UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
Commission File Numbers: |
333-82124-01 | |||
333-82124-04 |
Mediacom LLC
Mediacom Capital Corporation*
(Exact names of Registrants as specified in their charters)
New York | 06-1433421 | |
New York | 06-1513997 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Numbers) |
100 Crystal Run Road
Middletown, New York 10941
(Address of principal executive offices)
(845) 695-2600
(Registrants telephone number)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the Registrants are well-known seasoned issuers, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No þ
Indicate by check mark if the Registrants are not required to file pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ¨ No þ
Note: As voluntary filers, not subject to the filing requirements, the Registrants have filed all reports under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months.
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants have submitted electronically and posted on their corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrants were required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrants knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. Not Applicable.
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants are large accelerated filers, accelerated filers, non-accelerated filers or smaller reporting companies. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filers ¨ | Accelerated filers ¨ | Non-accelerated filers þ | Smaller reporting companies ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrants are shell companies (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No þ
State the aggregate market value of the common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrants: Not Applicable
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of the Registrants common stock: Not Applicable
*Mediacom Capital Corporation meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction I (1) (a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format.
MEDIACOM LLC
2011 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
Page | ||||
PART I | ||||
Item 1. | 4 | |||
Item 1A. | 21 | |||
Item 1B. | 27 | |||
Item 2. | 27 | |||
Item 3. | 28 | |||
Item 4. | 28 | |||
PART II | ||||
Item 5. | 29 | |||
Item 6. | 29 | |||
Item 7. | Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
31 | ||
Item 7A. | 45 | |||
Item 8. | 46 | |||
Item 9 | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
68 | ||
Item 9A. | 68 | |||
Item 9B. | 69 | |||
PART III | ||||
Item 10. | 69 | |||
Item 11. | 71 | |||
Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters |
71 | ||
Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence |
72 | ||
Item 14. | 72 | |||
PART IV | ||||
Item 15. | 73 |
This Annual Report on Form 10-K is for the year ended December 31, 2011. Any statement contained in a prior periodic report shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Annual Report to the extent that a statement herein modifies or supersedes such statement. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) allows us to incorporate by reference information that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information by referring you directly to those documents. Information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this Annual Report.
Mediacom LLC is a New York limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mediacom Communications Corporation, a Delaware corporation. Mediacom Capital Corporation is a New York corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mediacom LLC. Mediacom Capital Corporation was formed for the sole purpose of acting as co-issuer with Mediacom LLC of debt securities and does not conduct operations of its own.
References in this Annual Report to we, us, or our are to Mediacom LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (including Mediacom Capital Corporation), unless the context specifies or requires otherwise. References in this Annual Report to Mediacom or MCC are to Mediacom Communications Corporation.
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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
You should carefully review the information contained in this Annual Report and in other reports or documents that we file from time to time with the SEC.
In this Annual Report, we state our beliefs of future events and of our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify those so-called forward-looking statements by words such as anticipates, believes, continue, could, estimates, expects, intends, may, plans, potential, predicts, should or will, or the negative of those and other comparable words. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those we anticipate as a result of various factors, many of which are beyond our control. Factors that may cause such differences to occur include, but are not limited to:
| increased levels of competition from existing and new competitors; |
| lower demand for our video, high-speed data and phone services; |
| our ability to successfully introduce new products and services to meet customer demands and preferences; |
| changes in laws, regulatory requirements or technology that may cause us to incur additional costs and expenses; |
| greater than anticipated increases in programming costs and delivery expenses related to our products and services; |
| changes in assumptions underlying our critical accounting policies; |
| our ability to secure hardware, software and operational support for the delivery of products and services to customers; |
| disruptions or failures of our network and information systems, including those caused by natural disasters; |
| our reliance on certain intellectual properties; |
| our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt service obligations; |
| our ability to refinance future debt maturities or provide future funding for general corporate purposes and potential strategic transactions, on similar terms as we currently experience; and |
| other risks and uncertainties discussed in this Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2011 and other reports or documents that we file from time to time with the SEC. |
Statements included in this Annual Report are based upon information known to us as of the date that this Annual Report is filed with the SEC, and we assume no obligation to update or alter our forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable federal securities laws.
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ITEM 1. | BUSINESS |
Mediacom Communications Corporation
We are a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mediacom Communications Corporation (Mediacom or MCC), who is also our manager. MCC is the nations eighth largest cable company based on the number of customers who purchase one or more video services, also known as basic subscribers. MCC is among the leading cable operators focused on serving the smaller cities in the United States through its technologically advanced cable systems, with a significant customer concentration in the Midwestern and Southeastern regions.
MCCs cable systems are owned and operated through our operating subsidiaries and those of Mediacom Broadband LLC (Mediacom Broadband), another wholly-owned subsidiary of MCC. As of December 31, 2011, MCCs cable systems passed an estimated 2.82 million homes, primarily in the states of Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, Minnesota and Missouri, and served approximately 1.07 million basic subscribers, 851,000 high-speed data (HSD) customers and 339,000 phone customers, aggregating 2.26 million primary service units (PSUs).
MCC is a privately-owned company. An entity controlled by Rocco B. Commisso, Mediacoms founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is the sole shareholder of Mediacom.
Mediacom LLC
As of December 31, 2011, our cable systems passed an estimated 1.30 million homes, mainly in the states of Illinois, Minnesota, Alabama and Florida. As of the same date, we served approximately 473,000 basic subscribers, 383,000 HSD customers and 159,000 phone customers, aggregating 1.02 million PSUs.
Through our interactive broadband network, we provide our residential and commercial customers with a wide variety of products and services, including our primary services of video, HSD and phone, which we refer to as our triple-play bundle. We also provide network and transport services to medium and large sized businesses in our service areas, including cell tower backhaul for wireless telephone providers, and sell advertising time we receive under our programming license agreements to local, regional and national advertisers.
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to such reports filed with or furnished to the SEC under sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are made available free of charge on MCCs website (http://www.mediacomcc.com; follow the About Us link to the Investor Relations tab to SEC Filings) as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. MCCs Code of Ethics was filed with the SEC on March 29, 2004 as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. Our phone number is (845) 695-2600 and our principal executive offices are located at 100 Crystal Run Road, Middletown, New York, 10941.
2011 Developments
On November 12, 2010, MCC entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement), by and among MCC, JMC Communications LLC (JMC) and Rocco B. Commisso, MCCs founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who was also the sole member and manager of JMC, for the purpose of taking MCC private (the Going Private Transaction).
At a special meeting of stockholders on March 4, 2011, MCCs stockholders voted to adopt the Merger Agreement. On the same date, JMC was merged with and into MCC (the Merger), with MCC continuing as the surviving corporation, a private company that is wholly-owned by an entity controlled by Mr. Commisso. As a result of the Merger, among other things, each share of MCCs common stock (other than shares held by Mr. Commisso and his affiliates) was converted into the right to receive promptly after the Merger $8.75 in cash.
The Going Private Transaction required funding of approximately $381.5 million, including related transaction expenses, and was funded, in part, by capital distributions to MCC from us, consisting of $100.0 million of borrowings under our revolving credit facility and $36.5 million of cash on hand. The balance was funded by Mediacom Broadband.
2012 Developments
On February 7, 2012, we issued 7 1/4% senior notes due February 2022 in the aggregate principal amount of $250 million. See Managements Discussion and Analysis Liquidity and Capital Resources Capital Structure New Financing for additional information regarding these new senior notes.
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Description of Our Cable Systems
Overview
The following table provides an overview of selected operating data for our cable systems as of December 31:
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||||||
Video |
||||||||||||||||||||
Estimated homes passed(1) |
1,295,000 | 1,292,000 | 1,286,000 | 1,370,000 | 1,360,000 | |||||||||||||||
Basic subscribers(2) |
473,000 | 530,000 | 548,000 | 601,000 | 604,000 | |||||||||||||||
Basic penetration(3) |
36.5 | % | 41.0 | % | 42.6 | % | 43.9 | % | 44.4 | % | ||||||||||
High Speed Data |
||||||||||||||||||||
HSD customers(4) |
383,000 | 379,000 | 350,000 | 337,000 | 299,000 | |||||||||||||||
HSD penetration(5) |
29.6 | % | 29.3 | % | 27.2 | % | 24.6 | % | 22.0 | % | ||||||||||
Phone |
||||||||||||||||||||
Estimated marketable phone homes(6) |
1,189,000 | 1,186,000 | 1,180,000 | 1,198,000 | 1,150,000 | |||||||||||||||
Phone customers(7) |
159,000 | 157,000 | 135,000 | 114,000 | 79,000 | |||||||||||||||
Phone penetration(8) |
13.4 | % | 13.2 | % | 11.4 | % | 9.5 | % | 6.9 | % | ||||||||||
Primary Service Units (PSUs)(9) |
1,015,000 | 1,066,000 | 1,033,000 | 1,052,000 | 982,000 | |||||||||||||||
PSU penetration(10) |
78.4 | % | 82.5 | % | 80.3 | % | 76.8 | % | 72.2 | % | ||||||||||
Digital Cable |
||||||||||||||||||||
Digital customers(11) |
303,000 | 322,000 | 300,000 | 288,000 | 240,000 | |||||||||||||||
Digital penetration(12) |
64.1 | % | 60.8 | % | 54.7 | % | 47.9 | % | 39.7 | % |
(1) | Represents the estimated number of single residence homes, apartments and condominium units passed by our cable distribution network. Estimated homes passed are based on the best information currently available. |
(2) | Represents customers receiving video service. Accounts that are billed on a bulk basis are converted into full-price equivalent basic subscribers by dividing total bulk billed basic revenues of a particular system by average cable rate charged to basic subscribers in that system. This conversion method is generally consistent with the methodology used in determining payments made to programmers. Basic subscribers include connections to schools, libraries, local government offices and employee households that may not be charged for limited and expanded cable services, but may be charged for digital cable, HSD, phone or other services. Our methodology of calculating the number of basic subscribers may not be identical to those used by other companies offering similar services. |
(3) | Represents basic subscribers as a percentage of estimated homes passed. |
(4) | Represents customers receiving HSD service. Small to medium-sized commercial HSD accounts are converted to equivalent residential HSD customers by dividing their associated revenues by the applicable residential rate. Customers who take our scalable, fiber-based enterprise network products and services are not counted as HSD customers. Our methodology of calculating HSD customers may not be identical to those used by other companies offering similar services. |
(5) | Represents the number of total HSD customers as a percentage of estimated homes passed by our cable distribution network. |
(6) | Represents the estimated number of homes to which we offer phone service, and is based upon the best information currently available. |
(7) | Represents customers receiving phone service. Small to medium-sized commercial phone accounts are converted to equivalent residential phone customers by dividing their associated revenues by the applicable residential rate. Our methodology of calculating phone customers may not be identical to those used by other companies offering similar services. |
(8) | Represents the number of total phone customers as a percentage of our estimated marketable phone homes. |
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(9) | Represents the sum of basic subscribers, HSD and phone customers. |
(10) | Represents primary service units as a percentage of our estimated homes passed. |
(11) | Represents basic subscribers receiving digital video services. |
(12) | Represents digital customers as a percentage of basic subscribers. |
Our Service Areas
Approximately 67% of our basic subscribers are in the top 100 television markets in the United States, commonly referred to as Nielsen Media Research designated market areas (DMAs), with almost 40% in DMAs that rank between the 60th and 100th largest. Our major service areas include: the gulf coast region surrounding Pensacola, FL and Mobile, AL; suburban and outlying communities around Minneapolis, MN; outlying communities around Champaign, Springfield and Decatur, IL; communities in the western Kentucky and southern Illinois region; communities in northern Indiana; Dagsboro, DE and the adjoining coastal area in Delaware and Maryland; certain western suburbs of Chicago, IL; and suburban communities of Huntsville, AL.
Residential Services
Our residential services are the principal source of our revenues, which are generally provided by fees paid by residential customers that are billed on a monthly basis. Customers are offered the option of signing a contract to hold rates constant through the term of the agreement, or paying on a month-to-month basis, which is subject to rate increases. Customers with contracts who discontinue service prior to the expiration of the agreement are charged a termination fee.
We generally market our primary services to residential consumers in bundled packages, which offer customers discounted pricing and the convenience of a single monthly bill. Customers who take our triple play bundle of digital video, HSD and phone receive faster HSD speeds and periodic special offers and discounts at no extra charge. As of December 31, 2011, approximately 56% of our customers subscribed to two or more of our primary services, including about 21% of our customers who take all three.
Video
We offer our video service to residential customers in a variety of packages, ranging from our lower-cost broadcast basic service to premium video services, including digital and other advanced video products and services as discussed below. Our residential video customers are charged monthly subscription rates which vary according to the level of service and equipment taken. We also derive video revenue from the sale of premium VOD content and pay-per-view events, as well as equipment, installation and other auxiliary charges.
Our broadcast basic service includes 12 to 20 channels, including local over-the-air broadcast network and independent stations, limited satellite-delivered programming, home-shopping channels, and local public, government and leased access channels. We also offer an expanded basic package of services, which we market as Family Cable that includes an additional 40 to 55 satellite-delivered channels such as CNN, Discovery, ESPN, Lifetime, MTV, TNT and the USA Network for an additional monthly fee.
Our digital video service offers customers up to 230 channels, depending on the level of service selected. A digital converter or cable card is required to receive our digital service, and customers are charged an additional monthly fee that varies according to the level of service taken and the number of digital converters in the home. Digital customers are provided access to our interactive on-screen program guide, and receive all of the channels provided in our Family Basic Service along with additional programming, including digital music channels and full access to our VOD library. For additional charges, our subscribers may purchase premium video services such as Cinemax, HBO, Showtime and Starz! on an individual or tiered basis.
Our HDTV service offers digital customers a high-resolution picture quality, digital sound and a wide-screen, theater-like display when using a high-definition (HD) television and a HD converter. Most major broadcast networks, leading national cable networks and regional sports networks are offered in HD to our digital customers at no additional charge. We offer over 100 HD channels in certain of our markets, and plan to expand our HD content in more markets in 2012. Based upon data provided by the Nielsen Company, we believe the HD programming we currently offer represents more than 90% of the most widely-watched programming available.
Our DVR service allows digital customers to record and store programming to watch at their convenience, as well as the ability to pause and rewind live television. Our DVR service requires the use of an advanced digital converter, and customers who take our DVR service are charged an additional monthly fee. We also offer customers a multi-room DVR product which allows customers to watch previously recorded programming on up to three different converters throughout their home that have access to the same stored content.
As of December 31, 2011, about 48% of our digital customers subscribed to our HDTV and/or DVR service.
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Our VOD service provides on-demand access to up to 13,000 hours of movies, special events and general interest titles, and includes full two-way functionality, including the ability to start programs at any time, as well as pause, rewind and fast forward. The majority of our VOD content is available to our digital customers at no additional charge, such as programming from broadcast and cable networks, music videos and local programming. Our VOD service also offers on a pay-per-view basis special event programs, including live concerts and sporting events, and a wide selection of first-run movies. Digital customers who subscribe to premium video services also have access to the premium services VOD content without additional fees. As of December 31, 2011, our VOD service was available to over 85% of our digital customers.
We enable video subscribers to watch certain content wherever they are connected to the Internet. In 2011, we began offering customers TV Everywhere content, including content provided by ESPN3 and Hulu to our web portal. During 2012, we plan to offer access to additional TV Everywhere content, including HBO GO and MAX GO, which will allow subscribers of the respective services to watch content across multiple devices such as tablets and smartphones. We also plan to offer an application for tablets during 2012 that will allow our video subscribers to use their device as a remote control, with the ability to search program listings by title or subject, and to program their DVR remotely.
Mediacom Online
Mediacom Online, our residential HSD service, is offered to customers at downstream speeds ranging from 3 Mbps to 105 Mbps. Our HSD customers are charged monthly subscription rates which vary according to the level of HSD service taken. Our flagship service delivers speeds of up to 12 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream, and customers who take our triple play bundle are automatically upgraded to a 15 Mbps downstream speed at no additional cost.
Mediacom Online Ultra, our very high-speed, or wideband, HSD service, utilizes DOCSIS 3.0 technology that allows us to offer speeds of up to 105 Mbps downstream and 10 Mbps upstream. As of December 31, 2011, Mediacom Online Ultra was available to approximately 57% of our homes passed, and we plan to continue our expansion of this service to more of our customer base in 2012. In our service areas where Mediacom Online Ultra is not available, we offer maximum downstream speeds of 20 Mbps.
Mediacom Phone
Mediacom Phone, our residential phone service, offers unlimited local, regional and long-distance calling within the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. Our phone customers are charged a monthly fee, which includes popular calling features such as Caller ID with name and number, call waiting, three-way calling and enhanced Emergency 911 dialing. Directory assistance and voice mail services are available for an additional charge, and international calling is available at competitive rates.
Business Services
Commercial Services
We offer small to medium sized businesses (SMB) our full array of HSD, phone and video services, and certain other products and services specifically tailored to the SMB market. In 2011, we introduced a portfolio of cloud-based, managed communications solutions through partnerships with local technology companies and a trunk-based voice service that offers SMB customers significantly more capacity for additional lines. These initiatives allow us to offer SMB customers access to enterprise-class services without the need for significant infrastructure investment, which we believe has expanded our potential to attract new SMB customers.
Enterprise Networks
Our enterprise networks business offers medium to large sized businesses tailored network solutions built upon our proprietary all-fiber optic backbone. Our fiber network provides scalable bandwidths from 5 Mbps to 10 Gbps, which enables us to offer our enterprise networks customers a service that is customized to meet their current bandwidth requirements, while allowing for bandwidth expansion in the future. We provide our enterprise networks service to companies in the educational, financial services, healthcare, wireless telecommunications and other industries. In recent years, our enterprise networks business has experienced solid growth, primarily due to increasing demands of wireless communications providers for cell tower backhaul services.
Advertising
We generate revenues from selling advertising time we receive under our programming license agreements to local, regional and national advertisers. Our advertising sales infrastructure includes in-house production facilities, production and administrative employees and a locally-based sales workforce. In many of our markets, we have entered into agreements, commonly referred to as interconnects, with other cable operators to jointly sell local advertising, simplifying our clients purchase of local advertising and expanding their geographic reach.
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Marketing and Sales
We employ a wide range of sales channels to reach current and potential customers, including direct marketing such as mail and outbound telemarketing, door-to-door and field technician sales. We also steer people to our inbound call centers or website through television advertising on our own cable systems and local broadcast television stations, internet advertising on search engines and other websites and through other mass media outlets, including newspaper, radio and outdoor advertising.
Our primary marketing focus to residential and SMB customers has been on our bundled products and services, which we offer to our customers at discounted pricing, with the convenience of a single bill. Customers who take our triple play bundle receive faster HSD speeds and periodic special offers, which we believe enhances the value of our products and services, and increases our brand recognition. We have a growing sales force dedicated to marketing our business services, as well as established relationships with third-party agents, which we believe will help attract new business services customers.
Customer Care
We continue to invest in our customer care infrastructure to improve the quality of the installation and service for our products and services. We believe that providing a superior customer experience improves customer retention and creates opportunities for sale of our advanced services. Our efforts to enhance our customers satisfaction include multiple options to contact us to resolve questions and access information about their services, a greater commitment to first time resolution of installation and service calls, shorter appointment windows and weekend and evening scheduling, and increased investment in network monitoring to improve the performance and reliability of our products and services. We have recently introduced guaranteed 30 minute arrival times to better fit the schedules of customers.
Our customer care group has multiple contact centers, which are staffed with dedicated customer service, sales, and technical support representatives that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to respond to customer inquiries on all of our products and services. Our virtual contact center technology ensures that the customer care group functions as a single, unified call center, and allows us to effectively manage resources and reduce answer times through call-routing in a seamless manner.
A web-based service platform and an automated phone self help system is also available to our customers, which allows them to order products via the Internet, review their account balance, make payments, receive general and technical support, and utilize self-help tools to troubleshoot technical difficulties. Our customer care group also utilizes certain social networking websites as another outlet to offer current and potential customers another method of contacting us. In 2012, we plan to deploy additional support channels, provide customer care applications on Android and iPhone smartphone platforms, and provide the ability to chat with agents on our website.
Our field operations team is focused on improving the customer experience by improving first call resolution. Our field operations group utilizes a workflow management system and GPS system that facilitates on-time arrival for customer appointments. Field activity is scheduled, routed and accounted for seamlessly, including automated appointment confirmations and remote technician dispatching. Our field technicians are equipped with hand-held monitoring tools that determine the real-time quality of service at each customers home, and allow us to effectively install new services and efficiently resolve customer reported issues.
Technology
Our cable systems use a hybrid fiber-optic coaxial (HFC) design that provides a single platform distribution system, and has proven to be highly flexible in meeting the increasing requirements of our business. Our signals are delivered via laser-fed fiber optical cable from control centers known as headends and hubs to a group of distribution nodes, and further delivered from each node via coaxial cable to the individual homes we serve.
We have constructed fiber networks to interconnect the headends and hubs in about 93% of our service territory, upon which we have overlaid a video transport system that allows us to deliver video programming across the entire network through two master headends. Through these master headends, we are able to efficiently introduce new services to our customers through a central location, helping us reduce equipment and personnel costs, connectivity charges and other expenditures.
As of December 31, 2011, substantially all our cable distribution network had bandwidth capacity of at least 750 megahertz, which we believe is sufficient to deliver our current array of products and services. However, we anticipate that new products and services, including additional HD channels, VOD content, and wideband HSD services, and greater future bandwidth consumption by our HSD customers, will require increasing bandwidth capacity in our network. To accomplish this, we have already moved in several cable systems a significant number of video channels from analog to digital transmission, which requires much less bandwidth and creates more capacity for other services. We expect to convert over 20% of our homes passed to an all-digital format by March 2012, and plan to continue this transition to an all-digital transmission in substantially all of our other cable systems to take full advantage of the associated efficiencies.
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Community Relations
We are dedicated to fostering strong relations with the communities we serve, and believe that our local involvement strengthens the awareness of our brand. We support local charities and community causes with events and campaigns to raise funds and supplies for persons in need, and in-kind donations that include production services and free airtime on cable networks. We participate in industry initiatives such as the Cable in the Classroom program, under which we provide to almost 1,250 schools with free video service and approximately 50 schools with free HSD service. We also provide free video service to over 2,350 government buildings, libraries and not-for-profit hospitals, of which over 170 locations receive free HSD service.
We develop and provide exclusive local programming for our communities, a service that is generally not offered by our primary video competitor, direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers. Several of our cable systems have production facilities with the ability to create local programming, including local school sports events, fund-raising telethons by local chapters of national charitable organizations, local concerts and other entertainment. We believe our local programming helps build brand awareness and customer loyalty in the communities we serve.
Franchises
Cable systems are generally operated under non-exclusive franchises granted by local or state governmental authorities. Historically, these franchises have imposed numerous conditions, such as: time limitations on commencement and completion of construction; conditions of service, including population density specifications for service; the bandwidth capacity of the system; the broad categories of programming required; the provision of free service to schools and other public institutions and the provision and funding of public, educational and governmental access channels (PEG access channels); a provision for franchise fees; and the maintenance or posting of insurance or indemnity bonds by the cable operator. Many of the provisions of local franchises are subject to federal regulation under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the Cable Act).
Several of the states in which we operate have enacted comprehensive state-issued franchising statutes that cede control over franchises away from local communities, and towards state agencies. As of December 31, 2011, about 16% of our customer base was under a state-issued franchise. Some of these states permit us to exchange local franchises for state issued franchises before the expiration date of the local franchise. These state statutes make the terms and conditions of our franchises more uniform, and in some cases, eliminate locally imposed requirements such as PEG access channels.
As of December 31, 2011, we served 860 communities under a cable franchise. These franchises provide for the payment of fees to the issuing authority. In most of our cable systems, such franchise fees are passed through directly to the customers. The Cable Act prohibits franchising authorities from imposing franchise fees in excess of 5% of gross revenues from specified cable services, and permits the cable operator to seek renegotiation and modification of franchise requirements if warranted by changed circumstances.
We have never had a franchise revoked or failed to have a franchise renewed. Furthermore, no franchise community has refused to consent to a franchise transfer to us. The Cable Act provides comprehensive renewal procedures, which require that an incumbent franchisees renewal application be assessed on its own merits and not as part of a comparative process with competing applications. We believe that we have satisfactory relationships with our franchising communities.
Sources of Supply
Programming
We have various fixed-term contracts to obtain programming for our cable systems from suppliers whose compensation is typically based on a fixed monthly fee per customer, subject to contractual escalations. Although most of our contracts are secured directly with the programmer, we also negotiate programming contract renewals through a programming cooperative of which we are a member. In general, we attempt to secure longer-term programming contracts, which may include marketing support and other incentives from programming suppliers.
We also have various retransmission consent agreements with local broadcast station owners, allowing for carriage of their broadcast television signals on our cable systems. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules mandate that local broadcast station owners elect either must carry or retransmission consent every three years. In recently completed cycles, greater cash payments and, to a lesser extent, our purchase of advertising time from local broadcast station owners were required to secure their consent.
Programming expenses have historically comprised our largest single expense item, and in recent years these costs have increased substantially more than the inflation rate or the change in the consumer price index, particularly for sports and local broadcast programming. We believe that these expenses will continue to grow, principally due to contractual unit rate increases and the increasing demands of sports programmers and television broadcast station owners for greater compensation. While such growth in programming expenses can be partially offset by rate increases to video customers, we expect that our gross video margins will continue to decline as increases in programming costs outpace growth in video revenues.
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HSD Service
We deliver HSD service through fiber networks that are either owned by us or leased from third parties, and through backbone networks that are operated by third parties. We pay fees for leased circuits based on the amount of capacity and for Internet connectivity based on the amount of HSD traffic received from, and sent over, the providers network.
Phone Service
In 2010, we initiated a project to transition our phone service from an external vendor to an in-house platform, which we completed throughout our footprint in June 2011. We now provide an all-VoIP phone service delivered over a route-diverse infrastructure. We source certain services from outside parties to support our phone service, the most significant of which are long-distance services from a number of Tier 1 carriers and E911 database management. As a result of this transition, we have realized lower phone service delivery costs and greater flexibility to develop and provide advanced phone services to meet our customers preferences.
Set-Top Boxes, Cable Modems and Network Equipment
We purchase set-top boxes, including DVRs, from a limited number of suppliers, principally Motorola Inc. and Pace plc, and lease these devices to subscribers on a monthly basis. We purchase cable modems, routers, switches and other network equipment from a variety of providers, the most significant being Cisco Systems Inc. If we were unable to obtain such equipment from these suppliers, our ability to serve our customers in a consistent manner could be affected, and we may not be able to provide similar equipment in a timely manner.
Primary Competition
We operate in a competitive business environment and are subject to significant developments in the marketplace, including rapid technological advances and changes in the regulatory and legislative environment. We have historically faced intense competition from DBS providers and certain local telephone companies, many of whom have greater resources than we do. In the past several years, many of these competitors have expanded their service areas and added services and features comparable to ours. We have also faced increasing competition from wireless telephone providers, as many potential phone customers have replaced their wireline phone service with a wireless product.
Recent technological advances and consumer trends have led to greater usage of over-the-top video (OTTV) services, which offer video programming delivered over the Internet. Certain premium OTTV services offer a product substantially similar to our VOD product on an individual title or subscription basis, and other OTTV content is available free of charge, generally with advertising support. If usage of OTTV services continues to increase, our video product may face greater competition in the future. Our HSD product may face greater competition in the future if a competitively priced wireless data product is made available that offers similar speeds to our HSD product. We are unable to predict the effects, if any, of these advancements on our business.
Direct Broadcast Satellite Providers
DBS providers, principally DirecTV, Inc. and DISH Network Corp., are the cable industrys most significant video competitors, serving almost 34 million customers nationwide, according to publicly available information. DirecTV and DISH offer programming packages that are substantially similar to ours, including local broadcast signals in most of our markets and over 170 channels of HD programming. These DBS providers also have exclusive arrangements to provide certain programming which is unavailable to us, including special professional football packages. DBS competitors have deployed increasingly more aggressive marketing campaigns, including deeply discounted promotional packages, which have resulted in video customer losses in our markets.
DBS providers have operational cost advantages over us, including not being required to pay certain taxes and fees which we incur, particularly franchise fees, and a nation-wide brand and marketing platform. While DBS customers have historically paid up-front costs that we do not charge, in recent years such costs have decreased substantially due to aggressive marketing offers to new customers, which may include discounted or free equipment and installation.
Due to technological constraints, DBS service has limited two-way interactivity, which restricts their providers ability to offer interactive video, HSD and phone services. In contrast, our networks full two-way interactivity enables us to deliver true VOD, as well as HSD and phone services over a single platform. In lieu of offering such advanced services, DBS providers have in many cases entered into marketing agreements under which local telephone companies offer DBS service bundled with their phone and HSD services. These synthetic bundles are generally billed as a single package and, from a consumer standpoint, appear similar to our bundled products and services.
Local Telephone Companies
Our HSD and phone services compete primarily with local telephone companies, such as AT&T, CenturyLink, Frontier and Verizon. Such companies compete with our HSD product by offering digital subscriber line (DSL) services, and with our phone product by
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offering a substantially similar product to that which we offer. In our markets, widely-available DSL service is typically limited to downstream speeds ranging from 1.5Mbps to 3Mbps, compared to our downstream speeds ranging from 3Mbps to 105Mbps. We believe the performance, cost savings and convenience of our bundled packages compare favorably with the local telephone companies products and services.
Certain local telephone companies, including AT&T and Verizon, have deployed fiber based networks which allow for a triple play bundle that is comparable to ours. As of December 31, 2011, based on internal estimates, approximately 9% of our cable systems actively competed with these local telephone companies. Due to the lower home density of our footprint compared to the higher home density of larger metropolitan markets, and capital investment associated with constructing such fiber networks, we believe that further build-outs into our markets will be a lower priority for these telephone companies.
Historically, local phone companies have been in a better position to offer data services to businesses, as their networks tend to be more complete in commercial areas. However, we have recently increased our efforts to market and offer a more complete array of products and services suited to businesses, and continue to extend our distribution network across business districts in the cities and towns we serve.
Other Video Overbuilders
Our video service also competes with cable systems operating under non-exclusive franchises granted by local authorities. More than one cable system may legally be built in the same area by another cable operator, a local utility or other provider. Some of these competitors, such as municipally-owned entities, may be granted franchises on more favorable terms or conditions, or enjoy other advantages such as exemptions from taxes or regulatory requirements, to which we are subject. However, most of these entities were operating prior to our ownership of the affected cable systems, and we believe there has been no significant expansion of such entities in our markets in the past several years. As of December 31, 2011, based on internal estimates, approximately 24% of our cable systems actively competed with these other video overbuilders.
Wireless Communication Companies
In addition to competition from local telephone companies, we have faced, and continue to face, increasing competition from wireless communications companies, such as AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Sprint. A trend known as wireless substitution has developed where certain consumers have chosen a wireless communications company as their only phone service provider. We expect this trend to continue in the future and, given the recent economic downturn, may accelerate as consumers become more cost conscious.
Many wireless communications companies also offer a wireless Internet service, which has experienced rapid growth as the usage of mobile data has dramatically increased in the past several years. Given the increasing penetration of advanced mobile devices, including smartphones, we believe this trend will continue in the future. However, wireless communications companies are currently unable to offer a mobile data service that compares with our HSD service in terms of speed and reliability, and we believe few HSD customers have chosen a wireless communications company as their only Internet provider. However, if technological advances were to allow for a wireless data service comparable to our HSD service, we could experience greater levels of competition.
Other Competition
Video
The usage of OTTV has increased dramatically in the last several years, as greater downstream speeds offered by us and other Internet providers and advances in streaming video technology have enabled content providers a variety of over the top distribution outlets. In general, such OTTV content is supported by advertising, and made available to consumers free of charge, including certain programming which is the same, or substantially similar, to that which we offer. Certain OTTV providers, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and Apple, offer programming content for which customers are charged a fee on a subscription or individual title basis.
Recent advances have also allowed consumers to stream OTTV directly to their television through various electronic devices such as video game consoles and Blu-ray players, resulting in a similar experience to our VOD service. We may face greater video service competition in the future as the usage of OTTV, particularly streamed to consumers televisions, continues to grow. While we expect to remain the primary provider of Internet service to our video customers, if certain customers were to choose to downgrade, or fully replace our video service with an OTTV product, we could experience meaningful declines in our video revenues.
HSD
The American Recovery Act of 2009 is providing specific funding for broadband development as part of the economic stimulus package. Some of our existing and potential competitors applied for funds under this program. In a limited number of cases, some of our existing and potential competitors have been approved to receive funds from this program which is allowing them to build or expand facilities faster and deploy existing and new services sooner, and to more areas, than they otherwise would be able to without the stimulus funding.
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Phone
Our phone service also competes with national providers of IP-based phone services, such as Vonage, Skype and magicJack, as well as companies that sell phone cards at a cost per minute for both national and international service. Such providers of IP-based phone services do not have a traditional facilities-based network, but provide their services through a consumers high-speed Internet connection.
Business Services
Our commercial services generally compete with the same providers as our residential services. Our enterprise networks business faces competition from the local telephone companies noted above, as well as other carriers, such as metro and regional fiber providers.
Advertising
We compete for the sale of advertising against a wide variety of media outlets, including local broadcast stations, national broadcast networks, national and regional programming networks, local radio broadcast stations, local and regional newspapers, magazines and Internet sites.
During the past several years, many businesses have allocated a greater part of their advertising spending to Internet advertising, and the recent economic distress has caused lower levels of overall advertising spending. If these trends were to continue, we may face greater competition for advertising revenues.
Employees
As of December 31, 2011, we employed 1,830 full-time and 27 part-time employees. None of our employees are organized under, or covered by, a collective bargaining agreement. We consider our relations with our employees to be satisfactory.
Legislation and Regulation
General
Federal, state and local laws regulate the development and operation of cable systems and, to varying degrees, the services we offer. Significant legal requirements imposed on us because of our status as a cable operator, or by the virtue of the services we offer, are described below.
Cable System Operations and Cable Services
Federal Regulation
The Cable Act establishes the principal federal regulatory framework for our operation of cable systems and for the provision of our video services. The Cable Act allocates primary responsibility for enforcing the federal policies among the FCC and state and local governmental authorities.
Content Regulations
Must Carry and Retransmission Consent
The FCCs regulations require local commercial television broadcast stations to elect once every three years whether to require a cable system to carry the primary signal of their stations, subject to certain exceptions, commonly called must-carry or to negotiate the terms by which the cable system may carry the station on its cable systems, commonly called retransmission consent. The most recent elections took effect January 1, 2012.
The Cable Act and the FCCs regulations require a cable operator to devote up to one-third of its activated channel capacity for the carriage of local commercial television stations. The Cable Act and the FCCs rules also give certain local non-commercial educational television stations carriage rights, but not the option to negotiate retransmission consent. Additionally, cable systems must obtain retransmission consent for carriage of all distant commercial television stations, except for certain commercial satellite-delivered independent superstations such as WGN, and commercial radio stations.
Through December 31, 2014, Congress bars broadcasters from entering into exclusive retransmission consent agreements. Congress also requires all parties to negotiate retransmission consent agreements in good faith.
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In March, 2011, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to explore what action the FCC could take to allow market forces to set retransmission consent fees while still protecting the interests of consumers, identify per se violations of the duty to bargain in good faith, strengthen subscriber notice requirements when negotiations fail and eliminate the FCCs network non-duplication and syndicated exclusivity rules, which currently restrict the ability of a cable operator to carry certain signals containing duplicative programming, even if the station claiming protection is not carried by the cable operator. We cannot predict when, or if, the FCC will implement any new rules or change existing rules or the impact that any new rules may have on our business. If the new rules relatively strengthen the negotiating position of broadcasters or impose greater advance notice requirements of a possible termination of our right to carry a signal, this could have an adverse effect on our business.
Must-carry obligations may decrease the attractiveness of the cable operators overall programming offerings by including less popular programming on the channel line-up, while cable operators may need to provide some form of consideration to broadcasters to obtain retransmission consent to carry more popular programming. We carry both must-carry broadcast stations and broadcast stations that have granted retransmission consent. A significant number of local broadcast stations carried by our cable systems have elected to negotiate for retransmission consent, and we have entered into retransmission consent agreements with substantially all of them. Although many of these agreements continue through the end of the current election cycle, or December 31, 2014, retransmission consent agreements representing a majority of our video customers receiving local broadcast stations will expire and require renegotiation during 2012 and 2013.
Effective July 1, 2012, the FCC has reinstated its video description rules pursuant to the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. Cable operators with more than 50,000 subscribers must provide 50 hours per calendar quarter of prime-time and/or childrens programming with video descriptions for each of the top-five Nielsen-rated non-broadcast networks that provide other than near-live content. Video description requires audio-narrated descriptions of a programs key visual elements. Although the burden of video description falls on the cable operator and other multichannel video programming distributors (MVPD), the affected programmers may include video descriptions in their programming feeds, thereby satisfying the requirement for all MVPDs. Nevertheless, we cannot predict the burden that fulfilling these requirements will ultimately place on our business.
Legislation introduced in both houses of Congress in December 2011, if enacted as introduced, would eliminate mandatory carriage of broadcast signals, retransmission consent requirements, certain broadcast station territorial exclusivity rights, network nonduplication rights, syndicated exclusivity rights and sports blackouts requirements. It would also eliminate the cable compulsory license (as discussed in the Copyright section, below). We cannot predict whether this or other legislation will be enacted and what, if any, impact it could have on our business.
Availability of Analog Broadcast Signals
Because television broadcaster signals are in digital format only, the FCC created a dual carriage requirement for must-carry signals. Cable systems that are not all-digital are required until June 2012 to provide must-carry signals to their subscribers in the primary digital format in which the operator receives the signal (i.e. high definition or standard definition), and downconvert the signal from digital to analog so that it is viewable to subscribers with analog television sets. Cable systems that are all digital are not required to downconvert must-carry signals into analog and may provide the must-carry signals only in a digital format. In February 2012, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to extend the dual carriage requirement until June 2015. Additionally, many retransmission consent agreements require such down-conversion in the absence of a legal requirement. The dual carriage requirement has the potential of having a negative impact on us because it reduces available channel capacity and thereby could require us to either discontinue other channels of programming or restrict our ability to carry new channels of programming or other services that may be more desirable to our customers.
For several years, the FCC has had under review a complaint with respect to another cable operator to determine whether certain charges routinely assessed by many cable operators, including us, to obtain access to digital services violate this anti-buy-through provision. Any decision that requires us to restructure or eliminate such charges would have an adverse effect on our business.
Program Tiering
Federal law requires that certain types of programming, such as the carriage of local broadcast channels and any public, educational or governmental access (PEG) channels, to be part of the lowest level of video programming service the basic tier. In many of our systems, the basic tier is generally comprised of programming in analog format although some programming may be offered in digital format. Migration of PEG channels from analog to digital format frees up bandwidth over which we can provide a greater variety of other programming or service options. In 2009, the FCC opened a public comment period on petitions filed by supporters of PEG programming, but it has not issued any orders resulting from the petitions. We cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding, if any. Any legislative or regulatory action to restrict our ability to migrate PEG channels could adversely affect our ability to provide additional programming desired by viewers.
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Tier Buy Through
The Cable Act and the FCCs regulations require our cable systems, other than those systems which are subject to effective competition, permit subscribers to purchase video programming we offer on a per channel or a per program basis without the necessity of subscribing to any tier of service other than the basic service tier.
Use of Our Cable Systems by the Government and Unrelated Third Parties
The Cable Act allows local franchising authorities and unrelated third parties to obtain access to a portion of our cable systems channel capacity for their own use. For example, the Cable Act permits franchising authorities to require cable operators to set aside channels for public, educational and governmental access programming and requires most systems to designate a significant portion of its activated channel capacity for commercial leased access by third parties to provide programming that may compete with services offered by the cable operator.
The FCC regulates various aspects of third-party commercial use of channel capacity on our cable systems, including: the maximum reasonable rate a cable operator may charge for third-party commercial use of the designated channel capacity; the terms and conditions for commercial use of such channels; and the procedures for the expedited resolution of disputes concerning rates or commercial use of the designated channel capacity.
In 2008, the FCC promulgated regulations which could allow certain leased access users lower cost access to channel capacity on cable systems. Those regulations limit fees to 10 cents per subscriber per month for tiered channels and in some cases potentially no charge, and impose a variety of leased access customer service, information and reporting standards. The United States Office of Management and Budget denied approval of the new rules and a federal court of appeals stayed implementation of the new rules. In July 2008, the federal appeals court agreed at the request by the FCC to hold the case in abeyance until the FCC resolved its issues with the Office of Management and Budget. If implemented as promulgated, these changes will likely increase our costs and could cause additional leased access activity on our cable systems and thereby require us to either discontinue other channels of programming or restrict our ability to carry new channels of programming or other services that may be more desirable to our customers. We cannot, however, predict whether the FCC will ultimately enact these rules as promulgated, whether it will seek to implement revised rules, or whether it will attempt to implement any new commercial leased access rules.
Access to Certain Programming
In January 2011, as part of its order approving Comcasts acquisition of a controlling interest in NBC Universal (Comcast Order), the FCC specified certain terms and conditions by which Comcast and NBC Universal will be required to provide programming to both traditional MVPDs, and online video distributors (OVD), as well as the availability of commercial arbitration mechanisms. While the net effect of these provisions could reduce the cost of such programming to us, it also may increase the availability and lower the cost of such programming to our MVPD competitors. However, the provisions could also make it easier for us to carry such programming via an Internet-based video service should we choose to offer one in the future. We cannot, however, predict the net effect of these new program access provisions on our business.
Ownership Limitations
The FCC previously adopted nationwide limits on the number of subscribers under the control of a cable operator and on the number of channels that can be occupied on a cable system by video programming in which the cable operator has an interest. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reversed the FCCs decisions implementing these statutory provisions and remanded the case to the FCC for further proceedings. In 2007, the FCC reinstituted a restriction setting the maximum number of subscribers that a cable operator may serve at 30 percent nationwide. The FCC also has commenced a rulemaking to review vertical ownership limits and cable and broadcasting attribution rules. In 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit struck down the 30 percent horizontal cable ownership cap. We cannot predict what action the FCC will take or how it may impact our business.
Cable Equipment
The Cable Act and FCC regulations seek to promote competition in the delivery of cable equipment by giving consumers the right to purchase set-top converters from third parties as long as the equipment does not harm the network, does not interfere with services purchased by other customers and is not used to receive unauthorized services. Over a multi-year phase-in period, the rules also required MVPDs, other than direct broadcast satellite operators, to separate security from non-security functions in set-top converters to allow third-party vendors to provide set-tops with basic converter functions. To promote compatibility of cable systems and consumer electronics equipment, the FCC adopted rules implementing plug and play specifications for one-way digital televisions. The rules require cable operators to provide CableCard security modules and support for digital televisions equipped with built-in set-top functionality. In 2008, Sony Electronics and members of the cable industry submitted to the FCC a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in connection with the development of tru2way(TM) a national two-way plug and play platform; other members of the consumer electronics industry have since joined the MOU. Despite the MOU, in 2010, the FCC issued a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) as part of its review pursuant to its National Broadband Plan that seeks to standardize gateway devices to allow consumer access to all video programming regardless of the MVPD provider. That NOI discusses an AllVid gateway device that would be used by all MVPDs by December 31, 2012. The AllVid device would translate network delivery technologies into a standardized video output that could be received by any AllVid retail device. Another adaptor would operate in a similar fashion but
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deliver the output to a home router for delivery to networked devices. We cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings or what effect they may have on our business. If any new requirements require investment in new gateway devices, which could increase our costs and require capital investment, and any change to technology that could make it easier for consumers to change MVPDs, they could have an adverse effect on our business.
Since 2007, cable operators have been prohibited from issuing to their customers new set-top terminals that integrate security and basic navigation functions. In 2009, the FCC relaxed this ban by issuing an industry-wide waiver permitting cable operator use of a particular one-way set top box that met its definition of a low-cost, limited capability device. The particular box did not support interactive program guides, video-on-demand, or pay-per-view or include high definition or dual digital tuners or video recording functionality. The FCC established an expedited process to encourage other equipment manufacturers to obtain industry-wide waivers. In a separate action, specific to another cable operator, the FCC determined that HD output would no longer be considered an advanced capability. Such waivers by the FCC can help to lower the cost and facilitate conversion of cable systems to digital format.
As required by the Child Safe Viewing Act of 2007, the FCC issued a report to Congress in 2009 regarding the existence and availability of advanced technologies that are compatible with various communications devices or platforms to allow blocking of parent selected content. Congress intends to use that information to spur development of the next generation of parental control technology. Additional requirements to permit selective parental blocking could impose additional costs on us. Additionally, the FCC commenced another proceeding to gather information about empowering parents and protecting children in an evolving media landscape. The comment period ended in 2010. We cannot predict what, if any, FCC action will result from the information gathered.
In a separate 2009 proceeding, the FCC sought specific comment on how it can encourage innovation in the market for navigation devices to support convergence of video, television and IP-based technology. If the FCC were to mandate the use of specific technology for set-top boxes, it could hinder innovation and could impose further costs and restrictions on us.
In August 2011, new FCC rules took effect to address perceived shortcomings in deployment of CableCARD technology. Among other restrictions, cable operators must now proactively offer new Cable CARD customers a self-installation option; offer a credit to bundled services if the bundle includes a set-top box and the subscriber opts to use a CableCARD instead of the set-top box; in annual notices, websites and billing stuffers, conspicuously disclose the rates charged for Cable CARDS in retail devices and those included in leased set-top boxes as well as the availability of credits from bundled prices if CableCARDs are used in lieu of set-top boxes; and CableCARDs must be uniformly priced throughout a cable system. The new rules also impose a number of operational requirements on cable operators, mostly designed to ensure the availability and efficacy of the CableCARDs.
Pole Attachment Regulation
The Cable Act requires certain public utilities, including all local telephone companies and electric utilities, except those owned by municipalities and co-operatives, to provide cable operators and telecommunications carriers with nondiscriminatory access to poles, ducts, conduit and rights-of-way at just and reasonable rates. This right to access is beneficial to us. Federal law also requires the FCC to regulate the rates, terms and conditions imposed by such public utilities for cable systems use of utility pole and conduit space unless state authorities have demonstrated to the FCC that they adequately regulate pole attachment rates, as is the case in certain states in which we operate. In the absence of state regulation, the FCC will regulate pole attachment rates, terms and conditions only in response to a formal complaint. The FCC adopted a rate formula that became effective in 2001, which governs the maximum rate certain utilities may charge for attachments to their poles and conduit by companies providing telecommunications services, including cable operators.
In April 2011, the FCC adopted an Order modifying the pole attachment rules to promote broadband deployment. Previously, poles subject to the FCC attachment rules used a formula that resulted in lower rates for cable attachments and higher rates for telecommunication services attachments. The FCC had previously ruled that the provision of Internet services would not, in and of itself, trigger use of this new formula and the Supreme Court affirmed this decision.
As a result of the Supreme Court case upholding the FCCs classification of cable modem service as an information service, the 11th Circuit has considered whether there are circumstances in which a utility can ask for and receive rates from cable operators over and above the rates set by FCC regulation. In the 11th Circuits decision upholding the FCC rate formula as providing pole owners with just compensation, the 11th Circuit also determined that there were a limited set of circumstances in which a utility could ask for and receive rates from cable operators over and above the rates set by the formula, including if an individual pole was full and where it could show lost opportunities to rent space presently occupied by another attacher at rates higher than provided under the rate formula. After this determination, Gulf Power Company pursued just such a claim based on these limited circumstances before the FCC. The administrative law judge appointed by the FCC to determine whether the circumstances were indeed met ultimately determined that Gulf Power could not demonstrate that the poles at issue were full. In April 2011, the FCC affirmed the administrative law judges decision that, among other things, poles are not at full capacity if make-ready can accommodate new attachments. Gulf Power challenged the FCCs order at the United States Court of Appeals for the D. C. Circuit claiming, among other things, that the attachments failed to provide just compensation in violation of the Fifth Amendments Takings Clause. In February 2012, the Court upheld FCCs order.
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In May 2010, the FCC issued an order that, among other things, clarified the right to use certain types of attachment techniques and held that just and reasonable access to poles pursuant to Section 224 of the Communications Act includes the right of timely access.
Pursuant to the FCCs April 2011 Order, the telecommunications attachment rate formula would yield results that would approximate the attachment rates for cable television operators. Pole owners will also be subject to timelines for virtually all aspects of make-ready preparations for attachments. Incumbent local exchange carriers will also be permitted to petition the FCC to receive lower regulated attachment rates. Although some of these changes may benefit our business, others may lower the cost of pole attachments to our competitors and make better and timelier access to poles to facilitate construction of competing facilities and we cannot predict how these changes may impact our business.
Multiple Dwelling Unit Building Wiring
The FCC has adopted cable inside wiring rules to provide a more specific procedure for the disposition of residential home wiring and internal building wiring that belongs to an incumbent cable operator that is forced by the building owner to terminate its cable services in a building with multiple dwelling units. In 2007, the FCC issued rules voiding existing, and prohibiting future, exclusive service contracts for services to multiple dwelling unit or other residential developments. In 2008, the FCC enacted a ban on the contractual provisions that provide for the exclusive provision of telecommunications services to residential apartment buildings and other multiple tenant environments. In 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld the FCCs 2007 order. In 2010, the FCC affirmed the permissibility of bulk rate agreements and exclusive marketing agreements. The loss of exclusive service rights in existing contracts coupled with our inability to secure such express rights in the future may adversely affect our business to subscribers residing in multiple dwelling unit buildings and certain other residential developments.
Copyright
Our cable systems typically include in their channel line-ups local and distant television and radio broadcast signals, which are protected by the copyright laws. We generally do not obtain a license to use this programming directly from the owners of the copyrights associated with this programming, but instead comply with an alternative federal compulsory copyright licensing process. In exchange for filing certain reports and contributing a percentage of our revenues to a federal copyright royalty pool, we obtain blanket permission to retransmit the copyrighted material carried on these broadcast signals. The nature and amount of future copyright payments for broadcast signal carriage cannot be predicted at this time.
In 1999, Congress modified the satellite compulsory license in a manner that permits DBS providers to become more competitive with cable operators. Congress adopted legislation in 2004 extending the compulsory satellite license authority for an additional five years, and again in 2010 extending that authority through 2014. In its 2008 Report to Congress, the Copyright Office recommended abandonment of the current cable and satellite compulsory licenses. On August 29, 2011, the Copyright Office issued a report to Congress mandated by the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act recommending phasing out the distant signal compulsory license by a date certain to be established by Congress and exploring phasing out the local signal compulsory license at a later date. The report suggested three options to replace the compulsory license: (1) collective licensing; (2) direct licensing; and (3) sublicensing, all of which likely pose additional burdens and uncertainty to the procurement of necessary copyright licenses and likely increase the both the cost of such clearances and the transactional cost of obtaining such clearances. Pursuant to the same legislation, on November 23, 2011, the United States Government Accountability Office issued a report to Congress that found that the impact of a phase-out of the compulsory copyright licenses would have an uncertain impact on the market and regulatory environment. In part, the scheme (i.e., direct licensing, collective licensing or sublicensing) that would replace the compulsory licenses would impact the outcome. Importantly, elimination of the compulsory license without repeal of mandatory carriage obligations would put cable operators in the paradoxical position of being required to retransmit a signal that it had no right to retransmit. The report also stated that although the impact is uncertain, it could cause an increase in both the cost of copyright license itself as well as the transactional costs to obtain the licenses. We cannot predict whether Congress will eliminate the cable compulsory license. Elimination of the cable compulsory license could, however, significantly increase our costs of obtaining broadcast programming.
In 2010, Congress modified the cable compulsory license reporting and payment obligations with respect to the carriage of multiple streams of programming from a single broadcast station and clarified that cable operators need not pay for distant signals carried only in portions of the cable system as if they were carried everywhere in the system (commonly referred to as phantom signals). The legislation also provides copyright owners with the ability to independently audit cable operators statement of accounts filed in 2010 and later. We cannot predict what impact it may have, if any, on our business.
The Copyright Office has commenced inquiries soliciting comment on petitions it received seeking clarification and revisions of certain cable compulsory copyright license reporting requirements. To date, the Copyright Office has not taken any public action on these petitions. Issues raised in the petitions that have not been resolved by subsequent legislation include, among other things, clarification regarding: inclusion in gross revenues of digital converter fees, additional set fees for digital service and revenue from required buy throughs to obtain digital service; and certain reporting practices, including the definition of community. Moreover, the Copyright Office has not yet acted on a filed petition and may solicit comment on the definition of a network station for purposes of the compulsory license.
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Legislation introduced in both houses of Congress in December 2011, if enacted as introduced, would, among other things, eliminate the cable compulsory license. We cannot predict the outcome of this or any other legislative or agency activity; however, it is possible that certain changes in the rules or copyright compulsory license fee computations or compliance procedures could have an adverse affect on our business by increasing our copyright compulsory license fee costs or by causing us to reduce or discontinue carriage of certain broadcast signals that we currently carry on a discretionary basis. Elimination of the compulsory license, however, could significantly increase the risk that we would not obtain all necessary rights to retransmit the signals of broadcast television stations and it could significantly increase the amount we would have to pay the copyright owners. Further, we are unable to predict the outcome of any legislative or agency activity related to the right of direct broadcast satellite providers to deliver local or distant broadcast signals.
Privacy and Data Security
The Cable Act imposes a number of restrictions on the manner in which cable operators can collect, disclose and retain data about individual system customers and requires cable operators to take actions to prevent unauthorized access to such information. The statute also requires that the system operator periodically provide all customers with written information about its policies, including the types of information collected; the use of such information; the nature, frequency and purpose of any disclosures; the period of retention; the times and places where a customer may have access to such information; the limitations placed on the cable operator by the Cable Act; and a customers enforcement rights. In the event that a cable operator is found to have violated the customer privacy provisions of the Cable Act, it could be required to pay damages, attorneys fees and other costs. Certain of these Cable Act requirements have been modified by more recent federal laws. Other federal laws currently impact the circumstances and the manner in which we disclose certain customer information and future federal legislation may further impact our obligations. In addition, many states in which we operate have also enacted customer privacy statutes, including obligations to notify customers where certain customer information is accessed or believed to have been accessed without authorization. These state provisions are in some cases more restrictive than those in federal law. In 2009, a federal appellate court upheld an FCC regulation that requires phone customers to provide opt-in approval before certain subscriber information can be shared with a business partner for marketing purposes. Moreover, we are subject to a variety of federal requirements governing certain privacy practices and programs.
During 2008, several members of Congress commenced an inquiry into the use by certain cable operators of a third-party system that tracked activities of subscribers to facilitate the delivery of advertising more precisely targeted to each household, a practice known as behavioral advertising. In 2009, the Federal Trade Commission issued revised self-regulatory principles for online behavioral advertising.
In March 2010, the FCC released recommendations regarding broadband privacy in its National Broadband Plan. These recommendations included requiring greater transparency regarding consumer disclosures of personal data practices and consumer informed consent for such uses as well as consumer control over uses. The FCC recommended collaboration with the Federal Trade Commission and Congress to develop these requirements.
In December 2010, the FTC staff issued a preliminary report proposing, but not imposing, a normative framework for the protection of consumer privacy that departs from the traditional notice-and-choice model. Among the FTC reports recommendations includes adoption of privacy by design to build-in data security measures into everyday business practices, allowing customers to elect do not track status prohibiting information collection, greater transparency of data collection practices through disclosures that would allow comparison of practices across sites, access to data collected about them and education efforts by stakeholders about commercial data practices and choices available to them. Moreover, privacy legislation is regularly introduced in Congress to address these and similar concerns. On February 23, 2012, the White House released a Consumer Bill of Rights that among other things, proposes greater consumer control over collection and security of personal information. The document will serve as the blueprint for the Commerce Department to work with stakeholders to develop and implement enforceable privacy policies based on the Consumer Bill of Rights. We cannot predict what the outcome of any such initiative will be or its impact on our business. We cannot predict if there will be additional regulatory action or whether Congress will enact legislation, whether legislation would impact our existing privacy-related obligations under the Cable Act or any impact on any of the services that we provide. Future federal and/or state laws may also cover such issues as privacy, access to some types of content by minors, pricing, encryption standards, consumer protection, electronic commerce, taxation of e-commerce, copyright infringement and other intellectual property matters. The adoption of such laws or regulations in the future may decrease the growth of such services and the Internet, which could in turn decrease the demand for our HSD service, increase our costs of providing such service, impair the ability to access potential future advertising revenue streams or have other adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Small Cable Operator Provisions
The federal regulatory framework includes limited provisions for certain lessened regulation or special benefits for qualifying smaller cable operators. Historically, these provisions have been limited to cable operators with 400,000 or fewer subscribers. In the Comcast Order, the FCC enacted special bargaining and commercial arbitration provisions for cable operators with 1.5 million or fewer subscribers seeking to acquire Comcast or NBC Universal programming. This represents the first time that the FCC has recognized the need for special provisions for a cable operator our size and larger.
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State and Local Regulation
Franchise Matters
Our cable systems use local streets and rights-of-way. Consequently, we must comply with state and local regulation, which is typically imposed through the franchising process. We have non-exclusive franchises granted by municipal, state or other local government entity for virtually every community in which we operate that authorize us to construct, operate and maintain our cable systems. Our franchises generally are granted for fixed terms and in many cases are terminable if we fail to comply with material provisions. The terms and conditions of our franchises vary materially from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Each franchise granted by a municipal or local governmental entity generally contains provisions governing:
| franchise fees; |
| franchise term; |
| system construction and maintenance obligations; |
| system channel capacity; |
| design and technical performance; |
| customer service standards; |
| sale or transfer of the franchise; and |
| territory of the franchise. |
Although franchising matters have traditionally been regulated at the local level through a franchise agreement and/or a local ordinance, many states now allow or require cable service providers to bypass the local process and obtain franchise agreements or equivalent authorizations directly from state government. Many of the states in which we operate, including California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina and Wisconsin make state-issued franchises available, which typically contain less restrictive provisions than those issued by municipal or other local government entities. State-issued franchises in many states generally allow local telephone companies or others to deliver services in competition with our cable service without obtaining equivalent local franchises. In states where available, we are generally able to obtain state-issued franchises upon expiration of our existing franchises. Our business may be adversely affected to the extent that our competitors are able to operate under franchises that are more favorable than our existing local franchises. While most franchising matters are dealt with at the state and/or local level, the Cable Act provides oversight and guidelines to govern our relationship with local franchising authorities whether they are at the state, county or municipal level.
HSD Service
Federal Regulation
In 2002, the FCC announced that it was classifying Internet access service provided through cable modems as an interstate information service and determined that gross revenues from such services should not be included in the revenue base from which franchise fees are calculated. Although the United States Supreme Court has held that cable modem service was properly classified by the FCC as an information service, freeing it from regulation as a telecommunications service, it recognized that the FCC has jurisdiction to impose regulatory obligations on facilities-based Internet service providers. The FCC has an ongoing rulemaking process to determine whether to impose regulatory obligations on such providers, including us. Because of the FCCs decision, we are no longer collecting and remitting franchise fees on our high-speed Internet service revenues. Moreover, as discussed in State and Local Regulation Network Neutrality below, the FCC has proposed reclassifying Internet access service as a Title II telecommunications service. We are unable to predict the ultimate resolution of these matters but do not expect that any additional franchise fees we may be required to pay will be material to our business and operations.
Network Neutrality
In June 2010, the FCC commenced a NOI regarding its authority to regulate broadband Internet access. The NOI suggested three ways to assert such regulation, including classifying broadband Internet access as a Title II telecommunications service and forbearing from enforcing many of the Title II regulations. In December 2010, the FCC, citing authority under Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, adopted comprehensive broadband Internet network neutrality rules, including requiring transparency of disclosures to consumers of commercial terms, performance and network management practices; preventing blocking of lawful content, applications and services; and preventing unreasonable discrimination in the transmission of lawful Internet traffic. Although the prohibitions on blocking and interference are subject to reasonable network management practices, the FCC did not provide definitive guidance or safe harbors as to what actions constitute such practices. Rather, the FCC has opted to trade clarity for flexibility by further developing what constitutes reasonable network management practices on a complaint-driven case-by-case evaluation of actual practices. The rules took effect on November 20, 2011.
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National Broadband Plan
In 2010, the FCC delivered to Congress the National Broadband Plan (Plan) as required by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Plan seeks to ensure that all people of the United States have access to affordable broadband capability; connect 100 million households to affordable 100 Mbps service; provide access to 1 Gbps service to community anchor institutions; increase mobile innovation by making 500 MHz of spectrum newly available; increase broadband adoption rates from 65 percent to 90 percent; transition Universal Service Fund (USF) support from providing a legacy high-cost telephone subsidy to instead supporting affordable broadband in rural communities; enhance public safety by ensuring first responder access to a nationwide, wireless interoperable public safety network; and ensure that all consumers can track and manage their real-time energy consumption via broadband connectivity. The Plan includes more than 60 key actions, proceedings, and initiatives the FCC intends to undertake. The FCC proposes a variety of incentives to spur private investment in broadband deployment, including the repurposing of certain USF monies. The Plan calls for closing the gap between the telecommunications and cable pole attachment rates (see discussion under Cable System Operations and Cable Services: Pole Attachments); new rules affecting set-top boxes (see discussion under Cable System Operations and Cable Services: Cable Equipment); efforts to increase the transparency of privacy practices to consumers and gaining informed consent from consumers for information collection (see discussion under Cable System Operations and Cable Services: Privacy and Data Security); and standardization of technical measures of broadband performance (speed) and disclosure requirements to consumers. The Plan also recommends stronger cybersecurity protections and defenses by HSD providers as well as increased reporting obligations. In July 2010, the FCC, in conjunction with its implementation of the National Broadband Plan, issued a Public Notice to seek comment on whether to impose strict network outage reporting requirements for certain outages of 30 minutes or more on broadband Internet service providers. We cannot predict what, if any, requirements will be placed on our provision of HSD services or our operation of HSD facilities or what impact the Plan and the related FCC rulemakings and actions by other regulatory agencies or Congress will ultimately have on our business or what advantages may be given to services that may compete with ours.
In October 2011, the FCC adopted a series of reforms to the USF support mechanism and inter-carrier compensation. Included in these changes was the establishment of the Connect America Fund that will eventually replace all high-cost support mechanisms. The fund will help to make broadband available to areas that do not have or would not have broadband service, including an additional $300 million during 2012 in the form of one-time support to accelerate deployment of broadband networks. Moreover, the FCC will require all entities designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier to offer broadband services in addition to voice services. Simultaneously, the FCC announced that it will eventually abandon the calling-party-network-pays model for intercarrier compensation, transitioning to a bill-and-keep model that will eliminate competitive distortions between wireline and wireless services and promote the overall goal of modernizing the rules to aid the transition to all Internet protocol traffic. We cannot predict how these various changes may either add costs or burdens to our existing VoIP and broadband services or how they may potentially benefit those who provide competing services.
Digital Millennium Copyright Act
We regularly receive notices of claimed infringements by our HSD service users. The owners of copyrights and trademarks have been increasingly active in seeking to prevent use of the Internet to violate their rights. In many cases, their claims of infringement are based on the acts of customers of an Internet service provider for example, a customers use of an Internet service or the resources it provides to post, download or disseminate copyrighted music, movies, software or other content without the consent of the copyright owner or to seek to profit from the use of the goodwill associated with another persons trademark. In some cases, copyright and trademark owners have sought to recover damages from the Internet service provider, as well as or instead of the customer. The law relating to the potential liability of Internet service providers in these circumstances is unsettled. In 1996, Congress adopted the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which is intended to grant ISPs protection against certain claims of copyright infringement resulting from the actions of customers, provided that the ISP complies with certain requirements. So far, Congress has not adopted similar protections for trademark infringement claims.
Privacy
Federal law may limit the personal information that we collect, use, disclose and retain about persons who use our services. Please refer to the Privacy and Data Security discussion contained in the Cable System Operations and Cable Services section, above for discussion of these considerations.
International Law
Our HSD service enables individuals to access the Internet and to exchange information, generate content, conduct business and engage in various online activities on an international basis. The law relating to the liability of providers of these online services for activities of their users is currently unsettled both within the United States and abroad. Potentially, third parties could seek to hold us liable for the actions and omissions of our HSD customers, such as defamation, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement,
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fraud or other theories based on the nature and content of information that our customers use our service to post, download or distribute. We also could be subject to similar claims based on the content of other websites to which we provide links or third-party products, services or content that we may offer through our Internet service. Due to the global nature of the Web, it is possible that the governments of other states and foreign countries might attempt to regulate its transmissions or prosecute us for violations of their laws.
State and Local Regulation
Our HSD services provided over our cable systems are not generally subject to regulation by state or local jurisdictions.
Voice-over-Internet Protocol Telephony Service
Federal Law
The 1996 amendments to the Cable Act created a more favorable regulatory environment for cable operators to enter the phone business. Most major cable operators now offer voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) telephony as a competitive alternative to traditional circuit-switched telephone service. Various states, including states where we operate, considered or attempted differing regulatory treatment, ranging from minimal or no regulation to full-blown common carrier status. As part of the proceeding to determine any appropriate regulatory obligations for VoIP telephony, the FCC decided that alternative voice technologies, like certain types of VoIP telephony, should be regulated only at the federal level, rather than by individual states. Many implementation details remain unresolved, and there are substantial regulatory changes being considered that could either benefit or harm VoIP telephony as a business operation.
Federal regulatory obligations
The FCC has applied some traditional landline telephone provider regulations to VoIP services. In 2006, the FCC announced that it would require VoIP providers to contribute to the Universal Service Fund based on their interstate service revenues. Beginning in 2007, facilities-based broadband Internet access and interconnected VoIP service providers were required to comply with Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act requirements. Since 2007, the FCC has required interconnected VoIP providers, such as us, to pay regulatory fees based on revenues reported on the FCC Form 499A at the same rate as interstate telecommunications service providers. The FCC also has extended other regulations and reporting requirements to VoIP providers, including E-911, Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI), local number portability, disability access, and Form 477 (subscriber information) reporting obligations. The FCC has issued a FNPRM with respect to possible changes in the intercarrier compensation model in a way that could financially disadvantage us and benefit some of our competitors. In April 2010, the FCC issued a NOI and a NPRM that would transition high-cost program funds from analog telephony to the provision of broadband services. In February 2012, the FCC released a Report and Order extending its outage reporting requirements applied to traditional, circuit-switched telephone services to providers of interconnected VoIP service. It is unknown how this new requirement, or how other conclusions that the FCC may reach, or actions it may take, could affect our business.
Privacy
In addition to any privacy laws that may apply to our provision of VoIP services (see general discussion in Privacy and Data Security in the Cable System Operations and Cable Services discussion, above), we must comply with additional privacy provisions contained in the FCCs CPNI regulations related to certain telephone customer records. In addition to employee training programs and other operating and disciplinary procedures, the CPNI rules require establishment of customer authentication and password protections, limit the means that we may use for such authentication, and provide customer approval prior to certain types of uses or disclosures of CPNI.
State and Local Regulation
Although our entities that provide VoIP telephony services are certificated as competitive local exchange carriers in most of the states in which they operate, they generally provide few if any services in that capacity. Rather, we provide VoIP services that are not generally subject to regulation by state or local jurisdictions. The FCC has preempted some state commission regulation of VoIP services, but has stated that its preemption does not extend to state consumer protection requirements. Some states continue to attempt to impose obligations on VoIP service providers, including state universal service fund payment obligations.
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ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS |
Risks Related to our Operations
Our products and services face intense competition that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We operate in a highly competitive business environment and, in some instances, face competitors with greater resources and operating capabilities, fewer regulatory burdens, easier access to financing, more brand name recognition and long-standing relationships with regulatory authorities and customers. Historically, our principal competitors have been DBS providers and local telephone companies. We also face competition for our phone service from wireless phone providers, and for our video service from advances in OTTV content and delivery options that may lead to greater video competition going forward.
DBS providers, principally DirecTV and DISH, are our most significant video competitors. We have lost a meaningful number of video customers to DBS providers in the past, and expect to continue to face substantial levels of competition from them. DBS providers generally offer promotional marketing campaigns in which they offer video service packages at a price point much lower than our comparable offering. In some cases, DBS providers have entered into marketing agreements under which local telephone companies sell DBS service bundled with their HSD and phone services to create a product similar to our triple play. In approximately 9% of our cable systems, certain local telephone companies, including AT&T and Verizon, have deployed fiber based networks, giving them the capability to offer a product substantially similar to our triple play. We could face increased competition for video customers if they were to continue to build into our service areas. Also, if OTTV content providers were to deliver content that consumers accepted as an adequate, if not preferable, replacement to our video service, we may face further competition for video customers.
Our HSD service primarily faces competition from local telephone companies such as AT&T, CenturyLink, Frontier and Verizon, who compete with our HSD service by offering DSL services. Although widely-available DSL service is typically limited to downstream speeds ranging from 1.5Mbps to 3Mbps, compared to our downstream speeds ranging from 3Mbps to 105Mbps local telephone companies that have deployed fiber based networks are able to offer a product similar in terms of performance to our HSD service. If further build-outs of such fiber based networks were to occur in our service areas, we could face increased competition for HSD customers. Many wireless phone providers offer a wireless data service, and technological advances have increased, and we expect will continue to increase, the speed and reliability of such service. While such wireless data services are not currently comparable to our HSD service, if wireless phone providers were to offer a competitively priced wireless data service that offered similar speeds to our HSD service, we could face further competition for HSD customers.
Our phone service mainly faces competition for phone customers from local telephone companies and wireless telephone service providers. In recent years, a trend known as wireless substitution has developed where certain customers have chosen to utilize a wireless telephone service as their sole phone provider, which we expect to continue in the future.
We are unable to predict the effects that competition may have on our business. Competition has caused us to experience lower growth rates in revenues as the result of the loss of video customers, greater than usual levels of discounted pricing and higher levels of advertising and marketing expenses. A continuation, or worsening, of such competitive factors as discussed above could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Weak economic conditions may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Continuing weakness in employment and lower levels of consumer confidence and demand have impacted our business. As a result, many of our customers have faced greater pressure to downgrade their current level of service, or discontinue some, or all of their services taken, including households that have replaced wireline telephone service with wireless service or over-the-top Internet phone service, and video service with Internet-delivered and over the air content. These developments would negatively impact our ability to attract and retain customers, increase pricing and maintain or grow our revenues. In addition, poor housing markets have resulted in fewer customers moving and constrained new home construction, leading to lower new customer growth. As most of our revenues are provided by residential customers, if such conditions were to worsen or fail to demonstrate any meaningful improvement, we may experience further customer losses or downgrades in service, and our results of operations may be adversely affected.
The continuing increases in programming costs may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
Video programming expenses have historically been our largest single expense item, and in recent years we have experienced substantial increases in the cost of our programming, particularly sports and local broadcast programming, well in excess of the inflation rate or the change in the consumer price index. We believe that these expenses will continue to grow due to the increasing demands of large programmers, who each own a significant number of popular cable networks, including sports programming, for contract renewals and television broadcast station owners for retransmission consent fees, including certain large programmers who also own major market television broadcast stations. While such growth in programming expenses can be partially offset by rate increases, our video gross margins may continue to decline if they cannot be fully offset, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
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Greater levels of OTTV usage may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
OTTV usage rates have dramatically increased and may continue to grow at a meaningful pace. If our customers were to choose an OTTV service to partially or fully replace our video service, we may experience lower video revenues as a result. We may also incur additional marketing costs to compete for and retain consumers in our markets as a result of greater competition for video customers. We may also recognize additional HSD service costs and capital expenditures, as greater levels of OTTV streaming will cause additional bandwidth charges and network requirements. If the usage of OTTV were to continue to grow at a significant rate, we may experience lower revenues, and greater operating expenses and capital investments in the future, which may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
We may be unable to keep pace with rapid technological change that could adversely affect our business and our results of operations.
We operate in a rapidly changing technological environment and our success depends, in part, on our ability to enhance existing or adopt new technologies to maintain or improve our competitive positioning. If we are unsuccessful in keeping pace with future technological developments, or if we fail to choose technologies that allow us to offer products and services that are sought by our customers, and which are cost efficient for us, we may experience customer losses and our results of operations may be adversely affected.
We may be unable to secure necessary hardware, software, telecommunications and operational support that may impair our ability to provision and service our customers and adversely affect our business.
Third-party firms provide some of the components used in delivering our products and services, including digital set-top converter boxes, DVRs and VOD equipment; cable modems; routers and other switching equipment; provisioning and other software; network connections for our phone services; fiber optic cable and construction services for expansion and upgrades of our networks and cable systems; and our customer billing platform. Some of these companies may have negotiating leverage over us, considering that they are the sole supplier of certain products and services, or there may be a long lead time and/or significant expense required to transition to another provider. As a result, our operations depend on a successful relationship with these companies. Any delays or disruptions in the relationship as a result of contractual disagreements, operational or financial failures on the part of the suppliers, or other adverse events, could negatively affect our ability to effectively provision and service our customers. Demand for some of these items has increased with the general growth in demand for Internet and telecommunications services. We typically do not carry significant inventories, and therefore any delays in our ability to obtain equipment could impact our operations. Moreover, if there are no suppliers that are able to provide customer premise equipment that complies with evolving Internet and telecommunications standards, or that are compatible with other equipment and software that we use, this could negatively affect our ability to effectively provision and service our customers.
We depend on network and information systems and other technologies to operate our businesses. A disruption or failure in such systems and technologies, or in our ability to transition from one system to another, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Because of the importance of network and information systems and other technologies to our business, any events affecting these systems and technologies could have a devastating impact on our business. These events could include computer hacking, computer viruses, worms or other disruptive software, process breakdowns, denial of service attacks and other malicious activities or any combination of the foregoing; and natural disasters, power outages and man-made disasters. Such occurrences may cause service disruptions, loss of customers and revenues and negative publicity, which may result in significant expenditures to repair or replace the damaged infrastructure, or protect from similar occurrences in the future. We may also be negatively affected by the illegal acquisition and dissemination of data and information, including customer, personnel, and vendor data, and this may require us to expend significant resources to remedy any such security breach.
Our business depends on certain intellectual property rights and on not infringing on the intellectual property rights of others.
We rely on our copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, as well as licenses and other agreements with our vendors and other parties, to use our technologies, conduct our operations and sell our products and services. Third-party firms have in the past, and may in the future, assert claims or initiate litigation related to exclusive patent, copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property rights to technologies and related standards that are relevant to us. These assertions have increased over time as a result of our growth and the general increase in the pace of patent claims assertions, particularly in the United States. Because of the existence of a large number of patents in the networking field, the secrecy of some pending patents and the rapid rate of issuance of new patents, it is not economically practical or even possible to determine in advance whether a product or any of its components infringes or will infringe on the patent rights of others. Asserted claims and/or initiated litigation can include claims against us or our manufacturers, suppliers, or customers, alleging infringement of their proprietary rights with respect to our existing or future products and/or services or components of those products and/or services. Regardless of the merit of these claims, they can be time-consuming; result in costly
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litigation and diversion of technical and management personnel; and require us to develop a non-infringing technology or enter into license agreements. There can be no assurance that licenses will be available on acceptable terms and conditions, if at all, or that our indemnification by our suppliers will be adequate to cover our costs if a claim were brought directly against us or our customers. Furthermore, because of the potential for high monetary awards that are not necessarily predictable, it is not unusual to find even arguably unmeritorious claims settled for significant amounts. If any infringement or other intellectual property claim made against us by any third-party is successful, if we are required to indemnify a customer with respect to a claim against the customer, or if we fail to develop non-infringing technology or license the proprietary rights on commercially reasonable terms and conditions, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Some of our cable systems operate in the Gulf Coast region, which historically has experienced severe hurricanes and tropical storms.
Cable systems serving approximately 18% of our basic subscribers are located on or near the Gulf Coast in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi. In 2004 and 2005, three hurricanes impacted these cable systems to varying degrees causing property damage, service interruption and loss of customers. If the Gulf Coast region were to experience severe hurricanes in the future, this could adversely impact our results of operations in affected areas, causing us to experience higher than normal levels of expense and capital expenditures, as well as the potential loss of customers and revenues.
The loss of key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our success is substantially dependent upon the retention of, and the continued performance by, MCCs key personnel, including Rocco B. Commisso, MCCs Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. If any of MCCs key personnel ceases to participate in our business and operations, it could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to our Financial Condition
We are exposed to risks caused by disruptions in the capital and credit markets, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on the capital markets for senior note offerings, and the credit markets for bank credit arrangements, to meet our financial commitments and liquidity needs. Recently, the U.S. economy fell into a deep recession, with major downturns in financial markets. While the capital and credit markets have generally recovered, future disruptions in such markets could limit our ability to access new debt financings or refinancings, and cause our counterparty banks to be unable to fulfill their commitments to us, potentially reducing amounts available to us under our revolving credit commitments, or subjecting us to greater credit risk with respect to our interest rate exchange agreements. We are unable to predict future movements in the capital and credit markets or the underlying effects on our results of operations.
We have substantial debt and have significant interest payments and debt repayments, which could limit our operational flexibility and have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
As of December 31, 2011, our total debt was approximately $1.583 billion. Because of our substantial indebtedness, we are highly leveraged and will continue to be so. Our overall indebtedness could:
| limit our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures or acquisitions; |
| limit our ability to refinance our indebtedness on terms acceptable to us or at all; |
| require us to dedicate a significant portion of our cash flow from operations to paying the principal of and interest on our indebtedness; |
| limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the communications industry generally; |
| place us at a competitive disadvantage compared with competitors that have a less significant debt burden; and |
| make us more vulnerable to economic downturns and limit our ability to withstand competitive pressures. |
Our debt service obligations require us to use a large portion of our revenues and cash flows to pay principal and interest, reducing our ability to finance our operations, capital expenditures and other activities. Outstanding debt under our bank credit facility (the credit facility) has a variable rate of interest determined by either the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), or the Prime rate, chosen at our discretion, plus a margin, which varies depending on certain financial ratios as defined in the credit agreement governing the credit facility (the credit agreement). If such variable rates were to increase, or if we were to incur additional indebtedness, we may be required to pay additional interest expense, which would have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
We believe that cash generated by us or available to us will meet our anticipated capital and liquidity needs for the foreseeable future, including, as of December 31, 2011, scheduled term loan maturities during each of the years ending December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2014, of $12.0 million. However, in the longer term, specifically 2015 and beyond, we will not generate enough cash to
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satisfy our maturing term loans and senior notes. Accordingly, we will have to refinance existing obligations to extend maturities, or raise additional capital through debt or equity issuances or both. There can be no assurance that we will be able to refinance our existing obligations or raise any required additional capital or to do so on favorable terms. If we do not successfully accomplish these tasks, then we may have to cancel or scale back future capital spending programs, or sell assets. Failure to make capital investments in our business could materially and adversely affect our ability to compete effectively.
We are a holding company, and if our operating subsidiaries are unable to make funds available to us, we may not be able to fund our indebtedness and other obligations.
We are a holding company, and do not have any operations or hold any assets other than our investments in, and our advances to, our operating subsidiaries. These operating subsidiaries conduct all of our consolidated operations and own substantially all of our consolidated assets. Our operating subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to make funds available to us.
The only source of cash that we have to fund our senior notes (including, without limitation, the payment of interest on, and the repayment of, principal) is the cash that our operating subsidiaries generate from operations and from borrowing under the credit facility. The ability of our operating subsidiaries to make funds available to us, in the form of payments of principal or interest due under intercompany notes due to us, dividends, loans, advances or other payments, will depend upon the operating results of such subsidiaries, applicable laws and contractual restrictions, including the covenants set forth in the credit agreement governing our credit facility. If our operating subsidiaries were unable to make funds available to us, then we may not be able to make payments of principal or interest due under our senior notes. If such an event occurred, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as refinancing our senior notes or the outstanding debt of our operating subsidiaries at or before maturity, or raise additional capital through debt or equity issuance, or both. If we were not able to successfully accomplish those tasks, then we may have to cancel or scale back future capital spending programs, or sell assets. There can be no assurance that any of the foregoing actions would be successful. Any inability to meet our debt service obligations or refinance our indebtedness would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.
A default under our credit agreement or indenture could result in an acceleration of our indebtedness and other material adverse effects.
The credit agreement contains various covenants that, among other things, impose certain limitations on mergers and acquisitions, consolidations and sales of certain assets, liens, the incurrence of additional indebtedness, certain restricted payments and certain transactions with affiliates. As of December 31, 2011, the principal financial covenants of the credit agreement required compliance with a total leverage ratio (as defined) of no more than 5.5 to 1.0 at any time and an interest coverage ratio (as defined) of no less than 2.0 to 1.0 at the end of a quarterly period.
The indenture governing our senior notes contains various covenants, though they are generally less restrictive than those found in our credit facility. As of such date, the principal financial covenant of these senior notes had a limitation on the incurrence of additional indebtedness based upon a maximum debt to operating cash flow ratio (as defined) of 8.5 to 1.0. See Note 6 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The breach of any of the covenants under the credit agreement or indenture could cause a default, which may result in the indebtedness becoming immediately due and payable. If this were to occur, we would be unable to adequately finance our operations. In addition, a default could result in a default or acceleration of our other indebtedness subject to cross-default provisions. If this occurs, we may not be able to pay our debts or borrow sufficient funds to refinance them. Even if new financing is available, it may not be on terms that are acceptable to us. The membership interests of our operating subsidiaries are pledged as collateral under our credit facility. A default under our credit agreement could result in a foreclosure by the lenders on the membership interests pledged under that facility. Because we are dependent upon our operating subsidiaries for all of our cash flows, a foreclosure would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity.
In the event of a liquidation or reorganization of any of our subsidiaries, the creditors of any of such subsidiaries, including trade creditors, would be entitled to a claim on the assets of such subsidiaries prior to any claims of the stockholders of any such subsidiaries, and those creditors are likely to be paid in full before any distribution is made to such stockholders. To the extent that we, or any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries, are a creditor of another of our subsidiaries, the claims of such creditor could be subordinated to any security interest in the assets of such subsidiary and/or any indebtedness of such subsidiary senior to that held by such creditor.
A lowering of the ratings assigned to our debt securities by ratings agencies may increase our future borrowing costs and reduce our access to capital.
Our future access to the debt markets and the terms and conditions we receive are influenced by our debt ratings. MCCs corporate credit rating is B1, with a stable outlook, by Moodys, and B+, with a stable outlook, by Standard and Poors. Our senior unsecured credit rating is B3, with a stable outlook, by Moodys and B-, with a stable outlook, by Standard and Poors. We cannot assure you that Moodys and Standard and Poors will maintain their ratings on MCC and us. A negative change to these credit ratings could result in higher interest rates on future debt issuance than we currently experience, or adversely impact our ability to raise additional funds.
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We have experienced net losses and may generate net losses in the future.
We experienced net losses for several years prior to 2008, and may report net losses in the future. In general, these prior net losses have principally resulted from depreciation and amortization expenses associated with our acquisitions and capital expenditures related to expanding and upgrading of our cable systems, interest expense related to our indebtedness and net losses on derivatives. If we were to report net losses in the future, these losses may limit our ability to attract needed financing, and to do so on favorable terms, as such losses may prevent some investors from investing in our securities.
Impairment of our goodwill and other intangible assets could cause significant losses.
As of December 31, 2011, we had $641.0 million of unamortized intangible assets, including goodwill of $24.0 million and franchise rights of $616.8 million on our consolidated balance sheets. These intangible assets represented approximately 41% of our total assets.
Accounting Standards Codification No. 350 Intangibles Goodwill and Other (ASC 350) requires that goodwill and other intangible assets deemed to have indefinite useful lives, such as cable franchise rights, cease to be amortized. ASC 350 also requires that goodwill and certain intangible assets be tested at least annually for impairment. If we find that the carrying value of goodwill or cable franchise rights exceeds its fair value, we will reduce the carrying value of the goodwill or intangible asset to the fair value, and will recognize an impairment loss in our results of operations.
We follow the provisions of ASC 350 to test our goodwill and franchise rights for impairment. We assess the fair values of each cable system cluster using discounted cash flow (DCF) methodology, under which the fair value of cable franchise rights are determined in a direct manner. We employ the In-use Excess Earnings DCF methodology to calculate the fair values of our cable franchise rights, using unobservable inputs (Level 3). This assessment involves significant judgment, including certain assumptions and estimates that determine future cash flow expectations and other future benefits, which are consistent with the expectations of buyers and sellers of cable systems in determining fair value. These assumptions and estimates include discount rates, estimated growth rates, terminal growth rates, comparable company data, revenues per customer, market penetration as a percentage of homes passed and operating margin. We also consider market transactions, market valuations, research analyst estimates and other valuations using multiples of operating income before depreciation and amortization to confirm the reasonableness of fair values determined by the DCF methodology. We also employ the Greenfield model to corroborate the fair values of our cable franchise rights determined under the In-use Excess Earnings DCF methodology. Significant impairment in value resulting in impairment charges may result if the estimates and assumptions used in the fair value determination change in the future. Such impairments, if recognized, could potentially be material.
Since a number of factors may influence determinations of fair value of intangible assets, we are unable to predict whether impairments of goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangibles will occur in the future. However, significant impairment in value resulting in impairment charges may result if the estimates and assumptions used in the fair value determination change in the future. Such impairment could be significant and could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Any such impairment would result in our recognizing a corresponding write-off, which could cause us to report a significant noncash operating loss. Our annual impairment analysis was performed as of October 1, 2011, and resulted in no impairment. We may be required to conduct an impairment analysis prior to our anniversary date to the extent certain economic or business factors are present.
Risks Related to Legislative and Regulatory Matters
Changes in government regulation could adversely impact our business.
The cable industry is subject to extensive legislation and regulation at the federal and local levels and, in some instances, at the state level. Additionally, our HSD and phone services are also subject to regulation, and additional regulation is under consideration. Many aspects of such regulation are currently the subject of judicial and administrative proceedings and legislative and administrative proposals, and lobbying efforts by us and our competitors. Recently introduced legislation could entirely change the framework under which broadcast signals are carried, including removing the copyright compulsory license, and lift restrictions on how we offer our basic tier services. We expect that court actions and regulatory proceedings will continue to refine our rights and obligations under applicable federal, state and local laws. The FCCs comprehensive implementation of changes under its National Broadband Plan, in addition to increasing our costs, may provide advantages to our competitors by subsidizing their costs, providing them with regulatory advantages and/or lowering barriers to entry. The results of current or future judicial and administrative proceedings and legislative activities cannot be predicted. Modifications to existing requirements or imposition of new requirements or limitations could have an adverse impact on our business including those described below. See Business Legislation and Regulation.
25
Restrictions on how we tier or package video programming selections could adversely impact our business.
Congress may consider legislation regarding programming packaging, bundling or a la carte delivery of programming. Any such requirements could fundamentally change the way in which we package and price our services. We cannot predict the outcome of any current or future FCC proceedings or legislation in this area, or the impact of such proceedings on our business at this time. See Business Legislation and Regulation Content Regulations Program Tiering.
The new program access mandates of the FCCs Comcast Order may help our competitors more than it may benefit us.
Although the program access provisions related to Comcast and NBC Universal programming may provide benefits to us in the form of lower programming costs and access to online distribution rights should we decide to provide distribution of video services over the Internet, those provisions may provide our competitors greater advantages. Not only do the new provisions benefit traditional competing MVPDs, but they may vastly expand the quantity of mainstream programming available to OVDs. More robust OVD offerings may have greater appeal to our current or prospective video subscribers. We cannot predict the impact such provisions may have on our business, but the lowering of costs to our competitors and the increased availability of online delivery of content could adversely affect our business. See Business Legislation and Regulation Content Regulations Access to Certain Programming.
Denials of franchise renewals or continued absence of franchise parity can adversely impact our business.
Where state-issued franchises are not available, local franchising authorities may demand concessions, or other commitments, as a condition to renewal, and these concessions or other commitments could be costly. Although the Cable Act affords certain protections, there is no assurance that we will not be compelled to meet their demands in order to obtain renewals.
Our cable systems are operated under non-exclusive franchises. As of December 31, 2011, we believe that various entities are currently offering video service, through wireline distribution networks, to about 33% of our estimated homes passed. Because of the FCCs actions to speed issuance of local competitive franchises and because many states in which we operate cable systems have adopted, and other states may adopt, legislation to allow others, including local telephone companies, to deliver services in competition with our cable service without obtaining equivalent local franchises, we may face not only increasing competition but we may be at a competitive disadvantage due to lack of regulatory parity. Any of these factors could adversely affect our business. See Business Legislation and Regulation Cable System Operations and Cable Services State and Local Regulation Franchise Matters.
Changes in carriage requirements could impose additional cost burdens on us.
Any change that increases the amount of content that we must carry on our cable systems can adversely impact our business by increasing our costs and limiting our ability to carry other programming more valued by our subscribers or limit our ability to provide other services. For example, if we are required to carry more than the primary stream of digital broadcast signals or if the FCC regulations are put into effect that require us to provide either very low cost or no cost commercial leased access, our business would be adversely affected. See Business Legislation and Regulation Cable System Operations and Cable Services Federal Regulation Content Regulations.
Pending FCC and court proceedings could adversely affect our HSD service.
The regulatory status of providing HSD service by cable companies remains uncertain. If the FCC reclassification of Internet access service is regulated as Title II telecommunications service, this could impose significant new regulatory burdens and costs. The FCCs actions to impose network neutrality obligations on our HSD service could add regulatory burdens, further restrict the methods we may employ to manage the operation of our network, increase our costs and may require us to make additional capital expenditures, thus adversely affecting our business. Moreover, if the FCCs jurisdiction to regulate broadband Internet access is upheld by the court, the type of jurisdiction found to exist may permit even more expansive and invasive regulation of our HSD service. See Business Legislation and Regulation HSD Service Federal Regulation.
Government financing of broadband providers in our service areas could adverse impact our business.
The changes brought about by the introduction of the Connect America Fund and other changes to how USF monies are distributed may provide funding and subsidies to those who either compete with us or seek to compete with us and therefore put us at a competitive disadvantage. See Business Legislation and Regulation HSD Service Federal Regulation.
26
Our phone service may become subject to additional regulation.
The regulatory treatment of phone services that we and other providers offer remains uncertain. The FCC, Congress, the courts and the states continue to look at issues surrounding the provision of VoIP, including whether this service is properly classified as either a telecommunications service or an information service. Any changes to existing law as it applies to VoIP or any determination that results in greater or different regulatory obligations than competing services would result in increased costs, reduce anticipated revenues and impede our ability to effectively compete or otherwise adversely affect our ability to successfully roll-out and conduct our telephony business. See Business Legislation and Regulation Voice-over-Internet-Protocol Telephony Service Federal Law.
Changes in pole attachment regulations or actions by pole owners could significantly increased our pole attachment costs.
Our cable facilities are often attached to, or use, public utility poles, ducts or conduits. Although changes in 2011 to the FCCs long-standing pole attachment rate formulas and attachment requirements may be beneficial to us, the effective and significant lowering of the rate attachment costs to our competitors coupled with increasing their ease of attachment, may significantly benefit those that provide services that compete with ours. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could suffer a material adverse impact from changes that make it both easier and less costly for those who compete with us to attach to poles. See Business Legislation and Regulation Cable System Operations and Cable Services Federal Regulation Pole Attachment Regulation.
Changes in compulsory copyright regulations could significantly increase our license fees.
If Congress either eliminates the current cable compulsory license or enacts the proposed revisions to the Copyright Act, the elimination could impose increased costs and transactional burdens or the revisions could impose oversight and conditions that could adversely affect our business. Additionally, the Copyright Offices implementation of any such legislative changes could impose requirements on us or permit overly intrusive access to financial and operational records. Any future decision by Congress to eliminate the cable compulsory license, which would require us to obtain copyright licensing of all broadcast material at the source, would impose significant administrative burdens and additional costs that could adversely affect our business. See Business Legislation and Regulation Cable System Operations and Cable Services Federal Regulation Copyright.
Risks Related to MCCs Chairman and Chief Executive Officers Controlling Position
MCCs Chairman and Chief Executive Officer has the ability to control all major corporate decisions, and a sale of his stock could result in a change of control that would have unpredictable effects.
As a result of the Going Private Transaction, MCC is wholly-owned by an entity controlled by Rocco B. Commisso, MCCs founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Our debt arrangements provide that a default may result upon certain change of control events, including if Mr. Commisso were to sell a significant stake in us or MCC to a third party. Our debt agreements provide, however, that a change of control will not be deemed to have occurred so long as MCC continues to be our manager and Mr. Commisso continues to be MCCs Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. A change in control could result in a default under our debt arrangements, could require us to offer to repurchase our senior notes at 101% of their principal amount, could trigger a variety of federal, state and local regulatory consent requirements and potentially limit MCCs further utilization of net operating losses for income tax purposes. Any of the foregoing results could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
ITEM 1B. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
None.
ITEM 2. | PROPERTIES |
Our principal physical assets consist of fiber optic networks, including signal receiving, encoding and decoding devices, headend facilities and distribution systems and equipment at, or near, customers homes. The signal receiving apparatus typically includes a tower, antenna, ancillary electronic equipment and earth stations for reception of satellite signals. Headend facilities are located near the receiving devices. Our distribution system consists primarily of coaxial and fiber optic cables and related electronic equipment. Customer premise equipment consists of set-top devices, cable modems and related equipment. Our distribution systems and related equipment generally are attached to utility poles under pole rental agreements with local public utilities, although in some areas the distribution cable is buried in underground ducts or trenches. The physical components of the cable systems require maintenance and periodic upgrading to improve performance and capacity. In addition, we maintain a network operations center with equipment necessary to monitor and manage the status of our network.
We own and lease the real property housing our regional call centers, business offices and warehouses throughout our operating regions. Our headend facilities, signal reception sites and microwave facilities are located on owned and leased parcels of land, and we generally own the towers on which certain of our equipment is located. We own most of our service vehicles. We believe that our properties, both owned and leased, are in good condition and are suitable and adequate for our operations.
27
Gary Ogg and Janice Ogg v. Mediacom LLC
We are named as a defendant in a putative class action, captioned Gary Ogg and Janice Ogg v. Mediacom LLC, pending in the Circuit Court of Clay County, Missouri, originally filed in April 2001. The lawsuit alleges that we, in areas where there was no cable franchise, failed to obtain permission from landowners to place our fiber interconnection cable notwithstanding the possession of agreements or permission from other third parties. While the parties continue to contest liability, there also remains a dispute as to the proper measure of damages. Based on a report by their experts, the plaintiffs claim compensatory damages of approximately $14.5 million. Legal fees, prejudgment interest, potential punitive damages and other costs could increase that estimate to approximately $26.0 million. Before trial, the plaintiffs proposed an alternative damage theory of $42.0 million in compensatory damages. Notwithstanding the verdict in the trial described below, we remain unable to reasonably determine the amount of our final liability in this lawsuit. Prior to trial our experts estimated our liability to be within the range of approximately $0.1 million to $2.3 million. This estimate did not include any estimate of damages for prejudgment interest, attorneys fees or punitive damages.
On March 9, 2009, a jury trial commenced solely for the claim of Gary and Janice Ogg, the designated class representatives. On March 18, 2009, the jury rendered a verdict in favor of Gary and Janice Ogg setting compensatory damages of $8,863 and punitive damages of $35,000. The Court did not enter a final judgment on this verdict and therefore the amount of the verdict could not at that time be judicially collected. Although we believe that the particular circumstances of each class member may result in a different measure of damages for each member, if the same measure of compensatory damages was used for each member, the aggregate compensatory damages would be approximately $16.2 million plus the possibility of an award of attorneys fees, prejudgment interest, and punitive damages.
On April 22, 2011, the Circuit Court of Clay County, Missouri issued an opinion and order decertifying the class in this putative class action. A notice of appeal was filed by the plaintiff on May 2, 2011 regarding the courts decertification of the class and the courts refusal to award prejudgment interest on the Gary and Janice Ogg judgment. We will vigorously defend this appeal as well as any claims made by the other members of the purported class.
We believe that the amount of actual liability would not have a significant effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows or business. There can be no assurance, however, if the decision of the Circuit Court of Clay County, Missouri is reversed, that the actual liability ultimately determined for all members of the class would not exceed our estimated range or any amount derived from the verdict rendered on March 18, 2009. We have tendered the lawsuit to our insurance carrier for defense and indemnification. The carrier has agreed to defend us under a reservation of rights, and a declaratory judgment action is pending regarding the carriers defense and coverage responsibilities.
Other Legal Proceedings
We are involved in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows or business.
ITEM 4. MINE | SAFETY DISCLOSURES |
Not applicable.
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ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
There is no public trading market for our equity, all of which is held by MCC.
ITEM 6. | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
In the table below, we provide selected historical consolidated statement of operations data, cash flow data and other data for the years ended December 31, 2007 through 2011 and balance sheet data and operating data as of December 31, 2007 through 2011, which are derived from our consolidated financial statements (except other data and operating data).
See Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010(11) | 2009(11) | 2008(11)(12) | 2007(11)(12) | ||||||||||||||||
(Amounts in thousands, except operating data) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of Operations Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 675,556 | $ | 651,326 | $ | 637,375 | $ | 615,859 | $ | 565,913 | ||||||||||
Costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Service costs |
293,940 | 291,946 | 283,167 | 267,321 | 245,968 | |||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
114,300 | 109,752 | 109,829 | 110,605 | 104,694 | |||||||||||||||
Management fee expense |
11,896 | 12,123 | 11,808 | 11,805 | 10,358 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
117,352 | 109,509 | 114,465 | 112,292 | 115,890 | |||||||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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Operating income |
138,068 | 127,996 | 118,106 | 113,836 | 89,003 | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
(97,681 | ) | (91,824 | ) | (89,829 | ) | (99,639 | ) | (118,386 | ) | ||||||||||
Loss on early extinguishment of debt |
| (1,234 | ) | (5,790 | ) | | | |||||||||||||
(Loss) gain on derivatives, net |
(15,178 | ) | (18,214 | ) | 13,121 | (23,321 | ) | (9,951 | ) | |||||||||||
(Loss) gain on sale of cable systems, net |
| | (377 | ) | (170 | ) | 8,826 | |||||||||||||
Investment income from affiliate(1) |
18,000 | 18,000 | 18,000 | 18,000 | 18,000 | |||||||||||||||
Other expense, net |
(1,913 | ) | (2,777 | ) | (3,794 | ) | (3,726 | ) | (4,411 | ) | ||||||||||
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|
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|
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|
|
|
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Net income (loss) |
$ | 41,296 | $ | 31,947 | $ | 49,437 | $ | 4,980 | $ | (16,919 | ) | |||||||||
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|
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Balance Sheet Data (end of period): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 1,545,160 | $ | 1,583,439 | $ | 1,578,789 | $ | 1,509,284 | $ | 1,476,881 | ||||||||||
Total debt |
$ | 1,583,000 | $ | 1,519,000 | $ | 1,510,000 | $ | 1,520,000 | $ | 1,505,500 | ||||||||||
Total member's deficit |
$ | (249,571 | ) | $ | (150,051 | ) | $ | (205,179 | ) | $ | (316,160 | ) | $ | (277,272 | ) | |||||
Cash Flow Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash flows provided by (used in): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating activities |
$ | 160,802 | $ | 98,400 | $ | 136,570 | $ | 188,547 | $ | 107,722 | ||||||||||
Investing activities |
$ | (93,835 | ) | $ | (107,154 | ) | $ | (100,374 | ) | $ | (143,859 | ) | $ | (87,264 | ) | |||||
Financing activities |
$ | (76,543 | ) | $ | 21,900 | $ | (37,388 | ) | $ | (44,213 | ) | $ | (22,374 | ) | ||||||
Other Data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
OIBDA(2) |
$ | 255,420 | $ | 237,505 | $ | 232,571 | $ | 226,128 | $ | 204,893 | ||||||||||
OIBDA margin(3) |
37.8 | % | 36.5 | % | 36.5 | % | 36.7 | % | 36.2 | % | ||||||||||
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(4) |
1.40 | 1.32 | 1.50 | 1.04 | | |||||||||||||||
Operating Data (end of period): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Estimated homes passed(5) |
1,295,000 | 1,292,000 | 1,286,000 | 1,370,000 | 1,360,000 | |||||||||||||||
Basic subscribers(6) |
473,000 | 530,000 | 548,000 | 601,000 | 604,000 | |||||||||||||||
HSD customers(7) |
383,000 | 379,000 | 350,000 | 337,000 | 299,000 | |||||||||||||||
Phone customers(8) |
159,000 | 157,000 | 135,000 | 114,000 | 79,000 | |||||||||||||||
Primary service units (9) |
1,015,000 | 1,066,000 | 1,033,000 | 1,052,000 | 982,000 | |||||||||||||||
Digital customers(10) |
303,000 | 322,000 | 300,000 | 288,000 | 240,000 |
(1) | Investment income from affiliate represents the investment income on our $150.0 million preferred equity investment in Mediacom Broadband. See Note 12 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. |
29
(2) | OIBDA is not a financial measure calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States. We define OIBDA as operating income before depreciation and amortization. OIBDA has inherent limitations as discussed below. |
OIBDA is one of the primary measures used by management to evaluate our performance and to forecast future results. We believe OIBDA is useful for investors because it enables them to assess our performance in a manner similar to the methods used by management, and provides a measure that can be used to analyze value and compare the companies in the cable industry. A limitation of OIBDA, however, is that it excludes depreciation and amortization, which represents the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues in our business. Management uses a separate process to budget, measure and evaluate capital expenditures. In addition, OIBDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies, which may have different depreciation and amortization policies.
OIBDA should not be regarded as an alternative to operating income or net income as an indicator of operating performance, or to the statement of cash flows as a measure of liquidity, nor should it be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. We believe that operating income is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to OIBDA.
In our Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007, we have presented OIBDA as adjusted for non-cash stock based compensation, or Adjusted OIBDA. As a result of the Going Private Transaction, such compensation plans have been terminated, and we believe OIBDA is the most appropriate measure to evaluate our performance and forecast future results.
The following represents a reconciliation of OIBDA to operating income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure (dollars in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||||||
OIBDA |
$ | 255,420 | $ | 237,505 | $ | 232,571 | $ | 226,128 | $ | 204,893 | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(117,352 | ) | (109,509 | ) | (114,465 | ) | (112,292 | ) | (115,890 | ) | ||||||||||
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Operating income |
$ | 138,068 | $ | 127,996 | $ | 118,106 | $ | 113,836 | $ | 89,003 | ||||||||||
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(3) | Represents OIBDA as a percentage of revenues. See note 2 above. |
(4) | The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was, 1.40, 1.32, 1.50 and 1.04 for the year ended December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $16.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 Refer to Exhibit 12.1 to this Annual Report for additional information. |
(5) | Represents the estimated number of single residence homes, apartments and condominium units passed by our cable distribution network. Estimated homes passed are based on the best information currently available. |
(6) | Represents customers receiving video service. Accounts that are billed on a bulk basis, which typically receive discounted rates, are converted into full-price equivalent basic subscribers by dividing total bulk billed basic revenues of a particular system by the average cable rate charged to basic subscribers in that system. This conversion method is generally consistent with the methodology used in determining payments to programmers. Basic subscribers include connections to schools, libraries, local government offices and employee households that may not be charged for limited and expanded cable services, but may be charged for digital cable, HSD, phone or other services. Our methodology of calculating the number of basic subscribers may not be identical to those used by other companies offering similar services. |
(7) | Represents customers receiving HSD service. Small to medium-sized commercial HSD accounts are converted to equivalent residential HSD customers by dividing their associated revenues by the applicable residential rate. Customers who take our scalable, fiber-based enterprise network products and services are not counted as HSD customers. Our methodology of calculating HSD customers may not be identical to those used by other companies offering similar services. |
(8) | Represents customers receiving phone service. Small to medium-sized commercial phone accounts are converted to equivalent residential phone customers by dividing their associated revenues by the applicable residential rate. Our methodology of calculating phone customers may not be identical to those used by other companies offering similar services. |
(9) | Represents the sum of basic subscribers, HSD and phone customers. |
(10) | Represents customers receiving digital video services. |
(11) | Certain amounts included in the years ended December 31, 2007 through 2010 have been revised. See Note 2 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the effects on the December 31, 2010 Consolidated Balance Sheet and on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. |
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(12) | The following table presents the impact of the revision on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (amounts in thousands): |
As Previously Reported |
Adjustment | As Revised |
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December 31, 2007 |
||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | 1,467,146 | $ | 9,735 | $ | 1,476,881 | ||||||
Capital contributions |
|
438,517 |
|
(2,576 | ) | 435,941 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit |
|
(706,167 |
) |
(7,046 | ) | (713,213 | ) | |||||
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|
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Total members deficit |
(267,650 | ) | (9,622 | ) | (277,272 | ) | ||||||
December 31, 2008 |
||||||||||||
Total assets |
1,499,125 | 10,159 | 1,509,284 | |||||||||
Capital contributions |
394,517 | (2,443 | ) | 392,074 | ||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(698,778 | ) | (9,456 | ) | (708,234 | ) | ||||||
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Total members deficit |
(304,261 | ) | (11,899 | ) | (316,160 | ) | ||||||
December 31, 2009 |
||||||||||||
Total assets |
1,568,220 | 10,569 | 1,578,789 | |||||||||
Capital contributions |
455,973 | (2,355 | ) | 453,618 | ||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(646,960 | ) | (11,837 | ) | (658,797 | ) | ||||||
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Total members deficit |
(190,987 | ) | (14,192 | ) | (205,179 | ) | ||||||
December 31, 2010 |
||||||||||||
Total assets |
1,584,108 | (669 | ) | 1,583,439 | ||||||||
Capital contributions |
478,973 | (2,178 | ) | 476,795 | ||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(613,803 | ) | (13,043 | ) | (626,846 | ) | ||||||
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Total members deficit |
(134,830 | ) | (15,221 | ) | (150,051 | ) |
The following table presents the impact of the revision on our Consolidated Statements of Operations (amounts in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, 2008 | Year Ended December 31, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
As Previously Reported |
Adjustment | As Revised |
As Previously Reported |
Adjustment | As Revised |
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Depreciation and amortization expense |
$ | 109,883 | $ | 2,409 | $ | 112,292 | $ | 113,597 | $ | 2,293 | $ | 115,890 | ||||||||||||
Operating income |
116,245 | (2,409 | ) | 113,836 | 91,296 | (2,293 | ) | 89,003 | ||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
7,389 | (2,409 | ) | 4,980 | (14,626 | ) | (2,293 | ) | (16,919 | ) |
The following table presents the impact of the revision on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (amounts in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, 2008 | Year Ended December 31, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
As Previously Reported |
Adjustment | As Revised |
As Previously Reported |
Adjustment | As Revised |
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Net cash flows provided by (used in): |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating activities |
$ | 186,383 | $ | 2,164 | $ | 188,547 | $ | 103,927 | $ | 3,795 | $ | 107,722 | ||||||||||||
Investing activities |
(141,695 | ) | (2,164 | ) | (143,859 | ) | (83,469 | ) | (3,795 | ) | (87,264 | ) |
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ITEM 7. | MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
Reference is made to the Risk Factors in Item 1A for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ from expectations and any of our forward-looking statements contained herein. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements as of, and for the years ended, December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements
During the fourth quarter of 2011, we identified and corrected errors in the manner in which we recorded fixed assets and the related depreciation expense on fixed assets purchased by MCC on behalf of our operating subsidiaries. Such capital expenditures and associated depreciation were recorded at MCC, whereas they were related to, and should have been incurred by, our operating subsidiaries. Accordingly, we revised previously reported results for all affected periods. Refer to Note 2 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about the financial statement impact of this revision. The discussion and analysis included herein includes statements based on the revised financial results for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
Overview
We are a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mediacom Communications Corporation (MCC), the nations eighth largest cable company based on the number of customers who purchase one or more video services, also known as basic subscribers. As of December 31, 2011, we served approximately 473,000 basic subscribers, 383,000 HSD customers and 159,000 phone customers, aggregating 1.02 million primary service units (PSUs).
Through our interactive broadband network, we provide our residential and commercial customers with a wide variety of products and services, including our primary services of video, high-speed data (HSD) and phone, which we refer to as our triple play bundle. We also provide network and transport services to medium and large sized businesses in our service areas, including cell tower backhaul for wireless telephone providers, and sell advertising time we receive under our programming license agreements to local, regional and national advertisers. We believe our customers prefer the cost savings of the bundled products and services we offer, as well as the convenience of having a single provider contact for ordering, provisioning, billing and customer care.
We believe we will continue to increase revenues through customer growth in our business and residential services. Business services revenues are expected to grow through HSD and phone sales to small-to-medium sized companies and a greater number cell tower backhaul connected by our network. Revenues from residential services are expected to growth largely as a result of customer growth in HSD and phone services, with additional contributions from customers taking higher speed tiers for HSD and more advanced video services.
Our performance has been affected by general economic conditions and by the competition we face. We believe high unemployment levels, and weakness in the housing sector and consumer spending have, in part, contributed to lower connect activity for all of our services and negatively impacted our residential customer and revenue growth. While we expect improvement as the economy recovers, a continuation or broadening of such effects may adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
Our video service principally competes with direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers, who offer video programming substantially similar to ours. For the past several years, DBS competitors have deployed aggressive marketing campaigns, including deeply discounted promotional packages, which we believe has contributed to video customer losses in our markets. Our programming costs, particularly for sports and local broadcast programming, have risen well in excess of the inflation rate in recent years, a trend we expect to continue. Given these factors, we have generally limited our offering of discounted pricing for video-only customers, as we believe it has become uneconomic to offer a low-priced, low-margin video-only product in an attempt to match the competitions pricing. While the reduction of discounted pricing has positively impacted per-unit video revenues, we believe that it, along with weak economic conditions, has contributed to further video customer losses. If such losses were to continue, we may experience future annual declines in video revenues. We expect to mostly offset such declines through higher average unit pricing and greater penetration of our advanced video services, including video-on-demand, high-definition television (HDTV) and digital video recorders (DVRs).
Our HSD service competes primarily with digital subscriber line (DSL) services offered by local telephone companies. Based upon the speeds we offer, we believe our HSD product is superior to DSL offerings in our service areas. Our phone service mainly competes with substantially comparable phone services offered by local telephone companies, and with cellular phone services offered by national wireless providers. We believe our limiting price discounts on the video-only service, weak consumer demand and housing conditions have resulted in lower overall sales and connect activity, which has slowed customer growth in our residential HSD and phone services. However, we believe we will be able to partially offset such affects, and continue to increase HSD and phone revenues, through future growth in commercial HSD and phone customers.
We face significant competition in our advertising business from a wide range of national, regional and local competitors. Competition will likely elevate as new formats for advertising are introduced into our markets. We compete for advertising revenues principally against local broadcast stations, national cable and broadcast networks, radio, newspapers, magazines, outdoor display and Internet companies.
For the year ended December 31, 2011, programming represented our single largest expense. In recent years, we have experienced substantial increases in the cost of our programming, particularly sports and local broadcast programming, well in excess of the inflation rate or the change in the consumer price index. We believe that these expenses will continue to grow due to the increasing demands of large programmers, who each own a significant number of popular cable networks, including sports programming, for contract renewals and television broadcast station owners for retransmission consent fees, including certain large programmers who also own major market television broadcast stations. While such growth in programming expenses can be partially offset by rate increases, we expect our video gross margins will continue to decline if increases in programming costs outpace any growth in video revenues.
2011 Developments
On November 12, 2010, MCC entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement), by and among MCC, JMC Communications LLC (JMC) and Rocco B. Commisso, MCCs founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who was also the sole member and manager of JMC, for the purpose of taking MCC private (the Going Private Transaction).
At a special meeting of stockholders on March 4, 2011, MCCs stockholders voted to adopt the Merger Agreement. On the same date, JMC was merged with and into MCC (the Merger), with MCC continuing as the surviving corporation, a private company that is wholly-owned by an entity controlled by Mr. Commisso. As a result of the Merger, among other things, each share of MCCs common stock (other than shares held by Mr. Commisso and his affiliates) was converted into the right to receive promptly after the Merger $8.75 in cash.
The Going Private Transaction required funding of approximately $381.5 million, including related transaction expenses, and was funded, in part, by capital distributions to MCC from us, consisting of $100.0 million of borrowings under our revolving credit facility and $36.5 million of cash on hand. The balance was funded by Mediacom Broadband LLC (Mediacom Broadband), another wholly-owned subsidiary of MCC.
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2012 Developments
On February 7, 2012, we issued 7 1/4% senior notes due February 2022 in the aggregate principal amount of $250 million. See Liquidity and Capital Resources Capital Structure New Financing for additional information regarding these new senior notes.
Revenues, Costs and Expenses
Video revenues primarily represent monthly subscription fees charged to customers for our core cable products and services (including basic and digital cable programming services, wire maintenance, equipment rental and services to commercial establishments), pay-per-view charges, installation, reconnection and late payment fees, franchise fees and other ancillary revenues. HSD revenues primarily represent monthly fees charged to customers (including small to medium sized commercial establishments) for our HSD products and services and equipment rental fees, as well as fees charged to large-sized businesses for our scalable, fiber-based enterprise network products and services. Phone revenues primarily represent monthly fees charged to customers (including small to medium sized commercial establishments) for our phone service. Advertising revenues substantially represent revenues received from local and national businesses for the placement of their commercials on channels offered on our video services.
Service costs consist of the direct costs related to providing and maintaining services to our customers. Significant service costs include: programming expenses; HSD costs, including costs related to bandwidth connectivity, customer provisioning, our enterprise networks business and our network operations center; phone service costs, including leased circuits, long distance and other expenses; employee costs, including wages and other expenses for technical personnel who maintain our cable network, perform customer installation activities and provide customer support; and field operating costs, including the use of outside contractors, vehicle, utility and pole rental expenses. These costs generally rise as a result of contractual increases in video programming rates, customer growth and inflationary cost increases for personnel, outside vendor and other expenses. Video programming expenses are generally paid on a per subscriber basis. Personnel and related support costs may increase as the percentage of expenses that we capitalize declines due to lower levels of new service installations. Our service costs may fluctuate depending on the level of investments we make in our cable systems, and the resulting operational efficiencies. In June 2011, we completed a transition to an internal phone service platform, which greatly reduced our phone service expenses. We anticipate that our service costs, with the exception of programming expenses, will remain fairly consistent as a percentage of our revenues.
Significant selling, general and administrative expenses include: wages and related expenses for our call center, customer service, marketing, business services, support and administrative personnel; franchise fees and other taxes; bad debt expense; billing costs; advertising and marketing expenses; and general office administration costs. These expenses generally rise due to customer growth and inflationary cost increases for employees and other expenses. We anticipate that our selling, general and administrative expenses will remain fairly consistent as a percentage of our revenues.
Management fee expenses reflect compensation paid to MCC for the performance of services it provides our operating subsidiaries in accordance with management agreements between MCC and our operating subsidiaries.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
OIBDA is not a financial measure calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States. We define OIBDA as operating income before depreciation and amortization. OIBDA has inherent limitations as discussed below.
OIBDA is one of the primary measures used by management to evaluate our performance and to forecast future results. We believe OIBDA is useful for investors because it enables them to assess our performance in a manner similar to the methods used by management, and provides a measure that can be used to analyze value and compare the companies in the cable industry. A limitation of OIBDA, however, is that it excludes depreciation and amortization, which represents the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues in our business. Management uses a separate process to budget, measure and evaluate capital expenditures. In addition, OIBDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies, which may have different depreciation and amortization policies.
OIBDA should not be regarded as an alternative to operating income or net income as an indicator of operating performance, or to the statement of cash flows as a measure of liquidity, nor should it be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. We believe that operating income is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to OIBDA.
In our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, we presented OIBDA as adjusted for non-cash share-based compensation, or Adjusted OIBDA. As a result of the Going Private Transaction, we no longer record non-cash share-based compensation, and believe OIBDA is the most appropriate measure to evaluate our performance and forecast future results.
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Year Ended December 31, 2011 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2010
The table below sets forth our consolidated statements of operations and OIBDA for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands and percentage changes that are not meaningful are marked NM):
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 675,556 | $ | 651,326 | $ | 24,230 | 3.7 | % | ||||||||
Costs and expenses: |
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Service costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) |
293,940 | 291,946 | 1,994 | 0.7 | % | |||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
114,300 | 109,752 | 4,548 | 4.1 | % | |||||||||||
Management fee expense |
11,896 | 12,123 | (227 | ) | (1.9 | %) | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
117,352 | 109,509 | 7,843 | 7.2 | % | |||||||||||
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Operating income |
138,068 | 127,996 | 10,072 | 7.9 | % | |||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
(97,681 | ) | (91,824 | ) | (5,857 | ) | 6.4 | % | ||||||||
Loss on early extinguishment of debt |
| (1,234 | ) | 1,234 | NM | |||||||||||
Loss on derivatives, net |
(15,178 | ) | (18,214 | ) | 3,036 | (16.7 | %) | |||||||||
Investment income from affiliate |
18,000 | 18,000 | | NM | ||||||||||||
Other expense, net |
(1,913 | ) | (2,777 | ) | 864 | (31.1 | %) | |||||||||
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Net income |
$ | 41,296 | $ | 31,947 | $ | 9,349 | 29.3 | % | ||||||||
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OIBDA |
$ | 255,420 | $ | 237,505 | $ | 17,915 | 7.5 | % | ||||||||
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The table below represents a reconciliation of OIBDA to operating income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure (dollars in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
OIBDA |
$ | 255,420 | $ | 237,505 | $ | 17,915 | 7.5 | % | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(117,352 | ) | (109,509 | ) | (7,843 | ) | 7.2 | % | ||||||||
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Operating income |
$ | 138,068 | $ | 127,996 | $ | 10,072 | 7.9 | % | ||||||||
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Revenues
The tables below set forth revenue and selected subscriber, customer and average monthly revenue statistics as of, and for the years ended, December 31, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands, except per unit data):
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
Video |
$ | 400,377 | $ | 399,905 | $ | 472 | 0.1 | % | ||||||||
HSD |
196,206 | 176,134 | 20,072 | 11.4 | % | |||||||||||
Phone |
63,491 | 58,320 | 5,171 | 8.9 | % | |||||||||||
Advertising |
15,482 | 16,967 | (1,485 | ) | (8.8 | %) | ||||||||||
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Total |
$ | 675,556 | $ | 651,326 | $ | 24,230 | 3.7 | % | ||||||||
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Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) |
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2011 | 2010 | % Change | ||||||||||||||
Basic subscribers |
473,000 | 530,000 | (57,000 | ) | (10.8 | %) | ||||||||||
HSD customers |
383,000 | 379,000 | 4,000 | 1.1 | % | |||||||||||
Phone customers |
159,000 | 157,000 | 2,000 | 1.3 | % | |||||||||||
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Primary service units (PSUs) |
1,015,000 | 1,066,000 | (51,000 | ) | (4.8 | %) | ||||||||||
Digital customers |
303,000 | 322,000 | (19,000 | ) | (5.9 | %) | ||||||||||
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Revenue generating units |
1,318,000 | 1,388,000 | (70,000 | ) | (5.0 | %) | ||||||||||
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Average total monthly revenue per basic subscriber (1) |
$ | 112.26 | $ | 100.70 | $ | 11.56 | 11.5 | % | ||||||||
Average total monthly revenue per PSU (2) |
$ | 54.11 | $ | 51.72 | $ | 2.39 | 4.6 | % |
(1) | Represents average total monthly revenues for the year divided by average basic subscribers for the year. |
(2) | Represents average total monthly revenues for the year divided by average PSUs for the year. |
Revenues increased 3.7%, primarily due to higher HSD and, to a much lesser extent, phone revenues. Average total monthly revenue per basic subscriber increased 11.5% to $112.26, and average total monthly revenue per PSU increased 4.6% to $54.11.
Video revenues were essentially flat, as higher unit pricing was mostly offset by basic subscriber losses. During the year ended December 31, 2011, we lost 57,000 basic subscribers, compared to a loss of 18,000 basic subscribers in the prior year, as a result of aggressive marketing and promotional offers by our competitors, which included higher levels of discounted pricing. As of December 31, 2011, we served 473,000 basic subscribers, or 36.5% of our estimated homes passed. As of the same date, 64.1% of our basic subscribers were digital customers, and 48.1% of our digital customers were taking our DVR and/or HDTV services.
HSD revenues grew 11.4%, primarily due to higher unit pricing, a larger HSD customer base and, to a lesser extent, the continued growth of our enterprise networks business. During the year ended December 31, 2011, we gained 4,000 HSD customers, compared to an increase of 29,000 in the prior year. As of December 31, 2011, we served 383,000 HSD customers, or 29.6% of our estimated homes passed.
Phone revenues rose 8.9%, principally due to higher unit pricing and a larger phone customer base. During the year ended December 31, 2011, we gained 2,000 phone customers, compared to a gain of 22,000 phone customers in the prior year. As of December 31, 2011, we served 159,000 phone customers, or 13.4% of our estimated marketable phone homes.
Advertising revenues fell 8.8%, largely as a result of an unfavorable comparison to the prior year, which had strong political revenues due to an election year.
Costs and Expenses
Service costs increased 0.7%, primarily due to higher field operating, programming and, to a lesser extent, employee operating costs, largely offset by lower phone service costs. Field operating costs rose 14.9%, largely as a result of higher vehicle fuel and repair, fiber lease, pole rental and electricity costs, offset in part by a lower usage of outside contractors. Programming expenses increased 1.7%, mainly due to higher contractual rates and fees charged by our programming vendors and, to a lesser extent, greater retransmission consent expenses, offset in part by a lower video customer base. Employee operating costs grew 6.4%, primarily due to greater employee compensation and an unfavorable shift in employee benefit expenses. Phone service costs fell 37.4%, substantially due to cost savings resulting from our transition to an internal phone service platform. Service costs as a percentage of revenues were 43.5% and 44.8% for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were 4.1% higher, mainly due to higher marketing and, to a lesser extent, bad debt expenses. Marketing expenses grew 9.3%, largely a result of greater staffing for our business services marketing and higher levels of contracted telemarketing and marketing research. Bad debt expense rose 8.7%, principally due to a higher average balance of written off accounts. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues were 16.9% for each of the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.
Management fee expense declined 1.9%, reflecting lower overhead charges at MCC. Management fee expense as a percentage of revenues was 1.8% and 1.9% for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Depreciation and amortization increased 7.2%, largely a result of the depreciation of shorter-lived customer premise and headend equipment, and certain investments related to our internal phone service platform.
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OIBDA
OIBDA grew 7.5%, primarily due to the increase in revenues and constrained service costs, offset in part by higher selling, general and administrative expenses.
Operating Income
Operating income increased 7.9%, as higher OIBDA was partly offset by an increase in depreciation and amortization.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net, was 6.4% higher, mainly due to greater average outstanding balances under our bank credit facility, offset in part by a lower weighted average cost of debt.
Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt
Loss on early extinguishment of debt, which represented the write-off of certain deferred financing costs associated with prior financings that were repaid during the period, totaled $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Loss on Derivatives, Net
As of December 31, 2011, we had interest rate exchange agreements (which we refer to as interest rate swaps) with an aggregate notional amount of $1.3 billion, of which $600 million are forward-starting interest rate swaps. These interest rate swaps have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes, and the changes in their mark-to-market values are derived primarily from changes in market interest rates and the decrease in their time to maturity. As a result of changes to the mark-to-market valuation of our interest rate swaps, based on information provided by our counterparties, we recorded a net loss on derivatives of $15.2 million and $18.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Investment Income from Affiliate
Investment income from affiliate was $18.0 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. This amount represents the investment income on our $150.0 million preferred equity investment in Mediacom Broadband.
Other Expense, Net
Other expense, net, was $1.9 million and $2.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2011, other expense, net, consisted of $1.7 million of revolving credit facility commitment fees and $0.2 million of other fees. During the year ended December 31, 2010, other expense, net, consisted of $2.2 million of revolving credit facility commitment fees and $0.6 million of other fees.
Net Income
As a result of the factors described above, we recognized net income of $41.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $31.9 million in the prior year.
Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2009
On February 11, 2009 (the transfer date), certain of our operating subsidiaries executed an Asset Transfer Agreement (the Transfer Agreement) with MCC and the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom Broadband LLC (Mediacom Broadband). As part of the Transfer Agreement, we contributed to MCC cable systems located in Western North Carolina (the WNC Systems), and exchanged certain of our cable systems for certain of Mediacom Broadbands cable systems (the Asset Transfer). During the year ended December 31, 2009, the WNC Systems recorded for us revenues of $2.7 million, service costs of $1.3 million, selling, general and administrative expenses of $0.5 million and $0.9 million of operating income. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the results of operations of the exchanged cable systems between us and Mediacom Broadband were substantially similar. The net effects of the Transfer Agreement were the reduction of 28,700 basic subscribers, 9,000 digital customers, 12,000 HSD customers and 2,400 phone customers. Such effects on discussions of subscriber and customer gains and losses are referred to as the effect of the Transfer Agreement.
In accordance with ASC 805, the cable systems we received from Mediacom Broadband under the Transfer Agreement were recorded as a business under common control, and therefore we recorded the results of operations of such systems as if the transfer date was January 1, 2009. We recognized an additional $5.5 million in revenues and $1.7 million of net income, for the period January 1, 2009 through the transfer date, because we recorded the results of operations for the cable systems we received as part of the Asset Transfer, as if the transfer date was January 1, 2009. Instances where the inclusion of such results of operations of these transferred cable systems may affect comparisons to the prior years results are referred to as related to the Asset Transfer.
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For more information, see Note 8 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The tables below set forth our unaudited consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (dollars in thousands and percentage changes that are not meaningful are marked NM):
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 651,326 | $ | 637,375 | $ | 13,951 | 2.2 | % | ||||||||
Costs and expenses: |
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Service costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) |
291,946 | 283,167 | 8,779 | 3.1 | % | |||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
109,752 | 109,829 | (77 | ) | (0.1 | %) | ||||||||||
Management fee expense |
12,123 | 11,808 | 315 | 2.7 | % | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
109,509 | 114,465 | (4,956 | ) | (4.3 | %) | ||||||||||
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Operating income |
127,996 | 118,106 | 9,890 | 8.4 | % | |||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
(91,824 | ) | (89,829 | ) | (1,995 | ) | 2.2 | % | ||||||||
Loss on early extinguishment of debt |
(1,234 | ) | (5,790 | ) | 4,556 | (78.7 | %) | |||||||||
(Loss) gain on derivatives, net |
(18,214 | ) | 13,121 | (31,335 | ) | NM | ||||||||||
Loss on sale of cable systems, net |
| (377 | ) | 377 | NM | |||||||||||
Investment income from affiliate |
18,000 | 18,000 | | NM | ||||||||||||
Other expense, net |
(2,777 | ) | (3,794 | ) | 1,017 | (26.8 | %) | |||||||||
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Net income |
$ | 31,947 | $ | 49,437 | $ | (17,490 | ) | (35.4 | %) | |||||||
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OIBDA |
$ | 237,505 | $ | 232,571 | $ | 4,934 | 2.1 | % | ||||||||
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The following represents a reconciliation of OIBDA to operating income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure (dollars in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
OIBDA |
$ | 237,505 | $ | 232,571 | $ | 4,934 | 2.1 | % | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(109,509 | ) | (114,465 | ) | 4,956 | (4.3 | %) | |||||||||
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Operating income |
$ | 127,996 | $ | 118,106 | $ | 9,890 | 8.4 | % | ||||||||
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Revenues
The tables below set forth revenue and selected subscriber, customer and average monthly revenue statistics for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (dollars in thousands, except per unit data):
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||
Video |
$ | 399,905 | $ | 407,150 | $ | (7,245 | ) | (1.8 | %) | |||||||
HSD |
176,134 | 161,940 | 14,194 | 8.8 | % | |||||||||||
Phone |
58,320 | 52,556 | 5,764 | 11.0 | % | |||||||||||
Advertising |
16,967 | 15,729 | 1,238 | 7.9 | % | |||||||||||
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Total |
$ | 651,326 | $ | 637,375 | $ | 13,951 | 2.2 | % | ||||||||
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Year Ended December 31, | Increase (Decrease) |
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2010 | 2009 | % Change | ||||||||||||||
Basic subscribers |
530,000 | 548,000 | (18,000 | ) | (3.3 | %) | ||||||||||
HSD customers |
379,000 | 350,000 | 29,000 | 8.3 | % | |||||||||||
Phone customers |
157,000 | 135,000 | 22,000 | 16.3 | % | |||||||||||
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Primary service units (PSUs) |
1,066,000 | 1,033,000 | 33,000 | 3.2 | % | |||||||||||
Digital customers |
322,000 | 300,000 | 22,000 | 7.3 | % | |||||||||||
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Revenue generating units |
1,388,000 | 1,333,000 | 55,000 | 4.1 | % | |||||||||||
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Average total monthly revenue per basic subscriber |
$ | 100.70 | $ | 92.45 | $ | 8.25 | 8.9 | % | ||||||||
Average total monthly revenue per PSU |
$ | 51.72 | $ | 50.95 | $ | 0.77 | 1.5 | % |
Revenues increased 2.2%, primarily due to higher HSD and, to a much lesser extent, phone revenues, offset in part by lower video revenues and an unfavorable comparison to the prior year, during which we recognized $5.5 million of revenues related to the Asset Transfer. Average total monthly revenue per basic subscriber rose 8.9% to $100.70, and average total monthly revenue per PSU increased 1.5% to $51.72.
Video revenues fell 1.8%, largely as a result of a lower number of basic subscribers and, to a lesser extent, an unfavorable comparison to the prior year, during which we recognized $3.6 million of video revenues related to the Asset Transfer, offset in part by higher revenues from our digital, DVR and HDTV services. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we lost 18,000 basic subscribers, compared to a loss of 24,300 basic subscribers in the prior year, excluding the effect of the Transfer Agreement. As of December 31, 2010, we served 530,000 basic subscribers, representing a penetration of 41.0% of our estimated homes passed. As of the same date, 60.8% of our basic subscribers were digital customers, and 45.4% of our digital customers were taking our DVR and/or HDTV services.
HSD revenues rose 8.8%, primarily due to an 8.3% increase in HSD customers and, to a much lesser extent, greater revenues from our enterprise networks business. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we gained 29,000 HSD customers, as compared to a gain of 25,000 in the prior year, excluding the impact of the Transfer Agreement. As of December 31, 2010, we served 379,000 HSD customers, representing a penetration of 29.3% of our estimated homes passed.
Phone revenues grew 11.0%, mainly due to a 16.3% increase in phone customers, offset in part by higher levels of discounted pricing. During the year ended December 31, 2010, we gained 22,000 phone customers, as compared to a gain of 23,400 in the prior year, excluding the effect of the Transfer Agreement. As of December 31, 2010, we served 157,000 phone customers, representing a penetration of 13.2% of our estimated marketable phone homes.
Advertising revenues increased 7.9%, primarily due to increased national and, to a lesser extent, local sales, with significant contributions from the political and automotive categories.
Costs and Expenses
Service costs increased 3.1%, primarily due to higher programming and, to a lesser extent, phone service and field operations costs, offset in part by lower HSD delivery expenses and a favorable comparison to the prior year, during which we recognized $2.5 million of service costs related to the Asset Transfer, The following analysis of service cost components excludes the effects of the Asset Transfer. Programming expenses increased 6.4%, principally due to higher contractual rates charged by our programming vendors, offset in part by a lower number of video customers. Phone service costs rose 10.0%, mainly due to unit growth. Field operation costs were 5.3% higher, largely as a result of higher vehicle fuel, fiber lease and electricity costs, as well as a greater use of outside contractors, partly offset by lower pole rental costs. HSD delivery expenses fell 28.2%, principally due to the transition to an internally managed e-mail system for our customers. Service costs as a percentage of revenues were 44.8% and 44.4% for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Selling, general and administrative expenses were essentially unchanged, as greater bad debt and marketing expenses were offset by lower employee costs and a favorable comparison to the prior year, during which we recognized $0.8 million of selling, general and administrative expenses related to the Asset Transfer. The following analysis of selling, general and administrative expenses excludes the effects of the Asset Transfer. Bad debt expense grew 9.3%, primarily due to a higher average balance of written-off accounts and greater collection costs. Marketing costs were 3.9% higher, largely as a result of a greater use of print advertising, offset in part by a decline in third party direct sales. Employee costs fell by 5.7%, primarily due to a favorable shift in employee benefit expenses and greater efficiencies in our call centers, offset in part by lower capitalization of overhead costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues were 16.9% and 17.2% for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Management fee expense increased $0.3 million, or 2.7%, reflecting slightly higher overhead charges at MCC. Management fee expenses as a percentage of revenues were 1.9% for each of the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.
38
Depreciation and amortization fell 4.3%, largely as a result of a favorable comparison to the prior year, during which we experienced write-offs related to ice storms, and, to a lesser extent, the run-off of certain fully depreciated assets, offset in part by greater investments in shorter-lived customer premise equipment.
OIBDA
OIBDA increased 2.1%, largely as a result of greater revenues, offset in part by higher service costs and, to a lesser extent, an unfavorable comparison to the prior year, during which we recognized $2.2 million of OIBDA related to the Asset Transfer.
Operating Income
Operating income grew 8.4%, mainly due to the growth in OIBDA and the decline in depreciation and amortization.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net, increased 2.2%, principally due to greater amortization of deferred financing costs, offset in part by a lower weighted average cost of debt.
(Loss) Gain on Derivatives, Net
As of December 31, 2010, we had interest rate exchange agreements, or interest rate swaps, with an aggregate notional amount of $1.2 billion, of which $300 million are forward-starting interest rate swaps. These swaps have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes. The changes in their mark-to-market values are derived primarily from changes in market interest rates and the decrease in their time to maturity. As a result of the quarterly mark-to-market valuation of these interest rate swaps based upon information provided by our counterparties, we recorded a net loss on derivatives of $18.2 million and a net gain on derivatives of $13.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Our net loss on derivatives was due to lower expectations of future market interest rates, leading to a decline in the valuation of our interest rate swaps, mainly those that become effective at future dates.
Loss on Sale of Cable Systems, Net
For the year ended December 31, 2009, we recognized a loss on sale of cable systems, net, of approximately $0.4 million related to minor transactions.
Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt
Loss on early extinguishment of debt totaled $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, representing the write-off of certain deferred financing costs associated with prior financings that were repaid during the period. Loss on early extinguishment of debt totaled $5.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 representing the write-off of deferred financing costs associated with certain of our redeemed senior notes and, to a lesser extent, fees related to such redemption.
Investment Income from Affiliate
Investment income from affiliate was $18.0 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. This amount represents the investment income on our $150.0 million preferred equity investment in Mediacom Broadband.
Other Expense, Net
Other expense, net, was $2.8 million and $3.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. During the year ended December 31 2010, other expense, net, consisted of $2.2 million of revolving credit facility commitment fees and $0.6 million of other fees. During the year ended December 31, 2009, other expense, net, consisted of $2.4 million of commitment fees and $1.4 million of deferred financing costs and other fees.
Net Income
As a result of the factors described above, we recognized net income of $31.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, as compared to net income of $49.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.
39
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
Our net cash flows provided by operating activities are primarily used to fund network investments to accommodate customer growth and the further deployment of our advanced products and services, scheduled repayments of our external financing and periodic distributions to MCC. We believe that cash generated by us, and available to us through our revolving credit commitments, will meet our anticipated capital and liquidity needs for the foreseeable future. As of December 31, 2011, our near-term liquidity needs include $12.0 million of scheduled term loan amortization in each of the years ending December 31, 2012 through December 31, 2014, and $76.0 million of outstanding loans under our revolving credit facility, which expires December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2011, our sources of liquidity included $12.4 million of cash and $139.8 million of unused and available lines under our revolving credit facility. On February 7, 2012, we issued new senior notes in the aggregate principal amount of $250 million (the financing). See Capital Structure New Financing below and Note 6 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
In the longer term, specifically 2015 and beyond, we do not expect to generate sufficient net cash flows from operations to fund our maturing term loans and senior notes. If we are unable to obtain sufficient future financing on similar terms as we currently experience, or at all, we may need to take other actions to conserve or raise capital that we would not take otherwise. However, we have accessed the debt markets for significant amounts of capital in the past, and expect to continue to be able to access these markets in the future as necessary.
Net Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities
Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $160.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, primarily due to OIBDA of $255.4 million and, to a much lesser extent, investment income from affiliate of $18.0 million, offset in part by interest expense of $97.7 million and, to a much lesser extent, the net change in operating assets and liabilities of $17.2 million. The net change in operating assets and liabilities was principally due to a net decline in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $19.5 million.
Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $98.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, primarily due to OIBDA of $237.5 million and, to a much lesser extent, investment income from affiliate of $18.0 million, offset in part by interest expense of $91.8 million and the net change in operating assets and liabilities of $66.5 million. The net change in operating assets and liabilities was principally due to a decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $67.0 million.
Net Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities
Capital expenditures continue to be our primary use of capital resources and the majority of our net cash flows used in investing activities. Net cash flows used in investing activities were $93.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to $107.2 million in the prior year. The $13.4 million decline in net cash flows used in investing activities was due to the redemption of restricted cash and cash equivalents of $8.9 million that had been invested in the prior year and, to a lesser extent, a $4.4 million increase in capital spending. The increase in capital expenditures largely reflects greater investments in bandwidth expansion, the ongoing all-digital upgrade of our video platform and the expansion of our fiber network to more of our cable systems, offset in part by reduced outlays for investments in our phone service platform and customer premise equipment.
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Net Cash Flows (Used in) Provided By Financing Activities
Net cash flows used in financing activities were $76.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, primarily due to capital distributions to MCC of $141.2 million, offset in part by net borrowings of $64.0 million under the credit facility. The capital distributions to MCC were ultimately used to partially fund the Going Private Transaction (see 2011 Developments Going Private Transaction).
Net cash flows provided by financing activities were $21.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, primarily due to capital contributions from parent of $60.0 million and, to a much lesser extent, net borrowings of $9.0 million under our bank credit facility, offset in part by capital distributions to parent of $37.0 million and, to a much lesser extent, financing costs of $6.9 million and other financing activities, principally book overdrafts, of $3.2 million.
Capital Structure
As of December 31, 2011, our total indebtedness was $1.583 billion, of which approximately 66% was at fixed interest rates or subject to interest rate protection. During the year ended December 31, 2011, we paid cash interest of $94.5 million, net of capitalized interest.
Bank Credit Facility
As of December 31, 2011, we maintained a $1.382 billion credit facility (the credit facility), comprising $1.157 billion of term loans with maturities ranging from January 2015 to October 2017, and a $225.2 million revolving credit facility (the revolver), which is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2014. As of the same date, we had $139.8 million of unused lines under the revolver, all of which were available to be borrowed and used for general corporate purposes, after giving effect to $76.0 million of outstanding loans and $9.4 million of letters of credit issued to various parties as collateral.
The credit facility is collateralized by our ownership interests in our operating subsidiaries, and is guaranteed by us on a limited recourse basis to the extent of such ownership interests. As of December 31, 2011, the credit agreement governing the credit facility required us to maintain a total leverage ratio (as defined) of no more than 5.5 to 1.0 and an interest coverage ratio (as defined) of no less than 2.0 to 1.0. The total leverage ratio covenant will be reduced to 5.0 to 1.0 commencing on October 1, 2012, and remain at that level so long as any revolving credit commitments remain outstanding.
Interest Rate Exchange Agreements
We use interest exchange agreements (which we refer to as interest rate swaps) in order to fix the variable portion of debt under the credit facility to reduce the potential volatility in our interest expense that would otherwise result from changes in market interest rates. As of December 31, 2011, we had interest rate swaps with various banks pursuant to which the rate on $700 million of floating rate debt was fixed at a weighted average rate of 3.0%. As of the same date, we also had $600 million of forward starting interest rate swaps with a weighted average fixed rate of approximately 2.9%.
Including the effects of our interest rate swaps, the average interest rates on outstanding debt under the credit facility as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 were 4.8% and 5.5%, respectively.
Senior Notes
As of December 31, 2011, we had $350.0 million of outstanding senior notes. Our senior notes are unsecured obligations, and the indenture governing our senior notes limits the incurrence of additional indebtedness based upon a maximum debt to operating cash flow ratio (as defined) of 8.5 to 1.0.
New Financing
On February 7, 2012, we issued 7 1/4% senior notes due February 2022 (the 7 1/4% Notes) in the aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million (the financing). After giving effect to financing costs, net proceeds of $245.0 million, together with a draw down from our revolving credit commitments, were used to repay the entire outstanding amount under Term Loan D of the credit facility.
As of December 31, 2011, after giving effect to the financing: (i) our outstanding total indebtedness would have been $1.588 billion; (ii) our credit facility would have been $1.089 billion, of which $988.0 million would have been outstanding; (iii) our scheduled debt maturities during each of the years ended December 31, 2012 through 2014 would have been $9.0 million; (iv) we would have had $91.5 million of unused lines under the revolver, after giving effect to $124.3 million of outstanding loans and $9.4 million of letters of credit, all available to be borrowed and used for general corporate purposes; and (v) we would have had $600.0 million of outstanding senior notes.
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Covenant Compliance and Debt Ratings
For all periods through December 31, 2011, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the credit facility and senior note arrangements. We do not believe that we will have any difficulty complying with any of the applicable covenants in the near future.
Our future access to the debt markets and the terms and conditions we receive are influenced by our debt ratings. MCCs corporate credit rating is B1, with a stable outlook, by Moodys, and B+, with a stable outlook, by Standard and Poors. Our senior unsecured credit rating is B3 by Moodys, with a stable outlook, and B-, with a stable outlook, by Standard and Poors. We cannot assure you that Moodys and Standard and Poors will maintain their ratings on MCC and us. A negative change to these credit ratings could result in higher interest rates on future debt issuance than we currently experience, or adversely impact our ability to raise additional funds.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commercial commitments, and the effects they are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow, for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2011 and thereafter (dollars in thousands)*:
Scheduled Debt Maturities |
Operating Leases |
Interest Expense(1) |
Purchase Obligations(2) |
Total | ||||||||||||||||
2012 |
$ | 12,000 | $ | 2,308 | $ | 81,270 | $ | 12,005 | $ | 107,583 | ||||||||||
2013-2014 |
100,000 | 2,954 | 160,166 | 4,690 | 267,810 | |||||||||||||||
2015-2016 |
609,000 | 1,748 | 94,783 | | 705,531 | |||||||||||||||
Thereafter |
862,000 | 2,425 | 77,469 | | 941,894 | |||||||||||||||
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Total cash obligations |
$ | 1,583,000 | $ | 9,435 | $ | 413,688 | $ | 16,695 | $ | 2,022,818 | ||||||||||
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* | Refer to Note 6 and Note 11 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our long-term debt and a discussion of our operating leases and other commitments and contingencies, respectively. |
(1) | Interest payments on floating rate debt and interest rate swaps are estimated using amounts outstanding as of December 31, 2011 and the average interest rates applicable under such debt obligations. Interest expense amounts are net of amounts capitalized. |
(2) | We have contracts with programmers who provide video programming services to our subscribers. Our contracts typically provide that we have an obligation to purchase video programming for our subscribers as long as we deliver cable services to such subscribers. We have no obligation to purchase these services if we are not providing cable services, except when we do not have the right to cancel the underlying contract or for contracts with a guaranteed minimum commitment. We have included such amounts in our Purchase Obligations above, as follows: $6.5 million for 2012, $0 million for 2013-2014 and $0 for 2015-2016 and thereafter. |
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Periodically, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to doubtful accounts, long-lived assets, capitalized costs and accruals. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe that the application of the critical accounting policies discussed below requires significant judgments and estimates on the part of management. For a summary of our accounting policies, see Note 2 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Property, Plant and Equipment
We capitalize the costs of new construction and replacement of our cable transmission and distribution facilities and new service installation in accordance with ASC No. 922 Entertainment Cable Television. Costs associated with subsequent installations of additional services not previously installed at a customers dwelling are capitalized to the extent such costs are incremental and directly attributable to the installation of such additional services. Capitalized costs included all direct labor and materials as well as certain indirect costs. Capitalized costs are recorded as additions to property, plant and equipment and depreciated over the average life of the related assets. We use standard costing models, developed from actual historical costs and relevant operational data, to determine our capitalized amounts. These models include labor rates, overhead rates and standard time inputs to perform various installation and construction activities. The development of these standards involves significant judgment by management, especially in the development of standards for our newer, advanced products and services in which historical data is limited. Changes to the estimates or assumptions used in establishing these standards could be material. We perform periodic evaluations of the estimates used to determine the amount of costs that are capitalized. Any changes to these estimates, which may be significant, are applied in the period in which the evaluations were completed.
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Valuation and Impairment Testing of Indefinite-lived Intangibles
As of December 31, 2011, we had $641.0 million of unamortized intangible assets, including goodwill of $24.0 million and franchise rights of $616.8 million on our consolidated balance sheets. These intangible assets represented approximately 41% of our total assets.
Our cable systems operate under non-exclusive cable franchises, or franchise rights, granted by state and local governmental authorities for varying lengths of time. We acquired these cable franchises through acquisitions of cable systems and were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. As of December 31, 2011, we held 860 franchises in areas located throughout the United States. The value of a franchise is derived from the economic benefits we receive from the right to solicit new subscribers and to market new products and services, such as digital video, HSD and phone, in a specific market territory. We concluded that our franchise rights have an indefinite useful life since, among other things, there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors limiting the period over which these franchise rights contribute to our revenues and cash flows. Goodwill is the excess of the acquisition cost of an acquired entity over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. In accordance with ASC No. 350 Intangibles Goodwill and Other (ASC 350), we do not amortize franchise rights and goodwill. Instead, such assets are tested annually for impairment or more frequently if impairment indicators arise.
We follow the provisions of ASC 350 to test our goodwill and franchise rights for impairment. We assess the fair values of each cable system cluster using discounted cash flow (DCF) methodology, under which the fair value of cable franchise rights are determined in a direct manner. We employ the In-use Excess Earnings DCF methodology to calculate the fair values of our cable franchise rights, using unobservable inputs (Level 3). This assessment involves significant judgment, including certain assumptions and estimates that determine future cash flow expectations and other future benefits, which are consistent with the expectations of buyers and sellers of cable systems in determining fair value. These assumptions and estimates include discount rates, estimated growth rates, terminal growth rates, comparable company data, revenues per customer, market penetration as a percentage of homes passed and operating margin. We also consider market transactions, market valuations, research analyst estimates and other valuations using multiples of operating income before depreciation and amortization to confirm the reasonableness of fair values determined by the DCF methodology. We also employ the Greenfield model to corroborate the fair values of our cable franchise rights determined under the In-use Excess Earnings DCF methodology. Significant impairment in value resulting in impairment charges may result if the estimates and assumptions used in the fair value determination change in the future. Such impairments, if recognized, could potentially be material.
Based on the guidance outlined in ASC 350, we determined that the unit of accounting, or reporting unit, for testing goodwill and franchise rights for impairment resides at a cable system cluster level. Such level reflects the financial reporting level managed and reviewed by the corporate office (i.e., chief operating decision maker) as well as how we allocated capital resources and utilize the assets. Lastly, the reporting unit level reflects the level at which the purchase method of accounting for our acquisitions was originally recorded. We have one reporting unit for the purpose of applying ASC 350, Mediacom LLC.
In accordance with ASC 350, we are required to determine goodwill impairment using a two-step process. The first step compares the fair value of a reporting unit with our carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds our carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired and the second step is unnecessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds our fair value, the second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step compares the implied fair value of the reporting units goodwill, calculated using the residual method, with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, the excess is recognized as an impairment loss.
The impairment test for our franchise rights and other intangible assets not subject to amortization consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, the excess is recognized as an impairment loss.
Since our adoption of ASC 350 in 2002, we have not recorded any impairments as a result of our impairment testing. We completed our most recent impairment test as of October 1, 2011, which reflected no impairment of our franchise rights, goodwill or other intangible assets.
For illustrative purposes, if there were a hypothetical decline of up to 20% in the fair values determined for cable franchise rights at our reporting unit, no impairment loss would result as of our impairment testing date of October 1, 2011. In addition, a hypothetical decline of up to 20% in the fair values determined for goodwill and other finite-lived intangible assets at our reporting unit would not result in any impairment loss as of October 1, 2011.
We could record impairments in the future if there are changes in the long-term fundamentals of our business, in general market conditions or in the regulatory landscape that could prevent us from recovering the carrying value of our long-lived intangible assets. The economic conditions affecting the U.S. economy and how that may impact the fundamentals of our business may have a negative impact on the fair values of the assets in our reporting unit.
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In accordance with Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-28 When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force), as of October 1, 2011, we have evaluated whether there are any adverse qualitative factors surrounding our Mediacom LLC reporting unit (which has a negative carrying value) indicating that a goodwill impairment may exist. We do not believe that it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. As such, we have not performed Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06 (ASU 2010-06), Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements, which amends Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) No. 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820) to add new requirements for disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements. The ASU also clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The ASU is effective for the first reporting period (including interim periods) beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the requirement to provide the Level 3 activity of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, which will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our financial statements or related disclosures.
In December 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-28 (ASU 2010-28) When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). The amendments to ASC 350 Intangibles Goodwill and Other in ASU 2010-28 affect all entities that have recognized goodwill and have one or more reporting units whose carrying amount for purposes of performing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test is zero or negative. The amendments modify Step 1 so that for those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. The qualitative factors are consistent with existing guidance, which requires that goodwill of a reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. We adopted ASU 2010-28 as of January 1, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2010-28 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04 (ASU 2011-04), Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, which provides a converged framework for fair value measurements and related disclosures between generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2011-04 amends the fair value measurement and disclosure guidance in the following areas: (i) Highest-and-best use and the valuation-premise concepts for non-financial assets, (ii) application to financial assets and liabilities with offsetting positions in market or counterparty credit risk, (iii) premiums or discounts in fair value measurement, (iv) fair value measurements for amounts classified in equity; and (v) other disclosure requirements particularly involving Level 3 inputs. This guidance will be effective for us as of January 1, 2012. We do not expect that ASU 2011-04 will have a material impact on our financial statements or related disclosures.
In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08 (ASU 2011-08) Intangibles Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). Under ASU 2011-08, an entity has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to perform the first step of the two-step impairment test. Under ASU 2011-08, an entity has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to performing the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test. An entity may resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. We do not expect that ASU 2011-08 will have a material impact on our financial statements or related disclosures.
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Inflation and Changing Prices
Our systems costs and expenses are subject to inflation and price fluctuations. Such changes in costs and expenses can generally be passed through to subscribers. Programming costs have historically increased at rates in excess of inflation and are expected to continue to do so. We believe that under the FCCs existing cable rate regulations we may increase rates for cable services to more than cover any increases in programming. However, competitive conditions and other factors in the marketplace may limit our ability to increase our rates.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
In the normal course of business, we use interest rate exchange agreements (which we refer to as interest rate swaps) with counterparty banks to fix the interest rate on a portion of our variable interest rate debt. As of December 31, 2011, we had current interest rate swaps with various banks pursuant to which the interest rate on $700 million of floating rate debt was fixed at a weighted average rate of 3.0%. We also had $600 million of forward starting interest rate swaps with a weighted average fixed rate of approximately 2.9%, of which $400 million and $200 million commence during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2014, respectively. The fixed rates of the interest rate swaps are offset against the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate to determine the related interest expense. Under the terms of the interest rate swaps, we are exposed to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by our counterparties; however, we do not anticipate such nonperformance. As of December 31, 2011, based on the mark-to-market valuation, we would have paid approximately $53.1 million, including accrued interest, if we terminated these interest rate swaps. Our current interest rate swaps are scheduled to expire in the amounts of $400 million and $300 million during the years ending December 31, 2012 and 2014, respectively. See Notes 4 and 6 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our interest rate exchange agreements and debt arrangements do not contain credit rating triggers that could affect our liquidity.
The table below provides the expected maturity and estimated fair value of our debt as of December 31, 2011 (all dollars in thousands).
Senior Notes | Bank
Credit Facility |
Total | ||||||||||
Expected Maturity: |
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January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012 |
$ | | $ | 12,000 | $ | 12,000 | ||||||
January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 |
| 12,000 | 12,000 | |||||||||
January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 |
| 88,000 | 88,000 | |||||||||
January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 |
| 603,500 | 603,500 | |||||||||
January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016 |
| 5,500 | 5,500 | |||||||||
Thereafter |
350,000 | 512,000 | 862,000 | |||||||||
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Total |
$ | 350,000 | $ | 1,233,000 | $ | 1,583,000 | ||||||
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Fair Value |
$ | 371,000 | $ | 1,189,188 | $ | 1,560,188 | ||||||
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Weighted Average Interest Rate |
9.1 | % | 4.8 | % | 5.8 | % | ||||||
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ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA |
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Contents
46
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Member of Mediacom LLC:
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Mediacom LLC and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
March 21, 2012
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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2011 |
December 31, 2010 |
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(Amounts in thousands) | ||||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS |
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Cash |
$ | 12,438 | $ | 22,014 | ||||
Restricted cash and cash equivalents |
| 8,853 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $740 and $1,228 |
35,648 | 35,318 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
6,736 | 8,079 | ||||||
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Total current assets |
54,822 | 74,264 | ||||||
Preferred equity investment in affiliated company |
150,000 | 150,000 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,315,170 and $1,208,138 |
675,555 | 688,214 | ||||||
Franchise rights |
616,807 | 616,807 | ||||||
Goodwill |
24,046 | 24,046 | ||||||
Subscriber lists, net of accumulated amortization of $118,186 and $117,781 |
90 | 495 | ||||||
Other assets, net of accumulated amortization of $8,143 and $4,240 |
23,840 | 29,613 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total assets |
$ | 1,545,160 | $ | 1,583,439 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS DEFICIT | ||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES |
||||||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
$ | 146,073 | $ | 165,200 | ||||
Deferred revenue |
26,608 | 25,674 | ||||||
Current portion of long-term debt |
12,000 | 12,000 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total current liabilities |
184,681 | 202,874 | ||||||
Long-term debt, less current portion |
1,571,000 | 1,507,000 | ||||||
Other non-current liabilities |
39,050 | 23,616 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities |
1,794,731 | 1,733,490 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) |
||||||||
MEMBERS DEFICIT |
||||||||
Capital contributions |
335,979 | 476,795 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(585,550 | ) | (626,846 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total members deficit |
(249,571 | ) | (150,051 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities and members deficit |
$ | 1,545,160 | $ | 1,583,439 | ||||
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
48
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
(Amounts in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Revenues |
$ | 675,556 | $ | 651,326 | $ | 637,375 | ||||||
Costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||
Service costs (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) |
293,940 | 291,946 | 283,167 | |||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
114,300 | 109,752 | 109,829 | |||||||||
Management fee expense |
11,896 | 12,123 | 11,808 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
117,352 | 109,509 | 114,465 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Operating income |
138,068 | 127,996 | 118,106 | |||||||||
Interest expense, net |
(97,681 | ) | (91,824 | ) | (89,829 | ) | ||||||
Loss on early extinguishment of debt |
| (1,234 | ) | (5,790 | ) | |||||||
(Loss) gain on derivatives, net |
(15,178 | ) | (18,214 | ) | 13,121 | |||||||
Loss on sale of cable systems, net |
| | (377 | ) | ||||||||
Investment income from affiliate |
18,000 | 18,000 | 18,000 | |||||||||
Other expense, net |
(1,913 | ) | (2,777 | ) | (3,794 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net income |
$ | 41,296 | $ | 31,947 | $ | 49,437 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
49
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS DEFICIT
Capital Contributions |
Accumulated Deficit |
Total | ||||||||||
(Amounts in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2008 |
$ | 392,074 | $ | (708,234 | ) | $ | (316,160 | ) | ||||
Net income |
| 49,437 | 49,437 | |||||||||
Capital distributions to parent |
(221,993 | ) | | (221,993 | ) | |||||||
Capital contributions from parent |
283,449 | | 283,449 | |||||||||
Other contributions from parent |
88 | | 88 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance, December 31, 2009 |
453,618 | (658,797 | ) | (205,179 | ) | |||||||
Net income |
| 31,947 | 31,947 | |||||||||
Capital distributions to parent |
(37,000 | ) | | (37,000 | ) | |||||||
Capital distributions from parent |
60,000 | | 60,000 | |||||||||
Other contributions from parent |
177 | | 177 | |||||||||
Other |
| 4 | 4 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance, December 31, 2010 |
476,795 | (626,846 | ) | (150,051 | ) | |||||||
Net income |
| 41,296 | 41,296 | |||||||||
Capital distributions to parent |
(141,150 | ) | | (141,150 | ) | |||||||
Other contributions from parent |
334 | | 334 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Balance, December 31, 2011 |
$ |
335,979 |
|
$ | (585,550 | ) | $ | (249,571 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
50
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||||||||
(Amounts in thousands) | ||||||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 41,296 | $ | 31,947 | $ | 49,437 | ||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
117,352 | 109,509 | 114,465 | |||||||||
Loss (gain) on derivatives, net |
15,178 | 18,214 | (13,121 | ) | ||||||||
Loss on sale of cable systems, net |
| | 377 | |||||||||
Loss on early extinguishment of debt |
1,234 | 3,707 | ||||||||||
Amortization of deferred financing costs |
3,903 | 3,392 | 1,961 | |||||||||
Share-based compensation (Note 10) |
236 | 585 | 556 | |||||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions: |
||||||||||||
Accounts receivable, net |
(330 | ) | 2,087 | (1,749 | ) | |||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
2,418 | (902 | ) | 1,710 | ||||||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
(19,453 | ) | (67,009 | ) | (20,360 | ) | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
934 | 347 | 499 | |||||||||
Other non-current liabilities |
(732 | ) | (1,004 | ) | (912 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash flows provided by operating activities |
$ | 160,802 | $ | 98,400 | $ | 136,570 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
Capital expenditures |
$ | (102,688 | ) | $ | (98,301 | ) | $ | (100,374 | ) | |||
Redemption of (investment in) restricted cash and cash equivalents (Note 2) |
8,853 | (8,853 | ) | | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash flows used in investing activities |
$ | (93,835 | ) | $ | (107,154 | ) | $ | (100,374 | ) | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
||||||||||||
New borrowings |
$ | 201,000 | $ | 498,875 | $ | 1,499,125 | ||||||
Repayment of bank debt |
(137,000 | ) | (489,875 | ) | (884,125 | ) | ||||||
Redemption of senior notes |
| | (625,000 | ) | ||||||||
Capital distributions to parent (Note 7) |
(141,150 | ) | (37,000 | ) | (191,702 | ) | ||||||
Capital contributions from parent (Note 7) |
| 60,000 | 189,918 | |||||||||
Financing costs |
| (6,918 | ) | (23,896 | ) | |||||||
Other financing activities book overdrafts |
607 | (3,182 | ) | (1,708 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities |
$ | (76,543 | ) | $ | 21,900 | $ | (37,388 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Net (decrease) increase in cash |
(9,576 | ) | 13,146 | (1,192 | ) | |||||||
CASH, beginning of period |
22,014 | 8,868 | 10,060 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
CASH, end of period |
$ | 12,438 | $ | 22,014 | $ | 8,868 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: |
||||||||||||
Cash paid during the period for interest, net of amounts capitalized |
$ | 94,517 | $ | 91,405 | $ | 104,278 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
NON-CASH TRANSACTIONS: |
|
|||||||||||
Exchange of cable systems with related party (Note 8) |
$ | | $ | | $ | 63,240 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Capital expenditures accrued during the period |
$ | 2,987 | $ | | $ | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
51
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ORGANIZATION
Mediacom LLC (Mediacom LLC and collectively with its subsidiaries, we, our or us), a New York limited liability company wholly-owned by Mediacom Communications Corporation (MCC), is involved in the acquisition and operation of cable systems serving smaller cities and towns in the United States. Our principal operating subsidiaries conduct all of our consolidated operations and own substantially all of our consolidated assets. Our operating subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to make funds available to us. As a limited liability company, we are not subject to income taxes.
We rely on our parent, MCC, for various services such as corporate and administrative support. Our financial position, results of operations and cash flows could differ from those that would have resulted had we operated autonomously or as an entity independent of MCC. See Notes 7 and 8.
Mediacom Capital Corporation, a New York corporation wholly-owned by us, co-issued public debt securities, jointly and severally, with us. Mediacom Capital Corporation has no assets (other than a $100 receivable from affiliate), operations, revenues or cash flows. Therefore, separate financial statements have not been presented for this entity.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of us and our subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The accounting estimates that require managements most difficult and subjective judgments include: assessment and valuation of intangibles, accounts receivable allowance, useful lives of property, plant and equipment and share-based compensation. Actual results could differ from those and other estimates.
Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements
In connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements as of, and for the year ended December 31, 2011, during the fourth quarter of 2011, we identified and corrected errors in the manner in which we recorded fixed assets and the related depreciation expense on fixed assets purchased by MCC on behalf of our operating subsidiaries. Such capital expenditures and associated depreciation were recorded at MCC, whereas they were related to, and should have been incurred by, our operating subsidiaries. In accordance with accounting guidance found in ASC 250-10 (SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 99, Materiality), we assessed the materiality of the errors and concluded that the errors were not material to any of our previously-issued financial statements. In accordance with accounting guidance found in ASC 250-10 (SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements), we have revised all affected periods. These non-cash errors impacted our financial position, statement of operations and cash flows for the comparative periods presented.
The following table presents the impact of the revision on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (amounts in thousands):
As of December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||||
As Previously Reported |
Adjustment | As Revised |
||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment, gross |
$ | 1,900,198 | $ | (3,846 | ) | $ | 1,896,352 | |||||
Accumulated depreciation |
(1,211,315 | ) | 3,177 | (1,208,138 | ) | |||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
688,883 | (669 | ) | 688,214 | ||||||||
Total assets |
1,584,108 | (669 | ) | 1,583,439 | ||||||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
150,648 | 14,552 | 165,200 | |||||||||
Total current liabilities |
188,322 | 14,552 | 202,874 | |||||||||
Total liabilities |
1,718,938 | 14,552 | 1,733,490 | |||||||||
Capital contributions |
478,973 | (2,178 | ) | 476,795 | ||||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(613,803 | ) | (13,043 | ) | (626,846 | ) | ||||||
Members deficit |
(134,830 | ) | (15,221 | ) | (150,051 | ) |
52
MEDIACOM LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The following table presents the impact of the revision on our Consolidated Statements of Operations (amounts in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, 2010 | Year Ended December 31, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
As Previously Reported |
Adjustment | As Revised |
As Previously Reported |
Adjustment | As Revised |
|||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
$ | 108,303 | $ | 1,206 | $ | 109,509 | $ | 112,084 | $ | 2,381 | $ | 114,465 | ||||||||||||
Operating income |
129,202 | (1,206 | ) | 127,996 | 120,487 | (2,381 | ) | 118,106 | ||||||||||||||||
Net income |
33,153 | (1,206 | ) | 31,947 | 51,818 | (2,381 | ) | 49,437 |
The following table presents the impact of the revision on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (amounts in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, 2010 | Year Ended December 31, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
As Previously Reported |
Adjustment | As Revised |
As Previously Reported |
Adjustment | As Revised |
|||||||||||||||||||
Net income |
$ | 33,153 | $ | (1,206 | ) | $ | 31,947 | $ | 51,818 | $ | (2,381 | ) | $ | 49,437 | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense |
108,303 | 1,206 | 109,509 | 112,084 | 2,381 | 114,465 | ||||||||||||||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities |
(70,453 | ) | 3,972 | (66,481 | ) | (22,973 | ) | 2,161 | (20,812 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Net cash flows provided by operating activities |
94,428 | 3,972 | 98,400 | 134,409 | 2,161 | 136,570 | ||||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(94,329 | ) | (3,972 | ) | (98,301 | ) | (98,213 | ) | (2,161 | ) | (100,374 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net cash flows used in investing activities |
(103,182 | ) | (3,972 | ) | (107,154 | ) | (98,213 | ) | (2,161 | ) | (100,374 | ) |
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues from video, HSD and phone services are recognized when the services are provided to our customers. Credit risk is managed by disconnecting services to customers who are deemed to be delinquent. Installation revenues are recognized as customer connections are completed because installation revenues are less than direct installation costs. Advertising sales are recognized in the period that the advertisements are exhibited. Under the terms of our franchise agreements, we are required to pay local franchising authorities up to 5% of our gross revenues derived from providing cable services. We normally pass these fees through to our customers. Franchise fees are reported in their respective revenue categories and included in selling, general and administrative expenses.
Franchise fees imposed by local governmental authorities are collected on a monthly basis from our customers and are periodically remitted to the local governmental authorities. Because franchise fees are our obligation, we present them on a gross basis with a corresponding operating expense. Franchise fees reported on a gross basis amounted to approximately $12.6 million, $11.7 million and $12.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents represent funds pledged to insurance carriers as security under a master pledge and security agreement. Pledged funds are invested in short-term, highly liquid investments. We retained ownership of the pledged funds, and under the terms of the pledge and security agreement, we can withdraw any of the funds, with the restrictions removed from such funds, provided comparable substitute collateral is pledged to the insurance carriers.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The allowance for doubtful accounts represents our best estimate of probable losses in the accounts receivable balance. The allowance is based on the number of days outstanding, customer balances, historical experience and other currently available information.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Our accounts receivable are comprised of amounts due from subscribers in varying regions throughout the United States. Concentration of credit risk with respect to these receivables is limited due to the large number of customers comprising our customer base and their geographic dispersion. We invest our cash with high quality financial institutions.
53
MEDIACOM LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Additions to property, plant and equipment generally include material, labor and indirect costs. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the following useful lives:
Buildings |
40 Years | |||
Leasehold improvements |
Life of respective lease | |||
Cable systems and equipment and subscriber devices |
5 to 20 years | |||
Vehicles |
3 to 5 years | |||
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment |
5 years |
We capitalize improvements that extend asset lives and expense repairs and maintenance as incurred. At the time of retirements, write-offs, sales or other dispositions of property, the original cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and the gains or losses are included in depreciation and amortization expense in the consolidated statement of operations.
We capitalize the costs associated with the construction of cable transmission and distribution facilities, new customer installations and indirect costs associated with our telephony product. Costs include direct labor and material, as well as certain indirect costs including interest. We perform periodic evaluations of certain estimates used to determine the amount and extent that such costs that are capitalized. Any changes to these estimates, which may be significant, are applied in the period in which the evaluations were completed. The costs of disconnecting service at a customers dwelling or reconnecting to a previously installed dwelling are charged as expense in the period incurred. Costs associated with subsequent installations of additional services not previously installed at a customers dwelling are capitalized to the extent such costs are incremental and directly attributable to the installation of such additional services. See also Note 3.
Capitalized Software Costs
We account for internal-use software development and related costs in accordance with ASC 350-40-Intangibles-Goodwill and Other: Internal-Use Software. Software development and other related costs consist of external and internal costs incurred in the application development stage to purchase and implement the software that will be used in our telephony business. Costs incurred in the development of application and infrastructure of the software is capitalized and will be amortized over our respective estimated useful life of 5 years. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, we capitalized approximately $2.6 million and $4.8 million, respectively of software development costs. Capitalized software had a net book value of $10.6 million and $8.1 million as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Marketing and Promotional Costs
Marketing and promotional costs are expensed as incurred and were $13.0 million, $13.7 million and $12.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Intangible Assets
Our cable systems operate under non-exclusive cable franchises, or franchise rights, granted by state and local governmental authorities for varying lengths of time. We acquired these cable franchises through acquisitions of cable systems and were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. As of December 31, 2011, we held 860 franchises in areas located throughout the United States. The value of a franchise is derived from the economic benefits we receive from the right to solicit new subscribers and to market new products and services, such as digital video, HSD and phone, in a specific market territory. We concluded that our franchise rights have an indefinite useful life since, among other things, there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors limiting the period over which these franchise rights contribute to our revenues and cash flows. Goodwill is the excess of the acquisition cost of an acquired entity over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. In accordance with ASC No. 350 Intangibles Goodwill and Other (ASC 350), we do not amortize franchise rights and goodwill. Instead, such assets are tested annually for impairment or more frequently if impairment indicators arise.
We follow the provisions of ASC 350 to test our goodwill and franchise rights for impairment. We assess the fair values of each cable system cluster using discounted cash flow (DCF) methodology, under which the fair value of cable franchise rights are determined in a direct manner. We employ the In-use Excess Earnings DCF methodology to calculate the fair values of our cable franchise rights, using unobservable inputs (Level 3). This assessment involves significant judgment, including certain assumptions and estimates that determine future cash flow expectations and other future benefits, which are consistent with the expectations of buyers and sellers of cable systems in determining fair value. These assumptions and estimates include discount rates, estimated growth rates, terminal growth rates, comparable company data, revenues per customer, market penetration as a percentage of homes passed and operating margin. We also consider market transactions, market valuations, research analyst estimates and other valuations using multiples of operating income before depreciation and amortization to confirm the reasonableness of fair values determined by the DCF methodology. We also employ the Greenfield model to corroborate the fair values of our cable franchise rights determined under the
54
MEDIACOM LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
In-use Excess Earnings DCF methodology. Significant impairment in value resulting in impairment charges may result if the estimates and assumptions used in the fair value determination change in the future. Such impairments, if recognized, could potentially be material.
Based on the guidance outlined in ASC 350 we determined that the unit of accounting, or reporting unit, for testing goodwill and franchise rights for impairment resides at a cable system cluster level. Such level reflects the financial reporting level managed and reviewed by the corporate office (i.e., chief operating decision maker) as well as how we allocated capital resources and utilize the assets. Lastly, the reporting unit level reflects the level at which the purchase method of accounting for our acquisitions was originally recorded. We have one reporting unit for the purpose of applying ASC 350, Mediacom LLC.
In accordance with ASC 350, we are required to determine goodwill impairment using a two-step process. The first step compares the fair value of a reporting unit with our carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds our carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired and the second step is unnecessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds our fair value, the second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step compares the implied fair value of the reporting units goodwill, calculated using the residual method, with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, the excess is recognized as an impairment loss.
The impairment test for our franchise rights and other intangible assets not subject to amortization consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, the excess is recognized as an impairment loss.
Since our adoption of ASC 350 in 2002, we have not recorded any impairments as a result of our impairment testing. We completed our most recent impairment test as of October 1, 2011, which reflected no impairment of our franchise rights, goodwill or other intangible assets.
We could record impairments in the future if there are changes in the long-term fundamentals of our business, in general market conditions or in the regulatory landscape that could prevent us from recovering the carrying value of our long-lived intangible assets. The economic conditions affecting the U.S. economy, and how that may impact the fundamentals of our business, may have a negative impact on the fair values of the assets in our reporting unit.
In accordance with Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-28 When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force), as of October 1, 2011, we have evaluated whether there are any adverse qualitative factors surrounding our Mediacom LLC reporting unit (which has a negative carrying value) indicating that a goodwill impairment may exist. We do not believe that it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. As such, we have not performed Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test.
Other finite-lived intangible assets, which consist primarily of subscriber lists and covenants not to compete, continue to be amortized over their useful lives of 5 to 10 years and 5 years, respectively. Amortization expense was $0.4 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively. Our estimated aggregate amortization expense for 2012 is $0.1 million.
The following table details changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, (dollars in thousands):
Balance December 31, 2009 |
$ | 24,046 | ||
Acquisitions |
| |||
Dispositions |
| |||
|
|
|||
Balance December 31, 2010 |
$ | 24,046 | ||
Acquisitions |
| |||
Dispositions |
| |||
|
|
|||
Balance December 31, 2011 |
$ | 24,046 | ||
|
|
During the fourth quarter of 2009, we determined that goodwill and members equity were overstated by $13.0 million during each of the interim periods due to an error in the accounting for the Asset Transfer (see Note 8), which occurred in the first quarter of 2009. We concluded that such amounts were not material to our interim financial statements for 2009, based on our consideration of quantitative and qualitative factors. We corrected this error in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Other Assets
Other assets, net, primarily include financing costs and original issue discount incurred to raise debt. Financing costs and original issue discounts are deferred and amortized as interest expense over the expected term of such financings.
55
MEDIACOM LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Segment Reporting
ASC 280 Segment Reporting (ASC 280) requires the disclosure of factors used to identify an enterprises reportable segments. Our operations are organized and managed on the basis of cable system clusters that represent operating segments within our service area. Each operating segment derives revenues from the delivery of similar products and services to a customer base that is also similar. Each operating segment deploys similar technology to deliver our products and services, operates within a similar regulatory environment and has similar economic characteristics. Management evaluated the criteria for aggregation of the operating segments under ASC 280 and believes that we meet each of the respective criteria set forth. Accordingly, management has identified broadband services as our one reportable segment.
Accounting for Derivative Instruments
We account for derivative instruments in accordance with ASC 815 Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815). These pronouncements require that all derivative instruments be recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. We enter into interest rate swaps to fix the interest rate on a portion of our variable interest rate debt to reduce the potential volatility in our interest expense that would otherwise result from changes in market interest rates. Our derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and are included in other current assets, other assets and other liabilities of our consolidated balance sheet. Our accounting policies for these instruments are based on whether they meet our criteria for designation as hedging transactions, which include the instruments effectiveness, risk reduction and, in most cases, a one-to-one matching of the derivative instrument to our underlying transaction. Gains and losses from changes in fair values of derivatives that are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. We have no derivative financial instruments designated as hedges. Therefore, changes in fair value for the respective periods were recognized in the consolidated statement of operations.
Accounting for Asset Retirement
We adopted ASC 410 Asset Retirement Obligations (ASC 410), on January 1, 2003. ASC 410 addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. We reviewed our asset retirement obligations to determine the fair value of such liabilities and if a reasonable estimate of fair value could be made. This entailed the review of leases covering tangible long-lived assets as well as our rights-of-way under franchise agreements. Certain of our franchise agreements and leases contain provisions that require restoration or removal of equipment if the franchises or leases are not renewed. Based on historical experience, we expect to renew our franchise or lease agreements. In the unlikely event that any franchise or lease agreement is not expected to be renewed, we would record an estimated liability. However, in determining the fair value of our asset retirement obligation under our franchise agreements, consideration will be given to the Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, which generally entitles the cable operator to the fair market value for the cable system covered by a franchise, if renewal is denied and the franchising authority acquires ownership of the cable system or effects a transfer of the cable system to another person. Changes in these assumptions based on future information could result in adjustments to estimated liabilities.
Upon adoption of ASC 410, we determined that in certain instances, we are obligated by contractual terms or regulatory requirements to remove facilities or perform other remediation activities upon the retirement of our assets. We initially recorded a $6.0 million asset in property, plant and equipment and a corresponding liability of $6.0 million. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the corresponding asset, net of accumulated amortization, was less than $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively.
Accounting for Long-Lived Assets
In accordance with ASC 360 Property, Plant and Equipment (ASC 360), we periodically evaluate the recoverability and estimated lives of our long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable or the useful life has changed. The measurement for such impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset, typically based upon the future cash flows discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved. Unless presented separately, the loss is included as a component of either depreciation expense or amortization expense, as appropriate.
Programming Costs
We have various fixed-term carriage contracts to obtain programming for our cable systems from content suppliers whose compensation is generally based on a fixed monthly fee per customer. These programming contracts are subject to negotiated renewal. Programming costs are recognized when we distribute the related programming. These programming costs are usually payable each month based on calculations performed by us and are subject to adjustments based on the results of periodic audits by the content suppliers. Historically, such audit adjustments have been immaterial to our total programming costs. Some content suppliers offer financial incentives to support the launch of a channel and ongoing marketing support. When such financial incentives are received, we defer them within non-current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets and recognize such amounts as a reduction of programming costs (which are a component of service costs in the consolidated statement of operations) over the carriage term of the programming contract.
56
MEDIACOM LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Share-based Compensation
Prior to the Going Private Transaction, we estimated the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. This fair value was then amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period. This option-pricing model required the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the options expected life and the price volatility of the underlying stock. The estimation of stock awards that will ultimately vest required judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differed from our estimates, such amounts were recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the periods the estimates are revised. Actual results have differed from our estimates. See Note 10.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06 (ASU 2010-06), Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements, which amends Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) No. 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820) to add new requirements for disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements. The ASU also clarifies existing fair value disclosures about the level of disaggregation and about inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The ASU is effective for the first reporting period (including interim periods) beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the requirement to provide the Level 3 activity of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis, which will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our financial statements or related disclosures.
In December 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-28 (ASU 2010-28) When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). The amendments to ASC 350 Intangibles Goodwill and Other in ASU 2010-28 affect all entities that have recognized goodwill and have one or more reporting units whose carrying amount for purposes of performing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test is zero or negative. The amendments modify Step 1 so that for those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. The qualitative factors are consistent with existing guidance, which requires that goodwill of a reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. We adopted ASU 2010-28 as of January 1, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2010-28 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04 (ASU 2011-04), Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, which provides a converged framework for fair value measurements and related disclosures between generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2011-04 amends the fair value measurement and disclosure guidance in the following areas: (i) Highest-and-best use and the valuation-premise concepts for non-financial assets, (ii) application to financial assets and liabilities with offsetting positions in market or counterparty credit risk, (iii) premiums or discounts in fair value measurement, (iv) fair value measurements for amounts classified in equity; and, (v) other disclosure requirements particularly involving Level 3 inputs. This guidance will be effective for us as of January 1, 2012. We do not expect that ASU 2011-04 will have a material impact on our financial statements or related disclosures.
In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08 (ASU 2011-08) Intangibles Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). Under ASU 2011-08, an entity has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to perform the first step of the two-step impairment test. Under ASU 2011-08, an entity has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to performing the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test. An entity may resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. We do not expect that ASU 2011-08 will have a material impact on our financial statements or related disclosures.
57
MEDIACOM LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
3. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, property, plant and equipment consisted of (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2011 |
December 31, 2010 |
|||||||
Cable systems, equipment and subscriber devices |
$ | 1,888,852 | $ | 1,806,363 | ||||
Furniture, fixtures and office equipment |
47,467 | 37,479 | ||||||
Vehicles |
36,208 | 35,098 | ||||||
Buildings and leasehold improvements |
16,617 | 15,877 | ||||||
Land and land improvements |
1,581 | 1,535 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Property, plant and equipment, gross |
$ | 1,990,725 | $ | 1,896,352 | ||||
Accumulated depreciation |
(1,315,170 | ) | (1,208,138 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
$ | 675,555 | $ | 688,214 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $117.4 million, $109.5 million and $114.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had no property under capitalized leases. We incurred gross interest costs of $98.9 million and $93.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 respectively, of which $1.2 million and $1.6 million was capitalized as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. See Note 2.
4. FAIR VALUE
As of December 31, 2011 and 2010 respectively, our financial assets and liabilities consisted of interest rate exchange agreements.
The tables below set forth our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value, on a recurring basis, using a market-based approach at December 31, 2011. These assets and liabilities have been categorized according to the three-level fair value hierarchy established by ASC 820, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value, as follows:
| Level 1 Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
| Level 2 Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. |
| Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. |
As of December 31, 2011, our interest rate exchange agreement liabilities, net, were valued at $53.1 million using Level 2 inputs, as follows (dollars in thousands):
Fair Value as of December 31, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate exchange agreements |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate exchange agreements |
$ | | $ | 53,097 | $ | | $ | 53,097 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Interest rate exchange agreements liabilities, net |
$ | | $ | 53,097 | $ | | $ | 53,097 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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MEDIACOM LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
As of December 31, 2010, our interest rate exchange agreement liabilities, net, were valued at $37.9 million using Level 2 inputs, as follows (dollars in thousands):
Fair Value as of December 31, 2010 | ||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate exchange agreements |
$ | | $ | 2,180 | $ | | $ | 2,180 | ||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate exchange agreements |
$ | | $ | 40,099 | $ | | $ | 40,099 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Interest rate exchange agreements liabilities, net |
$ | | $ | 37,919 | $ | | $ | 37,919 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2011 |
December 31, 2010 |
|||||||
Accounts payable non-affiliates |
$ | 19,728 | $ | 5,986 | ||||
Accrued programming costs |
19,040 | 17,699 | ||||||
Liabilities under interest rate exchange agreements |
17,311 | 20,481 | ||||||
Accrued taxes and fees |
16,733 | 15,329 | ||||||
Accrued interest |
13,319 | 13,737 | ||||||
Accrued payroll and benefits |
12,232 | 10,753 | ||||||
Subscriber advance payments |
10,301 | 6,105 | ||||||
Accrued service costs |
9,208 | 8,232 | ||||||
Accrued property, plant and equipment |
8,145 | 5,158 | ||||||
Accounts payable affiliates |
6,924 | 49,706 | ||||||
Book overdrafts (1) |
3,393 | 2,885 | ||||||
Accrued telecommunications costs |
1,179 | 1,486 | ||||||
Other accrued expenses |
8,560 | 7,643 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
$ | 146,073 | $ | 165,200 | ||||
|
|
|
|
(1) | Book overdrafts represented outstanding checks in excess of funds on deposit at our disbursement accounts. We transfer funds from our depository accounts to our disbursement accounts upon daily notification of checks presented for payment. Changes in book overdrafts are reported as part of cash flows from financing activities in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. |
6. DEBT
As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, debt consisted of (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2011 |
December 31, 2010 |
|||||||
Bank credit facility |
$ | 1,233,000 | $ | 1,169,000 | ||||
9 1/8% senior notes due 2019 |
350,000 | 350,000 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total debt |
$ | 1,583,000 | $ | 1,519,000 | ||||
Less: current portion |
12,000 | 12,000 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total long-term debt |
$ | 1,571,000 | $ | 1,507,000 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Bank Credit Facility
As of December 31, 2011, we maintained a $1.382 billion bank credit facility (the credit facility), comprising $1.157 billion of outstanding term loans and $225.2 million of revolving credit commitments, which had $76.0 million outstanding. As of December 31, 2011, the average interest rate on such outstanding debt, including the effect of our interest rate exchange agreements discussed below, was 4.8%, as compared to 5.5% as of the same date last year.
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MEDIACOM LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
The credit facility is collateralized by our ownership interests in our operating subsidiaries, and is guaranteed by us on a limited recourse basis to the extent of such ownership interests. As of December 31, 2011, the credit agreement governing the credit facility (the credit agreement) required us to maintain a total leverage ratio (as defined) of no more than 5.5 to 1.0 and an interest coverage ratio (as defined) of no less than 2.0 to 1.0. The total leverage ratio covenant will be reduced to 5.0 to 1.0 commencing on October 1, 2012, and remain at that level so long as any revolving credit commitments remain outstanding. For all periods through December 31, 2011, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the credit agreement, and as of December 31, 2011, our total leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio were 4.2 to 1.0 and 2.9 to 1.0, respectively.
Revolving Credit Commitments
In April 2010, the credit agreement was amended to extend the termination date of $225.2 million of revolving credit commitments (the revolver) which had been previously scheduled to expire on September 30, 2011. The revolver expires on December 31, 2014 (or June 30, 2014 if Term Loan C under the credit facility has not been repaid or refinanced prior to June 30, 2014).
Interest on the revolver is payable based upon either the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or the Prime rate, chosen at our discretion, plus a margin which is based on certain financial ratios, pursuant to the credit agreement. Interest on outstanding revolver balances is payable at a floating rate equal to either LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.25% to 3.00%, or the Prime Rate plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 2.00%. Commitment fees on the unused portion of the available revolving credit commitments are payable at a rate of 0.75%.
As of December 31, 2011, we had $139.8 million of unused revolving credit commitments, all of which were available to be borrowed and used for general corporate purposes, after giving effect to $76.0 million of outstanding loans and $9.4 million of letters of credit issued to various parties as collateral.
Term Loan C
In May 2006, we entered into an incremental facility agreement that provided for a new term loan (the Term Loan C) in an original principal amount of $650.0 million. The Term Loan C matures on January 31, 2015 and, since March 31, 2007, has been subject to quarterly reductions of 0.25% of the original principal amount, with a final payment at maturity representing 92.00% of the original principal amount. As of December 31, 2011, the outstanding balance under the Term Loan C was $617.5 million.
Interest on the Term Loan C is payable based upon LIBOR or the Prime Rate, at our discretion, plus a margin which is based on certain financial ratios, pursuant to the credit agreement. Interest on the Term Loan C is payable at a floating rate equal to either LIBOR plus a margin of 1.50% or 1.75%, or the Prime Rate plus a margin of 0.50% or 0.75%.
Term Loan D
In August 2009, we entered into an incremental facility agreement that provided for a new term loan (the Term Loan D) in an original principal amount of $300.0 million. The Term Loan D matures on March 31, 2017 and, since December 31, 2009, has been subject to quarterly reductions of 0.25% of the original principal amount, with a final payment at maturity representing 92.75% of the original principal amount. As of December 31, 2011, the outstanding balance under the Term Loan D was $293.3 million.
Interest on the Term Loan D is payable at a floating rate equal to either LIBOR plus a margin of 3.50%, or the Prime Rate plus a margin of 2.50%. Through August 2013, Term Loan D is subject to a minimum LIBOR of 2.00%.
See Note 13 for a discussion of the repayment of the borrowings outstanding under Term Loan D in February 2012.
Term Loan E
In April 2010, we entered into an incremental facility agreement that provided for a new term loan (the Term Loan E) in the original principal amount of $250.0 million. The Term Loan E matures on October 23, 2017 and, since September 30, 2010, has been subject to quarterly reductions of 0.25% of the original principal amount, with a final payment at maturity representing 92.75% of the original principal amount. As of December 31, 2011, the outstanding balance under the Term Loan E was $246.3 million.
Interest on the Term Loan E is payable at a floating rate equal to either LIBOR plus a margin of 3.00%, or the Prime Rate plus a margin of 2.00%. Through April 2014, Term Loan E is subject to a minimum LIBOR of 1.50%, and a minimum Prime Rate of 2.50%.
60
MEDIACOM LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Interest Rate Exchange Agreements
We use interest rate exchange agreements (which we refer to as interest rate swaps) with various banks to fix the variable portion of borrowings under the credit facility. We believe this reduces the potential volatility in our interest expense that would otherwise result from changes in market interest rates. Our interest rate swaps have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes, and have been accounted for on a mark-to-market basis as of, and for, the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. As of December 31, 2011:
| We had current interest rate swaps which fix the variable portion of $700 million of borrowings under the credit facility at a rate of 3.0%. Our current interest rate swaps are scheduled to expire in the amounts of $400 million and $300 million during the years ending December 31, 2012 and 2014, respectively; and |
| We had forward-starting interest rate swaps which will fix the variable portion of $600 million of borrowings under the credit facility at a rate of 2.9%. Our forward-starting interest rate swaps are scheduled to commence in the amounts of $400 million and $200 million during the years ending December 31, 2012 and 2014, respectively. |
The fair value of our interest rate swaps is the estimated amount that we would receive or pay to terminate such agreements, taking into account market interest rates and the remaining time to maturities. As of December 31, 2011, based upon mark-to-market valuation, we recorded on our consolidated balance sheet, an accumulated current liability of $17.3 million and an accumulated long-term liability of $35.8 million. As of December 31, 2010, based upon mark-to-market valuation, we recorded on our consolidated balance sheet, a long-term asset of $2.2 million, an accumulated current liability of $20.5 million and an accumulated long-term liability of $19.6 million. As a result of the mark-to-market valuations on these interest rate swaps, we recorded net losses on derivatives of $15.2 million and $18.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. We recorded a net gain on derivatives of $13.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Senior Notes
In August 2009, we issued $350 million aggregate principal amount of 9 1/8% senior notes due August 2019 (the 9 1/8% Notes). Net proceeds from the 9 1/8% Notes were used to partially fund the redemption of certain of our previously outstanding senior notes.
As of December 31, 2011, we had $350 million of senior notes outstanding. Our senior notes are unsecured obligations and the indenture governing our senior limits the incurrence of additional indebtedness based upon a maximum debt to operating cash flow ratio (as defined) of 8.5 to 1.0. As of December 31, 2011, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the indenture, and our debt to operating cash flow ratio was 5.6 to 1.0.
See Note 13 for a discussion of a financing transaction completed on February 7, 2012.
Debt Ratings
Our future access to the debt markets and the terms and conditions we receive are influenced by our debt ratings. MCCs corporate credit rating is B1, with a stable outlook, by Moodys, and B+, with a stable outlook, by Standard and Poors. Our senior unsecured credit rating is B3 by Moodys, with a stable outlook, and B-, with a stable outlook, by Standard and Poors. We cannot assure you that Moodys and Standard and Poors will maintain their ratings on MCC and us. A negative change to these credit ratings could result in higher interest rates on future debt issuance than we currently experience, or adversely impact our ability to raise additional funds.
There are no covenants, events of default, borrowing conditions or other terms in our credit agreement or senior note indenture that are based on changes in our credit rating assigned by any rating agency.
Fair Value and Debt Maturities
As of December 31, 2011, the fair values of our senior notes and the credit facility are as follows (dollars in thousands):
9 1/8% senior notes due 2019 |
$ | 371,000 | ||
|
|
|||
Bank credit facility |
$ | 1,189,188 | ||
|
|
The stated maturities of all debt outstanding as of December 31, 2011 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
2012 |
$ | 12,000 | ||
2013 |
12,000 | |||
2014 |
88,000 | |||
2015 |
603,500 | |||
2016 |
5,500 | |||
Thereafter |
862,000 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 1,583,000 | ||
|
|
61
MEDIACOM LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
7. MEMBERS EQUITY
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCC, our business affairs, including our financing decisions, are directed by MCC. For the year ended December 31, 2011 we made capital distributions to parent of $141.2 million. For the year ended December 31, 2010 we made capital distributions to parent of $37.0 million. For the year ended December 31, 2009, we made capital distributions to parent of $222.0 million, comprising $191.7 of million cash distributions, and $30.3 of million non-cash distributions. Substantially all of the non-cash distributions in 2009 represented the book value of the cable systems located in Western North Carolina distributed to parent (see Note 8). For the same period, we received capital contributions from parent of $283.4 million, comprising $189.9 million in cash and $93.5 million, net, of non-cash distributions. Substantially all of these non-cash contributions from parent represented the excess book value of the assets exchanged in the Asset Transfer Agreement (see Note 8). As presented in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, non-cash transactions financing were $63.2 million, net, comprising non-cash contributions from parent of $93.5 million, net and non-cash distributions to parent of $30.3 million, net, as described above.
Capital contributions from parent and capital distributions to parent are reported on a gross basis in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Members Deficit and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Non-cash transactions are reported on a net basis in the supplemental disclosures of cash flow information in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Management Agreements
MCC manages us pursuant to a management agreement with our operating subsidiaries. Under the management agreements, MCC has full and exclusive authority to manage our day-to-day operations and conduct our business. We remain responsible for all expenses and liabilities relating to the construction, development, operation, maintenance, repair, and ownership of our systems. Management fees for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 amounted to $11.9 million, $12.1 million, and $11.8 million, respectively.
As compensation for the performance of its services, subject to certain restrictions, MCC is entitled under each management agreement to receive management fees in an amount not to exceed 4.5% of the annual gross operating revenues of our operating subsidiaries. MCC is also entitled to the reimbursement of all expenses necessarily incurred in its capacity as manager.
We are a preferred equity investor in Mediacom Broadband LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MCC. See Note 12.
Share Exchange Agreement between MCC and an affiliate of Morris Communications
On September 7, 2008, MCC entered into a Share Exchange Agreement (the Exchange Agreement) with Shivers Investments, LLC (Shivers) and Shivers Trading & Operating Company (STOC). Both STOC and Shivers are affiliates of Morris Communications Company, LLC (Morris Communications). STOC, Shivers and Morris Communications are controlled by William S. Morris III, who together with another Morris Communications representative, Craig S. Mitchell, held two seats on MCCs Board of Directors.
On February 13, 2009, MCC completed the Exchange Agreement pursuant to which it exchanged 100% of the shares of stock of a wholly-owned subsidiary, which held approximately $110 million of cash and non-strategic cable systems serving approximately 25,000 basic subscribers contributed by us, for 28,309,674 shares of MCC Class A common stock held by Shivers. Effective upon closing of the transaction, Messrs. Morris and Mitchell resigned from MCCs Board of Directors.
Asset Transfer Agreement with MCC and Mediacom Broadband
On February 11, 2009, certain of our operating subsidiaries executed an Asset Transfer Agreement (the Transfer Agreement) with MCC and the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom Broadband, pursuant to which certain of our cable systems located in Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Wisconsin, which served approximately 45,900 basic subscribers were exchanged for certain of Mediacom Broadbands cable systems located in Illinois, which served approximately 42,200 basic subscribers, and a cash payment of $8.2 million (the Asset Transfer). We believe the Asset Transfer better aligned our customer base geographically, making the cable systems more clustered and allowing for more effective management, administration, controls and reporting of our field operations. The Asset Transfer was completed on February 13, 2009. No gain or loss was recorded on the Asset Transfer because we and Mediacom Broadband are under common control.
As part of the Transfer Agreement, we contributed to MCC cable systems located in Western North Carolina, which served approximately 25,000 basic subscribers. These cable systems were part of the Exchange Agreement noted above. In connection therewith, we received a $74 million cash contribution on February 12, 2009, of which funds had been contributed to MCC by Mediacom Broadband on the same date.
In total, we received $82.2 million under the Transfer Agreement (the Transfer Proceeds), which were used by us to repay a portion of the outstanding balance under the revolving commitments of our operating subsidiaries bank credit facility.
62
MEDIACOM LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
On February 12, 2009, after giving effect to the debt repayment funded by the Transfer Proceeds as noted above, our operating subsidiaries borrowed approximately $110 million under the revolving commitments of the credit facility. This represented net new borrowings of about $28 million. On February 12, 2009, we contributed approximately $110 million to MCC to fund their cash obligation under the Exchange Agreement defined above.
The net assets of the cable systems we received as part of the Asset Transfer were accounted for as a transfer of businesses under common control in accordance with ASC 805. Under this method of accounting: (i) the net assets we received have been recorded at Mediacom Broadbands carrying amounts; (ii) the net assets of the cable systems we transferred to Mediacom Broadband through MCC were removed from our consolidated balance sheet at net book value on the transfer date; (iii) for the cable systems we received, we recorded their results of operations as if the transfer date was January 1, 2009; and (iv) for the cable systems we transferred to Mediacom Broadband through MCC, we ceased recording those results of operations as of the transfer date.
We recognized an additional $5.5 million in revenues and $1.7 million of net income, for the period January 1, 2009 through the transfer date, because we recorded the results of operations for the cable systems we received as part of the Asset Transfer, as if the transfer date was January 1, 2009. This $1.7 million of cash flows was recorded under the caption capital distributions from parent on our consolidated statements of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Going Private Transaction
On November 12, 2010, MCC entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement), by and among MCC, JMC Communications LLC (JMC) and Rocco B. Commisso, MCCs founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who was also the sole member and manager of JMC, for the purpose of taking MCC private (the Going Private Transaction).
At a special meeting of stockholders on March 4, 2011, MCCs stockholders voted to adopt the Merger Agreement. On the same date, JMC was merged with and into MCC (the Merger), with MCC continuing as the surviving corporation, a private company that is wholly-owned by an entity controlled by Mr. Commisso. As a result of the Merger, among other things, each share of MCCs common stock (other than shares held by Mr. Commisso and his affiliates) was converted into the right to receive promptly after the Merger $8.75 in cash.
The Going Private Transaction required funding of approximately $381.5 million, including related transaction expenses, and was funded, in part, by capital distributions to MCC from us, consisting of $100.0 million of borrowings under our revolving credit facility and $36.5 million of cash on hand. The balance was funded by Mediacom Broadband LLC (Mediacom Broadband), another wholly-owned subsidiary of MCC.
9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
Substantially all our employees are eligible to participate in MCCs defined contribution plan pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k) (the Plan). Under such Plan, eligible employees may contribute up to 15% of their current pretax compensation. MCCs Plan permits, but does not require, matching contributions and non-matching (profit sharing) contributions to be made by us up to a maximum dollar amount or maximum percentage of participant contributions, as determined annually by us. We presently match 50% on the first 6% of employee contributions. Our contributions under MCCs Plan totaled $0.8 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009.
10. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Deferred Compensation
For the year ended December 31, 2011, we recorded $1.1 million of deferred compensation expense (formerly share-based compensation expense). These expenses represented the unvested stock options and restricted stock units under the former share-based compensation plans at their original grant-date fair value, adjusted for the right to receive $8.75 in cash, based upon terms of the Merger Agreement. This amount also included the recognition of new, cash-based deferred compensation awarded in 2011 which has vesting attributes similar to the former share-based awards.
63
MEDIACOM LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Share-based Compensation
Total share-based compensation for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 (prior to the Going Private Transaction) was as follows (dollars in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, 2010 |
Year Ended December 31, 2009 |
|||||||
Share-based compensation expense by type of award: |
||||||||
Employee stock options |
$ | 26 | $ | 29 | ||||
Employee stock purchase plan |
82 | 94 | ||||||
Restricted stock units |
477 | 433 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total share-based compensation expense |
$ | 585 | $ | 556 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Prior to the Going Private Transaction, MCC granted stock options to certain employees which conveyed to recipients the right to purchase shares of MCCs Class A common stock at a specified strike price, upon vesting of the stock option award, but prior to the expiration date of that award. The awards were subject to annual vesting periods generally not exceeding 4 years from the date of grant. We estimated expected forfeitures based on historic voluntary termination behavior and trends of actual stock option forfeitures and recognized compensation costs for equity awards expected to vest. See Note 8 for a discussion of the Going Private Transaction.
In April 2003, MCC adopted its 2003 Incentive Plan, or 2003 Plan, which amended and restated MCCs 1999 Stock Option Plan and incorporated into the 2003 Plan options that were previously granted outside the 1999 Stock Option Plan.
ASC 718 requires the cost of all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values at the grant date, or the date of later modification, over the requisite service period. In addition, ASC 718 requires unrecognized cost, footnote disclosure, related to options vesting after the date of initial adoption to be recognized in the financial statements over the remaining requisite service period.
We used the Black-Scholes option pricing model which requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimates, including estimates of the expected term employees will retain their vested stock options before exercising them, the estimated volatility of our stock price over the expected term, and the number of options that will be forfeited prior to the completion of their vesting requirements. Application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different estimates of the fair value of share-based compensation and consequently, the related amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. The provisions of ASC 718 apply to new stock awards and stock awards outstanding, but not yet vested, on the effective date. In March 2005, the SEC issued SAB No. 107, Share-Based Payment, relating to ASC 718. We have applied the provisions of SAB No. 107.
MCC has elected the short-cut method to calculate the historical pool of windfall tax benefits.
Valuation Assumptions
As required by ASC 718, we estimated the fair value of stock options and shares purchased under MCCs employee stock purchase plan, using the Black-Scholes valuation model and the straight-line attribution approach, with the following weighted average assumptions:
Employee Stock Option Plans Year Ended December 31, |
Employee Stock Purchase Plans Year Ended December 31, |
|||||||||||||||
2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |||||||||||||
Dividend yield |
0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % | 0 | % | ||||||||
Expected volatility |
60.0 | % | 59.0 | % | 61.4 | % | 43.0 | % | ||||||||
Risk free interest rate |
2.8 | % | 2.7 | % | 2.4 | % | 4.0 | % | ||||||||
Expected option life (in years) |
6.0 | 5.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
Expected volatility was based on a combination of implied and historical volatility of MCCs Class A common stock. For the years ended December 31, 2010, and 2009, we elected the simplified method in accordance with SAB 107 and SAB 110 to estimate the option life of share-based awards. The simplified method was used for valuing stock option grants by eligible public companies that do not have sufficient historical exercise patterns of stock options. We have concluded that sufficient historical exercise data was not available. The risk free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the date of grant. The forfeiture rate was based on trends in actual option forfeitures. The awards were subject to annual vesting periods not to exceed 6 years from the date of grant. During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 there were no options granted.
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MEDIACOM LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
Restricted Stock Units
Prior to the Going Private Transaction, MCC granted restricted stock units (RSUs) to certain employees (the participants) in MCCs Class A common stock. Awards of RSUs were valued by reference to shares of common stock that entitle participants to receive, upon the settlement of the unit, one share of common stock for each unit. The awards were subject to annual vesting periods generally not exceeding 4 years from the date of grant. We estimated expected forfeitures based on historic voluntary termination behavior and trends of actual RSU forfeitures and recognized compensation costs for equity awards expected to vest. The total value of RSUs vesting during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $0.5 million and $0.2 million respectively. These grant date fair values were based upon the closing prices of $8.47 and $4.47 respectively.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Under MCCs former employee stock purchase plan, all employees were allowed to participate in the purchase of shares of MCCs Class A common stock at a 15% discount on the date of the allocation. As a result of the Going Private Transaction, the employee stock purchase plan terminated in March 2011. Shares purchased by employees amounted to approximately 16,700, and 45,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, and 2010 respectively. The net proceeds to us were approximately $0.9 million and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, and 2010. As a result of the Going Private Transaction, this plan has terminated.
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Under various lease and rental agreements for offices, warehouses and computer terminals, we had rental expense of $3.3 million, $3.3 million and $3.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Future minimum annual rental payments as of December 31, 2011 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
2012 |
$ | 2,308 | ||
2013 |
1,694 | |||
2014 |
1,260 | |||
2015 |
1,002 | |||
2016 |
746 | |||
Thereafter |
2,425 | |||
|
|
|||
Total |
$ | 9,435 | ||
|
|
In addition, we rent utility poles in our operations generally under short-term arrangements, but we expect these arrangements to recur. Total rental expense for utility poles was $6.0 million, $5.2 million and $6.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Letters of Credit
As of December 31, 2011, $9.4 million of letters of credit were issued to various parties to secure our performance relating to insurance and franchise requirements. The fair value of such letters of credit was approximately book value.
Legal Proceedings
Gary Ogg and Janice Ogg v. Mediacom LLC
We are named as a defendant in a putative class action, captioned Gary Ogg and Janice Ogg v. Mediacom LLC, pending in the Circuit Court of Clay County, Missouri, originally filed in April 2001. The lawsuit alleges that we, in areas where there was no cable franchise, failed to obtain permission from landowners to place our fiber interconnection cable notwithstanding the possession of agreements or permission from other third parties. While the parties continue to contest liability, there also remains a dispute as to the proper measure of damages. Based on a report by their experts, the plaintiffs claim compensatory damages of approximately $14.5 million. Legal fees, prejudgment interest, potential punitive damages and other costs could increase that estimate to approximately $26.0 million. Before trial, the plaintiffs proposed an alternative damage theory of $42.0 million in compensatory damages. Notwithstanding the verdict in the trial described below, we remain unable to reasonably determine the amount of our final liability in this lawsuit. Prior to trial our experts estimated our liability to be within the range of approximately $0.1 million to $2.3 million. This estimate did not include any estimate of damages for prejudgment interest, attorneys fees or punitive damages.
On March 9, 2009, a jury trial commenced solely for the claim of Gary and Janice Ogg, the designated class representatives.
On March 18, 2009, the jury rendered a verdict in favor of Gary and Janice Ogg setting compensatory damages of $8,863 and punitive damages of $35,000. The Court did not enter a final judgment on this verdict and therefore the amount of the verdict could not at that time be judicially collected. Although we believe that the particular circumstances of each class member may result in a different measure of damages for each member, if the same measure of compensatory damages was used for each member, the aggregate compensatory damages would be approximately $16.2 million plus the possibility of an award of attorneys fees, prejudgment interest, and punitive damages.
65
MEDIACOM LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
On April 22, 2011, the Circuit Court of Clay County, Missouri issued an opinion and order decertifying the class in this putative class action. A notice of appeal was filed by the plaintiff on May 2, 2011 regarding the courts decertification of the class and the courts refusal to award prejudgment interest on the Gary and Janice Ogg judgment. We will vigorously defend this appeal as well as any claims made by the other members of the purported class.
We believe that the amount of actual liability would not have a significant effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows or business. There can be no assurance, however, if the decision of the Circuit Court of Clay County, Missouri is reversed, that the actual liability ultimately determined for all members of the class would not exceed our estimated range or any amount derived from the verdict rendered on March 18, 2009. We have tendered the lawsuit to our insurance carrier for defense and indemnification. The carrier has agreed to defend us under a reservation of rights, and a declaratory judgment action is pending regarding the carriers defense and coverage responsibilities.
Other Legal Proceedings
We are also involved in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows or business.
12. PREFERRED EQUITY INVESTMENT
In July 2001, we made a $150 million preferred equity investment in Mediacom Broadband LLC, a Delaware limited liability company wholly-owned by MCC, that was funded with borrowings under the credit facility. The preferred equity investment has a 12% annual cash dividend, payable quarterly in cash. For each of the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, we received in aggregate $18 million in cash dividends on the preferred equity.
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On February 7, 2012, we issued 7 1/4% senior notes due February 2022 (the 7 1/4% Notes) in the aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million (the financing). After giving effect to financing costs, net proceeds of $245.0 million, together with a draw down from our revolving credit commitments, were used to repay the entire outstanding amount under Term Loan D of the credit facility.
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SCHEDULE VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
MEDIACOM LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Additions | Deductions | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at beginning of period |
Charged to costs and expenses |
Charged to other accounts |
Charged to costs and expenses |
Charged to other accounts |
Balance at end of period |
|||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2009 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current receivables |
$ | 1,127 | $ | 1,745 | $ | | $ | 1,945 | $ | | $ | 927 | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2010 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current receivables |
$ | 927 | $ | 1,325 | $ | | $ | 1,024 | $ | | $ | 1,228 | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2010 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current receivables |
$ | 1,228 | $ | 2,232 | $ | | $ | 2,720 | $ | | $ | 740 |
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ITEM 9. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE |
None.
ITEM 9A. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Mediacom LLC
Under the supervision and with the participation of the management of Mediacom LLC, including Mediacom LLCs Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Mediacom LLC evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon such evaluation, Mediacom LLCs Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Mediacom LLCs disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2011.
There has not been any change in Mediacom LLCs internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended December 31, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Mediacom LLCs internal control over financial reporting. The revision of financial statement amounts described in Note 2 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements is not deemed to constitute a material weakness of Mediacom LLCs internal controls over financial reporting.
Managements Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of Mediacom LLC is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of Mediacom LLCs principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by Mediacom LLCs manager, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
| pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of Mediacom LLC; |
| provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of Mediacom LLC are being made only in accordance with authorizations of the management of Mediacom LLC; and |
| provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Mediacom LLCs assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
Because of Mediacom LLCs inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of Mediacom LLCs internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, management determined that, as of December 31, 2011, Mediacom LLCs internal control over financial reporting was effective.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of Mediacom LLCs registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Managements report was not subject to attestation by Mediacom LLCs registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit Mediacom LLC to provide only managements report in this Annual Report.
Mediacom Capital Corporation
Under the supervision and with the participation of the management of Mediacom Capital Corporation (Mediacom Capital), including Mediacom Capitals Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Mediacom Capital evaluated the effectiveness of Mediacom Capitals disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon such evaluation, Mediacom Capitals Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Mediacom Capitals disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2011.
There has not been any change in Mediacom Capitals internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended December 31, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Mediacom Capitals internal control over financial reporting.
68
Managements Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of Mediacom Capital is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of Mediacom Capitals principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by Mediacom Capitals board of directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:
| pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of Mediacom Capital; |
| provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of Mediacom Capital are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of Mediacom Capital; and |
| provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Mediacom Capitals assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
Because of Mediacom Capitals inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of Mediacom Capitals internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, management determined that, as of December 31, 2011, Mediacom Capitals internal control over financial reporting was effective.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of Mediacom Capitals registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Managements report was not subject to attestation by Mediacom Capitals registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit Mediacom Capital to provide only managements report in this annual report.
ITEM 9B. | OTHER INFORMATION |
None.
ITEM 10. | DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
MCC is our sole voting member and serves as manager of our operating subsidiaries. The Directors and Executive Officers for MCC, Mediacom LLC (MLLC) and Mediacom Capital Corporation (MCCorp) are indicated below:
Name |
Age |
Position | ||||
Rocco B. Commisso |
62 | Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of MCC and MCCorp; Chief Executive Officer of MLLC | ||||
Mark E. Stephan |
55 | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director of MCC; Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MLLC and MCCorp | ||||
John G. Pascarelli |
50 | Executive Vice President, Operations of MCC, MLLC and MCCorp | ||||
Italia Commisso Weinand |
58 | Senior Vice President, Programming and Human Resources and Director of MCC; Senior Vice President, Programming and Human Resources of MLLC | ||||
Joseph E. Young |
63 | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of MCC, MLLC and MCCorp | ||||
Calvin G. Craib |
57 | Senior Vice President, Corporate Finance of MCC, MLLC and MCCorp | ||||
Brian M. Walsh |
46 | Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller of MCC and MLLC | ||||
Tapan Dandnaik |
38 | Senior Vice President, Customer Service and Financial Operations of MCC | ||||
Steve Litwer |
59 | Senior Vice President, Ad Sales for the OnMedia Division of MCC | ||||
David McNaughton |
50 | Senior Vice President, Marketing and Consumer Services of MCC | ||||
Ed Pardini |
54 | Senior Vice President, North Central Division of MCC | ||||
Dan Templin |
48 | Senior Vice President, Commercial Business of MCC | ||||
JR Walden |
40 | Senior Vice President, Technology of MCC | ||||
Vin Zachariah |
41 | Senior Vice President, Field Operations and Fulfillment of MCC |
The following individuals were members of MCCs board of directors during the period from January 1, 2011 to March 4, 2011, at which time their service on the board of directors ceased in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement: Mark E. Stephan, Thomas V. Reifenheiser, Natale S. Ricciardi, Robert L. Winikoff and Scott W. Seaton.
69
Rocco B. Commisso has 33 years of experience with the cable industry, and has served as MCCs Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and our Chief Executive Officer since founding our predecessor company in July 1995. From 1986 to 1995, he served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and a director of Cablevision Industries Corporation. Prior to that time, Mr. Commisso served as Senior Vice President of Royal Bank of Canadas affiliate in the United States from 1981, where he founded and directed a specialized lending group to media and communications companies. Mr. Commisso began his association with the cable industry in 1978 at The Chase Manhattan Bank, where he managed the banks lending activities to communications firms including the cable industry. He serves on the board of directors and executive committees of the National Cable Television Association and Cable Television Laboratories, Inc., and on the board of directors of C-SPAN and the National Italian American Foundation. Mr. Commisso holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University.
Mark E. Stephan has 25 years of experience with the cable industry, and has served as MCCs, and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since July 2005. Prior to that time, he was Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since November 2003 and MCCs Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since the commencement of MCCs operations in March 1996. Before joining MCC, Mr. Stephan served as Vice President, Finance for Cablevision Industries from July 1993. Prior to that time, Mr. Stephan served as Manager of the telecommunications and media lending group of Royal Bank of Canada.
John G. Pascarelli has 30 years of experience in the cable industry, and has served as MCCs Executive Vice President, Operations since November 2003. Prior to that time, he was MCCs Senior Vice President, Marketing and Consumer Services from June 2000 and MCCs Vice President of Marketing from March 1998. Before joining MCC, Mr. Pascarelli served as Vice President, Marketing for Helicon Communications Corporation from January 1996 to February 1998 and as Corporate Director of Marketing for Cablevision Industries from 1988 to 1995. Prior to that time, Mr. Pascarelli served in various marketing and system management capacities for Continental Cablevision, Inc., Cablevision Systems and Storer Communications.
Italia Commisso Weinand has 35 years of experience in the cable industry, and has served as MCCs Senior Vice President of Programming and Human Resources. Before joining MCC in April 1996, Ms. Weinand served as Regional Manager for Comcast Corporation from July 1985. Prior to that time, Ms. Weinand held various management positions with Tele-Communications, Inc., Times Mirror Cable and Time Warner, Inc. For the past five years she has been named among the Most Powerful Women in Cable by CableFax Magazine and presently serves on the Board of The Cable Center and the Emma Bowen Foundation. Ms. Weinand is the sister of Mr. Commisso.
Joseph E. Young has 27 years of experience with the cable industry, and has served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel since November 2001. Prior to that time, Mr. Young served as Executive Vice President, Legal and Business Affairs, for LinkShare Corporation, an Internet-based provider of marketing services, from September 1999 to October 2001. Prior to that time, he practiced corporate law with Baker & Botts, LLP from January 1995 to September 1999. Previously, Mr. Young was a partner with the Law Offices of Jerome H. Kern and a partner with Shea & Gould.
Calvin G. Craib has 30 years of experience in the cable industry, and has served as MCCs Senior Vice President, Business Development since August 2001. He also assumed responsibility of Corporate Finance in June 2008. Prior to that time, Mr. Craib was MCCs Vice President, Business Development since April 1999. Before joining MCC in April 1999, he served as Vice President, Finance and Administration for Interactive Marketing Group from June 1997 to December 1998 and as Senior Vice President, Operations, and Chief Financial Officer for Douglas Communications from January 1990 to May 1997. Prior to that time, Mr. Craib served in various financial management capacities at Warner Amex Cable and Tribune Cable.
Brian M. Walsh has 24 years of experience in the cable industry, and has served as MCCs Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller since February 2005. Prior to that time, he was MCCs Senior Vice President, Financial Operations from November 2003, our managers Vice President, Finance and Assistant to the Chairman from November 2001, MCCs Vice President and Corporate Controller from February 1998 and MCCs Director of Accounting from November 1996. Before joining MCC in April 1996, Mr. Walsh held various management positions with Cablevision Industries from 1988 to 1995.
Tapan Dandnaik has 11 years of experience in the cable industry, and has served as MCCs Senior Vice President, Customer Service & Financial Operations since July 2008. Prior to that time, he was MCCs Group Vice President, Financial Operations since July 2007 and MCCs Vice President, Financial Operations since May 2005. Before joining MCC, Mr. Dandnaik served as Director of Corporate Initiatives, Manager of Corporate Finance and as a Financial Analyst for RCN from July 2000 to April 2005. Prior to that time, Mr. Dandnaik served as a Product Engineer for Ingersoll-Rand in India.
Steve Litwer has 20 years of experience with the cable industry, and has served as MCCs Senior Vice President, Ad Sales for the OnMedia Division since April 2008. Prior to that time, he was MCCs Group Vice President, Sales since the commencement of the ad sales division in 2001. Before joining MCC, Mr. Litwer served as Group Sales Director at AT&T and TCI Media Services from 1996 to 2001. Prior to that time, Mr. Litwer served in various management positions at cable systems, radio and broadcast TV stations.
70
David McNaughton has 24 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, and has served as MCCs Senior Vice President, Marketing and Consumer Services since May 2011. Before joining MCC, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Ntelos Wireless, a Virginia-based regional wireless carrier from 2009 and Senior Vice President and General Manager at Cincinatti Bell from 2007, responsible for wireless, landline and DSL services. Prior to that time, he held senior management marketing positions at DirecTV, Nextel Communications, and AirTouch Cellular.
Ed Pardini has 29 years of experience in the cable industry, and has served as MCCs Senior Vice President, Divisional Operations for the North Central Division since April 2006. Before joining MCC, Mr. Pardini served as an operating executive in several markets with Comcast since 1989, concluding his final assignment as a Senior Regional Vice President for Philadelphia and eastern Pennsylvania. Prior to that time, Mr. Pardini served in various financial management positions with Greater Media Cable and Viacom Cable.
Dan Templin has 20 years of experience in the cable and telecommunications industries, and has served as MCCs Senior Vice President, Mediacom Business since April 2011. Prior to that time, he was MCCs Group Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Product Development since May 2008. Before joining MCC, he was Senior Vice President, Marketing and Product Management for SusCom from February 1999. Prior to that time, Mr. Templin served in a number of operations, product and marketing roles with Comcast and Jones Intercable.
JR Walden has 16 years of experience in the cable industry, and 23 years of experience in Internet and Telecommunications technology. He has served as MCCs Senior Vice President, Technology since February 2008. Prior to that time, he was MCCs Group Vice President, IP Services from July 2004, MCCs Vice President, IP Services from July 2003, MCCs Senior Director of IP Services from June 2002 and MCCs IP Services Director from October 1998. Before joining MCC in 1998, Mr. Walden worked in the defense research industry holding various positions with the Department of Defense, Comarco and Science Applications International Corporation.
Vin V. Zachariah has 13 years of experience in the cable industry, and has served as MCCs Senior Vice President of Field Operations and Fulfillment since December 2011. Prior to that time, he served as a consultant to MCC working on various initiatives for MCCs Executive Vice President of Operations since March 2011. Before joining MCC, Mr. Zachariah served at Time Warner Cable as Regional Vice President of Operations from March 2009, Vice President/General Manager from May 2006, Vice President of Operations from April 2004 and Assistant to the Division President from January 2003. Prior to that time, Mr. Zachariah served in various financial positions with Global Signal Inc and Salomon Smith Barney. Mr. Zachariah served in the United States Air Force from June 1993 to August 1997.
Our manager has adopted a code of ethics applicable to all of our employees, including our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and chief accounting officer. This code of ethics was filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
ITEM 11. | EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
The executive officers and directors of MCC are compensated exclusively by MCC and do not receive any separate compensation from Mediacom LLC or Mediacom Capital. MCC acts as manager of our operating subsidiaries and in return receives management fees from each of such subsidiaries.
ITEM 12. | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS |
Mediacom Capital is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mediacom LLC. MCC is the sole voting member of Mediacom LLC. The address of MCC is 100 Crystal Run Road, Middletown, New York 10941.
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ITEM 13. | CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE |
Going Private Transaction
On November 12, 2010, MCC entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement), by and among MCC, JMC Communications LLC (JMC) and Rocco B. Commisso, MCCs founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who was also the sole member and manager of JMC, for the purpose of taking MCC private (the Going Private Transaction).
At a special meeting of stockholders on March 4, 2011, MCCs stockholders voted to adopt the Merger Agreement. On the same date, JMC was merged with and into MCC (the Merger), with MCC continuing as the surviving corporation, a private company that is wholly-owned by an entity controlled by Mr. Commisso. As a result of the Merger, among other things, each share of MCCs common stock (other than shares held by Mr. Commisso and his affiliates) was converted into the right to receive promptly after the Merger $8.75 in cash.
The Going Private Transaction required funding of approximately $381.5 million, including related transaction expenses, and was funded, in part, by capital distributions to MCC from us, consisting of $100.0 million of borrowings under our revolving credit facility and $36.5 million of cash on hand. The balance was funded by Mediacom Broadband LLC (Mediacom Broadband), another wholly-owned subsidiary of MCC.
Management Agreements
Pursuant to management agreements between MCC and our operating subsidiaries, MCC is entitled to receive annual management fees in amounts not to exceed 4.0% of gross operating revenues, and MCC shall be responsible for, among other things, the compensation (including benefits) of MCCs executive management. For the year ended December 31, 2011, MCC charged us $11.9 million of such management fees, approximately 1.8% of gross operating revenues.
Other Relationships
In July 2001, we made a $150 million preferred equity investment in Mediacom Broadband, a wholly owned subsidiary of MCC, that was funded with borrowings under the credit facility. The preferred equity investment has a 12% annual cash dividend, payable quarterly in cash. For the year ended December 31, 2011, we received in aggregate $18 million in cash dividends on the preferred equity.
ITEM 14. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES |
Our allocated portion of fees from MCC for professional services provided by our independent auditor in each of the last two fiscal years, in each of the following categories are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, |
||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
Audit fees |
$ | 400 | $ | 460 | ||||
Audit-related fees |
| 24 | ||||||
Tax fees |
103 | 38 | ||||||
All other fees |
| | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | 503 | $ | 522 | ||||
|
|
|
|
Audit fees include fees associated with the annual audit, the reviews of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual reports on Form 10-K. Audit-related fees include fees associated with the audit of an employee benefit plan and transaction reviews.
Tax fees include fees related to tax planning and associated tax computations.
72
ITEM 15. | EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES |
(a) | Financial Statements |
Our financial statements as set forth in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K are hereby incorporated by reference.
(b) | Exhibits |
The following exhibits, which are numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K, are filed herewith or, as noted, incorporated by reference herein:
Exhibit Number |
Exhibit Description | |
2.1 | Asset Transfer Agreement, dated February 11, 2009, by and among Mediacom Communications Corporation, certain operating subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC and the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom Broadband(1) | |
3.1(a) | Articles of Organization of Mediacom LLC filed July 17, 1995(2) | |
3.1(b) | Certificate of Amendment of the Articles of Organization of Mediacom LLC filed December 8, 1995(2) | |
3.2 | Fifth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Mediacom LLC(3) | |
3.3 | Certificate of Incorporation of Mediacom Capital Corporation filed March 9, 1998(2) | |
3.4 | By-Laws of Mediacom Capital Corporation(2) | |
4.1 | Indenture relating to 9 1/8% senior notes due 2019 of Mediacom LLC and Mediacom Capital Corporation(4) | |
4.2 | Indenture relating to 7 1/4% senior notes due 2022 of Mediacom LLC and Mediacom Capital Corporation | |
10.1(a) | Credit Agreement, dated as of October 21, 2004, among the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC, the lenders thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent for the lenders(5) | |
10.1(b) | Amendment No. 1, dated as of May 5, 2006, to the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 21, 2004, among the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC, the lenders thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent for the lenders(6) | |
10.1(c) | Amendment No. 2, dated as of June 11, 2007, to the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 21, 2004, among the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank as administrative agent for the lenders(7) |
73
Exhibit Number |
Exhibit Description | |
10.1(d) | Amendment No. 3, dated as of June 11, 2007, to the Credit Agreement, dated of October 21, 2004, among the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent for the lenders(7) | |
10.1(e) | Amendment No. 4, dated as of April 23, 2010, to the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 21, 2004, among the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent for the lenders(8) | |
10.2 | Incremental Facility Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2006, between the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC, the lenders signatory thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent(6) | |
10.3 | Incremental Facility Agreement, dated as of August 25,2009, between the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC, the lenders signatory thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent(4) | |
10.4 | Incremental Facility Agreement, dated as of April 23, 2010, between the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC, the lenders signatory thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent(8) | |
12.1 | Schedule of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges | |
14.1 | Code of Ethics(9) | |
21.1 | Subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC | |
31.1 | Rule 15(d) -14(a) Certifications of Mediacom LLC | |
31.2 | Rule 15(d) -14(a) Certifications of Mediacom Capital Corporation | |
32.1 | Section 1350 Certifications of Mediacom LLC | |
32.2 | Section 1350 Certifications of Mediacom Capital Corporation | |
101 | The following financial information from Mediacom LLCs and Mediacom Capital Corporations Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Members Deficit for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009; and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
(1) | Filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 of MCC and incorporated herein by reference. |
(2) | Filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-57285) of Mediacom LLC and Mediacom Capital Corporation and incorporated herein by reference. |
(3) | Filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 of MCC, Mediacom LLC and Mediacom Capital Corporation and incorporated herein by reference. |
(4) | Filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009 of Mediacom Communications Corporation and incorporated herein by reference. |
(5) | Filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004 of MCC and incorporated herein by reference. |
(6) | Filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006 of MCC and incorporated herein by reference. |
(7) | Filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007 of MCC and incorporated herein by reference. |
(8) | Filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 23, 2010, of Mediacom LLC and incorporated herein by reference. |
(9) | Filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 of Mediacom LLC and incorporated herein by reference. |
(c) | Financial Statement Schedule |
The following financial statement schedule Schedule II Valuation of Qualifying Accounts is part of this Form 10-K.
74
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on our behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Mediacom LLC | ||||||||
March 21, 2012 | ||||||||
By: | /S/ MARK E. STEPHAN | |||||||
Mark E. Stephan | ||||||||
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
/S/ ROCCO B. COMMISSO Rocco B. Commisso |
Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) |
March 21, 2012 | ||
/S/ MARK E. STEPHAN Mark E. Stephan |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) |
March 21, 2012 |
75
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on our behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Mediacom Capital Corporation | ||||||||
March 21, 2012 | ||||||||
By: | /S/ MARK E. STEPHAN | |||||||
Mark E. Stephan | ||||||||
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
/S/ ROCCO B. COMMISSO Rocco B. Commisso |
Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer) |
March 21, 2012 | ||
/S/ MARK E. STEPHAN Mark E. Stephan |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) |
March 21, 2012 |
Supplemental Information to be Furnished with Reports Filed Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by Registrants Which Have not Registered Securities Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The Registrants have not sent and will not send any proxy material to their security holders. A copy of this annual report on Form
10-K will be sent to holders of the Registrants outstanding debt securities.
76
Exhibit 4.2
EXECUTION VERSION
MEDIACOM LLC
and
MEDIACOM CAPITAL CORPORATION,
as Issuers
and
LAW DEBENTURE TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK,
as Trustee
Indenture
Dated as of February 7, 2012
7.25% Senior Notes due 2022
Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act
of 1939 and Indenture, dated as of June 29, 20011
Trust Indenture Act Section |
Indenture Section | |
§ 310(a)(1) |
608 | |
§ 310(a)(2) |
608 | |
§ 310(b) |
609 | |
§ 311 |
605 | |
§ 312(a) |
701 | |
§ 312(b) |
115, 702 | |
§ 312(c) |
702, 115 | |
§ 313(a) |
703 | |
§ 313(b) |
703 | |
§ 313(c) |
703 | |
§ 314(a)(4) |
1016(a) | |
§ 314(c)(1) |
102 | |
§ 314(c)(2) |
102 | |
§ 314(e) |
102 | |
§ 315(a) |
601(a) | |
§ 315(b) |
602 | |
§ 315(c) |
601(b) | |
§ 315(d) |
601(c), 603 | |
§ 316(a)(last sentence) |
908 | |
§ 316(a)(1)(A) |
502, 512 | |
§ 316(a)(1)(B) |
513 | |
§ 316(b) |
508 | |
§ 316(c) |
104(iv) | |
§ 317(a)(1) |
503 | |
§ 317(a)(2) |
504 | |
§ 317(b) |
1003 | |
§ 318(a) |
111 |
1 | This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE ONE | ||||||
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION | ||||||
SECTION 101. |
DEFINITIONS |
1 | ||||
SECTION 102. |
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES AND OPINIONS |
21 | ||||
SECTION 103. |
FORM OF DOCUMENTS DELIVERED TO TRUSTEE |
22 | ||||
SECTION 104. |
ACTS OF HOLDERS |
22 | ||||
SECTION 105. |
NOTICES, ETC., TO TRUSTEE AND THE ISSUERS |
23 | ||||
SECTION 106. |
NOTICE TO HOLDERS; WAIVER |
24 | ||||
SECTION 107. |
EFFECT OF HEADINGS AND TABLE OF CONTENTS |
24 | ||||
SECTION 108. |
SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS |
24 | ||||
SECTION 109. |
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE |
25 | ||||
SECTION 110. |
BENEFITS OF INDENTURE |
25 | ||||
SECTION 111. |
GOVERNING LAW |
25 | ||||
SECTION 112. |
LEGAL HOLIDAYS |
25 | ||||
SECTION 113. |
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, STOCKHOLDERS OR INCORPORATORS |
26 | ||||
SECTION 114. |
COUNTERPARTS |
26 | ||||
SECTION 115. |
COMMUNICATIONS BY HOLDERS WITH OTHER HOLDERS |
26 | ||||
SECTION 116. |
FORCE MAJEURE |
26 | ||||
SECTION 117. |
U.S.A. PATRIOT ACT |
27 | ||||
ARTICLE TWO | ||||||
NOTE FORMS | ||||||
SECTION 201. |
FORMS GENERALLY |
27 | ||||
SECTION 202. |
RESTRICTIVE LEGENDS |
28 | ||||
SECTION 203. |
FORM OF NOTE |
31 | ||||
SECTION 204. |
FORM OF TRUSTEES CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION |
44 | ||||
ARTICLE THREE THE NOTES |
||||||
SECTION 301. |
TITLE AND TERMS |
45 | ||||
SECTION 302. |
DENOMINATIONS |
46 | ||||
SECTION 303. |
EXECUTION, AUTHENTICATION, DELIVERY AND DATING |
46 | ||||
SECTION 304. |
TEMPORARY NOTES |
48 | ||||
SECTION 305. |
REGISTRATION, REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE |
48 | ||||
SECTION 306. |
BOOK-ENTRY PROVISIONS FOR GLOBAL NOTES |
49 |
-i-
SECTION 307. |
SPECIAL TRANSFER PROVISIONS |
50 | ||||
SECTION 308. |
FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH TRANSFERS TO INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTORS |
53 | ||||
SECTION 309. |
FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH TRANSFERS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S |
55 | ||||
SECTION 310. |
MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST AND STOLEN NOTES |
56 | ||||
SECTION 311. |
PAYMENT OF INTEREST; INTEREST RIGHTS PRESERVED |
57 | ||||
SECTION 312. |
PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS |
58 | ||||
SECTION 313. |
CANCELLATION |
58 | ||||
SECTION 314. |
COMPUTATION OF INTEREST |
58 | ||||
SECTION 315. |
CUSIP NUMBERS |
58 | ||||
SECTION 316. |
NOTE REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT |
59 | ||||
ARTICLE FOUR | ||||||
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE | ||||||
SECTION 401. |
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE |
59 | ||||
SECTION 402. |
APPLICATION OF TRUST MONEY |
60 | ||||
ARTICLE FIVE | ||||||
REMEDIES | ||||||
SECTION 501. |
EVENTS OF DEFAULT |
61 | ||||
SECTION 502. |
ACCELERATION OF MATURITY; RESCISSION AND ANNULMENT |
62 | ||||
SECTION 503. |
COLLECTION OF INDEBTEDNESS AND SUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT BY TRUSTEE |
63 | ||||
SECTION 504. |
TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM |
63 | ||||
SECTION 505. |
TRUSTEE MAY ENFORCE CLAIMS WITHOUT POSSESSION OF NOTES |
64 | ||||
SECTION 506. |
APPLICATION OF MONEY COLLECTED |
64 | ||||
SECTION 507. |
LIMITATION ON SUITS |
65 | ||||
SECTION 508. |
UNCONDITIONAL RIGHT OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM AND INTEREST |
65 | ||||
SECTION 509. |
RESTORATION OF RIGHTS AND REMEDIES |
65 | ||||
SECTION 510. |
RIGHTS AND REMEDIES CUMULATIVE |
66 | ||||
SECTION 511. |
DELAY OR OMISSION NOT WAIVER |
66 | ||||
SECTION 512. |
CONTROL BY HOLDERS |
66 | ||||
SECTION 513. |
WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS |
66 | ||||
SECTION 514. |
UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS |
67 |
-ii-
ARTICLE SIX | ||||||
THE TRUSTEE | ||||||
SECTION 601. |
CERTAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES |
67 | ||||
SECTION 602. |
NOTICE OF DEFAULTS |
68 | ||||
SECTION 603. |
CERTAIN RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE |
69 | ||||
SECTION 604. |
TRUSTEE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS OR ISSUANCE OF NOTES |
70 | ||||
SECTION 605. |
MAY HOLD NOTES |
71 | ||||
SECTION 606. |
MONEY HELD IN TRUST |
71 | ||||
SECTION 607. |
COMPENSATION AND REIMBURSEMENT |
71 | ||||
SECTION 608. |
CORPORATE TRUSTEE REQUIRED; ELIGIBILITY |
72 | ||||
SECTION 609. |
RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL; APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR |
72 | ||||
SECTION 610. |
ACCEPTANCE OF APPOINTMENT BY SUCCESSOR |
73 | ||||
SECTION 611. |
MERGER, CONVERSION, CONSOLIDATION OR SUCCESSION TO BUSINESS |
74 | ||||
ARTICLE SEVEN | ||||||
HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND THE ISSUERS |
||||||
SECTION 701. |
THE ISSUERS TO FURNISH TRUSTEE NAMES AND ADDRESSES |
74 | ||||
SECTION 702. |
DISCLOSURE OF NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF HOLDERS |
75 | ||||
SECTION 703. |
REPORTS BY TRUSTEE |
75 | ||||
ARTICLE EIGHT | ||||||
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, OR SALE OF ASSETS | ||||||
SECTION 801. |
THE ISSUERS AND GUARANTORS MAY CONSOLIDATE ETC. ONLY ON CERTAIN TERMS |
75 | ||||
SECTION 802. |
SUCCESSOR SUBSTITUTED |
76 | ||||
ARTICLE NINE | ||||||
SUPPLEMENTS, AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS TO INDENTURE | ||||||
SECTION 901. |
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS |
77 | ||||
SECTION 902. |
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS |
77 | ||||
SECTION 903. |
EXECUTION OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES |
78 | ||||
SECTION 904. |
EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES |
78 | ||||
SECTION 905. |
CONFORMITY WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT |
79 | ||||
SECTION 906. |
REFERENCE IN NOTES TO SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES |
79 | ||||
SECTION 907. |
NOTICE OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES |
79 |
-iii-
SECTION 908. |
TREASURY NOTES |
79 | ||||
ARTICLE TEN | ||||||
COVENANTS | ||||||
SECTION 1001. |
PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, PREMIUM, IF ANY, AND INTEREST |
79 | ||||
SECTION 1002. |
MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE OR AGENCY |
80 | ||||
SECTION 1003. |
MONEY FOR NOTE PAYMENTS TO BE HELD IN TRUST |
80 | ||||
SECTION 1004. |
CORPORATE EXISTENCE |
81 | ||||
SECTION 1005. |
PAYMENT OF TAXES AND OTHER CLAIMS |
82 | ||||
SECTION 1006. |
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS |
82 | ||||
SECTION 1007. |
LIMITATION ON RESTRICTED PAYMENTS |
82 | ||||
SECTION 1008. |
LIMITATION ON INDEBTEDNESS |
84 | ||||
SECTION 1009. |
LIMITATION ON AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS |
87 | ||||
SECTION 1010. |
LIMITATION ON DIVIDENDS AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING SUBSIDIARIES |
89 | ||||
SECTION 1011. |
LIMITATION ON LIENS |
90 | ||||
SECTION 1012. |
CHANGE OF CONTROL |
90 | ||||
SECTION 1013. |
LIMITATION ON SALES OF ASSETS |
92 | ||||
SECTION 1014. |
REPORTS |
93 | ||||
SECTION 1015. |
LIMITATION ON BUSINESS ACTIVITIES OF MEDIACOM CAPITAL CORPORATION |
94 | ||||
SECTION 1016. |
STATEMENT BY OFFICERS AS TO DEFAULT |
94 | ||||
SECTION 1017. |
LIMITATION ON GUARANTEES OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS |
95 | ||||
SECTION 1018. |
DESIGNATION OF UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES |
95 | ||||
ARTICLE ELEVEN | ||||||
REDEMPTION OF NOTES | ||||||
SECTION 1101. |
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION |
96 | ||||
SECTION 1102. |
APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE |
96 | ||||
SECTION 1103. |
ELECTION TO REDEEM; NOTICE TO TRUSTEE |
97 | ||||
SECTION 1104. |
SELECTION BY TRUSTEE OF NOTES TO BE REDEEMED |
97 | ||||
SECTION 1105. |
NOTICE OF REDEMPTION |
97 | ||||
SECTION 1106. |
DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE |
98 | ||||
SECTION 1107. |
NOTES PAYABLE ON REDEMPTION DATE |
98 | ||||
SECTION 1108. |
NOTES REDEEMED IN PART |
99 | ||||
ARTICLE TWELVE | ||||||
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE | ||||||
SECTION 1201. |
THE ISSUERS OPTION TO EFFECT LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE |
99 | ||||
SECTION 1202. |
DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE |
99 | ||||
SECTION 1203. |
COVENANT DEFEASANCE |
100 |
-iv-
SECTION 1204. |
CONDITIONS TO LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE |
100 | ||||
SECTION 1205. |
DEPOSITED MONEY AND U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS TO BE HELD IN TRUST; OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
102 | ||||
SECTION 1206. |
REINSTATEMENT |
102 | ||||
ARTICLE THIRTEEN | ||||||
RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE | ||||||
SECTION 1301. |
UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE |
103 | ||||
SECTION 1302. |
SEVERABILITY |
103 | ||||
SECTION 1303. |
LIMITATION OF GUARANTORS LIABILITY |
104 | ||||
SECTION 1304. |
CONTRIBUTION |
104 | ||||
SECTION 1305. |
ADDITIONAL GUARANTORS |
104 | ||||
SECTION 1306. |
SUBORDINATION OF SUBROGATION AND OTHER RIGHTS |
105 |
-v-
INDENTURE, dated as of February 7, 2012 among MEDIACOM LLC, a New York limited liability company (Mediacom LLC), MEDIACOM CAPITAL CORPORATION, a New York corporation (Mediacom Capital Corporation and, together with Mediacom LLC, the Issuers), as joint and several obligors, each having its principal office at 100 Crystal Run Road, Middletown, New York 10941, LAW DEBENTURE TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the Trustee), having its principal corporate trust office at 400 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10017.
RECITALS OF THE ISSUERS
The Issuers have duly authorized the creation of and issuance of (i) $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2022 (the Initial Notes), (ii) any Additional Notes (as defined herein) that may be issued after the date hereof in the form set forth in Section 203 and (iii) the Exchange Notes, if any (the Initial Notes, the Exchange Notes and the Additional Notes are referred to herein collectively as the Notes), of substantially the tenor and amount hereinafter set forth, and to provide therefor the Issuers have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture. Exchange Notes shall include notes issued in exchange for Additional Notes having substantially the same tenor and amount as the Additional Notes.
Upon the issuance of the Exchange Notes, if any, or the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement (as defined herein), this Indenture will be subject to, and shall be governed by, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, that are required or deemed to be part of and to govern indentures qualified thereunder. Such provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, shall only be operative once this Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
All things necessary have been done to make the Notes, when executed and duly issued by the Issuers and authenticated and delivered hereunder by the Trustee or the authenticating agent, the valid obligations of the Issuers and to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Issuers in accordance with their and its terms.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Notes by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Notes, as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
SECTION 101. Definitions.
For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article, and words in the singular include the plural as well as the singular, and words in the plural include the singular as well as the plural;
(b) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, or defined by SEC (as defined therein) rule and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them therein;
(c) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP (as defined herein);
(d) the words herein, hereof and hereunder and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;
(e) the word or is not exclusive; and
(f) provisions of this Indenture apply to successive events and transactions.
Acquired Indebtedness means Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or assumed in connection with an Asset Acquisition from such Person and not Incurred in connection with, or in anticipation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or such Asset Acquisition.
Act shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 104.
Additional Interest shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 203.
Additional Notes shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 301.
Affiliate of any specified Person means any other Person which directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, control (including, with correlative meaning, the terms controlling, controlled by, and under common control with), when used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether by contract, through the ownership of voting securities or otherwise.
Agent Members shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 306.
Applicable Premium means, with respect to the applicable principal amount of Notes on any applicable redemption date, the greater of:
(1) 1.0% of the then outstanding principal amount of such Notes; and
(2) the excess of:
(a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of such Notes at February 15, 2017 (such redemption price being specified in the Form of Note (Section 203) under Optional Redemption) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on such Notes through February 15, 2017 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over
-2-
(b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Notes.
Asset Acquisition means (i) an Investment by Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary in any other Person pursuant to which such Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary or shall be consolidated or merged with or into Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) any acquisition by Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary of the assets of any Person which constitute substantially all of an operating unit, a division or a line of business of such Person or which is otherwise outside of the ordinary course of business.
Asset Sale means any direct or indirect sale, conveyance, transfer, lease (that has the effect of a disposition) or other disposition (including, without limitation, any merger, consolidation or sale-leaseback transaction) to any Person other than Mediacom LLC or any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or any Controlled Subsidiary, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of: (i) any Equity Interest in any Restricted Subsidiary; (ii) any material license, franchise or other authorization of Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary; (iii) any assets of Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary which constitute substantially all of an operating unit, a division or a line of business of Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary; or (iv) any other property or asset of Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary outside of the ordinary course of business. For the purposes of this definition, the term Asset Sale shall not include: (i) any transaction consummated in compliance with Sections 801 and 1012, and the creation of any Lien not prohibited under Section 1011; (ii) the sale of property or equipment that has become worn out, obsolete or damaged or otherwise unsuitable for use in connection with the business of Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be; (iii) any transaction consummated in compliance with Section 1007; (iv) Asset Swaps permitted pursuant to clause (d) of Section 1013; and (v) Permitted Investments. In addition, solely for purposes of Section 1013, any sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition, whether in one transaction or a series of related transactions, involving assets with a fair market value not in excess of $5,000,000 in any fiscal year shall be deemed not to be an Asset Sale.
Asset Sale Proceeds means, with respect to any Asset Sale: (i) cash received by Mediacom LLC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from such Asset Sale (including cash received as consideration for the assumption of liabilities incurred in connection with or in anticipation of such Asset Sale), after (a) provision for all income or other taxes measured by or resulting from such Asset Sale, (b) payment of all brokerage commissions, underwriting, legal, accounting and other fees and expenses related to such Asset Sale, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof, (c) provision for minority interest holders in any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Sale by such Restricted Subsidiary, (d) payment of amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset Sale (including, without limitation, payments made to obtain or avoid the need for the consent of any holder of such Indebtedness), and (e) deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary as a reserve, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, against any liabilities associated with the assets sold or disposed of in such Asset Sale and retained by Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, pension and other post employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or
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against any indemnification obligations associated with the assets sold or disposed of in such Asset Sale; and (ii) promissory notes and other non-cash consideration received by Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary from such Asset Sale or other disposition upon the liquidation or conversion of such notes or non-cash consideration into cash.
Asset Swap means the substantially concurrent purchase and sale, or exchange, of Productive Assets between Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary and another Person or group of affiliated Persons (including, without limitation, any Person or group of affiliated Persons that is an Affiliate of Mediacom LLC and the Restricted Subsidiaries, provided that such transaction is otherwise in compliance with Section 1009) pursuant to an Asset Swap Agreement; it being understood that an Asset Swap may include a cash equalization payment made in connection therewith, provided that such cash payment, if received by Mediacom LLC or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries, shall be deemed to be proceeds received from an Asset Sale and shall be applied in accordance with Section 1013.
Asset Swap Agreement means a definitive agreement, subject only to customary closing conditions that Mediacom LLC in good faith believes will be satisfied, providing for an Asset Swap; provided, however, that any amendment to, or waiver of, any closing condition that individually or in the aggregate is material to such Asset Swap shall be deemed to be a new Asset Swap.
Authentication Order shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 303.
Available Asset Sale Proceeds means, with respect to any Asset Sale, the aggregate Asset Sale Proceeds from such Asset Sale that have not been applied in accordance with clause (iii)(a) and that have not yet been the basis for application in accordance with clause (iii)(b) of paragraph (a) of Section 1013.
Bankruptcy Law means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for relief of debtors.
Business Day means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banking institutions are authorized or required by law to close in New York City.
Capitalized Lease Obligations means Indebtedness represented by obligations under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied and the amount of such Indebtedness shall be the capitalized amount of such obligations determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.
Cash Equivalents means: (i) United States dollars; (ii) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than six months from the date of acquisition; (iii) certificates of deposit and Eurodollar time deposits with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any lender party to the Subsidiary Credit Facility or any Future Subsidiary Credit Facility or with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000; (iv) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven
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days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (ii) and (iii) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (iii) above; (v) commercial paper having a rating of at least P-1 from Moodys or a rating of at least A-1 from S&P; and (vi) money market mutual or similar funds having assets in excess of $100,000,000, at least 95% of the assets of which are comprised of assets specified in clauses (i) through (v) above.
Certificated Notes shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 306.
Change of Control means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) any Person (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), other than one or more Permitted Holders, is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that a Person shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all shares that any such Person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time, upon the happening of an event or otherwise), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the then outstanding Voting Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC; (ii) Mediacom LLC consolidates with, or merges with or into, another Person (other than a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary) or Mediacom LLC or any of its Subsidiaries sells, assigns, conveys, transfers, leases or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of the assets of Mediacom LLC and its Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis) to any Person (other than Mediacom LLC or any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary), other than any such transaction where immediately after such transaction the Person or Persons that beneficially owned (as defined in Rule 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that a Person shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all shares that any such Person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time, upon the happening of an event or otherwise) immediately prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly, a majority of the total voting power of the then outstanding Voting Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC, beneficially own (as so determined), directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the total voting power of the then outstanding Voting Equity Interests in the surviving or transferee Person; (iii) Mediacom LLC is liquidated or dissolved or adopts a plan of liquidation or dissolution (whether or not otherwise in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture); (iv) a majority of the members of the Executive Committee of Mediacom LLC shall consist of Persons who are not Continuing Members; or (v) Mediacom LLC ceases to own 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in Mediacom Capital Corporation, other than by reason of a merger of Mediacom Capital Corporation into and with a corporate successor to Mediacom LLC; provided, however, that a Change of Control will be deemed not to have occurred in any of the circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iv) above if after the occurrence of any such circumstance (A) Mediacom Communications (or any successor thereto), or a Person (or successor thereto) more than 50% of the total voting power of the then outstanding Voting Equity Interests of which is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by Mediacom Communications (or any successor thereto), continues to be the manager of Mediacom LLC (or the surviving or transferee Person in the case of clause (ii) above) pursuant to the Operating Agreement and Rocco B. Commisso continues to be the chief executive officer or chairman of Mediacom Communications (or any successor thereto), (B) Rocco B. Commisso, or a Person more than 50% of the total voting power of the then outstanding Voting Equity Interests of which is beneficially owned,
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directly or indirectly, by Rocco B. Commisso and the other Permitted Holders together with their respective designees, becomes the manager of Mediacom LLC (or the surviving or transferee Person in the case of clause (ii) above) or (C) Rocco B. Commisso becomes and thereafter continues to be the chief executive officer or chairman of Mediacom LLC (or the surviving or transferee Person in the case of clause (ii) above).
Change of Control Offer shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1012.
Change of Control Payment shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1012.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Committee Resolution means with respect to Mediacom LLC, a duly adopted resolution of the Executive Committee of Mediacom LLC.
Comparable Restriction Provisions shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1010.
Consolidated Income Tax Expense means, with respect to Mediacom LLC for any period, the provision for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes payable by Mediacom LLC and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.
Consolidated Interest Expense means, with respect to Mediacom LLC and the Restricted Subsidiaries for any period, without duplication, the sum of: (i) the interest expense of Mediacom LLC and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, including, without limitation, amortization of original issue discount on any Indebtedness and the interest portion of any deferred payment obligation and after taking into account the effect of elections made under any Hedging Agreements, however denominated, with respect to such Indebtedness; (ii) the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations paid, accrued and/or scheduled to be paid or accrued by Mediacom LLC and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied; and (iii) dividends and distributions in respect of Disqualified Equity Interests actually paid in cash by Mediacom LLC and the Restricted Subsidiaries during such period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by Mediacom LLC to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.
Consolidated Net Income means, with respect to any period, the net income (loss) of Mediacom LLC and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, adjusted, to the extent included in calculating such net income (loss), by excluding, without duplication: (i) all extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring items of income or expense and of gains
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or losses and all gains and losses from the sale or other disposition of assets out of the ordinary course of business (net of taxes, fees and expenses relating to the transaction giving rise thereto) for such period; (ii) that portion of such net income (loss) derived from or in respect of Investments in Persons other than any Restricted Subsidiary, except to the extent actually received in cash by Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary; (iii) the portion of such net income (loss) allocable to minority interests in unconsolidated Persons for such period, except to the extent actually received in cash by Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary; (iv) net income (loss) of any other Person combined with Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary on a pooling of interests basis attributable to any period prior to the date of combination; (v) net income (loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that net income (loss) is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or the holders of its Equity Interests; (vi) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles after the Existing Notes Build-Up Date; (vii) net income (loss) attributable to discontinued operations; (viii) management fees payable to Mediacom Communications and its Affiliates pursuant to management agreements with Mediacom LLC or its Subsidiaries accrued for such period that have not been paid during such period; and (ix) any other item of expense, other than interest expense, which appears on Mediacom LLCs consolidated statement of income (loss) below the line item Operating Income, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.
Consolidated Total Indebtedness means, as at any date of determination, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of all outstanding Indebtedness and the aggregate liquidation preference or redemption payment value of all Disqualified Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC and the Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding as of such date of determination, less the obligations of Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary under any Hedging Agreement as of such date of determination that would appear as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.
Continuing Member means, as of the date of determination, any Person who (i) was a member of the Executive Committee of Mediacom LLC on the date of this Indenture, (ii) was nominated for election or elected to the Executive Committee of Mediacom LLC with the affirmative vote of a majority of the Continuing Members who were members of the Executive Committee at the time of such nomination or election or (iii) is a representative of, or was approved by, a Permitted Holder.
Controlled Subsidiary means a Restricted Subsidiary which is engaged in a Related Business: (i) 80% or more of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than Equity Interests constituting directors qualifying shares to the extent mandated by applicable law) are owned by Mediacom LLC or by one or more Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries or Controlled Subsidiaries or by Mediacom LLC and one or more Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries or Controlled Subsidiaries; (ii) of which Mediacom LLC possesses, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies, whether through the ownership of Voting Equity Interests, by agreement or otherwise; and (iii) all of whose Indebtedness is Non-Recourse Indebtedness.
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Corporate Trust Office means the office of the Trustee which initially is located at 400 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10017.
Covenant Defeasance shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1203.
Cumulative Credit means the sum of: (i) $25,000,000; plus (ii) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by Mediacom LLC or a Restricted Subsidiary from the issue or sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) on or after the Existing Notes Build-Up Date; plus (iii) the principal amount (or accreted amount (determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles), if less) of any Indebtedness, or the liquidation preference or redemption payment value of any Disqualified Equity Interests, of Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary which has been converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) on or after the Existing Notes Build-Up Date; plus (iv) cumulative Operating Cash Flow from and after the Existing Notes Build-Up Date, to the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date of the proposed Restricted Payment, or, if cumulative Operating Cash Flow for such period is negative, minus the amount by which cumulative Operating Cash Flow is less than zero; plus (v) to the extent not already included in Operating Cash Flow, if any Investment constituting a Restricted Payment that was made after the Existing Notes Build-Up Date is sold or otherwise liquidated or repaid, or any Unrestricted Subsidiary which was designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary after the Existing Notes Build-Up Date is sold or otherwise liquidated, the fair market value of such Restricted Payment or such Unrestricted Subsidiary, as the case may be (less the cost of disposition, if any), on the date of such sale, liquidation or repayment, as determined in good faith by the Executive Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a Committee Resolution; plus (vi) if any Unrestricted Subsidiary is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary, the value of the Restricted Payment that would result if such Subsidiary were redesignated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary at such time, determined in accordance with Section 1018.
Cumulative Interest Expense means the aggregate amount of Consolidated Interest Expense paid or accrued of the Issuers and the Restricted Subsidiaries from and after the Existing Notes Build-Up Date, to the end of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the proposed Restricted Payment.
Debt to Operating Cash Flow Ratio means the ratio of (i) Consolidated Total Indebtedness as of the date of calculation (the Determination Date) to (ii) four times the Operating Cash Flow for the latest three months for which financial information is available immediately preceding such Determination Date (the Measurement Period). For purposes of calculating Operating Cash Flow for the Measurement Period immediately prior to the relevant Determination Date: (I) any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the Determination Date (or would become a Restricted Subsidiary on such Determination Date in connection with the transaction that requires the determination of such Operating Cash Flow) will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such Measurement Period; (II) any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on such Determination Date (or would cease to be a Restricted Subsidiary on such Determination Date in connection with the transaction that requires the determination of
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such Operating Cash Flow) will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such Measurement Period; and (III) if Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have in any manner (x) acquired (including, without limitation, through an Asset Acquisition or the commencement of activities constituting such operating business) or (y) disposed of (including by way of an Asset Sale or the termination or discontinuance of activities constituting such operating business) any operating business during such Measurement Period or after the end of such period and on or prior to such Determination Date, such calculation will be made on a pro forma basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, as if, in the case of an Asset Acquisition or the commencement of activities constituting such operating business, all such transactions had been consummated on the first day of such Measurement Period, and, in the case of an Asset Sale or termination or discontinuance of activities constituting such operating business, all such transactions had been consummated prior to the first day of such Measurement Period.
Default means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
Defaulted Interest shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 311.
Depositary means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors and assigns, or such other depositary institution hereafter appointed by Mediacom LLC.
Designation shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1018.
Disqualified Equity Interest means (i) any Equity Interest issued by Mediacom LLC which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (except, in each such case, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control) in whole or in part, or is exchangeable into Indebtedness, on or prior to the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date on which no Notes remain outstanding; and (ii) any Equity Interest issued by any Restricted Subsidiary which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, or is exchangeable into Indebtedness.
Distribution Compliance Period means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act.
Equity Interest in any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) corporate stock or other equity participations, including, without limitation, partnership interests, whether general or limited, and membership interests in such Person, including, without limitation, any Preferred Equity Interests.
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Equity Offering means a public or private offering or sale (including, without limitation, to any Affiliate) by Mediacom LLC or a Restricted Subsidiary for cash of its respective Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) or options, warrants or rights with respect to such Equity Interests.
Event of Default shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 501.
Excess Proceeds means, with respect to any Asset Sale, the then Available Asset Sale Proceeds less any such Available Asset Sale Proceeds that are required to be applied and are applied in accordance with clause (iii)(b)(1) of paragraph (a) of Section 1013.
Excess Proceeds Offer shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1013.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Exchange Notes means the 7.25% Notes due 2022 to be issued pursuant to this Indenture in connection with a registration pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.
Exchange Offer means the offer by the Issuers to exchange all of the Initial Notes for a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes, as provided in the Registration Rights Agreement, and the offer by the Issuers to exchange all of the Additional Notes for a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes, in each case as provided in this Indenture.
Exchange Offer Registration Statement has the meaning ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Executive Committee means (i) so long as Mediacom LLC is a limited liability company, (x) while the Operating Agreement is in effect, the Executive Committee authorized thereunder, and (y) at any other time, the manager or board of managers of Mediacom LLC, or management committee, board of directors or similar governing body responsible for the management of the business and affairs of Mediacom LLC or any committee of such governing body; (ii) if Mediacom LLC were to be reorganized as a corporation, the board of directors of Mediacom LLC; and (iii) if Mediacom LLC were to be reorganized as a partnership, the board of directors of the corporate general partner of such partnership (or if such general partner is itself a partnership, the board of directors of such general partners corporate general partner).
Existing Notes Build-Up Date means April 1, 1998.
Funding Guarantor shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1304.
Future Subsidiary Credit Facilities means one or more debt facilities (other than the Subsidiary Credit Facility) entered into from time to time after the date of this Indenture by one or more Restricted Subsidiaries or groups of Restricted Subsidiaries with banks or other institutional lenders, together with all loan documents and instruments thereunder (including, without limitation, any guarantee agreements and security documents), including, without limitation, any amendment (including, without limitation, any amendment and restatement), modification or supplement thereto or any refinancing, refunding, deferral, renewal, extension or replacement thereof (including, in any such case and without limitation, adding or removing Subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC as borrowers or guarantors thereunder), whether by the same or any other lender or group of lenders.
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GAAP or generally accepted accounting principles means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect as of the date of this Indenture, including those set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.
Global Notes shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 201.
Guarantor means any Subsidiary of Mediacom LLC that guarantees the Issuers obligations under this Indenture and the Notes after the date of this Indenture pursuant to Section 1017.
Hedging Agreement means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement or other similar agreement providing for the transfer or mitigation of interest rate risks either generally or under specific contingencies.
Holder or Noteholder means the Person in whose name a Note is registered in the Note Register.
Incur means, with respect to any Indebtedness or other obligation of any Person, to create, issue, incur (including by conversion, exchange or otherwise), assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation or to record, as required pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles or otherwise, any such Indebtedness or other obligation on the balance sheet of such Person (and Incurrence, Incurred and Incurring shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing). Indebtedness of any Person or any of its Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (or is merged into or consolidates with Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary), whether or not such Indebtedness was incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary (or being merged into or consolidated with Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary), shall be deemed Incurred at the time any such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or merges into or consolidates with Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary.
Indebtedness means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, any indebtedness, secured or unsecured, contingent or otherwise, in respect of borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof), or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit or representing the deferred and unpaid balance of the purchase price of property or services (but excluding trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business and non-interest bearing installment obligations and other accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business) if and to the extent any of the foregoing indebtedness would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, and shall also include, to the extent not otherwise included (but without duplication): (i) any Capitalized Lease Obligations; (ii) obligations secured by a lien to
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which any property or assets owned or held by such Person is subject, whether or not the obligation or obligations secured thereby shall have been assumed; (iii) guarantees of items of other Persons which would be included within this definition for such other Persons (whether or not such items would appear upon the balance sheet of the guarantor); and (iv) obligations of Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary under any Hedging Agreement applicable to any of the foregoing (if and only to the extent any amount due in respect of such Hedging Agreement would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied). Indebtedness (i) shall not include obligations under performance bonds, performance guarantees, surety bonds and appeal bonds, letters of credit or similar obligations, Incurred in the ordinary course of business, including in connection with pole rental or conduit attachments and the like or the requirements of cable television franchising authorities, and otherwise consistent with industry practice; (ii) shall not include obligations of any Person (x) arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or other similar instrument inadvertently drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business, provided such obligations are extinguished within five Business Days of their Incurrence, (y) resulting from the endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice and (z) under stand-by letters of credit to the extent collateralized by cash or Cash Equivalents; and (iii) which provides that an amount less than the principal amount thereof shall be due upon any declaration of acceleration thereof shall be deemed to be Incurred or outstanding in an amount equal to the accreted value thereof at the date of determination.
Indenture means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
Initial Notes shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the introductory paragraph to this Indenture.
Institutional Accredited Investor Certificated Note shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 201.
Institutional Accredited Investor Note shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 201.
Interest Payment Date shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 301.
Investment in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan or other extension of credit (including, without limitation, by means of a guarantee) or capital contribution to (by means of transfers of property to others, payments for property or services for the account or use of others or otherwise), or any direct or indirect acquisition, by purchase or otherwise, of any stock, bonds, notes, debentures, partnership, membership or joint venture interests or other securities or other evidence of beneficial interest of, such Person; provided that the term Investment shall not include any such advance, loan or extension of credit having a term not exceeding 90 days arising in the ordinary course of business or any pledge of Equity Interests pursuant to the Subsidiary Credit Facility or any Future Subsidiary Credit Facility. If Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Voting Equity Interest of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary such that, after giving effect to such sale or disposition, Mediacom LLC no longer owns, directly or indirectly, greater than 50% of the outstanding
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Voting Equity Interests in such Restricted Subsidiary, Mediacom LLC shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the fair market value of the Voting Equity Interests in such former Restricted Subsidiary not sold or disposed of.
Issuers means the parties named as such in this Indenture, until a successor replaces either such party in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and, thereafter, the term Issuers shall mean each such successor and each such party that has not been replaced by such a successor.
Issuers Request shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 102.
Legal Defeasance shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1202.
Lien means any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, security interest, hypothecation, assignment for security or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or capital lease or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof or any agreement to give a security interest).
Mediacom LLC Group Credit Agreement means the Credit Agreement, dated as of October 21, 2004, among the operating subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC named therein, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders party thereto, as amended, together with all loan documents and instruments thereunder.
Mediacom Communications means Mediacom Communications Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc.
Net Cash Proceeds means, with respect to any issuance or sale of Equity Interests, the proceeds in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents received by Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary of such issuance or sale, net of attorneys fees, accountants fees, underwriters or placement agents fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.
Non-Recourse Indebtedness means Indebtedness of a Person (i) as to which neither the Issuers nor any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than such Person or any Subsidiaries of such Person) (a) provides any guarantee or credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, guarantee, indemnity, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness) or (b) is directly or indirectly liable (as a guarantor or otherwise); and (ii) the incurrence of which will not result in any recourse against any of the assets of either of the Issuers or the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than to such Person or to any Subsidiaries of such Person and other than to the Equity Interests in such Person or in another Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary pledged by Mediacom LLC, a Restricted Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary); provided, however, that Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary may make a loan to a Controlled Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or guarantee a loan made to a Controlled Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary, if such loan or guarantee is permitted under Section 1007 at the time of the making of such loan or guarantee, and such loan or guarantee shall not constitute Indebtedness which is not Non-Recourse Indebtedness.
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Note Register shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 305.
Note Registrar shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 305.
Notes means the 7.25% Senior Notes due 2022 issued by Mediacom LLC and Mediacom Capital Corporation.
Offering Memorandum means the Offering Memorandum dated January 31, 2012 pursuant to which the Notes were initially offered.
Office of the Note Registrar means the office of the Note Registrar, which shall initially be located at 400 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10017.
Officer means the Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, any Senior Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of Mediacom Capital Corporation, or in the case of Mediacom LLC, of its managing member.
Officers Certificate means a certificate signed by two Officers of each Issuer.
Operating Agreement means the Fifth Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Mediacom LLC dated as of February 9, 2000, as the same may be amended, supplemented or modified from time to time.
Operating Cash Flow means, with respect to Mediacom LLC and the Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, for any period, an amount equal to Consolidated Net Income for such period increased (without duplication) by the sum of (i) Consolidated Income Tax Expense accrued for such period to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period; (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period; and (iii) depreciation, amortization and any other non-cash items for such period to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period (other than any non-cash item (other than the management fees referred to in clause (viii) of the definition of Consolidated Net Income) which requires the accrual of, or a reserve for, cash charges for any future period) of Mediacom LLC and the Restricted Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, amortization of capitalized debt issuance costs for such period and any non-cash compensation expense realized from grants of equity instruments or other rights (including, without limitation, stock options, stock appreciation or other rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock and deferred stock units) to officers, directors and employees of such Person, all of the foregoing determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, and decreased by non-cash items to the extent they increase Consolidated Net Income (including the partial or entire reversal of reserves taken in prior periods) for such period.
Opinion of Counsel means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or external counsel to Mediacom LLC or the Trustee.
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Other Indebtedness shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1017.
Other Pari Passu Debt means Indebtedness of Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary that does not constitute Subordinated Obligations and that is not senior in right of payment to the Notes.
Other Pari Passu Debt Pro Rata Share means, with respect to any Asset Sale, an amount equal to the product of (A) the amount of the Available Asset Sale Proceeds from such Asset Sale multiplied by (B) a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is the aggregate principal amount and/or accreted value, as the case may be, of all Other Pari Passu Debt outstanding on the Reinvestment Date with respect to such Asset Sale and (ii) the denominator of which is the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Notes outstanding on such Reinvestment Date and (b) the aggregate principal amount and/or accreted value, as the case may be, of all Other Pari Passu Debt outstanding on such Reinvestment Date.
Other Permitted Liens means (i) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers, warehousemens and mechanics liens and other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business which secure payment of obligations that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and for which an appropriate reserve or provision shall have been made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied; (ii) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and for which an appropriate reserve or provision shall have been made in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied; (iii) easements, rights of way, and other restrictions on use of property or minor imperfections of title that in the aggregate are not material in amount and do not in any case materially detract from the property subject thereto or interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of Mediacom LLC or its Subsidiaries; (iv) Liens related to Capitalized Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations (including refinancings thereof), in each case Incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary or a Related Business, provided that any such Lien encumbers only the asset or assets so financed, purchased, constructed or improved; (v) Liens resulting from the pledge by Mediacom LLC of Equity Interests in a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with the Subsidiary Credit Facility or a Future Subsidiary Credit Facility or in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in any circumstance, in each such case where recourse to Mediacom LLC is limited to the value of the Equity Interests so pledged; (vi) Liens resulting from the pledge by Mediacom LLC of intercompany indebtedness owed to Mediacom LLC in connection with the Subsidiary Credit Facility or a Future Subsidiary Credit Facility; (vii) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security; (viii) Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds, deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, government contracts, leases or licenses or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (including, without limitation, landlord Liens on leased properties); (ix) leases or subleases granted to third Persons not interfering with the ordinary course of business of Mediacom LLC; (x) deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers; (xi) Liens securing reimbursement obligations with
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respect to letters of credit which encumber documents and other property relating to such letters of credit and the products and proceeds thereof; (xii) Liens on the assets of Mediacom LLC to secure hedging agreements with respect to Indebtedness permitted by this Indenture to be Incurred; (xiii) attachment or judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default; and (xiv) any interest or title of a lessor under any capital lease or operating lease.
Paying Agent means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.
Permitted Holder means (i) Rocco B. Commisso or his spouse or siblings, any of their lineal descendants and their spouses; (ii) any controlled Affiliate of any individual described in clause (i) above; (iii) in the event of the death or incompetence of any individual described in clause (i) above, such Persons estate, executor, administrator, committee or other personal representative, in each case who at any particular date will beneficially own or have the right to acquire, directly or indirectly, Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC; (iv) any trust or trusts created for the benefit of each Person described in this definition, including, without limitation, any trust for the benefit of the parents or siblings of any individual described in clause (i) above; (v) any trust for the benefit of any such trust; (vi) any of the holders of Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC on February 26, 1999; or (vii) any of the Affiliates of any Person described in clause (vi) above.
Permitted Indebtedness shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1008.
Permitted Investments means: (i) Cash Equivalents; (ii) Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers compensation, performance and other similar deposits; (iii) the extension of credit to vendors, suppliers and customers in the ordinary course of business; (iv) Investments existing as of the date of this Indenture, and any amendment, modification, extension or renewal thereof to the extent such amendment, modification, extension or renewal does not require Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary to make any additional cash or non-cash payments or provide additional services in connection therewith; (v) Hedging Agreements; (vi) any Investment for which the sole consideration provided is Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of Mediacom LLC; (vii) any Investment consisting of a guarantee permitted under clause (e) of the second paragraph of Section 1008; (viii) Investments in Mediacom LLC, in any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or in any Controlled Subsidiary or any Person that, as a result of or in connection with such Investment, becomes a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or a Controlled Subsidiary or is merged with or into or consolidated with Mediacom LLC or a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary or a Controlled Subsidiary; (ix) loans and advances to officers, directors and employees of Mediacom Communications, Mediacom LLC and the Restricted Subsidiaries for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other similar expenses in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business; (x) any acquisition of assets solely in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of Mediacom LLC; (xi) Related Business Investments; and (xii) other Investments made pursuant to this clause (xii) at any time, and from time to time, after the date of this Indenture, in addition to any Permitted Investments described in clauses (i) through (xi) above, in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $25,000,000.
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Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
Preferred Equity Interest in any Person means an Equity Interest of any class or classes, however designated, which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over Equity Interests of any other class in such Person.
Private Placement Legend shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 202.
Productive Assets means assets of a kind used or useable by Mediacom LLC and the Restricted Subsidiaries in any Related Business and specifically includes assets acquired through Asset Acquisitions (it being understood that assets may include Equity Interests of a Person that owns such Productive Assets, provided that after giving effect to such transaction, such Person would be a Restricted Subsidiary).
QIB shall have the meaning ascribed thereto under Rule 144A of the Securities Act.
Redemption Date shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1103.
refinancing shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1008.
Registration Rights Agreement means the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 7, 2012 by and among Mediacom LLC, Mediacom Capital Corporation and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Natixis Securities Americas LLC.
Registration Statement means either an Exchange Offer Registration Statement or a Shelf Registration Statement.
Regular Record Date means, with respect to any Interest Payment Date, the February 1 or August 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date.
Regulation S Global Note shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 201.
Regulation S Note shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 201.
Reinvestment Date shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1013.
Related Business means a cable television, media and communications, telecommunications or data transmission business, and businesses ancillary, complementary or reasonably related thereto, and reasonable extensions thereof.
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Related Business Investment means: (i) any Investment related to the business of Mediacom LLC and its Restricted Subsidiaries as conducted on the date of this Indenture and as such business may thereafter evolve in the fields of Related Businesses, (ii) any Investment in any other Person primarily engaged in a Related Business and (iii) any customary deposits or earnest money payments made by Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or in contemplation of the acquisition of a Related Business.
Required Filing Dates shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1014.
Restricted Payment means: (i) any dividend (whether made in cash, property or securities) on or with respect to any Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC or of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than with respect to Disqualified Equity Interests and other than any dividend made to Mediacom LLC or another Restricted Subsidiary or any dividend payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) in Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary); (ii) any distribution (whether made in cash, property or securities) on or with respect to any Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC or of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than with respect to Disqualified Equity Interests and other than any distribution made to Mediacom LLC or another Restricted Subsidiary or any distribution payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) in Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary); (iii) any redemption, repurchase, retirement or other direct or indirect acquisition of any Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC (other than Disqualified Equity Interests), or any warrants, rights or options to purchase or acquire any such Equity Interests or any securities exchangeable for or convertible into any such Equity Interests; (iv) any redemption, repurchase, retirement or other direct or indirect acquisition for value or other payment of principal, prior to any scheduled final maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment, of any Subordinated Obligations; or (v) any Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
Restricted Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of Mediacom LLC that has not been designated by the Executive Committee of Mediacom LLC by a Committee Resolution delivered to the Trustee as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 1018. Any such designation may be revoked by a Committee Resolution delivered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of such Section.
Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1017.
Revocation shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1018.
Rule 144A Global Note shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 201.
Rule 144A Note shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 201.
S&P means Standard & Poors, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Shelf Registration Statement shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Significant Subsidiary means any Restricted Subsidiary which at the time of determination had: (A) total assets which, as of the date of Mediacom LLCs most recent quarterly consolidated balance sheet, constituted at least 10% of Mediacom LLCs total assets on a consolidated basis as of such date; (B) revenues for the three-month period ending on the date of Mediacom LLCs most recent quarterly consolidated statement of income which constituted at least 10% of Mediacom LLCs total revenues on a consolidated basis for such period; or (C) Subsidiary Operating Cash Flow for the three-month period ending on the date of Mediacom LLCs most recent quarterly consolidated statement of income which constituted at least 10% of Mediacom LLCs total Operating Cash Flow on a consolidated basis for such period.
Special Interest Payment Date shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 311.
Special Record Date shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 311.
Specified Action shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1010.
Specified Affiliate Transaction shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 1009.
Stated Maturity means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision.
Subordinated Obligations means with respect to either of the Issuers, any Indebtedness of either of the Issuers which is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any other Person the majority of whose voting stock, membership interests or other Voting Equity Interests is or are owned by such Person or by one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person. Voting stock in a corporation is Equity Interests having voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect directors.
Subsidiary Credit Facility means the Mediacom LLC Group Credit Agreement, together with all loan documents and instruments thereunder (including, without limitation, any guarantee agreements and security documents), including, without limitation, any amendment (including, without limitation, any amendment and restatement), modification or supplement thereto or any refinancing, refunding, deferral, renewal, extension or replacement thereof (including, in any such case and without limitation, adding or removing Subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC as borrowers or guarantors thereunder), whether by the same or any other lender or group of lenders, pursuant to which (i) an aggregate amount of Indebtedness up to $1,400,000,000 may be Incurred pursuant to clause (c)(i) of the second paragraph of Section 1008 and (ii) any additional amount of Indebtedness in excess of $1,400,000,000 may be Incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of Section 1008 or pursuant to clause (c)(ii) or any other applicable clause (other than clause (c)(i)) of the second paragraph of Section 1008.
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Subsidiary Operating Cash Flow means, with respect to any Subsidiary for any period, the Operating Cash Flow of such Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries for such period determined by utilizing all of the elements of the definition of Operating Cash Flow in this Indenture, including the defined terms used in such definition, consistently applied only to such Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such period.
Successor Company shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 801.
Successor Guarantor shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 801.
TIA or Trust Indenture Act means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the date of this Indenture, except as provided in Section 805.
Treasury Rate means, as of the applicable redemption date, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to such redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from such redemption date to February 15, 2017; provided, however, that if the period from such redemption date to February 15, 2017 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.
Trust Officer means an officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters or any other officer of the Trustee to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
Trustee means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and, thereafter, means the successor.
Unrestricted Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of Mediacom LLC designated as such pursuant to the provisions of Section 1018, and any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Any such designation may be revoked by a Committee Resolution delivered to the Trustee, subject to the provisions of such Section.
U.S. Government Obligations means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuers option.
Voting Equity Interests means Equity Interests in any Person with voting power under ordinary circumstances entitling the holders thereof to elect (i) the board of managers, board of directors or other governing body of such Person or (ii) in the case of Mediacom LLC, the Executive Committee of Mediacom LLC.
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Weighted Average Life to Maturity means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required scheduled payment of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment, by (ii) the then outstanding aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness.
Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary means a Restricted Subsidiary 99% or more of the outstanding Equity Interests of which (other than Equity Interests constituting directors qualifying shares to the extent mandated by applicable law) are owned by Mediacom LLC or by one or more Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries or by Mediacom LLC and one or more Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries.
SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
Upon any application or request by the Issuers (an Issuers Request) to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Issuers shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers Certificate in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture (including any covenant compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent) relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than certificates provided pursuant to Section 1016(a)) shall include:
(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
(2) 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;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual or such firm, he or it has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or it to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
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SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Issuers or any other obligor on the Notes may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Issuers or any other obligor on the Notes stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Issuers or any other obligor on the Notes unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
SECTION 104. Acts of Holders.
(i) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuers. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the Act of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuers, if made in the manner provided in this Section 104.
(ii) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.
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(iii) The principal amount and serial numbers of Notes held by any Person, and the date of holding the same, shall be proved by the Note Register.
(iv) If the Issuers shall solicit from the Holders any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Issuers may, at their option, by or pursuant to a Committee Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Issuers shall have no obligation to do so. Notwithstanding TIA § 316(c), such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such Committee Resolution, which shall be a date not earlier than the date 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and not later than the date such solicitation is completed. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of outstanding Notes have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the outstanding Notes shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such authorization, agreement or consent by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.
(v) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof (including in accordance with Section 310) in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Issuers in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.
SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and the Issuers.
Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,
(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Issuers or any other obligor on the Notes shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if in writing and delivered in person, mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested) or over-night air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, or transmitted by facsimile, to the Trustee and received at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration (facsimile number (212)-750-1361). Any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document given to the Trustee shall be sent in duplicate to the Paying Agent if the Paying Agent is not the Trustee, or
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(2) the Issuers by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and delivered in person, mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested) or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, or transmitted by facsimile, to the Issuers addressed to them and received at the address of their principal office specified in the first paragraph of this Indenture (or, in the case of facsimile, at facsimile number (845) 695-2669), Attention: General Counsel, or at any other address (or facsimile number) previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Issuers.
In the event any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document is transmitted by facsimile as provided in the foregoing paragraph, the sender shall promptly deliver to the recipient, at the recipients address specified above, an original copy of such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document; provided that the failure to so deliver such original copy shall not affect the sufficiency of the facsimile transmittal.
SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.
Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders by the Issuers or the Trustee, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder, at his address as it appears in the Note Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. Neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Any notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually receives such notice. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
In case by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impracticable to mail notice of any event to Holders when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice for every purpose hereunder.
If the Issuers mail any notice or communication to any Holder, they shall mail a copy to the Trustee at the same time.
SECTION 107. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
SECTION 108. Successors and Assigns.
All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Issuers shall bind each of their successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
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SECTION 109. Severability Clause.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes 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 110. Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Notes, express or implied, shall give to any Person (other than the parties hereto, any agent and their successors hereunder and each of the Holders) any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
SECTION 111. Governing Law.
THIS INDENTURE AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK EXCLUDING (TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY LAW) ANY RULE OF LAW THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. UPON THE ISSUANCE OF THE EXCHANGE NOTES OR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT, THIS INDENTURE SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT THAT ARE REQUIRED TO BE PART OF THIS INDENTURE AND SHALL, TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE, BE GOVERNED BY SUCH PROVISIONS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE U.S. FEDERAL COURTS, IN EACH CASE SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, AND WAIVES ANY OBJECTION AS TO VENUE OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS.
SECTION 112. Legal Holidays.
In any case where any interest payment date, any date established for payment of Defaulted Interest pursuant to Section 311, any Redemption Date or the Stated Maturity of any Note shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Notes) payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such interest payment date, such date established for payment of Defaulted Interest pursuant to Section 311, such Redemption Date or at the Stated Maturity; provided that no interest shall accrue on the payment so deferred for the period from and after such interest payment date, date established for payment of Defaulted Interest pursuant to Section 311, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be, to the next succeeding Business Day.
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SECTION 113. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees, Stockholders or Incorporators.
No manager, director, officer, employee, member, shareholder, partner or incorporator of either Issuer or any Subsidiary, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers 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 by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. Such waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.
SECTION 114. Counterparts.
This Indenture may be signed in any number of counterparts each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Indenture. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
SECTION 115. Communications by Holders with Other Holders.
Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Issuers, the Trustee, the Note Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).
SECTION 116. Force Majeure.
In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
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SECTION 117. U.S.A. Patriot Act.
The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.
ARTICLE TWO
NOTE FORMS
SECTION 201. Forms Generally.
The Notes and the Trustees certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the forms set forth in this Article, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with applicable laws or the rules of any securities exchange or Depositary or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution of the Notes. Any portion of the text of any Note may be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an appropriate reference thereto on the face of the Note. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.
Initial Notes offered and sold to QIBs in the United States of America (Rule 144A Note) shall be issued on the date of this Indenture, and Additional Notes offered and sold to QIBs in the United States of America shall be issued, in the form of a permanent global Note, without interest coupons, substantially in the form set forth in Sections 203 and 204 (the Rule 144A Global Note) deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary, duly executed by the Issuers and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The Rule 144A Global Note may be represented by more than one certificate, if so required by the Depositarys rules regarding the maximum principal amount to be represented by a single certificate. The aggregate principal amount of the Rule 144A Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary or its nominee, as hereinafter provided.
Initial Notes offered and sold in offshore transactions to Non-U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) (Regulation S Note) in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued on the date of this Indenture, and Additional Notes offered and sold in offshore transactions to Non-U.S. Persons in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued, in the form of a global Note, without interest coupons, substantially in the form set forth in Sections 203 and 204 (the Regulation S Global Note). The Regulation S Global Note will be deposited with the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary, duly executed by the Issuers and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The Regulation S Global Note may be represented by more than
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one certificate, if so required by the Depositarys rules regarding the maximum principal amount to be represented by a single certificate. The aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as custodian for the Depositary or its nominee, as hereinafter provided.
Initial Notes subsequently offered and sold to institutional accredited investors (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) and (7) under the Securities Act) in the United States of America (Institutional Accredited Investor Note) shall be issued, and if offered and sold to institutional accredited investors in the United States of America shall be issued, in the form of one or more permanent certificated Notes substantially in the form set forth in Sections 203 and 204 (an Institutional Accredited Investor Certificated Note), duly executed by the Issuers and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal amount of the Institutional Accredited Investor Certificated Notes may from time to time be increased or decreased as hereinafter provided.
The Rule 144A Global Note and the Regulation S Global Note are sometimes collectively herein referred to as the Global Notes.
The definitive Notes shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel-engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers of the Issuers (or in the case of Mediacom LLC, of its sole member) executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution of such Notes.
SECTION 202. Restrictive Legends.
Unless and until (i) an Initial Note or Additional Note is sold under an effective Registration Statement or (ii) an Initial Note or Additional Note is exchanged for an Exchange Note in connection with an effective Registration Statement, in each case pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, such Rule 144A Global Note and the Institutional Accredited Investor Certificated Note shall bear the following legend (the Private Placement Legend) on the face thereof:
THIS SECURITY HAS 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 ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE) THAT IS ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUERS OR ANY AFFILIATE OF ANY
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ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY), ONLY (A) TO THE ISSUER, (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, TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT 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, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR ACQUIRING THE SECURITY FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THE SECURITIES OF $250,000, FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT WITH A VIEW TO OR FOR OFFER OR SALE IN CONNECTION WITH ANY DISTRIBUTION IN VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE ISSUERS AND THE TRUSTEES RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (E) OR (F) 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 Regulation S Global Note shall bear the following legend on the face thereof:
THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT AS SET FORTH BELOW. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, (1) REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION AND (2) AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE) THAT IS 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE ISSUERS OR ANY AFFILIATE OF ANY
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ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY), ONLY (1) TO THE ISSUERS OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SUBSIDIARIES, (2) FOR SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (RULE 144A), TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER, IN EACH CASE TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE RESALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A (AS INDICATED BY THE BOX CHECKED BY THE TRANSFEROR ON THE CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER ON THE REVERSE OF THIS SECURITY IF THIS SECURITY IS NOT IN BOOK-ENTRY FORM), (3) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(A) (1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING VARIOUS REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE), (4) TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AS INDICATED BY THE BOX CHECKED BY THE TRANSFEROR ON THE CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER ON THE REVERSE OF THIS SECURITY IF THIS SECURITY IS NOT IN BOOK-ENTRY FORM), (5) PURSUANT TO ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, INCLUDING THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IF AVAILABLE, OR (6) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT IN EACH OF THE FOREGOING CASES TO ANY REQUIREMENT OF LAW THAT THE DISPOSITION OF ITS PROPERTY OR THE PROPERTY OF SUCH INVESTOR ACCOUNT OR ACCOUNTS BE AT ALL TIMES WITHIN ITS OR THEIR CONTROL, AND SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF THE ISSUERS OR THE TRUSTEE FOR THE SECURITIES PRIOR TO ANY SUCH SALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSE (5) ABOVE TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATIONS AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON REQUEST OF THE HOLDER ON OR AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED AFTER 40 CONSECUTIVE DAYS BEGINNING ON AND INCLUDING THE LATER OF (A) THE DAY ON WHICH THE SECURITIES ARE OFFERED TO PERSONS OTHER THAN DISTRIBUTORS (AS DEFINED IN REGULATION S) AND (B) THE DATE OF THE CLOSING OF THE ORIGINAL OFFERING. AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS OFFSHORE TRANSACTION, UNITED STATES AND U.S. PERSON HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.
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The Global Notes, whether or not an Initial Note or Additional Note, shall also bear the following legend on the face thereof:
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (DTC), TO THE ISSUERS OR THEIR 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 IN AS MUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF CEDE & CO. OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSORS NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 306 AND 307 OF THE INDENTURE.
SECTION 203. Form of Note.
7.25% Senior Notes due 2022
No. |
Principal Amount $ |
CUSIP NO.
Mediacom LLC, a New York limited liability company, and Mediacom Capital Corporation, a New York corporation, as joint and several obligors, promise to pay to , or registered assigns, the principal sum of Dollars on February 15, 2022.
Interest Payment Dates: February 15 and August 15
Record Dates: February 1 and August 1
This Note shall bear interest from through February 15, 2022.
Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuers have caused this Note to be signed manually or by facsimile by their authorized Officers.
MEDIACOM LLC | ||
By: | Mediacom Communications Corporation, its Managing Member | |
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
MEDIACOM CAPITAL CORPORATION | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
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TRUSTEES CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
Dated:
This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
LAW DEBENTURE TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, as Trustee | ||
By: | ||
Authorized Signatory |
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[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SENIOR NOTE]
7.25% Senior Notes due 2022
1. | Interest |
Mediacom LLC, a New York limited liability company, and Mediacom Capital Corporation, a New York corporation (such entities, and their successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the Issuers), jointly and severally promise to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note as described below.
Interest on the 7.25% Senior Notes due 2022 (the Notes) will accrue at a rate of 7.25% per annum, payable semiannually, to Holders of record on each February 1 and August 1 immediately preceding the interest payment date on February 15 and August 15 of each year during which any portion of the Notes shall be outstanding (each an Interest Payment Date), commencing August 15, 2012. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
2. | Additional Interest |
The Holder of this Note is entitled to the benefits of the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 7, 2012 (the Registration Rights Agreement) by and among the Issuers and the initial purchasers of the Notes. Capitalized terms used in this paragraph 2 but not defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Registration Rights Agreement. In the event that (i) neither the Exchange Offer Registration Statement nor the Shelf Registration Statement has been filed with the Commission on or prior to the 210th day following the date of the original issuance of the Notes, (ii) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has not been declared effective on or prior to the 330th day following the date of the original issuance of the Notes, (iii) the Registered Exchange Offer has not been consummated on or prior to the 360th day following the date of the original issuance of the Notes, (iv) notwithstanding the fact that the Issuers have or may consummate a Registered Exchange Offer, the Issuers are required to file a Shelf Registration Statement and such Shelf Registration Statement is not filed on or prior to the 210th day following the date when the Issuers first become obligated to file such Shelf Registration Statement, (v) notwithstanding the fact that the Issuers have or may consummate a Registered Exchange Offer, the Issuers are required to file a Shelf Registration Statement and such Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective on or prior to the 330th day following the date when the Issuers first become obligated to file such Shelf Registration Statement, or (vi) after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement has been declared effective, such Registration Statement thereafter ceases to be effective or usable in connection with exchanges or resales, as the case may be, of the Notes at any time that the Issuers are obligated to maintain the effectiveness thereof pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) above being referred to herein as a Registration Default), interest (Additional Interest) shall accrue (in addition to stated interest on the Notes) from and including the date on which the first such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured, at a rate per annum equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of the Notes; provided, however, that such rate per annum shall increase by an additional 0.25% per annum from and including the 91st day
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after the first such Registration Default (and each successive 91st day thereafter) unless and until all Registration Defaults have been cured; provided further, however, that in no event shall the Additional Interest accrue at a rate in excess of 1.00% per annum. The Additional Interest will be payable in cash semiannually in arrears each Interest Payment Date. The Trustee is not responsible for ascertaining if any Additional Interest is payable under the Registration Rights Agreement. If any Additional Interest is required to be paid, the Issuers will provide the Trustee with an Officers Certificate, on or before the relevant Interest Payment Date, setting forth the amount of Additional Interest payable on such Interest Payment Date. Whenever in this Note or in the Indenture a reference is made to interest on the Notes, such reference shall be deemed to also be a reference to Additional Interest, if any, due on the Notes.
3. | Method of Payment |
By no later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the date on which any principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes is due and payable, the Issuers shall irrevocably deposit with the Paying Agent via wire transfer of immediately available funds money sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, and/or interest. The Issuers will pay interest (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the Regular Record Date next preceding the Interest Payment Date even if the Notes are cancelled, repurchased or redeemed after the record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date. Holders must surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Issuers will pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. All payments with respect to Global Notes and certificated Notes the Holders of which have given written wire transfer instructions to the Paying Agent by no later than five Business Days prior to the relevant payment date shall be required to be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders thereof.
4. | Trustee, Paying Agent and Note Registrar |
Law Debenture Trust Company of New York, a New York banking corporation (the Trustee), will act as Trustee, and initially as Paying Agent and Note Registrar. The Issuers may appoint and change any Paying Agent, Note Registrar or co-registrar without notice to any Holder of the Notes.
5. | Indenture |
The Issuers issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of February 7, 2012 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the Indenture), among the Issuers and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) (the TIA). Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders of the Notes are referred to the Indenture and the TIA for a statement of those terms.
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The Notes are unsecured senior obligations of the Issuers initially limited to $250,000,000, and, subject to compliance with the covenants contained in this Indenture, including Section 1008 as a new Incurrence of Indebtedness by the Issuers, the Issuers may issue Additional Notes having substantially identical terms and conditions as the Initial Notes in unlimited principal amounts. This Note is one of the Initial Notes referred to in the Indenture. The Notes include the Notes and any Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Initial Notes or Additional Notes pursuant to the Indenture. The Initial Notes, the Additional Notes and the Exchange Notes are treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture. The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the Incurrence of Indebtedness by the Issuers, and the Issuers Restricted Subsidiaries, the payment of dividends on, and the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC and its Restricted Subsidiaries, the sale or transfer of assets, investments of Mediacom LLC and its Restricted Subsidiaries and transactions with Affiliates. In addition, the Indenture limits the ability of Mediacom LLC and its Restricted Subsidiaries to restrict distributions and dividends from Restricted Subsidiaries.
6. | Optional Redemption |
Except as set forth below, the Notes are not redeemable prior to February 15, 2017. Thereafter, the Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, from time to time at the option of the Issuers, on not less than 30 and not more than 60 days notice prior to the redemption date by first class mail to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at such Holders address appearing in the Note Register maintained by the Note Registrar at the following redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning with February 15 of the year indicated below, in each case together with accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the date of redemption:
Period |
Redemption Price | |||
2017 |
103.625 | % | ||
2018 |
102.417 | % | ||
2019 |
101.208 | % | ||
2020 and thereafter |
100.000 | % |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time prior to February 15, 2017, the Issuers may also redeem the Notes, in whole or in part from time to time, at the option of the Issuers, upon not less than 30 and not more than 60 days notice prior to the redemption date by first class mail to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at such Holders address appearing in the Note Register maintained by the Note Registrar, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon, to the date of redemption.
In addition, at any time and from time to time, on or prior to February 15, 2015, the Issuers may redeem up to 35% of the original principal amount of the Notes (calculated to give effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) with the Net Cash Proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings, at a redemption price in cash equal to 107.25% of the principal to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the date of redemption; provided that at least 65% of the original principal amount of Notes (as so calculated) remains outstanding immediately after each such redemption. Any such redemption will be required to occur within 90 days following the closing of any such Equity Offering.
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7. | Selection |
If fewer than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee will select the Notes to be redeemed, if the Notes are listed on a national securities exchange, in accordance with the rules of such exchange or, if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis or by lot or by such other method that the Trustee deems to be fair and equitable to Holders; provided that, if a partial redemption is made with the proceeds of any Equity Offering, selection of the Notes or portions thereof for redemption shall be made by the Trustee only on a pro rata basis or on as nearly a pro rata basis as is practicable (subject to the procedures of the Depository). If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed principal portion thereof will be issued; provided that no Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. On and after any Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption as long as the Issuers have deposited with the Paying Agent for the Notes funds in satisfaction of the applicable redemption price pursuant to the Indenture.
8. | Change of Control |
Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder shall have the right to require the Issuers to repurchase all or any part of such Holders Notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date).
9. | Denominations; Transfer; Exchange |
The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of principal amount of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A Holder may transfer or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. The Note Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Note Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange of (i) any Note selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Note not to be redeemed) for a period beginning 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed and ending on the date of such selection or (ii) any Notes for a period beginning 15 days before an Interest Payment Date and ending on such Interest Payment Date.
10. | Persons Deemed Owners |
The registered holder of this Note may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.
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11. | Unclaimed Money |
If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Issuers at their written request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Issuers and not to the Trustee for payment.
12. | Defeasance |
Subject to certain conditions set forth in the Indenture, the Issuers at any time may terminate some or all of their obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Issuers deposit with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be. The Issuers in their sole discretion can defease the Notes.
13. | Amendment, Waiver |
Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture, the Notes or the Restricted Subsidiary Guarantees may be amended with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and (ii) any default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes. Without the consent of any Noteholder, the Issuers and the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the Notes to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, or to comply with Article Eight of the Indenture, or to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes or to add guarantees with respect to the Notes or to secure the Notes, or to add additional covenants or surrender rights and powers conferred on the Issuers, or to comply with any request of the SEC in connection with qualifying the Indenture under the TIA, or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Noteholder, or to conform the text of the Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the Description of the notes in the Offering Memorandum.
14. | Defaults and Remedies |
Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (i) a default in the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Notes when due at their Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise, (ii) a default in any payment of interest or Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes when due, continued for 30 days, (iii) the failure by either of the Issuers or the Guarantors to comply for 60 days after written notice by Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding with any other covenant or other agreement contained in the Indenture or the Notes, (iv) default in the payment at maturity (continued for the longer of any applicable grace, extension, forbearance or other similar period or 30 days) of any Indebtedness aggregating $25,000,000 or more of the Issuers or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC which, if merged into each other, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness, which default shall not be cured or waived, or such acceleration shall not be rescinded or annulled, within 30 days after written notice thereof by the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding, (v) any final judgment or judgments
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for the payment of money in excess of $25,000,000 (net of amounts covered by insurance) is rendered against the Issuers or a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC, which, if merged into each other, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, and such judgment or judgments remain undischarged for any period of 60 consecutive days, during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment shall not be in effect, or (vi) the guarantee of any Guarantor ceasing to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms of the Indenture). Certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization are Events of Default which will result in the Notes being due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default. In addition, an Event of Default will occur if any Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under the Indenture or its Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing (other than an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization), the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the Notes to be due and payable immediately. Upon such a declaration, such principal and accrued and unpaid interest shall be due and payable immediately. Under limited circumstances, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, all outstanding Notes shall be due and payable immediately without further action or notice.
Holders of the Notes may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or the Notes unless it receives indemnity or security satisfactory to it. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.
15. | Trustee Dealings with the Issuers |
Subject to certain limitations set forth in the Indenture, the Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect obligations owed to it by the Issuers or their affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Issuers or their affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.
16. | No Recourse Against Others |
A manager, director, officer, employee, member, shareholder, partner or incorporator of either Issuer or any Subsidiary, as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Note, each Noteholder waives and releases all such liability.
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17. | Authentication |
This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent acting on its behalf) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.
18. | Abbreviations |
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Noteholder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entirety), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian) and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).
19. | CUSIP Numbers |
Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuers have caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and have directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders of the Notes. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such 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.
20. | Governing Law |
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK EXCLUDING (TO THE GREATEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY LAW) ANY RULE OF LAW THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
21. | Restricted Subsidiary Guarantees |
This Note may after the date hereof be entitled to certain Restricted Subsidiary Guarantees made for the benefit of the Holders. Reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the terms of any Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee.
Mediacom LLC will furnish to any Noteholder upon written request and without charge to the Noteholder a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to:
Mediacom LLC
100 Crystal Run Road
Middletown, New York 10941
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
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ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
I or we assign and transfer this Note to
(Print or type assignees name, address and zip code)
(Insert assignees soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.)
and irrevocably appoint agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Issuers. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date: | Your Signature: |
Signature Guarantee: | ||||||||||
(Signature must be guaranteed) |
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.
The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP) or such other signature guarantee medallion program as may be approved by the Note Registrar in addition to or substitution for, STAMP), pursuant to SEC Rule 17Ad-15.
[In connection with any transfer or exchange of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring prior to the date that is one year after the later of the date of original issuance of such Notes and the last date, if any, on which such Notes were owned by the Issuers or any Affiliate of the Issuers, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being:
CHECK ONE BOX BELOW:
¨ |
1 |
acquired for the undersigneds own account, without transfer; or | ||||||
¨ |
2 |
transferred to the Issuers; or | ||||||
¨ |
3 |
transferred pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933; or | ||||||
¨ |
4 |
transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; or |
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¨ |
5 |
transferred pursuant to and in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933 (provided that the holder of such Note shall have furnished to the Trustee a signed letter containing certain representations and agreements (the form of which letter appears as Section 309 of the Indenture)); or | ||||||
¨ |
6 |
transferred to an institutional accredited investor (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933), that has furnished to the Trustee a signed letter containing certain representations and agreements (the form of which letter appears as Section 308 of the Indenture); or | ||||||
¨ |
7 |
transferred pursuant to another available exemption from the Registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. |
Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee may refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (5), (6) or (7) is checked, the Trustee or the Issuers may require to the extent provided in this Indenture, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, in their sole discretion, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Trustee or the Issuers may reasonably request 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 of 1933, such as the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act.
Signature |
Signature Guarantee: |
(Signature must be guaranteed) |
Signature |
The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions) with membership in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP) or such other signature guarantee medallion program as may be approved by the Note Registrar in addition to or substitution for STAMP, pursuant to SEC Rule 17Ad-15.]2
2 | Include only for the Initial Notes and Additional Notes. |
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[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE
The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:
Date of Exchange |
Amount of decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Amount of increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Principal Amount of this Global Note following such decrease or increase |
Signature of authorized signatory of Trustee or Notes custodian |
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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 1012 or 1013 of the Indenture, check the box: ¨
If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Issuers pursuant to Section 1012 or 1013 of the Indenture, state the amount in principal amount to be purchased (must be $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof):
$ .
Date: | Your Signature: | |||||||||||
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of the Note) |
Signature Guarantee: | ||||||||||||
(Signature must be guaranteed) |
The signature(s) should be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions) with membership in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP) or such other signature guarantee medallion program as may be approved by the Note Registrar in addition to or substitution for STAMP, pursuant to SEC Rule 17Ad-15.
SECTION 204. Form of Trustees Certificate of Authentication.
The Trustees certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
TRUSTEES CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION.
This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
LAW DEBENTURE TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, as Trustee | ||
By | ||
Authorized Signatory |
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ARTICLE THREE
THE NOTES
SECTION 301. Title and Terms.
The aggregate principal amount of Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture on the date of this Indenture is limited to $250,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Initial Notes.
The Issuers may from time to time after the date of this Indenture issue additional Notes (the Additional Notes) having substantially identical terms and conditions to the Initial Notes in unlimited principal amount so long as (i) the Incurrence of Indebtedness represented by such Additional Notes is at such time permitted by Section 1008 and (ii) such Additional Notes are issued in compliance with the other applicable provisions of this Indenture. Any Additional Notes shall constitute part of the same issue as the Initial Notes offered on the date of this Indenture and shall be treated as Notes for all purposes of this Indenture. With respect to any Additional Notes issued after the date of this Indenture (except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Notes pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 307, 310, 906, 1012, 1013 or 1108 or pursuant to an Exchange Offer), there shall be (a) established in or pursuant to a Committee Resolution and (b)(i) set forth or determined in the manner provided in an Officers Certificate or (ii) established pursuant to one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of such Additional Notes:
(i) whether such Additional Notes shall be issued as part of a new or existing series of Notes and the title of such Additional Notes (which shall distinguish the Additional Notes of the series from Notes of any other series);
(ii) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture,
(iii) the issue price and issuance date of such Additional Notes, including the date from which interest on such Additional Notes shall accrue; and
(iv) if applicable, that such Additional Notes shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Notes and, in such case, the respective depositaries for such Global Notes, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by such Global Notes; and any circumstances in which any such Global Notes may be exchanged in whole or in part for Additional Notes registered, or any transfer of such Global Notes in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the depositary for such Global Notes or a nominee thereof.
If any of the terms of any Additional Notes are established by action taken pursuant to a Committee Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Issuers and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers Certificate or the indenture supplemental hereto setting forth the terms of the Additional Notes.
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The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be known and designated as the 7.25% Senior Notes due 2022, and the Exchange Notes shall be known and designated as the 7.25% Senior Notes due 2022, in each case, of the Issuers. Interest on the Notes will accrue at a rate per annum of 7.25% and will be payable semiannually in cash and in arrears to the Holders of record on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the interest payment date on February 15 and August 15 of each year during which any portion of the Notes shall be outstanding (each, an Interest Payment Date), commencing August 15, 2012. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent interest payment date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from February 7, 2012. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months, until the principal thereof is paid or duly provided for. Interest on any overdue principal, interest (to the extent lawful) or premium, if any, shall be payable on demand.
The principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Notes shall be payable at the office or agency of the Issuers maintained for such purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, or at such other office or agency of the Issuers as may be maintained for such purpose; provided, however, that, at the option of the Issuers, interest may be paid by check mailed to addresses of the Persons entitled thereto as such addresses shall appear on the Note Register.
Holders shall have the right to require the Issuers to purchase their Notes, in whole or in part, in the event of a Change of Control pursuant to Section 1012 and in connection with an Excess Proceeds Offer as provided in Section 1013.
The Notes shall be redeemable as provided in Article Eleven and in the Notes.
SECTION 302. Denominations.
The Notes shall be issuable only in fully registered form, without coupons, and only in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
The Notes shall be executed by each of the Issuers by two Officers. The signature of any Officer on the Notes may be manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officer and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Notes.
Notes bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Issuers (or in the case of Mediacom LLC, of its sole member) shall bind the Issuers, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Notes or did not hold such offices at the date of such Notes.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuers may deliver Initial Notes or Additional Notes executed by the Issuers to the Trustee for authentication, together with an order for the authentication and delivery of such Notes (the Authentication Order) directing the Trustee to authenticate the Notes and certifying that all conditions precedent to the issuance of Notes contained herein have been fully complied with, and the Trustee in accordance with such Authentication Order shall authenticate and deliver
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such Initial Notes or Additional Notes. Upon receipt of the Authentication Order, the Trustee shall authenticate for original issue Exchange Notes; provided that such Exchange Notes shall be issuable only upon the valid surrender for cancellation of Initial Notes or Additional Notes of a like aggregate principal amount. The Trustee shall be entitled to receive an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel of the Issuers that it may reasonably request in connection with such authentication of Notes. Such order shall specify the amount of Notes to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Initial Notes, Additional Notes or Exchange Notes is to be authenticated.
Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.
No Note shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Note a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee by manual signature of an authorized signatory, and such certificate upon any Note shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Note has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
In case either of the Issuers, pursuant to Article Eight, shall be consolidated or merged with or into any other Person or shall convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of substantially all of its assets to any Person, and the successor Person resulting from such consolidation, or surviving such merger, or into which such Issuer shall have been merged, or the Person which shall have received a conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition as aforesaid, shall have executed an indenture supplemental hereto with the Trustee pursuant to Article Eight, any of the Notes authenticated or delivered prior to such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition may, from time to time, at the request of the successor Person, be exchanged for other Notes executed in the name of the successor Person with such changes in phraseology and form as may be appropriate, but otherwise in substance of like tenor as the Notes surrendered for such exchange and of like principal amount; and the Trustee, upon the Issuers Request of the successor Person, shall authenticate and deliver Notes as specified in such request for the purpose of such exchange. If Notes shall at any time be authenticated and delivered in any new name of a successor Person pursuant to this Section 303 in exchange or substitution for or upon registration of transfer of any Notes, such successor Person, at the option of the Holders but without expense to them, shall provide for the exchange of all Notes at the time outstanding for Notes authenticated and delivered in such new name.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Issuers to authenticate Notes on behalf of the Trustee. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, 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 authenticating agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Note Registrar or Paying Agent to deal with the Issuers and their Affiliates hereunder.
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SECTION 304. Temporary Notes.
Pending the preparation of definitive Notes, the Issuers may execute, and upon Authentication Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Notes which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination. Temporary Notes shall be substantially of the tenor of the definitive Notes in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Notes may determine, as conclusively evidenced by their execution of such Notes.
If temporary Notes are issued, the Issuers will cause definitive Notes to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Notes, the temporary Notes shall be exchangeable for definitive Notes upon surrender of the temporary Notes at the office or agency of the Issuers designated for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Notes, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Notes of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Notes shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Notes.
SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
The Issuers shall cause to be kept at the Office of the Note Registrar a register (the register maintained in such office or in any other office or agency designated pursuant to Section 1002 being herein sometimes referred to as the Note Register) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as they may prescribe, the Issuers shall provide for the registration of Notes and of transfers of Notes. The Note Register shall be in written form or any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time. At all reasonable times, the Note Register shall be open to inspection by the Trustee. Law Debenture Trust Company of New York is hereby initially appointed as security registrar (in such capacity, together with any successor of Law Debenture Trust Company of New York in such capacity, the Note Registrar) for the purpose of registering Notes and transfers of Notes as herein provided.
Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at the office or agency of the Issuers designated pursuant to Section 1002, the Issuers 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 denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount.
Furthermore, any Holder of a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such Global Note, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by the Holder of such Global Note (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.
At the option of the Holder, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denomination (not less than $2,000) and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Notes are so surrendered for exchange (including an exchange of Initial Notes or Additional Notes for Exchange Notes), the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order and any other documents required to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 303 in connection with authentication of Notes, authenticate and deliver, the Notes which the Holder
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making the exchange is entitled to receive; provided that (i) no exchange of Initial Notes for Ex-change Notes shall occur until an Exchange Offer Registration Statement shall have been declared effective by the SEC, the Trustee shall have received an Officers Certificate confirming that the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC and the Initial Notes to be exchanged for the Exchange Notes shall be cancelled by the Trustee and (ii) no exchange of Additional Notes for Exchange Notes shall occur until a registration statement shall have been declared effective by the SEC, the Trustee shall have received an Officers Certificate confirming that the registration statement has been declared effective by the SEC and the Additional Notes to be exchanged for the Exchange Notes shall be cancelled by the Trustee.
All Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuers, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Issuers or the Note Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Issuers and the Note Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange or redemption of Notes, but the Issuers 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 304, 906, 1012, 1013 or 1108, not involving any transfer.
The Note Register shall be in written form in the English language or in any other form including computerized records, capable of being converted into such form within a reasonable time.
SECTION 306. Book-Entry Provisions for Global Notes.
(a) Each Global Note initially shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Note or the nominee of such Depositary, (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depositary and (iii) bear legends as set forth in Section 202.
Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (Agent Members) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the Global Note, and the Depositary may be treated by the Issuers, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuers, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or shall impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Note.
(b) Transfers of a Global Note shall be limited to transfers of such Global Note in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Note may be transferred in accordance with the rules and
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procedures of the Depositary and the provisions of Section 307. If required to do so pursuant to any applicable law or regulation, beneficial owners may obtain Notes in definitive form (Certificated Notes) in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Note upon written request in accordance with the Depositarys and the Note Registrars procedures. In addition, Certificated Notes shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Note if (i) the Depositary notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Note or the Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, at a time when the Depositary is required to be so registered in order to act as Depositary, and in each case a successor depositary is not appointed by the Issuers within 90 days of such notice or (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Note Registrar has received a request from the Depositary.
(c) In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial interest in a Global Note pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section to beneficial owners who are required to hold Certificated Notes, the Note Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of such Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Global Note to be transferred, and the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one or more Certificated Notes of like tenor and amount.
(d) In connection with the transfer of an entire Global Note to beneficial owners pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section, such Global Note shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Certificated Notes of authorized denominations.
(e) Any Certificated Note delivered in exchange for an interest in a Global Note pursuant to subsection (c) or subsection (d) of this Section shall, except as otherwise provided by paragraph (c) of Section 307, bear the applicable legend regarding transfer restrictions applicable to the Certificated Note set forth in Section 202.
(f) The registered holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any person, including Agent Members and persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.
SECTION 307. Special Transfer Provisions.
(a) The following provisions shall apply with respect to any proposed transfer of a Rule 144A Note or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note prior to the expiration of the Resale Restriction Termination Date (as defined in Section 202):
(i) a transfer of a Rule 144A Note or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note or a beneficial interest therein to a QIB (as defined herein) shall be made upon the representation of the transferee that it is purchasing the Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any
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such account is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuers as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A;
(ii) a transfer of a Rule 144A Note or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note or a beneficial interest therein to an institutional accredited investor shall be made upon receipt by the Trustee or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Section 308 from the proposed transferee and, if requested by the Issuers or the Trustee, the delivery of certification and/or other information satisfactory to each of them;
(iii) a transfer of a Rule 144A Note or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note or a beneficial interest therein to a Non-U.S. Person shall be made upon receipt by the Trustee or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Section 309 from the transferor and, if requested by the Issuers or the Trustee, the delivery of certification and/or other information satisfactory to each of them; and
(iv) a transfer of a Rule 144A Note or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note or a beneficial interest therein pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, including the exemption provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, shall be made upon receipt by the Trustee or its agent, if requested by the Issuers or the Trustee, of an opinion of counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to each of them.
(b) The following provisions shall apply with respect to any proposed transfer of a Regulation S Note prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period:
(i) a transfer of a Regulation S Note or a beneficial interest therein to a QIB shall be made upon the representation of the transferee that it is purchasing the Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a qualified institutional buyer, within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Issuers as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A;
(ii) a transfer of a Regulation S Note or a beneficial interest therein to an institutional accredited investor shall be made upon receipt by the Trustee or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Section 308 from the proposed transferee and, if requested by the Issuers or the Trustee, the delivery of certification and/or other information satisfactory to each of them;
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(iii) a transfer of a Regulation S Note or a beneficial interest therein to a Non-U.S. Person shall be made upon receipt by the Trustee or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Section 309 from the transferor and, if requested by the Issuers or the Trustee, receipt by the Trustee or its agent of certification and/or other information satisfactory to each of them; and
(iv) a transfer of a Regulation S Note or a beneficial interest therein pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, including the exemption provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, shall be made upon receipt by the Trustee or its agent, if requested by the Issuers or the Trustee, of an opinion of counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to each of them.
During the Distribution Compliance Period, interests in the Regulation S Global Note, if any, may be exchanged for interests in the Rule 144A Global Note or for Certificated Notes only in accordance with the requirements described in Section 201.
After the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, interests in the Regulation S Note may be transferred without requiring certification set forth in Section 308 or 309 or any additional certification.
(c) Private Placement Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes not bearing the Private Placement Legend, the Note Registrar shall deliver Notes that do not bear the Private Placement Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes bearing the Private Placement Legend, the Note Registrar shall deliver only Notes that bear the Private Placement Legend unless there is delivered to the Note Registrar an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Issuers and the Trustee to the effect that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act.
(d) General. By its acceptance of any Note bearing the Private Placement Legend, each Holder of such a Note acknowledges the restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture and in the Private Placement Legend and agrees that it will transfer such Note only as provided in this Indenture.
(e) The Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate setting forth the dates on which the Distribution Compliance Period terminates.
The Note Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to Section 306 or this Section 307. The Issuers shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable written notice to the Note Registrar.
(f) No Obligation of the Trustee.
(i) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depositary or other Person with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes, with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any
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notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to the registered Holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note in global form shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected and indemnified pursuant to Section 607 in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to any beneficial owners, its members and participants.
(ii) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including without limitation any transfers between or among Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation of evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
SECTION 308. Form of Certificate to Be Delivered in Connection with Transfers to Institutional Accredited Investors.
[date]
MEDIACOM LLC
MEDIACOM CAPITAL CORPORATION
c/o Law Debenture Trust Company of New York
400 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of $ principal amount of the 7.25% Senior Notes due 2022 (the Notes) of Mediacom LLC and Mediacom Capital Corporation (the Issuers).
Upon transfer, the Notes would be registered in the name of the new beneficial owner as follows:
Name:
Address:
Taxpayer ID Number:
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The undersigned represents and warrants to you that:
(1) We are an institutional accredited investor (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act)), purchasing for our own account or for the account of an institutional accredited investor, and we are acquiring the Notes not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act. We have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes and invest in or purchase securities similar to the Notes in the normal course of our business. We and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.
(2) We understand that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and, unless so registered, may not be sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing Notes to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such Notes prior to the expiration of the holding period applicable thereto under Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act which is applicable to this security (the Resale Restriction Termination Date) other than (1) to the Issuers or their respective Subsidiaries, (2) so long as this security is eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act (Rule 144A), to a person who the seller reasonably believes is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A purchasing for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer, in each case to whom notice is given that the resale, pledge or other transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A (as indicated by the box checked by the transferor on the certificate of transfer on the reverse of the security if this security is not in book-entry form), (3) inside the United States to an institutional accredited investor (as defined in Rule 501(a) (1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes to the Trustee a signed letter containing various representations and agreements (the form of which letter can be obtained from the trustee), (4) to a non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act (as indicated by the box checked by the transferor on the certificate of transfer on the reverse of the security if the security is not in book-entry form), (5) pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, including the exemption provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, if available, or (6) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, subject in each of the foregoing cases to any requirement of law that the disposition of its property or the property of such investor account or accounts be at all times within its or their control, and subject to the right of the Issuers or the Trustee for the Notes prior to any such sale, pledge or other transfer pursuant to clause (5) above to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certifications and/or other information satisfactory to each of them.
TRANSFEREE: | ||
BY: |
Upon transfer the Notes would be registered in the name of the new beneficial owner as follows:
Name |
Address |
Taxpayer ID Number: | ||
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Very truly yours,
[Name of Transferor]
By: | ||||||||
Name: | Signature Medallion Guaranteed | |||||||
Title: |
SECTION 309. Form of Certificate to Be Delivered in Connection with Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S.
[date]
Law Debenture Trust Company of New York
400 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Attention: Corporate Trust Administration
Re: | Mediacom LLC and Mediacom Capital Corporation |
(the Issuers) 7.25% Senior Notes due 2022 (the Notes) |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
In connection with our proposed sale of $ aggregate principal amount of the Notes, we confirm that such sale has been effected pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and, accordingly, we represent that:
(a) | the offer of the Notes was not made to a person in the United States; |
(b) either (i) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States or (ii) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated off-shore securities market and neither we nor any person acting on our behalf knows that the transaction has been prearranged with a buyer in the United States;
(c) no directed selling efforts have been made in the United States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S, as applicable; and
(d) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
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In addition, if the sale is made during a distribution compliance period and the provisions of Rule 903(c)(3) or Rule 904(c)(1) of Regulation S are applicable thereto, we confirm that such sale has been made in accordance with the applicable provisions of Rule 903(c)(3) or Rule 904(c)(1), as the case may be.
You and the Issuers are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the meanings set forth in Regulation S.
Very truly yours,
[Name of Transferor]
By: | ||||||
Authorized Signature | Signature Medallion Guaranteed |
SECTION 310. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Notes.
If (i) any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee, or (ii) the Issuers and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, and there is delivered to the Issuers and the Trustee such security or indemnity, in each case, as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Issuers or the Trustee that such Note has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Issuers shall execute and upon Authentication Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for any such mutilated Note or in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Note, a new Note of like tenor and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuers in their discretion may, instead of issuing a new Note, pay such Note.
Upon the issuance of any new Note under this Section, the Issuers may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) in connection therewith.
Every new Note issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Issuers and any other obligor upon the Notes, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder.
The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes.
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SECTION 311. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
Interest on any Note which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest at the office or agency of the Issuers maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002; provided, however, that each installment of interest may at the Issuers option be paid by (i) mailing a check for such interest, payable to or upon the written order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 312, to the address of such Person as it appears in the Note Register or (ii) wire transfer to an account located in the United States maintained by the payee. Whenever in this Indenture or the Notes a reference is made to interest on the Notes, such reference shall be deemed to also be a reference to Additional Interest, if any, due on the Notes.
Any interest on any Note which is payable, but is not paid when the same becomes due and payable and such nonpayment continues for a period of 30 days shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such defaulted interest and (to the extent lawful) interest on such defaulted interest at the rate borne by the Notes (such defaulted interest and interest thereon herein collectively called Defaulted Interest) shall be paid by the Issuers, at their election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:
(a) The Issuers may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date (not less than 30 days after such notice) of the proposed payment (the Special Interest Payment Date), and at the same time the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a record date (the Special Record Date) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the Special Interest Payment Date and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers of such Special Record Date, and in the name and at the expense of the Issuers, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date and Special Interest Payment Date therefor to be given in the manner provided for in Section 106, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date and Special Interest Payment Date therefor having been so given, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid on the Special Interest Payment Date to the Persons in whose names the Notes (or their respective predecessor Notes) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (b).
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(b) The Issuers may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Issuers to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note.
SECTION 312. Persons Deemed Owners.
Prior to the due presentment of a Note for registration of transfer, the Issuers, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Note is registered as the owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 305 and 311) interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note be overdue, and none of the Issuers, the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuers or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
SECTION 313. Cancellation.
All Notes surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer, exchange or cancellation shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly cancelled by it. All Notes surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer, exchange or cancellation to the Trustee shall promptly be cancelled by it. If the Issuers shall acquire any of the Notes other than as set forth in the first sentence of this Section 313, the acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented by such Notes unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to this Section 313. No Notes shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Notes cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Notes held by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures.
SECTION 314. Computation of Interest.
Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
SECTION 315. CUSIP Numbers.
The Issuers in issuing Notes may use CUSIP numbers (if then generally in use) in addition to serial numbers; if so, the Trustee shall use such CUSIP numbers in addition to serial numbers in notices of redemption and repurchase as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such CUSIP numbers, either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of a redemption or repurchase and that reliance may be placed only on the serial or other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption or repurchase shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such CUSIP numbers. The Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
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SECTION 316. Note Registrar and Paying Agent.
The Issuers may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term Note Registrar includes any co-registrar, and the term Paying Agent includes any additional paying agent.
The Issuers shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Note Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent. The Issuers may appoint and change any Paying Agent, Note Registrar or co-registrar without notice to any Holder of the Notes. If the Issuers fail to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. Mediacom LLC or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Note Registrar.
ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
This Indenture shall upon the Issuers Request cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Notes expressly provided for herein or pursuant hereto) and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture when
(i) | either |
(A) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (1) Notes which have been lost, stolen or destroyed and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 310 and (2) Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or segregated and held in trust by the Issuers and thereafter repaid to the Issuers or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
(B) all Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
(1) have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of redemption or otherwise; or
(2) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year; or
(3) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers,
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and the Issuers in the case of (1), (2) or (3) above, have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, as trust funds in trust for such purpose, an amount in cash or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Issuers, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Notes which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument or agreement to which the Issuers is a party or by which it is bound;
(iii) the Issuers have paid or caused to be paid all sums payable hereunder by the Issuers in connection with all the Notes, including all fees and expenses of the Trustee;
(iv) the Issuers have delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of such Notes at maturity or the Redemption Date, as the case may be; and
(v) the Issuers have 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 and the termination of the Issuers obligation hereunder have been satisfied.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Issuers to the Trustee under Section 607 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (i) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive any such satisfaction and discharge.
SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 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 (including the Issuers acting as their own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 401 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuers obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 401; provided that if the Issuers have made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
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ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES
SECTION 501. Events of Default.
Event of Default, wherever used herein, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
(i) a default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on any Note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise;
(ii) a default in any payment of interest or Additional Interest, if any, on any Note when due, continued for 30 days;
(iii) the failure by either of the Issuers or any Guarantor to comply for 60 days after written notice by Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding with any other covenant or other agreement contained in this Indenture or the Notes;
(iv) default in the payment at maturity (continued for the longer of any applicable grace, extension, forbearance or other similar period or 30 days) of any Indebtedness aggregating $25,000,000 or more of the Issuers or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC which, if merged into each other, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness, which default shall not be cured or waived, or such acceleration shall not be rescinded or annulled, within 30 days after written notice thereof by the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding;
(v) any final judgment or judgments for the payment of money in excess of $25,000,000 (net of amounts covered by insurance) is rendered against the Issuers or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC, which, if merged into each other, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, and such judgment or judgments remain undischarged for any period of 60 consecutive days, during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment shall not be in effect;
(vi) either of the Issuers or a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC which, if merged into each other, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(A) commences a voluntary case;
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(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;
(C) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property;
(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency; or
(vii) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(A) is for relief against either of the Issuers or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC which, if merged into each other, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in an involuntary case;
(B) appoints a custodian of either of the Issuers or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC which, if merged into each other, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, for all or substantially all of its property; or
(C) orders the winding up or liquidation of either of the Issuers or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC which, if merged into each other, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;
and, in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C), such order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws relating to insolvency and the applicable order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 consecutive days; or
(viii) the guarantee of any Guarantor ceases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms of this Indenture) or any Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or the guarantee of such Guarantor.
SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
If an Event of Default (other than by reason of an Event of Default specified in clause (vi) or (vii) of Section 501 with respect to an Issuer) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare the principal and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Issuers (and to the Trustee if given by Holders). Upon the effectiveness of such declaration, such principal and accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable immediately. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (vi) or (vii) of Section 501 occurs and is continuing with respect to an Issuer, then the principal amount of all the Notes shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.
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The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived (except nonpayment of principal, interest and premium, if any, that has become due solely because of acceleration). The Trustee may rely upon such notice of rescission without any independent investigation as to the satisfaction of the conditions in the preceding sentence. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.
SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
If an Event of Default specified in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 501 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee, in its own name as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Notes and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Notes, wherever situated.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders under this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy, subject however to Section 513. No recovery of any such judgment upon any property of the Issuers shall affect or impair any rights, powers or remedies of the Trustee or the Holders.
SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Notes or the property of the Issuers or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Notes shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Issuers for the payment of overdue principal, premium, if any, or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,
(i) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any), interest and Additional Interest, if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Notes, to take such other actions (including participating as a member, voting or otherwise, of any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter) and to file such other papers or documents and take such other actions as the Trustee (including participation as a member of any creditors committee) may deem 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 of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and
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(ii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
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 the Trustee any amount due 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 607.
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 thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of such Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other similar official.
SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Notes.
All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Notes may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Notes or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected.
Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Notes and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 607;
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of (and premium and Additional Interest, if any) and interest on the Notes in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Notes for principal (and premium and Additional Interest, if any), and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Person or Persons entitled thereto, including the Issuers or any other obligor on the Notes, as their interests may appear or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct, provided that all sums due and owing to the Holders and the Trustee have been paid in full as required by this Indenture.
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SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits.
Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest when due, no Holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:
(i) such Holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing;
(ii) Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(iii) such Holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense;
(iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and
(v) the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period;
it being understood and intended that no one or more Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture or any Note to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture or any Note, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all the Holders.
SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Note shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment, as provided herein (including, if applicable, Article Eleven) and in such Note, of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 311) interest and Additional Interest, if any, on such Note on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Note (or, in the case of redemption or repurchase, on the applicable Redemption Date or applicable repurchase date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Issuers, any other obligor on the Notes, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder, and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
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SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in the last paragraph of Section 310, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
SECTION 512. Control by Holders.
Subject to Section 908, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, provided that
(i) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or this Indenture;
(ii) the Trustee need not take any action which might be unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder or would involve the Trustee in personal liability; and
(iii) subject to the provisions of TIA § 315, the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.
Prior to taking any action under this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.
SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.
Subject to Sections 508 and 902, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes) may on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes, by written notice to the Trustee, waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under this Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest or Additional Interest, if any, on or the principal of, any such Note held by a non-consenting Holder, or in respect of a covenant or a provision which cannot be amended or modified without the consent of the Holders of each outstanding Note affected thereby.
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In the event that any Event of Default specified in clause (iv) of Section 501 shall have occurred and be continuing, such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (including without limitation any acceleration or resulting payment default) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the Holders of the Notes, if within 30 days after such Event of Default arose (i) the Indebtedness that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged, or (ii) the holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default, or (iii) the Default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured.
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 Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Note by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, 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, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest or Additional Interest, if any, on any Note on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Note (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the applicable Redemption Date).
ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE
SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
(a) Except during the continuance of a Default or an Event of Default,
(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and the Trustee should not be liable except for the performance of such duties as 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
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(ii) in the absence of bad faith or willful misconduct 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 furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are required to be delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture, but not to verify the contents thereof.
(b) In case a Default or 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 skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
(c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that
(i) this paragraph (c) shall not be construed to limit the effect of paragraph (a) of this Section;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes relating to 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, under this Indenture, and
(iv) the Trustee shall not be required to examine any of the reports, information or documents filed with it pursuant to Section 1014 to determine whether there has been any breach of the covenants of the Issuers set forth in Sections 1004 through 1013.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section and to the TIA.
SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults.
Within 90 days after the occurrence of any Default hereunder, the Trustee shall transmit in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA § 313(c), notice of such Default hereunder actually known to a Trust Officer of the Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Note, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Trust Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary expressed
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in this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default hereunder unless and until the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Issuers or any Holder at its Corporate Trust Office as specified in Section 105, except in the case of an Event of Default under clause (i) or (ii) of the first paragraph of Section 501 (provided that the Trustee is the Paying Agent).
SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.
(a) Subject to the provisions of TIA §§ 315(a) through 315(d):
(i) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon (whether in its original or facsimile form) any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties, and the Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the documents;
(ii) any request or direction of the Issuers mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Issuers Request or Authentication Order and any resolution of the Executive Committee may be sufficiently evidenced by a Committee Resolution;
(iii) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith or willful misconduct on its part, request and rely upon an Officers Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel and shall not liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith reliance on such Officers Certificate or Opinion of Counsel;
(iv) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(v) 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 pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses, losses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
(vi) 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, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuers, personally or by agent or attorney;
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(vii) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(viii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; provided, however, that the Trustees conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence;
(ix) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;
(x) the Trustee may request that the Issuers deliver an Officers Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded; and
(xi) the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(b) The Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
SECTION 604. Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Notes.
The recitals contained herein and in the Notes, except for the Trustees certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuers, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness and it shall not be responsible for Mediacom LLCs use of the proceeds from the Notes. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Notes, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Notes and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1, if any, supplied to the Issuers are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuers of the proceeds of the Notes.
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SECTION 605. May Hold Notes.
The Trustee, any Paying Agent, any Note Registrar, any authenticating agent or any other agent of the Issuers or of the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and, subject to TIA §§ 310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the Issuers with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Note Registrar, authenticating agent or such other agent.
SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust.
All moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust hereunder for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Issuers.
SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.
The Issuers agree:
(i) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as shall be agreed to in writing between the Issuers and the Trustee for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
(ii) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents, consultants and counsel and costs and expenses of collection), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and
(iii) to indemnify each of the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee for, and to hold them harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee), incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on their part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the costs and expenses of defending themselves against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuers, a Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of the Trustees powers or duties hereunder.
The obligations of the Issuers under this Section to compensate the Trustee, to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances and to indemnify and hold harmless the Trustee shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. As security for the performance of such obligations of the Issuers, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Holders of the Notes upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on particular Notes.
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When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in clause (vi) or (vii) of Section 501, the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) of and the compensation for such services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.
The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture.
SECTION 608. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall be at all times a Trustee hereunder which shall be eligible to act as Trustee under TIA § 310(a)(1), and which may have an office in The City of New York and shall have individually, or on a consolidated basis with a bank holding company of which it is a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary, a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If the Trustee does not have an office in The City of New York, the Trustee may appoint an agent in The City of New York reasonably acceptable to the Issuers to conduct any activities which the Trustee may be required under this Indenture to conduct in The City of New York. If such corporation or its parent holding company publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 608, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation or its parent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 608, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.
SECTION 609. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Section.
(b) The Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Issuers. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor trustee by written instrument executed by authority of the Executive Committee, a copy of which shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and a copy to the successor trustee. If an instrument of acceptance required by this Section shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition, at the expense of the Issuers, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(c) The Trustee may be removed at any time by Act of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, delivered to the Trustee and to the Issuers. The Trustee so removed may, at the expense of the Issuers, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee if no successor Trustee is appointed within 30 days of such removal.
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(d) If at any time:
(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA § 310(b) after written request therefor by the Issuers or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six months, or
(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 608 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuers or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six months, or
(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a custodian of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (A) the Issuers, by a Committee Resolution, may remove the Trustee, or (B) subject to TIA § 315(e), any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, the Issuers, by a Committee Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes delivered to the Issuers and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Trustee and supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuers. If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Issuers or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note for at least six months may, at the expense of the Issuers on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(f) The Issuers shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee and each appointment of a successor Trustee to the Holders of Notes in the manner provided for in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
SECTION 610. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
Every successor Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Issuers and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on request of the Issuers or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder. Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee
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pursuant to this Section 610, the Issuers obligations under Section 607 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee with regard to expenses and liabilities incurred by it and compensation earned by it prior to such replacement or otherwise under this Indenture. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Issuers shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts.
No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.
SECTION 611. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Notes shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Notes so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Notes. In case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee. In all such cases such certificates shall have the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee shall have; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Notes in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.
ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY
TRUSTEE AND THE ISSUERS
SECTION 701. The Issuers to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses.
The Issuers will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee
(a) semiannually, not more than 10 days after each Regular Record Date, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such Regular Record Date; and
(b) at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, within 30 days after receipt by the Issuers of any such request, a list of similar form and content to that in subsection (a) hereof as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided, however, that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the Note Registrar, no such list need be furnished.
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SECTION 702. Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders.
Every Holder of Notes, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Issuers and the Trustee that none of the Issuers or the Trustee or any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with TIA § 312, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under TIA § 312(b).
SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee.
Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May after the first issuance of Notes, the Trustee shall transmit to the Holders, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA § 313(c), a brief report dated as of such May 15 if required by TIA § 313(a) but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted.
The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b). A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed by the Trustee with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Notes are listed. The Issuers agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Notes become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.
ARTICLE EIGHT
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, OR SALE OF ASSETS
SECTION 801. The Issuers and Guarantors May Consolidate Etc. Only on Certain Terms.
Neither of the Issuers shall in a single transaction or series of related transactions consolidate with or merge with or into, or transfer all or substantially all of its assets to, another Person, unless:
(i) either (A) such Issuer shall be the continuing Person, or (B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer), or to which any such transfer shall have been made (the Successor Company), shall be a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia (provided that for so long as Mediacom LLC or any successor Person is a limited liability company or partnership, there must be a co-issuer of the Notes that is a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of Mediacom LLC and that is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia);
(ii) the Successor Company shall expressly assume, by supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of such Issuer under the Notes and this Indenture;
(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
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(iv) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the surviving Person would be able to Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the Debt to Operating Cash Flow Ratio contained in the first paragraph of Section 1008; and
(v) Mediacom LLC shall have delivered to the Trustee prior to the proposed transaction an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture, both in the form required by this Indenture; provided that in giving such opinion such counsel may rely on such Officers Certificate as to any matters of fact (including without limitation as to compliance with the foregoing clauses (iii) and (iv)).
No Guarantor shall in a single transaction or series of related transactions consolidate with or merge with or into, or transfer all or substantially all of its assets to, another Person unless either the guarantee of such Guarantor is being released in accordance with Section 1017 or:
(i) either (A) such Guarantor shall be the continuing Person, or (B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Guarantor) or to which any such transfer shall have been made (a Successor Guarantor), is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;
(ii) the Successor Guarantor shall expressly assume, by supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of such Guarantor under its guarantee of the Notes and this Indenture;
(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(iv) Mediacom LLC shall have delivered to the Trustee prior to the proposed transaction an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture, both in the form required by this Indenture; provided that in giving such opinion such counsel may rely on such Officers Certificate as to any matters of fact (including without limitation as to compliance with the foregoing clause (iii)).
SECTION 802. Successor Substituted.
Upon any consolidation of any Issuer or Guarantor with or merger of any Issuer or Guarantor with or into any other Person or any transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of any Issuer or Guarantor to any Person in accordance with Section 801, the Successor Company or Successor Guarantor, as the case may be, will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, hereunder, and thereafter the predecessor shall be released from all obligations and covenants hereunder, or under the guarantee of the Notes, as applicable, but, in the case of conveyance or transfer of all or substantially all its assets, the predecessor, as applicable, will not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes.
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ARTICLE NINE
SUPPLEMENTS, AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS TO INDENTURE
SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
Without the consent of any Holders, the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:
(i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; or
(ii) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes (provided that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in a manner such that the uncertificated Notes are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code); or
(iii) to add Restricted Subsidiary Guarantees with respect to the Notes; or
(iv) to release Guarantors pursuant to Section 1017; or
(v) to provide for the assumption by a successor corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership of the obligations of any Issuer or any Guarantor hereunder; or
(vi) to secure the Notes; or
(vii) to add to the covenants of the Issuers for the benefit of the Holders; or
(viii) to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder; or
(ix) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or
(x) to surrender any right or power conferred upon the Issuers under this Indenture; or
(xi) to conform the text of this Indenture or the Notes to any provisions of the Description of the notes section of the Offering Memorandum.
SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.
With the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes), the Issuers, the Guarantors and the Trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby (with respect to any Notes held by a nonconsenting Holder of the Notes):
(i) change or extend the fixed maturity of any Notes, reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest or Additional Interest thereon, reduce the principal amount thereof or premium, if any, thereon or change the currency in which the Notes are payable; or
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(ii) reduce the premium payable upon any redemption of Notes in accordance with the optional redemption provisions of the Notes and Section 1101 or change the time before which the Notes may be redeemed; or
(iii) waive a default in the payment of principal or interest or Additional Interest on the Notes (except that Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding may (a) rescind an acceleration of the Notes that resulted from a nonpayment default and (b) waive the payment default that resulted from such acceleration) or alter the rights of Holders of the Notes to waive defaults; or
(iv) adversely affect the ranking of the Notes or the guarantees, if any; or
(v) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Notes, the consent of the holders of which is required for any such modification; or
(vi) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
Any existing Event of Default (other than a default in the payment of principal or interest or Additional Interest on the Notes) or compliance with any provision of the Notes or this Indenture (other than any provision related to the payment of principal or interest or Additional Interest on the Notes) may be waived with the consent of Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding. The consent of the Holders is not necessary under this Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the supplemental indenture.
SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustees own rights, duties or immunities, as determined by the Trustee in its sole discretion, under this Indenture or otherwise. In signing or refusing to sign any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.
SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Notes theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby (except as provided in Section 902).
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SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to the Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
SECTION 906. Reference in Notes to Supplemental Indentures.
Notes authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may bear a notation as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Issuers shall so determine, new Notes so modified as to conform to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuers, and the Issuers shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate such new Notes that reflect the changed terms, the cost and expense of which will be borne by the Issuers, in exchange for outstanding Notes.
SECTION 907. Notice of Supplemental Indentures.
Promptly after the execution by the Issuers and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of Section 902, the Issuers shall give notice thereof to the Holders of each outstanding Note affected, in the manner provided for in Section 106, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture. The failure to give such notice to all the Holders, or any defect therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the supplemental indenture.
SECTION 908. Treasury Notes.
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver, consent or notice, Notes owned by any Issuer or any of its Affiliates shall be considered as though they are not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes which a Trust Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so considered. Each Issuer shall notify the Trustee, in writing, when it or any of its Affiliates repurchases or otherwise acquires Notes and of the aggregate principal amount of such Notes so repurchased or otherwise acquired.
ARTICLE TEN
COVENANTS
SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium, if Any, and Interest.
The Issuers, as joint and several obligors, covenant and agree for the benefit of the Holders that they will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes in accordance with the terms of the Notes and this Indenture.
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SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Issuers will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment, where, if applicable, the Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The principal corporate trust office of the Trustee at 400 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10017, shall be such office or agency of the Issuers, unless the Issuers shall designate and maintain some other office or agency for one or more of such purposes. The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change in the location of any such office or agency. If at any time the Issuers 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, and the Issuers hereby appoint the Trustee as their agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
The Issuers may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies (in or outside of The City of New York) where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind any such designation; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve any Issuer of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in The City of New York for such purposes. The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
SECTION 1003. Money for Note Payments to Be Held in Trust.
If the Issuers shall at any time act as their own Paying Agent, they will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any of the Notes, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of their action or failure to so act.
Whenever the Issuers shall have one or more Paying Agents for the Notes, they will, on or before each due date of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Notes, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum in same day funds (or New York Clearing House funds if such deposit is made prior to the date on which such deposit is required to be made) that shall be available to the Trustee by 10:00 a.m. New York City Time on such due date sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest (and Additional Interest, if any) so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee of such action or any failure to so act.
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The Issuers will cause each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:
(i) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest (and Additional Interest, if any) on Notes in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;
(ii) give the Trustee notice of any default by the Issuers (or any other obligor upon the Notes) in the making of any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest (and Additional Interest, if any); and
(iii) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.
The Issuers may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or direct (pursuant to a written direction signed by two Officers of each Issuer) any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Issuers or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Issuers or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or by the Issuers, in trust for the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest (or Additional Interest, if any) on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, interest or Additional Interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuers on the Issuers Request, or (if then held by the Issuers) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuers for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuers as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment to the Issuers, may at the expense of the Issuers cause to be published once, in a leading daily newspaper (if practicable, The Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition)) printed in the English language and of general circulation in New York City, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Issuers.
SECTION 1004. Corporate Existence.
Subject to Article Eight, the Issuers will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect their limited liability company or corporate existence, as the case may be, and that of each Restricted Subsidiary and the limited liability company or corporate rights, as the case may be (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Issuers and each Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Issuers shall not be required to preserve any such existence (except that of the Issuers), right, license or franchise if the Executive Committee of Mediacom LLC shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuers and each of Mediacom LLCs Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not, and will not be, disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.
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SECTION 1005. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.
The Issuers will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (i) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Issuers or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Issuers or any Subsidiary and (ii) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies, which, if unpaid, might by law become a material liability or lien upon the property of the Issuers or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Issuers shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim (x) whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which appropriate reserves, if necessary (in the good faith judgment of management of the Issuers), are being maintained in accordance with GAAP or (y) where the failure to effect such payment or discharge is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.
SECTION 1006. Compliance with Laws.
The Issuers shall comply, and shall cause each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries to comply, with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, orders and restrictions of the United States of America, all states and municipalities thereof, and of any governmental regulatory authority, in respect of the conduct of their respective businesses and the ownership of their respective properties, except for such noncompliances as would not in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Issuers and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
SECTION 1007. Limitation on Restricted Payments.
(a) So long as any of the Notes remain outstanding, Mediacom LLC shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any Restricted Payment if: (i) at the time of such proposed Restricted Payment, a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment; (ii) immediately after giving effect to such proposed Restricted Payment, Mediacom LLC would not be able to Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the Debt to Operating Cash Flow Ratio of the first paragraph of Section 1008, or (iii) immediately after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment, the aggregate of all Restricted Payments which shall have been made on or after the Existing Notes Build-Up Date (the amount of any Restricted Payment, if other than cash, to be based upon the fair market value thereof on the date of such Restricted Payment (without giving effect to subsequent changes in value) as determined in good faith by the Executive Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a Committee Resolution) would exceed an amount equal to the difference between (a) the Cumulative Credit and (b) the sum of (x) 1.4 times Cumulative Interest Expense attributable to periods ending on or prior to June 30, 2009 and (y) 1.2 times Cumulative Interest Expense attributable to periods ending after June 30, 2009.
(b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this Section 1007 shall not prevent any of the following, each of which shall be given independent effect: (1) the retirement of any of Mediacom LLCs Equity Interests in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially
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concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of Mediacom LLC or an employee stock ownership plan or to a trust established by Mediacom LLC or any Subsidiary of Mediacom LLC for the benefit of its employees) of Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC; (2) the payment of any dividend or distribution on, or the redemption of, Equity Interests within 60 days after the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution or the giving of formal notice of such redemption, if at the date of such declaration or giving of such formal notice such payment or redemption would comply with the provisions of this Indenture; (3) Investments constituting Restricted Payments made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from any Asset Sale made pursuant to and in compliance with the provisions described under Section 1013; (4) payments of compensation to officers, directors and employees of Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the Executive Committee or the manager of Mediacom LLC in good faith shall have approved the terms thereof; (5) the payment of dividends on any Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC following the issuance thereof in an amount per annum of up to 6% of the net proceeds received by Mediacom LLC from an Equity Offering of such Equity Interests; (6)(a) the payment of management fees, and any related reimbursement of expenses, to Mediacom Communications or any Affiliate thereof pursuant to any management agreement and (b) the reimbursement of expenses and the making of payments in respect of indemnification obligations to Mediacom Communications or any Affiliate thereof pursuant to the Operating Agreement; (7) the payment of amounts in connection with any merger, consolidation, or sale of assets effected in accordance with Article Eight, provided that no such payment may be made pursuant to this clause (7) unless, after giving effect to such transaction (and the Incurrence of any Indebtedness in connection therewith and the use of the proceeds thereof), Mediacom LLC would be able to Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the Debt to Operating Cash Flow Ratio in the first paragraph of Section 1008 such that after incurring that $1.00 of additional Indebtedness, the Debt to Operating Cash Flow Ratio would be less than or equal to 6.5 to 1.0; (8) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of any Subordinated Obligations in exchange for, or out of net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of Mediacom LLC or an employee stock ownership plan or to a trust established by Mediacom LLC or any Subsidiary of Mediacom LLC for the benefit of its employees) of Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC or Subordinated Obligations of Mediacom LLC; (9) the payment of any dividend or distribution on or with respect to any Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis; (10) the making and consummation of (A) an Excess Proceeds Offer in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture with any Excess Proceeds or (B) a Change of Control Offer with respect to the Notes in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture or (C) any offer to repurchase Indebtedness similar to the offer described in clause (A) or (B) set forth in any other agreement governing such Indebtedness; (11) during the period Mediacom LLC is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and after such period to the extent relating to the liability for such period, the payment of distributions in respect of members or partners income tax liability with respect to Mediacom LLC in an amount not to exceed the aggregate amount of tax distributions, if any, permitted to be made by Mediacom LLC to its members under the Operating Agreement (such amount not to include amounts in respect of taxes resulting from Mediacom LLCs reorganization as or change in the status to a corporation); (12) the payment by any Restricted Subsidiary to Mediacom LLC or another Restricted Subsidiary of principal and interest due in respect of intercompany Indebtedness and dividends and other distributions in respect of Preferred Equity Interests in such Restricted Subsidiary; (13) the distribution of any Investment originally made by Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant
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to clause (a) of this Section 1007 to holders of Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be; (14) additional Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $25,000,000; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (2), (5), (7), (9), (10), (13) and (14) of this paragraph, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such Restricted Payment or as a result thereof. In calculating the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made on or after the Existing Notes Build-Up Date for purposes of clause (iii) of paragraph (a) of this Section 1007, (x) Restricted Payments made pursuant to clause (2) and any Restricted Payment deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 1009 shall be included in such calculation and (y) Restricted Payments made pursuant to clause (1) or any of clauses (3) through (14) of this paragraph shall be excluded from such calculation.
(c) Not later than the date of making any Restricted Payment pursuant to Section 1007(a), Mediacom LLC shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations required by Section 1007(a) were computed, which calculations may be based upon Mediacom LLCs latest available financial statements. The Trustee shall have no duty to recompute or recalculate or verify the accuracy of the information set forth in any such Officers Certificate. For the avoidance of doubt, Mediacom LLC shall not be required to deliver an Officers Certificate of the type described in this paragraph (c) in connection with making any Restricted Payment of the type described in Section 1007(b).
SECTION 1008. Limitation on Indebtedness.
Mediacom LLC shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue any Disqualified Equity Interests except for Permitted Indebtedness; provided, however, that Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary may Incur Indebtedness or issue Disqualified Equity Interests if, at the time of and immediately after giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence of Indebtedness or issuance of Disqualified Equity Interests and the application of the proceeds therefrom, the Debt to Operating Cash Flow Ratio would be less than or equal to 8.5 to 1.0.
The limitations contained in the foregoing paragraph shall not apply to the Incurrence of any of the following (collectively, Permitted Indebtedness), each of which shall be given independent effect:
(a) Indebtedness under the Notes issued on the date of this Indenture, the Exchange Notes and this Indenture;
(b) Indebtedness of and Disqualified Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC and the Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on the date of this Indenture other than Indebtedness described in clause (a), (c), (d) or (f) of this paragraph;
(c) (i) Indebtedness of the Restricted Subsidiaries under the Subsidiary Credit Facility (including, without limitation, any refinancing thereof), and (ii) Indebtedness of the Restricted Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, any refinancing thereof) if, at the time of and immediately after giving pro forma effect to the Incurrence of such Indebtedness and the application of the proceeds therefrom, the Debt to Operating Cash
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Flow Ratio would be less than or equal to 6.5 to 1.0; provided, however, that for purposes of the calculation of such Ratio, the term Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall refer only to the Consolidated Total Indebtedness of the Restricted Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, Indebtedness Incurred under the Subsidiary Credit Facility and the Future Subsidiary Credit Facilities, but not including (x) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary payable solely to Mediacom LLC that qualifies as Affiliate Subordinated Indebtedness (as defined in the Subsidiary Credit Facility in effect as of the date of this Indenture) or (y) for the avoidance of doubt, Indebtedness of Mediacom Capital Corporation) outstanding as of the Determination Date (as defined in the definition of term Debt to Operating Cash Flow Ratio in Section 101) and the term Operating Cash Flow shall refer only to the Subsidiary Operating Cash Flow of the Restricted Subsidiaries for the related Measurement Period (as defined in the definition of term Debt to Operating Cash Flow Ratio in Section 101);
(d) Indebtedness of and Disqualified Equity Interests in (x) any Restricted Subsidiary owed to or issued to and held by Mediacom LLC or any other Restricted Subsidiary and (y) Mediacom LLC owed to and held by any Restricted Subsidiary which is unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to the payment and performance of the Issuers obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; provided, however, that an Incurrence of Indebtedness and Disqualified Equity Interests that is not permitted by this clause (d) shall be deemed to have occurred upon (i) any sale or other disposition of any Indebtedness of or Disqualified Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC or a Restricted Subsidiary referred to in this clause (d) to any Person (other than Mediacom LLC or a Restricted Subsidiary), (ii) any sale or other disposition of Equity Interests in a Restricted Subsidiary which holds Indebtedness of or Disqualified Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC or another Restricted Subsidiary such that such Restricted Subsidiary ceases to be a Restricted Subsidiary or (iii) any designation of a Restricted Subsidiary which holds Indebtedness of or Disqualified Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC as an Unrestricted Subsidiary;
(e) guarantees by any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness of Mediacom LLC or any other Restricted Subsidiary Incurred in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;
(f) Hedging Agreements of Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary relating to any Indebtedness of Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, Incurred in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture; provided that such Hedging Agreements have been entered into for bona fide business purposes and not for speculation;
(g) Indebtedness of or Disqualified Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary the net proceeds of which are applied promptly (and, in any event, within ten Business Days) to effect a replacement, renewal, refinancing or extension (collectively, a refinancing) of outstanding Indebtedness of or Disqualified Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, Incurred in compliance with the Debt to Operating Cash Flow Ratio of the first paragraph of this covenant or clause (a) or (b) of this paragraph of this covenant or this clause (g); provided, however,
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that (i) Indebtedness of or Disqualified Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC may not be refinanced under this clause (g) with Indebtedness of or Disqualified Equity Interests in any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) any such refinancing shall not exceed the sum of the principal amount or liquidation preference or redemption payment value (or, if such Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests provides for a lesser amount to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration thereof at the time of such refinancing, an amount no greater than such lesser amount) of the Indebtedness or Disqualified Equity Interests being refinanced plus the amount of accrued interest or dividends thereon and the amount of any reasonably determined prepayment premium necessary to accomplish such refinancing and such reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith, (iii) Indebtedness representing a refinancing of Indebtedness of Mediacom LLC shall have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness being refinanced, (iv) Subordinated Obligations of Mediacom LLC or Disqualified Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC may only be refinanced with Subordinated Obligations of Mediacom LLC or Disqualified Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC, and (v) Other Pari Passu Debt which is unsecured may only be refinanced with unsecured Indebtedness, which is either Other Pari Passu Debt or Subordinated Obligations, or with Disqualified Equity Interests;
(h) Indebtedness of Mediacom LLC or a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred as a result of the pledge by Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary of intercompany Indebtedness or Equity Interests in another Restricted Subsidiary or Equity Interests in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in the circumstance where recourse to Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary is limited to the value of the intercompany Indebtedness or the Equity Interests so pledged;
(i) Indebtedness of Mediacom LLC or a Restricted Subsidiary represented by Capitalized Lease Obligations, mortgage financings, purchase money obligations or letters of credit, in each case Incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of property, plant or equipment used in the business of Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary or a Related Business in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $25,000,000 at any time outstanding;
(j) Indebtedness of Mediacom LLC or a Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate amount not to exceed two times the sum of (i) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds to Mediacom LLC from (x) the issuance (other than to a Subsidiary of Mediacom LLC or an employee stock ownership plan or a trust established by Mediacom LLC or any Subsidiary of Mediacom LLC (for the benefit of its employees)) of any class of Equity Interests in Mediacom LLC (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) on or after the Existing Notes Build-Up Date or (y) contributions to the equity capital of Mediacom LLC on or after the Existing Notes Build-Up Date which do not themselves constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and (ii) the fair market value, as determined by an independent nationally recognized accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm experienced in similar types of transactions, of any assets (other than cash or Cash Equivalents) that are used or useful in a Related Business or Equity Interests in a Person engaged in a Related Business that is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of Mediacom LLC, in each case received by Mediacom LLC after the Existing Notes Build-Up Date in exchange for the issuance (other than
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to a Subsidiary of Mediacom LLC) of its Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests); provided that (A) the amount of such Net Cash Proceeds with respect to which Indebtedness is incurred pursuant to this clause (j) shall not be deemed Net Cash Proceeds from the issue or sale of Equity Interests for purposes of clause (ii) of the definition of Cumulative Credit in Section 101 and (B) the issuance of Equity Interests with respect to which Indebtedness is incurred pursuant to this clause (j) shall not also be used to effect a Restricted Payment pursuant to clause (1) or (8) of paragraph (b) of Section 1007; and
(k) in addition to any Indebtedness described in clauses (a) through (j) above, Indebtedness of Mediacom LLC or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries so long as the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (k) does not exceed $50,000,000 at any one time outstanding.
For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 1008, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (a) through (k) above or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 1008, Mediacom LLC shall, in its sole discretion, be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness, or to later reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 1008 and such item of Indebtedness shall be treated as having been Incurred as so classified or reclassified as the case may be.
SECTION 1009. Limitation on Affiliate Transactions.
Mediacom LLC shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, engage in any transaction (or series of related transactions) involving in the aggregate $5,000,000 or more with any Affiliate unless such transaction (or series of related transactions) shall have been approved pursuant to a Committee Resolution rendered in good faith by the Executive Committee or, if applicable, a committee comprising the disinterested members of the Executive Committee, which approval in each case shall be conclusive, to the effect that such transaction (or series of related transactions) is (a) in the best interest of Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary and (b) upon terms which would be obtainable by Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary in a comparable arms-length transaction with a Person which is not an Affiliate, except that the foregoing shall not apply in the case of any of the following transactions (the Specified Affiliate Transactions): (i) the making of any Restricted Payment (including, without limitation, the making of any Restricted Payment that is permitted pursuant to subclauses (1) through (14) of paragraph (b) of Section 1007) and the making of any Permitted Investment; (ii) any transaction or series of transactions between Mediacom LLC and one or more Restricted Subsidiaries or between two or more Restricted Subsidiaries; (iii) the payment of compensation (including, without limitation, amounts paid pursuant to employee benefit plans) for the personal services of, and indemnity provided on behalf of, officers, members, directors and employees of Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary, and management, consulting or advisory fees and reimbursements of expenses and indemnity in each case so long as the Executive Committee in good faith shall have approved the terms thereof and deemed the services theretofore or thereafter to be performed for such compensation or fees to be fair consideration therefor; (iv) any payments for goods or services purchased in the ordinary course of business, upon terms which would be obtainable by Mediacom LLC or a Restricted Subsidiary in
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a comparable arms-length transaction with a Person which is not an Affiliate; (v) any transaction pursuant to any agreement with any Affiliate in effect on the date of this Indenture (including, but not limited to, the Operating Agreement and other agreements relating to the payment of management fees, acquisition fees and expense reimbursements), including, without limitation, any amendments thereto entered into after the date of this Indenture, provided that the terms of any such amendment are not less favorable to Mediacom LLC than the terms of the relevant agreement in effect prior to any such amendment, as determined in good faith by the Executive Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a Committee Resolution; (vi) any transaction or series of transactions between Mediacom LLC or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and Mediacom Communications or any of its direct or indirect Subsidiaries, on the other hand, which relate to (a) the sharing of centralized services, personnel, facilities, headends and plant, (b) the joint procurement of goods and services, (c) the allocation of costs and expenses (other than taxes based on income) and (d) matters reasonably related to any of the foregoing, in each case, which are undertaken pursuant to an established plan of Mediacom Communications the primary purpose of which is to result in cost savings and related synergies for Mediacom LLC, its Restricted Subsidiaries, Mediacom Communications and each of Mediacom Communications other direct or indirect Subsidiaries involved in such transaction or series of transactions; provided that, in the case of this clause (vi), such plan shall have been approved pursuant to a Committee Resolution, rendered in good faith by the Executive Committee, which approval in each case shall be conclusive, to the effect that such plan is in the best interest of Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary; and provided, further, that such transaction or series of related transactions is fair and reasonable to Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary, on the one hand, and to Mediacom Communications and each such other Subsidiary of Mediacom Communications, on the other hand; and (vii) the receipt from any Affiliate of any payment, Investment, distribution, loan or other extension of credit or any other consideration if the payment or making thereof would, if made by Mediacom LLC or by any Restricted Subsidiary to an Affiliate thereof, constitute a Specified Affiliate Transaction under any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (vi) of this paragraph or would comply with the last two sentences of this Section 1009. Except in the case of a Specified Affiliate Transaction, Mediacom LLC shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, engage in any transaction (or series of related transactions) involving in the aggregate (y) $25,000,000 or more in all in-stances except in the case of Asset Sales or Asset Swaps and (z) $50,000,000 or more in the case of any Asset Sale or Asset Swap, in each case, with any Affiliate unless (i) such transaction (or series of related transactions) shall have been approved pursuant to a Committee Resolution rendered in good faith by the Executive Committee or, if applicable, a committee comprising the disinterested members of the Executive Committee to the effect set forth in clauses (a) and (b) above, which approval in each case shall be conclusive and evidenced by a Committee Resolution; and (ii) Mediacom LLC shall have received an opinion from an independent nationally recognized accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm experienced in the review of similar types of transactions stating that the terms of such transaction (or series of related transactions) are fair to Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from a financial point of view, which opinion shall be conclusive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any transaction (or series of related transactions) entered into by Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary with any Affiliate without complying with the foregoing provisions of this Section 1009 shall not constitute a violation of the provisions of this Section 1009 if Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary would be permitted to make a Restricted Payment pursuant to paragraph (a)
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of Section 1007 at the time of the completion of such transaction (or series of related transactions) in an amount equal to the fair market value of such transaction (or series of related transactions), as determined in good faith by the Executive Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a Committee Resolution. In such a case, Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be deemed to have made a Restricted Payment in an amount equal to the fair market value of such transaction for purposes of the calculation of Restricted Payments pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a) of Section 1007.
SECTION 1010. Limitation on Dividends and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries.
Mediacom LLC shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends or make any other distributions to Mediacom LLC or any other Restricted Subsidiary on its Equity Interests; (b) pay any Indebtedness owed to Mediacom LLC or any other Restricted Subsidiary; (c) make loans or advances, or guarantee any such loans or advances, to Mediacom LLC or any other Restricted Subsidiary; (d) transfer any of its properties or assets to Mediacom LLC or any other Restricted Subsidiary; (e) grant Liens on the assets of Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary in favor of the holders of the Notes; or (f) guarantee the Notes or any renewals or refinancings thereof (any of the actions described in clauses (a) through (f) above is referred to herein as a Specified Action); except for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of: (i) Acquired Indebtedness or any other agreement or instrument of any Restricted Subsidiary existing at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that such encumbrances or restrictions were not created in anticipation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and are not applicable to Mediacom LLC or any other Restricted Subsidiary; (ii) refinancing Indebtedness permitted by clause (g) of the second paragraph of Section 1008; provided that the terms and conditions of any such encumbrances or restrictions are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those under the Indebtedness being refinanced; (iii) customary provisions restricting the assignment of any contract or interest of Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary; (iv) this Indenture or any other indenture governing debt securities that are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in this Indenture; (v) the Subsidiary Credit Facility and the Future Subsidiary Credit Facilities; provided that, in the case of any Future Subsidiary Credit Facility, Mediacom LLC shall have used commercially reasonable efforts to include in the agreements relating to such Future Subsidiary Credit Facility provisions concerning the encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to take any Specified Action that are no more restrictive than those in effect in the Subsidiary Credit Facility on the date of the creation of the applicable restriction in such Future Subsidiary Credit Facility (Comparable Restriction Provisions); and provided further that, if Mediacom LLC shall conclude in its sole discretion based on then prevailing market conditions that it is not in the best interest of Mediacom LLC and the Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the foregoing proviso, the failure to include Comparable Restriction Provisions in the agreements relating to such Future Subsidiary Credit Facility shall not constitute a violation of the provisions of this Section 1010; (vi) existing agreements as in effect on the date of this In-denture and as amended, modified, extended, renewed, refunded, refinanced, restated or replaced from time to time, provided that any such agreement as so amended, modified, extended, renewed, refunded, refinanced, restated or replaced is not materially more restrictive, taken as a
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whole, as to the Specified Actions than such agreement as in effect on the date of this Indenture; (vii) applicable law; (viii) Capitalized Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case that impose restrictions on the property purchased or leased of the nature described in clause (d) above; (ix) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition; (x) Liens securing Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 1011 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens; (xi) provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into (I) in the ordinary course of business or (II) with the approval of the Executive Committee of Mediacom LLC, which limitations are applicable only to the assets or property that are the subject of such agreements; (xii) any agreement or instrument relating to any property or assets acquired after the date of this Indenture, so long as such encumbrance or restriction relates only to the property or assets so acquired and was not created in anticipation of such acquisition; and (xiii) Hedging Agreements permitted from time to time under this Indenture.
SECTION 1011. Limitation on Liens.
Mediacom LLC shall not Incur any Indebtedness secured by a Lien against or on any of its property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by Mediacom LLC unless contemporaneously therewith effective provision is made to secure the Notes equally and ratably with such secured Indebtedness. This restriction does not, however, apply to Indebtedness secured by: (i) Liens, if any, in effect on the date of this Indenture; (ii) Liens in favor of governmental bodies to secure progress or advance payments; (iii) Liens on Equity Interests or other assets existing at the time of the acquisition thereof (including, without limitation, acquisition through merger or consolidation), provided that such Liens were not Incurred in anticipation of such acquisition; (iv) Liens securing industrial revenue or pollution control bonds; (v) Liens securing the Notes; (vi) Liens securing Indebtedness of Mediacom LLC in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding; (vii) Other Permitted Liens; and (viii) any extension, renewal or replacement of any Lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) through (vii), inclusive.
SECTION 1012. Change of Control.
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder of Notes shall have the right to require the Issuers to repurchase all or any part of such Holders Notes pursuant to an offer described in this Section 1012 (the Change of Control Offer) at a purchase price (the Change of Control Payment) equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date that is on or prior to the Change of Control Payment Date).
(b) Within 30 days of the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Issuers shall send by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Trustee and to each Holder of the Notes, at the address appearing in the Note Register, a notice stating: (1) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 1012 and that all Notes tendered will be accepted for payment; (2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be a Business Day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the Change of Control Payment
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Date); (3) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest; (4) that, unless the Issuers default in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, any Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date; (5) that Holders accepting the offer to have their Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date; (6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their acceptance if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have such Notes purchased; (7) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, provided that each Note purchased and each such new Note issued shall be in an original principal amount in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; (8) any other procedures that a Holder must follow to accept a Change of Control Offer or effect withdrawal of such acceptance; and (9) the name and address of the Paying Agent.
(c) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers shall, to the extent lawful, (i) accept for payment Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, (ii) deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered, (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee Notes so accepted together with an Officers Certificate stating the Notes or portions thereof tendered to the Issuers and (iv) deliver to the Trustee an Authentication Order with respect to any new Notes to be delivered to Holders as described in the following sentence. The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to each Holder of Notes so accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase price for such Notes, and the Issuers shall execute and issue, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail to such Holder, a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered; provided that each such new Note shall be issued in an original principal amount in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Issuers shall send to the Trustee and the holders of Notes on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date a notice setting forth the results of the Change of Control Offer.
(d) The Issuers shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer if a third party (including an Affiliate of the Issuers) makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the time and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth herein applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuers and purchases all Notes or portions thereof validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer. In addition, the Issuers will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer in the event of a highly leveraged transaction that does not constitute a Change of Control.
(e) The Issuers shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 1012.
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SECTION 1013. Limitation on Sales of Assets.
(a) Mediacom LLC shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, consummate an Asset Sale unless (i) Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such sale or other disposition at least equal to the fair market value thereof (as determined in good faith by the Executive Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a Committee Resolution); (ii) not less than 75% of the consideration received by Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents; and (iii) the Asset Sale Proceeds received by Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary are applied (a) first, to the extent Mediacom LLC elects, or is required, to prepay, repay or purchase debt under any then existing Indebtedness of Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary within 360 days following the receipt of the Asset Sale Proceeds from any Asset Sale or, to the extent Mediacom LLC elects, to make, or commits pursuant to a written agreement to make, an investment in assets (including, without limitation, Equity Interests or other securities purchased in connection with the acquisition of Equity Interests or property of another Person) used or useful in a Related Business, provided that such investment occurs and such Asset Sale Proceeds are so applied within 360 days following the receipt of such Asset Sale Proceeds or, in the case of funds committed to be invested in such assets pursuant to a written agreement dated within 360 days following the receipt of such Asset Sale Proceeds, such investment occurs within 540 days following the receipt of such Asset Sale Proceeds (such 360th day or 540th day, as the case may be, the Reinvestment Date), and (b) second, on a pro rata basis (1) to the repayment of an amount of Other Pari Passu Debt not exceeding the Other Pari Passu Debt Pro Rata Share (provided that any such repayment shall result in a permanent reduction of any commitment in respect thereof in an amount equal to the principal amount so repaid) and (2) if on the Reinvestment Date with respect to any Asset Sale the Excess Proceeds exceed $15,000,000, the Issuers shall apply an amount equal to such Excess Proceeds to an offer to repurchase the Notes, at a purchase price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the date of repurchase (an Excess Proceeds Offer). If an Excess Proceeds Offer is not fully subscribed, the Issuers may retain the portion of the Excess Proceeds not required to repurchase Notes. For purposes of determining in clause (ii) above the percentage of cash consideration received by Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary, the amount of any (x) liabilities (as shown on Mediacom LLCs or such Restricted Subsidiarys most recent balance sheet) of Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary that are actually assumed by the transferee in such Asset Sale and from which Mediacom LLC and the Restricted Subsidiaries are fully released shall be deemed to be cash, and (y) securities, notes or other similar obligations received by Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are immediately converted (or are converted within 30 days of the related Asset Sale) by Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash shall be deemed to be cash in an amount equal to the net cash proceeds realized upon such conversion.
(b) If the Issuers are required to make an Excess Proceeds Offer, within 30 days following the Reinvestment Date, the Issuers shall send by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office and to each Holder of the Notes, at the address appearing in the register of the Notes maintained by the Note Registrar, a notice stating, among other things: (1) that such Holders have the right to require the Issuers to apply the Excess Proceeds to repurchase such Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount
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thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase; (2) the purchase date, which shall be a Business Day no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed; (3) the instructions, determined by the Issuers, that each Holder must follow in order to have such Notes repurchased; and (4) the calculations used in determining the amount of Excess Proceeds to be applied to the repurchase of such Notes. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis or by lot or by such other method that the Trustee deems to be fair and equitable to Holders. Upon completion of the Excess Proceeds Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset to zero.
(c) The Issuers shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 1013.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Mediacom LLC or any Restricted Subsidiary shall be permitted to consummate an Asset Swap if (i) at the time of entering into the related Asset Swap Agreement or immediately after giving effect to such Asset Swap, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof and (ii) such Asset Swap shall have been approved in good faith by the Executive Committee, whose approval shall be conclusive and evidenced by a Committee Resolution, which states that such Asset Swap is fair to Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from a financial point of view.
SECTION 1014. Reports.
Commencing with the fiscal quarter of the Issuers ending on September 30, 2009, whether or not the Issuers are subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision thereto, the Issuers shall file with the SEC (if permitted by SEC practice and applicable law and regulations) so long as the Notes are outstanding the annual reports, quarterly reports and other periodic reports which the Issuers would have been required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) or any successor provision thereto if the Issuers were so subject on or prior to the respective dates (the Required Filing Dates) by which the Issuers would have been required to file such documents if the Issuers were so subject. The Issuers shall also in any event within 15 days of each Required Filing Date (whether or not permitted or required to be filed with the SEC) (i) transmit or cause to be transmitted by mail to all Holders of Notes, at such Holders addresses appearing in the register maintained by the Note Registrar, without cost to such Holders, and (ii) file with the Trustee, copies of the annual reports, quarterly reports and other documents described in the preceding sentence. In addition, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding and prior to the later of the consummation of the Exchange Offer and the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, if required, the Issuers shall furnish to Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
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 Issuers compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to conclusively rely exclusively on Officers Certificates).
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SECTION 1015. Limitation on Business Activities of Mediacom Capital Corporation.
Mediacom Capital Corporation shall not hold any material assets, become liable for any material obligations, engage in any trade or business, or conduct any business activity, other than the issuance of Equity Interests to Mediacom LLC or any Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, the Incurrence of Indebtedness as a co-obligor or guarantor of Indebtedness Incurred by Mediacom LLC, including, without limitation, the Notes and the Exchange Notes, if any, that is permitted to be Incurred by Mediacom LLC under Section 1008 (provided that the net proceeds of such Indebtedness are retained by Mediacom LLC or loaned to or contributed as capital to one or more of the Restricted Subsidiaries other than Mediacom Capital Corporation), and activities incidental thereto. Neither Mediacom LLC nor any Restricted Subsidiary shall engage in any transactions with Mediacom Capital Corporation in violation of the immediately preceding sentence.
SECTION 1016. Statement by Officers as to Default.
(a) The Issuers will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of Mediacom LLC, an Officers Certificate, signed by, at a minimum, the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of each Issuer, and otherwise meeting the requirements of Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act, stating that a review of the activities of the Issuers and the Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Issuers have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled, and have caused each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to keep, observe, perform and fulfill, their respective 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 Issuers during such preceding fiscal year have kept, observed, performed and fulfilled, and have caused each of the Restricted Subsidiaries to keep, observe, perform and fulfill, each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and no Event of Default occurred during such year and at the date of such certificate there is no Event of Default which has occurred and is continuing or, if such signers do know of such Event of Default, the certificate shall describe its status with particularity and shall state what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take in respect thereof. The Officers Certificate shall also notify the Trustee should either or both of the Issuers elect to change the manner in which either of them fix their fiscal year end. For purposes of this Section 1016(a), such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.
(b) When any Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, the Issuers shall deliver to the Trustee by registered or certified mail or facsimile transmission (to be followed promptly by delivery of the original copy thereof) an Officers Certificate specifying such Default within five Business Days after any Officer of Mediacom LLC becomes aware of such Default.
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SECTION 1017. Limitation on Guarantees of Certain Indebtedness.
(a) Mediacom LLC shall not (i) permit any Restricted Subsidiary to guarantee any Indebtedness of either Issuer other than the Notes (the Other Indebtedness) or (ii) pledge any intercompany Indebtedness representing obligations of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to secure the payment of Other Indebtedness, in each case unless such Restricted Subsidiary, the Issuers and the Trustee execute and deliver a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 901 causing such Restricted Subsidiary to guarantee (the Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee) the Issuers obligations under this Indenture and the Notes to the same extent that such Restricted Subsidiary guaranteed the Issuers obligations under the Other Indebtedness (including, without limitation, waiver of subrogation, if any). Thereafter, such Restricted Subsidiary shall be a Guarantor for all purposes of this Indenture.
(b) The Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee of a Restricted Subsidiary shall be released upon (i) the sale of all of the Equity Interests, or all or substantially all of the assets, of the applicable Guarantor (in each case other than to Mediacom LLC or a Subsidiary), (ii) the designation by Mediacom LLC of the applicable Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 1018 or (iii) the release of the guarantee of such Guarantor with respect to the obligations which caused such Guarantor to deliver the Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the preceding paragraph, in each case in compliance with this Indenture (including, without limitation, in the event of a sale of Equity Interests or assets described in clause (i) above, that the net cash proceeds are applied in accordance with the requirements of Section 1013).
(c) The Trustee shall, at the sole cost and expense of the Issuers, upon receipt of a request by the Issuers accompanied by an Officers Certificate certifying as to the compliance with paragraph (b) of this Section and, with respect to clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (b) of this Section, upon receipt at the reasonable request of the Trustee of an Opinion of Counsel that the provisions of this Section have been complied with, deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing such release. Any Guarantor not so released remains liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes and the other obligations of the Issuers provided herein.
SECTION 1018. Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
(a) Mediacom LLC may designate any Subsidiary (including, without limitation, any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary or a Person becoming a Subsidiary through merger or consolidation or Investment therein) as an Unrestricted Subsidiary under this Indenture (a Designation) only if (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of or after giving effect to such Designation; (b) at the time of and after giving effect to such Designation, Mediacom LLC would be able to Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the Debt to Operating Cash Flow Ratio under the first paragraph of Section 1008; and (c) Mediacom LLC would be permitted to make a Restricted Payment at the time of Designation (assuming the effectiveness of such Designation) pursuant to paragraph (a) of Section 1007 in an amount equal to Mediacom LLCs proportionate interest in the fair market value of such Subsidiary on such date (as determined in good faith by the Executive Committee, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a Committee Resolution). Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither Mediacom Capital Corporation nor any of its Subsidiaries may be designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
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(b) At the time of Designation, all of the Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary shall consist of, and shall at all times thereafter consist of, Non-Recourse Indebtedness, and neither Mediacom LLC nor any Restricted Subsidiary shall at any time have any direct or indirect obligation to (x) make additional Investments (other than Permitted Investments) in any Unrestricted Subsidiary; (y) maintain or preserve the financial condition of any Unrestricted Subsidiary or cause any Unrestricted Subsidiary to achieve any specified levels of operating results; or (z) be party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with any Unrestricted Subsidiary unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to Mediacom LLC or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained, in light of all the circumstances, at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of Mediacom LLC. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would violate the foregoing requirements, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be Incurred as of such date.
(c) Mediacom LLC may revoke any Designation of a Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary (a Revocation) if (a) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of or after giving effect to such Revocation; (b) at the time of and after giving effect to such Revocation, Mediacom LLC would be able to Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the Debt to Operating Cash Flow Ratio of the first paragraph of Section 1008; and (c) all Liens and Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary outstanding immediately following such Revocation would, if Incurred at such time, have been permitted to be Incurred for all purposes of this Indenture.
(d) All Designations and Revocations must be evidenced by Committee Resolutions delivered to the Trustee certifying compliance with the foregoing provisions.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF NOTES
SECTION 1101. Optional Redemption.
The Notes may or shall, as the case may be, be redeemed, as a whole or from time to time in part, subject to the conditions and at the redemption prices specified in the Form of Note (Section 203), together with accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the date of redemption.
SECTION 1102. Applicability of Article.
Redemption of Notes at the election of the Issuers or otherwise, as permitted or required by any provision of this Indenture, shall be made in accordance with such provision and this Article.
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SECTION 1103. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The election of the Issuers to redeem any Notes pursuant to Section 1101 shall be evidenced by a Committee Resolution. In case of any redemption at the election of the Issuers, the Issuers shall, at least 45 days prior to the date of redemption (the Redemption Date) fixed by the Issuers (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee in writing of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and shall deliver to the Trustee such documentation and records as shall enable the Trustee to select the Notes to be redeemed pursuant to Section 1104.
SECTION 1104. Selection by Trustee of Notes to Be Redeemed.
If fewer than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee will select the Notes to be redeemed, if the Notes are listed on a national securities exchange, in accordance with the rules of such exchange or, if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis or by lot or by such other method that the Trustee deems to be fair and equitable to Holders; provided that, if a partial redemption is made with the proceeds of any Equity Offering, selection of the Notes or portions thereof for redemption shall be made by the Trustee only on a pro rata basis or on as nearly a pro rata basis as is practicable (subject to the procedures of the Depositary). If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed principal portion thereof will be issued; provided that no Notes of a principal amount of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. On and after any Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption as long as the Issuers have deposited with the Paying Agent for the Notes funds in satisfaction of the applicable redemption price pursuant to this Indenture.
The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Notes selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.
For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to redemption of Notes shall relate, in the case of any Note redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Note which has been or is to be redeemed.
SECTION 1105. Notice of Redemption.
Notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided for in Section 106 not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to any Redemption Date by first class mail to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at such Holders address appearing in the Note Register. At the Issuers written request, the Trustee shall give notice of redemption in the Issuers name and at the Issuers expense; provided, however, that the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the applicable Redemption Date (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), 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 following items.
All notices of redemption shall state:
(i) the Redemption Date,
(ii) the redemption price and the amount of accrued interest to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1107, if any,
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(iii) if less than all outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the identification of the particular Notes (or portion thereof) to be redeemed, as well as the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be outstanding after such partial redemption,
(iv) in case any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Note shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Note, the Holder will receive, without charge, a new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,
(v) that on the Redemption Date the redemption price (and accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1107) will become due and payable upon each such Note, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed, and, unless the Issuers default in making the redemption payment, that interest on Notes called for redemption (or the portion thereof) will cease to accrue on and after the Redemption Date,
(vi) the place or places where such Notes are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price and accrued interest, if any,
(vii) the name and address of the Paying Agent,
(viii) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price,
(ix) the CUSIP number, and that no representation is made as to the accuracy or correctness of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes, and
(x) the paragraph of the Notes or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes are to be redeemed.
SECTION 1106. Deposit of Redemption Price.
Prior to any Redemption Date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Issuers are acting as their own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, all the Notes which are to be redeemed on that date. Promptly after the calculation of the redemption price, the Issuers will give the Trustee and the Paying Agent notice thereof.
SECTION 1107. Notes Payable on Redemption Date.
Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Notes so to be redeemed shall, on the applicable Redemption Date, become due and payable at the redemption price therein specified (together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Issuers shall default in the payment of the redemption price and accrued interest) such Notes shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Note for redemption
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in accordance with said notice, such Note shall be paid by the Issuers at the redemption price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable 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 or Special Record Date, as the case may be, according to their terms and the provisions of Section 311.
If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Notes.
SECTION 1108. Notes Redeemed in Part.
Any Note which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article) shall be surrendered at the office or agency of the Issuers maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002 (with, if the Issuers or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuers and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holders attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Note at the expense of the Issuers, a new Note or Notes, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Note so surrendered, provided, that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
ARTICLE TWELVE
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
SECTION 1201. The Issuers Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Issuers may, at their option, at any time, with respect to the Notes, elect to have either Section 1202 or Section 1203 be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth in this Article Twelve. The Issuers in their sole discretion can defease the Notes.
SECTION 1202. Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Issuers exercise under Section 1201 of the option applicable to this Section 1202, the Issuers shall be deemed to have been discharged from any and all obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes on the date the conditions set forth in Section 1204 are satisfied (hereinafter, Legal Defeasance). For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Issuers shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be outstanding only for the purposes of Section 1205 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (i) and (ii) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture insofar as such Notes are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive, solely from
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the trust fund described in Section 1204 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest on such Notes when such payments are due, (ii) the Issuers obligations with respect to such Notes under Sections 304, 305, 310, 1002 and 1003, (iii) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, and the Issuers obligations in connection therewith and (iv) this Article Twelve.
If the Issuers exercise their Legal Defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default.
Subject to compliance with this Article Twelve, the Issuers may exercise their option under this Section 1202 notwithstanding the prior exercise of their option under Section 1203 with respect to the Notes.
SECTION 1203. Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Issuers exercise under Section 1201 of the option applicable to this Section 1203, the Issuers may terminate (i) their obligations under any covenant contained in Sections 1007 through 1015 and Section 1017, (ii) the operation of Section 501(iv), Section 501(v), Section 501(vi) (except with respect to the Issuers), Section 501(vii) (except with respect to the Issuers) and Section 501(iii) (with respect to the covenants described in clause (i) above) and (iii) the limitations contained in Sections 801(iii) and 801(iv) (hereinafter, Covenant Defeasance), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not to be outstanding for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed outstanding for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be outstanding for accounting purposes). If the Issuers exercise their covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified under Section 501(iv), (v), (vi) (except with respect to the Issuers), (vii) (except with respect to the Issuers) and Section 501(viii) (with respect to the covenants described in clause (i) above) or because of the failure of the Issuers to comply with Section 801(iii) or 801(iv). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes, the Issuers may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 501(iii), but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby.
SECTION 1204. Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to application of either Section 1202 or Section 1203 to the outstanding Notes:
(i) the Issuers shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of this Indenture who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Twelve applicable to it), as trust funds in trust, money or U.S. Government Obligations, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in
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the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants selected by the Issuers, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and Additional Interest, if any, and interest due on the outstanding Notes on the Stated Maturity or on the applicable Redemption Date, as the case may be;
(ii) in the case of Legal Defeasance, Mediacom LLC shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee (which opinion may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) confirming that (A) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel in the United States (which opinion may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(iii) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, Mediacom LLC shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee (which opinion may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(iv) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or insofar as Events of Default from bankruptcy or insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit;
(v) in the case of Legal Defeasance, 91 days pass after such deposit is made and during such 91-day period no Event of Default specified in Section 501(vi) or (vii) with respect to the Issuers occurs which is continuing at the end of such 90-day period;
(vi) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which any Issuer is a party or by which any Issuer is bound;
(vii) Mediacom LLC shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (which opinion may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) to the effect that such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, will not require registration of the Issuers, the Trustee or the trust fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended or the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, as amended;
(viii) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Issuers or others;
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(ix) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel in the United States (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions) each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with; and
(x) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants stating the matters set forth in paragraph (i) above.
SECTION 1205. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 1205, the Trustee) pursuant to Section 1204 in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Issuers acting as their own Paying Agent), to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest on their respective due dates, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Issuers shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1204 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof.
Anything in this Article Twelve to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon the Issuers Request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 1204 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.
SECTION 1206. Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 1205 by reason of any legal proceeding or by any reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuers obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 1202 or 1203, as the case may be, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 1205; provided, however, that if the Issuers make any payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of their obligations, the Issuers shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money and U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
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ARTICLE THIRTEEN
RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE
SECTION 1301. Unconditional Guarantee.
Each Guarantor hereby unconditionally, jointly and severally, guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns that: the principal of and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, subject to any applicable grace period, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes and all other payment obligations of the Issuers to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or under the Notes shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; subject, however, to the limitations set forth in Section 1303. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives, to the extent permitted by law, diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Issuers, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that its Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture. If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, any Guarantor, or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to the Issuers or any Guarantor, any amount paid by the Issuers or any Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder, this Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Five hereof for the purpose of its Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any acceleration in respect of such obligations as provided in Article Five hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Guarantor for the purpose of its Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee.
SECTION 1302. Severability.
In case any provision of this Article Thirteen 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.
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SECTION 1303. Limitation of Guarantors Liability.
Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance hereof each Holder and the Trustee, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the guarantee by such Guarantor pursuant to its Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar U.S. Federal or state or other applicable law or that the obligations of such Guarantor under Section 1301 would otherwise be held or determined to be void, invalid or unenforceable on account of the amount of its liability under said Section 1301. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders and such Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor under its Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee or pursuant to Section 1304, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee not constituting such fraudulent transfer or conveyance and not being held or determined to be void, invalid or unenforceable.
SECTION 1304. Contribution.
In order to provide for just and equitable contribution among the Guarantors, the Guarantors agree, inter se, that in the event any payment or distribution is made by any Guarantor (a Funding Guarantor) under such Funding Guarantors Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from all other Guarantors in a pro rata amount, based on the net assets of each Guarantor (including the Funding Guarantor), determined in accordance with GAAP, subject to Section 1303, for all payments, damages and expenses incurred by such Funding Guarantor in discharging the Issuers obligations with respect to the Notes or any other Guarantors obligations with respect to such other Guarantors Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee.
SECTION 1305. Additional Guarantors.
Any Restricted Subsidiary which is required pursuant to Section 1017 to become a Guarantor shall (a) execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee which subjects such Restricted Subsidiary to the provisions of this Indenture as a Guarantor and pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary agrees to guarantee to each Holder of a Note the payment of amounts due in respect of the Notes in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and (b) cause to be delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized and executed by such Restricted Subsidiary and constitutes the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of such Restricted Subsidiary (subject to customary exceptions, including exceptions concerning fraudulent conveyance laws, creditors rights and equitable principles).
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SECTION 1306. Subordination of Subrogation and Other Rights.
Each Guarantor hereby agrees that any claim against the Issuers that arises from the payment, performance or enforcement of such Guarantors obligations under its Restricted Subsidiary Guarantee or this Indenture, including, without limitation, any right of subrogation, shall be subject and subordinate to, and no payment with respect to any such claim of such Guarantor shall be made before, the payment in full in cash of all outstanding Notes in accordance with the provisions provided therefor in this Indenture.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature pages follow]
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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.
MEDIACOM LLC | ||
By: | Mediacom Communications Corporation, its Managing Member |
By: | /s/ Mark E. Stephan | |||
Name: | Mark E. Stephan | |||
Title: | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
MEDIACOM CAPITAL CORPORATION | ||||
By: | /s/ Calvin G. Craib | |||
Name: | Calvin G. Craib | |||
Title: | Senior Vice President, Corporate Finance |
Signature Page Mediacom Indenture
LAW DEBENTURE TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, as Trustee | ||||||
By: | /s/ Anthony A. Bocchino | |||||
Name: | Anthony A. Bocchino | |||||
Title: | Managing Director |
Signature Page Mediacom Indenture
Exhibit 12.1
Mediacom LLC
Schedule of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | ||||||||||||||||
Earnings: |
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Income (loss) before income taxes |
$ | 41,296 | $ | 31,947 | $ | 49,437 | $ | 4,980 | $ | (16,919 | ) | |||||||||
Interest expense, net |
97,681 | 91,824 | 89,829 | 99,639 | 118,386 | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of capitalized interest |
1,873 | 1,828 | 255 | 1,706 | 1,939 | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of debt issuance costs |
3,903 | 3,392 | 1,961 | 2,039 | 2,225 | |||||||||||||||
Interest component of rent expense(1) |
3,111 | 2,831 | 3,041 | 3,133 | 2,617 | |||||||||||||||
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Earnings available for fixed charges |
$ | 147,864 | $ | 131,822 | $ | 144,523 | $ | 111,497 | $ | 108,248 | ||||||||||
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Fixed Charges: |
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Interest expense, net |
$ | 97,681 | $ | 91,824 | $ | 89,829 | $ | 99,639 | $ | 118,386 | ||||||||||
Capitalized interest |
1,202 | 1,632 | 1,564 | 2,131 | 1,729 | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of debt issuance cost |
3,903 | 3,392 | 1,961 | 2,039 | 2,225 | |||||||||||||||
Interest component of rent expense(1) |
3,111 | 2,831 | 3,041 | 3,133 | 2,617 | |||||||||||||||
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Total fixed charges |
$ | 105,897 | $ | 99,679 | $ | 96,395 | $ | 106,942 | $ | 124,957 | ||||||||||
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges |
1.40 | 1.32 | 1.50 | 1.04 | | |||||||||||||||
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Deficiency of earnings over fixed charges |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | (16,709 | ) | |||||||||
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(1) | A reasonable approximation (one-third) is deemed to be the interest factor included in rental expense. |
Exhibit 21.1
Subsidiaries of Mediacom LLC
Subsidiary |
State of Incorporation or Organization |
Names Under Which Subsidiary does Business | ||
Mediacom Arizona LLC |
Delaware | Mediacom Arizona LLC Mediacom Cable TV I LLC Mediacom Arizona Cable Network LLC | ||
Mediacom California LLC |
Delaware | Mediacom California LLC | ||
Mediacom Capital Corporation |
New York | Mediacom Capital Corporation | ||
Mediacom Delaware LLC |
Delaware | Mediacom Delaware LLC | ||
Maryland Mediacom Delaware LLC | ||||
Mediacom Illinois LLC |
Delaware | Mediacom Illinois LLC | ||
Mediacom Indiana Partnerco LLC |
Delaware | Mediacom Indiana Partnerco | ||
Mediacom Indiana Holdings, L.P. |
Delaware | Mediacom Indiana Holdings, L.P. | ||
Mediacom Indiana LLC |
Delaware | Mediacom Indiana LLC | ||
Mediacom Iowa LLC |
Delaware | Mediacom Iowa LLC | ||
Mediacom Minnesota LLC |
Delaware | Mediacom Minnesota LLC | ||
Mediacom Southeast LLC |
Delaware | Mediacom Southeast LLC | ||
Mediacom New York LLC | ||||
Mediacom Wisconsin LLC |
Delaware | Mediacom Wisconsin LLC | ||
Zylstra Communications Corporation |
Minnesota | Zylstra Communications Corporation |
Subsidiaries of Mediacom Illinois LLC
Subsidiary |
State of Incorporation or Organization |
Names Under Which Subsidiary does Business | ||
Illini Cable Holding, Inc. |
Illinois | Illini Cable Holding, Inc. |
Subsidiaries of Illini Cable Holding, Inc.
Subsidiary |
State of Incorporation or Organization |
Names Under Which Subsidiary does Business | ||
Illini Cablevision of Illinois, Inc |
Illinois | Illini Cablevision of Illinois, Inc. |
Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Rocco B. Commisso, certify that:
(1) I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Mediacom LLC;
(2) Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
(4) The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and
(5) The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
By: | /S/ ROCCO B. COMMISSO | |
Rocco B. Commisso | ||
Chief Executive Officer |
March 21, 2012
Exhibit 31.1
I, Mark E. Stephan, certify that:
(1) I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Mediacom LLC;
(2) Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
(4) The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and
(5) The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
By: | /S/ MARK E. STEPHAN | |
Mark E. Stephan | ||
Chief Financial Officer |
March 21, 2012
Exhibit 31.2
I, Rocco B. Commisso, certify that:
(1) I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Mediacom Capital Corporation;
(2) Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
(4) The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and
(5) The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
By: | /S/ ROCCO B. COMMISSO | |
Rocco B. Commisso | ||
Chief Executive Officer |
March 21, 2012
Exhibit 31.2
I, Mark E. Stephan, certify that:
(1) I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Mediacom Capital Corporation;
(2) Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
(4) The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and
(5) The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
By: | /S/ MARK E. STEPHAN | |
Mark E. Stephan | ||
Chief Financial Officer |
March 21, 2012
Exhibit 32.1
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Mediacom LLC (the Company) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), Rocco B. Commisso, Chief Executive Officer and Mark E. Stephan, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
By: | /S/ ROCCO B. COMMISSO | |||||||
Rocco B. Commisso | ||||||||
Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
March 21, 2012 | ||||||||
By: | /S/ MARK E. STEPHAN | |||||||
Mark E. Stephan | ||||||||
Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
March 21, 2012 |
Exhibit 32.2
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Mediacom Capital Corporation (the Company) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2011 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), Rocco B. Commisso, Chief Executive Officer and Mark E. Stephan, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
By: | /S/ ROCCO B. COMMISSO | |||||||
Rocco B. Commisso | ||||||||
Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
March 21, 2012 | ||||||||
By: | /S/ MARK E. STEPHAN | |||||||
Mark E. Stephan | ||||||||
Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
March 21, 2012 |