Unassociated Document
 
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 29, 2009 
Ine`
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 20-F

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

for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
Commission File Number: 1-12090

Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Radio Center Group
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
 
United Mexican States
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 Constituyentes 1154 (7° Piso)
Col. Lomas Altas
C.P. 11950, México, D.F., México
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
Alfredo Azpeitia Mera
Constituyentes 1154 (7° Piso)
Col. Lomas Altas
C.P. 11950, México, D.F., México
aazpeitia@grc.com.mx
(5255) 5728 48 00
 (Name, telephone, e-mail and/or facsimile number and address of company contact person)
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class:
Name of each exchange on which registered
   
Series A Shares, without par value (“Series A Shares”)
New York Stock Exchange*
Ordinary Participation Certificates (“CPOs”), each CPO representing one Series A Share
New York Stock Exchange*
American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), each representing nine CPOs
New York Stock Exchange
 
*Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares, pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
 
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act: None
 
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report: 162,724,561 Series A Shares

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

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act     of 1934.  ¨  Yes    x  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be file by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). N/A

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):  Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer x

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP ¨   International Financial Reporting Standards ¨      Other  x

Indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow:  ¨  Item 17   x  Item 18

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  ¨  Yes   x No
 

 
 

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
   
PART I
3
   
Item 1.  Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
3
   
Item 2.  Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
3
   
Item 3.  Key Information
3
   
Item 4.  Information on the Company
12
   
Item 4A.  Unresolved Staff Comments
31
   
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
31
   
Item 6.  Directors, Senior Management and Employees
40
   
Item 7.  Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
45
   
Item 8.  Financial Information
48
   
Item 9.  The Offer and Listing
51
   
Item 10.  Additional Information
53
   
Item 11.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
67
   
Item 12.  Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
67
   
PART II
67
   
Item 13.  Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
67
   
Item 14.  Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
67
   
Item 15.  Controls and Procedures
67
   
Item 16A.  Audit Committee Financial Expert
68
   
Item 16B.  Code of Ethics
69
   
Item 16C.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services
69
   
Item 16D.  Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
69
   
Item 16E.  Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
70
   
Item 16F.  Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.
70
   
Item 16G.  Corporate Governance
70
   
PART III
74
   
Item 17.  Financial Statements
74
   
Item 18.  Financial Statements
74
   
Item 19.  Exhibits
74
 
 
 

 

INTRODUCTION
 
Grupo Radio Centro is a corporation organized under the laws of the United Mexican States.  As used in this Annual Report and except as the context otherwise requires, the terms “Grupo Radio Centro” and “the Company” refer to Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
 
PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
The Company publishes its financial statements in Mexican pesos.  Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Mexican Financial Reporting Standards, or MFRS, issued by the Consejo Mexicano para la Investigación y Desarrollo de Normas de Información Financiera (Mexican Board for Research and Development of Financial Information Standards).
 
Through the end of 2007, MFRS required us to recognize certain effects of inflation in our financial statements by restating financial statements from prior periods in constant pesos as of the end of the most recent period presented.  Due to a change in MFRS effective January 1, 2008, we are no longer required to recognize the effects of inflation in our financial statements, unless the economic environment qualifies as “inflationary.”  Because of the relatively low level of inflation in recent years, the Mexican economy did not qualify as inflationary in 2008.  As a result, we are presenting our 2008 financial statements without inflation accounting.  We have not restated financial statements for prior periods; therefore, financial information for dates and periods prior to 2008 continue to be expressed in constant pesos as of December 31, 2007.
 
This Annual Report contains translations of certain peso amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader.  These translations should not be construed as representations that the peso amounts actually represent such U.S. dollar amounts or could be converted into U.S. dollars at the rate indicated.  Unless otherwise indicated, such U.S. dollar amounts have been translated from pesos at an exchange rate of Ps. 13.832 to U.S.$ 1.00, the noon buying rate for pesos at December 31, 2008, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.  The translation to U.S. dollars at the December 31, 2008 exchange rate may not represent accurately the financial condition of the Company in U.S. dollar terms as of a subsequent date.  On June 19, 2009, the noon buying rate for pesos was Ps. 13.34 to U.S.$ 1.00.  See Item 3, “Key Information—Exchange Rate Information,” for information regarding exchange rates since January 1, 2004.
 
In this Annual Report, references to “pesos” or “Ps.” are to the lawful currency of Mexico.  References herein to “U.S. dollars” or “U.S.$” are to United States dollars.
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This Annual Report contains words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate” and similar expressions that identify forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s views about future events and financial performance.  Actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors that may be beyond the Company’s control.  These factors, some of which are discussed in Item 3, “Key Information—Risk Factors,” include effects on the Company from competition with its broadcasting operations, material changes in the performance or popularity of key radio stations or broadcast programs, the loss of one or more key customers or a reduction in the advertising expenditures of key customers, a change in the seasonality of the Company’s business, the ability of the Company to make additional investments in radio operations or renew its broadcasting licenses, significant developments in the Mexican economic or political situation, changes in the Company’s regulatory environment or fluctuations in inflation rates or exchange rates.  Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.  In any event, these statements speak only as of their dates, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
 
2

 

PART I
 
Item 1.  Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 2.  Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 3.  Key Information
 
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
The following table presents selected consolidated financial information of the Company and its subsidiaries for each of the periods indicated.  This information, to the extent applicable, should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Consolidated Financial Statements, including the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Annual Report.  Grupo Radio Centro’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with MFRS, which differ in certain respects from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (U.S. GAAP).  Note 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements provides a description of the principal differences between MFRS and U.S. GAAP as they relate to Grupo Radio Centro, including differences related to certain cash flow information and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of operating income, net income and shareholders’ equity.
 
For dates and periods prior to 2008, Grupo Radio Centro’s financial statements were prepared giving effect to Bulletin B-10, Recognition of the Effects of Inflation, and Bulletin B-12, Statements of Changes in Financial Position, under MFRS.  Bulletin B-10 provided for the recognition of certain effects of inflation by requiring Grupo Radio Centro to restate non-monetary assets and liabilities using the Mexican Consumer Price Index, or INPC, to restate the components of shareholders’ equity using the INPC, to restate its fixed assets using the INPC and to record gains or losses in purchasing power from holding monetary assets or liabilities.  Bulletin B-12 required that the statement of changes in financial position reconcile changes from the restated historical balance sheet for the prior year to the current balance sheet.  For dates and periods prior to 2008, the selected consolidated financial information set forth below, and data in the related Consolidated Financial Statements, have been restated in constant pesos as of December 31, 2007.
 
Due to the adoption of MFRS B-10, effective January 1, 2008, inflation accounting methods do not apply unless the economic environment in which the Company operates is “inflationary” for purposes of MFRS.  An environment is considered inflationary if the cumulative inflation rate equals or exceeds an aggregate of 26% over the three preceding years.  Because of the relatively low level of Mexican inflation in recent years, the cumulative inflation rate in Mexico over the three-year period preceding December 31, 2008 does not qualify the Mexican economic environment as inflationary.  As a result, we have not applied the effects of inflation accounting to our financial information in 2008.  In our financial information for 2008, inflation adjustments for prior periods have not been removed from shareholders’ equity and the re-expressed amounts for non-monetary assets and liabilities at December 31, 2007 became the accounting basis for those assets and liabilities beginning on January 1, 2008 and for subsequent periods, as required by MFRS.  See Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Effects of Inflation.”
 
 
3

 
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2008(1)
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
   
(in thousands, except per ADS data)
 
Operating Data:
                                   
MFRS:
                                   
Broadcasting revenue
  US $ 53,145     Ps. 735,105     Ps. 654,760     Ps. 825,590     Ps. 638,204     Ps. 615,389  
Broadcasting expenses (2)(3)
    32,703       452,350       421,970       460,072       423,857       440,397  
Broadcasting income
    20,442       282,755       232,790       365,518       214,347       174,992  
Depreciation and amortization(4)
    2,293       31,720       33,687       37,183       39,957       35,219  
Corporate, general and administrative expenses(3)
    1,045       14,461       14,774       14,813       14,575       23,882  
Operating income
    17,104       236,574       184,329       313,522       159,816       115,891  
Comprehensive cost of financing
    556       7,678       5,850       39,842       13,779       20,277  
Other expenses, net
    4,112       56,880       45,806       59,511       52,490       51,522  
Extraordinary item(5)
    -       -       -       263,523       -       -  
Net income (loss)(6)
    9,165       126,765       91,119       434,748       70,099       22,085  
Minority interest
    3       45       21       63       16       2  
Net income (loss) per ADS(6) (7)
    0.51       7.01       5.04       24.08       3.88       1.22  
Common shares outstanding(7)
    162,725       162,725       162,725       162,500       162,657       162,560  
U.S. GAAP:
                                               
Broadcasting revenue
  US $ 53,145     Ps. 735,105     Ps. 654,760     Ps. 825,590     Ps. 638,204     Ps. 615,389  
Operating (loss) income (5)
    12,992       179,694       138,523       517,534       107,326       52,581  
Net income (loss)(6)
    9,162       126,720       91,098       434,685       70,083       13,320  
Net income (loss) per ADS(6) (7)
    0.51       7.01       5.04       24.08       3.88       0.74  
Dividends per ADS(7) (8)
    0.42       5.53       5.53       4.01       -       -  
                                                 
Balance Sheet Data:
                                               
MFRS:
                                               
Working capital
  US $ 15,382     Ps. 212,776     Ps. 170,056     Ps. 133,545     Ps. (123,008 )   Ps. (199,557 )
Property and equipment, net
    33,620       465,034       461,555       481,220       513,259       545,486  
Excess cost over fair value of assets of subsidiaries
    59,924       828,863       828,863       828,734       828,734       820,367  
Total assets
    126,057       1,743,638       1,700,445       1,722,173       1,709,011       1,656,558  
Long-term debt excluding current portion
    -       -       -       -       61,128       126,331  
Total debt(9)
    -       -       -       -       122,255       189,495  
Shareholders’ equity(10)
    103,584       1,432,790       1,406,025       1,387,446       1,081,619       1,009,971  
U.S. GAAP:
                                               
Total assets
    130,231       1,801,377       1,779,008       1,763,734       1,750,572       1,698,120  
Shareholders’ equity (10)
    102,899       1,423,305       1,396,585       1,378,019       1,072,255       1,000,623  
 

(1)
Peso amounts have been translated into U.S. dollars solely for the convenience of the reader at the rate of Ps. 13.832 per U.S. dollar, the noon buying rate for pesos on December 31, 2008, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.  See “—Exchange Rate Information.”
(2)
Excludes depreciation, amortization and corporate, general and administrative expenses.
(3)
Certain amounts in the 2005 and 2004 financial statements, as originally issued, have been reclassified for uniformity of presentation with the 2008, 2007 and 2006 financial statements.
(4)
For purposes of uniformity with the presentation of the 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005 financial statements, goodwill amortization has been reclassified for 2004, and the charge to income in 2004 from the amortization of goodwill in the amount of Ps. 72.1 million has been reversed.
(5)
The extraordinary item recorded in 2006 reflects the reversal in June 2006 of a provision for the contingent liability related to an arbitration proceeding.  See Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Loss Contingency” and Item 8, “Financial Information—Other Information—Legal and Arbitration Proceedings.”
(6)
In accordance with then-applicable MFRS, net income for dates and periods prior to 2008 does not give effect to minority interest.  Net income under U.S. GAAP and, for dates and periods beginning in 2008 under MFRS, does give effect to minority interest.  See Note 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(7)
Amounts shown are the weighted average number of Series A Shares outstanding, which was used for purposes of computing net income per ADS under both MFRS and U.S. GAAP and dividends per ADS under U.S. GAAP.
(8)
The Company declares dividends in any particular year for the immediately preceding fiscal year.  On April 13, 2009, the Company paid dividends in the aggregate amount of Ps. 100.0 million with respect to 2008.  In 2008, the Company paid dividends in the aggregate amount of Ps. 100.0 million with respect to 2007.  In 2007, the Company paid dividends in the aggregate amount of Ps. 71.9 million with respect to 2006.  The Company did not pay any dividends in 2005 with respect to 2004 or in 2006 with respect to 2005.
(9)
Total debt consists of bank debt.   On March 26, 2009, the Company incurred Ps. 200 million in indebtedness.  See Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness—Credit Facility.”
(10)
In 2006, the Company reduced its capital by Ps. 128.5 million (Ps. 120.0 million nominal amount) through cash payments to its shareholders equal to that amount.

 
4

 
 
EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION
 
Mexico has a free market for foreign exchange, and the Mexican government allows the peso to float freely against the U.S. dollar.  There can be no assurance that the government will maintain its current policies with regard to the peso or that the peso will not appreciate or depreciate significantly in the future.
 
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high, low, average and period-end exchange rate for the purchase of U.S. dollars, expressed in pesos per U.S. dollar.
 
Period
 
Exchange Rate(1)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
High
   
Low
   
Average(2)
   
Period End
 
2004
    11.64       10.81       11.31       11.15  
2005
    11.41       10.41       10.87       10.63  
2006
    11.46       10.43       10.90       10.80  
2007
    11.27       10.67       10.93       10.92  
2008
    13.94       9.92       11.21       13.83  
                                 
Month Ended 2008:
                               
December 31
    13.83       13.09                  
                                 
Month Ended 2009:
                               
January 31
    14.27       13.35                  
February 28
    15.09       14.19                  
March 31
    15.48       13.91                  
April 30
    13.89       13.05                  
May 31
    13.82       12.88                  
 

(1)
Sources:  Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the U.S. Federal Reserve Board.
(2)
Average of month-end rates.
 
On June 19, 2009, the noon buying rate was Ps. 13.34 to U.S.$ 1.00.
 
Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the peso and the U.S. dollar will affect the U.S. dollar equivalent of the peso price of Series A Shares on the Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, S.A. de C.V. (the Mexican Stock Exchange) and the price of American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).  The Company pays cash dividends in pesos, and exchange rate fluctuations will affect the U.S. dollar amounts received by holders of ADSs upon conversion by Citibank N.A., as depositary for the ADSs (the Depositary), of cash dividends on the Series A Shares underlying the certificados de participación ordinaria (ordinary participation certificates, or CPOs) represented by the ADSs.
 
 
5

 

RISK FACTORS
 
Risks Relating to Our Operations
 
Increased competition or a decline in popularity of any of our radio formats could reduce our audience share and result in a loss of revenue
 
Radio broadcasting in Mexico is highly competitive, and programming popularity, an important factor in advertising sales, is readily susceptible to change.  There can be no assurance that increased competition within, or a decline in the popularity of, a given format will not decrease our aggregate audience share in the future.  In addition, we face strong competition for advertising revenues from both television and various print media.  If we are unable to respond to an increase in competition or a decline in the popularity of any of our radio formats, our revenue and profitability could suffer material adverse consequences.
 
If we lose one or more of our key customers, we could lose a significant amount of our revenue
 
Our two largest individual customers in 2007 and 2008 were Nueva Wal Mart de México, S.A.B. de C.V. (“Nueva Wal Mart”) and Tiendas Comercial Mexicana, S.A.B. de C.V. (“Comercial Mexicana”). In 2008, Nueva Wal Mart represented 6.6% and Comercial Mexicana represented 3.7% of our total broadcasting revenue.  In 2007, Nueva Wal Mart represented 5.6% and Comercial Mexicana represented 4.2% of our total broadcasting revenue.  Our two largest individual customers in 2006 were Compañía Cervecera del Trópico, S.A. de C.V. and Comercial Mexicana, representing 3.7% and 3.4%, respectively, of our total broadcasting revenue.  In 2006, Gigante, S.A. de C.V. was also a large individual customer, accounting for 2.3% of our total broadcasting revenue.  The companies comprising Grupo Cifra and Grupo Carso are also key customers, representing 7.7% and 7.3%, respectively, of our total broadcasting revenue in 2008.
 
In October 2008, Comercial Mexicana’s parent company, Controladora Comercial Mexicana, S.A.B. de C.V., defaulted on certain of its debt and filed for bankruptcy protection in the Mexican courts.  Although Comercial Mexicana has continued to purchase advertising from us, we cannot predict how the restructuring of Controladora Comercial Mexicana, S.A.B. de C.V. will affect Comercial Mexicana or its continued relationship with us.  We also cannot assure you that Nueva Wal Mart, Comercial Mexicana or the companies comprising Grupo Carso and Grupo Cifra will continue to purchase advertising from us at current levels or at all.  The loss of our relationship with any one of our principal customers could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
 
The seasonal nature of our business affects our revenue
 
Our business is seasonal.  Our revenue from advertising sales, which we recognize when the advertising is aired, is generally highest in the fourth quarter because of the high level of advertising during the holiday season.  Accordingly, our results of operations depend disproportionately on revenue recognized in the fourth quarter, and a low level of fourth quarter advertising revenue could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations for the year.
 
The decrease in advertising expenditures by political campaigns will substantially reduce our revenue
 
Historically, our business has been affected significantly by the advertising expenditures of political parties during congressional elections that occur every three years, including 2003 and 2006, and during presidential elections that occur every six years (coinciding with congressional elections), including in 2000 and 2006.  In 2006, advertising by political parties accounted for 19.0% of total broadcasting revenue.  Mexico implemented electoral reform by amending its constitution in November 2007 and adopting an electoral code in January 2008.  The constitutional amendment and the electoral code prohibit political parties from directly or indirectly purchasing broadcast time on any radio or television station.  In addition, private individuals and entities are prohibited from purchasing advertising on radio or television aimed at influencing voter preferences.  As a result of this change in law, we no longer receive revenues from advertising by political campaigns, which will materially impact our revenues during election years.
 
 
6

 

The Mexican Federal Competition Commission may prohibit us from making additional investments in radio operations in Mexico
 
We, like all Mexican radio licensees, are subject to regulation by several Mexican governmental agencies.  As a result of such regulation, radio licenses are subject to review and possible revocation, and licensees are prohibited from transferring or assigning their radio broadcasting licenses without prior governmental approval of both the transfer and its terms.  As a result of the increase in our share of the Mexico City radio market following the acquisition of Radiodifusión RED, S.A. in 1996, we are required by the Mexican Comisión Federal de Competencia (Federal Competition Commission) to seek its prior approval in connection with any future investments in radio operations in Mexico, including, without limitation, purchases and leases of radio stations, interests in other radio concerns or transmission sites, irrespective of the size of such investments or their related audience share.  To the best of our knowledge, other Mexican radio broadcasting companies are not generally subject to this requirement.  No assurance can be given that we will be permitted by the Federal Competition Commission to make any particular investment should we desire to do so.
 
If the Mexican government does not renew our broadcasting licenses, our business could be harmed
 
To broadcast commercial radio in Mexico, a broadcaster must have a license from the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (Secretary of Communication and Transportation, or “SCT”).  Because the SCT generally grants renewals to licensees that have substantially complied with applicable law, we expect that our future renewal applications will be granted.  However, if we were unable to renew these licenses in the future, our business could be significantly harmed.
 
We may be unsuccessful in addressing the challenges and risks presented by our investment in the United States
 
We recently began to provide programming to, and sell advertising time on, KMVN-FM, a radio station broadcasting in Los Angeles, California, that is owned by Emmis Communications Corporation.  Our investment in the United States may involve risks to which we have not previously been exposed and may present different or greater risks, including from competition and regulation, than those present in Mexico.  We cannot assure you that this investment will be successful.  
 
The current credit crisis and unfavorable general economic and market conditions may negatively affect our liquidity, business, and results of operations, and may affect a portion of our client base
 
We cannot predict the effect on our customers and us of the continued credit crisis and related turmoil in the global financial system.  The risks associated with our business become more acute in periods of a slowing economy or recession, which may be accompanied by a decrease in advertising.  A decline in the level of business activity of our advertisers could have an adverse effect on our revenue and profit margins.  In response to current market conditions, customers may choose to make fewer expenditures, to slow their spending on or cancel our services or to seek contract terms more favorable to them.  Adverse economic conditions may also lead to an increase in the number of our customers that are unable to pay for services.  If these events were to occur, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
 
 
7

 

Many lenders and institutional investors have reduced and, in some cases, ceased to provide funding to borrowers. Continued disruption of the credit markets could adversely affect our borrowing capacity.  Our ability to expand our business may be limited if, in the future, we were unable to access or increase our existing credit facilities on favorable terms or at all.  These disruptions could negatively affect our liquidity, business and results of operations.
 
If we are required by the Mexican courts to pay a pending arbitration award, it may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition
 
We are party to legal proceedings in Mexico relating to an arbitration award granted in 2004 against us in favor of Infored, S.A. de C.V. and Mr. José Gutiérrez Vivó.  If we are ultimately unsuccessful in challenging the enforcement of the arbitration award, we will be required to finance all or part of the amount due.  Our ability to obtain financing is subject to various factors, including general market conditions, our financial condition and results of operations and the fact that we have pledged substantially all of our assets under outstanding indebtedness.  Accordingly, we may not be able to obtain financing in a timely manner, or on acceptable terms, or at all.  If we incur additional indebtedness or we are unable to obtain financing when needed, our financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.
 
Risks Relating to Our Principal Shareholders and Capital Structure
 
Holders of ADSs are not entitled to attend shareholders meetings and have no voting rights
 
Holders of the CPOs, and therefore holders of the ADSs, have no voting rights with respect to the underlying Series A Shares.  Pursuant to the trust agreement under which the CPOs are issued, the trustee for the CPOs will vote the Series A Shares held in the trust in the same manner as the majority of the Series A Shares that are not held in the trust and that are voted at the relevant shareholders meeting.  Holders of the CPOs are not entitled to attend or to address our shareholders meetings.
 
Certain members of the Aguirre family effectively control our management and the decisions of the shareholders, and their interests may differ from those of other shareholders
 
Certain members of the Aguirre family have the power to elect a majority of our directors and control our management because they own a substantial majority of the outstanding Series A Shares not held in the form of CPOs.  These Aguirre family members have established a Mexican trust, which they control, that holds 84,020,646, or 51.6%, of all outstanding Series A Shares as of June 19, 2009.
 
Our bylaws include provisions that could delay or prevent a takeover and, thus, deprive you of a premium over the market price of the ADSs or otherwise adversely affect the market price of the ADSs
 
Our bylaws include certain provisions that could delay, defer or prevent a third party from acquiring us, despite the possible benefit to our shareholders.  These provisions include restrictions on the acquisition, without the approval of the board of directors, of our shares or other securities representing 30% or more of our capital stock and restrictions on agreements and other arrangements, without the approval of the board of directors, for the exercise of voting rights in respect of shares representing 30% or more of our capital stock.  These provisions may deprive you of a premium over the market price of the ADSs or otherwise adversely affect the market price of the ADSs.
 
 
8

 

Future sales of Series A Shares by the controlling shareholders may affect future market prices of the Series A Shares, CPOs and ADSs
 
Actions by members of the Aguirre family, directly or through the Mexican trust through which they hold most of their Series A Shares, with respect to the disposition of their Series A Shares, may adversely affect the trading price of the Series A Shares or the CPOs on the Mexican Stock Exchange and the price of the ADSs on the NYSE.  There are no contractual restrictions on the rights of members of the Aguirre family to sell ADSs, CPOs or Series A Shares, other than those contained in our U.S.$ 21 million credit facility, which requires the Aguirre family to maintain 51% of our capital stock.
 
You may not be able to participate in any future preemptive rights offering and, as a result, your equity interest in the Company may be diluted
 
Under current Mexican law, if we issue new shares for cash as a part of a capital increase, we generally must grant our shareholders the right to purchase a sufficient number of shares to maintain their existing ownership percentage.  Rights to purchase shares in these circumstances are known as preemptive rights.  We may not be legally permitted to allow holders of ADSs in the United States to exercise any preemptive rights in any future capital increases unless (i) we file a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) with respect to that future issuance of shares or (ii) the offering qualifies for an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933.  At the time of any future capital increase, we will evaluate the costs and potential liabilities associated with filing a registration statement with the SEC, the benefits of preemptive rights to holders of ADSs in the United States and any other factors that we consider important in determining whether to file a registration statement.
 
We cannot assure you that we will file a registration statement with the SEC to allow holders of ADSs in the United States to participate in a preemptive rights offering.  Furthermore, under current Mexican law, sales by the Depositary of preemptive rights and distribution of the proceeds from such sales to ADS holders are not possible.  As a result, the equity interest of ADS holders would be diluted proportionately.  In addition, preemptive rights will not arise under current Mexican law upon the sale of newly issued shares in a public offering or the resale of shares of capital stock previously repurchased by us.
 
Risks Relating to Mexico
 
Economic developments in Mexico may adversely affect our business
 
Our financial condition and results of operations are generally affected by the strength of the Mexican economy, as the demand for advertising, from which we derive revenue constituting the principal source of our earnings, generally declines during periods of economic difficulty.
 
In 2008, Mexico’s gross domestic product, or GDP, grew by 1.3% and inflation was 6.5%.  In 2007, Mexico’s GDP grew by 3.3% and inflation was 3.8%.  The Mexican economy is experiencing a downturn.  In 2009, according to preliminary estimates of the Mexican government, GDP is expected to decrease by 5.8% and inflation is expected to be 4.4%. If the Mexican economy contracts or if inflation and interest rates increase significantly, our business, financial condition and results of operations could suffer material adverse consequences.
 
 
9

 

Economic conditions in Mexico are heavily influenced by the condition of the U.S. economy due to various factors, including commercial trade pursuant to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), U.S. investment in Mexico and emigration from Mexico to the United States.  Events and conditions affecting the U.S. economy may adversely affect our business, results of operations, prospects and financial condition.  In addition, in the past, economic crises in Asia, Russia, Brazil and other emerging markets have adversely affected the Mexican economy and could do so again.
 
High levels of inflation and high interest rates in Mexico could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations
 
Mexico has experienced high levels of inflation and high domestic interest rates in the past.  The annual rate of inflation, as measured by changes in the INPC, was 6.5% for 2008.  Inflation for the first quarter of 2009 was 1.03%.  If inflation in Mexico does not remain within the government’s projections, we may not be able to raise our broadcast advertising rates to keep pace with inflation.  More generally, the adverse effects of high inflation on the Mexican economy may result in lower demand for broadcast advertising.
 
Interest rates on 28-day Mexican treasury bills, or Cetes, averaged 7.7% during 2008.  On June 23, 2009, the 28-day Cetes rate was 4.72%.  High interest rates in Mexico could adversely affect our financing costs, and to the extent that we incur peso-denominated debt in the future, it could be at high interest rates.
 
Political events in Mexico could affect Mexican economic policy and our operations
 
Mexican political events may significantly affect our operations and the performance of Mexican securities, including our securities.  We cannot assure you that the current political situation or any future political developments will not have a broad adverse effect on growth trends in the Mexican broadcasting industry or in the economy generally, or directly and adversely affect us.
 
Depreciation of the peso relative to the U.S. dollar could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations
 
The value of the peso has been subject to significant fluctuations with respect to the U.S. dollar in the past and may be subject to significant fluctuations in the future.  In 2008, the peso depreciated against the U.S. dollar at year-end by 26.6%, and the average value of the peso against the U.S. dollar during 2008 was 2.7% lower than in 2007.  In 2007, the peso depreciated against the U.S. dollar at year-end by 1.1%, and average value of the peso against the U.S. dollar during 2007 was 0.3% lower than in 2006.  In 2006, the peso depreciated against the U.S. dollar at year-end by 1.6%, and the average value of the peso against the U.S. dollar during 2006 was 0.28% lower than in 2005.  No assurance can be given that the peso will not depreciate in value relative to the U.S. dollar in the future.
 
Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the peso and the U.S. dollar will affect the U.S. dollar value of an investment in our equity securities and of dividend and other distribution payments on those securities.
 
In 2008, less than 10% of our operating costs was payable in U.S. dollars.  Our operating costs payable in U.S. dollars have increased in 2009 due to our new investment in a radio station in Los Angeles, California.  Although at December 31, 2008, we had no U.S. dollar-denominated indebtedness, we may incur U.S. dollar-denominated indebtedness in the future.  Declines in the value of the peso relative to the U.S. dollar increase our obligations payable in U.S. dollars, increase our operating costs, increase our interest costs in pesos relative to any U.S. dollar-denominated indebtedness, result in foreign exchange losses and could adversely affect our ability to meet our U.S. dollar-denominated obligations.  Additionally, since substantially all our revenue is denominated in pesos, increased costs resulting from a decline in the value of the peso relative to the U.S. dollar will not be offset by any exchange-related increase in revenue.  In 2008, the decline in the value of the peso relative to the U.S. dollar increased our operating costs related to XHFO-FM, a radio station we operate, by 1.9% (Ps. 0.7 million).
 
 
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Severe devaluation or depreciation of the peso may also result in disruption of the international foreign exchange markets and may limit our ability to transfer, or to convert pesos into, U.S. dollars and other currencies for the purpose of making timely payments of our obligations or operating costs payable in U.S. dollars.
 
Developments in other countries may affect the price of the ADSs
 
As is the case with respect to securities of issuers from other emerging markets, the market value of securities of Mexican companies is, to varying degrees, affected by economic and market conditions in other countries.  Although economic conditions in other countries may differ significantly from economic conditions in Mexico, investors’ reactions to developments in other countries may have an adverse effect on the market value of securities of Mexican issuers.  In recent years, for example, economic conditions in Mexico have become increasingly correlated to economic conditions in the United States as a result of NAFTA and increased economic activity between the two countries.  In the second half of 2008, the prices of Mexican securities decreased substantially as a result of the prolonged decline in the U.S. securities markets.  Adverse economic conditions in the United States, the termination of NAFTA or other related events could have a material adverse effect on the Mexican economy.  Prices of Mexican securities also dropped substantially as a result of developments in Russia, Asia, Brazil and Argentina in the late 1990s.  The Mexican securities markets also have been adversely affected by ongoing developments in the global credit markets.  We cannot assure you that events in other emerging market countries, in the United States or elsewhere, will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
 
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Item 4.  Information on the Company
 
THE COMPANY
 
Organization
 
Grupo Radio Centro is a corporation (sociedad anónima bursátil de capital variable) organized under the laws of Mexico.  Grupo Radio Centro is a holding company that operates through its subsidiaries.
 
Grupo Radio Centro’s principal executive offices are located at Constituyentes 1154 (7° Piso), Col. Lomas Altas, C.P. 11950, México, D.F., México.  The telephone number of Grupo Radio Centro at this location is (525) 55-728-4800.
 
History
 
Grupo Radio Centro is a family-controlled radio broadcasting company with roots in Mexican radio broadcasting dating back approximately 60 years.  Francisco Aguirre J., the founder of Grupo Radio Centro, initiated his radio broadcasting activities in 1946.  In 1952, he founded Organización Radio Centro (“ORC”), the sole owner and operator of two radio stations, Radio Centro and Radio Exitos.  In 1965, the Company formed Organización Impulsora de Radio (“OIR”), to provide national sales representation to affiliated radio stations outside Mexico City.  The Company was incorporated as Técnica de Desarrollo Publicitario, S.A. de C.V. on June 8, 1971, renamed Grupo Radio Centro, S.A. de C.V. on July 14, 1992 and renamed Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V. on July 31, 2006.  The bylaws of the Company provide for its indefinite existence.
 
In 1973, Grupo Radio Centro expanded its broadcasting activities by establishing three new FM radio stations, thus consolidating its position as the market leader in Mexico City radio broadcasting.  In 1989, the Aguirre family began a comprehensive process of corporate reorganization designed to consolidate Grupo Radio Centro’s radio operations under the common ownership of the Company and the family’s non-radio-related operations under the common ownership of another company controlled by the Aguirre family outside Grupo Radio Centro.  The purpose of the reorganization was to permit Grupo Radio Centro to focus on radio-related operations and to acquire the balance of shares of its radio broadcasting subsidiaries that were owned directly or indirectly by members of the Aguirre family outside Grupo Radio Centro.  As a result of the reorganization, the Company acquired substantially all of the shares of its radio broadcasting subsidiaries, with the last transfer of shares occurring in March 1993.  In the third quarter of 1993, the Company completed an initial public offering of its ADSs and CPOs, listing these securities on the NYSE and the Mexican Stock Exchange.  The Company completed a subsequent public offering of ADSs and CPOs during the third quarter of 1996.  On June 30, 2003, all CPOs held by holders that qualified as Mexican investors, pursuant to the Company’s bylaws (see Item 10, “Additional Information—Bylaws and Mexican Law—Limitations Affecting Non-Mexican Holders—Share Ownership”), were exchanged for Series A Shares held in the CPO Trust (see Item 9, “The Offer and Listing”).  In connection with the amended CPO trust arrangement, the Series A Shares commenced trading on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the symbol “RCENTRO.A” on June 30, 2003.  The Series A Share listing is deemed to include the CPOs, so the Series A Share trading line reflects trading of both Series A Shares and CPOs.
 
 
12

 
 
Capital Expenditures and Divestitures
 
Capital Expenditures
 
Capital expenditures were Ps. 26.8 million in 2008, Ps. 14.3 million in 2007 and Ps. 6.5 million in 2006.  In 2008, 2007 and 2006, capital expenditures were financed from working capital.  In 2008 and 2007, the Company’s principal capital expenditures were for transportation equipment, which consists primarily of promotional trucks and vans.  The increase in 2008 compared to 2007 was primarily due to increased expenditures related to the upgrade of the transportation equipment used in certain marketing subsidiaries and, to a lesser extent, by our executives.  In 2006, the Company’s principal expenditures were for broadcasting equipment and computer equipment.
 
Capital Divestitures
 
During 2008, the Company had capital divestitures in the amount of Ps. 3.4 million, principally related to the sale of transportation equipment.  During 2007, the Company had capital divestitures in the amount of Ps. 0.79 million, principally related to the sale of transportation equipment.  In 2006, the Company had capital divestitures in the amount of Ps. 1.1 million, principally related to the sale of used computer equipment and real estate.  See Notes 1 and 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
 
Grupo Radio Centro is a leading radio broadcasting company in Mexico. For more than 30 years, the Company has been the leading radio broadcaster in terms of audience share in Mexico City, the most populous city in North America. Grupo Radio Centro’s principal activities are the production and broadcasting of music, entertainment, news and special event programs. The Company’s revenue is derived primarily from the sale of commercial airtime to advertising agencies and businesses. According to IBOPE AGB México (IBOPE), the Company’s Mexico City average audience share for the year ended December 31, 2008 was 42.9%, more than twice that of the next most popular radio broadcasting company in Mexico City for the same period. See “—Broadcasting Operations” and “—Competition.”
 
In Mexico, Grupo Radio Centro currently owns eight AM and five FM radio stations. The Company manages and operates an additional FM station.  Of these 14 radio stations, Grupo Radio Centro operates five AM and six FM stations, which are all in Mexico City.  The remaining three AM radio stations, including one in Mexico City, are managed and operated by third parties pursuant to operating agreements.
 
The Company manages the 11 radio stations it operates in Mexico City as a portfolio, combining in-depth market research and programming innovation with continuous investment in state-of-the-art technology and human resources to produce high-quality, popular programs that target substantially all of the demographic segments of the Mexico City radio audience sought by advertisers.  According to IBOPE, for the year ended December 31, 2008, Grupo Radio Centro’s radio stations ranked as four of the top 10 FM radio stations (out of a total of 31 FM stations) and three of the top 10 AM stations (out of a total of 35 AM stations).  See “—Business Strategy.”
 
In the United States, we recently entered into an agreement with Emmis Communications Corporation (“Emmis”), a U.S. radio broadcasting company.  We have agreed to provide programming to and sell advertising time on KMVN-FM for up to seven years.  KMVN-FM is an Emmis-owned radio station broadcasting in Los Angeles, California, on the 93.9 FM frequency.  We began operating the station in the contemporary Spanish-language hits format on April 15, 2009.

 
13

 

In addition to its radio broadcasting activities, the Company, under the trade name Organización Impulsora de Radio, acts as the national sales representative for, and provides programming to, a network of affiliates in Mexico.  At December 31, 2008, the Company had 108 affiliates in 76 cities throughout Mexico.
 
Business Strategy
 
The Company’s strategy is to optimize cash flow from operations by maintaining its leading market position.
 
Maintenance of Leading Market Position
 
The Company is focused on maintaining its current position as the leading radio broadcaster in Mexico City, offering advertisers top-ranked stations in almost all major station formats, including the following:
 
 
·
Grupera—Diverse Musical Genres,
 
 
·
Juvenil—Youth Oriented,
 
 
·
Spanish Language—Contemporary Music,
 
 
·
English Language—Classic Rock,
 
 
·
English Language—Contemporary Music,
 
 
·
Spanish Language—Classics, News/Talk Show, and
 
 
·
English Language—Music/News.
 
By maintaining a strong presence in the major station formats, management believes that the Company will maximize its share of total radio advertising expenditures.  Management bases such belief on the following rationales:  (i) a broadcaster’s revenue is correlated with its ability to maximize the number of listeners within an advertiser’s given demographic parameters, and (ii) the Company’s stations currently cover almost all of the demographic segments of the radio audience sought by advertisers.  In addition, by managing its stations as a portfolio and offering a broad range of advertising packages, the Company believes that it distinguishes itself from its smaller competitors, who cannot offer as comprehensive coverage of the Mexican radio audience.  The Company offers advertisers exposure to listening audiences targeted to correspond with the demographic profiles advertisers seek and provides advertisers with their choice of either focused or broad audience exposure across a comprehensive range of income classes and age groups.
 
In order to maximize the audience share of its portfolio of stations, the Company recognizes the need to be responsive to the requirements of its listeners and advertisers, tailoring its stations to the changing circumstances of the market.  The Company seeks to manage its station portfolio by balancing the mix of its station formats to correspond to the needs of the overall market and being proactive in the management of each individual station format and adjusting to the evolution of its particular market segment.

 
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OIR Network Strategy
 
As a complement to its radio-broadcasting activities, Grupo Radio Centro operates and continues its efforts to expand its OIR radio network.  The Company simultaneously transmits its news program “La Red de Radio Red” from 5:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. to the 23 largest commercial markets in Mexico outside the Mexico City metropolitan area.  While increasing programming and service revenue, the operation of OIR also facilitates the Company’s overall marketing efforts, offering advertisers access to radio stations on a nationwide basis.   See “—OIR Network.”

 
15

 
 
Broadcasting Operations
 
Radio Stations
 
Except as noted, the following table sets forth certain information about the radio stations Grupo Radio Centro operates in Mexico City as of December 31, 2008:

Station
 
Frequency
 
Power
(Watts)
 
 
Station Format
 
Total
Market
Rank(1)(2)
   
Total
Audience
Share(1)(3)
   
Band
Rank(1)(4)
 
Target
Demographic
Segments
XEQR-FM 
 
107.3 mhz
    100,000  
Grupera—Diverse Musical Genres
    1       16.2 %     1  
13-44 years
                                         
XERC-FM
 
97.7 mhz
    100,000  
Juvenil—Youth Oriented
    8       3.5 %     7  
8-34 years
                                         
XEJP-FM 
 
93.7 mhz
    100,000  
Spanish Language—Contemporary Music
    3       6.7 %     3  
18-44 years
                                         
XHFO-FM(5)
 
92.1 mhz
    150,000  
English Language—Classic Rock
    5       5.2 %     5  
18-44 years
                                         
XHFAJ-FM 
 
91.3 mhz
    100,000  
English Language—Contemporary Music
    12       2.7 %     11  
13-24 years
                                         
XEQR-AM 
 
1030 khz
    50,000  
Spanish Language—Talk Show
    6       4.1 %     1  
25+ years
                                         
XEJP-AM
 
1150 khz
    50,000  
Spanish Language Classics
    13       2.4 %     2  
35+ years
                                         
XERED-AM
 
1110 khz
    100,000  
News / Talk Show
    30       0.7 %     10  
25+ years
                                         
XHRED-FM 
 
88.1 mhz
    100,000  
News / English Language—Music
    32       0.7 %     21  
25+ years
                                         
XERC-AM 
 
790 khz
    50,000  
News
    41       0.4 %     17  
25+ years
                                         
XEN-AM
 
690 khz
    100,000  
News / Talk Show
    43       0.4 %     18  
25+ years
 

(1)
Source: IBOPE.
(2)
Total market rank is determined based on each station’s annual average share of the total radio audience.
(3)
Total audience share represents each station’s annual average share of the total radio audience.
(4)
Band rank is determined based on each station’s annual average share of the radio audience within its broadcasting frequency band (i.e., either AM or FM).
(5)
XHFO-FM is operated by Grupo Radio Centro pursuant to an operating agreement that was recently renewed for five years ending on January 2, 2014.  For the year ended December 31, 2008, XHFO-FM accounted for approximately 14.9% of Grupo Radio Centro’s broadcasting revenue.

 
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Programming
 
The Company currently produces all of the programming for the stations it owns or operates.  The Company also provides programming to its network of affiliates.
 
The programming the Company produces includes playing recorded music, covering live music events (such as concerts), and airing special musical programs and news and talk show programs.  Through its Noticentro news division, the Company produces daily news programs consisting of three-minute updates and 10-minute summaries of local, national and international news that are broadcast through Formato 21, the Company’s 24-hour all-news station, and the majority of its other stations in Mexico City.
 
The Company’s programming strategy is to tailor the format of each of its stations to attract targeted demographic segments of the radio audience sought by advertisers.  To ensure that its programming remains responsive to shifting demographic trends and audience tastes, Grupo Radio Centro uses its internal research division (which regularly conducts door-to-door interviews throughout Mexico City), as well as commercially available data, to assess the listening habits and tastes of the Mexico City population.  Grupo Radio Centro conducted approximately 247,000 interviews in 2008 and 231,000 interviews in 2007.  The Company believes that no competitor has developed an internal research capability as extensive as its own.
 
Production and Transmission of Programming
 
Audio Engineering.  Grupo Radio Centro has 18 production studios in which musical material, advertisements, informational messages, news and promotional spots are recorded on hard drive, compact disk, and DVD-audio through the Maestro Automation System.  This system permits the direct transmission of audio recordings to the Company’s 33 workstations, where they are processed and sent to broadcast sites.
 
Grupo Radio Centro also maintains 13 on-air studios, each of which is linked to Grupo Radio Centro’s automated programming computer network via fiber optics.  Grupo Radio Centro’s primary studio operations are substantially fully digital and utilize state-of-the-art computer networks to record, schedule and play all news, music, promotional and advertising material.  Currently, the Company has a single high-speed computer network installed both in on-air studios and in production studios.
 
Grupo Radio Centro’s news division uses the News Room system, which enables news writers to provide radio announcers with information directly through scrolling text that runs across a flat-panel screen while the announcers are on air.  The system is used primarily in the Formato 21 radio station, but it also provides information to news centers in other radio stations.  The News Room system, which receives news reports from the Associated Press (AP), Agence France-Presse (AFP), Notimex and Reuters, has reduced considerably the amount of paper used during news programs.
 
During the second half of 2007, the Company replaced four analog mixer consoles with digital mixer consoles. These replacements were made at radio stations XEJP-AM, XERC-AM (two consoles) and at one studio. In 2008, the Company installed two digital mixer consoles used by OIR.
 
Transmission.  Each of the Company’s radio stations has a main transmitter and two back-up transmitters.  All AM transmitters incorporate solid-state design.  Each transmitter site has a diesel generator with automatic transfer that allows rapid switch to back-up power in case of a power outage.  In addition, the main FM transmitter facility is equipped with an uninterruptible power supply to prevent the loss of airtime during the transfer to back-up power.

 
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Grupo Radio Centro uses multiplexed networks for transmission, which allows five of its AM stations to operate at three sites, each using one antenna.  Similarly, five FM stations are multiplexed in a common panel master antenna on the Cerro del Chiquihuite, which Grupo Radio Centro believes is ideally located at 540 meters above the average terrain level in Mexico City.  One FM radio station operated by the Company transmits from the World Trade Center building in Mexico City.
 
In 2007, the Company renovated a location to serve as an alternate transmission site for the Cerro del Chiquihuite plant and a back-up studio and production space.  This facility is equipped with two small production studios, six transmitter booths for talk show or news programs, and five workstations for music programs.  The facility also has a sophisticated multiplexing network for up to five stereo channels for the FM stations and six digital encoders/decoders to connect to the transmitting plants.  If there is an emergency, the alternate site can be controlled remotely from the XERC-FM, XEJP-FM and XEQR-FM radio stations in Mexico City.
 
In 2008, the Company began renovating an additional alternate transmission site for the studios of 11 of the Company’s Mexico City radio stations.  The alternate site, which was completed in 2009, is equipped with two small production studios, six transmitter booths for talk show and news programs, and five workstations for music programs.
 
In December 2008, the Company obtained authorization from the SCT to increase the power at two stations: XEDKR-AM (in Jalisco) was increased from one to 10 kilowatts, and XESTN-AM (in Monterrey) was increased from one to five kilowatts.   In June 2009, the Company completed a new transmission site and a new building from which XEDKR-AM will operate.
 
Investment in Technology
 
Grupo Radio Centro consistently invests in state-of-the-art equipment, the development and deployment of new operating systems and the training of its engineering and operating personnel.  The Company believes these investments enable it to produce high-quality programming with few on-air errors and to broadcast a superior signal to listeners’ radios.  In addition, Grupo Radio Centro’s computer system allows it to maintain a certifiable log of advertising and to generate real-time affidavits certifying that advertisements have been aired when and as requested, which reduces customers’ monitoring costs and enhances customers’ goodwill.  The Company believes that its equipment and engineering staff give it a competitive edge in Mexico City radio broadcasting.
 
Currently, all AM and FM radio broadcast signals in Mexico are analog.  However, there are various efforts underway to develop, test and implement radio digital audio broadcasting (DAB), using either the  “on-band” U.S. broadcasting model or the “out-of-band” European broadcasting model.  If implemented, DAB would largely eliminate fading, static and other interference that adversely affects the listening experience.
 
The Cámara Nacional de la Industria de Radio y Televisión (National Chamber of the Radio and Television Industries, or “CIRT”) is in the process of analyzing DAB proposals and has created a task force with the SCT in order to introduce DAB in Mexico in the future.  CIRT and the Comisión Federal de Telecomunicaciones (Mexican Federal Telecommunications Commission or “Cofetel”) have announced plans to issue digital radio standards in 2009.  However, there can be no assurance as to whether or when DAB will be introduced.
 
 The Company actively participates in the analysis of the adoption of DAB in Mexico through its representation in CIRT and by supporting Cofetel’s Comité Mixto de Tecnologías Digitales (Mixed Committee on Digital Technology).

 
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The Company has also supported the adoption of DAB in Mexico by installing and operating advanced digital radio transmission systems on an experimental basis.  In 2005, the Company temporarily installed a powerful digital transmission system called the Eureka 147 Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) at its Cerro del Chiquihuite plant.  The Eureka 147 DAB system is equipped to transmit simultaneously up to five different radio programs.  In 2005 and 2006, the Company performed tests of the new system, for representatives of the SCT and CIRT’s Comité de Nuevas Tecnologías (Committee on New Technology), to demonstrate the application and capabilities of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) technology, which enables a single broadcasting station to transmit video and audio and data for multiple applications.
 
In 2007, the Company tested an upgraded Eureka 147 DAB system in its broadcasting facilities at the Constituyentes building. The Company operated the upgraded system, which offered additional channels greater capabilities, until March 2008.
 
From October to December 2008, the Company tested a Digital Broadcasting System from its Constituyentes building. The system’s capabilities included the transmission on one digital radio channel of two video programs, eight audio CD quality programs, data, and a webcam signal. The Company demonstrated the system with a reduced power transmitter during “Radio Week” in October 2008. The demonstration included more than 20 different types of DAB receivers.
 
Sale of Airtime and Marketing
 
Commercial airtime for Grupo Radio Centro’s radio stations is sold both to advertising agencies and directly to businesses.  The Company’s top 10 customers in 2008 and 2007 accounted for approximately 30.2% of total broadcasting revenue.  The Company’s top 10 customers in 2006 accounted for approximately 37.9% of total broadcasting revenue.  Our two largest individual customers in 2008 and 2007 were Nueva Wal Mart and Comercial Mexicana.  In 2008, Nueva Wal Mart represented approximately 6.5% and Comercial Mexicana represented approximately 3.7% of our total broadcasting revenue.  In 2007, Nueva Wal Mart represented approximately 5.6% and Comercial Mexicana represented approximately 4.2% of our total broadcasting revenue.  Our two largest individual customers in 2006 were Compañía Cervecera S.A. de C.V., which represented 3.7% of our total broadcasting revenue, and Comercial Mexicana, which represented 3.4%, of our total broadcasting revenue.  In 2006, Gigante, S.A. de C.V. was also a large individual customer, representing 2.3% of our total broadcasting revenue.
 
The companies comprising Grupo Cifra and Grupo Carso also are key customers.  In 2008, the companies comprising Grupo Cifra accounted for 7.7% of our total broadcasting revenue, and the companies comprising Grupo Carso accounted for 7.3% of our total broadcasting revenue.  In 2007, the companies comprising Grupo Cifra accounted for 7.1% of our total broadcasting revenue, and the companies comprising Grupo Carso accounted for 8.4% of our total broadcasting revenue.  In 2006, the companies comprising Grupo Cifra accounted for 3.5% of our total broadcasting revenue, and the companies comprising Grupo Carso accounted for 6.5% of our total broadcasting revenue.
 
Sales of commercial airtime vary throughout the year and are generally highest in the fourth quarter of the year and lowest in the first quarter of the year.  See Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Seasonality of Sales.”
 
Historically, Mexican political parties accounted for a significant portion of the Company’s broadcast revenue on a cyclical basis.  The three largest Mexican political parties, collectively, accounted for 8.18% of the Company’s total broadcasting revenue in 2006, compared to 2.5% in 2005, reflecting campaign advertising expenditures in connection with the July 2006 presidential and congressional elections.  Due to the implementation of the law prohibiting all paid political advertising, the Company did not earn any revenue from such broadcasting in 2008.

 
19

 
 
At December 31, 2008, the Company had a sales force of 30 individuals, of which 15 marketed primarily to advertising agencies and major customer accounts, and 15 marketed to small and mid-sized customer accounts.
 
Grupo Radio Centro establishes its advertising rates by considering the cost per thousand listeners as a reference to ensure that its rates are competitive.  The Company offers package discounts to customers who purchase airtime on multiple stations; the largest discounts are offered to customers who purchase airtime on all of its stations.  The Company charges higher rates to customers who purchase airtime during “special events,” such as live concerts and special news features.
 
The Company sells some commercial airtime in advance.  The advance-sales arrangements guarantee the rate in effect at the time of purchase to advertisers who deposit cash with Grupo Radio Centro in an amount equal to their advertising commitment for an agreed period.  These advertisers are also granted bonus advertising time in addition to the time purchased.  The Company invests cash deposited pursuant to advance sales and includes interest generated on such investments in broadcasting revenue.  In 2008, revenue recognized under advance-sale arrangements, including related interest income, accounted for approximately 33.7% of total broadcasting revenue, compared to 32.5% for 2007 and 29.3% for 2006.  See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
The effect of such advance sales is to substitute the increased interest income earned on the advance sale payments for a portion of the operating income foregone because of the reduced effective rate on the advertising time sold subject to the advance-sale arrangements.  The Company believes that such advance sales are advantageous to Grupo Radio Centro because the interest income generated by the proceeds of such advance sales offsets, in part, the effective reduction in advertising rates associated with such sales and because the bonus advertising time granted to purchasers is “dead time” (i.e., time that would not otherwise be sold).  The Company also believes that the benefits of guaranteed rates and bonus airtime under its advance-sales plans attract advertisers who would not otherwise purchase advertising time.  However, any decrease in future inflation rates may reduce the attractiveness of these plans for such advertisers.
 
OIR Network
 
Grupo Radio Centro, under the trade name OIR, provides national sales representation, programming and broadcast-related services to a network of affiliates.  At December 31, 2008, Grupo Radio Centro had 108 affiliates located in 76 cities throughout Mexico.  During the last three years, broadcasting revenue from OIR-related activities ranged from 3.3% to 2.6% of total broadcasting revenue.  In 2008, approximately 3.3% of the Company’s revenue was attributable to its work through OIR, and no single affiliate represented more than 7.6% of total OIR-related revenue.
 
At December 31, 2008, 11 of the Company’s OIR-related affiliates were owned or controlled by shareholders of the Company.  Except as disclosed elsewhere (see Item 7, “Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Related Party Transactions” and Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), all commercial relations between such shareholder-owned or shareholder-controlled stations and Grupo Radio Centro are on an arm’s-length basis.

 
20

 

Outside Mexico City, virtually all advertising aimed at a national audience is sold through networks of affiliated radio stations.  Pursuant to its standard affiliate agreement, which is terminable at will by either party on 60 days’ notice, OIR agrees to purchase commercial airtime from affiliated stations, compensating such stations for their airtime with a percentage of the revenue obtained on the resale of commercial airtime to national advertisers.  The affiliates agree to broadcast certain programs at specified times with advertising spots of specified duration.  Compensation paid to each affiliate varies depending on the size of each affiliate’s market.
 
OIR transmits special event programs, including national advertising, directly to certain affiliates via satellite.  In December 2005, the Company installed a new satellite up-link system with state-of-the-art technologies, including Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) transmission, with 10 digital stereo channels.  All of our affiliates are able to receive OIR special event programs via satellite from Mexico City.  Between January and March 2006, we replaced the receivers of our affiliates that obtain OIR programs via satellite with more cost-effective units.
 
Competition
 
Radio broadcasting in Mexico is highly competitive, and programming popularity, an important factor in advertising sales, is readily susceptible to change.  As of December 31, 2008, there were 59 commercial radio stations in Mexico City (34 AM and 25 FM stations) and eight not-for-profit, public-service stations (two AM and six FM).  These stations constitute all of the currently available radio broadcast channels within Mexico City’s AM and FM frequency spectrum.
 
Set out below is a table showing the number of stations in Mexico City operated by Grupo Radio Centro and each of its six main competitors at December 31, 2008, and a chart depicting the audience share of each.

 
21

 

Operation of Mexico City Stations by Grupo Radio Centro and its Principal Competitors(1)
 
   
AM Stations
   
FM Stations
   
Total
 
Grupo Radio Centro
    5       6       11  
Grupo Acir
    3       4       7  
Televisa Radio
    3       3       6  
NRM Comunicaciones
    3       3       6  
Grupo Radio Fórmula
    3       2       5  
Grupo Imagen
    0       2       2  
MVS Radio
    0       2       2  
Total
    17       22       39  
 

(1)   Source: Grupo Radio Centro.

 
22

 

Mexico City Radio Audience Share (1970-2008)(1)

 

(1)
Sources: INRA, Arbitron, Inc. and IBOPE.
(2)
In 1995, the Company began operating the three stations owned by Radio Programas de México.  Accordingly, from 1995, the Company’s audience share includes the audience share of these three stations.  In 1996, the Company acquired these stations.
(3)
In 1995, Grupo Acir acquired the three stations owned by Grupo Artsa.
(4)
As of 1994, Núcleo Radio Mil (NRM) no longer owns XECO-AM and XEUR-AM.  In 1995, NRM purchased XHMM-FM.
(5)
Includes average audience share of stations owned by Grupo Imagen until its separation from MVS Radio in December 1999.
 
According to IBOPE, the Company’s Mexico City audience share increased to 42.9% in 2008.  According to International Research Associates Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. (INRA), the Company’s average Mexico City audience share increased slightly from 35.3% in 2006 to 35.9% in 2007.  The Company has experienced gradual declines in previous years, which were mainly attributable to increased competition from other radio stations that adopted formats similar to the Company’s most successful formats, including Juvenil—Youth Oriented, Grupera—Diverse Musical Genres and News/Talk Show.
 
The Company believes that its balanced portfolio of station formats reduces the impact of a decline in audience share of any one format segment or station.  For example, the Company’s most popular station, XEQR-FM, which was the top-ranked station in Mexico City for the year ended December 31, 2008, represented only 16.1% of the Company’s total radio audience.  However, there can be no assurance that competition within, or a decline in the popularity of, a given format will not decrease the Company’s aggregate audience share in the future.
 
In addition, the Company faces strong competition for advertising revenue from both television and various print media.

 
23

 
 
OIR Network Competition
 
The Mexican radio-network market is highly competitive.  As of December 31, 2008, there were 26 radio networks serving 712 AM radio stations and 442 FM radio stations outside Mexico City.  The Company believes that the popularity of its programming, its long-standing experience in the Mexican radio broadcasting market and the quality of its broadcast-related services enable the Company’s affiliates that are served by OIR to compete effectively.

 
24

 

Significant Subsidiaries
 
The following table sets forth the Company’s significant subsidiaries at December 31, 2008:
 
Name of the Company
 
Jurisdiction of
Establishment
 
Percentage of
Ownership and
Voting Interest
 
Description
XEQR, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Radio station
XERC, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Radio station
XEEST, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Radio station
XEQR-FM, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Radio station
XERC-FM, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Radio station
XEJP-FM, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Radio station
XEDKR-AM, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.2 %
Radio station
XESTN-AM, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Radio station
Radio Red, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Radio station
Radio Red-FM, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Radio station
Radio Sistema Mexicano, S.A.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Radio station
Estación Alfa, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Radio station
Emisora 1150, S.A. de C.V.
(formerly XECMO)
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Radio station
Radio Centro Publicidad,
S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Marketing company
GRC Publicidad, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Marketing company
GRC Medios, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Marketing company
GRC Comunicaciones, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    100.0 %
Marketing company
GRC Radiodifusión, S.A. (formerly Aerocer, S.A.)
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Marketing company
Promotora Técnica de Servicios Profesionales, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Service company
Publicidad y Promociones Internacionales, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Service company
To2 México, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    100 %
Service company
Promo Red, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Service company
Universal de Muebles e Inmuebles, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.8 %
Real estate company
Inmobiliaria Radio Centro,
S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Real estate company
Desarrollos Empresariales,
S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Sub-holding company
Radiodifusión Red, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Sub-holding company
Enlaces Troncales, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Sub-holding company
Música, Música, Música, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    90.9 %
Non-operating company
Promotora de Éxitos, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    90.9 %
Non-operating company
Producciones Artísticas Internacionales, S.A. de C.V.
 
Mexico
    99.9 %
Non-operating company

 
25

 

On March 31, 2009, the Company merged three of its marketing subsidiaries, Radio Centro Publicidad, S.A. de C.V., GRC Publicidad, S.A. de C.V., and GRC Medios, S.A. de C.V., into GRC Comunicaciones, S.A. de C.V.
 
Property and Equipment
 
All of Grupo Radio Centro’s tangible assets are located in Mexico.  At December 31, 2008, the net book value of all property and equipment was approximately Ps. 465.0 million (U.S.$ 33.6 million).
 
Grupo Radio Centro’s principal executive offices and studios are located in Mexico City and are owned by the Company.  In 1992 Grupo Radio Centro purchased the Constituyentes building, a 102,000 square foot building of which, at December 31, 2008, the Company occupied approximately 81,000 square feet.  The remainder is available for leasing to third parties.  In March 1994, Grupo Radio Centro moved its principal offices and broadcasting operations (excluding transmitter antennae and related equipment) into the Constituyentes building.  Grupo Radio Centro also owns the transmitter sites and antenna sites used by most of its Mexico City radio stations, including related back-up facilities.  In addition, Grupo Radio Centro currently leases satellite-transmission facilities in Mexico City from the Mexican government.  As a result of a 1993 change in Mexican law, Grupo Radio Centro purchased and received authorization from Telecomunicaciones de México, a state-owned entity, to operate its own up-link equipment.  This up-link equipment has been operational since the end of 1994 and was upgraded in December 2005 and the first quarter of 2006 (see “—Business Strategy—Production and Transmission of Programming”).

 
26

 
Grupo Radio Centro continues to own the building in which its administrative offices and studios were located immediately before its move into the Constituyentes building.  Grupo Radio Centro also owns the land in Mexico City on which the transmission facilities of XERED-AM are located.  Grupo Radio Centro believes that its facilities are adequate for its present needs and are suitable for their intended purpose.
 
Substantially all of the Company’s property, excluding its broadcasting equipment, is subject to a first priority lien under our credit facility.  See Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness—Credit Facility.”
 
 
27

 

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
 
The business of Grupo Radio Centro is subject to regulation and oversight by the SCT and Cofetel.  The SCT is part of the executive branch of the Mexican federal government and Cofetel is a separate administrative agency independent of the SCT.  Regulation and oversight are governed by the Ley Federal de Radio y Televisión (Federal Radio and Television Law), the Ley Federal de Telecomunicaciones (Federal Telecommunications Law), the regulations issued pursuant to these laws and the licenses granted by the SCT.  We are also subject to oversight by the Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor (Federal Agency for Consumer Protection) and the Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica (Federal Competition Commission).
 
Regulation of Radio Broadcasting by Mexico
 
Licenses.  Under the Federal Radio and Television Law, amended by the Mexican Congress in April 2006, owners and operators of radio stations in Mexico must obtain a license from the Mexican government through the SCT to broadcast over a specified channel.  After a call for bids and a public bidding process, a 20-year license is granted to the winning applicant upon payment of a fee.  The SCT through Cofetel, may terminate or revoke the license at any time upon the occurrence of, among others, the following events: failure to construct broadcasting facilities within a specific period; changes in the location of the broadcasting facilities or changes in the frequency assigned without prior governmental authorization; failure to broadcast for more than 60 days without reasonable justification; and any violation of any of the other terms of the license.  Under Mexican law, if the Company’s license were revoked for certain specified reasons, Grupo Radio Centro would forfeit to the Mexican government its transmission and antenna facilities with respect to the license.  If the license were terminated early for other causes, the Mexican government would have a right of first refusal to purchase all these assets at a price fixed by an independent appraiser.  In addition, if the SCT, through Cofetel, terminates or revokes a license, the licensee may not obtain a new license for one to five years and, in some cases, may be forbidden from obtaining a new license at all.  Under current regulations, we believe that it is unlikely that additional licenses will be granted in the Mexico City market.
 
The licensee has a preferential right to renew the license for periods of up to 20 years (with most terms for renewal currently being granted for up to 12 years) under a non-competitive renewal process.  Renewals are generally granted to licensees that have substantially complied with the applicable law and the terms of their licenses.  The licenses for nine of Grupo Radio Centro’s radio stations (XEQR-AM, XERC-AM, XEEST-AM, XEJP-AM, XERED-AM, XEN-AM, XEQR-FM, XERC-FM AND XHFAJ-FM) were renewed and are now set to expire in 2016.  The license for XHRED-FM was renewed and is now set to expire in 2019.  The license for XEJP-FM is set to expire in 2012.  The license for XEDKR-AM (in Guadalajara) will expire in October 2015, and the license for XESTN-AM (in Monterrey) will expire in November 2015.
 
The licenses contain restrictions on the transfer of shares of the licensee, including the following: the transfer must be to a qualifying Mexican person; the transfer cannot result in a concentration of radio broadcasting holdings that may be contrary to the public interest; and the transfer cannot result in a gain to the seller.  All such transfers are subject to prior notice to the SCT.  In addition, any transfer of the license is subject to the prior approval of the SCT.  A license may only be assigned if the license has been in effect for more than three years, the licensee has complied with all of its obligations under the license and has obtained a favorable opinion of the Federal Competition Commission.
 
Supervision of Operations.  The SCT, through Cofetel, conducts regular inspections of the operations of the radio stations, and the companies or persons to whom licenses have been granted must file annual technical, statistical, financial and legal reports with Cofetel.

 
28

 

Under Mexican law, radio programming is not subject to judicial or administrative censorship, except that programming is subject to various regulations, including prohibitions on explicit language and programming that is contrary to the general principles of right conduct, national security or public order.
 
Radio programming is required to promote Mexico’s cultural, social and ideological identity, and each licensee is required to make available each day up to 30 minutes of cultural or educational programming, or programming regarding family counseling or other social matters.  The programming to be used to fulfill this requirement is provided to the broadcaster by the Mexican government.
 
Each licensee is required to provide a limited amount of broadcasting time free of charge to all registered political parties and the Instituto Federal Electoral (Federal Electoral Institute or “IFE”).  See “— Political Advertising.”
 
Networks.  There are no Mexican regulations governing the ownership and operation of a radio broadcasting network, such as OIR’s network, separate from the regulations applicable to operating a radio station.
 
Restrictions on Advertising.  Mexican law regulates the type and contents of advertising that may be broadcast on radio.  Licensees are also prohibited from broadcasting advertisements that are misleading.  Advertisements for certain products and services are subject to restrictions or require government approval before their broadcast.  Moreover, the Mexican government must approve any advertisement of lotteries or raffles, or any advertisement that promotes bonuses to consumers for purchasing products or services.
 
Mexican law also regulates the amount of advertising that may be broadcast in any day.  Under Mexican regulations, no more than 40% of total broadcast time may be used for advertisements.  That time must be divided proportionately among broadcasting hours.
 
The Company sets its minimum advertising rates and registers such rates with the SCT through Cofetel.  Commercial airtime may not be sold at lower rates than those registered with the SCT.  There are no restrictions on maximum rates that may be charged.
 
Broadcast Tax.  All radio stations in Mexico are subject to a tax payable by granting the Mexican government the right to use a portion of broadcast time.  Radio stations must satisfy this tax by providing the Mexican government with several advertising spots lasting between 20 to 30 seconds each.  The amount of broadcasting time allotted to the government is currently fixed at 35 minutes each day between 6:00 a.m. and midnight.  The use of this time is not cumulative, and the Mexican government forfeits any time it does not use in any day.  The Mexican government’s spots must be distributed on a proportional and equitable basis throughout the relevant programming period.
 
Public service announcements provided by the Mexican government are prohibited from competing with the licensee’s programming, and Mexican government programming that promotes the consumption of products or services must be limited to the general promotion of Mexico’s goods and services.
 
Political Advertising.  Several articles of the Mexican constitution relating to political parties and elections were amended in November 2007.  A new electoral code implementing the amendments became effective on January 15, 2008.  The constitutional amendments and the electoral code prohibit political parties from directly or indirectly purchasing broadcast time on any radio or television station.  In addition, private individuals and entities are prohibited from purchasing advertising on radio or television aimed at influencing voter preferences.

 
29

 

The Mexican government is allotted a certain amount of time under concession agreements with broadcasters and, in turn, gives a portion of that time to the IFE to distribute among the political parties (during election years) and for the use of the IFE.  The broadcast time that political parties receive through the IFE is free of charge and airs during primetime hours.  During campaign season, the IFE is granted 48 minutes of the 65 minutes the Mexican government receives daily as a broadcast tax.  In other periods, the IFE receives eight minutes.  The time allocated by IFE to political parties is the only broadcast time at their disposal as, under the electoral code, political parties are prohibited from purchasing broadcast time.  IFE has supervisory powers and is able to administer sanctions for violations of the provisions of the electoral code.
 
Other.  Mexican companies are subject to the Ley Federal de Competencia Económica (Federal Economic Competition Law), which promotes fair competition and prevents monopolistic practices.
 
As a result of the increase in Grupo Radio Centro’s share of the Mexico City radio market following its acquisition of Radiodifusión RED, S.A. in 1996, the Company is required by the Federal Competition Commission to seek its prior approval in connection with any future acquisitions of radio stations in Mexico, including, without limitation, purchases or leases of radio stations, interests in other radio concerns or transmission sites, irrespective of the size of such investments or their related audience share, a requirement to which, to the best knowledge of the Company, other Mexican broadcasting companies generally are not subject.  The Company received Federal Competition Commission approval of its acquisition of XEN-AM in July 2001 because the Company sold two of its AM stations in 2000.  No assurance can be given that the Federal Competition Commission will permit the Company to make any additional investments should it desire to do so.
 
The Federal Economic Competition Law was amended in 2006.  These amendments strengthened the authority of the Federal Competition Commission, expanded the definition of monopolistic practices, provided a more rigorous approval process for business combinations and established more stringent penalties, including substantially higher fines and the divestiture of assets.  As a result, it is possible that the Federal Competition Commission will more strictly enforce the Federal Economic Competition Law, which could restrict our operations.
 
The Federal Telecommunications Law was also amended in 2006, and interpretive regulations were issued in October 2007.  The amendments to the Federal Telecommunications Law subject radio and television broadcasting companies such as Grupo Radio Centro to the oversight of Cofetel.  The Federal Telecommunications Law also covers the transmission of restricted radio signals and other telecommunications services at certain frequencies.
 
The Federal Telecommunications Law expanded Cofetel’s authority to conduct public auctions of available radio and television frequencies.  Under this law, while the SCT retains the ultimate authority to issue licenses, Cofetel is permitted to engage in granting, prorogation, and completion of concessions, permissions and allocations to use and operate frequency bands attributed to the broadcasting service, acting as a branch of the SCT.
 
Mexican law prohibits ownership of radio broadcasting companies by non-Mexicans and Mexican corporations that allow foreign ownership of their voting securities.  The adoption of the North American Free Trade Agreement did not change these Mexican regulations.

 
30

 

Intellectual Property
 
Mexico.  Grupo Radio Centro (directly or through its subsidiaries) has registered or filed for registration with the Instituto Mexicano de la Propiedad Industrial (Mexican Institute of Industrial Property) the following service marks (and their corresponding design, where indicated):
 
 
·
Radio Red
 
·
Joya
 
·
El Fonógrafo del Recuerdo
 
·
Variedades
 
·
Stereo Joya
 
·
NotiCentro” (and design)
 
·
Sensación” (and design)
 
·
Universal” (and design)
 
·
Radio Programas de México
 
·
RPM
 
·
ALFA 91.3
 
·
BANG
 
·
Stereo 97.7
 
·
Alegría
 
·
Centro
 
·
Formato 21
 
·
Hoy
 
·
OIR
 
·
Palco Deportivo
 
·
To2”
 
·
UNIRED
 
·
SERVIRED
 
·
AUTORED
 
In addition, Grupo Radio Centro (directly or through its subsidiaries) has registered or filed for registration the following commercial slogans:
 
 
·
CRC Radiodifusión Internacional
 
·
Grupo Radio Centro Radiodifusión de México al Mundo
 
·
ORC Radiodifusión Valle de México
 
·
OIR Radiodifusión Nacional
 
·
Radio Centro, la Estación de la Gran Familia Mexicana
 
·
SER, Servicios Especializados de Radiodifusión
 
United States.  Grupo Radio Centro has registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office a sound mark consisting of a series of musical notes and the words “Radio Variedades.”
 
Item 4A.  Unresolved Staff Comments
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 5.  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
 
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report.  Grupo Radio Centro’s Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with MFRS, which differ in certain respects from U.S. GAAP.  Note 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements provides a description of the principal differences between MFRS and U.S. GAAP, as they relate to Grupo Radio Centro, including differences related to certain cash flow information and a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP of operating income, net income and shareholders’ equity.
 
Beginning in 2008, the inflation accounting methods previously required by MFRS no longer apply, except if the economic environment in which we operate qualifies as inflationary.  See “—Recent Changes in Inflation Accounting.”  As a result, the financial information in the Consolidated Financial Statements and throughout this Annual Report, for dates and periods after January 1, 2008 has been presented without inflation accounting.  The financial information for dates and periods prior to January 1, 2008 has been expressed in constant pesos as of December 31, 2007.

 
31

 

General
 
Grupo Radio Centro’s operating performance is dependent on a number of factors, including its ability to produce popular radio programs that attract the demographic segments of the radio audience sought by advertisers, its share of the total radio audience, the relative advertising cost efficiency of radio compared to other media, its competition, the strength of its radio signals and the quality of its sound, the rate of growth of the local and national economies and government regulation and policies.  Grupo Radio Centro’s revenue is generated mainly from the sale of commercial airtime.  The primary operating expenses involved in owning and operating radio stations are employee salaries, programming expenses, promotion and advertising expenses and depreciation and amortization.
 
Seasonality of Sales
 
Grupo Radio Centro’s revenue varies throughout the year.  Sales of commercial airtime, Grupo Radio Centro’s primary source of revenue, are generally highest in the fourth quarter of the year and lowest in the first quarter of the year.  Grupo Radio Centro historically has had sufficient cash flow from operations to meet its operating needs in all four calendar quarters.
 
The following table sets forth the Company’s broadcasting revenue and broadcasting income (excluding depreciation, amortization and corporate, general and administrative expenses) on a quarterly basis, in each case as a percentage of its respective total, for 2008, 2007 and 2006.
 
   
Broadcasting Revenue
   
Broadcasting Income
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
First quarter
    17.4 %     19.1 %     22.2 %     8.5 %     7.7 %     21.6 %
Second quarter
    23.6       22.2       29.5       22.9       19.2       31.9  
Third quarter
    27.5       27.1       22.9       30.8       31.4       18.5  
Fourth quarter
    31.5       31.6       25.4       37.8       41.7       28.0  
Total
    100.00 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %

Historically, advertising expenditures by political campaigns have represented an important part of the Company’s total broadcasting revenue during the congressional elections that occur every three years, including 2006, and during presidential elections that occur every six years (coinciding with congressional elections), including 2006.  However, Mexico implemented electoral reform by amending its constitution in November 2007.  Since January 2008, Mexican law has prohibited political parties and private individuals from directly or indirectly purchasing broadcast time for political advertising on any radio or television station.  As a result of this change in law, we no longer receive revenues from advertising by political campaigns.  See Item 4, “Information on the Company—Business Overview—Broadcasting Operations—Sale of Airtime and Marketing.”
 
The following table sets forth the Company’s broadcasting revenue from political parties for 2000 through 2008, reflecting higher revenue from political parties during the elections in 2006, 2003 and 2000 and no revenue from political parties in 2008 following the electoral reform.

 
32

 
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
   
2003
   
2002
   
2001
   
2000
 
Broadcasting revenue
from political parties
          0.2 %     19.0 %     2.3 %     0.06 %     21.1 %     6.1 %     0.1 %     20.9 %
 
Economic Conditions in Mexico
 
Grupo Radio Centro’s financial condition and results of operations are generally affected by the strength of the Mexican economy, as demand for advertising, revenue from which is the principal source of the Company’s earnings, generally declines during periods of economic difficulty.
 
Mexico began to enter a recession in the fourth quarter of 2008 during which GDP fell by approximately 1.6%.  In the first quarter of 2009, GDP fell by approximately 8.2%.  If the Mexican economy continues to experience a recession or the existing recession becomes more severe, if inflation or interest rates increase significantly or if the Mexican economy is otherwise adversely impacted, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
 
The annual rate of inflation in Mexico, as measured by changes in the INPC, was 6.5% for 2008.  Inflation for the first quarter of 2009 was 1.03%.  The adverse effects of high inflation on the Mexican economy might result in lower demand for broadcast advertising.
 
Loss Contingency
 
In 2002, Infored, S.A. de C.V. (“Infored”) and José Gutiérrez Vivó initiated an arbitration proceeding against us, seeking the rescission of a production contract and damages.  In March 2004, an arbitration panel of the International Chamber of Commerce notified us of its decision to rescind the contract and award Infored and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó, collectively, U.S.$ 21.1 million.  As a result of the damages award, we recorded a provision for this contingent liability in the amount of U.S.$ 21.1 million as of December 31, 2003.  For the year ended December 31, 2005, we recorded Ps. 14.3 million and, for the year ended December 31, 2004, we recorded Ps. 7.0 million in interest relating to this provision.  As of March 31, 2006, the provision amounted to Ps. 253.6 million (nominal amount).  We challenged the validity of the arbitration award, and on June 16, 2006, a Mexican court set aside and refused to enforce the arbitration award in Mexico.  As a result, we reversed the provision and recorded it as an extraordinary income item in June 2006.
 
Since the June 2006 decision, legal proceedings have continued, and on June 12, 2008, the June 2006 decision was reversed.  We currently do not consider it necessary to record a provision for this matter because the June 2008 decision does not impose an obligation to pay the arbitration award and we intend to continue to challenge the award’s validity in the Mexican courts.  See Item 8, “Financial Information¾Other Information¾Legal and Arbitration Proceedings.”
 
Recent Changes in Inflation Accounting
 
Through the end of 2007, MFRS required us to recognize certain effects of inflation in our financial statements.  It also required us to restate financial statements from prior periods in constant pesos as of the end of the most recent period presented.  As discussed below, due to the current level of inflation in Mexico, we have not applied the effects of inflation to our financial information in 2008.

 
33

 

Under Bulletin B-10, which applied through the end of 2007, the effects of inflation were recognized by presenting financial information in comparable monetary units to eliminate the distortion otherwise created by inflation in financial statements.  MFRS additionally required the following to account for the effects of inflation:
 
 
·
non-monetary assets and stockholders’ equity were restated for inflation based on the INPC;
 
 
·
the gain or deficit from restated stockholders’ equity included the difference between the replacement cost method and the gain or deficit that would have been obtained based on the INPC;
 
 
·
gains and losses in purchasing power from holding monetary assets and liabilities were recognized in the consolidated statement of income under comprehensive financing income; and
 
 
·
all financial statements were restated in constant pesos as of the most recent balance sheet date.
 
Effective January 1, 2008, MFRS B-10 replaced Bulletin B-10.  MFRS B-10 establishes that inflation accounting methods no longer apply unless the economic environment qualifies as “inflationary” for purposes of MFRS.  An environment is considered inflationary if the cumulative inflation rate equals or exceeds 26% over the three preceding years (equivalent to an average of 8% in each year).  Because of the relatively low level of Mexican inflation in recent years (6.5% in 2008, 3.8% in 2007 and 4.1% in 2006), the cumulative inflation rate in Mexico over the three-year period preceding December 31, 2008 does not qualify the Mexican economic environment as inflationary.
 
As a result, we have not applied the effects of inflation to our financial information in 2008.  In our financial information for 2008, inflation adjustments for prior periods have not been removed from shareholders’ equity and the re-expressed amounts for non-monetary assets and liabilities at December 31, 2007 became the accounting basis for those assets and liabilities beginning on January 1, 2008 and for subsequent periods, as required by MFRS. In this respect, our financial statements for 2008 are not comparable to those for prior periods.
 
In comparing our results for 2008 and any future periods without inflation accounting to results for prior periods that used inflation accounting, we consider that the most important effects of the cessation of inflation accounting, and of related changes in other accounting standards, to be as follows:
 
 
·
We no longer recognize monetary gains and losses attributable to the effects of inflation on our monetary assets and liabilities.
 
 
·
We have ceased to adjust the carrying values of non-monetary assets for inflation.
 
 
·
We no longer restate results of prior periods.  Financial information for dates and periods prior to 2008 will continue to be expressed in constant pesos as of December 31, 2007.
 
 
·
We have ceased to use inflation-adjusted assumptions in determining our employee benefit obligations and instead use nominal discount rates and other assumptions.
 
 
34

 

Changes in MFRS
 
Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements discusses new accounting pronouncements under MFRS that came into force in 2008 and that will come into force in 2009.  The 2008 pronouncements have already been fully implemented in the financial statements included in this Annual Report.  Others will require us to change our financial presentation in 2009 in ways that we do not expect to have a material effect on our results of operations and our balance sheet.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
Impairment Testing
 
The Company is required to test for impairment of its long-lived assets in use, including goodwill and other intangible assets, at least on an annual basis.  To calculate impairment loss of long-lived assets in use, it is necessary to determine the asset’s recovery value.  Recovery value is defined as the greater of the net sales price of a cash-generating unit of the asset and the asset’s use value, which is the present value of estimated future cash flows.  The determination of the underlying assumptions related to the recoverability of long-lived assets, including goodwill and other intangible assets, is subjective and requires the exercise of considerable judgment.  Any changes in key assumptions about the Company’s business and prospects, or changes in market conditions, could result in an impairment charge.
 
Employee Benefits
 
The costs related to benefits to which employees are entitled as a result of seniority premiums and pension plans, in the case of union personnel, or by law or by Company grant, are recognized in the results of operations at the time services are rendered by employees, based on the present value of the benefits determined under actuarial estimates.  The amortization of unrecognized prior service cost, which represents changes in assumptions and adjustments based on experience that has not been recognized, is based on the employee’s estimated active service life.  Other benefits to which employees may be entitled in accordance with Mexican law are recognized as an expense in the year in which they are paid.
 
The Company records a reserve for the estimated accrued seniority premiums, severance payments under certain circumstances and pension benefits, the amount of which is determined through actuarial estimates.
 
2008 vs. 2007 Results of Operations
 
For the year ended December 31, 2008, broadcasting revenue was Ps. 735.1 million, representing a 12.3% increase compared to the Ps. 654.8 million reported in 2007.  The increase in broadcasting revenue was mainly attributable to an increase in advertising expenditures by the Company’s customers, who purchased more airtime in 2008 than in 2007.  This increase in advertising was the result of a highly competitive environment, in which the Company sought to gain market share by offering attractive sales packages, as well as increasing the size of its sales force.
 
The Company’s broadcasting expenses (excluding depreciation, amortization and corporate, general and administrative expenses) for the year ended December 31, 2008 were Ps. 452.4 million, an increase of 7.2% compared to the Ps. 422.0 million reported in 2007.  This increase was primarily due to (i) expenses related to extensive advertising campaigns undertaken by the Company; (ii) higher sales commissions to the Company’s sales force, as a result of the increase in broadcasting revenues; and (iii) higher expenses related to the Company’s market research in 2008 than in 2007.

 
35

 

Broadcasting income (i.e., broadcasting revenue minus broadcasting expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization and corporate, general and administrative expenses) for the year ended December 31, 2008 was Ps. 282.8 million, an increase of 21.5% compared to the Ps. 232.8 million reported in 2007.  This increase was mainly attributable to the increase in broadcasting revenue described above.
 
Depreciation and amortization expenses for the year ended December 31, 2008 were Ps. 31.7 million, a decrease of 5.8% compared to the Ps. 33.7 million reported in 2007.  This decrease was due to the Company no longer recording depreciation on certain Company assets whose useful lives have ended.
 
The Company’s corporate, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2008 were Ps. 14.5 million, a 2.1% decrease compared to the Ps. 14.8 million reported in 2007.
 
As a result of the foregoing, the Company reported operating income of Ps. 236.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, a 28.3% increase compared to the Ps. 184.3 million reported in 2007.
 
Other expenses, net, for the year ended December 31, 2008 were Ps. 56.9 million, a 24.2% increase compared to the Ps. 45.8 million reported in 2007.  This increase was mainly attributable to higher legal expenses relating to the arbitration proceeding in 2008 than in 2007.
 
The Company’s comprehensive financing cost for 2008 was Ps. 7.7 million, a 30.5% increase compared to the Ps. 5.9 million reported in 2007.  This increase was mainly due to fees paid in connection with the amendment of the Company’s credit facility in 2008.  The increase in comprehensive financing cost was partially offset by the fact that the Company did not record a loss on its net monetary position in 2008, due to a change in MFRS regarding inflation accounting, compared to a loss on net monetary position of Ps. 3.5 million recorded in 2007.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company reported income before taxes of Ps. 172.0 million, a 29.6% increase compared to the Ps. 132.7 million reported in 2007, mainly due to the increase in broadcasting revenue, described above.
 
The Company recorded income taxes of Ps. 45.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to Ps. 41.6 million recorded in 2007, primarily due to higher taxable income due to an 12.3% increase of income, which was only partially offset by a 7.2% increase in broadcast expenses.  The Company’s effective tax rate decreased to 26.3% in 2008 from 31.3% in 2007.  Although after 2007 we no longer recognize the effects of inflation in our financial statements, we do continue to recognize the impact of inflation for tax purposes.  This causes our pretax income to be affected by taxable monetary gain or loss on our net monetary liabilities and by higher depreciation due to the application of inflation indexation on our assets.  As a result, our effective tax rate was lower in 2008 than in 2007 because we had a deductible monetary loss on our monetary liabilities (compared to a monetary gain in 2007) and higher depreciation costs.
 
As a result of the foregoing, the Company reported net income of Ps. 126.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, an increase of 39.2% compared to net income of Ps. 91.1 million reported in 2007.
 
2007 vs. 2006 Results of Operations
 
For the year ended December 31, 2007, broadcasting revenue was Ps. 654.8 million, a 20.7% decrease compared to the Ps. 825.6 million reported for 2006.  The decrease was mainly attributable to a decrease in advertising expenditures by political parties, which purchased more airtime in 2006 in connection with the July 2006 presidential and congressional elections.

 
36

 

The Company’s broadcasting expenses (excluding depreciation, amortization and corporate, general and administrative expenses) for the year ended December 31, 2007 were Ps. 422.0 million, an 8.3% decrease compared to the Ps. 460 million reported for 2006.  This decrease was primarily due to (i) a net decrease in the allowance for doubtful accounts, (ii) a decrease in sales commissions paid to the Company’s sales force in connection with decreased sales of airtime, and (iii) a lower provision for severance payments to Company employees, for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to 2006.
 
Broadcasting income (i.e., broadcasting revenue minus broadcasting expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization and corporate, general and administrative expenses) for the year ended December 31, 2007 was Ps. 232.8 million, a 36.3% decrease compared to the Ps. 365.5 million reported for 2006.  This decrease was mainly attributable to the decrease in broadcasting revenue described above.
 
Depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 was Ps. 33.7 million, a 9.4% decrease compared to the Ps. 37.2 million reported for 2006.  This decrease was attributable to the fact that the Company no longer recorded depreciation on certain plant and transportation equipment whose useful lives ended after the fourth quarter of 2006.
 
The Company’s corporate, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2007 were Ps. 14.8 million, the same amount that was reported in 2006.
 
As a result of the foregoing, the Company reported operating income of Ps. 184.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, a 41.2% decrease compared to the Ps. 313.5 million reported in 2006.
 
Other expenses, net, for the year ended December 31, 2007 were Ps. 45.8 million, a 23.0% decrease compared to the Ps. 59.5 million reported for 2006.  This decrease was mainly attributable to a decrease in legal expenses for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to 2006, as well as non-recurring expenses incurred during 2006 in connection with the Company’s sixtieth anniversary celebration.
 
The Company’s comprehensive financing cost for the year ended December 31, 2007 was Ps. 5.9 million, an 85.3% decrease compared to the Ps. 39.8 million recorded for 2006.  This decrease was mainly due to a decrease in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to 2006, because (i) the Company no longer recorded interest on its bank debt after it paid off all outstanding debt in May 2006, and (ii) after selling certain accounts receivable, the Company classified as interest expense Ps. 27.8 million, which is equivalent to the excess of book value over the purchase price of the accounts receivable sold in December 2006.  See “—2006 vs. 2005 Results of Operations.”
 
For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company reported income before extraordinary item and provisions of Ps. 132.6 million, a 38.1% decrease compared to the Ps. 214.1 million reported in 2006. This decrease was mainly attributable to the decrease in broadcasting revenue described above.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company reported income before provisions for income tax and employee profit sharing of Ps. 132.6 million, a 72.2% decrease compared to the Ps. 477.6 million reported in 2006.  This difference was attributable to higher broadcasting revenue and an extraordinary item of Ps. 263.5 million, resulting from the reversal of the provision for the contingent liability related to the arbitration proceeding both reported in 2006.
 
The Company recorded provisions for income tax of Ps. 41.5 million for 2007, compared to Ps. 42.9 million for 2006.

 
37

 

As a result of the foregoing, the Company reported net income of Ps. 91.1 million in 2007, compared to net income of Ps. 434.7 million in 2006.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
The Company’s primary source of liquidity is cash flow from operations.  The Company’s operating activities provided Ps. 69.3 million in 2008, Ps. 153.5 million in 2007, and Ps. 264.8 million in 2006.  Working capital at December 31, 2008 was Ps. 212.8 million and at December 31, 2007 was Ps. 170.0 million.  Cash flow from operations historically has been sufficient to cover the Company’s working capital needs.
 
The Company expects to be able to meet its working capital needs in 2009 with cash flow from operations.  Grupo Radio Centro invests its cash balances, generally, in short-term peso instruments, including overnight and time deposits, repurchase agreements, certificates of deposit and commercial paper of certain Mexican issuers.  The Company has not entered into any arrangements for the purpose of hedging interest rate or currency risk.
 
During 2008, the Company’s principal use of funds, other than for operating purposes and capital expenditures was the payment of dividends in the amount of Ps. 100.0 million.  In 2007, the Company’s principal use of funds, other than for operating purposes and capital expenditures was the payment of dividends in the amount of Ps. 71.9 million.   In 2006, the Company’s principal use of funds, other than for operating purposes and capital expenditures, was the payment of its total bank debt in the amount of Ps. 122.3 million (Ps. 113.2 million nominal amount) and the distribution to shareholders of Ps. 128.5 million (Ps. 120.0 million nominal amount) in the form of a capital reduction.  In 2006, the Company also repurchased on the open market 918,800 Series A Shares at an aggregate cost of Ps. 9.1 million.  Grupo Radio Centro may from time to time repurchase its outstanding equity securities if market conditions and other relevant considerations make such repurchases appropriate.
 
Indebtedness
 
Credit Facility.  The Company has entered into a credit facility with Banco Inbursa S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero Inbursa for a secured, guaranteed peso-denominated loan in two tranches having an aggregate principal amount equivalent to U.S.$ 21.0 million.  We may use the proceeds of the credit facility for working capital purposes, as well as other corporate purposes.  On March 26, 2009, the Company drew down on one tranche, in the amount of Ps. 200 million, to finance the prepayment of the first two years of fees under the local marketing agreement we entered into with Emmis.  We are required to repay the outstanding principal amount of the loan over five years in 20 quarterly installments beginning June 1, 2009 and make quarterly interest payments at an annual rate of 13%.  The company expects to meet its principal and interest payment obligations with cash flow from operations.
 
The credit facility will expire on June 16, 2015.  In connection with the renewal of the credit facility in 2008, the Company agreed to increase the fees paid to the lenders in U.S. dollars on undrawn amounts from 0.25% to 0.90% for the first year and to 1.15% for the second year.  Amounts borrowed under the credit facility are guaranteed by several of our subsidiaries and secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of our property, including our corporate headquarters but excluding any equipment used for broadcasting.  The credit facility provides that, subject to certain conditions, we may draw down on it at any time before June 4, 2010.  The principal other conditions to drawing down include that there be no material adverse change resulting in a loss or liability to us equivalent to 5% or more of our total assets (as such condition is more fully defined in the credit facility) and no material adverse change in the banking environment or international capital markets; that the loan be secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of our property in favor of the lenders; and that no event of default under the credit facility has occurred.  The credit facility contains restrictive covenants and covenants requiring us to maintain quarterly financial ratios (using terms defined in the credit facility).  The financial covenants include an interest coverage ratio of at least 2.5 to 1, a total debt to EBITDA ratio of no more than 3 to 1, a fixed charges coverage ratio of at least 1.75 to 1, a cash balance of at least U.S.$ 1.75 million, and shareholders’ equity of at least Ps. 850 million.  If any of the condition to draw down is not met, we will be unable to obtain funds under the credit facility.
 
38

 
Capital Reduction
 
On August 1, 2006, we announced a reduction of fixed capital stock by a total of Ps. 120.0 million through a distribution to shareholders in the amount of Ps. 0.74016843063 per share.  Ps. 70.0 million, or Ps. 0.43176491786 per share, was paid to shareholders on August 7, 2006.  The remaining Ps. 50.0 million, or Ps. 0.30840351276 per share, was paid to shareholders on October 2, 2006.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
In 2008, the Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or, in the opinion of the Company, are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition.
 
Contractual Obligations
 
As of December 31, 2008, the Company has no long-term debt, capital lease, operating lease or purchase obligations.
 
U.S. GAAP Reconciliation
 
Net income under U.S. GAAP was Ps. 126.7 million for 2008, Ps. 91.1 million for 2007 and Ps. 434.7 million for 2006.  The slight difference between net income under MFRS and U.S. GAAP for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was due to the treatment under U.S. GAAP of a minority interest in subsidiaries of the Company as a liability.
 
Operating income under U.S. GAAP was Ps. 179.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, Ps. 138.5 million for 2007 and Ps. 517.5 million for 2006.  The difference between operating income under U.S. GAAP and MFRS for the year ended December 31, 2006 was primarily due to the Company’s reversal of a Ps. 263.5 million contingency provision related to an arbitration proceeding.  Under MFRS, the provision is recorded as an extraordinary item; under U.S. GAAP, the provision is charged against operating income.  Upon reversal, the provisioned amount is recorded as extraordinary income under MFRS.  In addition, for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, certain other expenses, net of the Company that are classified as non-operating charges under MFRS are charged against operating income under U.S. GAAP.
 
Shareholders’ equity under U.S. GAAP was Ps. 1,423.3 million at December 31, 2008, Ps. 1,396.6 million at December 31, 2007 and Ps. 1,378.0 million at December 31, 2006.  In all years, the difference between shareholders’ equity under MFRS and U.S. GAAP was mainly due to the treatment under U.S. GAAP of a minority interest in subsidiaries of the Company as a liability.
 
Pursuant to MFRS, for dates and periods prior to 2008, Grupo Radio Centro’s financial statements recognize certain effects of inflation in accordance with Bulletin B-10 and Bulletin B-12; these effects have not been reversed in the reconciliation to U.S. GAAP.  Due to the Company’s adoption of Bulletin D-4, the Company’s financial statements for 2008, 2007 and 2006 include an expanded recognition of deferred taxes under MFRS that more closely parallels U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, there were no differences related to deferred taxes that had to be reconciled between Mexican and U.S. GAAP for purposes of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
39

 

For a further discussion of the differences between MFRS and U.S. GAAP as they relate to Grupo Radio Centro, see Note 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Item 6.  Directors, Senior Management and Employees
 
Directors
 
Management of the business of the Company is vested in the board of directors and the chief executive officer.  Our bylaws provide that the board of directors consist of a minimum of seven and a maximum of 21 directors and an equal number of alternate directors.  The Company’s shareholders elect each director and alternate director by simple majority vote at the annual ordinary general meeting.  Alternate directors are authorized to serve on the board of directors in place of directors who are unable to attend meetings or otherwise participate in the activities of the board of directors.  Directors and alternate directors may be Mexican or foreign, but both the majority of directors and the majority of alternate directors must be Mexican.  A person who has acted as an external auditor of the Company or of companies that form a part of the Company’s corporate group or consortium during the year prior to appointment may not be a director.
 
Of the total number of directors, and their respective alternate directors, at least 25% must be independent directors.  Independent directors may not be individuals related to the Company, such as, among others, employees or officers of the Company, controlling shareholders, important customers, suppliers, debtors or creditors of the Company, or their respective shareholders, directors or employees.  Alternate directors only serve in place of their respective regular directors and, alternates of independent directors, must also meet the requirements for independent directors.
 
The board of directors currently consists of 12 members.  Alejandro Sepulveda de la Fuente is the secretary to the board of directors.  The current members of the board of directors were reelected at the annual shareholders meeting on March 31, 2009 for a one-year term.  Their names, positions, ages and information on their principal business activities outside Grupo Radio Centro are listed below.  In addition to the “other directorships” listed below, two Aguirre members of the board of directors, Francisco Aguirre and María Adriana Aguirre, sit on the boards of directors of various radio stations in Mexico.
 
Name
 
Position
 
Age
 
Years as
director
 
Principal occupation
 
Other directorships
Francisco Aguirre G.
 
Chairman
 
67
 
9
 
Private investor
 
Chairman of the board
of Grupo Radio
México, S.A. de C.V.
María Esther Aguirre G.
 
First Vice Chairperson
 
69
 
9
 
Private investor
 
María Adriana Aguirre G.
 
Second Vice Chairperson
 
62
 
9
 
Private investor
 
Ana María Aguirre G.
 
Director
 
64
 
38
 
Private investor
 
Carlos Aguirre G.
 
Director
 
54
 
9
 
Chief Executive
Officer of Grupo
Radio Centro
 
 
 
40

 
 
Name
 
Position
 
Age
 
Years as
director
 
Principal occupation
 
Other directorships
                     
Rafael Aguirre G.
 
Director
 
51
 
16
 
Private investor
 
Director of the Quintana Roo branch of HSBC México, S.A. (formerly Banco Internacional, S.A.); Director of the Yucatan Peninsula branch of Banco Nacional de México, S.A.
José Manuel Aguirre G.
 
Director
 
46
 
9
 
Real estate investor
 
Pedro Beltrán N.
 
Director
 
65
 
7
 
Finance & Administrative Director and Chief Financial Officer of Grupo Radio Centro
 
Luis Alfonso Cervantes Muñiz
 
Director
 
53
 
4
 
Attorney
 
Gustavo Gabriel Llamas Monjardín
 
Director
 
46
 
4
 
Public accountant
 
Thomas Harold Raymond Moffet
 
 
Director
 
67
 
9
 
President of Amsterdam Pacific Capital, LLC (a financial advisory firm)
 
Luis Manuel de la Fuente Baca
 
Director
 
63
 
9
 
Financial advisor
 
 
Francisco Aguirre G., María Adriana Aguirre G., María Esther Aguirre G., Ana María Aguirre G., Carlos Aguirre G., Rafael Aguirre G. and José Manuel Aguirre G. are siblings. Until she passed away on June 23, 2008, their mother María Esther G. de Aguirre was the honorary chairperson of the board of directors of the Company.
 
Francisco Aguirre G., María Esther Aguirre G., María Adriana Aguirre G., Ana María Aguirre G., Carlos Aguirre G., Rafael Aguirre G. and José Manuel Aguirre G. are shareholders of the Company. Pedro Beltrán N. is an employee of the Company and Luis Alfonso Cervantes Muñiz is an advisor to affiliates of the Company. Thomas Harold Raymond Moffet, Gustavo Gabriel Llamas Monjardín and Luis de la Fuente Baca are independent directors, as defined under the Mexican Securities Market Law.
 
The Company’s bylaws provide that the board of directors shall meet at least four times during each fiscal year. Each of the chairman of the board of directors, the chairman of the Audit Committee, the chairman of the Corporate Practices Committee or at least 25% of the members of the board of directors is entitled to call a meeting of the Board and to include items in the agenda for each meeting.
 
The bylaws provide that holders of Series A Shares representing 10% of the capital stock of the Company shall be entitled to appoint one regular member of the board of directors and such member’s alternate.

 
41

 
 
The bylaws also provide that the board of directors shall present to the shareholders at the annual shareholders meeting (i) the report on the transactions and activities in which it has been involved in accordance with the Mexican Securities Market Law, (ii) the report on the main accounting and information policies and criteria employed in the preparation of financial information, (iii) the reports prepared by the chairpersons of the Audit Committee and the Corporate Practices Committee and (iv) the report prepared by the chief executive officer together with the external auditors’ report. The board of directors shall also present its opinion on the content of the report prepared by the chief executive officer.
 
The bylaws of the Company were amended on April 22, 2005 to provide that, independently and without prejudice to the exercise of the powers granted to the board of directors pursuant to Mexican law, the board of directors is entitled to grant or delegate in favor of the Audit Committee those powers that it deems necessary or convenient to comply with the legal and regulatory provisions applicable to the Company, as well as to determine the rules pursuant to which the Audit Committee shall exercise such powers, including the right to revoke or modify them.
 
The bylaws of the Company were further amended on July 31, 2006 to meet the requirements of the Mexican Securities Market Law. The amendments granted the board of directors and the Audit Committee greater authority and provided for the creation of the Corporate Practices Committee. The amendments to the bylaws also increased the authority that the board of directors may exert over the Company’s accounting, auditing and internal control. With prior favorable opinion from the Audit Committee, the board of directors may approve the Company’s financial statements, internal control and audit guidelines and accounting policies. The bylaws of the Company were also amended on December 13, 2006, to increase Company’s minimum capital stock.
 
Executive Committee
 
The Company’s bylaws provide that at an ordinary general meeting, the shareholders may elect, by simple majority vote, an Executive Committee of five to seven members from among the Company’s directors or alternate directors elected or designated at such shareholders meeting. The bylaws of the Company provide that the Executive Committee’s operations are subject to the same rules applicable to the operation of the board of directors. Alternate Executive Committee members are authorized to serve on the Executive Committee in place of members who are unable to attend meetings or otherwise participate in the activities of the Executive Committee.
 
The current members of the Executive Committee are José Manuel Aguirre G. (chairman), Carlos Aguirre G. (vice-chairman), Ana María Aguirre G., María Esther Aguirre G., María Adriana Aguirre G., Rafael Aguirre G. and Francisco Aguirre G.
 
Audit Committee
 
The Audit Committee consists of Thomas Harold Raymond Moffet, Gustavo Gabriel Llamas Monjardín and Luis Manuel de la Fuente Baca (chairman). All three members of the Audit Committee also serve on the Company’s board of directors. The shareholders ratified the appointment of these members to the Audit Committee and Mr. de la Fuente Baca’s appointment as committee chairman at the annual shareholders’ meeting held on March 31, 2009. As required by our bylaws and applicable law, all members of the Audit Committee are independent, as defined under Mexican Securities Market Law and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). See Item 16A, “Audit Committee Financial Expert.” In order for a meeting of the Audit Committee to be valid, the majority of its members must be present, and the Audit Committee must adopt resolutions by majority vote.
 
The chairman of the Audit Committee may not also be the chair of the board of directors and is appointed and removed exclusively through a majority vote of the shareholders. The shareholders base their decision on the experience, ability and professional prestige of the appointee. The chairman of the Committee must submit an annual report on the activities of the Audit Committee to the board of directors.

 
42

 
 
The Audit Committee is responsible for assisting the Board in overseeing the activities of the Company. The members evaluate the performance, opinions and reports of the external auditor. In addition, the Audit Committee is responsible for regulation within the Company. The Audit Committee investigates possible violations of internal guidelines and also verifies the establishment of internal controls and the filing of related information. Additionally, the Audit Committee renders an opinion on the report regarding the financial information and results of operations of the Company, which is filed by the chief executive officer, and provides further information concerning that report to the board of directors.
 
The Audit Committee further assists the board of directors in oversight activities by requesting periodic meetings with executive officers. The Audit Committee also monitors the filing of information related to the internal control systems and internal audits of the Company and is responsible for preparing an opinion on the report filed by the chief executive officer. Additionally, the Audit Committee is responsible for verifying that the chief executive officer abides by the resolutions adopted in shareholder meetings and by the board of directors.
 
Corporate Practices Committee
 
The Corporate Practices Committee consists of Thomas Harold Raymond Moffet, Gustavo Gabriel Llamas Monjardín and Luis Manuel de la Fuente Baca, with Mr. de la Fuente Baca (chairman). All three members of the Corporate Practices Committee also serve on the Company’s board of directors. The shareholders ratified the appointment of these members to the Corporate Practices Committee and Mr. de la Fuente Baca’s appointment as committee chairman at the annual shareholders’ meeting held on March 31, 2009. As required by our bylaws and applicable law, all members are independent, as defined by the Mexican Securities Market Law and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. In order for a meeting of the Corporate Practices Committee to be valid, the majority of its members must be present, and the Corporate Practices Committee must adopt resolutions by majority vote.
 
In accordance with the Securities Market Law, the Corporate Practices Committee is responsible for rendering opinions to the board of directors and requesting the opinions of independent experts if the Corporate Practices Committee considers it necessary. The Corporate Practices Committee assists the board of directors in generating reports on the main accounting policies and the criteria used to prepare the financial statements of the Company. The Corporate Practices Committee also reports on the transactions and activities of the Company in which the board of directors intervened. The Corporate Practices Committee may call shareholders’ meetings and contribute items to the agenda when needed.
 
The chairman of the Corporate Practices Committee must submit an annual report on the activities of the Corporate Practices Committee to the board of directors. This report includes information regarding related party transactions, waivers granted and the performance and compensation of the Company’s executive officers.

 
43

 
 
Executive Officers
 
The executive officers of Grupo Radio Centro are as follows:
 
Name
 
Position
 
Years as
officer
 
Years of
service
Carlos Aguirre G.
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
30
 
35
Pedro Beltrán N.
 
Finance & Administrative Director and Chief Financial Officer
 
23
 
23
Arturo Yáñez F.
 
Auditing Director
 
25
 
25
Sergio González L.
 
Operations Director
 
25
 
25
Luis Cepero A.
 
Audio Engineering Director
 
26
 
48
Eduardo Stevens A.
 
Transmission Engineering Director
 
19
 
29
Gonzalo Yáñez V.
 
Marketing Director
 
9
 
12
Rodolfo Nava C.
 
Treasurer and Financial Information Manager
 
9
 
23
Alvaro Fajardo de la Mora
 
General Counsel
 
24
 
24
Luis Miguel Carrasco N.
 
Commercial Director
 
11
 
16
Alfredo Azpeitia Mera
 
Investor Relations Manager
 
20
 
16
 
Compensation
 
For the year ended December 31, 2008, the aggregate compensation for the executive officers of the Company paid or accrued in that year for services in all capacities was Ps. 25.3 million, of which approximately Ps. 6.5 million was paid in the form of bonus compensation. The bonus compensation amounts were determined based on various factors, including quarterly financial results and station ratings and rankings.
 
The total of payments to Executive Committee members for attendance at Executive Committee meetings during 2008 was Ps. 18.3 million. The total of payments to directors for attendance at Board of Director meetings during 2008 was Ps. 283,140. The total payments to Audit Committee members for attendance at Audit Committee meetings during 2008 was Ps. 497,880.
 
Board Practices
 
None of the directors have entered into a service contract with the Company that provides for benefits upon termination of employment.
 
Employees
 
At December 31, 2008, Grupo Radio Centro employed a total of 484 full-time employees, fewer than half of whom are members of the Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Industria de Radio y Televisión, Similares y Conexos de la República Mexicana (Radio and Telecommunications Workers Union, or the “Union”). The Company employed a total of 458 full-time employees at December 31, 2007 and a total of 457 full-time employees at December 31, 2006. Grupo Radio Centro also employs a varying number of temporary employees. During 2008, the Company employed an average of 93 temporary employees. All employees of Grupo Radio Centro work in Mexico City.

 
44

 
 
Negotiations with Union employees are conducted at the industry level pursuant to a national contract (the “Contrato Ley”) that is administered by the Union and that provides for general employment terms applicable to all Union employees, although particular enterprises within the radio broadcasting industry may negotiate separate contractual arrangements with the Union if exceptions from the Contrato Ley are desired. All of Grupo Radio Centro’s current contractual relations with Union employees are pursuant to the stated terms of the Contrato Ley. The current Contrato Ley expires on January 31, 2010; however, salary increases are implemented annually. On February 1, 2009, the Company and the Union agreed to a 4.7% increase in salaries. Relations between Grupo Radio Centro, its workers and the Union have historically been good; there have been no material disputes between any of the radio broadcasting subsidiaries of Grupo Radio Centro and any of their employees since the founding of Grupo Radio Centro.
 
Share Ownership
 
As of December 31, 2008, the Aguirre members of the board of directors had beneficial ownership, through a Mexican trust through which they hold Series A Shares, of 84,020,646 Series A Shares of the Company, representing 51.6% of the outstanding Series A Shares. See Item 7, “Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions—Major Shareholders.”
 
None of the Company’s other directors or officers is the beneficial owner of more than 1% of the Company’s outstanding capital stock.
 
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
 
Major Shareholders
 
The Company was incorporated as Técnica de Desarrollo Publicitario, S.A. de C.V. on June 8, 1971, with its principal shareholders being members of the Aguirre family. The Company has undergone several changes in nominal ownership, but ultimate control has always resided with the Aguirre family.
 
On June 3, 1998, all of the Series A Shares and CPOs owned by the Aguirre family, which had been held in a trust established by the Aguirre family in 1992 (the “Old Controlling Trust”), were divided into two trusts (the Old Controlling Trust and the “New Controlling Trust” and, together, the “Controlling Trusts”). Before the division, 50% of the Series A Shares and CPOs of the Company held by the Old Controlling Trust was held for the benefit of María Esther G. de Aguirre, with the remainder divided equally among her children. Simultaneously with the division, María Esther G. de Aguirre acquired a 50% interest in each of the Controlling Trusts and transferred those interests to her children in equal parts, but reserved her rights to vote and receive dividends in respect of the Series A Shares and CPOs previously held for her benefit (the “reserved rights”).
 
On May 25, 1999, four members of the Aguirre family made a gift of their interests in the Company’s Series A Shares and CPOs held by the Controlling Trusts to María Esther G. de Aguirre. On the same date, the Aguirre family amended the terms of the Controlling Trusts to transfer, on such date, the reserved rights held by María Esther G. de Aguirre to her children in equal parts and to transfer, upon the occurrence of certain events, the trust interests gifted to her by her four children to her seven other children—María Esther Aguirre G., Francisco Aguirre G., María Adriana Aguirre G., Ana María Aguirre G., Carlos Aguirre G., Rafael Aguirre G. and José Manuel Aguirre G.

 
45

 
 
On April 5, 2000, María Esther G. de Aguirre made a gift of her approximate 36% interest in the Controlling Trusts to her seven children holding interests in such trusts. Following this gift and an amendment of the terms of the Controlling Trusts to remove María Esther G. de Aguirre as grantor and beneficiary, those seven children owned, in equal parts, 100% of the interests in the Controlling Trusts. In 2003, all CPOs held by the Controlling Trusts were converted to Series A Shares.
 
In 2007, the Controlling Trusts were amended to change the trustee and consolidate the Controlling Trusts. Pursuant to agreements dated June 15, 2007, Bancomer, S.A. was replaced with Banco IXE S.A. as trustee of each Controlling Trust. Pursuant to an agreement dated June 18, 2007, the New Controlling Trust was dissolved and all of its assets were transferred to the Old Controlling Trust (now referred to simply as the “Trust”). The same seven members of the Aguirre family continue to own, in equal parts, 100% of the interests in the Trust. Under the terms of the Trust, the Series A Shares held by the Trust are ordinarily voted as directed by a majority of the beneficiaries of the Trust.
 
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of Series A Shares by beneficial holders of more than 5% of the outstanding Series A Shares as of June 23, 2009.
 
Name of Person or Group
 
Series A Shares
Beneficially Owned
   
Percentage of
Series A
Shares(1)
 
                 
The Trust
    84,020,646       51.6 %
María Esther Aguirre G.
    84,020,695
(2) (3)
    51.6 %
Francisco Aguirre G.
    84,020,646
(2)
    51.6 %
María Adriana Aguirre G.
    84,020,646 (2)     51.6 %
Ana María Aguirre G.
    84,020,646
(2)
    51.6 %
Carlos Aguirre G.
    84,036,846
(2) (4)
    51.6 %
Rafael Aguirre G
    84,020,646
(2)
    51.6 %
José Manuel Aguirre G.
    84,020,646
(2)
    51.6 %
 

 
(1)
Percentages are based on 162,724,561 Series A Shares issued and outstanding as of June 23, 2009.
 
 
(2)
All Series A Shares beneficially owned by the Trust (the “Family Shares”) are held for the benefit of the Aguirre Family and are deemed to be beneficially owned by each member of the Aguirre Family, each of whom is deemed to share power to vote or dispose, or direct the vote or disposition of, the Family Shares as a member of the Technical Committee of the Trust.
 
 
(3)
Includes 49 Series A Shares beneficially owned by María Esther Aguirre G. in addition to Family Shares.
 
 
(4)
Includes 1,800 ADSs beneficially owned by Carlos G. Aguirre in addition to Family Shares.
 
The voting rights of the holders of Series A Shares not held in the form of CPOs or ADSs are identical.
 
The bylaws of the Company prohibit the ownership of Series A Shares by persons who do not qualify as Mexican investors. See Item 10, “Additional Information—Bylaws and Mexican Law—Limitations Affecting Non-Mexican Holders—Share Ownership.” At June 23, 2009, to the best knowledge of the Company, approximately 3.4% of the outstanding Series A Shares was represented by ADSs. It is not practical for the Company to determine the number of U.S. holders of CPOs or ADSs, the portion of each class of securities held in Mexico or the number of record holders in Mexico.

 
46

 

Related Party Transactions
 
The Company engages in a variety of transactions with affiliates. Pursuant to the Company’s bylaws, the operating rules of the board of directors and Mexican law, the Corporate Practices Committee of Company’s board of directors must express an opinion on, and the Company’s board of directors has exclusive power to approve, any transaction with a related party unless the transaction (i) is considered to be not material based on the value of the transaction; (ii) is entered into with a controlled entity, provided that such a transaction is either in the ordinary course of the Company’s business and carried out at market price or supported in valuations prepared by external experts; or (iii) is entered into with employees, provided that the transaction is conducted under the same conditions as it would be for a client or as a result of general labor benefits.
 
Family Control of OIR Network Affiliates
 
In addition to their ownership interest in the Company, members of the Aguirre family owned or controlled 11 of the 108 affiliates in the network serviced by OIR at December 31, 2008. Affiliated stations owned or controlled by members of the Aguirre family accounted for approximately 9.6% of OIR revenue (or 0.3% of the Company’s total broadcasting revenue) for 2008, 11.7% of OIR revenue (or 0.4% the Company’s total broadcasting revenue) for 2007, and 12% of OIR revenue (or 0.3% of the Company’s total broadcasting revenue) for 2006. The Company has provided administrative and other services to such family-owned stations in the OIR network and under certain circumstances has provided commercial airtime to related parties, on terms that are more favorable than those provided to unrelated parties. The Company does not believe that such transactions have been material.
 
On May 13, 2009, certain members of the Aguirre family purchased a 49% equity stake in Grupo Radio Centro LA, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company formed to provide programming to KMVN-FM pursuant to the local marketing agreement with Emmis Communications Corporation. In exchange for their 49% equity stake, the Aguirre family members have agreed to be responsible for 49% of the cost of the Company’s investment.
 
Service Contract
 
On January 5, 2000, Grupo Radio Centro entered into a contract with an entity owned by Francisco Aguirre G., chairman of the board of directors of the Company, for an indefinite term pursuant to which this entity is compensated for consulting services and the sale of airtime provided to the Company by Mr. Aguirre. The Company incurred expenses under this contract totaling Ps. 3.3 million in 2008, Ps. 3.6 million in 2007 and Ps. 7.9 million in 2006. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Sale of Doubtful Accounts Receivable
 
In December 2006, the Company sold to an entity owned by Francisco Aguirre G. accounts receivable representing Ps. 40.3 million owed to it mainly by political parties in connection with purchases of airtime from 2003 to 2005 for a cash purchase price of Ps. 12.2 million. The Company had been unsuccessful in its attempts to collect the accounts receivable and, accordingly, increased its allowance for doubtful accounts beginning in 2005. The Company sold the accounts receivable because
 
 
·
it believed, based on its past efforts, that the accounts receivable were not recoverable, and
 
 
·
the sale enabled the Company to take a tax deduction in connection with the unrecoverable accounts receivable, which deduction otherwise would not have been available without bringing legal proceedings against the customers. The Audit Committee ratified this transaction on February 19, 2007.
 
 
47

 

Sale of Goods and Services
 
The Company makes available to employees, including key management personnel, and directors and directors’ family members goods and services obtained by the Company in barter transactions. These goods and services are offered to executive officers and directors at discounts that are comparable to the discounts offered to the Company’s employees. The Company received a total of Ps. 3.0 million in 2008, Ps. 1.6 million in 2007 and Ps. 4.7 million in 2006 from executive officers and directors and their families in connection with these transactions. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Attention to Aguirre Family Matters
 
Carlos Aguirre G., the Chief Executive Officer, Pedro Beltrán, the Chief Financial Officer, and Alvaro Fajardo, the General Counsel, have spent a portion of their time on Aguirre family matters for which the Company has not been separately compensated.
 
Loans to Executive Officers and Directors
 
In October 2006, the Company extended a loan in the amount of Ps. 3.2 million (nominal amount) to a company controlled by Ana María Aguirre G., a member of the board of directors. The loan bore interest at an annual rate of 10.5% and was repaid in full in May 2007. The proceeds of the loan were used for purposes unrelated to the business of the Company. Neither the Audit Committee nor the Corporate Practices Committee was asked to consider this transaction.
 
For further information regarding transactions between Grupo Radio Centro and related parties, see Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Item 8. Financial Information
 
Consolidated Financial Statements
 
See Item 18, “Financial Statements” and pages F-1 through F-41.
 
Other Information
 
Legal and Arbitration Proceedings
 
Through a series of transactions effected in 1995 and 1996, the Company acquired five radio stations owned by Radiodifusión RED, S.A., as well as the exclusive radio broadcasting rights to Monitor, a news and talk radio program. On December 23, 1998, the Company entered into an agreement with Infored and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó, the principal anchor of Monitor, pursuant to which they would provide the Company with original news programs and special-event productions until 2015 (the “Infored Agreement”). The Infored Agreement provided that Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó would continue as Monitor’s host until at least the end of 2003.

 
48

 
 
In May 2002, Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó and Infored initiated an arbitration proceeding pursuant to which they sought rescission of the Infored Agreement and damages. On March 1, 2004, the International Chamber of Commerce, or the ICC, notified the Company that, by majority vote of two of the three arbitrators, the ICC panel held that the Company was in breach of its contract with Infored and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó. As a result, the contract was rescinded and Infored and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó together were awarded a total of U.S.$ 21.1 million in damages, which represents the amount the Company would be required to pay under the contract after taking into account prepayments made by the Company. The Company challenged the validity of this decision in the Mexican courts and, on November 11, 2004, Civil Judge 63 of the Federal District Superior Tribunal of Justice, set aside the arbitration award. Infored and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó initiated an amparo, which is a type of proceeding used to challenge the legality of a decision under Mexican law, in November 2004. On August 11, 2005, District Judge 6 of Civil Matters granted Infored and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó an amparo, in effect overturning the November 2004 decision. On August 25, 2005, the Company challenged District Judge 6’s ruling in a proceeding before the Federal District’s Thirteenth Circuit Court of Civil Matters. On June 16, 2006, the Federal District’s Thirteenth Circuit Court of Civil Matters ratified the decision of the Civil Judge 63 of the Federal District Superior Tribunal of Justice to set aside the arbitration award and refused to enforce the arbitration award in Mexico.
 
Following an appeal by Infored and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó, on January 30, 2007, the Mexican Supreme Court (Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación), in a 5 to 4 decision based on procedural grounds, reversed the Federal District’s Thirteenth Circuit Court of Civil Matters’ decision that had ratified a lower court’s decision to set aside the arbitration award. The Supreme Court remanded the case to the Thirteenth Circuit Court, instructing the court to reexamine the matter under different procedural rules, which required the court to review the merits of the case. On June 12, 2008, the Thirteenth Circuit Court reversed its prior decision, granted the amparo of Infored and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó, denied the amparo of the Company, and remanded the case to Civil Judge 63 of the Federal District Superior Tribunal of Justice. On July 11, 2008, Civil Judge 63 of the Federal District Superior Tribunal of Justice ruled that the decision that set aside the arbitration award was invalid. The July 2008 decision of the Civil Judge 63 of the Federal District Superior Tribunal of Justice did not constitute an order to pay the arbitration award, the enforcement of which remains subject to lower court review.
 
In August 2008, the Company challenged the arbitration award as unconstitutional in an amparo filed with District Judge 6 of Civil Matters. District Judge 6 dismissed the amparo based on procedural grounds. The Company challenged this action before the Thirteenth Circuit Court, and in February 2009, that court ruled the Company’s amparo was admissible. The amparo is currently pending.
 
The Company plans to continue to challenge the validity of the arbitration award in the Mexican courts. If the Company is ultimately unsuccessful in challenging the enforcement of the arbitration award in Mexico, it will be required to finance any amounts due. See Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources.” The Company’s ability to obtain financing is subject to various factors, including general market conditions, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and the fact that the Company has pledged substantially all of its assets under its outstanding indebtedness. Accordingly, the Company may not be able to obtain financing in a timely manner, or on acceptable terms, or at all. If the Company incurs additional indebtedness or it is unable to obtain financing when needed, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
 
The Company is involved in various other legal proceedings related to the Infored and Gutiérrez Vivó transaction. In 2004, the Company and a subsidiary, along with four minority shareholders, initiated two lawsuits against Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó and Ms. María Ivonne Gutiérrez Vivó to seek rescission of the stock purchase agreement entered into as an “accessory contract” to the Infored Agreement. One case pertains to the shares of the licensee of the radio station formerly known as XEJP-AM (now XENET-AM), and the other case pertains to the shares of the licensee of the radio station formerly known as XEFAJ-AM (now XEINFO-AM). These proceedings have been suspended pending a final determination in the arbitration.

 
49

 
 
In addition, in 2008, Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó and Infored initiated additional claims against the Company for alleged violations of labor law in connection with the Infored Agreement. In 2009, Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó and Infored initiated a civil law suit against the Company and individual members of the Aguirre family, seeking consequential damages in an amount of approximately Ps. 9.46 billion arising out of the Company’s alleged wrongful failure to pay the arbitration award. The Company’s management believes that these cases will be resolved in favor of the Company.
 
The Company is also involved in a variety of labor claims initiated by former employees between 2000 and 2004 seeking an aggregate amount of approximately Ps. 49.6 million. The Company has not recorded a provision for these claims, as the Company’s management believes that the cases will be resolved in favor of the Company.
 
Other than proceedings related to labor claims and proceedings related to the arbitration with Infored described above, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is currently engaged in any material litigation or arbitration, and no material litigation or claim is known to the Company to be pending or threatened against the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
 
Dividend Policy
 
The table below sets forth each of the dividends paid by the Company during the period from 2004 to 2008, together with per-Series A Share (in nominal pesos and U.S. dollars) and per-ADS amounts translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on each of the respective payment dates.
 
Date Dividend Paid
 
Fiscal
Year with
Respect to
which
Dividend
Paid(1)
 
Aggregate Amount of
Dividend Paid
(Nominal Pesos)
   
Dividend
Per Series A
Share
(Nominal
Pesos)(2)
   
Dividend Per
Series A Share
(U.S. dollars)(2)
   
Dividend Per
ADS
(U.S. dollars)(2)(3)
 
May 7, 2007
 
2006
   Ps. 70,000,000       0.43       0.04       0.36  
March 14, 2008
 
2007
   Ps. 100,000,000       0.61       0.06       0.51  
April 13, 2009
 
2008
   Ps. 100,000,000       0.61       0.05       0.42  
 

(1)
The Company paid no dividends with respect to 2004 and 2005.
(2)
Per Series A Share and ADS amounts are calculated based on number of shares outstanding on the date of payment of the dividend.
(3)
Nominal peso amounts have been translated to U.S. dollar amounts at the noon buying rate for pesos on the date of payment of the dividend, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the U.S. Federal Reserve Board.
 
The amount of future dividends will depend upon Grupo Radio Centro’s operating results, financial condition and capital requirements and upon general business conditions. The declaration, amount and payment of dividends are determined by a majority vote of the holders of the Series A Shares, generally upon the recommendation of the Company’s board of directors. See Item 10, “Additional Information—Bylaws and Mexican Law—Dividends.”
 
On August 1, 2006, the Company reduced its fixed capital stock by a total of Ps. 128.5 million (Ps. 120.0 million nominal amount) through the payment of cash to its shareholders on August 7 and October 2, 2006. The payment was made with cash flow from operations. See Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Capital Reduction.”

 
50

 
 
Item 9. The Offer and Listing
 
Since July 1, 1993, the CPOs have been listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange and the ADSs have been listed on the NYSE. The ADSs have been issued by the Depositary. Each ADS represents nine CPOs. Each CPO represents a financial interest in one Series A Share.
 
The CPOs were originally issued by Nacional Financiera, S.N.C., Institución de Banca de Desarrollo, Dirección Fiduciaria (“Nafin”) as trustee for the trust (the “CPO Trust”) created by the trust agreement, dated May 24, 1993, as amended, among the Old Controlling Trust and the Company, as grantors, and Nafin, as CPO trustee. At a general meeting of the Company’s shareholders on April 25, 2003 and a general meeting of the CPO holders on May 19, 2003, the shareholders and CPO holders approved several amendments to the CPO Trust. On June 27, 2003, the parties to the CPO Trust agreement entered into an amended and restated CPO Trust agreement (the “Amended CPO Trust Agreement”), reflecting those amendments, including the following:
 
 
·
Nafin was replaced as the CPO trustee by GE Capital Bank, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, GE Capital Grupo Financiero, División Fiduciaria, as successor trustee for the CPO Trust (the “CPO Trustee”).
 
 
·
The term of the CPO Trust was extended 20 years until June 29, 2023 (which term may be further extended).
 
 
·
On June 30, 2003, all CPOs held by holders that qualified as Mexican investors, as defined in the Company’s bylaws (see Item 10, “Additional Information—Bylaws and Mexican Law––Limitations Affecting Non-Mexican Holders”), were exchanged for Series A Shares held in the CPO Trust. As of June 30, 2003, qualifying Mexican investors held Series A Shares and no longer held CPOs. Non-Mexican holders of CPOs as of June 30, 2003 continued to hold CPOs and, as holders of CPOs, are not entitled to withdraw the Series A Shares held in the CPO Trust.
 
In connection with the Amended CPO Trust, the Series A Shares commenced trading on the Mexican Stock Exchange under the symbol “RCENTRO.A” on June 30, 2003. The Series A Share listing is deemed to include the CPOs, such that the Series A Share trading line will reflect trading of both Series A Shares and CPOs.
 
Holders of CPOs are able to sell their CPOs (i) to a non-Mexican investor, in which event the non-Mexican investor would receive such CPOs, or (ii) to a Mexican investor, in which event the Mexican investor would receive the Series A Shares underlying such CPOs, directly or by keeping them deposited at an account at Indeval, maintained by such investor or by an authorized institution. Indeval, or S.D. Indeval, S.A. de C.V., Institución para el Depósito de Valores, is a privately owned securities depositary that acts as a clearinghouse for Mexican Stock Exchange transactions.
 
The 2003 amendments to the CPO Trust did not affect the rights or interests of holders of ADSs.

 
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Price History
 
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low sale prices for the Series A Shares and the CPOs on the Mexican Stock Exchange (on a nominal basis) and the reported high and low sale prices for the ADSs on the NYSE.
 
   
Mexican
Stock Exchange
   
New York
Stock Exchange
 
   
Amounts per Series A
Share and per CPO
(in nominal pesos)
   
Amounts per ADS
 (in U.S. dollars)
 
   
High
   
Low
   
High
   
Low
 
                         
2004
    8.48       5.30       7.14       4.05  
2005
    9.92       8.08       7.75       6.45  
2006
    13.10       7.15       10.75       5.50  
2007
    18.95       12.30       15.65       8.90  
First quarter
    15.60       12.30       12.62       9.67  
Second quarter
    18.95       14.96       15.50       11.82  
Third quarter
    18.40       15.01       15.65       12.11  
Fourth quarter
    16.01       14.51       13.50       8.90  
2008
    16.00       9.50       14.14       5.21  
First quarter
    16.00       12.00       12.58       9.63  
Second quarter
    14.00       13.00       14.14       10.60  
Third quarter
    13.25       11.10       11.84       10.28  
Fourth quarter
    14.00       9.50       10.83       5.21  
Most Recent Six Months
                               
December 2008
    14.00       9.50       8.65       5.21  
January 2009
    14.00       13.50       9.99       5.85  
February 2009
    13.50       13.50       6.50       5.50  
March 2009
    13.50       7.00       5.57       2.96  
April 2009
    11.5       7.00       8.25       4.36  
May 2009
    11.5       7.25       7.15       6.10  
 
Trading on the Mexican Stock Exchange
 
The Mexican Stock Exchange, located in Mexico City, is the only stock exchange in Mexico. Founded in 1907, it is organized as a corporation whose shares are currently held by brokerage firms that are exclusively authorized to trade on the Exchange. Trading on the Mexican Stock Exchange takes place through the Sentra, an automated system; the Exchange’s opening and closing times are fixed so that the Exchange’s trading day coincides with the trading day of the NYSE. The Mexican Stock Exchange operates a system of automatic suspension of trading in shares of a particular issuer as a means of controlling excessive price volatility, but under current regulations this system does not apply to securities, such as the CPOs, that are directly or indirectly (for example, through ADSs) quoted on a stock exchange (including, for these purposes, the NYSE) outside Mexico.
 
Settlement is effected three business days after a share transaction on the Mexican Stock Exchange. Deferred settlement, even by mutual agreement, is not permitted without the approval of the CNBV. Most securities traded on the Mexican Stock Exchange, including those of Grupo Radio Centro, are on deposit with Indeval.

 
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Item 10. Additional Information
 
BYLAWS AND MEXICAN LAW
 
Set forth below is certain information concerning the Company’s capital stock and a brief summary of certain significant provisions of the Company’s bylaws and Mexican law. This description does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to Mexican law and the bylaws of the Company, which have been filed as an exhibit to this Annual Report. For a description of the Company’s bylaws relating to the board of directors, Executive Committee, Audit Committee and Corporate Practices Committee, see Item 6, “Directors, Senior Management and Employees.”
 
The bylaws of the Company were amended on July 31, 2006 to incorporate provisions required by the Mexican Securities Market Law. The most recent amendment to the bylaws was on December 13, 2006.
 
Mexican Securities Market Law
 
On December 30, 2005, a new Mexican Securities Market Law was enacted. The law became effective on June 28, 2006 and, in some cases, it provided issuers until December 2006 to adopt the new corporate governance requirements. The Securities Market Law introduces significant changes to the regime in which issuers operate, including:
 
 
·
the establishment of the sociedad anónima bursátil, a separate corporate form of organization for issuers with stock registered with the Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores (Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission or the “CNBV”) and listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange, which provides for a new set of corporate governance requirements;
 
 
·
the redefinition of the functions and structure of the board of directors, including (i) increasing the number of members of the board of directors (up to 21, with independent members comprising at least 25%) and (ii) requiring that the status of members of the board of directors as independent be determined by the shareholders’ meeting, subject to the CNBV’s authority to challenge such determination;
 
 
·
the application of a legal framework to the chief executive officer (director general) and executive officers (directivos relevantes) entrusted with the day-to-day management of the issuer;
 
 
·
the adoption of a clear definition of fiduciary duties, including but not limited to the duty of care and the duty of loyalty, for members of the board of directors and, in certain cases to its secretary, the chief executive officer and other executive officers;
 
 
·
the increase in liability for members of the board of directors and its secretary with respect to the operations and performance of the issuer, including (i) payment of damages and losses resulting from the breach of their duty of care or loyalty and (ii) criminal penalties from one to 12 years of imprisonment for certain illegal acts involving willful misconduct. Civil actions under (i) above may be brought by the issuer or by shareholders that represent 5% or more of the capital stock of the issuer; and criminal actions under (ii) above may be brought by the issuer, the Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público (Mexican Ministry of Finance and Public Credit) after consultation with the CNBV, and in certain cases, by injured shareholders;
 
 
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·
the elimination of the requirement that the issuer have a statutory auditor and the delegation of specific obligations of corporate governance and oversight to the audit committee, the corporate practices committee and the external auditors;
 
 
·
the requirement that all the members of the audit and corporate practices committees be independent as such term is defined under the new law, except with respect to the corporate practices committee in the case of issuers like us that have controlling shareholders;
 
 
·
the enhancement of the functions and responsibilities of the audit committee, including (i) the evaluation of the performance of the external auditor, (ii) the review and discussion of the financial statements of the issuer and the conveyance to the board of directors of the committee’s recommendations regarding the approval of such financial statements, (iii) the surveillance of internal controls and internal audit procedures of the issuer, (iv) the reception and analysis of recommendations and observations regarding the committee’s functions by the shareholders, members of the board of directors and senior management, and the authority to act upon such recommendations and observations, (v) the authority to call a shareholders’ meeting and to contribute to the meeting’s agenda and (vi) the oversight of the execution of resolutions enacted at meetings of shareholders or the board of directors;
 
 
·
the requirement that the shareholders’ meeting approve all transactions that represent 20% or more of the consolidated assets of the issuer within a given fiscal year; and
 
 
·
the inclusion of a new set of rules requiring an issuer to obtain prior authorization from the CNBV to effect public offerings of securities and tender offers.
 
Organization and Register
 
The Company was incorporated on June 8, 1971, as a Mexican limited liability stock company (sociedad anónima de capital variable) in accordance with Chapter V of the Ley General de Sociedades Mercantiles (the “Mexican Companies Law”). It was registered in the Registro Público de Comercio de la Ciudad de México (the “Public Registry of Commerce of Mexico City”) on August 28, 1992 under number 20694. Pursuant to the Mexican Securities Market Law, Grupo Radio Centro adopted the corporate form of sociedad anónima bursátil de capital variable on July 31, 2006 through an amendment to its bylaws.
 
Purpose
 
The Company’s purpose is, among others, to market advertising services through media as well as to represent or act as an agent of all types of associations, civil or commercial companies, services, industrial or commercial corporations and in general, Mexican or foreign individuals or entities and to provide consulting and technical assistance services related to accounting, commercial, financial, tax, legal or administrative issues for companies in which it is a shareholder or for other third parties.
 
Share Capital
 
The capital stock of the Company consists of Series A Shares.  In addition to Series A Shares, the bylaws permit the issuance, upon the approval of competent authorities such as the Ministry of Economy and of the CNBV, of special series of shares including those with limited or no voting rights.

 
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Voting Rights
 
Each Series A Share entitles the holder thereof to one vote at any meeting of the shareholders of the Company. Holders of CPOs are not entitled to exercise the voting rights corresponding to the Series A Shares held in the CPO Trust. Such voting rights are exercisable only by the CPO Trustee, which is required to vote all such Series A Shares in the same manner as the holders of a majority of the Series A Shares that are not held in the CPO Trust and that are voted at a shareholders meeting. See “—Limitations Affecting Non-Mexican Holders—Voting Rights.”
 
Shareholders Meetings
 
General shareholders meetings may be ordinary meetings or extraordinary meetings. Extraordinary general meetings are those called to consider certain matters specified in Article 182 of the Mexican Companies Law and the Company’s bylaws, including, among others, amendments to the bylaws, liquidation, and merger and transformation from one form of company to another. In addition, the Company’s bylaws require an extraordinary general meeting to consider the removal of the Company’s capital stock from listing on the Mexican Stock Exchange.
 
An ordinary general meeting of the holders of Series A Shares must be held at least once each year to consider the approval of the financial statements of the Company for the preceding fiscal year, to elect directors for holders of Series A Shares and members of the Executive Committee, to determine the allocation of the profits or losses of the preceding year and to consider approval of the report on the Company’s repurchase and sale of shares and the report on the actions of the Audit Committee.
 
The quorum for an ordinary general meeting of the Series A Shares in first call is 50% of such shares, and action may be taken by a majority of the Series A Shares present. If a quorum is not available, a second meeting may be called at which action may be taken by a majority of the Series A Shares present, regardless of the number of such shares. The quorum for an extraordinary general meeting is 75% of the Series A Shares. If a quorum is not available, a second meeting may be called, provided that at least 50% of the Series A Shares entitled to vote are present. Actions at an extraordinary general meeting may be taken by a 50% vote of all outstanding Series A Shares on first and successive calls.
 
Shareholders meetings may be called by the board of directors, the Audit Committee, the Corporate Practices Committee or a court. Holders of 10% of the Series A Shares may require the chairpersons of the board of directors, the Audit Committee or the Corporate Practices Committee to call a meeting of the shareholders. Additionally, if holders of shares with full or limited voting rights representing 10% of the capital stock of the Company do not have sufficient information on the matters to be voted on, those shareholders may request one postponement of shareholders’ meetings per matter. These postponements may be extended for up to three business days if necessary. Notice of meetings must be published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación or a newspaper of general circulation in Mexico City at least 15 days before the meeting. In order to attend a meeting, shareholders must deposit their Series A Shares with the Company’s secretary at its office in Mexico City or any appointed registrar, or submit certificates evidencing a deposit with Indeval. If entitled to attend the meeting, a shareholder may be represented by proxy. The directors of the Company may not act as proxies. Holders of the Company’s shares, with full or limited voting rights, representing 20% of the capital stock of the Company have the right to seek judicial remedies to block any actions taken by the shareholders with respect to which such holders have the right to vote. Holders of CPOs and ADSs representing CPOs are not entitled to call shareholders meetings or seek judicial remedies to block actions taken by the shareholders.
 
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Dividends
 
At the annual ordinary general meeting of holders of Series A Shares, the board of directors submits the financial statements of the Company for the previous fiscal year, together with a report thereon by the Board, to the holders of Series A Shares for approval. The holders of Series A Shares, once they have approved the financial statements, determine the allocation of the Company’s net profits for the preceding year. They are required by law to allocate at least 5% of such net profits to a legal reserve, which is not thereafter available for distribution except as a stock dividend, until the amount of the legal reserve equals 20% of the Company’s historical capital stock (before effect of restatement). See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Thereafter, the shareholders may determine and allocate a certain percentage of net profits to any special reserve, including a reserve for open-market purchases of the Company’s Series A Shares. The remainder of net profits is available for distribution. All Series A Shares outstanding and fully paid at the time a dividend or other distribution is declared are entitled to share equally in such dividend or other distribution. Series A Shares that are only partially paid participate in dividends or other distributions in the same proportion that such Series A Shares have been paid at the time of the dividends or other distributions.
 
Liquidation
 
Upon liquidation of the Company, one or more liquidators may be appointed to wind up its affairs. All fully paid and outstanding Series A Shares will be entitled to participate equally in any distribution upon liquidation. Series A Shares that are only partially paid participate in such distribution upon liquidation in the proportion that they have been paid at the time of liquidation.
 
Preemptive Rights
 
Except as described below, in the event of a capital increase, a holder of existing Series A Shares has a preferential right to subscribe for a sufficient number of Series A Shares to maintain the holder’s existing proportionate holdings of Series A Shares. Shareholders will not have preemptive rights to subscribe for Series A Shares issued (i) in connection with mergers or (ii) on the conversion of convertible debentures, if an extraordinary general shareholders meeting called for such purpose approved such issuance or conversion and waived preemptive rights in connection therewith in accordance with the procedures specified in the Company’s bylaws. Preemptive rights must be exercised within 15 days following the publication of notice of the capital increase in the Diario Oficial de la Federación. Under Mexican law, preemptive rights cannot be waived in advance and cannot be represented by an instrument that is negotiable separately from the corresponding share. Holders of CPOs or ADSs that are U.S. persons or located in the United States will be unable to participate in the exercise of such preemptive rights absent registration of the preemptive rights offering under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, which the Company is not obligated to do.
 
Under the new Mexican Securities Market Law, however, if Grupo Radio Centro were to increase its capital stock to effect a public offering of newly issued shares or were to resell any repurchased shares, no preemptive rights would be available to the holders of outstanding shares as a result of the issuance or resale.
 
Variable Capital
 
Under the Company’s bylaws and Mexican law, the Company’s capital stock must consist of fixed capital and may include variable capital. Shares of the Company’s fixed capital stock are called Class I shares and shares of the Company’s variable capital stock are called Class II shares. The fixed portion of the Company’s capital stock may only be increased or decreased by resolution of an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, whereas the variable portion of the Company’s capital stock may be increased or decreased by resolution of an ordinary or extraordinary general meeting of shareholders. Increases and decreases in the variable portion of the capital stock must be recorded in the Company’s book of capital variations.
 
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Currently, the Company’s outstanding capital stock consists only of fixed capital. Should the Company have any outstanding variable capital, its outstanding shares will not be specifically assigned to the fixed or variable portion.
 
Limitations Affecting Non-Mexican Holders
 
Share Ownership
 
Ownership by non-Mexican investors of shares of Mexican enterprises is regulated by the 1993 Ley de Inversión Extranjera (Foreign Investment Law), as amended, and the 1998 Reglamento de la Ley de Inversión Extranjera y del Registro Nacional de Inversiones Extranjeras (Foreign Investment Regulations) thereunder. The Secretaría de Economía (Ministry of Economy) and the Comisión Nacional de Inversiones Extranjeras (Foreign Investment Commission) are responsible for the administration of the Foreign Investment Law and the Foreign Investment Regulations.
 
The Foreign Investment Law reserves certain economic activities exclusively for the state and reserves certain other activities (such as radio broadcasting) exclusively for Mexican individuals or Mexican corporations the bylaws of which contain a prohibition on ownership by non-Mexicans of the corporation’s voting securities. However, the Foreign Investment Law allows foreign investors to own non-voting securities, such as the CPOs, of companies subject to foreign investment restrictions.
 
In addition to the limitations established by the Foreign Investment Law, the Federal Radio and Television Law and the licenses granted by the SCT provide restrictions on ownership by non-Mexicans of shares of Mexican enterprises holding licenses for radio, such as those held by Grupo Radio Centro.
 
In order to comply with these restrictions, the Company’s bylaws limit ownership of Series A Shares to qualifying Mexican investors. A holder that acquires Series A Shares in violation of the restrictions on non-Mexican ownership will have none of the rights of a shareholder with respect to those shares. The Company, however, has received approval from the Foreign Investment Commission to have up to 73.5% of its capital stock represented by CPOs issued by the CPO Trust. The CPOs do not have any restrictions on non-Mexican ownership, except that foreign governments or their agencies may not own them. The foregoing restriction does not prevent foreign state-owned enterprises organized as separate entities with their own assets to own CPOs. Pursuant to the Amended CPO Trust Agreement, the CPOs may be owned only by holders that do not qualify as Mexican investors as defined in the Company’s bylaws. A holder that acquires CPOs in violation of the restrictions on Mexican ownership will have none of the rights of a CPO holder with respect to those CPOs.
 
The Foreign Investment Law and Foreign Investment Regulations also require that the Company register any foreign owner of its shares, or the depositary with respect to ADSs or global depositary shares representing its shares or ordinary participation certificates representing such shares, with the Registro Nacional de Inversiones Extranjeras (National Registry of Foreign Investment). A foreign owner of Series A Shares that has not been registered is not entitled to vote such Series A Shares or to receive dividends with respect to such Series A Shares. The Dirección General de Inversión Extranjera (General Directorate of Foreign Investment) has informed Grupo Radio Centro that it is not required to register any foreign owner of CPOs.
 
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Voting Rights
 
Each Series A Share entitles the holder thereof to one vote at any meeting of the shareholders of the Company. Holders of CPOs (and holders of ADSs representing CPOs) are not entitled to exercise voting rights with respect to the Series A Shares underlying such CPOs. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended CPO Trust Agreement, the CPO Trustee votes the Series A Shares held in the CPO Trust in the same manner as holders of a majority of the Series A Shares not held in the CPO Trust and voted at the relevant shareholders meeting. The Trust holds a substantial majority of the Series A Shares not held in the form of CPOs. As a result, the Trust and, indirectly, members of the Aguirre family have the power to elect a majority of the directors of, and control, the Company. Additionally, holders of CPOs or ADSs are not entitled to attend or to address the Company’s shareholders meetings.
 
Rights of Appraisal
 
Whenever the shareholders approve a change of corporate purpose, change of nationality or restructuring from one type of corporate form to another, any shareholder who has voted against such change or restructuring has the right to withdraw from the Company and receive the amount calculated as specified in Mexican law attributable to its shares, provided such shareholder exercises its right to withdraw during the 15-day period following the meeting at which such change was approved. Because the CPO Trustee is required to vote the Shares held in the CPO Trust in the same manner as the holders of a majority of the Series A Shares that are not held in the CPO Trust and that are voted at the shareholders meeting, under no circumstances will the Series A Shares underlying the CPOs be voted against any such change and therefore appraisal rights will not be available to holders of CPOs or ADSs.
 
Termination of the CPO Trust
 
The Amended CPO Trust Agreement and the CPOs issued under the public deed evidencing the issuance of CPOs pursuant to the Amended CPO Trust Agreement (which deed is registered with the Public Registry of Commerce of Mexico City) are scheduled to expire 20 years after the date of execution of the Amended CPO Trust Agreement. The CPO Trust may be extended by the CPO Trustee upon receipt six months before termination of written notice from the technical committee of the CPO Trust. If no such notice is received, the CPO Trustee will commence the procedure for the termination of the Amended CPO Trust Agreement. At the time of such termination, the CPO Trustee will proceed to sell the Series A Shares held in the CPO Trust and distribute the proceeds of such sale to the holders of the CPOs on a pro rata basis in accordance with the number of CPOs owned by each holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Amended CPO Trust Agreement cannot be terminated if any dividends or other distributions previously received by the CPO Trustee remain unpaid to the CPO holders.
 
Upon the expiration of the Amended CPO Trust Agreement, subject to obtaining the applicable authorizations from the Mexican government, the CPO Trustee and any CPO holder may execute a new trust agreement with the same terms as the Amended CPO Trust Agreement. There can be no assurance that a new trust agreement will be executed.
 
Administration of the CPO Trust
 
Pursuant to the terms of the Amended CPO Trust Agreement, the CPO Trust will continue to be administered by the CPO Trustee under the direction of a technical committee. The technical committee of the CPO Trust consists of four members and their respective alternates. Each of the following appoints one member: the Foreign Investment Commission, the Mexican Stock Exchange, the Asociación Mexicana de Intermediarios Bursátiles, A.C. (Mexican Association of Securities Brokerage Firms) and the common representative of the CPO holders (HSBC México, S.A., Institución de Banca Multiple, Grupo Financiero HSBC). Actions taken by the technical committee of the CPO Trust must be approved by a majority of the members present at any meeting of such committee at which at least the majority of the members are present.
 
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Other Provisions
 
Redemption
 
The Series A Shares are subject to redemption in connection with either (i) a reduction of share capital or (ii) a redemption with retained earnings, which, in either case, must be approved by the Company’s shareholders at an extraordinary shareholders meeting. The Series A Shares subject to any such redemption would be selected by the Company by lot or, in the case of redemption with retained earnings, by purchasing Series A Shares by means of a tender offer conducted on the Mexican Stock Exchange, in accordance with the Mexican Companies Law.
 
Purchase by the Company of its Shares
 
The Company generally may not repurchase its shares, subject to certain exceptions. First, the Company may repurchase shares for cancellation with distributable earnings pursuant to a decision of an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders. Second, pursuant to judicial adjudication, the Company may acquire the shares of a shareholder in satisfaction of a debt owed by such shareholder to the Company. The Company must sell any shares acquired pursuant to judicial adjudication within three months; otherwise, the Company’s capital stock will be reduced and such shares will be cancelled. Third, in accordance with the Mexican Securities Market Law, the Company is permitted to repurchase its own shares at their current market price on the Mexican Stock Exchange under certain circumstances with funds from a special reserve created for such purpose. The maximum amount that may be authorized by the shareholders to be spent by the Company for the repurchase of shares (see “—Shareholders Meetings” above) may not exceed the sum of net income for the prior year plus retained earnings.
 
Purchase of Shares by Subsidiaries of the Company
 
Subsidiaries or other entities controlled by the Company may not purchase, directly or indirectly, shares of the Company, shares of companies that are majority shareholders of the Company or invest in derivative instruments having shares of the Company as underlying assets. However, subsidiaries or other entities controlled by the Company may acquire equity interests in investment companies that in turn invest in shares of the Company.
 
Conflict of Interest
 
A shareholder who votes on a business transaction in which its interest conflicts with that of the Company may be liable for damages, but only if the transaction would not have been approved without its vote. In accordance with the Securities Market Law, a conflict of interest is assumed, unless proven otherwise, when a controlling shareholder votes in favor of or against transactions and in so doing obtains benefits that not obtained by other shareholders, the Company or its controlled entities.
 
Additionally, any members of the board of directors who have a conflict of interest must abstain from discussing or voting on any matter. This condition does not affect the quorum requirement for Board meetings.
 
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Duty of Care
 
The members of the board of directors must comply with the duty of care by acting in good faith and in the best interest of the Company and its controlled entities. In order to obtain the necessary information to comply with the duty of care, the members are authorized to request information on the Company and its controlled entities as well as solicit meetings with executive officers and other persons that may contribute to the decision-making processes of the Board.
 
Duty of Loyalty
 
Directors and the secretary of the board of directors are bound to preserve the confidentiality of information regarding the Company when such information has not been made public. As part of the duty of loyalty, directors must inform the Audit Committee and the external auditor of any irregularities that occurred during the tenure of former board members as well as any irregularities that become apparent during their tenure.
 
Directors who breach the duty of loyalty may be jointly liable with other directors and must indemnify the Company against any losses or damages caused by the breach. Such individuals shall be removed from their positions.
 
Actions Against Directors
 
Actions for civil liabilities against the directors, the secretary of the board of directors or executive officers may be initiated by resolution passed at a general ordinary shareholders meeting. If the shareholders decide to bring such action, the directors against whom such action is to be brought immediately cease to be directors. Shareholders representing not less than 5% of the outstanding Series A Shares may directly bring such action provided that the claim covers all damages allegedly suffered by the Company or its controlled entities and not only by such shareholders. Any recovery of damages with respect to actions for civil liabilities against directors, the secretary of the Board or executive officers will be for the benefit of the Company or its controlled entities and not for the shareholders bringing such actions.
 
Obligations of Majority Shareholders
 
If the Company seeks to cancel the registration of its shares with the Registro Nacional de Valores (National Registry of Securities, or “RNV”) or the registry is cancelled by the CNBV, shareholders holding the majority of the voting shares or having the power to control decisions in the general shareholders meeting or appoint the majority of the board of directors (the “controlling shareholders”) must offer to purchase all outstanding shares before cancellation. If the controlling shareholders make such a purchase offer but do not acquire 100% of the shares of the Company’s capital stock, then before cancellation of the registration of its securities from the RNV, the controlling shareholders shall place in trust for a minimum of six months an amount of funds necessary to acquire the remaining shares at the purchase offer price.
 
According to the bylaws of the Company, the price of the offer must be at least the higher of (i) the average trading price during the previous 30 days on which the shares may have been quoted for a period up to six months before the effective date of the offer or (ii) the book value of the shares in accordance with the most recent quarterly report submitted to the CNBV and the Mexican Stock Exchange.
 
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The trade value in the Mexican Stock Exchange shall be the average adjusted price per volume of transactions carried out during the last 30 days in which the shares of the Company have been traded, before the date of the offer during a period that cannot exceed six months. If the number the shares were traded for fewer than 30 days, the actual number of days in which the shares were traded will be taken into account. If the shares are not traded within such period of time, the book value of the shares will be used.
 
The board of directors of the Company must provide its opinion regarding the price of the tender offer within the ten business days after the commencement of the offer, taking into account the opinion of the Corporate Practices Committee, and disclose its opinion through the Mexican Stock Exchange. The opinion provided by the board of directors may include the opinion of an independent expert. The Board must also disclose any conflicts of interests that any director may have in connection with the offer. The directors and the chief executive officer of the Company must publicly disclose their decision with respect to whether or not they will sell any of their own securities issued by the Company.
 
If the controlling shareholders obtain the consent of the shareholders representing 95% of the capital stock of the Company through a resolution adopted at a shareholders meeting, and the bid price for the shares is less than 300,000 investment units, as defined under Mexican law, the controlling shareholders will not be required to conduct a tender offer, as long as to obtain the cancellation, the Company places in trust for a minimum of six months an amount of funds necessary to acquire the remaining shares at the same price as the offer price.
 
Finally, the bylaws provide that the controlling shareholders may request authorization from the CNBV to use a different basis for the determination of the price provided that the board of directors presents a recommendation to establish a different price, after taking into account the opinion of the Corporate Practices Committee, together with the report of an independent expert confirming that the price is reasonably appropriate.
 
Duration
 
The Company’s existence under the bylaws is indefinite.
 
Anti-Takeover Provisions
 
The bylaws contain certain provisions intended to delay or prevent a takeover of the Company by any person or persons. The bylaws require the approval of two-thirds of the members of the board of directors for the (i) acquisition by any person or related persons, through one or more consecutive transactions of any nature, of shares or other securities with full voting rights representing 30% or more of the capital stock of the Company and (ii) entering into by any person or persons of any agreement or arrangement for the exercise of voting rights in respect of 30% or more of the capital stock of the Company.
 
Any acquisition of shares or other securities of the Company which has not been approved by the board of directors as required will not be recorded in the stock registry book of the Company, will not be acknowledged by the Company and will not entitle the acquiring person to vote or exercise any other rights in respect of the acquired shares or securities. Similarly, any person entering into any voting agreement or arrangement which has not been approved by the board of directors as required will not be entitled to exercise the relevant voting rights whether in the general shareholders meeting or the board of directors meetings. In the event of either an acquisition of shares or securities of the Company or the entering into of a voting agreement or arrangement without the required approval of the board of directors, the board of directors will have the right to take certain actions including requiring the acquirer of shares to sell such shares through a public offering, requiring such acquirer to acquire all or part of the remaining shares of the Company, the rescission of the acquisition of shares and the termination of such voting agreement or arrangement.
 
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To the extent that the board of directors has the right to approve any acquisition of shares or other securities or any agreement for the exercise of voting rights, the board of directors shall decide to approve such transaction based on the following factors: (i) the nationality, moral and financial status and other characteristics of the contemplated acquirer, (ii) the potential advantages and disadvantages of the contemplated acquirer’s participation in the Company and (iii) the contemplated acquirer’s experience in the radio broadcasting industry.
 
The chairman and the secretary of the board of directors must be notified, within five days, of any acquisition of shares or other securities or the entering into of any voting agreements or arrangements involving 5% or more of the capital stock of the Company.
 
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
 
On October 16, 2008, the Company entered into an agreement to extend the term of the Operating Agreement, dated as of December 30, 1998, between the Company and Comercializadora Siete, S.A. de C.V., under which the Company operates the radio station XHFO-FM. The agreement is scheduled to terminate on January 2, 2014. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
For a description of the Company’s bank credit facility, see Item 5, “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Indebtedness.”
 
On April 3, 2009, the Company entered into a local marketing agreement with certain subsidiaries of Emmis Communications Corporation, a U.S. radio broadcasting company. Under the local marketing agreement, the Company has agreed to provide programming to, and sell advertising time on, KMVN-FM, a radio station broadcasting in Los Angeles, California, for up to seven years. The Company will pay Emmis U.S.$ 7 million per year, plus expenses incurred by Emmis with respect to the station. On April 7, 2009, the Company advanced U.S.$ 14 million (approximately Ps. 200 million) as prepayment for the first two years of fees under the local marketing agreement. The Company financed the prepayment with a bank loan in an aggregate principal amount of Ps. 200 million.
 
In connection with the local marketing agreement, the Company also entered into a seven-year call and put option agreement with Emmis to purchase the assets of KMVN-FM. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company is entitled to exercise its call option to purchase the KMVN-FM station assets at any time during its seven-year term, and Emmis is entitled to require the Company to purchase the station’s assets during the seventh year of the term. If, at the time of the exercise of the call or put, the Company is not qualified under U.S. law to own a U.S. radio station, the Company must assign the agreement to a qualified third party. The purchase price under this agreement is U.S.$ 110 million.
 
Other than the foregoing, the only material contracts entered into by the Company in the two-year period before this filing have been entered into in the ordinary course of business.
 
EXCHANGE CONTROLS
 
Mexico has had a free market for foreign exchange since 1991, and the government has allowed the peso to float freely against the U.S. dollar since December 1994. There can be no assurance that the government will maintain its current foreign exchange policies. See Item 3, “Key Information—Exchange Rate Information.”
 
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TAXATION
 
The following summary contains a description of the principal U.S. federal income and Mexican federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of CPOs or ADSs by a holder that is a citizen or resident of the United States or a U.S. domestic corporation or that otherwise will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in respect of the CPOs or ADSs (a “U.S. holder”), but it does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to an investment in CPOs or ADSs. In particular, this summary deals only with U.S. holders that will hold CPOs or ADSs as capital assets and does not address the tax treatment of U.S. holders that are subject to special tax rules, that own or are treated as owning 10% or more of the voting shares (including CPOs) of the Company or that may have acquired Series A Shares issued by the Company. This summary also includes a limited description of certain U.S. tax consequences with respect to non-U.S. holders.
 
The summary is based upon tax laws of the United States and Mexico as in effect on the date of this Annual Report, which are subject to change. Holders of CPOs or ADSs should consult their own tax advisers as to the U.S., Mexican or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of CPOs or ADSs, including, in particular, the effect of any foreign, state or local tax law.
 
In general, for U.S. federal tax purposes, and for purposes of the Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion and the Protocols thereto (the “Tax Treaty”) between the United States and Mexico, entered into force on January 1, 1994, holders of CPOs or ADSs will be treated as the beneficial owners of the Series A Shares represented by those CPOs or ADSs.
 
Taxation of Dividends
 
Mexican Tax Considerations
 
During 2009, there will be no Mexican income or withholding tax levied on holders of the CPOs or ADSs who are non-residents of Mexico for tax purposes (as described below) on dividends paid, either in cash or in any other form, by the Company.
 
For purposes of Mexican taxation, an individual is considered to be a resident of Mexico if he or she has established a home in Mexico. However, if such individual has a home in a foreign country as well, he or she will be considered a resident of Mexico if his or her center of vital interests is located in Mexico. A Mexican citizen is presumed to be a resident of Mexico for tax purposes unless such person can demonstrate otherwise. A legal entity is considered to be a resident of Mexico for tax purposes if its principal administrative office is located in Mexico.
 
U.S. Tax Considerations
 
The gross amount of any dividends paid with respect to the Series A Shares represented by CPOs or ADSs, to the extent paid out of the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. tax purposes, generally will be includible in the gross income of a U.S. holder as ordinary income on the day on which the dividends are received by the CPO Trustee and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporations under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Dividends, which will be paid in pesos, will be includible in the income of a U.S. holder in a U.S. dollar amount calculated in general by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the day they are received by the CPO Trustee. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the treatment of foreign currency gain or loss, if any, on any pesos received that are converted into U.S. dollars on a date after the date of receipt by the CPO Trustee.
 
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Subject to certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions, the U.S. dollar amount of dividends received by an individual before January 1, 2011 with respect to the ADSs will be subject to taxation at a maximum rate of 15% if the dividends are “qualified dividends.” Dividends paid on the ADSs will be treated as qualified dividends if (i) the ADSs are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States and (ii) the Company was not, in the year before the year in which the dividend was paid, and is not, in the year in which the dividend is paid, a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”). The ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and will qualify as readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States so long as they are so listed. Based on the Company’s audited financial statements and relevant market and shareholder data, the Company believes that it was not treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to its 2007 or 2008 taxable year. In addition, based on the Company’s audited financial statements and its current expectations regarding the value and nature of its assets, the sources and nature of its income, and relevant market and shareholder data, the Company does not anticipate becoming a PFIC for its 2009 taxable year. The U.S. Treasury has announced its intention to promulgate rules pursuant to which holders of ADSs or common stock and intermediaries though whom such securities are held will be permitted to rely on certifications from issuers to establish that dividends are treated as qualified dividends. Because such procedures have not yet been issued, it is not clear whether the Company will be able to comply with them. Holders of ADSs or CPOs should consult their own tax advisers regarding the availability of the reduced dividend tax rate in the light of their own particular circumstances.
 
A holder of CPOs or ADSs that is, with respect to the United States, a foreign corporation or nonresident alien individual (a “non-U.S. holder”) generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on dividends received on CPOs or ADSs, unless such income is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business in the United States.
 
Taxation of Capital Gains
 
Mexican Tax Considerations
 
Gains obtained during 2009 on the sale or other disposition of ADSs by holders who are non-residents of Mexico for tax purposes, will generally not be subject to Mexican income or withholding tax. Deposits of CPOs in exchange for ADSs and withdrawals of CPOs in exchange for ADSs will not give rise to any Mexican tax or transfer duties.
 
Income generated on the sale of CPOs during 2009 by individuals or legal entities that are non-resident of Mexico for tax purposes through the Mexican Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange or securities market in Mexico that is recognized by the Mexican Ministry of Finance, are generally exempt from Mexican taxes.
 
The tax exemption described in the previous paragraph will not be applicable to pre-negotiated trades executed through the Mexican Stock Exchange, which preclude the holders’ acceptance of offers more competitive than those received prior to and during the period in which they are offered for sale. The exemption also will not be applicable in the case of a person or group of persons that, directly or indirectly, holds 10% or more of the shares representing our capital stock, or that holds a controlling interest in us, if in a period of 24 months, a sale of 10% or more of our fully paid shares, or of a controlling interest in us, is carried out through one or several simultaneous or successive transactions, including those carried out through derivative instruments or other similar transactions.
 
If the abovementioned requirements are not met, capital gains realized on the disposition of CPOs by a U.S. holder who is eligible for tax benefits under the Tax Treaty generally will not be subject to Mexican tax, unless such gains are attributable to a permanent establishment of such U.S. holder in Mexico or if the U.S. holder owned, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the issuer’s capital stock within the 12-month period preceding such sale or other disposition.
 
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Exemption under the Tax Treaty requires that the U.S. holder appoint a legal representative in Mexico for income tax purposes before the sale and provide such a representative with a U.S. tax residence certificate issued by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Additionally, the U.S. holder must file a notice with the Mexican tax authorities within 30 days after the appointment has been made.
 
Gains on sales or other dispositions of CPOs made in circumstances other than those described above, generally would be subject to Mexican tax, regardless of the nationality or residence of the transferor.
 
U.S. Tax Considerations
 
Gain or loss realized by a U.S. holder on the sale or other disposition of CPOs or ADSs will be subject to U.S. federal income taxation as capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and such U.S. holder’s tax basis in the ADSs or the CPOs. Gain, if any, realized by a U.S. holder on the sale or other disposition of CPOs or ADSs generally will be treated as U.S. source income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes. Consequently, if a Mexican withholding tax is imposed on the sale or disposition of CPOs or ADSs, a U.S. holder that does not receive significant foreign source income from other sources may not be able to derive effective U.S. foreign tax credit benefits in respect of these Mexican taxes. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the foreign tax credit rules to their investment in, and disposition of, CPOs or ADSs.
 
Gain or loss realized by a U.S. holder on such sale, redemption or other disposition generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of disposition, the CPOs or ADSs have been held for more than one year. The net amount of long-term capital gain recognized by an individual holder is taxed at a reduced rate.
 
Deposits and withdrawals of CPOs by U.S. holders in exchange for ADSs will not result in the realization of gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such an exchanging U.S. holder will have a tax basis in the securities received equal to the basis such holder had in the exchanged securities. A U.S. holder’s holding period for securities received in such an exchange will include the holding period such U.S. holder had in the securities before such exchange.
 
A non-U.S. holder of CPOs or ADSs will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on gain realized on the sale of CPOs or ADSs, unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business in the United States or (ii) in the case of gain realized by an individual non-U.S. holder, the non-U.S. holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale and certain other conditions are met.
 
Other Mexican Taxes
 
There are no inheritance, gift, succession or value added taxes applicable to the ownership, transfer, exchange or disposition of CPOs or ADSs by holders that are non-residents of Mexico for tax purposes. There are no Mexican stamp, issue, registration or similar taxes or duties payable by holders of CPOs or ADSs.
 
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Unless it can be proved that the services were not utilized in Mexico, commissions paid in brokerage transactions for the sale of CPOs on the Mexican Stock Exchange are subject to a value added tax rate of 15%.
 
The Single Rate Business Tax Law establishes that individuals and legal entities deemed as Mexican residents for tax purposes, as well as foreign residents with a permanent establishment in Mexico, are obligated to pay this tax, regardless of where the income is generated, on revenues obtained from engaging in the following activities: (i) transfer of goods; (ii) rendering of independent services; and (iii) granting of temporary use or enjoyment of goods.
 
In accordance with the Single Rate Business Tax Law, the sale or other disposition of CPOs by holders who are non-residents of Mexico for tax purposes are not considered as taxable transactions.
 
Additionally, in accordance with the Single Rate Business Tax Law, dividends (either in cash or in any other form) earned by the abovementioned holders are also not deemed as taxable income for purposes of this tax.
 
U.S. Backup Withholding Tax and Information Reporting Requirements
 
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments by a paying agent within the United States to a non-corporate (or other non-exempt) U.S. holder of dividends in respect of the CPOs or ADSs or the proceeds received on the sale or other disposition of the CPOs or ADSs, and a backup withholding tax may apply to such amounts if the U.S. holder fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number to the paying agent. Amounts withheld as backup withholding tax will be creditable against the U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
 
DOCUMENTS ON DISPLAY
 
Grupo Radio Centro is subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act. In accordance with these requirements, Grupo Radio Centro files reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC. These materials, including this Annual Report, and the exhibits thereto, may be inspected and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E, Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Any materials filed by Grupo Radio Centro may also be read and copied at the SEC’s regional office at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. As a foreign private issuer, Grupo Radio Centro has been required to make filings with the SEC by electronic means since November 2002. Any filings the Company makes electronically will be available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and Grupo Radio Centro’s website at http://www.grc.com.mx. (This URL is intended to be an inactive textual reference only. It is not intended to be an active hyperlink to our website. The information on our website, which might be accessible through a hyperlink resulting from this URL, is not and shall not be deemed to be, incorporated into this Annual Report.)
 
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Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in currency exchange rates.
 
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
 
The Company’s principal foreign currency exchange risk involves changes in the value of the peso relative to the U.S. dollar. For the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company had net foreign currency exposure of U.S.$ 132,000, which consisted of short-term U.S. dollar-denominated bank deposits. The Company acquired these instruments for purposes other than trading purposes. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Decreases in the value of the peso relative to the U.S. dollar will increase the cost in pesos of the Company’s foreign currency denominated costs and expenses and of any obligation of the Company with respect to any foreign currency denominated liabilities. The Company generally does not hedge or enter into derivative transactions with respect to its foreign currency exposure.
 
A hypothetical and unfavorable 10% change in the currency exchange rate would result in total additional operating expenses of approximately Ps. 3.1 million in 2008.
 
Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
 
Not applicable.
 
PART II
 
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
 
None.
 
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
 
Material Modifications to Security Holders’ Rights
 
None.
 
Use of Proceeds
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 15. Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
We have evaluated, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2008. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon our evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
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There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
 
Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with Mexican Financial Reporting Standards. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with Mexican Financial Reporting Standards, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.
 
BDO Hernández Marrón y Cía., S.C., or BDO, an independent registered public accounting firm, that has audited our financial statements, has issued an attestation report on management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting, which appears under Item 18 of this Annual Report on Form 20-F.
 
Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert
 
Our board of directors has determined that Luis de la Fuente Baca qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” and as independent, as independence is defined under the Mexican Securities Market Law and the rules of the NYSE that are applicable to foreign private issuers. Mr. de la Fuente Baca acquired his expertise by serving as the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of various Mexican corporations over the last 30 years. See Item 6. “Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Directors—Audit Committee.”
 
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Item 16B.  Code of Ethics
 
We have adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 16B of Form 20-F under the Exchange Act.  Our code of ethics applies to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and principal accounting officer or persons performing similar functions.  Our code of ethics is available on our website at http://www.grc.com.mx.  (This URL is intended to be an inactive textual reference only.  It is not intended to be an active hyperlink to our website.  The information on our website, which might be accessible through a hyperlink resulting from this URL, is not and shall not be deemed to be, incorporated into this Annual Report.)  If we amend the provisions of our code of ethics that apply to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer or persons performing similar functions, or if we grant any waiver of such provisions, we will disclose such amendment or waiver on our website at the same address.
 
Item 16C.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
Audit Fees
 
The following table sets forth the fees billed to us by our independent registered public accounting firm, BDO, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008:
 
   
Year ended December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2008
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Audit fees
 
Ps. 1,996
   
Ps. 1,974
 
Audit-related fees
    320       320  
Total fees
 
Ps. 2,316
   
Ps. 2,294
 

Audit fees in the above table are the aggregate fees billed by BDO in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements and the review of our interim financial statements and statutory and regulatory audits.  Audit-related fees in the above table are the aggregate fees incurred in connection with the evaluation and review by BDO of our internal control over financial reporting.  BDO has not billed us fees related to any other services.
 
Audit Committee Approval Policies and Procedures
 
Our audit committee has not established pre-approval policies and procedures for the engagement of our independent auditors for services.  Our audit committee expressly approves on a case-by-case basis any engagement of our independent auditors for audit and non-audit services provided to our subsidiaries or to us.
 
Item 16D.  Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
 
Not applicable.
 
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Item 16E.  Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
 
The Company did not make any purchases of its equity securities in 2008.

Item 16F.  Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 16G. Corporate Governance.
 
Significant Differences between New York Stock Exchange Corporate Governance Standards and our Corporate Governance Practices
 
On November 4, 2003, the NYSE established new corporate governance rules applicable to listed companies.  These rules, and the amendments thereto, are codified in Section 303A of the NYSE’s Listed Company Manual.  Under these rules, foreign private issuers are subject to a more limited set of corporate governance requirements than U.S. domestic issuers.  As a foreign private issuer, pursuant to Rule 303A.11 of the Listed Company Manual of the NYSE, we must provide a brief description of any significant difference between our corporate governance practices and those followed by U.S. companies in accordance with the NYSE listing standards.
 
The table below discloses the significant differences between our corporate governance practices and the NYSE rules.  See Item 6, “Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Directors.”
 
Section of the
NYSE Listed
Company
Manual
 
New York Stock Exchange Corporate
Governance Rules for Domestic Issuers
 
Our Corporate Governance Practices
 
Director Independence
 
303A.01
 
Majority of board of directors must be independent. “Controlled companies,” which would include our company if it were a U.S. issuer, are exempt from this requirement. A controlled company is one in which more than 50% of the voting an individual, group holds power or another company, rather than the public.
 
Pursuant to our bylaws, our shareholders are required to appoint a board of directors of between seven and 21 members, of whom at least 25% must be independent.
 
In accordance with the Securities Market Law, our general shareholders’ meeting is required to make a determination as to the independence of our directors, though such determination may be challenged by the CNBV. There is no exemption from the independence requirement for controlled companies.
 
Executive Sessions
 
303A.03
 
Non-management directors must meet regularly without management in executive sessions over which a non-management director must preside. The name of the non-management director presiding at all such sessions (or the procedure by which one is selected for each session) must be disclosed in the company’s proxy (or, if no proxy is filed, its Form 10-K / annual report). Independent directors should meet alone in an executive session at least once a year.
 
There is no similar requirement under our bylaws or applicable Mexican law.
 
 
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Section of the
NYSE Listed
Company
Manual
 
New York Stock Exchange Corporate
Governance Rules for Domestic Issuers
 
Our Corporate Governance Practices
 
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee
 
303A.04
 
Nominating/corporate governance committee of independent directors is required. The committee must have a charter specifying the purpose, duties and annual evaluation procedures of the committee. “Controlled companies,” which would include our company if it were a U.S. issuer, are exempt from these requirements.
 
We currently do not have a nominating/corporate governance committee.
 
As required under the Mexican Securities Market Law, we have formed a corporate practices committee.
 
·      The committee is composed of directors who are appointed by either the board of directors after nomination by its chairman or by the shareholders at the general shareholders’ meeting.
 
·      Currently, all members of our corporate practices committee are independent as defined under the Mexican Securities Market Law and Rule 10A-3.
 
·      The chairman of the committee is appointed and removed exclusively by the shareholders at the general shareholders’ meeting.
 
·      Pursuant to our bylaws and to Mexican law, the chairman of our corporate practices committee submits an annual report regarding its activities to our board of directors, which in turn presents the report to our shareholders at the general shareholders’ meeting.
 
Compensation Committee
 
§303A.05
 
Compensation committee of independent directors is required, which must approve CEO compensation and offer recommendations to the board concerning non-CEO executive officer compensation. The committee must have a charter specifying the purpose, duties and evaluation procedures of the committee.
 
Our bylaws require that our directors’ compensation be determined by the shareholders at the general shareholders’ meeting.
 
The board of directors is authorized to approve the compensation policies for the CEO and other executive officers.
 
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Section of the
NYSE Listed
Company
Manual
 
New York Stock Exchange Corporate
Governance Rules for Domestic Issuers
 
Our Corporate Governance Practices
     
Audit Committee
   
     
303A.06
303A.07
 
Audit committee satisfying the independence and other requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the more stringent requirements under the NYSE standards is required.
 
We have been required to comply with Rule 10A-3 since July 31, 2005 and have formed an audit committee that satisfies the requirements of Rule 10A-3. The audit committee is not required to satisfy the NYSE independence and other audit committee standards that are not prescribed by Rule 10A-3.
 
·      The audit committee is composed of directors who are appointed by either the board of directors after nomination by its chairman or by the shareholders at the general shareholders’ meeting.
 
·      All members of the audit committee are independent as defined by the Securities Market Law and Rule 10A-3.
 
·      The chairman of the audit committee is appointed and removed exclusively by the shareholders at the general shareholders’ meeting and submits an annual report regarding the activities of the committee to the board of directors, which in turn presents the report to the shareholders at the general shareholders’ meeting.
     
Equity Compensation Plans
   
     
303A.08
 
Equity compensation plans, and material amendments thereto, require shareholder approval, subject to limited exemptions.
 
Under Mexican law, shareholder approval is required for the adoption and amendment of an equity compensation plan. We do not currently have an equity compensation plan.
     
Code of Ethics
   
     
303A.10
 
Corporate governance guidelines and a code of business conduct and ethics are required, with disclosure of any waiver for directors or executive officers.
 
We have adopted a code of ethics applicable to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and principal accounting officer or persons performing similar functions. We must disclose any waivers granted to such persons. A copy of our code of ethics is available on our website at www.radiocentro.com.mx.
 
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Section of the
NYSE Listed
Company
Manual
 
New York Stock Exchange Corporate
Governance Rules for Domestic Issuers
 
Our Corporate Governance Practices
 
Certification Requirements
 
303A.12
 
CEO must (1) certify annually that unaware of any violation of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards and (2) notify the NYSE in writing after any executive officer becomes aware of any material non-compliance with NYSE corporate governance standards. An annual Written Affirmation (as well as interim Written Affirmations in certain circumstances) must be executed and submitted to the NYSE in the form it prescribes.
 
Mexican securities regulations require us to submit annually to the CNBV a report and certification of the chairman and secretary of our board of directors regarding the degree of our compliance with the provisions of the Mexican Code of Best Corporate Practices.
 
The NYSE rules require that we execute and submit an annual Written Affirmation (as well as interim Written Affirmations in certain circumstances) to the NYSE in the form it prescribes and that our CEO notify the NYSE in writing after any executive officer becomes aware of any material non-compliance with NYSE corporate governance standards.
 
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PART III
 
Item 17.  Financial Statements
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 18.  Financial Statements
 
See pages F-1 through F-41, incorporated by reference herein.
 
Item 19.  Exhibits
 
Documents filed as exhibits to this annual report:
 
(a) 
List of Financial Statements
 
Consolidated Financial Statements of Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V. for the Years EndedDecember 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
 
Reports of independent auditors
   
F-2
 
         
Consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007
   
F-5
 
         
Consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
   
F-6
 
         
Consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
   
F-7
 
         
Consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2008
   
F-8
 
         
Consolidated statements of changes in financial position for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
   
F-9
 
         
Notes to the consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
 
F-10 to F-41
 
 
All other supplemental schedules relating to the Company are omitted because they are not required or because the required information, where material, is contained in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.
 
(b) 
List of Exhibits
 
Charter (Escritura Constitutiva), together with an English translation(a)
    1.1  
         
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V., dated December 13, 2006 filed as an English translation(l)
    1.2  
         
Deposit Agreement, dated June 30, 1993, among Grupo Radio Centro, S.A. de C.V., Citibank N.A. and holders from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder, including the form of American Depositary Receipt(d)
    2.1  
 
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Amended and Restated Controlling Trust Agreement, No. F/23020-1, dated April 24, 1992, with amendments dated September 2, 1992, May 18, 1993, September 14, 1993, May 25, 1999 and April 5, 2000 between certain members of the Aguirre family and Bancomer, S.A., as trustee, together with an English translation (b)
    3.1  
         
Trustee Substitution Agreement with respect to the Amended and Restated Controlling Trust Agreement of Trust F/632 (formerly Trust No. F/23020-1), dated June 15, 2007, between certain members of the Aguirre family, Bancomer, S.A., as the old trustee and IXE Banco, S.A., as the new trustee, filed as an English translation
    3.2  
         
Trust Agreement, No. F/29307-6, dated June 3, 1998, among certain principal shareholders of Grupo Radio Centro, S.A. de C.V., together with an English translation(c)
    3.3  
         
Trustee Substitution Agreement with respect to the Trust Agreement of Trust F/633 (formerly Trust No. F/29307-6), dated June 3, 1998, among certain principal shareholders of Grupo Radio Centro, S.A. de C.V., Bancomer, S.A., as the old trustee and IXE Banco, S.A., as the new trustee, filed as an English translation
    3.4  
         
Trust Dissolution Agreement with respect to Trust F/633, dated June 18, 2007, between certain members of the Aguirre family and IXE Banco, S.A., as trustee, filed as an English translation
    3.5  
         
Amended and Restated CPO Trust Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2003, between GE Capital Bank S.A., Institución de Banca Multiple, GE Capital Grupo Financiero, as CPO Trustee, and Grupo Radio Centro, S.A. de C.V., filed as an English translation (h)
    3.6  
         
Amended and Restated Public Deed, dated as of June 27, 2003 (the “Amended and Restated CPO Deed”), filed as an English translation (h)
    4.1  
         
Modifying Agreement, dated December 14, 1998, between Grupo Radio Centro, S.A. de C.V. and Comercializadora Siete, S.A. de C.V., modifying Service Agreement, dated October 2, 1995 with respect to XHFO-FM, together with an English translation (e)
    4.2  
         
Modifying Agreement, dated June 29, 2001, between Grupo Radio Centro, S.A. de C.V. and Comercializadora Siete, S.A. de C.V., modifying Service Agreement, dated October 2, 1995, with respect to XHFO-FM, together with an English translation(g)
    4.3  
         
Modifying Agreement, dated September 7, 2004, between Grupo Radio Centro, S.A. de C.V. and Comercializadora Siete, S.A. de C.V., modifying Service Agreement, dated October 2, 1995 with respect to XHFO-FM, filed as an English translation(j)
    4.4  
         
Programming Services Agreement, dated December 23, 1998, among Grupo Radio Centro, S.A. de C.V., Infored and José Gutiérrez Vivó, together with an English translation(e)
    4.5  
 
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Credit Agreement, dated June 4, 2007, among Grupo Radio Centro, S.A. de C.V, as borrower; Radio Centro Publicidad, S.A. de C.V., GRC Publicidad, S.A. de C.V. and GRC Medios, S.A. de C.V., as several obligors; Desarrollos Empresariales, S.A. de C.V., Radiodifusión Red, S.A. de C.V., Inmobilaria Radio Centro, S.A. de C.V. and Universal de Muebles e Inmuebles, S.A. de C.V., as guarantors; and GE Capital CEF México, S. de R.L. de C.V. and Banco Inbursa, S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero Inbursa, as creditors, together with an amendment dated May 16, 2008, a second amendment dated June 4, 2008, and a third amendment dated May 14, 2009, filed as an English translation(k)
    4.6  
         
Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated May 16, 2008, filed as an English translation(m)
    4.7  
         
Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated June 4, 2008, filed as an English translation(m)
    4.8  
         
Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated May 14, 2009, filed as an English translation
    4.9  
         
Local Marketing Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2009,among among KMVN, LLC, KMVN License, LLC, Grupo Radio Centro LA, LLC and Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V.(n)
    4.10  
         
Put and Call Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2009, among KMVN, LLC, KMVN License, LLC, Grupo Radio Centro LA, LLC and Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V.(n)
    4.11  
         
List of Subsidiaries of the Company
    8.1  
         
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
    12.1  
         
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
    12.2  
         
Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
    13.1  
 

(a) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Commission File No. 333-63878) filed on June 4, 1993.
 
(b) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (Commission File No. 001-12090) filed on December 31, 1993.
 
(c) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (Commission File No. 001-12090) filed on June 30, 1998.
 
 (d) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-6 (Commission File No. 333-8224) filed on January 16, 1998.
 
(e) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (Commission File No. 001-12090) filed on June 30, 1999.
 
(f) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (Commission File No. 001-12090) filed on May 9, 2001.
 
(g) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (Commission File No. 001-12090) filed on June 24, 2002.
 
(h) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (Commission File No. 001-12090) filed on June 30, 2003.
 
(i) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (Commission File No. 001-12090) filed on July 1, 2004, as amended by amendment filed on July 2, 2004.
 
(j) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (Commission File No. 001-12090) filed on June 29, 2005.
 
76

 
(k) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F (Commission File No. 001-12090) filed on June 30, 2006.
 
(l) Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (Commission File No. 001-12090) filed on July 2, 2007.
 
(m) Incorporated by reference to our Annual Report on Form 20-F (Commission File No. 001-12090) filed on July 30, 2008.
 
(n) Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K of Emmis Communications Corporation (Commission File No. 0-23264) filed on April 8, 2009.
 
77

 
SIGNATURE
 
The registrant certifies that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
 
Date:  June 26, 2009
 
GRUPO RADIO CENTRO, S.A.B. de C.V.
   
By:
/s/ Pedro Beltrán Nasr
Pedro Beltrán Nasr
Chief Financial Officer


 
 
GRUPO RADIO CENTRO, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007

AND

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006

TOGETHER WITH

AUDITOR’S REPORT
 

 
INDEX TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   
Page
 
       
Reports of independent registered accounting firm
 
F-2 to F-4
 
       
Consolidated Financial Statements:
     
       
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007
    F-5  
         
Consolidated Statements of Income
    F-6  
for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
       
         
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
    F-7  
for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006
       
         
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
    F-8  
for the year ended December 31, 2008
       
         
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Financial Position
    F-9  
for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
       
         
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
F-10 to F-41
 
 
F-1


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Shareholders of
Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V.
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and the related consolidated statements of income and changes in shareholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 as well as the statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the statement of changes in financial position for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in Mexico and the standards of the Public Accounting Oversight Board (United States). These standards require that we plan and perform the audits in order to obtain reasonable assurance as to whether the financial statements are free of material misstatements and whether they are prepared according to Mexican financial reporting standards. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the financial information reporting standards used, the significant estimates made by the Company’s management and the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
As mentioned in Note 3b to the consolidated financial statements, as of January 1, 2008, the Company adopted the financial reporting standard MFRS B-2, Statement of Cash Flows, which supersedes Bulletin B-12, Statement of Changes in Financial Position that was in effect through December 31, 2007. As mentioned in Note 3b, the Company also adopted, as of January 1, 2008, MFRS B-10, Effects of Inflation.
 
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the consolidated results of their operations and the consolidated changes in shareholders’ equity for the years then ended, as well as the consolidated cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the consolidated changes in their financial position for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, in conformity with Mexican financial reporting standards accepted in Mexico.
 
These consolidated financial statements have been translated into English solely for the convenience of readers of this language. In all cases where there are any disagreements between the English and Spanish versions, the Spanish version shall be considered authoritative and controlling.
 
BDO Hernández Marrón y Cía., S.C.
 
/s/ Bernardo Soto Peñafiel
Bernardo Soto Peñafiel
Audit Partner

Mexico City
February 18, 2009, except for the events described in Note 23, dated June 22, 2009

 
F-2

 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V. and subsidiaries

We have audited Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V. and its subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V.'s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Item 15, Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.” Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with Mexican financial reporting standards. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with Mexican financial reporting standards, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 
F-3

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V. and its subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on the COSO criteria.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements of Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and changes in financial position for each of the three years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, and our report dated February 20, 2008, except for Note 23 which is dated as of June 22, 2009.

BDO Hernandez Marron y Cia, S.C.
 
/s/ Bernardo Soto Peñafiel
Bernardo Soto Peñafiel
 
June 22, 2008
Mexico City
 
 
F-4

 

GRUPO RADIO CENTRO, S.A. B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
(All amounts bearing the symbol “Ps” are expressed in thousands of Mexican pesos. The
amounts bearing the symbol “US$” are expressed in thousands of US dollars - See Note 3a.).

ASSETS
 
2008
   
2007
 
                   
CURRENT ASSETS:
                 
                   
Cash and temporary investments (Note 5)
  US$ 6,727     Ps 93,054     Ps 167,011  
                         
Accounts receivable:
                       
Clients from broadcasting, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of Ps 23,916 in 2008 and 2007
    21,768       301,101       195,707  
Taxes recoverable
    217       3,007       -  
Others (Note 7)
    450       6,225       4,663  
                         
      22,435       310,333       200,370  
                         
Advance payments
    2,760       38,179       33,360  
                         
Total current assets
    31,922       441,566       400,741  
                         
PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Note 10 )
    33,620       465,034       461,555  
                         
DEFERRED CHARGES, NET (Note 11)
    351       4,850       6,047  
                         
EXCESS COST OVER NET BOOK VALUE OF ASSETS OF SUBSIDIARIES, NET (Note 12)
    59,924       828,863       828,863  
                         
OTHER ASSETS
    240       3,325       3,239  
                         
    US$ 126,057     Ps 1,743,638     Ps 1,700,445  

LIABILITIES
 
2008
   
2007
 
                   
SHORT-TERM LIABILITIES:
                 
                   
                   
Advances from clients (Note 13)
  US$ 10,305     Ps 142,543     Ps 124,418  
Suppliers and other accounts payable (Note 14)
    4,872       67,388       55,420  
Income tax and other taxes payable (Note 15)
    1,363       18,859       50,847  
                         
Total short-term liability
    16,540       228,790       230,685  
                         
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:
                       
                         
Labor obligations (Note 16)
    4,358       60,276       58,605  
Deferred taxes (Note 18)
    1,575       21,782       5,130  
                         
Total liabilities
    22,473       310,848       294,420  
                         
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Note 17):
                       
                         
Capital stock
    81,724       1,130,410       1,130,410  
Retained earnings
    18,639       257,818       231,098  
Reserve for the repurchase of shares
    3,169       43,837       43,837  
                         
Majority shareholders' equity
    103,532       1,432,065       1,405,345  
Minority interest
    52       725       680  
                         
Total shareholders' equity
    103,584       1,432,790       1,406,025  
                         
    US$ 126,057     Ps 1,743,638     Ps 1,700,445  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
F-5

 
GRUPO RADIO CENTRO, S.A. B DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006

(All amounts bearing the symbol “Ps” are expressed in thousands of Mexican pesos. The
amounts bearing the symbol “US$” are expressed in thousands of US dollars - See Note 3a.).

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                         
Broadcasting income
  US$ 53,145     Ps 735,105     Ps 654,760     Ps 825,590  
                                 
Broadcasting expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization
    32,703       452,350       421,970       460,072  
                                 
Broadcasting income
    20,442       282,755       232,790       365,518  
                                 
Depreciation and amortization
    2,293       31,720       33,687       37,183  
                              -  
Corporate, general and administrative expenses
    1,045       14,461       14,774       14,813  
                                 
Operating income
    17,104       236,574       184,329       313,522  
                                 
Other expenses, net (Note 19)
    4,112       56,880       45,806       59,511  
                                 
Comprehensive cost of financing:
                               
                                 
Interest expense
    606       8,376       2,767       37,665  
Interest income
    (16 )     (228 )     (399 )     (480 )
Foreign exchange loss (gain), net (Note 4)
    (34 )     (470 )     5       (8 )
Loss from monetary position
    -               3,477       2,665  
                                 
      556       7,678       5,850       39,842  
                                 
Profit before extraordinary item
    12,436       172,016       132,673       214,169  
                                 
Extraordinary item (Note 9)
    -       -       -       263,523  
                                 
Profit before income tax
    12,436       172,016       132,673       477,692  
                                 
Income tax (Note 18)
    3,271       45,251       41,554       42,944  
                                 
                                 
Net income
  US$
9,165
    Ps 126,765     Ps 91,119     Ps 434,748  
                                 
Net income corresponding to:
                               
Majority shareholders
    9,162       126,720       91,098     Ps 434,685  
Minority interest
    3       45       21       63  
                                 
    US$
9,165
    Ps 126,765     Ps 91,119     Ps 434,748  
                                 
Net income per share
  US$ 0.0563     Ps 0.7790     Ps 0.5598     Ps 2.6712  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
F-6

 
GRUPO RADIO CENTRO, S.A. B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006

(All amounts bearing the symbol “Ps” are expressed in thousands of Mexican pesos. The
amounts bearing the symbol “US$” are expressed in thousands of US dollars - See Note 3a.).

               
Reserve for
         
Cumulative
                         
               
repurchase
   
Excess in
   
effect of
   
Effect from
                   
   
Capital
   
Retained
   
of
   
restatement
   
deferred
   
labor
   
Minority
         
Comprehensive
 
   
stock
   
earnings
   
shares
   
of capital
   
income tax
   
obligations
   
interest
   
Total
   
income
 
                                                       
Balances as of December 31, 2005 (see Note 17)
  $ 1,258,138     $ (120,608 )   $ 44,994     $ 5,084     $ (106,320 )   $ (273 )   $ 604     $ 1,081,619       (42,710 )
                                                                         
Repurchase of shares
    (5,086 )     -       (4,031 )     -       -       -       -       (9,117 )     -  
                                                                         
Reimbursement of capital
    (128,545 )     -       -       -       -       -       -       (128,545 )     -  
                                                                         
Effect from the additional liability from labor obligations
    -       -       -       -       -       (37 )     -       (37 )     -  
                                                                         
Sale of shares
    5,903       -       2,874       -       -       -       -       8,777       -  
                                                                         
Net gain for the year
    -       434,748       -       -       -       -       -       434,748       434,748  
                                                                         
Minority interest participation
    -       (63 )     -       -       -       -       63       -       -  
                                                                         
Balances as of December 31, 2006 (see Note 17)
    1,130,410       314,077       43,837       5,084       (106,320 )     (310 )     667       1,387,445       434,748  
                                                                         
Dividends paid
    -       (71,934 )     -       -       -       -       (8 )     (71,942 )     -  
 
                                                                       
Reclassification of the excess in restatement of capital and the cumulative effect of deferred income tax
            (101,236 )             (5,084 )     106,320                               -  
                                                                         
Effect from the additional liability from labor obligations
    -       -       -       -       -       (597 )     -       (597 )     (597 )
                                                                         
Reclassification of the effect labor obligations in capital
            (907 )                             907                          
                                                                         
Net gain for the year
    -       91,119       -       -       -       -       -       91,119       91,119  
                                                                         
Minority interest participation
    -       (21 )     -       -       -       -       21       -       -  
                                                                         
Balances as of December 31, 2007 (see Note 17)
    1,130,410       231,098       43,837       -       -       -       680       1,406,025       90,522  
                                                                         
Dividends paid
    -       (100,000 )     -       -       -       -       -       (100,000 )     -  
                                                                         
Effect from the additional liability from labor obligations
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                                         
Net gain for the year
    -       126,765       -       -       -       -       -       126,765       126,765  
                                                                         
Minority interest participation
    -       (45 )     -       -       -       -       45       -       -  
                                                                         
Balances as of December 31, 2008 (see Note 17)
  Ps 1,130,410     Ps 257,818     Ps 43,837     Ps -     Ps -     Ps -     Ps 725     Ps 1,432,790     Ps 126,765  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
F-7

 
GRUPO RADIO CENTRO, S.A. B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008

(All amounts bearing the symbol “Ps” are expressed in thousands of Mexican pesos. The
amounts bearing the symbol “US$” are expressed in thousands of US dollars - See Note 3a.).

   
2008
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Income before income tax:
  US$ 12,436     Ps 172,016  
                 
Items related to investment activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    2,293       31,720  
Interest income
    (16 )     (228 )
Other items
    (25 )     (348 )
Pension plans
    121       1,671  
Items related to financing activities:
               
Interest payable
    606       8,376  
                 
Total
    15,415       213,207  
                 
Increase in accounts receivable and others
    (10,175 )     (140,746 )
Decrease in suppliers
    1,242       17,178  
Income tax paid
    (2,313 )     (31,988 )
                 
Net cash used in operating activities
    (11,246 )     (155,556 )
                 
INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES:
               
                 
Interest expense
    16       228  
Acquisition of properties, machinery and equipment
    (1,696 )     (23,460 )
                 
Net cash used in investment activities
    (1,680 )     (23,232 )
                 
Cash to apply to financing activities
    (1,680 )     34,419  
                 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
                 
Interest paid
    (606 )     (8,376 )
Dividends paid
    (7,230 )     (100,000 )
                 
Cash used in financing activities
    (7,836 )     (108,376 )
                 
CASH AND TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS:
               
Net decrease for the period
    (5,347 )     (73,957 )
                 
Balance at the beginning of the year
    12,074       167,011  
                 
Balances at the end of the year
  US$ 6,727     Ps 93,054  
 
F-8

 
GRUPO RADIO CENTRO, S.A. B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006

(All amounts bearing the symbol “Ps” are expressed in thousands of Mexican pesos. The
amounts bearing the symbol “US$” are expressed in thousands of US dollars - See Note 3a.).

   
2007
   
2006
 
OPERATIONS:
                 
                   
Net income
  US$ 8,347     Ps 91,119     Ps 434,748  
                         
Charges (credits) to results not requiring (providing) the
                       
outlay of resources:
                       
 
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    3,086       33,687       37,183  
Deferred income tax
    (390 )     (4,259 )     (34,524 )
Labor obligations (Note 16)
    302       3,302       13,158  
Advance payments
    -       -       (15,252 )
Effect from the valuation of properties (Note 10)
    81       881       1,930  
                         
      11,426       124,730       437,243  
Net changes in accounts receivable, accounts payable and other assets
    2,634       28,759       (172,456 )
                         
Resources generated from the operation
    14,060       153,489       264,787  
                         
FINANCING:
                       
                         
Dividends paid
    (6,590 )     (71,942 )     -  
Sale of shares
    -       -       8,777  
Repurchase of shares
    -       -       (9,117 )
Notes payable
    -       -       (122,255 )
Repurchase of shares
    -       -       (128,548 )
                         
Resources applied in financing activities
    (6,590 )     (71,942 )     (251,143 )
                         
INVESTMENT:
                       
                         
Goodwill
    (12 )     (129 )     -  
                         
Deferred charges
    (181 )     (1,978 )     537  
                         
Excluding the recognition of the effects from inflation:
                       
Equipment
    (1,314 )     (14,341 )     (6,528 )
Security deposits
    16       171       -  
                         
Resources applied in investment activities
    (1,491 )     (16,277 )     (5,991 )
                         
Increase in cash and temporary investments
    5,979       65,270       7,654  
                         
Cash and temporary investments at the beginning of the year
    9,320       101,741       94,088  
                         
Cash and temporary investments at the end of the year
  US$ 15,299     Ps 167,011     Ps 101,741  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 
F-9

GRUPO RADIO CENTRO, S.A.B. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
AND
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006

(All amounts bearing the symbol “Ps ” are expressed in thousands of Mexican pesos.  See Note 3.a.  The amounts bearing the symbol “US$” are expressed in thousands of US dollars).

NOTE 1         LINE OF BUSINESS AND COMPOSITION OF THE COMPANIES

Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V. (“Grupo Radio Centro” or “the Company”) was incorporated on June 8, 1971.

Grupo Radio Centro is a Mexican commercial broadcasting company whose principal line of business is the production and radio broadcasting of musical programs, news, interviews and special events. Its revenues are derived primarily from the sale of commercial airtime to advertising agencies and businesses. The Company also operates a radio network in Mexico.

Grupo Radio Centro owns approximately 99.9% of most of its subsidiaries, which comprise the following companies:

Companies:
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                     
Radio stations:
                   
                     
XEQR, S.A. de C.V.
     
X
     
X
     
X
 
XERC, S.A. de C.V.
     
X
     
X
     
X
 
XEEST, S.A. de C.V.
( a )
   
X
     
X
     
X
 
XEQR-FM, S.A. de C.V.
     
X
     
X
     
X
 
XERC-FM, S.A. de C.V.
     
X
     
X
     
X
 
XEJP-FM, S.A. de C.V.
     
X
     
X
     
X
 
XEDKR-AM, S.A. de C.V.
     
X
     
X
     
X
 
XESTN-AM, S.A. de C.V.
     
X
     
X
     
X
 
Radio Red, S.A. de C.V.
     
X
     
X
     
X
 
Radio Red-FM, S.A. de C.V.
     
X
     
X
     
X
 
Estación Alfa, S.A. de C.V.
     
X
     
X
     
X
 
Emisora 1150, S.A. de C.V. (formerly XECMQ)
     
X
     
X
     
X
 
Radio Sistema Mexicano, S.A.
     
X
     
X
     
X
 

 
F-10

 

Companies:
 
2008
 
2007
 
2006
Marketing companies:
           
             
Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V.
 
X
 
X
 
X
GRC Radiodifusión, S.A. (formerly Aerocer, S.A.)
 
X
 
X
 
X
GRC Publicidad, S.A. de C.V.
 
X
 
X
 
X
GRC Comunicaciones, S.A. de C.V.
(b)
X
 
X
   
GRC Medios, S.A. de C.V.
 
X
 
X
 
X
Radio Centro Publicidad, S.A. de C.V.
 
X
 
X
 
X
             
Service companies:
           
             
Promotora Técnica de Servicios
           
Profesionales, S.A. de C.V.
 
X
 
X
 
X
Publicidad y Promociones
           
Internacionales, S.A. de C.V.
 
X
 
X
 
X
Promo Red, S.A. de C.V.
 
X
 
X
 
X
To2 México, S.A. de C.V.
 
X
 
X
 
X
             
Real estate companies:
           
             
Universal de Muebles e Inmuebles, S.A. de C.V.
X
 
X
 
X
Inmobiliaria Radio Centro, S.A. de C.V.
 
X
 
X
 
X
             
Sub-holding companies:
           
             
Desarrollos Empresariales, S.A. de C.V.
 
X
 
X
 
X
Radiodifusión Red, S.A. de C.V.
 
X
 
X
 
X
Enlaces Troncales, S.A. de C.V.
 
X
 
X
 
X
             
Non-operating companies:
           
             
Música, Música, Música, S.A. de C.V.
 
X
 
X
 
X
Promotora de Éxitos, S.A. de C.V.
 
X
 
X
 
X
Producciones Artísticas Internacionales,
           
S.A. de C.V.
 
X
 
X
 
X

(a)
Radio station managed and operated by Comercializadora Siete de México, S.A. de C.V.
(b)  Subsidiary as of January 9, 2007. 
 
The Company’s radio-station operations include the production and broadcasting of musical programs, news, interviews, special events and advertising in Mexico City’s metropolitan area. They are based on limited-term concessions, subject to renewal, granted by Mexico’s Ministry of Communications and Transportation (“SCT”). One of the station concessions granted to the Company will expire in December 2012, nine in July 2016, one in October 2015, one in November 2015 and one in December 2019.

 
F-11

 

The Company’s marketing companies, are responsible for the programming and sale of commercial airtime for broadcast by the Company’s radio stations in Mexico City, the metropolitan area, and the interior of the country.
 
The Company’s service companies provide commercial, technical and administrative services to the companies comprising Grupo Radio Centro.
 
The Company’s real estate companies own the land and buildings where the transmission facilities of the Company’s radio stations and its commercial companies are located, including the building where the head offices and studios of Grupo Radio Centro and its subsidiaries are located.
 
The Company’s non-operating companies were incorporated for the purpose of developing new investment projects.

NOTE 2        BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the balance sheets of Grupo Radio Centro and its subsidiaries, listed in Note 1, as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 and the related consolidated statements of income and changes in shareholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, as well as the statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the statement of changes in financial position for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The US dollar amounts (denoted by the symbol “US$”) shown in the 2008 financial statements have been included solely for the convenience of the reader and were translated at the rate of Ps 13.8320 per US$ 1.00, the noon buying rate of Mexican pesos on December 31, 2008, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. This translation should not be construed as a representation that the Mexican peso amounts have been or could be converted into US dollars at this or any other rate.

NOTE 3        SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Mexican Financial Reporting Standards (MFRS).  MFRS require Company management, using their professional judgment, to make certain estimates and to use certain assumptions in order to determine the valuation of certain items included in its financial statements. Though such estimates and assumptions may differ from the final result, Company management believes that they are adequate under the circumstances and as of the date of issue of these financial statements.

 
F-12

 

The most significant accounting policies followed by Grupo Radio Centro in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements, which are in compliance with MFRS, are summarized below:

a.       Basis of preparation and disclosure:

1.   Monetary unit of the financial statements:

The financial statements and footnotes as of December 31, 2008 and for the year then ended were determined and are presented in nominal Mexican pesos (except for those non-monetary items that include inflation effects at December 31, 2007) and the financial statements and footnotes as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and for the years then ended are presented in Mexican pesos with purchasing power as of December 31, 2007.

2.   Classification by function:

Expenses are presented based on function to highlight how broadcasting expenses are used, in contrast to corporate, general and administrative expenses.

3.   Operating income:

Operating income is determined by deducting operational and broadcasting expenses, corporate, general and administrative expenses, and depreciation and amortization from broadcasting revenues. Even though this is not required by MRFS B-3, it is included in this line of the consolidated statements of income presented as it adds to a better understanding of the Company’s economic and financial performance.

4.   Comprehensive income:

Comprehensive income presented in the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity is the result of the Company’s total performance during the period and is represented by the year’s net income plus additional liability from retirement payments, which in compliance with MFRS, is charged directly to shareholders’ equity.

b.      Adoption of new MFRS:

As of January 1, 2008, guidelines contained in the following MFRS became effective. The Company considers that the adoption of the MFRS did not have a material effect on the financial information presented in its financial statements and footnotes.

The most relevant changes are the following:

 
F-13

 

1. MFRS B-2, Statement of Cash Flows.

MFRS B-2 substitutes Bulletin B-12, Statement of Changes in Financial Position. It establishes that nominal pesos must be used as the base monetary unit for the preparation of financial statements, independent of whether economic conditions would merit the recognition of the effects of inflation in the financial information. MFRS B-2 further requires the use of the direct or indirect method in the determination and presentation of cash flows from operating activities. The Company used the indirect method, which requires that the statement of cash flows begin with net income or loss before income taxes, which is reconciled with cash flows from operating activities.

MFRS B-2 accounting changes are not recognized retroactively. As a result, the Company has presented its Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2008 and its Statement of Changes in Financial Position for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006.

2. MFRS B-10, Effects of Inflation.

MFRS B-10 substitutes Bulletin B-10. It establishes that inflation accounting methods applicable for two economic environments: (a) in an “inflationary” economy, if the cumulative inflation rate for the three previous years is greater than 26%, the effects of inflation are recognized on the financial statements for the period; or (b) in a non-inflationary economy, if the cumulative inflation rate for the three previous years is less than 26%, the effects of inflation are not recognized on the financial statements for the period.  In inflation accounting, the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) or the Units of Investment (UDI) may be used to adjust amounts reported in the financial statements. MFRS B-10 further requires the valuation of inventories at replacement cost and the valuation of imported assets is eliminated through specific indexing. Consequently, the result from holding non-monetary assets included in the excess in restatement of capital must be identified with the assets giving rise to them. As it was not possible to identify such assets, together with the initial effect from the adoption of Bulletin B-10, the cumulative result from holding non-monetary assets amounting to Ps.5,084 were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in the changes in stockholders’ equity. The Company found it impracticable to quantify the effects of inflation and the result from holding non-monetary assets in the 2008 income statement.

Cumulative inflation for the last three years is 11.56%. Therefore, in compliance with the new MFRS, the economic environment is considered non-inflationary. Accordingly, as of January 1, 2008, the Company suspended the recognition of the effects of inflation in its financial statements. Consequently, assets, liabilities, and shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, include the restatement effects of inflation recognized only through December 31, 2007.

3. MFRS D-4, Taxes on Earnings.

MFRS D-4 removes employee profit sharing (PTU) from the guidelines regarding income taxes. Further, MFRS D-4 provides that the tax on assets (IMPAC) is recognized as a tax credit or a deferred tax asset only when there is a probability of recovery against tax gain in future years. MFRS D-4 also establishes that the initial application of this standard should be made on a retroactive basis and that the cumulative effect of income tax on retained earnings must be reclassified to retained earnings, unless it is identified with other items not yet taken into income.

 
F-14

 

The balance of the cumulative effect of income tax that was reclassified to retained earnings amounts to Ps 106,320, as shown in the Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity at December 31, 2008.

4. MFRS D-3, Employee Benefits.

MFRS D-3 incorporates standards relating to accrued and deferred PTU, requiring that deferred PTU be determined on the income tax assets and liabilities method established in MFRS D-4, thereby eliminating the practice of considering only those temporary differences that arise from the reconciliation between accounting income and the taxable income for PTU purposes.

This new MFRS also eliminates the recognition of an additional liability because no salary increase is assumed. It additionally establishes an amortization period of the lesser of five years and the remaining useful lives of the following items: a) the initial balance of the transition balance from dismissal and retirement benefits; b) the initial balance from prior services and changes to the plan; and c) the initial balance of actuarial earnings and losses from retirement benefits net of the transition liability. With respect to the latter, there is an option to amortize the entire balance against other expenses (income) in the 2008 results from operations. The Company opted to amortize the balance of this item for an amount of Ps.1,047.

c.      Recognition of the effects from inflation:

As a result of the adoption of the MFRS B-10 mentioned in paragraph b above, the Company suspended the recognition of the effects from inflation in its financial statements as of January 1, 2008.

Through December 31, 2007, recognition of the effects of inflation resulted mainly in earnings or losses on non-monetary and monetary items presented in the financial statements recognized under the following two categories:

Excess in the restatement of shareholders’ equity – This classification consists of the accrued result from monetary position up to the date of the first restatement and the gaining from holding non-monetary assets that represent the change in the specific level of prices that increased above the level of inflation.

Results from monetary position – The gain (loss) on net monetary position represents the effects of inflation, as measured by applying factors from the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI), on net monetary assets and liabilities at the beginning of each month. Monetary assets produce a loss while monetary liabilities produce a gain.

The percentages of inflation for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were 6.52% and 3.76%, respectively.

 
F-15

 

d.      Temporary investments:

Temporary investments consisted primarily of deposits at fixed interest rates and with maturities of less than 90 days and are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which does not exceed market value.

e.      Property and equipment:

Property and equipment are recorded at acquisition cost. Balances from acquisitions made through December 31, 2007 are adjusted for the effects of inflation by applying NCPI factors. Related depreciation is calculated by applying the straight-line method based on the estimated remaining useful lives of assets, which is determined by the Company using the depreciation rates discussed in Note 10.

During 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company recognized an increase (decrease) in the realizable value of unoccupied properties in the amount of Ps 901, (Ps 881), and (Ps 1,930), respectively, whose effect was applied to the year’s results (see Note 19).

f.      Excess cost over the net value of subsidiaries:

The excess of the cost over the net value of subsidiaries (goodwill) represented the excess of the purchase price of the acquired subsidiary over the reasonable value of its net assets. In order to determine this amount, acquired intangible assets that have no replacement value are eliminated. Through 2007, the remainder of the goodwill balance was adjusted to recognize the effect of inflation by applying factors from the NCPI.

There is no amortization of goodwill; rather it is subject to impairment testing in accordance with the guidelines of Bulletin C-15, Impairment in the Value of Long-Lived Assets and their Disposal.  As of December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, there was no goodwill impairment.

g.      Installation expenses and software licenses:

Installation expenses are recorded at acquisition cost. Balances from sales made up to December 31, 2007 are adjusted to recognize the effect of inflation by applying factors from the NCPI. Amortization is calculated on the straight-line method at a 5% annual rate (Note 11). Software licenses are recorded at acquisition cost and amortized according to their duration.

h.      Tax on earnings:

Income tax (ISR) and the flat rate business tax (IETU) are recorded in the year in which they are payable. The deferred tax is recognized by applying the respective tax rate to temporary differences that result from the comparison made between book and fiscal balances of the assets and liabilities and, if necessary, the benefits from tax loss carryforwards and tax credits are included. The deferred tax asset is recorded only when there is a high probability it will be recovered.

 
F-16

 

The effect of changes in tax rates on deferred taxes is recognized in the results of the period in which the changes are approved.

The effect of deferred taxes was a charge to the provision of income taxes of Ps 16,652 in 2008 and a tax benefit of Ps (4,259) and Ps (34,508) in 2007 and 2006, respectively. Deferred tax liability increased (decreased) for those amounts (see Note 18).

i.      Employee profit sharing (PTU):

PTU is recorded in the year in which it is payable and is presented under the caption “other income and expenses” in the accompanying statement of income. Deferred PTU is determined based on temporary differences that result in 2008 from the comparison of book and tax balances of assets and liabilities and, in 2007, from the comparison from book income and taxable income that is recognized only when the liquidation of a liability or the generation of a benefit is probable and when there is no indication that the situation is going to change in a way that the liability or the benefit will not be realized.

j.      Advances from customers:

Advances from customers are recognized as income when the corresponding airtime is broadcast.

k.      Labor liabilities:

Labor liabilities are divided into three types of employee benefits: direct short and long-term benefits, termination benefits, and retirement benefits. They are analyzed as follows:

Direct short- and long-term benefits - These benefits are valued in proportion with services rendered, by considering current wages. These benefits are recognized as a liability as they are incurred and include mainly PTU payable, paid absences, such as vacations and vacation premiums, and incentives.

Termination and retirement benefits - Liability from seniority premiums, post-retirement benefits, and severance payments from termination of employment are recorded as they become payable. They are calculated by independent actuaries based on the projected individual credit method by using nominal interest rates in 2008 and real interest rates in 2007. Therefore, the liability is being recognized at current value and it is estimated it will cover the obligations of these benefits as of the estimated retirement date of all employees that work at the Company. The cost for termination amounted to Ps 1,671 in 2008 and Ps 5,118 in 2007. (See actuarial estimates in Note 16).

Other payments based on seniority to which employees may be entitled in the event of separation or death pursuant to the Mexican Federal Labor Law are recorded in results of the year when such benefits are incurred.

 
F-17

 

l.      Earning per share:

Basic earnings per common share are calculated by dividing net consolidated income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is determined by adjusting net consolidated income and common shares under the assumption that the entities commitments will be realized in order to issue or exchange its own shares. For the years ended at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, there were no diluted earnings per share.

m.     Comprehensive result of financing (RIF) and transactions in foreign currency:

RIF - RIF included in the statements of income, includes interest and foreign exchange differences. It also included the monetary effect through 2007.

Transactions in foreign currency – Transactions in foreign currency are recorded at the exchange rate prevailing as of the dates the transactions are entered into and/or settled. Assets and liabilities in foreign currency are restated at the exchange rate as of the balance sheet date. The resulting exchange differences are recorded in results of operations (see Note 4).

n.      Revenue recognition:

Income is recognized when the corresponding airtime is broadcast.

o.      Barter transactions:

From time to time, the Company receives products and services in exchange for advertising airtime. Advertising airtime is recognized when the advertising is aired and the cost when the goods and services are used. The Company’s management estimates that the value of these transactions does not exceed market value.

p.      Use of estimates:

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the recorded amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the recognized amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

q.      Concentration of credit risk – Broadcasting revenue:

The Company’s principal source of revenue is generated by broadcasting advertising and promotions for its customers. Although the Company has several large customer accounts, none comprised more than 10% of the Company’s total broadcasting revenue in 2008, 2007, and 2006.

 
F-18

 

r.      Repurchase of shares:

In accordance with Mexico’s current Stock Market Law, the Company has created a capital reserve from retained earnings, called “Reserve for Repurchase of Shares”, to support trading of its shares in the stock market.  Shares temporarily acquired by the Company and withdrawn from the market are considered treasury shares. Should these shares not be offered to the investing public within one year, they must be canceled, resulting in a reduction of common stock.

s.      Impairment of long-lived assets:

The Company tests goodwill and other long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes indicate that the recorded book value of these assets might not be recovered. To test for impairment the Company compares the book value of goodwill and other long-lived assets with their expected future cash flows, which are discounted to the present value the Company estimates the asset could generate in the future, against book value.  If the Company determines that the value of the asset has been impaired, the reduction in the value is recognized in the results of operations.  As of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, there was no impairment of these assets.

t.      Reclassifications:

In compliance with MFRS, certain amounts in the 2006 financial statements as originally issued have been reclassified to conform with the presentation of the 2008 and 2007 consolidated financial statements.

u.         New accounting pronouncement – Subsequent event:

As of January 1, 2009, the following MFRS became effective. The Company considers that the adoption of these MFRS will not have significant effects on the financial information presented in the financial statements and the respective footnotes. The most relevant changes are as follows:

 
1.
MFRS B-7, Business acquisitions. This MFRS requires the method of purchasing accounting to be used in the acquisition of businesses and stipulates concepts such as the acquirer and what is acquired is classified as a business. Moreover, it establishes that the recognition of the assets and liabilities assumed at fair value, the accounting treatment of goodwill, and the proper financial statement disclosure.

 
2.
MFRS B-8, Consolidated and combined financial statements. This MFRS substitutes Bulletin B-8. It includes additional stipulations on investment and control concepts and permits the non-consolidation of sub-holding companies.

 
3.
MFRS C-7, Investments in associated companies and other permanent investments. This MFRS establishes the accounting treatment applicable to permanent investments in associated companies and other permanent investments. Among other things, it establishes that the recognition of losses are expensed up to the amount of the original investment, except when the holding company has incurred labor obligations on behalf of the associated company, in which case the respective liability will be recognized.

 
F-19

 

 
4.
MFRS C-8, Intangible assets. This MFRS substitutes Bulletin C-8. Its main changes and characteristics are as follows: a) how they are used for the production or supplying of goods or the rendering of services or for administrative purposes; the assumption that the useful life may not exceed a period of twenty years; b) non-monetary assets are added; subsequent reimbursements on a research and development project in the process of being acquired, are recognized i) as an expenditure when they are accrued if they are a part of the research stage; or ii) as an intangible asset if they meet criteria to be recognized as such when research expenses are accrued; c) when it is indicated that it must be probable that the future economic benefits will be in favor of the entity; and d) when a new treatment is detailed for the exchange of an asset.

NOTE 4          ASSETS AND LIABILITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCY
 
The consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 include the following assets and liabilities in thousands of US dollars, valued at the closing year-end foreign exchange rates of Ps 13.8320/US$1.00 and Ps 10.8662/US$1.00, respectively:
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash and marketable securities
  US$ 162     US$ 68  
Liabilities
    (30 )     -  
                 
Net asset position
  US$ 132     US$ 68  

As of February 18, 2009, the foreign-exchange rate was Ps 14.6013/US$1.00.

The net book value of the Company’s property and equipment denominated in foreign currencies as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 was as follows:

   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Plant equipment
  US$ 1,565     US$ 1,552  
Studio equipment
    1,386       1,051  
Helicopters
    504       881  
Others
    455       100  
                 
    US$ 3,910     US$ 3,584  

 
F-20

 

NOTE 5         CASH AND TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS
 
At December 31, cash and temporary investments consisted of the following:
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Cash
  Ps 6,081     Ps 3,102  
Short-term temporary investments
    86,973       163,909  
                 
    Ps 93,054     Ps 167,011  

Temporary investments as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 consisted primarily of deposits at fixed interest rates and with maturities of less than 90 days. The Company invests its temporary excess cash in these deposits.

NOTE 6         RELATED PARTIES

In the normal course of business, the Company purchases and sells broadcast time or programming services to various other companies that are related through common ownership. These purchases and sales are recorded at rates not materially different from those charged to non-related entities for these types of services.

The Company may also purchase assets or services from these related parties. Grupo Radio Centro believes that the costs of such assets or services do not exceed the prices that could be obtained from non-related entities.

The Company also provides certain services to affiliated companies on terms that are more favorable than those available to non-related companies. The Company does not believe that any such service arrangements with related parties are material.

The Company also engages in various leasing activities with such related parties. The Company believes that the terms of such leasing arrangements do not significantly differ from the terms which could be obtained from or charged to non-related companies.

During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, the Company conducted the following transactions with related parties:

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Income:
                 
                   
Sale of customer portfolio                                                              (a)
 
Ps
-    
Ps
-    
Ps
12,451  
Sale of airtime and services
    50       43       55  
Sale of equipment
    668       554       1,155  
Sundry income from shareholders                                                  (b)
    3,083       1,659       4,717  
                         
Expenses:
                       
                         
Purchase of airtime and services received
    (1,597 )     (869 )     (1,363 )
Commissions paid and other services                                            (c)
    (8,347 )     (13,755 )     (17,312 )

 
F-21

 

(a)
During December 2006, the Company entered into an agreement for the sale of the right to collect its past-due customer accounts receivable from 2004, with an entity that is owned by Francisco Aguirre Gómez. The portfolio of accounts receivable totaled Ps 40,328 and the agreed-upon payment for it was Ps 12,151. The resulting loss of Ps 27,877 was recognized as a financing cost in the results of operation for 2006.

(b)
During the years ended 2008, 2007, and 2006, shareholders made personal use of goods and services the Company had acquired in barter transactions and paid the Company Ps 3,083, Ps 1,659 and Ps 4,717, respectively, for the goods and services (see Note 3o).

(c)
On January 5, 2000 the Company entered into a contract with an entity owned by Francisco Aguirre Gómez, the president and a shareholder of the Company. This entity provides promotional services to the Company. As of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company incurred expenses for the services under this contract totaling Ps 3,330, Ps 3,604, and Ps 7,888, respectively.

In addition to their ownership interest in the Company, members of the Aguirre family owned or controlled 11 of the 108 affiliated in the network serviced by OIR as of December 31, 2008 and 2007. Affiliated stations owned or controlled by members of the Aguirre family accounted for approximately 9%, 12%, and 13.7% of OIR revenue (approximately 0.3%,  0.4% and 0.3% of the Company’s total broadcasting revenue) for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company has provided administrative and other services to such family-owned stations in the OIR network and, under certain circumstances, has provided commercial airtime to related parties, on terms that are more favorable than those provided to unrelated parties. The Company does not believe that such transactions have been material.

NOTE 7        OTHER RECEIVABLES

At December 31, the balances in other receivables consisted of the following:

   
2008
   
2007
 
Officers and employees
  Ps 1,929     Ps 1,322  
Others 
(a)
  4,296       3,341  
    Ps 6,225     Ps 4,663  

(a) As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, this amount includes Ps 2,271 and Ps 1,597, respectively for accounts receivable from shareholders for the use of the Company’s goods and services (see Note 6b).

NOTE 8         SERVICE AGREEMENTS

In order to manage the operations of XHFO-FM, S.A. de C.V. (the “Station”), Desarrollos Empresariales, S.A. de C.V. (“DESA”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a Service Agreement on October 2, 1995 (the “Agreement”) with the Station and with Comercializadora Siete de México, S.A. de C.V. (“Comercializadora”). Under the terms of the Agreement, DESA was granted the right to sell the airtime of the Station in exchange for providing operating and administrative services to Comercializadora and the Station.
 
 
F-22

 

On December 30, 1998, a rights-ceding contract was signed under which the Company replaced DESA, in order to continue the operation of the Station. Beginning in January 1999, various amendments were entered into. As of December 31, 2008, the currently effective contract was entered into on September 7, 2004 and effective on January 3, 2005 for a term of 48 months expiring on January 2, 2009. Under that amendment, the Company is entitled to a monthly fee equal to the income minus US$ 284 during the period of the agreement. Additionally, guarantee deposits made pursuant to the original contract and the amendments were eliminated. For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 the charge to the income statement amounted to Ps 43,766, Ps 39,961 and Ps 41,692, respectively.

On October 16, 2008, a fourth amendment was signed that will be in effect from January 3, 2009 to January 2, 2014.

NOTE 9        INFORED PRODUCTION CONTRACT

On December 23, 1998, in order to continue collaborating in the production of radio shows and to establish two new joint ventures, the Company signed a new contract with Infored, the producer at that time of the Monitor news and talk-show, and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó, Monitor’s host at that time. Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó and Infored provided the Company with production services news and special-event radio shows until June 30, 2015. The Company committed to air these programs on XERED-AM and XHRED-FM and affiliated radio stations.

The Production Contract, in addition to requiring the Company to continue paying Infored for the cost of producing its shows, required the Company to pay Infored an aggregate amount of approximately US$ 15,400 and Ps  4,003 (historical amount). Of this amount, US$ 4,400 and Ps 5,124 was paid upon signing the Production Contract, US$ 4,000 was paid on January 31, 1999, and US$ 7,000 was paid in eleven equal monthly payments starting February 28, 1999. The aggregate amount of these advance payments is being amortized in equal monthly amounts through June 2015. The Company also transferred to Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó two AM radio stations, XEFAJ-AM, S.A. de C.V. and Emisora 1320, S.A. de C.V., at book value.
On May 7, 2002, Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó and Infored notified the Company that they were initiating an arbitration proceeding pursuant to which they sought the rescission of the Production Contract entered into on December 23, 1998 and damages for alleged breach of contract, reimbursement of expenses and costs of the litigation.

On March 1, 2004 the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) notified the Company that a final decision had been made in the arbitration proceeding initiated in 2002 by Infored and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó. By a majority vote of two of the three arbitrators, the ICC panel held that the Company had breached the agreement with Infored and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó. As a result, the agreement was rescinded and Infored and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó together were awarded Ps 277,112 (US$21,797), in damages, which represented the amount that the Company would have been required to pay under the contract, after taking into account prepayments made by the Company. Accordingly, the Company recorded a contingent liability for Ps 277,112 and the prepayment amount under the agreement, which as of December 31, 2003 was Ps 122,719 (Ps 104,572 historical amount), was written off. The total amount of the award amounted to Ps 399,831, which was recorded in the consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2003 as an extraordinary item.
 
 
F-23

 

The Company has discontinued the production of the news program produced by Infored and conducted by Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó and has produced the program Monitor on its own.

On August 6, 2004, the Company challenged the validity of the arbitration award before the Mexican courts and brought a proceeding to nullify the arbitration award. On November 10, 2004, a Mexican judge set aside the arbitration award.

On December 3, 2004, Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó and Infored initiated an amparo proceeding to contest this ruling. An amparo is a type of proceeding used to challenge the legality of a decision under Mexican law. The court ruled in favor of Infored and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó on August 10, 2005. The Company filed an appeal for review of this decision, which was suspended on February 15, 2006 since Infored and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó requested the National Supreme Court to exercise its right to appeal from a majority of votes against the decision. The official publication of the ruling is expected so that it is returned to the Thirteenth Associate Civil Court of the First Circuit and the ruling of appeal filed by Grupo Radio Centro is issued.

On June 8, 2006, a Mexican court nullified and rejected the international arbitration award in Mexico. As a result, the Company wrote off the liability of Ps 263,523 it had booked through December 31, 2005 and recorded the resulting gain as a special item in the statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2006. However, in compliance with the MFRS B-3, effective January 1, 2007, this item has been reclassified as an extraordinary item in the accompanying statement of income for 2006. Infored and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó filed an appeal against this ruling.

On January 30, 2007, the Mexican Supreme Court, in a resolution of 5-4 votes based on the arguments of the proceedings, reversed the decision of the Thirteenth Associate Civil Court of the First Circuit, which ratified the decision of a lower court to not consider the arbitration finding. The Mexican Supreme Court submitted the case to the court for further examination under distinct rules, which will require the court review the case.

On March 22, 2007, Infored and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó filed an appeal to have the case removed from the Thirteenth Associate Civil Court of the First Circuit to another court whose judges had no knowledge of the case. The Fourth Associate Civil Court of the First Circuit determined that one of the three judges had a possible bias in the case and order the judge be replaced specifically for that reason. On June 20, 2007, the case we returned to the Thirteenth Associated Civil Court of the First Circuit for a final ruling.

On June 12, 2008, the Thirteenth Circuit Court reversed its prior decision, granted the amparo of Infored and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó, denied the amparo of the Company, and remanded the case to Civil Judge 63 of the Federal District Superior Tribunal of Justice.  On July 11, 2008, Civil Judge 63 of the Federal District Superior Tribunal of Justice ruled that the decision that set aside the arbitration award was invalid.  The July 2008 decision of the Civil Judge 63 of the Federal District Superior Tribunal of Justice did not constitute an order to pay the arbitration award, the enforcement of which remains subject to lower court review.
 
 
F-24

 

In August 2008, the Company challenged the arbitration award as unconstitutional in an amparo filed with District Judge 6 of Civil Matters.  District Judge 6 dismissed the amparo based on procedural grounds.  The Company challenged this action before the Thirteenth Circuit Court, and in February 2009, that court ruled the Company’s amparo was admissible.  The amparo is currently pending.
 
In addition, in 2008, Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó and Infored initiated additional claims against the Company for alleged violations of labor law in connection with the Infored Agreement.  In 2009, Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó and Infored initiated a civil law suit against the Company and individual members of the Aguirre family, seeking consequential damages in an amount of approximately Ps. 9.46 billion arising out of the Company’s alleged wrongful failure to pay the arbitration award.  The Company’s management believes that these cases will be resolved in favor of the Company.

NOTE 10     PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

At December 31, the balances in property and equipment consisted of the following:

   
2008
   
2007
   
Annual depreciation
rate
 
Buildings
  Ps 345,693     Ps 343,505       2.22 %
Broadcasting equipment
    137,141       139,108       11.87 %
Studio equipment
    139,824       143,469       15.94 %
Office furniture and equipment
    41,055       49,850       16.48 %
Computer equipment
    55,451       79,311       32.22 %
Transportation equipment
    35,599       44,972       28.30 %
Helicopters
    15,979       36,135       18.18 %
Leasehold improvements
    17,107       13,322       5.00 %
      787,849       849,672          
Less – accumulated depreciation
    (513,895 )     (574,379 )        
Land
    149,333       149,333          
Buildings held for sale, net
    35,132       35,025          
Equipment-in-transit
    6,615       1,904          
    Ps 465,034     Ps 461,555          

Inmobiliaria Radio Centro, S.A. de C.V. is the owner of the building in which the main executive offices and studios of the Company are located. It also leases a part of the building. Rental income from Maxcom, S.A. de C.V. for 2008, 2007 and 2006, amounted to Ps 261, Ps 254, and Ps 245, respectively.
 
 
F-25

 

During 2008, 2007, and 2006, the Company reviewed the net realizable value of temporarily unoccupied buildings and determined an increase (decrease) in their book values of Ps 901, (Ps 1,930), and (Ps 834) in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

NOTE 11      DEFERRED CHARGES

At December 31, this heading consisted of the following:

   
2008
   
2007
 
Installation expenses
  Ps 10,307     Ps 8,960  
Licenses and patents
    6,213       2,690  
      16,520       11,650  
Less accumulated amortization
    (11,670 )     (5,741 )
      4,850       5,909  
Labor liabilities (see Note 16):
               
    Intangible asset
    -       138  
    Ps 4,850     Ps 6,047  

NOTE 12     EXCESS COST OVER NET BOOK VALUE OF NET ASSETS OF SUBSIDIARIES

On May 12, 1995 and January 9, 1996, the Company acquired 33% and 67%, respectively, of the outstanding shares of Radiodifusión Red, S.A. de C.V. The acquisition resulted in an excess of cost over book value amounting to Ps 498,874 (Ps 146,308 historical amount) and Ps 872,947 (Ps 313,101 historical amount), respectively. On September 30, 2001, the Company sold these shares to DESA, one of its subsidiaries.

On December 31, 2001, the Company acquired Radio Sistema Mexicano, S.A. de C.V., which resulted in an excess cost over book value amounting to Ps 58,742.

On March 14, 2001, the Company acquired Palco Deportivo.Com, S.A. de C.V., Palco Shop, S.A. de C.V., Palco Deportivo Multimedia, S.A. de C.V. and Palco Deportivo México, S.A. de C.V. On October 1, 2001, these companies were merged with Enlaces Troncales, S.A. de C.V. On October 2, 2001, Servicios Corporativos Palco, S.A. de C.V. merged with Promo Red, S.A. de C.V. This acquisition generated an excess cost over book value amounting to Ps 51,737 (Ps 38,715 historical amount).

On November, 30, 2005 the Company acquired a 100% holding of GRC Radiodifusión, S.A. (formerly Aerocer, S.A.), whose business activity is leasing air and ground equipment to Grupo Radio Centro. This acquisition generated an excess cost of 100% of the entity acquired over the value of the assets acquired and debt assumed from GRC Radiodifusión, S.A. amounting to Ps 8,349.

Through December 31, 2004, the excess cost of the determined net book value in the above mentioned acquisitions, was amortized over 20 years as of the acquisition date. As of January 1, 2005, the excess cost is no longer amortized but is now subject to annual impairment testing in compliance with Bulletin C-15.
 
 
F-26

 

As of  December 31, 2008 and 2007, goodwill recorded in the amount of Ps 828,863 was not subject to impairment and consisted of the following:

Resulting from the acquisition of:
 
2008 and 2007
 
         
Radiodifusión Red
  Ps 744,869  
Radio Sistema Mexicano, S.A.
    37,927  
Enlaces Troncales, S.A. de C.V.
    35,321  
GRC Radiodifusión, S.A. (Antes Aerocer, S.A.)
    8,350  
Others
    2,396  
    Ps 828,863  

NOTE 13     ADVANCES FROM CUSTOMERS

Advances from customers amounted to Ps 142,543 in 2008 and Ps 124,418 in 2007, representing future airtime services. These advances are recognized as income when the corresponding airtime is broadcast. For tax purposes, income is recognized when the advances are received.

NOTE 14     SUPPLIERS AND OTHER ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

At December 31, this heading consisted of the following:

   
2008
   
2007
 
Media and service providers
  Ps 56,867     Ps 47,044  
Salaries and fees payable
    8,197       7,058  
Employee profit sharing payable
    2,156       1,091  
Others
    228       227  
    Ps 67,388     Ps 55,420  
 
 
F-27

 

NOTE 15         INCOME TAXES AND OTHER TAXES PAYABLE

At December 31, this heading consisted of the following:

 
2008
 
2007
 
Taxes on wages and salaries
Ps 
6,017  
Ps
 5,092  
Value-added tax
    11,123      24,237  
Income tax
    -      20,027  
Other withholdings
    1,719  
   1,491
 
 
Ps 
18,859  
Ps
 50,847  

NOTE 16         SENIORITY PREMIUMS AND PENSIONS

Through December 31, 2004, the Company maintained a reserve to cover seniority premiums and pension plan liabilities. On December 31, 2005, the Company also began maintaining a reserve to cover, under certain circumstances, severance payments to cover employee termination. The amount of the reserves is determined through actuarial studies using the projected unitary cost method, in accordance with MFRS D-3.

The actuarial calculations as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 are summarized below:

   
2008
       
   
Seniority
premium
   
Pension
plan
   
Severance
payments
   
Total
   
2007
 
Changes in projected benefit liabilities
  Ps 
 38,899
    Ps 
 766
    Ps 
 17,894
    Ps 
 57,558
    Ps 
 39,167
 
Service cost
    1,786       107       716       2,610       2,190  
Interest cost
    2,247       151       719       3,118       1,239  
Actuarial gain (loss)
    (1,574 )     65       (975 )     (2,845 )     4,304  
Benefits paid
    (525 )                     (525 )     (544 )
Projected benefit liabilities at the end of the year
  Ps 
 40,833
    Ps 
 1,089
    Ps 
 18,354
    Ps 
 60,276
    Ps 
 45,311
 
Plan assets
                                    -  
Liability balance
                                  Ps 
 45,311
 
Unrecognized net actuarial loss
  Ps 
 40,833
    Ps 
 1,089
    Ps 
 18,354
    Ps 
 60,276
      -
 
Unrecognized prior service costs
                                   
(12,247
)
 Net projected asset
  Ps 
 40,833
    Ps 
1,089
    Ps 
 18,354
    Ps 
 60,276
    Ps 
 57,558
 
                                         
Obligations from actual benefits
  Ps 
 37,908
    Ps 
 2,522
    Ps 
 12,684
    Ps 
 53,114
    Ps 
 42,627
 
Additional liability
                                  Ps 
 1,047
 
Intangible assets (see Note 11)
                                  Ps 
 138
 
Total labor liability
  Ps 
 40,833
   
Ps 
 1,089
    Ps 
 18,355
    Ps 
 60,276
    Ps 
 58,605
 

 
F-28

 

Weighted average assumptions as of December 31:

   
2008
   
   
Seniority
premium
   
Pension
plan
   
Severance
Payments
 
2007
                     
Discount rate (real rates)
    8 %     8 %     8 %
 4.00%
Increase in compensation rates
(real rates)
    2.59 %     0.50 %     0.80 %
 1.00%
Amortization period of the transition
Liability (See Note 3b.)
    -       -       -  
6.96 and
12.99 years

Components of net cost of benefits for the year:

   
2008
       
   
Seniority
premium
   
Pension
plan
   
Severance
payments
   
Total
   
2007
 
                               
Labor cost
 
Ps 
 1,786
   
Ps 
 94
   
Ps 
 729
   
Ps 
 2,609
   
Ps 
 2,190
 
Financing cost
    2,247       143       728       3,118       1,239  
Amortization of prior year service cost
    (1,574 )     82       (992 )     (2,484 )     1,056  
Net cost for the year
 
Ps 
 2,459
   
Ps 
 319
   
Ps 
 465
   
Ps 
 3,243
   
Ps 
 4,485
 

NOTE 17          SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The shareholders of the Company approved the following changes in the Company’s capital structure.

During 2008:

a)
Payment of dividends in the amount of Ps 100,000.

During 2007:

b)
Payment of dividends in the amount of Ps 71,934

During 2006:

c)
Repurchase on the open market for Ps 9,117 of 918,800 shares, which represent 0.564% of outstanding shares.

d)
Sale on the open market for Ps 0.459 of 918,800 shares, which represent 0.564% of outstanding shares.

e)
Capital reduction of Ps 120,096 (historical amount), with no cancellation of the respective shares.

f)
Increase of fixed capital stock with no new stock issues through the capitalization of restatement effects of the capital stock for Ps 337,060.

 
F-29

 

After the aforementioned changes, as of December 31, 2008, the capital stock of the Company was comprised of 247,414,768 authorized common shares, representing the minimum fixed capital with no withdrawal rights, of which 162,724,561 shares were outstanding and fully paid and 84,690,207 shares were treasury shares. Shares of stock may be owned by Mexican investors only. Capital stock is represented by shares with no par value as follows:

   
Number of
 
   
shares
 
Authorized capital stock
    247,414,768  
         
Treasury shares
    (84,690,207 )
         
Total outstanding capital stock
    162,724,561  
Fixed capital stock, subscribed and paid
 
Ps 
 1,059,962
 
         
Increase from restatement to express in Mexican pesos
   with purchasing power as of December 31, 2007
    70,448  
         
   
Ps 
 1,130,410
 

As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the number of outstanding shares was as follows:

   
2008 and 2007
 
Shares outstanding at the beginning of the year
    162,724,561  
         
Shares outstanding at the end of the year
    162,724,561  
Capital stock at the end of the year expressed in Mexican pesos with purchasing power as of December 31, 2007 (See Note 3a.)
 
Ps
 1,130,410
 

Net income for the year is subject to a legal requirement that 5% thereof be transferred to a legal reserve each year until the reserve equals 20% of the capital stock. The legal reserve included as part of retained earnings as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 was Ps 53,284 and Ps 48,729, and represents 5% and 4% of the capital stock, respectively.

If earnings for which no corporate tax has been paid are distributed, the Company must pay corporate tax on such earnings upon the distribution of the dividends (see discussion of CUFIN in Note 18).

NOTE 18          TAX ON EARNINGS

In accordance with tax legislation prevailing through December 31, 2007, companies must pay the greater of income tax (ISR) and taxes on assets (IMPAC). The ISR rate for 2007 was 28%. The IMPAC rate for 2007 was 1.25% on restated assets with no deductions.
In accordance with tax legislation prevailing through December 31, 2008, companies must pay the greater of ISR and the flat rate business tax (IETU). The ISR rate for 2008 and 2009 is 28%. The IETU rate is 16.5% for 2008, 17% for 2009, and 17.5% for 2010 and subsequent years.

 
F-30

 
For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the Company had ISR.

a)           Income tax and tax on assets

The Company has authorization to consolidate its financial statements with its subsidiaries for tax purposes. Therefore, taxable income is determined on a consolidated basis in compliance with guidelines set forth in Mexico’s Income Tax Law.

Book income differs from taxable income due primarily to the effect of permanent differences between items included in the income statement to reflect the effects of inflation and temporary differences affecting accounting and taxable income in different periods.

Through December 31, 2007, any accrued IMPAC in excess of the ISR may be recovered in any one of the ten years following their generation, restated from inflation, provided that during any one of those year ISR exceeds IMPAC. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company accrued IMPAC of Ps 28,286 that was completely offset by ISR accrued in excess of the year’s IMPAC.

Provisions for income tax for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Current income tax payable
  Ps 28,599     Ps 45,813     Ps 77,452  
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense
    16,652       (4,259 )     (34,508 )
                         
Total income tax
  Ps 45,251     Ps 41,554     Ps 42,944  

The tax expense (benefit) from the gain (loss) was different from that which would result by applying the 28% ISR rate to the gain (loss) before the tax on earnings, as a result of the following items:

   
2008
   
2007
 
             
ISR rate
    28 %     28 %
Expected expense (benefit)
  $ 48,165     $ 37,184  
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
               
Effect from inflation, net
    (1,221 )     1,354  
Non-deductible expenses
    1,860       1,848  
Others, net
    (3,553 )     1,168  
ISR expense (benefit)
  $ 45,251     $ 41,554  
Effective tax rate
    26.32 %     31.32 %

The tax effects from temporary differences that result in deferred taxes as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows:

 
F-31

 

   
2008
   
2007
 
Deferred assets:
           
Advances from customers
  $ 39,912     $ 40,124  
Other advances
    -       21,481  
Liability from pension plan
    17,827       16,035  
Liability provisions
    149       4,298  
Deferred assets, net
    57,888       82,298  
                 
Deferred liabilities:
               
Cumulative effect from the difference in book and tax
               
depreciation rates
    73,493       74,480  
Advance payments
    6,177       10,962  
Others
    -       1,986  
Total gross deferred liabilities
    (79,670 )     (87,428 )
Deferred liability, net
  $ (21,782 )   $ (5,130 )

The net fiscal profit account (the “CUFIN”) represents the amount of retained earnings that may be distributed without additional corporate tax charge to the Company. As of December 31, 2008, this account amounted to Ps 303,341.

As of December 31, 2008, capital stock, restated for tax purposes, which constituted the paid-in account, amounted to Ps 1,365,503.

On April 15, 2008, Company management recovered the credit IMPAC balance of Ps 5,628 (including Ps 90 from the restatement effect) from 2004.

b)     Flat rate business tax

During the fall of 2007, new tax laws were enacted, existing tax laws were amended and a presidential decree regarding the tax legislation was issued. Effective on January 1, 2008, the new tax legislation (i) replaced the tax on assets and (ii) established a new tax, the Flat Rate Business Tax (IETU). The IETU is based on cash flows and certain restrictions for authorized deductions in addition to the granting of tax credits mainly in connection with inventories, salaries taxed for income tax purposes, social security contributions, tax losses arising from accelerated deductions, recoverable asset tax, and deductions related to fixed asset investments and deferred charges and expenses.

Accordingly, beginning in 2008, companies were required to pay the greater of IETU and ISR. In case IETU is incurred, the payment will be regarded as final, not subject to recovery in subsequent years.

Based on Company estimates, the tax payable in upcoming years will be income tax (not IETU). Deferred taxes as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 were recorded on an income tax basis.

 
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NOTE 19        OTHER EXPENSES, NET

During the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, the principle transactions that generated other revenues and expenses were as follows:

   
2008
 
2007
 
2006
 
Income:
             
               
Sale of suppliers and recovery of expenses
  Ps 3,747   Ps 2,197   Ps 5,381  
Leasing and maintenance of properties
    264     255     306  
Recovery of taxes
    -     -     2,771  
Gain from sale of fixed assets
    1,704     641     263  
Others
    1,565     2,324     2,187  
                     
Total other income
  Ps 8,181   Ps 5,417   Ps 10,908  
                     
Expenses:
                   
                     
Fees to the Executive Committee
  Ps (18,865 ) Ps (17,308 ) Ps (18,387 )
Maintenance and leasing cost
    (12,506 )   (9,509 )   (8,494 )
Arbitration cost                                                          (a)
    (15,286 )   (5,598 )   (7,128 )
Compliance with securities regulations and corporate restructuring expenses
    (7,536 )   (6,887 )   (5,250 )
Others
    (6,347 )   (6,338 )   (9,530 )
Expenses related to the celebration of the Company’s 60th anniversary
    -     -     (5,575 )
Representation expenses
    -     -     (9,856 )
Internet subscription
    (2,391 )   (3,599 )   (3,346 )
Effect of valuing properties at net realizable value (see Note 10)
    -     (881 )   (1,930 )
Employee profit sharing (see Note 3i)
    (2,130 )   (1,103 )   (923 )
                     
Total other expenses
    (65,061 )   (51,223 )   (70,419 )
Other expenses, net
  Ps (56,880 ) Ps (45,806 ) Ps (59,511 )

(a)
In 2008, 2007, and 2006, the Company paid legal fees in connection with the arbitration proceeding commenced by Infored and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó in May 2002.

NOTE 20        CONTINGENCY

As of December 31, 2008, Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B de C.V. is involved in various legal proceedings related to labor claims initiated by former employees between 2000 and 2004, which are still in process. In the event there is a ruling against the Company, its approximate liability would be Ps 49,666. The Company has not recorded a provision for these claims as the Company’s management believes that these cases will be resolved in favor of the Company.

 
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See Note 9 for a description of the legal proceedings related to an arbitration proceeding commenced against the Company by Infored and Mr. Gutiérrez Vivó in 2002.  In the event there is a final judgment against the Company regarding the arbitration, the Company’s, its approximate responsibility would be US$21,797.  The Company has not recorded a provision for this claim due to the fact that this not constitute an order to pay the arbitration award.

NOTE 21          SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEXICAN AND US GAAP

The accompanying financial statements of the Company are presented on the basis of MFRS.

MFRS are, in general terms, similar to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“US GAAP”). However, there are some areas in which MFRS differs from the requirements of US GAAP.

The major differences between MFRS and US GAAP are as follows:

Recognition of the effects of inflation on financial information:

The provisions of the MFRS B-10 (see Note 3b point 2) relating to the recognition of the effects of inflation on financial information have no counterpart under US GAAP. However, even though the financial statements prepared under MFRS include the restatement effects recognized through December 31, 2007, the US Securities and Exchange Commission does not require the reversal of the restatement of the financial statements recognizing the effects of inflation.

Deferred income taxes:

Under MFRS the Company is required to recognize the income tax effects of the differences in bases of assets and liabilities for financial accounting and accounting for tax reporting purposes, similar to US GAAP.

MFRS requires that all deferred taxes be classified as long-term on the balance sheet; however, under US GAAP, balances of deferred taxes are classified as either current or non-current, based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting purposes. An analysis of the balance of deferred taxes in accordance with US GAAP, as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, is as follows:
 
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2008
   
2007
 
Current deferred tax:
                       
                         
Advances from customers
  US$ 2,885     Ps 39,912     US$ 4,120     Ps 56,990  
Prepaid expenses and provisions
    (435 )     (6,028 )     (676 )     (9,351 )
Net current deferred asset
  US$ 2,450     Ps  33,884     US$ 3,444     Ps  47,639  
Non-current deferred tax
                               
Recoverable tax on assets
  US$       Ps       US$ 400     Ps 5,538  
Labor liabilities
    1,289       17,827       1,159       16,035  
Property and equipment, net
    (5,314 )     (73,493 )     (5,375 )     (74,342 )
Net non-current deferred tax liability
  US$ (4,025 )   Ps (55,666 )   US$ (3,816 )   Ps (52,769 )

Statement of cash flows:

As described in Note 3b, the Company adopted MFRS B-2 Statement of Cash Flows on January 1, 2008.  The cash flow statement as prepared under MFRS for the year ended December 31, 2008, complies with IAS 7, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and thus, no reconciliation would be needed.

Under MFRS, the Company presents statements of changes in financial position for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 in constant Mexican pesos. This presentation identifies the generation and application of resources resulting in differences between beginning and ending financial statement balances in constant Mexican pesos.

The changes in the consolidated financial statement balances included in this statement constitute cash-flow activity stated in constant Mexican pesos (including monetary gains, which are considered cash gains in the financial statements presented in constant Mexican pesos).

In accordance with MFRS, the reduction in current and long-term debt due to restatement in constant Mexican pesos is presented as a resource applied to financing activities, and the gain from monetary position is presented as a component of operating activities. SFAS   No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows,” under US GAAP, however, does not provide guidance with respect to inflation-adjusted financial statements. If the gain from the restatement of current and long-term debt and net monetary position were treated as a component of financing activities for US GAAP purposes, funds (applied) provided by operating and financing activities would be as follows:
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
Operating activities:
           
Resources (applied) provided by operations, per MFRS
  Ps 153,489     Ps 264,788  
Less - gain on monetary position on current and long-term debt
    -       (4,763 )
Resources provided by operations, per US GAAP
  Ps 153,489     Ps 260,025  
Financing activities:
               
Resources (provided) applied to financing activities, per MFRS
  Ps (71,942 )   Ps (251,143 )
Plus — gain on monetary position on current and long-term debt
    -       (4,763 )
Resources applied to financing activities, per US GAAP
  Ps (71,942 )   Ps (255,906 )
                 
Supplemental cash-flow information:
               
Interest paid
  Ps 1,517     Ps 11,189  
                 
Taxes paid
  Ps 63,412     Ps 34,043  
 
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Personnel compensation and seniority premiums:

Under MFRS, vacation expense is recognized when taken rather than in the period it is earned by the employee, as is required under US GAAP.

The Company is required under the Mexican Labor Law to pay seniority premiums to certain employees upon termination of employment. Additionally, the Company has established a pension plan for unionized personnel. The Company determines its liabilities with respect to such benefits based upon actuarial studies, which is similar to the US GAAP criteria of SFAS 87, “Employee Accounting for Pensions” and SFAS 158 “Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement”.

Minority interest:

Under MFRS, the minority interest in subsidiaries must be included as a separate component of shareholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheet. In the consolidated statement of income, the minority interest is included in consolidated net income and the distribution between majority and minority interests is presented under consolidated net income in the consolidated statement of income.

In accordance with US GAAP, minority interest in subsidiaries is generally presented separately between total liabilities and stockholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheet. In the consolidated statement of income, the minority interest in the net earnings of consolidated subsidiaries is excluded from consolidated net income.

Goodwill:

Under MFRS and US GAAP, the excess of cost over net fair value of the net assets in subsidiaries acquired is recognized as an intangible asset (“goodwill”). Unlike under MFRS, under US GAAP, however, goodwill arising from entities under common control is not recognizable. In addition, under MFRS and US GAAP, goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually. However, under MFRS, goodwill is also subject to a subsequent reversals of such impairment losses.

The Company performed an analysis for impairment of its goodwill as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006. There was no impairment charge required under MFRS or US GAAP at December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006.
 
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Book value of buildings held for sale:

Under the MFRS, the Company reviews the net realizable value of the temporarily unoccupied buildings and records an impairment or an increase in the value. Under US GAAP, impairments on long-lived assets must be recorded and any increases in the value of such assets may not be recorded. Such assets also need to be classified separately on the balance sheet.

Other expenses, net:

Under MFRS, certain other (income) expenses, net are classified as non-operating on the Company’s consolidated statement of income. Under US GAAP, most of these net expenses are classified as operating expenses.

Convenience statements:

The 2008 US dollar amounts (denoted by the symbol “US$”) shown in the financial statements have been included solely for the convenience of the reader and were translated at the rate of Ps 13.8320/US$ 1.00, the noon buying rate of Mexican pesos on December 31, 2008, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Such translation should not be construed as a representation that the Mexican peso amounts have been or could be converted into US dollars at this or any other rate.

The following is a summary of the estimated adjustments to net income and shareholders’ equity that would have been required had the Company applied US GAAP instead of MFRS:
 
   
2008
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Net income reported under MFRS
  US$ 9,165     Ps  126,765     Ps  91,119     Ps  434,748  
                                 
US GAAP adjustments:
                               
                                 
Minority interest
    (3 )     (45 )     (21 )     (63 )
                                 
Net income under US GAAP
  US$ 9,162     Ps  126,720     Ps  91,098     Ps  434,685  
                                 
Net income per share (basic and diluted) under US GAAP
  US$ 0.05     Ps  0.77     Ps  0.55     Ps  2.67  
                                 
Average common shares outstanding (000’s)
    162,724       162,724       162,724       162,500  

   
2008
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Shareholders’ equity reported under MFRS
  US$ 103,584     Ps  1,432,790     Ps  1,406,025     Ps  1,387,446  
US GAAP adjustments:
                               
Increase in book value of
                               
   buildings held for sale (Note 10)
    (633 )     (8,760 )     (8,760 )     (8,760 )
Cumulated minority interest
    (52 )     (725 )     (680 )     (667 )
      (685 )     (9,485 )     (9,440 )     (9,427 )
Shareholders’ equity under US GAAP
  US$ 102,899     Ps  1,423,305     Ps  1,396,585     Ps  1,378,019  
 
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In the income statement certain other (income) expenses, net are classified as non-operating under MFRS. Under US GAAP, these items should be included or excluded as a component of operating expenses, as applicable.

As mentioned in Note 9, the Company reversed the contingency provision, including accrued interest, which totaled Ps 263,523 (Ps 253,976 nominal amount) at December 31, 2006. In accordance with the MFRS, this reversal was recorded classified as a special non-operating item in the Company’s consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2006. However, in compliance with the MFRS B-3, this item has been reclassified is now classified as an extraordinary non-operating item. In accordance with US GAAP, this reversal would be recorded as an operating income.

The following is a reconciliation of operating income:

   
2008
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Operating income reported under MFRS
  US$ 17,104     Ps  236,574     Ps  184,329     Ps  313,522  
                                 
Other expenses, net
    (4,112 )     (56,880 )     (45,806 )     (59,511 )
                                 
Special item (Note 9)
    -       -       -       263,523  
                                 
Operating income under US GAAP
  US$ 12,992     Ps   179,694     Ps   138,523     Ps   517,534  

Under MFRS and U.S. GAAP, the basic net income per common share is computed by dividing the net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing the net income available to common shareholders, adjusted on an “as if” converted basis, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus potential dilutive securities.

For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, there were no outstanding potential dilutive securities of the Company.

Recognition of tax uncertainties

Under US GAAP, FIN No. 48 requires a company to recognize the financial statement impact of a tax position when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination. If the tax position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the tax effect is recognized at the largest amount of the benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Any difference between the tax position taken in the tax return and the tax position recognized in the financial statements using the criteria above results in the recognition of a liability in the financial statements for the unrecognized benefit. MFRS does not have any equivalent rule. Under FIN 48, there was no impact on the financial statements of the Company.
 
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Effect of recently issued U.S. Accounting Standards:

New accounting standards have been issued under U.S. GAAP, the application of which is required as indicated.

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS No. 157). SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of this standard apply to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. This Statement was effective for the Company’s year ending December 31, 2008. Upon adoption, the provisions of SFAS No. 157 are applied prospectively with limited exceptions.  This Statement did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements as a difference between MFRS and US GAAP.

In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141R, “Business Combinations” (SFAS No. 141R). The objective of SFAS No. 141R is to improve the relevance, representational faithfulness, and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial reports about a business combination and its effects. The new standard requires (a) the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiring entity as of the acquisition date; (b) establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; (c) an acquirer in preacquisition periods to expense all acquisition-related costs; and (d) the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all of the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. SFAS No. 141R also requires that any adjustments to an acquired entity’s deferred tax asset and liability balance that occur after the measurement period be recorded as a component of income tax expense. This Statement will be effective for the Company’s year ending December 31, 2009. Company management does not expect this Statement to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements as a difference between MFRS and US GAAP. However, the impact cannot be determined until such time as a business combination transaction occurs.

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In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements - an amendment of ARB No. 51”, (SFAS No. 160). The objective of SFAS No. 160 is to improve the relevance, comparability, and transparency of the financial information that a reporting entity provides in its consolidated financial statements by establishing accounting and reporting standards requiring all entities to report noncontrolling (minority) interests in subsidiaries in the same way - as equity in the consolidated financial statements. Moreover, Statement 160 eliminates the diversity that currently exists in accounting for transactions between an entity and noncontrolling interests by requiring that they be treated as equity transactions. This Statement will be effective for the Company’s year ending December 31, 2009. Company management does not expect this Statement to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements as a difference between MFRS and US GAAP.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) and the Securities and Exchange Commission have issued certain other accounting pronouncements and regulations as of December 31, 2007 that will become effective in subsequent periods; however, Company management does not believe that any of those pronouncements would have significantly affected the Company’s financial statements or disclosures had they been in effect during 2008 and 2007, and it does not believe that any of those pronouncements will have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements at the time they become effective as a difference between MFRS and US GAAP.

NOTE 22           AUTHORIZATION FOR THE ISSUING OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The accompanying consolidated financial statements were issued with the authorization of Mr. Pedro Beltrán Nasr, Chief Financial Officer, on February 18, 2009, except for the Note 21 and 23, which were authorized by Mr. Pedro Beltran on June 22, 2009.  These consolidated financial statements are subject to approval at the ordinary stockholders’ meeting, where they may be modified based on provisions set forth by the Mexican General Corporate Law.

NOTE 23          SUBSEQUENT EVENT

The following are  events that occurred subsequent to   December 31, 2008 which had no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008:

1.
On March 12, 2009, the Company incorporated a subsidiary company named Grupo Radio Centro LA, LLC with a capital stock of US$3.0 million in Los Angeles, California, United States of America. The main activity of this subsidiary company is programming to, and selling advertising time on KMVN-FM (see item 2. of this Note).

2.
In order to promote the business strategy by allowing the Company an opportunity to leverage its international programming success despite the current recession, on April 3, 2009, Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V., through its subsidiary company, Grupo Radio Centro LA, LLC, signed a “Local Programming and Marketing Agreement” (the “LPMA”) with Emmis Communications Corporation (“Emmis”), a U.S. radio broadcasting company.  Under the LPMA, the Company will provide programming to, and sell advertising time on, KMVN-FM, Emmis’s radio station broadcasting in Los Angeles, California on the 93.9 FM frequency for up to seven years.  The Company also entered into a seven-year “Put and Call Agreement” (the “Option Agreement”) with Emmis to purchase the assets of the radio station KMVN-FM. The purchase price under the Option Agreement is US$ 110 million.
 
F-40

 
Under the LPMA, the Company will pay Emmis US$ 7 million per year, plus expenses incurred by Emmis with respect to the radio station, and the Company has agreed to advance US$ 14 million (approximately Ps 204 million) as prepayment for the first two years.  The Company financed the advance payment made in April 2009 with a bank loan with Inbursa in an aggregate principal amount of Ps 200 million (see item 3. of this Note).

The Company is entitled to exercise its call option to purchase the KMVN-FM radio station assets under the Option Agreement at any time during its seven-year term, and Emmis is entitled to require the Company to purchase the station assets during the seventh year of the term.  If, at the time of the exercise of the call or put, the Company is not qualified under U.S. law to own a U.S. radio station, the Company must assign the Option Agreement to a qualified third party.

3.
The Company has entered into a credit facility with Banco Inbursa S.A., Institución de Banca Múltiple, Grupo Financiero Inbursa for a secured, guaranteed peso-denominated loan in two tranches having an aggregate principal amount equivalent to US$ 21 million.  The credit facility was scheduled to expire on June 16, 2008, but the Company renewed it on similar terms through June 16, 2015. The Company may use the proceeds of the credit facility for working capital purposes, as well as other corporate purposes. On March 26, 2009, the Company drew down the equivalent in Mexican pesos (approximately Ps 200 million) to US$ 14.0 million to finance the advance payment for the first two years of fees under the LPMA mentioned in item 2. of this Note.

The Company will be required to repay the outstanding principal amount of the loan in 20 quarterly installments beginning June 1, 2009 and make quarterly interest payments at an annual rate of 13%.

4.
In an Extraordinary Shareholders’ Meeting of the subsidiary company GRC Comunicaciones, S.A. de C.V. held on March 31, 2009, Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V. agreed that as of March 31, 2009 GRC Comunicaciones, S.A. de C.V. would absorb, by merger, the following subsidiary companies: Radio Centro Publicidad, S.A. de C.V., GRC Medios, S.A. de C.V. and GRC Publicidad, S.A. de C.V. As a result, these companies would cease to exist as of that date.

As a result of the merger, all assets, liabilities, and shareholders’ equity of the companies mentioned above were passed on to GRC Comunicaciones, S.A. de C.V. (surviving company), by taking over the ownership of all agreements the merged companies had entered into. GRC Comunicaciones, S.A. de C.V. remains required to comply with all existing civil, mercantile, fiscal and other responsibilities of the merged companies.

F-41