e6vk
 
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of April, 2009
Shaw Communications Inc.
 
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
Suite 900, 630 – 3rd Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2P 4L4 (403) 750-4500
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
     
Form 20-F   o
  Form 40-F   þ
     Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):   o
     Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):   o
     Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
     
Yes   o
  No   þ
     If “ Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-                           
 
 

 


 

SIGNATURE
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant, Shaw Communications Inc., has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date:    April 8, 2009
Shaw Communications Inc.
By:
/s/  Steve Wilson
 
Steve Wilson
Sr. V.P., Chief Financial Officer
Shaw Communications Inc.

 


 

(SHAW LOGO)
NEWS RELEASE
Shaw announces second quarter results
Calgary, Alberta (April 8, 2009) — Shaw Communications Inc. announced results for the second quarter ended February 28, 2009. Consolidated service revenue for the three and six month periods of $839 million and $1.66 billion, respectively, was up 10% over the same periods last year. Service operating income before amortization1 of $381 million and $749 million, respectively, improved 9% and 10% over the comparable periods. Funds flow from operations2 increased to $335 million and $646 million for the quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively, compared to $304 million and $591 million in the same periods last year.
Subscriber growth was solid during the quarter. Basic cable subscribers increased 4,273 to 2,273,904, Digital and Internet customers grew by 106,489 to 1,076,373 and 26,130 to 1,626,334, respectively, and Digital Phone lines were up 50,848 to 719,376. DTH customers increased 3,657 to 896,633.
Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chair Jim Shaw commented “We continue to thrive in this dynamic, highly competitive and rapidly evolving marketplace by focusing on our relationship with our customer and leveraging our infrastructure with new and improved product offerings. During the quarter Digital growth continued to gain momentum with a record gain of over 100,000 customers. We also enhanced our internet offerings, increasing the speed of all High Speed services by 50% or greater and launched High-Speed Nitro, a new 100 Mbps service utilizing DOCSIS 3.0 technology.”
Free cash flow1 for the quarter and year-to-date periods was $138 million and $251 million, respectively, compared to $138 million and $228 million for the same periods last year. The improvement in free cash flow was achieved through higher service operating income before amortization and after increased capital investment.
Net income of $156 million or $0.36 per share compared to $299 million or $0.69 per share for the same period last year. Net income for the first six months of the year was $279 million or $0.65 per share compared to $411 million or $0.95 per share last year.3 The current and comparable three and six month periods included non-operating items which are more fully detailed in Management’s Discussions and Analysis (MD&A). The current three and six month periods included a tax recovery of approximately $23 million, while the comparable periods included a tax recovery of approximately $188 million. These tax recoveries were related to reductions in enacted income tax rates. The prior six month period also benefitted from a net duty recovery of approximately $22 million before income taxes related to the importation of satellite receivers. Excluding the non-operating items, net income for the current three and six month periods ended February 28, 2009 would have been $128 million and $250 million compared to $113 million and $210 million in the same periods last year. 3

 


 

Service revenue in the Cable division was up almost 12% for the quarter and year-to-date periods to $650 million and $1.28 billion. The improvement was primarily driven by customer growth and rate increases. Service operating income before amortization improved 10% to $313 million for the quarter and was up 11% on a year-to-date basis to $616 million.
Service revenue in the Satellite division was $190 million and $378 million for the three and six month periods respectively, up 5% over the comparable periods last year. The improvement was primarily due to rate increases and customer growth. Service operating income before amortization for the quarter increased 4% to $68 million, and the year-to-date was up 6% to $133 million.
In January 2009 the Board of Directors approved a 5% increase in the equivalent annual dividend rate to $0.84 on Shaw’s Class B Non-Voting Participating shares and $0.8375 on Shaw’s Class A Participating shares. This new rate was effective commencing with the monthly dividend paid on March 30, 2009.
In February 2009 the Company closed the acquisition of the Campbell River cable system in British Columbia. The acquisition is complementary to and will provide synergies with existing operations.
In March 2009 Shaw’s corporate debt rating was upgraded by Moody’s to investment grade. This follows Standard and Poor’s upgrade to investment grade in December 2008 and DBRS’s upgrade to this status in February 2007. On March 27, 2009 the Company closed a $600 million offering of 6.50% senior notes due June 2, 2014. The net proceeds will be used for debt repayment, working capital and general corporate purposes.
In closing, Mr. Shaw commented “We believe the resilience of our business and the strength of our strategy should continue to produce solid operational and financial results even in the face of these weaker economic conditions. Customers will continue to demand exceptional service, value and reliability and we will deliver. We remain on track to achieve our financial guidance for the year, which includes generating free cash flow of at least $500 million.”
Shaw Communications Inc. is a diversified communications company whose core business is providing broadband cable television, High-Speed Internet, Digital Phone, telecommunications services (through Shaw Business Solutions) and satellite direct-to-home services (through Star Choice). The Company serves 3.4 million customers, including over 1.6 million Internet and 700,000 Digital Phone customers, through a reliable and extensive network, which comprises 625,000 kilometres of fibre. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (Symbol: TSX — SJR.B, NYSE — SJR).

2


 

The accompanying Management’s Discussion and Analysis forms part of this news release and the “Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements” applies to all forward-looking statements made in this news release.
For more information, please contact:
Shaw Investor Relations
Investor.relations@sjrb.ca
 
 
1   See definitions and discussion under Key Performance Drivers in MD&A.
 
2   Funds flow from operations is before changes in non-cash working capital balances related to operations as presented in the unaudited interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
 
3   See reconciliation of Net Income in Consolidated Overview in MD&A.

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Shaw Communications Inc.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
FEBRUARY 28, 2009
April 2, 2009
Certain statements in this report may constitute forward-looking statements. Included herein is a “Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” section which should be read in conjunction with this report.
The following should also be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in the Company’s August 31, 2008 Annual Report and the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto and the unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto of the current quarter.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
SECOND QUARTER ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 2009
Selected Financial Highlights
                                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,     Change     February 28,     February 29,     Change  
    2009     2008     %     2009     2008     %  
 
($000’s Cdn except per share amounts)
                                               
Operations:
                                               
Service revenue
    839,144       763,182       10.0       1,656,612       1,507,010       9.9  
Service operating income before amortization(1)
    381,355       349,711       9.0       749,152       682,620       9.7  
Operating margin(1)
    45.4 %     45.8 %     (0.4 )     45.2 %     45.3 %     (0.1 )
Funds flow from operations (2)
    334,508       304,293       9.9       646,475       590,635       9.5  
Net income
    156,229       298,848       (47.7 )     279,306       411,071       (32.1 )
Per share data:
                                               
Earnings per share — basic
  $ 0.36     $ 0.69             $ 0.65     $ 0.95          
— diluted
  $ 0.36     $ 0.69             $ 0.65     $ 0.94          
Weighted average participating shares outstanding during period (000’s)
    428,833       431,844               428,295       431,797          
 
(1)   See definition under Key Performance Drivers in Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
 
(2)   Funds flow from operations is before changes in non-cash working capital balances related to operations as presented in the unaudited interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Subscriber Highlights
                                         
            Growth    
    Total     Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 28,     February 29,     February 28,     February 29,  
    2009     2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
Subscriber statistics:
                                       
Basic cable customers
    2,273,904       4,273       6,524       13,471       14,662  
Digital customers
    1,076,373       106,489       48,006       167,206       87,502  
Internet customers (including pending installs)
    1,626,334       26,130       31,517       57,282       66,236  
DTH customers
    896,633       3,657       4,977       4,105       6,521  
Digital phone lines (including pending installs)
    719,376       50,848       56,536       107,445       106,875  
 

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Shaw Communications Inc.
Additional Highlights
  Consolidated service revenue of $839.1 million and $1.66 billion for the three and six month periods, respectively, improved 10.0% and 9.9% over the comparable periods last year. Total service operating income before amortization of $381.4 million and $749.2 million was up 9.0% and 9.7% over the same periods.
 
  Consolidated free cash flow1 for the quarter and year-to-date periods was $137.9 million and $251.4 million, respectively, compared to $138.4 million and $228.2 million for the same periods last year.
 
  In January 2009 the Board of Directors approved a 5% increase in the equivalent annual dividend rate to $0.84 on Shaw’s Class B Non-Voting Participating shares and $0.8375 on Shaw’s Class A Participating shares. This new rate was effective commencing with the monthly dividend paid on March 30, 2009.
 
  In March 2009 Shaw’s corporate debt rating was upgraded by Moody’s to investment grade. On March 27, 2009 the Company closed a $600 million offering of 6.50% senior notes due June 2, 2014. The net proceeds will be used for debt repayment, working capital and general corporate purposes.
Consolidated Overview
Consolidated service revenue of $839.1 million and $1.66 billion for the three and six month periods, respectively, improved 10.0% and 9.9% over the same periods last year. The improvement was primarily due to customer growth and rate increases. Consolidated service operating income before amortization for the three month and six month periods improved 9.0% and 9.7% over the comparable periods to $381.4 million and $749.2 million. The increase was driven by the revenue improvements partially offset by higher employee and other costs related to growth. The current periods also included increased CRTC Part II fees as the Company had stopped accruing for these in October 2007 and reinstated the accrual in May 2008.
Net income was $156.2 million and $279.3 million for the three and six months ended February 28, 2009 compared to $298.8 million and $411.1 million for the same periods last year. Non-operating items affected net income in all periods, the most significant of which was a tax recovery of approximately $188.0 million in each of the prior periods related to reductions in enacted income tax rates. The prior six month period also benefitted from a net duty recovery related to satellite importations of $22.3 million. The current quarter includes a tax recovery of $22.6 million related to reductions in enacted income tax rates. Outlined below are further details on this and other operating and non-operating components of net income for each period.

5


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
                                                 
    Six months ended                     Six months ended              
            Operating net                     Operating net        
($000’s Cdn)   February 28, 2009     of interest     Non-operating     February 29, 2008     of interest     Non-operating  
 
Operating income
    470,916                       430,023                  
Amortization of financing costs — long-term debt
    (1,892 )                     (1,863 )                
Interest expense — debt
    (113,564 )                     (117,227 )                
 
Operating income after interest
    355,460       355,460               310,933       310,933        
Debt retirement costs
                      (5,264 )           (5,264 )
Other gains
    8,994             8,994       25,518             25,518  
 
Income before income taxes
    364,454       355,460       8,994       331,187       310,933       20,254  
Income tax expense (recovery)
    85,161       105,230       (20,069 )     (79,820 )     101,322       (181,142 )
 
Income before following
    279,293       250,230       29,063       411,007       209,611       201,396  
Equity income on investee
    13             13       64               64  
 
Net income
    279,306       250,230       29,076       411,071       209,611       201,460  
 
                                                 
    Three months ended                     Three months ended              
            Operating net                     Operating net        
($000’s Cdn)   February 28, 2009     of interest     Non-operating     February 29, 2008     of interest     Non-operating  
 
Operating income
    238,180                       224,142                  
Amortization of financing costs — long-term debt
    (946 )                     (884 )                
Interest expense — debt
    (56,354 )                     (57,511 )                
 
Operating income after interest
    180,880       180,880             165,747       165,747        
Debt retirement costs
                      (5,264 )           (5,264 )
Other gains
    7,312             7,312       1,983             1,983  
 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    188,192       180,880       7,312       162,466       165,747       (3,281 )
Income tax expense (recovery)
    31,843       52,425       (20,582 )     (136,402 )     52,625       (189,027 )
 
Income before following
    156,349       128,455       27,894       298,868       113,122       185,746  
Equity loss on investee
    (120 )           (120 )     (20 )           (20 )
 
Net income
    156,229       128,455       27,774       298,848       113,122       185,726  
 
1   See definitions and discussion under Key Performance Drivers in Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
The changes in net income are outlined in the table below.
                         
    February 28, 2009 net income compared to:  
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    November 30, 2008     February 29, 2008     February 29, 2008  
 
(000’s Cdn)
                       
Increased service operating income before amortization
    13,558       31,644       66,532  
Increased amortization
    (8,114 )     (17,668 )     (25,668 )
Decreased interest expense
    856       1,157       3,663  
Change in net other costs and revenue (1)
    5,377       10,493       (11,311 )
Decreased (increased) income taxes
    21,475       (168,245 )     (164,981 )
 
 
    33,152       (142,619 )     (131,765 )
 
(1)   Net other costs and revenue includes debt retirement costs, other gains and equity income on investee as detailed in the unaudited interim Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings (Deficit).

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Shaw Communications Inc.
Basic earnings per share were $0.36 and $0.65 for the quarter and six months, respectively, compared to $0.69 and $0.95 in the same periods last year. The current three and six month periods benefitted from higher service operating income before amortization of $31.6 million and $66.5 million, respectively. These improvements were more than offset by lower income taxes in each of the comparable periods as a result of a $188.0 million future tax recovery related to reductions in corporate income tax rates as compared to a current quarter similar tax recovery of $22.6 million. The prior six month period also benefitted from improved net other costs and revenue due to a $22.3 million net duty recovery related to satellite receiver importations.
Net income in the current quarter was up $33.2 million over the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as a result of lower income taxes and higher service operating income before amortization. Service operating income improved $13.6 million in the current quarter mainly due to customer growth and income taxes were lower due to the tax recovery of $22.6 million related to reductions in corporate income tax rates.
Funds flow from operations was $334.5 million in the second quarter compared to $304.3 million in the comparable quarter, and on a year-to-date basis was $646.5 million compared to $590.6 million in 2008. The improvement over the comparative periods was principally due to increased service operating income before amortization.
Consolidated free cash flow for the quarter of $137.9 million compared to $138.4 million in the same period last year. Improved service operating income of $31.6 million in the current quarter was offset by increased capital investment. For the six month period free cash flow was up $23.2 million over last year to $251.4 million. The year-to-date growth was principally due to increased service operating income before amortization of $66.5 million partially offset by increased capital investment of $47.0 million. The Cable division generated $95.2 million of free cash flow for the quarter compared to $98.0 million in the comparable period. The Satellite division achieved free cash flow of $42.7 million for the quarter compared to $40.4 million in the same period last year.
In January 2009 the Board of Directors approved a 5% increase in the equivalent annual dividend rate to $0.84 on Shaw’s Class B Non-Voting Participating shares and $0.8375 on Shaw’s Class A Participating shares. Shaw’s Board of Directors determined that a dividend increase was an appropriate use of the Company’s free cash flow. This new rate was effective commencing with the monthly dividend paid on March 30, 2009.
Coincident with the expiry of Shaw’s shelf prospectus on March 17, 2009, Shaw filed a short form base shelf prospectus with securities regulators in Canada and the U.S. on March 11, 2009 to allow for timely access to capital markets. The shelf prospectus allows for the issue of up to an aggregate $2.5 billion of debt and equity securities over a 25 month period. On March 27, 2009 the Company closed a $600 million offering of 6.50% senior notes due June 2, 2014. The net proceeds will be used for debt repayment, working capital and general corporate purposes.
Key Performance Drivers
The Company’s continuous disclosure documents may provide discussion and analysis of non-GAAP financial measures. These financial measures do not have standard definitions prescribed by Canadian GAAP or US GAAP and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures

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Shaw Communications Inc.
disclosed by other companies. The Company utilizes these measures in making operating decisions and assessing its performance. Certain investors, analysts and others, utilize these measures in assessing the Company’s operational and financial performance and as an indicator of its ability to service debt and return cash to shareholders. These non-GAAP financial measures have not been presented as an alternative to net income or any other measure of performance required by Canadian or US GAAP.
The following contains a listing of non-GAAP financial measures used by the Company and provides a reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measurement or provides a reference to such reconciliation.
Service operating income before amortization and operating margin
Service operating income before amortization is calculated as service revenue less operating, general and administrative expenses and is presented as a sub-total line item in the Company’s unaudited interim Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings (Deficit). It is intended to indicate the Company’s ability to service and/or incur debt, and therefore it is calculated before amortization (a non-cash expense) and interest. Service operating income before amortization is also one of the measures used by the investing community to value the business. Operating margin is calculated by dividing service operating income before amortization by service revenue.
Free cash flow
The Company utilizes this measurement as it measures the Company’s ability to repay debt and return cash to shareholders.
Free cash flow for cable and satellite is calculated as service operating income before amortization, less interest, cash taxes paid or payable on net income, capital expenditures (on an accrual basis and net of proceeds on capital dispositions) and equipment costs (net).
Commencing in 2009, for the purpose of determining free cash flow, the Company revised its calculation of capital expenditures to net proceeds on capital dispositions. Historically, the proceeds received on the sale of property, plant and equipment were not included in the free cash flow calculation as they were generally nominal. The Company expects these will be more material on a prospective basis as it commences to consolidate its operating groups at its new campus style facility in Calgary, disposes of redundant assets, and replaces various operating assets as it continues to upgrade and improve competitiveness. The definition of free cash flow is more fully described in the Company’s August 31, 2008 Annual Report on page 10.
Consolidated free cash flow is calculated as follows:
                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,     February 28,     February 29,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
($000’s Cdn)
                               
Cable free cash flow (1)
    95,217       97,976       170,964       158,402  
Combined satellite free cash flow (1)
    42,731       40,427       80,424       69,785  
 
Consolidated
    137,948       138,403       251,388       228,187  
 
(1)   Reconciliations of free cash flow for both cable and satellite are provided under “Cable — Financial Highlights” and “Satellite — Financial Highlights”.

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Shaw Communications Inc.
CABLE
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,     Change     February 28,     February 29,     Change  
    2009     2008     %     2009     2008     %  
 
($000’s Cdn)
                                               
Service revenue (third party)
    649,559       581,849       11.6       1,278,913       1,147,327       11.5  
 
Service operating income before amortization (1)
    313,078       284,020       10.2       616,253       556,767       10.7  
Less:
                                               
Interest expense
    49,453       49,709       (0.5 )     99,757       100,712       (0.9 )
 
Cash flow before the following:
    263,625       234,311       12.5       516,496       456,055       13.3  
 
Capital expenditures and equipment costs (net):
                                               
New housing development
    16,633       20,413       (18.5 )     40,740       49,283       (17.3 )
Success based
    43,744       19,612       123.0       77,181       43,448       77.6  
Upgrades and enhancement
    84,387       64,876       30.1       153,519       139,863       9.8  
Replacement
    10,658       14,555       (26.8 )     25,798       29,350       (12.1 )
Buildings/other
    12,986       16,879       (23.1 )     48,294       35,709       35.2  
 
Total as per Note 2 to the unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements
    168,408       136,335       23.5       345,532       297,653       16.1  
 
Free cash flow (1)
    95,217       97,976       (2.8 )     170,964       158,402       7.9  
 
 
                                               
Operating margin
    48.2 %     48.8 %     (0.6 )     48.2 %     48.5 %     (0.3 )
 
(1)   See definitions and discussion under Key Performance Drivers in Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
Operating Highlights
  Shaw had a record quarterly Digital gain, adding 106,489 customers. As at February 28, 2009 Digital customers totaled 1,076,373 representing 47.3% penetration of Basic compared to 40.2% penetration at August 31, 2008.
 
  Digital Phone lines increased 50,848 during the quarter to 719,376 lines at February 28, 2009. The Digital Phone footprint grew in the quarter with continued launches in various smaller centres in British Columbia.
 
  During the quarter the Company enhanced Internet speeds and launched a new 100 Mbps service. Shaw added 26,130 Internet customers during the three month period to total 1,626,334 as at February 28, 2009. Internet penetration of Basic now stands at 71.5% up from 69.4% at August 31, 2008.
 
  Basic customers increased 4,273 during the quarter to 2,273,904 at February 28, 2009.
 
  In February 2009 the Company closed the acquisition of the Campbell River cable system in British Columbia. The acquisition is complementary to and will provide synergies with existing operations.

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Shaw Communications Inc.
Cable service revenue for the three and six month periods of $649.6 million and $1.28 billion, respectively, was up 11.6% and 11.5% over the same periods last year. Customer growth and rate increases accounted for the improvement. Service operating income before amortization of $313.1 million and $616.3 million, respectively, increased 10.2% and 10.7% over the comparable three and six month periods. The improvement was driven by revenue related growth and additional contribution from Digital Phone, partially offset by higher employee related costs and other expenses related to business growth, including equipment maintenance and support. The current three and six month periods also included higher CRTC Part II fees as the Company had stopped accruing for these in October 2007 and reinstated the accrual in May 2008.
Service revenue was up $20.2 million or 3.2% over the first quarter of fiscal 2009 primarily due to customer growth. Service operating income before amortization improved $9.9 million or 3.3% over this same period due to the revenue related growth partially reduced by various expenses related to business growth.
Total capital investment of $168.4 million and $345.5 million for the quarter and year-to-date period, respectively, increased $32.1 and $47.9 over the comparable periods last year.
Success-based capital increased $24.1 million and $33.7 million over the comparable three and six month periods, respectively. Digital success-based capital was up in both periods mainly due to increased customer activations associated with the new rental strategy as well as reduced customer pricing for a specified time period on certain digital equipment.
Investment in the Upgrades and enhancement category was up $19.5 million and $13.7 million for the quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively, compared to the same periods last year. The current periods included higher spending on Internet projects to enhance the speed of Shaw’s various Internet offerings. The comparable six month period included higher investment on Digital Phone capital mainly related to the expansion of softswitch and network capacity to accommodate continued growth which partially offset the increase. Shaw implemented Internet speed enhancements and launched a new 100 Mbps service, High-Speed Nitro, during the quarter.
Investment in the current quarter in Buildings and other declined $3.9 million compared to the same period last year. On a year-to-date basis spending was up $12.6 million. The current periods included higher spending on IT related projects to upgrade back office and customer support systems while the current six month period also included increased investment in facilities projects related to the relocation of certain Calgary employees to the new Shaw facility. The increased investment was more than offset in the current quarter and partially offset on a year-to-date basis by proceeds of $20.7 million received in the quarter on the sale of certain redundant facilities.
Spending in New housing development for the three and six month periods declined $3.8 million and $8.5 million, respectively, over the same periods last year mainly due to reduced activity.

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Shaw Communications Inc.
Subscriber Statistics
                                                 
                    February 28, 2009  
                    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     August 31,             Change             Change  
    2009     2008(1)     Growth     %     Growth     %  
     
CABLE:
                                               
Basic service:
                                               
Actual
    2,273,904       2,260,433       4,273       0.2       13,471       0.6  
Penetration as % of homes passed
    63.2 %     63.5 %                                
Digital customers
    1,076,373       909,167       106,489       11.0       167,206       18.4  
 
 
                                               
INTERNET:
                                               
Connected and scheduled
    1,626,334       1,569,052       26,130       1.6       57,282       3.7  
Penetration as % of basic
    71.5 %     69.4 %                                
Standalone Internet not included in basic cable
    230,568       214,315       2,740       1.2       16,253       7.6  
 
                                               
DIGITAL PHONE:
                                               
Number of lines(2)
    719,376       611,931       50,848       7.6       107,445       17.6  
 
(1)   August 31, 2008 figures are restated for comparative purposes as if the acquisition of the Campbell River cable system in British Columbia had occurred on that date.
 
(2)   Represents primary and secondary lines on billing plus pending installs.
Shaw continues to leverage its infrastructure for growth and new and improved product offerings. The Company saw solid growth in all product lines in the quarter due to the resilience of the business and it’s disciplined approach in managing the operations.
In late October 2008 Shaw launched a new Digital rental program and is focusing on growing its Digital customer base over the next several years. Digital growth continued to gain momentum during the quarter, with a record quarterly gain of over 100,000 customers. As at February 28, 2009, Digital penetration of Basic stands at 47.3% compared to 40.2% at August 31, 2008.
Internet speed increases of 50 per cent or greater were implemented during the quarter at no additional cost to customers. Shaw High Speed was upgraded from 5 Mbps to 7.5 Mbps and High-Speed Xtreme-I was upgraded from 10 Mbps to 15 Mbps. Also, with the deployment of DOCSIS 3.0 technology, Shaw introduced a new 100 Mbps service, High-Speed Nitro, the fastest residential Internet speed available in Canada. The new 100 Mbps service will be rolled out to Shaw’s systems over the coming months.
Shaw’s Digital Phone footprint continued to expand during the quarter with launches in various smaller centres in British Columbia including Prince George, Peachland and Williams Lake.

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Shaw Communications Inc.
SATELLITE (DTH and Satellite Services)
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,     Change     February 28,     February 29,     Change  
    2009     2008     %     2009     2008     %  
   
($000’s Cdn)
                                               
Service revenue (third party)
                                               
DTH (Star Choice)
    168,084       159,296       5.5       333,860       315,563       5.8  
Satellite Services
    21,501       22,037       (2.4 )     43,839       44,120       (0.6 )
 
 
    189,585       181,333       4.6       377,699       359,683       5.0  
 
Service operating income before amortization (1)
                                               
DTH (Star Choice)
    57,026       53,522       6.5       109,515       101,472       7.9  
Satellite Services
    11,251       12,169       (7.5 )     23,384       24,381       (4.1 )
 
 
    68,277       65,691       3.9       132,899       125,853       5.6  
Less:
                                               
Interest expense (2)
    6,561       7,454       (12.0 )     13,124       15,817       (17.0 )
 
Cash flow before the following:
    61,716       58,237       6.0       119,775       110,036       8.9  
 
Capital expenditures and equipment costs (net):
                                               
Success based (3)
    17,387       16,310       6.6       36,868       37,854       (2.6 )
Transponders and other
    1,598       1,500       6.5       2,483       2,397       3.6  
 
Total as per Note 2 to the unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements
    18,985       17,810       6.6       39,351       40,251       (2.2 )
 
Free cash flow (1)
    42,731       40,427       5.7       80,424       69,785       15.2  
 
Operating Margin
    36.0 %     36.2 %     (0.2 )     35.2 %     35.0 %     0.2  
 
(1)   See definitions and discussion under Key Performance Drivers in Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
 
(2)   Interest is allocated to the Satellite division based on the actual cost of debt incurred by the Company to repay Satellite debt and to fund accumulated cash deficits of Shaw Satellite Services and Star Choice.
 
(3)   Net of the profit on the sale of satellite equipment as it is viewed as a recovery of expenditures on customer premise equipment.
Operating Highlights
  Free cash flow of $42.7 million for the quarter compares to $40.4 million in the same period last year.
 
  During the quarter Star Choice added 3,657 customers and as at February 28, 2009 DTH customers now total 896,633.
Service revenue of $189.6 million and $377.7 million for the three and six month periods, respectively, was up 4.6% and 5.0% over the same periods last year. The improvement was primarily due to rate increases and customer growth. Service operating income before amortization improved 3.9% and 5.6% over the comparable three and six month periods respectively, to $68.3 million and $132.9 million. The increase was mainly due to the revenue related growth partially offset by higher employee related and other costs to support customer service and growth. The current periods also included higher CRTC Part II fees as the Company had stopped accruing for these in October 2007 and reinstated the accrual in May 2008.
Service operating income before amortization increased $3.7 million over the first quarter. The increase was mainly due to rate increases implemented in the current quarter.

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Shaw Communications Inc.
Total capital investment of $19.0 million and $39.4 million for the quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively, were comparable to the prior year spends of $17.8 million and $40.3 million, respectively.
During the quarter Star Choice increased HD services adding Big 10, a number of regional Rogers SNET services, and several Centre Ice channels. Star Choice now offers HD programming from 52 HD services and has almost 300,000 HD subscribers.
Subscriber Statistics
                                                 
                    February 28, 2009  
                    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     August 31,             Change             Change  
    2009     2008     Growth     %     Growth     %  
     
Star Choice customers (1)
    896,633       892,528       3,657       0.4       4,105       0.5  
 
(1)   Including seasonal customers who temporarily suspend their service.
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE ITEMS:
Amortization
                                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,     Change     February 28,     February 29,     Change  
    2009     2008     %     2009     2008     %  
 
($000’s Cdn)
                                               
Amortization revenue (expense) —
                                               
Deferred IRU revenue
    3,136       3,136             6,273       6,273        
Deferred equipment revenue
    33,941       31,525       7.7       66,978       61,104       9.6  
Deferred equipment costs
    (62,962 )     (55,468 )     13.5       (123,391 )     (112,339 )     9.8  
Deferred charges
    (256 )     (256 )           (512 )     (512 )      
Property, plant and equipment
    (117,034 )     (104,506 )     12.0       (227,584 )     (207,123 )     9.9  
 
The increase in amortization of deferred equipment revenue and deferred equipment costs over the comparative periods is primarily due to continued growth in higher priced HD digital equipment.
Amortization of property, plant and equipment increased over the comparable periods as the amortization of capital expenditures incurred in fiscal 2008 and 2009 exceeded the impact of assets that became fully depreciated.
Amortization of financing costs and Interest expense
                                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,     Change     February 28,     February 29,     Change  
    2009     2008     %     2009     2008     %  
 
($000’s Cdn)
                                               
Amortization of financing costs — long-term debt
    946       884       7.0       1,892       1,863       1.6  
Interest expense — debt
    56,354       57,511       (2.0 )     113,564       117,227       (3.1 )
 

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Shaw Communications Inc.
Interest expense decreased over the comparative periods as a result of a decrease in the average cost of borrowing.
Other gains
This category generally includes realized and unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses on US dollar denominated current assets and liabilities, gains and losses on disposal of property, plant and equipment and the Company’s share of the operations of Burrard Landing Lot 2 Holdings Partnership (“the Partnership”). In addition, the current six month period includes a gain of $10.8 million on cancellation of a bond forward contract while the prior year-to-date period includes a net customs duty recovery of $22.3 million related to satellite receiver importations in prior years.
Future income taxes
Future income taxes fluctuated over the comparative periods due to income tax recoveries in respect of reductions in the enacted corporate income tax rates of $22.6 million and $188.0 million in the second quarters of fiscal 2009 and 2008, respectively.
RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
There have been no material changes in any risks or uncertainties facing the Company since August 31, 2008. A discussion of risks affecting the Company and its business is set forth in the Company’s August 31, 2008 Annual Report under the Introduction to the Business — Known Events, Trends, Risks and Uncertainties in Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
FINANCIAL POSITION
Total assets at February 28, 2009 were $8.5 billion compared to $8.4 billion at August 31, 2008. Following is a discussion of significant changes in the consolidated balance sheet since August 31, 2008.
Current assets declined $40.9 million due to a decrease in future income taxes of $70.9 million which was partially offset by increases in accounts receivable of $11.8 million and inventories of $12.6 million. Future income taxes declined due to the use of non-capital loss carryforwards. Inventories increased due to timing of equipment purchases while accounts receivable were up due to subscriber growth and rate increases.
Property, plant and equipment increased $110.2 million as current year capital investment exceeded amortization.
Deferred charges were up $25.7 million mainly due to an increase in deferred equipment costs of $18.5 million.
Broadcast rights increased by $40.3 million due to the acquisition of the Campbell River cable system in British Columbia.

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Shaw Communications Inc.
Current liabilities (excluding current portion of long-term debt and derivative instruments) decreased $99.7 million due to decreases in bank indebtedness of $30.4 million and accounts payable of $73.9 million partially offset by an increase and unearned revenue of $4.9 million. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities declined due to funding the remaining amount owing in respect of wireless spectrum licenses partially offset by an increase in trade payables. Unearned revenue increased primarily due to customer growth.
Total long-term debt increased $264.6 million as a result of a net increase in bank borrowings of $60.0 million and an increase of $202.9 million relating to the translation of hedged US denominated debt.
Other long-term liability was higher due to the current year defined benefit pension plan expense.
Derivative instruments (including current portions) decreased $231.3 million of which $202.9 million was in respect of the foreign exchange gain on the notional amounts of the derivatives relating to hedges on long-term debt.
Future income taxes increased by $21.8 million due to the current year future income tax expense partially offset by an income tax recovery related to reductions in corporate income tax rates.
Share capital increased by $42.6 million primarily due to the issuance of 3,041,132 Class B Non-Voting Shares under the Company’s option plans for $51.1 million partially offset by the repurchase of 1,683,000 Class B Non-Voting Shares for $33.6 million of which $8.6 million reduced stated share capital and $25.0 million was charged against retained earnings. As of March 31, 2009, share capital is as reported at February 28, 2009 with the exception of the issuance of 79,950 Class B Non-Voting Shares upon exercise of options subsequent to the quarter end. Contributed surplus increased due to stock-based compensation expense recorded in the current year. Accumulated other comprehensive loss decreased due to a decline in the unrealized losses on derivative instruments related to US denominated long-term debt and the realized gains on cancellation of certain US dollar forward purchase contracts in respect of capital expenditures and equipment costs.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
In the current year, the Company generated $251.4 million of consolidated free cash flow. Shaw used its free cash flow along with a net increase in debt and bank indebtedness of $29.6 million, proceeds on cancellation of US dollar forward purchase contracts and a bond forward contract of $24.1 million, proceeds on issuance of Class B Non-Voting Shares of $49.7 million, net working capital and inventory reduction of $45.9 and other net items of $3.1 million to purchase $33.6 million of Class B Non-Voting Shares for cancellation, pay common share dividends of $171.3 million, fund the final cash payment of $152.5 million related to deposits on wireless spectrum licenses and purchase the Campbell River cable system for $46.4 million.
To allow for timely access to capital markets, Shaw filed a short form base shelf prospectus with securities regulators in Canada and the U.S. on March 11, 2009. The shelf prospectus allows for the issue of up to an aggregate $2.5 billion of debt and equity securities over a 25 month period.

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Shaw Communications Inc.
Pursuant to this shelf prospectus, on March 27, 2009, Shaw issued $600 million of Senior notes at a rate of 6.5% due June 2, 2014. Net proceeds (after estimated issue and underwriting expenses) of $594.0 million will be used for debt repayment, working capital and general corporate purposes. On April 1, 2009, the Company gave notice to redeem the Videon CableSystems Inc. Cdn $130,000 Senior Debentures.
On November 12, 2008, Shaw received the approval of the TSX to renew its normal course issuer bid to purchase its Class B Non-Voting Shares for a further one year period. The Company is authorized to acquire up to 35,000,000 Class B Non-Voting Shares during the period November 19, 2008 to November 18, 2009. During the first quarter, the Company repurchased 1,683,000 Class B Non-Voting Shares for $33.6 million. No shares were repurchased during the second quarter.
At February 28, 2009, Shaw had access to $920.6 million of available credit facilities. Based on available credit facilities and forecasted free cash flow, the Company expects to have sufficient liquidity to fund operations and obligations during the current fiscal year. On a longer-term basis, Shaw expects to generate free cash flow and have borrowing capacity sufficient to finance foreseeable future business plans and refinance maturing debt.
CASH FLOW
Operating Activities
                                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,     Change     February 28,     February 29,     Change  
    2009     2008     %     2009     2008     %  
 
($000’s Cdn)
                                               
Funds flow from operations
    334,508       304,293       9.9       646,475       590,635       9.5  
Net decrease (increase) in non-cash working capital balances related to operations
    63,068       (3,539 )     >100.0       56,121       (3,726 )     >100.0  
 
 
    397,576       300,754       32.2       702,596       586,909       19.7  
 
Funds flow from operations increased over comparative periods primarily due to growth in service operating income before amortization. The net change in non-cash working capital balances over the comparative periods is due to timing of payment of accounts payable and accrued liabilities.
Investing Activities
                                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,             February 28,     February 29,        
    2009     2008     Increase     2009     2008     Increase  
 
($000’s Cdn)
                                               
Cash flow used in investing activities
    (261,214 )     (155,807 )     105,407       (587,635 )     (298,347 )     289,288  
 
The cash used in investing activities was up over the comparative periods primarily due to the acquisition of the Campbell River cable system and higher cash outlays for capital expenditures partially offset by increased proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment. The current six-month period also included the final cash outlay in respect of deposits for the wireless spectrum licenses partially offset by proceeds on cancellation of certain US dollar forward purchase contracts while the prior year benefitted from a customs duty recovery on equipment costs.

16


 

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Shaw Communications Inc.
Financing Activities
The changes in financing activities during the comparative periods were as follows:
                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,     February 28,     February 29,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
(In $millions Cdn)
                               
Bank loans and bank indebtedness — net borrowings (repayments)
    (92.7 )     62.9       29.6       107.7  
Repayment of senior unsecured notes
                      (296.8 )
Redemption of Cdn 8.54% Series B COPrS
          (100.0 )           (100.0 )
Dividends
    (85.7 )     (77.7 )     (171.3 )     (149.0 )
Repayment of Partnership debt
    (0.2 )     (0.1 )     (0.3 )     (0.2 )
Debt retirement costs
          (4.3 )           (4.3 )
Issue of Class B Non-Voting Shares
    42.2       6.3       49.7       20.8  
Purchase of Class B Non-Voting Shares for cancellation
          (32.0 )     (33.6 )     (32.0 )
Proceeds on cancellation of bond forward contract
                10.8        
 
 
    (136.4 )     (144.9 )     (115.1 )     (453.8 )
 
SUPPLEMENTARY QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                         
            Service operating                     Funds flow  
    Service     income before             Basic and diluted     from  
    revenue     amortization(1)     Net income     earnings per share     operations(2)  
 
($000’s Cdn except per share amounts)                                
2009
                                       
Second
    839,144       381,355       156,229       0.36       334,508  
First
    817,468       367,797       123,077       0.29       311,967  
2008
                                       
Fourth
    805,700       369,527       132,378       0.31       321,276  
Third
    792,149       356,089       128,113       0.30       310,984  
Second
    763,182       349,711       298,848       0.69       304,293  
First
    743,828       332,909       112,223       0.26       286,342  
 
2007
                                       
Fourth
    715,471       326,052       135,932       0.31       272,545  
Third
    702,238       310,748       91,658       0.21       259,470  
 
(1)   See definition and discussion under Key Performance Drivers in Management’s Discussion and Analysis.
 
(2)   Funds flow from operations is presented before changes in net non-cash working capital balances related to operations as presented in the unaudited interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Generally, service revenue and service operating income before amortization have grown quarter-over-quarter mainly due to customer growth and rate increases. Net income has generally trended positively quarter-over-quarter as a result of the growth in service operating income before amortization described above, reductions of interest expense as a result of debt repayment and retirement and lower average costs of borrowing, the impact of the net change in

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Shaw Communications Inc.
non-operating items such as other gains and debt retirement costs and the impact of corporate income tax rate reductions. The exceptions to the consecutive quarter-over-quarter increases in net income are the first and third quarters of 2008 and first quarter of 2009. Net income declined by $23.7 million in the first quarter of 2008 and by $170.7 million in the third quarter of 2008 due to income tax recoveries primarily related to reductions in corporate income tax rates which contributed $35.5 million and $188.0 to net income in the fourth quarter of 2007 and second quarter of 2008, respectively. The decline related to income taxes in the first quarter of 2008 was partially offset by a net customs duty recovery of $22.3 million in respect of satellite receiver importations in prior years. The second quarter of 2009 also benefitted from reductions in corporate income tax rates amounting to $22.6 million. The decline in net income in the first quarter of 2009 of $9.3 million is mainly due to an increase in amortization expense. As a result of the aforementioned changes in net income, basic and diluted earnings per share have trended accordingly.
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Update to critical accounting policies and estimates
The Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) included in the Company’s August 31, 2008 Annual Report outlined critical accounting policies including key estimates and assumptions that management has made under these policies and how they affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements. The MD&A also describes significant accounting policies where alternatives exist. Also described therein were several new accounting policies that the Company was required to adopt in fiscal 2009 as a result of changes in Canadian accounting pronouncements. The unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements follow the same accounting policies and methods of application as the most recent annual consolidated financial statements other than as set out below.
Inventories
Effective September 1, 2008, the Company adopted CICA Handbook Section 3031, “Inventories”, which provides more guidance on measurement and disclosure requirements. The application of this standard had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Capital disclosures
Effective September 1, 2008, the Company adopted CICA Handbook Section 1535 “Capital Disclosures”. This standard requires the Company to disclose information that enables financial statement users to evaluate the Company’s objectives, policies and processes for managing capital.
Financial instruments
Effective September 1, 2008, the Company adopted CICA Handbook Section 3862 “Financial Instruments — Disclosures” and Section 3863 “Financial Instruments — Presentation”. These standards require disclosure that enables financial statement users to evaluate and understand the significance of financial instruments for the Company’s financial position and performance, and the nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments to which the Company is exposed during the period and at the balance sheet date, and how the Company manages those risks.

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Shaw Communications Inc.
Recent accounting pronouncements:
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
In February 2008, the CICA Accounting Standards Board (AScB) confirmed that Canadian publicly accountable enterprises will be required to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2011. These standards would require the Company to begin reporting under IFRS in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 with comparative data for the prior year. The Company is assessing the potential impacts of transition to IFRS and developing its plan accordingly.
2009 GUIDANCE
The Company’s preliminary view with respect to 2009 guidance was provided coincident with the release of its fourth quarter 2008 results on October 23, 2008. It called for service operating income before amortization in the Cable division to increase approximately 10%, modest growth in the Satellite division, and free cash flow of at least $500 million. There are no revisions to the guidance at this time.
Certain important assumptions for 2009 guidance purposes include: customer growth continuing generally in line with historical trends; stable pricing environment for Shaw’s products relative to today’s rates; no significant market disruption or other significant changes in competition or regulation that would have a material impact; cash income taxes to be paid or payable in 2009; and a stable regulatory fee and rate environment, with CRTC Part II fees payable. While the Company does anticipate weakening economic conditions in Western Canada, it does not see any material changes to its business at this time.
See the section below entitled “Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements”.
CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements included and incorporated by reference herein may constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. When used, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “target”, “guideline”, “goal”, and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, references to future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof), financial guidance for future performance, business strategies and measures to implement strategies, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of Shaw’s business and operations, plans and references to the future success of Shaw. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, some of which are noted above, and analyses made by Shaw in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as

19


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances as of the current date. These assumptions include but are not limited to general economic and industry growth rates, currency exchange rates, technology deployment, content and equipment costs, and industry structure and stability.
Whether actual results and developments will conform with expectations and predictions of the Company is subject to a number of factors including, but not limited to, general economic, market or business conditions; the opportunities that may be available to Shaw; Shaw’s ability to execute its strategic plans; changes in the competitive environment in the markets in which Shaw operates and from the development of new markets for emerging technologies; changes in laws, regulations and decisions by regulators that affect Shaw or the markets in which it operates in both Canada and the United States; Shaw’s status as a holding company with separate operating subsidiaries; changing conditions in the entertainment, information and communications industries; risks associated with the economic, political and regulatory policies of local governments and laws and policies of Canada and the United States; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Shaw. The foregoing is not an exhaustive list of all possible factors. Should one or more of these risks materialize or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those as described herein. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this report and the documents incorporated by reference herein are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by Shaw will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company.
You should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. The Company utilizes forward-looking statements in assessing its performance. Certain investors, analysts and others, utilize the Company’s financial guidance and other forward-looking information in order to assess the Company’s expected operational and financial performance and as an indicator of its ability to service debt and return cash to shareholders. The Company’s financial guidance may not be appropriate for other purposes.
Any forward-looking statement (and such risks, uncertainties and other factors) speaks only as of the date on which it was originally made and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained in this document to reflect any change in expectations with regard to those statements or any other change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. New factors affecting the Company emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict what factors will arise or when. In addition, the Company cannot assess the impact of each factor on its business or the extent to which any particular factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

20


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
                 
[thousands of Canadian dollars]   February 28, 2009     August 31, 2008  
 
 
               
ASSETS
               
Current
               
Accounts receivable
    199,993       188,145  
Inventories
    64,325       51,774  
Prepaids and other
    31,108       27,328  
Derivative instruments
    1,792        
Future income taxes
    66,310       137,220  
 
 
    363,528       404,467  
Investments and other assets
    197,746       197,979  
Property, plant and equipment
    2,726,720       2,616,500  
Deferred charges
    300,399       274,666  
Intangibles
               
Broadcast rights
    4,816,381       4,776,078  
Goodwill
    88,111       88,111  
 
 
    8,492,885       8,357,801  
 
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current
               
Bank indebtedness [note 4]
    13,827       44,201  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    581,819       655,756  
Income taxes payable
    2,094       2,446  
Unearned revenue
    129,315       124,384  
Current portion of long-term debt [note 4]
    525       509  
Derivative instruments
    1,728       1,349  
 
 
    729,308       828,645  
Long-term debt [note 4]
    2,971,146       2,706,534  
Other long-term liability [note 9]
    91,938       78,912  
Derivative instruments
    288,938       518,856  
Deferred credits
    691,294       687,836  
Future income taxes
    1,303,598       1,281,826  
 
 
    6,076,222       6,102,609  
 
 
               
Shareholders’ equity
               
Share capital [note 5]
    2,105,990       2,063,431  
Contributed surplus [note 5]
    29,937       23,027  
Retained earnings
    309,384       226,408  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss [note 7]
    (28,648 )     (57,674 )
 
 
    2,416,663       2,255,192  
 
 
    8,492,885       8,357,801  
 
See accompanying notes

21


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND
RETAINED EARNINGS (DEFICIT)
(Unaudited)
                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,     February 28,     February 29,  
[thousands of Canadian dollars except per share amounts]   2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
 
                               
Service revenue [note 2]
    839,144       763,182       1,656,612       1,507,010  
Operating, general and administrative expenses
    457,789       413,471       907,460       824,390  
 
Service operating income before amortization [note 2]
    381,355       349,711       749,152       682,620  
Amortization:
                               
Deferred IRU revenue
    3,136       3,136       6,273       6,273  
Deferred equipment revenue
    33,941       31,525       66,978       61,104  
Deferred equipment costs
    (62,962 )     (55,468 )     (123,391 )     (112,339 )
Deferred charges
    (256 )     (256 )     (512 )     (512 )
Property, plant and equipment
    (117,034 )     (104,506 )     (227,584 )     (207,123 )
 
Operating income
    238,180       224,142       470,916       430,023  
Amortization of financing costs — long-term debt
    (946 )     (884 )     (1,892 )     (1,863 )
Interest expense — debt [note 2]
    (56,354 )     (57,511 )     (113,564 )     (117,227 )
 
 
    180,880       165,747       355,460       310,933  
Debt retirement costs
          (5,264 )           (5,264 )
Other gains
    7,312       1,983       8,994       25,518  
 
Income before income taxes
    188,192       162,466       364,454       331,187  
Future income tax expense (recovery)
    31,843       (136,402 )     85,161       (79,820 )
 
Income before the following
    156,349       298,868       279,293       411,007  
Equity income (loss) on investee
    (120 )     (20 )     13       64  
 
Net income
    156,229       298,848       279,306       411,071  
Retained earnings (deficit), beginning of period
    238,899       (25,378 )     226,408       (68,132 )
Adjustment for adoption of new accounting policy
                      1,754  
Reduction on Class B Non-Voting Shares purchased for cancellation [note 5]
          (23,336 )     (25,017 )     (23,336 )
Dividends — Class A Shares and Class B Non-Voting Shares
    (85,744 )     (77,731 )     (171,313 )     (148,954 )
 
Retained earnings, end of period
    309,384       172,403       309,384       172,403  
 
Earnings per share [note 6]
                               
Basic
    0.36       0.69       0.65       0.95  
Diluted
    0.36       0.69       0.65       0.94  
 
[thousands of shares]
                               
Weighted average participating shares outstanding during period
    428,833       431,844       428,295       431,797  
Participating shares outstanding, end of period
    429,791       430,876       429,791       430,876  
 
See accompanying notes

22


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited)
                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,     February 28,     February 29,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
Net income
    156,229       298,848       279,306       411,071  
 
                               
Other comprehensive income (loss) [note 7]
                               
Change in unrealized fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
    34,307       (19,222 )     187,789       (77,710 )
Realized gains on cancellation of forward purchase contracts
                9,314        
Adjustment for hedged items recognized in the period
    (1,065 )     6,683       6,023       21,190  
Reclassification of foreign exchange loss (gain) on hedging derivatives to income to offset foreign exchange adjustments on US denominated debt
    (29,493 )     13,447       (174,213 )     59,378  
Unrealized foreign exchange gain (loss) on translation of self- sustaining foreign operations
    19       (8 )     113       (32 )
 
 
    3,768       900       29,026       2,826  
 
Comprehensive income
    159,997       299,748       308,332       413,897  
 
                               
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), beginning of period
    (32,416 )     (54,989 )     (57,674 )     312  
Adjustment for adoption of new accounting policy
                      (57,227 )
Other comprehensive income
    3,768       900       29,026       2,826  
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, end of period
    (28,648 )     (54,089 )     (28,648 )     (54,089 )
 
See accompanying notes

23


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,     February 28,     February 29,  
[thousands of Canadian dollars]   2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
 
                               
OPERATING ACTIVITIES [note 8]
                               
Funds flow from operations
    334,508       304,293       646,475       590,635  
Net decrease (increase) in non-cash working capital balances related to operations
    63,068       (3,539 )     56,121       (3,726 )
 
 
    397,576       300,754       702,596       586,909  
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                               
Additions to property, plant and equipment [note 2]
    (193,594 )     (121,582 )     (341,704 )     (260,798 )
Additions to equipment costs (net) [note 2]
    (35,126 )     (26,375 )     (69,553 )     (57,483 )
Net customs duty recovery on equipment costs
                      22,267  
Proceeds on cancellation of US forward purchase contracts
                13,384        
Net addition to inventories
    (6,913 )     (8,158 )     (12,551 )     (2,694 )
Deposits on wireless spectrum licenses
                (152,465 )      
Cable business acquisitions [note 3]
    (46,330 )           (46,366 )      
Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment [note 2]
    20,749       308       21,620       361  
 
 
    (261,214 )     (155,807 )     (587,635 )     (298,347 )
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                               
Increase (decrease) in bank indebtedness
    (57,691 )     17,943       (30,374 )     37,630  
Increase in long-term debt
    70,000       70,000       241,615       170,000  
Long-term debt repayments
    (105,126 )     (125,118 )     (181,865 )     (496,995 )
Proceeds on cancellation of bond forward contract
                10,757        
Debt retirement costs
          (4,272 )           (4,272 )
Issue of Class B Non-Voting Shares [note 5]
    42,189       6,276       49,695       20,787  
Purchase of Class B Non-Voting Shares for cancellation [note 5]
          (32,038 )     (33,574 )     (32,038 )
Dividends paid on Class A Shares and Class B Non-Voting Shares
    (85,744 )     (77,731 )     (171,313 )     (148,954 )
 
 
    (136,372 )     (144,940 )     (115,059 )     (453,842 )
 
Effect of currency translation on cash balances and cash flows
    10       (7 )     98       (30 )
 
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
                      (165,310 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period
                      165,310  
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period
                       
 
 
                               
Cash includes cash and term deposits
                               
See accompanying notes

24


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008
[all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts]
1.     BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Shaw Communications Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”). The notes presented in these unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements include only significant events and transactions occurring since the Company’s last fiscal year end and are not fully inclusive of all matters required to be disclosed in the Company’s annual audited consolidated financial statements. As a result, these unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2008.
The unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements follow the same accounting policies and methods of application as the most recent annual consolidated financial statements except as noted below.
Adoption of recent accounting pronouncements
Inventories
Effective September 1, 2008, the Company adopted CICA Handbook Section 3031, “Inventories”, which provides more guidance on measurement and disclosure requirements. The application of this standard had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Capital disclosures
Effective September 1, 2008, the Company adopted CICA Handbook Section 1535 “Capital Disclosures”. This standard requires the Company to disclose information that enables financial statement users to evaluate the Company’s objectives, policies and processes for managing capital. The new disclosures are included in note 10.
Financial instruments
Effective September 1, 2008, the Company adopted CICA Handbook Section 3862 “Financial Instruments — Disclosures” and Section 3863 “Financial Instruments — Presentation”. These standards require disclosure that enables financial statement users to evaluate and understand the significance of financial instruments for the Company’s financial position and performance and the nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments to which the Company is exposed during the period and at the balance sheet date, and how the Company manages those risks. The new disclosures are included in note 11.
Recent accounting pronouncements
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
In February 2008, the CICA Accounting Standards Board (AScB) confirmed that Canadian publicly accountable enterprises will be required to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), for fiscal periods beginning on or after January 1, 2011. These standards would require the Company to begin reporting under IFRS in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 with comparative data for the prior year. The Company is assessing the potential impacts of transition to IFRS and developing its plan accordingly.

25


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008
[all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts]
2.     BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company provides cable television services, high-speed Internet access, Digital Phone and Internet infrastructure services (“Cable”); DTH satellite services (Star Choice); and, satellite distribution services (“Satellite Services”). All of these operations are located in Canada. Information on operations by segment is as follows:
Operating information
                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,     February 28,     February 29,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
    $     $     $     $  
 
Service revenue
                               
Cable
    650,757       582,806       1,281,165       1,149,194  
DTH
    171,103       162,221       339,584       320,058  
Satellite Services
    22,376       22,912       45,589       45,870  
 
Inter segment —
    844,236       767,939       1,666,338       1,515,122  
Cable
    (1,198 )     (957 )     (2,252 )     (1,867 )
DTH
    (3,019 )     (2,925 )     (5,724 )     (4,495 )
Satellite Services
    (875 )     (875 )     (1,750 )     (1,750 )
 
 
    839,144       763,182       1,656,612       1,507,010  
 
Service operating income before amortization
                               
Cable
    313,078       284,020       616,253       556,767  
DTH
    57,026       53,522       109,515       101,472  
Satellite Services
    11,251       12,169       23,384       24,381  
 
 
    381,355       349,711       749,152       682,620  
 
Interest (1)
                               
Cable
    49,453       49,709       99,757       100,712  
DTH and Satellite Services
    6,561       7,454       13,124       15,817  
Burrard Landing Lot 2 Holdings Partnership
    340       348       683       698  
 
 
    56,354       57,511       113,564       117,227  
 
(1)   The Company reports interest on a segmented basis for Cable and combined satellite only. It does not report interest on a segmented basis for DTH and Satellite Services.

26


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008
[all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts]
Capital expenditures
                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,     February 28,     February 29,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
    $     $     $     $  
 
Capital expenditures accrual basis
                               
Cable
    132,484       118,599       272,864       259,148  
Corporate
    22,969       8,556       46,858       20,572  
 
Sub-total Cable including corporate
    155,453       127,155       319,722       279,720  
Satellite (net of equipment profit)
    829       615       961       701  
 
 
    156,282       127,770       320,683       280,421  
 
 
                               
Equipment costs (net of revenue received)
                               
Cable
    12,955       9,180       25,810       17,933  
Satellite
    18,156       17,195       38,390       39,550  
 
 
    31,111       26,375       64,200       57,483  
 
Capital expenditures and equipment costs (net)
                               
Cable
    168,408       136,335       345,532       297,653  
Satellite
    18,985       17,810       39,351       40,251  
 
 
    187,393       154,145       384,883       337,904  
 
 
                               
 
Reconciliation to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                               
Additions to property, plant and equipment
    193,594       121,582       341,704       260,798  
Additions to equipment costs (net)
    35,126       26,375       69,553       57,483  
 
Total of capital expenditures and equipment costs (net) per Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    228,720       147,957       411,257       318,281  
Increase (decrease) in working capital related to capital expenditures
    (15,715 )     7,065       2,285       21,357  
Less: Realized gains on cancellation of US dollar forward purchase contracts (1)
    (4,015 )           (5,353 )      
Less: Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment
    (20,749 )           (21,620 )      
Less: Satellite equipment profit (2)
    (848 )     (877 )     (1,686 )     (1,734 )
 
Total capital expenditures and equipment costs (net) reported by segments
    187,393       154,145       384,883       337,904  
 
(1)   During the first quarter, the Company realized gains totaling $13,384 on cancellation of certain of its US dollar forward purchase contracts in respect of capital expenditures and equipment costs. The gains are included in other comprehensive income and reclassified to the initial carrying amount of capital assets or equipment costs when the assets are recognized.
 
(2)   The profit from the sale of satellite equipment is subtracted from the calculation of segmented capital expenditures and equipment costs (net) as the Company views the profit on sale as a recovery of expenditures on customer premise equipment.

27


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008
[all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts]
Assets
                                 
    February 28, 2009  
    Cable     DTH     Satellite Services     Total  
    $     $     $     $  
Segment assets
    6,585,154       861,429       509,760       7,956,343  
         
Corporate assets
                            536,542  
 
                             
Total assets
                            8,492,885  
 
                             
                                 
    August 31, 2008  
    Cable     DTH     Satellite Services     Total  
    $     $     $     $  
Segment assets
    6,465,183       869,710       523,736       7,858,629  
         
Corporate assets
                            499,172  
 
                             
Total assets
                            8,357,801  
 
                             
3.     BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS
A summary of net assets acquired on the Campbell River cable business acquisition, accounted for as a purchase, is as follows:
         
    $  
 
Identifiable net assets acquired at assigned fair values
       
Property, plant and equipment
    6,481  
Broadcast rights
    40,303  
 
 
    46,784  
Working capital deficiency
    (418 )
 
Cash purchase price
    46,366  
 
During the second quarter, the Company received CRTC approval for the purchase of the Campbell River cable system in British Columbia which serves approximately 12,000 basic subscribers. The purchase price may be impacted by settlement of final closing adjustments. The acquisition was effective February 1, 2009 and results of operations have been included from that date.

28


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008
[all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts]
4.     LONG-TERM DEBT
                                                         
            February 28, 2009     August 31, 2008  
 
            Translated     Adjustment             Translated     Adjustment        
            at period     for hedged     Long-term     at year     for hedged        
    Effective     end     debt and     debt     end     debt and     Long-term  
    interest     exchange     finance     repayable at     exchange     finance     debt repayable  
    rates     rate(1)     costs(1)(2)     maturity     rate (1)     costs (1)(2)     at maturity  
    %     $     $     $     $     $     $  
 
Corporate
                                                       
Bank loans (3)
  Variable     115,000             115,000       55,000             55,000  
Senior notes—
                                                       
Cdn $400,000 5.70% due March 2, 2017
    5.72       395,421       4,579       400,000       395,196       4,804       400,000  
Cdn $450,000 6.10% due November 16, 2012
    6.11       446,416       3,584       450,000       445,997       4,003       450,000  
Cdn $300,000 6.15% due May 9, 2016
    6.34       291,522       8,478       300,000       291,059       8,941       300,000  
US $440,000 8.25% due April 11, 2010
    7.88       558,727       83,893       642,620       465,711       176,909       642,620  
US $225,000 7.25% due April 6, 2011
    7.68       285,312       70,526       355,838       237,781       118,057       355,838  
US $300,000 7.20% due December 15, 2011
    7.61       380,507       96,343       476,850       317,222       159,628       476,850  
Cdn $350,000 7.50% due November 20, 2013
    7.50       346,032       3,968       350,000       345,685       4,315       350,000  
 
 
            2,818,937       271,371       3,090,308       2,553,651       476,657       3,030,308  
 
 
                                                       
Other subsidiaries and entities
                                                       
Videon CableSystems Inc. — Cdn $130,000 Senior Debentures Series “A” 8.15% due April 26, 2010
    7.63       131,011       (1,011 )     130,000       131,429       (1,429 )     130,000  
Burrard Landing Lot 2 Holdings Partnership
    6.31       21,723       110       21,833       21,963       120       22,083  
 
 
            152,734       (901 )     151,833       153,392       (1,309 )     152,083  
 
Total consolidated debt
            2,971,671       270,470       3,242,141       2,707,043       475,348       3,182,391  
Less current portion (4)
            525             525       509             509  
 
 
            2,971,146       270,470       3,241,616       2,706,534       475,348       3,181,882  
 
(1)   Long-term debt, excluding bank loans, is presented net of unamortized discounts, finance costs, fair value adjustment on debt and bond forward proceeds of $22,932 (August 31, 2008 — $24,870).
 
(2)   Foreign denominated long-term debt is translated at the period-end foreign exchange rates. If the rate of translation was adjusted to reflect the hedged rates of the Company’s cross-currency interest rate agreements (which fix the liability for interest and principal), long-term debt would increase by $247,538 (August 31, 2008 — $450,478) representing a corresponding amount in derivative instruments. The hedged rates on the Senior notes of US $440,000, US $225,000 and US $300,000 are 1.4605, 1.5815 and 1.5895, respectively.
 
(3)   Availabilities under banking facilities are as follows at February 28, 2009:
                         
                    Operating  
    Total     Bank loans(a) (b)     credit facilities(a)  
    $     $     $  
     
Total facilities
    1,050,000       1,000,000       50,000  
Amount drawn including outstanding cheques
    128,827       115,000       13,827  
Letters of credit
    612             612  
     
 
    920,561       885,000       35,561  
     

29


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008
[all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts]
  (a)   Bank loans represent liabilities classified as long-term debt. Operating credit facilities are for terms less than one year and accordingly are classified as bank indebtedness.
  (b)   The $1 billion revolving credit facility is due May 31, 2012 and is unsecured and ranks pari passu with the senior unsecured notes.
(4)   Current portion of long-term debt is the amount due within one year on the Partnership’s mortgage bonds.
5.     SHARE CAPITAL
Issued and outstanding
Changes in Class A Share and Class B Non-Voting Share capital during the six months ended February 28, 2009 are as follows:
                                 
    Class A Shares     Class B Non-Voting Shares  
    Number     $     Number     $  
 
August 31, 2008
    22,550,064       2,471       405,882,652       2,060,960  
Issued upon stock option plan exercises
                3,041,132       51,116  
Purchase of shares for cancellation
                (1,683,000 )     (8,557 )
 
February 28, 2009
    22,550,064       2,471       407,240,784       2,103,519  
 
Purchase of shares for cancellation
During the six months ended February 28, 2009, the Company purchased 1,683,000 Class B Non-Voting Shares for cancellation for $33,574 of which $8,557 reduced the stated capital of the Class B Non-Voting Shares and $25,017 was charged against retained earnings.
Stock option plan
Under a stock option plan, directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company are eligible to receive stock options to acquire Class B Non-Voting Shares with terms not to exceed 10 years from the date of grant. For all options granted up to February 28, 2009, twenty-five percent of the options are exercisable on each of the first four anniversary dates from the date of the original grant. The options must be issued at not less than the fair market value of the Class B Non-Voting Shares at the date of grant. During the second quarter, the plan was amended to increase the maximum number of Class B Non-Voting Shares issuable under the plan by 20,000,000 to 52,000,000. To date 10,794,618 Class B Non-Voting Shares have been issued under the plan. During the six months ended February 28, 2009, 3,041,132 options were exercised for $49,695.
The changes in options for the six months ended February 28, 2009 are as follows:
                 
            Weighted average  
            exercise price  
    Number     $  
 
Outstanding, beginning of period
    23,963,771       19.77  
Granted
    133,000       22.06  
Forfeited
    (686,600 )     20.79  
Exercised
    (3,041,132 )     16.34  
 
Outstanding, end of period
    20,369,039       20.27  
 

30


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008
[all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts]
The following table summarizes information about the options outstanding at February 28, 2009:
                                         
    Number     Weighted     Weighted     Number     Weighted  
    outstanding     average     average     exercisable     average  
    at     remaining     exercise     at     exercise  
Range of prices   February 28, 2009     contractual life     price     February 28, 2009     price  
 
$8.69
    20,000       4.64     $ 8.69       20,000     $ 8.69  
$14.85 - $22.27
    12,023,539       5.85     $ 17.40       7,097,047     $ 16.56  
$22.28 - $26.20
    8,325,500       8.52     $ 24.44       2,090,125     $ 24.47  
 
The weighted average estimated fair value at the date of the grant for common share options granted was $3.52 per option (2008 — $4.82 per option) and $3.78 per option (2008 — $5.41 per option) for the three and six-months ended, respectively. The fair value of each option granted was estimated on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:
                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,     February 28,     February 29,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
Dividend yield
    3.94 %     2.97 %     3.73 %     2.72 %
Risk-free interest rate
    2.15 %     4.10 %     2.66 %     4.46 %
Expected life of options
  5 years   5 years   5 years   5 years
Expected volatility factor of the future expected market price of Class B Non-Voting Shares
    26.7 %     23.5 %     25.7 %     24.6 %
 
Contributed surplus
The changes in contributed surplus are as follows:
         
    February 28, 2009  
    $  
 
Balance, beginning of period
    23,027  
Stock-based compensation
    8,331  
Stock options exercised
    (1,421 )
 
Balance, end of period
    29,937  
 

31


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008
[all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts]
6.     EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per share calculations are as follows:
                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,     February 28,     February 29,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
 
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share ($)
                               
Net income
    156,229       298,848       279,306       411,071  
 
 
                               
Denominator (thousands of shares)
                               
Weighted average number of Class A Shares and Class B Non-Voting Shares for basic earnings per share
    428,833       431,844       428,295       431,797  
Effect of dilutive securities
    1,812       2,357       2,251       3,362  
 
Weighted average number of Class A Shares and Class B Non-Voting Shares for diluted earnings per share
    430,645       434,201       430,546       435,159  
 
 
                               
Earnings per share ($)
                               
Basic
    0.36       0.69       0.65       0.95  
Diluted
    0.36       0.69       0.65       0.94  
 

32


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008
[all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts]
7.     OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Components of other comprehensive income (loss) and the related income tax effects for the six months ended February 28, 2009 are as follows:
                         
    Amount     Income taxes     Net  
    $     $     $  
 
Changes in unrealized fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
    219,901       (32,112 )     187,789  
Proceeds on cancellation of forward purchase contracts
    13,384       (4,070 )     9,314  
Adjustment for hedged items recognized in the period
    6,077       (54 )     6,023  
Reclassification of foreign exchange gain on hedging derivatives to income to offset foreign exchange loss on US denominated debt
    (202,940 )     28,727       (174,213 )
Unrealized foreign exchange gain on translation of a self-sustaining foreign operation
    113             113  
 
 
    36,535       (7,509 )     29,026  
 
Components of other comprehensive income (loss) and the related income tax effects for the three months ended February 28, 2009 are as follows:
                         
    Amount     Income taxes     Net  
    $     $     $  
 
Changes in unrealized fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
    40,217       (5,910 )     34,307  
Adjustment for hedged items recognized in the period
    (2,020 )     955       (1,065 )
Reclassification of foreign exchange gain on hedging derivatives to income to offset foreign exchange loss on US denominated debt
    (34,065 )     4,572       (29,493 )
Unrealized foreign exchange gain on translation of a self-sustaining foreign operation
    19             19  
 
 
    4,151       (383 )     3,768  
 
Components of other comprehensive income (loss) and the related income tax effects for the six months ended February 29, 2008 are as follows:
                         
    Amount     Income taxes     Net  
    $     $     $  
 
Changes in unrealized fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
    (92,200 )     14,490       (77,710 )
Adjustment for hedged items recognized in the period
    26,342       (5,152 )     21,190  
Reclassification of foreign exchange loss on hedging derivatives to income to offset foreign exchange gain on US denominated debt
    69,288       (9,910 )     59,378  
Unrealized foreign exchange loss on translation of self-sustaining foreign operation
    (32 )           (32 )
 
 
    3,398       (572 )     2,826  
 

33


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008
[all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts]
Components of other comprehensive income (loss) and the related income tax effects for the three months ended February 29, 2008 are as follows:
                         
    Amount     Income taxes     Net  
    $     $     $  
 
Changes in unrealized fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
    (21,759 )     2,537       (19,222 )
Adjustment for hedged items recognized in the period
    8,227       (1,544 )     6,683  
Reclassification of foreign exchange loss on hedging derivatives to income to offset foreign exchange gain on US denominated debt
    15,054       (1,607 )     13,447  
Unrealized foreign exchange loss on translation of self-sustaining foreign operation
    (8 )           (8 )
 
 
    1,514       (614 )     900  
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of the following:
                 
    February 28, 2009     August 31, 2008  
    $     $  
 
Unrealized foreign exchange gain on translation of self-sustaining foreign operations
    432       319  
Fair value of derivatives
    (29,080 )     (57,993 )
 
 
    (28,648 )     (57,674 )
 

34


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008
[all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts]
8.     STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Disclosures with respect to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are as follows:
(i)   Funds flow from operations
                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,     February 28,     February 29,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
    $     $     $     $  
 
Net income
    156,229       298,848       279,306       411,071  
Non-cash items:
                               
Amortization
                               
Deferred IRU revenue
    (3,136 )     (3,136 )     (6,273 )     (6,273 )
Deferred equipment revenue
    (33,941 )     (31,525 )     (66,978 )     (61,104 )
Deferred equipment costs
    62,962       55,468       123,391       112,339  
Deferred charges
    256       256       512       512  
Property, plant and equipment
    117,034       104,506       227,584       207,123  
Financing costs — long-term debt
    946       884       1,892       1,863  
Future income tax expense (recovery)
    31,843       (136,402 )     85,161       (79,820 )
Equity loss (income) on investee
    120       20       (13 )     (64 )
Debt retirement costs
          5,264             5,264  
Stock-based compensation
    4,100       4,214       8,331       8,219  
Defined benefit pension plan
    6,513       5,517       13,026       11,034  
Net customs duty recovery on equipment costs
                      (22,267 )
Gain on cancellation of bond forward
                (10,757 )      
Other
    (8,418 )     379       (8,707 )     2,738  
 
Funds flow from operations
    334,508       304,293       646,475       590,635  
 
(ii)   Changes in non-cash working capital balances related to operations include the following:
                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,     February 28,     February 29,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
    $     $     $     $  
 
Accounts receivable
    4,592       4,393       (11,294 )     (17,800 )
Prepaids and other
    (12,961 )     (4,014 )     (12,621 )     (1,800 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    73,656       (3,753 )     76,370       12,620  
Income taxes payable
    (315 )     (93 )     (352 )     (115 )
Unearned revenue
    (1,904 )     (72 )     4,018       3,369  
 
 
    63,068       (3,539 )     56,121       (3,726 )
 
(iii)   Interest and income taxes paid and classified as operating activities are as follows:
                                 
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
    February 28,     February 29,     February 28,     February 29,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
    $     $     $     $  
 
Interest
    19,597       21,923       114,205       129,034  
Income taxes
    297       94       316       121  
 

35


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008
[all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts]
9.     OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITY
Other long-term liability is the long-term portion of the Company’s defined benefit pension plan. The total benefit costs expensed under the Company’s defined benefit pension were $6,875 (2008 — $5,879) and $13,750 (2008 — $11,758) for the three and six months ended February 28, 2009, respectively.
10.     CAPITAL STRUCTURE MANAGEMENT
The Company’s objectives when managing capital are:
  (i)   to maintain a capital structure which optimizes the cost of capital, provides flexibility and diversity of funding sources and timing of debt maturities, and adequate anticipated liquidity for organic growth and strategic acquisitions;
 
  (ii)   to maintain compliance with debt covenants; and
 
  (iii)   to manage a strong and efficient capital base to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence.
The Company defines capital as comprising all components of shareholders’ equity (other than amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss), long-term debt (including the current portion thereof), and bank indebtedness.
                 
    February 28, 2009     August 31, 2008  
 
Bank indebtedness
    13,827       44,201  
Long-term debt repayable at maturity
    3,242,141       3,182,391  
Share capital
    2,105,990       2,063,431  
Contributed surplus
    29,937       23,027  
Retained earnings
    309,384       226,408  
 
 
    5,701,279       5,539,458  
 
The Company manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of underlying assets. The Company may also from time to time change or adjust its objectives when managing capital in light of the Company’s business circumstances, strategic opportunities, or the relative importance of competing objectives as determined by the Company. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to meet or maintain its currently stated objectives.
On November 12, 2008, Shaw received the approval of the TSX to renew its normal course issuer bid to purchase its Class B Non-Voting Shares for a further one year period. The Company is authorized to acquire up to 35,000,000 Class B Non-Voting Shares during the period November 19, 2008 to November 18, 2009.
The Company’s banking facilities are subject to covenants which include maintaining minimum or maximum financial ratios, including total debt to operating cash flow and operating cash flow to fixed charges. At February 28, 2009, the Company is in compliance with these covenants and based on current business plans and economic conditions, the Company is not aware of any condition or event that would give rise to non-compliance with the covenants.
During the six months ended February 28, 2009, the Company’s overall capital structure management strategy was unchanged from the year ended August 31, 2008.

36


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008
[all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts]
11.     FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Financial Instruments
The fair value of financial instruments has been determined as follows:
a)   The carrying value of financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities approximates their fair value due to their short-term nature.
 
b)   The carrying value of bank loans approximates their fair value because interest charges under the terms of the bank loans are based upon current Canadian bank prime and bankers’ acceptance rates and on US bank base and LIBOR rates.
 
c)   The carrying value of long-term debt is at amortized cost based on the initial fair value as determined at the time of issuance or at the time of a business acquisition. The fair value of publicly traded notes is based upon current trading values. Other notes and debentures are valued based upon current trading values for similar instruments.
 
d)   The carrying value of investments and other assets approximates their fair value. Certain private investments where market value is not readily determinable are carried at cost.
 
e)   The fair value of interest and cross-currency interest exchange agreements and US currency contracts is determined using an estimated credit-adjusted mark-to-market valuation.
The carrying values and estimated fair values of long-term debt and all derivative financial instrument liabilities (assets) are as follows:
                                 
    February 28, 2009     August 31, 2008  
    Carrying     Estimated     Carrying     Estimated  
    value     fair value     value     fair value  
    $     $     $     $  
 
 
                               
Long-term debt
    2,971,671       2,955,041       2,707,043       2,743,250  
 
                               
Derivative financial instruments —
                               
Cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements
    288,938       288,938       513,385       513,385  
US currency forward purchase contracts
    (64 )     (64 )     6,820       6,820  
 
 
    3,260,545       3,243,915       3,227,248       3,263,455  
 
The maturity dates for derivative financial instruments related to long-term debt are as outlined in note 4. US currency purchase contracts related to capital expenditures mature at various dates during fiscal 2009 and 2010.
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgement and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

37


 

Shaw Communications Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008
[all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts]
Risk management
The Company is exposed to various market risks including currency risk and interest rate risk, as well as credit risk and liquidity risk associated with financial assets and liabilities. The Company has designed and implemented various risk management strategies, discussed further below, to ensure the exposure to these risks is consistent with its risk tolerance and business objectives.
Currency risk
As the Company has grown it has accessed US capital markets for a portion of its borrowings. Since the Company’s revenues and assets are primarily denominated in Canadian dollars, it faces significant potential foreign exchange risks in respect of the servicing of the interest and principal components of its US dollar denominated debt. The Company utilizes cross-currency swaps, where appropriate, to hedge its exposures on US dollar denominated debenture indebtedness. As at February 28, 2009, 100% of the Company’s US dollar denominated debt maturities were hedged.
In addition, some of the Company’s capital expenditures are incurred in US dollars, while its revenue is primarily denominated in Canadian dollars. Decreases in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar could have an adverse effect on the Company’s cash flows. To mitigate some of the uncertainty in respect to capital expenditures, the Company regularly enters into forward contracts in respect of US dollar commitments. With respect to 2009, the Company has entered into forward contracts to purchase US $53,296 over a period of 12 months commencing in September 2008 at an average exchange rate of 1.2095 Cdn.
Interest rate risk
Due to the capital-intensive nature of its operations, the Company utilizes long-term financing extensively in its capital structure. The primary components of this structure are banking facilities and various Canadian and US denominated senior notes and debentures with varying maturities issued in the public markets as more fully described in note 4.
Interest on the Company’s banking facilities is based on floating rates, while the senior notes and debentures are fixed-rate obligations. The Company utilizes its credit facility to finance day-to-day operations and, depending on market conditions, periodically converts the bank loans to fixed-rate instruments through public market debt issues. As at February 28, 2009, 96% of the Company’s consolidated long-term debt was fixed with respect to interest rates.
Market risk
Net income and other comprehensive income for the six months ended February 28, 2009 could have varied if the Canadian dollar to US dollar foreign exchange rates or market interest rates varied by reasonably possible amounts.
The sensitivity to currency risk has been determined based on a hypothetical change in Canadian dollar to US dollar foreign exchange rates of 10%. The financial instruments impacted by this hypothetical change include foreign exchange forward contracts and cross-currency interest exchange agreements and would have changed other comprehensive income by $16,606 (net of tax). A portion of the Company’s accounts receivables and accounts payable and accrued liabilities is denominated in US dollars; however, due to their short-term nature, there is no significant market risk arising from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
The sensitivity to interest rate risk has been determined based on a hypothetical change of one percentage or 100 basis points. The financial instruments impacted by this hypothetical change include foreign exchange forward contracts and cross-currency interest exchange agreements and would have changed other comprehensive income by $4,988 (net of tax). Interest on the Company’s banking facilities is based on floating rates and there is no significant market risk arising from fluctuations in interest rates.

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Shaw Communications Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008
[all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts]
Credit risk
Accounts receivable are not subject to any significant concentrations of credit risk due to the Company’s large and diverse customer base. As at February 28, 2009, the Company had accounts receivable of $199,993, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts of $16,077. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for the estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. In determining the allowance, the Company considers factors such as the number of days the subscriber account is past due, whether or not the customer continues to receive service, the Company’s past collection history and changes in business circumstances. As at February 28, 2009, $67,808 of accounts receivable is considered to be past due, defined as amounts outstanding past normal credit terms and conditions. The Company believes that its allowance for doubtful accounts is sufficient to reflect the related credit risk.
The Company also mitigates credit risk through advance billing and procedures to downgrade or suspend services on accounts that have exceeded agreed credit terms.
Credit risks associated with interest and cross-currency interest exchange agreements and US currency contracts arise from the ability of counterparties to meet the terms of the contracts. In the event of non-performance by the counterparties, the Company’s accounting loss would be limited to the net amount that it would be entitled to receive under the contracts and agreements. In order to minimize the risk of counterparty default under its swap agreements, the Company assesses the creditworthiness of its swap counterparties. Currently 100% of the total swap portfolio is held by financial institutions with Standard & Poor’s (or equivalent) ratings ranging from AA- to A-1.
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will experience difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities. The Company manages its liquidity risk by monitoring cash flow generated from operations, available borrowing capacity, and by managing the maturity profiles of its long term debt.
The Company’s undiscounted contractual maturities as at February 28, 2009 are as follows:
                                 
            Long-term debt     Derivative        
    Trade and other     repayable at     instruments     Interest  
    payables(1)     maturity     (2)     payments(3)  
 
Within one year
    595,646       525       (88 )     225,572  
1 to 3 years
          1,606,460             345,528  
3 to 5 years
          916,305             165,992  
Over 5 years
          718,851             126,984  
 
 
    595,646       3,242,141       (88 )     864,076  
 
(1)   Includes bank indebtedness, trade payables and accrued liabilities.
 
(2)   Includes foreign exchange forward contracts.
 
(3)   Interest payments on long-term debt and outstanding bank credit facility advances, including the interest related portion of the cross-currency interest exchange derivatives.

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Shaw Communications Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
February 28, 2009 and February 29, 2008
[all amounts in thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts]
12.     SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company filed a short form base shelf prospectus with securities regulators in Canada and the U.S. on March 11, 2009. The shelf prospectus allows for the issue of up to an aggregate $2,500,000 of debt and equity securities over a 25 month period. Pursuant to this shelf prospectus, on March 27, 2009, Shaw issued $600,000 of Senior notes at a rate of 6.50% due June 2, 2014. Net proceeds (after estimated issue and underwriting expenses) of $593,974 will be used for debt repayment, working capital and general corporate purposes. On April 1, 2009 the Company gave notice to redeem the Videon CableSystems Inc. $130,000 Senior Debentures.
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