QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


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

For the quarterly period ended: September 30, 2007

Commission file number: 1-11106

GRAPHIC

PRIMEDIA INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  13-3647573
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

3585 Engineering Drive,
Norcross, Georgia
(Address of principal executive offices)

 

30092
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (678) 421-3000

        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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes ý    No

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer ý   Non-accelerated filer o

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

        Number of shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of PRIMEDIA Inc. outstanding as of November 1, 2007: 44,140,930





PRIMEDIA Inc.
INDEX

Part I.    Financial Information:    
 
Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006

 

2

 

 

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited) for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

 

3

 

 

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

 

4

 

 

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006

 

5

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

6
 
Item 2.

 

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

 

29
 
Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

46
 
Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

46

Part II.    Other Information:

 

 
 
Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

47
 
Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

47

 

 

Signatures

 

49

1



PRIMEDIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 
  September 30,
2007

  December 31,
2006

 
ASSETS              
Current assets:              
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 46,824   $ 5,828  
  Accounts receivable, net     31,507     115,284  
  Inventories     453     12,978  
  Prepaid expenses and other     12,990     18,977  
  Assets of businesses held for sale     1,901     170,037  
   
 
 
    Total current assets     93,675     323,104  

Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $85,347 in 2007 and $164,478 in 2006)

 

 

19,691

 

 

46,390

 
Intangible assets, net     28,582     187,887  
Goodwill     129,282     674,138  
Other non-current assets     10,682     22,810  
   
 
 
    Total Assets   $ 281,912   $ 1,254,329  
   
 
 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Current liabilities:              
  Accounts payable   $ 11,605   $ 47,679  
  Accrued expenses and other     67,440     112,183  
  Deferred revenues     1,927     79,035  
  Current maturities of long-term debt     4,632     6,070  
  Liabilities of businesses held for sale     2,568     50,300  
   
 
 
    Total current liabilities     88,172     295,267  

Long-term debt

 

 

248,248

 

 

1,316,959

 
Deferred revenues     11,475     12,750  
Deferred income taxes     12,017     72,060  
Other non-current liabilities     50,976     80,523  
   
 
 
    Total Liabilities     410,888     1,777,559  
   
 
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)              

Shareholders' deficiency:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Common stock ($.01 par value, 350,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006; 45,553,768 and 45,475,527 shares issued and 44,146,700 and 44,068,459 shares outstanding at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively)     455     455  
  Additional paid-in capital (including warrants of $31,690 at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006)     2,370,532     2,369,220  
  Accumulated deficit     (2,424,086 )   (2,817,028 )
  Common stock in treasury, at cost (1,407,068 shares at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006)     (75,877 )   (75,877 )
   
 
 
    Total Shareholders' Deficiency     (128,976 )   (523,230 )
   
 
 
    Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Deficiency   $ 281,912   $ 1,254,329  
   
 
 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

2



PRIMEDIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 
  Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
  2007
  2006
 
 
   
  (As adjusted, see Note 1)

 
Revenues, net:              
Advertising   $ 68,470   $ 67,308  
Distribution     14,773     14,044  
   
 
 
  Total revenues, net     83,243     81,352  

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization of property and equipment)     8,565     9,019  
  Marketing and selling     23,290     21,474  
  Distribution and circulation     22,260     20,138  
  Editorial     1,747     1,825  
  Other general expenses     7,483     7,197  
  Corporate administrative expenses     8,230     8,497  
  Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment     3,332     3,084  
  Amortization of intangible assets (including $1,200 of provision for impairment in 2007)     2,270     1,072  
  Provision for restructuring costs     6,578     247  
  Other     161      
   
 
 
Operating income (loss)     (673 )   8,799  

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Interest expense     (13,982 )   (32,791 )
  Amortization of deferred financing costs     (349 )   (630 )
  Other income (expense), net     (45,212 )   711  
   
 
 

Loss from continuing operations before benefit for income taxes

 

 

(60,216

)

 

(23,911

)
Benefit for income taxes     22,172     8,265  
   
 
 
Loss from continuing operations     (38,044 )   (15,646 )

Discontinued operations, net of tax (including gain on sale of businesses, net of tax, of $442,501 and $52,347 in 2007 and 2006, respectively)

 

 

431,796

 

 

67,407

 
   
 
 
Net income   $ 393,752   $ 51,761  
   
 
 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Continuing operations   $ (0.86 ) $ (0.35 )
  Discontinued operations     9.78     1.53  
   
 
 
  Net income   $ 8.92   $ 1.18  
   
 
 

Basic and diluted common shares outstanding (weighted average)

 

 

44,137,802

 

 

44,009,228

 
   
 
 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

3



PRIMEDIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Operations (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
  2007
  2006
 
 
   
  (As adjusted, see Note 1)

 
Revenues, net:              
Advertising   $ 201,769   $ 201,691  
Distribution     43,088     42,346  
   
 
 
  Total revenues, net     244,857     244,037  

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization of property and equipment)     25,823     28,817  
  Marketing and selling     69,503     66,046  
  Distribution and circulation     64,270     61,981  
  Editorial     5,191     5,678  
  Other general expenses     22,520     23,905  
  Corporate administrative expenses     22,565     27,953  
  Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment     9,731     9,125  
  Amortization of intangible assets (including $1,200 of provision for impairment in 2007)     3,862     2,466  
  Provision for restructuring costs     9,182     524  
  Other     161     28  
   
 
 
Operating income     12,049     17,514  

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Interest expense     (72,093 )   (96,424 )
  Amortization of deferred financing costs     (1,517 )   (1,945 )
  Other income (expense), net     (41,392 )   1,496  
   
 
 
Loss from continuing operations before benefit from income taxes     (102,953 )   (79,359 )
Benefit from income taxes     38,118     27,684  
   
 
 
Loss from continuing operations     (64,835 )   (51,675 )

Discontinued operations, net of tax (including gain on sale of businesses, net of tax, of $483,761 and $66,015 in 2007 and 2006, respectively)

 

 

568,913

 

 

103,729

 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax (from the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 (R))         22  
   
 
 
Net income   $ 504,078   $ 52,076  
   
 
 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Continuing operations   $ (1.47 ) $ (1.18 )
  Discontinued operations     12.90     2.36  
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle         0.00  
   
 
 
  Net income   $ 11.43   $ 1.18  
   
 
 

Basic and diluted common shares outstanding (weighted average)

 

 

44,107,607

 

 

43,987,230

 
   
 
 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

4



PRIMEDIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
  2007
  2006
 
 
   
  (As adjusted, see Note 1)

 
Operating activities:              
  Net income   $ 504,078   $ 52,076  
    Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax         (22 )
    Gain on sales of businesses and other, net     (483,761 )   (65,987 )
    Provision for impairment of investments         157  
    Deferred income taxes     (60,043 )   12,125  
    Loss (gain) on redemption of debt     44,300     (336 )
    Other, net     29,658     31,665  
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities     (68,032 )   2,612  
   
 
 
      Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities     (33,800 )   32,290  
   
 
 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Additions to property, equipment and other     (15,785 )   (18,402 )
  Proceeds from sales of businesses     1,352,626     151,848  
  Payments related to sales of businesses     (20,816 )    
  Payments for businesses acquired, net of cash acquired     (34,129 )   (20,335 )
  Proceeds from sale of other investments         1,300  
   
 
 
      Net cash provided by investing activities     1,281,896     114,411  
   
 
 

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Borrowings under credit agreements     282,800     250,100  
  Repayments of borrowings under credit agreements     (528,800 )   (268,100 )
  Payments for redemption of senior notes     (859,735 )   (62,094 )
  Payment of dividend     (95,010 )    
  Deferred financing costs paid     (6,263 )    
  Proceeds from issuances of common stock, net     718     463  
  Capital lease payments     (696 )   (2,331 )
  Other     (114 )   (162 )
   
 
 
      Net cash used in financing activities     (1,207,100 )   (82,124 )
   
 
 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents     40,996     64,577  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     5,828     7,255  
   
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 46,824   $ 71,832  
   
 
 

Supplemental information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Cash interest paid, including interest on capital and restructured leases   $ 84,417   $ 82,439  
   
 
 
  Cash income taxes paid, net of refunds received   $ 17,627   $ 4,503  
   
 
 
  Cash paid for restructuring costs   $ 7,516   $ 4,901  
   
 
 
  Businesses acquired:              
    Fair value of assets acquired   $ 34,435   $ 19,927  
    (Liabilities assumed) net of deferred purchase price payments     (306 )   408  
   
 
 
    Payments for businesses acquired, net of cash acquired   $ 34,129   $ 20,335  
   
 
 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

5



PRIMEDIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

        PRIMEDIA Inc., together with its subsidiaries, is herein referred to as either "PRIMEDIA" or the "Company" unless the context implies otherwise. In the opinion of the Company's management, the condensed consolidated financial statements present fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the results of consolidated operations of the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 and consolidated cash flows of the Company for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006. The adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006 has been derived from the Company's audited consolidated balance sheet included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. These statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2006, which are included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. The operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year. Certain amounts in the prior periods' condensed consolidated statement of operations and related notes have been reclassified due to discontinued operations to conform to the presentation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007.

        On August 1, 2007, the Company effected a 1-for-6 reverse stock split of its common stock. After the reverse stock split was effected, each PRIMEDIA stockholder received one new share of PRIMEDIA common stock in exchange for every six existing shares of PRIMEDIA common stock. For all prior periods presented in this report, the share amounts, including warrants and stock options, and earnings (loss) per share amounts been adjusted for the reverse stock split.

        As of the third quarter of 2007, the Company's continuing operation is comprised solely of its Consumer Guides business. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company completed the sales of its Enthusiast Media and Education segments. The Company continues to have a Corporate function, which has supported the Consumer Guides segment, as well as the Enthusiast Media and Education segments through their sale dates. The results of operations of the Enthusiast Media and Education segments have been presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The Corporate expenses are presented on the corporate administrative expenses line on the accompanying condensed statements of consolidated operations for all periods presented.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

        SAB No. 108, "Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements"

        During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company adopted Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 108, "Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements." During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company concluded that deferred income tax benefits of approximately $7,500 should have been recorded during the year ended December 31, 2005 when it became apparent that certain taxable temporary differences would reverse as a result of classification of businesses as discontinued operations. Management believes that this

6



error totaling approximately $7,500 was not material to the 2006 financial statements. Upon adoption of SAB No. 108 the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment as of January 1, 2006 to accumulated deficit of approximately $7,500, which was reflected in the Company's 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Of this amount, approximately $5,500 and $2,000 had been recorded to income from discontinued operations in the first quarter and third quarter of 2006, respectively. The consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 has been restated to adjust for the impact of the SAB No. 108 adjustment.

        In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Interpretation No. 48 ("FIN 48"), "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes", effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. This Interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's financial statements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes". This Interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 requires that, in order to be recognized, tax benefits 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. Differences between the amounts recognized in the condensed consolidated balance sheets prior to the adoption of FIN 48 and the amounts reported after adoption were accounted for as a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to the beginning balance of accumulated deficit. FIN 48 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. See Note 9 and Note 12 for the cumulative effect from the Company's adoption of FIN 48.

2. Divestitures

        The Company has classified the results of certain divested entities and entities planned for disposition as of September 30, 2007 as discontinued operations in accordance with SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets".

        In the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company decided to pursue the sales of its History and Crafts groups, part of the Enthusiast Media segment. The Company completed the sale of the History group during the first quarter of 2006, for $17,000, resulting in a net gain of approximately $13,700. The sale of the Crafts group was completed during the third quarter of 2006 for $132,000, and resulted in a gain of $55,627.

        In the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company announced that it had agreed to sell its Outdoors group (part of the Enthusiast Media segment), which consisted primarily of its hunting, fishing, and shooting titles, for $170,000 in cash. The transaction was completed in January 2007, and resulted in a gain of $57,547. The assets and liabilities of the Outdoors group are included in assets and liabilities of businesses held for sale on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006.

7



        In the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company announced that it would classify the results of operations of its Education segment as discontinued operations, due to the Company actively pursuing the sale of this segment. The Company's Education segment was comprised of Channel One, a proprietary network for secondary schools; Films Media Group, a leading source of educational video; and PRIMEDIA Healthcare, a medical education business. During the second quarter of 2007, the Company completed the sale of Channel One for a net loss of $(7,050), of which $5,000 was recorded during the first quarter of 2007, and completed the sale of Films Media Group, for a net gain of $170. The remaining assets and liabilities of the Education segment are classified as businesses held for sale on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 (see Held for Sale discussion below).

        In February 2007, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the Company to explore the sale of its Enthusiast Media segment. On August 1, 2007, the Company completed the sale for $1,177,900 to Source Interlink Companies, Inc., resulting in a gain of approximately $461,400, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. The Company has applied the net proceeds from the sale to pay down debt. (See Note 8).

        The operating results of these operations have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

        Total revenues, net, and income before provision for income taxes included in discontinued operations on the accompanying condensed statements of consolidated operations are as follows:

 
  Three Months Ended September 30,
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
  2007
  2006
  2007
  2006
Total revenues, net   $ 52,742   $ 188,100   $ 344,561   $ 555,688
   
 
 
 
Income before benefit from income taxes(1)   $ 10,958   $ 21,372   $ 63,642   $ 71,442
   
 
 
 

        The gains on sales of businesses, net of tax, were $442,501 and $52,347 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The gains on sales of businesses, net of tax, were $483,761 and $66,015 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

        During the first quarter of 2007, the Company recorded a tax benefit of approximately $61,000 related to the Enthusiast Media segment. This benefit, which is recorded as a component of discontinued operations, represents the tax consequences of the recharacterization of certain indefinite-lived intangible assets to definite-lived in connection with reclassification of the Enthusiast Media segment as held for sale during the first quarter of 2007 and was recorded when it became apparent that certain taxable temporary differences would reverse.

8



Held for Sale

        The assets and liabilities of businesses which the Company has initiated plans to sell, but had not sold, as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, have been classified as held for sale on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. In January 2007, the Company completed the sale of its Outdoors group. During the second quarter of 2007, the Company completed the sale of Channel One and Films Media Group, part of the Education segment. As of September 30, 2007, businesses held for sale represents the assets and liabilities of PRIMEDIA Healthcare. As of December 31, 2006, businesses held for sale represents the assets and liabilities of the Outdoors group (part of the Enthusiast Media segment) and the Education segment.

 
  September 30,
2007

  December 31,
2006

ASSETS            
Accounts receivable, net   $ 1,078   $ 17,103
Inventories         1,750
Prepaid expenses and other     339     6,458
Property and equipment, net     465     8,234
Intangible assets         22,595
Goodwill         105,238
Other non-current assets     19     8,659
   
 
Assets held for sale   $ 1,901   $ 170,037
   
 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 
Accounts payable   $ 449   $ 5,500
Accrued expenses and other     539     14,977
Deferred revenues—current     918     29,472
Other non-current liabilities     662     351
   
 
Liabilities of businesses held for sale   $ 2,568   $ 50,300
   
 

9


3. Acquisitions

Acquisition of Rentalhouses.com

        In February of 2007, the Company acquired the assets of RentalHouses.com, for approximately $9,000 in cash, plus post-closing adjustments. The Company allocated the total purchase price of the acquisition to the following asset classes:

 
  Amortization
Period

  Amount
Allocated

Goodwill     $ 4,356
Advertiser Relationships   11     4,400
Website   3     250
Trademarks   3     85
Non-Compete Agreements   3     130
       
Total       $ 9,221
       

        This acquisition did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, nor were the operations of this acquisition material during 2007 prior to the acquisition.

Other

        In January of 2007, the Company acquired Modified Automotive Group, publisher of Modified Magazine, Modified Luxury & Exotics Magazine, Modified Mustangs Magazine, and their related event partnerships and websites, for $15,050 in cash (including acquisition related expenses). This acquisition was part of the Enthusiast Media segment, which was sold during the third quarter of 2007.

        In the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company made two additional small acquisitions totaling approximately $1,500, and made approximately $8,600 in deferred purchase price payments and earnout payments for prior acquisitions.

4. Accounts Receivable, Net

        Accounts receivable, net, consisted of the following:

 
  September 30,
2007

  December 31,
2006

 
Accounts receivable   $ 32,716   $ 124,788  
Allowance for doubtful accounts     (1,209 )   (7,368 )
Allowance for returns and rebates         (2,136 )
   
 
 
    $ 31,507   $ 115,284  
   
 
 

        The decrease in accounts receivable above is due to the sale of Enthusiast Media during the third quarter of 2007.

10



5. Inventories

        Inventories consisted of the following:

 
  September 30,
2007

  December 31,
2006

Raw materials   $ 453   $ 10,915
Work in process         79
Finished goods         1,984
   
 
    $ 453   $ 12,978
   
 

        The decrease in inventories above is due to the sale of Enthusiast Media during the third quarter of 2007.

6. Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Other

        In accordance with SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" ("SFAS No. 142"), the Company assesses goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment at least once a year. The Company has established October 31 as its annual impairment test date. In addition to the annual impairment test, an assessment is also required whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. During the first quarter of 2007, the Company decided to explore the sale of Enthusiast Media. In addition, during the third quarter of 2007, the decision was made to shut down the Company's Auto Guides in the New England and Triangle (Raleigh, North Carolina) locations. These events did not result in an impairment of goodwill.

        Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 are as follows:

Balance as of January 1, 2007   $ 674,138  
Goodwill acquired related to the acquisition of businesses     12,710  
Purchase price adjustments     5,019  
Goodwill sold related to the sale of businesses     (562,585 )
   
 
Balance as of September 30, 2007   $ 129,282  
   
 

        As of the third quarter of 2007, the Company's continuing operation is comprised solely of its Consumer Guides business. During the third quarter of 2007, the Company completed the sale of Enthusiast Media.

11



        Intangible assets subject to amortization in accordance with SFAS No. 142 consist of the following:

 
   
  September 30, 2007
  December 31, 2006
 
  Weighted
Average
Amortization
Period (Years)

 
  Gross
Carrying
Amount

  Accumulated
Amortization

  Net
  Gross
Carrying
Amount

  Accumulated
Amortization

  Net
Membership, subscriber and customer lists   4   $ 34   $ 34   $   $ 94,011   $ 71,416   $ 22,595
Advertiser lists   12     96,296     75,731     20,565     99,004     79,987     19,017
Other   8     6,393     4,965     1,428     27,924     20,012     7,912
       
 
 
 
 
 
Total   12   $ 102,723   $ 80,730   $ 21,993   $ 220,939   $ 171,415   $ 49,524
       
 
 
 
 
 

        Intangible assets not subject to amortization had a carrying value of $6,589 and $138,363 (excluding intangible assets classified as assets of businesses held for sale) as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, and consisted primarily of trademarks. Amortization expense for other intangible assets still subject to amortization was $2,270 and $1,072 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Amortization expense for other intangible assets still subject to amortization was $3,862 and $2,466 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. As of September 30, 2007, estimated future amortization expenses of other intangible assets still subject to amortization, are as follows: approximately $1,000 for the remainder of 2007, $3,000 for 2008 and 2009, and $2,000 for 2010, 2011 and 2012.

        The shut down of certain Auto Guides in the third quarter resulted in an impairment charge of approximately $1,200 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, which is included in amortization expense on the accompanying condensed statements of consolidated operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007.

7. Accrued Expenses and Other

        Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:

 
  September 30,
2007

  December 31,
2006

Payroll, commissions and related employee benefits   $ 16,717   $ 25,340
Taxes     30,973     22,928
Rent and lease liabilities     3,032     7,073
Professional fees     1,348     3,806
Interest payable     736     12,351
Deferred purchase price         4,998
Retail display costs and allowances         8,263
Circulation costs         4,840
Other     14,634     22,584
   
 
    $ 67,440   $ 112,183
   
 

        The decrease in accrued expenses and other above is due to the sale of Enthusiast Media and the debt redemptions (see Note 8) during the third quarter of 2007.

12


8. Long-term Debt

        Long-term debt consisted of the following:

 
  September 30,
2007

  December 31,
2006

Borrowings under Term Loan B   $ 250,000   $
Borrowings under bank credit facilities         496,000
87/8% Senior Notes Due 2011         406,733
8% Senior Notes Due 2013     2,576     294,810
Senior Floating Rate Notes Due 2010         122,500
   
 
      252,576     1,320,043
Obligation under capital leases     304     2,986
   
 
      252,880     1,323,029
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt     4,632     6,070
   
 
    $ 248,248   $ 1,316,959
   
 

        During the first quarter of 2006, the Company purchased $7,025 principal amount of its 87/8% Senior Notes due May 15, 2011. In the second quarter of 2006, the Company redeemed $56,615 principal amount of its 87/8% Senior Notes due May 15, 2011. As a result of these transactions, the Company recorded a gain of $336 net of the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs and bond discount during the nine months ended September 30, 2006. This gain is included in the other income (expense), net line on the accompanying condensed statements of consolidated operations.

        On August 1, 2007, the Company completed the financing for a $350,000 senior secured bank credit facility. The new bank credit facility provides for two loan facilities: (1) a revolving credit facility with aggregate commitments of $100,000 (the "Revolving Facility"), which matures on August 1, 2013, and (2) a Term Loan B credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $250,000 (the "Term Loan B Facility"), which matures on August 1, 2014 (the "Term Loan B Maturity Date"). The Company capitalized approximately $6,300 of financing fees associated with the new credit facilities.

        Amounts borrowed under the Revolving Facility bear interest, at the Company's option, at an annual rate of either the base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.625% to 1.00% or the eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.625% to 2.00%. The Term Loan B Facility bears interest, at the Company's option, at an annual rate of either the base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.00% to 1.25% or the eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 2.00% to 2.25%.

        There are no scheduled commitment reductions under the Revolving Facility. The loans under the Term Loan B Facility are subject to scheduled repayment in quarterly installments of $625 each payable on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year commencing on March 31, 2008 and ending on June 30, 2014, followed by a final repayment of $233,750 on the Term Loan B Maturity Date.

        Amounts borrowed under the Term Loan B Facility combined with the net proceeds received from the sale of the Enthusiast Media segment were used to repay all $492,500 principal amount of the Company's existing term loan at June 30, 2007, redeem all $410,015 principal amount of the Company's

13



87/8% Senior Notes due 2011, redeem $292,234 principal amount of the Company's 8.00% Senior Notes due 2013, redeem all $122,500 principal amount of the Company's Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2010, pay approximately $16,000 of accrued interest on the Company's Senior Notes, approximately $32,000 of premiums and consent payments and approximately $9,000 of financing and legal fees. At the time of the debt refinancing, the Company recorded a loss of approximately $44,300, including a write-off approximately $8,700 of deferred financing fees, which is included in other income (expense), net on the accompanying condensed statement of consolidated operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007.

        In addition, in September of 2007, the Company paid a one-time special dividend of $95,010 to PRIMEDIA shareholders.

        The bank credit facilities and the Senior Notes all rank senior in right of payment to all subordinated obligations which PRIMEDIA Inc. (a holding company) may incur. The bank credit facilities and the Senior Notes are largely secured by a pledge of stock of Consumer Source Inc. (formerly known as PRIMEDIA Companies Inc.) and Restricted Group subsidiaries (see Note 14). Consumer Source Inc. includes all of the business and related operations of PRIMEDIA Inc. The operating results of Consumer Source Inc. are the same as consolidated PRIMEDIA Inc., and their balance sheets are substantially the same, except that PRIMEDIA Inc. holds all of the Company's bank credit facilities, Senior Notes indebtedness, capital stock accounts and other miscellaneous balance sheet accounts.

        Under the most restrictive covenants contained in the new bank credit facilities agreement, the maximum allowable total leverage ratio, as defined in the agreement, is 5.25 to 1.

        On August 23, 2007, PRIMEDIA entered into two interest rate swaps ("swaps"), each with a notional amount of $50,000. The swaps became effective on September 28, 2007 and have a maturity date of September 30, 2009. On the trade date, the swaps were not part of a designated hedging relationship, and therefore, changes in the swap fair values have been recorded directly through earnings during the third quarter as a loss of $659, recorded in other income (expense), net on the accompanying condensed statements of consolidated operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes, and notwithstanding the fact that the swaps were not in a designated hedging relationship, they nevertheless serve to mitigate the Company's exposure to changes in the benchmark interest rate on $100,000 of its floating-rate debt.

9. Income Taxes

        The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recognized a liability for uncertain tax positions and related interest and penalties of $16,126 which was accounted for as an increase to the January 1, 2007 balance of accumulated deficit, net of any valuation allowance impact. The liability is included in other non-current liabilities on the accompanying balance sheet as of September 30, 2007. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1, 2007 was $15,786, net of valuation allowance impact.

14



Substantially all of this amount would, if recognized, have an effect on the effective income tax rate. In addition to the unrecognized tax benefits, the Company had $3,689 of interest and penalties accrued as of January 1, 2007.

        The Company's policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes.

        The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and local jurisdictions, and the Company is routinely under audit by many different tax authorities. Management believes that its accrual for tax liabilities is adequate for all open audit years based on its assessment of many factors, including past experience and interpretations of tax law. This assessment relies on estimates and assumptions and may involve a series of complex judgments about future events. As a result of its net operating loss carryforwards, the Company is subject to federal examination for all years since 1992.

        It is possible that federal, state and local tax examinations will be settled during the next twelve months. If any of these settlements do occur within the next twelve months, the Company would make any necessary adjustments to the liability for unrecognized tax benefits. Until formal resolutions are reached between the Company and the tax authorities, the determination of a possible audit settlement range with respect to the impact on uncertain tax benefits is not practicable. On the basis of present information, it is the opinion of the Company's management that any assessments resulting from the current examinations will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company does not think it is reasonably possible that any amount of liability currently subject to examination will significantly change within the next twelve months. However, the statute of limitations in select jurisdictions is expected to expire within the next twelve months and may result in a decrease of unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest of $1,130.

        During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company's liability for unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $4,403 to $17,886. An additional $422 and $5,517 of interest was accrued in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2007, the Company reversed $2,283 of previously accrued interest and penalties. The decrease in the Company's liability for unrecognized tax benefits and the reversal of the previously accrued interest and penalties is primarily attributable to the divestiture of the Enthusiast Media segment, which is a component of discontinued operations.

        The Company does not amortize the book basis of its indefinite-lived intangible assets, but continues to amortize these intangible assets for tax purposes. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, provision for income taxes primarily consisted of deferred income taxes of $956 and $1,625, respectively. The Company expects that it will record approximately $550, to increase deferred tax liabilities during the remainder of 2007.

15


10. Provision for Restructuring Costs

        In the second quarter of 2007, the Company's management approved a plan to reduce its annual corporate overhead expenses to an amount appropriate to service its continuing Consumer Source operations and relocate its corporate headquarters from New York to Atlanta, where its Consumer Source business is located. The Company expects to complete this plan by March 31, 2008. The total expected cost of this plan is $6,221, of which $4,858 has been incurred as of September 30, 2007.

        In 2006, the Company began cost reduction initiatives to streamline operations, reduce layers of management and consolidate real estate.

        Details of the initiatives implemented and the payments made related to both the new and previously implemented plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 are presented in the following tables:

 
  Liability as of
January 1,
2007

  Net Provision
for the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
2007

  Payments/write-off
during the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
2007

  Liability as of
September 30,
2007

Employee-related termination costs   $ 9   $ 6,372   $ (1,866 ) $ 4,515
Termination of leases related to office closures and other     24,684     2,258     (5,308 )   21,634
Write-off of deferred rent and other lease liabilities         552     (552 )  
   
 
 
 
Total   $ 24,693 (1) $ 9,182   $ (7,726 ) $ 26,149
   
 
 
 
 
  Liability as of
January 1,
2006

  Net Provision
for the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
2006

  Payments
during the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
2006

  Liability as of
September 30,
2006

 
Employee-related termination costs   $   $ 89   $ (38 ) $ 51  
Termination of leases related to office closures     26,962     435     (2,813 )   24,584  
   
 
 
 
 
    $ 26,962 (2) $ 524   $ (2,851 ) $ 24,635 (2)
   
 
 
 
 

(1)
Excludes liabilities related to discontinued operations totaling $1,827 as of January 1, 2007.

(2)
Excludes liabilities related to discontinued operations totaling $2,145 and $2,511 as of September 30, 2006 and January 1, 2006, respectively.

        The remaining liability related to real estate lease commitments for space that the Company no longer occupies, is expected to be paid through 2015. The employee-related termination costs are expected to be paid through 2008. To reduce the lease related costs, the Company has aggressively pursued subleases of its available office space. These leases have been recorded at their net present value amounts and are net of sublease income amounts. The Company evaluates the appropriateness of its reserves on a quarterly basis.

16



        As a result of the implementation of this new plan, the Company has closed 7 office locations and has notified a total of 152 individuals that they would be terminated under this plan. As of September 30, 2007, 135 individuals have been terminated.

        Liabilities of $5,898 and $3,485 representing the current portion of the provision for restructuring costs are included in accrued expenses and other on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. Liabilities of $20,251 and $21,208 representing the non-current portion of the provision for restructuring costs are included in other non-current liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.

11. Income per Common Share

        Income per common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 has been determined based on net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for all periods presented.

        The securities that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future consist of approximately 1,645,000 warrants at September 30, 2007 and 2006, and 3,032,278 and 3,357,107 stock options and nonvested shares at September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

12. Accumulated Deficit

        Presented below is a rollforward of the Company's accumulated deficit account:

Balance as of December 31, 2006   $ (2,817,028 )
  Cumulative effect due to the adoption of FIN 48(1)     (16,126 )
  Payment of dividends(2)     (95,010 )
  Net income     504,078  
   
 
Balance as of September 30, 2007   $ (2,424,086 )
   
 

13. Commitments and Contingencies

        The Company is involved in ordinary and routine litigation incidental to its business. In the opinion of management, though the ultimate outcome of these matters could be material to operating results in any given reporting period, there is no pending legal proceeding that would have a material adverse effect on the Company's long-term results of operations, liquidity or consolidated financial position.

17



Workplace Learning

        In 2005, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of the Workplace Learning business for the assumption of ongoing liabilities while retaining a secondary liability as the assignor of the building and satellite time leases. The Company received a third party guaranty of up to $10,000 against those lease obligations to reimburse the Company for lease payments made (the "Guaranty"). In the first half of 2006, the Company made payments on behalf of Workplace Learning pursuant to its secondary liability. During the second quarter of 2006, the Company recorded a liability for the fair value of the lease payments, net of sublease income, related to its secondary liability on the lease payments. At that time, the Company also recorded a receivable of $10,000 for the amount due from the third party guarantor for the lease payments. As a result of recording the receivable and liability during the second quarter, the Company has recorded a charge of approximately $7,200 to discontinued operations. In the second half of 2006, the Company commenced a lawsuit to collect on the Guaranty. During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company determined that it was not probable that the third party would remit payment, as required under the Guaranty, and fully reserved for the $10,000 receivable with a charge to discontinued operations as of December 31, 2006. The Company continues to exercise all available legal remedies against the third party guarantor and to fulfill its secondary obligation regarding the Workplace Learning leases.

        At September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the Company has recorded a total liability of $13,087 and $16,156, respectively, for the fair value of the future lease payments, net of estimated sublease income, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company made payments of $1,120.

Indemnifications

        The Company is a party to contracts in which it is common for it to agree to indemnify third parties for certain liabilities that arise out of or relate to the subject matter of the contract. In some cases, this indemnity extends to related liabilities arising from the negligence of the indemnified parties, but usually excludes any liabilities caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Company can not estimate the potential amount of future payments under these indemnities until events arise that would trigger a liability under the indemnities.

        Additionally, in connection with the sale of assets and the divestiture of businesses, the Company may agree to indemnify the buyer and related parties for certain losses or liabilities incurred by the buyer with respect to (i) the representations and warranties made by the Company to the buyer in connection with the sale and (ii) liabilities related to the pre-closing operations of the assets sold. Indemnities related to pre-closing operations generally include tax liabilities and other liabilities not assumed by the buyer in the transaction.

        Indemnities related to the pre-closing operations of sold assets normally do not represent additional liabilities to the Company, but simply serve to protect the buyer from potential liability associated with the Company's obligations existing at the time of the sale. As with any liability, the Company has previously accrued for those pre-closing obligations that are considered probable and reasonably estimable. The Company has not accrued any additional amounts as a result of indemnities, which result from asset sales and divestitures. Should circumstances change, increasing the likelihood of

18



payments related to a specific indemnity, the Company will accrue a liability when future payment is probable and the amount is reasonably estimable.

14. Financial Information for Guarantors of the Company's Debt

        The following consolidated financial information is required to be disclosed as the Company had outstanding registered debt as of September 30, 2007 that was guaranteed by only certain subsidiaries rather than the entire company. The registered debt is comprised of all of the Company's Senior Notes as described in Note 8. The information that follows presents consolidating financial information as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 for a) PRIMEDIA Inc. (as the Issuer), b) the guarantor subsidiaries, which are, with limited exceptions, the restricted subsidiaries, represent the core PRIMEDIA businesses and exclude investment and other development properties included in the unrestricted category, c) the non-guarantor subsidiaries (primarily representing Internet assets and businesses, new launches and other properties under evaluation for turnaround or shutdown and foreign subsidiaries), which are with limited exceptions the unrestricted subsidiaries, d) elimination entries and e) the Company on a consolidated basis. Corporate operating expenses have been included in the operations of the guarantor subsidiaries. These reclassifications are in compliance with our debt agreements and have not had a material effect on the Company's debt covenant ratios as defined in the bank credit facilities. Certain 2006 amounts have been recast to conform to the 2007 presentation.

        The consolidating financial information includes certain allocations of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities based on management's best estimates which are not necessarily indicative of financial position, results of operations and cash flows that these entities would have achieved on a stand-alone basis and should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company. The intercompany balances in the accompanying condensed consolidating financial statements include cash management activities, management fees, cross promotional activities and other intercompany charges between PRIMEDIA Inc. and the business units and among the business units. The non-guarantor subsidiary results of operations include: internet operations, foreign operations, certain distribution operations, certain start-up magazine businesses, revenues and related expenses derived from the licensing of certain products of guarantor subsidiaries and expenses associated with the cross promotion by the guarantor subsidiaries of the activities of the non-guarantor subsidiaries. The transactions described above are billed, by the Company, at what the Company believes are market rates. All intercompany related activities are eliminated in consolidation. Consumer Source Inc. (formerly known as PRIMEDIA Companies Inc.) includes all of the businesses and related operations of PRIMEDIA Inc. The operating results of Consumer Source Inc. are the same as consolidated PRIMEDIA Inc., and their balance sheets are substantially the same, except that PRIMEDIA Inc. holds all of the Company's bank credit facilities, Senior Notes indebtedness, capital stock accounts and other miscellaneous balance sheet accounts.

        The Company is herewith providing detailed information and disclosure as to the methodology used in determining compliance with the leverage ratio in the credit facilities agreement. Under its bank credit facilities and Senior Note agreements, the Company is allowed to designate certain businesses as unrestricted subsidiaries to the extent that the value of those businesses does not exceed the permitted amounts, as defined in these agreements. The Company has designated certain of its

19



businesses as unrestricted (the "Unrestricted Group"), which primarily represent Internet businesses, trademark and content licensing and service companies, new launches (including traditional start-ups), other properties under evaluation for turnaround or shutdown and foreign subsidiaries. Except for those specifically designated by the Company as unrestricted, all businesses of the Company are restricted (the "Restricted Group"). Indebtedness under the bank credit facilities and Senior Note agreements is guaranteed by each of the Company's 100%-owned domestic subsidiaries in the Restricted Group in accordance with the provisions and limitations of the Company's bank credit facilities and Senior Note agreements. The guarantees are full, unconditional and joint and several. The Unrestricted Group does not guarantee the bank credit facilities or Senior Notes. For purposes of determining compliance with certain financial covenants under the Company's bank credit facilities, the Unrestricted Group's results (positive or negative) are not reflected in the Consolidated EBITDA of the Restricted Group which, as defined in the bank credit facilities agreement, excludes losses of the Unrestricted Group, non-cash charges and restructuring charges and is adjusted primarily for the trailing four quarters results of acquisitions and divestitures and estimated savings for acquired business.

20


PRIMEDIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
(UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2007
(dollars in thousands)

 
  PRIMEDIA Inc.
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries

  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  PRIMEDIA Inc.
and
Subsidiaries

 
ASSETS                                
Current assets:                                
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 45,185   $ 1,636   $ 3   $   $ 46,824  
  Accounts receivable, net         26,604     4,903         31,507  
  Inventories         453             453  
  Prepaid expenses and other     5,087     1,636     6,267         12,990  
  Assets of businesses held for sale         1,901             1,901  
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Total current assets     50,272     32,230     11,173         93,675  

Property and equipment, net

 

 

1,375

 

 

8,479

 

 

9,837

 

 


 

 

19,691

 
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries     149,319     (309,575 )       160,256      
Intangible assets, net         15,881     12,701         28,582  
Goodwill         112,764     16,518         129,282  
Other non-current assets     9,538     1,144             10,682  
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Total Assets   $ 210,504   $ (139,077 ) $ 50,229   $ 160,256   $ 281,912  
   
 
 
 
 
 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Current liabilities:                                
  Accounts payable   $ 2,882   $ 7,267   $ 1,456   $   $ 11,605  
  Intercompany payables     (30,346 )   (911,911 )   632,682     309,575      
  Accrued expenses and other     50,018     14,620     2,802         67,440  
  Deferred revenues     1,700     163     64         1,927  
  Current maturities of long-term debt     4,632                 4,632  
  Liabilities of businesses held for sale         2,568             2,568  
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Total current liabilities     28,886     (887,293 )   637,004     309,575     88,172  

Long-term debt

 

 

248,248

 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 

248,248

 
Intercompany notes payable         7,612         (7,612 )    
Deferred revenues     11,475                 11,475  
Deferred income taxes         12,017             12,017  
Other non-current liabilities     50,871     105             50,976  
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Total Liabilities     339,480     (867,559 )   637,004     301,963     410,888  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholders' deficiency:                                
  Common stock     455                 455  
  Additional paid-in capital     2,370,532                 2,370,532  
  Accumulated deficit     (2,424,086 )   728,482     (586,775 )   (141,707 )   (2,424,086 )
  Common stock in treasury, at cost     (75,877 )               (75,877 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Total Shareholders' Deficiency     (128,976 )   728,482     (586,775 )   (141,707 )   (128,976 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Deficiency   $ 210,504   $ (139,077 ) $ 50,229   $ 160,256   $ 281,912  
   
 
 
 
 
 

21


PRIMEDIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATING OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007
(dollars in thousands)

 
  PRIMEDIA Inc.
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries

  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  PRIMEDIA Inc.
and
Subsidiaries

 
Revenues, net:   $   $ 65,166   $ 18,259   $ (182 ) $ 83,243  
Operating costs and expenses:                                
  Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization of property and equipment)         7,717     848         8,565  
  Marketing and selling         23,780     (490 )       23,290  
  Distribution and circulation         2,034     20,226         22,260  
  Editorial         1,551     196         1,747  
  Other general expenses         5,640     2,025     (182 )   7,483  
  Corporate administrative expenses         6,423     1,807         8,230  
  Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment         1,273     2,059         3,332  
  Amortization of intangible assets         2,046     224         2,270  
  Provision for restructuring costs         6,578             6,578  
  Other         161             161  
   
 
 
 
 
 

Operating income (loss)

 

 


 

 

7,963

 

 

(8,636

)

 


 

 

(673

)

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Interest expense     (10,866 )   (3,116 )           (13,982 )
  Amortization of deferred financing costs     (349 )               (349 )
  Intercompany management fees and interest     6,567     (6,567 )            
  Other expense, net     (8,733 )   (36,479 )             (45,212 )
   
 
 
 
 
 

Loss from continuing operations before (provision) benefit for income taxes

 

 

(13,381

)

 

(38,199

)

 

(8,636

)

 


 

 

(60,216

)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes         22,221     (49 )       22,172  
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries     407,133     (54,629 )       (352,504 )    
   
 
 
 
 
 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

 

393,752

 

 

(70,607

)

 

(8,685

)

 

(352,504

)

 

(38,044

)
Discontinued operations, net of tax         477,740     (45,944 )       431,796  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)   $ 393,752   $ 407,133   $ (54,629 ) $ (352,504 ) $ 393,752  
   
 
 
 
 
 

22


PRIMEDIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATING OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
(dollars in thousands)

 
  PRIMEDIA Inc.
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries

  Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  PRIMEDIA Inc.
and
Subsidiaries

 
Revenues, net:   $   $ 197,757   $ 53,234   $ (6,134 ) $ 244,857  
Operating costs and expenses:                                
  Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization of property and equipment)         23,113     2,710         25,823  
  Marketing and selling         58,855     10,648         69,503  
  Distribution and circulation         16,752     47,518         64,270  
  Editorial         4,520     671         5,191  
  Other general expenses         17,771     10,883     (6,134 )   22,520  
  Corporate administrative expenses         18,510     4,055         22,565  
  Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment         3,869     5,862         9,731  
  Amortization of intangible assets         3,154     708         3,862  
  Provision for restructuring costs         9,182             9,182  
  Other         161             161  
   
 
 
 
 
 

Operating income (loss)

 

 


 

 

41,870

 

 

(29,821

)

 


 

 

12,049

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Interest expense     (68,959 )   (3,134 )           (72,093 )
  Amortization of deferred financing costs     (1,517 )               (1,517 )
  Intercompany management fees and interest     23,229     (23,229 )            
  Other expense, net     (8,733 )   (32,573 )   (86 )       (41,392 )
   
 
 
 
 
 

Loss from continuing operations before (provision) benefit for income taxes

 

 

(55,980

)

 

(17,066

)

 

(29,907

)

 


 

 

(102,953

)

(Provision) benefit for income taxes

 

 


 

 

38,517

 

 

(399

)

 


 

 

38,118

 
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries     560,058     (78,999 )       (481,059 )    
   
 
 
 
 
 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

 

504,078

 

 

(57,548

)

 

(30,306

)

 

(481,059

)

 

(64,835

)
Discontinued operations, net of tax         617,606     (48,693 )       568,913  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)   $ 504,078   $ 560,058   $ (78,999 ) $ (481,059 ) $ 504,078  
   
 
 
 
 
 

23


PRIMEDIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATING CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
(dollars in thousands)

 
  PRIMEDIA Inc.
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries

  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  PRIMEDIA Inc.
and
Subsidiaries

 
Operating activities:                                
  Net income (loss)   $ 504,078   $ 560,058   $ (78,999 ) $ (481,059 ) $ 504,078  
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

 

(434,217

)

 

(678,774

)

 

55,593

 

 

587,552

 

 

(469,846

)
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities     (69,861 )   9,937     (8,108 )       (68,032 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities         (108,779 )   (31,514 )   106,493     (33,800 )
   
 
 
 
 
 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Additions to property, equipment and other         (8,806 )   (6,979 )       (15,785 )
  Proceeds from sales of businesses         1,294,910     57,716         1,352,626  
  Payments related to sale of businesses         (20,816 )           (20,816 )
  Payments for businesses acquired, net of cash acquired         (19,254 )   (14,875 )       (34,129 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Net cash provided by investing activities         1,246,034     35,862         1,281,896  
   
 
 
 
 
 

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Intercompany activity     1,493,595     (1,382,657 )   (4,445 )   (106,493 )    
  Borrowings under credit agreements     32,800     250,000             282,800  
  Repayments of borrowings under credit agreements     (528,800 )               (528,800 )
  Payments for redemption of senior notes     (859,735 )                     (859,735 )
  Payment of dividend     (95,010 )               (95,010 )
  Deferred financing costs paid         (6,263 )           (6,263 )
  Proceeds from issuances of common stock, net     718                 718  
  Capital lease payments         (555 )   (141 )       (696 )
  Other         (114 )           (114 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     43,568     (1,139,589 )   (4,586 )   (106,493 )   (1,207,100 )
   
 
 
 
 
 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

43,568

 

 

(2,334

)

 

(238

)

 


 

 

40,996

 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     1,617     3,970     241         5,828  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 45,185   $ 1,636   $ 3   $   $ 46,824  
   
 
 
 
 
 

24


PRIMEDIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
December 31, 2006
(dollars in thousands)

 
  PRIMEDIA Inc.
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries

  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  PRIMEDIA Inc.
and
Subsidiaries

 
ASSETS                                
Current assets:                                
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,617   $ 3,970   $ 241   $   $ 5,828  
  Accounts receivable, net         98,268     17,016         115,284  
  Inventories         12,283     695         12,978  
  Prepaid expenses and other     2,740     13,561     2,676         18,977  
  Assets of businesses held for sale         170,037             170,037  
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Total current assets     4,357     298,119     20,628         323,104  

Property and equipment, net

 

 

2,590

 

 

31,337

 

 

12,463

 

 


 

 

46,390

 
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries     1,161,383     40,986         (1,202,369 )    
Intangible assets, net         126,854     61,033         187,887  
Goodwill         567,605     106,533         674,138  
Other non-current assets     15,896     6,398     516         22,810  
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Total Assets   $ 1,184,226   $ 1,071,299   $ 201,173   $ (1,202,369 ) $ 1,254,329  
   
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY                                
Current liabilities:                                
  Accounts payable   $ 9,189   $ 34,784   $ 3,706   $   $ 47,679  
  Intercompany payables     297,495     (922,783 )   666,274     (40,986 )    
  Accrued expenses and other     31,578     74,063     6,542         112,183  
  Deferred revenues     1,738     70,865     6,432         79,035  
  Current maturities of long-term debt     5,058     988     24         6,070  
  Liabilities of businesses held for sale         50,300             50,300  
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Total current liabilities     345,058     (691,783 )   682,978     (40,986 )   295,267  

Long-term debt

 

 

1,315,146

 

 

1,732

 

 

81

 

 


 

 

1,316,959

 
Intercompany notes payable         2,091,297         (2,091,297 )    
Deferred revenues     12,750                 12,750  
Deferred income taxes         72,060             72,060  
Other non-current liabilities     34,502     20,132     25,889         80,523  
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Total Liabilities     1,707,456     1,493,438     708,948     (2,132,283 )   1,777,559  
   
 
 
 
 
 

Shareholders' deficiency:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Common stock     455                 455  
  Additional paid-in capital     2,369,220                 2,369,220  
  Accumulated deficit     (2,817,028 )   (422,139 )   (507,775 )   929,914     (2,817,028 )
  Common stock in treasury, at cost     (75,877 )               (75,877 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Total Shareholders' Deficiency     (523,230 )   (422,139 )   (507,775 )   929,914     (523,230 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
  Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Deficiency   $ 1,184,226   $ 1,071,299   $ 201,173   $ (1,202,369 ) $ 1,254,329  
   
 
 
 
 
 

25


PRIMEDIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATING OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2006

(dollars in thousands)

 
  PRIMEDIA Inc.
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries

  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  PRIMEDIA Inc.
and
Subsidiaries

 
Revenues, net   $   $ 65,710   $ 18,447   $ (2,805 ) $ 81,352  
Operating costs and expenses:                                
  Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization of property and equipment)         7,862     1,157         9,019  
  Marketing and selling         17,569     3,905         21,474  
  Distribution and circulation         5,304     14,834         20,138  
  Editorial         1,564     261         1,825  
  Other general expenses         5,689     4,313     (2,805 )   7,197  
  Corporate administrative expenses         7,012     1,485         8,497  
  Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment         1,457     1,627         3,084  
  Amortization of intangible assets and other         616     456         1,072  
  Provision for restructuring costs         247             247  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)         18,390     (9,591 )       8,799  
Other income (expense):                                
  Interest expense     (32,777 )   (16 )   2         (32,791 )
  Amortization of deferred financing costs     (630 )               (630 )
  Intercompany management fees and interest     34,705     (33,178 )   (1,527 )        
  Other income (expense), net         715     (4 )       711  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income taxes     1,298     (14,089 )   (11,120 )       (23,911 )
(Provision) benefit for income taxes         8,296     (31 )       8,265  
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries     50,463     (15,267 )       (35,196 )    
   
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations     51,761     (21,060 )   (11,151 )   (35,196 )   (15,646 )
Discontinued operations, net of tax         71,523     (4,116 )       67,407  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)   $ 51,761   $ 50,463   $ (15,267 ) $ (35,196 ) $ 51,761  
   
 
 
 
 
 

26


PRIMEDIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATING OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

(dollars in thousands)

 
  PRIMEDIA Inc.
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries

  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  PRIMEDIA Inc.
and
Subsidiaries

 
Revenues, net   $   $ 195,184   $ 55,640   $ (6,787 ) $ 244,037  
Operating costs and expenses:                                
  Cost of goods sold (exclusive of depreciation and amortization of property and equipment)         25,135     3,682           28,817  
  Marketing and selling         53,723     12,323         66,046  
  Distribution and circulation         14,727     47,254         61,981  
  Editorial         4,878     800         5,678  
  Other general expenses         19,409     11,283     (6,787 )   23,905  
  Corporate administrative expenses         23,408     4,545         27,953  
  Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment         4,067     5,058         9,125  
  Amortization of intangible assets and other         1,849     617         2,466  
  Provision for restructuring costs         524             524  
  Loss on sale of businesses and other         28             28  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income (loss)         47,436     (29,922 )       17,514  

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Interest expense     (96,385 )   (36 )   (3 )       (96,424 )
  Amortization of deferred financing costs     (1,945 )               (1,945 )
  Intercompany management fees and interest     109,119     (104,623 )   (4,496 )        
  Other income (expense), net     (648 )   2,148     (4 )       1,496  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income taxes     10,141     (55,075 )   (34,425 )       (79,359 )
(Provision) benefit for income taxes         27,800     (116 )       27,684  
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries     41,935     (32,809 )       (9,126 )    
   
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations     52,076     (60,084 )   (34,541 )   (9,126 )   (51,675 )
Discontinued operations, net of tax         101,667     2,062         103,729  
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax (from the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123 (R))         352     (330 )       22  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)   $ 52,076   $ 41,935   $ (32,809 ) $ (9,126 ) $ 52,076  
   
 
 
 
 
 

27


PRIMEDIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) (Continued)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

PRIMEDIA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATING CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006
(dollars in thousands)

 
  PRIMEDIA Inc.
  Guarantor
Subsidiaries

  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

  Eliminations
  PRIMEDIA Inc.
and
Subsidiaries

 
Operating activities:                                
  Net income (loss)   $ 52,076   $ 41,935   $ (32,809 ) $ (9,126 ) $ 52,076  
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax         (352 )   330         (22 )
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:     (58,761 )   (53,364 )   7,237     82,512     (22,376 )
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities     6,685     6,390     (10,463 )       2,612  
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities         (5,391 )   (35,705 )   73,386     32,290  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Investing activities:                                
  Additions to property, equipment and other         (12,449 )   (5,953 )       (18,402 )
  Proceeds from sales of businesses         152,974     (1,126 )       151,848  
  Payments for businesses acquired, net of cash acquired         (4,827 )   (15,508 )       (20,335 )
  Proceeds from sale of other investments         1,300             1,300  
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities         136,998     (22,587 )       114,411  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Financing activities:                                
  Intercompany activity     137,967     (128,616 )   64,035     (73,386 )    
  Borrowings under credit agreements     250,100                 250,100  
  Repayments of borrowings under credit agreements     (268,100 )               (268,100 )
  Payments for redemption of senior notes     (62,094 )               (62,094 )
  Proceeds from issuances of common stock, net     463                 463  
  Capital lease payments         (2,461 )   130         (2,331 )
  Other         (162 )           (162 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities     58,336     (131,239 )   64,165     (73,386 )   (82,124 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents     58,336     368     5,873         64,577  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     321     4,182     2,752         7,255  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 58,657   $ 4,550   $ 8,625   $   $ 71,832  
   
 
 
 
 
 

28



Item 2.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
                RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Introduction

        PRIMEDIA Inc., together with its subsidiaries, is herein referred to as either "PRIMEDIA" or the "Company."

        The following discussion and analysis summarize the financial condition and operating performance of the Company and should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

Executive Summary

Our Business

        PRIMEDIA Inc. is the parent company of Consumer Source Inc., an integrated media business that publishes free consumer guides in the U.S., such as Apartment Guide, Auto Guide, and New Home Guide and distributes free consumer publications through its proprietary distribution network, DistribuTech, in more than 60,000 locations. Consumer Source also distributes content on its leading websites, including ApartmentGuide.com, AutoGuide.com, NewHomeGuide.com, and a comprehensive single unit rental property site, Rentals.com.

        The Company's revenues are generated by its Consumer Guides business, from advertising (print and online) and third party distribution.

Background

        Historically, PRIMEDIA was a broad based media enterprise built from a series of acquisitions and comprised of numerous disparate assets. In recent years, in order to better focus on its core businesses and to reduce debt, the Company has been strategically divesting selective properties. As a result, the Company has now positioned itself as the number one publisher and distributor of free consumer publications in the U.S.

        Additionally, to counter the effects of the continued weakness in the overall advertising environment, the Company has aggressively attacked its cost structure. The Company realigned and reorganized its management structure to better reflect its emphasis on delivering exceptional products and brands to the marketplace to achieve organic growth while managing costs. Organic growth represents growth of the Company's businesses, excluding acquisitions made during the periods compared. These initiatives have resulted in charges for restructuring costs to integrate Company operations and consolidate many back office functions and facilities, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of employees and office space, and in the creation of operational and financial efficiencies.

        Overall, these actions have made the Company today a more efficient organization with a strengthened balance sheet and improved liquidity.

Business Trends

        The Company is experiencing a period of significant change in real estate market conditions. Over the past few years, high levels of condominium conversions and low vacancy rates reduced advertising revenue of Apartment Guide. More recently, conditions in the real property leasing and rental markets have improved as the level of condominium conversions has slowed and vacancy rates have increased, particularly in the regions most impacted in prior years.

29



        In the new home market, new construction has virtually halted in several geographic areas as builders sell off excess inventory. New housing starts have continued to decline across all of the Company's operating markets except one. We track our penetration of the top builders in each market and the penetration into the number of their communities available to advertise, and we strive to continue to increase this penetration from quarter to quarter.

Company Strategy

        Making organic growth its top priority in 2007, the Company's strategy is to focus on growing its core targeted consumer guides, maintaining its industry-leading distribution network, and launching into new vertical markets.

        The Company continues to implement this organic growth strategy through various actions, including:

        At the same time, the Company continues to focus on cost reductions, which will be utilized to fund various elements of its growth strategy.

Sale of Enthusiast Media Segment

        In February 2007, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the Company to explore the sale of its Enthusiast Media segment. On August 1, 2007, the Company completed the sale of the Enthusiast Media segment for $1,177,900 to Source Interlink Companies, Inc., subject to certain post-closing adjustments. The Company has applied the proceeds to pay down debt (See Debt Refinancing discussion below). The operations of the Enthusiast Media segment are included in discontinued operations for all periods presented.

Debt Refinancing

        On August 1, 2007, the Company completed the financing for a $350,000 senior secured bank credit facility, comprised of a $100,000 revolving loan facility and a $250,000 term loan.

        Amounts borrowed under the new bank credit facilities combined with the net proceeds received from the sale of the Enthusiast Media segment were used to repay all $492,500 principal amount of the Company's existing term loan at June 30, 2007, redeem all $410,015 principal amount of the Company's 87/8% Senior Notes due 2011, redeem $292,234 principal amount of the Company's 8.00% Senior Notes due 2013, redeem all $122,500 principal amount of the Company's Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2010, pay approximately $16,000 of accrued interest on the Company's Senior Notes, approximately $32,000 of premiums and consent payments and approximately $9,000 of financing and legal fees.

        In addition, the Company paid a one-time special dividend of $95,010 to PRIMEDIA shareholders.

Reverse Stock-Split

        On August 1, 2007, the Company effected a 1-for-6 reverse stock split of its common stock. After the reverse stock split was effected, each PRIMEDIA stockholder received one new share of PRIMEDIA common stock in exchange for every six existing shares of PRIMEDIA common stock. For all prior periods presented in this report, the share amounts, including warrants and stock options, and earnings (loss) per share amounts have been adjusted for the reverse stock split.

30



Transition Plan

        The Company is in the process of relocating its corporate headquarters from New York to Atlanta, where its Consumer Source business is based. The Company may continue certain of its New York based public company-related functions and their associated costs through the 2007 Form 10-K reporting period in 2008.

Summary of Consolidated Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007

        For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, revenues were $244,857, as compared to $244,037 in 2006. In 2007, Operating expenses were $232,808, up 2.8% compared to $226,523 in 2006. In 2007, operating income was $12,049, down $5,465 or 31.2% from $17,514 in 2006. Net income was $504,078 in 2007 compared to $52,076 in 2006. Included in 2007 net income is a gain on the sale of businesses, net of tax, of $483,761.

Forward-Looking Information

        This report contains statements that are, or may be considered to be, forward-looking statements. All statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs or expectations, are forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking words such as "outlook," "believes," "expects," "potential," "continues," "may," "should," "seeks," "approximately," "predicts," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates," "foresees" or the negative version of those words or other comparable words and phrases. Any forward-looking statements contained in this report are based upon our historical performance and on current plans, estimates and expectations. We may make additional written or oral forward-looking statements from time to time in filings with the SEC or otherwise. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement is made. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and the inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the future plans, estimates or expectations contemplated by us will be achieved.

Why We Use the Term Free Cash Flow

        Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities adjusted for additions to property, equipment and other, exclusive of acquisitions, and capital lease payments ("Free Cash Flow").

        The Company believes that the use of Free Cash Flow enables the Company's chief operating decision maker, and the executive team to make decisions based on the Company's cash resources. The Company believes that Free Cash Flow provides useful information to investors as it is considered to be an indicator of the Company's liquidity, including its ability to reduce debt and make strategic investments.

        Free Cash Flow is not intended to represent cash flows from operating activities as determined in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Free Cash Flow as presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies since not all companies necessarily calculate Free Cash Flow in an identical manner, and therefore, is not necessarily an accurate measure of comparison between companies.

Discontinued Operations

        The Company has classified the results of divested entities and entities planned for disposition as of September 30, 2007 as discontinued operations in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets".

31



        In the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company decided to pursue the sales of its History and Crafts groups, part of the Enthusiast Media segment. The Company completed the sale of the History group during the first quarter of 2006, for $17,000, resulting in a net gain of approximately $13,700. The sale of the Crafts group was completed during the third quarter of 2006 for $132,000, resulting in a gain of $55,627.

        In the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company announced that it had agreed to sell its Outdoors group (part of the Enthusiast Media segment), which consists primarily of its hunting, fishing, and shooting titles, for $170,000 in cash. The transaction was completed in January 2007, and resulted in a gain of $57,547. The net proceeds from this sale are subject to routine post-closing adjustments. The assets and liabilities of the Outdoors group are included in assets and liabilities of businesses held for sale on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006.

        In the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company announced that it would classify the results of operations of its Education segment as discontinued operations, due to the Company actively pursuing the sale of this segment. The Company's Education segment was comprised of Channel One, a proprietary network for secondary schools; Films Media Group, a leading source of educational video; and PRIMEDIA Healthcare, a medical education business. During the second quarter, the Company completed the sale of Channel One for a net loss of $(7,050), of which $5,000 was recorded during the first quarter of 2007, and completed the sale of Films Media Group, for a net gain of $170. The remaining assets and liabilities of the Education segment are classified as businesses held for sale on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006.

        In February 2007, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the Company to explore the sale of its Enthusiast Media segment. On August 1, 2007, the Company completed the sale for $1,177,900 to Source Interlink Companies, Inc., resulting in a gain of approximately $461,400, subject to certain post-closing adjustments.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2006

Revenues, Net

        Consumer Guides revenues were $83,243 and $81,352 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Consumer Guides revenues increased $1,891 or 2.3% in 2007 compared to 2006 as follows:

 
  Three Months Ended September 30,
   
 
 
  Percent
Change

 
 
  2007
  2006
 
Revenues, net:                  
  Advertising   $ 68,470   $ 67,308   1.7 %
  Distribution     14,773     14,044   5.2 %
   
 
     
    Total   $ 83,243   $ 81,352   2.3 %
   
 
     

        The third quarter advertising revenue increase was driven primarily by Apartment Guide, New Home Guide, and Rentals.com, partially offset by a decline in Auto Guide. Distribution revenue's increase was driven primarily by incremental retail distribution locations, partially offset by the loss of third party publications reducing their distribution or ceasing operations, particularly in the resale home sector, in which the Company does not directly participate.

        Apartment Guide, ApartmentGuide.com, Rentals.com:    These businesses, which represent 77% of third quarter 2007 advertising revenue, experienced a 2.6% revenue increase for the quarter. Apartment Guide and ApartmentGuide.com also delivered sequential quarterly growth versus the

32



second quarter of 2007. The Company believes this is the beginning of the turnaround resulting from the Company's actions to strengthen client relationships and promote the value of blended media, while providing clients with advertising tools to better track results and demonstrate Consumer Source's effectiveness in generating customer leads and leases. In addition, the Company is exploring opportunities to expand into new markets by leveraging its existing distribution network.

        The Company's online single unit real estate rental product line, Rentals.com grew revenue 29.3% in the third quarter. This growth rate reflects revenue of the entire Rentals.com network of websites compared to third quarter 2006, on a pro forma basis as if all operations included in 2007 were owned in 2006. As of quarter end, Rentals.com achieved full staffing for the first time in a year. The normal period between hiring of salespeople and associated revenue generation contributed to increased expenses for the quarter without a corresponding increase in revenue. The Company believes it will begin to see the results from these additional salespeople as it moves into the next year. In addition, third quarter expenses increased due to an investment in a Rentals.com one-time limited ad campaign aimed at driving traffic to the website to increase leads for property owners and building brand awareness amont potential advertisers. Late in the third quarter, Rentals.com launched a Spanish-language version and a special section for senior living. Rentals.com primarily serves advertisers of single units, including rental houses, town homes, condominiums, apartments, and communities with less than 50 rental units.

        New Home Guide, NewHomeGuide.com:    This business, representing 19% of third quarter 2007 advertising revenue, continued to deliver solid results with revenue growth of 9.7% in the third quarter. This growth reflects New Home Guide having established itself as one of the most cost-effective and attractive media channels for home builders. New Home Guide has continued to grow in the aggregate, primarily due to gains in the Southwest, Florida, and Texas. However, some new home builders, particularly those with developments located in Midwest and Northeast markets, have decreased their advertising spend as they attempt to address the difficult mortgage environment, declining home prices and high inventory levels. The Company does not expect improvement in these markets in the near term. The Company now has 37 New Home Guide publications (including Neighborhood Maps and Realtor Data Books) in 27 markets.

        Auto Guide, AutoGuide.com:    Auto Guide, representing 4% of third quarter 2007 advertising revenue, experienced a 30.5% revenue decline, The decline in revenue was primarily due to the closings of the New England and Triangle (Raleigh, North Carolina) markets during the third quarter 2007, partially offset by growth in the South Florida market. The Company has pursued a viable operating model for this product line for over two years, with limited success. The Company is continuing its evaluation of various formats and markets, and will make a decision on the strategic direction of Auto Guide by the end of the year.

        DistribuTech:    All of Consumer Source's print properties continue to benefit from the Company's leading distribution business, DistribuTech. Consumer Source's strategy is to continually optimize distribution for its own guides while minimizing cost. This optimization has historically caused, and will continue to cause, DistribuTech revenue and expenses to fluctuate from period to period. In the third quarter of 2007, DistribuTech grew revenue by 5.2%. DistribuTech's growth was at a slower pace than originally anticipated, primarily due to customers who publish within the resale home sector, in which the Company does not directly participate, scaling back or ceasing operations. DistribuTech's expenses increased substantially in the third quarter due to the addition to its distribution network of approximately 2,000 retail locations and an extension of a relationship with a national grocery chain.

Operating Income (Loss)

        Operating income (loss) was $(673) in 2007 compared to $8,799 in 2006. The Corporate function supported the Consumer Guides segment, as well as the Enthusiast Media and Education segments

33



through their respective sale dates. The results of operations of the Enthusiast Media and Education segments are included in discontinued operations for all periods presented. The Corporate expenses are presented on the corporate administrative expenses line on the accompanying condensed statements of consolidated operations for all periods presented.

        The primary drivers of the reduction in operating income were increased selling and distribution expenses, an impairment provision during the third quarter, and increased restructuring costs, partially offset by revenue growth. Selling expenses increased primarily due to increased headcount. The Company's distribution expenses increased primarily due to the addition of over 2,000 locations and extending national grocery chain relationships. During the third quarter of 2007, the decision was made to shut down the Company's Auto Guides in the New England and Triangle (Raleigh, North Carolina) locations, which resulted in an impairment charge of approximately $1,200 during the third quarter of 2007 included in amortization expense. Restructuring costs increased related to the transition of New York Corporate overhead to Atlanta.

        Corporate administrative expenses were relatively flat, at $8,230 for the third quarter of 2007, compared to $8,497 for the third quarter of 2006.

Net Income

        The Company had net income of $393,752 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $51,761 for the same period of 2006. The increase is primarily due to the gain on the sale of Enthusiast Media of approximately $461,400, partially offset by the decrease in operating income, and the decrease in other income(expense), net during 2007 due to the loss on debt redemptions in the third quarter of 2007. In addition, during the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company's liability for unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $4,403 to $17,886. An additional $422 of interest was accrued in the three months ended September 30, 2007. During the three months ended September 30, 2007, the Company reversed $2,283 of previously accrued interest and penalties. The decrease in the Company's liability for unrecognized tax benefits and the reversal of the previously accrued interest and penalties is primarily attributable to the divestiture of the Enthusiast Media segment, which is a component of discontinued operations.

        Interest expense decreased to $13,982 in 2007 from $32,791 in 2006 primarily due to lower average debt levels, as during the third quarter the Company repaid all $492,500 principal amount of its term loan, redeemed all $410,015 principal amount of its 87/8% Senior Notes due 2011, redeemed $292,234 principal amount of its 8.00% Senior Notes due 2013, and redeemed all $122,500 principal amount of its Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2010. In connection with these debt redemptions, the Company recorded a loss of approximately $44,300 including the write-off of deferred financing costs of approximately $8,700, which are included in other income (expense), net on the accompanying condensed statements of consolidated operations.

Discontinued Operations

        Discontinued operations includes the operations of the Education segment, which was discontinued in the fourth quarter of 2006, and the Enthusiast Media segment, which was discontinued in the first quarter of 2007. The Education segment was comprised of Channel One, a proprietary network for secondary schools; Films Media Group, a leading source of educational video; and PRIMEDIA Healthcare, a medical education business. The Company completed the sales of Channel One and Films Media Group during the second quarter of 2007. On August 1, 2007, the Company completed the sale of the Enthusiast Media segment.

        Income from discontinued operations was $431,796 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, compared to $67,407 for the same period of 2006. Discontinued operations includes revenue of $52,742 and $188,100, for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

34



Operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, was $475,195 and $80,193, respectively. Included in discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 are gains on sales of businesses, net of tax, of $442,501 and $52,347, respectively.

Results of Operations

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

Revenues, Net

        Consumer Guides revenues were $244,857 and $244,037 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Consumer Guides revenues increased $820 or 0.3% in 2007 compared to 2006 as follows:

 
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,

   
 
 
  Percent
Change

 
 
  2007
  2006
 
Revenues, net:                  
  Advertising   $ 201,769   $ 201,691   0.0 %
  Distribution     43,088     42,346   1.7 %
   
 
     
    Total   $ 244,857   $ 244,037   0.3 %
   
 
     

        Advertising revenues increased in the nine months of 2007 compared to 2006 primarily due to improvements in Rentals.com, Apartment Guide, and New Home Guide that were offset by declining revenue in Auto Guide, due to the closings of the San Diego publication in third quarter of 2006 and the New England and Triangle (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, North Carolina) publications during the third quarter of 2007. Distribution revenue's increase reflects DistribuTech's optimization of distribution locations as new locations were added in the first nine months of 2007, partially offset by the loss of third party publications reducing their distribution or ceasing operations, particularly in the resale home sector.

        Apartment Guide, ApartmentGuide.com, Rentals.com:    Revenue decreased 0.4% in the nine months of 2007. In the third quarter of 2007 the Company started to see results from its actions to strengthen client relationships and promote the value of blended media, while providing clients with advertising tools to better track results and demonstrate Consumer Source's effectiveness in generating customer leads and leases. In addition, the Company is exploring opportunities to expand into new markets by leveraging its existing distribution network.

        The decrease in Apartment Guide was partially offset by a 47% growth in the Company's online single unit real estate rental product line, Rentals.com. This growth rate reflects revenue of the entire Rentals.com network of websites compared to the same period of 2006, on a pro forma basis as if all operations included in 2007 were owned in 2006. Consumer Source's online single unit real estate rental product line is the leader in the market, with an estimated 62% of all paid single unit real estate rental listings on the Internet. This segment of the marketplace accounts for approximately 85% of the total rental market. The Company's online single unit real estate rental business primarily serves advertisers of single units, including rental houses, town homes, condos, apartments, and communities with less than 50 rental units.

        New Home Guide, NewHomeGuide.com:    This business, representing 19% of 2007 advertising revenue, continued to deliver strong results with total revenue growth of 13% in the nine months ended September 30, 2007. This growth reflects New Home Guide having established itself as one of the most cost-effective and attractive media channels for home builders. In the first half of 2007, the Company launched a New Home Guide in Colorado Springs, CO, and three Neighborhood Maps in

35



Charlotte, NC. In the third quarter, the Company launched a New Home Guide in Richmond and a Professional Edition (Realtor Data Book) in Charlotte. The Company now has 37 New Home Guide publications (including Neighborhood Maps and Realtor Data Books) in 27 markets.

        Auto Guide, AutoGuide.com:    Auto Guide, representing 5% of 2007 advertising revenue, experienced a 28% revenue decline in the nine months ended September 30, 2007, primarily due to the third quarter 2006 closing of the San Diego Auto Guide and the third quarter 2007 closings of the New England and Triangle (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill North Carolina) Auto Guides.

        DistribuTech:    All of Consumer Source's print properties continue to benefit from the Company's leading distribution business, DistribuTech. Consumer Source's strategy is to continually optimize distribution for its own guides while minimizing cost. This optimization has historically caused, and will continue to cause, DistribuTech revenue and expenses to fluctuate from period to period. In the third quarter of 2007, DistribuTech grew revenue by 1.8%. DistribuTech's growth was at a slower pace than originally anticipated, primarily due to customers who publish within the resale home sector, in which the Company does not directly participate, scaling back or ceasing operations. DistribuTech's expenses increased substantially in the third quarter due to the addition to its distribution network of approximately 2,000 retail locations and extending national grocery chain relationships.

Operating Income

        Operating income was $12,049 in 2007 compared to $17,514 in 2006. The Corporate function supported the Consumer Guides segment as well as the Enthusiast Media and Education segments through their respective sale dates. The results of operations of the Enthusiast Media and Education segments are included in discontinued operations for all periods presented. The Corporate expenses are presented on the corporate administrative expenses line on the accompanying condensed statements of consolidated operations for all periods presented.

        The primary drivers of the reduction in operating income were increased selling and distribution expenses, an impairment provision during the third quarter, and increased restructuring costs, partially offset by revenue growth. Selling expenses increased primarily due to increased headcount. The Company's distribution expenses increased primarily due to the addition of over 2,000 locations and an extension of the Company's relationship with a national grocery chain. During the third quarter of 2007, the decision was made to close the Company's Auto Guides in the New England and Triangle (Raleigh, North Carolina) locations, which resulted in an impairment charge of approximately $1,200 during the third quarter of 2007 included in amortization expense. Restructuring costs increased related to the transition of New York Corporate overhead to Atlanta.

        Corporate administrative expenses were $22,565 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, compared to $27,953 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The decrease is primarily due to lower compensation expense resulting from corporate headcount reductions and reduced professional fees, partially offset by bonuses related to the sale of Enthusiast Media.

Net Income

        The Company had net income of $504,078 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to $52,076 in 2006. In 2007, net income includes a gain the sale of Enthusiast Media of approximately $461,400, partially offset by the decrease in other income(expense) due to the loss on debt redemptions in the third quarter of 2007. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company's recorded a liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $17,886. An additional $5,517 of interest was accrued in the nine months ended September 30, 2007. During the three months ended September 30, 2007, the Company reversed $2,283 of previously accrued interest and penalties. The decrease in the Company's liability for unrecognized tax benefits and the reversal of

36



the previously accrued interest and penalties is primarily attributable to the divestiture of the Enthusiast Media segment, which is a component of discontinued operations.

        Interest expense decreased to $72,093 in 2007 from $96,424 in 2006 primarily due to lower average debt levels, as during the third quarter the Company repaid all $492,500 principal amount of its term loan, redeemed all $410,015 principal amount of its 87/8% Senior Notes due 2011, redeemed $292,234 principal amount of its 8.00% Senior Notes due 2013, and redeemed all $122,500 principal amount of its Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2010. This decrease was partially offset by higher interest rates. In connection with these debt redemptions, the Company recorded a loss of approximately $44,300, including the write-off of deferred financing costs of approximately $8,700, which are included in other income (expense), net on the accompanying condensed statements of consolidated operations.

        Discontinued operations includes the operations of the Education segment, which was discontinued in the fourth quarter of 2006, and the Enthusiast Media segment, which was discontinued in the first quarter of 2007. The Education segment was comprised of Channel One, a proprietary network for secondary schools; Films Media Group, a leading source of educational video; and PRIMEDIA Healthcare, a medical education business. The Company completed the sales of Channel One and Films Media Group during the second quarter of 2007. On August 1, 2007, the Company completed the sale of the Enthusiast Media segment.

        Income from discontinued operations was $568,913 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, compared to $103,729 for the same period of 2006. Discontinued operations includes revenue of $344,561 and $555,688, for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, was $581,491 and $141,093, respectively. Included in discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 are gains on sales of businesses, net of tax, of $483,761 and $66,015, respectively.

Liquidity, Capital and Other Resources

        As of September 30, 2007, the Company had cash and unused credit facilities of $138,534, as further detailed below under "Financing Arrangements", compared to $261,466 as of December 31, 2006. The use of this cash and unused credit facilities is subject to customary conditions in the Company's debt agreements. The Company's asset sales, debt redemption and investment in organic growth have facilitated its strategy to become a better strategically focused company while strengthening its balance sheet.

        The Company believes its liquidity, capital resources and cash flow from operations are sufficient to fund planned capital expenditures, working capital requirements, interest and principal payments on its debt and other anticipated expenditures for the remainder of 2007 and for the foreseeable future. Under the Company's new bank credit facilities, the Company has no significant scheduled commitment reductions until 2014.

Working Capital

        Consolidated working capital, which includes current maturities of long-term debt, was $5,503 at September 30, 2007 compared to $27,837 at December 31, 2006.

37


Cash Flow—2007 Compared to 2006

        Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities was $(33,800) in 2007, compared to $32,290 in 2006. This decrease is primarily due to increased cash taxes paid primarily related to divestitures, and the sale of Enthusiast Media on August 1, 2007.

        Net cash provided by investing activities was $1,281,896 in 2007, compared to $114,411 in 2006. This increase in cash is primarily due to the increase in proceeds from sales of businesses. In 2007, the Company received $1,177,900 for the sale of Enthusiast Media and $170,000 for the sale of the Outdoors group. In 2006, this balance is primarily comprised of $132,000 received for the sale of the Crafts group. This increase was partially offset by payments for the acquisitions of Rentalhouses.com and Modified Automotive Group during the first quarter of 2007.

        Net cash used in financing activities was $1,207,100 in 2007, compared to $82,124 in 2006. The primary reason for the change is the repayments for borrowings under credit agreements and repurchases of senior notes during 2007 of $1,388,535, compared to payments of $330,194 in 2006. In addition, in 2007 the Company paid a one-time special dividend of $95,010 to its shareholders.

Free Cash Flow

        The following table presents the Company's Free Cash Flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively:

 
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
  2007
  2006
 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities   $ (33,800 ) $ 32,290  
  Additions to property, equipment and other (excluding acquisitions)     (15,785 )   (18,402 )
  Capital lease payments     (696 )   (2,331 )
   
 
 
    Free Cash Flow   $ (50,281 ) $ 11,557  
   
 
 

Supplemental information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Cash interest paid, including interest on capital and restructured leases   $ 84,417   $ 82,439  
   
 
 
  Cash income taxes paid, net of refunds received   $ 17,627   $ 4,503  
   
 
 
  Cash paid for restructuring costs   $ 7,516   $ 4,901  
   
 
 

        The decrease in the Company's Free Cash Flow is primarily due to increased cash taxes paid primarily related to divestitures, and the sale of Enthusiast Media on August 1, 2007.

Financing Arrangements

Bank Credit Facilities

        On August 1, 2007, the Company completed financing for a $350,000 senior secured bank credit facility, comprised of a $100,000 revolving loan facility and a $250,000 term loan.

        Amounts borrowed under the new term loan, combined with the net proceeds received from the sale of Enthusiast Media were used to repay all $492,500 principal amount of the Company's existing term loan at June 30, 2007, redeem all $410,015 principal amount of the Company's 87/8% Senior Notes due 2011, redeem $292,234 principal amount of the Company's 8.00% Senior Notes due 2013, redeem all $122,500 principal amount of the Company's Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2010, pay

38



approximately $16,000 of accrued interest on the Company's Senior Notes, approximately $32,000 of premiums and consent payments and approximately $9,000 of financing and legal fees.

        The new bank credit facilities agreement provides for two loan facilities: (1) a revolving credit facility with aggregate commitments of $100,000 (the "Revolving Facility"), which matures on August 1, 2013, and (2) a Term Loan B credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $250,000 (the "Term Loan B Facility"), which matures on August 1, 2014 (the "Term Loan B Maturity Date").

        Amounts borrowed under the Revolving Facility bear interest, at the Company's option, at an annual rate of either the base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.625% to 1.00% or the eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.625% to 2.00%. The Term Loan B Facility bears interest, at the Company's option, at an annual rate of either the base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.00% to 1.25% or the eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 2.00% to 2.25%.

        There are no scheduled commitment reductions under the Revolving Facility. The loans under the Term Loan B Facility are subject to scheduled repayment in quarterly installments of $625 each payable on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year commencing on March 31, 2008 and ending on June 30, 2014, followed by a final repayment of $233,750 on the Term Loan B Maturity Date.

        Under the new bank credit facilities agreement, the Company's maximum allowable total leverage ratio, as defined in the agreement, is 5.25 to 1.

        The bank credit facilities consisted of the following as of September 30, 2007:

 
  Revolving
Facility

  Term Loan B
  Total
 
Bank Credit Facilities   $ 100,000   $ 250,000   $ 350,000  
Borrowings Outstanding         (250,000 )   (250,000 )
Letters of Credit Outstanding     (8,290 )       (8,290 )
   
 
 
 
Unused Bank Commitments   $ 91,710   $   $ 91,710  
   
 
 
 

        Under the new bank credit facilities agreement, the Company has agreed to pay commitment fees at a per annum rate of either 0.375%, 0.300% or 0.250%, depending on its debt to EBITDA ratio, as defined in the bank credit facilities agreement, on the daily average aggregate unutilized commitment under the revolving loan commitment. During the second quarter of 2007, the Company's commitment fees were paid at a weighted average rate of 0.375%. The Company also has agreed to pay certain fees with respect to the issuance of letters of credit and an annual administration fee. From time to time the Company may pay amendment fees under its bank credit facilities.

        The bank credit facilities agreement, among other things, limits the Company's ability to change the nature of its businesses, incur indebtedness, create liens, sell assets, engage in mergers, consolidations or transactions with affiliates, make investments in or loans to certain subsidiaries, issue guarantees and make certain restricted payments including dividend payments on or repurchases of the Company's common stock.

        8% Senior Notes.    The 8% Senior Notes mature on May 15, 2013 with no sinking fund requirements and have interest payable semi-annually in May and November at an annual rate of 8.00%.

        The Company currently intends to call the remaining Senior Notes in the first half of 2008. In connection with the tender offers, the Company solicited consents to proposed amendments to the indentures governing the Senior Notes, which would eliminate substantially all of the restrictive covenants contained in the indentures and the Senior Notes, eliminate certain events of default, modify

39


covenants regarding mergers and consolidations, and modify or eliminate certain other provisions, including certain provisions relating to defeasance, contained in the indentures and the Senior Notes. The supplemental indentures that were the subject of the consent solicitations are now operative. The events of default contained in the Senior Notes are generally less restrictive than those contained in the Company's bank credit facilities.

        On August 23, 2007, PRIMEDIA entered into two interest rate swaps ("swaps"), each with a notional amount of $50,000. The swaps became effective on September 28, 2007 and have a maturity date of September 30, 2009. On the trade date, the swaps were not part of a designated hedging relationship, and therefore, changes in the swap fair values have been recorded directly through earnings during the third quarter as a loss of $659, recorded in other income (expense), net on the accompanying condensed statements of consolidated operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes, and notwithstanding the fact that the swaps were not in a designated hedging relationship, they nevertheless serve to mitigate the Company's exposure to changes in the benchmark interest rate on $100,000 of its floating-rate debt.

Contractual Obligations

        The bank credit facilities and Senior Notes all rank senior in right of payment to all subordinated obligations which PRIMEDIA Inc. (a holding company) may incur. The bank credit facilities and Senior Notes are largely secured by a pledge of stock of Consumer Source Inc. (formerly known as PRIMEDIA Companies Inc.) and Restricted Group subsidiaries (see Covenant Compliance below).

        If the Company becomes subject to a change of control, as defined in the indentures governing the Senior Notes, each holder of the Senior Notes will have the right to require the Company to purchase any or all of its Senior Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the purchased Senior Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase.

        There are no required significant debt repayments until 2014. The contractual obligations of the Company as of September 30, 2007 are as follows:

40


        The events of default contained in the Senior Notes are similar to, but generally less restrictive than, those contained in the Company's bank credit facilities.

 
   
  Payments Due by Period
Contractual Obligations

  Total
  Less than
1 year

  1–3 years
  4–5 years
  After
5 years

Long-term debt obligations (net of unamortized discount)   $ 252,576   $ 4,451   $ 5,000   $ 5,000   $ 238,125
Interest on long-term debt obligations(1)     121,016     16,522     33,002     35,325     36,167
Capital lease obligations     304     181     123        
Interest on capital lease obligations     45     35     10        
Operating lease obligations(2)     161,176     27,000     42,607     35,196     56,373
Workplace Learning lease obligations(3)     13,087     3,763     4,011     3,286     2,027
   
 
 
 
 
Total Contractual Obligations   $ 548,204   $ 51,952   $ 84,753   $ 78,807   $ 332,692
   
 
 
 
 

(1)
Interest payments are based on the Company's projected interest rates and estimated principal amounts outstanding for the periods presented (excluding any potential effect of the interest rate swaps).

(2)
Future rental commitments for the above operating leases have not been reduced by minimum noncancelable sublease rentals aggregating $82,659 as of September 30, 2007.

(3)
Present value of expected future payments related to Workplace Learning lease obligations, exclusive of a third party guarantee for up to $10,000 to be applied to the Company's secondary liability. See Contingencies and Other below.

        The Company had no borrowings outstanding at September 30, 2007 under the revolving loan portion of the bank credit facilities. The revolving loan portion of the bank credit facilities matures in 2013, and the Term Loan B matures in 2014.

        The Company has other commitments in the form of letters of credit of $8,290 aggregate face value which expire on or before September 30, 2008.

        The FIN 48 liability of $17,886 is excluded from the contractual obligations table as the Company is unable to make reasonably reliable estimates of the period of cash settlement with the respective taxing authority.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

        The Company has no variable interest (otherwise known as "special purpose") entities or off balance sheet debt, other than as related to operating leases in the ordinary course of business as disclosed above.

Covenant Compliance

        Under the most restrictive covenants contained in the bank credit facilities agreement, except for those businesses specifically designated by the Company as unrestricted, for all businesses of the Company (the "Restricted Group") the maximum allowable total leverage ratio, as defined in the bank credit facilities agreement, is 5.25 to 1.

        The Company is herewith providing detailed information and disclosure as to the methodology used in determining compliance with the leverage ratio in the bank credit facilities agreement. Under its bank credit facilities and Senior Note agreements, the Company is allowed to designate certain businesses as unrestricted subsidiaries to the extent that the value of those businesses does not exceed

41



the permitted amounts, as defined in these agreements. The Company has designated certain of its businesses as unrestricted (the "Unrestricted Group"), which represent primarily Internet businesses, trademark and content licensing and service companies, new launches (including traditional start-ups), other properties under evaluation for turnaround or shutdown and foreign subsidiaries. Indebtedness under the bank credit facilities and Senior Note agreements is guaranteed by each of the Company's domestic subsidiaries in the Restricted Group in accordance with the provisions and limitations of the Company's bank credit facilities and Senior Note agreements. The guarantees are full, unconditional and joint and several. The Unrestricted Group does not guarantee the bank credit facilities or Senior Notes. For purposes of determining compliance with certain financial covenants under the Company's bank credit facilities, the Unrestricted Group's results (positive or negative) are not reflected in the Consolidated EBITDA of the Restricted Group, as defined in the bank credit facilities agreement.

        The following represents a reconciliation of EBITDA of the Restricted Group for purposes of the leverage ratio as defined in the bank credit facilities agreement to net income:

 
  For the
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2007

  For the
Twelve Months
Ended
September 30,
2007

 
EBITDA of the Restricted Group   $ 24,446   $ 88,946  
EBITDA loss of the Unrestricted Group     (6,387 )   (23,777 )
EBITDA of divested units and other adjustments     (6,354 )   (14,374 )
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment     (3,332 )   (12,811 )
Amortization of intangible assets     (2,270 )   (4,688 )
Non-cash compensation     (37 )   (1,457 )
Provision for restructuring costs     (6,578 )   (9,964 )
Other     (161 )   (161 )
   
 
 
Operating income (loss)     (673 )   21,714  

Other expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Interest expense     (13,982 )   (102,609 )
  Amortization of deferred financing costs     (349 )   (2,138 )
  Other expense, net     (45,212 )   (44,198 )
   
 
 
Loss from continuing operations before benefit from income taxes     (60,216 )   (127,231 )
Benefit from income taxes     22,172     41,387  
   
 
 
Loss from continuing operations     (38,044 )   (85,844 )
Discontinued operations, net of tax     431,796     578,011  
   
 
 
Net income   $ 393,752   $ 492,167  
   
 
 

42


        The EBITDA loss of the Unrestricted Group, as defined in the bank credit facilities agreement, is comprised of the following categories:

 
  For the Three Months
Ended
September 31,
2007

  For the
Twelve Months
Ended
September 31,
2007

 
Internet properties   $ (521 ) $ (3,775 )
Traditional turnaround and start-up properties     (4,059 )   (14,247 )
Related overhead and other charges     (1,807 )   (5,755 )
   
 
 
    $ (6,387 ) $ (23,777 )
   
 
 

        The Company has established intercompany arrangements that reflect transactions, such as leasing, licensing, sales and related services and cross-promotion, between Company businesses in the Restricted Group and the Unrestricted Group which management believes are on an arms' length basis and as permitted by the bank credit facilities and Senior Note agreements. These intercompany arrangements afford strategic benefits across the Company's properties and, in particular, enable the Unrestricted Group to utilize established brands and content, promote brand awareness and increase traffic and revenue to the properties of the Unrestricted Group. For company-wide consolidated financial reporting, these intercompany transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

        The calculation of the Company's total leverage ratio, as required under the bank credit facilities agreement for covenant purposes, is defined as the Company's consolidated debt divided by the EBITDA of the Restricted Group.

Contingencies and Other

        The Company is involved in ordinary and routine litigation incidental to its business. In the opinion of management, though the ultimate outcome of these matters could be material to operating results in any given reporting period, there is no pending legal proceeding that would have a material adverse effect on the Company's long-term results of operations, liquidity or consolidated financial position.

Workplace Learning

        In 2005, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of the Workplace Learning business for the assumption of ongoing liabilities while retaining a secondary liability as the assignor of the building and satellite time leases. The Company received a third party guaranty of up to $10,000 against those lease obligations to reimburse the Company for lease payments made (the "Guaranty"). In the first half of 2006, the Company made payments on behalf of Workplace Learning pursuant to its secondary liability. During the second quarter of 2006, the Company recorded a liability for the fair value of the lease payments, net of sublease income, related to its secondary liability on the lease payments. At that time, the Company also recorded a receivable of $10,000 for the amount due from the third party guarantor for the lease payments. As a result of recording the receivable and liability during the second quarter, the Company has recorded a charge of approximately $7,200 to discontinued operations. In the second half of 2006, the Company commenced a lawsuit to collect on the Guaranty. During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company determined that it was not probable that the third party would remit payment, as required under the Guaranty, and fully reserved for the $10,000 receivable with a charge to discontinued operations as of December 31, 2006. The Company continues to exercise all available legal remedies against the third party guarantor and to fulfill its secondary obligation regarding the Workplace Learning leases.

43



        At September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the Company has recorded a total liability of $13,087 and $16,156, respectively, for the fair value of the future lease payments, net of estimated sublease income, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company made payments of $1,120.

Indemnifications

        The Company is a party to contracts in which it is common for it to agree to indemnify third parties for certain liabilities that arise out of or relate to the subject matter of the contract. In some cases, this indemnity extends to related liabilities arising from the negligence of the indemnified parties, but usually excludes any liabilities caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Company can not estimate the potential amount of future payments under these indemnities until events arise that would trigger a liability under the indemnities.

        Additionally, in connection with the sale of assets and the divestiture of businesses, the Company may agree to indemnify the buyer and related parties for certain losses or liabilities incurred by the buyer with respect to (i) the representations and warranties made by the Company to the buyer in connection with the sale and (ii) liabilities related to the pre-closing operations of the assets sold. Indemnities related to pre-closing operations generally include tax liabilities and other liabilities not assumed by the buyer in the transaction.

        Indemnities related to the pre-closing operations of sold assets normally do not represent additional liabilities to the Company, but simply serve to protect the buyer from potential liability associated with the Company's obligations existing at the time of the sale. As with any liability, the Company has previously accrued for those pre-closing obligations that are considered probable and reasonably estimable. The Company has not accrued any additional amounts as a result of indemnities, which result from asset sales and divestitures. Should circumstances change, increasing the likelihood of payments related to a specific indemnity, the Company will accrue a liability when future payment is probable and the amount is reasonably estimable.

        As of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, no officers or directors of the Company have been granted loans by the Company, nor has the Company guaranteed any obligations of such persons.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

        During the third quarter of 2007, there were no significant changes related to the Company's critical accounting policies and estimates as disclosed in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

        During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company adopted Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 108, "Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements." During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company concluded that deferred income tax benefits of approximately $7,500 should have been recorded during the year ended December 31, 2005 when it became apparent that certain taxable temporary differences would reverse as a result of classification of businesses as discontinued operations. Management believes that this error totaling approximately $7,500 is not material to the 2006 financial statements. Upon adoption of SAB No. 108 the Company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment as of January 1, 2006 to accumulated deficit of approximately $7,500, which was reflected in the Company's 2006 Annual Report

44


on Form 10-K. Of this amount, approximately $5,500 and $2,000 had been recorded to income from discontinued operations in the first quarter and third quarter of 2006, respectively. The consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 has been restated to adjust for the impact of the SAB No. 108 adjustment.

        In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Interpretation No. 48 ("FIN 48"), "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes", effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. This Interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise's financial statements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes". This Interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 requires that, in order to be recognized, tax benefits 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. Differences between the amounts recognized in the condensed consolidated balance sheets prior to the adoption of FIN 48 and the amounts reported after adoption were accounted for as a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to the beginning balance of accumulated deficit. FIN 48 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company recognized a liability for uncertain tax positions and related interest and penalties of $16,126 which was accounted for as an increase to the January 1, 2007 balance of accumulated deficit, net of any valuation allowance impact. The liability is included in other non-current liabilities on the accompanying balance sheet as of September 30, 2007. During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, the Company's liability for unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $4,403 to $17,886. An additional $422 and $5,517 of interest was accrued in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.

Impact of Inflation and Other Costs

        The cost of paper was stable during 2006 and the first half of 2007. Paper prices increased approximately 8% in the third quarter of 2007, and the Company anticipates another increase late in the fourth quarter of 2007 or early first quarter of 2008. The Company's paper expense decreased approximately 11.7% during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to 2006. Paper cost represented approximately 4.5% and 5.0% of the Company's total operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Seasonality

        The Company's operations are minimally seasonal in nature.

45



Item 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

        On August 23, 2007, PRIMEDIA entered into two interest rate swaps ("swaps"), each with a notional amount of $50,000. The swaps became effective on September 28, 2007 and have a maturity date of September 30, 2009. On the trade date, the swaps were not part of a designated hedging relationship, and therefore, changes in the swap fair values have been recorded directly through earnings during the third quarter as a loss of $659, recorded in other income (expense), net on the accompanying condensed statements of consolidated operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes, and notwithstanding the fact that the swaps were not in a designated hedging relationship, they nevertheless serve to mitigate the Company's exposure to changes in the benchmark interest rate on $100,000 of its floating-rate debt.


Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

        The Company's management, with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report.

        Based on such evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer have concluded that, due to a material weakness in the accounting for income taxes as described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2006 and the amended Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the period ended June 30, 2007, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2007.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

        During the quarter ended September 30, 2007, there have not been any changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

46



PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

        There have been no material changes to the Company's risk factors during the third quarter of 2007.


Item 6. EXHIBITS


Exhibit
Number

  Description


3.1

 

Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of PRIMEDIA Inc. (the "Company").(*)

10.1

 

Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 13, 2007, to the Indenture dated May 15, 2003, among the Company, the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto and The Bank of New York ("BONY"), as trustee (Filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A, dated August 7, 2007, as filed with the Commission on August 7, 2007, Commission File No. 001-11106, and incorporated herein by this reference thereto).

10.2

 

Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 13, 2007, to the Indenture dated May 8, 2001, among the Company, the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto and BONY, as trustee (Filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A, dated August 7, 2007, as filed with the Commission on August 7, 2007, Commission File No. 001-11106, and incorporated herein by this reference thereto).

10.3

 

Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 13, 2007, to the Indenture dated May 14, 2004, among the Company, the guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto and BONY, as trustee (Filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A, dated August 7, 2007, as filed with the Commission on August 7, 2007, Commission File No. 001-11106, and incorporated herein by this reference thereto).

10.4

(a)

Credit Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2007, among the Company, various lenders thereunder, BONY as Syndication Agent, Lehman Brothers Inc., Citibank, N.A. and Fifth Third Bank, as Co-Documentation Agents and Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch ("Credit Suisse"), as Administrative Agent (the "Credit Agreement") (Filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A, dated August 3, 2007, as filed with the Commission on August 3, 2007, Commission File No. 001-11106, and incorporated herein by this reference thereto).

10.4

(b)

Pledge Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2007, made by the Company, and each of its subsidiaries identified therein, in favor of Credit Suisse (Filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A, dated August 3, 2007, as filed with the Commission on August 3, 2007, Commission File No. 001-11106, and incorporated herein by this reference thereto).

10.4

(c)

Contribution Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2007, among each of the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of the Company (Filed as Exhibit 99.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K/A, dated August 3, 2007, as filed with the Commission on August 3, 2007, Commission File No. 001-11106, and incorporated herein by this reference thereto).
     

47



†10.5

 

Severance Agreement dated September 27, 2007 between Kim R. Payne and the Company.(*)

31.1

 

Certification by Robert C. Metz Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(*)

31.2

 

Certification by Kim R. Payne Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(*)

31.3

 

Certification by Robert J. Sforzo Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(*)

32.1

 

Certification by Robert C. Metz Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(*)

32.2

 

Certification by Kim R. Payne Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(*)

32.3

 

Certification by Robert J. Sforzo Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(*)

Executive contract or compensation plan or arrangement

(*)
Filed herewith.

48



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.

        PRIMEDIA INC.
(Registrant)

Date:    November 9, 2007

 

 

 

/s/  
ROBERT C. METZ      
(Robert C. Metz)
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

Date:    November 9, 2007

 

 

 

/s/  
KIM R. PAYNE      
(Kim R. Payne)
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

Date:    November 9, 2007

 

 

 

/s/  
ROBERT J. SFORZO      
(Robert J. Sforzo)
Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

49




QuickLinks

PRIMEDIA Inc. INDEX
SIGNATURES