Graham Holdings Co's

Kaplan’s businesses operate in fragmented and competitive markets. KHE competes with both facilities-based and other distance-learning providers of similar educational services, including not-for-profit colleges and universities and for-profit businesses. PACE competes in each of its professional lines with other companies that provide preparation for exams required for professional licenses, certifications and designations. KTP competes with a variety of regional and national test preparation businesses, with individual tutors and with in-school preparation for standardized tests. Overseas, each of Kaplan’s businesses competes with other for-profit companies and, in certain instances, with government-supported schools and institutions that provide similar training and educational programs. Students choose among providers based on program offerings, convenience, quality of instruction, reputation, placement rates, student services and cost.

Cable systems operate in a highly competitive environment. In addition to competing with over-the-air reception, cable systems face competition from various other forms of video program delivery systems, including DBS services, telephone companies and the Internet. Certain of the Company’s cable systems also have been partially or substantially overbuilt, using conventional cable system technology, by various small to mid-sized independent telephone companies that typically offer Internet and telephone service, as well as basic cable service. Local telephone companies compete with cable systems in the delivery of high-speed Internet access by providing DSL service. In addition, on their own or via strategic partnerships with DBS operators that permit telephone companies to package the video programming services of DBS operators with telephone companies’ own DSL service, some telephone companies are competing with the video programming and Internet services being offered by existing cable systems. Satellite-delivered broadband and high-powered WiMAX services will increasingly provide competition to Cable ONE. Video programming, including broadcast programming, is becoming more available on the Internet, where viewers can watch programming for free, as well as access pay-per-view offerings. Cable ONE distinguishes itself from its competition by providing excellent local customer service and consistently attaining very high levels of customer satisfaction.

PNS competes for audiences and advertising revenues with television and radio stations, cable systems and video services offered by telephone companies serving the same or nearby areas; with DBS services; and, to a lesser degree, with other media, such as newspapers and magazines. Cable systems operate in substantially all of the areas served by the Company’s television stations, where they compete for television viewers by importing out-of-market television signals; by distributing pay-cable, advertiser-supported and other programming that is originated for cable systems; and by offering movies and other programming on a pay-per-view basis. In addition, DBS services provide nationwide distribution of television programming, including pay-per-view programming and programming packages unique to DBS, using digital transmission technologies. The Company’s television stations may also become subject to increased competition from low-power television stations, wireless cable services and satellite master antenna systems, which can carry pay-cable and similar program material. In addition, movies and television programming are available free of charge on the websites of the major TV networks, as well as on the advertising-supported website Hulu.
The home health and hospice industries are extremely competitive and fragmented, consisting of both for-profit and non-profit companies. Celtic competes primarily with privately owned and hospital-operated home health and hospice service providers.