Charter 2000 Annual Report Download - page 9

7CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS
INDUSTRY-LEADING RESULTS
With our aggressive approach to competition,
Charter continued to lead the industry in internal
customer growth during the year 2000. Pro forma
internal customer growth was 2.5 percent for the year
compared to the industry average of 1.3 percent. Pro
forma revenues increased 11.9 percent and operating
cash flow (OCF) increased 19.0 percent, compared to
pro forma 1999 annual results.
Our rate of cash flow growth increased each
quarter throughout the year as we integrated acquired
systems, significantly grew our basic and advanced
service offerings and achieved operating efficiencies.
In the fourth quarter, we capped the year with pro
forma OCF growth nearly twice that of any other
major cable operator.
We’re sustaining strong same store performance,
a measure of internal growth and con-
tinued operating success. We have
completed the integration of 13 major
acquisitions. And we’re accelerating
the deployment of our digital, high-
speed data and advanced interactive
services.
MOVING AT THE SPEED OF CHARTER
When we acquire cable systems, we
move fast to improve customer service
and deliver new products. When we
launch a new product in a market, we
add customers quickly.
We’re making it faster and easier
for customers to access Charter serv-
ices. With 24 x 7 customer service,
customers can call at their convenience
to schedule appointments. We’re also reaching cus-
tomers with retail kiosks in our payment centers, and
we’re now rolling out kiosks in certain CompUSA stores
and at other retailers. The kiosks demonstrate Charter
Digital CableTM and Charter PipelineTM
, our high-speed
data service. At the kiosk, consumers can experience
these services first-hand and schedule an installation
appointment. We’re also developing a cable modem
self-install option for Charter Pipeline service.
We use speed, not shortcuts, to get to market first.
We continue to follow our strategy, putting in place
the systems and personnel training necessary to support
growth. We don’t promote products we’re not ready to
install and support. We don’t trial new services for the
sake of trialing, we trial to deploy.
Finally, we’re always looking for ways to make
our products even better. We continue to add new
programming such as Oxygen,
TechTV, National Geographic and
the Discovery suite, as well as digital
sports packages like the NBA League
Pass and NHL Center Ice. We’re cur-
rently collaborating on an interactive
program guide for our digital cable
customers through a consortium
called TVGateway. We also signed
a long-term contract with Gemstar-
TVGuide to use its interactive
program technology in our digital
systems as well.
DELIVERING ON THE VISION
Leading the industry
in customer growth
Charter leads the industry in customer growth due to aggressive development
and marketing of new products, and solid day-to-day performance.
Charter is among the industry leaders
in operating cash flow per customer.
We’ve integrated millions of new
customers through acquisitions,
and we’re capitalizing on the
synergies we created.
Charter Industry Average
$22.00
$20.50
$19.00
$17.50
Operating Cash Flow
(Per customer, per month)
$20.80
$18.57
Source: Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Research