S-4/A
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
September 14, 2007
Registration
No. 333-145766
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
Amendment No. 1
to
Form S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Charter Communications, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware |
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4841 |
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43-1857213 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) |
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(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number) |
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number) |
12405 Powerscourt Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63131
(314) 965-0555
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of registrants principal executive offices)
Grier C. Raclin
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary
12405 Powerscourt Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63131
(314) 965-0555
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Dennis J. Friedman
Joerg H. Esdorn
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
(212) 351-4000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the
public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of
this Registration Statement.
If the securities being registered on this form are being
offered in connection with the formation of a holding company
and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check
the following
box. o
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an
offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act,
check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same
offering. o
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to
Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of
the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
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Proposed Maximum |
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Proposed Maximum |
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Proposed Maximum |
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Amount of |
Title of Each Class of |
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Amount to be |
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Offering Price |
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Aggregate |
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Registration |
Securities to be Registered |
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Registered(1) |
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Per Unit |
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Offering Price(1) |
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Fee |
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6.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027
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$412,500,000 |
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n/a |
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$520,781,250 |
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$15,987.98(2) |
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Class A common stock (par value $0.001 per share)
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176,204,142(3) |
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(3) |
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(3) |
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(3) |
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(1) |
Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(f)(1). On
September 12, 2007, the closing bid price for the Old Notes
was $1,257.50 per $1,000 principal amount and the closing ask
price was $1,267.50, the average of which equals $1,262.50. The
Offeror is offering to exchange up to $412,500,000 principal
amount of the Old Notes. Therefore the maximum aggregate
offering price equals $520,781,250. |
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(2) |
$12,560.86 of this fee was paid by the Registrant with the
initial filing of this Registration Statement on August 29,
2007. The balance of this fee ($3,427.12) is being paid with
this Amendment No. 1. |
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(3) |
The number of shares of Class A common stock to be issued
upon conversion of the convertible senior notes was calculated
based on the initial conversion price of $2.60 per share
(which represents the maximum amount of shares issuable). In
addition to the shares set forth in the table, the amount to be
registered includes an indeterminate number of shares issuable
upon conversion of the convertible senior notes, as such amount
may be adjusted due to stock-splits, stock dividends and
anti-dilution provisions. Pursuant to Rule 457(i) under the
Securities Act, there is no filing fee with respect to the
shares of Class A common stock issuable upon such
conversion of the 6.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027
registered hereby. |
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The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on
such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective
date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this Registration Statement shall
thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this
Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as
the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may
determine.
The information
in this Exchange Offer Prospectus may change. We may not offer
these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Exchange
Offer Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it
is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
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EXCHANGE OFFER PROSPECTUS
Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC
Offer to Exchange any and all of the $412,500,000 Principal
Amount of Outstanding
Charter Communications, Inc.s
5.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2009
(CUSIP Nos. 16117MAE7 and 16117MAD9)
Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (Charter
Holdco or the Offeror) hereby offers up to
$793,443,000 principal amount of 6.50% convertible senior
notes due 2027 (the New Notes) of Charter
Communications, Inc. (Charter) to holders (the
Holders) of any and all of Charters
$412,500,000 principal amount outstanding
5.875% convertible senior notes due 2009 (the Old
Notes) who elect to exchange their Old Notes upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Exchange
Offer Prospectus (this Exchange Offer Prospectus)
and in the accompanying Letter of Transmittal (the Letter
of Transmittal and together with this Exchange Offer
Prospectus, the Exchange Offer).
The Exchange Consideration per $1,000 principal
amount of Old Notes accepted for exchange will be an amount of
New Notes determined based on the Average Price (as defined
below) of Charters Class A common stock as set forth
in the table below. New Notes will be issued only in minimum
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. In
addition to the Exchange Consideration, the Offeror will pay
accrued interest on the Old Notes from and including the last
interest payment date (which was May 16, 2007) up to, but
not including, the Settlement Date.
Average Price means the arithmetic average of the
daily volume-weighted average price of Charters
Class A common stock for the ten trading days prior to and
including the second business day before the Expiration Date (as
defined below), rounded to four decimal places. The initial
conversion price for the New Notes will be the Average Price
multiplied by 1.3 (examples of which are set forth in the table
below). The initial conversion rate will be $1,000 divided by
the conversion price, rounded to four decimal places. If the
Average Price is between two prices shown in the table below,
the principal amount of New Notes to be issued per $1,000
principal amount of Old Notes tendered will be calculated using
straight-line interpolation.
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Principal Amount of New |
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Average Price of |
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Notes to be Issued per |
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Terms of the New Notes |
Charters Class A |
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$1,000 Principal Amount |
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Common Stock |
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of Old Notes Tendered |
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Conversion Price |
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Conversion Rate |
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$ |
2.00 |
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1,110.62 |
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$ |
2.60 |
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384.6154 |
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$ |
2.20 |
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$ |
1,173.25 |
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$ |
2.86 |
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349.6503 |
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$ |
2.40 |
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$ |
1,239.65 |
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$ |
3.12 |
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320.5128 |
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$ |
2.60 |
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$ |
1,309.13 |
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$ |
3.38 |
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295.8580 |
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$ |
2.80 |
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$ |
1,381.10 |
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$ |
3.64 |
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274.7253 |
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$ |
3.00 |
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$ |
1,451.68 |
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$ |
3.90 |
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256.4103 |
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$ |
3.20 |
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$ |
1,521.73 |
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$ |
4.16 |
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240.3846 |
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$ |
3.40 |
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$ |
1,592.26 |
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$ |
4.42 |
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226.2443 |
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$ |
3.60 |
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$ |
1,662.60 |
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$ |
4.68 |
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213.6752 |
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$ |
3.80 |
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$ |
1,733.33 |
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$ |
4.94 |
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202.4291 |
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$ |
4.00 |
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$ |
1,802.82 |
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$ |
5.20 |
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192.3077 |
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$ |
4.20 |
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$ |
1,872.80 |
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$ |
5.46 |
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183.1502 |
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$ |
4.35 |
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$ |
1,923.50 |
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$ |
5.66 |
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176.8347 |
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The Exchange Offer is conditioned on a minimum amount of
$75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Old Notes being
tendered. The Exchange Offer is also conditioned upon the
Average Price being more than or equal to $2.00 and less than or
equal to $4.35.
THIS EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 11:59 P.M., NEW YORK
CITY TIME, ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2007, UNLESS EXTENDED OR EARLIER
TERMINATED (SUCH DATE, AS THE SAME MAY BE EXTENDED OR EARLIER
TERMINATED, THE EXPIRATION DATE). HOLDERS OF OLD
NOTES MUST TENDER THEIR OLD NOTES FOR EXCHANGE ON OR PRIOR TO
THE EXPIRATION DATE TO RECEIVE THE EXCHANGE CONSIDERATION.
See Summary Material Differences Between the
Old Notes and the New Notes for a summary of the
differences between the Old Notes and the New Notes. The New
Notes will not be listed on any national securities exchange but
will be eligible for trading on the
PORTALsm
Market. The Old Notes are not listed on any national securities
exchange but are eligible for trading on the
PORTALsm
Market. Charters Class A common stock is traded on
The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol CHTR.
The Settlement Date in respect of any Old Notes that
are validly tendered for exchange and not validly withdrawn is
expected to be not later than the fourth business day following
the Expiration Date.
Exchange of the Old Notes and an investment in the New Notes
and Charters Class A common stock involves risks. See
Risk Factors on page 22 for a discussion of
issues that you should consider with respect to the Exchange
Offer.
You must make your own decision whether to exchange any Old
Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, and, if you wish to
exchange Old Notes, the principal amount of Old Notes to tender.
In addition, you must make your own decision as to whether to
unwind any hedged positions you hold with respect to your Old
Notes. Neither Charter, Charter Holdco, their subsidiaries nor
Charters Board of Directors make any recommendation as to
whether Holders should exchange their Old Notes or unwind any
hedged positions with respect to the Old Notes.
Neither this transaction nor the securities to be issued upon
exchange of the Old Notes have been approved or disapproved by
the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state securities
commission. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor
any state securities commission has passed upon the fairness or
merits of this transaction or upon the accuracy or adequacy of
the information contained in this document. Any representation
to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The Dealer Managers for the Exchange Offer are:
The date of this Exchange Offer Prospectus is September 14,
2007.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The following documents, including all exhibits thereto, are
incorporated by reference into this Exchange Offer
Prospectus, which means that important information is disclosed
by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by
reference is considered to be part of this Exchange Offer
Prospectus, and later information that Charter Communications,
Inc. (Charter) files with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the SEC) will automatically
update and supersede this information. Charters annual
report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, Charters
quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q for the
fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2007 and June 30,
2007, Charters 2007 definitive proxy statement on
Schedule 14A filed on April 30, 2007, Amendment
No. 1 to Charters preliminary information statement
on Schedule 14C filed on September 10, 2007,
Charters registration of certain classes of securities on
Form 8-A filed on
August 15, 2007, Charters current reports on
Form 8-K filed on
March 12, 2007, March 14, 2007, April 11, 2007,
August 15, 2007 and August 29, 2007 and any future
filings made by Charter with the SEC under Section 13(a),
13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding those
furnished under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of
Form 8-K) until
the Exchange Offer is completed are hereby incorporated by
reference.
A copy of these filings may be obtained at no cost, by writing
or calling us at the following address: Charter Plaza, 12405
Powerscourt Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63131, telephone:
(314) 965-0555. You may also visit our website at
http://www.charter.com, although the information on our website
is not part of this Exchange Offer Prospectus.
In order to ensure timely delivery, Holders must request the
information from us no later than ten business days before the
Expiration Date.
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Holders should rely only on the information incorporated by
reference or provided in this Exchange Offer Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement to this Exchange Offer Prospectus. We
have not authorized anyone else to provide Holders with
information. Holders should not assume that the information in
this document is current as of any date other than the date on
the front page of this Exchange Offer Prospectus.
Unless otherwise stated, the discussion in this Exchange
Offer Prospectus of our business and operations includes the
business of Charter and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.
Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, the
terms we, us, our and
the Company refer to Charter and its direct and
indirect subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
ii
IMPORTANT
Old Notes tendered for exchange may be validly withdrawn at any
time up until 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date. In the event of a termination of the Exchange
Offer, the Old Notes tendered for exchange pursuant to the
Exchange Offer will be promptly returned to the tendering
Holders.
Old Notes tendered for exchange, along with completed Letters of
Transmittal and any other required documents, should be directed
to the Exchange Agent (as defined below). Any requests for
assistance in connection with the Exchange Offer or for
additional copies of this Exchange Offer Prospectus or related
materials should be directed to the Information Agent (as
defined below). Any additional questions regarding the Exchange
Offer should be directed to the Dealer Managers (as defined
below). Contact information for the Information Agent, the
Exchange Agent and the Dealer Managers is set forth on the back
cover of this Exchange Offer Prospectus. Neither we nor the
Dealer Managers, the Trustee (as defined below), the Information
Agent or the Exchange Agent make any recommendation as to
whether or not Holders should tender their Old Notes for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
The Information Agent for the Exchange Offer is Global
Bondholder Services Corporation (the Information
Agent). The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is
Global Bondholder Services Corporation (the Exchange
Agent). Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated (the Dealer
Managers) are acting as Dealer Managers in connection with
the Exchange Offer.
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Exchange
Offer, the Exchange Consideration to which a tendering Holder is
entitled pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be paid on the
Settlement Date. Under no circumstances will any interest be
payable because of any delay in the transmission of the Exchange
Consideration to Holders by the Exchange Agent.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Exchange Offer,
the Offerors obligation to pay the Exchange Consideration
for Old Notes validly tendered for exchange and not validly
withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer is subject to, and
conditioned upon, the satisfaction or waiver of, the conditions
described below under Description of the Exchange
Offer Conditions to the Exchange Offer.
Subject to applicable securities laws and the terms set forth
in this Exchange Offer, the Offeror reserves the right:
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to waive any and all conditions to the Exchange Offer; |
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to extend the Exchange Offer; |
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to terminate the Exchange Offer, but only if any condition to
the Exchange Offer is not satisfied (see Description of
the Exchange Offer Conditions to the Exchange
Offer); or |
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otherwise to amend the Exchange Offer in any respect. |
In accordance with applicable securities laws, if a material
change occurs in the information published, sent or given to
Holders, the Offeror will promptly disclose the change in a
manner reasonably calculated to inform Holders of the change.
In the event that the Exchange Offer is withdrawn or otherwise
not completed, the Exchange Consideration will not be paid or
become payable to Holders of the Old Notes who have validly
tendered their Old Notes for exchange in connection with the
Exchange Offer and the Old Notes tendered for exchange pursuant
to the Exchange Offer will be promptly returned to the tendering
Holders.
Any Holder who desires to tender Old Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer and who holds physical certificates evidencing
such Old Notes must complete and sign a Letter of Transmittal in
accordance with the instructions therein, have the signature
thereon guaranteed (if required by Instruction 4 of the
Letter of Transmittal) and send or deliver such manually signed
Letter of Transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile thereof),
together with certificates evidencing such Old Notes being
tendered and any other
iii
required documents to the Exchange Agent at its address set
forth on the back cover of this Exchange Offer Prospectus.
Only registered Holders of Old Notes are entitled to tender Old
Notes for exchange. Beneficial owners of Old Notes that are held
of record by a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or
other nominee must instruct such nominee to tender the Old Notes
for exchange on the beneficial owners behalf. A letter of
instructions is included in the materials provided along with
this Exchange Offer Prospectus, which may be used by a
beneficial owner in this process to effect the tender of Old
Notes for exchange. See Description of the Exchange
Offer Procedure for Tendering Old Notes.
The Depository Trust Company (DTC) has authorized
DTC participants that hold Old Notes on behalf of beneficial
owners of Old Notes through DTC to tender their Old Notes for
exchange as if they were Holders. To tender their Old Notes for
exchange, DTC participants must, in lieu of physically
completing and signing the Letter of Transmittal, transmit their
acceptance to DTC through the DTC Automated Tender Offer Program
(ATOP), for which the transaction will be eligible,
and follow the procedure for book-entry transfer set forth in
Description of the Exchange Offer Procedure
for Tendering Old Notes.
Tendering Holders will not be obligated to pay brokerage fees or
commissions to the Dealer Managers, the Exchange Agent, the
Information Agent, the Trustee or the Offeror.
This Exchange Offer Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal
contain important information that should be read before any
decision is made with respect to an exchange of Old Notes.
The delivery of this Exchange Offer Prospectus shall not
under any circumstances create any implication that the
information contained herein is correct as of any time
subsequent to the date hereof or that there has been no change
in the information set forth herein or in any attachments hereto
or in the affairs of Charter or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates since the date hereof.
Neither this Exchange Offer Prospectus nor the Letter of
Transmittal constitute an offer to sell or exchange or a
solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange securities in any
jurisdiction where it is unlawful to make such an offer or
solicitation.
No one has been authorized to give any information or to make
any representations with respect to the matters described in
this Exchange Offer Prospectus and Letter of Transmittal, other
than those contained in this Exchange Offer Prospectus and
Letter of Transmittal. If given or made, such information or
representation may not be relied upon as having been authorized
by us or the Dealer Managers.
iv
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Exchange Offer Prospectus includes forward-looking
statements regarding, among other things, our plans, strategies
and prospects, both business and financial. Although we believe
that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or
suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we
cannot assure you that we will achieve or realize these plans,
intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are
inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions,
including, without limitation, the factors described under
Risk Factors. Many of the forward-looking statements
contained in this Exchange Offer Prospectus may be identified by
the use of forward-looking words such as believe,
expect, anticipate, should,
planned, will, may,
intend, estimated, aim,
on track, target,
opportunity, and potential, among
others. Important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in
this Exchange Offer Prospectus are set forth in this Exchange
Offer Prospectus and in other reports or documents that we file
from time to time with the SEC, and include, but are not limited
to:
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the availability, in general, of funds to meet interest payment
obligations under our debt and to fund our operations and
necessary capital expenditures, either through cash flows from
operating activities, further borrowings or other sources and,
in particular, our ability to be able to provide under the
applicable debt instruments such funds (by dividend, investment
or otherwise) to the applicable obligor of such debt; |
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our ability to comply with all covenants in our indentures and
credit facilities, any violation of which could trigger a
default of our other obligations under cross-default provisions; |
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our ability to pay or refinance debt prior to or when it becomes
due and/or refinance that debt through new issuances, exchange
offers or otherwise, including restructuring our balance sheet
and leverage position; |
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competition from other distributors, including incumbent
telephone companies, direct broadcast satellite operators,
wireless broadband providers and DSL providers; |
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difficulties in introducing and operating our telephone
services, such as our ability to adequately meet customer
expectations for the reliability of voice services, and our
ability to adequately meet demand for installations and customer
service; |
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our ability to sustain and grow revenues and cash flows from
operating activities by offering video, high-speed Internet,
telephone and other services, and to maintain and grow our
customer base, particularly in the face of increasingly
aggressive competition; |
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our ability to obtain programming at reasonable prices or to
adequately raise prices to offset the effects of higher
programming costs; |
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general business conditions, economic uncertainty or
slowdown; and |
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the effects of governmental regulation, including but not
limited to local and state franchise authorities, on our
business. |
All forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person
acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety
by this cautionary statement. We are under no duty or obligation
to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date
of this Exchange Offer Prospectus.
v
SUMMARY
The following summary is provided solely for the convenience
of the Holders of the Old Notes. This summary is not intended to
be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
full text and more specific details contained elsewhere in this
Exchange Offer Prospectus, the Letter of Transmittal and any
amendments or supplements hereto or thereto. Holders of the Old
Notes are urged to read this Exchange Offer Prospectus in its
entirety. Each of the capitalized terms used in this summary and
not defined herein has the meaning set forth elsewhere in this
Exchange Offer Prospectus.
Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (Charter
Holdco or the Offeror) is a direct subsidiary
of Charter Communications, Inc. (Charter). Charter
Holdco is a holding company with no operations of its own. For a
chart showing our ownership structure, see page 3.
The Company
We are a broadband communications company operating in the
United States, with approximately 5.68 million customers at
June 30, 2007. Through our hybrid fiber and coaxial cable
network, we offer our customers traditional cable video
programming (analog and digital, which we refer to as
video service), high-speed Internet service,
advanced broadband cable services (such as Charter
OnDemandtm
video service (OnDemand), high definition television
service, and digital video recorder (DVR) service)
and, in many of our markets, telephone service.
At June 30, 2007, we served approximately 5.38 million
analog video customers, of which approximately 2.87 million
were also digital video customers. We also served approximately
2.58 million high-speed Internet customers (including
approximately 273,200 who received only high-speed Internet
services). We also provided telephone service to approximately
700,300 customers (including approximately 29,900 who received
only telephone service).
Our principal executive offices are located at Charter Plaza,
12405 Powerscourt Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63131.
Our telephone number is (314) 965-0555, and we have a
website accessible at www.charter.com. The information posted or
linked on this website is not part of the Exchange Offer or this
Exchange Offer Prospectus and you should rely solely on the
information contained in this Exchange Offer Prospectus and the
related documents to which we refer herein when deciding whether
or not to tender your Old Notes.
Recent Events
Rights Plan. On August 13, 2007, the Board of
Directors (the Board) of Charter, adopted a rights
plan and declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase
right for each outstanding share of Class A common stock
and Class B common stock. The dividend is payable to
Charter stockholders of record as of August 31, 2007. The
terms of the rights and the rights plan are set forth in a
Rights Agreement, by and between Charter and Mellon Investor
Services LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company, as
Rights Agent, dated as of August 14, 2007 (the Rights
Plan).
The Board adopted the Rights Plan in an effort to protect
stockholder value by attempting to protect against a possible
limitation on our ability to use our net operating loss
carryforwards (the NOLs) to reduce potential future
federal income tax obligations. The Rights Plan is intended to
act as a deterrent to any person or group acquiring 5.0% or more
of our outstanding Class A common stock (an Acquiring
Person) without the approval of our Board. The holdings of
independently managed and not jointly coordinated mutual funds
should not be combined for purposes of calculating ownership
percentages under the Rights Plan. Stockholders who own 5.0% or
more of our outstanding Class A common stock as of the
close of business on August 31, 2007 will not trigger the
Rights Plan so long as they do not acquire any additional shares
of our Class A common stock. The Rights Plan does not
exempt any future acquisitions of Class A common stock by
such persons. Any rights held by an Acquiring Person are void
and may not be exercised. Our
1
Board may, in its sole discretion, exempt any person or group
from being deemed an Acquiring Person for purposes of the Rights
Plan.
The rights under the Rights Plan will not be exercisable until
10 business days after a public announcement by us that a person
or group has become an Acquiring Person. We refer to the date
that the rights become exercisable as the Distribution
Date. Until the Distribution Date, our Class A common
stock and Class B common stock certificates will evidence
the rights and will contain a notation to that effect. Any
transfer of shares of Class A common stock and/or
Class B common stock will constitute a transfer of the
associated rights. Except as may be determined by the Board,
with the consent of a majority of the shares of Class B
common stock, after the Distribution Date, we will exchange all
of the then-outstanding, valid and exercisable rights, except
rights held by any Acquiring Person or any affiliate, associate
or transferee of any Acquiring Person, for 2.5 shares of
Class A common stock and/or Class B common stock, as
applicable, or an equivalent security.
Upon an issuance of Class A common stock and/or
Class B common stock under the Rights Plan, additional
membership units will be issued to the Company, as holder of the
Class B common membership units, by Charter Holdco, to
mirror at Charter Holdco the economic effect of such issuance of
common stock. Holders of the Charter Holdco common membership
units that are convertible into shares of our Class B
common stock will have equivalent rights which may be exercised,
on generally the same terms and conditions as set forth in the
Rights Plan, for additional Charter Holdco common membership
units.
The rights and the Rights Plan will expire on the earlier of:
(i) a determination by holders of a majority of the shares
of Class B common stock to terminate the Rights Plan,
(ii) the close of business on December 31, 2008,
(iii) the close of business on the date on which we make a
public announcement (by press release, filing made with the SEC
or otherwise) that our Board has determined that the
Companys Section 382 Ownership Level (as defined in
the Rights Plan) dropped below 25%, (iv) the time at which
the rights are redeemed as provided in the Rights Plan, and
(v) the time at which the rights are exchanged as provided
in the Rights Plan.
Before the Distribution Date, our Board may amend or supplement
the Rights Plan without the consent of the holders of the Rights
in respect of our Class A common stock. After the
Distribution Date, our Board may amend or supplement the Rights
Plan only to cure an ambiguity, to alter time period provisions,
to correct inconsistent provisions, or to make any additional
changes to the Rights Plan, but only to the extent that those
changes do not impair or adversely affect any rights holder and
do not result in the rights again becoming redeemable.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and the Rights Agent
shall not supplement or amend the Rights Plan without the prior
approval of the holders of a majority of the Class B common
stock.
Amendment to Mr. Allens Schedule 13D. On
August 15, 2007, Paul G. Allen, Charters Chairman and
controlling stockholder, filed Amendment No. 9 to his
Schedule 13D related to his investment in Charter and
Charter Holdco.
Purpose of the Exchange Offer
The purpose of the Exchange Offer is to exchange any and all of
Charters outstanding Old Notes to extend maturities.
2
Organizational Structure
The chart below sets forth our organizational structure and that
of our direct and indirect subsidiaries. This chart does not
include all of our affiliates and subsidiaries and, in some
cases, we have combined separate entities for presentation
purposes. The equity ownership, voting percentages and
indebtedness amounts shown below are approximations as of
June 30, 2007, and do not give effect to any exercise,
conversion or exchange of then outstanding options, preferred
stock, Old Notes and other convertible or exchangeable
securities. Indebtedness amounts shown below are accreted values
for financial reporting purposes as of June 30, 2007. See
Description of Other Indebtedness, which also
includes the principal amount of the indebtedness described
below.
|
|
(1) |
Charter acts as the sole manager of Charter Holdco and its
direct and indirect limited liability company subsidiaries,
including CCHC. |
|
(2) |
These membership units are held by Charter Investment, Inc.
(CII) and Vulcan Cable III Inc. (Vulcan
Cable), each of which is 100% owned by Paul G. Allen,
Charters Chairman and |
3
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|
|
controlling shareholder. They are exchangeable at any time on a
one-for-one basis for shares of Charter Class B common
stock, which in turn are exchangeable into Charter Class A
common stock. |
|
(3) |
The percentages shown in this table reflect the
29.8 million shares of Class A common stock
outstanding as of June 30, 2007 issued pursuant to the
Share Lending Agreement. However, for accounting purposes,
Charters common equity interest in Charter Holdco is 52%,
and Paul G. Allens ownership of Charter Holdco through CII
and Vulcan Cable III Inc. is 48%. These percentages exclude
the 29.8 million mirror membership units outstanding as of
June 30, 2007 issued pursuant to the share lending
agreement. |
|
(4) |
Represents preferred membership interests in
CC VIII, LLC (CC VIII), a subsidiary
of CC V Holdings, LLC, and an exchangeable accreting
note issued by CCHC. |
4
The Exchange Offer
|
|
|
|
Exchange Offer |
|
The Offeror is offering up to $793,443,000 principal amount of
New Notes to Holders of any and all of the Old Notes who elect
to exchange their Old Notes upon the terms and subject to the
conditions of the Exchange Offer. |
|
|
Offeror |
|
Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC is the entity making
the Exchange Offer. See Organizational
Structure. |
|
Exchange Consideration |
|
The Exchange Consideration per $1,000 principal
amount of Old Notes accepted for exchange will be an amount of
New Notes determined based on the Average Price (as defined
below) of Charters Class A common stock as set forth
in the table below. In addition to the Exchange Consideration,
the Offeror will pay accrued interest on the Old Notes from and
including the last interest payment date (which was May 16,
2007) up to, but not including, the Settlement Date. |
|
|
|
|
Average Price means the arithmetic average of the
daily volume-weighted average price of Charters
Class A common stock for the ten trading days prior to and
including the second business day before the Expiration Date (as
defined below), rounded to four decimal places. The initial
conversion price for the New Notes will be the Average Price
multiplied by 1.3 (examples of which are set forth in the table
below). The initial conversion rate will be $1,000 divided by
the conversion price, rounded to four decimal places. If the
Average Price is between two prices shown in the table below,
the principal amount of New Notes to be issued per $1,000
principal amount of Old Notes tendered will be calculated using
straight-line interpolation. |
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Amount of New |
|
|
|
|
Average Price of |
|
Notes to be Issued per |
|
Terms of the New Notes |
|
|
Charters Class A |
|
$1,000 Principal Amount |
|
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|
|
Common Stock |
|
of Old Notes Tendered |
|
Conversion Price |
|
Conversion Rate |
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.00 |
|
|
$ |
1,110.62 |
|
|
$ |
2.60 |
|
|
|
384.6154 |
|
|
|
$ |
2.20 |
|
|
$ |
1,173.25 |
|
|
$ |
2.86 |
|
|
|
349.6503 |
|
|
|
$ |
2.40 |
|
|
$ |
1,239.65 |
|
|
$ |
3.12 |
|
|
|
320.5128 |
|
|
|
$ |
2.60 |
|
|
$ |
1,309.13 |
|
|
$ |
3.38 |
|
|
|
295.8580 |
|
|
|
$ |
2.80 |
|
|
$ |
1,381.10 |
|
|
$ |
3.64 |
|
|
|
274.7253 |
|
|
|
$ |
3.00 |
|
|
$ |
1,451.68 |
|
|
$ |
3.90 |
|
|
|
256.4103 |
|
|
|
$ |
3.20 |
|
|
$ |
1,521.73 |
|
|
$ |
4.16 |
|
|
|
240.3846 |
|
|
|
$ |
3.40 |
|
|
$ |
1,592.26 |
|
|
$ |
4.42 |
|
|
|
226.2443 |
|
|
|
$ |
3.60 |
|
|
$ |
1,662.60 |
|
|
$ |
4.68 |
|
|
|
213.6752 |
|
|
|
$ |
3.80 |
|
|
$ |
1,733.33 |
|
|
$ |
4.94 |
|
|
|
202.4291 |
|
|
|
$ |
4.00 |
|
|
$ |
1,802.82 |
|
|
$ |
5.20 |
|
|
|
192.3077 |
|
|
|
$ |
4.20 |
|
|
$ |
1,872.80 |
|
|
$ |
5.46 |
|
|
|
183.1502 |
|
|
|
$ |
4.35 |
|
|
$ |
1,923.50 |
|
|
$ |
5.66 |
|
|
|
176.8347 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subject to applicable securities laws and the terms set forth in
the Exchange Offer Prospectus, the Offeror reserves the right to
amend the Exchange Offer in any respect. |
|
|
|
New Notes will be issued only in minimum denominations of $1,000
and integral multiples of $1,000. See Description of the
Exchange Offer. |
|
Accrued Interest on the Old Notes |
|
In addition to the Exchange Consideration, the Offeror will pay
accrued interest on the Old Notes from and including, the last |
5
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|
|
|
|
interest payment date (which was May 16, 2007) up to, but
not including, the Settlement Date. |
|
|
Maximum Amount |
|
The Offeror will accept for exchange any and all of the Old
Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in the Exchange
Offer. As a result, the Exchange Offer is not subject to pro
ration. |
|
|
Minimum Condition |
|
The Exchange Offer is conditioned on a minimum principal amount
of $75,000,000 of Old Notes being tendered. |
|
Certain Conditions Precedent to the Exchange Offer |
|
The Offerors obligation to pay the Exchange Consideration
in respect of Old Notes validly tendered for exchange pursuant
to the Exchange Offer is conditioned upon the satisfaction of
certain conditions, including that the Average Price be more
than or equal to $2.00 and less than or equal to $4.35 and
effectiveness of the registration statement of which this
Exchange Offer Prospectus forms a part. See Description of
the Exchange Offer Conditions to the Exchange
Offer. |
|
Amendment of Share Lending Agreement |
|
In connection with the original issuance of the Old Notes, we
entered into an agreement with Citigroup Global Markets Limited
(CGML) pursuant to which we agreed to lend to CGML
up to 150 million shares of our Class A common stock
to facilitate the placement of the Old Notes (the Share
Lending Agreement). We lent a total of 116.9 million
shares to CGML, of which 29.8 million remain outstanding
(the Borrowed Shares). We have no obligation to lend
any additional shares under the Share Lending Agreement. We
understand that, using the Share Lending Agreement as its hedge,
CGML or its affiliates entered into swap transactions or share
lending agreements with Holders of the Old Notes to enable them
to hedge their investment. CGML and the Company have agreed to
amend the Share Lending Agreement to allow for the Borrowed
Shares to remain outstanding through the maturity of the New
Notes. To the extent you tender Old Notes in the Exchange Offer
and you have a swap transaction or an open share lending
arrangement with CGML or any such affiliate, you may want to
contact CGML or such affiliate in order to extend the maturity
of your hedge, if necessary. Charter has no rights or
obligations pursuant to any swap transaction or share lending
agreement you may have with CGML or any such affiliate, and
you should contact CGML or such affiliate directly if you have
any questions related thereto. |
|
|
Expiration Date |
|
September 27, 2007, unless extended or earlier terminated
by the Offeror. The Offeror reserves the right to extend the
Exchange Offer, if necessary, so that the Expiration Date occurs
upon or shortly after the satisfaction of the conditions to the
Exchange Offer. |
|
6
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|
Withdrawal and Revocation Rights |
|
Old Notes may be validly withdrawn at any time up until
11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration
Date. In the event of a termination of the Exchange Offer, which
can only occur if a condition to the Exchange Offer is not
satisfied, the Old Notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer
will be promptly returned to the tendering Holders. In addition,
even after the Expiration Date, if the Offeror has not accepted
for payment any validly tendered Old Notes, such Old Notes may
be withdrawn 60 days after commencement of the Exchange
Offer. |
|
Settlement Date |
|
The Settlement Date in respect of any Old Notes that
are validly tendered for exchange prior to 11:59 p.m.,
New York City time, on the Expiration Date is expected
to be not later than the fourth business day following the
Expiration Date. |
|
How to Tender Old Notes |
|
See Description of the Exchange Offer
Procedure for Tendering Old Notes. For further
information, call the Information Agent or the Exchange Agent at
the respective telephone numbers set forth on the back cover of
this Exchange Offer Prospectus or consult your broker, dealer,
commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance. |
|
|
Consequences of Failure to Exchange |
|
For a description of certain risks of continuing to own Old
Notes after the Settlement Date because such Holder elects not
to tender Old Notes or Old Notes tendered are not accepted. See
Risk Factors Risks to Continuing Holders of
Old Notes After the Settlement Date. |
|
|
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences |
|
For a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the Exchange Offer, see Certain U.S.
Federal Income Tax Consequences. |
|
Brokerage Commissions |
|
No brokerage commissions are payable by Holders of the Old Notes
to the Dealer Managers, the Information Agent, the Offeror, the
Trustee or the Exchange Agent. |
|
No Appraisal Rights |
|
No appraisal rights are available to the Holders in connection
with the Exchange Offer. |
|
|
Purpose of the Exchange Offer |
|
The purpose of the Exchange Offer is to exchange any and all of
Charters outstanding Old Notes to extend maturities. |
|
|
Use of Proceeds |
|
Neither the Offeror, Charter, nor any of their subsidiaries will
receive any proceeds from the Exchange Offer. |
|
Accounting Treatment |
|
Charter will consider the fair value of New Notes to be issued
versus the book value of Old Notes tendered and will record the
resulting anticipated loss on the transaction on our
consolidated statement of operations in the period the
transaction closes. See Unaudited Pro Forma
Consolidated Financials. |
7
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|
Dealer Managers |
|
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated are the Dealer Managers for the Exchange Offer.
Their respective addresses and telephone numbers are set forth
on the back cover of this Exchange Offer Prospectus. |
|
Information Agent |
|
Global Bondholder Services Corporation is the Information Agent
for the Exchange Offer. Its address and telephone number are set
forth on the back cover of this Exchange Offer Prospectus. |
|
Exchange Agent |
|
Global Bondholder Services Corporation is the Exchange Agent for
the Exchange Offer. Its address and telephone number are set
forth on the back cover of this Exchange Offer Prospectus. |
|
Regulatory Approvals |
|
The Offeror is not aware of any material regulatory approvals
necessary to complete the Exchange Offer, other than compliance
with applicable securities laws. |
|
Further Information |
|
Any requests for assistance in connection with the Exchange
Offer or for additional copies of this Exchange Offer Prospectus
or related materials should be directed to the Information
Agent. Any questions regarding the Exchange Offer should be
directed to the Dealer Managers. Contact information for the
Information Agent and the Dealer Managers is set forth on the
back cover of this Exchange Offer Prospectus. Beneficial owners
may also contact their brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust
companies or other nominees through whom they hold the Old Notes
with questions and requests for assistance. |
8
The New Notes
|
|
|
Issuer |
|
Charter Communications, Inc. |
|
Maturity |
|
October 1, 2027, subject to earlier conversion or
repurchase at the option of the holders or earlier redemption at
our option. |
|
Interest |
|
Interest will accrue from and including the Settlement Date and
is payable in cash semi-annually, in arrears, on October 1
and April 1 of each year, commencing April 1, 2008. |
|
|
Interest Rate |
|
The per annum interest rate on the New Notes equals 6.50%. |
|
|
Ranking |
|
The New Notes will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations
and will rank, in right of payment, the same as all of
Charters existing and future senior unsecured
indebtedness, including the Old Notes. The New Notes will rank
senior in right of payment to any future subordinated
indebtedness of Charter and will be effectively subordinated to
any of Charters secured indebtedness and structurally
subordinate to indebtedness and other liabilities of
Charters subsidiaries. |
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2007, Charter Communications, Inc. (not
including its subsidiaries) had no secured indebtedness (other
than the Old Notes, to the extent they are secured by
U.S. government securities to provide for the payment of
their scheduled interest due on November 16, 2007) and our
subsidiaries had total indebtedness and other liabilities of
$21.1 billion, excluding intercompany obligations. |
|
Conversion Rights |
|
Holders may convert their New Notes at the conversion rate at
any time prior to the close of business on the business day
prior to the maturity date. |
|
|
|
|
The initial conversion price of the New Notes will be equal to
the Average Price multiplied by 1.3. The initial conversion
rate will be $1,000 divided by the conversion price, rounded to
four decimal places. The conversion price and the conversion
rate will be determined on the second business day before the
Expiration Date. |
|
|
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|
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no holder of New Notes will be
entitled to receive shares of our Class A common stock upon
conversion to the extent, but only to the extent, that such
receipt would cause such holder to become, directly or
indirectly, a beneficial owner of more than the specified
percentage of the shares of Class A common stock
outstanding at such time. With respect to any conversion prior
to October 1, 2011, the specified percentage will be 4.9%,
and with respect to any conversion thereafter, the specified
percentage will be 9.9%. See Description of the New
Notes Conversion Rights Limitation on
Beneficial Ownership. |
|
|
|
Upon conversion, we will have the right to deliver, in lieu of
shares of our Class A common stock, cash or a combination
of cash and our Class A common stock. If we elect to pay
holders cash upon conversion, such payment will be based on the
average of the sale prices (as such term is defined in
Description of the |
9
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|
|
|
|
New Notes) of our Class A common stock over a 20
trading day period: (i) with respect to a conversion date
occurring during the period beginning on the date we give notice
of redemption and ending on the close of business on the
business day prior to the redemption date, beginning on the
redemption date; and (ii) in all other cases, beginning on
the third scheduled trading day immediately following the
applicable conversion date of the New Notes, which we refer to
as the cash conversion price. |
|
|
|
As described in this Exchange Offer Prospectus, the conversion
rate may be adjusted upon the occurrence of certain events,
including for any cash dividend on our Class A common
stock, but will not be adjusted for accrued and unpaid interest.
By delivering to the holder shares of our Class A common
stock, and in certain circumstances cash, we will satisfy our
obligations with respect to the New Notes subject to the
conversion. Upon conversion of a New Note, accrued and unpaid
interest will be deemed to be paid in full, rather than
canceled, extinguished or forfeited. |
|
|
|
The New Notes called for redemption may be surrendered for
conversion prior to the close of business on the business day
immediately preceding the redemption date. |
|
Redemption |
|
Prior to October 1, 2010, we may redeem the New Notes in
whole or in part for cash at any time at a redemption price
equal to 100% of the principal amount of the New Notes being
redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the New
Notes being redeemed up to, but excluding, the redemption date,
but only if the closing price of our Class A common stock
has exceeded, for at least 20 trading days in the 30
trading day period ending on the date we give notice of
redemption, 180% of the conversion price on each such trading
day. |
|
|
|
Commencing on, and including, October 1, 2010 until, but
excluding, October 1, 2012, we may redeem the New Notes at
the redemption price only if the closing price of our
Class A common stock has exceeded, for at least 20 trading
days in the 30 trading day period ending on the date we give
notice of redemption, 150% of the conversion price on each such
trading day. |
|
|
|
On and after October 1, 2012 we may redeem the New Notes at
the redemption price regardless of the closing price of our
Class A common stock. |
|
Redemption Make Whole Amount |
|
In addition to the conversion consideration, holders who convert
their New Notes after a notice of redemption and prior to
October 1, 2012 will receive upon such conversion the
present value of the interest on the New Notes converted that
would have been payable for the period from and including the
redemption date, to but excluding October 1, 2012, which we
refer to as the Redemption Make Whole Amount. The
Redemption Make Whole Amount will be calculated by discounting
the amount of such interest on a semi-annual basis using a
discount rate equal to 3.0% plus the then current published
U.S. Treasury rate for the maturity most closely
approximating the period from and including the redemption date
to but excluding October 1, 2012. We |
10
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|
may pay the Redemption Make Whole Amount in cash or in shares of
our Class A common stock, with the number of such shares
determined based on the average of the sale prices of our
Class A common stock over the 10 trading day period
immediately preceding the applicable conversion date. If we
elect to pay the Redemption Make Whole Amount in shares of our
Class A common stock, the number of shares that we will
deliver in respect of such payment, together with the number of
shares deliverable upon conversion under Description of
the New Notes Conversion Rights
General, will not exceed a number of shares of our
Class A common stock equal to 1.3 multiplied by the
applicable conversion rate per $1,000 principal amount of the
New Notes, and we must deliver cash with respect to the
remainder of the Redemption Make Whole Amount, if any. |
|
|
Fundamental Change |
|
Upon a fundamental change, each holder of the New Notes may
require us to repurchase some or all of its New Notes for cash
at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the
New Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. See
Description of the New Notes Fundamental
Change Requires Us to Repurchase New Notes at the Option of the
Holder. |
|
Make Whole Amount |
|
If certain transactions that constitute a change of control
occur on or prior to October 1, 2012, under certain
circumstances, we will increase the conversion rate by a number
of additional shares for any conversion of New Notes in
connection with such transactions, as described under
Description of the New Notes Conversion
Rights Change of Control Make Whole Amount.
The number of additional shares will be determined based on the
date such transaction becomes effective and the price paid per
share of our Class A common stock in such transaction. |
|
Purchase by Us at the Option of the Holder |
|
Each Holder of New Notes will have the right to require us to
purchase some or all of that holders New Notes for cash on
October 1, 2012, October 1, 2017 and October 1,
2022 at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount
of the New Notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if any,
on the New Notes to but excluding the purchase date. |
|
|
Exchange in Lieu of Conversion |
|
Unless we have called the relevant New Notes for redemption, we
may, in lieu of delivering shares of our Class A common
stock, or cash in lieu thereof, upon conversion, direct the
conversion agent to surrender New Notes that have been tendered
for conversion to a financial institution designated by us for
exchange in lieu of conversion. In order to accept any such New
Notes, the financial institution must agree to deliver, in
exchange for such New Notes, a number of shares of our
Class A common stock calculated using the applicable
conversion rate for the principal amount of the New Notes, plus
cash for any fractional shares, or, at its option, cash or a
combination of cash and shares of our Class A common stock
in lieu thereof, calculated based on the conversion average
price. If the designated institution accepts any such New Notes,
it will deliver the appropriate number of shares of our
Class A common stock (and cash, if any), or cash in lieu
thereof, to the |
|
11
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|
|
|
conversion agent and the conversion agent will deliver those
shares or cash to the holder. Any New Notes exchanged by the
designated institution will remain outstanding. If the
designated institution agrees to accept any New Notes for
exchange but does not timely deliver the related consideration,
we will, as promptly as practical thereafter, but not later than
(1) the fifth business day following the conversion date or
(2) if the designated institution elects to deliver cash or
a combination of cash and shares of our Class A common
stock, the third business day following the date of
determination of the conversion average price, convert the New
Notes and deliver shares of our Class A common stock, as
described under Description of the New Notes
Conversion Rights General, or, at our option
cash in lieu thereof based on the conversion average price. See
Description of the New Notes Exchange in Lieu
of Conversion. |
|
|
Sinking Fund |
|
None. |
|
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences |
|
The exchange of the Old Notes for New Notes will be a taxable
exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The New
Notes may be treated as issued with original issue discount,
such that a holder of New Notes may be required to take such
original issue discount into income without a corresponding
receipt of cash. See Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax
Consequences. |
|
Trading |
|
We do not intend to apply for listing of the New Notes on any
securities exchange or for the inclusion of the New Notes on any
automated quotation system. Our Class A common stock is
quoted on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol
CHTR. |
|
Risk Factors |
|
An investment in the New Notes involves risks. See Risk
Factors on page 22 for a discussion of issues that
you should consider with respect to an investment in the New
Notes. |
12
Material Differences Between the Old Notes and the New
Notes
Material differences between the Old Notes and the New Notes are
described in the table below. The table below is qualified in
its entirety by the information contained in this Exchange Offer
Prospectus and the documents governing the Old Notes and the New
Notes. For a more detailed description of the New Notes, see
Description of the New Notes.
|
|
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|
|
|
|
Old Notes |
|
New Notes |
|
|
|
|
|
Interest Rate
|
|
The per annum interest rate of the Old Notes is 5.875%. |
|
The per annum interest rate of the New Notes is 6.50%. |
|
Maturity
|
|
The maturity date of the Old Notes is November 16, 2009,
subject to earlier conversion or repurchase at the option of the
Holders or earlier redemption at our option. |
|
The maturity date of the New Notes is October 1, 2027,
subject to earlier conversion or repurchase at the option of the
holders or earlier redemption at our option. |
|
Security
|
|
The Old Notes are secured by the pledge of U.S. government
securities of approximately $25 million to secure the
interest payable on the Old Notes on November 16, 2007. |
|
The New Notes will be unsecured. |
|
Conversion Rights
|
|
Holders of Old Notes may convert their Old Notes into shares of
our Class A common stock at the rate of
413.2231 shares per $1,000 original principal amount of Old
Notes. See Description of the Old Notes
Conversion Rights. |
|
Holders of New Notes will be able to convert their New Notes
into shares of our Class A common stock at the conversion
price and conversion rate of the New Notes, which will be based
on the Average Price as set forth in the table on the cover to
this Exchange Offer Prospectus. The conversion price and the
conversion rate of the New Notes will be determined on the
second business day before the Expiration Date. |
|
Accretion of Principal Amount
|
|
The Old Notes permitted us to accrete the principal amount of
the Old Notes to pay liquidated damages we owed in connection
with the Share Lending Agreement. As a result, we are permitted
to defer any interest that accrues with respect to the excess of
the accreted principal amount over the original principal amount
until May 16, 2008, or any earlier purchase by us of the
Old Notes. |
|
The New Notes do not require us to make any payments relating to
the Share Lending Agreement and will not permit us to accrete
the principal amount of the New Notes. |
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Old Notes |
|
New Notes |
|
|
|
|
|
Issuances of Additional Notes
|
|
The indenture governing the Old Notes does not provide for the
issuance of additional notes. |
|
The indenture governing the New Notes will provide for the
issuance of additional notes under the indenture having
identical terms and conditions to the New Notes offered hereby
so long as such additional notes are fungible with the New Notes
for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
|
Interest Make Whole Amount
|
|
Holders of Old Notes who convert such notes prior to
November 16, 2007 would receive proceeds of the sale of the
Pledged Securities remaining with respect to the notes being
converted. |
|
The New Notes will not provide for an interest make whole upon
conversion except as set forth under Redemption Make Whole
Amount below. |
|
Public Acquiror Change of Control
|
|
The Old Notes provide that, in lieu of adjusting the conversion
rate of the Old Notes in connection with certain fundamental
changes, in the case of a public acquirer change of
control we may elect that the right to convert an Old Note
will be changed into a right to convert an Old Note into a
number of shares of acquirer common stock. |
|
The New Notes will not provide for us to elect that the right to
convert a New Note will be changed into a right to convert a New
Note into a number of shares of acquiror common stock. |
|
Redemption
|
|
The Old Notes provide that we may redeem the Old Notes in whole
or in part for cash at any time at a redemption price equal to
100% of the accreted principal amount of the Old Notes being
redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest, deferred interest
and liquidated damages, if any, on the Old Notes to but not
including the redemption date, if the closing price of our
Class A common stock has exceeded, for at least
20 trading days in any consecutive 30 trading day
period, 180% of the conversion price if such 30 trading
date period is prior to November 16, 2007 and 150% of the
conversion price if such 30 trading day period begins
thereafter. |
|
The New Notes will provide that prior to October 1, 2010,
we may redeem the New Notes in whole or in part for cash at any
time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount
of the New Notes being redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, on the New Notes being redeemed up to but
excluding the redemption date, only if the closing price of our
Class A common stock has exceeded, for at least
20 trading days in the 30 trading day period ending on
the date we give notice of redemption, 180% of the conversion
price on each such trading day. Commencing on, and including
October 1, 2010 until, but excluding October 1, 2012,
we may redeem the New Notes in |
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Old Notes |
|
New Notes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
whole or in part for cash at the redemption price only if the
closing price of our Class A common stock has exceeded, for
at least 20 trading days in the 30 trading day period
ending on the date we give notice of redemption, 150% of the
conversion price on each such trading day. On and after
October 1, 2012 we may redeem the New Notes at the
redemption price regardless of the closing price of our
Class A common stock. |
|
Redemption Make Whole Amount
|
|
Holders who convert their Old Notes that have been called for
redemption will receive, in addition to the amount described
under Interest Make Whole Amount above, if
applicable, the present value of the interest on the Old Notes
converted that would have been payable for the period from and
including the redemption date, to but excluding
November 16, 2009, plus any accrued and unpaid deferred
interest. See Description of the Old Notes
Conversion Rights Interest Make Whole Upon
Conversion Redemption Make Whole Amount. |
|
Holders who convert their New Notes after a notice of redemption
and prior to October 1, 2012 will receive upon such
conversion, in addition to the conversion consideration, the
present value of the interest on the New Notes converted that
would have been payable for the period from and including the
redemption date, to but excluding October 1, 2012. See
Description of the New Notes Conversion
Rights Redemption Make Whole Amount. |
|
Repurchase by us at the Option of the Holder
|
|
The Old Notes do not provide for repurchase of the Old Notes at
the option of the holder, other than in the event of a
fundamental change. |
|
Each holder of New Notes will have the right to require us to
repurchase some or all of that holders New Notes for cash
in the event of a fundamental change and on October 1,
2012, October 1, 2017 and October 1, 2022 at a
repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the
New Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any to, but
excluding the repurchase date. |
15
Summary Consolidated Financial Data
Charter is a holding company whose principal assets are a
controlling common equity interest in Charter Holdco and
mirror notes that are payable by Charter Holdco to
Charter which have the same principal amount and terms as those
of Charters Old Notes. Charter Holdco is a holding company
whose primary assets are equity interests in our cable operating
subsidiaries and intercompany loan receivables. Charter
consolidates Charter Holdco as a variable interest entity under
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)
Interpretation (FIN) 46(R). Charter Holdcos
limited liability agreement provides that so long as
Charters Class B common stock retains its special
voting rights, Charter will maintain a 100% voting interest in
Charter Holdco. Voting control gives Charter full authority and
control over the operations of Charter Holdco.
Historical Financial Data. The following tables present
summary financial and other data for Charter and its
subsidiaries and has been derived from the audited consolidated
financial statements of Charter and its subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for each of the years in the
three-year periods ended December 31, 2006 and the
unaudited consolidated financial statements of Charter and its
subsidiaries as of June 30, 2007 and for the six-month
periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006. The consolidated
financial statements of Charter and its subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2006 and 2005, and for each of the years in
the three-year period ended December 31, 2006 have been
audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting
firm.
Pro Forma Financial Data. The pro forma data
set forth below represent our unaudited consolidated financial
statements after giving effect to the following transactions as
if they occurred on January 1, 2006 for the statement of
operations data and other financial data and as of the last day
of the respective period for the operating and balance sheet
data:
|
|
|
(1) the completed disposition of certain assets for total
proceeds of approximately $1.0 billion and the use of such
proceeds to reduce amounts outstanding under our revolving
credit facility; |
|
|
(2) the issuance and sale of $450 million principal
amount of CCH II notes in January 2006 and the use of such
proceeds to pay down credit facilities; |
|
|
(3) the refinancing of the Charter Operating credit
facilities in April 2006 and the related reductions in interest
rate margins on the term loan; |
|
|
(4) the September 2006 exchanges by Charter Holdings,
CCH I, CCH I Capital Corp., CCH II, and CCH II
Capital Corp., of approximately $797 million in total
principal amount of outstanding debt securities of Charter
Holdings in a private placement for new CCH I and CCH II
debt securities (the Private Exchange); |
|
|
(5) the September 2006 exchange by Charter, CCHC,
CCH II, and CCH II Capital Corp., of approximately
$450 million in total principal amount of Charters
5.875% convertible senior notes due 2009 for
$188 million cash, 45 million shares of Charters
Class A common stock and $146 million principal amount
of new CCH II debt securities; |
|
|
(6) the refinancing of the Charter Operating credit
facilities in March 2007 and the issuance of a $350 million
third lien term loan by CCO Holdings; |
|
|
(7) the repurchase of $97 million of Charter Holdings
notes for $100 million of total consideration, including
premiums and accrued interest, in April 2007; |
|
|
(8) the redemption of $187 million of Charter Holdings
notes and $550 million of CCO Holdings senior floating rate
notes in April 2007; and |
|
|
(9) the issuance of $449 million principal amount of
New Notes in exchange for 75% of outstanding Old Notes pursuant
to the Exchange Offer (based on an assumed Average Price of $3).
We use a 75% participation rate for illustrative purposes only.
We cannot assure you that we will achieve a participation rate
at or near that level or that the Average Price will not vary
significantly from the assumed price. |
16
The following information should be read in conjunction with
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data,
Capitalization, Unaudited Pro Forma
Consolidated Financials, and the historical consolidated
financial statements and related notes of Charter incorporated
by reference in this Exchange Offer Prospectus.
The pro forma data are based on information available to us as
of the date of this Exchange Offer Prospectus and certain
assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the
circumstances. The financial data required allocation of certain
revenues and expenses and such information has been presented
for comparative purposes and is not intended to provide any
indication of what our actual financial position, including
actual cash balances and revolver borrowings, or results of
operations would have been had the transactions described above
been completed on the dates indicated or to project our results
of operations for any future date.
17
Charter Communications, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Actual 2004 | |
|
Actual 2005 | |
|
Actual 2006 | |
|
Actual 2006 | |
|
Actual 2007 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, except per share and share data) | |
Statement of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video
|
|
$ |
3,217 |
|
|
$ |
3,248 |
|
|
$ |
3,349 |
|
|
$ |
1,684 |
|
|
$ |
1,697 |
|
|
|
High-speed Internet
|
|
|
712 |
|
|
|
875 |
|
|
|
1,051 |
|
|
|
506 |
|
|
|
606 |
|
|
|
Telephone
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
135 |
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
142 |
|
|
|
Advertising sales
|
|
|
279 |
|
|
|
284 |
|
|
|
319 |
|
|
|
147 |
|
|
|
139 |
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
227 |
|
|
|
266 |
|
|
|
305 |
|
|
|
149 |
|
|
|
164 |
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
307 |
|
|
|
324 |
|
|
|
345 |
|
|
|
168 |
|
|
|
176 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
4,760 |
|
|
|
5,033 |
|
|
|
5,504 |
|
|
|
2,703 |
|
|
|
2,924 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)
|
|
|
1,994 |
|
|
|
2,203 |
|
|
|
2,438 |
|
|
|
1,215 |
|
|
|
1,278 |
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
965 |
|
|
|
1,012 |
|
|
|
1,165 |
|
|
|
551 |
|
|
|
620 |
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
1,433 |
|
|
|
1,443 |
|
|
|
1,354 |
|
|
|
690 |
|
|
|
665 |
|
|
|
Impairment of franchises
|
|
|
2,297 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset impairment charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
159 |
|
|
|
99 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other operating expenses, net
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
6,702 |
|
|
|
4,729 |
|
|
|
5,137 |
|
|
|
2,565 |
|
|
|
2,568 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
(1,942 |
) |
|
|
304 |
|
|
|
367 |
|
|
|
138 |
|
|
|
356 |
|
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
(1,670 |
) |
|
|
(1,789 |
) |
|
|
(1,887 |
) |
|
|
(943 |
) |
|
|
(935 |
) |
|
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt and preferred stock
|
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
521 |
|
|
|
101 |
|
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
(35 |
) |
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and
cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
|
(3,575 |
) |
|
|
(891 |
) |
|
|
(1,399 |
) |
|
|
(815 |
) |
|
|
(613 |
) |
|
Income tax benefit (expense)
|
|
|
134 |
|
|
|
(112 |
) |
|
|
(187 |
) |
|
|
(60 |
) |
|
|
(128 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of
accounting change
|
|
|
(3,441 |
) |
|
|
(1,003 |
) |
|
|
(1,586 |
) |
|
|
(875 |
) |
|
|
(741 |
) |
|
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
|
(135 |
) |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
216 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
|
(3,576 |
) |
|
|
(967 |
) |
|
|
(1,370 |
) |
|
|
(841 |
) |
|
|
(741 |
) |
|
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax
|
|
|
(765 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
(4,341 |
) |
|
|
(967 |
) |
|
|
(1,370 |
) |
|
|
(841 |
) |
|
|
(741 |
) |
|
Dividends on preferred stock-redeemable
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss applicable to common stock
|
|
$ |
(4,345 |
) |
|
$ |
(970 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,370 |
) |
|
$ |
(841 |
) |
|
$ |
(741 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss per common share, basic and diluted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of
accounting change per common share, basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
(11.47 |
) |
|
$ |
(3.24 |
) |
|
$ |
(4.78 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.76 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.02 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(14.47 |
) |
|
$ |
(3.13 |
) |
|
$ |
(4.13 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.65 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.02 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted
|
|
|
300,341,877 |
|
|
|
310,209,047 |
|
|
|
331,941,788 |
|
|
|
317,581,492 |
|
|
|
366,855,427 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Actual 2004 | |
|
Actual 2005 | |
|
Actual 2006 | |
|
Actual 2006 | |
|
Actual 2007 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, except per share and share data) | |
Other Financial Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
$ |
924 |
|
|
$ |
1,088 |
|
|
$ |
1,103 |
|
|
$ |
539 |
|
|
$ |
579 |
|
|
Deficiency of earnings to cover fixed charges(a)
|
|
$ |
3,698 |
|
|
$ |
853 |
|
|
$ |
1,157 |
|
|
$ |
776 |
|
|
$ |
610 |
|
Operating Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(end of period)(b):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Analog video customers
|
|
|
5,991,500 |
|
|
|
5,884,500 |
|
|
|
5,433,300 |
|
|
|
5,876,100 |
|
|
|
5,376,800 |
|
|
|
Digital video customers
|
|
|
2,674,700 |
|
|
|
2,796,600 |
|
|
|
2,808,400 |
|
|
|
2,889,000 |
|
|
|
2,866,000 |
|
|
|
Residential high-speed Internet customers
|
|
|
1,884,400 |
|
|
|
2,196,400 |
|
|
|
2,402,200 |
|
|
|
2,375,100 |
|
|
|
2,583,200 |
|
|
|
Telephone customers
|
|
|
45,400 |
|
|
|
121,500 |
|
|
|
445,800 |
|
|
|
257,600 |
|
|
|
700,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2007 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, except per share | |
|
|
and share data) | |
Statement of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video
|
|
$ |
3,288 |
|
|
$ |
1,638 |
|
|
$ |
1,695 |
|
|
|
High-speed Internet
|
|
|
1,040 |
|
|
|
497 |
|
|
|
606 |
|
|
|
Telephone
|
|
|
135 |
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
142 |
|
|
|
Advertising sales
|
|
|
316 |
|
|
|
144 |
|
|
|
138 |
|
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
298 |
|
|
|
144 |
|
|
|
164 |
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
336 |
|
|
|
163 |
|
|
|
176 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenues
|
|
|
5,413 |
|
|
|
2,635 |
|
|
|
2,921 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs and Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)
|
|
|
2,388 |
|
|
|
1,178 |
|
|
|
1,277 |
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
1,150 |
|
|
|
541 |
|
|
|
620 |
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
1,333 |
|
|
|
680 |
|
|
|
664 |
|
|
|
Other operating expenses, net
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total costs and expenses
|
|
|
4,892 |
|
|
|
2,409 |
|
|
|
2,566 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income from continuing operations
|
|
|
521 |
|
|
|
226 |
|
|
|
355 |
|
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
(1,869 |
) |
|
|
(918 |
) |
|
|
(944 |
) |
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and
cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
|
(1,328 |
) |
|
|
(675 |
) |
|
|
(588 |
) |
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
(180 |
) |
|
|
(79 |
) |
|
|
(109 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
(1,508 |
) |
|
$ |
(754 |
) |
|
$ |
(697 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss per common share, basic and diluted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations per common share, basic and
diluted
|
|
$ |
(4.15 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.08 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.90 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted
|
|
|
363,540,148 |
|
|
|
362,581,492 |
|
|
|
366,855,427 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
Six Months Ended | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
2006 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2007 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions) | |
Other Financial Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
$ |
1,085 |
|
|
$ |
523 |
|
|
$ |
579 |
|
|
Deficiency of earnings to cover fixed charges(a)
|
|
$ |
1,086 |
|
|
$ |
636 |
|
|
$ |
585 |
|
Operating Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(end of period)(b):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Analog video customers
|
|
|
5,389,700 |
|
|
|
5,439,800 |
|
|
|
5,376,800 |
|
|
|
Digital video customers
|
|
|
2,793,500 |
|
|
|
2,703,300 |
|
|
|
2,866,000 |
|
|
|
Residential high-speed Internet customers
|
|
|
2,399,300 |
|
|
|
2,252,200 |
|
|
|
2,583,200 |
|
|
|
Telephone customers
|
|
|
445,800 |
|
|
|
257,600 |
|
|
|
700,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2007 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Actual | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions) | |
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(end of period):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
81 |
|
|
$ |
71 |
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
15,051 |
|
|
$ |
15,040 |
|
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
$ |
19,576 |
|
|
$ |
19,583 |
(d) |
|
|
Note payable-related party
|
|
$ |
61 |
|
|
$ |
61 |
|
|
|
Minority interest(c)
|
|
$ |
195 |
|
|
$ |
195 |
|
|
|
Shareholders deficit
|
|
$ |
(6,849 |
) |
|
$ |
(6,983 |
)(d) |
|
|
(a) |
Earnings include net loss plus fixed charges. Fixed charges
consist of interest expense and an estimated interest component
of rent expense. |
|
(b) |
For definitions of our customers, see Charters Annual
Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, Part I.
Item 1. Business Products and Services
incorporated by reference in this Exchange Offer Prospectus. |
|
(c) |
Minority interest represents Mr. Allens,
Charters chairman and controlling shareholder, 5.6%
preferred membership interests in CC VIII, an indirect
subsidiary of Charter Holdco. |
|
|
(d) |
Using the maximum Average Price will increase pro forma
long-term debt by $123 million and pro forma
shareholders deficit by $167 million. Using the
minimum Average Price will decrease pro forma long-term
debt by $74 million and pro forma shareholders
deficit by $106 million. |
|
20
Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges Calculation
(in millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended | |
|
Six Months | |
|
|
December 31, | |
|
Ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2007 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before minority interest, income taxes and cumulative
effect of accounting change
|
|
$ |
(5,944 |
) |
|
$ |
(725 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,698 |
) |
|
$ |
(853 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,157 |
) |
|
$ |
(776 |
) |
|
$ |
(610 |
) |
Fixed charges
|
|
|
1,510 |
|
|
|
1,564 |
|
|
|
1,677 |
|
|
|
1,796 |
|
|
|
1,894 |
|
|
|
947 |
|
|
|
938 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total earnings
|
|
|
(4,434 |
) |
|
|
839 |
|
|
|
(2,021 |
) |
|
|
943 |
|
|
|
737 |
|
|
|
171 |
|
|
|
328 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
1,149 |
|
|
|
1,186 |
|
|
|
1,406 |
|
|
|
1,567 |
|
|
|
1,846 |
|
|
|
920 |
|
|
|
919 |
|
Amortization of debt costs
|
|
|
354 |
|
|
|
371 |
|
|
|
264 |
|
|
|
222 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
Interest element of rentals
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total fixed charges
|
|
|
1,510 |
|
|
|
1,564 |
|
|
|
1,677 |
|
|
|
1,796 |
|
|
|
1,894 |
|
|
|
947 |
|
|
|
938 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2003, 2004,
2005 and 2006 and the six months ended June 30, 2006 and
2007 were insufficient to cover fixed charges by
$5.9 billion, $725 million, $3.7 billion,
$853 million, $1.2 billion, $776 million and
$610 million, respectively. As a result of such
deficiencies, the ratios are not presented above. |
Book Value per Common Share
The book value per share of Class A common stock as of
June 30, 2007 was $(17.11). Pro forma for the Exchange
Offer, the book value per share of Class A common stock as
of June 30, 2007 was $(17.44).
21
RISK FACTORS
Your decision whether to tender your Old Notes pursuant to
the Exchange Offer, and to acquire the Exchange Consideration
involves risk. You should be aware of, and carefully consider,
the following risk factors, along with all of the other
information provided or referred to in this Exchange Offer
Prospectus, before deciding whether to tender your Old Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
Risks to Continuing Holders of Old Notes After the
Settlement Date
The following risks specifically apply to the extent a Holder
continues to own Old Notes after the Settlement Date because
such Holder elects not to tender Old Notes or because Old Notes
tendered are not accepted for exchange. There are additional
risks attendant to being an investor in our equity and debt
securities that you should review, whether or not you elect to
tender your Old Notes. These risks are described elsewhere in
this Risk Factors section under the headings
Risks Related to Our and Our
Subsidiaries Significant Indebtedness,
Risks Related to Our Business,
Risks Related to Mr. Allens
Controlling Position and Risks Related
to Regulatory and Legislative Matters.
Liquidity of the market for non-tendered Old Notes likely
will be decreased, and the market prices for any Old Notes not
exchanged may therefore be reduced.
If the Exchange Offer is consummated, the aggregate principal
amount of outstanding Old Notes will be reduced, which will
likely adversely affect the liquidity of any Old Notes not
exchanged. An issue of securities with a small outstanding
principal amount available for trading, or float, generally
commands a lower price than does a comparable issue of
securities with a greater float. Therefore, the market price for
Old Notes that are not exchanged may be adversely affected. The
reduced float also may tend to make the trading prices of any
Old Notes that are not exchanged more volatile. The market
prices for any Old Notes not exchanged may also be negatively
affected by the increased amount of debt at Charter resulting
from the issuance of the New Notes.
The Offeror does not intend to distribute Old Notes received
in the Exchange Offer to Charter for cancellation. As a result,
the exchanged Old Notes will remain outstanding and held by
Charter Holdco, directly or indirectly, which will be entitled
to the benefit of the U.S. government securities held in
escrow for the payment of interest and principal to the same
extent as Holders of Old Notes not exchanged.
With some of the proceeds from the initial sale of the Old
Notes, we purchased and pledged to the trustee under the
indenture for the Old Notes as security for the benefit of the
Holders, approximately $144 million of U.S. government
securities of which $25 million remains subject to the
pledge. These securities were pledged to provide for the payment
of the first six scheduled interest payments due on the original
principal amount of the Old Notes. Because we intend that,
following the closing of the Exchange Offer, Charter Holdco,
directly or indirectly, will hold the Old Notes accepted for
exchange, Holders of Old Notes not exchanged will not be
entitled to any increase in the pro rata share of these pledged
U.S. government securities.
Charter Holdco will receive any benefit from these
U.S. government securities on the same pro rata basis as
any Holders of Old Notes not exchanged. However, there can be no
assurance that the cash received by Charter Holdco as interest
on the Old Notes will be available to pay either principal or
interest on any Old Notes not exchanged. See Description
of the Old Notes.
22
If shares of our Class A common stock are returned to us
under our Share Lending Agreement with CGML (an affiliate of
Citigroup), the cost of hedging the Old Notes may increase,
which may affect the market value of the Old Notes.
As described under Description of Capital Stock and
Membership Units Share Lending Agreement
below, we loaned CGML a total of 116.9 million shares of
our Class A common stock, of which 29.8 million remain
outstanding, to facilitate the placement of the Old Notes. CGML,
or its affiliates, sold these shares in a series of registered
offerings and concurrently entered into swap transactions or
share lending agreements with Holders of Old Notes. Although
holders of Old Notes will not be required to unwind those
hedging arrangements in order to tender their Old Notes pursuant
to the Exchange Offer, if they do, we expect that CGML, its
affiliates or those holders will purchase shares of our
Class A common stock. If the holders purchase the shares,
we expect that they will deliver them to CGML or its affiliates
pursuant to their share lending agreements with CGML or such
affiliates. If CGML delivers any of the shares it purchases or
receives to us under the Share Lending Agreement, those shares
will be retired and will no longer be outstanding, thereby
reducing the number of shares available for borrow to hedge the
Old Notes, which may increase hedging costs.
We cannot assure you that, if the Offeror consummates the
Exchange Offer, existing ratings for the Old Notes will be
maintained.
We cannot assure you that, as a result of the Exchange Offer,
the rating agencies, including Standard & Poors
Ratings Service, Moodys Investors Service and Fitch
Ratings, will not downgrade or negatively comment upon the
ratings for the Old Notes.
Risks to Tendering Holders of Old Notes
The following risks specifically apply to the extent a Holder
elects to tender Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer and
such Old Notes are accepted for Exchange and should be
considered along with the other risk factors. There are
additional risks attendant to being an investor in our equity
and debt securities that you should review, whether or not you
elect to tender your Old Notes. These risks are described
elsewhere in this Risk Factors section under the
headings Risks Related to Our and Our
Subsidiaries Significant Indebtedness,
Risks Related to Our Business,
Risks Related to Mr. Allens
Controlling Position and Risks Related
to Regulatory and Legislative Matters.
During the pendency of this Exchange Offer, it is likely that
the market prices of the Class A common stock will be
volatile.
It is likely that during the pendency of the Exchange Offer, the
market price of our Class A common stock will be volatile.
In addition, Holders of Old Notes may terminate all or a portion
of any hedging arrangement they have entered into in respect of
their Old Notes (including swap transactions or share lending
agreements with CGML), which may lead to increased purchase
activity by or on behalf of such Holders or CGML during the
Exchange Offer. Such purchase activity may temporarily increase,
or retard a decline in, the price of the Class A common
stock, or may lead to unusually high trading volumes.
Following the Settlement Date, the trading prices for the New
Notes will likely be directly affected by the trading prices for
our Class A common stock, which may be volatile and are
impossible to predict, and which in turn could cause the value
of your investment to decline.
We expect that the trading price of the New Notes in the
secondary market will be significantly affected by the trading
price of our Class A common stock, the general level of
interest rates and our credit quality. This may result in
greater volatility in the trading prices of the New Notes than
would be expected for nonconvertible debt securities.
It is impossible to predict whether the price of our
Class A common stock or interest rates will rise or fall.
Trading prices of our Class A common stock will be
influenced by our operating results and prospects
23
and by economic, financial, regulatory and other factors. In
addition, general market conditions, including the level of, and
fluctuations in, the trading prices of stocks generally, and
sales of substantial amounts of our Class A common stock by
us in the market after the offering of the New Notes, or the
perception that such sales may occur, could affect the price of
our Class A common stock.
The market price of the Class A common stock could be
adversely affected by the large number of additional shares of
Class A common stock eligible for issuance in the
future.
As of June 30, 2007, 400,398,208 shares of
Class A common stock were issued and outstanding and
50,000 shares of Class B common stock were issued and
outstanding. This includes 29,845,200 shares of
Class A common stock that were issued and remain
outstanding under the Share Lending Agreement. An additional
339,132,031 shares of Class A common stock are
issuable upon conversion of outstanding units of Charter Holdco
and an additional 30,316,305 shares are issuable as of
June 30, 2007 if Mr. Allen were to exchange the CCHC
subordinated accreting note that he holds, into Charter Holdco
units and exchange Charter Holdco units into Class A common
stock. Also 26,865,096 shares were issuable upon the
exercise of outstanding options under our option plans and,
assuming 75% of the outstanding Old Notes are tendered pursuant
to the Exchange Offer, approximately 43 million shares will
still be issuable upon conversion of the Old Notes. All of the
shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exchange of
Charter Holdco membership units and all shares of the
Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of shares of
the Class B common stock will have demand
and/or piggyback registration rights attached to
them. All of the shares issuable upon conversion of the Old
Notes are eligible for resale pursuant to an existing shelf
registration statement. The sale of a substantial number of
shares of Class A common stock or the perception that such
sales could occur could adversely affect the market price for
the Class A common stock because the sale could cause the
amount of the Class A common stock available for sale in
the market to exceed the demand for the Class A common
stock and could also make it more difficult for us to sell
equity securities or equity-related securities in the future at
a time and price that we deem appropriate. This could adversely
affect our ability to fund our current and future obligations.
See Shares Eligible for Future Sale.
If shares of Class A common stock are returned to
Charter under the Share Lending Agreement, the liquidity of the
Class A common stock will likely be affected.
As described above under Risks to Continuing
Holders of Old Notes After the Settlement Date
If shares of our Class A common stock are returned to us
under our Share Lending Agreement with CGML (an affiliate of
Citigroup), the cost of hedging the Old Notes may increase,
which may affect the market value of the Old Notes, the
cost of borrowing shares of our Class A common stock may be
adversely affected through the return of shares under the Share
Lending Agreement. As a result, the market price of the New
Notes will also likely be adversely affected.
Failure to close the Exchange Offer may adversely affect the
market price and borrow availability of the Class A common
stock and, consequently, the market value of the Old Notes.
If for any reason the Exchange Offer fails to close, the market
value of the Class A common stock and the Old Notes may be
adversely affected. Holders of Old Notes who elect to terminate
all or a portion of any hedging transactions in respect of the
Old Notes may not be able to re-establish such transactions at
an acceptable cost if the Exchange Offer does not close for any
reason. In addition, if the Exchange Offer fails to close, such
Holders of Old Notes may seek to re-establish a short position
in the Class A common stock against the Old Notes, which
may adversely affect the market price of the Class A common
stock. These activities are likely to adversely affect the value
of the Old Notes.
Only 29.8 million Borrowed Shares remain outstanding under
the Share Lending Agreement, and we have not committed to
provide any loans of shares of Class A common stock, see
Description of Capital Stock and Membership
Units Share Lending Agreement.
24
The Exchange Consideration does not reflect any independent
valuation of the Old Notes.
We have not obtained or requested a fairness opinion from any
banking or other firm as to the fairness of the Exchange
Consideration or the value of the Old Notes. If you tender your
Old Notes, you may or may not receive more or as much value than
if you choose to keep them.
To the extent that a Holder of Old Notes is tendering Old
Notes for New Notes with their later maturity, such Holder may
ultimately find that we would have been able to repay the
non-tendered Old Notes when they otherwise would have matured,
but are unable to repay or refinance the New Notes when they
mature.
If you tender your Old Notes, you will receive New Notes which
have a later maturity than the Old Notes that you presently own.
It is possible that tendering Holders of such Old Notes will be
adversely affected by the extension of maturity. Following the
maturity date of the Old Notes, but prior to the maturity date
of the New Notes, we may become subject to a bankruptcy or
similar proceeding. If so, Holders of the Old Notes who opted
not to participate in the Exchange Offer may have been paid in
full, and there is a risk that the holders of the New Notes will
not be paid in full. If you decide to tender Old Notes, you will
be exposed to the risk of nonpayment for a longer period of time.
Because of our holding company structure, the New Notes are
structurally subordinated in right of payment to all liabilities
of Charters subsidiaries. Restrictions in Charters
subsidiaries debt instruments and applicable law limit
their ability to provide funds to Charter.
Charters sole assets are its equity interests in its
subsidiaries. Its operating subsidiaries are separate and
distinct legal entities and are not obligated to make funds
available to Charter for payments on the New Notes or other
obligations in the form of loans, distributions or otherwise.
Charters subsidiaries ability to make distributions
to Charter is subject to their compliance with the terms of
their credit facilities, indentures and applicable law. Under
the Delaware limited liability company act, Charters
subsidiaries may only pay dividends to Charter if they have
surplus as defined in the act. Under fraudulent
transfer laws, our subsidiaries may not pay dividends to us if
they are insolvent or are rendered insolvent thereby. There can
be no assurance that these subsidiaries will be permitted to
make distributions in the future in compliance with these
restrictions in the amounts needed to service the New Notes. See
Risks Related to Our and Our
Subsidiaries Significant Indebtedness Because
of our holding company structure, our outstanding notes are
structurally subordinated in right of payment to all liabilities
of our subsidiaries. Restrictions in our subsidiaries debt
instruments and under applicable law limit their ability to
provide funds to us or our various debt issuers.
Charters direct or indirect subsidiaries include the
borrowers and guarantors under the Charter Operating credit
facilities. Several of Charters subsidiaries are also
obligors under other senior high yield notes. Charters
notes, including the New Notes, are structurally subordinated in
right of payment to all of the debt and other liabilities of its
subsidiaries. As of June 30, 2007, Charters total
consolidated debt was approximately $19.6 billion, of which
approximately $19.2 billion was structurally senior to the
Old Notes.
In the event of bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution of one or
more of Charters subsidiaries, that subsidiarys
assets would first be applied to satisfy its own obligations,
and following such payments, such subsidiary may not have
sufficient assets remaining to make payments to Charter as an
equity holder or otherwise. In that event the lenders under
Charter Operatings and CCO Holdings credit
facilities and the holders of Charters subsidiaries
other debt instruments will have the right to be paid in full
before Charter from any of its subsidiaries assets.
There is currently no public market for the New Notes, and an
active trading market may not develop for the New Notes. The
failure of a market to develop for the New Notes could adversely
affect the liquidity and value of the New Notes.
There is no public market for the New Notes. Further, although
the Offeror intends to apply for the New Notes to be eligible
for Trading in the
PORTALsm
Market, the Offeror does not intend to apply for
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listing of the New Notes on any securities exchanges or for
quotation of the New Notes on any automated dealer quotation
system. Accordingly, notwithstanding any existing market for the
Old Notes or our existing high-yield notes, a market may not
develop for the New Notes, and if a market does develop, it may
not be sufficiently liquid for your purposes. If an active,
liquid market does not develop for the New Notes, the market
price and liquidity of the New Notes may be adversely affected.
The liquidity of the trading market, if any, and future trading
prices of the New Notes will depend on many factors, including,
among other things, the price of our Class A common stock,
prevailing interest rates, our operating results, financial
performance and prospects, the market for similar securities and
the overall securities market, and may be adversely affected by
unfavorable changes in these factors. The market for the New
Notes may be subject to disruptions that could have a negative
effect on the holders of the New Notes, regardless of our
operating results, financial performance or prospects.
We may be unable to purchase the New Notes for cash following
a fundamental change.
Holders of the New Notes will have the right to require us to
repurchase the New Notes in cash upon the occurrence of a
fundamental change prior to maturity. Any of our future debt
agreements may contain a similar provision. We may not have
sufficient funds to make the required purchase in cash at such
time or the ability to arrange necessary financing on acceptable
terms. In addition, our ability to purchase the New Notes may be
limited by law or the terms of other agreements relating to our
debt outstanding at the time. However, if we fail to purchase
the New Notes as required by the indenture, that would
constitute an event of default under the indenture governing the
New Notes which, in turn, may constitute an event of default,
and result in the acceleration of the maturity of any of our
other then existing indebtedness.
The New Notes do not restrict our ability to incur additional
debt, repurchase our securities or to take other actions that
could negatively impact holders of the New Notes.
We are not restricted under the terms of the New Notes from
incurring additional debt, including secured debt, or from
repurchasing our securities. In addition, the limited covenants
applicable to the New Notes do not require us to achieve or
maintain any minimum financial results relating to our financial
position or results of operations. Our ability to recapitalize,
incur additional debt and take other actions that are not
limited by the terms of the New Notes could have the effect of
diminishing our ability to make payments on the New Notes when
due.
Your right to convert your New Notes will be limited if, upon
conversion of your New Notes, you would have beneficial
ownership of more than a specified percentage of our
Class A common stock.
Holders of New Notes will not be entitled to receive shares of
our Class A common stock upon conversion to the extent (but
only to the extent) that such receipt would cause such
converting holder to become, directly or indirectly, a
beneficial owner (within the meaning of
Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder) of more than the specified
percentage of the shares of Class A common stock
outstanding at such time. With respect to any conversion prior
to October 1, 2011, the specified percentage will be 4.9%, and
with respect to any conversion thereafter, the specified
percentage will be 9.9%. If any delivery of shares of our
Class A common stock owed to a holder upon conversion of
New Notes is not made, in whole or in part, as a result of this
limitation, our obligation to make such delivery shall not be
extinguished and we shall deliver such shares as promptly as
practicable after, but in no event later than two trading days
after, any such converting holder gives notice to us that such
delivery would not result in it being the beneficial owner of
more than the specified percentage of the shares of Class A
common stock outstanding at such time. Although we have the
right to deliver cash in lieu of delivering shares of our
Class A common stock upon conversion of the New Notes, we
have no obligation to do so, even if by doing so we would enable
you to avoid these limitations on your right to convert the New
Notes.
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If you hold New Notes, you will not be entitled to any rights
with respect to our Class A common stock, but you will be
subject to all changes made with respect to our Class A
common stock.
If you hold New Notes, you will not be entitled to any rights
with respect to our Class A common stock (including,
without limitation, voting rights and rights to receive any
dividends or other distributions on our Class A common
stock), but you will be subject to all changes affecting the
Class A common stock. You will only be entitled to rights
on the Class A common stock if and when we deliver shares
of our Class A common stock to you upon conversion of your
New Notes. For example, in the event that an amendment is
proposed to our charter or bylaws requiring shareholder approval
and the record date for determining the shareholders of record
entitled to vote on the amendment occurs prior to your
conversion of New Notes, you will not be entitled to vote on the
amendment, although you will nevertheless be subject to any
changes in the powers, preferences or special rights of our
Class A common stock or other classes of capital stock.
The conversion rate of the New Notes may not be adjusted for
all dilutive events.
The conversion rate of the New Notes is subject to adjustment
for certain events including, but not limited to, dividends on
our Class A common stock, the issuance of certain rights or
warrants, subdivisions or combinations of our Class A
common stock, certain distributions of assets, debt securities,
capital stock or cash to holders of our Class A common
stock and certain tender or exchange offers as described under
Description of the New Notes Conversion
Rights Conversion Rate Adjustments. The
conversion rate will not be adjusted for other events, such as
an issuance of Class A common stock for cash, that may
adversely affect the trading price of the New Notes or the
Class A common stock. There can be no assurance that an
event that adversely affects the value of the New Notes will not
occur.
The make whole premium payable on New Notes converted in
connection with certain fundamental changes may not adequately
compensate you for the lost option time value of your New Notes
as a result of such fundamental change.
If certain transactions that constitute a change of control
occur prior to October 1, 2012, under certain circumstances, we
will increase the conversion rate by a number of additional
shares for any conversions of New Notes in connection with such
transaction. The amount of the additional shares will be
determined based on the date on which the transaction becomes
effective and the price paid per share of our Class A
common stock in such transaction as described below under
Description of the New Notes Conversion
Rights Change of Control Make Whole Amount.
While the number of additional shares is designed to compensate
you for the lost option time value of your New Notes as a result
of such transaction, the amount of the make whole premium is
only an approximation of such lost option time value and may not
adequately compensate you for such loss. In addition, if the
price paid per share of our Class A common stock in the
transaction is less than the Average Price or greater than 1500%
of the Average Price (in each case subject to adjustment as
described in Description of the New Notes
Conversion Rights Change of Control Make Whole
Amount), the conversion rate will not be increased. In no
event will the number of shares issuable upon conversion of a
note exceed 1.3 multiplied by the applicable conversion
rate per $1,000 principal amount of New Notes, regardless of
when the transaction becomes effective or of the price paid per
share of our Class A common stock in the transaction.
Our obligation to adjust the conversion rate in connection with
certain transactions that constitute a change of control could
be considered a penalty, in which case the enforceability
thereof would be subject to general principles of reasonableness
and equitable remedies.
You may have to pay taxes with respect to some distributions
on our Class A common stock that result in adjustments to
the conversion rate.
The conversion rate of the New Notes is subject to adjustment
for certain events arising from stock splits and combinations,
stock dividends, certain cash dividends and certain other
actions by us that modify
27
our capital structure. See Description of the New
Notes Conversion Rights Conversion Rate
Adjustments. If the conversion rate is adjusted as a
result of a distribution that is taxable to our Class A
common stock holders, such as a cash dividend, you may be
required to include an amount in income for federal income tax
purposes, notwithstanding the fact that you do not actually
receive such distribution. In addition,
Non-U.S. Holders
(as defined herein) of the New Notes may, in certain
circumstances, be deemed to have received a distribution subject
to U.S. federal withholding tax requirements. See
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.
Conversion of the New Notes will dilute the ownership
interests of existing stockholders.
If and to the extent we deliver shares of our Class A
common stock upon conversion of the New Notes, the conversion of
some or all of the New Notes will dilute the ownership interest
of existing stockholders. Any sales in the public market of the
Class A common stock issuable upon such conversion could
adversely affect prevailing market prices of our Class A
common stock.
If we do not fulfill our obligations to you under the New
Notes, you will not have any recourse against Charter Holdco,
Mr. Allen or any of their or our affiliates.
None of our direct or indirect equity holders, directors,
officers, employees or affiliates, including, without
limitation, Charter Holdco and Mr. Allen, will be an
obligor or guarantor under the New Notes. The indenture
governing the New Notes expressly provides that these parties
will not have any liability for our obligations under the New
Notes or the indenture governing the New Notes. By accepting the
New Notes, you waive and release all such liability as
consideration for issuance of the New Notes. If we do not
fulfill our obligations to you under the New Notes, you will
have no recourse against any of our direct or indirect equity
holders, directors, officers, employees or affiliates including,
without limitation, Charter Holdco and Mr. Allen.
Risks Related to Our and Our Subsidiaries Significant
Indebtedness
We and our subsidiaries have a significant amount of existing
debt and may incur significant additional debt, including
secured debt, in the future, which could adversely affect our
financial health and our ability to react to changes in our
business.
Charter and its subsidiaries have a significant amount of debt
and may (subject to applicable restrictions in their debt
instruments) incur additional debt in the future. As of
June 30, 2007, Charters total debt was approximately
$19.6 billion, Charters shareholders deficit
was approximately $6.8 billion and the deficiency of
earnings to cover fixed charges for the six months ended
June 30, 2007 was $610 million.
Charter will need to raise additional capital and/or receive
distributions or payments from its subsidiaries in order to
satisfy its debt obligation.
Because of our significant indebtedness, our ability to raise
additional capital at reasonable rates or at all is uncertain,
and the ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions or
payments to their parent companies is subject to availability of
funds and restrictions under our subsidiaries applicable
debt instruments as more fully described in the section entitled
Description of Other Indebtedness and under
applicable law. If we need to raise additional capital through
the issuance of equity or find it necessary to engage in a
recapitalization or other similar transaction, our shareholders
could suffer significant dilution, and in the case of a
recapitalization or other similar transaction, our noteholders
might not receive principal and interest payments to which they
are contractually entitled.
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Our significant amount of debt could have other important
consequences. For example, the debt will or could:
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require us to dedicate a significant portion of our cash flow
from operating activities to make payments on our debt, which
will reduce our funds available for working capital, capital
expenditures and other general corporate expenses; |
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limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes
in our business, the cable and telecommunications industries and
the economy at large; |
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place us at a disadvantage as compared to our competitors that
have proportionately less debt; |
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make us vulnerable to interest rate increases, because as of
June 30, 2007 approximately 20% of our borrowings are, and
will continue to be, at variable rates of interest; |
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expose us to increased interest expense as we refinance existing
lower interest rate instruments; |
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adversely affect our relationship with customers and suppliers; |
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limit our ability to borrow additional funds in the future, due
to applicable financial and restrictive covenants in our debt; |
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make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations to the
holders of our notes and for our subsidiaries to satisfy their
obligations to their lenders under their credit facilities and
to their noteholders; and |
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limit future increases in the value, or cause a decline in the
value of our equity, which could limit our ability to raise
additional capital by issuing equity. |
A default by one of our subsidiaries under its debt obligations
could result in the acceleration of those obligations, which in
turn could trigger cross defaults under other agreements
governing our long-term indebtedness. In addition, the secured
lenders under our credit facilities and the holders of the
Charter Operating senior second-lien notes could foreclose on
their collateral, which includes equity interest in our
subsidiaries, and exercise other rights of secured creditors.
Any default under those credit facilities or the indentures
governing our Old Notes or our subsidiaries debt could
adversely affect our growth, our financial condition, our
results of operations, and our ability to make payments on our
Old Notes, our credit facilities, and other debt of our
subsidiaries, and could force us to seek the protection of the
bankruptcy laws. We and our subsidiaries may incur significant
additional debt in the future. If current debt levels increase,
the related risks that we now face will intensify.
We may not be able to access funds under the Charter
Operating credit facilities if we fail to satisfy the covenant
restrictions in such credit facilities, which could adversely
affect our financial condition and our ability to conduct our
business.
Our subsidiaries have historically relied on access to credit
facilities in order to fund operations and to service parent
company debt, and we expect such reliance to continue in the
future. Our total potential borrowing availability under our
revolving credit facility was approximately $1.4 billion as
of June 30, 2007, none of which is limited by covenant
restrictions. There can be no assurance that our actual
availability under our credit facilities will not be limited by
covenant restrictions in the future.
One of the conditions to the availability of funding under our
credit facilities is the absence of a default under such
facilities, including as a result of any failure to comply with
the covenants under the facilities. Among other covenants, the
Charter Operating credit facilities require us to maintain
specific leverage ratios. The Charter Operating facilities also
provide that Charter Operating has to obtain an unqualified
audit opinion from its independent accountants for each fiscal
year. There can be no assurance that Charter Operating will be
able to continue to comply with these or any other of the
covenants under the credit facilities.
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An event of default under the credit facilities or indentures,
if not waived, could result in the acceleration of those debt
obligations and, consequently, could trigger cross defaults
under other agreements governing our long-term indebtedness. In
addition, the secured lenders under the Charter Operating credit
facilities and the holders of the Charter Operating senior
second-lien notes could foreclose on their collateral, which
includes equity interest in our subsidiaries, and exercise other
rights of secured creditors. Any default under those credit
facilities or the indentures governing our Old Notes and our
subsidiaries debt could adversely affect our growth, our
financial condition, our results of operations, and our ability
to make payments on our Old Notes, New Notes, our credit
facilities and other debt of our subsidiaries and could force us
to seek the protection of the bankruptcy laws, which could
materially adversely impact our ability to operate our business
and to make payments under our debt instruments.
We depend on generating sufficient cash flow and having
access to additional external liquidity sources to fund our
capital expenditures, ongoing operations and debt obligations,
including our payment obligations under the Old Notes and the
New Notes, which could have a material adverse effect on you as
holders of the Old Notes and the New Notes.
Our ability to service our debt (including payments on the Old
Notes and the New Notes) and to fund our planned capital
expenditures and ongoing operations will depend on both our
ability to generate cash flow and our access to additional
external liquidity sources. Our ability to generate cash flow is
dependent on many factors, including:
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competition from other distributors, including incumbent
telephone companies, direct broadcast satellite operators,
wireless broadband providers, and DSL providers; |
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difficulties in introducing and operating our telephone
services, such as our ability to adequately meet customer
expectations for the reliability of voice services, and our
ability to adequately meet demand for installations and customer
service; |
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our ability to sustain and grow revenues and cash flows from
operating activities by offering video, high-speed Internet,
telephone and other services, and to maintain and grow our
customer base, particularly in the face of increasingly
aggressive competition; |
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our ability to obtain programming at reasonable prices or to
adequately raise prices to offset the effects of higher
programming costs; |
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general business conditions, economic uncertainty or
slowdown; and |
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the effects of governmental regulation, including but not
limited to local and state franchise authorities, on our
business. |
Some of these factors are beyond our control. If we are unable
to generate sufficient cash flow or access additional external
liquidity sources, we may not be able to service and repay our
debt, operate our business, respond to competitive challenges or
fund our other liquidity and capital needs. Although Charter and
its subsidiaries have been able to raise funds through issuances
of debt in the past, we may not be able to access additional
sources of external liquidity on similar terms, if at all. We
expect that cash on hand, cash flows from operating activities,
and the amounts available under our credit facilities will be
adequate to meet our cash needs through 2008. We believe that
cash flows from operating activities and amounts available under
our credit facilities may not be sufficient to fund our
operations and satisfy our interest and principal repayment
obligations in 2009 and will not be sufficient to fund such
needs in 2010 and beyond.
Because of our holding company structure, our outstanding
notes are structurally subordinated in right of payment to all
liabilities of our subsidiaries. Restrictions in our
subsidiaries debt instruments and under applicable law
limit their ability to provide funds to us or our various debt
issuers.
Our primary assets are our equity interests in our subsidiaries.
Our operating subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal
entities and are not obligated to make funds available to us or
our various debt issuers
30
for payments on our notes or their debt instruments or other
obligations in the form of loans, distributions or otherwise.
Our subsidiaries ability to make distributions to us or
our various debt issuers is subject to their compliance with the
terms of their credit facilities and indentures and restrictions
under applicable law. Under the Delaware limited liability
company act, our subsidiaries may only make distributions to us
if they have surplus as defined in the act. Under
fraudulent transfer laws, our subsidiaries may not make
distributions to us or the applicable debt issuers to service
debt obligations if they are insolvent or are rendered insolvent
thereby. The measures of insolvency for purposes of these
fraudulent transfer laws vary depending upon the law applied in
any proceeding to determine whether a fraudulent transfer has
occurred. Generally, however, an entity would be considered
insolvent if:
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the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, was
greater than the fair saleable value of all its assets; |
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the present fair saleable value of its assets was less than the
amount that would be required to pay its probable liability on
its existing debts, including contingent liabilities, as they
became absolute and mature; or |
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it could not pay its debts as they became due. |
While we believe that our relevant subsidiaries currently have
surplus and are not insolvent, there can be no assurance that
these subsidiaries will be permitted to make distributions in
the future in compliance with these restrictions in amounts
needed to service our indebtedness, including the Old Notes and
the New Notes.
Our direct or indirect subsidiaries include the borrowers and
guarantors under the Charter Operating and CCO Holdings credit
facilities. Several of our subsidiaries are also obligors and
guarantors under senior high yield notes. Our Old Notes and New
Notes are structurally subordinated in right of payment to all
of the debt and other liabilities of our subsidiaries. As of
June 30, 2007, Charters total debt was approximately
$19.6 billion, of which approximately $19.2 billion
was structurally senior to the Old Notes and the New Notes.
In the event of bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution of one or
more of our subsidiaries, that subsidiarys assets would
first be applied to satisfy its own obligations, and following
such payments, such subsidiary may not have sufficient assets
remaining to make payments to us as an equity holder or
otherwise. In that event:
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the lenders under Charter Operatings credit facilities and
the holders of our subsidiaries other debt instruments
will have the right to be paid in full before us from any of our
subsidiaries assets; and |
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the other holders of preferred membership interests in our
subsidiary, CC VIII, would have a claim on a portion of its
assets that may reduce the amounts available for repayment to
holders of our outstanding notes. |
The agreements and instruments governing our debt and the
debt of our subsidiaries contain restrictions and limitations
that could significantly affect our ability to operate our
business, as well as significantly affect our liquidity, and
adversely affect the holders of the Old Notes and the New
Notes.
The Charter Operating and CCO Holdings credit facilities and the
indentures governing our and our subsidiaries debt
(including the Old Notes and the New Notes) contain a number of
significant covenants that could adversely affect the holders of
the Old Notes and the New Notes and our ability to operate our
business, as well as significantly affect our liquidity, and
therefore could adversely affect our results of operations.
These covenants will restrict, among other things, our and our
subsidiaries ability to:
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incur additional debt; |
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repurchase or redeem equity interests and debt; |
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issue equity; |
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make certain investments or acquisitions; |
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pay dividends or make other distributions; |
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dispose of assets or merge; |
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enter into related party transactions; and |
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grant liens and pledge assets. |
The breach of any covenants or obligations in the foregoing
indentures or credit facilities, not otherwise waived or
amended, could result in a default under the applicable debt
obligations and could trigger acceleration of those obligations,
which in turn could trigger cross-defaults under other
agreements governing our long-term indebtedness. In addition,
the secured lenders under the Charter Operating and CCO Holdings
credit facilities and the holders of the Charter Operating
senior second-lien notes could foreclose on their collateral,
which includes equity interests in our subsidiaries, and
exercise other rights of secured creditors. Any default under
those credit facilities, the indentures governing the Old Notes,
the New Notes, or our subsidiaries debt could adversely
affect our growth, our financial condition, our results of
operations and our ability to make payments on our notes,
Charter Operatings credit facilities and other debt of our
subsidiaries, and could force us to seek the protection of the
bankruptcy laws. See Description of Other
Indebtedness for a summary of our outstanding indebtedness
and a description of our credit facilities and other
indebtedness and for details on our debt covenants and future
liquidity.
All of our and our subsidiaries outstanding debt is
subject to change of control provisions. We may not have the
ability to raise the funds necessary to fulfill our obligations
under our indebtedness following a change of control, which
would place us in default under the applicable debt
instruments.
We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to
fulfill our obligations under our and our subsidiaries
notes and credit facilities following a change of control. Under
the indentures governing our and our subsidiaries notes
(including the Old Notes and the New Notes), upon the occurrence
of specified change of control events, we are required to offer
to repurchase all of these notes. However, Charter and our
subsidiaries may not have sufficient funds at the time of the
change of control event to make the required repurchase of these
notes, and our subsidiaries are limited in their ability to make
distributions or other payments to fund any required repurchase.
In addition, a change of control under our subsidiaries
credit facilities would result in a default under those credit
facilities. Because such credit facilities and our
subsidiaries notes are obligations of our subsidiaries,
the credit facilities and our subsidiaries notes would
have to be repaid by our subsidiaries before their assets could
be available to us to repurchase the Old Notes or the New Notes.
Our failure to make or complete a change of control offer would
place us in default under the Old Notes or New Notes. The
failure of our subsidiaries to make a change of control offer or
repay the amounts accelerated under their notes and credit
facilities would place them in default.
Paul G. Allen and his affiliates are not obligated to
purchase equity from, contribute to or loan funds to us or any
of our subsidiaries.
Paul G. Allen and his affiliates are not obligated to purchase
equity from, contribute to or loan funds to us or any of our
subsidiaries.
Risks Related to Our Business
We operate in a very competitive business environment, which
affects our ability to attract and retain customers and can
adversely affect our business and operations.
The industry in which we operate is highly competitive and has
become more so in recent years. In some instances, we compete
against companies with fewer regulatory burdens, easier access
to financing, greater personnel resources, greater brand name
recognition and long-established relationships with
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regulatory authorities and customers. Increasing consolidation
in the cable industry and the repeal of certain ownership rules
may provide additional benefits to certain of our competitors,
either through access to financing, resources or efficiencies of
scale.
Our principal competitors for video services throughout our
territory are direct broadcast satellite operators
(DBS). The two largest DBS providers are The DIRECTV
Group, Inc. and Echostar Communications, Inc. Competition from
DBS, including intensive marketing efforts with aggressive
pricing and exclusive programming has had an adverse impact on
our ability to retain customers. DBS has grown rapidly over the
last several years. The cable industry, including us, has lost a
significant number of video customers to DBS competition, and we
face serious challenges in this area in the future. In some
areas, DBS operators have entered into co-marketing arrangements
with other of our competitors to offer service bundles combining
video services provided by the DBS operator and digital
subscriber line Internet services (DSL) along with
traditional telephone service offered by the telephone
companies. These service bundles substantially resemble our
bundles. We believe that competition from DBS service providers
may present greater challenges in areas of lower population
density, and that our systems service a higher concentration of
such areas than those of certain other major cable service
providers.
Local telephone companies and electric utilities can offer video
and other services in competition with us and they increasingly
may do so in the future. Two major local telephone companies,
AT&T and Verizon, have both announced that they are making
upgrades of their networks. Some upgraded portions of these
networks are or will be capable of carrying two-way video
services that are comparable to ours, high-speed data services
that operate at speeds as high as or higher than those we make
available to customers in these areas, and digital voice
services that are similar to ours. In addition, these companies
continue to offer their traditional telephone services as well
as bundles that include wireless voice services provided by
affiliated companies. Based on internal estimates, we believe
that AT&T and Verizons upgrades have been completed in
systems representing approximately 6% to 7% of our homes passed
as of June 30, 2007, an increase from an estimated 2% at
March 31, 2007. Additional upgrades in markets in which we
operate are expected. In areas where they have launched video
services, these parties are aggressively marketing video, voice
and data bundles at entry level prices similar to those we use
to market our bundles.
The existence of more than one cable system operating in the
same territory is referred to as an overbuild. Overbuilds could
adversely affect our growth, financial condition, and results of
operations, by creating or increasing competition. Based on
internal estimates, as of June 30, 2007, we are aware of
traditional overbuild situations impacting approximately 8% of
our estimated homes passed, and potential traditional overbuild
situations in areas servicing approximately an additional 1% of
our estimated homes passed. Additional overbuild situations may
occur in other systems.
With respect to our Internet access services, we face
competition, including intensive marketing efforts and
aggressive pricing, from telephone companies and other providers
of DSL. DSL service is competitive with high-speed Internet
service over cable systems. In addition, DBS providers have
entered into joint marketing arrangements with Internet access
providers to offer bundled video and Internet service, which
competes with our ability to provide bundled services to our
customers. Moreover, as we expand our telephone offerings, we
will face considerable competition from established telephone
companies and other carriers.
In order to attract new customers, from time to time we make
promotional offers, including offers of temporarily
reduced-price or free service. These promotional programs result
in significant advertising, programming and operating expenses,
and also require us to make capital expenditures to acquire
customer premise equipment. Customers who subscribe to our
services as a result of these offerings may not remain customers
for any significant period of time following the end of the
promotional period. A failure to retain existing customers and
customers added through promotional offerings or to collect the
amounts they owe us could have a material adverse effect on our
business and financial results.
Mergers, joint ventures and alliances among franchised, wireless
or private cable operators, DBS providers, local exchange
carriers and others, may provide additional benefits to some of
our competitors,
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either through access to financing, resources or efficiencies of
scale, or the ability to provide multiple services in direct
competition with us.
In addition to the various competitive factors discussed above,
our business is subject to risks relating to increasing
competition for the leisure and entertainment time of consumers.
Our business competes with all other sources of entertainment
and information delivery, including broadcast television,
movies, live events, radio broadcasts, home video products,
console games, print media, and the Internet. Technological
advancements, such as
video-on-demand, new
video formats, and Internet streaming and downloading, have
increased the number of entertainment and information delivery
choices available to consumers, and intensified the challenges
posed by audience fragmentation. The increasing number of
choices available to audiences could negatively impact not only
consumer demand for our products and services, but also
advertisers willingness to purchase advertising from us.
If we do not respond appropriately to further increases in the
leisure and entertainment choices available to consumers, our
competitive position could deteriorate, and our financial
results could suffer.
We cannot assure you that our cable systems will allow us to
compete effectively. Additionally, as we expand our offerings to
include other telecommunications services, and to introduce new
and enhanced services, we will be subject to competition from
other providers of the services we offer. We cannot predict the
extent to which competition may affect our business and
operations in the future.
We have a history of net losses and expect to continue to
experience net losses. Consequently, we may not have the ability
to finance future operations.
We have had a history of net losses and expect to continue to
report net losses for the foreseeable future. Our net losses are
principally attributable to insufficient revenue to cover the
combination of operating expenses and interest expenses we incur
because of our high level of debt and the depreciation expenses
that we incur resulting from the capital investments we have
made in our cable properties. We expect that these expenses will
remain significant, and we expect to continue to report net
losses for the foreseeable future. Charter reported net losses
of $741 million and $841 million for the six months
ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Continued
losses would reduce our cash available from operations to
service our indebtedness, as well as limit our ability to
finance our operations.
We may not have the ability to pass our increasing
programming costs on to our customers, which would adversely
affect our cash flow and operating margins.
Programming has been, and is expected to continue to be, our
largest operating expense item. In recent years, the cable
industry has experienced a rapid escalation in the cost of
programming, particularly sports programming. We expect
programming costs to continue to increase because of a variety
of factors, including annual increases imposed by programmers
and additional programming, including high definition
television, and OnDemand programming, being provided to
customers and increased costs to purchase programming. The
inability to fully pass these programming cost increases on to
our customers has had an adverse impact on our cash flow and
operating margins. We have programming contracts that have
expired, or that will expire at or before the end of 2007. There
can be no assurance that these agreements will be renewed on
favorable or comparable terms. To the extent that we are unable
to reach agreement with certain programmers on terms that we
believe are reasonable we may be forced to remove such
programming channels from our line-up, which could result in a
further loss of customers.
Increased demands by owners of some broadcast stations for
carriage of other services or payments to those broadcasters for
retransmission consent could further increase our programming
costs. Federal law allows commercial television broadcast
stations to make an election between must-carry
rights and an alternative retransmission-consent
regime. When a station opts for the latter, cable operators are
not allowed to carry the stations signal without the
stations permission. In some cases, we carry stations
under short-term arrangements while we attempt to negotiate new
long-term retransmission agreements. If negotiations with these
programmers prove unsuccessful, they could require us to cease
carrying their signals, possibly for an indefinite period. Any
loss of stations could make our video service less attractive to
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customers, which could result in less subscription and
advertising revenue. In retransmission-consent negotiations,
broadcasters often condition consent with respect to one station
on carriage of one or more other stations or programming
services in which they or their affiliates have an interest.
Carriage of these other services may increase our programming
expenses and diminish the amount of capacity we have available
to introduce new services, which could have an adverse effect on
our business and financial results.
If our required capital expenditures in 2007, 2008 and beyond
exceed our projections, we may not have sufficient funding,
which could adversely affect our growth, financial condition and
results of operations.
During the six months ended June 30, 2007, we spent
approximately $579 million on capital expenditures. During
2007, we expect capital expenditures to be approximately
$1.2 billion. The actual amount of our capital expenditures
depends on the level of growth in high-speed Internet and
telephone customers and in the delivery of other advanced
services, as well as the cost of introducing any new services.
We may need additional capital in 2007, 2008 and beyond if there
is accelerated growth in high-speed Internet customers,
telephone customers or in the delivery of other advanced
services. If we cannot obtain such capital from increases in our
cash flow from operating activities, additional borrowings,
proceeds from asset sales or other sources, our growth,
financial condition and results of operations could suffer
materially.
We face risks inherent to our telephone business.
We may encounter unforeseen difficulties as we introduce our
telephone service in new operating areas and as we increase the
scale of our telephone service offerings in areas in which they
have already been launched. First, we face heightened customer
expectations for the reliability of telephone services, as
compared with our video and high-speed data services. We have
undertaken significant training of customer service
representatives and technicians, and we will continue to need a
highly trained workforce. To ensure reliable service, we may
need to increase our expenditures, including spending on
technology, equipment and personnel. If the service is not
sufficiently reliable or we otherwise fail to meet customer
expectations, our telephone business could be adversely
affected. Second, the competitive landscape for telephone
services is intense; we face competition from providers of
Internet telephone services, as well as incumbent local
telephone companies, cellular telephone service providers, and
others. Third, we depend on interconnection and related services
provided by certain third parties. As a result, our ability to
implement changes as the service grows may be limited. Finally,
we expect advances in communications technology, as well as
changes in the marketplace and the regulatory and legislative
environment. Consequently, we are unable to predict the effect
that ongoing or future developments in these areas might have on
our telephone business and operations.
Our inability to respond to technological developments and
meet customer demand for new products and services could limit
our ability to compete effectively.
Our business is characterized by rapid technological change and
the introduction of new products and services, some of which are
bandwidth-intensive. We cannot assure you that we will be able
to fund the capital expenditures necessary to keep pace with
technological developments, or that we will successfully
anticipate the demand of our customers for products and services
requiring new technology or bandwidth beyond our expectations.
Our inability to maintain and expand our upgraded systems and
provide advanced services in a timely manner, or to anticipate
the demands of the marketplace, could materially adversely
affect our ability to attract and retain customers.
Consequently, our growth, financial condition and results of
operations could suffer materially.
We depend on third party suppliers and licensors; thus, if we
are unable to procure the necessary equipment, software or
licenses on reasonable terms and on a timely basis, our ability
to offer services
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could be impaired, and our growth, operations, business,
financial results and financial condition could be materially
adversely affected.
We depend on third party suppliers and licensors to supply some
of the hardware, software and operational support necessary to
provide some of our services. We obtain these materials from a
limited number of vendors, some of which do not have a long
operating history. Some of our hardware, software and
operational support vendors represent our sole source of supply
or have, either through contract or as a result of intellectual
property rights, a position of some exclusivity. If demand
exceeds these vendors capacity or if these vendors
experience operating or financial difficulties, or are otherwise
unable to provide the equipment we need in a timely manner and
at reasonable prices, our ability to provide some services might
be materially adversely affected, or the need to procure or
develop alternative sources of the affected materials or
services might delay our ability to serve our customers. These
events could materially and adversely affect our ability to
retain and attract customers, and have a material negative
impact on our operations, business, financial results and
financial condition. A limited number of vendors of key
technologies can lead to less product innovation and higher
costs. For these reasons, we generally endeavor to establish
alternative vendors for materials we consider critical, but may
not be able to establish these relationships or be able to
obtain required materials on favorable terms.
For example, each of our systems currently purchases set-top
boxes from a limited number of vendors, because each of our
cable systems uses one or two proprietary conditional access
security schemes, which allow us to regulate subscriber access
to some services, such as premium channels. We believe that the
proprietary nature of these conditional access schemes makes
other manufacturers reluctant to produce set-top boxes. Future
innovation in set-top boxes may be restricted until these issues
are resolved. In addition, we believe that the general lack of
compatibility among set-top box operating systems has slowed the
industrys development and deployment of digital set-top
box applications.
Malicious and abusive Internet practices could impair our
high-speed Internet services
Our high-speed Internet customers utilize our network to access
the Internet and, as a consequence, we or they may become victim
to common malicious and abusive Internet activities, such as
unsolicited mass advertising (i.e., spam) and
dissemination of viruses, worms, and other destructive or
disruptive software. These activities could have adverse
consequences on our network and our customers, including
degradation of service, excessive call volume to call centers,
and damage to our or our customers equipment and data.
Significant incidents could lead to customer dissatisfaction
and, ultimately, loss of customers or revenue, in addition to
increased costs to service our customers and protect our
network. Any significant loss of high-speed Internet customers
or revenue, or significant increase in costs of serving those
customers, could adversely affect our growth, financial
condition and results of operations.
Charter could be deemed an investment company
under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This would impose
significant restrictions on us and would be likely to have a
material adverse impact on our growth, financial condition and
results of operation.
Charters principal assets are our equity interests in
Charter Holdco and certain indebtedness of Charter Holdco. If
Charters membership interest in Charter Holdco were to
constitute less than 50% of the voting securities issued by
Charter Holdco, then Charters interest in Charter Holdco
could be deemed an investment security for purposes
of the Investment Company Act. This may occur, for example, if a
court determines that the Class B common stock is no longer
entitled to special voting rights and, in accordance with the
terms of the Charter Holdco limited liability company agreement,
Charters membership units in Charter Holdco were to lose
their special voting privileges. A determination that such
interest was an investment security could cause Charter to be
deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company
Act, unless an exemption from registration were available or we
were to obtain an order of the Securities and Exchange
Commission excluding or exempting us from registration under the
Investment Company Act.
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If anything were to happen which would cause Charter to be
deemed an investment company, the Investment Company Act would
impose significant restrictions on us, including severe
limitations on our ability to borrow money, to issue additional
capital stock, and to transact business with affiliates. In
addition, because our operations are very different from those
of the typical registered investment company, regulation under
the Investment Company Act could affect us in other ways that
are extremely difficult to predict. In sum, if we were deemed to
be an investment company it could become impractical for us to
continue our business as currently conducted and our growth, our
financial condition and our results of operations could suffer
materially.
If a court determines that the Class B common stock is
no longer entitled to special voting rights, Charter would lose
its rights to manage Charter Holdco. In addition to the
investment company risks discussed above, this could materially
impact the value of the Class A common stock.
If a court determines that the Class B common stock is no
longer entitled to special voting rights, Charter would no
longer have a controlling voting interest in, and would lose its
right to manage, Charter Holdco. If this were to occur:
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we would retain our proportional equity interest in Charter
Holdco but would lose all of our powers to direct the management
and affairs of Charter Holdco and its subsidiaries; and |
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we would become strictly a passive investment vehicle and would
be treated under the Investment Company Act as an investment
company. |
This result, as well as the impact of being treated under the
Investment Company Act as an investment company, could
materially adversely impact:
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the liquidity of the Class A common stock; |
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how the Class A common stock trades in the marketplace; |
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the price that purchasers would be willing to pay for the
Class A common stock in a change of control transaction or
otherwise; and |
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the market price of the Class A common stock. |
Uncertainties that may arise with respect to the nature of our
management role and voting power and organizational documents as
a result of any challenge to the special voting rights of the
Class B common stock, including legal actions or
proceedings relating thereto, may also materially adversely
impact the value of the Class A common stock.
For tax purposes, there is a significant risk that we will
experience an ownership change resulting in a material
limitation on the use of a substantial amount of our existing
net operating loss carryforwards.
As of June 30, 2007, we had approximately $7.3 billion
of tax net operating losses resulting in a gross deferred tax
asset of approximately $2.9 billion, expiring in the years
2007 through 2027. Due to uncertainties in projected future
taxable income, valuation allowances have been established
against the gross deferred tax assets for book accounting
purposes, except for deferred benefits available to offset
certain deferred tax liabilities. Currently, such tax net
operating losses can accumulate and be used to offset any of our
future taxable income. However, an ownership change
as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, would place significant limitations, on an
annual basis, on the use of such net operating losses existing
to offset future taxable income we may generate. Although we
have instituted a Rights Plan designed with the goal of
attempting to prevent ownership change, we can not provide any
assurance that the Rights Plan will actually prevent an
ownership change from occurring. A limitation on our ability to
use our net operating losses, in conjunction with the net
operating loss expiration provisions, could effectively
eliminate our ability to use a substantial portion of our net
operating losses to offset future taxable income.
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Future transactions and the timing of such transactions could
cause an ownership change for U.S. federal income tax
purposes.
Such transactions include additional issuances of Class A
common stock by us (including but not limited to issuances upon
future conversion of the Old Notes), reacquisitions by us of
shares loaned by us pursuant to the Share Lending Agreement, or
acquisitions or sales of shares by certain holders of our
shares, including persons who have held, currently hold, or
accumulate in the future five percent or more of our outstanding
stock (including upon an exchange by Mr. Allen or his
affiliates, directly or indirectly, of membership units of
Charter Holdco into Class B common stock). Many of the
foregoing transactions, including whether Mr. Allen
exchanges his Charter Holdco units, are beyond our control.
Risks Related to Mr. Allens Controlling
Position
The failure by Mr. Allen to maintain a minimum voting
and economic interest in us could trigger a change of control
default under our subsidiarys credit facilities.
The Charter Operating credit facilities provide that the failure
by (a) Mr. Allen, (b) his estate, spouse,
immediate family members and heirs and (c) any trust,
corporation, partnership or other entity, the beneficiaries,
stockholders, partners or other owners of which consist
exclusively of Mr. Allen or such other persons referred to
in (b) above or a combination thereof, to maintain a 35%
direct or indirect voting interest in the applicable borrower
would result in a change of control default. Such a default
could result in the acceleration of repayment of our and our
subsidiaries indebtedness, including borrowings under the
Charter Operating credit facilities.
Mr. Allen controls our stockholder voting and may have
interests that conflict with the interests of the other holders
of our Class A common stock.
Mr. Allen has the ability to control us. Through his
control as of June 30, 2007 of approximately 91% of the
voting power of Charters capital stock, Mr. Allen is
entitled to elect all but one of our board members and
effectively has the voting power to elect the remaining board
member as well. Mr. Allen thus has the ability to control
fundamental corporate transactions requiring equity holder
approval, including, but not limited to, the election of all of
our directors, approval of merger transactions involving us and
the sale of all or substantially all of our assets.
Mr. Allen is not restricted from investing in, and has
invested in, and engaged in, other businesses involving or
related to the operation of cable television systems, video
programming, high-speed Internet service, telephone or business
and financial transactions conducted through broadband
interactivity and Internet services. Mr. Allen may also
engage in other businesses that compete or may in the future
compete with us.
Mr. Allens control over our management and affairs
could create conflicts of interest if he is faced with decisions
that could have different implications for him, us and the other
holders of our Class A common stock. For example, if
Mr. Allen were to elect to exchange his Charter Holdco
membership units for our Class B common stock pursuant to
our existing exchange agreement with him, such a transaction
would result in an ownership change for income tax purposes, as
discussed above. See Risks Related to Our
Business For tax purposes, there is a significant
risk that we will experience an ownership change resulting in a
material limitation on the use of a substantial amount of our
existing net operating loss carryforwards. Further,
Mr. Allen could effectively cause us to enter into
contracts with another entity in which he owns an interest or to
decline a transaction into which he (or another entity in which
he owns an interest) ultimately enters.
Current and future agreements between us and either
Mr. Allen or his affiliates may not be the result of
arms-length negotiations. Consequently, such agreements
may be less favorable to us than agreements that we could
otherwise have entered into with unaffiliated third parties.
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We are not permitted to engage in any business activity other
than the cable transmission of video, audio and data unless
Mr. Allen authorizes us to pursue that particular business
activity, which could adversely affect our ability to offer new
products and services outside of the cable transmission business
and to enter into new businesses, and could adversely affect our
growth, financial condition and results of operations.
The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Charter and Charter
Holdcos limited liability company agreement provide that
Charter and Charter Holdco and our subsidiaries, cannot engage
in any business activity outside the cable transmission business
except for specified businesses. This will be the case unless
Mr. Allen consents to our engaging in the business
activity. The cable transmission business means the business of
transmitting video, audio (including telephone services), and
data over cable television systems owned, operated, or managed
by us from time to time. These provisions may limit our ability
to take advantage of attractive business opportunities.
The loss of Mr. Allens services could adversely
affect our ability to manage our business.
Mr. Allen is Chairman of our board of directors and
provides strategic guidance and other services to us. If we were
to lose his services, our growth, financial condition, and
results of operations could be adversely impacted.
The special tax allocation provisions of the Charter Holdco
limited liability company agreement may cause us in some
circumstances to pay more taxes than if the special tax
allocation provisions were not in effect.
Charter Holdcos limited liability company agreement
provided that through the end of 2003, net tax losses (such net
tax losses being determined under the federal income tax rules
for determining capital accounts) of Charter Holdco that would
otherwise have been allocated to us based generally on our
percentage ownership of outstanding common membership units of
Charter Holdco would instead be allocated to the membership
units held by Vulcan Cable and CII. The purpose of these special
tax allocation provisions was to allow Mr. Allen to take
advantage, for tax purposes, of the losses generated by Charter
Holdco during such period. In some situations, these special tax
allocation provisions could result in our having to pay taxes in
an amount that is more or less than if Charter Holdco had
allocated net tax losses to its members based generally on the
percentage of outstanding common membership units owned by such
members. For further discussion on the details of the tax
allocation provisions see Charters Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, Part II.
Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates Income
Taxes.
Risks Related to Regulatory and Legislative Matters
Our cable system franchises are non-exclusive. Accordingly,
local franchising authorities can grant additional franchises
and create competition in market areas where none existed
previously, resulting in overbuilds, which could adversely
affect results of operations.
Our cable system franchises are non-exclusive. Consequently,
local franchising authorities can grant additional franchises to
competitors in the same geographic area or operate their own
cable systems. In addition, certain telephone companies are
seeking authority to operate in communities without first
obtaining a local franchise. As a result, competing operators
may build systems in areas in which we hold franchises. In some
cases, municipal utilities may legally compete with us without
obtaining a franchise from the local franchising authority.
Legislative proposals have been introduced in many state
legislatures that would greatly streamline cable franchising.
This legislation is intended to facilitate entry by new
competitors, particularly local telephone companies. Such
legislation has passed in numerous states, including states
where we have significant operations. Although most of these
states have provided some regulatory relief for incumbent
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cable operators, some of these proposals are viewed as being
more favorable to new entrants due to a number of factors,
including efforts to withhold streamlined cable franchising from
incumbents until after the expiration of their existing
franchises, and the potential for new entrants to serve only
higher-income areas of a particular community. To the extent we
are not able to avail ourselves of this streamlined franchising
process, we may continue to be subject to more onerous franchise
requirements at the local level than new entrants. In March
2007, the FCC released a ruling designed to streamline
competitive cable franchising. Among other things, the FCC
prohibited local franchising authorities from imposing
unreasonable build-out requirements and established
a mechanism whereby competing providers can secure interim
authority to offer cable service if the local franchising
authority has not acted on a franchise application within
90 days (in the case of competitors with existing right of
way authority) or 180 days (in the case of competitors
without existing
right-of-way
authority). Local regulators have appealed the FCCs
ruling, which is currently effective.
We may be required to provide access to our networks to other
Internet service providers which could significantly increase
our competition and adversely affect our ability to provide new
products and services.
A number of companies, including independent Internet service
providers, or ISPs, have requested local authorities and the FCC
to require cable operators to provide non-discriminatory access
to cables broadband infrastructure, so that these
companies may deliver Internet services directly to customers
over cable facilities. In a 2005 ruling, commonly referred to as
Brand X, the Supreme Court upheld an FCC decision making
it less likely that any nondiscriminatory open
access requirements (which are generally associated with
common carrier regulation of telecommunications
services) will be imposed on the cable industry by local,
state or federal authorities. The Supreme Court held that the
FCC was correct in classifying cable provided Internet service
as an information service, rather than a
telecommunications service. Notwithstanding Brand
X, there has been continued advocacy by certain Internet
content providers and consumer groups for new federal laws or
regulations to adopt so-called net neutrality
principles limiting the ability of broadband network owners
(like Charter) to manage and control their own networks. The
proposals might prevent network owners, for example, from
charging bandwidth intensive content providers, such as certain
online gaming, music, and video service providers, an additional
fee to ensure quality delivery of the services to consumers. If
we were required to allocate a portion of our bandwidth capacity
to other Internet service providers, or were prohibited from
charging heavy bandwidth intensive services a fee for use of our
networks, we believe that it could impair our ability to use our
bandwidth in ways that would generate maximum revenues. In April
2007, the FCC issued a notice of inquiry regarding the marketing
practices of broadband providers as a precursor to considering
the need for any FCC regulation of Internet service providers.
Changes in channel carriage regulations could impose
significant additional costs on us.
Cable operators also face significant regulation of their
channel carriage. We can be required to devote substantial
capacity to the carriage of programming that they might not
carry voluntarily, including certain local broadcast signals,
local public, educational and government access programming, and
unaffiliated commercial leased access programming. This carriage
burden could increase in the future, particularly if we are
required to carry both the analog and digital versions of local
broadcast signals (dual carriage) or to carry multiple program
streams included with a single digital broadcast transmission
(multicast carriage). Additional government-mandated broadcast
carriage obligations could disrupt existing programming
commitments, interfere with our preferred use of limited channel
capacity and limit our ability to offer services that would
maximize our revenue potential. The FCC recently initiated a new
rulemaking to explore the cable industrys carriage
obligations once the broadcast industrys transition from
analog to digital transmission is completed in February 2009.
The FCC is considering new carriage obligations in an effort to
facilitate that transition that could increase the capacity
cable operators must devote to the retransmission of broadcast
signals.
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Our business is subject to extensive governmental legislation
and regulation, which could adversely affect our business.
Regulation of the cable industry has increased cable
operators administrative and operational expenses and
limited their revenues. Cable operators are subject to, among
other things:
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rules governing the provision of cable equipment and
compatibility with new digital technologies; |
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rules and regulations relating to subscriber privacy; |
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limited rate regulation; |
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requirements governing when a cable system must carry a
particular broadcast station and when it must first obtain
consent to carry a broadcast station; |
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rules and regulations relating to provision of voice
communications; |
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rules for franchise renewals and transfers; and |
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other requirements covering a variety of operational areas such
as equal employment opportunity, technical standards and
customer service requirements. |
Additionally, many aspects of these regulations are currently
the subject of judicial proceedings and administrative or
legislative proposals. There are also ongoing efforts to amend
or expand the federal, state and local regulation of some of our
cable systems, which may compound the regulatory risks we
already face. Certain states and localities are considering new
telecommunications taxes that could increase operating expenses.
Our cable system franchises are subject to non-renewal or
termination. The failure to renew a franchise in one or more key
markets could adversely affect our business.
Our cable systems generally operate pursuant to franchises,
permits and similar authorizations issued by a state or local
governmental authority controlling the public
rights-of-way. Many
franchises establish comprehensive facilities and service
requirements, as well as specific customer service standards and
monetary penalties for non-compliance. In many cases, franchises
are terminable if the franchisee fails to comply with
significant provisions set forth in the franchise agreement
governing system operations. Franchises are generally granted
for fixed terms and must be periodically renewed. Local
franchising authorities may resist granting a renewal if either
past performance or the prospective operating proposal is
considered inadequate. Franchise authorities often demand
concessions or other commitments as a condition to renewal. In
some instances, franchises have not been renewed at expiration,
and we have operated and are operating under either temporary
operating agreements or without a license while negotiating
renewal terms with the local franchising authorities.
Approximately 15% of our franchises, covering approximately 18%
of our analog video customers, were expired as of June 30,
2007. Approximately 4% of additional franchises, covering
approximately an additional 6% of our analog video customers,
will expire on or before December 31, 2007, if not renewed
prior to expiration.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with all
significant provisions of our franchise agreements and certain
of our franchisors have from time to time alleged that we have
not complied with these agreements. Additionally, although
historically we have renewed our franchises without incurring
significant costs, we cannot assure you that we will be able to
renew, or to renew as favorably, our franchises in the future. A
termination of or a sustained failure to renew a franchise in
one or more key markets could adversely affect our business in
the affected geographic area.
Local franchise authorities have the ability to impose
additional regulatory constraints on our business, which could
further increase our expenses.
In addition to the franchise agreement, cable authorities in
some jurisdictions have adopted cable regulatory ordinances that
further regulate the operation of cable systems. This additional
regulation increases the cost of operating our business. We
cannot assure you that the local franchising authorities
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will not impose new and more restrictive requirements. Local
franchising authorities also generally have the power to reduce
rates and order refunds on the rates charged for basic services.
Further regulation of the cable industry could cause us to
delay or cancel service or programming enhancements or impair
our ability to raise rates to cover our increasing costs,
resulting in increased losses.
Currently, rate regulation is strictly limited to the basic
service tier and associated equipment and installation
activities. However, the FCC and the U.S. Congress continue
to be concerned that cable rate increases are exceeding
inflation. It is possible that either the FCC or the
U.S. Congress will again restrict the ability of cable
system operators to implement rate increases. Should this occur,
it would impede our ability to raise our rates. If we are unable
to raise our rates in response to increasing costs, our losses
would increase.
There has been considerable legislative and regulatory interest
in requiring cable operators to offer historically bundled
programming services on an á la carte basis or to at least
offer a separately available child-friendly Family
Tier. It is possible that new marketing restrictions could
be adopted in the future. Such restrictions could adversely
affect our operations.
Actions by pole owners might subject us to significantly
increased pole attachment costs.
Pole attachments are cable wires that are attached to utility
poles. Cable system attachments to public utility poles
historically have been regulated at the federal or state level.
The pole attachment rates afforded cable operators under federal
law can be increased by utility companies if the operator
provides telecommunications services, in addition to cable
service, over cable wires attached to utility poles. To date,
Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, service has not been
classified as either a telecommunications service or cable
service under the Communications Act. If VoIP were classified as
a telecommunications service under the Communications Act by the
FCC, a state Public Utility Commission, or an appropriate court,
it might result in significantly increased pole attachment costs
for us, which could adversely affect our financial condition and
results of operations. We are a defendant in at least one
lawsuit where the utility company claims that we should pay an
increased rate on its poles. Any significant increased pole
attachment costs could have a material adverse impact on our
profitability and discourage system upgrades and the
introduction of new products and services.
Offering voice communications service may subject us to
additional regulatory burdens, causing us to incur additional
costs.
In 2002, we began to offer voice communications services on a
limited basis over our broadband network. We continue to develop
and deploy VoIP services. The FCC has declared that certain VoIP
services are not subject to traditional state public utility
regulation. The full extent of the FCC preemption of state and
local regulation of VoIP services is not yet clear. Expanding
our offering of these services may require us to obtain certain
authorizations, including federal and state licenses. We may not
be able to obtain such authorizations in a timely manner, or
conditions could be imposed upon such licenses or authorizations
that may not be favorable to us. The FCC has extended certain
traditional telecommunications requirements, such as E911 and
Universal Service requirements, to many VoIP providers, such as
Charter. The FCC has also required that these VoIP providers
comply with obligations applied to traditional
telecommunications carriers to ensure their networks can
accommodate law enforcement wiretaps by May 2007.
Telecommunications companies generally are subject to other
significant regulation which could also be extended to VoIP
providers. If additional telecommunications regulations are
applied to our VoIP service, it could cause us to incur
additional costs.
42
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE EXCHANGE OFFER
For your convenience, the following is additional summary
information regarding the Exchange Offer in a question and
answer format.
Who is making the Exchange Offer?
The Offeror, Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC, is
offering to pay the Exchange Consideration to Holders of
outstanding Old Notes who agree to tender their Old Notes in
accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer.
What securities are the subject of the Exchange Offer?
The securities that are the subject of the Exchange Offer are
Charters 5.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2009. As
of the date of this Exchange Offer Prospectus, there are
$412,500,000 in aggregate principal amount of Old Notes
outstanding.
What will I receive in the Exchange Offer if I tender my Old
Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer and they are accepted?
The Exchange Consideration per $1,000 principal
amount of Old Notes accepted for exchange will be an amount of
New Notes determined based on the Average Price of
Charters Class A common stock as set forth in the
table below. In addition to the Exchange Consideration, the
Offeror will pay accrued interest on the Old Notes from and
including the last interest payment date (which was May 16,
2007) up to, but not including, the Settlement Date.
The initial conversion price for the New Notes will be the
Average Price multiplied by 1.3 (examples of which are set forth
in the table below). The initial conversion rate will be $1,000
divided by the conversion price, rounded to four decimal places.
If the Average Price is between two prices shown in the table
below, the principal amount of New Notes to be issued per $1,000
principal amount of Old Notes tendered will be calculated using
straight-line interpolation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Amount of New |
|
|
Average Price of |
|
Notes to be Issued per |
|
Terms of the New Notes |
Charters Class A |
|
$1,000 Principal Amount |
|
|
Common Stock |
|
of Old Notes Tendered |
|
Conversion Price |
|
Conversion Rate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.00 |
|
|
$ |
1,110.62 |
|
|
$ |
2.60 |
|
|
|
384.6154 |
|
$ |
2.20 |
|
|
$ |
1,173.25 |
|
|
$ |
2.86 |
|
|
|
349.6503 |
|
$ |
2.40 |
|
|
$ |
1,239.65 |
|
|
$ |
3.12 |
|
|
|
320.5128 |
|
$ |
2.60 |
|
|
$ |
1,309.13 |
|
|
$ |
3.38 |
|
|
|
295.8580 |
|
$ |
2.80 |
|
|
$ |
1,381.10 |
|
|
$ |
3.64 |
|
|
|
274.7253 |
|
$ |
3.00 |
|
|
$ |
1,451.68 |
|
|
$ |
3.90 |
|
|
|
256.4103 |
|
$ |
3.20 |
|
|
$ |
1,521.73 |
|
|
$ |
4.16 |
|
|
|
240.3846 |
|
$ |
3.40 |
|
|
$ |
1,592.26 |
|
|
$ |
4.42 |
|
|
|
226.2443 |
|
$ |
3.60 |
|
|
$ |
1,662.60 |
|
|
$ |
4.68 |
|
|
|
213.6752 |
|
$ |
3.80 |
|
|
$ |
1,733.33 |
|
|
$ |
4.94 |
|
|
|
202.4291 |
|
$ |
4.00 |
|
|
$ |
1,802.82 |
|
|
$ |
5.20 |
|
|
|
192.3077 |
|
$ |
4.20 |
|
|
$ |
1,872.80 |
|
|
$ |
5.46 |
|
|
|
183.1502 |
|
$ |
4.35 |
|
|
$ |
1,923.50 |
|
|
$ |
5.66 |
|
|
|
176.8347 |
|
New Notes will be issued only in minimum denominations of $1,000
and integral multiples of $1,000. See Description of the
Exchange Offer.
If the Exchange Offer is consummated and I do not fully
participate or some of my Old Notes are not accepted for
exchange, how will my rights and obligations under the Old Notes
be affected?
Old Notes not tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer will
remain outstanding after the consummation of the Exchange Offer.
Holders of Old Notes not tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer
will continue to have the same rights under the Old Notes as
they are entitled to today.
43
With some of the proceeds from the initial sale of the Old
Notes, we purchased and pledged to the trustee under the
indenture for the Old Notes as security for the benefit of the
Holders, approximately $144 million of U.S. government
securities, of which $25 million remains subject to the
pledge. These securities were pledged to provide for the payment
of the first six scheduled interest payments due on the original
principal amount of the Old Notes. Because we currently intend
that the Old Notes accepted for exchange will not be cancelled
and will be held by Charter Holdco, directly or indirectly,
after the Settlement Date, you will not be entitled to any
increases in your pro rata share of the U.S. government
securities pledged as security for the Old Notes. Holders are
subject to certain risks associated with both tendering or not
tendering Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. See
Risk Factors Risks to Continuing Holders of
Old Notes After the Settlement Date and Risk
Factors Risks to Tendering Holders of Old
Notes.
What is the purpose of the Exchange Offer?
The purpose of the Exchange Offer is to exchange any and all of
Charters outstanding Old Notes to extend maturities.
What is the market value of the Old Notes?
The Old Notes are not listed on any national securities exchange
but are eligible for trading on the
PORTALsm
Market.
What is the recent market price of the Class A common
stock?
The Class A common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global
Market under the symbol CHTR. The last reported sale
price of the Class A common stock on September 12,
2007 was $2.53 per share. Each $1,000 principal amount of
Old Notes is convertible into 413.2331 shares of
Class A common stock, which is equivalent to a conversion
price of $2.42 per share. See Price Range of Common
Stock.
For the reasons described elsewhere herein, it is likely that
the market price of the Class A common stock will be
especially volatile during the Exchange Offer and may be
substantially affected by the unwinding of hedging positions
that Holders of Old Notes had entered into in connection with
their investment in the Old Notes.
What is the market value of the New Notes?
The New Notes will not be listed on any national securities
exchange but are expected to be eligible for trading on the
PORTALsm
Market.
How does the Exchange Consideration I will receive if I
tender my Old Notes compare to what I would receive if I do not
tender them?
If you do not tender your Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Offer you will be entitled to receive interest payments of
5.875% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on May
16 and November 16 of each year through maturity
(November 16, 2009). In addition, prior to the maturity of
the Old Notes, you may elect to convert them into Class A
common stock. Each $1,000 principal amount of Old Notes is
convertible into 413.2231 shares of Class A common
stock, which is equivalent to a conversion price of
$2.42 per share. At maturity, if you have not elected to
convert your Old Notes, you will be entitled to the repayment of
the principal amount of the Old Notes.
Because we intend that Charter Holdco, directly or indirectly,
will hold the Old Notes accepted for exchange, Holders of Old
Notes not exchanged will not be entitled to any increase in the
pro rata share of these pledged securities. Instead, Charter
Holdco, directly or indirectly, will receive any benefit from
these U.S. government securities on the same pro rata basis
as any Holders of Old Notes not exchanged. Furthermore, there
can be no assurance that the cash received by Charter Holdco,
directly or indirectly, as
44
interest on the Old Notes will be available to pay either
principal or interest on any Old Notes not exchanged.
If, however, you participate in the Exchange Offer, you will
receive the Exchange Consideration described above under
What will I receive in the Exchange Offer if I
tender my Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer and they are
accepted?
Will I receive accrued and unpaid interest from and after
May 16, 2007 to the Expiration Date?
In addition to the Exchange Consideration, the Offeror will pay
accrued interest on the Old Notes from and after the last
interest payment date (which was May 16, 2007) up to, but
not including, the Settlement Date.
How will fluctuations in the trading price of the
Class A common stock affect the amount I will receive if I
tender my Old Notes?
You will receive a principal amount of New Notes based upon the
Average Price of the Class A common stock. If the market
price of the Class A common stock declines, the value of
the New Notes you will receive will decline. Trading prices of
the Class A common stock and New Notes will be influenced
by our operating results and prospects and by economic,
financial, regulatory and other factors, as well as by this
Exchange Offer. General market conditions, including the level
of, and fluctuations in, the prices of stocks and high-yield
notes, will also have an impact. In addition, sales of
substantial amounts of the New Notes after this Exchange Offer,
or the perception that such sales may occur, could affect the
price of the New Notes.
When will I receive the Exchange Consideration for tendering
my Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer?
Assuming the Offeror has not previously elected to terminate the
Exchange Offer (which the Offeror can only do if a condition to
the Exchange Offer has not been satisfied, see Description
of the Exchange Offer Conditions to the Exchange
Offer), Old Notes validly tendered in accordance with the
procedures set forth herein prior to 11:59 p.m., New York
City time, on the Expiration Date, will, upon the terms and
subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, be accepted for
exchange and payment by the Offeror of the Exchange
Consideration, and payments will be made therefor promptly on
the Settlement Date. The Offeror intends to deposit the Exchange
Consideration with the Exchange Agent or return tendered Old
Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, as applicable, on the
fourth business day following the Expiration Date. If the
Exchange Offer is not consummated, no such exchange will occur
and no payments will be made.
In the event of a termination of the Exchange Offer, the Old
Notes tendered for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will
be promptly returned to the tendering Holders.
Will the New Notes I receive upon tender of the Old
Notes be freely tradable?
Yes. Generally, the New Notes you will receive pursuant to the
Exchange Offer will be freely tradable, unless you are an
affiliate of Charter, as that term is defined in the Securities
Act, or you acquired your Old Notes from an affiliate of Charter
in an unregistered transaction. The Offeror does not intend to
list the New Notes on any securities exchange or to seek
approval for quotation through any automated quotation system.
Do the Offeror or its affiliates have any current plans to
purchase any Old Notes that remain outstanding subsequent to the
Expiration Date?
No. The Offeror and its affiliates reserve the right, in their
absolute discretion, to purchase or make offers to purchase any
Old Notes that remain outstanding subsequent to the Expiration
Date and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, purchase
Old Notes in the open market, in privately negotiated
45
transactions or otherwise, but have no current plans to do so.
The terms of any such purchases or offers could differ from the
terms of the Exchange Offer.
If I have entered into a swap transaction or share lending
agreement with CGML or any of its affiliates to hedge my Old
Notes, will I have to unwind that hedge position if I tender my
Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer?
No. However, you may want to contact CGML or its affiliates in
order to extend the maturity of your hedges, if necessary. We
have agreed with CGML to amend the Share Lending Agreement to
allow the Borrowed Shares to remain outstanding through the
maturity of the New Notes. Charter has no rights or obligations
pursuant to any swap transaction or share lending agreement you
may have with CGML or any such affiliate, and you should contact
CGML or such affiliate directly if you have any questions
related thereto.
What will happen if I unwind positions relating to my hedging
of my investment in the Old Notes and the Exchange Offer is not
consummated?
If the Exchange Offer is not consummated, any Old Notes you
tendered will be returned to you. If you decide to re-establish
a hedge position in your Old Notes, any hedging transactions you
enter into will be at your own risk and expense. If any of the
Borrowed Shares are returned to us when holders unwind their
hedge positions in the Old Notes, we will have no obligation
under the terms of this Exchange Offer to re-lend those shares
if the Exchange Offer is not consummated.
What will happen to the Old Notes that are accepted for
exchange?
So that Charter Holdco, directly or indirectly, will receive any
benefit from the U.S. government securities pledged as
security for the Old Notes, we intend that, following the
closing of the Exchange Offer, Charter Holdco will hold the Old
Notes accepted for exchange. As a result, Holders of Old Notes
not exchanged will not be entitled to any increase in the pro
rata share of these pledged U.S. government securities.
However, there can be no assurance that the cash received by
Charter Holdco as interest on the Old Notes will be available to
pay either principal or interest on any Old Notes not exchanged
or on New Notes. See Description of the Old Notes.
Are any Old Notes held by the officers or directors of
Charter or its subsidiaries?
No. None of our directors or executive officers beneficially
holds Old Notes.
Are Charter, the Offeror or any of their subsidiaries making
a recommendation regarding whether I should tender my Old Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer?
Neither Charter, the Offeror, their subsidiaries nor their
respective Boards of Directors has made, nor will they make a
recommendation to any Holder, and will remain neutral as to
whether you should exchange your Old Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer or unwind any hedged positions with respect to
the Old Notes. You must make your own investment decision with
regard to the Exchange Offer. The Offeror urges you to carefully
read this Exchange Offer Prospectus and the related Letter of
Transmittal in its entirety, including the information set forth
in the section entitled Risk Factors.
What are the conditions to the Exchange Offer?
The Exchange Offer is conditioned on a minimum amount of
$75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Old Notes being
tendered. The Exchange Offer is also conditioned upon the
Average Price being more than or equal to $2.00 and less than or
equal to $4.35. The Exchange Offer is subject to applicable law
and the conditions described under Description of the
Exchange Offer Conditions to the Exchange
Offer, including that the Average Price be more than or
equal to $2.00 or less than or equal to $4.35 and effectiveness
of the registration statement. Although the Offeror currently
expects that each of the conditions will be satisfied and that
no waiver of any condition will be necessary, the Offeror does
not
46
know whether any of the conditions will be satisfied on a timely
basis, if at all, and has made no determination of whether or
not (or to what extent) that the Offeror would waive any of the
conditions to the Exchange Offer.
When does the Exchange Offer expire?
The Exchange Offer will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City
time, on September 27, 2007, unless extended or earlier
terminated by the Offeror.
Under what circumstances can the Exchange Offer be extended,
amended or terminated?
The Offeror may extend or amend the Exchange Offer in its
absolute discretion, and the Offeror expressly reserves the
right, in its discretion and subject to
Rule 14e-l(c)
under the Exchange Act, to delay acceptance of, or payment of
Exchange Consideration in respect of, Old Notes in order to
comply with any applicable law. In addition, the Offeror may
terminate the Exchange Offer if any one or more of the
conditions to the Exchange Offer is not satisfied, but in no
other circumstance. See Description of the Exchange
Offer Conditions to the Exchange Offer.
How will I be notified if the Exchange Offer is extended,
amended or terminated?
Any extension, amendment or termination of the Exchange Offer
will be followed promptly by public announcement thereof, the
announcement in the case of an extension of the Exchange Offer
to be issued no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time,
on the next business day after the previously scheduled
Expiration Date.
Without limiting the manner in which any public announcement may
be made, the Offeror shall have no obligation to publish,
advertise or otherwise communicate any such public announcement
other than by issuing a release to the Dow Jones News Service.
What risks should I consider in deciding whether or not to
tender my Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer?
In deciding whether to participate in the Exchange Offer, you
should carefully consider the discussion of risks and
uncertainties described under Risk Factors herein.
What are the material United States federal income tax
consequences of the Exchange Offer?
For a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the Exchange Offer, see Certain
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.
Will Charter, the Offeror or any of their subsidiaries
receive any proceeds from the Exchange Offer?
No.
How do I tender my Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange
Offer?
If your Old Notes are held in the name of a broker, dealer or
other nominee, the Old Notes may be tendered by your nominee
through DTC. If your Old Notes are not held in the name of a
broker, dealer or other nominee, you must tender your Old Notes
together with a completed Letter of Transmittal and any other
documents required thereby or hereby, to the Exchange Agent, no
later than 11:59 p.m. New York City time, on the Expiration
Date. For more information regarding the procedures for
tendering your Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. See
Description of the Exchange Offer Procedures
for Tendering Old Notes.
47
May I tender only a portion of the Old Notes that I hold?
Yes. You do not have to tender all of your Old Notes to
participate in the Exchange Offer. However, you may only tender
Old Notes in integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount.
What is the deadline and what are the procedures for
withdrawing previously tendered Old Notes?
Old Notes previously tendered may be withdrawn at any time up
until 11:59 p.m. New York City time, on the Expiration
Date. For a withdrawal of tendered Old Notes to be effective, a
written, telegraphic or facsimile transmission with all the
information required must be received by the Exchange Agent on
or prior to 11:59 p.m. New York City time, on the
Expiration Date at its address set forth on the back cover of
this Exchange Offer Prospectus. See Description of the
Exchange Offer Withdrawal of Tendered Old
Notes.
Who do I call if I have any questions on how to tender my Old
Notes or any other questions relating to the Exchange Offer?
Any requests for assistance in connection with the Exchange
Offer or for additional copies of this Exchange Offer Prospectus
or related materials should be directed to the Information
Agent. Any questions regarding the Exchange Offer should be
directed to the Dealer Managers. Contact information for the
Information Agent and the Dealer Managers is set forth on the
back cover of this Exchange Offer Prospectus. Beneficial owners
may also contact their brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust
companies or other nominees through whom they hold the Old Notes
with questions and requests for assistance.
48
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
The Class A common stock is quoted on The Nasdaq Global
Market under the symbol CHTR. The following table
sets forth, for the periods indicated, the range of high and low
last reported sale price per share of Class A common stock
on The Nasdaq Global Market. There is no established trading
market for the Class B common stock.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High | |
|
Low | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First quarter
|
|
$ |
2.30 |
|
|
$ |
1.35 |
|
|
Second quarter
|
|
|
1.53 |
|
|
|
0.90 |
|
|
Third quarter
|
|
|
1.71 |
|
|
|
1.14 |
|
|
Fourth quarter
|
|
|
1.50 |
|
|
|
1.12 |
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First quarter
|
|
$ |
1.25 |
|
|
$ |
0.94 |
|
|
Second quarter
|
|
|
1.38 |
|
|
|
1.03 |
|
|
Third quarter
|
|
|
1.56 |
|
|
|
1.11 |
|
|
Fourth quarter
|
|
|
3.36 |
|
|
|
1.47 |
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
First quarter
|
|
$ |
3.52 |
|
|
$ |
2.75 |
|
|
Second quarter
|
|
|
4.16 |
|
|
|
2.70 |
|
|
Third quarter through September 12
|
|
|
4.80 |
|
|
|
2.41 |
|
As of June 30, 2007, there were 3,652 holders of record of
the Class A common stock, one holder of the Class B
common stock and 4 holders of record of Charters
Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock.
The last reported sale price of the Class A common stock on
The Nasdaq Global Market on September 12, 2007 was
$2.53 per share.
We have never paid and do not expect to pay any cash dividends
on the Class A Common stock in the foreseeable future.
Charter Holdco is required under certain circumstances to pay
distributions pro rata to all its common members to the extent
necessary for any common member to pay taxes incurred with
respect to its share of taxable income attributed to Charter
Holdco. Covenants in the indentures and credit agreements
governing the debt of our subsidiaries restrict their ability to
make distributions to us and, accordingly, limit our ability to
declare or pay cash dividends. We intend to cause Charter Holdco
and its subsidiaries to retain future earnings, if any, to
finance the operation of the business of Charter Holdco and its
subsidiaries.
BOOK VALUE PER COMMON SHARE
The book value per share of Class A common stock as of
June 30, 2007 was $(17.11).
USE OF PROCEEDS
None of Charter, the Offeror, or any of their subsidiaries will
receive any proceeds from the Exchange Offer.
49
CAPITALIZATION
Capitalization of Charter and its Subsidiaries.
The following table sets forth, as of June 30, 2007, on a
consolidated basis:
|
|
|
|
|
cash and cash equivalents of Charter; |
|
|
|
the actual (historical) capitalization of Charter; and |
|
|
|
the issuance of $449 million principal amount of New Notes
in exchange for 75% of outstanding Old Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer (which is based on an assumed average price of
$3). |
The following information should be read in conjunction with
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data,
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financials, and the
historical consolidated financial statements and related notes
of Charter incorporated by reference in this Exchange Offer
Prospectus.
We use a 75% participation rate for illustrative purposes only
and cannot assure you that we will achieve a participation rate
at or near that percentage. This table should be read in
conjunction with the Summary Summary
Consolidated Financial Data and the historical
consolidated financial statements of Charter included elsewhere
in this Exchange Offer Prospectus. The financial data is not
intended to provide any indication of what our actual financial
position, including actual cash balances and revolver
borrowings, or results would have been had the transactions
described above been completed on the dates indicated or to
project our results of operations for any future date.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2007 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Actual | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, | |
|
|
unaudited) | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
|
$ |
81 |
|
|
$ |
71 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Debt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charter Communications, Inc.:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.875% convertible senior notes due 2009
|
|
$ |
411 |
|
|
$ |
103 |
|
|
|
6.50% convertible senior notes due 2027(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
315 |
|
|
Charter Communications Holdings, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior and senior discount notes(b)
|
|
|
578 |
|
|
|
578 |
|
|
CCH I Holdings, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior and senior discount notes(c)(d)
|
|
|
2,534 |
|
|
|
2,534 |
|
|
CCH I, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.000% senior notes due 2015(d)
|
|
|
4,087 |
|
|
|
4,087 |
|
|
CCH II, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.250% senior notes due 2010
|
|
|
2,190 |
|
|
|
2,190 |
|
|
|
10.250% senior notes due 2013(d)
|
|
|
261 |
|
|
|
261 |
|
|
CCO Holdings:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.750% senior notes due 2013
|
|
|
795 |
|
|
|
795 |
|
|
Charter Operating:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.000% senior second lien notes due 2012
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
83/8% senior
second lien notes due 2014
|
|
|
770 |
|
|
|
770 |
|
Credit Facilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CCO Holdings
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
Charter Operating(e)
|
|
|
6,500 |
|
|
|
6,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total long-term debt
|
|
|
19,576 |
|
|
|
19,583 |
(i) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2007 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Actual | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, | |
|
|
unaudited) | |
Note Payable Related Party(f)
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred Stock Redeemable(g)
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minority Interest(h)
|
|
|
195 |
|
|
|
195 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders Deficit
|
|
|
(6,849 |
) |
|
|
(6,983 |
)(i) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Capitalization
|
|
$ |
12,987 |
|
|
$ |
12,860 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
Represents the issuance of the New Notes assuming face value of
$449 million of which, based on preliminary estimates,
$134 million relates to certain provisions of the New Notes
that for accounting purposes are derivatives which require
bifurcation and are recorded as accounts payable and accrued
expenses and other long-term liabilities. The debt will accrete
to face value over five years, the date holders can initially
require the Company to repurchase the New Notes. |
|
|
(b) |
Represents the following Charter Holdings notes: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2007 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Actual and | |
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, | |
|
|
unaudited) | |
10.000% senior notes due 2009
|
|
$ |
88 |
|
10.750% senior notes due 2009
|
|
|
63 |
|
9.625% senior notes due 2009
|
|
|
37 |
|
10.250% senior notes due 2010
|
|
|
18 |
|
11.750% senior discount notes due 2010
|
|
|
16 |
|
11.125% senior notes due 2011
|
|
|
47 |
|
13.500% senior discount notes due 2011
|
|
|
60 |
|
9.920% senior discount notes due 2011
|
|
|
51 |
|
10.000% senior notes due 2011
|
|
|
69 |
|
11.750% senior discount notes due 2011
|
|
|
54 |
|
12.125% senior discount notes due 2012
|
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
578 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) |
|
Represents the following CIH notes: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of June 30, 2007 | |
|
|
| |
|
|
Actual and | |
|
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, | |
|
|
unaudited) | |
11.125% senior notes due 2014
|
|
$ |
151 |
|
13.500% senior discount notes due 2014
|
|
|
581 |
|
9.920% senior discount notes due 2014
|
|
|
471 |
|
10.000% senior notes due 2014
|
|
|
299 |
|
11.750% senior discount notes due 2014
|
|
|
815 |
|
12.125% senior discount notes due 2015
|
|
|
217 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
2,534 |
|
|
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
(d) |
|
Certain of the CIH notes, CCH I notes, and CCH II
notes issued in exchange for Charter Holdings notes and Charter
Old Notes in 2006 and 2005 are recorded for financial reporting
purposes at values different from the current accreted value for
legal purposes and notes indenture purposes (the amount that is
currently payable if the debt becomes immediately due). As of
June 30, 2007, the accreted value of our debt for legal
purposes and notes indenture purposes is approximately
$19.4 billion. |
|
(e) |
|
As of June 30, 2007, our total potential borrowing
availability under our revolving credit facility was
approximately $1.4 billion, none of which was limited by
covenant restrictions. |
|
(f) |
|
Represents an exchangeable accreting note issued by CCHC in
relation to the CC VIII settlement. |
|
(g) |
|
Represents 36,713 shares of Series A Convertible
Redeemable Preferred Stock (the Preferred Stock).
The Preferred Stock is redeemable by Charter at its option and
must be redeemed by Charter at any time upon a change of
control, or if not previously redeemed or converted, on
August 31, 2008. The Preferred Stock is convertible, in
whole or in part, at the option of the holders through
August 31, 2008, into shares of Charter Class A common
stock, at an initial conversion price of $24.71 per share
of Charter Class A common stock, subject to certain
customary adjustments. |
|
(h) |
|
Minority interest represents Mr. Allens,
Charters chairman and controlling shareholder, 5.6%
preferred membership interests in CC VIII, an indirect
subsidiary of Charter Holdco. |
|
|
(i) |
|
Using the maximum Average Price would increase pro forma
long-term debt by $123 million and pro forma
Shareholders Deficit by $167 million. Using the
minimum Average Price would decrease pro forma long-term debt by
$74 million and pro forma Shareholders Deficit by
$106 million. |
|
52
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIALS
The following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial
statements are based on the historical consolidated financial
statements of Charter, adjusted to reflect the following
transactions as if they occurred on January 1, 2006 for the
unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of operations and as
of June 30, 2007 for the unaudited consolidated balance
sheets:
|
|
|
(1) the completed disposition of certain assets for total
proceeds of approximately $1.0 billion and the use of such
proceeds to reduce amounts outstanding under our revolving
credit facility; |
|
|
(2) the issuance and sale of $450 million principal
amount of CCH II senior notes in January 2006 and the use
of such proceeds to pay down credit facilities; |
|
|
(3) the refinancing of the Charter Operating credit
facilities in April 2006 and the related reductions in interest
rate margins on the term loan; |
|
|
(4) the September 2006 exchanges by Charter Holdings,
CCH I, CCH I Capital Corp., CCH II, and
CCH II Capital Corp., of approximately $797 million in
total principal amount of outstanding debt securities of Charter
Holdings in a private placement for new CCH I and
CCH II debt securities; |
|
|
(5) the September 2006 exchange by Charter, CCHC,
CCH II, and CCH II Capital Corp., of approximately
$450 million in total principal amount of Charters
5.875% convertible senior notes due 2009 for
$188 million cash, 45 million shares of Charters
Class A common stock and $146 million principal amount
of new CCH II debt securities; |
|
|
(6) the refinancing of the Charter Operating credit
facilities in March 2007 and the issuance of a $350 million
third lien term loan by CCO Holdings; |
|
|
(7) the repurchase of $97 million of Charter Holdings
notes for $100 million of total consideration, including
premiums and accrued interest in April 2007; |
|
|
(8) the redemption of $187 million of Charter Holdings
notes and $550 million of CCO Holdings senior floating rate
notes in April 2007; and |
|
|
(9) the issuance of $449 million principal amount of
New Notes in exchange for 75% of the outstanding Old Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer (based on an assumed Average
Price of $3). We use a 75% participation rate for illustrative
purposes only. We cannot assure you that we will achieve a
participation rate at or near that level or that the Average
Price will not vary significantly from the assumed price. |
The unaudited pro forma adjustments are based on information
available to us as of the date of this Exchange Offer Prospectus
and certain assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the
circumstances. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial
statements required allocation of certain revenues and expenses
and such information has been presented for comparative purposes
and is not intended to provide any indication of what our actual
financial position, including actual cash balances and revolver
borrowings, or results of operations would have been had the
transactions described above been completed on the dates
indicated or to project our results of operations for any future
date.
53
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisitions/ | |
|
Prior Financing | |
|
|
|
Exchange | |
|
|
|
|
Historical | |
|
Dispositions(a) | |
|
Transactions(b) | |
|
As Adjusted | |
|
Offer(c) | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, except per share and share data) | |
REVENUES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video
|
|
$ |
1,697 |
|
|
$ |
(2 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,695 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,695 |
|
|
High-speed Internet
|
|
|
606 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
606 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
606 |
|
|
Telephone
|
|
|
142 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
142 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
142 |
|
|
Advertising sales
|
|
|
139 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
138 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
138 |
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
164 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
164 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
164 |
|
|
Other
|
|
|
176 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
176 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
176 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,924 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,921 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,921 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)
|
|
|
1,278 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,277 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,277 |
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
620 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
620 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
620 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
665 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
664 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
664 |
|
|
Other operating expenses, net
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,568 |
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,566 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,566 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
356 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
355 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
355 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
(935 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(935 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(944 |
) |
|
Other income (expense), net
|
|
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(969 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
(934 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(943 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before income taxes
|
|
|
(613 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
(579 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(588 |
) |
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
|
|
|
(128 |
) |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(109 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(109 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss applicable to common stock
|
|
$ |
(741 |
) |
|
$ |
18 |
|
|
$ |
35 |
|
|
$ |
(688 |
) |
|
$ |
(9 |
) |
|
$ |
(697 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss per common share, basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
(2.02 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(1.88 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(1.90 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted
|
|
|
366,855,427 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
366,855,427 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
366,855,427 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Represents the effect on operating results related to the
disposition of certain cable systems in January and May 2007 as
discussed in assumption (1). |
|
(b) |
|
Represents the adjustment to interest expense associated with
the completion of the financing transactions discussed in
assumptions (6) through (8) (in millions): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reduction in interest expense related to the refinancing of
Charter Operating existing term loan in April 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(8 |
) |
Interest on Charter Operatings new term loan and CCO
Holdings third lien term loan issued in April 2007 |
|
|
37 |
|
|
|
|
|
Historical interest expense on Charter Operatings
revolving credit facility, Charter Holdings notes and CCO
Holdings notes retired |
|
|
(29 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
Adjustment to other income (expense), net represents the
elimination of losses related to assumptions (6) through
(8). |
|
|
|
(c) |
|
Represents the adjustment to interest expense associated with
the Exchange Offer (in millions): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest on the New Notes
|
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
|
|
|
Accretion of New Notes
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
Historical interest expense on the Old Notes
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Elimination of historical loss on embedded derivative
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in interest expense
|
|
$ |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Using the maximum Average Price would increase pro forma
interest expense by $9 million. Using the minimum Average
Price would decrease pro forma interest expense by
$7 million. |
55
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition/ | |
|
Prior Financing | |
|
|
|
Exchange | |
|
|
|
|
Historical | |
|
Dispositions(a) | |
|
Transactions(b) | |
|
As Adjusted | |
|
Offer(c) | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions except per share and share data) | |
REVENUES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video
|
|
$ |
3,349 |
|
|
$ |
(61 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
3,288 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
3,288 |
|
|
High-speed Internet
|
|
|
1,051 |
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,040 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,040 |
|
|
Telephone
|
|
|
135 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
135 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
135 |
|
|
Advertising sales
|
|
|
319 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
316 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
316 |
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
305 |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
298 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
298 |
|
|
Other
|
|
|
345 |
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
336 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
336 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,504 |
|
|
|
(91 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,413 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,413 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)
|
|
|
2,438 |
|
|
|
(50 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,388 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,388 |
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
1,165 |
|
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,150 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,150 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
1,354 |
|
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,333 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,333 |
|
|
Asset impairment charges
|
|
|
159 |
|
|
|
(159 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other operating expenses, net
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,137 |
|
|
|
(245 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,892 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,892 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income from continuing operations
|
|
|
367 |
|
|
|
154 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
521 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
521 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
(1,887 |
) |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
(1,845 |
) |
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
(1,869 |
) |
|
Gain on extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
101 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(101 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income, net
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,766 |
) |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
(85 |
) |
|
|
(1,825 |
) |
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
(1,849 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
|
|
|
(1,399 |
) |
|
|
180 |
|
|
|
(85 |
) |
|
|
(1,304 |
) |
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
(1,328 |
) |
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
|
|
|
(187 |
) |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(180 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(180 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
(1,586 |
) |
|
$ |
187 |
|
|
$ |
(85 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,484 |
) |
|
$ |
(24 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,508 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations per common share, basic and
diluted
|
|
$ |
(4.78 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(4.08 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(4.15 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted
|
|
|
331,941,788 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
31,598,360 |
|
|
|
363,540,148 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
363,540,148 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Represents the effect on operating results related to the
disposition of certain cable systems in the third quarter of
2006 and January and May 2007 as discussed in assumption (1). |
56
|
|
|
(b) |
|
Represents the adjustment to interest expense associated with
the completion of the financing transactions discussed in
assumptions (2) through (8) (in millions): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reduction in interest expense related to the refinancing of
Charter Operatings existing term loan in April 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(31 |
) |
Interest on Charter Operatings term loan and CCO
Holdings third lien term loan issued in April 2007
|
|
|
138 |
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of deferred financing costs
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
Historical interest expense on Charter Operatings
revolving credit facility, and Charter Holdings notes and
CCO Holdings notes retired
|
|
|
(102 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42 |
|
Reduction in interest expense related to the Charter Operating
refinancing in April 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
Interest on $450 million principal amount of CCH II
10.250% senior notes issued in January 2006
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Historical interest expense on Charter Operatings
revolving credit facility
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Interest on new CCH I and CCH II senior notes issued in
September 2006
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
|
|
Historical interest expense on Charter Holdings and CIH
notes exchanged for new CCH I and CCH II notes
|
|
|
(60 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Historical interest expense on Charter Old Notes
|
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(16 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to gain on extinguishment of debt represents the
elimination of gains related to assumptions(4) and(5).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) |
|
Represents the adjustment to interest expense associated with
the Exchange Offer (in millions): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest on the New Notes
|
|
$ |
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
Accretion of New Notes
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
|
Historical interest expense on the Old Notes
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Elimination of historical loss on embedded derivative
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in interest expense
|
|
$ |
24 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Using the maximum Average Price would increase pro forma
interest expense by $18 million. Using the minimum Average
Price would decrease pro forma interest expense by
$13 million. |
57
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Operations
For the Six Months ended June 30, 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition/ | |
|
Prior Financing | |
|
|
|
Exchange | |
|
|
|
|
Historical | |
|
Dispositions(a) | |
|
Transactions(b) | |
|
As Adjusted | |
|
Offer(c) | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions except per share and share data) | |
REVENUES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video
|
|
$ |
1,684 |
|
|
$ |
(46 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,638 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,638 |
|
|
High-speed Internet
|
|
|
506 |
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
497 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
497 |
|
|
Telephone
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
Advertising sales
|
|
|
147 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
144 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
144 |
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
149 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
144 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
144 |
|
|
Other
|
|
|
168 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
163 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
163 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,703 |
|
|
|
(68 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,635 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,635 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)
|
|
|
1,215 |
|
|
|
(37 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,178 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,178 |
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
551 |
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
541 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
541 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
690 |
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
680 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
680 |
|
|
Asset impairment charges
|
|
|
99 |
|
|
|
(99 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other operating expenses, net
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,565 |
|
|
|
(156 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,409 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,409 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income from continuing operations
|
|
|
138 |
|
|
|
88 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
226 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
226 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
(943 |
) |
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
(901 |
) |
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
(918 |
) |
|
Other income (expense), net
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(953 |
) |
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
(884 |
) |
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
(901 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
|
|
|
(815 |
) |
|
|
115 |
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
(658 |
) |
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
(675 |
) |
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
|
|
|
(60 |
) |
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(79 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(79 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
(875 |
) |
|
$ |
96 |
|
|
$ |
42 |
|
|
$ |
(737 |
) |
|
$ |
(17 |
) |
|
$ |
(754 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations per common share, basic and
diluted
|
|
$ |
(2.76 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(2.03 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(2.08 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted
|
|
|
317,581,492 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45,000,000 |
|
|
|
362,581,492 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
362,581,492 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) |
|
Represents the effect on operating results related to the
disposition of certain cable systems in third quarter of 2006
and January and May 2007 as discussed in assumption (1). |
58
|
|
|
(b) |
|
Represents the adjustment to interest expense associated with
the completion of the financing transactions discussed in
assumptions (2) through (8) (in millions): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reduction in interest expense related to the refinancing of
Charter Operatings existing term loan in April 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(16 |
) |
Interest on Charter Operatings term loan and CCO
Holdings third lien term loan issued in April 2007
|
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of deferred financing costs
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
Historical interest expense on Charter Operatings
revolving credit facility, and Charter Holdings notes and
CCO Holdings notes retired
|
|
|
(51 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21 |
|
Reduction in interest expense related to the Charter Operating
refinancing in April 2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
Interest on $450 million principal amount of CCH II
10.25% senior notes issued in January 2006
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Historical interest expense on Charter Operatings
revolving credit facility
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|
Interest on new CCH I and CCH II senior notes issued in
September 2006
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Historical interest expense on Charter Holdings and CIH
notes exchanged for new CCH I and CCH II notes
|
|
|
(42 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Historical interest expense on Charter Old Notes
|
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net decrease in interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
(15 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to other income (expense), net represents the
elimination of losses related to assumptions (6) through
(8). |
|
|
|
(c) |
|
Represents the adjustment to interest expense associated with
the Exchange Offer (in millions): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest on the New Notes
|
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
|
|
|
Accretion of New Notes
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
Historical interest expense on the Old Notes
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Elimination of historical gain on embedded derivative
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in interest expense
|
|
$ |
17 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Using the maximum Average Price would increase pro forma
interest expense by $9 million. Using the minimum Average
Price would decrease pro forma interest expense by
$7 million. |
59
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet
As of June 30, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange | |
|
|
|
|
Historical | |
|
Offer(a) | |
|
Pro Forma | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions) | |
ASSETS |
CURRENT ASSETS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
81 |
|
|
$ |
(10 |
) |
|
$ |
71 |
|
|
Accounts receivable, net
|
|
|
224 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
224 |
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
363 |
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
353 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
5,121 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,121 |
|
|
Franchises, net
|
|
|
9,201 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,201 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investment in cable properties, net
|
|
|
14,322 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,322 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
366 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
365 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
15,051 |
|
|
$ |
(11 |
) |
|
$ |
15,040 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY |
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
|
$ |
1,258 |
|
|
$ |
18 |
|
|
$ |
1,276 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
1,258 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
1,276 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LONG-TERM DEBT
|
|
|
19,576 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
19,583 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE PAYABLE RELATED PARTY
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DEFERRED MANAGEMENT FEES RELATED PARTY
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
|
|
|
792 |
|
|
|
98 |
|
|
|
890 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MINORITY INTEREST
|
|
|
195 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
195 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PREFERRED STOCK REDEEMABLE; $.001 par value;
1 million shares authorized; 36,713 shares issued and
outstanding
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHAREHOLDERS DEFICIT:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class A common stock; $.001 par value;
1.75 billion shares authorized; 400,398,208 shares
issued and outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class B common stock; $.001 par value;
750 million shares authorized; 50,000 shares issued
and outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock; $.001 par value; 250 million shares
authorized; no non-redeemable shares issued and outstanding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in capital
|
|
|
5,324 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,324 |
|
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(12,221 |
) |
|
|
(134 |
) |
|
|
(12,355 |
) |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders deficit
|
|
|
(6,849 |
) |
|
|
(134 |
) |
|
|
(6,983 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and shareholders deficit
|
|
$ |
15,051 |
|
|
$ |
(11 |
) |
|
$ |
15,040 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60
|
|
(a) |
Adjustment to cash represents the use of cash to pay accrued
interest and financing fees. Adjustment to other noncurrent
assets represents the net effect of the write-off of the net
book value of deferred financing fees related to the Old Notes
and the addition of deferred financing fees related to the New
Notes. Adjustment to accounts payable and accrued expenses
represents payment of accrued interest related to the Old Notes,
the short-term portion of the embedded derivative related to the
New Notes, and the elimination of the short-term portion of the
embedded derivative related to the Old Notes. Adjustment to
other long-term liabilities represents the long-term portion of
the embedded derivative related to the New Notes, and the
elimination of the long-term portion of the embedded derivative
related to the Old Notes. Adjustment to shareholders
deficit represents the loss expected to be recognized on the
Exchange Offer. Adjustment to long-term debt is detailed below
(in millions). |
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of the New Notes issued
|
|
$ |
449 |
|
Accreted value of the Old Notes
|
|
|
(308 |
) |
Embedded derivative requiring bifurcation
|
|
|
(134 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net increase in long-term debt
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Using the maximum Average Price would increase pro forma debt by
$123 million and pro forma shareholders deficit by
$167 million. Using the minimum Average Price would
decrease pro forma debt by $74 million and pro forma
shareholders deficit by $106 million. |
61
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables present summary financial and other data
for Charter and its subsidiaries and has been derived from the
audited consolidated financial statements of Charter and its
subsidiaries for the five years ended December 31, 2006 and
the unaudited consolidated financial statements of Charter and
its subsidiaries for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and
2007.
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
Six Months Ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2007 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, except per share and share data) | |
Statement of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
4,377 |
|
|
$ |
4,616 |
|
|
$ |
4,760 |
|
|
$ |
5,033 |
|
|
$ |
5,504 |
|
|
$ |
2,703 |
|
|
$ |
2,924 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)
|
|
|
1,736 |
|
|
|
1,873 |
|
|
|
1,994 |
|
|
|
2,203 |
|
|
|
2,438 |
|
|
|
1,215 |
|
|
|
1,278 |
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
932 |
|
|
|
909 |
|
|
|
965 |
|
|
|
1,012 |
|
|
|
1,165 |
|
|
|
551 |
|
|
|
620 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
1,364 |
|
|
|
1,396 |
|
|
|
1,433 |
|
|
|
1,443 |
|
|
|
1,354 |
|
|
|
690 |
|
|
|
665 |
|
|
Impairment of franchises
|
|
|
4,220 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,297 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset impairment charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
159 |
|
|
|
99 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other operating (income) expenses, net
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
(46 |
) |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,291 |
|
|
|
4,132 |
|
|
|
6,702 |
|
|
|
4,729 |
|
|
|
5,137 |
|
|
|
2,565 |
|
|
|
2,568 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) from continuing operations
|
|
|
(3,914 |
) |
|
|
484 |
|
|
|
(1,942 |
) |
|
|
304 |
|
|
|
367 |
|
|
|
138 |
|
|
|
356 |
|
Interest expense net
|
|
|
(1,503 |
) |
|
|
(1,557 |
) |
|
|
(1,670 |
) |
|
|
(1,789 |
) |
|
|
(1,887 |
) |
|
|
(943 |
) |
|
|
(935 |
) |
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt and preferred stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
267 |
|
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
521 |
|
|
|
101 |
|
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
|
(35 |
) |
Other income (expense), net
|
|
|
(119 |
) |
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
72 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations before minority interest, income
taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
|
(5,536 |
) |
|
|
(757 |
) |
|
|
(3,594 |
) |
|
|
(892 |
) |
|
|
(1,395 |
) |
|
|
(814 |
) |
|
|
(610 |
) |
Minority interest
|
|
|
2,958 |
|
|
|
394 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and
cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
|
(2,578 |
) |
|
|
(363 |
) |
|
|
(3,575 |
) |
|
|
(891 |
) |
|
|
(1,399 |
) |
|
|
(815 |
) |
|
|
(613 |
) |
Income tax benefit (expense)
|
|
|
474 |
|
|
|
122 |
|
|
|
134 |
|
|
|
(112 |
) |
|
|
(187 |
) |
|
|
(60 |
) |
|
|
(128 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of
accounting change
|
|
|
(2,104 |
) |
|
|
(241 |
) |
|
|
(3,441 |
) |
|
|
(1,003 |
) |
|
|
(1,586 |
) |
|
|
(875 |
) |
|
|
(741 |
) |
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
|
(204 |
) |
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
(135 |
) |
|
|
36 |
|
|
|
216 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss before cumulative effect of accounting change
|
|
|
(2,308 |
) |
|
|
(238 |
) |
|
|
(3,576 |
) |
|
|
(967 |
) |
|
|
(1,370 |
) |
|
|
(841 |
) |
|
|
(741 |
) |
Cumulative effect of account change, net of tax
|
|
|
(206 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(765 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
|
(2,514 |
) |
|
|
(238 |
) |
|
|
(4,341 |
) |
|
|
(967 |
) |
|
|
(1,370 |
) |
|
|
(841 |
) |
|
|
(741 |
) |
Dividends on preferred stock redeemable
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss applicable to common stock
|
|
$ |
(2,517 |
) |
|
$ |
(242 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,345 |
) |
|
$ |
(970 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,370 |
) |
|
$ |
(841 |
) |
|
$ |
(741 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, | |
|
Six Months Ended June 30, | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
2002 | |
|
2003 | |
|
2004 | |
|
2005 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2006 | |
|
2007 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
(Dollars in millions, except per share and share data) | |
Loss per common share, basic and diluted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations before cumulative effect of
accounting change
|
|
$ |
(7.16 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.83 |
) |
|
$ |
(11.47 |
) |
|
$ |
(3.24 |
) |
|
$ |
(4.78 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.76 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.02 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(8.55 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.82 |
) |
|
$ |
(14.47 |
) |
|
$ |
(3.13 |
) |
|
$ |
(4.13 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.65 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.02 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted
|
|
|
294,490,261 |
|
|
|
294,647,519 |
|
|
|
300,341,877 |
|
|
|
310,209,047 |
|
|
|
331,941,788 |
|
|
|
317,581,492 |
|
|
|
366,855,427 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deficiencies of earnings to cover fixed charges(a)
|
|
$ |
5,944 |
|
|
$ |
725 |
|
|
$ |
3,698 |
|
|
$ |
853 |
|
|
$ |
1,157 |
|
|
$ |
776 |
|
|
$ |
610 |
|
Balance Sheet Data (end of period):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
321 |
|
|
$ |
127 |
|
|
$ |
650 |
|
|
$ |
21 |
|
|
$ |
60 |
|
|
$ |
56 |
|
|
$ |
81 |
|
Total assets
|
|
|
22,384 |
|
|
|
21,364 |
|
|
|
17,673 |
|
|
|
16,431 |
|
|
|
15,100 |
|
|
|
16,145 |
|
|
|
15,051 |
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
18,671 |
|
|
|
18,647 |
|
|
|
19,464 |
|
|
|
19,388 |
|
|
|
19,062 |
|
|
|
19,860 |
|
|
|
19,576 |
|
Note payable related party
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
61 |
|
Minority interest(b)
|
|
|
1,050 |
|
|
|
689 |
|
|
|
648 |
|
|
|
188 |
|
|
|
192 |
|
|
|
189 |
|
|
|
195 |
|
Shareholders equity (deficit)
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
(175 |
) |
|
|
(4,406 |
) |
|
|
(4,920 |
) |
|
|
(6,219 |
) |
|
|
(5,762 |
) |
|
|
(6,849 |
) |
|
|
(a) |
Earnings include net loss plus fixed charges. Fixed charges
consist of interest expense and an estimated interest component
of rent expense. |
|
(b) |
Minority interest represents preferred membership interests in
our indirect subsidiary, CC VIII, and since June 6, 2003,
the pro rata share of the profits and losses of CC VIII. This
preferred membership interest arises from approximately
$630 million of preferred membership units issued by CC
VIII in connection with an acquisition in February 2000. As part
of the Private Exchange, CCHC contributed its 70% interest in
the 24,273,943 Class A preferred membership units
(collectively, the CC VIII interest) to CCH I.
Reported losses allocated to minority interest on the statement
of operations are limited to the extent of any remaining
minority interest on the balance sheet related to Charter
Holdco. Because minority interest in Charter Holdco was
substantially eliminated at December 31, 2003, beginning in
2004, Charter began to absorb substantially all losses before
income taxes that otherwise would have been allocated to
minority interest. Under our existing capital structure, Charter
will absorb all future losses for Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles purposes. |
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING COMPANY, LLC
We are registering $793,443,000 principal amount of New Notes
for exchange by Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC.
Charter Holdco is a subsidiary of Charter. Approximately 46% of
the membership units of Charter Holdco are held by CII and
Vulcan Cable, each of which is 100% owned by Mr. Paul G.
Allen, Charters Chairman an controlling shareholder.
Charter acts as the sole manager of Charter Holdco. The New
Notes are being registered to permit the exchange of such
securities, as part of the Exchange Consideration, for the
outstanding Old Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn
in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer. As of
September 12, 2007, Charter Holdco beneficially owned
$450,000,000 principal amount of Old Notes and no shares of
Class A common stock.
63
BACKGROUND OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
In recent years, we have pursued opportunities to improve our
liquidity. Our efforts in this regard have resulted in the
completion of a number of transactions in 2006 and 2007, as
follows:
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|
|
|
|
the April 2007 redemption of $187 million of Charter
Holdings notes and $550 million of CCO Holdings senior
floating rate notes; |
|
|
|
the April 2007 exchange of $97 million of Charter Holdings
notes for $100 million of total consideration, including
premiums and accrued interest; |
|
|
|
the March 2007 refinancing of our existing credit facilities and
a $350 million third lien term loan at CCO Holdings, LLC; |
|
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|
the September 2006 exchanges by Charter Holdings, CCH I,
CCH I Capital Corp., CCH II, and CCH II Capital Corp.,
of approximately $797 million in total principal amount of
outstanding debt securities of Charter Holdings in a private
placement for CCH I and CCH II new debt securities; |
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|
the September 2006 exchange by Charter, CCHC, CCH II, and
CCH II Capital Corp., of $450 million in total
principal amount of Charters 5.875% convertible
senior notes due 2009 for cash, shares of Charters
Class A common stock and CCH II new debt securities; |
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|
|
the January 2006 issuance and sale by CCH II of an
additional $450 million principal amount of CCH II
notes; and |
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|
the completed disposition of certain assets for total proceeds
of $1.0 billion. |
This Exchange Offer will improve our liquidity by extending
maturities.
64
DESCRIPTION OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
General
The Exchange Consideration per $1,000 principal
amount of Old Notes accepted for exchange will be an amount of
New Notes determined based on the Average Price (as defined
below) of Charters Class A common stock as set forth
in the table below. In addition to the Exchange Consideration,
the Offeror will pay accrued interest on the Old Notes from and
including the last interest payment date (which was May 16,
2007) up to, but not including, the Settlement Date.
Average Price means the arithmetic average of the
daily volume-weighted average price of Charters
Class A common stock for the ten trading days prior to and
including the second business day before the Expiration Date,
rounded to four decimal places. For each of the trading days in
the averaging period, the volume-weighted average price of
Charters Class A common stock will be determined by
reference to the Bloomberg L.P. screen CHTR
<Equity> AQR (or any successor page) during
regular market hours. The conversion price for the New Notes
will be the Average Price multiplied by 1.3 (examples of which
are set forth in the table below). The conversion rate will be
$1,000 divided by the conversion price, rounded to four decimal
places. If the Average Price is between two prices shown in the
table below, the principal amount of New Notes to be issued per
$1,000 principal amount of Old Notes tendered will be calculated
using straight-line interpolation.
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|
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|
Principal Amount of New |
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|
Average Price of |
|
Notes to be Issued per |
|
Terms of the New Notes |
Charters Class A |
|
$1,000 Principal Amount |
|
|
Common Stock |
|
of Old Notes Tendered |
|
Conversion Price |
|
Conversion Rate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.00 |
|
|
$ |
1,110.62 |
|
|
$ |
2.60 |
|
|
|
384.6154 |
|
$ |
2.20 |
|
|
$ |
1,173.25 |
|
|
$ |
2.86 |
|
|
|
349.6503 |
|
$ |
2.40 |
|
|
$ |
1,239.65 |
|
|
$ |
3.12 |
|
|
|
320.5128 |
|
$ |
2.60 |
|
|
$ |
1,309.13 |
|
|
$ |
3.38 |
|
|
|
295.8580 |
|
$ |
2.80 |
|
|
$ |
1,381.10 |
|
|
$ |
3.64 |
|
|
|
274.7253 |
|
$ |
3.00 |
|
|
$ |
1,451.68 |
|
|
$ |
3.90 |
|
|
|
256.4103 |
|
$ |
3.20 |
|
|
$ |
1,521.73 |
|
|
$ |
4.16 |
|
|
|
240.3846 |
|
$ |
3.40 |
|
|
$ |
1,592.26 |
|
|
$ |
4.42 |
|
|
|
226.2443 |
|
$ |
3.60 |
|
|
$ |
1,662.60 |
|
|
$ |
4.68 |
|
|
|
213.6752 |
|
$ |
3.80 |
|
|
$ |
1,733.33 |
|
|
$ |
4.94 |
|
|
|
202.4291 |
|
$ |
4.00 |
|
|
$ |
1,802.82 |
|
|
$ |
5.20 |
|
|
|
192.3077 |
|
$ |
4.20 |
|
|
$ |
1,872.80 |
|
|
$ |
5.46 |
|
|
|
183.1502 |
|
$ |
4.35 |
|
|
$ |
1,923.50 |
|
|
$ |
5.66 |
|
|
|
176.8347 |
|
The Exchange Offer is conditioned on a minimum amount
$75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of of Old Notes being
tendered. The Exchange Offer is also conditioned upon the
Average Price being more than or equal to $2.00 and less than or
equal to $4.35.
See Summary Material Differences Between the
Old Notes and the New Notes for a summary of the
differences between the Old Notes and the New Notes.
New Notes will be issued only in minimum denominations of $1,000
and integral multiples of $1,000. If, under the terms of the
Exchange Offer, any tendering Holder is entitled to receive New
Notes in a principal amount that is not an integral multiple of
$1,000, the Offeror will round downward the amount of New Notes
to the nearest integral multiple of $1,000.
Tendered Old Notes may be validly withdrawn at any time up until
11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. In
the event of a termination of the Exchange Offer, Old Notes
tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be promptly
returned to the tendering Holders.
The Offerors obligation to accept for exchange and to pay
the related Exchange Consideration is conditioned upon
satisfaction of the conditions, including that the Average Price
be more than or equal to $2.00 or less than or equal to $4.35
and effectiveness of the Registration Settlement as set forth in
65
Description of the Exchange Offer Conditions
to the Exchange Offer. As described therein, subject to
applicable securities laws and the terms set forth in this
Exchange Offer Prospectus, the Offeror reserves the right, prior
to the expiration of the Exchange Offer on the Expiration Date:
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|
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|
|
to waive any and all conditions to the Exchange Offer; |
|
|
|
to extend the Exchange Offer; |
|
|
|
to terminate the Exchange Offer, but only if any condition to
the Exchange Offer is not satisfied (see
Conditions to the Exchange
Offer); or |
|
|
|
otherwise to amend the Exchange Offer in any respect. |
Any amendment to the Exchange Offer will apply to all Old Notes
tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Any extension,
amendment or termination will be followed promptly by public
announcement thereof, the announcement in the case of an
extension of the Exchange Offer to be issued no later than
9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day
after the previously scheduled Expiration Date. Without limiting
the manner in which any public announcement may be made, the
Offeror shall have no obligation to publish, advertise or
otherwise communicate any such public announcement other than by
issuing a release to the Dow Jones News Service.
If the Offeror makes a material change in the terms of the
Exchange Offer or the information concerning the Exchange Offer,
the Offeror will promptly amend the Exchange Offer materials,
disseminate notice of such change to Holders, extend such
Exchange Offer to the extent required by law and, if required,
promptly file a post-effective amendment to the registration
statement relating to the Exchange Offer.
Neither Charter, the Offeror, their subsidiaries nor their
respective Boards of Directors make any recommendation as to
whether Holders should exchange their Old Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer or unwind any hedged positions with respect to
the Old Notes. Holders must make their own decisions with regard
to tendering their Old Notes.
Accounting Treatment
Charter will consider the fair value of New Notes to be issued
versus the book value of Old Notes tendered and will record the
resulting anticipated loss on the transaction on our
consolidated statement of operations in the period the
transaction closes. See Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated
Financials.
Purchases of Old Notes
The Offeror and its affiliates reserve the right, in their
absolute discretion, to purchase or make offers to purchase any
Old Notes that remain outstanding subsequent to the Expiration
Date and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, purchase
Old Notes in the open market, in privately negotiated
transactions or otherwise, but have no current plans to do so.
The terms of any such purchases or offers could differ from the
terms of the Exchange Offer.
Acceptance of Old Notes for Exchange and Payment of Exchange
Consideration
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange
Offer (including, if the Exchange Offer is extended or amended,
the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment) and
applicable law, the Offeror will accept for exchange, and
promptly exchange pursuant to the terms and conditions of the
Exchange Offer and will pay the Exchange Consideration in
respect of, all Old Notes validly tendered pursuant to the
Exchange Offer (and not validly withdrawn, or if withdrawn, then
validly re-tendered). Such payment shall be made by the deposit
of the Exchange Consideration by the Offeror promptly after the
Expiration Date with the Exchange Agent, which will act as agent
for exchanging Holders for the purpose of receiving the Exchange
Consideration from the Offeror and transmitting such Exchange
Consideration to exchanging Holders. Subject to the terms of
this Exchange Offer, the Offeror intends to deposit the Exchange
Consideration with the Exchange Agent or to return tendered Old
Notes,
66
as applicable, on or about the fourth business day following the
Expiration Date. Under no circumstances will interest on the
Exchange Consideration, as applicable, be paid by the Offeror by
reason of any delay on behalf of the Exchange Agent in making
payment. In all cases, payment by the Exchange Agent to Holders
or beneficial owners of the Exchange Consideration for Old Notes
tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be made only after
receipt by the Exchange Agent of (1) timely confirmation of
a book-entry transfer of such Old Notes into the Exchange
Agents account at DTC pursuant to the procedures set forth
in the section Procedure for Tendering Old
Notes, (2) a properly completed and duly executed
Letter of Transmittal (or manually signed facsimile thereof) or
a properly transmitted Agents Message (as defined below)
through ATOP and (3) any other documents required by the
Letter of Transmittal.
For purposes of the Exchange Offer, Old Notes tendered will be
deemed to have been accepted for tender and payment of Exchange
Consideration, if, as and when the Offeror gives oral or written
notice thereof to the Exchange Agent.
Tendering Holders will not be obligated to pay brokerage fees or
commissions to the Dealer Managers, the Information Agent, the
Exchange Agent or us, or, except as set forth in Instruction 7
of the Letter of Transmittal, transfer taxes on the payment of
the Exchange Consideration.
Amendment of Share Lending Agreement
In connection with the original issuance of the Old Notes, we
entered into an agreement with CGML pursuant to which we agreed
to lend to CGML up to 150 million shares of our
Class A common stock to facilitate the placement of the Old
Notes (the Share Lending Agreement). We lent a total
of 116.9 million shares to CGML, of which 29.8 million
remain outstanding (the Borrowed Shares). We have no
obligation to lend any additional shares under the Share Lending
Agreement. We understand that, using the Share Lending Agreement
as its hedge, CGML or its affiliates entered into swap
transactions or share lending agreements with holders of the Old
Notes to enable them to hedge their investment. CGML and the
Company have agreed to amend the Share Lending Agreement to
allow for the Borrowed Shares to remain outstanding through the
maturity of the New Notes. To the extent you tender Old Notes in
the Exchange Offer and you have a swap transaction or an open
share lending arrangement with CGML or any such affiliate, you
may want to contact CGML or such affiliate in order to extend
the maturity of your hedge, if necessary. Charter has no rights
or obligations pursuant to any swap transaction or share lending
agreement you may have with CGML or any such affiliate, and you
should contact CGML or such affiliate directly if you have any
questions related thereto.
Procedure for Tendering Old Notes
If you wish to participate in the Exchange Offer and your Old
Notes are held by a custodial entity such as a bank, broker,
dealer, trust company or other nominee, you must instruct that
custodial entity to tender your Old Notes on your behalf
pursuant to the procedures of that custodial entity.
To participate in the Exchange Offer, you must either:
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|
complete, sign and date the Letter of Transmittal, or a
facsimile thereof, in accordance with the instructions in the
Letter of Transmittal, including guaranteeing the signatures to
the Letter of Transmittal, if required, and mail or otherwise
deliver the Letter of Transmittal or a facsimile thereof, to the
Exchange Agent at one of its addresses listed on the back cover
page of this Exchange Offer Prospectus, for receipt on or prior
to the Expiration Date; or |
|
|
|
comply with the ATOP procedures for book-entry transfer
described below on or prior to the Expiration Date. |
The Exchange Agent and DTC have confirmed that the Exchange
Offer is eligible for ATOP. The Letter of Transmittal, or a
facsimile thereof, with any required signature guarantees, or,
in the case of book-entry transfer, an Agents Message in
lieu of the Letter of Transmittal, and any other required
documents, must be transmitted to and received by the Exchange
Agent on or prior to the Expiration Date
67
at one of its addresses listed on the back cover page of this
Exchange Offer Prospectus. Old Notes will not be deemed to have
been tendered until the Letter of Transmittal and signature
guarantees, if any, or Agents Message, is received by the
Exchange Agent.
The method of delivery of the Letter of Transmittal, and all
other required documents to the Exchange Agent is at the
election and risk of the Holder. Holders should use an overnight
or hand-delivery service, properly insured. In all cases,
sufficient time should be allowed to assure delivery to and
receipt by the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Expiration
Date. Do not send the Letter of Transmittal to anyone other than
the Exchange Agent.
If you are tendering your Old Notes and anticipate delivering
your Letter of Transmittal and other documents other than
through DTC, we urge you to contact promptly a bank, broker or
other intermediary that has the capability to hold the Old Notes
custodially through DTC to arrange for receipt of the Exchange
Consideration and to obtain the information necessary to provide
the required DTC participant with account information in the
Letter of Transmittal.
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|
Book-Entry Delivery Procedures for Tendering Old
Notes Held with DTC |
If you wish to tender Old Notes held on your behalf by a nominee
with DTC, you must:
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|
|
inform your nominee of your interest in tendering your Old Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer; and |
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|
instruct your nominee to tender all Old Notes you wish to be
tendered in the Exchange Offer into the Exchange Agents
account at DTC on or prior to the Expiration Date. |
Any financial institution that is a nominee in DTC, including
Euroclear and Clearstream, must tender Old Notes by effecting a
book-entry transfer of Old Notes to be tendered in the Exchange
Offer into the account of the Exchange Agent at DTC by
electronically transmitting its acceptance of the Exchange Offer
through the ATOP procedures for transfer. DTC will then verify
the acceptance, execute a book-entry delivery to the Exchange
Agents account at DTC and send an Agents Message to
the Exchange Agent. An Agents Message is a
message, transmitted by DTC to, and received by, the Exchange
Agent and forming part of a book-entry confirmation, which
states that DTC has received an express acknowledgement from an
organization that participates in DTC, which the Offeror refers
to as a participant, tendering Old Notes that the
participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of
the Letter of Transmittal and that the Offeror may enforce the
agreement against the participant. A Letter of Transmittal need
not accompany tenders effected through ATOP.
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Proper Execution and Delivery of the Letter of
Transmittal |
Signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or notice of withdrawal
described under Withdrawal of Tendered Old
Notes, as applicable, must be guaranteed by an eligible
guarantor institution unless the Old Notes tendered pursuant to
the Letter of Transmittal are tendered for the account of an
eligible guarantor institution. An eligible guarantor
institution is one of the following firms or other
entities identified in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act
(as the terms are used in Rule 17Ad-15):
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(1) a bank; |
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|
(2) a broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer,
municipal securities broker, government securities dealer or
government securities broker; |
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|
(3) a credit union; |
|
|
(4) a national securities exchange, registered securities
association or clearing agency; or |
|
|
(5) a savings institution that is a participant in a
Securities Transfer Association recognized program. |
68
If signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or notice of withdrawal
are required to be guaranteed, that guarantee must be made by an
eligible guarantor institution.
If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by the Holders of Old
Notes tendered thereby, the signatures must correspond with the
names as written on the face of the Old Notes without any
alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever. If any of the
Old Notes tendered thereby are held by two or more Holders, each
of those Holders must sign the Letter of Transmittal. If any of
the Old Notes tendered thereby are registered in different names
on different Old Notes, it will be necessary to complete, sign
and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal, and any
accompanying documents, as there are different registrations of
certificates.
If Old Notes that are not tendered for exchange pursuant to the
Exchange Offer are to be returned to a person other than the
tendering holder, certificates for those Old Notes must be
endorsed or accompanied by an appropriate instrument of
transfer, signed exactly as the name of the registered owner
appears on the certificates, with the signatures on the
certificates or instruments of transfer guaranteed by an
eligible institution.
If the Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than
the Holder of any Old Notes listed in the Letter of Transmittal,
those Old Notes must be properly endorsed or accompanied by a
properly completed bond power, signed by the Holder exactly as
the Holders name appears on those Old Notes. If the Letter
of Transmittal or any Old Notes, bond powers or other
instruments of transfer are signed by trustees, executors,
administrators, guardians,
attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity, those persons should so indicate when
signing, and, unless waived by us, evidence satisfactory to us
of their authority to so act must be submitted with the Letter
of Transmittal.
No conditional, irregular or contingent tenders will be
accepted. By executing the Letter of Transmittal, or facsimile
thereof, the tendering Holders of Old Notes waive any right to
receive any notice of the acceptance for exchange of their Old
Notes. Tendering Holders should indicate in the applicable box
in the Letter of Transmittal the name and address to which
payments or substitute certificates evidencing Old Notes for
amounts not tendered or not exchanged are to be issued or sent,
if different from the name and address of the person signing the
Letter of Transmittal. If those instructions are not given, Old
Notes not tendered or exchanged will be returned to the
tendering Holder.
Determination of Validity
All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, including
time of receipt, and acceptance and withdrawal of tendered Old
Notes, will be determined by the Offeror in their absolute
discretion, which determination will be final and binding. The
Offeror reserves the absolute right to reject any and all
tendered Old Notes determined by the Offeror not to be in proper
form or not to be tendered properly or any tendered Old Notes
the acceptance of which by the Offeror would, in the opinion of
its counsel, be unlawful. The Offeror also reserves the right to
waive, in its absolute discretion, any defects, irregularities
or conditions of tender as to particular Old Notes, whether or
not waived in the case of other Old Notes. The Offerors
interpretation of the terms of the Exchange Offer, including the
terms and instructions in the Letter of Transmittal, will be
final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects,
irregularities or conditions in connection with tenders of Old
Notes must be cured within the time the Offeror determines.
Although the Offeror intends to notify Holders of defects or
irregularities with respect to tenders of Old Notes, neither the
Offeror, the Exchange Agent, the Information Agent, the Dealer
Managers nor any other person will be under any duty to give
that notification or incur any liability for failure to give
that notification. Tenders of Old Notes will not be deemed to
have been made until any defects or irregularities have been
cured or waived.
Any Holder whose Old Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or
destroyed will be responsible for obtaining replacement
securities or for arranging for indemnification with the trustee
of the Old Notes. Holders may contact the Information Agent for
assistance with these matters.
69
Withdrawal of Tendered Old Notes
Old Notes previously tendered may be withdrawn at any time up
until 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration
Date. In the event of a termination of the Exchange Offer, the
Old Notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be
promptly returned to the tendering Holders. In addition, even
after the Expiration Date, if the Offeror has not accepted for
payment any validly tendered Old Notes, such Old Notes may be
withdrawn 60 days after commencement of the Exchange Offer.
For a withdrawal of tendered Old Notes to be effective, a
written, telegraphic or facsimile transmission notice of
withdrawal must be received by the Exchange Agent on or prior to
11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date at
its address set forth on the back cover of this Exchange Offer
Prospectus. Any such notice of withdrawal must:
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specify the name of the person who tendered the Old Notes to be
withdrawn; |
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contain the description of the Old Notes to be withdrawn and the
aggregate principal amount represented by such Old Notes; and |
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|
be signed by the Holder of such Old Notes in the same manner as
the original signature on the Letter of Transmittal by which
such Old Notes were tendered (including any required signature
guarantees), if any, or be accompanied by (x) documents of
transfer sufficient to have the Trustee register the transfer of
the Old Notes to the name of the person withdrawing such Old
Notes and (y) a properly completed irrevocable proxy that
authorized such person to effect such revocation on behalf of
such Holder. |
If the Old Notes to be withdrawn have been delivered or
otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, a signed notice of
withdrawal is effective immediately upon written or facsimile
notice of withdrawal even if physical release is not yet
effected. Any Old Notes validly withdrawn will be deemed to be
not validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer.
Withdrawal of Old Notes can be accomplished only in accordance
with the foregoing procedures.
All questions as to the validity (including time of receipt)
of notices of withdrawal will be determined by the Offeror in
its sole discretion, and its determination shall be final and
binding. None of the Offeror, the Exchange Agent, the Dealer
Managers, the Information Agent, the Trustee or any other person
will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or
irregularities in any notice of withdrawal, or incur any
liability for failure to give any such notification.
Backup Withholding
To prevent United States federal income tax backup withholding,
each tendering Holder of Old Notes that is a United States
person generally must provide the Exchange Agent with such
Holders correct taxpayer identification number and certify
that such Holder is not subject to United States federal income
tax backup withholding by completing the Substitute
Form W-9 included
in the Letter of Transmittal. Each tendering Holder of Old Notes
that is not a United States person may also be subject to backup
withholding tax unless such Holder provides the Exchange Agent
with an applicable
Form W-8BEN or
W-8ECI to demonstrate exemption from withholding or a reduced
rate of withholding. For a discussion of the material United
States federal income tax consequences relating to backup
withholding, see Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax
Consequences.
Conditions to the Exchange Offer
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Exchange Offer and in
addition to (and not in limitation of) the Offerors right
to extend and/or amend the Exchange Offer, the Offeror and its
affiliates shall not be required to accept for exchange pursuant
to the Exchange Offer, pay Exchange Consideration in respect of,
and may delay the acceptance for tender and payment of Exchange
Consideration in respect of, any Old Notes tendered pursuant to
the Exchange Offer, in each event subject to
Rule 14e-l(c)
under the
70
Exchange Act, and may terminate the Exchange Offer, if the
registration statement has not been declared effective by the
SEC by the Expiration Date or if any of the following have
occurred:
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(1) the Average Price is more than or equal to $2.00 or
less than or equal to $4.35; |
|
|
(2) at least $75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Old
Notes shall have been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn
as of the expiration of the Exchange Offer; |
|
|
(3) there shall have been instituted, threatened or be
pending any action or proceeding (or there shall have been any
material adverse development to any action or proceeding
currently instituted, threatened or pending) before or by any
court, governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or
instrumentality, or by any other person, in connection with the
Exchange Offer that, in the Offerors reasonable judgment,
either (a) is, or is reasonably likely to be, materially
adverse to the business, operations, properties, condition
(financial or otherwise), assets or liabilities of Charter and
its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b) would or might
prohibit, prevent, restrict or delay consummation of the
Exchange Offer; |
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(4) an order, statute, rule, regulation, executive order,
stay, decree, judgment or injunction shall have been proposed,
enacted, entered, issued, promulgated, enforced or deemed
applicable by any court or governmental, regulatory or
administrative agency or instrumentality that, in the
Offerors reasonable judgment, either (a) is, or is
reasonably likely to be, materially adverse to the business,
operations, properties, condition (financial or otherwise),
assets or liabilities of Charter and its subsidiaries, taken as
a whole, or (b) would or might prohibit, prevent, restrict
or delay consummation of the Exchange Offer; |
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(5) there shall have occurred or be likely to occur any
event affecting the business or financial affairs of Charter and
its subsidiaries that, in the Offerors reasonable
judgment, would or might prohibit, prevent, restrict or delay
consummation of the Exchange Offer; |
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(6) the Trustee shall have objected in any respect to, or
taken action that could, in the Offerors reasonable
judgment, adversely affect the consummation of, the Exchange
Offer or shall have taken any action that challenges the
validity or effectiveness of the procedures used by us in the
making of the Exchange Offer or the acceptance for exchange of,
or payment of Exchange Consideration in respect of, Old Notes
tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer; or |
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(7) there has occurred (a) any general suspension of,
or limitation on prices for, trading in securities in the United
States securities or financial markets, (b) a declaration
of a banking moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect
of banks in the United States or other major financial markets,
(c) any limitation (whether or not mandatory) by any
government or governmental, administrative or regulatory
authority or agency, domestic or foreign, or other event that,
in the Offerors reasonable judgment, might affect the
extension of credit by banks or other lending institutions,
(d) a commencement of a war or armed hostilities or other
national or international calamity directly or indirectly
involving the United States or (e) in the case of any of
the foregoing existing on the date hereof, a material
acceleration or worsening thereof. |
The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Offeror
and may be asserted by the Offeror regardless of the
circumstances giving rise to any such condition and may be
waived by the Offeror, in whole or in part, at any time and from
time to time, in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the
previous sentence, unless the Exchange Offer is terminated, all
conditions to the Exchange Offer will be either satisfied or
waived by the Offeror prior to the Expiration Date. The failure
by the Offeror at any time to exercise any of the foregoing
rights will not be deemed a waiver of any other right, and each
right will be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at
any time and from time to time, but only prior to
11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.
71
DESCRIPTION OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS
The following description of our external indebtedness is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the relevant credit
facilities, indentures and related documents governing such
indebtedness. Intercompany indebtedness is not included or
described herein.
Description of Our Outstanding Debt
As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006,
Charters actual total debt was approximately
$19.6 billion and $19.1 billion, respectively, as
summarized below (dollars in millions):
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June 30, 2007 | |
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December 31, 2006 | |
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Semi-Annual | |
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Interest | |
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Principal | |
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Accreted | |
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Principal | |
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Accreted | |
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Payment | |
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Maturity | |
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Amount | |
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Value(a) | |
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Amount | |
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Value(a) | |
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Dates | |
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Date(b) | |
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Charter Communications, Inc.:
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5.875% convertible senior notes due 2009(c)
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$ |
413 |
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$ |
411 |
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$ |
413 |
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$ |
408 |
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5/16 & 11/16 |
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11/16/2009 |
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Charter Holdings:
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8.250% senior notes due 2007
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105 |
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105 |
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4/1 & 10/1 |
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4/1/2007 |
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8.625% senior notes due 2009
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187 |
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187 |
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4/1 & 10/1 |
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4/1/2009 |
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10.000% senior notes due 2009
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88 |
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88 |
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105 |
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105 |
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4/1 & 10/1 |
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4/1/2009 |
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10.750% senior notes due 2009
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63 |
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63 |
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71 |
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71 |
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4/1 & 10/1 |
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10/1/2009 |
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9.625% senior notes due 2009
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37 |
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37 |
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52 |
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52 |
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5/15 & 11/15 |
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11/15/2009 |
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10.250% senior notes due 2010
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18 |
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18 |
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32 |
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32 |
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1/15 & 7/15 |
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1/15/2010 |
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11.750% senior discount notes due 2010
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16 |
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16 |
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21 |
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21 |
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1/15 & 7/15 |
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1/15/2010 |
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11.125% senior notes due 2011
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47 |
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47 |
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52 |
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52 |
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1/15 & 7/15 |
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1/15/2011 |
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13.500% senior discount notes due 2011
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60 |
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60 |
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62 |
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62 |
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1/15 & 7/15 |
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1/15/2011 |
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9.920% senior discount notes due 2011
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51 |
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51 |
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63 |
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63 |
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4/1 & 10/1 |
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4/1/2011 |
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10.000% senior notes due 2011
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69 |
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69 |
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71 |
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71 |
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5/15 & 11/15 |
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5/15/2011 |
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11.750% senior discount notes due 2011
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54 |
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54 |
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55 |
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55 |
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5/15 & 11/15 |
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5/15/2011 |
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12.125% senior discount notes due 2012
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75 |
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75 |
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91 |
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91 |
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1/15 & 7/15 |
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1/15/2012 |
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CIH(a):
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11.125% senior notes due 2014
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151 |
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151 |
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151 |
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151 |
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1/15 & 7/15 |
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1/15/2014 |
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13.500% senior discount notes due 2014
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581 |
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581 |
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581 |
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581 |
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1/15 & 7/15 |
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1/15/2014 |
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9.920% senior discount notes due 2014
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471 |
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471 |
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471 |
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471 |
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4/1 & 10/1 |
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4/1/2014 |
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10.000% senior notes due 2014
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299 |
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|
299 |
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|
299 |
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299 |
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5/15 & 11/15 |
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5/15/2014 |
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11.750% senior discount notes due 2014
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815 |
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|
815 |
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|
815 |
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815 |
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5/15 & 11/15 |
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5/15/2014 |
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12.125% senior discount notes due 2015
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217 |
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217 |
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217 |
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216 |
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1/15 & 7/15 |
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1/15/2015 |
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CCH I(a):
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11.00% senior notes due 2015
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3,987 |
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4,087 |
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3,987 |
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4,092 |
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4/1 & 10/1 |
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10/1/2015 |
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CCH II(a):
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10.250% senior notes due 2010
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2,198 |
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2,190 |
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2,198 |
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2,190 |
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3/15 & 9/15 |
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9/15/2010 |
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10.250% senior notes due 2013
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250 |
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261 |
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250 |
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262 |
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4/1 & 10/1 |
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10/1/2013 |
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CCO Holdings:
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Senior floating notes due 2010
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550 |
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550 |
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3/15, 6/15, |
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12/15/2010 |
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9/15 &12/15 |
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83/4% senior
notes due 2013
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800 |
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795 |
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800 |
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795 |
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5/15 & 11/15 |
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11/15/2013 |
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Credit facility
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350 |
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350 |
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9/6/2014 |
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Charter Operating:
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8% senior second-lien notes due 2012
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1,100 |
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1,100 |
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1,100 |
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1,100 |
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4/30 & 10/30 |
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4/30/2012 |
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83/8% senior
second-lien notes due 2014
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770 |
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770 |
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770 |
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770 |
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4/30 & 10/30 |
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4/30/2014 |
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Credit facility
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6,500 |
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6,500 |
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5,395 |
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5,395 |
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varies |
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$ |
19,480 |
(d) |
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$ |
19,576 |
(d) |
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$ |
18,964 |
(d) |
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$ |
19,062 |
(d) |
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(a) |
The accreted values presented above generally represent the
principal amount of the notes less the original issue discount
at the time of sale plus the accretion to the balance sheet date
except as follows. Certain of the CIH notes, CCH I notes
and CCH II notes issued in exchange for Charter Holdings
notes and Charter Old Notes in 2006 and 2005 are recorded for
financial reporting purposes at values different from the
current accreted value for legal purposes and notes indenture
purposes (the amount that is currently payable if the debt
becomes immediately due). As of June 30, 2007 and
December 31, 2006, the |
72
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accreted value of Charters
debt for legal purposes and notes indenture purposes is
approximately $19.4 billion and $18.8 billion,
respectively.
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(b) |
In general, the obligors have the
right to redeem all of the notes set forth in the above table
(except with respect to the Old Notes, the 8.25% Charter
Holdings notes due 2007, the 10.000% Charter Holdings notes due
2009, the 10.75% Charter Holdings notes due 2009, and the 9.625%
Charter Holdings notes due 2009) in whole or part at their
option, beginning at various times prior to their stated
maturity dates, subject to certain conditions, upon the payment
of the outstanding principal amount (plus a specified redemption
premium) and all accrued and unpaid interest. The Old Notes are
redeemable if the closing price of Charter Class A common
stock exceeds the conversion price by certain percentages as
described below.
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(c) |
The Old Notes are convertible at
the option of the holders into shares of Charter Class A
common stock at a conversion rate, subject to certain
adjustments, of 413.2231 shares, respectively, per $1,000
principal amount of notes, which is equivalent to a price of
$2.42 per share. Certain anti-dilutive provisions cause
adjustments to occur automatically upon the occurrence of
specified events. Additionally, the conversion rate may be
adjusted by us under certain circumstances.
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(d) |
Not included within total
long-term debt is the $61 million and $57 million CCHC
note at June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006,
respectively, which is included in note payable-related
party on Charters accompanying consolidated balance
sheets.
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As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006,
Charters long-term debt totaled approximately
$19.6 billion and $19.1 billion, respectively. This
debt was comprised of approximately $6.9 billion and
$5.4 billion of credit facility debt, $12.3 billion
and $13.3 billion accreted amount of high-yield notes and
$411 million and $408 million accreted amount of
convertible senior notes at June 30, 2007 and
December 31, 2006, respectively.
As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the
weighted average interest rate on the credit facility debt was
approximately 7.1% and 7.9%, the weighted average interest rate
on the high-yield notes was approximately 10.3%, and the
weighted average interest rate on Charters convertible
senior notes was approximately 5.9% respectively, resulting in a
blended weighted average interest rate of 9.2% and 9.5%,
respectively. The interest rate on approximately 80% and 78% of
the total principal amount of Charters debt was
effectively fixed, including the effects of Charters
interest rate hedge agreements as of June 30, 2007 and
December 31, 2006, respectively. The fair value of the
high-yield notes was $12.5 billion and $13.3 billion
at June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
The fair value of Charters convertible senior notes was
$730 million and $576 million at June 30, 2007
and December 31, 2006, respectively. The fair value of the
credit facilities is $6.8 billion and $5.4 billion at
June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. The
fair value of high-yield and Old Notes is based on quoted market
prices, and the fair value of the credit facilities is based on
dealer quotations.
The following description is a summary of certain material
provisions of our credit facilities and our notes (collectively,
the Debt Agreements). The summary does not restate
the terms of the Debt Agreements in their entirety, nor does it
describe all terms of the Debt Agreements. The agreements and
instruments governing each of the Debt Agreements are
complicated and you should consult such agreements and
instruments for more detailed information regarding the Debt
Agreements.
Credit Facilities General
On March 6, 2007, Charter Operating entered into an Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement among Charter Operating, CCO
Holdings, the several lenders from time to time that are parties
thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and
certain other agents (the Charter Operating Credit
Agreement) providing borrowing availability of up to
$8.0 billion as follows:
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term facilities with a total principal amount of
$6.5 billion, which are repayable in equal quarterly
installments, commencing March 31, 2008, aggregating in
each loan year to 1% of the original amount of the term
facility, with the remaining balance due at final maturity on
March 6, 2014; and |
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a revolving credit facility, in a total amount of
$1.5 billion, with a maturity date on March 6, 2013. |
Amounts outstanding under the Charter Operating credit
facilities bear interest, at Charter Operatings election,
at a base rate or the Eurodollar rate, as defined, plus a margin
for Eurodollar loans of up to 2.00% for the revolving credit
facility and the term facilities, and for base rate loans of up
to 1.00% for the
73
revolving credit facility and a quarterly commitment fee of up
to .5% is payable on the average daily unborrowed balance of the
revolving credit facility.
The obligations of our subsidiaries under the Charter Operating
credit facilities (the Obligations) are guaranteed
by Charter Operatings immediate parent company,
CCO Holdings, and the subsidiaries of Charter Operating,
except for immaterial subsidiaries and subsidiaries precluded
from guaranteeing by reason of the provisions of other
indebtedness to which they are subject (the non-guarantor
subsidiaries). The Obligations are also secured by
(i) a lien on all of the assets of Charter Operating and
its subsidiaries (other than assets of the non-guarantor
subsidiaries), to the extent such lien can be perfected under
the Uniform Commercial Code by the filing of a financing
statement, and (ii) a pledge by CCO Holdings of the
equity interests owned by it in Charter Operating or any of
Charter Operatings subsidiaries, as well as intercompany
obligations owing to it by any of such entities.
On March 6, 2007, CCO Holdings entered into a credit
agreement among CCO Holdings, the several lenders from time
to time that are parties thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as
administrative agent, and certain other agents (the
CCO Holdings Credit Agreement, together with
the Charter Operating Credit Agreement, the Credit
Facilities). The CCO Holdings Credit Agreement
consists of a $350 million term loan facility (the
Term Facility). The term loan matures on
September 6, 2014 (the Maturity Date). The
CCO Holdings Credit Agreement also provides for additional
incremental term loans (the Incremental Loans)
maturing on the dates set forth in the notices establishing such
term loans, but no earlier than the Maturity Date. Borrowings
under the CCO Holdings Credit Agreement bear interest at a
variable interest rate based on either LIBOR or a base rate
plus, in either case, an applicable margin. The applicable
margin for LIBOR term loans, other than Incremental Loans, is
2.50% above LIBOR. The applicable margin with respect to
Incremental Loans is to be agreed upon by CCO Holdings and
the lenders when the Incremental Loans are established. The
CCO Holdings Credit Agreement is secured by the equity
interests of Charter Operating, and all proceeds thereof.
Credit Facilities Restrictive Covenants
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Charter Operating Credit Agreement |
The Charter Operating Credit Agreement contains representations
and warranties, and affirmative and negative covenants customary
for financings of this type. The financial covenants measure
performance against standards set for leverage to be tested as
of the end of each quarter. The maximum allowable leverage ratio
is 5.0 to 1.0, and the maximum allowable first lien leverage
ratio is 4.0 to 1.0 until maturity. Additionally, the Charter
Operating Credit Agreement contains provisions requiring
mandatory loan prepayments under specific circumstances,
including in connection with certain sales of assets, so long as
the proceeds have not been reinvested in the business.
The Charter Operating Credit Agreement permits Charter Operating
and its subsidiaries to make distributions to pay interest on
the New Notes, the Old Notes, the CCHC notes, the Charter
Holdings notes, the CIH notes, the CCH I notes, the
CCH II notes, the CCO Holdings notes, and the Charter
Operating second-lien notes, provided that, among other things,
no default has occurred and is continuing under the credit
facilities. Conditions to future borrowings include absence of a
default or an event of default under the credit facilities, and
the continued accuracy in all material respects of the
representations and warranties, including the absence since
December 31, 2005 of any event, development, or
circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to
have a material adverse effect on our business.
The events of default under the Charter Operating Credit
Agreement include among other things:
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the failure to make payments when due or within the applicable
grace period, |
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the failure to comply with specified covenants, including but
not limited to a covenant to deliver audited financial
statements with an unqualified opinion from our independent
auditors, |
74
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the failure to pay or the occurrence of events that cause or
permit the acceleration of other indebtedness owing by CCO
Holdings, Charter Operating, or Charter Operatings
subsidiaries in amounts in excess of $50 million in
aggregate principal amount, |
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the failure to pay or the occurrence of events that result in
the acceleration of other indebtedness owing by certain of CCO
Holdings direct and indirect parent companies in amounts
in excess of $200 million in aggregate principal amount, |
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Paul Allen and/or certain of his family members and/or their
exclusively owned entities (collectively, the Paul Allen
Group) ceasing to have the power, directly or indirectly,
to vote at least 35% of the ordinary voting power of Charter
Operating, |
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the consummation of any transaction resulting in any person or
group (other than the Paul Allen Group) having power, directly
or indirectly, to vote more than 35% of the ordinary voting
power of Charter Operating, unless the Paul Allen Group holds a
greater share of ordinary voting power of Charter Operating, and |
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Charter Operating ceasing to be a wholly-owned direct subsidiary
of CCO Holdings, except in certain very limited circumstances. |
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CCO Holdings Credit Agreement |
The CCO Holdings Credit Agreement contains covenants that are
substantially similar to the restrictive covenants for the CCO
Holdings notes except that the leverage ratio is 5.50 to 1.0.
See Summary of Restrictive Covenants of Our
High Yield Notes. The CCO Holdings Credit Agreement
contains provisions requiring mandatory loan prepayments under
specific circumstances, including in connection with certain
sales of assets, so long as the proceeds have not been
reinvested in the business. The CCO Holdings Credit Agreement
permits CCO Holdings and its subsidiaries to make distributions
to pay interest on the New Notes, the Old Notes, the CCHC notes,
the Charter Holdings notes, the CIH notes, the CCH I
notes, the CCH II notes, the CCO Holdings notes, and the
Charter Operating second-lien notes, provided that, among other
things, no default has occurred and is continuing under the CCO
Holdings Credit Agreement.
Outstanding Notes
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Charter Communications, Inc. 5.875% Convertible
Senior Notes due 2009 |
See Description of the Old Notes for a description
of the Old Notes.
In October 2005, Charter, acting through a Special Committee of
Charters Board of Directors, and Mr. Allen, settled a
dispute that had arisen between the parties with regard to the
ownership of CC VIII. As part of that settlement, CCHC issued
the CCHC note to CII. The CCHC note has a
15-year maturity. The
CCHC note has an initial accreted value of $48 million
accreting at the rate of 14% per annum compounded
quarterly, except that from and after February 28, 2009,
CCHC may pay any increase in the accreted value of the CCHC note
in cash and the accreted value of the CCHC note will not
increase to the extent such amount is paid in cash. The CCHC
note is exchangeable at CIIs option, at any time, for
Charter Holdco Class A Common units at a rate equal to the
then accreted value, divided by $2.00 (the Exchange
Rate). Customary anti-dilution protections have been
provided that could cause future changes to the Exchange Rate.
Additionally, the Charter Holdco Class A Common units
received will be exchangeable by the holder into Charter
Class B common stock in accordance with existing agreements
between CII, Charter and certain other parties signatory
thereto. Beginning February 28, 2009, if the closing price
of Charter common stock is at or above the Exchange Rate for a
certain period of time as specified in the Exchange Agreement,
Charter Holdco may require the exchange of the CCHC note for
75
Charter Holdco Class A Common units at the Exchange Rate.
Additionally, CCHC has the right to redeem the CCHC note under
certain circumstances for cash in an amount equal to the then
accreted value, such amount, if redeemed prior to
February 28, 2009, would also include a make whole up to
the accreted value through February 28, 2009. CCHC must
redeem the CCHC note at its maturity for cash in an amount equal
to the initial stated value plus the accreted return through
maturity. The accreted value of the CCHC note is
$61 million as of June 30, 2007 and $57 million
as of December 31, 2006.
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Charter Communications Holdings, LLC Notes |
From March 1999 through January 2002, Charter Holdings and
Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation
(Charter Capital) jointly issued $10.2 billion
total principal amount of notes, of which $578 million and
$967 million total principal amount was outstanding as of
June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. The
notes were issued over 15 series of notes with maturities from
2007 through 2012 and have varying interest rates. The Charter
Holdings notes are senior debt obligations of Charter Holdings
and Charter Capital. They rank equally with all other current
and future unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of Charter
Holdings and Charter Capital. They are structurally subordinated
to the obligations of Charter Holdings subsidiaries,
including the CIH notes, the CCH I notes, CCH II notes, the
CCO Holdings notes, the Charter Operating notes, and the credit
facilities.
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CCH I Holdings, LLC Notes |
In September 2005, CIH and CCH I Holdings Capital Corp. jointly
issued $2.5 billion total principal amount of 9.92% to
13.50% senior accreting notes due 2014 and 2015 in exchange
for an aggregate amount of $2.4 billion of Charter Holdings
notes due 2011 and 2012, issued over six series of notes and
with varying interest rates. The notes are guaranteed on a
senior unsecured basis by Charter Holdings.
The CIH notes are senior debt obligations of CIH and CCH I
Holdings Capital Corp. They rank equally with all other current
and future unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of CIH and CCH
I Holdings Capital Corp. The CIH notes are structurally
subordinated to all obligations of subsidiaries of CIH,
including the CCH I notes, the CCH II notes, the CCO
Holdings notes, the Charter Operating notes and the credit
facilities.
In September 2005, CCH I and CCH I Capital Corp. jointly issued
$3.5 billion total principal amount of 11% senior
secured notes due October 2015 in exchange for an aggregate
amount of $4.2 billion of certain Charter Holdings notes
and, in September 2006, issued an additional $462 million
total principal amount of such notes in exchange for an
aggregate of $527 million of certain Charter Holdings
notes. The notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by
Charter Holdings and are secured by a pledge of 100% of the
equity interest of CCH Is wholly owned direct subsidiary,
CCH II, and by a pledge of the CC VIII interests, and the
proceeds thereof. Such pledges are subject to significant
limitations as described in the related pledge agreement.
The CCH I notes are senior debt obligations of CCH I and CCH I
Capital Corp. To the extent of the value of the collateral, they
rank senior to all of CCH Is future unsecured senior
indebtedness. The CCH I notes are structurally subordinated to
all obligations of subsidiaries of CCH I, including the
CCH II notes, CCO Holdings notes, the Charter Operating
notes and the credit facilities.
In September 2003 and January 2006, CCH II and CCH II
Capital Corp. jointly issued approximately $2.2 billion
total principal amount of 10.25% senior notes due 2010 (the
CCH II 2010 Notes) and, in September 2006,
issued $250 million total principal amount of
10.25% senior notes due 2013 (the CCH II 2013
Notes and, together with the CCH II 2010 Notes, the
CCH II notes) in exchange for an aggregate of
$270 million of certain Charter Holdings notes. The
CCH II Notes are senior debt obligations of CCH II and
CCH II Capital Corp. They rank equally with all other
current and
76
future unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of CCH II and
CCH II Capital Corp. The CCH II 2013 Notes are
guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Charter Holdings. The
CCH II notes are structurally subordinated to all
obligations of subsidiaries of CCH II, including the CCO
Holdings notes, the Charter Operating notes and the credit
facilities.
In November 2003 and August 2005, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings
Capital Corp. jointly issued $500 million and
$300 million, respectively, total principal amount of
83/4% senior
notes due 2013 (the CCO Holdings Notes).
The CCO Holdings notes are senior debt obligations of CCO
Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. They rank equally with
all other current and future unsecured, unsubordinated
obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. The
CCO Holdings notes are structurally subordinated to all
obligations of subsidiaries of CCO Holdings, including the
Charter Operating notes and the credit facilities.
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Charter Communications Operating, LLC Notes |
On April 27, 2004, Charter Operating and Charter
Communications Operating Capital Corp. jointly issued
$1.1 billion of 8% senior second-lien notes due 2012
and $400 million of
83/8% senior
second-lien notes due 2014. In March and June 2005, Charter
Operating consummated exchange transactions with a small number
of institutional holders of Charter Holdings 8.25% senior
notes due 2007 pursuant to which Charter Operating issued, in
private placement transactions, approximately $333 million
principal amount of its
83/8% senior
second-lien notes due 2014 in exchange for approximately
$346 million of the Charter Holdings 8.25% senior
notes due 2007.
Subject to specified limitations, CCO Holdings and those
subsidiaries of Charter Operating that are guarantors of, or
otherwise obligors with respect to, indebtedness under the
credit facilities and related obligations are required to
guarantee the Charter Operating notes. The note guarantee of
each such guarantor is:
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a senior obligation of such guarantor; |
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structurally senior to the outstanding CCO Holdings notes
(except in the case of CCO Holdings note guarantee, which
is structurally pari passu with such senior notes), the
outstanding CCH II notes, the outstanding CCH I notes, the
outstanding CIH notes, the outstanding Charter Holdings notes
and the outstanding Charter convertible senior notes; |
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senior in right of payment to any future subordinated
indebtedness of such guarantor; and |
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effectively senior to the relevant subsidiarys unsecured
indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the collateral but
subject to the prior lien of the credit facilities. |
The Charter Operating notes and related note guarantees are
secured by a second-priority lien on all of Charter
Operatings and its subsidiaries assets that secure
the obligations of Charter Operating or any subsidiary of
Charter Operating with respect to the credit facilities and the
related obligations. The collateral currently consists of the
capital stock of Charter Operating held by CCO Holdings, all of
the intercompany obligations owing to CCO Holdings by Charter
Operating or any subsidiary of Charter Operating, and
substantially all of Charter Operatings and the
guarantors assets (other than the assets of CCO Holdings)
in which security interests may be perfected under the Uniform
Commercial Code by
77
filing a financing statement (including capital stock and
intercompany obligations), including, but not limited to:
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with certain exceptions, all capital stock (limited in the case
of capital stock of foreign subsidiaries, if any, to 66% of the
capital stock of first tier foreign Subsidiaries) held by
Charter Operating or any guarantor; and |
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with certain exceptions, all intercompany obligations owing to
Charter Operating or any guarantor. |
In the event that additional liens are granted by Charter
Operating or its subsidiaries to secure obligations under the
credit facilities or the related obligations, second priority
liens on the same assets will be granted to secure the Charter
Operating notes, which liens will be subject to the provisions
of an intercreditor agreement (to which none of Charter
Operating or its affiliates are parties). Notwithstanding the
foregoing sentence, no such second priority liens need be
provided if the time such lien would otherwise be granted is not
during a guarantee and pledge availability period (when the
Leverage Condition is satisfied), but such second priority liens
will be required to be provided in accordance with the foregoing
sentence on or prior to the fifth business day of the
commencement of the next succeeding guarantee and pledge
availability period.
The Charter Operating notes are senior debt obligations of
Charter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital
Corp. To the extent of the value of the collateral (but subject
to the prior lien of the credit facilities), they rank
effectively senior to all of Charter Operatings future
unsecured senior indebtedness.
Redemption Provisions of Our High Yield Notes
The various notes issued by our subsidiaries included in the
table may be redeemed in accordance with the following table or
are not redeemable until maturity as indicated:
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Percentage of | |
Note Series |
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Redemption Dates |
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Principal | |
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Charter Holdings:
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10.000% senior notes due 2009
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Not callable |
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N/A |
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10.750% senior discount notes due 2009
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Not callable |
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N/A |
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9.625% senior notes due 2009
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Not callable |
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N/A |
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10.250% senior notes due 2010
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January 15, 2007 January 14, 2008 |
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101.708% |
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Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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11.750% senior discount notes due 2010
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January 15, 2007 January 14, 2008 |
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101.958% |
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Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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11.125% senior notes due 2011
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January 15, 2007 January 14, 2008 |
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103.708% |
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January 15, 2008 January 14, 2009 |
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101.854% |
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Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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13.500% senior discount notes due 2011
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January 15, 2007 January 14, 2008 |
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104.500% |
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January 15, 2008 January 14, 2009 |
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102.250% |
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Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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9.920% senior discount notes due 2011
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March 31, 2007 and Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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10.000% senior notes due 2011
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May 15, 2007 May 14, 2008 |
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103.333% |
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May 15, 2008 May 14, 2009 |
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101.667% |
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Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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11.750% senior discount notes due 2011
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May 15, 2007 May 14, 2008 |
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103.917% |
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May 15, 2008 May 14, 2009 |
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101.958% |
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Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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Percentage of | |
Note Series |
|
Redemption Dates |
|
Principal | |
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12.125% senior discount notes due 2012
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January 15, 2007 January 14, 2008 |
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106.063% |
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January 15, 2008 January 14, 2009 |
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104.042% |
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January 15, 2009 January 14, 2010 |
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102.021% |
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Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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CIH:
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11.125% senior discount notes due 2014
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September 30, 2007 January 14, 2008 |
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103.708% |
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January 15, 2008 January 14, 2009 |
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101.854% |
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Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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13.500% senior discount notes due 2014
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September 30, 2007 January 14, 2008 |
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104.500% |
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January 15, 2008 January 14, 2009 |
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102.250% |
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Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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9.920% senior discount notes due 2014
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September 30, 2007 Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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10.000% senior discount notes due 2014
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September 30, 2007 May 14, 2008 |
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103.333% |
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May 15, 2008 May 14, 2009 |
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101.667% |
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Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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11.750% senior discount notes due 2014
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September 30, 2007 May 14, 2008 |
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103.917% |
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May 15, 2008 May 14, 2009 |
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101.958% |
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Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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12.125% senior discount notes due 2015
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September 30, 2007 January 14, 2008 |
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106.063% |
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January 15, 2008 January 14, 2009 |
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104.042% |
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January 15, 2009 January 14, 2010 |
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102.021% |
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Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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CCH I:
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11.000% senior notes due 2015*
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October 1, 2010 September 30, 2011 |
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105.500% |
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October 1, 2011 September 30, 2012 |
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102.750% |
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October 1, 2012 September 30, 2013 |
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101.375% |
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Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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CCH II:
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10.250% senior notes due 2010
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September 15, 2008 September 14, 2009 |
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105.125% |
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Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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10.250% senior notes due 2013**
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October 1, 2010 September 30, 2011 |
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105.125% |
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October 1, 2011 September 30, 2012 |
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102.563% |
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Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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CCO Holdings:
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83/4% senior
notes due 2013
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November 15, 2008 November 14, 2009 |
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104.375% |
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November 15, 2009 November 14, 2010 |
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102.917% |
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November 15, 2010 November 14, 2011 |
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101.458% |
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Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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Percentage of | |
Note Series |
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Redemption Dates |
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Principal | |
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Charter Operating:
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8% senior second-lien notes due 2012
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Any time |
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*** |
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83/8% senior
second-lien notes due 2014
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April 30, 2009 April 29, 2010 |
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104.188% |
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April 30, 2010 April 29, 2011 |
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102.792% |
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April 30, 2011 April 29, 2012 |
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101.396% |
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Thereafter |
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100.000% |
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* |
CCH I may, prior to October 1, 2008 in the event of a
qualified equity offering providing sufficient proceeds, redeem
up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the CCH I notes
at a redemption price of 111% of the principal amount plus
accrued and unpaid interest. |
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** |
CCH II may, prior to October 1, 2009 in the event of a
qualified equity offering providing sufficient proceeds, redeem
up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the CCH II
notes at a redemption price of 110.25% of the principal amount
plus accrued and unpaid interest. |
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*** |
Charter Operating may, at any time and from time to time, at
their option, redeem the outstanding 8% second lien notes due
2012, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100%
of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the redemption date, plus the Make-Whole
Premium. The Make-Whole Premium is an amount equal to the excess
of (a) the present value of the remaining interest and
principal payments due on a 8% senior second-lien notes due
2012 to its final maturity date, computed using a discount rate
equal to the Treasury Rate on such date plus 0.50%, over
(b) the outstanding principal amount of such Note. |
In the event that a specified change of control event occurs,
each of the respective issuers of the notes must offer to
repurchase any then outstanding notes at 101% of their principal
amount or accrued value, as applicable, plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any.
Summary of Restrictive Covenants of Our High Yield Notes
The following description is a summary of certain restrictions
of our Debt Agreements. The summary does not restate the terms
of the Debt Agreements in their entirety, nor does it describe
all restrictions of the Debt Agreements. The agreements and
instruments governing each of the Debt Agreements are
complicated and you should consult such agreements and
instruments for more detailed information regarding the Debt
Agreements.
The notes issued by Charter Holdings, CIH, CCH I,
CCH II, CCO Holdings and Charter Operating (together, the
note issuers) were issued pursuant to indentures
that contain covenants that restrict the ability of the note
issuers and their subsidiaries to, among other things:
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incur indebtedness; |
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pay dividends or make distributions in respect of capital stock
and other restricted payments; |
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issue equity; |
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make investments; |
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create liens; |
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sell assets; |
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consolidate, merge, or sell all or substantially all assets; |
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enter into sale leaseback transactions; |
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create restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to
make certain payments; or |
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enter into transactions with affiliates. |
80
However, such covenants are subject to a number of important
qualifications and exceptions. Below we set forth a brief
summary of certain of the restrictive covenants.
Restrictions on Additional Debt
The limitations on incurrence of debt and issuance of preferred
stock contained in various indentures permit each of the
respective notes issuers and its restricted subsidiaries to
incur additional debt or issue preferred stock, so long as,
after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence, the leverage
ratio would be below a specified level for each of the note
issuers as follows:
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Issuer |
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Leverage Ratio | |
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Charter Holdings
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8.75 to 1 |
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CIH
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8.75 to 1 |
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CCH I
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7.5 to 1 |
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CCH II
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5.5 to 1 |
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CCOH
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4.5 to 1 |
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CCO
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4.25 to 1 |
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In addition, regardless of whether the leverage ratio could be
met, so long as no default exists or would result from the
incurrence or issuance, each issuer and their restricted
subsidiaries are permitted to issue among other permitted
indebtedness:
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up to an amount of debt under credit facilities not otherwise
allocated as indicated below: |
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Charter Holdings: $3.5 billion |
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CIH, CCH I, CCH II and CCO Holdings: $9.75 billion |
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Charter Operating: $6.8 billion |
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up to $75 million of debt incurred to finance the purchase
or capital lease of new assets; |
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up to $300 million of additional debt for any purpose; |
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Charter Holdings and CIH may incur additional debt in an amount
equal to 200% of proceeds of new cash equity proceeds received
since March 1999, the date of our first indenture, and not
allocated for restricted payments or permitted investments (the
Equity Proceeds Basket); and |
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other items of indebtedness for specific purposes such as
intercompany debt, refinancing of existing debt, and interest
rate swaps to provide protection against fluctuation in interest
rates. |
Indebtedness under a single facility or agreement may be
incurred in part under one of the categories listed above and in
part under another, and generally may also later be reclassified
into another category including as debt incurred under the
leverage ratio. Accordingly, indebtedness under our credit
facilities is incurred under a combination of the categories of
permitted indebtedness listed above. The restricted subsidiaries
of note issuers are generally not permitted to issue
subordinated debt securities.
Restrictions on Distributions
Generally, under the various indentures each of the note issuers
and their respective restricted subsidiaries are permitted to
pay dividends on or repurchase equity interests, or make other
specified restricted payments, only if the applicable issuer can
incur $1.00 of new debt under the applicable leverage ratio test
after giving effect to the transaction and if no default exists
or would exist as a consequence of such incurrence. If those
conditions are met, restricted payments may be made in a total
amount of up to the following amounts for the applicable issuer
as indicated below:
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Charter Holdings: the sum of 100% of Charter Holdings
Consolidated EBITDA, as defined, minus 1.2 times its
Consolidated Interest Expense, as defined, plus 100% of new cash
and appraised non-cash equity proceeds received by Charter
Holdings and not allocated to the debt incurrence |
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covenant or to permitted investments, all cumulatively from
March 1999, the date of the first Charter Holdings indenture,
plus $100 million; |
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CIH: the sum of the greater of (a) $500 million or
(b) 100% of CIHs Consolidated EBITDA, as defined,
minus 1.2 times its Consolidated Interest Expense, as defined,
plus 100% of new cash and appraised non-cash equity proceeds
received by CIH and not allocated to the debt incurrence
covenant or to permitted investments, all cumulatively from
September 28, 2005; |
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CCH I: the sum of 100% of CCH Is Consolidated EBITDA, as
defined, minus 1.3 times its Consolidated Interest Expense, as
defined, plus 100% of new cash and appraised non-cash equity
proceeds received by CCH I and not allocated to certain
investments, all cumulative from September 28, 2005, plus
$100 million; |
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CCH II: the sum of 100% of CCH IIs Consolidated
EBITDA, as defined, minus 1.3 times its Consolidated Interest
Expense, as defined, plus 100% of new cash and appraised
non-cash equity proceeds received by CCH II and not
allocated to certain investments, cumulatively from July 1,
2003, plus $100 million; |
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CCO Holdings: the sum of 100% of CCO Holdings Consolidated
EBITDA, as defined, minus 1.3 times its Consolidated Interest
Expense, as defined, plus 100% of new cash and appraised
non-cash equity proceeds received by CCO Holdings and not
allocated to certain investments, cumulatively from
October 1, 2003, plus $100 million; and |
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Charter Operating: the sum of 100% of Charter Operatings
Consolidated EBITDA, as defined, minus 1.3 times its
Consolidated Interest Expense, as defined, plus 100% of new cash
and appraised non-cash equity proceeds received by Charter
Operating and not allocated to certain investments, cumulatively
from April 1, 2004, plus $100 million. |
In addition, each of the note issuers may make distributions or
restricted payments, so long as no default exists or would be
caused by transactions among other distributions or restricted
payments:
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to repurchase management equity interests in amounts not to
exceed $10 million per fiscal year; |
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regardless of the existence of any default, to pay pass-through
tax liabilities in respect of ownership of equity interests in
the applicable issuer or its restricted subsidiaries; or |
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to make other specified restricted payments including merger
fees up to 1.25% of the transaction value, repurchases using
concurrent new issuances, and certain dividends on existing
subsidiary preferred equity interests. |
Each of CCH I, CCH II, CCO Holdings, and Charter
Operating and their respective restricted subsidiaries may make
distributions or restricted payments: (i) so long as
certain defaults do not exist and even if the applicable
leverage test referred to above is not met, to enable certain of
its parents to pay interest on certain of their indebtedness or
(ii) so long as the applicable issuer could incur $1.00 of
indebtedness under the applicable leverage ratio test referred
to above, to enable certain of its parents to purchase, redeem
or refinance certain indebtedness.
Restrictions on Investments
Each of the note issuers and their respective restricted
subsidiaries may not make investments except (i) permitted
investments or (ii) if, after giving effect to the
transaction, their leverage would be above the applicable
leverage ratio.
Permitted investments include, among others:
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investments in and generally among restricted subsidiaries or by
restricted subsidiaries in the applicable issuer; |
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investments in productive assets (including through equity
investments) aggregating up to $150 million since March
1999; |
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other investments aggregating up to $50 million since March
1999; and |
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investments aggregating up to 100% of new cash equity proceeds
received by Charter Holdings since March 1999 and not allocated
to the debt incurrence or restricted payments covenant; |
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investments aggregating up to $750 million at any time
outstanding; |
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investments aggregating up to 100% of new cash equity proceeds
received by CIH since March 1999 and not allocated to the debt
incurrence or restricted payments covenant (as if CIH had been
in existence at all times during such periods); |
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investments aggregating up to $750 million at any time
outstanding; |
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investments aggregating up to 100% of new cash equity proceeds
received by CCH I since September 28, 2005 to the extent
the proceeds have not been allocated to the restricted payments
covenant; |
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investments aggregating up to $750 million at any time
outstanding; |
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investments aggregating up to 100% of new cash equity proceeds
received by CCH II since September 23, 2003 to the
extent the proceeds have not been allocated to the restricted
payments covenant; |
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investments aggregating up to $750 million at any time
outstanding; |
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investments aggregating up to 100% of new cash equity proceeds
received by CCO Holdings since November 10, 2003 to the
extent the proceeds have not been allocated to the restricted
payments covenant; |
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investments aggregating up to $750 million at any time
outstanding; |
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investments aggregating up to 100% of new cash equity proceeds
received by CCO Holdings since April 27, 2004 to the extent
the proceeds have not been allocated to the restricted payments
covenant. |
Restrictions on Liens
Charter Operating and its restricted subsidiaries are not
permitted to grant liens senior to the liens securing the
Charter Operating notes, other than permitted liens, on their
assets to secure indebtedness or other obligations, if, after
giving effect to such incurrence, the senior secured leverage
ratio (generally, the ratio of obligations secured by first
priority liens to four times EBITDA, as defined, for the most
recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial reports are
available) would exceed 3.75 to 1.0. The restrictions on liens
for each of the other note issuers only applies to liens on
assets of the issuers themselves and does not restrict liens on
assets of subsidiaries. With respect to all of the note issuers,
permitted liens include liens securing indebtedness and other
obligations under credit facilities (subject to specified
limitations in the case of Charter Operating), liens securing
the purchase price of financed new assets, liens securing
indebtedness of up to $50 million and other specified liens.
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Restrictions on the Sale of Assets; Mergers
The note issuers are generally not permitted to sell all or
substantially all of their assets or merge with or into other
companies unless their leverage ratio after any such transaction
would be no greater than their leverage ratio immediately prior
to the transaction, or unless after giving effect to the
transaction, leverage would be below the applicable leverage
ratio for the applicable issuer, no default exists, and the
surviving entity is a U.S. entity that assumes the
applicable notes.
The note issuers and their restricted subsidiaries may generally
not otherwise sell assets or, in the case of restricted
subsidiaries, issue equity interests, in excess of
$100 million unless they receive consideration at least
equal to the fair market value of the assets or equity
interests, consisting of at least 75% in cash, assumption of
liabilities, securities converted into cash within 60 days
or productive assets. The note issuers and their restricted
subsidiaries are then required within 365 days after any
asset sale either to use or commit to use the net cash proceeds
over a specified threshold to acquire assets used or useful in
their businesses or use the net cash proceeds to repay specified
debt, or to offer to repurchase the issuers notes with any
remaining proceeds.
Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions
The note issuers and their restricted subsidiaries may generally
not engage in sale and leaseback transactions unless, at the
time of the transaction, the applicable issuer could have
incurred secured indebtedness under its leverage ratio test in
an amount equal to the present value of the net rental payments
to be made under the lease, and the sale of the assets and
application of proceeds is permitted by the covenant restricting
asset sales.
Prohibitions on Restricting Dividends
The note issuers restricted subsidiaries may generally not
enter into arrangements involving restrictions on their ability
to make dividends or distributions or transfer assets to the
applicable note issuer unless those restrictions with respect to
financing arrangements are on terms that are no more restrictive
than those governing the credit facilities existing when they
entered into the applicable indentures or are not materially
more restrictive than customary terms in comparable financings
and will not materially impair the applicable note issuers
ability to make payments on the notes.
Affiliate Transactions
The indentures also restrict the ability of the note issuers and
their restricted subsidiaries to enter into certain transactions
with affiliates involving consideration in excess of
$15 million without a determination by the board of
directors of the applicable note issuer that the transaction
complies with this covenant, or transactions with affiliates
involving over $50 million without receiving an opinion as
to the fairness to the holders of such transaction from a
financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or
investment banking firm of national standing. See
Description of the Old Notes Events of
Default.
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK AND MEMBERSHIP UNITS
General
Charters capital stock and the provisions of the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Charter are as
described below. These summaries are qualified by reference to
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of
Charter, copies of which have been filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Charters authorized capital stock
consists of 1.750 billion shares of Class A common
stock, par value $.001 per share, 750 million shares
of Class B common stock, par value $.001 per share,
and 250 million shares of preferred stock, par value
$.001 per share.
On July 24, 2007, in connection with the Rights Agreement
our board of directors adopted a resolution approving the
increase of our authorized shares of Class A common stock
to 10.5 billion shares and an increase in our authorized
shares of Class B common stock to 4.5 billion shares,
of which 8.750 billion shares of Class A common stock
and 3.750 billion shares of Class B common stock will
be authorized for issuance solely upon the exercise or exchange
of rights pursuant to the Rights Agreement, as further described
in Amendment No. 1 to Charters preliminary
information statement filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on September 10, 2007. The increase in our
authorized capital stock will take effect when we file the
Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the
State of Delaware, twenty days after the definitive information
statement is mailed to our stockholders.
The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Charter and Charter
Holdcos amended and restated limited liability company
agreement contain provisions that are designed to cause the
number of shares of Charters common stock that are
outstanding to equal the number of common membership units of
Charter Holdco owned by Charter and to cause the value of a
share of common stock to be equal to the value of a common
membership unit. These provisions are meant to allow a holder of
Charters common stock to easily understand the economic
interest that such holders common shares represent of
Charter Holdcos business.
In particular, provisions in the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Charter provide that:
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(1) at all times the number of shares of common stock
outstanding will be equal to the number of Charter Holdco common
membership units owned by Charter. |
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(2) Charter will not hold any assets other than, among
other allowable assets: |
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working capital and cash held for the payment of current
obligations and receivables from Charter Holdco; |
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common membership units of Charter Holdco; and |
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obligations and equity interests of Charter Holdco that
correspond to obligations and equity interests issued by Charter; |
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(3) Charter will not borrow any money or enter into any
capital lease unless Charter Holdco enters into the same
arrangements with Charter so that Charters liability flows
through to Charter Holdco. |
Provisions in Charter Holdcos amended and restated limited
liability company agreement provide that, upon the contribution
by Charter of assets acquired through the issuance of common
stock by Charter, Charter Holdco will issue to Charter that
number of common membership units as equals the number of shares
of common stock issued by Charter. In the event of the
contribution by Charter of assets acquired through the issuance
of indebtedness or preferred interests of Charter, Charter
Holdco will issue to Charter a corresponding obligation or
interest, respectively to allow Charter to pass through to
Charter Holdco these liabilities or preferred interests. Such
liabilities or preferred interest of Charter Holdco will be
assets of Charter, in addition to the Class B common units
of Charter Holdco that are held by Charter.
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Common Stock
As of June 30, 2007, there were 400,398,208 shares of
Class A common stock issued and outstanding and
50,000 shares of Class B common stock issued and
outstanding. If, as described below, all shares of Class B
common stock convert to shares of Class A common stock as a
result of dispositions by Mr. Allen and his affiliates, the
holders of Class A common stock will be entitled to elect
all members of the board of directors, other than any members
elected separately by the holders of any preferred shares with
the right to vote, of which there are currently none outstanding.
Voting Rights. The holders of Class A common
stock and Class B common stock generally have identical
rights, except:
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each Class A common shareholder is entitled to one vote per
share; and |
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each Class B common shareholder is entitled to a number of
votes based on the number of outstanding Class B common
stock and Charter Holdco membership units exchangeable for
Class B common stock. For example, Mr. Allen is
entitled to ten votes for each share of Class B common
stock held by him or his affiliates and ten votes for each
membership unit held by him or his affiliates; and |
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the Class B common shareholders have the sole power to vote
to amend or repeal the provisions of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Charter relating to: |
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(1) the activities in which Charter may engage; |
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(2) the required ratio of outstanding shares of common
stock to outstanding membership units owned by Charter; and |
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(3) the restrictions on the assets and liabilities that
Charter may hold. |
The effect of the provisions described in the final bullet point
is that holders of Class A common stock have no right to
vote on these matters. These provisions allow Mr. Allen,
for example, to amend the Restated Certificate of Incorporation
to permit Charter to engage in currently prohibited business
activities without having to seek the approval of holders of
Class A common stock.
The voting rights relating to the election of Charters
board of directors are as follows:
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The Class B common shareholders, voting separately as a
class, are entitled to elect all but one member of our board of
directors. |
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Class A and Class B common shareholders, voting
together as one class, are entitled to elect the remaining
member of our board of directors who is not elected by the
Class B common shareholders. |
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Class A common shareholders and Class B common
shareholders are not entitled to cumulate their votes in the
election of directors. |
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In addition, Charter may issue one or more series of preferred
stock that entitle the holders of such preferred stock to elect
directors. |
Other than the election of directors and any matters where
Delaware law or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws of Charter requires otherwise, all matters to be voted on
by shareholders must be approved by a majority of the votes cast
by the holders of shares of Class A common stock and
Class B common stock present in person or represented by
proxy, voting together as a single class, subject to any voting
rights granted to holders of any preferred stock.
Amendments to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Charter that would adversely alter or change the powers,
preferences or special rights of the Class A common stock
or the Class B common stock must be approved by a majority
of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of the
outstanding shares of the affected class, voting as a separate
class. In addition, the following actions by Charter must
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be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a
majority of the voting power of the outstanding Class B
common stock, voting as a separate class:
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the issuance of any Class B common stock other than to
Mr. Allen and his affiliates and other than pursuant to
specified stock splits and dividends; |
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the issuance of any stock other than Class A common stock
(and other than Class B common stock as described
above); and |
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the amendment, modification or repeal of any provision of the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Charter relating to
capital stock or the removal of directors. |
Charter will lose its rights to manage the business of Charter
Holdco and Charter Investment, Inc. will become the sole manager
of Charter Holdco if at any time a court holds that the holders
of the Class B common stock no longer:
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have the number of votes per share of Class B common stock
described above; |
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have the right to elect, voting separately as a class, all but
one member of Charters board of directors, except for any
directors elected separately by the holders of preferred
stock; or |
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have the right to vote as a separate class on matters that
adversely affect the Class B common stock with respect to: |
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(1) the issuance of equity securities of Charter other than
the Class A common stock; or |
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(2) the voting power of the Class B common stock. |
These provisions are contained in the amended and restated
limited liability company agreement of Charter Holdco. The
Class B common stock could lose these rights if a holder of
Class A common stock successfully challenges in a court
proceeding the voting rights of the Class B common stock.
In any of these circumstances, Charter would also lose its 100%
voting control of Charter Holdco as provided in Charter
Holdcos amended and restated limited liability company
agreement. These provisions exist to assure Mr. Allen that
he will be able to control Charter Holdco in the event he was no
longer able to control Charter through his ownership of
Class B common stock. These events could have a material
adverse impact on our business and the market price of the
Class A common stock and the notes.
Dividends. Holders of Class A common stock
and Class B common stock will share ratably (based on the
number of shares of common stock held) in any dividend declared
by our board of directors, subject to any preferential rights of
any outstanding preferred stock. Dividends consisting of shares
of Class A common stock and Class B common stock may
be paid only as follows:
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shares of Class A common stock may be paid only to holders
of Class A common stock; |
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shares of Class B common stock may be paid only to holders
of Class B common stock; and |
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the number of shares of each class of common stock payable per
share of such class of common stock shall be equal in number. |
The restated certificate of incorporation of Charter provides
that we may not pay a stock dividend unless the number of
outstanding Charter Holdco common membership units are adjusted
accordingly. This provision is designed to maintain the equal
value between shares of common stock and membership units and
the one-to-one exchange
ratio.
Conversion of Class B Common Stock. Each
share of outstanding Class B common stock will
automatically convert into one share of Class A common
stock if, at any time, Mr. Allen or any of his affiliates
sells any shares of common stock of Charter or membership units
of Charter Holdco and as a
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result of such sale, Mr. Allen and his affiliates no longer
own directly and indirectly common stock and other equity
interests in Charter and membership units in Charter Holdco that
in total represent at least:
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20% of the sum of the values, calculated as of November 12,
1999, of the shares of Class B common stock directly or
indirectly owned by Mr. Allen and his affiliates and the
shares of Class B common stock for which outstanding
Charter Holdco membership units directly or indirectly owned by
Mr. Allen and his affiliates were exchangeable on that
date; and |
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5% of the sum of the values, calculated as of the measuring
date, of shares of outstanding common stock and other equity
interests in Charter and the shares of Charter common stock for
which outstanding Charter Holdco membership units are
exchangeable on such date. |
These provisions exist to assure that Mr. Allen will no
longer be able to control Charter if after sales of his equity
interests he owns an insignificant economic interest in our
business. The conversion of all Class B common stock in
accordance with these provisions would not trigger Charter
Holdcos limited liability company agreement provisions
described above whereby Charter would lose its management rights
and special voting rights relating to Charter Holdco in the
event of an adverse determination of a court affecting the
rights of the Class B common stock.
Each holder of a share of Class B common stock has the
right to convert such share into one share of Class A
common stock at any time on a one-for-one basis. If a
Class B common shareholder transfers any shares of
Class B common stock to a person other than an authorized
Class B common shareholder, these shares of Class B
common stock will automatically convert into shares of
Class A common stock. Authorized Class B common
shareholders are Paul G. Allen entities controlled by
Mr. Allen, Mr. Allens estate, any organization
qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code that is Mr. Allens beneficiary upon his death
and certain trusts established by or for the benefit of
Mr. Allen. In this context controlled means the
ownership of more than 50% of the voting power and economic
interest of an entity and transfer means the
transfer of record or beneficial ownership of any such share of
Class B common stock.
Other Rights. Shares of Class A common stock
will be treated equally in the event of any merger or
consolidation of Charter so that:
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each class of common shareholders will receive per share the
same kind and amount of capital stock, securities, cash and/or
other property received by any other class of common
shareholders, provided that any shares of capital stock so
received may differ in a manner similar to the manner in which
the shares of Class A common stock and Class B common
stock differ; or |
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each class of common shareholders, to the extent they receive a
different kind (other than as described above) or different
amount of capital stock, securities, cash and/or other property
than that received by any other class of common shareholders,
will receive for each share of common stock they hold, stock,
securities, cash and/or either property having a value
substantially equivalent to that received by such other class of
common shareholders. |
Upon Charters liquidation, dissolution or winding up,
after payment in full of the amounts required to be paid to
preferred shareholders, if any, all common shareholders,
regardless of class, are entitled to share ratably in any assets
and funds available for distribution to common shareholders.
No shares of any class of common stock are subject to redemption
or have preemptive right to purchase additional shares of common
stock.
Preferred Stock
Charters board of directors is authorized, subject to the
approval of the holders of the Class B common stock, to
issue from time to time up to a total of 250 million shares
of preferred stock in one or
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more series and to fix the numbers, powers, designations,
preferences, and any special rights of the shares of each such
series thereof, including:
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dividend rights and rates; |
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conversion rights; |
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voting rights; |
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terms of redemption (including any sinking fund provisions) and
redemption price or prices; |
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liquidation preferences; and |
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the number of shares constituting and the designation of such
series. |
Pursuant to their authority the board of directors has
designated 1 million of the above-described
250 million shares as Series A Convertible Redeemable
Preferred Stock (Series A Preferred Stock).
Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock have no voting
rights but are entitled to accrue dividends at an annual rate of
7.75%, compounded quarterly. The Series A Preferred Stock
is redeemable by Charter at its option and must be redeemed by
Charter at any time upon a change of control, or if not
previously redeemed or converted, on August 31, 2008. The
Series A Preferred Stock is convertible, in whole or in
part, at the option of the holders on or before August 31,
2008, into shares of common stock at an initial conversion rate
equal to a conversion price of $24.71 per share of common
stock, subject to certain customary adjustments. The redemption
price per share of Series A Preferred Stock is the
liquidation preference of $105.4063, subject to certain
customary adjustments. At June 30, 2007 and
December 31, 2006, there were 36,713 shares of
Series A Preferred Stock outstanding, with an aggregate
liquidation preference of approximately $4 million. These
shares are convertible into approximately 148,575 shares of
Class A common stock.
Charter has no present plans to issue any other shares of
preferred stock.
Options
As of June 30, 2007, options to purchase a total of
1,036,235 membership units in Charter Holdco were outstanding
pursuant to the 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan, and
options to purchase a total of 25,539,593 shares of
Class A common stock were outstanding pursuant to
Charters 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. Of these options,
11,452,718 have vested. The membership units received upon
exercise of any of the options under the 1999 Charter
Communications Option Plan are automatically exchanged for
shares of the Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis.
In addition, a portion of the unvested options will vest each
month. There are also additional options outstanding to purchase
an aggregate of 289,268 shares of Class A common
stock, which were issued to a consultant outside of the 2001
Stock Incentive Plan.
Old Notes
At June 30, 2007, we had outstanding $412.5 million
principal amount of the Old Notes, which are convertible (at
approximately $2.42 per share) into a total of
approximately 170.5 million shares of the Class A
common stock. At June 30, 2007, we had an additional
$450 million of Old Notes that were held by CCHC which were
subsequently distributed to Charter Holdco on August 1,
2007.
Anti-takeover Effects of Provisions of the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Charter
Provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws of Charter may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect
and may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or takeover
attempt that a shareholder might consider in its best interest,
including those attempts that might result in a premium over the
market price for the shares held by shareholders.
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Special Meeting of Shareholders. Charters
Bylaws provide that, subject to the rights of holders of any
series of preferred stock, special meetings of Charters
shareholders may be called only by the chairman of our board of
directors, our chief executive officer or a majority of our
board of directors.
Advance Notice Requirements For Shareholder Proposals And
Director Nominations. Charters Bylaws provide that
shareholders seeking to bring business before an annual meeting
of shareholders, or to nominate candidates for election as
directors at an annual meeting of shareholders, must provide
timely prior written notice of their proposals. To be timely, a
shareholders notice must be received at our principal
executive offices not less than 45 days nor more than
70 days prior to the first anniversary of the date on which
we first mailed the proxy statement for the prior years
annual meeting. If, however, the date of the annual meeting is
more than 30 days before or after the anniversary date of
the prior years annual meeting, notice by the shareholder
must be received not less than 90 days prior to the annual
meeting or by the 10th day following the public
announcement of the date of the meeting, whichever occurs later,
and not more than 120 days prior to the annual meeting.
Charters Bylaws specify requirements as to the form and
content of a shareholders notice. These provisions may
limit shareholders in bringing matters before an annual meeting
of shareholders or in making nominations for directors at an
annual meeting of shareholders.
Authorized But Unissued Shares. The authorized but
unissued shares of Class A common stock are available for
future issuance without shareholder approval and, subject to
approval by the holders of the Class B common stock, the
authorized but unissued shares of Class B common stock and
preferred stock are available for future issuance. These
additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate
purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional
capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The
existence of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and
preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an
attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest,
tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Rights Plan. On August 13, 2007, the Board
adopted a Rights Plan and declared a dividend of one preferred
share purchase right for each outstanding share of Class A
common stock and Class B common stock. The dividend is
payable to Charter stockholders of record as of August 31,
2007. The terms of the rights and the rights plan are set forth
in a Rights Agreement, by and between Charter and Mellon
Investor Services LLC, a New Jersey limited liability company,
as Rights Agent, dated as of August 14, 2007.
The Board adopted the Rights Plan in an effort to protect
stockholder value by attempting to protect against a possible
limitation on our ability to use our NOLs to reduce potential
future federal income tax obligations. The Rights Plan is
intended to act as a deterrent to any person or group acquiring
5.0% or more of our outstanding Class A common stock (an
Acquiring Person) without the approval of our Board.
The holdings of independently managed mutual funds should not be
combined for purposes of calculating ownership percentages under
the Rights Plan. Stockholders who own 5.0% or more of our
outstanding Class A common stock as of the close of
business on August 13, 2007 will not trigger the Rights
Plan so long as they do not acquire any additional shares of our
Class A common stock. The Rights Plan does not exempt any
future acquisitions of Class A common stock by such
persons. Any rights held by an Acquiring Person are void and may
not be exercised. Our Board may, in its sole discretion, exempt
any person or group from being deemed an Acquiring Person for
purposes of the Rights Plan.
The rights under the Rights Plan will not be exercisable until
10 business days after a public announcement by us that a person
or group has become an Acquiring Person. We refer to the date
that the rights become exercisable as the Distribution
Date. Until the Distribution Date, our Class A common
stock and Class B common stock certificates will evidence
the rights and will contain a notation to that effect. Any
transfer of shares of Class A common stock and/or
Class B common stock will constitute a transfer of the
associated rights.
Except as may be determined by the Board, with the consent of a
majority of the shares of Class B common stock, after the
Distribution Date, we will exchange all of the then-outstanding,
valid and exercisable rights, except rights held by any
Acquiring Person or any affiliate, associate or transferee of
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any Acquiring Person, for 2.5 shares of Class A common
stock and/or Class B common stock, as applicable, or an
equivalent security.
If the Board and the holders of the majority of the Class B
common stock determine that the exchange will not occur after
the Distribution Date, all holders of rights, except any
Acquiring Person or any affiliate, associate or transferee of
any Acquiring Person, may exercise their rights upon payment of
the purchase price to purchase five (5) shares of our
Class A common stock and/or Class B common stock, as
applicable (or other securities or assets as determined by our
Board) at a 50% discount to the then current market price.
Further, upon an issuance of Class A common stock and/or
Class B common stock under the Rights Plan, additional
membership units will be issued to the Company, as holder of the
Class B common membership units, by Charter Holdco to
mirror at Charter Holdco the economic effect of such issuance of
common stock. Holders of the Charter Holdco common membership
units that are convertible into shares of our Class B
common stock will have equivalent rights which may be exercised,
on generally the same terms and conditions as set forth in the
Rights Plan, for additional Charter Holdco common membership
units.
The rights and the Rights Plan will expire on the earlier of:
(i) a determination by holders of a majority of the shares
of Class B common stock to terminate the Rights Plan,
(ii) the close of business on December 31, 2008,
(iii) the close of business on the date on which we make a
public announcement (by press release, filing made with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise) that our Board
has determined that the Companys Section 382
Ownership Level (as defined in the Rights Plan) dropped below
25%, (iv) the time at which the rights are redeemed as
provided in the Rights Plan, and (v) the time at which the
rights are exchanged as provided in the Rights Plan.
Before the Distribution Date, our Board may amend or supplement
the Rights Plan without the consent of the holders of the Rights
in respect of our Class A common stock. After the
Distribution Date, our Board may amend or supplement the Rights
Plan only to cure an ambiguity, to alter time period provisions,
to correct inconsistent provisions, or to make any additional
changes to the Rights Plan, but only to the extent that those
changes do not impair or adversely affect any rights holder and
do not result in the rights again becoming redeemable.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and the Rights Agent
shall not supplement or amend the Rights Plan without the prior
approval of the holders of a majority of the Class B common
stock.
Membership Units of Charter Holdco
The Charter Holdco limited liability company agreement provides
for three separate classes of common membership units designed
Class A, Class B and Class C and one class of
preferred membership units designated Class A. As of
June 30, 2007, there were 739,580,239 Charter Holdco common
membership units issued and outstanding, 400,448,208 of which
were held by Charter.
Class A Common Membership Units. As of
June 30, 2007, there were a total of 324,300,479 issued and
outstanding Class A common membership units, consisting of
217,585,246 units owned by CII and 106,715,233 units
owned by Vulcan Cable.
Class B Common Membership Units. As of
June 30, 2007, there were a total of 400,448,208 issued and
outstanding Class B common membership units, all of which
are owned by Charter.
Class C Common Membership Units. As of
June 30, 2007, there were a total of 14,831,552 issued and
outstanding Class C common membership units, consisting of
5,233,612 units owned by CII and 9,597,940 units owned
by Vulcan Cable.
Convertible Preferred Membership Units. As of
June 30, 2007, there were a total of 36,713 issued and
outstanding convertible preferred membership units. These units
are owned by Charter and mirror the terms of Charters
Series A Preferred Stock.
Any matter requiring a vote of the members of Charter Holdco
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the Class B
common membership units. Charter owns all Class B common
membership units
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and therefore controls Charter Holdco. Because Mr. Allen
owns high vote Class B common stock of Charter that
entitles him to approximately 91% of the voting power of the
outstanding common stock of Charter. Mr. Allen controls us
and through us has voting control of Charter Holdco.
The net cash proceeds that Charter receives from any issuance of
shares of common stock will be immediately transferred to
Charter Holdco in exchange for membership units equal in number
to the number of shares of common stock issued by Charter.
In addition, in October 2005 a settlement was reached in a
dispute concerning the ownership of 24,273,943 units of CC
VIII, LLC. As part of the settlement, CII received an accreting
exchangeable note of CCHC, LLC with an initial value of
$48 million, accreting at 14%, compounded quarterly, with a
15-year maturity. The
note is exchangeable, at CIIs option, at any time, for
Charter Holdco Class A common units at a rate equal to then
accreted value, divided by $2.00 (the Exchange
Rate). Customary anti-dilution protections have been
provided that could cause future changes to the Exchange Rate.
Additionally, the Charter Holdco Class A common units
received will be exchangeable by the holder into Charter
Class A common stock in accordance with existing agreements
between CII, Charter and certain other parties signatory
thereto. Beginning three years and four months after the closing
of the Settlement, if the closing price of Charter Class A
common stock is at or above the Exchange Rate for a certain
period of time as specified in the Exchange Agreement, Charter
Holdco may require the exchange of the Note for Charter Holdco
Class A units at the Exchange Rate.
Exchange Agreement
Charter is a party to an agreement permitting Vulcan
Cable III Inc., CII and any other affiliate of
Mr. Allen to exchange at any time on a one-for-one basis
any or all of their Charter Holdco common membership units for
shares of Class B common stock. This exchange may occur
directly or, at the election of the exchanging holder,
indirectly through a tax-free reorganization such as a share
exchange or a statutory merger of any Allen-controlled entity
with and into Charter or a wholly owned subsidiary of Charter.
In the case of an exchange in connection with a tax-free share
exchange or a statutory merger, shares of Class A common
stock held by Mr. Allen or the Allen-controlled entity will
also be exchanged for Class B common stock. Mr. Allen
currently owns shares of Class A common stock as a result
of the exercise of put rights granted to sellers in the Falcon
acquisition and the Rifkin acquisition.
Charter Holdco common membership units held by Mr. Allen
and his affiliates are exchangeable at any time for shares of
the Class B common stock, which is then convertible into
shares of Class A common stock. The exchange agreement and
the 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan state that common
membership units are exchangeable for shares of common stock at
a value equal to the fair market value of the common membership
units. The exchange ratio of common membership units to shares
of Class A common stock will be one to one because Charter
and Charter Holdco have been structured so that the fair market
value of a share of the Class A common stock equals the
fair market value of a common membership unit owned by Charter.
Charters organizational documents achieve this result by
limiting the assets and liabilities that Charter may hold; and
requiring the number of shares of Charters common stock
outstanding at any time to equal the number of common membership
units owned by Charter.
If we fail to comply with these provisions or they are changed,
the exchange ratio may vary from one to one and will then be
based on a pre-determined formula contained in the exchange
agreements and the 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan. This
formula will be based on the then current relative fair market
values of common membership units and common stock.
Special Tax Allocation Provisions
Charter Holdcos limited liability company agreement
contains a number of provisions affecting the allocation of net
tax losses and net tax profits to its members. In some
situations, these provisions could
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result in Charter having to pay income taxes in an amount that
is more or less than it would have had to pay if these
provisions did not exist.
Other Material Terms of the Amended and Restated Limited
Company Agreement of Charter Holdco
General. Charter Holdcos amended and
restated limited liability company agreement contains provisions
that permit each member (and its officers, directors, agents,
shareholders, members, partners or affiliates) to engage in
businesses that may compete with the businesses of Charter
Holdco or any subsidiary. However, the directors of Charter,
including Mr. Allen, are subject to fiduciary duties under
Delaware corporate law that generally require them to present
business opportunities in the cable transmission business to
Charter.
The amended and restated limited liability company agreement
restricts the business activities that Charter Holdco may engage
in.
Transfer Restrictions. The amended and restated
limited liability company agreement restricts the ability of
each member to transfer its membership interest unless specified
conditions have been met. These conditions include:
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the transfer will not result in the loss of any license or
regulatory approval or exemption that has been obtained by
Charter Holdco and is materially useful in its business as then
conducted or proposed to be conducted; |
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the transfer will not result in a material and adverse
limitation or restriction on the operations of Charter Holdco
and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; |
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the proposed transferee agrees in writing to be bound by the
limited liability company agreement; and |
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except for a limited number of permitted transfers under the
limited liability company agreement, the transfer has been
approved by the manager in its sole discretion. |
Amendments to the Limited Liability Company
Agreement. Any amendment to the limited liability
company agreement generally may be adopted only upon the
approval of a majority of the Class B common membership
units. The agreement may not be amended in a manner that
adversely affects the rights of any class of common membership
units without the consent of holders holding a majority of the
membership units of that class.
Registration Rights
Holders of Class B Common Stock. Charter,
Mr. Allen, CII and Vulcan Cable III Inc., are parties
to a registration rights agreement. The agreement gives
Mr. Allen and his affiliates the right to cause us to
register the shares of Class A common stock issued to them
upon conversion of any shares of Class B common stock that
they may hold.
This registration rights agreement provides that each eligible
holder is entitled to unlimited piggyback
registration rights permitting them to include their shares of
Class A common stock in registration statements filed by
us. These holders may also exercise their demand rights causing
us, subject to specified limitations, to register their
Class A shares, provided that the amount of shares subject
to each demand has a market value at least equal to
$50 million or, if the market value is less than
$50 million, all of the Class A shares of the holders
participating in the offering are included in such registration.
We are obligated to pay the costs associated with all such
registrations.
Holders may elect to have their shares registered pursuant to a
shelf registration statement if at the time of the election,
Charter is eligible to file a registration statement on
Form S-3 and the
amount of shares to be registered has a market value equal to at
least $100 million on the date of the election.
All shares of Class A common stock issuable to the
registration rights holders in exchange for Charter Holdco
membership units and upon conversion of outstanding Class B
common stock and conversion of
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Class B common stock issuable to the registration rights
holders upon exchange of Charter Holdco membership units are
subject to the registration rights described above.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for the Class A common
stock is Mellon Investor Services, LLC.
Share Lending Agreement
Because we believed there were not sufficient shares of the
Class A common stock available for investors to borrow when
we offered the Old Notes, and because we understood that the
shares that were available were relatively expensive to borrow,
we were concerned that, in order to sell the Old Notes, we would
be forced to offer terms that would have been unfavorable to us.
To address this concern, and to make it possible or less
expensive for prospective investors in the Old Notes to hedge
their investment, we entered into a share lending agreement,
dated November 22, 2004 (the Share Lending
Agreement), with Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
(Citigroup), as agent for Citigroup Global Markets
Limited (CGML), as borrower. Under the Share Lending
Agreement, we agreed to loan to CGML up to
150,000,000 shares of the Class A common stock on one
or more occasions prior to November 16, 2006 or, if
earlier, the date as of which all of the Old Notes cease to be
outstanding as the result of conversion, repurchase, redemption
or otherwise. We lent a total of 116.9 million shares to
CGML, of which 29.8 million remain outstanding (the
Borrowed Shares). We have no obligation to lend any
additional shares under the Share Lending Agreement.
CGML and the Company have agreed to amend and restate the Share
Lending Agreement to allow for the Borrowed Shares to remain
outstanding through the maturity of the New Notes. To the extent
you tender Old Notes in the Exchange Offer and you have a swap
transaction or an open share lending agreement with CGML or any
of its affiliates, you may want to contact CGML or such
affiliate in order to extend the maturity of your hedge, if
necessary. Charter has no rights or obligations pursuant to any
swap transaction or share lending agreement you may have with
CGML or such affiliate, and you should contact CGML or such
affiliate directly if you have any questions related thereto.
Under the amended and restated Share Lending Agreement, CGML has
agreed that it will not transfer or dispose of the Borrowed
Shares except for the purpose of directly or indirectly
facilitating the hedging of the Old Notes or the New Notes by
Holders. Any shares of the Class A common stock that
Citigroup returns to us to reduce its stock loan after such
shares have been sold into the public market pursuant to a
registration statement cannot be reborrowed.
Share loans under the Share Lending Agreement will terminate and
the Borrowed Shares must be returned to us:
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if and when CGML in its discretion terminates all or any portion
of a loan at any time; |
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if and when we terminate any or all of the outstanding loans
upon a default by CGML under the Share Lending Agreement,
including a breach by CGML of any of its representations and
warranties, covenants or agreements under such agreement or the
bankruptcy of CGML; or |
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on the maturity date for the New Notes or, sooner, if and when
all of the New Notes have been converted, repaid, redeemed or
are otherwise no longer outstanding. We will not otherwise have
the right to terminate any loan of Borrowed Shares. |
Under the Share Lending Agreement, CGML has agreed:
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to pay to us an amount equal to any cash dividends that we pay
on the Borrowed Shares, and |
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to pay or deliver to us any other distribution, in liquidation
or otherwise, that we make on the Borrowed Shares. |
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CGML has also agreed under the Share Lending Agreement that it
will not vote any Borrowed Shares of which it is the record
owner, and it will not transfer or dispose of any Borrowed
Shares except pursuant to a registration statement that is
effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
If the credit ratings of Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc.,
the guarantor of CGMLs obligations under the Share Lending
Agreement, decline below a specified level, CGML has agreed
under the Share Lending Agreement to post and maintain with
Citigroup, as collateral agent on Charters behalf,
collateral in the form of cash, government securities,
certificates of deposit, high grade commercial paper of
U.S. issuers or money market shares with a market value at
least equal to 100% of the market value of the Borrowed Shares
as security for the obligation of CGML to return the Borrowed
Shares to us when required.
In view of the contractual undertakings of CGML in the Share
Lending Agreement, which have the effect of substantially
eliminating the economic dilution that would otherwise result
from the issuance of the Borrowed Shares, we believe that under
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles currently in
effect, the Borrowed Shares will not be considered outstanding
for the purpose of computing and reporting Charters
earnings per share.
Charters issuance of shares of the Class A common
stock pursuant to the Share Lending Agreement is essentially
analogous to a sale of shares coupled with a forward contract
for the reacquisition of the shares at a future date. An
instrument that requires physical settlement by repurchase of a
fixed number of shares in exchange for cash is considered a
forward purchase instrument. While the Share Lending Agreement
does not require a cash payment upon return of the shares,
physical settlement is required (i.e., the loaned shares must be
returned at the end of the arrangement). The fair value of the
remaining 29.8 million shares of Class A common stock
lent in the three share borrow transactions is approximately
$121 million as of June 30, 2007. However, the net
effect on shareholders deficit of the Share Lending
Agreement (exclusive of the adjustment for the fair value of the
stock borrow facility discussed below) which includes our
requirement to lend the shares and the counterparties
requirement to return the shares, is to increase equity by
$116,900 which represents the cash received upon lending of the
shares and is equal to the par value of the common stock to be
issued.
The shares issued are required to be returned, in accordance
with the contractual arrangement, and are treated in basic and
diluted earnings per share as if they were already returned and
retired. Consequently, there is no impact of the
29.8 million shares of Class A common stock issued and
still outstanding subject to the Share Lending Agreement in the
earnings per share calculation. However, the shares are
nonetheless issued and outstanding and are eligible for trading
in The Nasdaq Global Market. Accordingly, the increase in supply
of shares may have an adverse impact on the trading price of the
Class A common stock. Accordingly, the existence of the
Share Lending Agreement and the short positions established in
connection with facilitating the hedging of the Old Notes and
New Notes could have the effect of causing the market price of
the Class A common stock to be lower over the term of the
Share Lending Agreement than it would have been had we not
entered into the agreement, but we believe that entering into
the Share Lending Agreement was in our best interests and the
best interests of Charters shareholders as it facilitated
the sale of the Old Notes, and will facilitate this Exchange
Offer, on terms more favorable to us than we could have
otherwise obtained.
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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
As of June 30, 2007, we had 400,398,208 shares of
Class A common stock issued and outstanding, all of which
are eligible for immediate resale (subject to limitations of
Rule 144 in the case of shares held by affiliates).
As of June 30, 2007, the following additional shares of
Class A common stock are or will be issuable after giving
effect to this exchange offer:
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339,132,031 shares of Class A common stock are
issuable upon conversion of Class B common stock issuable
upon exchange of Charter Holdco membership units held by Vulcan
Cable and CII. These membership units are exchangeable for
shares of Class B common stock on a one-for-one basis.
Shares of Class B common stock are convertible into shares
of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. |
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30,316,305 shares of Class A common stock are issuable
upon the exchange of Charter Holdco membership units issuable in
exchange for a subordinated exchangeable note of CCHC with an
initial accreted value of $48 million, accreting at 14%,
compounded quarterly, with a
15-year maturity. The
note is exchangeable, at Charter Investment, Inc.s option,
at any time, for Holdco membership units at a rate equal to then
accreted value, divided by $2.00. |
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50,000 shares of Class A common stock will be issuable
upon conversion of outstanding Class B common stock on a
one-for-one basis. |
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Up to 90,000,000 shares of Class A common stock (or
units exchangeable for Class A common stock) are authorized
for issuance pursuant to Charters 2001 Stock Incentive
Plan and 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan. At
June 30, 2007, 4,529,237 shares had been issued under
the plans upon exercise of options, 3,740,726 shares had
been issued upon vesting of restricted stock grants, and
2,230,271 shares are subject to future vesting under
restricted stock agreements. Of the remaining
79,499,766 shares covered by the plans, as of June 30,
2007, 26,575,828 were subject to outstanding options (43% of
which were vested), and there were 21,149,555 performance units
granted under Charters long-term incentive program, which
will vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant
conditional upon Charters performance against financial
targets approved by the board of directors at the time of the
awards. As of June 30, 2007, 34,842,212 shares
remained available for future grant under the plans. |
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42,613,636 shares of Class A common stock are issuable
upon conversion of the Old Notes assuming 75% of the Old Notes
are tendered in this Exchange Offer. |
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115,157,327 shares of Class A common stock are
expected to be issuable upon conversion of the New Notes
assuming 75% of the Old Notes are tendered in the Exchange Offer
and assuming a conversion price of $3.90. |
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All of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon
exchange of Charter Holdco membership units and upon conversion
of shares of the Class B common stock are subject to demand
and piggyback registration rights.
A registration statement on
Form S-8 covering
the Class A common stock issuable pursuant to the exercise
of options under the 1999 Charter Communications Option Plan was
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in May 2000
and registration statements on
Form S-8 covering
shares issuable under the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan were filed
in May 2001 and November 2003. The shares of Class A common
stock covered by the
Form S-8
registration statements generally may be resold in the public
market without restriction or limitation, except in the case of
our affiliates who generally may only resell such shares in
accordance with the provisions of Rule 144 of the
Securities Act of 1933.
The sale of a substantial number of shares of Class A
common stock, or the perception that such sales could occur,
could adversely affect prevailing market prices for the
Class A common stock. In addition, any such sale or
perception could make it more difficult for us to sell equity
securities or equity related securities in the future at a time
and price that we deem appropriate.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW NOTES
The New Notes will be issued under an indenture to be dated on
or about October 2, 2007 between us and The Bank of New
York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. Copies of the indenture
will be made available upon request to us. We have summarized
portions of the indenture below. This summary is not complete.
We urge you to read the indenture because it defines your rights
as a holder of the New Notes. In this section, Charter
Communications, Inc., we, our and
us each refers only to Charter Communications, Inc.
and not to any existing or future subsidiary.
General
The New Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of Charter
Communications, Inc. and will be convertible into our
Class A common stock as described under
Conversion Rights below. The New Notes
initially will be limited to an aggregate principal amount of up
to $793,443,000 and will mature on October 1, 2027, subject
to earlier conversion or repurchase at the option of the holders
or earlier redemption at our option.
The New Notes will bear interest at the rate of 6.50% per
year on the principal amount from the date of original issuance
of the New Notes, or from the most recent date to which interest
had been paid or provided for. Interest is payable semi-annually
in arrears on October 1 and April 1 of each year,
commencing April 1, 2008 to holders of record at the close
of business on the preceding September 15 and
March 15, respectively. Interest will be computed on the
basis of a 360-day year
comprised of twelve
30-day months. In the
event of the maturity, conversion or repurchase by us at the
option of the holder or redemption of a New Note at our option,
interest will cease to accrue on the New Note under the terms of
and subject to the conditions of the indenture.
Principal is payable, and New Notes may be presented for
conversion, registration of transfer and exchange, without
service charge, at our office or agency in New York, New York,
which is initially the office or agency of the trustee in New
York, New York. See Book Entry, Delivery and Form.
The indenture will not contain any financial covenants or any
restrictions on the payment of dividends, the incurrence of
senior or other indebtedness, or the issuance or repurchase of
securities by us. The indenture will not contain any covenants
or other provisions to protect holders of the New Notes in the
event of a highly leveraged transaction or a fundamental change,
except to the extent described under
Fundamental Change Requires Us to Repurchase
New Notes at the Option of the Holder below.
The indenture will provide for the issuance of additional notes
under the indenture having identical terms and conditions as the
New Notes offered hereby, except for any difference in the issue
price and interest accrued prior to the issue day of the
additional notes; provided that such additional notes are
fungible with the New Notes for U.S. federal income tax
purposes. Any additional notes will be part of the same issue as
the New Notes offered hereby and will vote on all matters with
the New Notes offered hereby. For purposes of this
Description of the New Notes, references to the New
Notes includes additional notes except as otherwise indicated.
Ranking
The New Notes will be our unsecured and unsubordinated
obligations. The New Notes will rank, in right of payment, the
same as all of our existing and future unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness, including the Old Notes. Currently,
$450 million of Old Notes are held by Charter Holdco and we
anticipate that any Old Notes accepted by Charter Holdco in the
Exchange Offer will remain outstanding until at least
November 16, 2007 and not be cancelled in connection with
the Exchange Offer. The New Notes will rank senior in right of
payment to all of our subordinated indebtedness and will be
effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness, and
structurally subordinated to indebtedness and other liabilities
of our subsidiaries.
As of June 30, 2007, Charter Communications, Inc. had no
secured indebtedness (other than the Old Notes to the extent the
Pledged Securities secure the interest payment on the Old Notes
due on
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November 16, 2007) and our subsidiaries had total
indebtedness and other liabilities of $21.1 billion,
excluding intercompany obligations.
Conversion Rights
The conversion price of the New Notes initially will equal the
Average Price times 1.3. At any time prior to the close of
business on the business day prior to the maturity date, holders
may convert their New Notes into shares of our Class A
common stock at an initial conversion rate equal to
$1,000 divided by the conversion price, rounded to
four decimal points, unless previously redeemed or
repurchased. The initial conversion price and initial conversion
rate of the New Notes will be based on the Average Price as set
forth in the table on the cover to this Exchange Offer
Prospectus. The conversion rate and the equivalent conversion
price in effect at any given time are referred to as the
applicable conversion rate and the applicable
conversion price, respectively, and will be subject to
adjustment as set forth in Conversion Rate
Adjustments below. A holder may convert fewer than all of
such holders New Notes so long as the New Notes converted
are a multiple of $1,000 principal amount.
Upon conversion of a New Note, a holder will not receive any
cash payment of interest (unless such conversion occurs between
a regular record date and the interest payment date to which it
relates) and we will not adjust the conversion rate to account
for accrued and unpaid interest. Our delivery to the holder of
cash and shares, if any, of our Class A common stock into
which a New Note is convertible shall satisfy our obligations
with respect to such New Note. Except to the extent we are
required to make payments in respect of such obligations, any
accrued but unpaid interest will be deemed to be paid in full
upon conversion, rather than cancelled, extinguished or
forfeited. For a discussion of the tax treatment to a holder
receiving our Class A common stock upon conversion, see
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.
Holders of New Notes at the close of business on a regular
record date will receive payment of interest payable on the
corresponding interest payment date notwithstanding the
conversion of such New Notes at any time after the close of
business on the applicable regular record date. New Notes
surrendered for conversion by a holder after the close of
business on any regular record date but prior to the next
interest payment date must be accompanied by payment of an
amount equal to the interest that the holder is to receive on
the New Notes; provided, however, that no such payment
need be made (1) if we have specified a redemption date
that is after a record date and on or prior to the next interest
payment date, (2) if we have specified a repurchase date
following a fundamental change that is after a record date and
on or prior to the next interest payment date or (3) unless
any overdue interest exists at the time of conversion with
respect to such New Note and then only to the extent of such
overdue interest.
If a holder converts New Notes, we will pay any documentary,
stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on the issue of
shares of our Class A common stock upon the conversion, if
any, unless the tax is due because the holder requests the
shares to be issued or delivered to a person other than the
holder, in which case the holder will pay that tax.
If a holder wishes to exercise its conversion right, such holder
must deliver an irrevocable duly completed conversion notice,
together, if the New Notes are in certificated form, with the
certificated security, to the conversion agent along with
appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, if required,
and pay any transfer or similar tax, if required. The date a
holder makes such required deliveries is the conversion date for
the New Notes converted. The conversion agent will, on the
holders behalf, convert the New Notes into shares of our
Class A common stock, subject to our right to deliver cash
or a combination of cash and Class A common stock. Holders
may obtain copies of the required form of the conversion notice
from the conversion agent. A certificate, or a book-entry
transfer through The Depository Trust Company, New York, New
York, or DTC, for the number of full shares of our Class A
common stock into which any New Notes are converted, together
with a cash payment for any fractional shares and cash or
shares, if applicable, with respect to any Redemption Make Whole
Amount as described under Redemption Make
Whole Upon Conversion below, will be delivered through the
conversion agent on
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the conversion settlement date, which will be as
soon as practicable, but no later than the fifth business day
following the conversion date, unless we elect cash settlement
as described under Cash Settlement
Option below. The trustee will initially act as the
conversion agent.
New Notes called for redemption may be surrendered for
conversion at any time prior to the close of business on the
business day immediately preceding the redemption date. If a
holder has already delivered a purchase notice as described
under Fundamental Change Requires Us to
Repurchase New Notes at the Option of the Holder with
respect to a New Note, however, the holder may not surrender
that New Note for conversion until the holder has withdrawn the
purchase notice in accordance with the indenture.
Upon conversion, we will have the right to deliver, in lieu of
shares of our Class A common stock, cash or a combination
of cash and Class A common stock. We will inform converting
holders through the trustee no later than the business day prior
to the first day of the conversion averaging period if we elect
to pay cash in lieu of delivering shares and will specify in
such notice the percentage of the shares otherwise deliverable
for which we will pay cash, unless we have already informed
holders of our election in a notice of redemption for the New
Notes, as described under Redemption
below. If we elect to pay holders cash upon conversion, such
payment will be based on the conversion average price of our
Class A common stock. If we elect cash settlement, the
conversion settlement date on which we deliver the
cash and shares of our Class A common stock, if any,
together with the cash or shares, if applicable, with respect to
any Redemption Make Whole Amount, to converting holders will be
the third business day following the determination of the
conversion average price. We will deliver cash in lieu of any
fractional shares of our Class A common stock issuable in
connection with any conversion of New Notes based upon the
conversion average price.
The conversion average price of our Class A
common stock means, with respect to any conversion of New Notes,
the average of the sale prices of our Class A common stock
over the 20 trading day period (the conversion averaging
period): (i) with respect to a conversion date
occurring during the period beginning on the date we give notice
of redemption and ending on the close of business on the
business day prior to the redemption date, beginning on the
redemption date; and (ii) in all other cases, beginning on
the third scheduled trading day immediately following the
applicable conversion date.
The sale price of our Class A common stock on
any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no
closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and asked
prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the
average bid and the average asked prices) on that date as
reported in transactions for the principal U.S. securities
exchange or market on which our common stock is traded or
quoted. The sale price will be determined without reference to
after-hours or extended market trading.
If our Class A common stock is not listed for trading or
quoted on a U.S. national or regional securities exchange
or market on the relevant date, the sale price will
be the last quoted bid price for our common stock on the Nasdaq
Capital Market or in the
over-the-counter market
on the relevant date as reported by Pink Sheets LLC or any
similar organization.
If our Class A common stock is not so quoted, the
sale price will be the average of the mid-point of
the last bid and asked prices for our common stock on the
relevant date from each of at least three nationally recognized
independent investment banking firms selected by us for this
purpose.
Trading day means a day during which trading in
securities generally occurs on the principal U.S. national
or regional securities exchange or market on which our
Class A common stock is then listed or quoted or, if our
Class A common stock is not then listed or quoted on a
national or regional securities exchange or market, on the
principal other market on which our Class A common stock is
then traded.
|
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|
Limitation on Beneficial Ownership |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no holder of New Notes will be
entitled to receive shares of our Class A common stock upon
conversion to the extent (but only to the extent) that such
receipt would
99
cause such converting holder to become, directly or indirectly,
a beneficial owner (within the meaning of
Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder) of more than the specified
percentage of the shares of Class A common stock
outstanding at such time. With respect to any conversion prior
to October 1, 2011, the specified percentage will be 4.9%,
and with respect to any conversion thereafter until the maturity
of the New Notes, the specified percentage will be 9.9%. Any
purported delivery of shares of our Class A common stock
upon conversion of New Notes shall be void and have no effect to
the extent (but only to the extent) that such delivery would
result in the converting holder becoming the beneficial owner of
more than the specified percentage of the shares of Class A
common stock outstanding at such time. If any delivery of shares
of our Class A common stock owed to a holder upon
conversion of New Notes is not made, in whole or in part, as a
result of these limitations, our obligation to make such
delivery shall not be extinguished and we shall deliver such
shares as promptly as practicable after, but in no event later
than two trading days after, any such converting holder gives
notice to us that such delivery would not result in it being the
beneficial owner of more than the specified percentage of the
shares of Class A common stock outstanding at such time.
Our Board has also recently adopted a Rights Plan and declared a
dividend of one preferred share purchase right for each
outstanding share of our Class A common stock and
Class B common stock. The Rights Plan is intended to act as
a deterrent to an Acquiring Person acquiring 5.0% or more of our
outstanding Class A common stock without the approval of
our Board. See Summary Recent
Events Rights Plan and Description of
Capital Stock and Membership Units.
|
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Redemption Make Whole Amount |
In addition to the conversion consideration, holders who convert
their New Notes after a notice of redemption and prior to
October 1, 2012 will receive upon such conversion the
present value of the interest on the New Notes converted that
would have been payable for the period from and including the
redemption date, to but excluding October 1, 2012, which we
refer to as the Redemption Make Whole Amount.
The Redemption Make Whole Amount will be calculated by
discounting the amount of such interest, on a semi-annual basis
using a discount rate equal to 3.0% plus the arithmetic mean of
the yields under the respective headings This Week
and Last Week published in the Statistical Release
under the caption Treasury Constant Maturities for
the maturity (rounded to the nearest month) corresponding to the
period from and including the redemption date to but excluding
October 1, 2012. If no maturity exactly corresponds to such
maturity, yields for the two published maturities most closely
corresponding to such maturity will be calculated pursuant to
the immediately preceding sentence and the applicable rate will
be interpolated or extrapolated from such yields on a
straight-line basis, rounding each of such relevant periods to
the nearest month. For the purpose of calculating the applicable
rate, the most recent Statistical Release published prior to the
date of determination of the Redemption Make Whole Amount
shall be used.
The term Statistical Release means the statistical
release designated H.15(519) or any successor
publication which is published weekly by the Federal Reserve
System and which establishes yields on actively traded U.S.
government securities adjusted to constant maturities or, if
such statistical release is not published at the time of any
determination under the indenture, then such other reasonably
comparable index that we will designate.
We may pay the Redemption Make Whole Amount in cash or in
shares of our Class A common stock, with the number of such
shares determined based on the average of the sale prices of our
Class A common stock over the 10 trading days immediately
preceding the applicable conversion date. If we elect to pay the
Redemption Make Whole Amount in shares of our Class A
common stock, the number of shares that we will deliver in
respect of such payment, together with the number of shares
deliverable upon conversion under Description of the New
Notes Conversion Rights General,
will not exceed a number of shares of our Class A common
stock equal to 1.3 multiplied by the applicable conversion
rate per $1,000 principal amount of the New Notes, and we must
deliver cash with respect to the remainder of the
Redemption Make Whole Amount, if any.
100
|
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Change of Control Make Whole Amount |
If a transaction described in clause (2) of the definition
of change of control (as set forth under
Fundamental Change Requires Us to Repurchase
New Notes at the Option of the Holder) occurs on or prior
to October 1, 2012, we must give notice to all record
holders of New Notes and the trustee at least 10 scheduled
trading days prior to the anticipated effective date of such
change of control transaction. We must also give notice to all
record holders of New Notes and the trustee that such a
transaction has occurred within 15 days after the actual
effective date of such change of control transaction. If a
holder elects to convert its New Notes at any time following the
date we give notice of the anticipated effective date of such
change of control transaction until the repurchase date
corresponding to such change of control as described under
Fundamental Change Requires Us to Repurchase
New Notes at the Option of the Holder, we will increase
the applicable conversion rate for the New Notes surrendered for
conversion by a number of additional shares of Class A
common stock equal to a percentage of the applicable conversion
rate (the additional shares), as described below.
The number of additional shares will be determined by reference
to the table below and is based on the date on which such change
of control transaction becomes effective (the effective
date) and the price (the stock price) paid per
share of our Class A common stock in such transaction,
which is expressed in the table below as a percentage of the
Average Price. If the holders of our Class A common stock
receive only cash in the change of control transaction, the
stock price shall be the cash amount paid per share. Otherwise
the stock price shall be the average of the sale prices of our
Class A common stock on the last 10 trading days up to but
not including the effective date.
The addition to the conversion rate will be made to holders who
elect to convert their New Notes during the period described
above on the later of (1) five business days following the
effective date and (2) the conversion settlement date for those
New Notes.
The stock prices described in the first row of the table (i.e.,
the column headers) and paragraphs 2 and 3 below, will
be adjusted as of any date on which the conversion rate of the
New Notes is adjusted. The adjusted stock prices will equal the
stock prices applicable immediately prior to such adjustment
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
conversion rate immediately prior to the adjustment giving rise
to the stock price adjustment and the denominator of which is
the conversion rate as so adjusted. Our obligation to increase
the conversion rate by the additional shares will be subject to
adjustment in the same manner as the conversion rate as set
forth under Conversion Rate Adjustments.
The following table sets forth the hypothetical stock price and
the percentage increase to the applicable conversion rate per
$1,000 principal amount of New Notes.
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Stock Price as a Percentage of the Average Price | |
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| |
Effective Date |
|
100% | |
|
115% | |
|
130% | |
|
145% | |
|
160% | |
|
175% | |
|
200% | |
|
225% | |
|
250% | |
|
300% | |
|
350% | |
|
400% | |
|
450% | |
|
500% | |
|
750% | |
|
1000% | |
|
1250% | |
|
1500% | |
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| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
October 1, 2007
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30.00% |
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|
|
30.00% |
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|
27.33% |
|
|
|
22.82% |
|
|
|
19.78% |
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|
|
17.19% |
|
|
|
14.45% |
|
|
|
12.37% |
|
|
|
10.67% |
|
|
|
8.79% |
|
|
|
7.35% |
|
|
|
6.37% |
|
|
|
5.66% |
|
|
|
5.10% |
|
|
|
3.32% |
|
|
|
2.34% |
|
|
|
1.71% |
|
|
|
1.29% |
|
October 1, 2008
|
|
|
30.00% |
|
|
|
30.00% |
|
|
|
25.91% |
|
|
|
21.64% |
|
|
|
18.25% |
|
|
|
15.95% |
|
|
|
13.20% |
|
|
|
11.16% |
|
|
|
9.76% |
|
|
|
7.80% |
|
|
|
6.60% |
|
|
|
5.77% |
|
|
|
5.08% |
|
|
|
4.57% |
|
|
|
2.92% |
|
|
|
2.02% |
|
|
|
1.46% |
|
|
|
1.09% |
|
October 1, 2009
|
|
|
30.00% |
|
|
|
29.58% |
|
|
|
23.60% |
|
|
|
19.25% |
|
|
|
16.14% |
|
|
|
13.86% |
|
|
|
11.21% |
|
|
|
9.35% |
|
|
|
8.18% |
|
|
|
6.54% |
|
|
|
5.48% |
|
|
|
4.74% |
|
|
|
4.17% |
|
|
|
3.74% |
|
|
|
2.33% |
|
|
|
1.60% |
|
|
|
1.15% |
|
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|
0.84% |
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October 1, 2010
|
|
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30.00% |
|
|
|
26.47% |
|
|
|
20.30% |
|
|
|
15.90% |
|
|
|
12.97% |
|
|
|
10.80% |
|
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|
8.49% |
|
|
|
6.99% |
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|
|
6.00% |
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|
|
4.75% |
|
|
|
3.97% |
|
|
|
3.41% |
|
|
|
2.99% |
|
|
|
2.66% |
|
|
|
1.63% |
|
|
|
1.11% |
|
|
|
0.79% |
|
|
|
0.58% |
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October 1, 2011
|
|
|
30.00% |
|
|
|
21.83% |
|
|
|
15.14% |
|
|
|
10.89% |
|
|
|
8.13% |
|
|
|
6.41% |
|
|
|
4.68% |
|
|
|
3.72% |
|
|
|
3.16% |
|
|
|
2.49% |
|
|
|
2.09% |
|
|
|
1.79% |
|
|
|
1.57% |
|
|
|
1.38% |
|
|
|
0.84% |
|
|
|
0.57% |
|
|
|
0.41% |
|
|
|
0.30% |
|
October 1, 2012
|
|
|
30.00% |
|
|
|
13.04% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
|
|
0.00% |
|
The exact stock price and effective dates may not be set forth
on the table, in which case:
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1. if the stock price is between two stock prices described
in the table or the effective date is between two dates on the
table, the percentage increase will be determined by
straight-line interpolation between the percentage increases set
forth for the higher and lower stock price amounts and the two
dates, as applicable, based on a 365 day year; |
|
|
2. if the stock price is in excess of 1500% of the Average
Price (subject to adjustment as described above), no additional
shares will be added to the conversion rate; and |
101
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|
3. if the stock price is less than the Average Price
(subject to adjustment as described above), no additional shares
will be added to the conversion rate. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the total number
of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion
exceed 1.3 multiplied by the applicable conversion rate per
$1,000 principal amount of New Notes.
Our obligation to deliver the additional shares could be
considered a penalty, in which case the enforceability thereof
would be subject to general principles of reasonableness of
economic remedies.
|
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|
Conversion Rate Adjustments |
The initial conversion rate will be adjusted for certain events,
including:
|
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|
(1) the issuance of our Class A common stock as a
dividend or distribution on our Class A common stock, or
certain subdivisions and combinations of our Class A common
stock, in which event the conversion rate will be adjusted based
on the following formula: |
where,
|
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|
CR
0 |
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the ex-date
for such dividend or distribution, or the effective date of such
subdivisions or combinations of our Class A common stock,
as the case may be |
CR
1
|
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the ex-date for
such dividend or distribution, or the effective date of such
subdivisions or combinations of our Class A common stock,
as the case may be |
OS
0
|
|
= |
|
the number of shares of our Class A common stock
outstanding immediately prior to the ex-date for such dividend
or distribution, or the effective date of such subdivisions or
combinations of our Class A common stock, as the case may be |
OS
1
|
|
= |
|
the number of shares of our Class A common stock that would
be outstanding immediately after the ex-date for such dividend
or distribution, or the effective date of such subdivisions or
combinations of our Class A common stock, as the case may be |
|
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|
(2) the issuance to all holders of our Class A common
stock of certain rights or warrants to purchase our Class A
common stock (or securities convertible into our Class A
common stock) for a period expiring 45 days or less from
the date of issuance of such rights or warrants at a price per
share less than (or having a conversion price per share less
than) the current market price of our Class A common stock,
in which event the conversion rate will be adjusted based on the
following formula (provided that the conversion rate will
be readjusted to the extent that such rights or warrants are not
exercised prior to the expiration): |
|
|
|
|
|
CR 1
= CR
0
|
|
× |
|
OS 0
+ X
OS
0
+ Y |
where,
|
|
|
|
|
CR
0 |
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the ex-date
for such distribution |
CR
1
|
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the ex-date for
such distribution |
OS
0
|
|
= |
|
the number of shares of our Class A common stock
outstanding immediately prior to the ex-date for such
distribution |
X
|
|
= |
|
the total number of shares of our Class A common stock
issuable pursuant to such rights |
102
|
|
|
|
|
Y
|
|
= |
|
the number of shares of our Class A common stock equal to
the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights divided by
the average of the sale prices of our Class A common stock
for the 10 consecutive trading day period ending on the business
day immediately preceding the ex-date for such distribution |
|
|
|
(3) the dividend or other distribution to all holders of
our Class A common stock of shares of our capital stock
(other than Class A common stock) or evidences of our
indebtedness or our assets (excluding (A) any dividend,
distribution or issuance covered by clause (1) or
(2) above and (B) any dividend or distribution paid
exclusively in cash), in which event the conversion rate will be
adjusted based on the following formula: |
|
|
|
|
|
CR 1
= CR
0
|
|
× |
|
SP 0
SP
0
- FMV |
where,
|
|
|
|
|
CR |
|
0 = |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately prior the ex-date for
such distribution |
CR
1
|
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the ex-date for
such distribution |
SP
0
|
|
= |
|
the current market price |
FMV
|
|
= |
|
the fair market value (as determined by our board of directors)
of the shares of capital stock, evidences of indebtedness,
assets or property distributed with respect to each outstanding
share of our Class A common stock on the ex-date for such
distribution |
|
|
|
In lieu of an adjustment pursuant to this clause (3), where
there has been a payment of a dividend or other distribution on
our Class A common stock or shares of capital stock of, or
similar equity interests in, a subsidiary or other business unit
of ours, which we refer to as a spin-off, the
conversion rate in effect immediately before 5:00 p.m. New
York City time, on the fifteenth trading day immediately
following, and including, the effective date of the spin-off
will be increased based on the following formula: |
|
|
|
|
|
CR 1
= CR
0
|
|
× |
|
FMV 0
+ MP
0
MP
0 |
where,
|
|
|
|
|
CR
0 |
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the fifteenth
trading day immediately following, and including, the effective
date of the spin-off |
CR
1
|
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the fifteenth
trading day immediately following, and including, the effective
date of the spin-off |
FMV
0
|
|
= |
|
the average of the last reported sale prices of the capital
stock or similar equity interest distributed to holders of our
Class A common stock applicable to one share of our
Class A common stock over the 10 consecutive trading
day period immediately following, and including, the
fifth trading day immediately following the effective date
of the spin-off |
MP
0
|
|
= |
|
the average of the last reported sale prices of our Class A
common stock on the 10 consecutive trading day period
immediately following, and including, the fifth trading day
immediately following the effective date of the spin-off |
|
|
|
(4) dividends or other distributions consisting exclusively
of cash to all holders of our Class A common stock, in
which event the conversion rate will be adjusted based on the
following formula: |
|
|
|
|
|
CR 1
= CR
0
|
|
× |
|
SP 0
SP
0
- C |
103
where,
|
|
|
|
|
CR |
|
0 = |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the ex-date
for such distribution |
CR
1
|
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the ex-date for
such distribution |
SP
0
|
|
= |
|
the current market price |
C
|
|
= |
|
the amount in cash per share we distribute to holders of our
Class A common stock |
|
|
|
(5) we or one or more of our subsidiaries make purchases of
our Class A common stock pursuant to a tender offer or
exchange offer by us or one of our subsidiaries for our
Class A common stock to the extent that the cash and value
of any other consideration included in the payment per share of
our Class A common stock exceeds the current market price
per share of our Class A common stock on the trading day
next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may
be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (the
expiration date), in which event the conversion rate
will be adjusted based on the following formula: |
|
|
|
|
|
CR 1
= CR
0
|
|
× |
|
FMV + (SP
1
× OS
1
)
OS
0
× SP
1 |
where,
|
|
|
|
|
CR
0 |
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect on the expiration date |
CR
1
|
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the expiration
date |
FMV
|
|
= |
|
the fair market value (as determined by our board of directors)
of the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration
paid or payable for shares validly tendered or exchanged and not
withdrawn as of the expiration date (the purchased
shares) |
OS
1
|
|
= |
|
the number of shares of our Class A common stock
outstanding immediately after the expiration date less any
purchased shares |
OS
0
|
|
= |
|
the number of shares of our Class A common stock
outstanding immediately after the expiration date plus any
purchased shares |
SP
1
|
|
= |
|
the sale price of our Class A common stock on the trading
day next succeeding the expiration date |
|
|
|
(6) someone other than us or one of our subsidiaries makes
a payment in respect of a tender offer or exchange offer in
which, as of the expiration date, our board of directors is not
recommending rejection of the offer, in which event the
conversion rate will be adjusted based on the following formula: |
|
|
|
|
|
CR 1
= CR
0
|
|
× |
|
FMV + (SP
1
× OS
1
)
OS
0
× SP
1 |
where,
|
|
|
|
|
CR
0 |
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect on the expiration date |
CR
1
|
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the expiration
date |
FMV
|
|
= |
|
the fair market value (as determined by our board of directors)
of the aggregate consideration payable to our shareholders based
on the acceptance (up to any maximum specified in the terms of
the tender or exchange offer) of all shares validly tendered or
exchanged and not withdrawn as of the expiration date |
OS
1
|
|
= |
|
the number of shares of our Class A common stock
outstanding immediately after the expiration date less any
purchased shares |
OS
0
|
|
= |
|
the number of shares of our Class A common stock
outstanding immediately after the expiration date, including any
purchased shares |
104
|
|
|
|
|
SP
1
|
|
= |
|
the sale price of our Class A common stock on the trading
day next succeeding the expiration date |
The adjustment referred to in this clause (6) will only be
made if:
|
|
|
|
|
the tender offer or exchange offer is for an amount that
increases the offerors ownership of Class A common
stock to more than 25% of the total shares of Class A
common stock outstanding; and |
|
|
|
the cash and value of any other consideration included in the
payment per share of Class A common stock exceeds the sale
price of our Class A common stock on the trading day next
succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be
made pursuant to the tender or exchange offer. |
However, the adjustment referred to in this clause (6) will
generally not be made if as of the closing of the offer, the
offering documents disclose a plan or an intention to cause us
to engage in a consolidation or merger or a sale of the
consolidated assets of us and our subsidiaries substantially as
an entirety.
Current market price of our Class A common
stock on any day means the average of the sale price of our
Class A common stock for each of the 10 consecutive trading
days ending on the earlier of the day in question and the day
before the ex-date with respect to the issuance or
distribution requiring such computation.
Ex-date, when used:
|
|
|
|
|
with respect to any issuance or distribution, means the first
date on which the shares of the Class A common stock trade
on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular
way, without the right to receive such issuance or distribution; |
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with respect to any subdivision or combination of shares of
Class A common stock, means the first date on which the
Class A common stock trades regular way on such exchange or
in such market after the time at which such subdivision or
combination becomes effective; and |
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with respect to any tender or exchange offer, means the first
date on which the Class A common stock trades regular way
on such exchange or in such market after the expiration date of
such offer. |
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To the extent that we have a rights plan in effect upon
conversion of the New Notes into Class A common stock, you
will receive, in addition to the Class A common stock, the
rights under the rights plan, unless prior to any conversion,
the rights have separated from the Class A common stock, in
which case the conversion rate will be adjusted at the time of
separation as if we distributed, to all holders of our
Class A common stock, shares of our capital stock,
evidences of indebtedness or assets as described above, subject
to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or
redemption of such rights.
Except as stated above, the conversion rate will not be adjusted
for the issuance of our Class A common stock or any
securities convertible into or exchangeable for our Class A
common stock or carrying the right to purchase any of the
foregoing.
In the case of any recapitalization, reclassification or change
of our Class A common stock (other than changes resulting
from a subdivision or combination), a consolidation, merger or
combination involving us, a sale, lease or other transfer to
another corporation of the consolidated assets of ours and our
subsidiaries substantially as an entirety, or any statutory
share exchange, in each case as a result of which holders of our
Class A common stock are entitled to receive stock, other
securities, other property or assets (including cash or any
combination thereof) with respect to or in exchange for our
Class A common stock, the holders of the New Notes then
outstanding will be entitled thereafter to convert those New
Notes into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other
securities or other property or assets (including cash or any
combination thereof) that they would have owned or been entitled
to receive upon such recapitalization, reclassification, change,
consolidation, merger, combination, sale, lease, transfer or
statutory share exchange had such New Notes been converted into
our Class A common stock immediately prior to such
transaction. In the event that holders of our Class A
common stock have the
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right to elect the form of consideration received in any such
transaction or event the type and amount of consideration that a
holder of our Class A common stock would have been entitled
to in the applicable transaction will be deemed to be the
weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration
received by the holders of our Class A common stock upon
the occurrence of such transaction or event. We will agree in
the indenture not to become a party to any such transaction
unless its terms are consistent with the foregoing.
We may from time to time, to the extent permitted by law and
subject to applicable rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, increase
the conversion rate of the New Notes by any amount for any
period of at least 20 days. In that case we will give at
least 15 days notice of such increase. We may make such
increases in the conversion rate, to the extent permitted by law
and subject to applicable rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, in
addition to those set forth above, as our board of directors
deems advisable to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders
of our Class A common stock resulting from any dividend or
distribution of stock (or rights to acquire stock) or from any
event treated as such for income tax purposes.
As a result of any adjustment of the conversion rate, the
holders of New Notes may, in certain circumstances, be deemed to
have received a distribution subject to U.S. federal income
tax as a dividend. In certain other circumstances, the absence
of an adjustment may result in a taxable dividend to the holders
of Class A common stock. In addition,
non-U.S. holders
of New Notes in certain circumstances may be deemed to have
received a distribution subject to U.S. federal withholding
tax requirements. See Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax
Consequences Tax Consequences to Exchanging
U.S. Holders Constructive Dividends and
Tax Consequences to Exchanging
Non-U.S. Holders.
Exchange in Lieu of Conversion
Unless we have called the relevant New Notes for redemption,
when a holder surrenders New Notes for conversion, we may direct
the conversion agent to surrender, on or prior to the date two
business days following the conversion date, such New Notes to a
financial institution designated by us for exchange in lieu of
conversion. In order to accept any such New Notes, the
designated institution must agree to deliver, in exchange for
such New Notes, a number of shares of our common stock equal to
the applicable conversion rate, or at its option, cash or a
combination of cash and shares of our common stock in lieu
thereof, calculated based on the conversion average price, plus
cash for any fractional shares.
If the designated institution accepts any such New Notes, it
will deliver the appropriate number of shares of our common
stock (and cash, if any), or cash in lieu thereof, to the
conversion agent and the conversion agent will deliver those
shares or cash to the holder. Any New Notes exchanged by the
designated institution will remain outstanding. If the
designated institution agrees to accept any New Notes for
exchange but does not timely deliver the related consideration,
we will, as promptly as practical thereafter, but not later than
(1) the fifth business day following the conversion date,
or (2) if the designated institution elects to deliver cash
or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock, the
third business day following the determination of the conversion
average price, convert the New Notes and deliver shares of our
common stock, as described under Conversion
Rights General, or, at our option cash in lieu
thereof based on the conversion average price.
Our designation of an institution to which the New Notes may be
submitted for exchange does not require the institution to
accept any New Notes. If the designated institution declines to
accept any New Notes surrendered for exchange, we will convert
those New Notes into shares of our Class A common stock, or
cash in lieu thereof, as described under
Conversion Rights above. We will not pay
any consideration to, or otherwise enter into any arrangement
with, the designated institution for or with respect to such
designation.
Redemption
Prior to October 1, 2010 we may redeem the New Notes in
whole or in part for cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of
the principal amount of such New Notes being redeemed plus
accrued and unpaid
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interest, if any, on the New Notes being redeemed to, but
excluding, the redemption date, but only if the closing price of
our Class A common stock has exceeded, for at least 20
trading days in the 30 trading day period ending on the
date we give notice of redemption, 180% of the conversion price
on each such trading day. Commencing on, and including,
October 1, 2010 until, but excluding, October 1, 2012,
we may redeem the New Notes in whole or in part for cash at the
redemption price only if the closing price of our Class A
common stock has exceeded, for at least 20 trading days in
the 30 trading day period ending on the date we give notice
of redemption, 150% of the conversion price on each such trading
day. On and after October 1, 2012 we may redeem the New
Notes in whole or in part for cash at the redemption price
regardless of the closing price of our Class A common stock.
If the redemption date falls after a record date and on or prior
to the corresponding interest payment date, we will pay any
accrued and unpaid interest on such interest payment date to the
holder of record at the close of business on the applicable
record date.
We will give notice of redemption to the trustee and all
registered holders at their address set forth in the register of
the registrar not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior
to the redemption date. We must specify in such notice
(1) that you have a right to convert the New Notes called
for redemption and the conversion rate then in effect,
(2) the date on which your right to convert will expire,
(3) whether we will deliver shares of our Class A
common stock, or cash in lieu thereof, upon conversion of any
New Notes called for redemption and (4) if we elect to
deliver cash, the percentage of the shares otherwise deliverable
for which we will pay cash.
New Notes or portions of New Notes called for redemption will be
convertible by the holder until the close of business on the
business day prior to the redemption date.
If we decide to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding New
Notes, the trustee will select the New Notes to be redeemed (in
principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof) by
lot, on a pro rata basis or by another method the trustee
considers fair and appropriate.
If any New Notes are to be redeemed in part only, we will issue
a new New Note or New Notes with a principal amount equal to the
unredeemed principal portion thereof. If the trustee selects a
portion of your New Note for partial redemption and you convert
a portion of the same New Note, the converted portion will be
deemed to be from the portion selected for redemption. In the
event of any redemption in part, we will not be required to
issue, register the transfer of or exchange any certificated New
Note during a period of 15 days before the mailing of the
redemption notice.
We may not redeem the New Notes if the principal amount of the
New Notes has been accelerated (other than as a result of a
failure to pay the relevant redemption price), and such
acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to the
redemption date.
Repurchase of New Notes at the Option of the Holders
On October 1, 2012, October 1, 2017 and
October 1, 2022 each holder of the New Notes will have the
right to require us to repurchase at the repurchase price
described below all or part of that holders New Notes for
cash. The New Notes submitted for repurchase must be in
principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples thereof.
We will repurchase such New Notes at a repurchase price equal to
100% of the principal amount of the New Notes to be repurchased,
plus any accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the
repurchase date. However, if the repurchase date falls after a
record date and on or prior to the corresponding interest
payment date, we will pay any accrued and unpaid interest on
such interest payment date to the holder of record at the close
of business on the applicable record date.
We may be unable to repurchase a holders New Notes upon
such holders exercise of its repurchase right. Our ability
to repurchase New Notes in cash in the future may be limited by
the terms of our then-existing debt agreements. Accordingly, we
cannot assure the holders that we would have the financial
resources, or would be able to arrange financing, to pay the
repurchase price in cash.
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In connection with any such repurchase of the New Notes, we will
notify the holder of the New Notes, not less than 20 business
days prior to any repurchase date, of their repurchase right,
the repurchase date and the repurchase procedures. To exercise
the repurchase right, prior to the close of business on the
business day immediately preceding the repurchase date, written
notice must be received by the paying agent from a holder of the
New Notes exercising such holders repurchase right
(together with the New Notes to be repurchased, if certificated
New Notes have been issued). The repurchase notice must state:
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the certificate numbers of the New Notes to be repurchased, if
they are in certificated form; |
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the portion of the principal amount of the holders New
Notes to be repurchased, which must be in principal amount of
$1,000 or integral multiples thereof; and |
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that the New Notes are to be repurchased by us pursuant to the
applicable provisions of the New Notes and the indenture. |
Such holder of the New Notes may withdraw this notice if the
paying agent receives a notice of withdrawal prior to the close
of business on the business day immediately preceding the
repurchase date. The withdrawal notice must state:
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the certificate numbers of the New Notes to be withdrawn, if
they are in certificated form; |
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the principal amount of the withdrawn New Notes; and |
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the principal amount, if any, which remains subject to the
repurchase notice, which must be in principal amount of $1,000
or integral multiples thereof. |
If the paying agent holds money sufficient to pay the repurchase
price of the New Note, on the repurchase date, then, on and
after the business day following the repurchase date:
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the New Note will cease to be outstanding; |
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interest will cease to accrue; and |
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all other rights of the holder will terminate, other than the
right to receive the repurchase price upon delivery of the New
Note. |
This will be the case whether or not book-entry transfer of the
New Note has been made or the New Note has been delivered to the
paying agent.
Rule 13e-4 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the dissemination
of certain information to security holders if an issuer tender
offer occurs and may apply if the repurchase option becomes
available to holders of the New Notes. We will comply with this
rule, Rule 14e-1
and any other tender offer rules under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 which may then be applicable and file
Schedule TO (or any similar schedule) to the extent
applicable at that time.
If a holder of New Notes submitted for repurchase holds a
beneficial interest in a global New Note, such holder must
comply with applicable DTC procedures to have such holders
beneficial interest in the New Notes repurchased, or to withdraw
a beneficial interest from repurchase.
Fundamental Change Requires Us to Repurchase New Notes at the
Option of the Holder
If a fundamental change occurs, each holder of New Notes will
have the right to require us to repurchase some or all of that
holders New Notes for cash on a repurchase date that is
not less than 20 nor more than 35 business days after the date
of our notice of the fundamental change. We will repurchase such
New Notes at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100%
of the principal amount of the New Notes to be repurchased, plus
accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the
fundamental change repurchase date, unless such fundamental
change repurchase date falls after a record date and on or prior
to the corresponding interest payment date, in which case we
will pay the full amount
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of accrued and unpaid interest payable on such interest payment
date to the holder of record at the close of business on the
corresponding record date.
Within 20 days after the occurrence of a fundamental
change, we are required to give notice to all holders of New
Notes, as provided in the indenture, of the occurrence of the
fundamental change and of their resulting repurchase right and
the fundamental change repurchase date. We must also deliver a
copy of our notice to the trustee. To exercise the repurchase
right, a holder of New Notes must deliver, on or before the
fundamental change repurchase date specified in our notice,
written notice to the trustee of the holders exercise of
its repurchase right, together with the New Notes with respect
to which the right is being exercised. We will promptly pay the
fundamental change repurchase price for New Notes surrendered
for repurchase following the fundamental change repurchase date.
You may withdraw any written fundamental change repurchase
notice by delivering a written notice of withdrawal to the
paying agent prior to the close of business on the repurchase
date. The withdrawal notice must state:
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the principal amount of the withdrawn New Notes; |
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if certificated New Notes have been issued, the certificate
number of the withdrawn New Notes (or, if your New Notes are not
certificated, your withdrawal notice must comply with
appropriate DTC procedures); and |
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the principal amount, if any, that remains subject to the
fundamental change repurchase notice. |
Payment of the fundamental change repurchase price for a New
Note for which a fundamental change repurchase notice has been
delivered and not withdrawn is conditioned upon book-entry
transfer or delivery of the New Note, together with necessary
endorsements, to the paying agent at its corporate trust office
in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or any other
office of the paying agent, at any time after delivery of the
fundamental change repurchase notice. Payment of the fundamental
change repurchase price for the New Note will be made promptly
following the later of the fundamental change repurchase date
and the time of book-entry transfer or delivery of the New Note.
If the paying agent holds money sufficient to pay the
fundamental change repurchase price of the New Note, on the
fundamental change repurchase date, then, on and after the
business day following the fundamental change repurchase date:
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the New Note will cease to be outstanding; |
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interest will cease to accrue; and |
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all other rights of the holder will terminate, other than the
right to receive the fundamental change repurchase price upon
delivery of the New Note. |
This will be the case whether or not book-entry transfer of the
New Note has been made or the New Note has been delivered to the
paying agent.
A fundamental change will be deemed to have occurred
upon a change of control or a termination of trading.
A termination of trading will be deemed to have
occurred if our Class A common stock (or other common stock
into which the New Notes are then convertible) is not listed for
trading or quoted on a U.S. national securities exchange;
provided that a termination of trading will not occur so
long as our Class A common stock is listed for trading or
quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market or quoted bid prices for our
Class A common stock in the
over-the-counter market
are reported by Pink Sheets LLC or any similar organization.
A change of control will be deemed to have occurred
at such time after the original issuance of the New Notes when
the following has occurred:
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(1) the consummation of any transaction (including, without
limitation, any merger or consolidation), the result of which is
that any person or group within the
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Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act other than Paul G. Allen
(Mr. Allen) and the Related Parties, becomes
the direct or indirect beneficial owner as defined
in Rule 13d-3
under the Exchange Act of more than 35% of the Voting Stock of
Charter Communications, Inc., measured by voting power rather
than number of shares, unless Mr. Allen and the Related
Parties, collectively, beneficially own, directly or indirectly,
a greater percentage of Voting Stock of Charter Communications,
Inc., measured by voting power rather than number of shares,
than such person; |
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(2) the consummation of any transaction, or event (whether
by means of a liquidation, share exchange, tender offer,
consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, merger of us
or any sale, lease or other transfer of the consolidated assets
of ours and our subsidiaries) or a series of related
transactions or events pursuant to which our common stock is
exchanged for, converted into or constitutes solely the right to
receive cash, securities or other property more than 10% of the
fair market value of which consists of cash, securities or other
property that are not, or upon issuance will not be, traded or
quoted on any U.S. national securities exchange; |
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(3) the sale, transfer, conveyance, lease or other
disposition (including by way of liquidation or dissolution, but
excluding by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series
of related transactions, of the assets of Charter
Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries substantially as an
entirety to any person or group as
defined above; |
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(4) the purchase by Mr. Allen or any Allen Affiliates
in any transaction or series of transactions, of shares of our
Class A common stock, which results in the aggregate number
of shares of Class A common stock held by Mr. Allen
and any Allen Affiliates exceeding 70% of the total number of
shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding
(including any shares borrowed pursuant to the share lending
agreement) at such time to the extent that the closing price per
share of the Class A common stock for any five trading days
within the period of the 10 consecutive trading days immediately
after the later of the last date of such purchases or the public
announcement of such purchases is less than 100% of the
applicable conversion price of the New Notes in effect on each
of those trading days; provided that the calculation of
the number of shares of Class A common stock held by
Mr. Allen and any Allen Affiliates will not include any
share of our Class A common stock acquired by
Mr. Allen or any Allen Affiliates as a result of service as
a director on our Board of Directors or the exchange or
conversion of membership units of Charter Holdco or shares of
our Class B common stock or any securities exchangeable or
convertible into shares of Class A common stock or issued
in exchange (by merger or otherwise) for shares of a person that
holds units of Charter Holdco; |
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(5) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or
dissolution of Charter Holdco; or |
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(6) continuing directors (as defined below in this section)
cease to constitute at least a majority of our board of
directors. |
As used in connection with the definition of change of control,
the following terms will have the meaning described below:
Allen Affiliate means any person in which
Mr. Allen, directly or indirectly, owns at least a 50.1%
equity interest, provided that Charter Communications,
Inc., Charter Holdco or any of its subsidiaries will not be
included in such definition.
Continuing director means a director who either was
a member of our board of directors on the date of this Exchange
Offer Prospectus or who becomes a member of our board of
directors subsequent to that date and whose appointment,
election or nomination for election by our shareholders is duly
approved by a majority of the continuing directors on our board
of directors at the time of such approval, either by a specific
vote or by approval of the proxy statement issued by us on
behalf of the board of directors in which such individual is
named as nominee for director.
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Related Party means:
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(i) the spouse or an immediate family member, estate or
heir of Mr. Allen; or |
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(ii) any trust, corporation, partnership or other entity,
the beneficiaries, stockholders, partners, owners or persons
beneficially holding an 80% or more controlling interest of
which consist of Mr. Allen and/or such other persons
referred to in the immediately preceding clause (i) or this
clause (ii). |
Voting Stock of any person as of any date means the
capital stock of such person that is at the time entitled to
vote in the election of the board of directors of such person.
The beneficial owner shall be determined in accordance with
Rule 13d-3
promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act. The term
person includes any syndicate or group which would
be deemed to be a person under Section 13(d)(3)
of the Exchange Act.
The definition of change of control includes a phrase relating
to the conveyance, transfer, sale, lease or disposition of our
consolidated assets substantially as an entirety.
There is no precise, established definition of the phrase
substantially as an entirety under applicable law.
Accordingly, your ability to require us to repurchase your New
Notes as a result of a conveyance, transfer, sale, lease or
other disposition of less than all our assets may be uncertain.
Rule 13e-4 under
the Exchange Act, as amended, requires the dissemination of
certain information to security holders if an issuer tender
offer occurs and may apply if the repurchase option becomes
available to holders of the New Notes. We will comply with this
rule to the extent applicable at that time.
We may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, at any time
repurchase the New Notes in the open market or by tender at any
price or by private agreement. Any New Note so repurchased by us
may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be reissued or
resold or may be surrendered to the trustee for cancellation.
Any New Notes surrendered to the trustee may not be reissued or
resold and will be canceled promptly.
The foregoing provisions would not necessarily protect holders
of the New Notes if highly leveraged or other transactions
involving us occur that may adversely affect holders.
Our ability to repurchase New Notes upon the occurrence of a
fundamental change is subject to important limitations. Our
subsidiarys existing credit agreement provides, and any
future credit agreements or other agreements relating to our
indebtedness may provide, that a fundamental change constitutes
an event of default under that agreement. Our subsidiaries
existing indentures contain and any future indentures or other
agreements relating to our indebtedness may also contain
provisions limiting our subsidiaries ability to make dividends
or loans to us. If a fundamental change occurs at a time when we
are prohibited from repurchasing New Notes or unable to receive
funds from our subsidiaries to be able to do so, we could seek
the consent of our or our subsidiaries lenders and
noteholders to be able to repurchase the New Notes or attempt to
refinance this debt. If we do not obtain consent, we would not
be permitted to repurchase the New Notes. Our failure to
repurchase tendered New Notes would constitute an event of
default under the indenture, which might constitute a default
under the terms of our other indebtedness.
No New Notes may be repurchased by us at the option of the
holders upon a fundamental change if the principal amount of the
New Notes has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not
been rescinded, on or prior to such date.
The fundamental change purchase feature of the New Notes may in
certain circumstances make more difficult or discourage a
takeover of our company. The fundamental change repurchase
feature, however, is not the result of our knowledge of any
specific effort to accumulate shares of our Class A common
stock, to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender
offer, solicitation or otherwise, or by management to adopt a
series of anti-takeover provisions. Instead, the fundamental
change repurchase feature is a standard term contained in
securities similar to the New Notes.
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Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
We may, without the consent of the holders of New Notes,
consolidate with, merge into or sell, lease or otherwise
transfer in one transaction or a series of related transactions
the consolidated assets of ours and our subsidiaries
substantially as an entirety to any corporation, limited
liability company, partnership or trust organized under the laws
of the United States or any of its political subdivisions,
provided that:
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the surviving entity assumes all our obligations under the
indenture and the New Notes; |
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if as a result of such transaction the New Notes become
convertible into common stock or other securities issued by a
third party that is not the successor under the New Notes and
the indenture, such third party fully and unconditionally
guarantees all obligations of Charter Communications, Inc. or
such successor under the New Notes and the indenture; |
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at the time of such transaction, no event of default, and no
event which, after notice or lapse of time, would become an
event of default, shall have happened and be continuing; and |
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an officers certificate and an opinion of counsel, each
stating that the consolidation, merger or transfer complies with
the provisions of the indenture, have been delivered to the
trustee. |
Events of Default
Each of the following will constitute an event of default under
the indenture:
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our failure to pay when due the principal on any of the New
Notes at maturity, upon redemption or exercise of a repurchase
right or otherwise; |
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our failure to pay an installment of interest on any of the New
Notes for 30 days after the date when due; |
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our failure to deliver shares of our Class A common stock,
or cash in lieu thereof, when due upon conversion of New Notes,
together with cash in respect of any fractional shares and any
Redemption Make Whole Amount, and that failure continues for
10 days; |
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our failure for 30 days after written notice thereof has
been given to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the
holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the New
Notes then outstanding to comply with any of the other covenants
or agreements in the indenture; |
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our failure to make any payment under any mortgage, indenture or
instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may
be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by
us or any of our significant subsidiaries (or the payment of
which is guaranteed by us or any of our significant
subsidiaries) whether such indebtedness or guarantee now exists,
or is created after the issue date, if that default: |
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(i) is caused by a failure to pay at final stated maturity
the principal amount on such indebtedness prior to the
expiration of the grace period provided in such indebtedness on
the date of such default (a Payment Default); or |
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(ii) results in the acceleration of such indebtedness prior
to its express maturity, |
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and, in each case, the principal amount of any such
indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other
such indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default
or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates
$100 million or more; |
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our failure to give timely notice of a fundamental change or of
the anticipated effective date of a change of control
transaction as described under Conversion
Rights Change of Control Make Whole
Amount; and |
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certain events of our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
or of any significant subsidiary of ours. |
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Significant subsidiary has the meaning set forth in
clauses (1) and (2) of the definition thereof in
Regulation S-X
under the Securities Act.
If an event of default specified in the last bullet point above
occurs and is continuing, then the principal of all the New
Notes and the interest thereon shall automatically become
immediately due and payable. If an event of default shall occur
and be continuing, other than an event of default specified in
the last bullet point above, the trustee or the holders of at
least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the New Notes then
outstanding may declare the New Notes due and payable at their
accreted principal amount together with accrued and unpaid
interest (including deferred interest and liquidated damages, if
any), and thereupon the trustee may, at its discretion, proceed
to protect and enforce the rights of the holders of New Notes by
appropriate judicial proceedings. Such declaration may be
rescinded and annulled with the written consent of the holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the New Notes
then outstanding, subject to the provisions of the indenture.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of New
Notes at the time outstanding through their written consent, or
the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of New
Notes then outstanding represented at a meeting at which a
quorum is present by a written resolution, may waive any
existing default or event of default and its consequences except
any default or event of default:
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in any payment on the New Notes; |
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in respect of the failure to convert the New Notes; or |
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in respect of the covenants or provisions in the indenture that
may not be modified or amended without the consent of the holder
of each New Note affected as described in
Modification, Waiver and Meetings below. |
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the New
Notes then outstanding through their written consent, or the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the New
Notes then outstanding represented at a meeting at which a
quorum is present by a written resolution, may direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy
available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power
conferred upon the trustee, subject to the provisions of the
indenture. The indenture contains a provision entitling the
trustee, subject to the duty of the trustee during a default to
act with the required standard of care, to be indemnified by the
holders of New Notes before proceeding to exercise any right or
power under the indenture at the request of such holders. The
rights of holders of the New Notes to pursue remedies with
respect to the indenture and the New Notes are subject to a
number of additional requirements set forth in the indenture.
The indenture will provide that the trustee shall, within
90 days of the occurrence of a default, give to the
registered holders of the New Notes notice of all uncured
defaults known to it, but the trustee shall be protected in
withholding such notice if it, in good faith, determines that
the withholding of such notice is in the best interest of such
registered holders, except in the case of a default in the
payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on,
any of the New Notes when due or in the payment of any
conversion, redemption or repurchase obligation.
We are required to furnish annually to the trustee a statement
as to the fulfillment of our obligations under the indenture. In
addition, we are required to file with the trustee a written
notice of the occurrence of any default or event of default
within five business days of our becoming aware of the
occurrence of any default or event of default.
Modification, Waiver and Meetings
The indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the
holders of New Notes to consider matters affecting their
interests.
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The indenture (including the terms and conditions of the New
Notes) may be modified or amended by us and the trustee, without
the consent of the holder of any New Note, for the purposes of,
among other things:
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adding to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of New
Notes; |
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adding additional dates on which holders may require us to
repurchase their New Notes; |
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surrendering any right or power conferred upon us; |
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providing for conversion rights of holders of New Notes if any
reclassification or change of our Class A common stock or
any consolidation, merger or sale of the consolidated assets of
us and our subsidiaries substantially as an entirety occurs; |
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providing for the assumption of our obligations to the holders
of New Notes in the case of a merger, consolidation, conveyance,
sale, transfer or lease; |
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increasing the conversion rate in the manner described in the
indenture, provided that the increase will not adversely
affect the interests of holders of New Notes in any material
respect; |
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complying with the requirements of the SEC in order to maintain
the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, as amended; |
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curing any ambiguity or correcting or supplementing any
defective provision contained in the indenture; provided
that such modification or amendment does not, in the good
faith opinion of our board of directors, adversely affect the
interests of the holders of New Notes in any material respect;
provided further that any amendment made solely to
conform the provisions of the indenture to the description of
the New Notes in this Exchange Offer Prospectus will not be
deemed to adversely affect the interests of the holders of the
New Notes; |
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adding or modifying any other provisions which we and the
trustee may deem necessary or desirable and which will not
adversely affect the interests of the holders of New
Notes; or |
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providing for the issuance of additional notes under the
indenture. |
Modifications and amendments to the indenture or to the terms
and conditions of the New Notes may also be made, and
noncompliance by us with any provision of the indenture or the
New Notes may be waived, either:
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with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the New Notes at the time
outstanding; or |
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by the adoption of a resolution at a meeting of holders at which
a quorum is present by at least a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the New Notes represented at such meeting. |
However, no such modification, amendment or waiver may, without
the written consent or the affirmative vote of the holder of
each New Note affected:
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change the maturity of the principal of or any installment of
interest on any New Note |
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reduce the principal amount of, or any premium, if any, on any
New Note; |
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reduce the interest rate or amount of interest on any New Note; |
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reduce the Redemption Make Whole Amount or otherwise modify the
provisions of the indenture related thereto in a manner adverse
to the holders of the New Notes; |
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change the currency of payment of principal of, premium, if any,
or interest on any New Note; |
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impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any
payment on or with respect to, or the conversion of, any New
Note; |
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except as otherwise permitted or contemplated by provisions of
the indenture, impair or adversely affect the conversion rights
of holders of the New Notes; |
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adversely affect any repurchase option of holders; |
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modify the redemption provisions of the indenture in a manner
adverse to the holders of New Notes; |
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reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of New Notes
outstanding necessary to modify or amend the indenture or to
waive any past default; or |
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reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of New Notes
outstanding required for any other waiver under the indenture. |
The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution will be
persons holding or representing a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the New Notes at the time outstanding.
Notices
Except as otherwise provided in the indenture, notices to
holders of New Notes will be given by mail to the addresses of
holders of the New Notes as they appear in the New Note register.
Governing Law
The indenture and the New Notes will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.
Information Regarding the Trustee
The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee under the
indenture, has been appointed by us as paying agent, conversion
agent, registrar and custodian with regard to the New Notes. The
trustee or its affiliates may from time to time in the future
provide banking and other services to us in the ordinary course
of their business.
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BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM
Except as set forth below, New Notes will be issued in
registered, global form (Global Notes) in minimum
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in
excess thereof. New Notes will be issued on the Settlement Date.
The Global Notes will be deposited upon issuance with the
trustee, as custodian for The Depository Trust Company
(DTC), in New York, New York, and registered in the
name of DTC or its nominee, in each case for credit to an
account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC as described
below.
Except as set forth below, the Global Notes may be transferred,
in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a
successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the
Global Notes may not be exchanged for new notes in certificated
form except in the limited circumstances described below. See
Exchange of Book-Entry Notes for Certificated
Notes. Except in the limited circumstances described
below, owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will
not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Certificated
Notes (as defined below).
Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be
subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its
direct or indirect participants which may change from time to
time. Initially, the trustee will act as paying agent and
registrar. The New Notes may be presented for registration of
transfer and exchange at the offices of the registrar.
Certain Procedures
The following description of the operations and procedures of
DTC are provided solely as a matter of convenience. These
operations and procedures are solely within the control of the
respective settlement systems and are subject to changes by them
from time to time. We take no responsibility for these
operations and procedures and urge investors to contact the
system or their participants directly to discuss these matters.
DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company
created to hold securities for its participating organizations
(collectively, the Participants) and to facilitate
the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities
between Participants through electronic book-entry changes in
accounts of its Participants. The Participants include
securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations. Access to
DTCs system is also available to other entities such as
banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through
or maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either
directly or indirectly (collectively, the Indirect
Participants).
Persons who are not Participants may beneficially own securities
held by or on behalf of DTC only through the Participants or the
Indirect Participants. The ownership interests in, and transfers
of ownership interests in, each security held by or on behalf of
DTC are recorded on the records of the Participants and Indirect
Participants.
DTC has also advised us that, pursuant to procedures established
by it, (i) upon deposit of the Global Notes, DTC will
credit the accounts of Participants designated by the initial
purchasers with portions of the principal amount of the Global
Notes and (ii) ownership of such interests in the Global
Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof
will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with
respect to the Participants) or by the Participants and the
Indirect Participants (with respect to other owners of
beneficial interest in the Global Notes).
Investors in the Global Notes may hold their interests therein
directly through DTC, if they are Participants in such system,
or indirectly through organizations which are Participants in
such system. All interests in a Global Note may be subject to
the procedures and requirements of DTC. The laws of some states
require that certain persons take physical delivery in
definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the
ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to
such persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act
only on behalf of Participants, which in turn act on behalf of
Indirect Participants and certain banks, the ability of a person
having beneficial interests in a Global Note to
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pledge such interests to persons or entities that do not
participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in
respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a
physical certificate evidencing such interests.
Except as described below, owners of interests in the Global
Notes will not have New Notes registered in their names, will
not receive physical delivery of new notes in certificated form
and will not be considered the registered owners or
holders thereof under the Indenture for any purpose.
Payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on a Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its
nominee will be payable to DTC in its capacity as the registered
holder under the Indenture. Under the terms of the Indenture, we
and the trustee will treat the persons in whose names the New
Notes, including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners
thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any
and all other purposes whatsoever. Consequently, neither we, the
trustee nor any of our or the trustees agents has or will
have any responsibility or liability for (i) any aspect of
DTCs records or any Participants or Indirect
Participants records relating to or payments made on
account of beneficial ownership interest in the Global Notes, or
for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTCs
records or any Participants or Indirect Participants
records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the
Global Notes or (ii) any other matter relating to the
actions and practices of DTC or any of its Participants or
Indirect Participants. DTC has advised us that its current
practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities
such as the New Notes (including principal and interest), is to
credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with the
payment on the payment date, in amounts proportionate to their
respective holdings in the principal amount of beneficial
interest in the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC
unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on
such payment date. Payments by the Participants and the Indirect
Participants to the beneficial owners of New Notes will be
governed by standing instructions and customary practices and
will be the responsibility of the Participants or the Indirect
Participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the
trustee or us. Neither we nor the trustee will be liable for any
delay by DTC or any of its Participants in identifying the
beneficial owners of the New Notes, and we and the trustee may
conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on
instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.
Transfers between Participants in DTC will be effected in
accordance with DTCs procedures, and will be settled in
same-day funds.
DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be
taken by a holder of New Notes only at the direction of one or
more Participants to whose account DTC has credited the
interests in the Global Notes and only in respect of such
portion of the aggregate principal amount of the New Notes as to
which such Participant or Participants has or have given such
direction. However, if there is an event of default under the
new notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Notes
for New Notes in certificated form, and to distribute such New
Notes to its Participants.
DTC is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform the
foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the
Global Notes among Participants in DTC, and such procedures may
be discontinued at any time. Neither we nor the trustee nor any
of our or their respective agents will have any responsibility
for the performance by DTC or its participants or indirect
participants of their respective obligations under the rules and
procedures governing their operations.
Exchange of Book-Entry Notes for Certificated Notes
A Global Note is exchangeable for definitive New Notes in
registered certificated form (Certificated Notes) if
(i) DTC (x) notifies us that it is unwilling or unable
to continue as depositary for the Global Notes and we thereupon
fail to appoint a successor depositary or (y) has ceased to
be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act,
(ii) we, at our option, notify the trustee in writing that
we elect to cause the issuance of the Certificated Notes or
(iii) there shall have occurred and be continuing a default
or event of default with respect to the New Notes. In addition,
beneficial interests in a Global Note may be exchanged for
Certificated Notes upon request but only upon prior written
notice given to the trustee by or on behalf of DTC in accordance
with the Indenture and in accordance with the certification
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requirements set forth in the Indenture. In all cases,
Certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or
beneficial interests therein will be registered in the names,
and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on
behalf of DTC (in accordance with its customary procedures).
Same-Day Settlement and Payment
Payments in respect of the New Notes represented by the Global
Notes (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) will
be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the
accounts specified by the Global Note holder. With respect to
New Notes in certificated form, we will make all payments of
principal, premium, if any, and interest, by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the
holders thereof or, if no such account is specified, by mailing
a check to each such holders registered address. The New
Notes represented by the Global Notes are expected to be
eligible to trade in the
PORTALsm
Market and to trade in DTCs Same-Day Funds Settlement
System, and any permitted secondary market trading activity in
such New Notes will, therefore, be required by DTC to be settled
in immediately available funds. We expect that secondary trading
in any Certificated Notes will also be settled in immediately
available funds.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE OLD NOTES
The Old Notes were issued under an indenture dated as of
November 22, 2004 between us and Bank of New York Trust
Company, N.A., as trustee. Copies of the indenture, the pledge
agreement, the resale registration rights agreement and the
borrow facility registration rights agreement are included as
exhibits to the registration statement of which this Exchange
Offer Prospectus is a part and will be made available upon
request. We have summarized portions of these documents below.
This summary is not complete. We urge you to read the indenture,
the pledge agreement, the resale registration rights agreement
and the borrow facility registration rights agreement because
these documents define your rights as a Holder of the Old Notes.
In this section, Charter Communications, Inc.,
we, our and us each refers
only to Charter Communications, Inc. and not to any existing or
future subsidiary.
General
The Old Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Charter
Communications, Inc. and are convertible into our Class A
common stock as described under Conversion
Rights below. The Old Notes were issued in an aggregate
original principal amount of $862,500,000 and will mature on
November 16, 2009. Following a previous exchange offer in
September 2006, an aggregate principal amount of $412,500,000 in
Old Notes remain outstanding with an additional $450,000,000 of
Old Notes held by Charter Holdco.
The Old Notes bear interest at the rate of 5.875% per year
on the accreted principal amount from November 22, 2004,
the date of original issuance of the Old Notes, or from the most
recent date to which interest had been paid or provided for.
Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 16 and
November 16 of each year, commencing May 16, 2005, to
holders of record at the close of business on the preceding
May 1 and November 1, respectively. Interest is
computed on the basis of a
360-day year comprised
of twelve 30-day
months. In the event of the maturity, conversion, or repurchase
by us at the option of the holder or redemption of an Old Note,
interest will cease to accrue on the Old Note under the terms of
and subject to the conditions of the indenture.
Principal is payable, and Old Notes may be presented for
conversion, registration of transfer and exchange, without
service charge, at our office or agency in New York, New York,
which is initially the office or agency of the trustee in New
York, New York. See Form, Denomination and
Registration. The indenture does not contain any financial
covenants or any restrictions on the payment of dividends, the
incurrence of senior debt or other indebtedness, or the issuance
or repurchase of securities by us. The indenture does not
contain any covenants or other provisions to protect holders of
the Old Notes in the event of a highly leveraged transaction or
a fundamental change, except to the extent described under
Fundamental Change Requires Us to Repurchase
Old Notes at the Option of the Holder below.
Ranking
The Old Notes are our unsecured, except with respect to the
Pledged Securities as described below, and unsubordinated
obligations. The Old Notes rank, in right of payment, the same
as all of our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated
indebtedness, except with respect to the Pledged Securities as
described below. The Old Notes rank senior in right of payment
to all of our subordinated indebtedness and will be effectively
subordinated to any secured indebtedness, except with respect to
the Pledged Securities as described below, and structurally
subordinated to indebtedness and other liabilities of our
subsidiaries.
Security
Our subsidiary, Charter Holdco, has purchased and pledged to us
as security for an intercompany note, and pursuant to a pledge
agreement we repledged to the trustee as security for the
benefit of the Holders of the Old Notes (and not for the benefit
of our other creditors), U.S. government securities, which
we refer to as the Pledged Securities, in such amount as will be
sufficient upon receipt of scheduled payments with respect to
such Pledged Securities to provide for payment in full of the
first six scheduled interest payments due on the Old Notes,
without regard to any liquidated damages we may owe or any
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deferred interest in respect of accretion of the principal
amount of the Notes. Charter Holdco used approximately
$144 million of the net proceeds from the offering to
acquire such Pledged Securities. Since we have paid the first
five installments of interest on the Old Notes, only
$25 million principal amount of Pledged Securities remain
subject to the pledge.
The Pledged Securities were repledged by us to the trustee for
the exclusive benefit of the Holders of the Old Notes and are
held by the trustee in a pledge account. Immediately prior to
the interest payment date falling on November 16, 2007, the
trustee will release from the pledge account cash generated by
Pledged Securities then maturing sufficient to pay the interest
then due on the original principal amount of the Old Notes. A
failure to pay interest on the original principal amount of the
Old Notes when due on such scheduled interest payment date will
constitute an immediate event of default under the indenture,
with no grace period (unless the failure to make such payment
results from the failure by the trustee to release such proceeds
from the pledge account, provided such failure is not caused by
any act or omission by us). Upon any conversion of Old Notes
prior to November 16, 2007, the trustee will liquidate a
portion of the Pledged Securities and release from the pledge
account proceeds sufficient to pay the Early Conversion Make
Whole Amount described under Conversion
Rights Interest Make Whole Upon Conversion. If
any Early Conversion Make Whole Amount is limited by the formula
described therein, the portion of the proceeds of the
liquidation of the Pledged Securities not paid to the converting
Holder as a result of such limitation will be released to
Charter Holdco from the pledge account.
If prior to November 16, 2007
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an event of default under the Old Notes occurs and is
continuing, and |
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the trustee or the Holders of 25% in aggregate original
principal amount of the Old Notes accelerate the Old Notes by
declaring the accreted principal amount of the Old Notes to be
immediately due and payable (by written consent, at a meeting of
Old Note Holders or otherwise), except for the occurrence
of an event of default relating to our bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization, upon which the Old Notes will be accelerated
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then the proceeds from the liquidation of the Pledged Securities
will be promptly released to Old Note Holders, subject to
the automatic stay provisions of bankruptcy law, if applicable.
Distributions from the pledge account will be applied:
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first, to any accrued and unpaid interest on the Old
Notes, and |
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second, to the extent available, to the repayment of a portion
of the principal amount of the Old Notes. |
However, if any event of default is cured or waived prior to the
acceleration of the Old Notes by the trustee or Holders of the
Old Notes referred to above, the trustee and the holders of the
Old Notes will not be able to accelerate the Old Notes as a
result of that event of default.
For example, if the first two interest payments were made when
due but the third interest payment was not made when due and the
Old Note Holders promptly exercised their right to declare
the accreted principal amount of the Old Notes to be immediately
due and payable then, assuming automatic stay provisions of
bankruptcy law are inapplicable and the proceeds of the Pledged
Securities are promptly distributed from the pledge account,
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an amount equal to the interest payment due with respect to the
third interest payment would be distributed from the pledge
account as accrued interest, and |
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the balance of the proceeds of the pledge account would be
distributed as a portion of the principal amount of the Old
Notes. |
In addition, Old Note Holders would have an unsecured claim
against us for the remainder of the accreted principal amount of
their Old Notes.
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Once we make the sixth scheduled interest payment on the Old
Notes, all of the remaining Pledged Securities, if any, will be
released to Charter Holdco from the pledge account and
thereafter the Old Notes will be unsecured.
Conversion Rights
Holders may convert their Old Notes into shares of our
Class A common stock at an initial conversion rate of
413.2231 shares of our Class A common stock, par value
$.001 per share, per $1,000 original principal amount of
Old Notes, unless previously redeemed or repurchased. This is
equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately
$2.42 per share.
The conversion rate and the equivalent conversion price in
effect at any given time are referred to as the applicable
conversion rate and the applicable conversion
price, respectively, and will be subject to adjustment as
set forth in Conversion Rate Adjustments
below. In addition, if we elect to accrete the principal amount
of the Old Notes to pay any liquidated damages, we will increase
the conversion rate at the same rate as the accretion rate and
over the same period of time. A Holder may convert fewer than
all of such Holders Old Notes so long as the Old Notes
converted are a multiple of $1,000 original principal amount.
Upon conversion of an Old Note, a Holder will not receive any
cash payment of interest (unless such conversion occurs between
a regular record date and the interest payment date to which it
relates), subject to our obligations described under
Interest Make Whole Upon Conversion
below, and we will not adjust the conversion rate to account for
accrued and unpaid interest. Our delivery to the Holder of cash
and shares, if any, of our Class A common stock into which
the Old Note is convertible will be deemed to satisfy our
obligation with respect to such Old Note, subject to our
obligations described under Interest Make
Whole Upon Conversion below. Except to the extent we are
required to make payments in respect of such obligations, any
accrued but unpaid interest will be deemed to be paid in full
upon conversion, rather than cancelled, extinguished or
forfeited.
Holders of Old Notes at the close of business on a regular
record date will receive payment of interest payable on the
corresponding interest payment date notwithstanding the
conversion of such Old Notes at any time after the close of
business on the applicable regular record date. Old Notes
surrendered for conversion by a Holder after the close of
business on any regular record date but prior to the next
interest payment date must be accompanied by payment of an
amount equal to the interest that the Holder is to receive on
the Old Notes; provided, however, that no such payment need be
made (1) if the conversion date is prior to
November 16, 2007, (2) we have specified a redemption
date that is after a record date and on or prior to the next
interest payment date, (3) if we have specified a
repurchase date following a fundamental change that is after a
record date and on or prior to the next interest payment date or
(4) only to the extent of overdue interest, if any overdue
interest exists at the time of conversion with respect to such
Old Note.
If a Holder converts Old Notes, we will pay any documentary,
stamp or similar issue or transfer tax due on the issue of
shares of our Class A common stock upon the conversion, if
any, unless the tax is due because the Holder requests the
shares to be issued or delivered to a person other than the
holder, in which case the Holder will pay that tax.
If a Holder wishes to exercise its conversion right, such Holder
must deliver an irrevocable duly completed conversion notice,
together, if the Old Notes are in certificated form, with the
certificated security, to the conversion agent along with
appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, if required,
and pay any transfer or similar tax, if required. The date a
Holder makes such required deliveries is the conversion date for
the Old Notes converted. The conversion agent will, on the
holders behalf, convert the Old Notes into shares of our
Class A common stock, subject to our right to deliver cash
or a combination of cash and shares. Holders may obtain copies
of the required form of the conversion notice from the
conversion agent. A certificate, or a book-entry transfer
through The Depository Trust Company, New
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York, New York, or DTC, for the number of full shares of our
Class A common stock into which any Old Notes are
converted, together with a cash payment for any fractional
shares, and cash or shares, if applicable, with respect to any
Early Conversion Make Whole Amount or Redemption Make Whole
Amount as described under Interest Make Whole
Upon Conversion below, will be delivered through the
conversion agent on the conversion settlement date,
which will be as soon as practicable, but no later than the
fifth business day, following the conversion date, unless we
elect cash settlement as described under Cash
Settlement Option below. The trustee will initially act as
the conversion agent.
Old Notes called for redemption may be surrendered for
conversion at any time prior to the close of business on the
business day immediately preceding the redemption date. If a
Holder has already delivered a repurchase notice as described
under Fundamental Change Requires Us to
Repurchase Old Notes at the Option of the Holder with
respect to an Old Note, however, the holder may not surrender
that Old Note for conversion until the Holder has withdrawn the
repurchase notice in accordance with the indenture.
Upon conversion, we will have the right to deliver, in lieu of
shares of our Class A common stock, cash or a combination
of cash and Class A common stock. We will inform converting
holders through the trustee no later than two business days
following the conversion date if we elect to pay cash in lieu of
delivering shares and will specify in such notice the percentage
of the shares otherwise deliverable for which we will pay cash,
unless we have already informed Holders of our election in a
notice of redemption for the Old Notes, as described under
Redemption below. If we elect to pay
holders cash upon conversion, such payment will be based on the
average price of our Class A common stock. If we elect cash
settlement, the conversion settlement date on which
we deliver the cash and shares of our Class A common stock,
if any, together with the cash or shares, if applicable, with
respect to any Early Conversion Make Whole Amount or
Redemption Make Whole Amount, to converting Holders will be
the third business day following the determination of the cash
conversion price. We will deliver cash in lieu of any fractional
shares of our Class A common stock issuable in connection
with any conversion of Old Notes based upon the cash conversion
price.
The cash conversion price of our Class A common
stock means, with respect to any conversion of Old Notes, the
average of the sale prices of our Class A common stock over
the 20 trading day period beginning on the third trading day
immediately following the applicable conversion date.
The sale price of our Class A common stock on
any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no
closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and asked
prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the
average bid and the average asked prices) on that date as
reported in transactions for the principal U.S. securities
exchange on which our common stock is traded or, if our common
stock is not listed on a U.S. national or regional
securities exchange. The sale price will be determined without
reference to after-hours or extended market trading.
If our Class A common stock is not listed for trading on a
U.S. national or regional securities exchange, the
sale price will be the last quoted bid price for our
common stock on the Nasdaq Small Cap Market or in the
over-the-counter market
on the relevant date as reported by Pink Sheets LLC or any
similar organization.
If our Class A common stock is not so quoted, the
sale price will be the average of the mid-point of
the last bid and asked prices for our common stock on the
relevant date from each of at least three nationally recognized
independent investment banking firms selected by us for this
purpose.
Trading day means a day during which trading in
securities generally occurs on the principal U.S. national
or regional securities exchange on which our Class A common
stock is then listed or, if our Class A common stock is not
then listed on a national or regional securities exchange, on
the principal other market on which our Class A common
stock is then traded.
122
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Limitation on Beneficial Ownership |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Holder of Old Notes will be
entitled to receive shares of our Class A common stock upon
conversion to the extent (but only to the extent) that such
receipt would cause such converting Holder to become, directly
or indirectly, a beneficial owner (within the
meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder) of more than the
specified percentage of the shares of Class A common stock
outstanding at such time. With respect to any conversion prior
to November 16, 2008, the specified percentage will be
4.9%, and with respect to any conversion thereafter until the
maturity of the Old Notes, the specified percentage will be
9.9%. Any purported delivery of shares of our Class A
common stock upon conversion of Old Notes shall be void and have
no effect to the extent (but only to the extent) that such
delivery would result in the converting Holder becoming the
beneficial owner of more than the specified percentage of the
shares of Class A common stock outstanding at such time. If
any delivery of shares of our Class A common stock owed to
a Holder upon conversion of Old Notes is not made, in whole or
in part, as a result of this limitation, our obligation to make
such delivery shall not be extinguished and we shall deliver
such shares as promptly as practicable after, but in no event
later than two trading days after, any such converting Holder
gives notice to us that such delivery would not result in it
being the beneficial owner of more than the specified percentage
of the shares of Class A common stock outstanding at such
time.
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Interest Make Whole Upon Conversion |
Early Conversion Make Whole Amount. Holders who
convert their Old Notes prior to November 16, 2007 will
receive, in addition to a number of shares of our Class A
common stock equal to the conversion rate, or cash in lieu
thereof, the cash proceeds, subject to the limitation described
below, of the sale by the trustee of the Pledged Securities
remaining with respect to the Old Notes being converted, which
we refer to as the Early Conversion Make Whole Amount; provided
that if a Holder converts Old Notes after the close of business
on any regular record date but prior to the next interest
payment date, the Pledged Securities with respect to the Old
Notes being converted that will mature immediately prior to the
applicable interest payment date shall be excluded from such
sale and from the Early Conversion Make Whole Amount since the
proceeds thereof will be paid to such Holder on such interest
payment date. The Early Conversion Make Whole Amount will not
compensate a converting Holder for any deferred interest in
respect of accretion of the principal amount of the Old Notes if
we elect to accrete such principal amount to pay any liquidated
damages we may owe.
Upon receipt by the conversion agent of a conversion notice, the
trustee will liquidate a portion of the Pledged Securities,
excluding, in the case of any conversion after the close of
business on any regular record date but prior to the next
interest payment date, Pledged Securities that will mature
immediately prior to the applicable interest payment date,
rounded down to the nearest whole multiple of the minimum
denomination of such Pledged Securities, and release the cash
proceeds thereof to the converting Holder. The percentage of the
remaining Pledged Securities to be sold will be determined based
on the aggregate original principal amount of Old Notes being
converted as a percentage of the total original principal amount
of Old Notes then outstanding.
Redemption Make Whole Amount. Any Holders who
convert Old Notes that have been called for redemption shall
receive, in addition to the Early Conversion Make Whole Amount,
if applicable, the present value of the interest on the Old
Notes converted that would have been payable for the period from
and including November 16, 2007, or if later, the
redemption date, to but excluding November 16, 2009, plus
any accrued and unpaid deferred interest, which we refer to as
the Redemption Make Whole Amount. The Redemption Make
Whole Amount shall be calculated by discounting the amount of
such interest, other than any deferred interest, on a
semi-annual basis using a discount rate equal to 3.0% plus the
arithmetic mean of the yields under the respective headings
This Week and Last Week published in the
Statistical Release under the caption Treasury Constant
Maturities for the maturity (rounded to the nearest month)
corresponding to the period from and including the redemption
date to but excluding November 16, 2009. If no maturity
exactly corresponds to such maturity, yields for the two
published maturities most closely corresponding to such maturity
shall be calculated pursuant to the immediately
123
preceding sentence and the applicable rate shall be interpolated
or extrapolated from such yields on a straight-line basis,
rounding in each of such relevant periods to the nearest month.
For the purpose of calculating the applicable rate, the most
recent Statistical Release published prior to the date of
determination of the Redemption Make Whole Amount shall be
used.
The term Statistical Release shall mean the
statistical release designated H.15(519) or any
successor publication which is published weekly by the Federal
Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively traded
U.S. government securities adjusted to constant maturities
or, if such statistical release is not published at the time of
any determination under the indenture, then such other
reasonably comparable index that we will designate.
We may pay the Redemption Make Whole Amount in cash or in
shares of our Class A common stock, with the number of such
shares determined based on the average of the sale prices of our
Class A common stock over the ten trading days immediately
preceding the applicable conversion date. If we elect to pay the
Redemption Make Whole Amount in shares of our Class A
common stock, the number of shares we deliver, together with the
shares deliverable upon conversion, shall not exceed
462 per $1,000 original principal amount of Old Notes,
subject to adjustment in the same manner as the conversion rate
as set forth under Conversion Rate
Adjustments, and we must deliver cash with respect to the
remainder of the Redemption Make Whole Amount, if any.
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Make Whole Amount and Public Acquirer Change of
Control |
If a transaction described in clause (2) of the definition
of change of control (as set forth under
Fundamental Change Requires Us to Repurchase
Old Notes at the Option of the Holder) occurs on or prior
to November 16, 2009, we must give notice to all record
Holders of Old Notes and the trustee at least ten trading days
prior to the anticipated effective date of such change of
control transaction. We must also give notice to all record
Holders of Old Notes and the trustee that such a transaction has
occurred within 15 days after the actual effective date of
such change of control transaction. If a Holder elects to
convert its Old Notes at any time following the date we give
notice of the anticipated effective date of such change of
control transaction we will increase the applicable conversion
rate for the Old Notes surrendered for conversion by a number of
additional shares of Class A common stock (the
additional shares), as described below.
The number of additional shares will be determined by reference
to the table below and is based on the date on which such change
of control transaction becomes effective (the effective
date) and the price (the stock price) paid per
share of our Class A common stock in such transaction. If
the holders of our Class A common stock receive only cash
in the change of control transaction, the stock price shall be
the cash amount paid per share. Otherwise the stock price shall
be the average of the sale prices of our Class A common
stock on the 10 trading days up to but not including the
effective date.
The additional shares will be delivered to Holders who elect to
convert their Old Notes during the period described above on the
later of (1) five business days following the effective
date and (2) the conversion settlement date for those Old
Notes.
The stock prices set forth in the first row of the table (i.e.,
the column headers) will be adjusted as of any date on which the
conversion rate of the Old Notes is adjusted. The adjusted stock
prices will equal the stock prices applicable immediately prior
to such adjustment multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of
which is the conversion rate immediately prior to the adjustment
giving rise to the stock price adjustment and the denominator of
which is the conversion rate as so adjusted. Our obligation to
deliver the additional shares will be subject to adjustment in
the same manner as the conversion rate as set forth under
Conversion Rate Adjustments.
124
The following table sets forth the hypothetical stock price and
number of additional shares to be received per $1,000 original
principal amount of Old Notes.
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Stock Price | |
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| |
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$2.16 | |
|
$2.25 | |
|
$2.50 | |
|
$3.00 | |
|
$3.50 | |
|
$4.00 | |
|
$4.50 | |
|
$5.00 | |
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| |
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| |
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November 16, 2006
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74.2 |
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66.2 |
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48.5 |
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25.4 |
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12.1 |
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4.1 |
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0.0 |
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0.0 |
|
November 16, 2007
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95.1 |
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85.5 |
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64.0 |
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36.5 |
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20.9 |
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11.7 |
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6.3 |
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3.0 |
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November 16, 2008
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85.6 |
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75.0 |
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52.0 |
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24.5 |
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10.7 |
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3.8 |
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0.8 |
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0.0 |
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November 16, 2009
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49.7 |
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31.2 |
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0.0 |
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0.0 |
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|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
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|
0.0 |
|
The exact stock price and effective dates may not be set forth
on the table, in which case:
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(1) if the stock price is between two stock price amounts
on the table or the effective date is between two dates on the
table, the additional premium will be determined by
straight-line interpolation between the number of additional
shares set forth for the higher and lower stock price amounts
and the two dates, as applicable, based on a 365 day year; |
|
|
(2) if the stock price is in excess of $5.00 per share
(subject to adjustment), no additional shares will be issued
upon conversion; and |
|
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(3) if the stock price is less than $2.16 per share
(the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock
on the date the Old Notes were priced) (subject to adjustment),
no additional shares will be issued upon conversion. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event will the total number
of shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion
exceed 462 per $1,000 original principal amount of Old
Notes, subject to adjustment in the same manner as the
conversion rate as set forth under Conversion
Rate Adjustments.
Our obligation to deliver the additional shares could be
considered a penalty, in which case the enforceability thereof
would be subject to general principles of reasonableness of
economic remedies.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and in lieu of adjusting the
conversion rate as set forth above, in the case of a
public acquirer change of control (as defined below)
we may elect that, from and after the effective date of such
public acquirer change of control, the right to convert an Old
Note will be changed into a right to convert an Old Note into a
number of shares of acquirer common stock (as
defined below). The conversion rate following the effective date
of such transaction will be a number of shares of acquirer
common stock equal to the product of:
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the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the effective
date of such change of control, times |
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the average of the quotients obtained, for each trading day in
the 10 consecutive trading day period commencing on the trading
day next succeeding the effective date of such public acquirer
change of control (the valuation period), of: |
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(i) the acquisition value of our Class A
common stock on each such trading day in the valuation period,
divided by |
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(ii) the closing sale price of the acquirer common stock on
each such trading day in the valuation period. |
The acquisition value of our Class A common
stock means, for each trading day in the valuation period, the
value of the consideration paid per share of our Class A
common stock in connection with such public acquirer change of
control, as follows:
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for any cash, 100% of the face amount of such cash, |
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for any acquirer common stock or any other securities that are
traded on a U.S. national securities exchange, 100% of the
closing sale price of such acquirer common stock or other traded
securities on each such trading day; and |
125
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for any other securities, assets or property, 102% of the fair
market value of such security, asset or property on each such
trading day, as determined by two independent nationally
recognized investment banks selected by the trustee for this
purpose. |
After the adjustment of the conversion rate in connection with a
public acquirer change of control, the conversion rate will be
subject to further similar adjustments in the event that any of
the events described above occur thereafter.
A public acquirer change of control is any
transaction described in clause (2) of the definition of
change control below where the acquirer, or any entity that is a
direct or indirect beneficial owner (as defined in
Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the total voting power of
all shares of such acquirers capital stock that are
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors has a
class of common stock traded on a national securities exchange
or which will be so traded or quoted when issued or exchanged in
connection with such change of control. We refer to such
acquirers or other entitys class of common stock
traded on a national securities exchange or which will be so
traded or quoted when issued or exchanged in connection with
such fundamental change as the acquirer common stock.
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Conversion Rate Adjustments |
The initial conversion rate will be adjusted for certain events,
including:
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(1) the issuance of our Class A common stock as a
dividend or distribution on our Class A common stock, or
certain subdivisions and combinations of our Class A common
stock, in which event the conversion rate will be adjusted based
on the following formula: |
where,
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CR
0 |
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect at the close of business on the
record date |
CR
1
|
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= |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the record date |
OS
0
|
|
= |
|
the number of shares of our Class A common stock
outstanding at the close of business on the record date |
OS
1
|
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= |
|
the number of shares of our Class A common stock
outstanding that would be outstanding immediately after such
event |
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(2) the issuance to all holders of our Class A common
stock of certain rights or warrants to purchase our Class A
common stock (or securities convertible into our Class A
common stock) for a period expiring 45 days or less from
the date of issuance of such rights or warrants at less than (or
having a conversion price per share less than) the current
market price of our Class A common stock; provided that the
conversion rate will be readjusted to the extent that such
rights or warrants are not exercised prior to the expiration, in
which event the conversion rate will be adjusted based on the
following formula: |
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CR 1
= CR
0
|
|
× |
|
OS 0
+ X
OS
0
+ Y |
where,
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CR
0 |
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect at the close of business on the
record date |
CR
1
|
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the record date |
OS
0
|
|
= |
|
the number of shares of our Class A common stock
outstanding at the close of business on the record date |
X
|
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= |
|
the total number of shares of our Class A common stock
issuable pursuant to such rights |
126
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Y
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= |
|
the number of shares of our Class A common stock equal to
the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights divided by
the average of the sale prices of our Class A common stock
for the ten consecutive trading days prior to the business day
immediately preceding the announcement of the issuance of such
rights |
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(3) the dividend or other distribution to all holders of
our Class A common stock of shares of our capital stock
(other than Class A common stock) or evidences of our
indebtedness or our assets (excluding (A) any dividend,
distribution or issuance covered by clause (1) or
(2) above and (B) any dividend or distribution paid
exclusively in cash), in which event the conversion rate will be
adjusted based on the following formula: |
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|
CR 1
= CR
0
|
|
× |
|
SP 0
SP
0
- FMV |
where,
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CR
0 |
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect at the close of business on the
record date |
CR
1
|
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the record date |
SP
0
|
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= |
|
the current market price |
FMV
|
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= |
|
the fair market value (as determined by our board of directors)
of the shares of capital stock, evidences of indebtedness,
assets or property distributed with respect to each outstanding
share of our Class A common stock on the record date for
such distribution |
With respect to an adjustment pursuant to this clause (3)
where there has been a payment of a dividend or other
distribution on our Class A common stock or shares of
capital stock of, or similar equity interests in, a subsidiary
or other business unit of ours, in which event the conversion
rate will be adjusted based on the following formula:
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CR 1
= CR
0
|
|
× |
|
FMV 0
+ MP
0
MP
0 |
where,
|
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|
|
CR
0 |
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect at the close of business on the
record date |
CR
1
|
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the record date |
FMV
0
|
|
= |
|
the average of the sale prices of the capital stock or similar
equity interest distributed to holders of our Class A
common stock applicable to one share of our Class A common
stock over the 10 trading days commencing on and including the
fifth trading day after the date on which ex-distribution
trading commences for such dividend or distribution on The
Nasdaq Global Market or such other national or regional exchange
or market on which the securities are then listed or quoted |
MP
0
|
|
= |
|
the average of the sale prices of our Class A common stock
over the 10 trading days commencing on and including the fifth
trading day after the date on which ex-distribution
trading commences for such dividend or distribution on The
Nasdaq Global Market or such other national or regional exchange
or market on which the securities are then listed or quoted |
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(4) dividends or other distributions consisting exclusively
of cash to all holders of our Class A common stock, in
which event the conversion rate will be adjusted based on the
following formula: |
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|
|
CR 1
= CR
0
|
|
× |
|
SP 0
SP
0
- C |
127
where,
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|
CR
0 |
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect at the close of business on the
record date |
CR
1
|
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the record date |
SP
0
|
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= |
|
the current market price |
C
|
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= |
|
the amount in cash per share we distribute to holders of our
Class A common stock |
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|
(5) we or one or more of our subsidiaries make purchases of
our Class A common stock pursuant to a tender offer or
exchange offer by us or one of our subsidiaries for our
Class A common stock to the extent that the cash and value
of any other consideration included in the payment per share of
our Class A common stock exceeds the current market price
per share of our Class A common stock on the trading day
next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may
be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (the
expiration date), in which event the conversion rate
will be adjusted based on the following formula: |
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|
|
|
CR 1
= CR
0
|
|
× |
|
FMV + (SP
1
× OS
1
)
OS
0
× SP
1 |
where,
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|
CR
0 |
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect on the expiration date |
CR
1
|
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the expiration
date |
FMV
|
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= |
|
the fair market value (as determined by our board of directors)
of the aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration
paid or payable for shares validly tendered or exchanged and not
withdrawn as of the expiration date (the purchased
shares) |
OS
1
|
|
= |
|
the number of shares of our Class A common stock
outstanding immediately after the expiration date less any
purchased shares |
OS
0
|
|
= |
|
the number of shares of our Class A common stock
outstanding immediately after the expiration date, including any
purchased shares |
SP
1
|
|
= |
|
the sale price of our Class A common stock on the trading
day next succeeding the expiration date |
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|
(6) someone other than us or one of our subsidiaries makes
a payment in respect of a tender offer or exchange offer in
which, as of the expiration date, our board of directors is not
recommending rejection of the offer, in which event the
conversion rate will be adjusted based on the following formula: |
|
|
|
|
|
CR 1
= CR
0
|
|
× |
|
FMV + (SP
1
× OS
1
)
OS
0
× SP
1 |
where,
|
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|
|
|
CR
0 |
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect on the expiration date |
CR
1
|
|
= |
|
the conversion rate in effect immediately after the expiration
date |
FMV
|
|
= |
|
the fair market value (as determined by our board of directors)
of the aggregate consideration payable to our shareholders based
on the acceptance (up to any maximum specified in the terms of
the tender or exchange offer) of all shares validly tendered or
exchanged and not withdrawn as of the expiration date |
OS
1
|
|
= |
|
the number of shares of our Class A common stock
outstanding immediately after the expiration date less any
purchased shares |
OS
0
|
|
= |
|
the number of shares of our Class A common stock
outstanding immediately after the expiration date, including any
purchased shares |
128
|
|
|
|
|
SP
1
|
|
= |
|
the sale price of our Class A common stock on the trading
day next succeeding the expiration date |
The adjustment referred to in this clause (6) will only be
made if:
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|
|
the tender offer or exchange offer is for an amount that
increases the offerors ownership of Class A common
stock to more than 25% of the total shares of Class A
common stock outstanding; and |
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|
|
the cash and value of any other consideration included in the
payment per share of Class A common stock exceeds the sale
price of our Class A common stock on the trading day next
succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be
made pursuant to the tender or exchange offer. |
However, the adjustment referred to in this clause (6) will
generally not be made if as of the closing of the offer, the
offering documents disclose a plan or an intention to cause us
to engage in a consolidation or merger or a sale of the
consolidated assets of us and our subsidiaries substantially as
an entirety.
Current market price of our Class A common
stock on any day means the average of the sale price of our
Class A common stock for each of the 10 consecutive trading
days ending on the earlier of the day in question and the day
before the ex-date with respect to the issuance or
distribution requiring such computation. For purposes of this
paragraph, ex-date means the first date on which the
shares of our Class A common stock trade on the applicable
exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the
right to receive such issuance or distribution.
Record date means, for purpose of this section, with
respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or
event in which the holders of our Class A common stock have
the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or
in which our Class A common stock (or other applicable
security) is exchanged for or converted into any combination of
cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for
determination of holders of our Class A common stock
entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property
(whether such date is fixed by our board of directors or by
statute, contract or otherwise).
To the extent that we have a rights plan in effect upon
conversion of the Old Notes into Class A common stock, you
will receive, in addition to the Class A common stock, the
rights under the rights plan, unless prior to any conversion,
the rights have separated from the Class A common stock, in
which case the conversion rate will be adjusted at the time of
separation as if we distributed, to all holders of our
Class A common stock, shares of our capital stock,
evidences of indebtedness or assets as described above, subject
to readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or
redemption of such rights.
Except as stated above, the conversion rate will not be adjusted
for the issuance of our Class A common stock or any
securities convertible into or exchangeable for our Class A
common stock or carrying the right to purchase any of the
foregoing.
In the case of any recapitalization, reclassification or change
of our Class A common stock (other than changes resulting
from a subdivision or combination), a consolidation, merger or
combination involving us, a sale, lease or other transfer to
another corporation of the consolidated assets of ours and our
subsidiaries substantially as an entirety, or any statutory
share exchange, in each case as a result of which holders of our
Class A common stock are entitled to receive stock, other
securities, other property or assets (including cash or any
combination thereof) with respect to or in exchange for our
Class A common stock, the Holders of the Old Notes then
outstanding will be entitled thereafter to convert those Old
Notes into the kind and amount of shares of stock, other
securities or other property or assets (including cash or any
combination thereof) that they would have owned or been entitled
to receive upon such recapitalization, reclassification, change,
consolidation, merger, combination, sale, lease, transfer or
statutory share exchange had such Old Notes been converted into
our Class A common stock immediately prior to such
transaction. We will agree in the indenture not to become a
party to any such transaction unless its terms are consistent
with the foregoing.
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We may from time to time, to the extent permitted by law and
subject to applicable rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market, increase
the conversion rate of the Old Notes by any amount for any
period of at least 20 days. In that case we will give at
least 15 days notice of such increase. We may make such
increases in the conversion rate, to the extent permitted by law
and subject to applicable rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market, in
addition to those set forth above, as our board of directors
deems advisable to avoid or diminish any income tax to holders
of our Class A common stock resulting from any dividend or
distribution of stock (or rights to acquire stock) or from any
event treated as such for income tax purposes.
As a result of any adjustment of the conversion rate, the
Holders of Old Notes may, in certain circumstances, be deemed to
have received a distribution subject to U.S. income tax as
a dividend. In certain other circumstances, the absence of an
adjustment may result in a taxable dividend to the holders of
Class A common stock. In addition,
non-U.S. Holders
of Old Notes in certain circumstances may be deemed to have
received a distribution subject to U.S. federal withholding
tax requirements.
Exchange in Lieu of Conversion
Unless we have called the relevant Old Notes for redemption,
when a Holder surrenders Old Notes for conversion, we may direct
the conversion agent to surrender, on or prior to the date two
business days following the conversion date, such Old Notes to a
financial institution designated by us for exchange in lieu of
conversion. In order to accept any such Old Notes, the
designated institution must agree to deliver, in exchange for
such Old Notes, a number of shares of our common stock equal to
the applicable conversion rate, or at its option, cash or a
combination of cash and shares of our common stock in lieu
thereof, calculated based on the cash conversion, plus cash for
any fractional shares and any Early Conversion Make Whole Amount.
If the designated institution accepts any such Old Notes, it
will deliver the appropriate number of shares of our common
stock (and cash, if any), or cash in lieu thereof, to the
conversion agent and the conversion agent will deliver those
shares or cash to the Holder. Such designated institution will
also deliver cash equal to any Early Conversion Make Whole
Amount we would owe such Holder if we had converted its Old
Notes. Any Old Notes exchanged by the designated institution
will remain outstanding. If the designated institution agrees to
accept any Old Notes for exchange but does not timely deliver
the related consideration, we will, as promptly as practical
thereafter, but not later than the third business day following
(1) the conversion date, or (2) if the designated
institution elects to deliver cash or a combination of cash and
shares of our common stock, the determination of the cash
conversion price, convert the Old Notes and deliver shares of
our common stock, as described under
Conversion Rights General,
or, at our option cash in lieu thereof based on the average
price, along with any applicable Early Conversion Make Whole
Amount.
Our designation of an institution to which the Old Notes may be
submitted for exchange does not require the institution to
accept any Old Notes. If the designated institution declines to
accept any Old Notes surrendered for exchange, we will convert
those Old Notes into shares of our Class A Common stock, or
cash in lieu thereof, as described under
Conversion Rights above. We will not pay
any consideration to, or otherwise enter into any arrangement
with, the designated institution for or with respect to such
designation.
Redemption
We may redeem for cash the Old Notes in whole or in part, at a
price equal to 100% of the accreted principal amount of such Old
Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, deferred interest and
liquidated damages, if any, on the Old Notes to, but excluding,
the redemption date, if the closing price of our Class A
common stock has exceeded, for at least 20 trading days in any
consecutive 30 trading day period, 180% of the conversion price
if such 30 trading day period begins prior to November 16,
2007 and 150% if such 30 trading day period begins thereafter.
The conversion price as of any day will equal the
accreted principal amount of $1,000 original principal amount of
Old Notes divided by the conversion rate in effect
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on such day. We are required to give notice of redemption to the
trustee and all registered Holders not less than 30 nor more
than 60 days prior to the redemption date. We must specify
in such notice (1) whether we will deliver shares of our
Class A common stock, or cash in lieu thereof, upon
conversion of any Old Notes called for redemption, (2) if
we elect to deliver cash, the percentage of the shares otherwise
deliverable for which we will pay cash and (3) whether we
will deliver cash or shares of our Class A common stock
upon conversion with respect to the Redemption Make Whole
Amount.
Old Notes or portions of Old Notes called for redemption will be
convertible by the Holder until the close of business on the
business day prior to the redemption date.
If we decide to redeem fewer than all of the outstanding Old
Notes, the trustee will select the Old Notes to be redeemed (in
original principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples
thereof) by lot, on a pro rata basis or by another method the
trustee considers fair and appropriate.
If any Old Notes are to be redeemed in part only, we will issue
a new Old Note or Old Notes with a principal amount equal to the
unredeemed principal portion thereof. If the trustee selects a
portion of your Old Note for partial redemption and you convert
a portion of the same Old Note, the converted portion will be
deemed to be from the portion selected for redemption. In the
event of any redemption in part, we will not be required to
issue, register the transfer of or exchange any certificated Old
Note during a period of 15 days before the mailing of the
redemption notice.
Fundamental Change Requires Us to Repurchase Old Notes at the
Option of the Holder
If a fundamental change occurs, each Holder of Old Notes will
have the right to require us to repurchase some or all of that
Holders Old Notes for cash on a repurchase date that is
not less than 20 nor more than 35 business days after the date
of our notice of the fundamental change. We will repurchase such
Old Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the accreted
principal amount of the Old Notes to be purchased, plus any
accrued and unpaid interest (including deferred interest and
liquated damages, if any) to but excluding the fundamental
change repurchase date, unless such fundamental change
repurchase date falls after a record date and on or prior to the
corresponding interest payment date, in which case we will pay
the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest (including
liquated damages, if any, but excluding any deferred interest)
payable on such interest payment date to the Holder of record at
the close of business on the corresponding record date.
Within 20 days after the occurrence of a fundamental
change, we are required to give notice to all Holders of Old
Notes, as provided in the indenture, of the occurrence of the
fundamental change and of their resulting repurchase right and
the fundamental change repurchase date. We must also deliver a
copy of our notice to the trustee. To exercise the repurchase
right, a Holder of Old Notes must deliver, on or before the
fundamental change repurchase date specified in our notice,
written notice to the trustee of the Holders exercise of
its repurchase right, together with the Old Notes with respect
to which the right is being exercised. We will promptly pay the
repurchase price for Old Notes surrendered for repurchase
following the fundamental change repurchase date.
You may withdraw any written repurchase notice by delivering a
written notice of withdrawal to the paying agent prior to the
close of business on the repurchase date. The withdrawal notice
must state:
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the original principal amount of the withdrawn Old Notes; |
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if certificated Old Notes have been issued, the certificate
number of the withdrawn Old Notes (or, if your Old Notes are not
certificated, your withdrawal notice must comply with
appropriate DTC procedures); and |
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the original principal amount, if any, that remains subject to
the repurchase notice. |
Payment of the repurchase price for an Old Note for which a
repurchase notice has been delivered and not withdrawn is
conditioned upon book-entry transfer or delivery of the Old
Note, together with necessary endorsements, to the paying agent
at its corporate trust office in the Borough of Manhattan, The
City of New York, or any other office of the paying agent, at
any time after delivery of the repurchase
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notice. Payment of the repurchase price for the Old Note will be
made promptly following the later of the fundamental change
repurchase date and the time of book-entry transfer or delivery
of the Old Note. If the paying agent holds money sufficient to
pay the repurchase price of the Old Note, on the repurchase
date, then, on and after the business day following the
repurchase date:
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the Old Note will cease to be outstanding; |
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interest will cease to accrue; and |
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all other rights of the Holder will terminate, other than the
right to receive the repurchase price upon delivery of the Old
Note. |
This will be the case whether or not book-entry transfer of the
Old Note has been made or the Old Note has been delivered to the
paying agent.
A fundamental change will be deemed to have occurred
upon a change of control or a termination of trading.
A termination of trading will be deemed to have
occurred if our Class A common stock (or other common stock
into which the Old Notes are then convertible) is not listed for
trading on a U.S. national securities exchange; provided
that a termination of trading will not occur so long as our
Class A common stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq
Small Cap market or quoted bid prices for our Class A
common stock in the
over-the-counter market
are reported by Pink Sheets LLC or any similar organization.
A change of control will be deemed to have occurred
at such time after the original issuance of the Old Notes when
the following has occurred:
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(1) the consummation of any transaction (including, without
limitation, any merger or consolidation), the result of which is
that any person or group within the
meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act other than
Paul G. Allen and Related Parties, becomes the direct or
indirect beneficial owner as defined in
Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act of more than 35% of the Voting Stock of Charter
Communications, Inc., measured by voting power rather than
number of shares, unless Mr. Allen and the Related Parties,
collectively, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, a
greater percentage of Voting Stock of Charter Communications,
Inc., measured by voting power rather than number of shares,
than such person; |
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(2) the consummation of any transaction or event (whether
by means of a liquidation, share exchange, tender offer,
consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, merger of us
or any sale, lease or other transfer of the consolidated assets
of ours and our subsidiaries) or a series of related
transactions or events pursuant to which our common stock is
exchanged for, converted into or constitutes solely the right to
receive cash, securities or other property more than 10% of the
fair market value of which consists of cash, securities or other
property that are not, or upon issuance will not be, traded on
any U.S. national securities exchange; |
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(3) the sale, transfer, conveyance, lease or other
disposition (including by way of liquidation or dissolution, but
excluding by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series
of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the
assets of Charter Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, to any person or group
as defined above; |
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(4) the purchase by Mr. Allen or any Allen Affiliates
in any transaction or series of transactions, of shares of our
Class A common stock, which results in the aggregate number
of shares of Class A common stock held by Mr. Allen
and any Allen Affiliates exceeding 70% of the total number of
shares of Class A common stock issued and outstanding
(including any shares borrowed pursuant to the share lending
agreement) at such time to the extent that the closing price per
share of the Class A common stock for any five trading days
within the period of the ten consecutive trading days
immediately after the later of the last date of such purchases
or the public announcement of such purchases is less than 100%
of the applicable conversion price of the Old Notes in effect on
each of those trading days; provided that the calculation of the
number of shares of Class A common stock |
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held by Mr. Allen and any Allen Affiliates will not include
any share of our Class A common stock acquired by
Mr. Allen or any Allen Affiliates as a result of the
exchange or conversion of membership units of Charter Holdco or
shares of our Class B common stock or any securities
exchangeable or convertible into shares of Class A common
stock or issued in exchange (by merger or otherwise) for shares
of a Person that holds units of Charter Holdco. |
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(5) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or
dissolution of Charter Holdco; or |
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(6) continuing directors (as defined below in this section)
cease to constitute at least a majority of our board of
directors. |
As used in connection with the definition of change of control,
the following terms will have the meaning described below:
Allen Affiliate means any person in which
Mr. Allen, directly or indirectly, owns at least a 50.1%
equity interest, provided that Charter Communications, Inc.,
Charter Holdco or any of its subsidiaries will not be included
in such definition.
Continuing director means a director who either was
a member of our board of directors on November 16, 2004 or
who becomes a member of our board of directors subsequent to
that date and whose appointment, election or nomination for
election by our shareholders is duly approved by a majority of
the continuing directors on our board of directors at the time
of such approval, either by a specific vote or by approval of
the proxy statement issued by us on behalf of the board of
directors in which such individual is named as nominee for
director.
Related Party means:
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(i) the spouse or an immediate family member, estate or
heir of the Mr. Allen; or |
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(ii) any trust, corporation, partnership or other entity,
the beneficiaries, stockholders, partners, owners or persons
beneficially holding an 80% or more controlling interest of
which consist of Mr. Allen and/or such other persons
referred to in the immediately preceding clause (i) or this
clause (ii). |
Voting Stock of any person as of any date means the
capital stock of such person that is at the time entitled to
vote in the election of the board of directors of such person.
The beneficial owner shall be determined in accordance with
Rule 13d-3
promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act. The term
person includes any syndicate or group which would
be deemed to be a person under Section 13(d)(3)
of the Exchange Act.
The definition of change of control includes a phrase relating
to the conveyance, transfer, sale, lease or disposition of our
consolidated assets substantially as an entirety.
There is no precise, established definition of the phrase
substantially as an entirety. under applicable law.
Accordingly, your ability to require us to repurchase your Old
Notes as a result of a conveyance, transfer, sale, lease or
other disposition of less than all our assets may be uncertain.
Rule 13e-4 under
the Exchange Act, as amended, requires the dissemination of
certain information to security holders if an issuer tender
offer occurs and may apply if the repurchase option becomes
available to Holders of the Old Notes. We will comply with this
rule to the extent applicable at that time.
We may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, at any time
repurchase the Old Notes in the open market or by tender at any
price or by private agreement. Any Old Note so repurchased by us
may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be reissued or
resold or may be surrendered to the trustee for cancellation.
Any Old Notes surrendered to the trustee may not be reissued or
resold and will be canceled promptly.
The foregoing provisions would not necessarily protect Holders
of the Old Notes if highly leveraged or other transactions
involving us occur that may adversely affect Holders.
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Our ability to repurchase Old Notes upon the occurrence of a
fundamental change is subject to important limitations. Our
subsidiaries existing credit agreements and indentures
contain and any future credit agreements or other agreements
relating to our indebtedness may also contain provisions
prohibiting repurchase of the Old Notes under certain
circumstances, or expressly prohibit our repurchase of the Old
Notes upon a fundamental change or may provide that a
fundamental change constitutes an event of default under that
agreement. If a fundamental change occurs at a time when we are
prohibited from repurchasing Old Notes, we could seek the
consent of our or our subsidiaries lenders and noteholders
to repurchase the Old Notes or attempt to refinance this debt.
If we do not obtain consent, we would not be permitted to
repurchase the Old Notes. Our failure to repurchase tendered Old
Notes would constitute an event of default under the indenture,
which might constitute a default under the terms of our other
indebtedness.
No Old Notes may be repurchased by us at the option of the
Holders upon a fundamental change if the accreted principal
amount of the Old Notes has been accelerated, and such
acceleration has not been rescinded, on or prior to such date.
The fundamental change purchase feature of the Old Notes may in
certain circumstances make more difficult or discourage a
takeover of our company. The fundamental change repurchase
feature, however, is not the result of our knowledge of any
specific effort to accumulate shares of our Class A common
stock, to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender
offer solicitation or otherwise, or by management to adopt a
series of anti-takeover provisions. Instead, the fundamental
change repurchase feature is a standard term contained in
securities similar to the Old Notes.
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
We may, without the consent of the holders of Old Notes,
consolidate with, merge into or sell, lease or otherwise
transfer in one transaction or a series of related transactions
the consolidated assets of ours and our subsidiaries
substantially as an entirety to any corporation, limited
liability company, partnership or trust organized under the laws
of the United States or any of its political subdivisions
provided that:
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the surviving entity assumes all our obligations under the
indenture and the Old Notes; |
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if as a result of such transaction the Old Notes become
convertible into common stock or other securities issued by a
third party that is not the successor under the Old Notes and
the indenture, such third party fully and unconditionally
guarantees all obligations of Charter Communications, Inc. or
such successor under the Old Notes and the indenture; |
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at the time of such transaction, no event of default, and no
event which, after notice or lapse of time, would become an
event of default, shall have happened and be continuing; and |
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an officers certificate and an opinion of counsel, each
stating that the consolidation, merger or transfer complies with
the provisions of the indenture, have been delivered to the
trustee. |
Events of Default
Each of the following will constitute an event of default under
the indenture:
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our failure to pay when due the principal on any of the Old
Notes at maturity, upon redemption or exercise of a repurchase
right or otherwise; |
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our failure to pay an installment of interest (including
liquidated damages, if any) other than any deferred interest on
any of the Old Notes for 30 days after the date when due;
provided that a failure to make any of the first six scheduled
interest payments on the original principal amount of the Old
Notes on the applicable interest payment date will constitute an
event of default with no grace or cure period (unless the
failure to make such payment results from the failure by the
trustee to release the relevant cash amount from the pledge
account, provided that such failure is not caused by any act or
omission by us); |
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our failure to deliver shares of our Class A common stock,
or cash in lieu thereof, when due upon conversion of Old Notes,
together with cash in respect of any fractional shares and any
Early Conversion Make Whole Amount and any Redemption Make
Whole Amount, upon conversion of an Old Note, and that failure
continues for 10 days; |
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our failure to comply with our obligations described under
Covenant when required and such failure
continues for five days; |
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our failure for 30 days after written notice thereof has
been given to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the
Holders of at least 25% in aggregate original principal amount
of the Old Notes then outstanding to comply with any of the
other covenants or agreements in the indenture; |
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our failure to make any payment under any mortgage, indenture or
instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may
be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by
us or any of our significant subsidiaries (or the payment of
which is guaranteed by us or any of our significant
subsidiaries) whether such indebtedness or guarantee now exists,
or is created after the issue date, if that default: |
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(i) is caused by a failure to pay at final stated maturity
the principal amount on such indebtedness prior to the
expiration of the grace period provided in such indebtedness on
the date of such default (a Payment Default); or |
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(ii) results in the acceleration of such indebtedness prior
to its express maturity, and, in each case, the principal amount
of any such indebtedness, together with the principal amount of
any other such indebtedness under which there has been a Payment
Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated,
aggregates $100 million or more; |
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our failure to give timely notice of a fundamental change or of
the anticipated effective date of a change of control
transaction as described under Conversion
Rights Make Whole Amount and Public Acquirer Change
of Control; and |
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certain events of our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
or any significant subsidiary of ours. |
Significant subsidiary has the meaning set forth in
clauses (1) and (2) of the definition thereof in
Regulation S-X
under the Securities Act.
If an event of default specified in the eighth bullet point
above occurs and is continuing, then the principal of all the
Old Notes and the interest thereon shall automatically become
immediately due and payable. If an event of default shall occur
and be continuing, other than an event of default specified in
the eighth bullet point above, the trustee or the Holders of at
least 25% in aggregate original principal amount of the Old
Notes then outstanding may declare the Old Notes due and payable
at their accreted principal amount together with accrued and
unpaid interest (including deferred interest and liquidated
damages, if any), and thereupon the trustee may, at its
discretion, proceed to protect and enforce the rights of the
Holders of Old Notes by appropriate judicial proceedings. Such
declaration may be rescinded and annulled with the written
consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate original
principal amount of the Old Notes then outstanding, subject to
the provisions of the indenture.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate original principal amount
of Old Notes at the time outstanding through their written
consent, or the Holders of a majority in aggregate original
principal amount of Old Notes then outstanding represented at a
meeting at which a quorum is present by a written resolution,
may waive any existing default or event of default and its
consequences except any default or event of default:
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in any payment on the Old Notes; |
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in respect of the failure to convert the Old Notes; or |
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in respect of the covenants or provisions in the indenture that
may not be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder
of each Old Note affected as described in
Modification, Waiver and Meetings below. |
Holders of a majority in aggregate original principal amount of
the Old Notes then outstanding through their written consent, or
the Holders of a majority in aggregate original principal amount
of the Old Notes then outstanding represented at a meeting at
which a quorum is present by a written resolution, may direct
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power
conferred upon the trustee, subject to the provisions of the
indenture. The indenture contains a provision entitling the
trustee, subject to the duty of the trustee during a default to
act with the required standard of care, to be indemnified by the
Holders of Old Notes before proceeding to exercise any right or
power under the indenture at the request of such Holders. The
rights of Holders of the Old Notes to pursue remedies with
respect to the indenture and the Old Notes are subject to a
number of additional requirements set forth in the indenture.
The indenture provides that the trustee shall, within
90 days of the occurrence of a default, give to the
registered Holders of the Old Notes notice of all uncured
defaults known to it, but the trustee shall be protected in
withholding such notice if it, in good faith, determines that
the withholding of such notice is in the best interest of such
registered Holders, except in the case of a default in the
payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on,
any of the Old Notes when due or in the payment of any
conversion, redemption or repurchase obligation.
We are required to furnish annually to the trustee a statement
as to the fulfillment of our obligations under the indenture. In
addition, we are required to file with the trustee a written
notice of the occurrence of any default or event of default
within five business days of our becoming aware of the
occurrence of any default or event of default.
Modification, Waiver and Meetings
The indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the
Holders of Old Notes to consider matters affecting their
interests.
The indenture (including the terms and conditions of the Old
Notes) may be modified or amended by us and the trustee, without
the consent of the Holder of any Old Note, for the purposes of,
among other things:
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adding to our covenants for the benefit of the Holders of Old
Notes; |
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adding additional dates on which Holders may require us to
repurchase their Old Notes; |
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surrendering any right or power conferred upon us; |
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providing for conversion rights of Holders of Old Notes if any
reclassification or change of our Class A common stock or
any consolidation, merger or sale of the consolidated assets of
us and our subsidiaries substantially as an entirety occurs; |
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providing for the assumption of our obligations to the Holders
of Old Notes in the case of a merger, consolidation, conveyance,
sale, transfer or lease; |
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increasing the conversion rate in the manner described in the
indenture, provided that the increase will not adversely affect
the interests of Holders of Old Notes in any material respect; |
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complying with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or
maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; |
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making any changes or modifications to the indenture necessary
in connection with the registration of the Notes under the
Securities Act, as contemplated by the registration rights
agreement, provided that this action does not adversely affect
the interests of the Holders of the Old Notes in any material
respect; |
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curing any ambiguity or correcting or supplementing any
defective provision contained in the indenture; provided that
such modification or amendment does not, in the good faith
opinion of our board of directors, adversely affect the
interests of the Holders of Old Notes in any material respect;
provided further that any amendment made solely to conform the
provisions of the indenture to the description of the Old Notes
in this Exchange Offer Prospectus will not be deemed to
adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Old
Notes; or |
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adding or modifying any other provisions which we and the
trustee may deem necessary or desirable and which will not
adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Old Notes. |
Modifications and amendments to the indenture or to the terms
and conditions of the Old Notes may also be made, and
noncompliance by us with any provision of the indenture or the
Old Notes may be waived, either:
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with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority
in aggregate original principal amount of the Old Notes at the
time outstanding; or |
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by the adoption of a resolution at a meeting of Holders at which
a quorum is present by at least a majority in aggregate original
principal amount of the Old Notes represented at such meeting. |
However, no such modification, amendment or waiver may, without
the written consent or the affirmative vote of the Holder of
each Old Note affected:
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change the maturity of the principal of or any installment of
interest on any Old Note (including any payment of liquidated
damages); |
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reduce the principal amount of, or any premium, if any, on any
Old Note; |
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reduce the interest rate or amount of interest (including any
liquidated damages) on any Old Note; |
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reduce the Early Conversion Make Whole Amount or the
Redemption Make Whole Amount or otherwise modify the
provisions of the indenture related thereto in a manner adverse
to the Holders of the Old Notes; |
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modify the provisions of the indenture relating to the Pledged
Securities as described above under
Security in a manner adverse to the
Holders of the Old Notes; |
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other than as contemplated by the terms of the indenture, change
the currency of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or
interest on any Old Note; |
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impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any
payment on or with respect to, or the conversion of, any Old
Note; |
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except as otherwise permitted or contemplated by provisions of
the indenture concerning specified reclassifications or
corporate reorganizations, impair or adversely affect the
conversion rights of Holders of the Old Notes; |
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adversely affect any repurchase option of holders; |
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modify the redemption provisions of the indenture in a manner
adverse to the holders of Old Notes; |
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reduce the percentage in aggregate original principal amount of
Old Notes outstanding necessary to modify or amend the indenture
or to waive any past default; or |
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reduce the percentage in aggregate original principal amount of
Old Notes outstanding required for any other waiver under the
indenture. |
The quorum at any meeting called to adopt a resolution will be
persons holding or representing a majority in aggregate original
principal amount of the Old Notes at the time outstanding.
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Form, Denomination and Registration
The Notes were issued in fully registered form, without coupons,
in denominations of $1,000 original principal amount and whole
multiples of $1,000.
Global Notes: Book-Entry Form
The Old Notes are evidenced by one or more global Old Notes
deposited with the trustee as custodian for DTC, and registered
in the name of Cede & Co., as DTCs nominee.
Record ownership of the global Old Notes may be transferred, in
whole or in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a
successor of DTC or its nominee, except as set forth below.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global Old Note will be
limited to persons that have accounts with DTC or its nominee
(participants) or persons that may hold interests
through participants. Transfers between direct DTC participants
will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with
DTCs rules and will be settled in same-day funds. Holders
may also beneficially own interests in the global Old Notes held
by DTC through certain banks, brokers, dealers, trust companies
and other parties that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a direct DTC participant, either directly or
indirectly.
So long as Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC, is the
registered owner of the global Notes, Cede & Co. for
all purposes will be considered the sole holder of the global
Old Notes. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial
interests in the global Old Notes will not be entitled to have
certificates registered in their names, will not receive or be
entitled to receive physical delivery of certificates in
definitive form, and will not be considered holders thereof. The
laws of some states require that certain persons take physical
delivery of securities in definitive form. Consequently, the
ability to transfer a beneficial interest in the global Old
Notes to such persons may be limited.
We will wire, through the facilities of the trustee, principal,
premium, if any, and interest payments on the global Old Notes
to Cede & Co., the nominee for DTC, as the registered
owner of the global Old Notes. We, the trustee and any paying
agent will have no responsibility or liability for paying
amounts due on the global Old Notes to owners of beneficial
interests in the global Old Notes.
It is DTCs current practice, upon receipt of any payment
of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the global
Old Notes, to credit participants accounts on the payment
date in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial
interests in the Old Notes represented by the global Old Notes,
as shown on the records of DTC, unless DTC believes that it will
not receive payment on the payment date. Payments by DTC
participants to owners of beneficial interests in Old Notes
represented by the global Old Notes held through DTC
participants will be the responsibility of DTC participants, as
is now the case with securities held for the accounts of
customers registered in street name.
If a Holder would like to convert Old Notes into Class A
common stock pursuant to the terms of the Old Notes, the Holder
should contact the Holders broker or other direct or
indirect DTC participant to obtain information on procedures,
including proper forms and cut-off times, for submitting those
requests.
Because DTC can only act on behalf of DTC participants, who in
turn act on behalf of indirect DTC participants and other banks,
a holders ability to pledge the holders interest in
the Old Notes represented by global Old Notes to persons or
entities that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise
take actions in respect of such interest, may be affected by the
lack of a physical certificate.
Neither we nor the trustee (nor any registrar, paying agent or
conversion agent under the indenture) will have any
responsibility for the performance by DTC or direct or indirect
DTC participants of their obligations under the rules and
procedures governing their operations. DTC has advised us that
it will take any action permitted to be taken by a Holder of Old
Notes, including, without limitation, the presentation of Old
Notes for conversion as described below, only at the direction
of one or more direct DTC participants to whose account with DTC
interests in the global Old Notes are credited and only for the
principal amount of the Old Notes for which directions have been
given.
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DTC has advised us as follows: DTC is a limited purpose trust
company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a
member of the Federal Reserve System, a clearing
corporation within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial
Code and a clearing agency registered pursuant to
the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was
created to hold securities for DTC participants and to
facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities
transactions between DTC participants through electronic
book-entry changes to the accounts of its participants, thereby
eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates.
Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks,
trust companies and clearing corporations and may include
certain other organizations such as the initial purchasers of
the Notes. Certain DTC participants or their representatives,
together with other entities, own DTC. Indirect access to the
DTC system is available to others such as banks, brokers,
dealers and trust companies that clear through, or maintain a
custodial relationship with, a participant, either directly or
indirectly.
Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to
facilitate transfers of interests in the global Notes among DTC
participants, it is under no obligation to perform or continue
to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be
discontinued at any time. If DTC is at any time unwilling or
unable to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is
not appointed by us within 90 days, we will cause Old Notes
to be issued in definitive registered form in exchange for the
global Old Notes. None of us, the trustee or any of their
respective agents will have any responsibility for the
performance by DTC, direct or indirect DTC participants of their
obligations under the rules and procedures governing their
operations, including maintaining, supervising or reviewing the
records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial
ownership interests in global Old Notes.
According to DTC, the foregoing information with respect to DTC
has been provided to its participants and other members of the
financial community for informational purposes only and is not
intended to serve as a representation, warranty or contract
modification of any kind.
Certificated Old Notes
We will issue the Old Notes in definitive certificated form if
DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as
depositary or DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered
under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
and a successor depositary is not appointed by us within
90 days. In addition, beneficial interests in a global Old
Note may be exchanged for definitive certificated Old Notes upon
request by or on behalf of DTC in accordance with customary
procedures. The indenture permits us to determine at any time
and in our sole discretion that Old Notes shall no longer be
represented by global Old Notes. DTC has advised us that, under
its current practices, it would notify its participants of our
request, but will only withdraw beneficial interests from the
global Old Notes at the request of each DTC participant. We
would issue definitive certificates in exchange for any such
beneficial interests withdrawn.
Any Old Note that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding
sentence is exchangeable for Old Notes registered in the names
which DTC will instruct the trustee. It is expected that
DTCs instructions may be based upon directions received by
DTC from its participants with respect to ownership of
beneficial interests in that global Old Note. Subject to the
foregoing, a global Old Note is not exchangeable except for a
global Old Note or global Old Notes of the same aggregate
denominations to be registered in the name of DTC or its nominee.
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Notices
Except as otherwise provided in the indenture, notices to
Holders of Old Notes will be given by mail to the addresses of
Holders of the Old Notes as they appear in the Old Note register.
Governing Law
The indenture, the Old Notes and the registration rights
agreement are governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
law of the State of New York.
Information Regarding the Trustee
Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as trustee under the
indenture, has been appointed by us as paying agent, collateral
agent, conversion agent, registrar and custodian with regard to
the Old Notes. The trustee or its affiliates may from time to
time in the future provide banking and other services to us in
the ordinary course of their business.
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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income
tax consequences to Holders of Old Notes of the Exchange Offer.
It is based on provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the Code), existing and proposed
Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (the Treasury
Regulations) and administrative and judicial
interpretations thereof, all as of the date hereof and all of
which are subject to change or differing interpretations,
possibly on a retroactive basis. No ruling from the Internal
Revenue Service (the IRS) has been or is expected to
be sought with respect to any aspect of the transactions
described herein. The following relates only to Old Notes, New
Notes received in exchange therefor, and Class A common
stock received upon a conversion of New Notes that are held by
Holders who hold such Old Notes, New Notes and Class A
common stock as capital assets. This summary does not address
all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to particular
Holders in light of their particular circumstances, or to
certain types of Holders such as banks and other financial
institutions, certain expatriates, real estate investment
trusts, regulated investment companies, insurance companies,
tax-exempt organizations, partnerships or other pass-through
entities, dealers in securities, brokers, persons who have
hedged the interest rate on the Old Notes or who hedge the
interest rate on the New Notes, traders in securities that elect
to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their
securities holdings, U.S. persons whose functional currency is
not the U.S. dollar, or persons who hold the Old Notes, the New
Notes, or Class A common stock as part of a
straddle, hedge or conversion
transaction. In addition, this summary does not include
any description of the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax or
estate and gift tax consequences, or the consequences under any
state, local or non-U.S. tax that may be applicable to a
particular Holder.
A U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of an Old Note,
a New Note or Class A common stock that is, for U.S.
federal income tax purposes, (i) a citizen or resident of
the United States, (ii) a corporation that is organized
under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision
thereof, (iii) an estate, the income of which is subject to
U.S. federal income tax without regard to its source or
(iv) a trust if (1) a court within the United States
is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration
of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to
control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) the
trust has made a valid election to be treated as a U.S. person.
A non-U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of an Old
Note, a New Note or Class A common stock that is neither a
U.S. Holder nor an entity or arrangement treated as a
partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
If a partnership (including for this purpose any entity or
arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax
purposes) is a beneficial owner of an Old Note, a New Note, or
Class A common stock, the treatment of a partner in the
partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner
and upon the activities of the partnership. Partnerships and
partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisors
about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and
disposing of Old Notes, New Notes and Class A common stock.
HOLDERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT
TO THE PARTICULAR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM
OF THE CONSUMMATION OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER, INCLUDING THE
ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE NEW NOTES AND
CLASS A COMMON STOCK INTO WHICH THE NEW NOTES ARE
CONVERTIBLE AS WELL AS THE TAX CONSEQUENCES UNDER STATE, LOCAL
AND NON-U.S. INCOME TAX AND OTHER U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS AND THE
POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN TAX LAWS BEFORE DETERMINING
WHETHER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
Classification of the Old Notes
We have taken the position that the Old Notes are indebtedness
subject to the Treasury Regulations that govern contingent
payment debt instruments (the contingent debt
regulations). Moreover, under the indenture governing the
Old Notes, we have agreed, and by acceptance of a beneficial
interest in an Old Note each holder of an Old Note is deemed to
have agreed, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to treat
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the Old Notes as debt instruments that are subject to the
contingent debt regulations and to be bound by our application
of the contingent debt regulations to the Old Notes.
Due to the absence of authorities that directly address the
proper characterization of the Old Notes and the application of
the contingent debt regulations to the Old Notes, no assurance
can be given that the IRS will accept, or that a court will
uphold, that characterization of the Old Notes.
The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Old Notes are
treated as indebtedness subject to the contingent debt
regulations.
Classification of the New Notes.
Although the matter is not free from doubt, we intend to treat
the potential payment of the Redemption Make Whole Amount
and the make whole amount payable on a change of control or
fundamental change as remote contingencies within
the meaning of the contingent debt regulations. Accordingly, we
intend to treat the New Notes as not being subject to the
contingent debt regulations. If the IRS were to challenge
successfully our treatment of the New Notes, the amount,
character and timing of income to Holders of New Notes and the
treatment of the receipt of Class A common stock on the
conversion of New Notes would differ materially from the
description set forth below. The remainder of this discussion
assumes that the New Notes will be treated as indebtedness that
is not subject to the contingent debt regulations.
Tax Consequences to Exchanging U.S. Holders
The Exchange of Old Notes
for New Notes
U.S. Holders that exchange Old Notes will receive New Notes in
accordance with the Exchange Offer. We believe that the exchange
of Old Notes for New Notes will be a taxable transaction for
U.S. Holders of Old Notes. Accordingly, each exchanging U.S.
Holder of Old Notes will recognize gain or loss with respect to
the Old Notes being exchanged equal to the difference between
(i) the issue price of the New Notes received plus the
amount of any cash received representing accrued and unpaid
interest and (ii) the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis
in the Old Notes. A U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in an
Old Note will equal the price such Holder paid for the Old Note,
increased by the amount of any interest previously accrued on
the Old Note (determined without regard to any positive or
negative adjustments arising from the difference between the
projected amount of a contingent payment and the actual amount
of a contingent payment on the Old Note) and any positive
adjustment arising as a result of the purchase of an Old Note by
a U.S. Holder for an amount less than the adjusted issue price
of the Old Note at such time, and decreased by the amount of any
noncontingent payments and the projected amount of any
contingent payments previously made on the Old Note and any
negative adjustment arising as a result of the purchase of an
Old Note by a U.S. Holder for an amount greater than the
adjusted issue price of the Old Note at such time. Any such gain
will generally be treated as ordinary interest income. Any such
loss will generally be treated as (i) ordinary loss to the
extent of the excess of previous interest inclusions with
respect to the Old Notes over the total net negative adjustments
previously taken into account as ordinary losses in respect of
the Old Note and (ii) thereafter, capital loss. Such loss
will generally be long-term capital loss if, at the time of the
exchange, the U.S. Holders holding period in the Old Note
is more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is
subject to limitations.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the issue
price of the New Notes will depend on whether the New
Notes or the Old Notes are treated as publicly
traded under the applicable Treasury Regulations. The Old
Notes or the New Notes will be treated as publicly traded if, at
any time during the 60-day period ending 30 days after the
issue date of the New Notes, the Old Notes or the New Notes are
or were, as the case may be, traded on an established
market. Subject to certain exceptions, a debt instrument
generally will be treated as traded on an established market if
(1) it is listed on at least one of certain securities
exchanges, interdealer quotation systems, or certain foreign
exchanges or boards of trade, (2) it is traded on at least
one of certain boards of trade that are designated as a contract
market or on an interbank market, (3) it appears on a
system of general circulation that provides a reasonable basis to
142
determine fair market value by disseminating either recent price
quotations of identified brokers, dealers or traders or actual
prices of recent sales transactions, or (4) price
quotations are readily available from brokers, dealers or
traders and certain other conditions are met. Debt instruments
generally are not considered to be traded on an established
market if indications of interest are publicly disseminated
without actual trading or offer prices, as in the case of the
so-called yellow sheets.
From the information currently available, we believe the Old
Notes will be treated as publicly traded under the
rules set forth above. Although it is unclear whether the New
Notes will be treated as publicly traded under the
rules set forth above, we expect that the New Notes will trade
in the same manner as the Old Notes, and, if that is the case,
we believe and intend to take the position that the New Notes
are publicly traded under the rules set forth above.
However, we cannot predict with certainty what position the IRS
may take with regard to whether either the Old Notes or the New
Notes are publicly traded. If the New Notes are publicly traded,
then the issue price of the New Notes will equal the trading
price of the New Notes at the time of consummation of the
Exchange Offer. If the New Notes are not publicly traded but the
Old Notes are publicly traded, then the issue price of the New
Notes will equal the trading price of the Old Notes at the time
of the consummation of the Exchange Offer. See
Ownership of the New Notes Original Issue
Discount, below for the effect of using the trading price
of either the Old Notes or the New Notes to determine the issue
price of the New Notes. If neither the Old Notes nor the New
Notes are publicly traded, then the issue price of the New Notes
will be their stated principal amounts.
A U.S. Holders initial tax basis in a New Note will be
equal to the issue price of the New Note, and a U.S.
Holders holding period in a New Note will begin on the day
after the Settlement Date.
Cash Payments of Accrued and
Unpaid Interest
Holders that exchange Old Notes for New Notes will receive a
cash payment representing accrued and unpaid interest to, but
not including, the Settlement Date. Such accrued and unpaid
interest will be treated as additional consideration received by
a Holder in the exchange, as described above under
The Exchange of Old Notes for New Notes.
Ownership of the New
Notes
Original Issue Discount. In general, subject to a
de minimis exception, the New Notes will be treated as
being issued with original issue discount
(OID) to the extent their stated redemption
price at maturity (SRPM) exceeds their
issue price. A note will be considered to have de
minimis OID if the difference between the notes SRPM
and its issue price is less than 1/4 of 1% (i.e., 0.25%) of the
SRPM multiplied by the number of complete years to maturity,
which, for this purpose, means the number of complete years
until the first date on which the Holders can require us to
purchase the New Notes as described below under
Effect of Optional Redemption and Holder Put Option on Original
Issue Discount. U.S. Holders of notes with a de minimis
amount of OID generally will include this OID in income as
capital gain, on a pro rata basis as principal payments are made
on the note.
The SRPM of a New Note is the aggregate of all payments due to
the Holder of a New Note at or prior to its maturity, other than
interest payments that are (among other requirements) actually
and unconditionally payable at least annually. Interest meeting
these requirements is referred to as qualified stated
interest. The issue price of the New Notes will be
determined in the manner set forth above under The
Exchange of Old Notes for New Notes. The amount, if any,
by which the SRPM exceeds the issue price will be OID.
U.S. Holders of New Notes will be required to include any OID on
the New Notes in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes as
it accrues on a constant yield to maturity basis, regardless of
such Holders regular methods of accounting for U.S.
federal income tax purposes. The amount of OID includible in
income will be the sum of the daily portions of OID
with respect to the New Notes for each day during the taxable
year or portion of the taxable year in which a U.S. Holder holds
the New Notes (accrued OID). The daily portion is
determined by allocating to each day in any accrual period a
143
pro rata portion of the OID allocable to that accrual period. We
expect that the accrual period for the New Notes will correspond
to the intervals between payment dates provided by the terms of
the New Notes. The amount of OID allocable to any accrual period
is an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the
product of the New Notes adjusted issue price at the
beginning of such accrual period and its yield to maturity
(determined on the basis of compounding at the close of each
accrual period and properly adjusted for the length of the
accrual period) less (ii) the amount of any qualified
stated interest allocable to the accrual period. OID allocable
to a final accrual period is the difference between the amount
payable at maturity (other than a payment of qualified stated
interest) and the adjusted issue price at the beginning of the
final accrual period. Special rules apply for calculating OID
for an initial short accrual period. The adjusted issue price of
a New Note at the beginning of any accrual period is equal to
its issue price increased by the accrued OID for each prior
accrual period previously includible in gross income and
decreased by the amount of any payments previously made on the
New Note (other than qualified stated interest payments).
When required, we will furnish annually to the IRS and to
Holders of New Notes information with respect to any OID
accruing while the New Notes are held. The New Notes will bear a
legend setting forth information about any OID, or a name and
telephone number of someone that provide this information.
A U.S. Holder of New Notes may elect to treat all interest on
the New Notes as OID and calculate the amount included in gross
income under the constant yield to maturity basis described
above. For the purposes of this election, interest includes
stated interest, OID, de minimis OID, and unstated
interest. The election is to be made for the taxable year in
which the New Notes are acquired and may not be revoked without
the consent of the IRS. A holder of New Notes should consult
with its tax advisor if it is considering this election.
A U.S. Holder will not be required to recognize any additional
income upon the receipt of any payment corresponding to OID on
the New Notes, but will be required to reduce its tax basis in
the New Notes by the amount of such payment.
Effect of Optional Redemption and Holder Put Option on
Original Issue Discount. Under certain circumstances, we
may redeem the New Notes, in whole or in part, prior to their
stated maturity date. In addition, on October 1, 2012, 2017
and 2022, Holders may require us to purchase some or all of the
New Notes for cash at a purchase price equal to 100% of the
principal amount of the New Notes plus any accrued and unpaid
interest on the New Notes. The Treasury Regulations contain
rules for determining the maturity date and the SRPM
of an instrument that may be redeemed at the option of the
issuer or put to the issuer at the option of the holders prior
to such instruments stated maturity date. Under such
Treasury Regulations, solely for the purposes of the accrual of
OID, it is assumed that an issuer will exercise any option to
redeem a debt instrument only if such exercise would lower the
yield to maturity of the debt instrument and that a holder will
exercise any option to put a debt instrument to the issuer if
such put would increase the yield to maturity of the debt
instrument. Because the exercise of the redemption option would
not lower the yield to maturity of the New Notes, we believe
that we will not be presumed under these rules to redeem the New
Notes prior to their stated maturity. However, because the
exercise of the put would increase the yield to maturity of the
Notes, we believe that the put will be presumed to be exercised
at the first put date.
Stated Cash Interest on the New Notes. The amount
of interest on the New Notes that is unconditionally payable at
a fixed rate should be considered qualified stated
interest and, as such, will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as
ordinary interest income at the time it is received or accrued,
depending on the holders regular method of accounting for
U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Constructive Dividends. If at any time the
conversion rate of the New Notes increases as a result of a
certain events arising from stock splits and combinations, stock
dividends, certain cash dividends and certain other actions by
us that modify our capital structure as described in
Description of New Notes Conversion
Rights Conversion Rate Adjustments, a U.S.
Holder may be required to include an
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amount in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
notwithstanding the fact that such U.S. Holder did not actually
receive such distribution.
Conversion of New Notes. If a U.S. Holder receives
solely Class A common stock (other than cash in lieu of a
fractional share) from us rather than a designated financial
institution, the conversion of New Notes will not constitute a
taxable exchange. A U.S. Holders tax basis in the shares
of Class A common stock received will equal the U.S.
Holders adjusted tax basis in the New Notes immediately
prior to the conversion (reduced by any portion of such basis
allocable to any fractional shares deemed to have been
received). A U.S. Holders holding period in the
Class A common stock will include the U.S Holders
holding period in the New Notes.
If a U.S. Holder receives a combination of cash and Class A
common stock from us, the conversion may be treated either as a
recapitalization or a partial conversion and partial redemption
of the Notes. If the transaction is treated as a
recapitalization, a U.S. Holder will recognize gain, but not
loss, equal to the excess of the fair market value of the
Class A common stock received (treating a fractional share
of common stock as received for this purpose) and the amount of
cash received (other than cash in lieu of a fractional share)
over such U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the New
Notes, but in no event should the gain recognized exceed the
amount of cash received (excluding cash received in lieu of a
fractional share). A U.S. Holders tax basis in the shares
of Class A common stock received (treating a fractional
share as received for this purpose) will equal the adjusted tax
basis of the New Notes converted, reduced by the amount of any
cash received (other than cash received in lieu of a fractional
share), and increased by the amount of gain, if any, recognized
(other than with respect to a fractional share). A U.S.
Holders holding period in the Class A common stock
will include the U.S. Holders holding period in the New
Notes.
If the transaction is treated as a partial conversion and
partial redemption, a U.S. holder would not recognize any
income, gain or loss with respect to the portion of the New
Notes treated as converted into Class A common stock
(except with respect to any cash received in lieu of a
fractional share). A U.S. Holders tax basis in the
Class A common stock received would be equal to the portion
of the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the New
Notes allocable to the portion of the New Notes deemed
converted. A U.S. Holders holding period in the
Class A common stock would include the U.S. Holders
holding period in the portion of the New Notes deemed converted.
With respect to the cash proceeds treated as received in
redemption of the remaining portion of the New Notes, a U.S.
holder generally would recognize gain or loss equal to the
difference between the amount of cash received and the
U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis allocable to such
portion of the New Notes. Gain or loss recognized will be
long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder held the New
Notes for more than one year at the time of the conversion.
Long-term capital gains of individuals are subject to reduced
rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is
subject to limitations. Although the matter is not free from
doubt, a U.S. Holder may allocate its adjusted tax basis in
the New Notes between the portion of the New Notes that is
deemed to be have been converted and the portion of the New
Notes that is deemed to have been redeemed based on the relative
fair market value of the Class A common stock and the
amount of cash received upon conversion. U.S. Holders should
consult their tax advisors regarding the tax treatment of the
receipt of a combination of cash and shares of Class A
common stock in exchange for notes upon conversion.
If a U.S. Holder receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of
Class A common stock, such U.S. holder would be
treated as if the fractional share had been issued and then
redeemed for cash. Accordingly, a U.S. Holder will generally
recognize capital gain or loss with respect to the receipt of
cash in lieu of a fractional share measured by the difference
between the cash received for the fractional share and the
portion of the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the New
Notes that is allocated to the fractional share.
If a U.S. Holder receives solely cash from us or Class A
common stock, cash or a combination of Class A common stock
and cash from a designated financial institution, the conversion
should be treated as a taxable disposition of the New Notes, in
which case the consequences to a U.S. Holder would be as
described below under Sale, Exchange or
Retirement of the New Notes.
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Sale, Exchange or Retirement of the New Notes.
Upon a sale, exchange, redemption, retirement at
maturity or other taxable disposition of New Notes, a U.S.
Holder will generally recognize taxable gain or loss equal to
the difference between the sum of the cash and the fair market
value of all other property received (less any amount received
on account of accrued but unpaid interest, which will be taxed
as such) and such U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the
New Notes. A U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the New
Notes generally will equal the issue price of the New Notes, as
described above in Tax Consequences to Exchanging
U.S. Holders The Exchange of Old Notes for New
Notes, increased by any OID includable in income by the
holder with respect to the New Notes, and reduced by the amount
of any payments previously received by the holder (other than
qualified stated interest). Any such gain or loss generally will
be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or
loss if, at the time of such disposition, the U.S. Holders
holding period in the New Notes is more than one year. The
deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Ownership of the
Class A Common Stock
Dividends on Shares of Class A Common Stock.
Distributions, if any, on shares of Class A common
stock will generally be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary
income to the extent that the cash and fair market value of
property distributed does not exceed such U.S. Holders pro
rata share of Charters current and accumulated earnings
and profits, if any. There is an exception to this treatment for
distributions that constitute qualified dividend
income, as described below. Any distributions in excess of
Charters current and accumulated earnings and profits will
reduce such U.S. Holders tax basis in such Class A
common stock until such U.S. Holders basis is reduced to
zero, and any further distribution will be treated as gain from
the sale or exchange of such Class A common stock.
Qualified dividend income received by noncorporate
U.S. Holders of stock is currently taxed at the long-term
capital gain rate, which is currently a maximum of 15%. The tax
on qualified dividend income is currently scheduled
to increase after 2010. Dividends that Charter pays with respect
to Class A common stock generally will be qualified
dividend income provided that (i) the U.S. Holder is not a
corporation, (ii) such U.S. Holder holds such common stock
for more than 60 days during the 120-day period beginning
60 days before the ex-dividend date, and (iii) such
U.S. Holder meets certain other requirements.
Corporate U.S. Holders of the Class A common stock may be
eligible for a dividends received deduction with respect to any
dividends received with respect to the Class A common stock.
Sale of Shares of Class A Common Stock. A
U.S. Holder should generally recognize capital gain or loss upon
the sale of Class A common stock in an amount equal to the
difference between the amount realized and such U.S.
Holders tax basis in the Class A common stock, as
determined above. Such capital gain or loss should be long-term
gain or loss if such U.S. Holders holding period in the
shares is more than one year. Long-term capital gains of
individuals are subject to reduced rates of taxation. The
deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Backup Withholding and
Information Reporting
In general, an exchanging U.S. Holder of an Old Note will be
subject to backup withholding at the applicable tax rate
(currently 28%) with respect to the total consideration payable
to such U.S. Holder pursuant to the Exchange Offer, unless such
U.S. Holder (a) is an entity that is exempt from backup
withholding (generally including corporations, tax-exempt
organizations and certain qualified nominees) and, when
required, demonstrates this fact, or (b) provides the payor
with its taxpayer identification number (TIN),
certifies that the TIN provided to the payor is correct and that
the U.S. Holder has not been notified by the IRS that such U.S.
Holder is subject to backup withholding due to underreporting of
interest or dividends, and otherwise complies with applicable
requirements of the backup withholding rules. In addition, such
payments to U.S. Holders that are not exempt entities will
generally be subject to information reporting requirements. A
U.S. Holder who does not provide the payor with its correct TIN
may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. The amount of
any backup withholding from a payment
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to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against such U.S.
Holders U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle
such U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that the required
information is timely furnished to the IRS. In general, a U.S.
Holder of New Notes will be subject to backup withholding and
information reporting requirements with respect to interest, OID
and premium, if any, paid on the New Notes, and the proceeds of
a sale of New Notes, in the same manner and subject to the same
exceptions described above for an exchanging U.S. Holder of an
Old Note. Similarly, a U.S. Holder of Class A common stock
will generally be subject to backup withholding and information
reporting requirements with respect to dividend payments on or
gross proceeds from the disposition of the Class A common
stock in the same manner and subject to the same exceptions
described above for an exchanging U.S. Holder of an Old Note. We
will report to U.S. Holders and to the IRS the amount of any
reportable payments (including any interest paid)
and any amounts withheld with respect to the New Notes and
Class A common stock during the calendar year.
Tax Consequences to Exchanging Non-U.S. Holders
The following discussion applies to non-U.S. Holders.
The Exchange of Old Notes for New Notes. Any gain
recognized by a non-U.S. Holder generally will be treated as
ordinary interest income and will not be subject to U.S. federal
income tax, except as described below in Ownership
of the New Notes Interest and OID.
Ownership of the New Notes
Interest and OID. Subject to the discussion of
backup withholding and information reporting below, payments of
interest or OID in respect of the New Notes or the Old Notes by
us or our paying agent to a non-U.S. Holder will not be subject
to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax, provided that:
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such interest is not effectively connected with such non-U.S.
Holders conduct of a trade or business in the United
States; |
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the non-U.S. Holder does not actually or constructively own 10%
or more of our capital or profits; |
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the non-U.S. Holder is not a controlled foreign
corporation that is, directly or indirectly, related to us
through stock ownership; |
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the non-U.S. Holder is not a bank whose receipt of interest on
the new notes is described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the
Code; and |
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the non-U.S. Holder and/or each securities clearing
organization, bank, or other financial institution that holds
the New Notes on behalf of such non-U.S. Holder in the ordinary
course of its trade or business, in the chain between the
non-U.S. Holder and the paying agent, complies with applicable
identification requirements (generally by providing an IRS
Form W-8) to
establish that the holder is a non-U.S. Holder. |
If the requirements described above are not satisfied, a 30%
withholding tax will apply to the gross amount of interest
(including OID) on the New Notes that is paid to a non-U.S.
Holder, unless, either: (a) an applicable income tax treaty
reduces or eliminates such tax, and the non-U.S. Holder claims
the benefit of that treaty by providing a properly completed and
duly executed IRS
Form W-8BEN (or
suitable successor or substitute form) establishing
qualification for benefits under the treaty, or (b) the
interest is effectively connected with the non-U.S.
Holders conduct of a trade or business in the United
States and the non-U.S. Holder provides an appropriate statement
to that effect on a properly completed and duly executed IRS
Form W-8ECI (or
suitable successor form).
If a non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a U.S. trade or business and
interest on a New Note (including OID) is effectively connected
with the conduct of that trade or business, the non-U.S. Holder
will be required to pay U.S. federal income tax on that interest
on a net income basis (and the 30% withholding tax described
above will not apply provided the appropriate statement is
provided to us) generally in the same manner as a U.S. Holder.
If a non-U.S. Holder is eligible for the benefits of an income
tax treaty
147
between the United States and its country of residence, any
interest income that is effectively connected with a U.S. trade
or business will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the
manner specified by the treaty and generally will only be
subject to U.S. federal income tax if such income is
attributable to a permanent establishment (or a fixed base in
the case of an individual) maintained by the non-U.S. Holder in
the United States and the non-U.S. Holder claims the benefit of
the treaty by properly submitting an IRS
Form W-8BEN. In
addition, a non-U.S. Holder that is treated as a foreign
corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be
subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or lower
applicable treaty rate) of its earnings and profits for the
taxable year, subject to adjustments, that are effectively
connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the United
States.
Constructive Dividends. A non-U.S. Holder that is
deemed to receive a constructive dividend in respect of the New
Notes will be subject to tax in the same manner as a non-U.S.
Holder that receives an actual dividend with respect to shares
of Class A common stock. See Ownership of the
Class A Common Stock Dividends on Shares of
Class A Common Stock, below.
Conversion of New Notes. To the extent that the
conversion of New Notes is treated as a taxable exchange for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, a non-U.S. Holder will be
subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as set
forth below under Sale, Exchange or Retirement
of the New Notes.
Sale, Exchange or Retirement of the New Notes. A
non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income
tax on any gain realized by such holder upon a sale, exchange,
redemption, retirement at maturity or other taxable disposition
of a New Note (including a conversion of a New Note into shares
of Class A common stock), unless:
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such gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S.
Holders conduct of a trade or business in the United
States (and, if a treaty applies, is attributable to the
non-U.S. Holders permanent establishment or, in the case
of an individual, a fixed base, in the United States); or |
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in the case of a non-U.S. Holder that is an individual, such
non-U.S. Holder is present in the United States for
183 days or more during the taxable year in which such
sale, exchange, or other disposition occurs and certain other
conditions are met. |
Ownership of the
Class A Common Stock
Dividends on Shares of Class A Common Stock.
A 30% withholding tax will generally apply to any
distributions (including constructive dividends, as described
above under Tax Consequences to Exchanging U.S.
Holders Ownership of The New Notes
Constructive Dividends) with respect to shares of
Class A common stock to non-U.S. Holders to the extent that
the cash and fair market value of property distributed does not
exceed such holders pro rata share of Charters
current and accumulated earnings and profits, if any, unless,
either: (a) an applicable income tax treaty reduces or
eliminates such tax, and the non-U.S. Holder claims the benefit
of that treaty by providing a properly completed and duly
executed IRS
Form W-8BEN (or
suitable successor or substitute form) establishing
qualification for benefits under the treaty, or (b) the
distributions are effectively connected with the non-U.S.
Holders conduct of a trade or business in the United
States and the non-U.S. Holder provides an appropriate statement
to that effect on a properly completed and duly executed IRS
Form W-8ECI (or
suitable successor form).
If a non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a U.S. trade or business and
distributions with respect to the Class A common stock are
effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or
business, the
non-U.S. Holder
will be required to pay U.S. federal income tax on the
distributions (and the 30% withholding tax described above will
not apply provided the appropriate statement is provided to us)
generally in the same manner as a U.S. Holder. If a non-U.S.
Holder is eligible for the benefits of an income tax treaty
between the United States and its country of residence, any
income arising from distributions that is effectively connected
with a U.S. trade or business will be subject to U.S. federal
income tax in the manner specified by the treaty and generally
will only be subject to U.S. federal income tax if such income
is attributable to a permanent establishment (or a fixed base in
the case of an
148
individual) maintained by the
non-U.S. Holder in
the United States and the non-U.S. Holder claims the benefit of
the treaty by properly submitting an IRS
Form W-8BEN. In
addition, a non-U.S. Holder that is treated as a foreign
corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes may be subject
to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or lower applicable treaty
rate) of its earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject
to adjustments, that are effectively connected with its conduct
of a trade or business in the United States.
Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition of the
Class A Common Stock. A non-U.S. Holder will not be
subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized by such
holder upon a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the
Class A common stock, unless one of the exceptions
discussed above under the caption Ownership of
the New Notes Sale, Exchange or Retirement of the
New Notes applies, or we are or have been a U.S.
real property holding corporation for U.S. federal income
tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year
period ending on the date of disposition or the period that the
non-U.S. Holder held our common stock or notes. Generally, a
corporation is a U.S. real property holding
corporation if the fair market value of its U.S.
real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum
of the fair market value of its worldwide real property
interests plus its other assets used or held for use in a trade
or business. We believe that we are not currently, and we do not
anticipate becoming, a U.S. real property holding corporation.
Backup Withholding and
Information Reporting
Backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to
payments of principal or interest on the New Notes or payments
of distributions on the Class A common stock by us or our
paying agent if an exchanging holder certifies as to its status
as a non-U.S. Holder under penalties of perjury or otherwise
establishes an exemption (provided that neither we nor our
paying agent has actual knowledge that it is a U.S. person or
that the conditions of any other exemptions are not in fact
satisfied). The payment of the proceeds of the disposition of
the New Notes, the Old Notes, or the Class A common stock
to or through the U.S. office of a U.S. or foreign broker will
be subject to information reporting and backup withholding
unless an exchanging holder provides the certification described
above or otherwise establishes an exemption. The proceeds of a
disposition effected outside the United States by a non-U.S.
holder of the New Notes, the Old Notes, or Class A common
stock to or through a foreign office of a broker generally will
not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting.
However, if that broker is, for U.S. tax purposes, a U.S.
person, a controlled foreign corporation, a foreign person 50%
or more of whose gross income from all sources for certain
periods is effectively connected with a trade or business in the
United States, or a foreign partnership that is engaged in the
conduct of a trade or business in the United States or that has
one or more partners that are U.S. persons who in the
aggregate hold more than 50% of the income or capital interests
in the partnership, information reporting requirements will
apply unless that broker has documentary evidence in its files
of such holders status as a non-U.S. Holder and has no
actual knowledge to the contrary, or unless such holder
otherwise establishes an exemption. Any amounts withheld from a
payment to a holder under the backup withholding rules will be
allowed as a credit against such holders U.S. federal
income tax liability and may entitle it to a refund, provided it
timely furnishes the required information to the IRS.
Tax Consequences to Non-Exchanging Holders
Because the terms of the Old Notes will not be modified in
connection with the exchange offer, we believe that the exchange
of some of the Old Notes for New Notes should not have any U.S.
federal income tax consequences for Holders of Old Notes who do
not tender their Old Notes or whose Old Notes are not accepted
for exchange in the Exchange Offer.
INTEREST OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN THE TRANSACTION
We are not aware of any of our directors, officers, principal
stockholders or affiliates that own Old Notes or will be
surrendering Old Notes for exchange pursuant to the Exchange
Offer. Neither we, nor, to the best of our knowledge, any of our
directors or executive officers, nor any affiliates of any of the
149
foregoing, have engaged in any transactions in the Old Notes
during the 60 business days prior to the date hereof.
DEALER MANAGERS
The Dealer Managers for the Exchange Offer are Citigroup Global
Markets Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.
Charter Holdco has agreed to pay the Dealer Managers
compensation for their services in connection with the Exchange
Offer, which compensation is estimated to be approximately
$5 million, assuming full participation in the Exchange
Offer. The Dealer Managers and their affiliates have rendered
and may in the future render various investment banking, lending
and commercial banking services and other advisory services to
us. The Dealer Managers have received, and may in the future
receive, customary compensation from us for such services. The
Dealer Managers have regularly acted as underwriters and initial
purchasers of long and short-term debt securities issued by us
in public and private offerings and will likely continue to do
so from time to time.
The Dealer Managers may from time to time hold notes, shares of
Class A common stock and other securities of ours in their
proprietary accounts, and, to the extent they own Old Notes in
these accounts at the time of the Exchange Offer, the Dealer
Managers may surrender such Old Notes for exchange pursuant to
the Exchange Offer. During the course of the Exchange Offer, the
Dealer Managers may trade shares of Class A common stock or
effect transactions in other securities of ours for their own
accounts or for the accounts of their customers. As a result,
the Dealer Managers may hold a long or short position in the
Class A common stock or other of our securities. In
addition, we entered into a share lending agreement with respect
to the Old Notes with an affiliate of Citigroup. See
Description of Capital Stock and Membership
Units Share Lending Agreement.
INFORMATION AGENT
Global Bondholder Services has been appointed as the Information
Agent for the Exchange Offer. We have agreed to pay the
Information Agent reasonable and customary fees for its services
and will reimburse the Information Agent for its reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses.
Any requests for assistance in connection with the Exchange
Offer or for additional copies of this Exchange Offer Prospectus
or related materials should be directed to the Information Agent
at the addresses set forth on the back cover of this Exchange
Offer Prospectus.
EXCHANGE AGENT
Global Bondholder Services, has been appointed Exchange Agent
for the Exchange Offer. We have agreed to pay the Exchange Agent
reasonable and customary fees for its services and will
reimburse the Exchange Agent for its reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses.
All completed Letters of Transmittal should be directed to the
Exchange Agent at the address set forth on the back cover of
this Exchange Offer Prospectus.
FEES AND EXPENSES
The Offeror will bear the fees and expenses relating to the
Exchange Offer. Where permitted by applicable law, the Offeror
is making the solicitation via facsimile, telephone, email or in
person by the Dealer Managers and Information Agent, as well as
by our officers and regular employees and those of our
affiliates. The Offeror will also pay the Exchange Agent and the
Information Agent reasonable and customary fees for their
services and will reimburse them for their reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses.
The Offeror will indemnify each of the Exchange Agent, the
Dealer Managers and the Information Agent against certain
liabilities and expenses in connection with the Exchange Offer,
including liabilities under the federal securities laws.
150
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities offered hereby and certain tax
matters will be passed upon for Charter Communications, Inc. by
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Cahill Gordon &
Reindel llp and
Davis Polk & Wardwell will pass upon certain legal
matters in connection with the Exchange Offer for the Dealer
Managers.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Charter Communications
Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and
for each of the years in the three-year period ended
December 31, 2006, and managements assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2006, have been incorporated by reference
herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent
registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference
herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing. The reports on the consolidated
financial statements referred to above include an explanatory
paragraph regarding the adoption, effective September 30,
2004 of EITF Topic
D-108, Use of the
Residual Method to Value Acquired Assets Other than
Goodwill.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Charter is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange
Act) and in accordance therewith file reports, proxy
statements and other information with the SEC. These reports,
proxy statements and other information may be inspected and
copied at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street,
N.E., 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.
Reports, proxy and information statements and other information,
including the registration statement of which this Exchange
Offer Prospectus is a part, filed electronically with the SEC,
are available at the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
The information in this Exchange Offer Prospectus may not
contain all the information that may be important to you. You
should read the entire Exchange Offer Prospectus, the
registration statement of which this Exchange Offer Prospectus
is a part, including the exhibits thereto, before making an
investment decision.
Additionally, the indenture governing the New Notes provides
that, regardless of whether it is at any time required to file
reports with the SEC, Charter will file with the SEC and furnish
to the holders of the New Notes all such reports and other
information as would be required to be filed with the SEC if
Charter was subject to the reporting requirements of the
Exchange Act. While any New Notes remain outstanding, Charter
will make available upon request to any holder and any
prospective purchaser of notes the information required pursuant
to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act during any
period in which Charter is not subject to Section 13 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act. This Exchange Offer Prospectus
contains summaries, believed to be accurate in all material
respects, of certain terms of the New Notes (including but not
limited to the indenture governing the New Notes), but reference
is hereby made to the actual agreements, copies of which will be
made available to you upon request to us or the Dealer Managers,
for complete information with respect thereto, and all such
summaries are qualified in their entirety by this reference. Any
such request for the agreements summarized herein should be
directed to Investor Relations, Charter Communications, Inc.,
Charter Plaza, 12405 Powerscourt Drive, St. Louis, Missouri
63131, telephone number (314) 965-0555.
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Completed Letters of Transmittal and any other documents
required in connection with surrenders of Old Notes for
conversion should be directed to the Exchange Agent at the
address set forth below.
The exchange agent for the Exchange Offer is:
Global Bondholder Services Corporation
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By Facsimile (Eligible Guarantor Institutions Only) |
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By Mail, Overnight Courier or Hand Delivery |
(212) 430-3775
(provide call back telephone number
on fax cover sheet for confirmation)
Confirmation:
(212) 430-3774 |
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Global Bondholder Services Corporation
65 Broadway Suite 723
New York, New York 10006
Attn: Corporate Actions |
Any requests for assistant in connection with the Exchange Offer
or for additional copies of this Exchange Offer Prospectus or
related materials may be directors to the Information Agent at
the address or telephone numbers set forth below. A Holder may
also contact such Holders broker, dealer, commercial bank,
trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the
Exchange Offer.
The information agent for the Exchange Offer is:
Global Bondholder Services Corporation
65 Broadway Suite 723
New York, New York 10006
Attn: Corporate Actions
Banks and Brokers call: (212) 430-3774
Toll-free (866) 470-3700
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The Dealer Managers for the Exchange Offer are: |
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. |
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Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated |
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390 Greenwich Street, 5th Floor |
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Liability Management Group |
New York, New York 10013
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1585 Broadway, Floor 04 |
Attn: Special Equity Transactions Group
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New York, NY 10036 |
Collect: (212) 723-7406
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(212) 761-1941 |
U.S. Toll-free: (877) 531-8365
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Toll Free: (800) 624-1808 |
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 20. Indemnification
of Directors and Officers.
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Indemnification Under the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws of Charter Communications, Inc. |
Charter Communications, Inc.s Restated Certificate of
Incorporation provides that a director of Charter
Communications, Inc. shall not be personally liable to Charter
Communications, Inc. or its shareholders for monetary damages
for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for
liability: (i) for any breach of the directors duty
of loyalty to Charter Communications, Inc. or its shareholders;
(ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
(iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General
Corporation law; or (iv) for any transaction from which the
director derived an improper personal benefit. Charter
Communications, Inc.s Bylaws require Charter
Communications, Inc., to the fullest extent authorized by the
Delaware General Corporation Law, to indemnify any person who
was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party or is
otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding by reason
of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of Charter
Communications, Inc. or is or was serving at the request of
Charter Communications, Inc. as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust,
employee benefit plan or other entity or enterprise, in each
case, against all expense, liability and loss (including
attorneys fees, judgments, amounts paid in settlement,
fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties) reasonably incurred or
suffered by such person in connection therewith.
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Indemnification Under the Delaware General Corporation
Law |
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law,
authorizes a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a
party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact
that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent
of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys fees,
judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such
action, suit or proceeding, if the person acted in good faith
and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in, or not
opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, with
respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable
cause to believe the persons conduct was unlawful. In
addition, the Delaware General Corporation Law does not permit
indemnification in any threatened, pending or completed action
or suit by or in the right of the corporation in respect of any
claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been
adjudged to be liable to the corporation, unless and only to the
extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought
shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication
of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the case,
such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for
such expenses, which such court shall deem proper. To the extent
that a present or former director or officer of a corporation
has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any
action, suit or proceeding referred to above, or in defense of
any claim, issue or matter, such person shall be indemnified
against expenses, including attorneys fees, actually and
reasonably incurred by such person. Indemnity is mandatory to
the extent a claim, issue or matter has been successfully
defended. The Delaware General Corporation Law also allows a
corporation to provide for the elimination or limit of the
personal liability of a director to the corporation or its
shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty
as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate
or limit the liability of a director
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(i) for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty
to the corporation or its shareholders, |
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(ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, |
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(iii) for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock
purchases or redemptions, or |
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(iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit. These provisions will not limit the
liability of directors or officers under the federal securities
laws of the United States. |
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers
or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, the registrant has been informed that in the opinion
of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.
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Indemnification Under the Delaware Limited Liability
Company Act |
Section 18-108 of
the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act authorizes a limited
liability company to indemnify and hold harmless any member or
manager or other person from and against any and all claims and
demands whatsoever, subject to such standards and restrictions,
if any, as are set forth in its limited liability company
agreement.
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Item 21. |
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules |
Exhibits are listed by numbers corresponding to the
Exhibit Table of Item 601 in
Regulation S-K.
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Exhibit |
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Description |
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1 |
.1* |
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Dealer Manager Agreement, dated August 29, 2007, by and
between Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC, Citigroup
and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated |
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3 |
.1(a) |
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Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Charter Communications,
Inc. (Originally incorporated July 22, 1999) (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 3 to the
registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on October 18, 1999 (File
No. 333-83887)). |
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3 |
.1(b) |
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Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Charter Communications, Inc. filed May 10,
2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(b) to the
annual report of Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc.
filed on March 29, 2002 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
3 |
.1(c) |
|
Form of Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit A to Preliminary Schedule 14C
filed with the SEC on August 14, 2007). |
|
3 |
.2 |
|
Amended and Restated By-laws of Charter Communications, Inc. as
of October 30, 2006 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed on October 31, 2006
(File No. 000-27927)). |
|
4 |
.0 |
|
There have not been filed as exhibits to this Form S-4
certain long-term debt instruments, none of which relates to
authorized indebtedness that exceeds 10% of the consolidated
assets of the Registrant. The Registrant agrees to furnish the
Commission upon its request a copy of any instrument defining
the rights of holders of long-term debt of the Company and its
consolidated subsidiaries. |
|
4 |
.1(a) |
|
Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible
Redeemable Preferred Stock of Charter Communications, Inc. and
related Certificate of Correction of Certificate of Designation
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the quarterly
report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc.
on November 14, 2001 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
4 |
.1(b) |
|
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Designation of
Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock of Charter
Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Annex A
to the Definitive Information Statement on Schedule 14C
filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on December 12, 2005
(File No. 000-27927)). |
|
4 |
.2 |
|
Certificate of Designation of Series B Junior Preferred
Stock of Charter Communications, Inc., as filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 14,
2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the
current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications,
Inc. on August 15, 2007 (File No. 000-27927)). |
II-2
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
4 |
.3 |
|
Indenture relating to the 5.875% convertible senior notes
due 2009, dated as of November 2004, by and among Charter
Communications, Inc. and Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. as
trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc.
filed on November 30, 2004 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
4 |
.4 |
|
5.875% convertible senior notes due 2009 Resale
Registration Rights Agreement, dated November 22, 2004, by
and among Charter Communications, Inc. and Citigroup Global
Markets Inc. and Morgan Stanley and Co. Incorporated as
representatives of the initial purchasers (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on
Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on
November 30, 2004 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
4 |
.5 |
|
Collateral Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of
November 22, 2004, by and between Charter Communications,
Inc. and Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. as trustee and
collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4
to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on November 30, 2004 (File No.
000-27927)). |
|
4 |
.6 |
|
Collateral Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of
November 22, 2004 among Charter Communications, Inc.,
Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC and Bank of New York
Trust Company, N.A. as trustee and collateral agent
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the current
report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on
November 30, 2004 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
4 |
.7*** |
|
Form of Indenture relating to the 6.50% convertible senior
notes due 2027, by and among Charter Communications, Inc. and
Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. as trustee. |
|
4 |
.8 |
|
Form of Rights Certificate (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by
Charter Communications, Inc. on August 15, 2007 (File No.
000-27927)). |
|
4 |
.9 |
|
Rights Agreement, dated as of August 14, 2007, by and
between Charter Communications, Inc. and Mellon Investor
Services LLC, as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by
Charter Communications, Inc. on August 15, 2007 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
4 |
.10 |
|
Letter Agreement for Mirror Rights, dated as of August 14,
2007, by and among Charter Communications, Inc., Charter
Investment, Inc., and Vulcan Cable III, Inc. (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the current report on
Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on
August 15, 2007 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
5 |
.1* |
|
Opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher regarding legality. |
|
8 |
.1* |
|
Opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher regarding tax
matters. |
|
10 |
.1 |
|
4.75% Mirror Note in the principal amount of $632.5 million
dated as of May 30, 2001, made by Charter Communications
Holding Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, in
favor of Charter Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the quarterly
report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc.
on August 6, 2002 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.2 |
|
5.875% Mirror Convertible Senior Note due 2009, in the principal
amount of $862,500,000 dated as of November 22, 2004 made
by Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company, in favor of Charter Communications,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.9 to the current report on Form 8-K of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 30, 2004
(File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.3** |
|
Form of 6.50% Mirror Convertible Senior Note due 2027, made by
Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company, in favor of Charter Communications, Inc., a
Delaware corporation. |
|
10 |
.4(a) |
|
Indenture relating to the 9.920% Senior Discount Notes due
2011, dated as of March 17, 1999, among Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings
Capital Corporation and Harris Trust and Savings Bank
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3(a) to Amendment
No. 2 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of
Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications
Holdings Capital Corporation filed on June 22, 1999 (File
No. 333-77499)). |
II-3
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
10 |
.4(b) |
|
First Supplemental Indenture relating to the 9.920% Senior
Discount Notes due 2011, dated as of September 28, 2005,
among Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter
Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest
Trust Company as Trustee (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.4 to the current report on Form 8-K of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed on October 4, 2005 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.5(a) |
|
Indenture relating to the 10.00% Senior Notes due 2009,
dated as of January 12, 2000, between Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings
Capital Corporation and Harris Trust and Savings Bank
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1(a) to the
registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings
Capital Corporation filed on January 25, 2000 (File
No. 333-95351)). |
|
10 |
.5(b) |
|
First Supplemental Indenture relating to the 10.00% Senior
Notes due 2009, dated as of September 28, 2005, between
Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications
Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as
Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the
current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc.
filed on October 4, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.6(a) |
|
Indenture relating to the 10.25% Senior Notes due 2010,
dated as of January 12, 2000, among Charter Communications
Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital
Corporation and Harris Trust and Savings Bank (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.2(a) to the registration statement
on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and
Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on
January 25, 2000 (File No. 333-95351)). |
|
10 |
.6(b) |
|
First Supplemental Indenture relating to the 10.25% Senior
Notes due 2010, dated as of September 28, 2005, among
Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications
Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as
Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the
current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc.
filed on October 4, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.7(a) |
|
Indenture relating to the 11.75% Senior Discount Notes due
2010, dated as of January 12, 2000, among Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings
Capital Corporation and Harris Trust and Savings Bank
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3(a) to the
registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings
Capital Corporation filed on January 25, 2000 (File
No. 333-95351)). |
|
10 |
.7(b) |
|
First Supplemental Indenture relating to the 11.75% Senior
Discount Notes due 2010, among Charter Communications Holdings,
LLC, Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY
Midwest Trust Company as Trustee, dated as of September 28,
2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the
current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc.
filed on October 4, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.8(a) |
|
Indenture dated as of January 10, 2001 between Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings
Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee
governing 10.750% senior notes due 2009 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.2(a) to the registration statement
on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and
Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on
February 2, 2001 (File No. 333-54902)). |
|
10 |
.8(b) |
|
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 28, 2005
between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter
Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest
Trust Company as Trustee governing 10.750% Senior Notes due
2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the
current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc.
filed on October 4, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)). |
II-4
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
10 |
.9(a) |
|
Indenture dated as of January 10, 2001 between Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings
Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee
governing 11.125% senior notes due 2011 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.2(b) to the registration statement
on Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and
Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corporation filed on
February 2, 2001 (File No. 333-54902)). |
|
10 |
.9(b) |
|
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 28,
2005, between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter
Communications Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company
governing 11.125% Senior Notes due 2011 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the current report on
Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on
October 4, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.10(a) |
|
Indenture dated as of January 10, 2001 between Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings
Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee
governing 13.500% senior discount notes due 2011
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2(c) to the
registration statement on Form S-4 of Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holdings
Capital Corporation filed on February 2, 2001 (File
No. 333-54902)). |
|
10 |
.10(b) |
|
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 28,
2005, between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter
Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest
Trust Company as Trustee governing 13.500% Senior Discount
Notes due 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10
to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on October 4, 2005 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.11(a) |
|
Indenture dated as of May 15, 2001 between Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings
Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee
governing 9.625% Senior Notes due 2009 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2(a) to the current report on
Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on
June 1, 2001 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.11(b) |
|
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 14, 2002
between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter
Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest
Trust Company as Trustee governing 9.625% Senior Notes due
2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(a) to the
current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications,
Inc. on January 15, 2002 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.11(c) |
|
Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 25, 2002
between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter
Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest
Trust Company as Trustee governing 9.625% Senior Notes due
2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter
Communications, Inc. on August 6, 2002 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.11(d) |
|
Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 28, 2005
between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter
Communications Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company
as Trustee governing 9.625% Senior Notes due 2009
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the current
report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on
October 4, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.12(a) |
|
Indenture dated as of May 15, 2001 between Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings
Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee
governing 10.000% Senior Notes due 2011 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.3(a) to the current report on
Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on
June 1, 2001 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.12(b) |
|
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 14, 2002
between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter
Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest
Trust Company as Trustee governing 10.000% Senior Notes due
2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(a) to the
current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications,
Inc. on January 15, 2002 (File No. 000-27927)). |
II-5
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
10 |
.12(c) |
|
Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 25, 2002
between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter
Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest
Trust Company as Trustee governing 10.000% Senior Notes due
2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the
quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter
Communications, Inc. on August 6, 2002 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.12(d) |
|
Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 28, 2005
between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter
Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest
Trust Company as Trustee governing the 10.000% Senior Notes
due 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the
current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc.
filed on October 4, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.13(a) |
|
Indenture dated as of May 15, 2001 between Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings
Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee
governing 11.750% Senior Discount Notes due 2011
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4(a) to the
current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications,
Inc. on June 1, 2001 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.13(b) |
|
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 28, 2005
between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter
Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest
Trust Company as Trustee governing 11.750% Senior Discount
Notes due 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13
to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on October 4, 2005 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.14(a) |
|
Indenture dated as of January 14, 2002 between Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Holdings
Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest Trust Company as Trustee
governing 12.125% Senior Discount Notes due 2012
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4(a) to the
current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications,
Inc. on January 15, 2002 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.14(b) |
|
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 25, 2002
between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter
Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest
Trust Company as Trustee governing 12.125% Senior Discount
Notes due 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to
the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter
Communications, Inc. on August 6, 2002 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.14(c) |
|
Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 28,
2005 between Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, Charter
Communications Holdings Capital Corporation and BNY Midwest
Trust Company as Trustee governing 12.125% Senior Discount
Notes due 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14
to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on October 4, 2005 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.15 |
|
Indenture dated as of September 28, 2005 among CCH I
Holdings, LLC and CCH I Holdings Capital Corp., as Issuers,
Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, as Parent Guarantor, and
The Bank of New York Trust Company, NA, as Trustee, governing:
11.25% Senior Accreting Notes due 2014, 9.920% Senior
Accreting Notes due 2014, 10.000% Senior Accreting Notes
due 2014, 11.75% Senior Accreting Notes due 2014,
13.50% Senior Accreting Notes due 2014, 12.125% Senior
Accreting Notes due 2014 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed on October 4, 2005 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.16(a) |
|
Indenture dated as of September 28, 2005 among CCH I,
LLC and CCH I Capital Corp., as Issuers, Charter Communications
Holdings, LLC, as Parent Guarantor, and The Bank of New York
Trust Company, NA, as Trustee, governing 11.00% Senior
Secured Notes due 2015 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form 8-K of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed on October 4, 2005 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.16(b) |
|
First Supplemental Indenture relating to the 11.00% Senior
Notes due 2015, dated as of September 14, 2006, by and
between CCH I, LLC, CCH I Capital Corp. as Issuers, Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC as Parent Guarantor and The Bank of
New York Trust Company, N.A. as trustee (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the current report on
Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. on
September 19, 2006 (File 000-27927)). |
II-6
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
10 |
.17 |
|
Indenture relating to the 10.25% Senior Notes due 2010,
dated as of September 23, 2003, among CCH II, LLC,
CCH II Capital Corporation and Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to
the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications
Inc. filed on September 26, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.18 |
|
Indenture relating to the 10.25% Senior Notes due 2013,
dated as of September 14, 2006, by and between CCH II,
LLC, CCH II Capital Corp. as Issuers, Charter
Communications Holdings, LLC as Parent Guarantor and The Bank of
New York Trust Company, N.A. as trustee (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on
Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. on
September 19, 2006)). |
|
10 |
.19 |
|
Indenture relating to the
83/4% Senior
Notes due 2013, dated as of November 10, 2003, by and among
CCO Holdings, LLC, CCO Holdings Capital Corp. and Bank of New
York Trust Company, N.A. as trustee (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 12, 2003
(File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.20 |
|
Indenture relating to the 8% senior second lien notes due
2012 and 83/8 % senior second lien notes due
2014, dated as of April 27, 2004, by and among Charter
Communications Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Operating
Capital Corp. and Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. as
trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to
Amendment No. 2 to the registration statement on
Form S-4 of CCH II, LLC filed on May 5, 2004
(File No. 333-111423)). |
|
10 |
.21(a) |
|
Pledge Agreement made by CCH I, LLC in favor of The Bank of
New York Trust Company, NA, as Collateral Agent dated as of
September 28, 2005 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.15 to the current report on Form 8-K of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed on October 4, 2005 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.21(b) |
|
Amendment to the Pledge Agreement between CCH I, LLC in
favor of The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Collateral
Agent, dated as of September 14, 2006 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the current report on
Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. on
September 19, 2006 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.22 |
|
Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
September 14, 2006, by and between CCH I, LLC, CCH I
Capital Corp., CCH II, LLC, CCH II Capital Corp.
Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Banc of America
Securities LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5
to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter
Communications, Inc. on September 19, 2006 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.23 |
|
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 6,
2007, among Charter Communications Operating, LLC, CCO Holdings,
LLC, the lenders from time to time parties thereto and JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on
Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on
March 9, 2007 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.24 |
|
Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement made by
CCO Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Operating, LLC and
certain of its subsidiaries in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank,
N.A., as administrative agent, dated as of March 18, 1999,
as amended and restated as of March 6, 2007 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on
Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on
March 9, 2007 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.25 |
|
Credit Agreement, dated as of March 6, 2007, among CCO
Holdings, LLC, the lenders from time to time parties thereto and
Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the current report on
Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on
March 9, 2007 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.26 |
|
Pledge Agreement made by CCO Holdings, LLC in favor of Bank of
America, N.A., as Collateral Agent, dated as of March 6,
2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the
current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc.
filed on March 9, 2007 (File No. 000-27927)). |
II-7
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
10 |
.27 |
|
Consulting Agreement, dated as of March 10, 1999, by and
between Vulcan Northwest Inc., Charter Communications, Inc. (now
called Charter Investment, Inc.) and Charter Communications
Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to
Amendment No. 4 to the registration statement on
Form S-4 of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC filed on
July 22, 1999 (File No. 333-77499)). |
|
10 |
.28 |
|
Second Amended and Restated Mutual Services Agreement, dated as
of June 19, 2003 between Charter Communications, Inc. and
Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.5(a) to the quarterly report on
Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on
August 5, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.29 |
|
Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement
for CC VIII, LLC, dated as of October 31, 2005
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the
quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter
Communications, Inc. on November 2, 2005 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.30(a) |
|
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of
Charter Communications Operating, LLC, dated as of June 19,
2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 10.2 to
the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter
Communications, Inc. on August 5, 2003 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.30(b) |
|
First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Limited Liability
Company Agreement of Charter Communications Operating, LLC,
adopted as of June 22, 2004 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.16(b) to the annual report on Form 10-K
filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on February 28, 2006
(File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.31 |
|
Amended and Restated Management Agreement, dated as of
June 19, 2003, between Charter Communications Operating,
LLC and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.4 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q
filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 5, 2003
(File No. 333-83887)). |
|
10 |
.32(a) |
|
Stipulation of Settlement, dated as of January 24, 2005,
regarding settlement of Consolidated Federal Class Action
entitled in Re Charter Communications, Inc. Securities
Litigation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to
the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by Charter
Communications, Inc. on March 3, 2005 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.32(b) |
|
Amendment to Stipulation of Settlement, dated as of May 23,
2005, regarding settlement of Consolidated Federal
Class Action entitled In Re Charter Communications, Inc.
Securities Litigation (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.35(b) to Amendment No. 3 to the
registration statement on Form S-1 filed by Charter
Communications, Inc. on June 8, 2005 (File
No. 333-121186)). |
|
10 |
.33 |
|
Stipulation of Settlement, dated as of January 24, 2005,
regarding settlement of Federal Derivative Action, Arthur J.
Cohn v. Ronald L. Nelson et al and Charter
Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.50 to the annual report on Form 10-K filed
by Charter Communications, Inc. on March 3, 2005 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.34 |
|
Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release, dated as of
February 1, 2005, by and among Charter Communications, Inc.
and certain other insureds, on the other hand, and Certain
Underwriters at Lloyds of London and certain subscribers,
on the other hand (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.49 to the annual report on Form 10-K filed
by Charter Communications, Inc. on March 3, 2005 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.35 |
|
Settlement Agreement and Mutual Releases, dated as of
October 31, 2005, by and among Charter Communications,
Inc., Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Charter
Communications, Inc., Charter Communications Holding Company,
LLC, CCHC, LLC, CC VIII, LLC, CC V, LLC, Charter
Investment, Inc., Vulcan Cable III, LLC and Paul G. Allen
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the
quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications,
Inc. filed on November 2, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.36 |
|
Exchange Agreement, dated as of October 31, 2005, by and
among Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC, Charter
Investment, Inc. and Paul G. Allen (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.18 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 2, 2005
(File No. 000-27927)). |
II-8
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
10 |
.37 |
|
CCHC, LLC Subordinated and Accreting Note, dated as of
October 31, 2005 (revised) (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.3 to the current report on Form 8-K of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 4, 2005
(File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.38(a) |
|
Charter Communications Holdings, LLC 1999 Option Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Amendment
No. 4 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of
Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications
Holdings Capital Corporation filed on July 22, 1999 (File
No. 333-77499)). |
|
10 |
.38(b) |
|
Assumption Agreement regarding Option Plan, dated as of
May 25, 1999, by and between Charter Communications
Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to Amendment
No. 6 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of
Charter Communications Holdings, LLC and Charter Communications
Holdings Capital Corporation filed on August 27, 1999 (File
No. 333-77499)). |
|
10 |
.38(c) |
|
Form of Amendment No. 1 to the Charter Communications
Holdings, LLC 1999 Option Plan (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.10(c) to Amendment No. 4 to the
registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on November 1, 1999 (File
No. 333-83887)). |
|
10 |
.38(d) |
|
Amendment No. 2 to the Charter Communications Holdings, LLC
1999 Option Plan (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.4(c) to the annual report on Form 10-K
filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on March 30, 2000
(File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.38(e) |
|
Amendment No. 3 to the Charter Communications 1999 Option
Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14(e) to the
annual report of Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc.
filed on March 29, 2002 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.38(f) |
|
Amendment No. 4 to the Charter Communications 1999 Option
Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10(f) to the
annual report on Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc.
filed on April 15, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.39(a) |
|
Charter Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the
quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter
Communications, Inc. on May 15, 2001 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.39(b) |
|
Amendment No. 1 to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001
Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.11(b) to the annual report on Form 10-K of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 15, 2003 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.39(c) |
|
Amendment No. 2 to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001
Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.10 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q
filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on November 14, 2001
(File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.39(d) |
|
Amendment No. 3 to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001
Stock Incentive Plan effective January 2, 2002
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15(c) to the
annual report of Form 10-K of Charter Communications, Inc.
filed on March 29, 2002 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.39(e) |
|
Amendment No. 4 to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001
Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.11(e) to the annual report on Form 10-K of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 15, 2003 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.39(f) |
|
Amendment No. 5 to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001
Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.11(f) to the annual report on Form 10-K of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 15, 2003 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.39(g) |
|
Amendment No. 6 to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001
Stock Incentive Plan effective December 23, 2004
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43(g) to the
registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on October 5, 2005 (File
No. 333-128838)). |
|
10 |
.39(h) |
|
Amendment No. 7 to the Charter Communications, Inc. 2001
Stock Incentive Plan effective August 23, 2005
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43(h) to the
registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter
Communications, Inc. filed on October 5, 2005 (File
No. 333-128838)). |
II-9
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
10 |
.39(i) |
|
Description of Long-Term Incentive Program to the Charter
Communications, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.18(g) to the annual report on
Form 10-K filed by Charter Communications Holdings, LLC on
March 31, 2005 (File No. 333-77499)). |
|
10 |
.40 |
|
Description of Charter Communications, Inc. 2006 Executive Bonus
Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the
quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter
Communications, Inc. on May 2, 2006 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.41 |
|
2005 Executive Cash Award Plan, amended for 2006 (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on
Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed
April 17, 2006 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.42(a) |
|
Employment Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2005, by and
between Neil Smit and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the current report on
Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on
August 15, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.42(b) |
|
Addendum to the Employment Agreement between Neil Smit and
Charter Communications, Inc., dated as of August 1, 2007
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly
report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed
on August 2, 2007 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.43 |
|
Employment Agreement dated as of September 2, 2005, by and
between Paul E. Martin and Charter Communications, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the current
report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on
September 9, 2005 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.44 |
|
Retention Agreement dated as of January 9, 2006, by and
between Paul E. Martin and Charter Communications, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the current
report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on
January 10, 2006 (File No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.45 |
|
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Jeffrey T.
Fisher and Charter Communications, Inc., dated as of
August 1, 2007 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed on August 2, 2007 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.46 |
|
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Michael J.
Lovett and Charter Communications, Inc., dated as of
August 1, 2007 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.3 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed on August 2, 2007 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.47 |
|
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Robert A.
Quigley and Charter Communications, Inc., dated as of
August 1, 2007 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.4 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed on August 2, 2007 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.48 |
|
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Grier C.
Raclin and Charter Communications, Inc., dated as of
August 1, 2007 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.5 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of
Charter Communications, Inc. filed on August 2, 2007 (File
No. 000-27927)). |
|
10 |
.49** |
|
Amendment to Share Lending Agreement, to be dated as of
September 24, 2007, between Charter Communications, Inc.,
Citigroup Global Markets Limited, through Citigroup Global
Markets, Inc. |
|
21 |
.1* |
|
Subsidiaries of Charter Communications, Inc. |
|
23 |
.1* |
|
Consent of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP (included with
Exhibit 5.1). |
|
23 |
.2* |
|
Consent of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP regarding tax
matters (included with Exhibit 8.1). |
|
23 |
.3*** |
|
Consent of KPMG LLP. |
|
24 |
.1* |
|
Power of attorney (included in signature page). |
|
25 |
.1* |
|
Statement of eligibility of trustee. |
|
99 |
.1*** |
|
Letter of Transmittal. |
|
99 |
.2*** |
|
Letter to Clients. |
|
99 |
.3*** |
|
Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies
and Other Nominees. |
II-10
|
|
** |
To be filed for the applicable company by an amendment to this
registration statement or as an exhibit to a subsequent Current
Report on Form 8-K. |
|
|
|
Management compensatory plan or arrangement. |
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
|
|
|
(i) Prior to any public reoffering of the securities
registered hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part
of this registration statement, by any person or party who is
deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of
Rule 145(c), the issuers undertake that such reoffering
prospectus will contain the information called for by the
applicable registration form with respect to the reofferings by
persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the
information called for by the other items of the applicable form. |
|
|
(ii) Every prospectus: (i) that is filed pursuant to
the immediately preceding paragraph or (ii) that purports
to meet the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933 and is used in connection with an
offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed
as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will
not be used until such amendment is effective, and that, for
purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof. |
|
|
(iii) That for the purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrants
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plans annual report pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by
reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall
be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to respond to
requests for information that is incorporated by reference into
the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b) or 11 of this
form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to
send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other
equally prompt means. This includes information contained in
documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the
registration statement through the date of responding to the
request.
II-11
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means
of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a
transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein,
that was not the subject of and included in the registration
statement when it became effective.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers,
and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been
advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities, other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer,
or controlling person of the registrant in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding, is asserted by such
director, officer, or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the
opinion of their counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by them
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of
1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
II-12
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. has duly caused this
registration statement on
Form S-4 to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the County of Saint Louis, State of Missouri, on
September 14, 2007.
|
|
|
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC., |
|
Registrant |
|
|
|
|
Title: |
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, this registration statement has been signed below by
the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
Paul
G. Allen |
|
Chairman of the Board of Directors
of Charter Communications, Inc. |
|
September 14, 2007 |
|
*
Neil
Smit |
|
President and Chief
Executive Officer, Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
Charter Communications, Inc. |
|
September 14, 2007 |
|
*
Jeffrey
T. Fisher |
|
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Charter Communications, Inc. |
|
September 14, 2007 |
|
/s/ Kevin D. Howard
Kevin
D. Howard |
|
Vice President and Chief
Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Charter Communications, Inc. |
|
September 14, 2007 |
|
*
W.
Lance Conn |
|
Director of Charter
Communications, Inc. |
|
September 14, 2007 |
|
*
Nathaniel
A. Davis |
|
Director of Charter
Communications, Inc. |
|
September 14, 2007 |
|
*
Jonathan
L. Dolgen |
|
Director of Charter
Communications, Inc. |
|
September 14, 2007 |
|
*
Rajive
Johri |
|
Director of Charter
Communications, Inc. |
|
September 14, 2007 |
S-1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
Robert
P. May |
|
Director of Charter
Communications, Inc. |
|
September 14, 2007 |
|
*
David
C. Merritt |
|
Director of Charter
Communications, Inc. |
|
September 14, 2007 |
|
*
Marc
B. Nathanson |
|
Director of Charter
Communications, Inc. |
|
September 14, 2007 |
|
*
Jo
Allen Patton |
|
Director of Charter
Communications, Inc., |
|
September 14, 2007 |
|
John
H. Tory |
|
Director of Charter
Communications, Inc. |
|
|
|
*
Larry
W. Wangberg |
|
Director of Charter
Communications, Inc. |
|
September 14, 2007 |
|
|
*By: |
|
/s/ Kevin D. Howard
Name: Kevin
D. Howard
Title: Attorney-in-fact |
|
|
|
|
S-2
EX-4.7
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
and
THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
INDENTURE
Dated as of October [ ], 2007
6.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
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PAGE |
ARTICLE 1 |
|
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|
Definitions and Incorporation by Reference |
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Section 1.01 . Definitions |
|
|
1 |
|
Section 1.02 . Other Definitions |
|
|
9 |
|
Section 1.03 . Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act |
|
|
10 |
|
Section 1.04 . Rules of Construction |
|
|
10 |
|
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|
ARTICLE 2 |
|
|
|
|
The Notes |
|
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Section 2.01 . Form and Dating |
|
|
11 |
|
Section 2.02 . Execution and Authentication |
|
|
11 |
|
Section 2.03 . Registrar; Conversion Agent; and Paying Agent |
|
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12 |
|
Section 2.04 . Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust |
|
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13 |
|
Section 2.05 . Holder Lists |
|
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13 |
|
Section 2.06 . Global Notes; Non-global Notes; Book-Entry Provisions |
|
|
13 |
|
Section 2.07 . Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange; Restrictions on Transfer |
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15 |
|
Section 2.08 . Replacement Notes |
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18 |
|
Section 2.09 . Outstanding Notes |
|
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18 |
|
Section 2.10 . Treasury Notes |
|
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19 |
|
Section 2.11 . Temporary Notes |
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19 |
|
Section 2.12 . Cancellation |
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19 |
|
Section 2.13 . Defaulted Interest |
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19 |
|
Section 2.14 . Computation of Interest |
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20 |
|
Section 2.15 . CUSIP Numbers |
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20 |
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ARTICLE 3 |
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Redemption And Prepayment |
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Section 3.01 . Notices to Trustee |
|
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20 |
|
Section 3.02 . Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed |
|
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20 |
|
Section 3.03 . Notice of Redemption |
|
|
21 |
|
Section 3.04 . Effect of Notice of Redemption |
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22 |
|
Section 3.05 . Deposit of Redemption Price |
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22 |
|
Section 3.06 . Notes Redeemed in Part |
|
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22 |
|
Section 3.07 . Optional Redemption |
|
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22 |
|
Section 3.08 . Mandatory Redemption |
|
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23 |
|
i
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PAGE |
ARTICLE 4 |
|
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|
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Covenants |
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Section 4.01 . Payment of Notes |
|
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23 |
|
Section 4.02 . Maintenance of Office or Agency |
|
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24 |
|
Section 4.03 . Reports |
|
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24 |
|
Section 4.04 . Compliance Certificate |
|
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24 |
|
Section 4.05 . Taxes |
|
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25 |
|
Section 4.06 . Stay, Extension and Usury Laws |
|
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25 |
|
Section 4.07 . Corporate Existence |
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25 |
|
Section 4.08 . Payments for Consent |
|
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25 |
|
Section 4.09 . Registration and Listing |
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26 |
|
Section 4.10 . Delivery of Certain Information |
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26 |
|
Section 4.11 . Waiver of Certain Covenants |
|
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26 |
|
Section 4.12 . Calculation of Tax Original Issue Discount |
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27 |
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ARTICLE 5 |
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Successors |
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Section 5.01 . Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets |
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27 |
|
Section 5.02 . Successor Corporation Substituted |
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28 |
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ARTICLE 6 |
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Defaults and Remedies |
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Section 6.01 . Events of Default |
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28 |
|
Section 6.02 . Acceleration |
|
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29 |
|
Section 6.03 . Defaults and Remedies |
|
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30 |
|
Section 6.04 . Waiver of Existing Defaults |
|
|
30 |
|
Section 6.05 . Control by Majority |
|
|
30 |
|
Section 6.06 . Limitation on Suits |
|
|
30 |
|
Section 6.07 . Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment and to Convert |
|
|
31 |
|
Section 6.08 . Collection Suit by Trustee |
|
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31 |
|
Section 6.09 . Trustee May File Proofs of Claim |
|
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31 |
|
Section 6.10 . Priorities |
|
|
32 |
|
Section 6.11 . Undertaking for Costs |
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32 |
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|
ARTICLE 7 |
|
|
|
|
Trustee |
|
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|
|
Section 7.01 . Duties of Trustee |
|
|
33 |
|
Section 7.02 . Rights of Trustee |
|
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34 |
|
Section 7.03 . Individual Rights of Trustee |
|
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34 |
|
Section 7.04 . Trustees Disclaimer |
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35 |
|
Section 7.05 . Notice of Defaults |
|
|
35 |
|
Section 7.06 . Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes |
|
|
35 |
|
Section 7.07 . Compensation and Indemnity |
|
|
35 |
|
Section 7.08 . Replacement of Trustee |
|
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36 |
|
Section 7.09 . Successor Trustee By Merger, etc. |
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37 |
|
ii
|
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PAGE |
Section 7.10 . Eligibility; Disqualification |
|
|
37 |
|
Section 7.11 . Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company |
|
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37 |
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|
ARTICLE 8 |
|
|
|
|
Meetings of Holders of Notes |
|
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|
Section 8.01 . Purposes for Which Meetings May be Called |
|
|
38 |
|
Section 8.02 . Call, Notice and Place of Meetings |
|
|
38 |
|
Section 8.03 . Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings |
|
|
38 |
|
Section 8.04 . Quorum; Action |
|
|
38 |
|
Section 8.05 . Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings |
|
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39 |
|
Section 8.06 . Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings |
|
|
40 |
|
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|
ARTICLE 9 |
|
|
|
|
Amendment, Supplement and Waiver |
|
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|
Section 9.01 . Without Consent of Holders of Notes |
|
|
40 |
|
Section 9.02 . With Consent of Holders of Notes |
|
|
41 |
|
Section 9.03 . Compliance with Trust Indenture Act |
|
|
43 |
|
Section 9.04 . Revocation and Effect of Consents |
|
|
43 |
|
Section 9.05 . Notation on or Exchange of Notes |
|
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43 |
|
Section 9.06 . Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc. |
|
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43 |
|
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|
ARTICLE 10 |
|
|
|
|
Conversion Of Notes |
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|
Section 10.01 . Conversion Privilege and Conversion Rate |
|
|
44 |
|
Section 10.02 . Exercise of Conversion Privilege |
|
|
45 |
|
Section 10.03 . Limitation on Beneficial Ownership |
|
|
47 |
|
Section 10.04 . Cash Settlement Option |
|
|
47 |
|
Section 10.05 . Fractions of Shares |
|
|
47 |
|
Section 10.06 . Exchange in Lieu of Conversion |
|
|
48 |
|
Section 10.07 . Adjustment of Conversion Rate |
|
|
48 |
|
Section 10.08 . Interest Make Whole Upon Conversion |
|
|
56 |
|
Section 10.09 . Notice of Adjustments of Conversion Rate |
|
|
57 |
|
Section 10.10 . Notice of Certain Corporate Action |
|
|
57 |
|
Section 10.11 . Company to Reserve Common Stock |
|
|
58 |
|
Section 10.12 . Taxes on Conversions |
|
|
58 |
|
Section 10.13 . Covenant as to Common Stock |
|
|
58 |
|
Section 10.14 . Cancellation of Converted Notes |
|
|
59 |
|
Section 10.15 . Provision in Case of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets |
|
|
59 |
|
Section 10.16 . Responsibility of Trustee for Conversion Provisions |
|
|
60 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE 11 |
|
|
|
|
Repurchase of Notes at the Option of the Holder upon a fundamental change |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 11.01 . Right to Require Repurchase upon a Fundamental Change |
|
|
60 |
|
Section 11.02 . Repurchase of Notes at the Option of Holders |
|
|
63 |
|
Section 11.03 . Consolidation, Merger, etc. |
|
|
65 |
|
iii
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PAGE |
ARTICLE 12 |
|
|
|
|
Miscellaneous |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 12.01 . Trust Indenture Act Controls |
|
|
65 |
|
Section 12.02 . Notices |
|
|
66 |
|
Section 12.03 . Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes |
|
|
67 |
|
Section 12.04 . Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent |
|
|
67 |
|
Section 12.05 . Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion |
|
|
67 |
|
Section 12.06 . Tax Treatment of the Notes |
|
|
67 |
|
Section 12.07 . Rules by Trustee and Agents |
|
|
68 |
|
Section 12.08 . No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees, Members and Stockholders |
|
|
68 |
|
Section 12.09 . Governing Law |
|
|
68 |
|
Section 12.10 . No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements |
|
|
69 |
|
Section 12.11 . Successors |
|
|
69 |
|
Section 12.12 . Severability |
|
|
69 |
|
Section 12.13 . Counterpart Originals |
|
|
69 |
|
Section 12.14 . Table of Contents, Headings, etc. |
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARTICLE 13 |
|
|
|
|
Satisfaction And Discharge |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Section 13.01 . Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture |
|
|
69 |
|
Section 13.02 . Application of Trust Money |
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXHIBIT A |
|
|
A-1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annex A Form of Restricted Notes Certificate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annex B Form of Unrestricted Notes Certificate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annex C Form of Surrender Certificate |
|
|
|
|
iv
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
|
|
|
|
|
TIA Section |
|
Indenture Section |
310 (a)(1) |
|
|
7.10 |
|
(a)(2) |
|
|
7.10 |
|
(a)(3) |
|
|
N/A |
|
(a)(4) |
|
|
N/A |
|
(a)(5) |
|
|
N/A |
|
(b) |
|
|
7.10 |
|
(c) |
|
|
N/A |
|
311 (a) |
|
|
7.11 |
|
(b) |
|
|
7.11 |
|
(c) |
|
|
N/A |
|
312 (a) |
|
|
2.05 |
|
(b) |
|
|
12.03 |
|
(c) |
|
|
12.03 |
|
313 (a) |
|
|
7.06 |
|
(b)(1) |
|
|
N/A |
|
(b)(2) |
|
|
7.06 |
|
(c) |
|
|
7.06 |
|
(d) |
|
|
7.06 |
|
314 (a) |
|
|
4.03; 4.04 |
|
(b) |
|
|
N/A |
|
(c)(1) |
|
|
13.04 |
|
(c)(2) |
|
|
13.04 |
|
(c)(3) |
|
|
N/A |
|
(d) |
|
|
N/A |
|
(e) |
|
|
13.05 |
|
(f) |
|
|
N/A |
|
315 (a) |
|
|
7.01 |
|
(b) |
|
|
7.05 |
|
(c) |
|
|
7.01 |
|
(d) |
|
|
7.01 |
|
(e) |
|
|
6.11 |
|
316 (a) (last sentence) |
|
|
8.03 |
|
(a)(1)(A) |
|
|
6.05 |
|
(a)(1)(B) |
|
|
6.04 |
|
(a)(2) |
|
|
N/A |
|
(b) |
|
|
6.07 |
|
317(a)(1) |
|
|
6.08 |
|
(a)(2) |
|
|
6.09 |
|
(b) |
|
|
2.04 |
|
318 (a) |
|
|
12.01 |
|
N/A means Not Applicable
|
|
|
Note: |
|
This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of this
Indenture. |
v
INDENTURE dated as of October [ ], 2007 among Charter Communications, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (as further defined below, the Company), and The Bank of New York Trust Company,
N.A., as trustee (the Trustee).
The Company and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal
and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes:
ARTICLE 1
Definitions and Incorporation by Reference
Section 1.01. Definitions.
Affiliate of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling
or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For
purposes of this definition, control, as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management
or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or
otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person shall
be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the terms controlling, controlled by
and under common control with shall have correlative meanings.
Agent means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent.
Agent Member means any member of, or participant in, the Depositary.
Allen Affiliate means any person in which the Principal, directly or indirectly, owns at
least a 50.1% equity interest, provided that the Company, Charter Holdco or any of its subsidiaries
will not be included in such definition.
Applicable Procedures means, with respect to any transfer or transaction involving a Global
Note or beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of DTC, in each case to the extent
applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.
Bankruptcy Law means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal or state law of any
jurisdiction relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, winding up, liquidation, reorganization or relief
of debtors.
Beneficial Owner has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the term Beneficial Ownership shall
have a correlative meaning.
Beneficial Owner Entity means any entity that is a director or indirect Beneficial Owner of
more than 50% of the total voting power of all shares of an acquirers capital stock that are
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
Board of Directors means the Board of Directors of the Company or any authorized committee
of the Board of Directors of the Company.
1
Board Resolution means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company and to
be in full force and effect on the date of such certification and delivered to the Trustee.
Business Day means any day other than a Legal Holiday.
Capital Stock means:
(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests,
participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership
interests (whether general or limited); and
(4) any other interest (other than any debt obligation) or participation that confers on a
Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of,
the issuing Person.
Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) the consummation of any transaction (including any merger or consolidation) the result of
which is that any person or group within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act (a
Section 13 Person), other than the Principal and the Related Parties, becomes the Beneficial
Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the Voting Stock of the Company, measured by
voting power rather than number of shares, unless the Principal and the Related Parties,
collectively, beneficially own, directly or indirectly, a greater percentage of Voting Stock of the
Company, measured by voting power rather than number of shares, than such Section 13 Person;
(2) the consummation of any transaction or event (whether by means of a liquidation, share
exchange, tender offer, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, merger of the Company or
any sale, lease or other transfer of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries)
or a series of related transactions or events pursuant to which the Common Stock is exchanged for,
converted into or constitutes solely the right to receive cash, securities or other
property more than 10% of the fair market value of which consists of cash, securities or other
property that are not, or upon issuance will not be, traded or quoted on any U.S. national
securities exchange;
(3) the sale, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition (including by way of
liquidation or dissolution, but excluding by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of
related transactions, of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, substantially as an
entirety, to any Section 13 Person;
(4) at any time, (i) the Principal or any Allen Affiliates (as defined below) purchases, in a
transaction or series of transactions, shares of Common Stock and, solely as a result of such
purchases, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock held by the Principal and any Allen
2
Affiliates exceeds 70% of the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding at such
time (including any shares borrowed pursuant to the Share Lending Agreement) and (ii) the Sale
Price of the Common Stock for any five Trading Days within the period of the 10 consecutive Trading
Days immediately after the later of (x) the last date of such purchases or (y) the public
announcement of such purchases, is less than 100% of the Conversion Price of the Notes in effect on
each of those Trading Days (for purposes of this clause (4), a purchase will not include any
transaction whereby shares of Common Stock are acquired by the Principal or any Allen Affiliate as
a result of service as a director on the Board of Directors or the exchange and conversion of
membership units of Charter Holdco for and into shares of Common Stock or the conversion of shares
of the Companys Class B Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, into shares of Common Stock or
issued in exchange (by merger or otherwise) for shares of a Person that holds units of Charter
Holdco; the calculation of the number of shares of Common Stock held by the Principal and the Allen
Affiliates will not include securities exchangeable or convertible into shares of Common Stock.
(5) after the Issue Date, the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors; or
(6) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
Charter Holdco means Charter Communications Holding Company LLC.
Commission or SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
common stock includes any stock of any class of capital stock which has no preference in
respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of
any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the issuer thereof and
which is not subject to redemption by the issuer thereof.
Common Stock means the Class A Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Company
authorized at the date of this instrument as originally executed. Subject to the provisions of
Section 10.14, shares issuable on conversion or repurchase of Notes shall include only shares of
Common Stock or shares of any class or classes of common stock resulting from any reclassification
or reclassifications thereof; provided, however, that if at any time there shall be more than one
such resulting class, the shares so issuable on conversion of Notes shall include shares of all
such classes, and the shares of each such class then so issuable shall be substantially in the
proportion that the total number of shares of such class resulting from all such reclassifications
bears to the total number of shares of all such classes resulting from all such reclassifications.
Company means the Person named as the Company in the first paragraph of this instrument
until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this
Indenture, and thereafter Company shall mean such successor Person.
Continuing Directors means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of
Directors of the Company who:
(1) was a member of the Board of Directors on the Issue Date; or
3
(2) was nominated for election or elected to the Board of Directors with the approval of a
majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of the Board of Directors at the time of such
nomination or election or whose election or appointment was previously so approved.
Conversion Agent means any Person authorized by the Company to convert Notes in accordance
with Article 10. The Company has initially appointed the Trustee as its Conversion Agent pursuant
to Section 2.03 hereof.
Conversion Average Price of Common Stock means, with respect any conversion of Notes, the
average of the Sale Prices of the Common Stock over the 20 Trading Day period (i) with respect to
a Conversion Date occurring during the period beginning on the date the Company gives a notice of
redemption and ending on the close of business on the Business Day prior to the applicable
Redemption Date, beginning on the Redemption Date; and (ii) in all other cases, beginning on the
third scheduled Trading Day immediately following the applicable Conversion Date for such
conversion of Notes.
Conversion Price as of any date shall equal U.S. $1,000 divided by the Conversion Rate in
effect on such date (rounded to the nearest cent).
Conversion Rate has the meaning specified in Section 10.01(a) hereof.
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in
Section 12.02 or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.
Default means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both
would be, an Event of Default.
Depositary means, with respect to any Notes (including any Global Notes), a clearing agency
that is registered under the Exchange Act and is designated by the Company to act as Depositary for
such Notes (or any successor securities clearing agency so registered).
DTC means The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation.
Effective Date means the date of consummation or effectiveness of a transaction described in
clause (2) of the definition of Change of Control.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exchange
Offer Prospectus means the final exchange offer prospectus, dated [ ], 2007,
prepared in connection with the offering of the Notes.
Fundamental Change means a Change of Control or a Termination of Trading
Global Note means a Note that is registered in the Note Register for the Notes in the name
of a Depositary or a nominee thereof.
Guarantee or guarantee means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable
instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner
including by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement
4
agreements in
respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness, measured as the lesser of the aggregate
outstanding amount of the Indebtedness so guaranteed and the face amount of the Guarantee.
Holder means the Person in whose name the Note is registered in the Note Register.
Indebtedness means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person,
whether or not contingent:
(1) in respect of borrowed money;
(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments; or
(3) representing capital lease obligations.
The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be (i) the accreted value thereof,
in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount; and (ii) the principal amount
(or portion of the discounted rental stream attributable to principal in the case of capitalized
leases) thereof, together with any interest thereon that is more than 30 days past due, in the case
of any other Indebtedness.
Indenture means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
Interest Payment Date means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on the Notes.
Issue Date means October [ ], 2007.
Legal Holiday, when used with respect to any place of payment or Place of Conversion, as the
case may be, means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New
York, at such place of payment or Place of Conversion, as the case may be, are authorized by law,
regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of
payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday,
and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.
Lien means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest
or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset given to secure indebtedness, whether or not
filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or
other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to
sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement
under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction with respect to any
such lien, pledge, charge or security interest).
Maturity, when used with respect to any Notes, means the date on which the Principal Amount
of such Notes becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity
or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, exercise of the repurchase right set forth
in Article 11 or otherwise.
5
Non-global Note means a Note that is in definitive, fully registered form, without interest
coupons, and that is not a Global Note.
Notes means the Companys 6.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 and more particularly
means any Notes authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
Officer means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive
Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer,
any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person.
Officers Certificate means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by two Officers of
the Company, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the chief financial officer or
the treasurer of the Company that meets the requirements of Section 12.05.
Opinion of Counsel means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the
Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 12.05. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel
to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.
Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited
liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or agency or
political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
Place of Conversion means any city in which any Conversion Agent is located.
Predecessor Note of any particular Note means every previous Note evidencing all or a
portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Note; and, for the purposes of this
definition, any Note authenticated and delivered under Section 2.08 in exchange for or in lieu of a
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note.
Principal means Paul G. Allen.
Principal Amount of a Note means the stated principal amount as set forth on the face of
such Note.
Qualified Institutional Buyer shall mean a qualified institutional buyer as defined in
Rule 144A.
Record Date Period means the period from the close of business of any Regular Record Date
next preceding any Interest Payment Date to the opening of business on such Interest Payment Date.
Redemption Date, when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed, means the date fixed for
redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
Redemption Make Whole Amount has the meaning specified in Section 10.08.
Redemption Price has the meaning specified in Section 3.07.
6
Regular Record Date for interest payable in respect of any Note on any Interest Payment Date
means the March 15 or September 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next
preceding such Interest Payment Date.
Related Party means:
(1) the spouse or an immediate family member, estate or heir of the Principal; or
(2) any trust, corporation, partnership or other entity, the beneficiaries, stockholders,
partners, owners or Persons beneficially holding an 80% or more controlling interest of which
consist of the Principal and/or such other Persons referred to in the immediately preceding clause
(1) or this clause (2).
Responsible Officer when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the
Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) with direct
responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a
particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his
knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
Restricted Non-global Note means a Restricted Note other than a Global Note.
Restricted Notes means all Notes required pursuant to Section 2.07(3) to bear any Restricted
Notes Legend.
Restricted Notes Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form set forth in
Annex A.
Restricted Notes Legend means, collectively, the legends substantially in the forms of the
legends required in the form of Note set forth in Exhibit A to be placed upon each Restricted Note.
Rule 144 means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
Rule 144A means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
Sale Price of Common Stock or any other security on any date means the closing sale price
per share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the bid and asked prices or, if
more than one in either case, the average of the average bid and the average asked prices) on that
date as reported in transactions for the principal U.S. securities exchange or market on which the
Common Stock or such other security is traded or quoted. The Sale Price will be determined without
reference to after-hours or extended market trading. If the Common Stock or such other security is
not listed for trading or quoted on a U.S. national or
regional securities exchange or market on the relevant date, the Sale Price will be the last
quoted bid price for the Common Stock or such other security in the Nasdaq Capital Market or in the
over-the-counter market on the relevant date as reported by Pink Sheets LLC or any similar
organization. If the Common Stock or such other security is not so quoted, the Sale Price will be
the average of the mid-point of the last bid and asked prices for the Common Stock or such other
security on the relevant date from each of at least three nationally recognized independent
investment banking firms selected by the Company for this purpose.
7
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Share Lending Agreement means the Share Lending Agreement, dated as of November 22, 2004,
between the Company and Citigroup Global Markets Limited, as such agreement may be amended from
time to time.
Significant Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of the Company which is a Significant Subsidiary
as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act.
Stated Maturity, when used with respect to the Principal Amount of any Note or the payment
of interest on any Note, means the date specified in such Note as the fixed date on which the
Principal Amount of such Note or such installment of interest is due and payable.
Stock Price means the price per share of Common Stock paid in connection with a corporate
transaction described in clause (2) of the definition of Change of Control, which shall be equal to
(i) if holders of Common Stock receive only cash in such corporate transaction, the cash amount
paid per share of Common Stock and (ii) in all other cases, the average of the Sale Prices of
Common Stock on the last ten Trading Days up to but not including the Effective Date.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person:
(1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which at least 50% of the total
voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any
contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time
owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other
Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof) and, in the case of any such entity of which
50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock is so owned or controlled by such Person
or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person, such Person and its Subsidiaries also has
the right to control the management of such entity pursuant to contract or otherwise; and
(2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is
such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are such
Person or of one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).
Successor Note of any particular Note means every Note issued after, and evidencing all or a
portion of the same debt as that evidenced by, such particular Note; and, for the purposes of this
definition, any Note authenticated and delivered under Section 2.08 in exchange for or in lieu of a
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note.
Surrender Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Annex C.
Tax Original Issue Discount means the amount of ordinary interest income on a Note that must
be accrued as original issue discount for United States federal income tax purposes pursuant to
Treasury regulation section 1.1275-4 or any successor provision.
Termination of Trading will be deemed to have occurred if the Common Stock (or other common
stock into which the Notes are convertible) is neither listed for trading or quoted
8
on a U.S. national securities exchange; provided that a Termination of Trading will not occur
so long as the Common Stock is listed for trading or quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market or quoted
bid prices for the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market are reported by Pinks Sheets LLC or
any similar organization.
TIA means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. ss. 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the
date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA; provided, however, that in the event the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, then TIA means, to the extent required by
such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
Trading Day means a day during which trading in securities generally occurs on the principal
U.S. national or regional securities exchange or market on which the Common Stock is then listed or
quoted or, if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted on a national or regional securities
exchange or market, on the principal other market on which the Common Stock is traded.
Trustee means The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. until a successor replaces The Bank
of New York Trust Company, N.A. in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and
thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.
Unrestricted Notes Certificate means a certificate substantially in the form set forth in
Annex B.
Voting Stock of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at
the time entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors of such Person.
Section 1.02. Other Definitions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Defined in |
Term |
|
Section |
Accepted Purchased Shares |
|
|
10.07 |
(g) |
Additional Notes |
|
|
2.02 |
|
Additional Shares |
|
|
10.01 |
(b) |
Authentication Order |
|
|
2.02 |
|
Constituent Person |
|
|
10.15 |
|
Conversion Date |
|
|
10.02 |
(a) |
Conversion Rate |
|
|
10.01 |
(a) |
Conversion Settlement Date |
|
|
10.01 |
(a) |
Current Market Price |
|
|
10.07 |
(h) |
Event of Default |
|
|
6.01 |
|
Ex-date |
|
|
10.07 |
(i) |
Expiration Date |
|
|
10.07 |
(f) |
fair market value |
|
|
10.07 |
(j) |
Five Year Repurchase Date |
|
|
11.02 |
|
Five Year Repurchase Notice |
|
|
11.02 |
|
Fundamental Change Repurchase Date |
|
|
11.01 |
(b) |
Fundamental Change Repurchase Price |
|
|
11.01 |
(a) |
Initial Notes |
|
|
2.02 |
|
Non-Electing Share |
|
|
10.15 |
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Defined in |
Term |
|
Section |
Note Register |
|
|
2.03 |
|
Offer Expiration Date |
|
|
10.07 |
(g) |
Paying Agent |
|
|
2.03 |
|
Payment Default |
|
|
6.01 |
|
Purchased Shares |
|
|
10.07 |
(f) |
Registrar |
|
|
2.03 |
|
Restricted Global Note |
|
|
2.01 |
|
Rule 144A Information |
|
|
4.10 |
|
Specified Percentage |
|
|
10.03 |
|
Spin-Off |
|
|
10.07 |
(e) |
Statistical Release |
|
|
10.08 |
|
Trigger Event |
|
|
10.07 |
(d) |
Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by
reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have
the following meanings:
indenture securities means the Notes;
indenture security Holder means a Holder of a Note;
indenture to be qualified means this Indenture;
indenture trustee or institutional trustee means the Trustee; and
obligor on the Notes means the Company and any successor obligor upon the Notes.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference
to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.
Section 1.04. Rules of Construction.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with
GAAP;
(c) or is not exclusive and including means including without limitation;
(d) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(e) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
10
(f) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act shall be deemed to include
substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the Commission from time to time;
(g) references to any statute, law, rule or regulation shall be deemed to refer to the same as
from time to time amended and in effect and to any successor statute, law, rule or regulation; and
(h) references to any contract, agreement or instrument shall mean the same as amended,
modified, supplemented or amended and restated from time to time, in each case, in accordance with
any applicable restrictions contained in this Indenture.
ARTICLE 2
The Notes
Section 2.01. Form and Dating.
The Notes and the conversion notices shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.
The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or
usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Principal Amount of the Notes
shall be in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly
made, a part of this Indenture and the Company and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of
this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. To the extent
any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions
of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
Upon their original issuance, Initial Notes shall be issued in the form of one or more Global
Notes in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons and without the Restricted Note
Legend. Additional Notes shall be issued in the form of one or more Global Notes in definitive,
fully registered form without interest coupons and, unless issued pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act, bearing the Restricted Note Legend. Global Notes
bearing the Restricted Note Legend, together with their Successor Notes which are Global Notes, are
collectively herein called the Restricted Global Notes. Global Note shall be registered in the
name of DTC, as Depositary, or its nominee and deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for DTC,
for credit by DTC to the respective accounts of beneficial owners of the Notes represented thereby
(or such other accounts as they may direct).
Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication.
Two Officers shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is
authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.
11
A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature (which may be by
facsimile) of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been
authenticated under this Indenture.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the
Company may deliver Notes executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication; and the
Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Notes upon a written order of the Company signed by an
Officer of the Company (an Authentication Order). Such Authentication Order shall specify the
amount of Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the Notes are to be authenticated and
whether the Notes are to be issued as one or more Global Notes and such other information as the
Company may include or the Trustee may reasonably request. The aggregate Principal Amount of Notes
that may be outstanding under this Indenture is unlimited; provided that upon initial issuance, the
aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding shall not exceed $[ ], except as provided
in Section 2.08. The Company, without the consent of the Holders of Notes, may issue additional
Notes (the Additional Notes) from time to time having identical terms and conditions as the Notes
originally issued under this Indenture (the Initial Notes), except for any difference in the
issue price and interest accrued prior to the issue date of such Additional Notes; provided that
such Additional Notes are fungible with the Initial Notes for United States federal income tax
purposes. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes shall constitute a single series of debt
securities and, in circumstances in which this Indenture provides for Holders of Notes to vote or
take any action, the Holders of Initial Notes and the Holders of any Additional Notes shall vote or
take such action as a single class.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate
Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each
reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent.
An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the
Company.
Section 2.03. Registrar; Conversion Agent; and Paying Agent.
The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration
of transfer, exchange, conversion, redemption or repurchase (Registrar and with respect to
conversion, Conversion Agent) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment
(Paying Agent). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer, exchange
and conversion (the register maintained in such office, the Note Register). The Company may
appoint one or more co-registrars or conversion agents and one or more additional paying agents.
The term Registrar includes any co-registrar, the term Conversion Agent includes any
co-conversion agent and the term Paying Agent includes any additional paying agent. The Company
may change any Paying Agent, Registrar or Conversion Agent without notice to any Holder. The
Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any agent not a
party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar,
Paying Agent or Conversion Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its
Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or Conversion Agent.
The Company initially appoints DTC to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.
12
The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar, Paying Agent and
Conversion Agent and custodian with respect to the Global Notes.
Section 2.04. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that
the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by
the Paying Agent for the payment of the Principal Amount, premium, if any, or interest on the
Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While
any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to
the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the
Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a
Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as
Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders
all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to
the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.
Section 2.05. Holder Lists.
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent
list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA
ss. 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least
seven Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may
request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require
of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA
ss. 312(a).
Section 2.06. Global Notes; Non-global Notes; Book-Entry Provisions.
(a) Global Notes
(i) Each Global Note authenticated under this Indenture shall be registered in the name
of the Depositary designated by the Company for such Global Note or a nominee thereof and
delivered to such Depositary or a nominee thereof or custodian therefor, and each such
Global Note shall constitute a single Note for all purposes of this Indenture.
(ii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture or the Notes, a Global Note
shall not be exchanged in whole or in part for a Note registered in the name of any Person
other than the Depositary or one or more nominees thereof, provided that a Global Note may
be exchanged for Notes registered in the names of any Person designated by the Depositary in
the event that (A) the Depositary has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to
continue as Depositary for such Global Note or such Depositary has ceased to be a clearing
agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor Depositary is not appointed by
the Company within 90 days, (B) to the extent permitted by the Depositary, the Company, in
its sole discretion, determines at any time that the Notes shall no longer be represented by
Global Notes and shall inform such Depositary of such determination; or (C) there is a
request by or on behalf of the
13
Depository in accordance with its customary procedures to exchange an interest in the
Global Notes for Non-global Notes. Any Global Note exchanged pursuant to clause (A) above
shall be so exchanged in whole and not in part, and any Global Note exchanged pursuant to
clause (B) or (C) above may be exchanged in whole or from time to time in part as directed
by the Depositary. Any Note issued in exchange for a Global Note or any portion thereof
shall be a Global Note; provided that any such Note so issued that is registered in the name
of a person other than the Depositary or a nominee thereof shall not be a Global Note.
(iii) If any Global Note is to be exchanged for other Notes or canceled in whole, it
shall be surrendered by or on behalf of the Depositary or its nominee to the Trustee, as
Note Registrar, for exchange or cancellation, as provided in this Article 2. If any Global
Note is to be exchanged for other Notes or canceled in part, or if another Note is to be
exchanged in whole or in part for a beneficial interest in any Global Note, in each case, as
provided in Section 2.07, then either (A) such Global Note shall be so surrendered for
exchange or cancellation, as provided in this Article 2, or (B) the Principal Amount thereof
shall be reduced or increased by an amount equal to the portion thereof to be so exchanged
or canceled, or equal to the Principal Amount of such other Note to be so exchanged for a
beneficial interest therein, as the case may be, by means of an appropriate adjustment made
on the records of the Trustee, as Registrar, whereupon the Trustee, in accordance with the
Applicable Procedures, shall instruct the Depositary or its authorized representative to
make a corresponding adjustment to its records. Upon any such surrender or adjustment of a
Global Note, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 2.07(c) and as otherwise provided in this
Article 2, authenticate and deliver any Notes issuable in exchange for such Global Note (or
any portion thereof) to or upon the order of, and registered in such names as may be
directed by, the Depositary or its authorized representative. Upon the request of the
Trustee in connection with the occurrence of any of the events specified in the preceding
paragraph, the Company shall promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of
Notes that are not in the form of Global Notes. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely upon
any order, direction or request of the Depositary or its authorized representative which is
given or made pursuant to this Article 2 if such order, direction or request is given or
made in accordance with the Applicable Procedures.
(iv) Every Note authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in
exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, whether pursuant to this
Article 2 or otherwise, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a
registered Global Note, unless such Note is registered in the name of a Person other than
the Depositary for such Global Note or a nominee thereof, in which case such Note shall be
authenticated and delivered in definitive, fully registered form, without interest coupons.
(v) The Depositary or its nominee, as registered owner of a Global Note, shall be the
Holder of such Global Note for all purposes under the Indenture and the Notes, and owners of
beneficial interests in a Global Note shall hold such interests pursuant to the Applicable
Procedures. Accordingly, any such owners beneficial interest in a Global Note shall be
shown only on, and the transfer of such interest shall be effected only through, records
maintained by the Depositary or its nominee or its Agent Members and
14
such owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note shall not be considered the owners
or holders thereof.
(b) Non-global Notes. Notes issued upon the events described in Section 2.06(a)(ii) shall be
in definitive, fully registered form, without interest coupons, and shall bear the Restricted Notes
Legend if and as required by this Indenture.
Section 2.07. Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange; Restrictions on Transfer.
(a) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at an office or agency of the
Company designated pursuant to Section 2.03 for such purpose, the Company shall execute, and the
Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees,
one or more new Notes of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate Principal Amount and
bearing such restrictive legends as may be required by this Indenture.
At the option of the Holder, and subject to the other provisions of this Section 2.07, Notes
may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denomination and of a like aggregate Principal
Amount, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any
Notes are so surrendered for exchange, and subject to the other provisions of this Section 2.07,
the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Notes which the
Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive. Every Note presented or surrendered for
registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Registrar) be
duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company, the Trustee and the Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly
authorized in writing.
All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes shall be the legal,
valid and binding obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt and entitled to the same
benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or
exchange.
No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange of
Notes except as provided in Section 2.08, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any
registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 2.06, 9.05,
10.02, 11.01 or 11.02 (other than where the shares of Common Stock are to be issued or delivered in
a name other than that of the Holder of the Note) not involving any transfer and other than any
stamp and other duties, if any, which may be imposed in connection with any such transfer or
exchange by the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein, which shall be paid
by the Company.
In the event of a redemption of the Notes, neither the Company nor the Registrar will be
required (a) to register the transfer of or exchange any Non-global Note for a period of 15 days
immediately preceding the date notice is given identifying the certificate numbers of the Notes
called for such redemption or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange any Non-global Note, or
portion thereof, called for redemption.
15
(b) Certain Transfers and Exchanges. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or
the Notes, transfers and exchanges of Notes and beneficial interests in a Global Note of the kinds
specified in this Section 2.07(b) shall be made only in accordance with this Section 2.07(b).
(i) Restricted Global Note to Restricted Non-global Note. In the event that Non-global
Notes are to be issued pursuant to Section 2.06(a)(ii) in connection with any transfer of
Notes, such transfer may be effected only in accordance with the provisions of this Clause
(b)(i) and subject to the Applicable Procedures. Upon receipt by the Trustee, as Registrar,
of (A) an Authentication Order from the Company directing the Trustee, as Registrar, to (x)
authenticate and deliver one or more Notes of the same aggregate Principal Amount as the
beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Note to be transferred, such instructions to
contain the name or names of the designated transferee or transferees, the authorized
denomination or denominations of the Notes to be so issued and appropriate delivery
instructions and (y) decrease the beneficial interest of a specified Agent Members account
in a Restricted Global Note by a specified Principal Amount not greater than the Principal
Amount of such Restricted Global Note, and (B) such other certifications, legal opinions or
other information as the Company or the Trustee may reasonably require to confirm that such
transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to,
the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the Trustee, as Registrar, shall
decrease the Principal Amount of the Restricted Global Note by the specified amount and
authenticate and deliver Notes in accordance with such instructions from the Company as
provided in Section 2.06(a)(iii).
(ii) Restricted Non-global Note to Restricted Global Note. If the Holder of a
Restricted Non-global Note wishes at any time to transfer all or any portion of such
Restricted Non-global Note to a Person who wishes to take delivery thereof in the form of a
beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Note, such transfer may be effected only in
accordance with the provisions of this Clause (b)(ii) and subject to the Applicable
Procedures. Upon receipt by the Trustee, as Registrar, of (A) such Restricted Non-global
Note as provided in Section 2.07(a) and written instructions from the Company directing that
a beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Note in a specified Principal Amount not
greater than the Principal Amount of such Restricted Non-global Note be credited to a
specified Agent Members account and (B) a Restricted Notes Certificate, satisfactory to the
Trustee and duly executed by such Holder or its attorney duly authorized in writing, then
the Trustee, as Registrar, shall cancel such Restricted Non-global Note (and issue a new
Restricted Non-global Note in respect of any untransferred portion thereof) as provided in
Section 2.07(a) and increase the Principal Amount of the Restricted Global Note by the
specified Principal Amount as provided in Section 2.06(a)(iii).
(iii) Exchanges Between Global Note and Non-global Note. A beneficial interest in a
Global Note may be exchanged for a Non-global Note only as provided in Section 2.06(a)(iii),
provided that, if such interest is a beneficial interest in the Restricted Global Note, then
such interest shall be exchanged for a Restricted Non-global Note (subject in each case to
Section 2.07(c)). A Restricted Non-global Note may be exchanged for a beneficial interest in
a Global Note only if such exchange occurs in connection with a transfer effected in
accordance with Clause (b)(ii) above.
16
(c) Securities Act Legends. All Additional Notes issued pursuant to this Indenture, and all
Successor Notes therefor, shall bear the Restricted Notes Legend, subject to the following:
(i) subject to the following Clauses of this Section 2.07(c), a Note or any portion
thereof which is exchanged, upon transfer or otherwise, for a Global Note or any portion
thereof shall bear the Restricted Notes Legend borne by such Global Note for which the Note
was exchanged;
(ii) subject to the following Clauses of this Section 2.07(c), a new Note which is not
a Global Note and is issued in exchange for another Note (including a Global Note) or any
portion thereof, upon transfer or otherwise, shall bear the Restricted Notes Legend borne by
the Note for which the new Note was exchanged;
(iii) the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes which are sold or otherwise disposed
of pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, together with
their Successor Notes shall not bear a Restricted Notes Legend; the Company shall inform the
Trustee in writing of the effective date of any such registration statement registering
Additional Notes under the Securities Act and shall notify the Trustee at any time when
prospectuses must be delivered with respect to Additional Notes to be sold pursuant to such
registration statement. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to
be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the aforementioned registration statement;
(iv) at any time after the Notes may be freely transferred without registration under
the Securities Act or without being subject to transfer restrictions pursuant to the
Securities Act, a new Note which does not bear a Restricted Notes Legend may be issued in
exchange for or in lieu of a Note (other than a Global Note) or any portion thereof which
bears such a legend if the Trustee has received an Unrestricted Notes Certificate,
satisfactory to the Trustee and duly executed by the Holder of such Note bearing a
Restricted Notes Legend or its attorney duly authorized in writing, and after such date and
receipt of such certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such new Note in
exchange for or in lieu of such other Note as provided in this Article 2;
(v) a new Note which does not bear a Restricted Notes Legend may be issued in exchange
for or in lieu of a Note or any portion thereof which bears such a legend if, in the
Companys judgment, placing such a legend upon such new Note is not necessary to ensure
compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and the Trustee, at the
direction of the Company, shall authenticate and deliver such a new Note as provided in this
Article 2; and
(vi) notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.07(c), a Successor Note
of a Note that does not bear a Restricted Notes Legend shall not bear such legend unless the
Company has reasonable cause to believe that such Successor Note is a restricted security
within the meaning of Rule 144, in which case the Trustee, at the direction of the Company,
shall authenticate and deliver a new Note bearing a Restricted Notes Legend in exchange for
such Successor Note as provided in this Article 2.
17
(d) Any stock certificate representing shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of the
Notes shall bear a legend substantially in the form of the Restricted Notes Legend borne by such
Notes, to the extent required by this Indenture, unless such shares of Common Stock have been sold
pursuant to a registration statement that has been declared effective under the Securities Act (and
which continues to be effective at the time of such transfer) or sold pursuant to Rule 144(k) of
the Securities Act, or unless otherwise agreed by the Company in writing with written notice
thereof to the transfer agent for the Common Stock. With respect to the transfer of shares of
Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Notes that are restricted hereunder, any deliveries of
certificates, legal opinions or other instruments that would be required to be made to the
Registrar in the case of a transfer of Notes, as described above, shall instead be made to the
transfer agent for the Common Stock.
(e) Neither the Trustee, the Paying Agent nor any of their agents shall (i) have any duty to
monitor compliance with or with respect to any federal or state or other securities or tax laws or
(ii) have any duty to obtain documentation on any transfers or exchanges other than as specifically
required hereunder.
Section 2.08. Replacement Notes.
If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives
evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company shall issue
and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if
the Trustees requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond
must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to
protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of
them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge for their expenses in
replacing a Note. Every replacement Note is an additional legally binding obligation of the Company
and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all
other Notes duly issued hereunder.
Section 2.09. Outstanding Notes.
The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for
those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a
Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and those
described in this Section as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.10, a Note does not
cease to be outstanding because either of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the
Note.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee
receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the Principal Amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01, it ceases to be
outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof)
holds, on a Redemption Date, Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, Five Year Repurchase Date or
maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such
Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.
18
If a Note is converted into Common Stock pursuant to Article 10, it ceases to be outstanding
and interest on it ceases to accrue on the day of surrender of such Note or conversion.
Section 2.10. Treasury Notes.
In determining whether the Holders of the required Principal Amount of Notes have concurred in
any direction, waiver or consent, or whether the Holders of the requisite Principal Amount of
outstanding Notes are present at a meeting of Holders of Notes for quorum purposes, Notes owned by
the Company, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct
or indirect common control with the Company, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except
that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such
direction, waiver or consent, or any such determination as to the presence of a quorum, only Notes
that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.
Section 2.11. Temporary Notes.
Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the
Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary
Notes shall be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the
Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate
definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.
Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 2.12. Cancellation.
The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar,
Conversion Agent and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for
registration of transfer, exchange, conversion or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel
all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, conversion, payment, replacement or
cancellation and shall dispose of such canceled Notes in its customary manner. The Company may not
issue new Notes to replace Notes that they have paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation.
Section 2.13. Defaulted Interest.
If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted
interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted
interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the
rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of
the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed
payment. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date;
provided that no such special record date shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment
date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or,
upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the
19
expense of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the
special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.
Section 2.14. Computation of Interest.
Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months.
Section 2.15. CUSIP Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers (if then generally in use), and, if
so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders;
provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of
such numbers either as printed in the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that
reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such
redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will
promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
ARTICLE 3
Redemption And Prepayment
Section 3.01. Notices to Trustee.
If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of
Section 3.07, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a
Redemption Date, an Officers Certificate setting forth (i) the Redemption Date, (ii) the Principal
Amount of Notes to be redeemed, (iii) whether the Company will deliver shares of Common Stock, or
cash in lieu thereof, upon conversion of Notes called for redemption, (v) if the Company elects to
deliver cash upon any such conversion, the percentage of the Conversion Rate with respect to which
the Company will pay cash and (vi) whether the Company will deliver cash or shares of Common Stock
with respect to any Redemption Make Whole Amount owed upon conversion.
Section 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.
If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the
Notes to be redeemed among the Holders of the Notes on a pro rata basis, by lot or in accordance
with any other method the Trustee considers fair and appropriate. In the event of partial
redemption by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed shall be selected, unless otherwise provided
herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee from the
outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption. If any Note selected for partial redemption
is converted in part before termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the
Note so selected, the converted portion of such Note shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the
portion selected for redemption. Notes which have been converted during a selection of Notes to be
redeemed may be treated by the Trustee as outstanding for the purpose of such selection.
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The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption
and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the Principal Amount thereof to be
redeemed. The Principal Amount of Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in amounts of
$1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be
redeemed, the entire outstanding Principal Amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not a
multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of
this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for
redemption.
Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption.
At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a Redemption Date, the Company shall mail or
cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to
be redeemed at its registered address.
The notice shall identify the Notes (including applicable CUSIP numbers) to be redeemed and
shall state:
(a) the Redemption Date;
(b) the Redemption Price;
(c) whether the Company will deliver shares of Common Stock or cash in lieu thereof upon
conversion of any Notes called for redemption;
(d) if the Company elects to deliver cash upon any such conversion, the percentage of the
Conversion Rate with respect to which the Company will pay cash;
(e) whether the Company will deliver cash or shares of Common Stock with respect to any
Redemption Make Whole Amount owed upon conversion;
(f) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the Principal Amount of such Note to
be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in
Principal Amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original
Note;
(g) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(h) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the
Redemption Price;
(i) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes
called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date;
(j) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if
any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and
(k) the Conversion Rate, that there is a right to convert the Notes to be redeemed, the date
on which the right to convert the Notes to be redeemed will terminate (which shall be the
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Business Day immediately preceding the Redemption Date) and the places where Notes may be
surrendered for conversion or the procedures for surrendering Notes.
At the Companys request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Companys
name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee,
at least 45 days prior to the Redemption Date, an Officers Certificate requesting that the Trustee
give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the
preceding paragraph.
Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption.
Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03, Notes called for
redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the Redemption Date at the Redemption Price. A
notice of redemption may not be conditional.
Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price.
At or prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Redemption Date, the Company shall
deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of
all Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the
Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the
amounts, including but not limited to any amounts in respect of Notes that are converted (subject
to Section 10.02), necessary to pay the Redemption Price of all Notes to be redeemed. If the
Company complies with the provisions of the first sentence of this Section 3.05, on and after the
Redemption Date interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for
redemption. If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption
because of the failure of the Company to comply with this paragraph, interest shall be paid on the
unpaid Principal Amount from the Redemption Date and such Note shall remain convertible until such
Principal Amount is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid
Principal Amount, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01.
Section 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part.
Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and, upon the
Companys written request, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the
Company a new Note equal in Principal Amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.
Section 3.07. Optional Redemption.
(a) Prior to October 1, 2010, the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, upon not
less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, for cash at a price (the Redemption Price) equal to
100% of the Principal Amount of such Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such Notes
to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, if the Sale Price of the Common Stock has exceeded, for at
least 20 Trading Days in any consecutive 30 Trading Day period ending on the date the Company gives
such notice, 180% of the Conversion Price on each such Trading Day. Commencing on, and including,
October 1, 2010 until, but excluding, October 1, 2012, the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole
or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more
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than 60 days notice, for cash at the Redemption Price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if
any, on such Notes to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, if the Sale Price of the Common Stock
has exceeded, for at least 20 Trading Days in any consecutive 30 Trading Day period ending on the
date the Company gives such notice, 150% of the Conversion Price on each such Trading Day. On and
after October 1, 2012, the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part upon not less than 30
nor more than 60 days notice, for cash at the Redemption Price plus accrued and unpaid interest,
if any, on such Notes to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a
Note is redeemed on an Interest Payment Date or during the Record Date Period, then any accrued and
unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of
business on the applicable Regular Record Date and the amount of any such interest to be paid shall
be excluded from the Redemption Price.
(b) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of
Section 3.01 through 3.06.
(c) No Notes may be redeemed by the Company pursuant to this Section 3.07 if the Principal
Amount of the Notes has been accelerated (other than as a result of a failure to pay the relevant
redemption price), and such acceleration has not been rescinded on or prior to the Redemption Date.
Section 3.08. Mandatory Redemption.
Except as otherwise provided in Article 11, the Company shall not be required to make
mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.
ARTICLE 4
Covenants
Section 4.01. Payment of Notes.
The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the Principal Amount, premium, if any, and interest
on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. The Principal Amount, premium,
if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than
the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the due date
money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to
pay the Principal Amount, premium, if any, and interest then due.
The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any
Bankruptcy Law) on the overdue Principal Amount at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the
then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; the Company shall pay interest
(including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue
installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the
extent lawful.
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or
agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate or agent of the Trustee,
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Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for conversion, redemption,
repurchase, registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the
Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt
written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or
agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or
shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices
and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where
the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time
rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any
manner relieve the Company of their obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of
Manhattan, the City of New York for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to
the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such
other office or agency.
The Company hereby designates the office of the Trustee located at The Bank of New York Trust
Company, c/o The Depository Trust Company, 1st Floor TADS Dept., 55 Water Street, NY, NY 10041,
as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03.
Section 4.03. Reports.
The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to Holders, such
information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant
to the TIA at the times and in the manner provided pursuant to the TIA; provided that any such
information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the trustee within 15 days after the same is so
required to be filed with the Commission.
Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational
purposes only and the Trustees receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any
information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the
Companys compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to
rely exclusively on Officers Certificates).
Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate.
(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal
year, an Officers Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its
Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year have been made under the supervision of the signing
Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled
its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such
certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and
fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the
performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if
a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of
Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or
24
proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event
has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the Principal
Amount of or interest, if any, on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a
description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect
thereto.
(b) The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee,
within five Business Days of any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an
Officers Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is
taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
Section 4.05. Taxes.
The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency,
all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies except such as are contested in good faith
and by appropriate proceedings or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any
material respect to the Holders of the Notes.
Section 4.06. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time
insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any
stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may
affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it
may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants
that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power
herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as
though no such law has been enacted.
Section 4.07. Corporate Existence.
Subject to Article 5, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to
preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its corporate existence, and the corporate,
partnership or other existence of each of its Significant Subsidiaries, in accordance with the
respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company
or any such Significant Subsidiary and (ii) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and
franchises of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company
shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate,
partnership or other existence of any of its Significant Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors of
the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of
the business of the Company and its Significant Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss
thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.
Section 4.08. Payments for Consent.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of Notes
for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of
this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all
25
Holders of the Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the
solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.
Section 4.09. Registration and Listing.
The Company (i) will effect all registrations with, and obtain all approvals by, all
governmental authorities that may be necessary under any United States Federal or state law
(including the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and state securities and Blue Sky laws) before the
shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Notes are issued and delivered, and qualified or
listed as contemplated by clause (ii); and (ii) will qualify the shares of Common Stock required to
be issued and delivered upon conversion of Notes, prior to such issuance or delivery, for quotation
on the Nasdaq National Market or, if the Common Stock is not then quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market, on each national securities exchange or quotation system on which outstanding Common Stock
is listed or quoted at the time of such delivery (it being understood that the Company shall not be
required to register the Notes and the shares of Common Stock under the Securities Act).
Section 4.10. Delivery of Certain Information.
At any time when the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, upon
the request of a Holder of a Restricted Note or the holder of shares of Common Stock issued upon
conversion thereof, the Company shall promptly furnish or cause to be furnished Rule 144A
Information (as defined below) to such Holder of Restricted Notes or such holder of shares of
Common Stock issued upon conversion of Restricted Notes, or to a prospective purchaser of any such
security designated by any such Holder or holder, as the case may be, to the extent required to
permit compliance by such Holder or holder with Rule 144A under the Securities Act (or any
successor provision thereto) in connection with the resale of any such security; provided, however,
that the Company shall not be required to furnish such information in connection with any request
made on or after the date which is two years from the later of (i) the date such a security (or any
such predecessor security) was last acquired from the Company or (ii) the date such a security (or
any such predecessor security) was last acquired from an affiliate of the Company within the
meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or any successor provision thereto). Rule 144A
Information shall be such information as is specified pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the
Securities Act (or any successor provision thereto).
Section 4.11. Waiver of Certain Covenants.
The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any covenant or condition set
forth in Sections 4.05 and 4.07 (other than with respect to the existence of the Company (subject
to Article 5)) (other than a covenant or condition which under Article 9 cannot be modified or
amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected), if before the time
for such compliance the Holders shall either (i) through the written consent (or as otherwise in
accordance with the Applicable Procedures) of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate
Principal Amount of the Notes then outstanding or (ii) by the adoption of a resolution, at a
meeting of Holders of the outstanding Notes at which a quorum is present, by the Holders of at
least a majority in Principal Amount of the outstanding Notes represented at such meeting, either
waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such covenant or
condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant or condition except to the
extent so expressly waived and, until such waiver shall become effective, the
26
obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee or any Paying or Conversion Agent in
respect of any such covenant or condition shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 4.12. Calculation of Tax Original Issue Discount.
At the request of the Trustee, the Company shall file with the Trustee promptly at the end of
each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of Tax Original Issue Discount
(including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on the Notes as of the end of such year and
(ii) such other specific information relating to such Tax Original Issue Discount as may then be
reasonably requested by the Trustee and relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended from time to time, or the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.
ARTICLE 5
Successors
Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.
The Company may not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another
Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation); or (2) sell, lease or otherwise
transfer in one transaction or a series of related transactions the consolidated assets of the
Company and its Subsidiaries substantially as an entirety to any corporation, limited liability
company, partnership or trust organized under the laws of the United States or any of its political
subdivisions; unless:
(a) either: (i) the Company is the surviving corporation; or (ii) the Person formed by or
surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale,
assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a Person organized or
existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia
(provided that if the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger with the
Company is not a corporation, a corporate co-issuer shall also be an obligor with respect to the
Notes);
(b) the surviving entity assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this
Indenture pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;
(c) if as a result of such transaction the Notes become convertible into common stock or other
securities issued by a third party that is not the successor under the Notes and this Indenture,
such third party fully and unconditionally guarantees all obligations of the Company or such
successor under the Notes and this Indenture;
(d) at the time of such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have happened and be
continuing; and
(e) an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the consolidation,
merger or transfer complies with the provisions herein, have been delivered to the Trustee.
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This Section 5.01 shall not apply to a sale, lease, assignment, conveyance or other transfer
of assets between or among (i) the Company and Charter Holdco or (ii) the Company and any
wholly-owned Subsidiary of Charter Holdco.
Section 5.02. Successor Corporation Substituted.
Upon any consolidation, merger, sale, lease or other transfer of the consolidated assets of
the Company and its Subsidiaries substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section 5.01, the
successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such
transfer is made shall succeed to and (except in the case of a lease) be substituted for, and may
exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such
successor Person had been named therein as the Company, and (except in the case of a lease) the
Company shall be released from the obligations under the Notes and this Indenture, except with
respect to any obligations that arise from, or are related to, such transaction.
ARTICLE 6
Defaults and Remedies
Section 6.01. Events of Default.
An Event of Default occurs if:
(a) the Company defaults in the payment when due of interest on the Notes and such default
continues for a period of 30 days;
(b) the Company defaults in payment when due, whether at Maturity, on a Redemption Date, a
Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, a Five Year Repurchase Date or otherwise, of the Principal
Amount of or premium, if any, on the Notes;
(c) the Company fails to give timely notice of (i) the anticipated effective date of a
transaction described in clause (2) of the definition of Change of Control pursuant to Section
10.01 or (ii) a Fundamental Change pursuant to Section 11.01;
(d) the Company fails to comply with any of its other covenants or agreements in this
Indenture for 30 days after written notice thereof has been given to the Company by the Trustee or
to the Company and the Trustee by Holders of at least 25% of the aggregate Principal Amount of the
Notes then outstanding;
(e) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries fails to make payment under any
mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured
or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the
Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists
or is created after the Issue Date, if that default:
(1) is caused by a failure to pay at final stated maturity the principal amount on such
Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on
the date of such default (a Payment Default); or
28
(2) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity,
and, in the case of each of (1) and (2) above, the principal amount of any such
Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which
there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated,
aggregates $100 million or more;
(f) the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries pursuant to or within the meaning of
Bankruptcy Law:
(i) commences a voluntary case,
(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all
of its property, or
(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(g) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(i) is for relief against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries in an
involuntary case;
(ii) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or for
all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Significant
Subsidiaries; or
(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries; and
the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; and
(h) the Company fails to deliver shares of Common Stock, or cash in lieu thereof, when due
upon conversion of any Notes, together with cash in respect of any fractional shares and any
Redemption Make Whole Amount due pursuant to Section 10.08, and such failure continues for ten
days.
Section 6.02. Acceleration.
In the case of an Event of Default arising from clause (f) or (g) of Section 6.01 with respect
to the Company, all outstanding Notes shall become due and payable immediately without further
action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to
the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate Principal Amount of the then outstanding
Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable at their Principal Amount together with
accrued and unpaid interest, and thereupon the Trustee may, at its discretion, proceed to protect
and enforce the rights of the Holders of Notes by appropriate judicial proceedings.
29
Section 6.03. Defaults and Remedies.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy
to collect the payment of Principal Amount, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to
enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture. The Trustee may maintain a
proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the
proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or
remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a
waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent
permitted by law.
Section 6.04. Waiver of Existing Defaults.
Holders, either (i) through the written consent (or as otherwise in accordance with the
Applicable Procedures) of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the
then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee or (ii) by the adoption of a written resolution, at
a meeting of Holders of the outstanding Notes at which a quorum is present, by the Holders of at
least a majority in Principal Amount of the outstanding Notes represented at such meeting, may on
behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its
consequences hereunder, except (x) a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the
Principal Amount of, premium, if any, or interest on, the Notes (whether at Stated Maturity, a
Redemption Date, a Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, a Five Year Repurchase Date or otherwise);
(y) in respect of the failure to convert the Notes; or (z) in respect of a covenant or provision
hereof which under Article 9 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each Holder of
each outstanding Note affected (provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate
Principal Amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences,
including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration). Upon any such waiver,
such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to
have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.05. Control by Majority.
Holders of a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct
the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the
Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow
any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines may be
prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the Trustee in personal
liability. The Trustee may take any other action which it deems proper that is not inconsistent
with any such directive.
Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits.
A Holder of a Note may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if:
(a) the Holder of a Note gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;
30
(b) the Holders of at least 25% in Principal Amount of the then outstanding Notes make a
written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(c) such Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee
indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;
(d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request
and the offer and, if requested, the provision of indemnity; and
(e) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in Principal Amount of the then
outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.
A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a
Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note.
Section 6.07. Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment and to Convert.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to
receive payment of the Principal Amount, premium, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the
Stated Maturity dates (including in connection with a redemption and/or an offer to purchase), or
to convert such Note in accordance with Article 10, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any
such payment on or after such respective dates or of such right to convert, shall be absolute and
unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee.
If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) occurs and is continuing, the
Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust
against the Company for the whole Principal Amount of, premium, if any, and interest remaining
unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue Principal Amount and, to the extent lawful, interest
and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection,
including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its
agents and counsel.
Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be
necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and
counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company
(or any other obligor upon the Notes), their creditors or their property and shall be entitled and
empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on
any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each
Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the
making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and
counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. To the extent that the payment
of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements
31
and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee
under Section 7.07 out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason,
payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all
distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled
to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or
arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to
authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.10. Priorities.
If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article, it shall pay out the money in the
following order:
First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under
Section 7.07, including payment of all compensation, expense and liabilities
incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses
of collection;
Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for
Principal Amount, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference
or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the
Notes for Principal Amount, premium, if any and interest, respectively; and
Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction
shall direct. The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any
payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.
Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit
against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion
may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the
suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys
fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good
faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit
by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by Holders of more
than 10% in Principal Amount of the then outstanding Notes.
ARTICLE 7
Trustee
Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of
the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and
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skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in
the conduct of such persons own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of
this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set
forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read
into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to
the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon
certificates or opinions required to be furnished to the Trustee hereunder and conforming to
the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and
opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but
need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of any mathematical calculations or other facts
stated therein).
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own gross negligent action, its
own gross negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a
Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was grossly negligent in
ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to
take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in
any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01.
(e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds
or incur any liability. The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and
powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder shall have offered to
the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability, claim, damage or
expense.
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the
Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be
segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(g) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated
in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction,
consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or documents.
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Section 7.02. Rights of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document (whether in its original or facsimile
form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The
Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers Certificate
or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits
to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee
may consult with counsel of its own selection and the written advice or opinion of such counsel or
any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in
respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance
thereon.
(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the
misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith
that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this
Indenture.
(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction
or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.
(f) Subject to the duty of the Trustee during an Event of Default to act with the required
standard of care, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers
vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such
Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to it
against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such
request or direction.
(g) The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless
either (i) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge of such Default or
Event of Default or (ii) written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given
to and received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee by the Company or any Holder and such
notice refers to the Notes and this Indenture.
Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes
and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it
would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting
interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the Commission for permission to
continue as trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee
is also subject to Sections Section 7.10 and 7.11.
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Section 7.04. Trustees Disclaimer.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or
adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Companys use of the
proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Companys direction under any
provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money
received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any
statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with
the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.
Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults.
If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to a Responsible
Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event
of Default within 90 days after the Trustee acquires knowledge thereof. Except in the case of a
Default or Event of Default in payment of Principal Amount of, premium, if any, or interest on any
Note or in the payment of any obligation in connection with conversion, redemption or repurchase,
the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as it, in good faith, determines that
withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.
Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.
Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this
Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee shall mail to the Holders of
the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA ss. 313(a) (but if
no event described in TIA ss. 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting
date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA ss. 313(b)(2). The
Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA ss. 313(c).
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes shall be mailed to
the Company and filed with the Commission and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in
accordance with TIA ss. 313(d). The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are
listed on any stock exchange or delisted therefrom.
Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity.
The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its
acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The Trustees compensation shall not be
limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse
the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred
or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the
reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustees agents and counsel.
The Company shall fully indemnify the Trustee against any and all losses, liabilities, claims,
damages or expenses (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) incurred by it arising out of or
in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including
the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including this Section
7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company or any
35
Holder or any other person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any
of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be
attributable to its gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee shall notify the Company
promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the
Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the
claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the
Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for
any settlement made without their consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
The obligations of the Company in this Section 7.07 shall survive resignation or removal of
the Trustee and the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
To secure the Companys payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien
prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in
trust to pay Principal Amount and interest on particular Notes. Such lien shall survive the
resignation or removal of the Trustee and the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in
Section 6.01(f) or (g) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the
fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration
under any Bankruptcy Law.
The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of TIA ss. 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.
Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee.
A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become
effective only upon the successor Trustees acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section.
The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created
by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in Principal Amount of the then outstanding
Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company
may remove the Trustee if:
(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with
respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any
reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor
Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in Principal Amount of the then
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outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed
by the Company.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns
or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in Principal
Amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition at the expense of the Company any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six
months, fails to comply with Section 7.10, such Holder may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring
Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall
become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the
Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to
Holders property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the
Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.
Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Companys obligations
under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09. Successor Trustee By Merger, etc.
If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of
its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further
act shall be the successor Trustee.
Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing
business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized
under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination
by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million
as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. This Indenture shall always
have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA ss. 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is
subject to TIA ss. 310(b).
Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company.
The Trustee is subject to TIA ss. 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA
ss. 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA ss. 311(a) to the
extent indicated therein.
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ARTICLE 8
Meetings of Holders of Notes
Section 8.01. Purposes for Which Meetings May be Called.
A meeting of Holders of Notes may be called at any time and from time to time pursuant to this
Article to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent,
waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders of Notes.
Section 8.02. Call, Notice and Place of Meetings.
(a) The Trustee may at any time call a meeting of Holders of Notes for any purpose specified
in Section 8.01, to be held at such time and at such place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, as the Trustee shall determine. Notice of every meeting of Holders of Notes, setting
forth the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed to be taken
at such meeting, shall be given, in the manner provided in Section 12.02, not less than 21 nor more
than 180 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.
(b) In case at any time the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the Holders of at
least 10% in Principal Amount of the outstanding Notes shall have requested the Trustee to call a
meeting of the Holders of Notes for any purpose specified in Section 8.01, by written request
setting forth in reasonable detail the action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee
shall not have mailed the notice of such meeting within 21 days after receipt of such request or
shall not thereafter proceed to cause the meeting to be held as provided herein, then the Company
or the Holders of Notes in the amount specified, as the case may be, may determine the time and the
place in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, for such meeting and may call such meeting
for such purposes by giving notice thereof as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.
Section 8.03. Persons Entitled to Vote at Meetings.
To be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders of Notes, a Person shall be (i) a Holder of
one or more outstanding Notes, or (ii) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as proxy for
a Holder or Holders of one or more outstanding Notes by such Holder or Holders. The only Persons
who shall be entitled to be present or to speak at any meeting of Holders shall be the Persons
entitled to vote at such meeting and their counsel, any representatives of the Trustee and its
counsel and any representatives of the Company and its counsel. In determining Holders entitled to
vote at any meeting of Holders of Notes, Notes owned by the Company, or by any Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the
Company, shall be considered as though not outstanding.
Section 8.04. Quorum; Action.
The Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the outstanding Notes
shall constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum within 30 minutes of the time appointed for
any such meeting, the meeting shall, if convened at the request of Holders of Notes, be dissolved.
In any other case, the meeting may be adjourned for a period of not less than 10 days as determined
by the chairman of the meeting prior to the adjournment of such meeting.
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In the absence of a quorum at any such adjourned meeting, such adjourned meeting may be
further adjourned for a period not less than 10 days as determined by the chairman of the meeting
prior to the adjournment of such adjourned meeting (subject to repeated applications of this
sentence). Notice of the reconvening of any adjourned meeting shall be given as provided in Section
8.02(a), except that such notice need be given only once not less than five days prior to the date
on which the meeting is scheduled to be reconvened. Notice of the reconvening of an adjourned
meeting shall state expressly the percentage of the aggregate Principal Amount of the outstanding
Notes which shall constitute a quorum.
Subject to the foregoing, at the reconvening of any meeting adjourned for a lack of a quorum,
the Persons entitled to vote 25% in aggregate Principal Amount of the outstanding Notes at the time
shall constitute a quorum for the taking of any action set forth in the notice of the original
meeting.
At a meeting or an adjourned meeting duly reconvened and at which a quorum is present as
aforesaid, any resolution and all matters (other than a covenant or condition which under Section
9.02 cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note
affected) shall be effectively passed and decided if passed or decided by the lesser of (i) the
Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of outstanding Notes and (ii) the
Persons entitled to vote not less than 66-2/3% in aggregate Principal Amount of outstanding Notes
represented and entitled to vote at such meeting.
Any resolution passed or decisions taken at any meeting of Holders of Notes duly held in
accordance with this Section shall be binding on all the Holders of Notes whether or not present or
represented at the meeting. The Trustee shall, in the name and at the expense of the Company,
notify all the Holders of Notes of any such resolutions or decisions pursuant to Section 12.02.
Section 2.09 shall determine which Notes are considered to be outstanding for purposes of
this Section 8.04.
Section 8.05. Determination of Voting Rights; Conduct and Adjournment of Meetings.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee may make such
reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any meeting of Holders of Notes in regard to
proof of the holding of Notes and of the appointment of proxies and in regard to the appointment
and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and examination of proxies, certificates and
other evidence of the right to vote, and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting
as it shall deem appropriate.
(b) The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary chairman (which may be
the Trustee) of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the Company or by Holders
of Notes as provided in Section 8.02(b), in which case the Company or the Holders of Notes calling
the meeting, as the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman. A permanent
chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by vote of the Persons entitled
to vote a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the outstanding Notes represented at the
meeting.
(c) At any meeting, each Holder of a Note or proxy shall be entitled to one vote for each U.S.
$1,000 Principal Amount of Notes held or represented by him; provided, however, that
39
no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any Note challenged as not
outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be not outstanding. The chairman of the
meeting shall have no right to vote, except as a Holder of a Note or proxy.
(d) Any meeting of Holders of Notes duly called pursuant to Section 8.02 at which a quorum is
present may be adjourned from time to time by Persons entitled to vote a majority in aggregate
Principal Amount of the outstanding Notes represented at the meeting, and the meeting may be held
as so adjourned without further notice.
Section 8.06. Counting Votes and Recording Action of Meetings.
The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of Holders of Notes shall be by written
ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of the Holders of Notes or of their
representatives by proxy and the Principal Amounts and certificate numbers of the outstanding Notes
held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two inspectors of
votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against any resolution and who shall
make and file with the secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all
votes cast at the meeting. A record, at least in duplicate, of the proceedings of each meeting of
Holders of Notes shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to
said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot taken thereat and
affidavits by one or more Persons having knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice
of the meeting and showing that said notice was given as provided in Section 8.02 and, if
applicable, Section 8.04. Each copy shall be signed and verified by the affidavits of the permanent
chairman and secretary of the meeting and one such copy shall be delivered to the Company and
another to the Trustee to be preserved by the Trustee, the latter to have attached thereto the
ballots voted at the meeting. Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the
matters therein stated.
ARTICLE 9
Amendment, Supplement and Waiver
Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders of Notes.
Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may amend or
supplement this Indenture or the Notes without the consent of any Holder of a Note:
(a) to cure any ambiguity or correct or supplement any defective provision contained in the
Indenture; provided that such modification or amendment does not, in the good faith opinion of the
Board of Directors, adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Notes in any material respect;
provided further that any amendment made solely to conform the provisions of the Indenture to the
description of the Notes in the Exchange Offer Prospectus will not be deemed to adversely affect
the interests of the Holders;
(b) to add covenants for the benefit of the Holders;
(c) to add additional dates on which Holders may require the Company to repurchase their
Notes;
40
(d) to surrender any rights or powers conferred upon the Company;
(e) to provide for the assumption of the Companys obligations to Holders in the case of a
merger, consolidation, sale, transfer or lease pursuant to Article 5;
(f) to increase the conversion rate in the manner described in Section 10.07, provided that
the increase will not adversely affect the interests of Holders in any material respect;
(g) to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the
qualification of this Indenture under the TIA or otherwise as necessary to comply with applicable
law;
(h) to make provision with respect to the conversion rights of Holders pursuant to Section
10.15 or to make provision with respect to the repurchase rights of Holders of Notes pursuant to
Section 11.01 or Section 11.02;
(i) to add or modify any other provision of this Indenture that the Company and the Trustee
may deem necessary or desirable and that will not adversely affect the interests of the Holders; or
(j) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes.
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors
authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental Indenture, and upon receipt by the
Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the
execution of any amended or supplemental Indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this
Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein
contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental
Indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders of Notes.
Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, this Indenture or the Notes may be amended or
supplemented with either (i) the written consent (or as otherwise in accordance with the Applicable
Procedures) of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the Notes then
outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or a tender offer or
exchange offer for, Notes), or (ii) by the adoption of a resolution, at a meeting of Holders of the
outstanding Notes at which a quorum is present, by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate
Principal Amount of the outstanding Notes represented at such meeting. Section 2.09 shall determine
which Notes are considered to be outstanding for purposes of this Section 9.02.
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors
authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental Indenture, and upon the filing with
the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as
aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02, the Trustee
shall join with the Company in the execution of such amended or supplemental Indenture unless such
amended or supplemental Indenture directly affects the Trustees own rights, duties
41
or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its
discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to
approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or supplement, but it shall be sufficient if
such consent approves the substance thereof.
After an amendment or supplement under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall
mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment or
supplement. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not,
however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental Indenture.
However, without the consent or affirmative vote of each Holder affected, an amendment or
supplement under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting
Holder):
(a) change the Stated Maturity of the Principal Amount of, or any installment of interest on,
any Note;
(b) reduce the Principal Amount of, or the premium, if any, on any Note;
(c) reduce the interest rate or amount of interest on any Note;
(d) change the currency of payment of the Principal Amount of, premium, if any, or interest on
any Note (including any payment of Redemption Price or Fundamental Change Repurchase Price in
respect of such Note);
(e) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment in respect of any
Note on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or any repurchase, on
or after the Redemption Date, Fundamental Change Repurchase Date or Five Year Repurchase Date, as
the case may be);
(f) except as permitted by Section 10.15 adversely affect the right of Holders to convert any
Note as provided in Article 10;
(g) reduce the Redemption Make Whole Amount or otherwise modify Section 10.08 of the Indenture
in a manner adverse to the Holders;
(h) modify the provisions of Article 11 relating to notice and repurchase (including those
relating to the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price and the
Five Year Repurchase Date) in a manner adverse to the Holders;
(i) modify the provisions of Article 3 in a manner adverse to the Holders;
(j) reduce the requirements of Section 8.04 for quorum or voting, or reduce the percentage in
aggregate Principal Amount of the outstanding Notes the consent of whose Holders is required for
any such supplemental indenture or the consent of whose Holders is
42
required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain
defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture; or
(k) modify any of the provisions of this Section or Section 4.11 or 6.04, except to increase
any percentage contained herein or therein or to provide that certain other provisions of this
Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note
affected thereby.
Section 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended
or supplemental Indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.
Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents.
Until an amendment or supplement becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a
continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a
Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holders Note, even if notation of the consent
is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may
revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the
date the supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment or supplement becomes effective in
accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.
Section 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes.
The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment or supplement on any Note
thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall,
upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment or
supplement.
Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and
effect of such amendment or supplement.
Section 9.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.
The Trustee shall sign any amended or supplemental Indenture authorized pursuant to this
Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities
or immunities of the Trustee. The Company may not sign an amendment or supplemental Indenture until
the Board of Directors approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee
shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying
upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.04, an Officers Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is
authorized or permitted by this Indenture.
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ARTICLE 10
Conversion Of Notes
Section 10.01. Conversion Privilege and Conversion Rate.
(a) Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article, at the option of the
Holder thereof, any Note may be converted into fully paid and nonassessable shares (calculated as
to each conversion to the nearest 1/100th of a share) of Common Stock of the Company at the
Conversion Rate, determined as hereinafter provided, in effect at the time of conversion. Such
conversion right shall commence on the initial issuance date of the Notes and expire at the close
of business on the Business Day prior to the date of Maturity of the Notes, subject, in the case of
conversion of any Global Note, to any Applicable Procedures. In case a Note or portion thereof is
called for redemption at the election of the Company or the Holder thereof exercises its right to
require the Company to repurchase the Note, such conversion right in respect of the Note, or
portion thereof so called, shall expire at the close of business on the Business Day prior to the
Redemption Date, the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date or the Five Year Repurchase Date, as the
case may be, unless the Company defaults in making the payment due upon redemption or repurchase,
as the case may be (in each case subject as aforesaid to any Applicable Procedures with respect to
any Global Note); provided that, if a Holder has delivered notice of the exercise of its right to
have its Note repurchased pursuant to Section 11.01(c) or Section 11.02(c), such Holder may not
surrender such Note for conversion until such Holder has withdrawn its election to have its Note
repurchased in accordance with Section 11.01 or Section 11.02, as the case may be.
The rate at which shares of Common Stock shall be delivered upon conversion (herein called the
Conversion Rate) shall be initially [ ] shares of Common Stock for each U.S.
$1,000 Principal Amount of Notes. The Conversion Rate shall be shall be adjusted (rounded to four
decimal places) in certain instances as provided in this Article 10.
(b) If a transaction described in clause (2) of the definition of Change of Control occurs on
or prior to October 1, 2012, the Company shall give notice to the Trustee and all Holders (i) at
least ten scheduled Trading Days prior to the anticipated Effective Date of such transaction and
(ii) within 15 days after the actual Effective Date of such Change of Control. If a Holder elects
to convert Notes at any time following the notice described in clause (i) of the preceding sentence
until the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date corresponding to such Change of Control as set forth
in Section 11.01, such Holder shall be entitled to receive for each $1,000 Principal Amount of
Notes converted, in addition to a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate, an
additional number of shares of Common Stock (the Additional Shares) as described below; provided
that if the Stock Price is greater than $[ ] per share (subject in each case to
adjustment as described below) or if the Stock Price is less than $[ ] per share
(subject to adjustment), the number of Additional Shares shall be zero. The number of Additional
Shares shall be determined by reference to the table attached as Schedule A hereto, based on the
Effective Date and the Stock Price; provided that if the Stock Price is between two Stock Price
amounts in the table or the Effective Date is between two Effective Dates in the table, the number
of Additional Shares shall be determined by a straight-line interpolation between the number of
Additional Shares set forth for the higher and lower Stock Price amounts and the two dates, as
applicable, based on a 365-day year. The Additional Shares will be delivered to Holders who elect
to convert their Notes in connection with an
44
applicable Change of Control on the later of (i) five Business Days following the Effective
Date or (ii) the Conversion Settlement Date for those Notes.
The Stock Prices set forth in the first row of the table in Schedule A hereto and set forth in
the proviso in the first sentence of the preceding paragraph shall be adjusted as of any date on
which the Conversion Rate of the Notes is adjusted. The adjusted Stock Prices shall equal the
Stock Prices applicable immediately prior to such adjustment, multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the Conversion Rate immediately prior to the adjustment giving rise to the
Stock Price adjustment and the denominator of which is the Conversion Rate as so adjusted. The
Companys obligation to deliver Additional Shares shall be subject to adjustment in the same manner
as the Conversion Rate as set forth Section 10.07 and Section 10.15.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion shall not exceed [ ] shares per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes, subject to
adjustments in the same manner as the Conversion Rate as set forth in Section 10.07 and Section
10.15.
(d) Promptly following the Effective Date, the Company shall calculate the Stock Price and the
number of Additional Shares based on the applicable Stock Price and Effective Date. No less than
five Business Days following the Effective Date, the Company shall notify the Trustee of the
results of such calculations and notify the Holders of the Stock Price and the number of Additional
Shares per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes. The Company shall issue a press release containing
the information described in this paragraph and publish such information on its website.
Section 10.02. Exercise of Conversion Privilege.
(a) In order to exercise the conversion privilege, the Holder of any Note to be converted
shall surrender such Note, duly endorsed in blank, at any office or agency of the Company
maintained for that purpose pursuant to Section 4.02, accompanied by a duly signed conversion
notice substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A stating that the Holder elects to convert
such Note or, if less than the entire Principal Amount thereof is to be converted, the portion
thereof to be converted. The date a Holder complies with these requirements for any Notes shall be
the Conversion Date with respect to such Notes.
(b) Notes surrendered for conversion by a Holder after the close of business on any Regular
Record Date but prior to the next Interest Payment Date must be accompanied by payment in an amount
equal to the interest that the Holder is to receive on the Notes on such Interest Payment Date;
provided, however, that no such payment need be made (1) if the Company has specified a Redemption
Date that is after a Record Date and on or prior to the next Interest Payment Date, (2) if the
Company has specified a Fundamental Change Repurchase Date that is after a Record Date and on or
prior to the next Interest Payment Date or (3) unless any overdue interest exists at the time of
conversion with respect to such Note and then only to the extent of such overdue interest.
(c) Notes shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the close of business on
the Conversion Date, and at such time the rights of the Holders of such Notes as Holders shall
cease, and the Person or Persons entitled to receive the Common Stock issuable upon conversion
shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such Common
45
Stock at such time. The Company shall issue and deliver to the Trustee, for delivery to the
Holder, a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion, or cash in lieu thereof pursuant to Section 10.04, together with payment in lieu of any
fraction of a share, as provided in Section 10.05 and any Redemption Make Whole Amount as required
by Section 10.08 on the Conversion Settlement Date, which shall be as promptly as practicable,
but no later than the fifth Business Day following the Conversion Date; provided that if the
Company elects cash settlement pursuant to Section 10.04, the Conversion Settlement Date shall be
the third Business Day following the determination of the Conversion Average Price.
(d) Delivery to Holders of the full number of shares of Common Stock, or cash in lieu thereof,
into which the Notes are convertible pursuant to this Article 10, together with payment in lieu of
any fraction of a share, as provided in Section 10.05 and any Redemption Make Whole Amount as
required by Section 10.08 shall be deemed to satisfy the Companys obligations with respect to such
Notes. Accordingly, except to the extent of any such Redemption Make Whole Amount, any accrued but
unpaid interest shall be deemed to be paid in full upon conversion, rather than cancelled,
extinguished or forfeited.
(e) All shares of Common Stock delivered upon such conversion of Restricted Notes shall bear
restrictive legends substantially in the form of the legends required to be set forth on the
Restricted Notes pursuant to Section 2.07 and shall be subject to the restrictions on transfer
provided in such legends. Neither the Trustee nor any agent maintained for the purpose of such
conversion shall have any responsibility for the inclusion or content of any such restrictive
legends on such Common Stock; provided, however, that the Trustee or any agent maintained for the
purpose of such conversion shall have provided, to the Company or to the Companys transfer agent
for such Common Stock, prior to or concurrently with a request to the Company to deliver such
Common Stock, written notice that the Notes delivered for conversion are Restricted Notes.
(f) In the case of any Note which is converted in part only, upon such conversion the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder thereof, at the expense
of the Company, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations in an aggregate Principal Amount
equal to the unconverted portion of the Principal Amount of such Note. A Note may be converted in
part, but only if the Principal Amount of such Note to be converted is any integral multiple of
U.S. $1,000 and the Principal Amount of such Note to remain outstanding after such conversion is
equal to U.S. $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
(g) If shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of a Restricted Note, or Notes to
be issued upon conversion of a Restricted Note in part only, are to be registered in a name other
than that of the Beneficial Owner of such Restricted Note, then such Holder must deliver to the
Conversion Agent a Surrender Certificate, dated the date of surrender of such Restricted Note and
signed by such Beneficial Owner, as to compliance with the restrictions on transfer applicable to
such Restricted Note. Neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent, Registrar or Transfer Agent
shall be required to register in a name other than that of the Beneficial Owner, shares of Common
Stock or Notes issued upon conversion of any such Restricted Note not so accompanied by a properly
completed Surrender Certificate.
46
Section 10.03. Limitation on Beneficial Ownership
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person will be entitled to acquire Beneficial Ownership of
shares of Common Stock delivered upon conversion to the extent (but only to the extent) that such
receipt would cause any Person to become, directly or indirectly, a Beneficial Owner of more than
the Specified Percentage of the shares of Common Stock outstanding at such time. With respect to
any conversion prior to October 1, 2011, the Specified Percentage shall be 4.9%, and with respect
to any conversion thereafter until Stated Maturity, the Specified Percentage shall be 9.9%. Any
purported delivery of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of Notes shall be void and have no
effect to the extent (but only to the extent) that such delivery would result in any Person
becoming the Beneficial Owner of more than the Specified Percentage of the shares of Common Stock
outstanding at such time. If any delivery of shares of Common Stock owed to any Person upon
conversion is not made, in whole or in part, as a result of these limitations, the Companys
obligation to make such delivery shall not be extinguished and it shall deliver such shares as
promptly as practicable after, but in no event later than two Trading Days after, any such Person
gives notice to the Company that such delivery would not result in any Person being the Beneficial
Owner of more than the Specified Percentage of the shares of Common Stock outstanding at such time.
For the avoidance of doubt, the term Beneficial Owner as used in this Section 10.03 shall not
include (i) with respect to any Global Note, the nominee of the Depositary or any Person having an
account with the Depositary or its nominee or (ii) with respect to any Non-global Note, the Holder
of such Non-global Note unless, in each case, such nominee, account holder or Holder shall also be
a Beneficial Owner with respect to such Note.
Section 10.04. Cash Settlement Option
Upon conversion, the Company shall have the right to deliver, in lieu of shares of Common
Stock, cash or a combination of cash and Common Stock. The Company shall inform converting Holders
through the Trustee no later than the Business Day prior to the first day of the Conversion
Averaging Period if it elects to pay cash in lieu of delivering shares of Common Stock and shall
specify in such notice the percentage of the shares of Common Stock that would otherwise be
deliverable for which it will pay cash, unless it has already informed the Holders of its election
in a notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.03.
If the Company elects to pay cash upon conversion, such payment will be based on the
Conversion Average Price of the Common Stock. If the Company elects cash settlement, the Conversion
Settlement Date on which it will deliver to converting Holders the cash and shares of Common Stock,
if any, together with the cash or shares, if applicable, with respect to any Redemption Make Whole
Amount, shall be the third Business Day following the determination of the Conversion Average
Price. The Company shall also deliver cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Common Stock
issuable in connection with any conversion of Notes based upon the Conversion Average Price.
Section 10.05. Fractions of Shares.
No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of any Note or Notes. If
more than one Note shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number
of full shares which shall be issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of
the aggregate Principal Amount of the Notes (or specified portions
47
thereof) so surrendered. Instead of any fractional share of Common Stock which would otherwise
be issuable upon conversion of any Note or Notes (or specified portions thereof), unless Section
10.04 shall apply, the Company shall calculate and pay a cash adjustment in respect of such
fraction (calculated to the nearest 1/100th of a share) in an amount equal to the same fraction of
the Sale Price at the close of business on the Conversion Date (or round up the number of shares of
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of any Note or Notes to the nearest whole share).
Section 10.06. Exchange in Lieu of Conversion
When a Holder surrenders Notes for conversion, the Company may, unless it has called the
relevant Notes for redemption, direct the Conversion Agent to surrender, on or prior to the date
two Business Days following the Conversion Date, such Notes to a financial institution designated
by the Company for exchange in lieu of conversion. The Company must notify such financial
institution of the applicable Conversion Date. In order to accept any such Notes, the designated
institution must agree to deliver, in exchange for such Notes, a number of shares of Common Stock
equal to the Conversion Rate in effect at such time, or at its option, cash or a combination of
cash and shares of Common Stock in lieu thereof, calculated based on the Conversion Average Price,
plus cash for any fractional shares.
If the designated institution accepts any such Notes, it will deliver the appropriate number
of shares of Common Stock (and cash, if any), or cash in lieu thereof, to the Conversion Agent and
the Conversion Agent will deliver those shares or cash to the Holder. Any Notes exchanged by the
designated institution will remain outstanding. If the designated institution agrees to accept any
Notes for exchange but does not timely deliver the related consideration, the Company will, as
promptly as practical thereafter, but not later than (1) the fifth Business Day following the
Conversion Date, or (2) if the designated institution elects to deliver cash or a combination of
cash and shares of Common Stock, the third Business Day following the determination of the
Conversion Average Price, convert the Notes and deliver shares of Common Stock, or, at the
Companys option cash in lieu thereof based on such Conversion Average Price.
If the designated institution declines to accept any Notes surrendered for exchange, the
Company will convert those Notes into shares of Common Stock, or cash in lieu thereof at the option
of the Company.
Section 10.07. Adjustment of Conversion Rate.
The Conversion Rate shall be subject to adjustments from time to time as follows:
(a) In case the Company shall pay or make a dividend or other distribution in shares of Common
Stock, the Conversion Rate in effect at the opening of business on the day following the Record
Date fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to receive such dividend or other
distribution, or the Record Date for such subdivision or combination, as the case may be, shall be
adjusted based on the following formula:
where,
48
|
|
|
CR0 =
|
|
the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the ex-date for such
dividend or distribution, or the effective date of such subdivisions or
combinations of the Common Stock, as the case may be |
|
|
|
CR1 =
|
|
the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the ex-date for such
dividend or distribution, or the effective date of such subdivisions or
combinations of the Common Stock, as the case may be |
|
|
|
OS0 =
|
|
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to
the ex-date for such dividend or distribution, or the effective date of such
subdivisions or combinations of the Common Stock, as the case may be |
|
|
|
OS1 =
|
|
the number of shares of Common Stock that would be outstanding
immediately after the ex-date for such dividend or distribution, or the effective
date of such subdivisions or combinations of the Common Stock, as the case may be |
If, after any such Record Date, any dividend or distribution is not in fact paid or the
outstanding shares of Common Stock are not subdivided or combined, as the case may be, the
Conversion Rate shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date the Board of Directors
determines not to pay such dividend or distribution, or subdivide or combine the outstanding shares
of Common Stock, as the case may be, to the Conversion Rate that would have been in effect if such
Record Date had not been fixed.
(b) In case the Company shall issue rights or warrants to all holders of its Common Stock
entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock for a period expiring 45 days or
less from the date of issuance of such rights or warrants at a price per share less than the
average of the Sale Prices of the Common Stock for the ten consecutive Trading Days prior to the
Business Day immediately preceding the announcement of the issuance of such rights, options or
warrants, the Conversion Rate in effect at the opening of business on the day following the Record
Date shall be adjusted based on the following formula:
where,
|
|
|
CR0 =
|
|
the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the ex-date for such
distribution |
|
|
|
CR1 =
|
|
the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the ex-date for such
distribution |
|
|
|
OS0 =
|
|
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to
the ex-date of such distribution |
|
|
|
X =
|
|
the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such
rights |
|
|
|
Y =
|
|
the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate
price payable to exercise such rights divided by the average of the Sale Prices of
the |
49
|
|
|
|
|
Common Stock for the ten consecutive Trading Days ending on the Business Day
immediately preceding the ex-date for such distribution |
If, after any such Record Date, any such rights, options or warrants are not in fact issued,
or are not exercised prior to the expiration thereof, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately
readjusted, effective as of the date such rights, options or warrants expire, or the date the Board
of Directors determines not to issue such rights, options or warrants, to the Conversion Rate that
would have been in effect if the unexercised rights, options or warrants had never been granted or
such Record Date had not been fixed, as the case may be.
(c) In case the Company shall pay a dividend or distribution consisting exclusively of cash to
all holders of its Common Stock, the Conversion Rate in effect at the opening of business on the
day following the Record Date for such dividend or distribution shall be adjusted based on the
following formula:
where,
|
|
|
CR0 =
|
|
the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the ex-date for
such distribution |
|
|
|
CR1 =
|
|
the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the ex-date for such
distribution |
|
|
|
SP0 =
|
|
the Current Market Price |
|
|
|
C =
|
|
the amount in cash per share distributed by the Company to
holders of Common Stock |
In the event that C is greater than or equal to SP0, in lieu of the adjustment
contemplated, Holders will be entitled to participate ratably in the cash distribution as though
their Notes had been converted to shares of Common Stock on the applicable date of calculation for
the amounts to be received by holders of Common Stock. If after any such Record Date, any such
dividend or distribution is not in fact made, the Conversion Rate shall be immediately readjusted,
effective as of the date of the Board of Directors determines not to make such dividend or
distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would have been in effect if such Record Date had not
been fixed.
(d) In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all holders of its
Common Stock evidences of its indebtedness, shares of any class of capital stock or other property
(including cash or assets or securities, but excluding (i) any rights, options or warrants referred
to in Section 10.07(b), (ii) any dividend or distribution paid exclusively in cash, (iii) any
dividend or distribution referred to in Section 10.07(a) or 10.07(e), and (iv) mergers or
consolidations to which Section 10.15 applies), the Conversion Rate in effect at the opening of
business on the day following the Record Date for such dividend or distribution shall be adjusted
based on the following formula:
where,
50
|
|
|
CR0 =
|
|
the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the ex-date for such
distribution |
|
|
|
CR1 =
|
|
the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the ex-date for such
distribution |
|
|
|
SP0 =
|
|
the Current Market Price |
|
|
|
FMV =
|
|
the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors) of
the shares of capital stock, evidences of indebtedness, assets or property
distributed with respect to each outstanding share of Common Stock on the ex-date
for such distribution |
In the event that FMV is greater than or equal to SP0, in lieu of the adjustment
contemplated, Holders will be entitled to participate ratably in the relevant distribution as
though their Notes had been converted to shares of Common Stock on the applicable date of
calculation for the amounts to be received by holders of Common Stock. If after any such Record
Date, any such dividend or distribution is not in fact made, the Conversion Rate shall be
immediately readjusted, effective as of the date of the Board of Directors determines not to make
such dividend or distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would have been in effect if such Record
Date had not been fixed.
Rights or warrants distributed by the Company to all holders of Common Stock entitling the
holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of the Companys Capital Stock (either
initially or under certain circumstances), which rights or warrants, until the occurrence of a
specified event or events (Trigger Event):
(i) are deemed to be transferred with such shares of Common Stock,
(ii) are not exercisable, and
(iii) are also issued in respect of future issuances of Common Stock
shall be deemed not to have been distributed for purposes of this Section 10.07(d) (and no
adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 10.07(d) will be required) until the
occurrence of the earliest Trigger Event. If such right or warrant is subject to subsequent events,
upon the occurrence of which such right or warrant shall become exercisable to purchase different
securities, evidences of indebtedness or other assets or entitle the holder to purchase a different
number or amount of the foregoing or to purchase any of the foregoing at a different purchase
price, then the occurrence of each such event shall be deemed to be the date of issuance and Record
Date with respect to a new right or warrant (and a termination or expiration of the existing right
or warrant without exercise by the holder thereof). In addition, in the event of any distribution
(or deemed distribution) of rights or warrants, or any Trigger Event or other event (of the type
described in the preceding sentence) with respect thereto, that resulted in an adjustment to the
Conversion Rate under this Section 10.07(d):
(1) in the case of any such rights or warrants that shall all have been redeemed or
repurchased without exercise by any holders thereof, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted
upon such final redemption or repurchase to give effect to such distribution or Trigger
Event, as the case may be, as though it were a cash distribution, equal to the per
51
share redemption or repurchase price received by a holder of Common Stock with respect
to such rights or warrant (assuming such holder had retained such rights or warrants), made
to all holders of Common Stock as of the date of such redemption or repurchase, and
(2) in the case of such rights or warrants all of which shall have expired or been
terminated without exercise, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted as if such rights and
warrants had never been issued.
For purposes of this Section 10.07(d) and Section 10.07(a) and 10.07(b), any dividend or
distribution to which this Section 10.07(d) applies that also includes shares of Common Stock or a
subdivision or combination of Common Stock to which Section 10.07(a) applies, or rights or warrants
to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock to which Section 10.07(b) applies (or any
combination thereof), shall be deemed instead to be:
(1) a dividend or distribution of the evidences of indebtedness, assets, shares of
capital stock, rights or warrants other than such shares of Common Stock, such subdivision
or combination or such rights or warrants to which Section 10.07(a) and 10.07(b) apply,
respectively (and any Conversion Rate increase required by this 10.07(d) with respect to
such dividend or distribution shall then be made), immediately followed by
(2) a dividend or distribution of such shares of Common Stock, such subdivision or
combination or such rights or warrants (and any further Conversion Rate increase required by
Section 10.07(a) and 10.07(b) with respect to such dividend or distribution shall then be
made), except that any shares of Common Stock included in such dividend or distribution
shall not be deemed outstanding at the close of business on the Record Date within the
meaning of Section 10.07(a) and any reduction or increase in the number of shares of Common
Stock resulting from such subdivision or combination shall be disregarded in connection with
such dividend or distribution.
(e) In case the Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all holders of its
Common Stock shares of Capital Stock of, or similar equity interests in, a Subsidiary or other
business unit of the Company (a Spin-Off), the Conversion Rate in effect immediately before 5:00
p.m. New York City time, on the fifteenth Trading Day immediately following, and including, the
effective date of the Spin-Off shall be increased based on the following formula:
where,
|
|
|
CR0 =
|
|
the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the fifteenth
Trading Day immediately following, and including, the effective date of the
Spin-Off |
|
CR1 =
|
|
the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the fifteenth Trading
Day immediately following, and including, the effective date of the Spin-Off |
|
FMV0 =
|
|
the average of the Sale Prices of the Capital Stock or similar equity
interest distributed to holders of Common Stock applicable to one share of Common |
52
|
|
|
|
|
Stock over the 10 Trading Days immediately following, and including, the fifth
Trading Day immediately following the effective date of the Spin-Off |
|
|
|
MP0 =
|
|
the average of the Sale Prices of the Common Stock on the 10
consecutive Trading Day period immediately following, and including, the fifth
Trading Day immediately following the effective date of the Spin-Off |
If after any such Record Date, any such distribution is not in fact made, the Conversion Rate
shall be immediately readjusted, effective as of the date the Board of Directors determines not to
make such distribution, to the Conversion Rate that would have been in effect if such Record Date
had not been fixed.
(f) In case the Company or any Subsidiary purchases all or any portion of the Common Stock
pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer and the cash and value of any other consideration
included in the payment per share of the Common Stock exceeds the Current Market Price per share on
the Trading Day next succeeding the last date on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to
such tender or exchange offer (the Expiration Date), the Conversion Rate shall be will be
adjusted based on the following formula:
where,
|
|
|
CR0 =
|
|
the Conversion Rate in effect on the Expiration Date |
|
|
|
CR1 =
|
|
the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Expiration Date |
|
|
|
FMV =
|
|
the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors) of the
aggregate value of all cash and any other consideration paid or payable for shares
of Common Stock validly tendered or exchanged and not withdrawn as of the
Expiration Date (the Purchased Shares) |
|
|
|
OS1 =
|
|
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the
Expiration Date less any Purchased Shares |
|
|
|
OS0 =
|
|
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the
Expiration Date, plus any Purchased Shares |
|
|
|
SP1 =
|
|
the Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding
the Expiration Date |
Such increase (if any) shall become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on
the day following the Expiration Time. In the event that the Company is obligated to purchase
shares pursuant to any such tender offer, but the Company is permanently prevented by applicable
law from effecting any such purchases or all such purchases are rescinded, the Conversion Rate
shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such tender or
exchange offer had not been made. If the application of this Section 10.07(f) to
53
any tender or exchange offer would result in a decrease in the Conversion Rate, no adjustment
shall be made for such tender or exchange offer under this Section 10.07(f).
(g) In case of a tender or exchange offer made by a Person other than the Company or any
Subsidiary for an amount that increases the offerors ownership of Common Stock to more than
twenty-five percent (25%) of the Common Stock outstanding and shall involve the payment by such
Person of consideration per share of Common Stock having a fair market value (as determined by the
Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive, and described in a resolution of the
Board of Directors) that as of the last date (the Offer Expiration Date) tenders or exchanges may
be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (as it shall have been amended) exceeds the Sale
Price per share of the Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding the Offer Expiration Date,
and in which, as of the Offer Expiration Date the Board of Directors is not recommending rejection
of the offer, the Conversation Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:
where,
|
|
|
CR0 =
|
|
the Conversion Rate in effect on the Offer Expiration Date |
|
|
|
CR1 =
|
|
the Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the Offer Expiration Date |
|
|
|
FMV=
|
|
the fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors) of the
aggregate consideration payable to holders of Common Stock based on the acceptance
(up to any maximum specified in the terms of the tender or exchange offer) of all
shares validly tendered or exchanged and not withdrawn as of the Expiration Date
(the shares deemed so accepted, up to any such maximum, being referred to as the
Accepted Purchased Shares) |
|
|
|
OS1 =
|
|
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the
Offer Expiration Date less any Accepted Purchased Shares |
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OS0 =
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the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the
Offer Expiration Date, including any Accepted Purchased Shares |
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SP1 =
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the Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day next succeeding
the Offer Expiration Date |
Such adjustment shall become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on the day
following the Offer Expiration Date. In the event that such Person is obligated to purchase shares
pursuant to any such tender or exchange offer, but such Person is permanently prevented by
applicable law from effecting any such purchases or all such purchases are rescinded, the
Conversion Rate shall again be adjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if
such tender or exchange offer had not been made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the adjustment
described in this Section 10.07(g) shall not be made if, as of the Offer Expiration Date, the
offering documents with respect to such offer disclose a plan or intention to cause the Company to
engage in any transaction described in Section 10.15.
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(h) Current Market Price of the Common Stock on any day means the average of the Sale Price
of the Common Stock for each of the 10 consecutive Trading Days ending on the earlier of the day in
question and the day before the ex-date with respect to the issuance or distribution requiring such
computation.
(A)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever successive adjustments to the Conversion Rate are
called for pursuant to this Section 10.07, such adjustments shall be made to the Current Market
Price as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the intent of this Section 10.07 and to
avoid unjust or inequitable results as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.
(i) Ex-date, when used:
(A) with respect to any issuance or distribution, means the first date on
which the shares of the Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the
applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such issuance or
distribution;
(B) with respect to any subdivision or combination of shares of Common Stock,
means the first date on which the Common Stock trades regular way on such exchange
or in such market after the time at which such subdivision or combination becomes
effective, and
(C) with respect to any tender or exchange offer, means the first date on
which the Common Stock trades regular way on such exchange or in such market after
the Expiration Date or Offer Expiration Date of such offer.
(j) fair market value shall mean the amount that a willing buyer would pay a willing seller
in an arms length transaction.
(k) For purposes of this Section 10.07, the number of shares of Common Stock at any time
outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of the Company but shall include shares
issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in lieu of fractions of shares of Common Stock.
The Company will not pay any dividend or make any distribution on shares of Common Stock held in
the treasury of the Company.
(l) Adjustments to the Conversion Rate under this Section 10.07 shall be rounded to the fourth
decimal point and all other calculations under this Section 10.07 shall be made to the nearest cent
or to the nearest one-hundredth of a share, as the case may be.
(m) The Company may make such increases in the Conversion Rate by any amount for any period of
at least 20 days. Whenever the Conversion Rate is increased pursuant to the preceding sentence, the
Company shall give notice of the increase to the Holders in the manner provided in Section 12.02 at
least fifteen (15) days prior to the date the increased Conversion Rate takes effect, and such
notice shall state the increased Conversion Rate and the period during which it will be in effect.
The Company may make such increases in the Conversion Rate, to the extent permitted by law and
subject to applicable rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market, in addition to the increases set forth
above, as the Board of Directors deems advisable to avoid or diminish
55
any income tax to holders of Common Stock resulting from any dividend or distribution of stock
(or rights to acquire stock) or from any event treated as such for income tax purposes.
(n) To the extent that the Company has a rights plan in effect upon conversion of the Notes
into Common Stock, each converting Holder shall receive, in addition to shares of Common Stock, the
rights under the rights plan corresponding to the shares of Common Stock received upon conversion,
unless prior to any conversion, the rights shall have separated from the shares of Common Stock, in
which case the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted as of the date of such separation as if the
Company had distributed to all holders of Common Stock shares of the Companys Capital Stock,
evidences of indebtedness or other property as provided in Section 10.07(d) , subject to
readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights.
Section 10.08. Interest Make Whole Upon Conversion.
Redemption Make Whole Amount. Any holders who convert Notes after a notice of redemption has
been sent pursuant to the terms of Article 3 and prior to October 1, 2012 shall receive, for each
$1,000 Principal Amount of Notes converted, in addition to a number of shares of Common Stock
determined pursuant to Section 10.01, or cash in lieu thereof pursuant to Section 10.04, the
Redemption Make Whole Amount. The Redemption Make Whole Amount shall equal the present value of
the interest on the Notes converted that would have been payable for the period from and including
the Redemption Date, to but excluding October 1, 2012.
The Redemption Make Whole Amount shall be calculated by discounting the amount of such
interest on a semi-annual basis using a discount rate equal to 3.0% plus the arithmetic mean of the
yields under the respective headings This Week and Last Week published in the Statistical
Release under the caption Treasury Constant Maturities for the maturity (rounded to the nearest
month) corresponding to the period from and including the Redemption Date to but excluding October
1, 2012. If no maturity exactly corresponds to such maturity, yields for the two published
maturities most closely corresponding to such maturity shall be calculated pursuant to the
immediately preceding sentence and the applicable rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated from
such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding in each of such relevant periods to the nearest
month. For the purpose of calculating the applicable rate, the most recent Statistical Release
published prior to the date of determination of the Redemption Make Whole Amount shall be used.
The term Statistical Release shall mean the statistical release designated H.15(519) or
any successor publication which is published weekly by the Federal Reserve System and which
establishes yields on actively traded U.S. government securities adjusted to constant maturities
or, if such statistical release is not published at the time of any determination under this
Section 10.08 , then such other reasonably comparable index that the Company shall designate.
The Company may pay the Redemption Make Whole Amount in cash or in shares of Common Stock,
with the number of such shares determined based on the average of the Sale Prices of the Common
Stock over the ten Trading Days immediately preceding the applicable Conversion Date. If the
Company elects to pay the Redemption Make Whole Amount in shares of Common Stock, the number of
shares deliverable by the Company, together with the shares of
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Common Stock deliverable upon conversion pursuant to Section 10.01, shall not exceed
[ ] shares of Common Stock per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes, subject to the same adjustments as
the Conversion Rate pursuant to Section 10.07 and Section 10.15, and the Company shall deliver cash
with respect to the remainder of the Redemption Make Whole Amount, if any.
Section 10.09. Notice of Adjustments of Conversion Rate.
Whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted as herein provided:
(a) the Company shall compute the adjusted Conversion Rate in accordance with Section 10.07
and shall prepare a certificate signed by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company setting forth
the adjusted Conversion Rate and showing in reasonable detail the facts upon which such adjustment
is based, and such certificate shall promptly be filed with the Trustee and with each Conversion
Agent; and
(b) upon each such adjustment, a notice stating that the Conversion Rate has been adjusted and
setting forth the adjusted Conversion Rate shall be required, and as soon as practicable after it
is required, such notice shall be provided by the Company to all Holders in accordance with Section
12.02. Neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be under any duty or responsibility with
respect to any such certificate or the information and calculations contained therein, except to
exhibit the same to any Holder of Notes desiring inspection thereof at its office during normal
business hours, and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment in the Conversion Rate
unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received such a certificate. Until
a Responsible Officer of the Trustee receives such a certificate, the Trustee and each Conversion
Agent may assume without inquiry that the last Conversion Rate of which the Trustee has knowledge
of remains in effect.
Section 10.10. Notice of Certain Corporate Action.
In case:
(1) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution) on its Common Stock; or
(2) the Company shall authorize the granting to all or substantially all of the holders of its
Common Stock of rights, options or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital
stock of any class or of any other rights; or
(3) of any reclassification of the Common Stock, or of any consolidation, merger or share
exchange to which the Company is a party and for which approval of any stockholders of the Company
is required, or of the conveyance, sale, transfer or lease of the assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries substantially as an entirety; or
(4) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company;
then the Company shall cause to be filed at each office or agency maintained for the purpose
of conversion of Notes pursuant to Section 4.02, and shall cause to be provided to all Holders in
accordance with Section 12.02, at least 20 days (or 10 days in any case specified in
57
clause (1) or (2) above) prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter
specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such
dividend, distribution, rights, options or warrants, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date
as of which the holders of Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distribution,
rights, options or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification,
consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, sale, lease, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is
expected to become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock
of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock for securities, cash or other
property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, sale,
lease, dissolution, liquidation or winding up. Neither the failure to give such notice or the
notice referred to in the following paragraph nor any defect therein shall affect the legality or
validity of the proceedings described in clauses (1) through (4) of this Section 10.10. If at the
time the Trustee shall not be the conversion agent, a copy of such notice shall also forthwith be
filed by the Company with the Trustee.
The Company shall cause to be filed at the Corporate Trust Office and each office or agency
maintained for the purpose of conversion of Notes pursuant to Section 4.02, and shall cause to be
provided to all Holders in accordance with Section 12.02, notice of any tender offer by the Company
or any Subsidiary for all or any portion of the Common Stock at or about the time that such notice
of tender offer is provided to the public generally.
Section 10.11. Company to Reserve Common Stock.
The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from preemptive rights, out of
its authorized but unissued Common Stock, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of Notes, the
full number of shares of Common Stock then issuable upon the conversion of all outstanding Notes.
Section 10.12. Taxes on Conversions.
Except as provided in the next sentence, the Company will pay any and all taxes and duties,
excluding any taxes relating to the net or gross income or gain to the Holder on conversion, that
may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock on conversion of Notes
pursuant hereto. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any tax or duty which may be
payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of shares of Common Stock in
a name other than that of the Holder of the Note or Notes to be converted, and no such issue or
delivery shall be made unless and until the Person requesting such issue has paid to the Company
the amount of any such tax or duty, or has established to the satisfaction of the Company that such
tax or duty has been paid.
Section 10.13. Covenant as to Common Stock.
The Company agrees that all shares of Common Stock which may be delivered upon conversion of
Notes, upon such delivery, will have been duly authorized and validly issued and will be fully paid
and nonassessable and, except as provided in Section 10.12, the Company will pay all taxes, liens
and charges with respect to the issue thereof.
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Section 10.14. Cancellation of Converted Notes.
All Notes delivered for conversion shall be delivered to the Trustee or its agent to be
canceled by or at the direction of the Trustee, which shall dispose of the same as provided in
Section 2.12.
Section 10.15. Provision in Case of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets.
In case of any recapitalization, reclassification or change in the Common Stock (other than
changes resulting from a subdivision or combination), a consolidation, merger or combination of the
Company with or into any other Person, any merger of another Person with or into the Company (other
than a merger which does not result in any reclassification, conversion, exchange or cancellation
of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company) or any conveyance, sale, transfer or lease of
the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries substantially as an entirety, or any
statutory share exchange, in each case as a result of which holders of Common Stock are entitled to
receive stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash or any combination
thereof) with respect to or in exchange for the Common Stock, the Person formed by such
consolidation or resulting from such merger or which acquires such assets, as the case may be,
shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture providing that the Holder of each
Note then outstanding shall have the right thereafter, during the period such Note shall be
convertible as specified in Section 10.01, to convert such Note only into the kind and amount of
securities, cash and other property receivable upon such recapitalization, reclassification,
change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale, lease, transfer or statutory share exchange by a
holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company into which such Note might have been
converted immediately prior to such recapitalization, reclassification, change, consolidation,
merger, combination, sale, lease, transfer or statutory share exchange, assuming such holder of
Common Stock of the Company (i) is not (A) a Person with which the Company consolidated or merged
with or into or which merged into or with the Company or to which such conveyance, sale, transfer
or lease was made, as the case may be (a Constituent Person), or (B) an Affiliate of a
Constituent Person and (ii) failed to exercise his rights of election, if any, as to the kind or
amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such recapitalization,
reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale, lease, transfer or statutory
share exchange (provided that if the holders of the Common Stock have the right to elect the kind
or amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger,
conveyance, sale, transfer, or lease for each share of Common Stock of the Company held immediately
prior to such recapitalization, reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale,
lease, transfer or statutory share exchange by others than a Constituent Person or an Affiliate
thereof and in respect of which such rights of election shall not have been exercised
(Non-electing Share), then for the purpose of this Section 10.15 the kind and amount of
securities, cash and other property receivable upon such recapitalization, reclassification,
change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale, lease, transfer or statutory share exchange by
the holders of each Non-electing Share shall be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and
amounts so receivable per share by the Non-electing Shares upon the occurrence of such transaction
or event). Such supplemental indenture shall provide for adjustments which, for events subsequent
to the effective date of such supplemental indenture, shall be as nearly equivalent as may be
practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Article 10.
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The above provisions of this Section 10.15 shall similarly apply to successive consolidations,
mergers, conveyances, sales, transfers or leases. Notice of the execution of such a supplemental
indenture shall be given by the Company to the Holder of each Note as provided in Section 12.02
within 20 days after execution thereof. Neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be under
any responsibility to determine the correctness of any provisions contained in any such
supplemental indenture relating either to the kind or amount of shares of stock or other securities
or property or cash receivable by Holders of Notes upon the conversion of their Notes after any
such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, sale or lease or to any such adjustment, but may
accept as conclusive evidence of the correctness of any such provisions, and shall be protected in
relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel with respect thereto, which the Company shall cause to be
furnished to the Trustee.
Section 10.16. Responsibility of Trustee for Conversion Provisions.
The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, and any Conversion Agent shall not at
any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Notes to determine whether any facts
exist which may require any adjustment of the Conversion Rate, or with respect to the nature or
extent of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, herein or in any
supplemental indenture provided to be employed, in making the same, or whether a supplemental
indenture need be entered into. Neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be accountable
with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any Common Stock, or of any other
Notes or property or cash, which may at any time be issued or delivered upon the conversion of any
Note; and it or they do not make any representation with respect thereto. Neither the Trustee nor
any Conversion Agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to make or calculate any
cash payment or to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of Common Stock or share certificates or
other Notes or property or cash upon the surrender of any Note for the purpose of conversion.
Neither the Trustee nor any Conversion Agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to
comply with any of the covenants of the Company contained in this Article.
ARTICLE 11
Repurchase of Notes at the Option of the Holder upon a fundamental change
Section 11.01. Right to Require Repurchase upon a Fundamental Change.
(a) If a Fundamental Change occurs, each Holder shall have the right, at the Holders option,
to require the Company to repurchase, and upon the exercise of such right the Company shall
repurchase, for cash some or all of such Holders Notes not theretofore called for redemption, or
any portion of the Principal Amount thereof that is equal to U.S. $1,000 or any integral multiple
of U.S. $1,000 in excess thereof (provided that no single Note may be repurchased in part unless
the portion of the Principal Amount of such Note to be outstanding after such repurchase is equal
to U.S. $1,000 or integral multiples of U.S. $1,000 in excess thereof). The Company shall offer a
payment (the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price) equal to 100% of the Principal Amount of the
Notes to be repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest to but excluding the Fundamental
Change Repurchase Date, unless such Fundamental Change Repurchase Date falls after a Regular Record
Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, in which case the Company will pay
the full amount of
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accrued and unpaid interest payable on such Interest Payment Date to the holder of record at
the close of business on the corresponding Regular Record Date. Whenever in this Indenture there is
a reference, in any context, to the Principal Amount of any Note as of any time, such reference
shall be deemed to include reference to the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price payable in respect
of such Note to the extent that such Fundamental Change Repurchase Price is, was or would be so
payable at such time, and express mention of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price in any
provision of this Indenture shall not be construed as excluding the Fundamental Change Repurchase
Price in those provisions of this Indenture when such express mention is not made.
(b) Within 20 days following any Fundamental Change, the Company shall mail or cause to be
mailed a notice to each Holder (with a copy to the Trustee) describing the transaction or
transactions that constitute the Fundamental Change and stating:
(i) the repurchase date, which shall be a date specified by the Company that is not
less than 20 nor more than 35 Business Days from the date such notice is mailed (the
Fundamental Change Repurchase Date);
(ii) the time by which the repurchase right must be exercised, which shall be the close
of business on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date;
(iii) the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price;
(iv) a description of the procedure which a Holder must follow to exercise a repurchase
right, and the place or places where, or procedures by which, such Notes are to be
surrendered for payment of the Fundamental Change Repurchase Price;
(v) that on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date the Fundamental Change Repurchase
Price will become due and payable upon each such Note designated by the Holder to be
repurchased, and that interest thereon shall cease to accrue on and after said date;
(vi) the Conversion Rate then in effect, the date on which the right to convert the
Notes to be repurchased will terminate (which shall be the close of business on the Business
Day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date) and the place or places
where, or procedures by which, such Notes may be surrendered for conversion;
(vii) the place or places that the Note with the Option of Holder to Purchase as
specified on the reverse of the Note shall be delivered;
(viii) that any Note not tendered shall continue to accrue interest;
(ix) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent
receives, prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date,
a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder,
the Principal Amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a written statement that (a)
states such Holder is withdrawing its election to have the Notes purchased, (b) if
certificated Notes have been issued, states the certificate number of the
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withdrawn Notes, (c) if the Notes are not certificated, contains such statements as
required by the Depositary and (d) states the Principal Amount, if any, that remains subject
to the repurchase notice; and
(x) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes
equal in Principal Amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which
unpurchased portion must be equal to $1,000 in Principal Amount or an integral multiple
thereof.
No failure of the Company to give the foregoing notices or defect therein shall limit any
Holders right to exercise a repurchase right or affect the validity of the proceedings for the
repurchase of Notes.
If any of the foregoing provisions or other provisions of this Section 11.01 are inconsistent
with applicable law, such law shall govern.
(c) To exercise a repurchase right pursuant to this Section 11.01, a Holder shall deliver to
the Trustee on or before the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date (i) written notice of the Holders
exercise of such right, which notice shall set forth the name of the Holder, the Principal Amount
of the Notes to be repurchased (and, if any Note is to repurchased in part, the certificate number
thereof, the portion of the Principal Amount thereof to be repurchased and the name of the Person
in which the portion thereof to remain outstanding after such repurchase is to be registered) and a
statement that an election to exercise the repurchase right is being made thereby and (ii) the
Notes with respect to which the repurchase right is being exercised. Holders may withdraw such
election at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the Fundamental Change Repurchase
Date. The right of the Holder to convert the Notes with respect to which the repurchase right is
being exercised shall continue until 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the Business Day prior to the
Fundamental Change Repurchase Date.
(d) In the event a repurchase right shall be exercised in accordance with the terms hereof, on
the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, the Company shall accept for payment all Notes or portions
thereof properly tendered, deposit with or pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee the Fundamental
Change Repurchase Price in cash for payment by the Trustee to the Holder on the Fundamental Change
Repurchase Date; provided, however, that installments of interest that mature on or prior to the
Fundamental Change Repurchase Date shall be payable in cash to the Holders of such Notes, or one or
more Predecessor Notes, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Regular Record
Date; and deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes so accepted together with an
Officers Certificate stating the aggregate Principal Amount of Notes or portions thereof being
purchased by the Company.
(e) If any Note (or portion thereof) surrendered for repurchase shall not be so paid on the
Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, the Principal Amount of such Note (or portion thereof, as the
case may be) shall, until paid, bear interest to the extent permitted by applicable law from the
Fundamental Change Repurchase Date at the rate specified therein, and each Note shall remain
convertible into Common Stock until the Principal Amount of such Note (or portion thereof, as the
case may be) shall have been paid or duly provided for.
(f) Any Note which is to be repurchased only in part shall be surrendered to the Trustee
(with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written
62
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by,
the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and
the Trustee shall authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to the Holder of
such Note without service charge, a new Note or Notes, containing identical terms and conditions,
each in an authorized denomination in aggregate Principal Amount equal to and in exchange for the
unrepurchased portion of the Principal Amount of the Note so surrendered; provided that each such
new Note shall be in Principal Amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof.
(g) All Notes delivered for repurchase shall be delivered to the Trustee to be canceled at the
direction of the Trustee, which shall dispose of the same as provided in Section 2.12.
(h) In connection with any purchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 11.01, the Company will
comply with Rule 13e-4 under the Exchange Act to the extent applicable at that time.
(i) No Notes may be purchased by the Company pursuant to this Section 11.01 if the Principal
Amount of the Notes has been accelerated, and such acceleration has not been rescinded on or prior
to such date.
Section 11.02. Repurchase of Notes at the Option of Holders.
(a) Each Holder shall have the right, at such Holders option, to require the Company to
repurchase such Holders Notes, or any portion thereof that is an integral multiple of $1,000
Principal Amount, in cash, on October 1, 2012, October 1, 2017 and October 1, 2022 (each a Five
Year Repurchase Date), at a repurchase price of 100% of the Principal Amount of the Notes being
repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Five Year Repurchase Date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Five Year Repurchase Date is during the Record Date Period,
then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was
registered at the close of business on the applicable Regular Record Date and the amount of any
such interest to be paid shall be excluded from the repurchase price.
(b) Not less than 20 Business Days prior to each Five Year Repurchase Date, the Company shall
mail or cause to be mailed to all Holders of record on such date (with a copy to the Trustee) a
Five Year Repurchase Notice. No failure of the Company to give the foregoing notices and no defect
therein shall limit the Holders repurchase rights or affect the validity of the proceedings for
the repurchase of the Notes.
(c) To exercise a repurchase right pursuant to this Section 11.02, a Holder shall deliver to
the Paying Agent, during the period beginning 20 Business Days prior to the applicable Five Year
Repurchase Date and ending at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately prior
to the applicable Five Year Repurchase Date, (i) a written notice of repurchase (the Five Year
Repurchase Notice) in the form set forth on the reverse of the Note duly completed (if the Note is
certificated) or stating the following (if the Note is represented by a Global Note): (A) the
certificate number of the Note which the Holder will deliver to be repurchased (if the Note is
certificated) or that the relevant Five Year Repurchase Notice complies with the appropriate
Depositary procedures (if the Note is represented by Global Note), (B) the portion of the Principal
Amount of the Note which the Holder will deliver to be repurchased, which portion must be in
principal amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of
63
$1,000 (provided that the remaining principal amount of Notes not subject to repurchase must
be in an integral multiple of $1,000) and (C) that such Note shall be repurchased as of the Five
Year Repurchase Date pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in the Note and in this
Indenture; together with (ii) such Notes duly endorsed for transfer (if the Note if certificated)
or book entry transfer of such Note (if such Note is represented by a Global Note). The delivery
of such Note to the Paying Agent with, or at any time after delivery of, the Five Year Repurchase
Notice (together with all necessary endorsements) at the office of the Paying Agent shall be a
condition to the receipt by the Holder of the repurchase price therefore; provided, however, that
such repurchase price shall be so paid pursuant to this Section 11.02 only if the Notes so
delivered to the Paying Agent shall conform in all respects to the description thereof in the Five
Year Repurchase Notice. All questions as to the validity, eligibility (including time of receipt)
and acceptance of any Note for repurchase shall be determined by the Company, whose determination
shall be final and binding absent manifest error.
Holders may withdraw such election if such Holder shall deliver to the Paying Agent, at any
time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day immediately prior to the
applicable Five Year Repurchase Date, a notice of withdrawal stating the following: (A) the
certificate numbers of the Notes to be withdrawn (if the Note is certificated) or that the notice
of withdrawal complies with the appropriate Depositary procedures (if the Note is represented by
Global Note), (B) the Principal Amount of the withdrawn Notes and (C) the Principal Amount of Notes
of such Holder, if any, that remains subject to the Five Year Repurchase Notice, which must be in
Principal Amounts of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000.
(d) The Company, if so requested, shall repurchase from the Holder thereof, pursuant to this
Section 11.02, a portion of a Note, if the principal amount of such portion is $1,000 or an
integral multiple of $1,000. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to the repurchase of all of a
Note also apply to the repurchase of such portion of such Note.
(e) No Notes may be redeemed by the Company pursuant to this Section 11.02 if the Principal
Amount of the Notes has been accelerated (other than as a result of a failure to pay the repurchase
price), and such acceleration has not been rescinded on or prior to the applicable Five Year
Repurchase Date.
(f) The Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by it of any Five Year
Repurchase Notice or written notice of withdrawal thereof.
(g) The Company may arrange for a third party to purchase any Notes (provided that the Trustee
is so notified by the Company promptly) for which the Company receives a valid Five Year Repurchase
Notice that is not withdrawn, in the manner and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set
forth herein. If a third party purchases any Notes under these circumstances, interest will
continue to accrue on those Notes and such Notes will continue to be outstanding after the Five
Year Repurchase Date. The third party subsequently may resell such purchased Notes to other
investors.
(h) Any repurchase by the Company contemplated pursuant to the provisions of this Section
11.02 shall be consummated by the delivery of the consideration to be received by the Holder (i) on
the Five Year Repurchase Date if the book-entry transfer or delivery of the Notes to the Paying
Agent is effected prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the Business Day prior to the Five Year
Repurchase Date, and (ii) if delivered later, within two (2) Business Days
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following the time of the book-entry transfer or delivery of the Note. Payment of the
repurchase price for a Note for which a Five Year Repurchase Notice has been delivered and not
withdrawn is conditioned upon book-entry transfer or delivery of the Notes, together with necessary
endorsements, to the Paying Agent.
(i) In connection with any purchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 11.02, the Company will
comply with Rule 13e-4 under the Exchange Act to the extent applicable at that time. If any of the
foregoing provisions or other provisions of this Section 11.02 are inconsistent with applicable
law, such law shall govern.
Section 11.03. Consolidation, Merger, etc.
In the case of any consolidation, merger or combination of the Company with or into any other
Person, any merger of another Person with or into the Company (other than a merger which does not
result in any reclassification, conversion, exchange or cancellation of outstanding shares of
Common Stock of the Company) or any conveyance, sale, transfer or lease of the consolidated assets
of the Company and its Subsidiaries substantially as an entirety to which Section 10.15 applies, in
which the Common Stock of the Company is changed or exchanged as a result into the right to receive
shares of stock and other property or assets (including cash) that includes shares of Common Stock
of the Company or common stock of another Person that are, or upon issuance will be, traded on a
United States national securities exchange or approved for trading on an established automated
over-the-counter trading market in the United States and such shares constitute at the time such
change or exchange becomes effective in excess of 50% of the aggregate fair market value of such
shares of stock and other securities, property and assets (including cash) (as determined by the
Company, which determination shall be conclusive and binding), then the Person formed by such
consolidation or resulting from such merger or combination or which acquires the properties or
assets (including cash) of the Company, as the case may be, shall execute and deliver to the
Trustee a supplemental indenture (which shall comply with the Trust Indenture Act as in force at
the date of execution of such supplemental indenture) modifying the provisions of this Indenture
relating to the right of Holders to cause the Company to repurchase the Notes following a
Fundamental Change, including the applicable provisions of this Article 11 and the definitions of
the Common Stock and Change of Control, as appropriate, and such other related definitions set
forth herein as determined in good faith by the Company (which determination shall be conclusive
and binding), to make such provisions apply in the event of a subsequent Fundamental Change to the
common stock and the issuer thereof if different from the Company and Common Stock of the Company
(in lieu of the Company and the Common Stock of the Company).
ARTICLE 12
Miscellaneous
Section 12.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by
TIA ss. 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.
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Section 12.02. Notices.
Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in
writing and delivered in Person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return
receipt requested), telex, telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to
the others address:
If to the Company:
c/o Charter Communications, Inc.
12405 Powerscourt Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63131
Telecopier No.: (314) 965-8793
Attention: Secretary
With a copy to:
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
Telecopier No.: (212) 351-4008
Attention: Joerg H. Esdorn, Esq.
If to the Trustee:
The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.
Corporate Trust Services
2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1020
Chicago, Illinois 60602
The Company or the Trustee, by notice to the others may designate additional or different
addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been
duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being
deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt
acknowledged, if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if
sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.
Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first class mail, certified or
registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to
its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be
so mailed to any Person described in TIA ss. 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to
mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency
with respect to other Holders.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time
prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
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If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee
and each Agent at the same time.
Section 12.03. Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.
Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA ss. 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their
rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else
shall have the protection of TIA ss. 312(c).
Section 12.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this
Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(a) an Officers Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee
(which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05) stating that, in the opinion of the
signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to
the proposed action have been satisfied; and
(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which
shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05) stating that, in the opinion of such
counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.
Section 12.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided
for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA ss. 314(a)(4)) shall
comply with the provisions of TIA ss. 314(e) and shall include:
(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or
condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon
which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or
investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not
such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or
covenant has been satisfied.
Section 12.06. Tax Treatment of the Notes.
The Company agrees, and by acceptance of a beneficial interest in a Note each Holder and any
Beneficial Owner of a Note shall be deemed to agree, to treat, for United States federal income tax
purposes, the Notes as debt instruments that are subject to Treasury regulation section 1.1275-4 or
any successor provision (the contingent payment regulations). For United States federal income
tax purposes, the Company further agrees, and by acceptance of a beneficial interest in a Note each
Holder and any Beneficial Owner of a Note shall be deemed to
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agree (i) to treat the fair market value of the Common Stock received upon the conversion of a
Note as a contingent payment for purposes of the contingent payment regulations, (ii) to accrue
interest with respect to outstanding Notes as original issue discount for United States federal
income tax purposes (i.e., Tax Original Issue Discount) according to the noncontingent bond
method, set forth in the contingent payment regulations, using the comparable yield of 15%
compounded semi-annually, and (iii) to be bound by the projected payment schedule determined by the
Company pursuant to the contingent payment regulations. Holders or Beneficial Owners may obtain
the issue price, amount of Tax Original Issue Discount, issue date, comparable yield and projected
payment schedule, by submitting a written request for it to the Company at the following address:
Charter Communications, Inc., 12405 Powerscourt Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63131, Attention:
Director of Investor Relations.
The Company acknowledges and agrees, and by acceptance of a beneficial interest in a Note each
Holder and any Beneficial Owner of a Note shall be deemed to acknowledge and agree, that (i) the
comparable yield means the annual yield the Company would pay, as of the Issue Date, on a
noncontingent, nonconvertible, fixed-rate debt instrument with terms and conditions otherwise
similar to those of the Notes and (ii) the comparable yield and the projected payment schedule that
a Holder or Beneficial Owner may obtain as described above do not constitute a representation by
the Company regarding the actual amounts that will be paid on the Notes or the value of the Common
Stock into which the Notes may be converted.
Section 12.07. Rules by Trustee and Agents.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar
or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 12.08. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees, Members and
Stockholders.
No director, officer, employee, incorporator, member or stockholder of the Company, as such,
shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture or for
any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder
of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are
part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.
Section 12.09. Governing Law.
THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE
AND THE NOTES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT
THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY. EACH OF THE PARTIES
HERETO AGREES TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR
PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE NOTES.
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Section 12.10. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the
Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may
not be used to interpret this Indenture.
Section 12.11. Successors.
All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes, as the case may be, shall bind
its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.
Section 12.12. Severability.
In case any provision in this Indenture or the Notes, as the case may be, shall be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions
shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 12.13. Counterpart Originals.
The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an
original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.
Section 12.14. Table of Contents, Headings, etc.
The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this
Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of
this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions.
ARTICLE 13
Satisfaction And Discharge
Section 13.01. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of
registration of transfer or exchange or conversion of Notes herein expressly provided for), and the
Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments
acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, when
(a) either
(i) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Notes which have
been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section
2.08 and (ii) Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or
segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or
discharged from such trust,) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
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(ii) all such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have
become due and payable and the Company has deposited or caused to be deposited with the
Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose an amount sufficient to pay and discharge
the entire indebtedness on such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation, for the Principal Amount (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of
such deposit;
(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company;
and
(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with. Notwithstanding the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to this Article 14, the obligations of the
Company to the Trustee, and the obligations of the Trustee under Section 13.02 shall survive such
satisfaction and discharge.
Section 13.02. Application of Trust Money.
All money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 13.01 shall be held in trust and
applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment,
either directly or through any Paying Agent as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled
thereto, of the Principal Amount (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money
has been deposited with the Trustee.
{Signatures on following page}
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of
the day and year first above written.
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CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. |
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THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST
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SCHEDULE A
Effective Date
1
EXHIBIT A
{FACE OF NOTE}
FOR PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 1272, 1273 AND 1275 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED
(THE CODE), THIS SECURITY IS BEING ISSUED WITH TAX ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT AND THE ISSUE DATE OF
THIS SECURITY IS OCTOBER [ ], 2007. IN ADDITION, THIS SECURITY IS SUBJECT TO UNITED STATES
FEDERAL INCOME TAX REGULATIONS GOVERNING CONTINGENT PAYMENT DEBT INSTRUMENTS. FOR PURPOSES OF
SECTIONS 1272, 1273 AND 1275 OF THE CODE, THE COMPARABLE YIELD OF THIS SECURITY IS 15.00%,
COMPOUNDED SEMI-ANNUALLY (WHICH WILL BE TREATED AS THE YIELD TO MATURITY FOR UNITED STATES FEDERAL
INCOME TAX PURPOSES).
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (THE COMPANY) AGREES, AND BY ACCEPTING A BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
INTEREST IN THIS SECURITY EACH HOLDER AND ANY BENEFICIAL OWNER OF THIS SECURITY WILL BE DEEMED TO
HAVE AGREED, FOR UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES (1) TO TREAT THIS SECURITY AS A DEBT
INSTRUMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO TREAS. REG. SEC. 1.1275-4 (THE CONTINGENT PAYMENT REGULATIONS), (2)
TO TREAT THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF ANY COMMON STOCK RECEIVED UPON ANY CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY AS
A CONTINGENT PAYMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE CONTINGENT PAYMENT REGULATIONS, AND (3) TO ACCRUE INTEREST
WITH RESPECT TO THE SECURITY AS TAX ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT FOR UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX
PURPOSES ACCORDING TO THE NONCONTINGENT BOND METHOD, SET FORTH IN THE CONTINGENT PAYMENT
REGULATIONS, USING THE COMPARABLE YIELD OF 15.00% COMPOUNDED SEMI-ANNUALLY AND THE PROJECTED
PAYMENT SCHEDULE DETERMINED BY THE COMPANY. THE COMPANY AGREES TO PROVIDE PROMPTLY TO THE HOLDER
OF THIS SECURITY, UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, THE ISSUE PRICE, AMOUNT OF TAX ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT,
ISSUE DATE, COMPARABLE YIELD AND PROJECTED PAYMENT SCHEDULE. ANY SUCH WRITTEN REQUEST SHOULD BE
SENT TO THE COMPANY AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC, 12405 POWERSCOURT DRIVE,
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63131, ATTENTION: SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, INVESTOR RELATIONS.
{THE FOLLOWING LEGEND SHALL APPEAR ON THE FACE OF EACH RESTRICTED NOTE:
THIS SECURITY AND THE SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK OF CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (THE
COMPANY) ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION OF THIS SECURITY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER
JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED,
SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE
DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT
SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION.
THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF AGREES TO
OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE
(THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE) WHICH IS TWO YEARS AFTER
THE LAST ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF, ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY
OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS
BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS
THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT (RULE 144A), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS
A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT
PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS
BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, OR (D) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER
AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE
SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANYS AND THE TRUSTEES RIGHT PRIOR
TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (D) TO
REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/OR
OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE
REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE.}
{THE FOLLOWING LEGEND SHALL APPEAR ON THE FACE OF EACH GLOBAL NOTE:
THIS NOTE IS A GLOBAL NOTE WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS
REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, WHICH MAY BE TREATED BY
THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND ANY AGENT THEREOF AS OWNER AND HOLDER OF THIS NOTE FOR ALL PURPOSES.
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST
COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (DTC), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER,
EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH
OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE
& CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY
TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL
INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
A-2
UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE REGISTERED
FORM IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES REFERRED TO IN THE INDENTURE, THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY NOT BE
TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF
THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY
SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.}
A-3
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
6.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027
CUSIP NO. [ ]
No. R-
Principal Amount: ${ }
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the Company, which term includes any
successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter referred to) promises to pay to
or registered assigns, the Principal Amount (as defined in the
Indenture referred to on the reverse side of this Note) on October 1, 2027.
Interest Payment Dates: April 1 and October 1
Regular Record Dates: March 15 and September 15
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse
hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at
this place.
Dated: [ ]
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This is one of the 6.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 referred to in the within-mentioned
Indenture:
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THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
as Trustee |
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Authorized
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{BACK OF NOTE}
6.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027
Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture
referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
1. INTEREST. The Company promises to pay interest on the Principal Amount of this Note at
the rate of 6.50% per annum from October [ ], 2007 until Maturity. The Company will pay
interest semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year (each an Interest Payment
Date), or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day. Interest on
the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest
has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the
payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a Regular Record Date referred to on
the face and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next
succeeding Interest Payment Date. The first Interest Payment Date shall be April 1, 2008. The
Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy
Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1% per
annum in excess of the rate then in effect; and it shall pay interest (including post-petition
interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without
regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent
lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest)
to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the March 15 or
September 15 immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after
such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.13 of
the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to Principal
Amount, premium, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such
purpose within or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment
of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the Note
Register, and provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be
required with respect to principal of and interest and premium on all Global Notes and all other
Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the
Paying Agent. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at
the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
3. PAYING AGENT, REGISTRAR AND CONVERSION AGENT. Initially, The Bank of New York Trust
Company, N.A., the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent, Registrar and Conversion
Agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent, Registrar or Conversion Agent without notice to
any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
4. INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of October [ ],
2007 (the Indenture) between the Company and the Trustee. The terms of the
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Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference
to the TIA. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and
the TIA for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the
express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be
controlling. The Notes are obligations of the Company. The aggregate Principal Amount of Notes
that may be outstanding under the Indenture is unlimited; provided that upon initial issuance, the
aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding shall not exceed $[ ], except as provided
in Section 2.08 of the Indenture.
5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION. Prior to October 1, 2010, the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole
or in part, for cash at a price (the Redemption Price) equal to 100% of the Principal Amount of
such Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such Notes to, but excluding, the
Redemption Date, if the Sale Price of the Common Stock has exceeded, for at least 20 Trading Days
in any consecutive 30 Trading Day period ending on the date the Company gives such notice, 180% of
the Conversion Price on each such Trading Day. Commencing on, and including, October 1, 2010
until, but excluding, October 1, 2012, the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, for
cash at the Redemption Price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such Notes to, but
excluding, the Redemption Date, if the Sale Price of the Common Stock has exceeded, for at least 20
Trading Days in any consecutive 30 Trading Day period ending on the date the Company gives such
notice, 150% of the Conversion Price on each such Trading Day. On and after October 1, 2012, the
Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, for cash at the Redemption Price plus accrued
and unpaid interest, if any, on such Notes to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.
6. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed by first class mail at least 30
days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder whose Notes are to be
redeemed at its registered address. Notices of redemption may not be conditional. No Notes of
$1,000 Principal Amount or less may be redeemed in part. Notes in denominations larger than $1,000
Principal Amount may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000 Principal Amount,
unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and after the Redemption Date,
interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption.
7. MANDATORY REDEMPTION. Except as otherwise provided in Article 11 of the Indenture, the
Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments with respect to the Notes.
8. REPURCHASE AT OPTION OF HOLDER. If a Fundamental Change occurs, the Company shall, in
accordance with the terms of the Indenture, make an offer to repurchase for cash all or any part
(equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of each Holders Notes at a purchase price equal
to 100% of the Principal Amount of the Notes to be purchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest
to but excluding the Fundamental Change Repurchase Date, unless such Fundamental Change Repurchase
Date falls after a Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, in which
case the Company will pay the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest payable on such Interest
Payment Date to the holder of record at the close of business on the corresponding Record Date.
Within 20 days following any Fundamental
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Change, the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or
transactions that constitute the Fundamental Change and offering to repurchase Notes on the
Fundamental Change Repurchase Date specified in such notice, pursuant to the procedures required by
the Indenture and described in such notice.
Each Holder shall have the right, at such Holders option, to require the Company to
repurchase such Holders Notes, or any portion thereof that is an integral multiple of $1,000
Principal Amount, in cash, on October 1, 2012, October 1, 2017 and October 1, 2022, at a repurchase
price of 100% of the Principal Amount of the Notes being repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid
interest to, but excluding, the Five Year Repurchase Date unless such Five Year Repurchase Date
falls after a Record Date and on or prior to the corresponding Interest Payment Date, in which case
the Company will pay the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest payable on such Interest
Payment Date to the holder of record at the close of business on the corresponding Record Date.
Not less than 20 Business Days prior to each Five Year Repurchase Date, the Company shall mail a a
written notice of repurchase in the form set forth on the reverse of this Note.
9. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $1,000 Principal Amount and integral multiples of $1,000 Principal Amount. The
transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The
Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate
endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees
required by law or permitted by the Indenture.
10. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for
all purposes.
11. AMENDMENT AND SUPPLEMENT. The Indenture or the Notes may be amended or supplemented only
as set forth in Article 9 of the Indenture.
12. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Notes shall have the Events of Default set forth in Section
6.01 of the Indenture. In the case of an Event of Default set forth in Section 6.01(f) or (g), the
Principal Amount of all outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or
notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the
Company or the Holders of at least 25% in Principal Amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice
to the Company and the Trustee may declare the Principal Amount of all the Notes to be due and
payable immediately. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the
Indenture. Holders shall have such other rights as set forth in Article 6 of the Indenture.
13. CONVERSION. Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of the Indenture, the
Holder of this Note is entitled, at its option, to convert this Note (or any portion of the
Principal Amount hereof that is an integral multiple of U.S.$1,000, provided that the unconverted
portion of such Principal Amount is U.S.$1,000 or any integral multiple of U.S.$1,000 in excess
thereof) into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock of the Company at an initial
Conversion Rate of [ ] shares of Common Stock for each U.S.$1,000 Principal Amount of
Notes (or at the current adjusted Conversion Rate if an
A-R-7
adjustment has been made as provided in the Indenture), plus the Redemption Make Whole Amount
if required pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.
The Conversion Rate is subject to adjustment as provided in the Indenture.
14. TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may
make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and
may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.
15. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of
the Company, as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the
Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations
or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The
waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes
16. GOVERNING LAW. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO
CONSTRUE THIS NOTE AND THE INDENTURE WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF
LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED
THEREBY.
17. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature
(which may be by facsimile) of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.
18. ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an
assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TENANT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=
joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and
U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
19. CUSIP NUMBERS. No representation is made as to the accuracy of any CUSIP numbers either
as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only
on the other identification numbers placed thereon.
The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the
Indenture. Requests may be made to:
Charter Communications, Inc.
12405 Powerscourt Drive
St. Louis, Missouri 63131
Attention: Secretary
Telecopier No.: (314) 965-0555
A-R-8
Schedule I
[Include Schedule I only for a Global Note]
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
6.50% Convertible Senior Note Due 2027
No.
The initial Principal Amount of this Global Note is $ .
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Authorized Signature |
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Notation Explaining Principal
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Principal Amount
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Amount Recorded
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Custodian |
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A-R-9
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
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(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: |
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(Insert assignees legal name) |
(Insert assignees soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
(Print or type assignees name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint
to transfer this Note on the
books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
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Your Signature: |
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(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) |
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Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the
Trustee). |
A-R-10
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Article 11 of the
Indenture, check below:
| | Purchase pursuant to Article 11
If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to
Article 11 of the Indenture, state the Principal Amount you elect to have purchased:
$
Date:
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Your Signature: |
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(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note) |
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Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the
Trustee). |
A-R-11
CONVERSION NOTICE
The undersigned Holder of this Note hereby irrevocably exercises the option to convert this
Note, or any portion of the Principal Amount hereof (which is U.S.$1,000 or an integral multiple of
U.S.$1,000 in excess thereof, provided that the unconverted portion of such Principal Amount is
U.S. $1,000 or any integral multiple of U.S. $1,000 in excess thereof) below designated, into
shares of Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this Note, and
directs that such shares, together with a check in payment for any fractional share, any other
amounts payable to the Holder in connection with such conversion and any Notes representing any
unconverted Principal Amount hereof, be delivered to and be registered in the name of the
undersigned unless a different name has been indicated below. If shares of Common Stock or Notes
are to be registered in the name of a Person other than the undersigned, (a) the undersigned will
pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto and (b) signature(s) must be guaranteed by an
Eligible Guarantor Institution with membership in an approved signature guarantee program pursuant
to Rule 17Ad-15 under the Notes Exchange Act of 1934. Any amount required to be paid by the
undersigned on account of interest accompanies this Note.
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If shares or Notes are to be registered in the
name of a Person other than the Holder, please
print such Persons name and address: |
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Social Security or other Identification Number, if any
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If only a portion of the Notes is to be converted, please indicate:
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Principal Amount to be converted: U.S. $ |
A-R-12
2. |
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Principal Amount and denomination of Notes representing unconverted principal amount to be
issued: |
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Amount: U.S. $ Denominations: U.S. $ |
(U.S.$1,000 or any integral multiple of U.S.$1,000 in excess thereof, provided that the unconverted
portion of such Principal Amount is U.S. $1,000 or any integral multiple of U.S. $1,000 in excess
thereof)
A-R-13
FIVE YEAR REPURCHASE NOTICE
The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby irrevocably acknowledges receipt of a
notice from Charter Communications, Inc. (the Company") regarding the right of Holders to elect to
require the Company to repurchase the Notes and requests and instructs the Company to repay the
entire principal amount of this Note, or the portion thereof (which is $1,000 or an integral
multiple thereof) below designated, in cash, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture at the
price of 100% of such entire principal amount or portion thereof, together with accrued and unpaid
interest to, but excluding, the Five Year Repurchase Date, to the registered holder hereof.
Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the
Indenture. The Notes shall be repurchased by the Company as of the Five Year Repurchase Date,
pursuant to the terms and conditions specified in the Indenture.
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Social Security or other Identification Number, if any
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If only a portion of the Notes are to be repurchased, please indicate:
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Principal Amount to be repurchased: U.S. $ |
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Principal Amount and denomination of Notes representing unrepurchased Principal Amount to be
issued: |
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Amount: U.S. $ Denominations: U.S. $ |
(U.S.$1,000 or any integral multiple of U.S.$1,000 in excess thereof, provided that the
unrepurchased portion of such Principal Amount is U.S. $1,000 or any integral multiple of U.S.
$1,000 in excess thereof)
A-R-14
ANNEX A FORM OF RESTRICTED NOTES CERTIFICATE
RESTRICTED NOTES CERTIFICATE
(For transfers pursuant to Section 2.07(b)(ii) and 2.07(b)(iii) of the Indenture)
The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.
2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1020
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Attention: Corporate Trust Services
Fax: [ ]
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Re: 6.50% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES DUE 2027 OF CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (THE NOTES) |
Reference is made to the Indenture, dated as of October [ ], 2007 (the Indenture), from
Charter Communications, Inc. (the Company) to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as
Trustee. Terms used herein and defined in the Indenture or Rule 144 under the U.S. Securities Act
of 1933 (the Securities Act) are used herein as so defined.
This certificate relates to U.S. $ Principal Amount of Notes, which are
evidenced by the following certificate(s) (the Specified Notes):
CUSIP No. [ ]
CERTIFICATE No(s).
The person in whose name this certificate is executed below (the Undersigned) hereby
certifies that either (i) it is the sole beneficial owner of the Specified Notes or (ii) it is
acting on behalf of all the beneficial owners of the Specified Notes and is duly authorized by them
to do so. Such beneficial owner or owners are referred to herein collectively as the Owner. If
the Specified Notes are represented by a Global Note, they are held through the Depositary or an
Agent Member in the name of the Undersigned, as or on behalf of the Owner. If the Specified Notes
are not represented by a Global Note, they are registered in the name of the Undersigned, as or on
behalf of the Owner.
The Owner has requested that the Specified Notes be transferred to a person (the Transferee)
who will take delivery in the form of a Restricted Note. In connection with such transfer, the
Owner hereby certifies that such transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act or it is being effected in accordance with Rule 144A, or
pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act (if available) or Rule 144
under the Securities Act and all applicable laws of the states of the United States and other
jurisdictions. Accordingly, the Owner hereby further certifies as follows:
(1) Rule 144A Transfers. If the transfer is being effected in accordance with Rule 144A:
(A) the Specified Notes are being transferred to a person that the Owner and any person
acting on its behalf reasonably believe is a qualified institutional buyer within the
meaning of Rule 144A, acquiring for its own account or for the account of a qualified
institutional buyer; and
(B) the Owner and any person acting on its behalf have taken reasonable steps to ensure
that the Transferee is aware that the Owner may be relying on Rule 144A in connection with
the transfer; and
(2) Rule 144 Transfers. If the transfer is being effected pursuant to Rule 144:
(A) the transfer is occurring after a holding period of at least one year (computed in
accordance with paragraph (d) of Rule 144) has elapsed since the date the Specified Notes
were acquired from the Company or from an affiliate (as such term is defined in Rule 144) of
the Company, whichever is later, and is being effected in accordance with the applicable
amount, manner of sale and notice requirements of paragraphs (e), (f) and (h) of Rule 144;
or
(B) the transfer is occurring after a period of at least two years has elapsed since
the date the Specified Notes were acquired from the Company or from an affiliate (as such
term is defined in Rule 144) of the Company, whichever is later, and the Owner is not, and
during the preceding three months has not been, an affiliate of the Company.
(3) Transfers Pursuant to Other Securities Act Exemptions. If the transfer is being effected
pursuant to a Securities Act exemption other than ones set forth in (1) or (2) above, there shall
be delivered to the Company an opinion of counsel with respect to such Owners.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit
of the Company.
Print the name of the Undersigned, as such term is defined in the second paragraph of this
certificate.)
(If the Undersigned is a corporation, partnership or fiduciary, the title of the person signing on
behalf of the Undersigned must be stated.)
2
ANNEX B FORM OF UNRESTRICTED NOTES CERTIFICATE
UNRESTRICTED NOTES CERTIFICATE
(For removal of Restricted Notes Legend pursuant to Section 2.07(c))
The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.
2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1020
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Attention: Corporate Trust Services
Fax: [ ]
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RE: 6.50% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES DUE 2027 OF CHARTER
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. (THE NOTES) |
Reference is made to the Indenture, dated as of October [ ], 2007 (the Indenture), from
Charter Communications, Inc. (the Company) to The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as
Trustee. Terms used herein and defined in the Indenture or in Rule 144 under the U.S. Securities
Act of 1933 (the Securities Act) are used herein as so defined.
This certificate relates to U.S.$ Principal Amount of Notes, which are
evidenced by the following certificate(s) (the Specified Notes):
CUSIP No. [ ]
CERTIFICATE No(s).
The person in whose name this certificate is executed below (the Undersigned) hereby
certifies that either (i) it is the sole beneficial owner of the Specified Notes or (ii) it is
acting on behalf of all the beneficial owners of the Specified Notes and is duly authorized by them
to do so. Such beneficial owner or owners are referred to herein collectively as the Owner. If
the Specified Notes are represented by a Global Note, they are held through the Depositary or an
Agent Member in the name of the Undersigned, as or on behalf of the Owner. If the Specified Notes
are not represented by a Global Note, they are registered in the name of the Undersigned, as or on
behalf of the Owner.
The Owner has requested that the Specified Notes be exchanged for Notes bearing no Restricted
Notes Legend pursuant to Section 2.07(c) of the Indenture. In connection with such exchange, the
Owner hereby certifies that the exchange is occurring (i) pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act, or (ii) after a period of at least two years has elapsed since
the date the Specified Notes were acquired from the Company or from an affiliate (as such term is
defined in Rule 144) of the Company, whichever is later, and the Owner is not, and during the
preceding three months has not been, an affiliate of the Company. The Owner also acknowledges that
any future transfers of the Specified Notes must comply with all applicable Notes laws of the
states of the United States and other jurisdictions.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit
of the Company.
Print the name of the Undersigned, as such term is defined in the second paragraph of this
certificate.)
(If the Undersigned is a corporation, partnership or fiduciary, the title of the person
signing on behalf of the Undersigned must be stated.)
2
ANNEX C FORM OF SURRENDER CERTIFICATE
In connection with the certification contemplated by Section 10.02 relating to compliance with
certain restrictions relating to transfers of Restricted Notes, such certification shall be
provided substantially in the form of the following certificate, with only such changes thereto as
shall be approved by the Company:
CERTIFICATE
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
6.50% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES DUE 2027
This is to certify that as of the date hereof with respect to U.S.$
Principal Amount of the above-captioned Notes surrendered on the date hereof (the Surrendered
Notes) for registration of transfer, or for conversion or repurchase where the Notes issuable upon
such conversion or repurchase are to be registered in a name other than that of the undersigned
Holder (each such transaction being a transfer), the undersigned Holder (as defined in the
Indenture) certifies that the transfer of Surrendered Notes associated with such transfer complies
with the restrictive legend set forth on the face of the Surrendered Notes for the reason checked
below:
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The transfer of the Surrendered Notes is being made pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act; or |
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The transfer of the Surrendered Notes complies with Rule 144A under
the Securities Act; or |
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The transfer of the Surrendered Notes complies with Rule 144 under
the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
Securities Act); or |
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The transfer of the Surrendered Notes has been made pursuant to an
exemption from registration under the Securities Act and an opinion
of counsel has been delivered to the Company with respect to such
transfer. |
{Name of Holder}
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To be dated the date of surrender |
EX-23.3
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board
of Directors
Charter Communications, Inc.:
We consent
to the use of our reports dated February 27, 2007 with respect to the consolidated financial statements,
managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Charter Communications, Inc. and
subsidiaries (the Company), incorporated by reference herein and to the reference to our firm under
the headings Summary Consolidated Financial Data and Experts in the registration statement.
Our reports with respect thereto contain an explanatory paragraph that as discussed in Note 7 to
the consolidated financial statements, effective September 30, 2004, the Company adopted EITF Topic
D-108, Use of the Residual Method to Value Acquired Assets Other than Goodwill.
/s/
KPMG LLP
St. Louis,
Missouri
September 13, 2007
EX-99.1
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC
Offer to Exchange any and all of the $412,500,000 Principal
Amount Outstanding of
Charter Communications, Inc.s
5.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2009
(CUSIP Nos. 16117MAE7 and 16117MAD9)
Pursuant to the Exchange Offer Prospectus
Dated September 14, 2007
This Exchange Offer will expire at 11:59 P.M., New York
City time, on September 27, 2007, unless extended or
earlier terminated (such date, as the same may be extended or
earlier terminated, the Expiration Date). Holders of
Old Notes (as defined below) must tender their Old Notes for
exchange on or prior to the Expiration Date to receive the
Exchange Consideration (as defined below).
The Information Agent for the Exchange Offer is:
Global Bondholder Services Corporation
65 Broadway Suite 723
New York, New York 10006
Attn: Corporate Actions
Banks and Brokers call: (212) 430-3774
Toll free (866) 470-3700
The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:
Global Bondholder Services Corporation
By facsimile:
(For Eligible Guarantor Institutions only):
(212) 430-3775
(provide call back telephone number
on fax cover sheet for confirmation)
Confirmation:
(212) 430-3774
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By Mail: |
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By Overnight Courier: |
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By Hand: |
65 Broadway Suite 723 |
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65 Broadway Suite 723 |
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65 Broadway Suite 723 |
New York, NY 10006 |
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New York, NY 10006 |
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New York, NY 10006 |
DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS, OR
TRANSMISSION VIA FACSIMILE, OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL
NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.
The Instructions contained herein should be read carefully
before this Letter of Transmittal is completed.
HOLDERS THAT WISH TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE EXCHANGE
CONSIDERATION PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER MUST VALIDLY TENDER
(AND NOT VALIDLY WITHDRAW) THEIR OLD NOTES TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT
PRIOR TO 11:59 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION
DATE.
All capitalized terms used herein and not defined shall have the
meaning ascribed to them in the Exchange Offer Prospectus,
dated September 14, 2007 (as the same may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, the Exchange Offer
Prospectus).
This Letter of Transmittal (this Letter of
Transmittal) is to be used by holders (the
Holders) of Charter Communications, Inc.s
(Charter) 5.875% convertible senior notes due 2009
(the Old Notes) if certificates representing such
Old Notes are to be physically delivered to the Exchange Agent
herewith by such Holders.
Alternatively, participants of The Depository Trust Company
(DTC) must, in lieu of physically completing and
signing this Letter of Transmittal and delivering it to the
Exchange Agent, electronically accept the Exchange Offer and
tender the Old Notes for exchange through the DTC Automated
Tender Offer Program (ATOP) as set forth under
Description of the Exchange Offer Procedure
for Tendering Old Notes in the Exchange Offer Prospectus.
Holders tendering their Old Notes for exchange by book-entry
transfer to the Exchange Agents account at DTC must
execute the tender through ATOP, for which the transaction will
be eligible. DTC participants that are accepting the Exchange
Offer must transmit their acceptance to DTC which will verify
the acceptance and execute a book-entry delivery to the Exchange
Agents account at DTC. DTC will then send an Agents
Message to the Exchange Agent for its acceptance. Delivery of
the Agents Message by DTC will satisfy the terms of the
Exchange Offer as to execution and delivery of a Letter of
Transmittal by the participant identified in the Agents
Message.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER IS NOT BEING MADE TO (NOR WILL ANY TENDER OF
OLD NOTES FOR EXCHANGE BE ACCEPTED FROM OR ON BEHALF OF)
HOLDERS IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE MAKING OR ACCEPTANCE OF
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WOULD NOT BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAWS OF
SUCH JURISDICTION.
Your bank or broker can assist you in completing this form. The
instructions included with this Letter of Transmittal must be
followed. Any requests for assistance in connection with the
Exchange Offer or for additional copies of the Exchange Offer
Prospectus or this Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the
Information Agent. Any additional questions regarding the
Exchange Offer should be directed to either of the Dealer
Managers. Contact information for the Information Agent and the
Dealer Managers is set forth at the end of this Letter of
Transmittal. See Instruction 11 below.
METHOD OF DELIVERY
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Check here if Certificates for Old Notes tendered for exchange
are enclosed herewith. |
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Check here if Old Notes tendered for exchange are being
delivered by book-entry transfer made to the account maintained
by the Exchange Agent with DTC and complete the following: |
Name of Tendering Institution:
Account Number:
Transaction Code Number:
2
List below the Old Notes to which this Letter of Transmittal
relates. If the space provided is inadequate, list certificate
numbers and principal amounts on a separately executed schedule
and affix the schedule to this Letter of Transmittal. Tender of
Old Notes for exchange will be accepted only in principal
amounts equal to $1,000 or integral multiples thereof.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE OLD NOTES |
Name(s) and Address(es) of |
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Holder(s) (Please Fill in, if |
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Aggregate Principal |
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Principal Amount |
Your Certificate is Blank) |
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Certificate Numbers* |
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Amount Represented** |
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Tendered for Exchange |
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Total: |
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* Need not be completed by Holders tendering by
book-entry transfer (see below). |
** Unless otherwise indicated in the column labeled
Principal Amount Tendered for Exchange and subject
to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer Prospectus, a
Holder will be deemed to have tendered the entire aggregate
principal amount represented by the Old Notes indicated in the
column labeled Aggregate Principal Amount
Represented. See Instruction 3. |
3
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Ladies and Gentlemen:
By execution hereof, the undersigned acknowledges receipt of the
Exchange Offer Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal and
instructions hereto (the Letter of Transmittal and,
together with the Exchange Offer Prospectus, the Exchange
Offer) relating to the offer by Charter Communications
Holding Company, LLC (the Offeror) to pay up to
$793,443,000 principal amount of Charters 6.50%
convertible senior notes due 2027 (the New Notes) to
Holders of any and all of Charters $412,500,000 principal
amount outstanding 5.875% convertible senior notes due 2009
(CUSIP Nos. 16117MAE7 and 16117MAD9, the Old
Notes) who elect to exchange their Old Notes upon the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Exchange
Offer Prospectus.
The Exchange Offer is conditioned on a minimum amount of
$75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Old Notes being
tendered. The Exchange Offer is also conditioned upon the
Average Price being more than or equal to $2.00 and less than or
equal to $4.35.
The Exchange Consideration per $1,000 principal
amount of Old Notes accepted for exchange will be an amount of
New Notes determined based on the Average Price (as defined
below) of Charters Class A common stock as set forth
in the table below. In addition to the Exchange Consideration,
the Offeror will pay accrued interest on the Old Notes from and
including the last interest payment date (which was May 16,
2007) up to, but not including, the Settlement Date.
Average Price means the arithmetic average of the
daily volume-weighted average price of Charters
Class A common stock for the ten trading days prior to and
including the second business day before the Expiration Date,
rounded to four decimal places. For each of the trading days in
the average period, the volume-weighted average price of
Charters Class A common stock will be determined by
reference to the Bloomberg, L.P. screen CHTR lEquityL
AQR (or any successor page) during regular market hours.
The initial conversion price for the New Notes will be the
Average Price multiplied by 1.3 (examples of which are set forth
in the table below). The initial conversion rate will be $1,000
divided by the conversion price, rounded to four decimal places.
If the Average Price is between two prices shown in the table
below, the principal amount of New Notes to be issued per $1,000
principal amount of Old Notes tendered will be calculated using
straight-line interpolation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Amount of New |
|
|
Average Price of |
|
Notes to be Issued per |
|
Terms of the New Notes |
Charters Class A |
|
$1,000 Principal Amount |
|
|
Common Stock |
|
of Old Notes Tendered |
|
Conversion Price |
|
Conversion Rate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.00 |
|
|
$ |
1,110.62 |
|
|
$ |
2.60 |
|
|
|
384.6154 |
|
$ |
2.20 |
|
|
$ |
1,173.25 |
|
|
$ |
2.86 |
|
|
|
349.6503 |
|
$ |
2.40 |
|
|
$ |
1,239.65 |
|
|
$ |
3.12 |
|
|
|
320.5128 |
|
$ |
2.60 |
|
|
$ |
1,309.13 |
|
|
$ |
3.38 |
|
|
|
295.8580 |
|
$ |
2.80 |
|
|
$ |
1,381.10 |
|
|
$ |
3.64 |
|
|
|
274.7253 |
|
$ |
3.00 |
|
|
$ |
1,451.68 |
|
|
$ |
3.90 |
|
|
|
256.4103 |
|
$ |
3.20 |
|
|
$ |
1,521.73 |
|
|
$ |
4.16 |
|
|
|
240.3846 |
|
$ |
3.40 |
|
|
$ |
1,592.26 |
|
|
$ |
4.42 |
|
|
|
226.2443 |
|
$ |
3.60 |
|
|
$ |
1,662.60 |
|
|
$ |
4.68 |
|
|
|
213.6752 |
|
$ |
3.80 |
|
|
$ |
1,733.33 |
|
|
$ |
4.94 |
|
|
|
202.4291 |
|
$ |
4.00 |
|
|
$ |
1,802.82 |
|
|
$ |
5.20 |
|
|
|
192.3077 |
|
$ |
4.20 |
|
|
$ |
1,872.80 |
|
|
$ |
5.46 |
|
|
|
183.1502 |
|
$ |
4.35 |
|
|
$ |
1,923.50 |
|
|
$ |
5.66 |
|
|
|
176.8347 |
|
The New Notes will be issued only in minimum denominations and
integral multiples of $1,000. If, under the terms of the
Exchange Offer, any tendering Holder is entitled to receive New
Notes in a principal amount that is not an integral multiple
$1,000, the Offeror will round downward the amount of New Notes
to the nearest integral multiple of $1,000.
The Settlement Date in respect of any Old Notes that
are validly tendered for exchange and not validly withdrawn is
expected to be not later than the fourth business day following
the Expiration Date. Holders tendering their Old Notes for
exchange after 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date will not be eligible to receive the Exchange
Consideration.
4
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange
Offer, the undersigned hereby tenders for exchange pursuant to
the Exchange Offer the Old Notes that are being tendered hereby,
subject to the acceptance of the Old Notes for exchange and
payment of the related Exchange Consideration. The undersigned
hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent
the true and lawful agent and
attorney-in-fact of the
undersigned (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent also
acts as the agent of the Offeror) with respect to such Old
Notes, with full power of substitution (such
power-of-attorney being
deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest) to
(1) present such Old Notes and all evidences of transfer
and authenticity to, or effect the exchange of, such Old Notes
on the account books maintained by DTC to, or upon the order of,
the Offeror, (2) present such Old Notes for exchange on the
books of the Offeror and (3) receive all benefits and
otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such
Old Notes.
The undersigned understands that tenders of Old Notes for
exchange pursuant to any of the procedures described in the
Exchange Offer Prospectus and in the instructions hereto and
acceptance thereof by the Offeror will constitute a binding
agreement between the undersigned and the Offeror upon the terms
and subject to the conditions to the Exchange Offer as set forth
in the Exchange Offer Prospectus.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the
undersigned has full power and authority to tender for exchange
the Old Notes tendered hereby, and that when such Old Notes are
accepted for exchange and payment of the Exchange Consideration
by the Offeror, such Old Notes will be free and clear of all
liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to
any adverse claim or right, and may, at the Offerors
option, be duly cancelled. The undersigned will, upon request,
execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the
Exchange Agent or by the Offeror to be necessary or desirable to
complete the exchange of the Old Notes tendered hereby.
For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the undersigned understands
that the Offeror will be deemed to have accepted for exchange
validly tendered Old Notes (or defectively tendered Old Notes
with respect to which the Offeror has waived such defect) if, as
and when the Offeror gives oral or written notice thereof to the
Exchange Agent.
The undersigned understands that, notwithstanding any other
provision of the Exchange Offer, the Offerors obligation
to accept Old Notes for exchange, and to pay the related
Exchange Consideration is subject to, and conditioned upon, the
satisfaction of or, where applicable, the Offerors waiver
of, the conditions to the Exchange Offer as set forth in the
Exchange Offer Prospectus.
Any Old Notes not accepted for exchange will be returned
promptly to the undersigned at the address set forth above,
unless otherwise indicated herein under Special Delivery
Instructions below. The Offeror reserves the right, in its
sole discretion, to waive any one or more of the conditions to
the Exchange Offer at any time as set forth in the Exchange
Offer Prospectus under the caption Description of the
Exchange Offer Conditions to the Exchange
Offer.
All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by this Letter
of Transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the
undersigned and any obligation of the undersigned under this
Letter of Transmittal shall be binding upon the
undersigneds heirs, personal representatives, executors,
administrators, successors, assigns, trustees in bankruptcy and
legal representatives.
The undersigned understands that any delivery and tender of any
Old Notes is not effective, and the risk of loss of the Old
Notes does not pass to the Exchange Agent, until receipt by the
Exchange Agent of this Letter of Transmittal (or a manually
signed facsimile hereof), properly completed and duly executed,
or a properly transmitted Agents Message together with all
accompanying evidences of authority and any other required
documents in form satisfactory to the Offeror. All questions as
to the form of all documents and the validity (including time of
receipt) and acceptance of tenders and withdrawals of Old Notes
will be determined by the Offeror, in its sole discretion, which
determination shall be final and binding.
Unless otherwise indicated herein under Special Issuance
Instructions, the undersigned hereby requests that
(1) any Old Notes representing principal amounts not
tendered or not accepted for exchange be issued in the name of
the undersigned (and in the case of Old Notes tendered by
book-entry transfer be credited to the account at DTC designated
above) and (2) Exchange Consideration made in connection
with the Exchange Offer be issued to the order of, and delivered
to, the undersigned. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated
herein under Special Delivery Instructions, the
undersigned requests that any certificates representing the New
Notes issued upon exchange of Old
5
Notes and Old Notes representing principal amounts not tendered
or not accepted for exchange be delivered to the undersigned at
the address shown above.
In the event that the Special Issuance Instructions
box or Special Delivery Instructions box is, or both
are, completed, the undersigned hereby requests that
(1) any Old Notes representing principal amounts not
properly tendered or not accepted for exchange be issued in the
name(s) of, and/or (2) certificates for such New Notes be
issued in the name(s) of, and be delivered to, the person(s) at
the address so indicated, as applicable. The undersigned
recognizes that the Offeror has no obligation pursuant to the
Special Issuance Instructions box or Special
Delivery Instructions box to transfer any Old Notes from
the names of the registered Holder(s) thereof if the Offeror
does not accept for exchange any of the principal amount of such
Old Notes so tendered.
6
PLEASE SIGN ON THIS PAGE
(To be completed by all Holders tendering Old Notes for
exchange
regardless of whether Old Notes are being physically
delivered herewith)
This Letter of Transmittal must be signed by the registered
Holder(s) of Old Notes exactly as their name(s) appear(s)
on certificate(s) for Old Notes or, if tendered by a DTC
participant, exactly as such participants name
appears on a security position listing as the owner of Old
Notes, or by person(s) authorized to become registered Holder(s)
by endorsements and documents transmitted with this Letter of
Transmittal. If signature is by a trustee, executor,
administrator, guardian,
attorney-in-fact,
officer or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity, such person must set forth his or her full title
below under Capacity and submit evidence
satisfactory to the Offeror of such persons authority to
so act. See Instruction 4.
If the signature appearing below is not of the registered
Holder(s) of the Old Notes, then the registered Holder(s) must
sign a proxy, which signature must be guaranteed by an Eligible
Institution.
Signature(s) of Registered Holder(s) or Authorized
Signatory
Name(s):
(Please Print)
Capacity:
Address:
(Including Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone No.:
Tax Identification or Social Security No.:
IMPORTANT: COMPLETE FORM
W-9 HEREIN OR
APPLICABLE FORM W-8
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE (See Instruction 4 below)
Certain Signatures Must be Guaranteed by a Medallion
Signature Guarantor
(Name of Eligible Institution Guaranteeing Signatures)
(Address (including zip code) and Telephone Number (including
area code) of Firm)
(Authorized Signature)
(Title)
7
SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 3, 4, 5 and 7)
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Old Notes in a
principal amount not tendered or not accepted for exchange are
to be issued in the name of, or payment for the Exchange
Consideration is to be made to, someone other than the person or
persons whose signature(s) appear(s) within this Letter of
Transmittal, or if Old Notes tendered by book-entry transfer
that are not accepted for exchange are to be credited to an
account maintained at DTC other than the account designated
above.
Issue: o Old
Notes
o Exchange
Consideration
(check as applicable)
Name:
(Please Print)
Address:
(Include Zip Code)
(Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number)
(Such person(s) must properly complete the
Form W-9
herein, a Form W-8BEN, a Form W-8ECI or a
Form W-8IMY, as applicable)
Credit unpurchased Old Notes by book-entry to the DTC account
set forth below:
DTC
(DTC Account Number)
Number of Account Party:
SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 3, 4, 5 and 7)
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Old Notes in a
principal amount not tendered or not accepted for exchange or
payment for the Exchange Consideration is to be sent to someone
other than the person or persons whose signature(s) appear(s)
within this Letter of Transmittal or to such person or
persons at an address different from that shown in the box
entitled Description of the Old Notes within this
Letter of Transmittal.
Issue: o Old
Notes
o Exchange
Consideration
(check as applicable)
Name:
(Please Print)
Address:
(Include Zip Code)
(Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number)
(Such person(s) must properly complete the
Form W-9
herein, a Form W-8BEN, a Form W-8ECI or a
Form W-8IMY, as applicable)
8
INSTRUCTIONS
Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Offer
1. Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal and
Certificates for Old Notes or Book-Entry Confirmations. To
tender Old Notes for exchange in the Exchange Offer, physical
delivery of certificates for Old Notes or a confirmation of any
book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agents account with
DTC of Old Notes tendered electronically, as well as a properly
completed and duly executed copy of this Letter of Transmittal
or, in the case of book-entry delivery, an Agents Message
through the ATOP facility at DTC, and any other documents
required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the
Exchange Agent at its address set forth herein prior to
11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date in
order to receive the Exchange Consideration. The method of
delivery of this Letter of Transmittal, Old Notes, and all other
required documents to the Exchange Agent is at the election and
risk of Holders. If such delivery is by mail, it is suggested
that Holders use properly insured registered mail with return
receipt requested, and that the mailing be made sufficiently in
advance of the Expiration Date to permit delivery to the
Exchange Agent prior to such date. Except as otherwise provided
below, the delivery will be deemed made when actually received
or confirmed by the Exchange Agent. This Letter of Transmittal
and the Old Notes should be sent only to the Exchange Agent, not
to the Offeror, the Trustee, the Dealer Managers, the
Information Agent or DTC.
2. Withdrawal of Tendered Old Notes. Old Notes
tendered for exchange may be validly withdrawn at any time up
until 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration
Date. In the event of a termination of the Exchange Offer, the
Old Notes tendered for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer
will be promptly returned to the tendering Holder.
Holders who wish to exercise their right of withdrawal with
respect to the Exchange Offer must give written notice of
withdrawal delivered by mail, hand delivery or manually signed
facsimile transmission, which notice must be received by the
Exchange Agent at its address set forth on the first page of
this Letter of Transmittal on the Expiration Date or at such
other permissible times as are described herein or, in case of
book-entry transfer, by a properly transmitted Request
Message through ATOP. For a withdrawal of Old Notes
tendered for exchange to be effective, a notice of withdrawal
must specify the name of the person who deposited the Old Notes
to be withdrawn (the Depositor), the name in which
the Old Notes are registered (or, if tendered by book-entry
transfer, the name of the participant in DTC whose name appears
on the security position listing as the owner of such Old
Notes), if different from that of the Depositor, and the
principal amount of Old Notes to be withdrawn. If certificates
have been delivered or otherwise identified (through
confirmation of book-entry transfer of such Old Notes) to the
Exchange Agent, the name of the Holder and the certificate
number or numbers relating to such Old Notes withdrawn must also
be furnished to the Exchange Agent as aforesaid prior to the
physical release of the certificates for the withdrawn Old Notes
(or, in the case of Old Notes transferred by book-entry
transfer, the name and number of the account at DTC to be
credited with withdrawn Old Notes). The notice of withdrawal
must be signed by the Holder in the same manner as this Letter
of Transmittal (including, in any case, any required signature
guarantee(s)), or be accompanied by (x) documents of
transfer sufficient to have the Trustee register the transfer of
the Old Notes into the name of the person withdrawing such Old
Notes and (y) a properly completed irrevocable proxy that
authorized such person to effect such revocation on behalf of
such Holder. If the Old Notes to be withdrawn have been
delivered or otherwise identified to the Exchange Agent, a
signed notice of withdrawal is effective immediately upon
written or facsimile notice of withdrawal even if physical
release is not yet effected. Any Old Notes properly withdrawn
will be deemed to be not validly tendered for exchange for
purposes of the Exchange Offer.
Withdrawal of Old Notes can be accomplished only in accordance
with the foregoing procedures.
All questions as to the validity (including time of receipt) of
notices of withdrawal will be determined by the Offeror in the
Offerors sole discretion and the Offerors
determinations shall be final and binding. None of the Offeror,
the Exchange Agent, the Dealer Managers, the Information Agent,
the Trustee or any other person will be under any duty to give
notification of any defects or irregularities in any notice of
withdrawal, or incur any liability for failure to give any such
notification.
9
3. Partial Tenders. Old Notes tendered pursuant to
the Exchange Offer will be accepted only in principal amounts
equal to $1,000 or integral multiples thereof. If less than the
entire principal amount of any Old Notes evidenced by a
submitted certificate is tendered, the tendering Holder must
fill in the principal amount tendered in the last column of the
box entitled Description of the Old Notes herein.
The entire principal amount represented by the certificates for
all Old Notes delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to
have been tendered, unless otherwise indicated. The entire
principal amount of all Old Notes not tendered for exchange or
not accepted for exchange will be sent (or, if tendered by
book-entry transfer, returned by credit to the account at DTC
designated herein) to the Holder unless otherwise provided in
the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal (see
Instruction 5), promptly after the Old Notes are accepted
for exchange.
4. Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal, Bond Powers
and Endorsement; Guarantee of Signatures. If this Letter of
Transmittal is signed by the registered Holder(s) of the Old
Notes tendered for exchange hereby, the signature(s) must
correspond exactly with the name(s) as written on the face of
the certificate(s) without any change whatsoever.
If any of the Old Notes tendered for exchange hereby are owned
of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign
this Letter of Transmittal. If any Old Notes tendered for
exchange are registered in different names on several
certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit
as many separate copies of this Letter of Transmittal and any
necessary accompanying documents as there are different names in
which certificates are held.
If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificates or bond powers
are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians,
attorneys-in-fact,
officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when
signing, and proper evidence satisfactory to the Offeror of
their authority so to act must be submitted with this Letter of
Transmittal.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered
Holder(s) of the Old Notes listed and transmitted hereby, no
endorsements of certificates or separate bond powers are
required unless payment is to be made to, or certificates for
Old Notes not tendered or not accepted for purchase are to be
issued to, a person other than the registered Holder(s).
Signatures on such certificates or bond powers must be
guaranteed as provided below.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than
the registered Holder(s) of the Old Notes listed, the
certificates representing such Old Notes must be properly
endorsed for transfer by the registered Holder or be accompanied
by a properly completed bond power from the registered Holder(s)
in form satisfactory to the Offeror.
Signatures on all Letters of Transmittal must be guaranteed by a
participant in a recognized Medallion Signature Program unless
the Old Notes tendered for exchange thereby are tendered
(1) by a registered Holder of Old Notes (or by a
participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position
listing as the owner of such Old Notes) who has not completed
the box marked Special Issuance Instructions or the
box marked Special Delivery Instructions in this
Letter of Transmittal, or (2) for the account of an
Eligible Institution. If the Old Notes are registered in the
name of a person other than the signer of the Letter of
Transmittal or if Old Notes not accepted for exchange or not
tendered for exchange are to be returned to a person other than
the registered Holder, then the signatures on the Letters of
Transmittal accompanying the tendered Old Notes must be
guaranteed by a Medallion Signature Guarantor as described above.
5. Special Issuance and Special Delivery
Instructions. Holders tendering Old Notes for exchange
should indicate in the applicable box or boxes the name and
address to which (1) Old Notes for principal amounts not
tendered for exchange or not accepted for exchange and/or
(2) the Exchange Consideration is to be issued or sent, if
different from the name and address of the registered Holder
signing this Letter of Transmittal. In the case of issuance in a
different name, the taxpayer identification or Social Security
number of the person named must also be indicated and such
person must properly complete a
Form W-9, a
Form W-8BEN, a
Form W-8ECI or a
Form W-8IMY, as
applicable. If no instructions are given, the Exchange
Consideration will be issued and Old Notes not tendered or not
accepted for exchange will be returned, to the Holder of the Old
Notes tendered. Any Holder tendering Old Notes for exchange by
10
book-entry transfer may request that the Exchange Consideration
issued upon exchange of Old Notes and Old Notes not tendered for
exchange or not accepted for exchange be credited to such
account at DTC as such Holder may designate under the caption
Special Issuance Instructions. If no such
instructions are given, the Exchange Consideration will be
issued and any such Old Notes not tendered for exchange or not
accepted for exchange will be returned, by crediting the account
at DTC designated above.
6. Taxpayer Identification Number. Each Holder that
is a U.S. person tendering Old Notes for exchange is required to
provide the Exchange Agent with the Holders correct
taxpayer identification number (TIN), generally the
Holders Social Security or federal employer identification
number, on the
Form W-9 herein.
Non-U.S. holders
may be subject to a 30% withholding tax and other special rules.
Please follow the instructions provided under Important
Tax Information below.
7. Transfer Taxes. The Offeror will pay all transfer
taxes applicable to the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the
Exchange Offer, except in the case of deliveries of certificates
for Old Notes for principal amounts not tendered for exchange or
not accepted for exchange that are registered or issued in the
name of any person other than the registered Holder of Old Notes
tendered thereby.
8. Irregularities. All questions as to the validity,
form, eligibility, including time of receipt, and acceptance and
withdrawal of tendered Old Notes, will be determined by the
Offeror in its absolute discretion, which determination will be
final and binding. The Offeror reserves the absolute right to
reject any and all tendered Old Notes determined by them not to
be in proper form or not to be tendered properly or any tendered
Old Notes the acceptance of which by the Offeror would, in the
opinion of its counsel, be unlawful. The Offeror also reserves
the right to waive, in its absolute discretion, any defects,
irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular Old
Notes, whether or not waived in the case of other Old Notes. The
Offerors interpretation of the terms and conditions of the
Exchange Offer, including the terms and instructions in the
Letter of Transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties.
Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with
tenders of Old Notes must be cured within the time the Offeror
determines. Although the Offeror intends to notify Holders of
defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Old Notes,
neither the Offeror, the Exchange Agent, the Information Agent,
the Dealer Managers nor any other person will be under any duty
to give that notification or incur any liability for failure to
give that notification. Tenders of Old Notes will not be deemed
to have been made until any defects or irregularities have been
cured or waived.
Any Holder whose Old Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or
destroyed will be responsible for obtaining replacement
securities or for arranging for indemnification with the trustee
of the Old Notes. Holders may contact the Information Agent for
assistance with these matters.
9. Waiver of Conditions. The Offeror expressly
reserves the absolute right, in its sole discretion, to amend or
waive any of the conditions to the Exchange Offer in the case of
any Old Notes tendered for exchange, in whole or in part, at any
time and from time to time, but only prior to the Expiration
Date.
10. Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates
for Old Notes. Any Holder whose certificates for Old Notes
have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should write to
or telephone the Trustee at the address or telephone number set
forth in the Exchange Offer Prospectus.
11. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies.
Any requests for assistance in connection with the Exchange
Offer or for additional copies of the Exchange Offer Prospectus
or this Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Information
Agent. Any additional questions regarding the Exchange Offer
should be directed to either of the Dealer Managers. Contact
information for the Information Agent and the Dealer Managers is
set forth at the end of this Letter of Transmittal.
11
IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
A Holder who is a U.S. person and whose tendered Old Notes are
accepted for exchange is required to provide the Exchange Agent
with such Holders correct TIN on the
Form W-9 herein or
otherwise establish a basis for exemption from backup
withholding. If such Holder is an individual, the TIN is his or
her Social Security number. If the Exchange Agent is not
provided with the correct TIN or an adequate basis for
exemption, payment, including any of the Exchange Consideration,
made to such Holder with respect to Old Notes exchanged pursuant
to the Exchange Offer may be subject to backup withholding and
the Holder may be subject to a $50 penalty, as well as various
other penalties, imposed by the Internal Revenue Service.
Certain Holders (including, among others, corporations) are not
subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements.
Exempt Holders should indicate their exempt status on the
Form W-9 herein.
See the
Form W-9
Request For Taxpayer Identification Number and
Certification below for additional instructions. Holders
are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine whether
they are exempt from these backup withholding and reporting
requirements.
If backup withholding applies, the Exchange Agent is required to
withhold 28% of any Exchange Consideration paid to the Holder or
other payee. Backup withholding is not an additional federal
income tax. If the required information is furnished to the
Internal Revenue Service in a timely manner, the federal income
tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding may be
reduced by the amount of tax withheld, and, if withholding
results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained
from the Internal Revenue Service.
Purpose of
Form W-9
To prevent backup withholding on any payments, including any
Exchange Consideration made with respect to Old Notes exchanged
pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the Holder is required to
provide the Exchange Agent with (i) the Holders
correct TIN by completing the
Form W-9 provided
herein, certifying (x) that the TIN provided on the
Form W-9 herein is
correct (or that such Holder is awaiting a TIN), (y) that
(A) the Holder is exempt from backup withholding,
(B) the Holder has not been notified by the Internal
Revenue Service that the Holder is subject to backup withholding
as a result of failure to report all interest or dividends or
(C) the Internal Revenue Service has notified the Holder
that the Holder is no longer subject to backup withholding, and
(z) that the Holder is a U.S. person (including a
U.S. resident alien), or (ii) if applicable, an
adequate basis for exemption.
What Number to Give the Exchange Agent
The Holder is required to give the Exchange Agent the TIN of the
registered Holder. If the Old Notes are held in more than one
name or are not held in the name of the actual owner, consult
the
Form W-9
Request For Taxpayer Identification Number and
Certification below for additional guidance on which
number to report. A Holder must cross out item (2) in the
Certification box on the
Form W-9 herein if
such Holder is subject to backup withholding. In addition to
potential penalties, failure to provide the correct information
on the form may subject the tendering Holder to 28%
U.S. federal backup withholding on the payments, including
of the Exchange Consideration, made to the Holder or other payee
with respect to Old Notes tendered pursuant to the Exchange
Offer.
A Holder shall write applied for in the space
provided in Part I of the form and complete the attached
Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number if the
tendering Holder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a
TIN or intends to apply for a TIN in the near future. In such
case, the Exchange Agent will withhold 28% of all such payments
of the Exchange Consideration until a TIN is provided to the
Exchange Agent, and if the Exchange Agent is not provided with a
TIN within 60 days, such amounts will be paid over to the
Internal Revenue Service.
12
Foreign Holders
A foreign Holder may be subject to 30% withholding tax on any
Exchange Consideration unless such Holder provides either
(i) an IRS Form W-8BEN certifying that such Holder is
eligible for an exemption or a reduction in the rate of
withholding under the provisions of an applicable income tax
treaty or (ii) IRS Form W-8ECI certifying that income
from such payment is effectively connected with such
Holders U.S. trade or business. A Form W-8BEN or
Form W-8ECI can be obtained from the Exchange Agent.
Foreign partnerships are required to provide Form W-8IMY or
additional applicable forms. A foreign holder that provides a
completed applicable Form W-8 attesting to its foreign
status will not be subject to the 28% backup withholding tax
described above. If withholding tax results in an overpayment of
taxes, a refund may be obtained from the Internal Revenue
Service.
13
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Print or type |
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See Specific Instructions on page 2. |
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Form W-9
(Rev. January 2005)
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service |
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Request for Taxpayer
Identification Number and Certification |
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Give form to the
requester. Do not
send to the IRS. |
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Name (as shown on your income tax return) |
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Business name, if different from above |
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Check appropriate
box: o Individual/
Sole
proprietor o Corporation o Partnership o Other 4
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o Exempt from
backup
withholding |
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Address (number, street, and apt. or suite no.) |
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Requesters name and address (optional) |
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City, state, and ZIP code |
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List account number(s) here (optional) |
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Part I Taxpayer
Identification Number (TIN)
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Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. The TIN provided must
match the name given on Line 1 to avoid backup withholding.
For individuals, this is your social security number (SSN).
However, for a resident alien, sole proprietor, or disregarded
entity, see the Part I instructions on page 3. For other
entities, it is your employer identification number (EIN). If
you do not have a number, see How to get a TIN on page 3. |
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Social
security number
or |
Note: If the account is in more than one name, see the
chart on page 4 for guidelines on whose number to enter. |
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Employer
identification number
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Part II Certification
Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
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1. |
The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer
identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued
to me), and |
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2. |
I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am
exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been
notified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject
to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all
interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that
I am no longer subject to backup withholding, and |
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3. |
I am a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). |
Certification Instructions. You must cross out item 2 above
if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently
subject to backup withholding because you have failed to report
all interest and dividends on your tax return. For real estate
transactions, item 2 does not apply. For mortgage interest
paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property,
cancellation of debt, contributions to an individual retirement
arrangement (IRA), and generally, payments other than interest
and dividends, you are not required to sign the Certification,
but you must provide your correct TIN. (See the instructions on
page 4.)
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Sign
Here |
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Signature of
U.S. person 4 Date 4 |
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Purpose of Form
A person who is required to file an information return with the
IRS, must obtain your correct taxpayer identification number
(TIN) to report, for example, income paid to you, real estate
transactions, mortgage interest you paid, acquisition or
abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, or
contributions you made to an IRA.
U.S. person. Use
Form W-9 only if
you are a U.S. person (including a resident alien), to
provide your correct TIN to the person requesting it (the
requester) and, when applicable, to:
1. Certify that the TIN you are
giving is correct (or you are waiting for a number to be issued),
2. Certify that you are not subject
to backup withholding, or
3. Claim exemption from backup
withholding if you are a U.S. exempt payee.
Note: If a requester gives you a form other than
Form W-9 to
request your TIN, you must use the requesters form if it
is substantially similar to this
Form W-9.
For federal tax purposes you are
considered a person if you are:
An individual who is a citizen or resident of the
United States,
A partnership, corporation, company, or association
created or organized in the United States or under the laws of
the United States, or
Any estate (other than a foreign estate) or trust.
See Regulations
sections 301.7701-6(a)
and 7(a) for additional information.
Foreign person. If you are a foreign person, do not use
Form W-9. Instead,
use the appropriate
Form W-8 (see
Publication 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens
and Foreign Entities).
Nonresident alien who becomes a resident alien.
Generally, only a nonresident alien individual may use the terms
of a tax treaty to reduce or eliminate U.S. tax on certain types
of income. However, most tax treaties contain a provision known
as a saving clause. Exceptions specified in the
saving clause may permit an exemption from tax to continue for
certain types of income even after the recipient has otherwise
become a U.S. resident alien for tax purposes.
If you are a U.S. resident alien who is
relying on an exception contained in the saving clause of a tax
treaty to claim an exemption from U.S. tax on certain types of
income, you must attach a statement that specifies the following
five items:
1. The treaty country. Generally,
this must be the same treaty under which you claimed exemption
from tax as nonresident alien.
2. The treaty article addressing
the income.
3. The article number (or location)
in the tax treaty that contains the saving clause and its
exceptions.
4. The type and amount of income
that qualifies for the exemption from tax.
5. Sufficient facts to justify the
exemption from tax under the terms of the treaty article.
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Cat. No. 10231X |
Form W-9 (Rev. 1-2005) |
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Form W-9 (Rev. 1-2005) |
Page 2 |
Example. Article 20 of the U.S.-China
income tax treaty allows an exemption from tax for scholarship
income received by a Chinese student temporarily present in the
United States. Under U.S. law, this student will become a
resident alien for tax purposes if his or her stay in the United
States exceeds 5 calendar years. However, paragraph 2
of the first Protocol to the U.S.-China treaty (dated
April 30, 1984) allows the provisions of Article 20 to
continue to apply even after the Chinese student becomes a
resident alien of the United States. A Chinese student who
qualifies for this exception (under paragraph 2 of the
first protocol) and is relying on this exception to claim an
exemption from tax on his or her scholarship or fellowship
income would attach to
Form W-9 a
statement that includes the information described above to
support that exemption.
If you are a nonresident, alien or a foreign entity not subject
to backup withholding, give the requester the appropriate
completed Form W-8.
What is backup withholding? Persons making certain
payments to you must under certain conditions withhold and pay
to the IRS 28% of such payments (after December 31, 2002).
This is called backup withholding. Payments that may
be subject to backup withholding include interest, dividends,
broker and barter exchange transactions, rents, royalties,
nonemployee pay, and certain payments from fishing boat
operators. Real estate transactions are not subject to backup
withholding.
You will not be subject to backup withholding on payments you
receive if you give the requester your correct TIN, make the
proper certifications, and report all your taxable interest and
dividends on your tax return.
Payments you receive will be subject to backup withholding
if:
1. You do not furnish your TIN to the requester, or
2. You do not certify your TIN when required (see the
Part II instructions on page 4 for details), or
3. The IRS tells the requester that you furnished an
incorrect TIN, or
4. The IRS tells you that you are subject to backup
withholding because you did not report all your interest and
dividends on your tax return (for reportable interest and
dividends only), or
5. You do not certify to the requester that you are not
subject to backup withholding under 4 above (for reportable
interest and dividend accounts opened after 1983 only).
Certain payees and payments are except from backup withholding.
See the instructions below and the separate Instructions for the
Requester of Form W-9.
Penalties
Failure to furnish TIN. If you fail to furnish your
correct TIN to a requester, you are subject to a penalty of $50
for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable
cause and not to willful neglect.
Civil penalty for false information with respect to
withholding. If you make a false statement with no
reasonable basis that results in no backup withholding, you are
subject to a $500 penalty.
Criminal penalty for falsifying information. Willfully
falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to
criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.
Misuse of TINS. If the requester discloses or uses TINs
in violation of Federal law, the requester may be subject to
civil and criminal penalties.
Specific Instructions
Name
If you are an individual, you must generally enter the name
shown on your social security card. However, if you have changed
your last name, for instance, due to marriage without informing
the Social Security Administration of the name change, enter
your first name, the last name shown on your social security
card, and your new last name.
If the account is in joint names, list first, and then circle,
the name of the person or entity whose number you entered in
Part I of the form.
Sole proprietor. Enter your individual name as shown on
your social security card on the Name line. You may
enter your business trade, or doing business as
(DBA) name on the Business name line.
Limited liability company (LLC). If you are a
single-member LLC (including a foreign LLC with a domestic
owner) that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner
under Treasury regulations section 301.7701-3, enter the
owners name on the Name line. Enter the
LLCs name on the Business name line. Check the
appropriate box for your filing status (sole proprietor,
corporation, etc.), then check the box for Other and
enter LLC in the space provided.
Other entities. Enter your business name as shown on
required Federal tax documents on the Name line.
This name should match the name shown on the charter or other
legal document creating the entity. You may enter any business,
trade, or DBA name on the Business name line.
Note. You are requested to check the appropriate box
for your status (individual/sole proprietor, corporation, etc.).
Exempt From Backup Withholding
If you are exempt, enter your name as described above and check
the appropriate box for your status, then check the Exempt
from backup withholding box in the line following the
business name, sign and date the form.
Generally, individuals (including sole proprietors) are not
exempt from backup withholding. Corporations are exempt from
backup withholding for certain payments, such as interest and
dividends.
Note. If you are exempt from backup withholding, you
should still complete this form to avoid possible erroneous
backup withholding.
Exempt payees. Backup withholding is not required on any
payments made to the following payees:
1. An organization exempt from tax under
section 501(a), any IRA, or a custodial account under
section 403(b)(7) if the account satisfies the requirements
of section 401(f)(2),
2. The United States or any of its agencies or
instrumentalities,
3. A state, the District of Columbia, a possession of the
United States, or any of their political subdivisions or
instrumentalities,
4. A foreign government or any of its political
subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, or
5. An international organization or any of its agencies or
instrumentalities.
Other payees that may be exempt from backup withholding include:
6. A corporation,
7. A foreign central bank of issue,
8. A dealer in securities or commodities required to
register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a
possession of the United States,
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Form W-9 (Rev. 1-2005) |
Page 3 |
9. A futures commission merchant registered with the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission,
10. A real estate investment trust,
11. An entity registered at all times during the tax year
under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
12. A common trust fund operated by a bank under
section 584(a),
13. A financial institution,
14. A middleman known in the investment community as a
nominee or custodian, or
15. A trust exempt from tax under section 664 or
described in section 4947.
The chart below shows types of payments that may be exempt from
backup withholding. The chart applies to the exempt recipients
listed above, 1 through 15.
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IF the payment is for . . . |
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THEN the payment is exempt for . . . |
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Interest and dividend payments
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All exempt recipients except for 9 |
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Broker transactions
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Exempt recipients 1 through 13. Also, a person registered under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 who regularly acts as a
broker |
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Barter exchange transactions and patronage dividends
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Exempt recipients 1 through 5 |
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Payments over $600 required to be reported and direct sales over
$5,000.1
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Generally, exempt recipients 1 through
72 |
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1 See
Form 1099-MISC,
Miscellaneous Income, and its instructions.
2 However,
the following payments made to a corporation (including gross
proceeds paid to an attorney under section 6045(f), even if
the attorney is a corporation) and reportable on
Form 1099-MISC are
not exempt from backup withholding; medical and health care
payments, attorneys fees, and payments for services paid
by a Federal executive agency.
Part I. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. If you are a
resident alien and you do not have and are not eligible to get
an SSN, your TIN is your IRS individual taxpayer identification
number (ITIN). Enter it in the social security number box. If
you do not have an ITIN, see How to get a TIN below.
If you are a sole proprietor and you have an EIN, you may enter
either your SSN or EIN. However, the IRS prefers that you use
your SSN.
If you are a single-owner LLC that is disregarded as an entity
separate from its owner (see Limited liability company (LLC)
on page 2), enter your SSN (or EIN, if you have one).
If the LLC is a corporation, partnership, etc., enter the
entitys EIN.
Note: See the chart on page 4 for further
clarification of name and TIN combinations.
How to get a TIN. If you do not have a TIN, apply
for one immediately. To apply for an SSN, get
Form SS-5,
Application for a Social Security Card, from your local Social
Security Administration office or get this form on-line at
www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.pdf.
You may also get this form by calling
1-800-772-1213. Use
Form W-7,
Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number,
to apply for an ITIN, or
Form SS-4,
Application for Employer Identification Number, to apply for an
EIN. You can apply for an EIN online by accessing the IRS
website at www.irs.gov/businesses/ and clicking on
Employer ID Numbers under Related Topics. You can get
Forms W-7 and
SS-4 from the IRS by
visiting www.irs.gov or by calling
1-800-TAX-FORM
(1-800-829-3676).
If you are asked to complete
Form W-9 but do
not have a TIN, write Applied For in the space for
the TIN, sign and date the form, and give it to the requester.
For interest and dividend payments, and certain payments made
with respect to readily tradable instruments, generally you will
have 60 days to get a TIN and give it to the requester
before you are subject to backup withholding on payments. The
60-day rule does not
apply to other types of payments. You will be subject to backup
withholding on all such payments until you provide your TIN to
the requester.
Note: Writing Applied For means that you
have already applied for a TIN or that you intend to apply for
one soon.
Caution: A disregarded domestic entity that has a
foreign owner must use the appropriate
Form W-8.
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Form W-9 (Rev. 1-2005) |
Page 4 |
Part II. Certification
To establish to the withholding agent that you are a
U.S. person, or resident alien, sign
Form W-9. You may
be requested to sign by the withholding agent even if
items 1, 4, and 5 below indicate otherwise.
For a joint account, only the person
whose TIN is shown in Part I should sign (when required).
Exempt recipients, see Exempt From Backup Withholding on
page 2.
Signature
requirements. Complete the certification as indicated in
1 through 5 below.
1. Interest, dividend, and
barter exchange accounts opened before 1984 and broker accounts
considered active during 1983. You must give your correct
TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.
2. Interest, dividend, broker,
and barter exchange accounts opened after 1983 and broker
accounts considered inactive during 1983. You must sign the
certification or backup withholding will apply. If you are
subject to backup withholding and you are merely providing your
correct TIN to the requester, you must cross out item 2 in
the certification before signing the form.
3. Real estate transactions.
You must sign the certification. You may cross out
item 2 of the certification.
4. Other payments. You must
give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the
certification unless you have been notified that you have
previously given an incorrect TIN. Other payments
include payments made in the course of the requesters
trade or business for rents, royalties, goods (other than bills
for merchandise), medical and health care services (including
payments to corporations), payments to a nonemployee for
services, payments to certain fishing boat crew members and
fishermen, and gross proceeds paid to attorneys (including
payments to corporations).
5. Mortgage interest paid by
you, acquisition or abandonment of secured property,
cancellation of debt, qualified tuition program payments (under
section 529), IRA, Coverdell ESA, Archer MSA or HSA
contributions or distributions, and pension distributions.
You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the
certification.
What Name and Number To Give the Requester
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Give name and SSN of: |
For this type of account: |
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1.
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Individual |
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The individual |
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2.
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Two or more individuals (joint account) |
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The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first
individual on the account
1 |
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3.
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Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act) |
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The minor
2 |
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4.
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a. The usual revocable savings trust (grantor is also
trustee) |
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The grantor-trustee
1 |
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b. So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid
trust under state law |
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The actual owner
1 |
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5.
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Sole proprietorship or single-owner LLC |
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The owner
3 |
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For this type of account: |
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Give name and EIN of: |
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6.
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Sole proprietorship or single-owner LLC |
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The owner
3 |
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7.
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A valid trust, estate, or pension trust |
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Legal entity
4 |
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8.
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Corporate or LLC electing corporate status on Form 8832 |
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The corporation |
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9.
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Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other
tax-exempt organization |
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The organization |
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10.
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Partnership or multi-member LLC |
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The partnership |
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11.
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A broker or registered nominee |
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The broker or nominee |
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12.
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Account with the Department of Agriculture in the name of a
public entity (such as a state or local government, school
district, or prison) that receives agricultural program payments |
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The public entity |
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1 List
first and circle the name of the person whose number you
furnish. If only one person on a joint account has an SSN, that
persons number must be furnished.
2 Circle
the minors name and furnish the minors SSN.
3 You
must show your individual name and you may also enter your
business or DBA name on the second name line. You
may use either your SSN or EIN (if you have one). If you are a
sole proprietor, IRS encourages you to use your SSN.
4 List
first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate, or pension
trust. (Do not furnish the TIN of the personal representative or
trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the
account title.)
Note. If no name is circled when more than one name
is listed, the number will be considered to be that of the first
name listed.
Privacy Act Notice
Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code requires you to
provide your correct TIN to persons who must file information
returns with the IRS to report interest, dividends, and certain
other income paid to you, mortgage interest you paid, the
acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of
debt, or contributions you made to an IRA, or Archer MSA or HSA.
The IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes and to help
verify the accuracy of your tax return. The IRS may also provide
this information to the Department of Justice for civil and
criminal litigation, and to cities, states, and the District of
Columbia to carry out their tax laws. We may also disclose this
information to other countries under a tax treaty, to federal
and state agencies to enforce federal nontax criminal laws, or
to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat
terrorism.
You must provide your TIN whether or not
you are required to file a tax return. Payers must generally
withhold 28% of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other
payments to a payee who does not give a TIN to a payer. Certain
penalties may also apply.
17
YOU SHOULD COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU WROTE
APPLIED FOR IN PART I OF FORM
W-9.
CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer
identification number has not been issued to me, and either
(a) I have mailed or delivered an application to receive a
taxpayer identification number to the appropriate Internal
Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office
or (b) I intend to mail or deliver an application in the
near future. I understand that, not withstanding the information
I provided in the
Form W-9 (and the
fact that I have completed this Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer
Identification Number), 28% of all reportable payments made to
me will be withheld until I provide a taxpayer identification
number. If I fail to provide a taxpayer identification number
within 60 days, such amounts will be paid over to the
Internal Revenue Service.
Signature: ______________________________________________________________________ Date: _________________________
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NOTE: |
FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORM
W-9 MAY RESULT IN
BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 28% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT
TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW FORM
W-9 REQUEST
FOR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND CERTIFICATION ABOVE
FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. |
18
Completed Letters of Transmittal and any other documents
required in connection with tender of Old Notes for exchange
should be directed to the Exchange Agent.
The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:
Global Bondholder Services Corporation
By facsimile:
(For Eligible Guarantor Institutions only):
(212) 430-3775
(provide a call back telephone number on fax cover sheet for
confirmation)
Confirmation:
(212) 430-3774
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By Mail: |
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By Overnight Courier: |
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By Hand: |
65 Broadway Suite 723 |
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65 Broadway Suite 723 |
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65 Broadway Suite 723 |
New York, NY 10006 |
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New York, NY 10006 |
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New York, NY 10006 |
Any requests for assistance in connection with the Exchange
Offer or for additional copies of the Exchange Offer or this
Letter of Transmittal should be directed to the Information
Agent at the address or telephone numbers set forth below. A
Holder may also contact such Holders broker, dealer,
commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance
concerning the Exchange Offer.
The Information Agent for the Exchange Offer is:
Global Bondholder Services Corporation
65 Broadway Suite 723
New York, New York 10006
Attn: Corporate Actions
Banks and Brokers call: (212) 430-3774
Toll free (866) 470-3700
EX-99.2
Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC
Offer to Exchange any and all of the $412,500,000 Principal
Amount Outstanding of
Charter Communications, Inc.s
5.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2009
(CUSIP Nos. 16117MAE7 and 16117MAD9)
Dated September 14, 2007
This Offer will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City
time, on Friday, September 27, 2007, unless extended or
earlier terminated (such date, as the same may be extended or
earlier terminated, the Expiration Date). Holders
(as defined below) must tender their Old Notes for exchange
on or prior to the Expiration Date to receive the Exchange
Consideration (as defined below).
September 14, 2007
To Our Clients:
Enclosed for your consideration is an Exchange Offer Prospectus,
dated September 14, 2007 (as the same may be amended from
time to time, the Exchange Offer Prospectus), and a
Letter of Transmittal (the Letter of Transmittal
and, together with the Exchange Offer Prospectus, the
Exchange Offer) relating to the offer by Charter
Communications Holding Company, LLC (the Offeror),
to pay up to $793,443,000 principal amount of
6.50% convertible senior notes due 2027 (the New
Notes) of Charter Communications, Inc.
(Charter) to holders (the Holders) of
any and all of Charters $412,500,000 principal amount
outstanding 5.875% convertible senior notes due 2009 (the
Old Notes) who elect to exchange their Old Notes
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Exchange Offer Prospectus. Capitalized terms used but not
defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the
Exchange Offer Prospectus.
The Exchange Consideration per $1,000 principal
amount of Old Notes accepted for exchange will be an amount of
New Notes determined based on the Average Price (as defined
below) of Charters Class A common stock as set forth
in the table below. In addition to the Exchange Consideration,
the Offeror will pay accrued interest on the Old Notes from and
including the last interest payment date (which was May 16,
2007) up to, but not including, the Settlement Date.
Average Price means the arithmetic average of the
daily volume-weighted average price of Charters
Class A common stock for the ten trading days prior to and
including the second business day before the Expiration Date,
rounded to four decimal places. The initial conversion price for
the New Notes will be the Average Price multiplied by 1.3
(examples of which are set forth in the table below). The
initial conversion rate will be $1,000 divided by the conversion
price, rounded to four decimal places. If the Average Price is
between two prices shown in the table below, the principal
amount of New Notes to be issued per $1,000 principal amount of
Old Notes tendered will be calculated using straight-line
interpolation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Amount of New |
|
|
Average Price of |
|
Notes to be Issued per |
|
Terms of the New Notes |
Charters Class A |
|
$1,000 Principal Amount |
|
|
Common Stock |
|
of Old Notes Tendered |
|
Conversion Price |
|
Conversion Rate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.00 |
|
|
$ |
1,110.62 |
|
|
$ |
2.60 |
|
|
|
384.6154 |
|
$ |
2.20 |
|
|
$ |
1,173.25 |
|
|
$ |
2.86 |
|
|
|
349.6503 |
|
$ |
2.40 |
|
|
$ |
1,239.65 |
|
|
$ |
3.12 |
|
|
|
320.5128 |
|
$ |
2.60 |
|
|
$ |
1,309.13 |
|
|
$ |
3.38 |
|
|
|
295.8580 |
|
$ |
2.80 |
|
|
$ |
1,381.10 |
|
|
$ |
3.64 |
|
|
|
274.7253 |
|
$ |
3.00 |
|
|
$ |
1,451.68 |
|
|
$ |
3.90 |
|
|
|
256.4103 |
|
$ |
3.20 |
|
|
$ |
1,521.73 |
|
|
$ |
4.16 |
|
|
|
240.3846 |
|
$ |
3.40 |
|
|
$ |
1,592.26 |
|
|
$ |
4.42 |
|
|
|
226.2443 |
|
$ |
3.60 |
|
|
$ |
1,662.60 |
|
|
$ |
4.68 |
|
|
|
213.6752 |
|
$ |
3.80 |
|
|
$ |
1,733.33 |
|
|
$ |
4.94 |
|
|
|
202.4291 |
|
$ |
4.00 |
|
|
$ |
1,802.82 |
|
|
$ |
5.20 |
|
|
|
192.3077 |
|
$ |
4.20 |
|
|
$ |
1,872.80 |
|
|
$ |
5.46 |
|
|
|
183.1502 |
|
$ |
4.35 |
|
|
$ |
1,923.50 |
|
|
$ |
5.66 |
|
|
|
176.8347 |
|
The Exchange Offer is conditioned on a minimum amount
$75,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Old Notes being
tendered. The Exchange Offer is also conditioned upon the
Average Price being more than or equal to $2.00 and less than or
equal to $4.35.
New Notes will be issued only in minimum denominations of $1,000
and integral multiples of $1,000. If, under the terms of the
Exchange Offer, any tendering Holder is entitled to receive New
Notes in a principal amount that is not an integral of $1,000,
the Offeror will round downward the amount of New Notes to the
nearest integral multiple of $1,000.
The Settlement Date in respect of any Old Notes that
are validly tendered for exchange and not validly withdrawn is
expected to be not later than the fourth business day following
the Expiration Date. Holders tendering their Old Notes for
exchange after 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date will not be eligible to receive the Exchange
Consideration.
The materials relating to the Exchange Offer are being forwarded
to you as the beneficial owner of Old Notes carried by us for
your account or benefit but not registered in your name. Any
tender of Old Notes for exchange may only be made by us as the
registered Holder and pursuant to your instructions. Therefore,
the Offeror urges beneficial owners of Old Notes registered in
the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or
other nominee to contact such registered Holder promptly if they
wish to tender Old Notes for exchange pursuant to the Exchange
Offer.
Accordingly, we request instructions as to whether you wish us
to tender your Old Notes for exchange with respect to any or all
of the Old Notes held by us for your account. Please so instruct
us by completing, executing and returning to us the instruction
form set forth below. If you authorize us to tender your Old
Notes for exchange, all such Old Notes will be tendered, unless
otherwise specified below. We urge you to read carefully the
Exchange Offer Prospectus and the Letter of Transmittal and the
other materials provided herewith before instructing us to
tender your Old Notes for exchange.
Your instructions should be forwarded to us sufficiently in
advance of the Expiration Date to permit us to tender your Old
Notes on your behalf and to ensure receipt by the Exchange Agent
of the Letter of Transmittal and other required documents by the
Expiration Date. The Exchange Offer will expire at
11:59 p.m., New York City time, on Wednesday,
September 27, 2007, unless extended or earlier terminated.
Holders must tender their Old Notes for exchange prior to
11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date to
receive the Exchange Consideration.
Old Notes tendered for exchange may be validly withdrawn at any
time up until 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date. In addition, even after the Expiration Date, if
the Offeror has not accepted for payment any validly tendered
Old Notes, such Old Notes may be withdrawn 60 days after
commencement of the Exchange Offer. In the event of a
termination of the Exchange Offer, the Old Notes tendered for
exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer will be promptly
returned to the tendering Holders.
Your attention is directed to the following:
|
|
|
1. If you desire to tender Old Notes for exchange pursuant
to the Exchange Offer and to receive the Exchange Consideration,
we must receive your instructions in ample time to permit us to
tender your Old Notes for exchange on your behalf on or prior to
11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. |
|
|
2. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Exchange
Offer, the Offerors obligation to accept Old Notes
tendered for exchange and to pay the related Exchange
Consideration is subject to, and conditioned upon, the
satisfaction of or, where applicable, the Offerors waiver
of, the conditions to the Exchange Offer as set forth in the
Exchange Offer Prospectus under the caption Description of
the Exchange Offer Conditions to the Exchange
Offer. The Offeror reserves the right, in its sole
discretion, to waive any one or more of the conditions to the
Exchange Offer at any time as set forth in the Exchange Offer
Prospectus under the caption Description of the
Exchange Conditions to the Exchange Offer. |
|
|
3. If you wish to have us tender for exchange any or all of
your Old Notes held by us for your account or benefit, please so
instruct us by completing, executing and returning to us the
instruction form that appears below. The accompanying Letter of
Transmittal is furnished to you for informational purposes only
and may not be used by you to tender for exchange Old Notes held
by us and registered in our name for your account. |
2
INSTRUCTIONS
The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of your letter and the
enclosed material referred to therein relating to the Exchange
Offer of the Offeror with respect to the Old Notes.*
|
|
|
|
o |
Tender for exchange the principal amount of Old Notes indicated
below held by you for the account or benefit of the undersigned
pursuant to the terms of and conditions set forth in the
Exchange Offer Prospectus, dated September 14, 2006 and the
related Letter of Transmittal.**
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate Principal Amount of 5.875%
Convertible Senior Notes due 2009
beneficially owned which are being
tendered for
exchange: ____________________________________________________________ |
|
|
|
|
o |
Do not tender for exchange any Old Notes held by you for the
account or benefit of the undersigned. |
|
|
|
|
* |
If neither box is checked, but the undersigned has completed the
section below, we are authorized to tender for exchange with
respect to the aggregate principal amount of such Old Notes in
which we hold an interest through DTC for your account. |
|
|
** |
If no aggregate principal amount is provided above with respect
to the Old Notes and this Instruction Form is signed in the
space provided below, we are authorized to tender for exchange
with respect to the entire aggregate principal amount of such
Old Notes in which we hold an interest through DTC for your
account. |
PLEASE SIGN HERE
Signature
(s) ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name(s) (Please
Print) ________________________________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Zip
Code ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Area Code and Telephone
No. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tax Identification or Social Security
No. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
My Account Number With
You ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
3
EX-99.3
Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC
Offer to Exchange any and all of the $412,500,000 Principal
Amount Outstanding of
Charter Communications, Inc.s
5.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2009
(CUSIP Nos. 16117MAE7 and 16117MAD9)
Dated September 14, 2007
This Exchange Offer will expire at 11:59 P.M., New York
City time, on September 27, 2007, unless extended or
earlier terminated (such date, as the same may be extended or
earlier terminated, the Expiration Date). Holders of
the Old Notes (as defined below) must tender their Old
Notes for exchange on or prior to the Expiration Date to
receive the Exchange Consideration (as defined below).
September 14, 2007
To Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks,
Trust Companies and Other Nominees:
Enclosed for your consideration is an Exchange Offer Prospectus,
dated September 14, 2007 (as the same may be amended from
time to time, the Exchange Offer Prospectus), and a
Letter of Transmittal (the Letter of Transmittal
and, together with the Exchange Offer Prospectus, the
Exchange Offer) relating to the offer by Charter
Communications Holding Company, LLC (the Offeror),
to pay up to $793,443,000 principal amount of
6.50% convertible senior notes due 2027 (the New
Notes) of Charter Communications, Inc.
(Charter) to holders (the Holders) of
any and all of Charters $412,500,000 principal amount
outstanding 5.875% convertible senior notes due 2009 (the
Old Notes) who elect to exchange their Old Notes
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the
Exchange Offer Prospectus. Capitalized terms used but not
defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the
Exchange Offer Prospectus.
The Exchange Consideration per $1,000 principal
amount of Old Notes accepted for exchange will be an amount of
New Notes determined based on the Average Price (as defined
below) of Charters Class A common stock as set forth
in the table below. In addition to the Exchange Consideration,
the Offeror will pay accrued interest on the Old Notes from and
including the last interest payment date (which was May 16,
2007) up to, but not including, the Settlement Date.
Average Price means the arithmetic average of the
daily volume-weighted average price of Charters
Class A common stock for the ten trading days prior to and
including the second business day before the Expiration Date,
rounded to four decimal places. The initial conversion price for
the New Notes will be the Average Price multiplied by 1.3
(examples of which are set forth in the table below). The
initial conversion rate will be $1,000 divided by the conversion
price, rounded to four decimal places. If the Average Price is
between two prices shown in
the table below, the principal amount of New Notes to be issued
per $1,000 principal amount of Old Notes tendered will be
calculated using straight-line interpolation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal Amount of New |
|
|
Average Price of |
|
Notes to be Issued per |
|
Terms of the New Notes |
Charters Class A |
|
$1,000 Principal Amount |
|
|
Common Stock |
|
of Old Notes Tendered |
|
Conversion Price |
|
Conversion Rate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2.00 |
|
|
$ |
1,110.62 |
|
|
$ |
2.60 |
|
|
|
384.6154 |
|
$ |
2.20 |
|
|
$ |
1,173.25 |
|
|
$ |
2.86 |
|
|
|
349.6503 |
|
$ |
2.40 |
|
|
$ |
1,239.65 |
|
|
$ |
3.12 |
|
|
|
320.5128 |
|
$ |
2.60 |
|
|
$ |
1,309.13 |
|
|
$ |
3.38 |
|
|
|
295.8580 |
|
$ |
2.80 |
|
|
$ |
1,381.10 |
|
|
$ |
3.64 |
|
|
|
274.7253 |
|
$ |
3.00 |
|
|
$ |
1,451.68 |
|
|
$ |
3.90 |
|
|
|
256.4103 |
|
$ |
3.20 |
|
|
$ |
1,521.73 |
|
|
$ |
4.16 |
|
|
|
240.3846 |
|
$ |
3.40 |
|
|
$ |
1,592.26 |
|
|
$ |
4.42 |
|
|
|
226.2443 |
|
$ |
3.60 |
|
|
$ |
1,662.60 |
|
|
$ |
4.68 |
|
|
|
213.6752 |
|
$ |
3.80 |
|
|
$ |
1,733.33 |
|
|
$ |
4.94 |
|
|
|
202.4291 |
|
$ |
4.00 |
|
|
$ |
1,802.82 |
|
|
$ |
5.20 |
|
|
|
192.3077 |
|
$ |
4.20 |
|
|
$ |
1,872.80 |
|
|
$ |
5.46 |
|
|
|
183.1502 |
|
$ |
4.35 |
|
|
$ |
1,923.50 |
|
|
$ |
5.66 |
|
|
|
176.8347 |
|
The Exchange Offer is conditioned on a minimum amount of
$75,000,000 aggregate principal amount Old Notes being tendered.
The Exchange Offer is also conditioned upon the Average Price
being more than or equal to $2.00 and less than or equal to
$4.35.
New Notes will be issued only in minimum denominations of $1,000
and integral multiples of $1,000. If, under the terms of the
Exchange Offer, any tendering Holder is entitled to receive New
Notes in a principal amount that is not an integral of $1,000,
the Offeror will round downward the amount of New Notes to the
nearest integral multiple of $1,000.
The Settlement Date in respect of any Old Notes that
are validly tendered for exchange and not validly withdrawn is
expected to be not later than the fourth business day following
the Expiration Date. Holders tendering their Old Notes for
exchange after 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the
Expiration Date will not be eligible to receive the Exchange
Consideration.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Exchange Offer, the
Offerors obligations to accept Old Notes tendered for
exchange and to pay the related Exchange Consideration is
subject to, and conditioned upon, the satisfaction of or, where
applicable, the Offerors waiver of, the conditions to the
Exchange Offer as set forth in the Exchange Offer Prospectus
under the caption Description of the Exchange
Offer Conditions to the Exchange Offer.
For your information and for forwarding to your clients for whom
you hold Old Notes registered in your name or in the name of
your nominee, we are enclosing the following documents:
|
|
|
|
1. The Exchange Offer Prospectus, dated September 14,
2007; |
|
|
|
2. A Letter of Transmittal for each of the Old Notes for
your use and for the information of your clients, which includes
a Form W-9 (with
instructions) providing information relating to backup
U.S. federal income tax withholding; and |
|
|
3. A printed form of letter which may be sent to your
clients for whose accounts you hold Old Notes registered in your
name or in the name of your nominee, with space provided for
obtaining such clients instructions with regard to the
Exchange Offer. |
DTC participants must tender Old Notes for exchange through the
DTC Automated Tender Offer Program.
2
WE URGE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR CLIENTS AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THEIR INSTRUCTIONS.
The Offeror will not pay any fees or commission to any broker or
dealer or other person (other than the Dealer Managers, Exchange
Agent and the Information Agent) for soliciting exchange of Old
Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. You will be reimbursed for
customary mailing and handling expenses incurred by you in
forwarding the enclosed materials to your clients.
Any inquiries you may have with respect to the Exchange Offer
should be addressed to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. or Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated, the Dealer Managers for the
Exchange Offer, at the telephone numbers set forth below.
Additional copies of the enclosed materials may be obtained from
Global Bondholder Services Corporation, the Information Agent,
at (866) 470-3700
(toll free) or at the address set forth on the back cover of the
Exchange Offer Prospectus.
|
|
|
Very truly yours, |
|
|
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC. |
|
Collect:
(212) 723-7406 |
|
U.S. Toll-Free:
(877) 531-8365 |
|
|
MORGAN STANLEY & CO. INCORPORATED |
|
Collect: (212) 761-1941 |
|
U.S. Toll-Free: (800) 624-1808 |
NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL
CONSTITUTE YOU THE AGENT OF THE OFFEROR, THE DEALER MANAGERS,
THE INFORMATION AGENT OR THE EXCHANGE AGENT, OR AUTHORIZE YOU OR
ANY OTHER PERSON TO USE ANY DOCUMENT OR MAKE ANY STATEMENT ON
BEHALF OF ANY OF THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXCHANGE OFFER
OTHER THAN THE DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED HEREWITH AND THE STATEMENTS
CONTAINED THEREIN.
The Exchange Offer is not being made to (nor will Old Notes
tendered for exchange be accepted from or on behalf of) Holders
in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance of the
Exchange Offer would not be in compliance with the laws of such
jurisdiction.
IMPORTANT: The Agents Message, together with a
conformation of book-entry transfer and all other required
documents, must be received by the Exchange Agent at or prior to
11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date in
order for Holders to receive the Exchange Consideration.
3