue was $61.2 million, or 25%, primarily due to incremental revenue of $44.9 million related to the effect of acquisitions in France and Spain since the same period in the prior year. We also had an increase in revenues for our United Kingdom operations driven by improved results at festivals including Hyde Park Calling and Escape into the Park as well as stronger promotion activity during the second quarter for artists such as Muse, Roger Waters and Iron Maiden. In addition, we experienced an increase in revenue from our United Kingdom agency business as a result of strong Roger Waters and Bob Dylan shows during the second quarter of 2007. Finally, we experienced increased revenues for our other European operations driven by increased promotion activity in Finland, Denmark and Holland.

International Music direct operating expenses increased $70.7 million, or 35%, during the three months ended June 30, 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 $21.1 million, the increase in direct operating expenses was $49.6 million, or 25%, primarily due to incremental direct operating expenses of $39.9 million related to the effect of acquisitions since the same period in the prior year. In addition, we experienced an increase in direct operating expenses related to the increased revenue for our United Kingdom and other European operations noted above.

International Music selling, general and administrative expenses increased $4.3 million, or 15%, during the three months ended June 30, 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 $2.5 million, the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was $1.8 million, or 6%, primarily due to $1.6 million of selling, general and administrative expenses related to the acquisitions made since the same period in the prior year.

International Music depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.5 million, or 67%, during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increased depreciation related to asset retirement obligations for the Mean Fiddler venues, purchased in the third quarter of 2005, due to the finalization of the purchase price allocations in the third quarter of 2006.

International Music gain on sale of operating assets increased $13.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to the sale of the Hammersmith Apollo and Forum mid-sized venues in London in June 2007.

Overall, the increase in operating income for International Music in the second quarter of 2007 as compared to the same period of 2006 was due primarily to gains recorded on the sale of the two mid-sized venues noted above. In addition, our recent acquisitions in Spain and France improved overall operating income in the second quarter of 2007 due to the timing of events in these markets. We also experienced improved operating income from stronger festival and promotion activity for both our United Kingdom and other European operations.

Six Months

International Music revenue increased $103.6 million, or 31%, during the six months ended June 30, 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 $35.3 million, the increase in revenue was $68.3 million, or 20%, primarily due to incremental revenue of $51.4 million related to the effect of acquisitions in France and Spain since the same period in the prior year and the addition of the Wembley Arena operating agreement in the United Kingdom in April 2006. We also experienced an increase in revenues from our United Kingdom operations driven by stronger promotion activity during the first six months of 2007 with artists such as Dolly Parton, Muse, Roger Waters and Iron Maiden, improved results from several festivals and increased revenues from our agency business driven by the timing of artist tours year over year. In addition, we experienced increased revenues at our owned and/or operated arenas driven by Mamma Mia performances in Ireland. Finally, revenues increased for our other European operations driven by increased promotion activity in Finland, Denmark and Holland.

 

32


Index to Financial Statements

International Music direct operating expenses increased $84.2 million, or 32%, during the six months ended June 30, 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 $28.2 million, the increase in direct operating expenses was $56.0 million, or 22%, primarily due to incremental direct operating expenses of $43.5 million 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 United Kingdom and other European operations noted above.

International Music selling, general and administrative expenses increased $11.3 million, or 21%, during the six months ended June 30, 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 $5.5 million, the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was $5.8 million, or 11%, primarily due to $5.4 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 depreciation and amortization expense increased $4.3 million, or 109%, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increased depreciation related to asset retirement obligations for the Mean Fiddler venues, purchased in the third quarter of 2005, due to the finalization of the purchase price allocations in the third quarter of 2006.

International Music gain on sale of operating assets increased $13.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to the sale of the Hammersmith Apollo and Forum mid-sized venues in London.

Overall, the increase in operating income for International Music in the first six months of 2007 as compared to the same period of 2006 was due primarily to gains recorded on the sale of the two mid-sized venues noted above. In addition, our recent acquisitions in Spain and France improved overall operating income in the first six months of 2007 due to the timing of events in these markets. Finally, we experienced higher operating income from stronger promotion activity for our United Kingdom operations.

Global Artists Results of Operations

Our Global Artists segment operating results were as follows:

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,

   

%

Change

   

Six Months Ended

June 30,

   

%

Change

 

(in thousands)

   2007     2006       2007     2006    

Revenue

   $ 128,569     $ 66,302     94 %   $ 151,428     $ 96,484     57 %

Direct operating expenses

     113,906       61,760     84 %     131,199       88,473     48 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     13,505       2,786     * *     24,109       5,401     * *

Depreciation and amortization

     2,908       427     * *     6,638       495     * *
                                    

Operating income (loss)

   $ (1,750 )   $ 1,329     * *   $ (10,518 )   $ 2,115     * *
                                    

Operating margin

     (1.4 )%     2.0 %       (6.9 )%     2.2 %  

** Percentages are not meaningful.

Three Months

Global Artists revenue increased $62.3 million, or 94%, during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year due primarily to incremental revenues of $73.3 million related to our acquisitions of CPI, Trunk and Musictoday during the second and third quarters of 2006

Global Artists direct operating expenses increased $52.1 million, or 84%, during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to incremental expenses of $60.3 million related to our acquisitions of CPI, Trunk and Musictoday during 2006.

 

33


Index to Financial Statements

Global Artists selling, general and administrative expenses increased $10.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to incremental selling, general and administrative expenses of $9.8 million related to our 2006 acquisitions of CPI, Trunk and Musictoday.

Global Artists depreciation and amortization expense increased $2.5 million during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to amortization of the intangible assets resulting from our 2006 acquisition of CPI.

The increase in operating loss for Global Artists is principally a result of the timing, size and/or type of touring activity, exclusive of the CPI global tours, during the second quarter of 2007 as compared to the second quarter of 2006.

Six Months

Global Artists revenue increased $54.9 million, or 57%, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year due primarily to incremental revenues of $94.1 million related to our acquisitions of CPI, Trunk and Musictoday during the second and third quarters of 2006. Excluding the CPI global tours, our other global touring revenue decreased due to an overall decline in the volume of tours. Tours during 2007 include The Rolling Stones, The Who, Barbra Streisand and The Police.

Global Artists direct operating expenses increased $42.7 million, or 48%, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to incremental direct operating expenses of $77.6 million related to our acquisitions of CPI, Trunk and Musictoday during 2006. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in other touring-related direct operating expenses due to the lower volume of events noted above.

Global Artists selling, general and administrative expenses increased $18.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to incremental expenses of $17.3 million related to our 2006 acquisitions of CPI, Trunk and Musictoday.

Global Artists depreciation and amortization expense increased $6.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to amortization of the intangible assets resulting from our 2006 acquisition of CPI.

The increase in operating loss for Global Artists is principally a result of the amortization of intangible assets related to our acquisition of CPI and the timing, size and/or type of touring events during 2007 as compared to 2006.

Global Digital Results of Operations

Our Global Digital segment operating results were as follows:

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,

   

%

Change

   

Six Months Ended

June 30,

   

%

Change

 

(in thousands)

   2007     2006       2007     2006    

Revenue

   $ 2,914     $ 1,803     62 %   $ 4,215     $ 2,565     64 %

Direct operating expenses

     766       677     13 %     772       926     (17 )%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     3,420       2,584     32 %     6,644       4,882     36 %

Depreciation and amortization

     479       115     * *     1,086       181     * *
                                    

Operating loss

   $ (1,751 )   $ (1,573 )   11 %   $ (4,287 )   $ (3,424 )   25 %
                                    

Operating margin

     (60.1 )%     (87.2 )%       (101.7 )%     (133.5 )%  

** Percentages are not meaningful.

Three Months

Global Digital revenues increased $1.1 million, or 62%, during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increased sponsorship revenues associated with our in-house ticketing operations.

Global Digital selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.8 million, or 32%, during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increased salary related to new staff and consultant expenses related to our website and internet management.

 

34


Index to Financial Statements

Global Digital depreciation and amortization expense increased $0.4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to depreciation expense related to our website development.

Six Months

Global Digital revenues increased $1.6 million, or 64%, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increased sponsorship revenues associated with our in-house ticketing operations.

Global Digital selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1.8 million, or 36%, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to increased salary related to new staff and consultant expenses related to our website and internet management.

Global Digital depreciation and amortization expense increased $0.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to depreciation expense related to our website development.

Global Theater Results of Operations

Our Global Theater segment operating results were as follows:

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,

   

%

Change

   

Six Months Ended

June 30,

   

%

Change

 

(in thousands)

   2007     2006       2007     2006    

Revenue

   $ 89,198     $ 106,853     (17 )%   $ 198,396     $ 189,018     5 %

Direct operating expenses

     56,682       76,115     (26 )%     134,234       125,412     7 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     20,483       22,234     (8 )%     41,910       43,938     (5 )%

Depreciation and amortization

     4,223       3,587     18 %     7,878       7,100     11 %

Loss (gain) on sale of operating assets

     —         (1,792 )   * *     8,029       (1,788 )   * *
                                    

Operating income

   $ 7,810     $ 6,709     16 %   $ 6,345     $ 14,356     (56 )%
                                    

Operating margin

     8.8 %     6.3 %       3.2 %     7.6 %  

** Percentages are not meaningful.

Three Months

Global Theater revenue decreased $17.7 million, or 17%, during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year due primarily to reductions in the number of events and attendance for our North American presenting markets.

Global Theater direct operating expenses decreased $19.4 million, or 26%, during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to the reductions in the number of events for our North American presenting markets noted above. During the second quarter of 2007, we experienced an increase in the number of fixed fee events, as opposed to events where we recognize all the revenue and direct operating expenses, which resulted in a greater decrease in direct operating expenses as compared to the decrease in revenue.

Six Months

Global Theater revenue increased $9.4 million, or 5%, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year due primarily to 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. In addition, the number of events for our North American and international presenting markets increased by 514. Finally, our United Kingdom theatrical theaters experienced increased rental, merchandise and concession revenues due to an increase in the number of events and related attendance driven by shows such as Wicked and The Producers. These increases were partially offset by a decline in our North American presenting markets driven by the size and/or type of events year over year.

 

35


Index to Financial Statements

Global Theater direct operating expenses increased $8.8 million, or 7%, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to the opening of the production of Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular during the third quarter of 2006 and the increase in the number of events for our North American and international presenting markets noted above. While the number of events increased for our North American and international presenting markets, the average profit per event declined due to content having less consumer appeal.

Global Theater loss on sale of operating assets increased $9.8 million during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due a loss of $8.1 million from the sale of our 50.1% interest in the production of Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular.

Other Results of Operations

Our other operating results were as follows:

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,

   

%

Change

   

Six Months Ended

June 30,

   

%

Change

 

(in thousands)

   2007     2006       2007     2006    

Revenue

   $ 23,356     $ 36,419     (36 )%   $ 128,052     $ 146,499     (13 )%

Direct operating expenses

     15,904       19,803     (20 )%     83,966       90,243     (7 )%

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     10,753       16,888     (36 )%     19,587       32,005     (39 )%

Depreciation and amortization

     (42 )     771     * *     768       1,397     (45 )%

Gain on sale of operating assets

     (144 )     (37 )   * *     (3,625 )     (7,704 )   * *
                                    

Operating income (loss)

   $ (3,115 )   $ (1,006 )   * *   $ 27,356     $ 30,558     (10 )%
                                    

Operating margin

     (13.3 )%     (2.8 )%       21.4 %     20.9 %  

** Percentages are not meaningful.

Three Months

Other revenues decreased $13.1 million, or 36%, during the three months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily as a result of the loss of revenue due to the sale of portions of our sports representation business assets and the sale of Donington Park in the United Kingdom.

Other direct operating expenses decreased $3.9 million, or 20%, during the three months ended June 30, 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.

Other selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $6.1 million, or 36%, during the three months ended June 30, 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 are 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.

Six Months

Other revenues decreased $18.4 million, or 13%, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily as a result of the loss of revenues due to the sale of portions of our sports representation business assets and the sale of Donington Park in the United Kingdom.

Other direct operating expenses decreased $6.3 million, or 7%, during the six months ended June 30, 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 certain DVD/CD production and distribution projects.

Other selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $12.4 million, or 39%, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 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 decreased $4.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 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.

 

36


Index to Financial Statements

Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,

   

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 

(in thousands)

   2007     2006     2007     2006  

North American Music

   $ 6,482     $ (734 )   $ (26,625 )   $ (25,522 )

International Music

     39,240       15,823       35,284       18,335  

Global Artists

     (1,750 )     1,329       (10,518 )     2,115  

Global Digital

     (1,751 )     (1,573 )     (4,287 )     (3,424 )

Global Theater

     7,810       6,709       6,345       14,356  

Other

     (3,115 )     (1,006 )     27,356       30,558  

Corporate

     (10,529 )     (8,866 )     (21,572 )     (16,673 )
                                

Consolidated operating income

   $ 36,387     $ 11,682     $ 5,983     $ 19,745  
                                

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. Repatriation of some of these funds could be subject to delay and could have potential tax consequences, principally with respect to withholding taxes paid in foreign jurisdictions which do not give rise to a tax benefit in the United States due to our current inability to realize foreign tax credits.

Our balance sheet reflects cash and cash equivalents of $466.7 million and current and long-term debt of $610.0 million at June 30, 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. We cannot assure that such financing will be available to us on acceptable terms or that such financing will be available 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 revenues 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 revenues in the second and third quarters, while our Global Theater segment reports the majority of its revenues 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 potential additional financing alternatives, to satisfy working capital, capital expenditure and debt service requirements for at least the succeeding year.

Sources of Cash

Senior Secured Credit Facility

We have a senior secured credit facility consisting of a term loan in the original amount of $325 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

 

37


Index to Financial Statements

for borrowings in foreign currencies. The term loan and revolving credit portions of the credit facility mature in June 2013 and June 2012, respectively. We are required to make minimum quarterly principal repayments under the original term loan of approximately $3.2 million per year through March 2013, with the remaining balance due at maturity. We are required to prepay the outstanding term loan, 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.

In connection with the HOB acquisition in November 2006, we entered into an Incremental Assumption Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to our senior secured credit facility. This amendment increased the amount available under the senior secured credit facility by providing for an additional $200 million term loan which matures in December 2013. We are required to make minimum quarterly principal repayments under this additional term loan of approximately $2.0 million per year through September 2013, with the remaining balance due at maturity.

In December 2006, we entered into Amendment No. 2 to our senior secured credit facility. This amendment provides that all term loans under 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%.

In December 2006, we entered into an Incremental Assumption Agreement and Amendment No. 3 to our senior secured credit facility. This amendment increases the amount available under the senior secured credit facility by providing for an additional $25 million term loan which matures in December 2013. We are required to make minimum quarterly principal repayments under this additional term loan of approximately $0.3 million per year through September 2013, with the remaining balance due at maturity.

In June 2007, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the Amended Credit Agreement) which amends and restates our existing senior secured credit agreement to modify certain covenants and other provisions and facilitate potential future acquisitions. The Amended Credit Agreement consists of a $550 million term loan facility and a $285 million revolving credit facility, with the right, subject to certain conditions, to increase such facilities by up to $250 million in the aggregate. 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. Under the Amended Credit Agreement, revolving loans bear interest at an annual rate of LIBOR plus 1.75%, subject to stepdowns based on the Company’s leverage ratio at the time of borrowing, and term loans bear interest at an annual rate of LIBOR plus 2.75%.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, we made principal payments totaling $1.4 million and $2.8 million on the term loans, respectively, and $65.0 million and $115.0 million on the 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 June 30, 2007, the outstanding balances on the term loans and revolving credit facility were $544.0 million and $22.0 million, respectively. Taking into account letters of credit of $73.3 million, $189.7 million was available for future borrowings.

As of August 3, 2007, the outstanding balances on the term loans and revolving credit facility were $544.0 million and $0.0 million, respectively. Taking into account letters of credit of $48.1 million, $236.9 million was available for future borrowings.

Convertible Senior Notes

In July 2007, we issued $220.0 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 will 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.

 

38


Index to Financial Statements

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 June 30, 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 amends and restates the existing 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 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 June 30, 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 2007.

Guarantees of Third-Party Obligations

As of June 30, 2007, we guaranteed the debt of third parties of approximately $2.3 million, 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 $0.6 million.

Disposal of Assets

During the six months ended June 30, 2007, we received $60.2 million of proceeds primarily related to the sales of the Apollo Hammersmith and Forum mid-sized venues in London, Donington Park an arena/race track in Leicestershire, England, an office building in San Francisco, the Starwood Amphitheater in Nashville and our remaining 50.1% interest in the production of Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular. 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 contains a cross default provision that would be triggered if we were to default on any other indebtedness greater than $10 million.

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

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

 

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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 June 30, 2007, the commitment fee rate was 0.375%. We also are required to pay customary letter of credit fees, as necessary. 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.

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 June 30, 2007, we were in compliance with all debt covenants. We expect to remain in compliance with all of our debt covenants throughout 2007.

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 the six months ended June 30, 2007, we used $25.3 million in cash for acquisitions in our various segments, as follows: 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; our International Music segment acquired an interest in Jackie Lombard, a concert promotion company in France along with payment of an additional working capital adjustment related to our acquisition of Gamerco, S.A. in December 2006; and, finally, 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.

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:

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,

(in thousands)

   2007    2006

Maintenance capital expenditures

   $ 20,826    $ 23,687

Revenue generating capital expenditures

     18,636      8,280
             

Total capital expenditures

   $ 39,462    $ 31,967
             

While maintenance capital expenditures for the first six months of 2007 reflect a decrease over the same period of the prior year, we expect the level of maintenance capital expenditures for the full year to be approximately $50.0 million which is consistent with 2006 total expenditures. We continue to improve the audience experience at our owned and/or operated venues.

We expect the level of revenue generating capital expenditures for the full year to significantly increase over 2006 primarily due to the timing of capital expenditures associated with the development and renovation of various venues including The Point in Ireland and the House of Blues club in Dallas. In addition, we expect to invest additional capital in transforming our venues into wired studios to expand on the distribution opportunities of the live concert experience. Revenue generating capital expenditures increased during the first six months of 2007 as compared to the same period of the prior year primarily due to the development of the House of Blues club in Dallas and the wiring of our venues into live studios.

 

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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.

Cash Flows

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,

 

(in thousands)

   2007     2006  

Cash provided by (used in):

    

Operating activities

   $ 214,976     $ 196,327  

Investing activities

   $ (29,507 )   $ 1,548  

Financing activities

   $ (35,310 )   $ (6,686 )

Operating Activities

Cash provided by operations was $215.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, compared to $196.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. The $18.7 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 partially offset by a decrease in net income after adjustments for non-cash charges and non-operating activities. We received more deferred revenue in the first six months of 2007 as compared to the same period of 2006 resulting in an increase to cash provided by operations. Conversely, the accounts receivable increase was higher due to the timing and number of events in the first six months of 2007 as compared to the same period of 2006 resulting in a decrease to cash provided by operations. These changes in event-related operating accounts are reflective of anticipated increased music event activity in the third quarter.

Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities was $29.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, as compared to cash provided by investing activities of $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. The $31.0 million increase in cash used in investing activities is primarily due to our investment in AMG during 2007.

Financing Activities

Cash used in financing activities was $35.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, as compared to $6.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. The $28.6 million increase in cash used in financing activities was primarily a result of net payments made on our revolving credit facility.

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 are put 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.

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.

 

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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 $44.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 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 six months ended June 30, 2007 by $4.4 million. As of June 30, 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 June 30, 2007, we had $5.1 million outstanding in forward currency contracts.

Interest Rate Risk

Our market risk is also affected by changes in interest rates. We had $610.0 million total debt outstanding as of June 30, 2007. Of the total amount, we have an interest rate hedge with a notional amount of $162.5 million, $43.9 million of fixed rate debt and $403.6 million of floating-rate debt.

Based on the amount of our floating-rate debt as of June 30, 2007, each 25 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would increase or decrease our annual interest expense and cash outlay by approximately $1.0 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 June 30, 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

 

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our floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis. These agreements expire in March 2009. The fair value of these agreements at June 30, 2007 was an asset of $0.5 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.

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is as follows:

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

Year Ended December 31,

2007

 

2006

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

0.63

  1.50   0.91   0.07   1.18   2.04   1.40

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was computed on a total enterprise 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.

Stock-Based Compensation

As of June 30, 2007, there was $25.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements for stock options and restricted stock awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over the next four years.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 creates a single model to address uncertainty in tax positions. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007, as required. See further discussion of the effect adoption of FIN 48 had on our financial position and results of operations in Item 1. — Financial Statements — Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 8.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (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. The provisions of Statement 157 are applied prospectively with retrospective application to certain financial instruments. We will adopt Statement 157 on January 1, 2008 and are currently assessing the impact its adoption will have on our financial position and 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 (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 (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 will adopt Statement 159 on January 1, 2008 and are currently assessing the impact its adoption will have on our financial position and results of operations.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Critical Accounting Policies

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. To a lesser extent, we recognize reserves based on historical experience of bad debts as a percentage of revenues for applicable businesses, adjusted for relative improvements or deteriorations in the agings.

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 and investments in nonconsolidated affiliates, 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.

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.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

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

Barter Transactions

Barter transactions represent the exchange of display space or tickets for advertising, merchandise or services. These transactions are generally recorded at the lower of the fair value of the display space or tickets relinquished or the fair value of the advertising, merchandise or services received. Revenue is recognized on barter transactions when the advertisements are displayed or the event occurs for which the tickets are exchanged. Expenses are recorded when the advertising, merchandise or service is received or when the event occurs.

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 (Statement 123(R)), which is a revision of FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (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 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.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Required information is within Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Market Risk.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We have established disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to our company, including our consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the officers who certify our financial reports and to other members of senior management and our board of directors.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

Based on their evaluation as of June 30, 2007, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) are effective to ensure that (1) the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (2) the information we are required to disclose in such reports is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or internal controls will prevent all possible error and fraud. Our disclosure controls and procedures are, however, designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, and our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our financial controls and procedures are effective at that reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

In January 2007, we implemented a new financial accounting system which was used to accumulate data used in financial reporting for 2007. The implementation was not made in response to any significant deficiency or material weakness in our internal controls. Other than ongoing modifications to our information systems, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Index to Financial Statements

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We were a defendant in a lawsuit filed by Melinda 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. Trial is set for January 15, 2008. 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 have accrued 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 1A. Risk Factors

While we attempt to identify, manage and mitigate risks and uncertainties associated with our business to the extent practical under the circumstances, some level of risk and uncertainty will always be present. Item 1A of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K describes some of the risks and uncertainties associated with our business which have the potential to materially affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Other than the risk factors listed below, we do not believe that there have been any material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Risks Relating to 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 June 30, 2007, after giving effect to the sale of our convertible senior notes due 2027 and the application of the proceeds, our total indebtedness for borrowed money, including our redeemable preferred stock, would have been approximately $758.0 million. Our available borrowing capacity under the revolving portion of our senior secured credit facility was approximately $211.7 million, with sub-limits up to $235.0 million available for letters of credit. At June 30, 2007, outstanding letters of credit were approximately $73.3 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;

 

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Index to Financial Statements
   

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 and capital expenditures, we will require a significant amount of cash, which depends on many factors beyond our control.

As of June 30, 2007, approximately $28.7 million of our total indebtedness (excluding interest) is due in 2007, $13.8 million is due in the aggregate for 2008 and 2009, $54.1 million is due in the aggregate for 2010 and 2011 and $553.4 million is due thereafter.

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, as of December 31, 2006, we had approximately $1.1 billion in operating lease agreements, of which approximately $71.7 million is due in 2007 and $68.9 million is due in 2008.

Our ability to service our debt, preferred stock and lease obligations and to fund potential acquisitions 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. 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.

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 obligations 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.

 

48


Index to Financial Statements

The agreement governing our senior secured credit facility and our preferred stock designations 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 and our preferred stock designations 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 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.

Risks Relating to Our Business

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

Our international operations accounted for approximately 35% of our revenues in the first six months of 2007 and 28% in 2006. 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;

 

   

hostility from local populations;

 

   

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.

 

49


Index to Financial Statements

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.

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 and Musictoday and of an equity interest in CPI. 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;

 

   

unknown risks; 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.

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.

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

 

50


Index to Financial Statements
   

sales and other taxes and withholding of taxes;

 

   

historic landmark rules; and

 

   

environmental protection laws.

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.

Our revenues may be impacted by our ability to successfully renegotiate or replace certain key operating contracts.

We currently have key operating contracts with third parties that, from time-to-time, expire, including Ticketmaster and Aramark that expire in 2008. The future expiration of these contracts will require us to either successfully renegotiate and renew the existing contracts or replace them with suitable alternatives. There can be no assurance that we will retain or replace any such key contracts.

We have recently changed our reportable segments, and our annual financial information does not reflect the revised segment disclosure.

Beginning in 2007, we reorganized our business units and the way in which these businesses are assessed, and therefore changed our reportable segments in accordance with FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. Our new reportable segments consist of North American Music, International Music, Global Artists, Global Digital and Global Theater. We began reporting on this basis in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007 and are reporting on this basis in this quarterly report, but we have not yet recast the annual financial information reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 to reflect the revised segments. For purposes of our future Form 10-K’s, we will be required to recast, as required, the financial information contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 to conform to the new presentation of our reportable segments. We cannot predict with certainty what reaction, if any, securities analysts or the market in general may have to the revised presentation of our historical financial information, or what impact the revised presentation may have on the market price of our common stock.

 

51


Index to Financial Statements

Risks Relating to Our Common 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 June 30, 2007, there were 67,236,912 shares of our common stock outstanding, of which 1,715,108 are treasury shares. As of June 30, 2007, there were 32,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $10.60 per share.

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. We are currently in negotiations regarding such a transaction that, based upon our current expectations, could result in the near-term issuance of between 6.0 million and 6.5 million shares of our common stock, as well as other smaller transactions. Any such issuance could be at a valuation lower than the trading price of our common stock at the time. We cannot assure you that the potential transaction we are negotiating or any other acquisition will be consummated.

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.

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.

We may enter into future acquisitions and take certain actions in connection with such acquisitions 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. In the event of future acquisitions, we could:

 

   

use a significant portion of our available cash;

 

   

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

 

   

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.

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.

 

52


Index to Financial Statements
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Our annual meeting of stockholders was held May 11, 2007. Michael Cohl, Lowry Mays, Michael Rapino and John N. Simons, Jr. were elected as Class I directors, each to serve a three-year term expiring in 2010 or until their successors are elected or their earlier resignation or removal. As disclosed in our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 1, 2007, on July 31, 2007, John N. Simons, Jr. tendered his resignation as a director of the Company effective immediately. Mr. Simons’ resignation was not the result of disagreement on any matter relating to our operations, policies or practices.

The stockholders also approved the Live Nation, Inc. 2006 Annual Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, approved the Live Nation, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, and ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2007.

The results of voting at the annual meeting of stockholders were as follows:

Proposal No. 1 — Election of Directors

 

Nominee

  

For

  

Withheld

Michael Cohl

   55,738,961    4,184,866

Lowry Mays

   57,281,168    2,642,659

Michael Rapino

   57,803,110    2,120,717

John N. Simons, Jr.

   59,492,486       431,341

Proposal No. 2 — Approval of the Live Nation, Inc. 2006 Annual Incentive Plan, as amended and restated

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-votes

52,884,993

  1,987,492   20,724   5,030,618

Proposal No. 3 — Approval of the Live Nation, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-votes

50,143,817

  4,726,404   22,988   5,030,618

Proposal No. 4 — Ratification of the Appointment of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

59,895,193

  23,918   4,716

 

Item 5. Other Information

None.

 

53


Index to Financial Statements
Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

10.1   Live Nation, Inc. 2006 Annual Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated April 5, 2007)
10.2   Live Nation, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated (incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated April 5, 2007)
31.1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1**   Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
32.2**   Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer

* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.

 

54


Index to Financial Statements

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on August 9, 2007.

 

LIVE NATION, INC.

By:  

/s/ Alan Ridgeway

  Alan Ridgeway
  Chief Financial Officer
By:  

/s/ Kathy Willard

  Kathy Willard
  Chief Accounting Officer

 

55


Index to Financial Statements

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

10.1   Live Nation, Inc. 2006 Annual Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated April 5, 2007)
10.2   Live Nation, Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated (incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Company’s Proxy Statement dated April 5, 2007)
31.1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2*   Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1**   Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
32.2**   Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer

* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.

 

56