The events of default under the Charter Operating credit facilities include among other things:
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the failure to make payments when due or within the applicable grace period;
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the failure to comply with specified covenants, including, but not limited to, a covenant to deliver audited financial statements for Charter Operating with an unqualified opinion from our independent accountants and without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception;
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the failure to pay or the occurrence of events that cause or permit the acceleration of other indebtedness owing by CCO Holdings, Charter Operating, or Charter Operating’s subsidiaries in aggregate principal amounts in excess of $100 million;
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the failure to pay or the occurrence of events that result in the acceleration of other indebtedness owing by certain of CCO Holdings’ direct and indirect parent companies in aggregate principal amounts in excess of $200 million;
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·
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the consummation of any transaction resulting in any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934) having power, directly or indirectly, to vote more than 50% of the ordinary voting power for the management of Charter Operating on a fully diluted basis or a “change of control” shall occur under certain other material indebtedness including the CCO Holdings, LLC indentures and any first lien notes or any long-term indebtedness in amounts in excess of $200 million in aggregate principal amount; and
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Charter Operating ceasing to be a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of CCO Holdings, except in certain limited circumstances.
CCO Holdings Credit Facility
The CCO Holdings credit facility contains covenants that are substantially similar to the restrictive covenants for the CCO Holdings notes except that the leverage ratio is 5.50 to 1.0. See “—Summary of Restricted Covenants of Our Notes.” The CCO Holdings credit facility contains provisions requiring mandatory loan prepayments under specific circumstances, including in connection with certain sales of assets, so long as the proceeds have not been reinvested in the business. The CCO Holdings credit facility permits CCO Holdings and its subsidiaries to make distributions to pay interest on the CCH II notes, the CCO Holdings notes, the Charter Operating credit facilities and the Charter Operating second-lien notes, provided that, among other things, no default has occurred and is continui
ng under the CCO Holdings credit facility.
Notes
Provided below is a brief description of the notes issued by CCH II, CCO Holdings and Charter Operating.
CCH II Notes
On November 30, 2009, CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp. issued approximately $1.8 billion in total principal amount of new 13.5% senior notes. The New CCH II Notes pay interest in cash semi-annually in arrears at the rate of 13.5% per annum and are unsecured. The New CCH II Notes will mature on November 30, 2016. The New CCH II Notes are structurally subordinated to all obligations of the subsidiaries of CCH II, including the CCO Holdings notes and credit facility and the Charter operating notes and credit facilities.
CCO Holdings Notes
In November 2003 and August 2005, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. jointly issued $500 million and $300 million, respectively, total principal amount of 8¾% senior notes due 2013 (the “CCOH 2013 Notes”). The CCOH 2013 Notes are senior debt obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. They rank equally with all other current and future unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. The CCOH 2013 Notes are structurally subordinated to all obligations of subsidiaries of CCO Holdings, including the Charter Operating notes and the Charter Operating credit facilities.
Charter Operating Notes
As of December 31, 2009, Charter Operating had $1.1 billion principal amount of 8.0% senior second-lien notes due 2012, $770 million principal amount of 8 3/8% senior second-lien notes due 2014, and $546 million principal amount of 10.875% senior second-lien notes due 2014.
Subject to specified limitations, CCO Holdings and those subsidiaries of Charter Operating that are guarantors of, or otherwise obligors with respect to, indebtedness under the Charter Operating credit facilities and related obligations are required to guarantee the Charter Operating notes. The note guarantee of each such guarantor is:
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a senior obligation of such guarantor;
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structurally senior to the outstanding CCO Holdings notes (except in the case of CCO Holdings’ note guarantee, which is structurally pari passu with such senior notes), and the outstanding CCH II notes;
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senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor; and
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·
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effectively senior to the relevant subsidiary’s unsecured indebtedness, to the extent of the value of the collateral but subject to the prior lien of the credit facilities.
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The Charter Operating notes and related note guarantees are secured by a second-priority lien on all of Charter Operating’s and its subsidiaries’ assets that secure the obligations of Charter Operating or any subsidiary of Charter Operating with respect to the Charter Operating credit facilities and the related obligations. The collateral currently consists of the capital stock of Charter Operating held by CCO Holdings, all of the intercompany obligations owing to CCO Holdings by Charter Operating or any subsidiary of Charter Operating, and substantially all of Charter Operating’s and the guarantors’ assets (other than the assets of CCO Holdings) in which security interests may be
perfected under the Uniform Commercial Code by filing a financing statement (including capital stock and intercompany obligations), including, but not limited to:
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·
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with certain exceptions, all capital stock (limited in the case of capital stock of foreign subsidiaries, if any, to 66% of the capital stock of first tier foreign Subsidiaries) held by Charter Operating or any guarantor; and
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·
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with certain exceptions, all intercompany obligations owing to Charter Operating or any guarantor.
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In the event that additional liens are granted by Charter Operating or its subsidiaries to secure obligations under the Charter Operating credit facilities or the related obligations, second priority liens on the same assets will be granted to secure the Charter Operating notes, which liens will be subject to the provisions of an intercreditor agreement (to which none of Charter Operating or its affiliates are parties). Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, no such second priority liens need be provided if the time such lien would otherwise be granted is not during a guarantee and pledge availability period (when the Leverage Condition is satisfied), but such second priority liens will be required to be provided in accordance with the foregoing sentence on or prior to the fifth business day of the commencement of the next
succeeding guarantee and pledge availability period.
The Charter Operating notes are senior debt obligations of Charter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. To the extent of the value of the collateral (but subject to the prior lien of the credit facilities), they rank effectively senior to all of Charter Operating’s future unsecured senior indebtedness.
Redemption Provisions of Our Notes
Our various notes included in the table may be redeemed in accordance with the following table or are not redeemable until maturity as indicated:
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Note Series
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Redemption Dates
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Percentage of Principal
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CCH II:
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13.5% senior notes due 2016
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December 1, 2012 – November 30, 2013
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106.75
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%
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December 1, 2103 – November 30, 2014
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103.375
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%
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December 1, 2014 – November 30, 2015
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101.6875
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%
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Thereafter
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100.000
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%
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CCO Holdings:
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8 3/4% senior notes due 2013
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November 15, 2009 – November 14, 2010
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102.917
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%
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November 15, 2010 – November 14, 2011
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101.458
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%
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Thereafter
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100.000
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%
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Charter Operating:
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8% senior second-lien notes due 2012
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At any time
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*
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8 3/8% senior second-lien notes due 2014
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April 30, 2009 – April 29, 2010
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104.188
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%
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April 30, 2010 – April 29, 2011
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102.792
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%
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April 30, 2011 – April 29, 2012
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101.396
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%
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Thereafter
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100.000
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%
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10.875% senior second-lien notes due 2014
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At any time
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**
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*
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Charter Operating may, at any time and from time to time, at their option, redeem the outstanding 8% second lien notes due 2012, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, plus the Make-Whole Premium. The Make-Whole Premium is an amount equal to the excess of (a) the present value of the remaining interest and principal payments due on an 8% senior second-lien notes due 2012 to its final maturity date, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate on such date plus 0.50%, over (b) the outstanding principal amount of such Note.
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**
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Charter Operating may redeem the outstanding 10.875% senior second-lien notes due 2014, at their option, on or after varying dates, in each case at a premium, plus the Make-Whole Premium. The Make-Whole Premium is an amount equal to the excess of (a) the present value of the remaining interest and principal payments due on a 10.875% senior second-lien note due 2014 to its final maturity date,
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computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate on such date plus 0.50%, over (b) the outstanding principal amount of such note. The Charter Operating 10.875% senior second-lien notes may be redeemed at any time on or after March 15, 2012 at specified prices.
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In the event that a specified change of control event occurs, each of the respective issuers of the notes must offer to repurchase any then outstanding notes at 101% of their principal amount or accrued value, as applicable, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.
Summary of Restrictive Covenants of Our Notes
The following description is a summary of certain restrictions of our Debt Agreements that remain outstanding following the effectiveness of the Plan. The summary does not restate the terms of the Debt Agreements in their entirety, nor does it describe all restrictions of the Debt Agreements. The agreements and instruments governing each of the Debt Agreements are complicated and you should consult such agreements and instruments for more detailed information regarding the Debt Agreements.
The notes issued by certain of our subsidiaries (together, the “note issuers”) were issued pursuant to indentures that contain covenants that restrict the ability of the note issuers and their subsidiaries to, among other things:
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pay dividends or make distributions in respect of capital stock and other restricted payments;
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consolidate, merge, or sell all or substantially all assets;
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enter into sale leaseback transactions;
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create restrictions on the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make certain payments; or
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enter into transactions with affiliates.
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However, such covenants are subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions. Below we set forth a brief summary of certain of the restrictive covenants.
Restrictions on Additional Debt
The limitations on incurrence of debt and issuance of preferred stock contained in various indentures permit each of the respective notes issuers and its restricted subsidiaries to incur additional debt or issue preferred stock, so long as, after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence, the leverage ratio would be below a specified level for each of the note issuers. The leverage ratios for CCH II, CCO Holdings and Charter Operating are as follows:
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Issuer
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Leverage Ratio
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CCH II
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5.75 to 1
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CCO Holdings
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4.5 to 1
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Charter Operating
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4.25 to 1
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In addition, regardless of whether the leverage ratio could be met, so long as no default exists or would result from the incurrence or issuance, each issuer and their restricted subsidiaries are permitted to issue among other permitted indebtedness:
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up to an amount of debt under credit facilities not otherwise allocated as indicated below:
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CCO Holdings: $9.75 billion
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Charter Operating: $6.8 billion
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up to $75 million of debt incurred to finance the purchase or capital lease of new assets;
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up to $300 million of additional debt for any purpose; and
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other items of indebtedness for specific purposes such as intercompany debt, refinancing of existing debt, and interest rate swaps to provide protection against fluctuation in interest rates.
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Indebtedness under a single facility or agreement may be incurred in part under one of the categories listed above and in part under another, and generally may also later be reclassified into another category including as debt incurred under the leverage ratio. Accordingly, indebtedness under our credit facilities is incurred under a combination of the categories of permitted indebtedness listed above. The restricted subsidiaries of note issuers are generally not permitted to issue subordinated debt securities.
Restrictions on Distributions
Generally, under the various indentures each of the note issuers and their respective restricted subsidiaries are permitted to pay dividends on or repurchase equity interests, or make other specified restricted payments, only if the applicable issuer can incur $1.00 of new debt under the applicable leverage ratio test after giving effect to the transaction and if no default exists or would exist as a consequence of such incurrence. If those conditions are met, restricted payments may be made in a total amount of up to the following amounts for the applicable issuer as indicated below:
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CCH II: the sum of 100% of CCH II’s Consolidated EBITDA, as defined, minus 1.3 times its Consolidated Interest Expense, as defined, cumulatively from October 1, 2009 plus 100% of new cash and appraised non-cash equity proceeds received by CCH II and not allocated to certain investments, cumulatively from November 30, 2009;
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CCO Holdings: the sum of 100% of CCO Holdings’ Consolidated EBITDA, as defined, minus 1.3 times its Consolidated Interest Expense, as defined, plus 100% of new cash and appraised non-cash equity proceeds received by CCO Holdings and not allocated to certain investments, cumulatively from October 1, 2003, plus $100 million; and
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Charter Operating: the sum of 100% of Charter Operating’s Consolidated EBITDA, as defined, minus 1.3 times its Consolidated Interest Expense, as defined, plus 100% of new cash and appraised non-cash equity proceeds received by Charter Operating and not allocated to certain investments, cumulatively from April 1, 2004, plus $100 million.
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In addition, each of the note issuers may make distributions or restricted payments, so long as no default exists or would be caused by transactions among other distributions or restricted payments:
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to repurchase management equity interests in amounts not to exceed $10 million per fiscal year;
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regardless of the existence of any default, to pay pass-through tax liabilities in respect of ownership of equity interests in the applicable issuer or its restricted subsidiaries; or
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to make other specified restricted payments including merger fees up to 1.25% of the transaction value, repurchases using concurrent new issuances, and certain dividends on existing subsidiary preferred equity interests.
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Each of CCO Holdings and Charter Operating and their respective restricted subsidiaries may make distributions or restricted payments: (i) so long as certain defaults do not exist and even if the applicable leverage test referred to above is not met, to enable certain of its parents to pay interest on certain of their indebtedness or (ii) so long as the applicable issuer could incur $1.00 of indebtedness under the applicable leverage ratio test referred to above, to enable certain of its parents to purchase, redeem or refinance certain indebtedness.
Restrictions on Investments
Each of the note issuers and their respective restricted subsidiaries may not make investments except (i) permitted investments or (ii) if, after giving effect to the transaction, their leverage would be above the applicable leverage ratio.
Permitted investments include, among others:
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investments in and generally among restricted subsidiaries or by restricted subsidiaries in the applicable issuer;
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investments aggregating up to $650 million at any time outstanding;
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investments aggregating up to 100% of new cash equity proceeds received by CCH II since November 30, 2009 to the extent the proceeds have not been allocated to the restricted payments covenant;
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investments aggregating up to $750 million at any time outstanding;
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investments aggregating up to 100% of new cash equity proceeds received by CCO Holdings since November 10, 2003 to the extent the proceeds have not been allocated to the restricted payments covenant;
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investments aggregating up to $750 million at any time outstanding;
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investments aggregating up to 100% of new cash equity proceeds received by CCO Holdings since April 27, 2004 to the extent the proceeds have not been allocated to the restricted payments covenant.
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Restrictions on Liens
Charter Operating and its restricted subsidiaries are not permitted to grant liens senior to the liens securing the Charter Operating notes, other than permitted liens, on their assets to secure indebtedness or other obligations, if, after giving effect to such incurrence, the senior secured leverage ratio (generally, the ratio of obligations secured by first priority liens to four times EBITDA, as defined, for the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial reports are available) would exceed 3.75 to 1.0. The restrictions on liens for each of the other note issuers only applies to liens on assets of the issuers themselves and does not restrict liens on assets of subsidiaries. With respect to all of the note issuers, permitted liens include liens securing indebtedness and other obligations under credit
facilities (subject to specified limitations in the case of Charter Operating), liens securing the purchase price of financed new assets, liens securing indebtedness of up to $50 million and other specified liens.
Restrictions on the Sale of Assets; Mergers
The note issuers are generally not permitted to sell all or substantially all of their assets or merge with or into other companies unless their leverage ratio after any such transaction would be no greater than their leverage ratio immediately prior to the transaction, or unless after giving effect to the transaction, leverage would be below the applicable leverage ratio for the applicable issuer, no default exists, and the surviving entity is a U.S. entity that assumes the applicable notes.
The note issuers and their restricted subsidiaries may generally not otherwise sell assets or, in the case of restricted subsidiaries, issue equity interests, in excess of $100 million unless they receive consideration at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or equity interests, consisting of at least 75% in cash, assumption of liabilities, securities converted into cash within 60 days, or productive assets. The note issuers and their restricted subsidiaries are then required within 365 days after any asset sale either to use or commit to use the net cash proceeds over a specified threshold to acquire assets used or useful in their businesses or use the net cash proceeds to repay specified debt, or to offer to repurchase the issuer’s notes with any remaining proceeds.
Restrictions on Sale and Leaseback Transactions
The note issuers and their restricted subsidiaries may generally not engage in sale and leaseback transactions unless, at the time of the transaction, the applicable issuer could have incurred secured indebtedness under its leverage ratio test in an amount equal to the present value of the net rental payments to be made under the lease, and the sale of the assets and application of proceeds is permitted by the covenant restricting asset sales.
Prohibitions on Restricting Dividends
The note issuers’ restricted subsidiaries may generally not enter into arrangements involving restrictions on their ability to make dividends or distributions or transfer assets to the applicable note issuer unless those restrictions with respect to financing arrangements are on terms that are no more restrictive than those governing the credit facilities existing when they entered into the applicable indentures or are not materially more restrictive than customary terms in comparable financings and will not materially impair the applicable note issuers’ ability to make payments on the notes.
Affiliate Transactions
The indentures also restrict the ability of the note issuers and their restricted subsidiaries to enter into certain transactions with affiliates involving consideration in excess of $15 million without a determination by the board of directors of the applicable note issuer that the transaction complies with this covenant, or transactions with affiliates involving over $50 million without receiving an opinion as to the fairness to the holders of such transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing.
Cross Acceleration
Our indentures include various events of default, including cross acceleration provisions. Under these provisions, a failure by any of the issuers or any of their restricted subsidiaries to pay at the final maturity thereof the principal amount of other indebtedness having a principal amount of $100 million or more (or any other default under any such indebtedness resulting in its acceleration) would result in an event of default under the indenture governing the applicable notes. As a result, an event of default related to the failure to repay principal at maturity or the acceleration of the indebtedness under the CCH II notes, CCO Holdings notes, CCO Holdings credit facility, Charter Operating notes or the Charter Operating credit facilities could cause cross-defaults under our indentures.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Terms of the Exchange Offer
General. We issued the original notes on November 30, 2009 in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
In connection with the sale of original notes, certain holders of the original notes became entitled to the benefits of the exchange and registration rights agreement, dated November 30, 2009, among us and the purchasers.
Under the exchange and registration rights agreement, we became obligated to file a registration statement in connection with an exchange offer on or before January 15, 2010 and to use our reasonable best efforts to have the exchange offer registration statement declared effective on or before June 30, 2010. The exchange offer being made by this prospectus, if consummated within the required time periods, will satisfy our obligations under the exchange and registration rights agreement. This prospectus, together with the letter of transmittal, is being sent to all beneficial holders of original notes known to us.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the accompanying letter of transmittal, we will accept for exchange all original notes properly tendered and not withdrawn on or prior to the expiration date. We will issue $1 principal amount of new notes in exchange for each $1 principal amount of outstanding original notes accepted in the exchange offer. Holders may tender some or all of their original notes pursuant to the exchange offer.
Based on no-action letters issued by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission to third parties, we believe that holders of the new notes issued in exchange for original notes may offer for resale, resell and otherwise transfer the new notes, other than any holder that is an affiliate of ours within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act of 1933. This is true as long as the new notes are acquired in the ordinary course of the holders’ business, the holder has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the new notes and neither the holder nor any other person is engaging in or intends to engage in a distribution of the new notes. A broker-dealer that acquired orig
inal notes directly from us cannot exchange the original notes in the exchange offer. Any holder who tenders in the exchange offer for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the new notes cannot rely on the no-action letters of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission and must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with any resale transaction.
Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in exchange for original notes, where original notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. See “Plan of Distribution” for additional information.
We shall be deemed to have accepted validly tendered original notes when, as and if we have given oral or written notice of the acceptance of such notes to the exchange agent. The exchange agent will act as agent for the tendering holders of original notes for the purposes of receiving the new notes from the issuers and delivering new notes to such holders.
If any tendered original notes are not accepted for exchange because of an invalid tender or the occurrence of the conditions set forth under “— Conditions” without waiver by us, certificates for any such unaccepted original notes will be returned, without expense, to the tendering holder of any such original notes as promptly as practicable after the expiration date.
Holders of original notes who tender in the exchange offer will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the letter of transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of original notes, pursuant to the exchange offer. We will pay all charges and expenses, other than certain applicable taxes in connection with the exchange offer.
Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendment. We will keep the exchange offer open for not less than 21 business days, or longer if required by applicable law, after the date on which notice of the exchange offer is mailed to the holders of the original notes. The term “expiration date” means the expiration date set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, unless we extend the exchange offer, in which case the term “expiration date” means the latest date to which the exchange offer is extended.
In order to extend the expiration date, we will notify the exchange agent of any extension by oral or written notice and will issue a public announcement of the extension, each prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.
We reserve the right
(a) to delay accepting any original notes, to extend the exchange offer or to terminate the exchange offer and not accept original notes not previously accepted if any of the conditions set forth under “— Conditions” shall have occurred and shall not have been waived by us, if permitted to be waived by us, by giving oral or written notice of such delay, extension or termination to the exchange agent, or
(b) to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner deemed by us to be advantageous to the holders of the original notes.
Any delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be followed as promptly as practicable by oral or written notice. If the exchange offer is amended in a manner determined by us to constitute a material change, we promptly will disclose such amendment in a manner reasonably calculated to inform the holders of the original notes of such amendment. Depending upon the significance of the amendment, we may extend the exchange offer if it otherwise would expire during such extension period.
Without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make a public announcement of any extension, amendment or termination of the exchange offer, we will not be obligated to publish, advertise, or otherwise communicate any such announcement, other than by making a timely release to an appropriate news agency.
Procedures for Tendering
To tender in the exchange offer, a holder must complete, sign and date the letter of transmittal, and mail or otherwise deliver such letter of transmittal together with the original notes and any other required documents. To be validly tendered, such documents must reach the exchange agent before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. Substantially all of the Notes eligible for this exchange offer are in certificated form and must be physically tendered.
Please deliver documentation and your original notes to the Exchange Agent at:
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
Corporate Trust Operations
Reorganization Unit
101 Barclay Street – 7 East
New York, N.Y. 10286
Attn: Mr. Randolph Holder
The tender by a holder of original notes will constitute an agreement between such holder and us in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal.
Delivery of all documents must be made to the exchange agent at its address set forth below. Holders may also request their respective brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or nominees to effect such tender for such holders.
The method of delivery of original notes and the letter of transmittal and all other required documents to the exchange agent is at the election and risk of the holders. Instead of delivery by mail, it is recommended that holders use an overnight or hand delivery service. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to assure timely delivery to the exchange agent before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. No letter of transmittal or original notes should be sent to us.
There will be no fixed record date for determining registered holders of original notes entitled to participate in the exchange offer.
Any beneficial holder whose original notes are registered in the name of its broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who wishes to tender should contact such registered holder promptly and instruct such registered holder to tender on its behalf. If such beneficial holder wishes to tender on its own behalf, such registered holder must, prior to completing and executing the letter of transmittal and delivering its original notes, either make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the original notes in such holder’s name or obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder. The transfer of record ownership may take considerable time.
Signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, must be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States referred to as an “eligible institution”, unless the original notes are tendered:
(a) by a registered holder who has not completed the box entitled “Special Issuance Instructions” or “Special Delivery Instructions” on the letter of transmittal or
(b) for the account of an eligible institution. In the event that signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, are required to be guaranteed, such guarantee must be by an eligible institution.
If the letter of transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder of any original notes listed therein, such original notes must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate bond powers and a proxy which authorizes such person to tender the original notes on behalf of the registered holder, in each case signed as the name or names of the registered holder or holders appear on the original notes.
If the letter of transmittal or any original notes or bond powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and unless waived by us, evidence satisfactory to us of their authority so to act must be submitted with the letter of transmittal.
All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, including time of receipt, and withdrawal of the tendered original notes will be determined by us in our sole discretion, which determination will be final and binding. We reserve the absolute right to reject any and all original notes not properly tendered or any original notes our acceptance of which, in the opinion of counsel for us, would be unlawful. We also reserve the right to waive any irregularities or conditions of tender as to particular original notes. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including the instructions in the letter of transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of original notes must be cured within such time as we shall determine. None of us,
the exchange agent or any other person shall be under any duty to give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of original notes, nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of original notes will not be deemed to have been made until such irregularities have been cured or waived. Any original notes received by the exchange agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned without cost to such holder by the exchange agent to the tendering holders of original notes, unless otherwise provided in the letter of transmittal, as soon as practicable following the expiration date.
In addition, we reserve the right in our sole discretion to
(a) purchase or make offers for any original notes that remain outstanding subsequent to the expiration date or, as set forth under “— Conditions,” to terminate the exchange offer in accordance with the terms of the registration rights agreement and
(b) to the extent permitted by applicable law, purchase original notes in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The terms of any such purchases or offers may differ from the terms of the exchange offer.
By tendering, each holder will represent to us that, among other things,
(a) the new notes acquired pursuant to the exchange offer are being obtained in the ordinary course of business of such holder or other person,
(b) neither such holder nor such other person is engaged in or intends to engage in a distribution of the new notes,
(c) neither such holder or other person has any arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of such new notes, and
(d) such holder or other person is not our “affiliate,” as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, or, if such holder or other person is such an affiliate, will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 to the extent applicable.
Withdrawal of Tenders
Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, tenders of original notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. However, where the expiration date has been extended, tenders of original notes previously accepted for exchange as of the original expiration date may not be withdrawn.
To withdraw a tender of original notes in the exchange offer, a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be received by the exchange agent as its address set forth in this prospectus prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. Any such notice of withdrawal must:
(a) specify the name of the depositor, who is the person having deposited the original notes to be withdrawn,
(b) identify the original notes to be withdrawn, including the certificate number or numbers and principal amount of such original notes or, in the case of original notes transferred by book-entry transfer, the name and number of the account at The Depository Trust Company to be credited,
(c) be signed by the depositor in the same manner as the original signature on the letter of transmittal by which such original notes were tendered, including any required signature guarantees, or be accompanied by documents of transfer sufficient to have the trustee with respect to the original notes register the transfer of such original notes into the name of the depositor withdrawing the tender, and
(d) Specify the name in which any such original notes are to be registered, if different from that of the depositor. All questions as to the validity, form and eligibility, including time of receipt, of such withdrawal notices will be determined by us, and our determination shall be final and binding on all parties. Any original notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the exchange offer and no new notes will be issued with respect to the original notes withdrawn unless the original notes so withdrawn are validly retendered. Any original notes which have been tendered but which are not accepted for exchange will be returned to its holder without
cost to such holder as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of
the exchange offer. Properly withdrawn original notes may be retendered by following one of the procedures described above under “— Procedures for Tendering” at any time prior to the expiration date.
Conditions
Notwithstanding any other term of the exchange offer, we will not be required to accept for exchange, or exchange, any new notes for any original notes, and may terminate or amend the exchange offer before the expiration date, if the exchange offer violates any applicable law or interpretation by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
If we determine in our reasonable discretion that the foregoing condition exists, we may
(1) refuse to accept any original notes and return all tendered original notes to the tendering holders,
(2) extend the exchange offer and retain all original notes tendered prior to the expiration of the exchange offer, subject, however, to the rights of holders who tendered such original notes to withdraw their tendered original notes, or
(3) waive such condition, if permissible, with respect to the exchange offer and accept all properly tendered original notes which have not been withdrawn. If such waiver constitutes a material change to the exchange offer, we will promptly disclose such waiver by means of a prospectus supplement that will be distributed to the holders, and we will extend the exchange offer as required by applicable law.
Exchange Agent
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, NA has been appointed as exchange agent for the exchange offer. Completed letters of transmittal and any other documents required in connection with surrenders of original notes for conversion should be directed to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, NA addressed as follows:
Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, NA
Corporate Trust Operations
Reorganization Unit
101 Barclay Street – 7 East
New York, N.Y. 10286
Attn: Mr. Randolph Holder
For Information by:
Telephone: 212-815-5098
Fax: 212-298-1915
Information Agent
Global Bondholder Services Corporation has been appointed as the information agent for the exchange offer. We have agreed to pay the information agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will reimburse the information agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. Any requests for assistance in connection with the exchange offer or for additional copies of this prospectus or related materials should be directed to the information agent at the address set forth on the back cover of this prospectus.
Fees and Expenses
We have agreed to bear the expenses of the exchange offer pursuant to the exchange and registration rights agreement. We have not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the exchange offer and will not make any
payments to brokers, dealers or others soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer. We, however, will pay the exchange agent and information agent reasonable and customary fees for their services and will reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with providing such services.
The cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the exchange offer will be paid by us. Such expenses include fees and expenses of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, NA as exchange agent, Global Bondholder Services Corporation, as information agent, accounting and legal fees and printing costs, among others.
Accounting Treatment
The new notes will be recorded at the same carrying value as the original notes as reflected in our accounting records on the date of exchange. Accordingly, no gain or loss for accounting purposes will be recognized by us. The expenses of the exchange offer and the unamortized expenses related to the issuance of the original notes will be amortized over the term of the notes.
Consequences of Failure to Exchange
Holders of original notes who are eligible to participate in the exchange offer but who do not tender their original notes will not have any further registration rights, and their original notes will continue to be subject to restrictions on transfer. Accordingly, such original notes may be resold only
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to us, upon redemption of these notes or otherwise,
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so long as the original notes are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, to a person inside the United States whom the seller reasonably believes is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A,
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in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, or under another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, and based upon an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to us,
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outside the United States to a foreign person in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933, or
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under an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933,
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in each case in accordance with any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States.
Regulatory Approvals
We do not believe that the receipt of any material federal or state regulatory approval will be necessary in connection with the exchange offer, other than the effectiveness of the exchange offer registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933.
Other
Participation in the exchange offer is voluntary and holders of original notes should carefully consider whether to accept the terms and condition of this exchange offer. Holders of the original notes are urged to consult their financial and tax advisors in making their own decision on what action to take with respect to the exchange offer.
DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
General
On March 27, 2009, CCI and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Bankruptcy Court”) seeking relief under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. On November 17, 2009 the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the Plan of Reorganization, and on November 30, 2009 (the “Effective Date”), the Debtors consummated their reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code and the Plan of Reorganization became effective. On the Effective Date, the Issuers
issued $1,766,206,515 in aggregate principal amount of 13.5% senior notes due 2016 (the “Initial Notes”) pursuant to an indenture, dated as of the Effective Date, by and among CCH II, CCH II Capital Corp. and the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as trustee (the “Indenture”). Approximately $977 million in aggregate principal amount of the Initial Notes (the “Initial Restricted Notes”) were issued pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act (identified with CUSIP No. 12502C AT8) and as a result contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions.
In connection with the issuance of the Initial Restricted Notes, the Issuers, certain holders of the Crossover Committee (as defined in the Plan of Reorganization) and Charter Investment, Inc. entered into an Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, among other things, the Issuers agreed to use their commercially reasonable efforts to file under the Securities Act, on or prior to January 15, 2010, a registration statement relating to an offer to exchange all Initial Restricted Notes at the time such registration statement is declared effective by the SEC, for a like aggregate principal amount of unrestricted notes issued by the Issuers, substantially identical in all materi
al respects to the Restricted Initial Notes (except that such unrestricted notes will not contain terms with respect to transfer restrictions).
This Description of Notes relates to the 13.50% senior notes due 2016 of CCH II, LLC and CCH II Capital Corp to be issued hereby (the “Notes”) in exchange for the Initial Restricted Notes. We refer in this Description of Notes to CCH II, LLC and CCH II Capital Corp., which are the co-obligors with respect to the Notes, as the “Issuers”, and we sometimes refer to them each as an “Issuer.” We may also refer to CCH II, LLC as “CCH II.” You can find the definitions of certain terms used in this description under the subheading “— Certain definitions.” The definitions of terms set forth in this section “Description of Notes” shall apply in this section.
The Notes will be issued pursuant to the Indenture under which the Issuers previously issued the Initial Notes. The Notes will be issued on terms substantially identical to those of the Initial Notes and vote together as a single class on any matter submitted to noteholders. The Notes offered hereby have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and, therefore, will not bear legends restricting their transfer. You will not be entitled to any exchange rights with respect to the Notes. The terms of the Notes will include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
The following description is a summary of the provisions we consider material of the Indenture. It does not restate that agreement in its entirety. We urge you to read the Indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as holders of the respective Notes. Copies of the Indenture are available as set forth under “— Additional Information.”
Brief Description of the Notes
The Notes will be:
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senior unsecured obligations of the Issuers;
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effectively subordinated in right of payment to any future secured Indebtedness of the Issuers, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such Indebtedness;
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equal in right of payment to the Initial Notes and any other future unsubordinated, unsecured Indebtedness of the Issuers;
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senior in right of payment to any future subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuers; and
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structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of the Issuers’ subsidiaries, including indebtedness under our subsidiaries’ credit facilities and the senior notes of CCO Holdings and CCO.
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As of December 31, 2009, the total outstanding Indebtedness and other obligations of CCH II and its subsidiaries, reflected on its consolidated balance sheet, was $14.6 billion, of which approximately $12.7 billion was Indebtedness and other liabilities of the Issuers’ Subsidiaries and, therefore, structurally senior to the Notes.
Substantially all of the Subsidiaries of CCH II (except certain non-material Subsidiaries) are “Restricted Subsidiaries.” Under the circumstances described below under “— Certain Covenants — Investments,” CCH II will be permitted to designate additional Subsidiaries as “Unrestricted Subsidiaries.” Unrestricted Subsidiaries will generally not be subject to the restrictive covenants in the Indenture.
Principal, Maturity and Interest
The Notes will be issued in denominations of $1.00 and integral multiples thereof. The Notes will mature on November 30, 2016.
Interest on the Notes will accrue at the rate of 13.50% per annum. Interest on the Notes will accrue from and including November 30, 2009 or, if interest already has been paid, from the date it was most recently paid. Interest will be payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15, commencing on February 15, 2010. The Issuers will make each interest payment to the holders of record of the Notes on the immediately preceding February 1 and August 1. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
The Notes were issued in an initial aggregate principal amount of $1,766,206,515. Subject to the limitations set forth under “—Certain Covenants — Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” the Issuers may issue an unlimited principal amount of Additional Notes under the Indenture. The Notes and any Additional Notes subsequently issued under the Indenture would be treated as a single class of securities for all purposes of the Indenture. For purposes of this description, unless otherwise indicated, references to the Notes include any Additional Notes subsequently issued under the Indenture.
Optional Redemption
At any time prior to November 30, 2012, the Issuers may, on any one or more occasions, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes on a pro rata basis (or nearly as pro rata as practicable), at a redemption price of 113.50% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that
(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes remain outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Issuers and their Subsidiaries), and
(2) the redemption must occur within 60 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.
Notwithstanding the above paragraph, at any time prior to November 30, 2012, the Notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of CCH II upon no less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such Notes redeemed plus the relevant Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Special Interest, if any, to the applicable redemption date, subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.
On or after November 30, 2012, the Issuers may redeem all or a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, at the applicable redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount of the Notes) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on November 30 of the years indicated below:
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Percentage
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2012
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106.750% |
| 2013 |
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103.375% |
| 2014 |
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101.6875% |
| 2015 and thereafter |
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100.000% |
Repurchase at the Option of Holders
Change of Control
If a Change of Control occurs, each holder of Notes will have the right to require the Issuers to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1.00 in principal amount, or in either case an integral multiple thereof) of that holder’s Notes pursuant to a “Change of Control Offer.” In the Change of Control Offer, the Issuers will offer a “Change of Control Payment” in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of purchase.
Within ten days following any Change of Control, the Issuers will mail a notice to each holder (with a copy to the trustee) describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase Notes on a certain date (the “Change of Control Payment Date”) specified in such notice, pursuant to the procedures required by the Indenture and described in such notice. The Issuers will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any successor rules, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this c
ovenant, the Issuers’ compliance with such laws and regulations shall not in and of itself cause a breach of their obligations under such covenant.
On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuers will, to the extent lawful:
(1) accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
(2) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered; and
(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the Notes so accepted together with an officers’ certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions thereof being purchased by the Issuers.
The paying agent will promptly mail to each holder of Notes so tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the trustee will promptly authenticate and mail, or cause to be transferred by book entry, to each holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $1.00 or an integral multiple thereof.
The provisions described above that require the Issuers to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control will be applicable regardless of whether or not any other provisions of the Indenture are applicable. Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, the Indenture will not contain provisions that permit the holders of the Notes to require that the Issuers repurchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.
The Issuers will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth
in the Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuers and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.
The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of “all or substantially all” of the assets of CCH II and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or of a Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a holder of Notes to require the Issuers to repurchase Notes as a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of the assets of CCH II and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or of a Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to another Person or group may be uncertain.
Asset Sales
CCH II will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:
(1) CCH II or such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair market value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of;
(2) such fair market value is determined by the Board of Directors of CCH II and evidenced by a resolution of such Board of Directors set forth in an officers’ certificate delivered to the trustee; and
(3) at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by CCH II or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash, Cash Equivalents or readily marketable securities.
For purposes of this provision, each of the following shall be deemed to be cash:
(a) any liabilities (as shown on CCH II’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet) of CCH II or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases CCH II or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability;
(b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by CCH II or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the recipient thereof into cash, Cash Equivalents or readily marketable securities within 180 days after receipt thereof (to the extent of the cash, Cash Equivalents or readily marketable securities received in that conversion); and
(c) Productive Assets.
Within 365 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, CCH II or a Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II may apply such Net Proceeds or an amount equal to such Net Proceeds at its option:
(1) to repay or otherwise retire or repurchase debt under the Credit Facilities or any other Indebtedness of the Restricted Subsidiaries of CCH II (other than Indebtedness represented solely by a guarantee of a Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II); or
(2) to invest in Productive Assets; provided that any such amount of Net Proceeds which CCH II or a Restricted Subsidiary has committed to invest in Productive Assets within 365 days of the applicable Asset Sale may be invested in Productive Assets within two years of such Asset Sale.
The amount of any Net Proceeds received from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the preceding paragraph will constitute Excess Proceeds. When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25 million, CCH II will make an offer to purchase Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to all holders of Notes and will repay, redeem or offer to purchase Indebtedness that is of equal priority with the Notes containing provisions requiring repayment, redemption or offers to purchase with the proceeds of sales of assets, to purchase, repay or redeem, on a pro rata basis, the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other Indebtedness of equal priority that may be
purchased, repaid or redeemed out of the Excess Proceeds, which amount includes the entire amount of the Net Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be payable in cash and equal to 100% of the principal amount of the subject Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered into such Asset Sale Offer and such other Indebtedness of equal priority to be purchased, repaid or redeemed out of the Excess Proceeds exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the trustee shall select the Notes tendered into such Asset Sale Offer and such other Indebtedness of equal priority to be purchased, repaid or redeemed on a pro rata basis.
If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, then CCH II or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof may use such remaining Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture. Upon completion of any Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
Selection and Notice
If less than all of the Notes are redeemed at any time, the trustee will select Notes for redemption as follows:
(1) if any Notes are listed, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes are listed; or
(2) if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the trustee shall deem fair and appropriate.
No Notes of $1.00 principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part. Notices of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address. Notices of redemption may be conditional.
If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note. Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the date fixed for redemption at the redemption price. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of them called for redemption.
Certain Covenants
Set forth in this section are summaries of certain covenants contained in the Indenture.
During any period of time that (a) any Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies and (b) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture, CCH II and the Restricted Subsidiaries of CCH II will not be subject to the provisions of the Indenture described under:
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“— Limitation on Asset Sales,”
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“— Restricted Payments,”
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“— Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,”
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“— Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries,”
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clause (D) of the first paragraph of “— Merger, consolidation, or sale of assets,”
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“— Transactions with Affiliates” and
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“— Sale and Leaseback Transactions.”
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If CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to these covenants for any period of time as a result of the above paragraph and, subsequently, one, or both, of the Rating Agencies withdraws its ratings or downgrades the ratings assigned to the Notes below the required Investment Grade Ratings or a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing, then CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to these covenants. The ability of CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries to make Restricted Payments after the time of such withdrawal, downgrade, Default or Event of Default will be calculated as if the covenant governing Restricted Payments had been in effect during the entire period of time from the Issue Date.
Restricted Payments
CCH II will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of its or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of CCH II’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable (x) solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of CCH II or (y), in the case of CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries, to CCH II or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof);
(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) any Equity Interests of CCH II or any direct or indirect Parent of CCH II or any Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II (other than, in the case of CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries, any such Equity Interests owned by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries); or
(3) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, any Indebtedness of CCH II that is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, except a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof (all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (1) through (3) above are collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:
(a) no Default or Event of Default under the Indenture shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; and
(b) CCH II would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable quarter period, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Leverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described below under the caption “— Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock”; and
(c) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries from and after the Issue Date (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) or (10) of the next succeeding paragraph), shall not exceed, at the date of determination, the sum of:
(1) an amount equal to 100% of the Consolidated EBITDA of CCH II for the period beginning on the first day of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the Issue Date to the end of CCH II’s most recently ended full fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available, taken as a single accounting period, less the product of 1.3 times the Consolidated Interest Expense of CCH II for such period, plus
(2) an amount equal to 100% of Capital Stock Sale Proceeds less any amount of such Capital Stock Sale Proceeds used in connection with an Investment made on or after the Issue Date pursuant to clause (5) of the definition of “Permitted Investments.”
So long as no Default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the preceding provisions will not prohibit:
(1) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at said date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of the Indenture;
(2) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of any subordinated Indebtedness of CCH II in exchange for, or out of the net proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of CCH II) of Equity Interests of CCH II (other than Disqualified Stock); provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition shall be excluded from clause (3)(b) of the preceding paragraph;
(3) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of subordinated Indebtedness of CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
(4) regardless of whether a Default then exists, the payment of any dividend or distribution made in respect of any calendar year or portion thereof during which CCH II or any of its Subsidiaries is a Person that is not treated as a separate tax paying entity for United States federal income tax purposes by CCH II and its Subsidiaries (directly or indirectly) to the direct or indirect holders of the Equity Interests of CCH II or its Subsidiaries that are Persons that are treated as a separate tax paying entity for United States federal income tax purposes, in an amount sufficient to permit each such holder to pay the actual income taxes (including required estimated tax installments) that are required to be paid by it with respect to the taxable income of any Parent (thr
ough its direct or indirect ownership of CCH II and/or its Subsidiaries), CCH II, its Subsidiaries or any Unrestricted Subsidiary, as applicable, in any calendar year, as estimated in good faith by CCH II or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be;
(5) regardless of whether a Default then exists, the payment of any dividend by a Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II to the holders of its common Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;
(6) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value, or the payment of any dividend or distribution to the extent necessary to permit the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value, of any Equity Interests of CCH II or a Parent of CCH II held by any member of CCH II’s, such Parent’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s management pursuant to any management equity subscription agreement or stock option agreement entered into in accordance with the policies of CCH II, any Parent or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests shall not exceed $10 million in any fiscal year of the Issuers;
(7) payment of fees in connection with any acquisition, merger or similar transaction in an amount that does not exceed an amount equal to 1.25% of the transaction value of such acquisition, merger or similar transaction;
(8) Restricted Payments made in order to pay interest (including accreted or PIK interest) on (but not principal of) Specified Parent Indebtedness or Refinancing Specified Parent Indebtedness, so long as CCH II, at the time of the making of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the applicable quarter period, would have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Leverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described below under the caption “— Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock”; and
(9) Restricted Payments directly or indirectly to a Parent of (A) attorneys’ fees, investment banking fees, accountants’ fees, underwriting discounts and commissions and other customary fees and expenses actually incurred in connection with any issuance, sale or incurrence by a Parent of Equity Interests or Indebtedness, or any exchange of securities or tender for outstanding debt securities, (B) the costs and expenses of any offer to exchange privately placed securities in respect of the foregoing for publicly registered securities or any similar concept having a comparable purpose, or (C) (i) fees, taxes and expenses required to maintain the corporate existence of a Parent, (ii) income taxes to the extent such income taxes are attributable to the income of
CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries and, to the extent of the amount actually received from the Unrestricted Subsidiaries, in amounts required to pay such taxes to the extent attributable to the income of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries, provided, however, that in each case the amount of such payments in any fiscal year does not exceed the amount of income taxes that CCH II and its Restricted
Subsidiaries would be required to pay for such fiscal year were CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay such taxes as a stand-alone taxpayer; and (iii) general corporate overhead and operating expenses for such direct or indirect parent corporation of CCH II to the extent such expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries (which amounts pursuant to this subclause (C) shall not exceed $25 million in any fiscal year);
(10) payments contemplated by the Plan of Reorganization, including, without limitation, Specified Fees and Expenses;
(11) additional Restricted Payments directly or indirectly to CCH I or any other Parent for the purpose of enabling CCI to redeem, or pay dividends on, the Series A Preferred Stock so long as (i) such dividends do not exceed, and (ii) such redemptions do not exceed, the dividends and liquidation preference, respectively, contemplated in the certificate of designation governing the Series A Preferred Stock as in effect on the Issue Date; and
(12) additional Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount of $50 million.
The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this covenant shall be determined by the Board of Directors of CCH II, whose resolution with respect thereto shall be delivered to the trustee. Such Board of Directors’ determination must be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing if the fair market value exceeds $100 million.
Not later than the date of making any Restricted Payment involving an amount or fair market value in excess of $10 million, the Issuers 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 this “Restricted Payments” covenant were computed, together with a copy of any fairness opinion or appraisal required by the Indenture.
Investments
CCH II will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(1) make any Restricted Investment; or
(2) allow any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to become an Unrestricted Subsidiary, unless, in each case:
(a) no Default or Event of Default under the Indenture shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; and
(b) CCH II would, at the time of, and after giving effect to, such Restricted Investment or such designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the applicable Leverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described below under the caption “— Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.”
An Unrestricted Subsidiary may be redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary if such redesignation would not cause a Default.
Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock
CCH II will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and CCH II will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, provided that CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness, CCH II may issue Disqualified Stock and subject to the final paragraph of this covenant below, Restricted Subsidiaries of CCH II may incur Preferred Stock if the Leverage Ratio of CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries would have been not greater than 5.75 to 1.0 determined on a pro f
orma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of the most recently ended fiscal quarter.
So long as no Event of Default under clauses (1), (2), (7) or (8) under “— Event of Default and Remedies” shall have occurred and be continuing after giving effect to the incurrence thereof (and the use of proceeds therefrom), the first paragraph of this covenant will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, “Permitted Debt”):
(1) the incurrence by CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities; provided that the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness of CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding under this clause (1) for all Credit Facilities of CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries after giving effect to such incurrence does not exceed an amount equal to $1.0 billion;
(2) the incurrence by CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries of Existing Indebtedness (including under the Credit Facilities);
(3) the incurrence on the Issue Date by CCH II of Indebtedness represented by the Notes (but not including any Additional Notes);
(4) the incurrence by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement (including, without limitation, the cost of design, development, construction, acquisition, transportation, installation, improvement, and migration) of Productive Assets of CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed, together with any related Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted by clause (5) below, $75 million at any time outstanding;
(5) the incurrence by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance or replace, in whole or in part, Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by the Indenture to be incurred under this clause (5), the first paragraph of this covenant or clauses (2), (3) or (4) of this paragraph;
(6) the incurrence by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among CCH II and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that:
(a) if CCH II is the obligor on such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all obligations with respect to the Notes; and
(b) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than CCH II or a Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either CCH II or a Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II, shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness that was not permitted by this clause (6);
(7) the incurrence by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations that are incurred for the purpose of fixing or hedging interest rate risk with respect to any floating rate Indebtedness that is permitted by the terms of the Indenture to be outstanding;
(8) the guarantee by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this covenant;
(9) the incurrence by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding under this clause (9), not to exceed $300 million; and
(10) the accretion or amortization of original issue discount and the write up of Indebtedness in accordance with purchase accounting.
In the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness (a) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (10) above or (b) is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant, CCH II will be permitted to classify and from time to time to reclassify such item of Indebtedness in any manner that complies with this covenant. Once any item of Indebtedness is so reclassified, it will no longer be deemed outstanding under the category of Permitted Debt, where initially incurred or previously reclassified. For avoidance of doubt, Indebtedness incurred pursuant to a single agreement, instrument, program, facility or line of credit may be classified as Indebtedness arising in part under one of the clauses listed above or under the first paragraph of this covenant, and
in part under any one or more of the clauses listed above, to the extent that such Indebtedness satisfies the criteria for such classification.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II consummate a Subordinated Debt Financing or a Preferred Stock Financing. A “Subordinated Debt Financing” or a “Preferred Stock Financing,” as the case may be, with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II shall mean a public offering or private placement (whether pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act or otherwise) of Subordinated Notes or Preferred Stock (whether or not such Preferred Stock constitutes Disqualified Stock), as the case may be, of such Restricted Subsidiary to one or more purchasers (other than to one or more Affiliates of CCH II). “Subordinated Notes” with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II shall mean Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary that is contractually subordina
ted in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary (including, without limitation, Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities), provided that the foregoing shall not apply to priority of Liens, including by way of intercreditor arrangements. The foregoing limitation shall not apply to:
(a) any Indebtedness or Preferred Stock of any Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or becomes a Subsidiary of CCH II; provided that such Indebtedness or Preferred Stock was not incurred or issued in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person merging with or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, CCH II, and
(b) any Indebtedness or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued in connection with, and as part of the consideration for, an acquisition, whether by stock purchase, asset sale, merger or otherwise, in each case involving such Restricted Subsidiary, which Indebtedness or Preferred Stock is issued to the seller or sellers of such stock or assets; provided that such Restricted Subsidiary is not obligated to register such Indebtedness or Preferred Stock under the Securities Act or obligated to provide information pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
Liens
The Indenture will provide that CCH II will not, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness or trade payables on any asset of CCH II, whether owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired, except Permitted Liens.
Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries
CCH II will not, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to:
(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any Indebtedness owed to CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(2) make loans or advances to CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(3) transfer any of its properties or assets to CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
However, the preceding restrictions will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(1) Existing Indebtedness, contracts and other instruments as in effect on the Issue Date and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the most restrictive Existing Indebtedness, contracts or other instruments, as in effect on the Issue Date;
(2) applicable law;
(3) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person acquired by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired; provided that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of the Indenture to be incurred;
(4) customary non-assignment provisions in leases, franchise agreements and other commercial agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(5) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business that impose restrictions on the property so acquired of the nature described in clause (3) of the preceding paragraph;
(6) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of Capital Stock or assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary pending such sale or other disposition;
(7) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive at the time such restrictions become effective, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;
(8) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to the provisions of the covenant described above under the caption “— Liens” that limit the right of CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to dispose of the assets subject to such Lien;
(9) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(10) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(11) restrictions contained in the terms of Indebtedness or Preferred Stock permitted to be incurred under the covenant described under the caption “ — Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock”; provided that such restrictions are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the terms contained in the most restrictive, together or individually, of the Credit Facilities and other Existing Indebtedness as in effect on the Issue Date; and
(12) restrictions that are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than customary provisions in comparable financings and that the management of CCH II determines, at the time of such financing, will not materially impair the Issuers’ ability to make payments as required under the Notes.
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets
Neither Issuer may, directly or indirectly, (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not such Issuer is the surviving Person) or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to another Person; unless:
(A) either:
(i) such Issuer is the surviving Person; or
(ii) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a Person organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, provided that if the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger with such Issuer is a Person other than a corporation, a corporate co-issuer shall also be an obligor with respect to the Notes;
(B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made assumes all the obligations of such Issuer under the Notes and the Indenture pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the trustee;
(C) immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists; and
(D) such Issuer or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Issuer) will, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period,
(x) be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Leverage Ratio test set forth in the first paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption “— Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;” or
(y) have a Leverage Ratio immediately after giving effect to such consolidation or merger no greater than the Leverage Ratio immediately prior to such consolidation or merger.
In addition, neither of the Issuers may, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of their properties or assets, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person. The foregoing clause (D) of this “Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets” covenant will not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among an Issuer and any of its Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries.
Transactions with Affiliates
CCH II will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate (each, an “Affiliate Transaction”), unless:
(1) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms, taken as a whole, that are not less favorable to CCH II or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by CCH II or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and
(2) CCH II delivers to the trustee:
(a) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration given or received by CCH II or any such Restricted Subsidiary in excess of $15 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors of CCH II or CCI set forth in an officers’ certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with this covenant and that such Affiliate Transaction has been approved by a majority of the members of such Board of Directors; and
(b) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration given or received by CCH II or any such Restricted Subsidiary in excess of $50 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the holders of such Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing.
The following items shall not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of the prior paragraph:
(1) any existing employment agreement and employee benefit arrangement (including stock purchase or options agreements, deferred compensation plans, and retirement, savings or similar plans) entered into by CCH II or any of its Subsidiaries and any employment agreement and employee benefit arrangements entered into by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(2) transactions between or among CCH II and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(3) payment of reasonable directors fees to Persons who are not otherwise Affiliates of CCH II;
(4) customary indemnification and insurance arrangements in favor of directors and officers, regardless of affiliation with CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(5) payment of Management Fees;
(6) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the provisions of the covenant described above under the caption “— Restricted Payments” and Restricted Investments that are permitted by the provisions of the covenant described above under the caption “— Investments”;
(7) Permitted Investments;
(8) transactions pursuant to agreements existing on the Issue Date, as in effect on the Issue Date, or as subsequently modified, supplemented, or amended, to the extent that any such modifications, supplements, or amendments comply with the applicable provisions of paragraph (1) of this covenant;
(9) transactions contemplated by the Plan of Reorganization, including, without limitation, the payment of Specified Fees and Expenses;
(10) contributions to the common equity capital of CCH II or the issue or sale of Equity Interests of CCH II;
(11) the assignment and assumption of contracts (which contracts were entered into prior to the Issue Date on an arms-length basis in the ordinary course of business of the relevant Parent, reasonably related to the business of CCH II and the assignment and assumption of which would not result in the incurrence of any Indebtedness by CCH II or any Restricted Subsidiary) to a Restricted Subsidiary by a Parent; and
(12) transactions with a Person that would otherwise be deemed Affiliate Transactions solely because any Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary owns Equity Interests in such Person.
Sale and Leaseback Transactions
CCH II will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction; provided that CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into a sale and leaseback transaction if:
(1) CCH II or such Restricted Subsidiary could have
(a) incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt relating to such sale and leaseback transaction under the Leverage Ratio test in the first paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption “— Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock”; and
(b) incurred a Lien to secure such Indebtedness pursuant to the covenant described above under the caption “— Liens” or the definition of “Permitted Liens”; and
(2) the transfer of assets in that sale and leaseback transaction is permitted by, and CCH II or such Restricted Subsidiary applies the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with, the covenant described above under the caption “— Repurchase at the Option of Holders — Asset Sales.”
The foregoing restrictions do not apply to a sale and leaseback transaction if the lease is for a period, including renewal rights, of not in excess of three years.
Limitations on Issuances of Guarantees of Indebtedness
CCH II will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to Guarantee or pledge any assets to secure the payment of any other Indebtedness of CCH II (the “Guaranteed Indebtedness”), unless
(1) such Restricted Subsidiary simultaneously executes and delivers a supplemental indenture providing for the Guarantee (a “Subsidiary Guarantee”) of the payment of the Notes by such Restricted Subsidiary, and
(2) until one year after all the Notes have been paid in full in cash, such Restricted Subsidiary waives and will not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against CCH II or any other Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Subsidiary Guarantee; provided that this paragraph shall not be applicable to any Guarantee or any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary.
If the Guaranteed Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes, then the Guarantee of such Guaranteed Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Subsidiary Guarantee at least to the extent that the Guaranteed Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes.
Any Subsidiary Guarantee shall terminate upon the release of such guarantor from its guarantee of the Guaranteed Indebtedness.
Limitations on Layering
(1) At all times, CCOH shall be a direct Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II or of a Restricted Subsidiary that Guarantees the Notes on an unsubordinated, full and unconditional basis.
(2) CCH II shall not permit any members of the CCOH Group to guarantee or otherwise become an obligor with respect to any Indebtedness (“CCOH Guaranteed Indebtedness”) of CCH II or any Parent or any Subsidiary of a Parent other than a member of the CCOH Group without Guaranteeing the Notes on an unsubordinated basis pursuant to the above “—Limitations on Issuances of Guarantees of Indebtedness” covenant (treating all references therein to “Guaranteed Indebtedness” as references to “CCOH Guaranteed Indebtedness”).
(3) CCH II shall not permit any member of the CCOH Group to create a Lien on any of its assets or properties to secure the repayment of the Indebtedness of CCH II or any Parent or any Subsidiary of a Parent who is not itself a member of the CCOH Group, unless:
(i) in the case of Liens securing Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, the Notes are secured by a Lien on such property or assets that is senior in priority to such Liens;
(ii) and in all other cases, the Notes are equally and ratably secured;
provided that any Lien which is granted under this covenant shall be automatically discharged at the same time as the discharge of the Lien (other than through the exercise of remedies with respect thereto) that gave rise to the obligation to so secure the Notes or Guarantees.
Payments for Consent
CCH II will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any holder of Notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of the Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all holders of the Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or amendment.
Reports
Whether or not required by the SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Issuers will furnish to the holders of the Notes, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations:
(1) all quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Issuers were required to file such forms, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual consolidated financial statements of CCH II by its independent public accountants; and
(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Issuers were required to file such reports.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein, so long as CCI or another entity that is a guarantor of the Notes and is a Parent, consolidated reports at such Parent level in a manner consistent with this covenant for CCH II shall satisfy this covenant; provided that (x) such reports at such Parent level do not reflect the financial information or assets of any material operations other than those of the Issuers and their Subsidiaries; (y) such Parent includes in its reports information about CCH II that is required to be provided by a parent guaranteeing debt of an operating company subsidiary pursuant to Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X or any successor rule then in effect; and (z) such reports include reasonably detailed information regarding the outstanding Indebtedness and preferred stock (including, without limitation, any such instrument
s held by Parents or their Subsidiaries) of CCH II.
For any fiscal quarter or fiscal year at the end of which Subsidiaries of CCH II are Unrestricted Subsidiaries, the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraph shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the financial condition and results of operations of CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of CCH II.
In addition, after effectiveness of a registration statement registering either the exchange or the resale of the Initial Notes, whether or not required by the SEC, the Issuers will file a copy of all of the information and reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the SEC for public availability within the time periods specified in the SEC’s
rules and regulations, unless the SEC will not accept such a filing, and make such information available to securities analysts and prospective investors upon request.
Events of Default and Remedies
Each of the following is an Event of Default with respect to the Notes:
(1) default for 30 consecutive days in the payment when due of interest on the Notes;
(2) default in payment when due of the principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes;
(3) failure by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions of the Indenture described under the captions “— Repurchase at the Option of Holders — Change of Control” or “— Certain Covenants — Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets”;
(4) failure by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 consecutive days after written notice thereof has been given to the Issuers by the trustee or to the Issuers and the trustee by holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding to comply with any of their other covenants or agreements in the Indenture;
(5) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the Issue Date, if that default:
(a) is caused by a failure to pay at final stated maturity the principal amount on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”); or
(b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity, and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $100 million or more;
(6) failure by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final judgments which are non-appealable aggregating in excess of $100 million, net of applicable insurance which has not been denied in writing by the insurer, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days; and
(7) CCH II or any of its Significant Subsidiaries pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:
(a) commences a voluntary case,
(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, or
(d) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(8) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(a) is for relief against CCH II or any of its Significant Subsidiaries in an involuntary case;
(b) appoints a custodian of CCH II or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or for all or substantially all of the property of CCH II or any of its Significant Subsidiaries; or
(c) orders the liquidation of CCH II or any of its Significant Subsidiaries;
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.
In the case of an Event of Default described in the foregoing clauses (7) and (8) with respect to CCH II, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare the Notes to be due and payable immediately.
Holders of the Notes may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding 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 under the Indenture (except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their interest.
If a Default is deemed to occur solely because a Default (the “Initial Default”) already existed, then if such Initial Default is cured and is not continuing, the Default or Event of Default resulting solely because the Initial Default existed shall be deemed cured, and will be deemed annulled, waived and rescinded without any further action required.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the trustee may on behalf of the holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, or premium, if any, on, the Notes.
The Issuers will be required to deliver to the trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture. Upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, the Issuers will be required to deliver to the trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Issuers are taking or propose to take with respect thereto.
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees, Members and Stockholders
No director, officer, employee or incorporator of the Issuers or any Parent Guarantor, as such, and no member or stockholder of the Issuers or any Parent Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuers or any Parent Guarantor under the Notes, the Indenture, any Note Guarantee or the Registration Rights Agreement, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note and any Note Guarantee waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release will be part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes and any Note Guarantee. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
The Issuers and any Parent Guarantor may, at their option and at any time, elect to have all of their obligations discharged with respect to any outstanding Notes and any Note Guarantee (“Legal Defeasance”) except for:
(1) the rights of holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to below;
(2) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to the Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;
(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee, and the Issuers’ obligations in connection therewith; and
(4) the Legal Defeasance provisions of the Indenture.
In addition, the Issuers may, at their option and at any time, elect to have the obligations of the Issuers and any Parent Guarantor released with respect to certain covenants that are described in the Indenture and any Note Guarantee (“Covenant Defeasance”) and thereafter any omission to comply with those covenants shall not constitute a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes or any Note Guarantee. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment, bankruptcy, receivership, rehabilitation and insolvency events) described under “Events of Default” will no longer constitute an Events of Default with respect to the Notes or any Note Guarantee.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
(1) the Issuers or any Parent Guarantor must irrevocably deposit, or cause to be deposited, with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders of the Notes, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as are expected to be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Notes on the stated maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Issuers and any Parent Guarantor must specify whether the Notes will be defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;
(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Issuers shall have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that
(a) the Issuers and any Parent Guarantor have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or
(b) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,
in either case of (a) or (b) immediately above to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel shall confirm that, the holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to 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;
(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Issuers or any Parent Guarantor shall have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel confirming that the holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to 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;
(4) no Default or Event of Default under the Indenture shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and the grant of any Lien securing such borrowing);
(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (other than the Indenture) to which the Issuers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Issuers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries is bound;
(6) the Issuers or any Parent Guarantor must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of preferring the holders of the Notes over the other creditors of the Issuers or any Parent Guarantor with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Issuers, any Parent Guarantor or others; and
(7) the Issuers or any Parent Guarantor must deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the opinion of counsel required by clause (2) above with respect to a Legal Defeasance need not be delivered and the conditions set forth in clause 4(b) shall not apply if all applicable Notes not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation
(a) have become due and payable or
(b) will become due and payable on the maturity date or a redemption date 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.
Amendment, Supplement and Waiver
Except as provided below, the Indenture, the Notes or any Note Guarantee may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes. This includes consents obtained in connection with a purchase of Notes, a tender offer for Notes or an exchange offer for Notes. Any existing Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture, the Notes or any Note Guarantee (other than any provision relating to the right of any holder of a Note to bring suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the scheduled due dates expressed in the Notes) may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes. This includes consents obtained in
connection with a purchase of Notes, a tender offer for Notes or an exchange offer for Notes.
Without the consent of each holder affected thereby, an amendment or waiver may not (with respect to any Notes held by such holder):
(1) reduce the principal amount of such Notes;
(2) change the fixed maturity of such Notes or reduce the premium payable upon redemption of such Notes;
(3) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on such Notes;
(4) waive a Default or an Event of Default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
(5) make such Notes payable in money other than that stated in such Notes;
(6) make any change in the provisions of the Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults applicable to any Notes or the rights of holders thereof to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on such Notes;
(7) waive a redemption payment with respect to such Notes (other than a payment required by one of the covenants described above under the caption “— Repurchase at the Option of Holders”); or
(8) make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions. Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any holder of Notes, the Issuers, any Parent Guarantor and the trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture, the Notes or any Note Guarantee:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
(b) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;
(c) to provide for or confirm the issuance of Additional Notes or any Exchange Notes;
(d) to provide for the assumption of the Issuers’ or any Parent Guarantor’s obligations to holders of Notes in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Issuers’ assets;
(e) to add a Note Guarantee;
(f) to release any Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture;
(g) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such holder;
(h) add a guarantor; or
(i) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act or otherwise as necessary to comply with applicable law.
Governing Law
The Indenture and the Notes will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
Concerning the Trustee
If the trustee becomes a creditor of the Issuers, the Indenture will limit its right to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue or resign.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the trustee, subject to certain exceptions. The Indenture will provide that in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any holder of Notes, unless such holder shall have offered to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
Additional Information
Anyone who receives this prospectus may obtain a copy of the Indenture without charge by writing to the Issuers at Charter Plaza, 12405 Powerscourt Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63131, Attention: Corporate Secretary.
Certain Definitions
This section sets forth certain defined terms used in the Indenture. Reference is made to the Indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.
“Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and
(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.
“Additional Notes” means the Issuers’ 13.50% senior notes due 2016 issued under the Indenture in addition to the Initial Notes (other than Notes issued in exchange or replacement for the Initial Notes).
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Voting Stock of a Person shall be deemed to be control. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” shall ha
ve correlative meanings.
“Applicable Premium” means the excess of (x) the present value at such redemption (or deposit) date of the sum of the redemption price of such Note at November 30, 2012 (such redemption price being set forth in the table under the caption “—Optional Redemption”) plus all required interest payments due on such Note through November 30, 2012 (calculated based on the interest rate and excluding accrued but unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption (or deposit) date plus 50 basis points over (y) the then outstanding principal amount of such Note.
“Asset Acquisition” means
(a) an Investment by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any other Person pursuant to which such Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or shall be merged with or into CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or
(b) the acquisition by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of the assets of any Person which constitute all or substantially all of the assets of such Person, any division or line of business of such Person or any other properties or assets of such Person other than in the ordinary course of business.
“Asset Sale” means:
(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights, other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of the Cable Related Business; provided that the sale, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of CCH II and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be governed by the provisions of the Indenture described above under the caption “— Repurchase at the Option of Holders — Change of Control” and/or the provisions described above under the caption “— Certain Covenants — Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets” and not by the provisions of the Asset Sale covenant described above und
er the caption “—Repurchase at the Option of Holders—Asset Sales”; and
(2) the issuance of Equity Interests by any Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II or the sale by CCH II or any Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II of Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II.
Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items shall not be deemed to be Asset Sales:
(1) any single transaction or series of related transactions that:
(a) involves assets having a fair market value of less than $100 million; or
(b) results in net proceeds to CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries of less than $100 million;
(2) a transfer of assets between or among CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(3) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II to CCH II or to another Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II;
(4) a Restricted Payment that is permitted by the covenant described above under the caption “— Certain Covenants — Restricted Payments,” a Restricted Investment that is permitted by the covenant described above under the caption “— Certain Covenants — Investments” or a Permitted Investment;
(5) the incurrence of Liens not prohibited by the Indenture and the disposition of assets related to such Liens by the secured party pursuant to a foreclosure;
(6) any transaction contemplated by the Plan of Reorganization; and
(7) any disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents.
“Attributable Debt” in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction, including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessee, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the U.S. Code.
“Bankruptcy Law” means the Bankruptcy Code or any federal or state law of any jurisdiction relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, winding up, liquidation, reorganization or relief of debtors.
“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) such “person” shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors or comparable governing body of CCI or if so specified CCH II, in either case, as constituted as of the date of any determination required to be made, or action required to be taken, pursuant to the Indenture.
“Cable Related Business” means the business of owning cable television systems and businesses ancillary, complementary and related thereto.
“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP.
“Capital Stock” means:
(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
(4) any other interest (other than any debt obligation) or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
“Capital Stock Sale Proceeds” means, without duplication, the aggregate net proceeds (including the fair market value of the non-cash proceeds, as determined by an independent appraisal firm) received by CCH II or its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date, in each case
(x) as a contribution to the common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock and other than issuances or sales to a Subsidiary of CCH II) of CCH II after the Issue Date, or
(y) from the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or convertible or exchangeable debt securities of CCH II that have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary of CCH II).
provided, however, that there shall be excluded from (x) and (y) any such contribution, issuance or sale made from or attributable to “Net Proceeds” under and as defined in the Plan of Reorganization.
“Cash Equivalents” means:
(1) United States dollars;
(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve months from the date of acquisition;
(3) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of twelve 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 domestic commercial bank having combined capital and surplus in excess of $500 million and a Thompson Bank Watch Rating at the time of acquisition of “B” or better;
(4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;
(5) commercial paper having a rating at the time of acquisition of at least “P-1” from Moody’s or at least “A-1” from S&P and in each case maturing within twelve months after the date of acquisition;
(6) corporate debt obligations maturing within twelve months after the date of acquisition thereof, rated at the time of acquisition at least “Aaa” or “P-1” by Moody’s or “AAA” or “A-1” by S&P;
(7) auction-rate Preferred Stocks of any corporation maturing not later than 45 days after the date of acquisition thereof, rated at the time of acquisition at least “Aaa” by Moody’s or “AAA” by S&P;
(8) securities issued by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, maturing not later than six months after the date of acquisition thereof, rated at the time of acquisition at least “A” by Moody’s or S&P; and
(9) money market or mutual funds at least 90% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses(1) through(8) of this definition.
“CCH I” means CCH I, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor Person thereto.
“CCH II” means CCH II, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor Person thereto.
“CCHC” means CCHC, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor Person thereto.
“CCI” means Charter Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor Person thereto.
“CCO” means Charter Communications Operating, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and any successor Person thereto.
“CCOH” means CCO Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor Person thereto.
“CCOH Group” means (i) CCOH (or any successor thereto) and (ii) each Subsidiary thereof that is a Restricted Subsidiary.
“CCOH Group Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of any member or members of the CCOH Group, so long as such Indebtedness does not constitute a Guarantee of, or other credit support for, any Indebtedness of any Person other than a member of the CCOH Group.
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) the sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of CCH II and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or of a Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any “person” (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than a Parent, CCH II or a Restricted Subsidiary;
(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of CCH II or a Parent (except the liquidation of any Parent into any other Parent);
(3) the consummation of any transaction, including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation, the result of which is that any “person” (as defined above) other than a Parent becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of CCH II or a Parent, measured by voting power rather than the number of shares;
(4) after the Issue Date, the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of CCI are not Continuing Directors; or
(5) CCH II or a Parent consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, CCH II or a Parent, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the outstanding Voting Stock of CCH II or such Parent is converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction where the Voting Stock of CCH II or such Parent outstanding immediately prior to such transaction is converted into or exchanged for Voting Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the surviving or transferee Person constituting a majority of the outstanding shares of such Voting Stock of such surviving or transferee Person immediately after giving effect to such issuance.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) a “person” shall not be deemed to have beneficial ownership of securities subject to a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement or similar agreement (or voting or option agreement related thereto) until the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such agreement and (B) any holding company whose only material asset is Equity Interests of CCH II or any Parent shall not itself be considered a “person” for purposes of clause (1) or (3) of this definition.
“Charter Holdings” means Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor Person thereto.
“Charter Refinancing Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary (and any related corporate co-obligor if such Subsidiary is a limited liability company or other association not taxed as a corporation) of CCI or Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC, which is or becomes a Parent.
“CIH” means CCH I Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and any successor Person thereto.
“Consolidated EBITDA” means with respect to any Person, for any period, the consolidated net income (or net loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period calculated in accordance with GAAP plus, to the extent such amount was deducted in calculating such net income:
(1) Consolidated Interest Expense;
(2) income taxes;
(3) depreciation expense;
(4) amortization expense;
(5) all other non-cash items, extraordinary items and nonrecurring and unusual items (including without limitation any restructuring charges and charges related to litigation settlements or judgments) and the cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles reducing such net income, less all non-cash items, extraordinary items, nonrecurring and unusual items and cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles increasing such net income;
(6) amounts actually paid during such period pursuant to a deferred compensation plan; and
(7) for purposes of the covenant described above under the caption “— Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” Management Fees;
all as determined on a consolidated basis for such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP, provided that Consolidated EBITDA shall not include, without duplication:
(x) the net income (or net loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary (“Other Person”), except
(i) with respect to net income, to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually paid to such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries by such Other Person during such period; and
(ii) with respect to net losses, to the extent of the amount of investments made by such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person in such Other Person during such period;
(y) solely for the purposes of calculating the amount of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to the second clause (3) in the first paragraph of the covenant described under the caption “— Certain Covenants — Restricted Payments” (and in such case, except to the extent includable pursuant to clause (x) above), the net income (or net loss) of any Other Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with such Person or any Restricted Subsidiaries or all or substantially all of the property and assets of such Other Person are acquired by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(z) any effects of fresh-start accounting adjustments.
“Consolidated Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, the sum, without duplication, of:
(1) the total amount of outstanding Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, plus
(2) the total amount of Indebtedness of any other Person that has been Guaranteed by the referent Person or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries, plus
(3) the aggregate liquidation value of all Disqualified Stock of such Person and all Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person, in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:
(1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued (including, without limitation, amortization or original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net payments (if any) pursuant to Hedging Obligations); and
(2) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; and
(3) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon); in each case, on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP, excluding, however, any amount of such interest of any Restricted Subsidiary of the referent Person if the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary is excluded in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (z) of the definition thereof (but only in the same proportion as the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary is excluded from the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (z) of the definition thereof).
“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, any member of the Board of Directors of CCI who:
(1) was a member of the Board of Directors of CCI on the Issue Date; or
(2) was nominated for election or elected to the Board of Directors of CCI with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of such Board of Directors of CCI at the time of such nomination or election or whose election or appointment was previously so approved.
“Credit Facilities” means, with respect to CCH II and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, in each case with banks or other lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.
“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Disposition” means, with respect to any Person, any merger, consolidation or other business combination involving such Person (whether or not such Person is the Surviving Person) or the sale, assignment, transfer, lease or conveyance, or other disposition of all or substantially all of such Person’s assets or Capital Stock.
“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case 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 redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require CCH II to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale shall not
constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that CCH II may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with the covenant described above under the caption “— Certain Covenants — Restricted Payments.”
“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
“Equity Offering” means any private or public offering of Qualified Capital Stock of CCH II (other than to a Parent or one of its Subsidiaries) or a Parent of which the gross cash proceeds to CCH II or received by CCH II as a capital contribution from such Parent (directly or indirectly), as the case may be, are at least $25 million, other than public offerings with respect to CCH II’s membership interests or a Parent’s membership interests or common stock, as applicable, registered on Form S-8, provided that the offering of Qualified Capital Stock issued pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization shall not constitute an “Equity Offering”.
“Existing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries in existence on the Issue Date, until such amounts are repaid.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles 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 have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect on the Issue Date.
“Guarantee” or “guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness, measured as the lesser of the aggregate outstanding amount of the Indebtedness so guaranteed and the face amount of the guarantee.
“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under:
(1) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements;
(2) interest rate option agreements, foreign currency exchange agreements, foreign currency swap agreements; and
(3) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest and currency exchange rates.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:
(1) in respect of borrowed money;
(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);
(3) in respect of banker’s acceptances;
(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations;
(5) in respect of the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade payable; or
(6) represented by Hedging Obligations only to the extent an amount is then owed and is payable pursuant to the terms of such Hedging Obligations, if and to the extent any of the preceding items would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the guarantee by such Person of any indebtedness of any other Person.
The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be:
(1) the accreted value thereof, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount; and
(2) the principal amount thereof, together with any interest thereon that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.
“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P.
“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons, including Affiliates, in the forms of direct or indirect loans (including guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business) and purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness,
Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP.
“Issue Date” means November 30, 2009.
“Leverage Ratio” means, as to CCH II, as of any date, the ratio of:
(1) the Consolidated Indebtedness of CCH II on such date to
(2) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for CCH II for the most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available (the “Reference Period”) multiplied by four.
In addition to the foregoing, for purposes of this definition, “Consolidated EBITDA” shall be calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to
(1) the issuance of the Notes;
(2) the incurrence of the Indebtedness or the issuance of the Disqualified Stock by CCH II or a Restricted Subsidiary or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (and the application of the proceeds therefrom) giving rise to the need to make such calculation and any incurrence or issuance (and the application of the proceeds therefrom) or repayment of other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, other than the incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness for ordinary working capital purposes, at any time subsequent to the beginning of the Reference Period and on or prior to the date of determination, as if such incurrence (and the application of the proceeds thereof), or the repayment, as the case may be, occurred on the first day of
the Reference Period; and
(3) any Dispositions or Asset Acquisitions (including, without limitation, any Asset Acquisition giving rise to the need to make such calculation as a result of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (including any person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Acquisition) incurring, assuming or otherwise becoming liable for or issuing Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock) made on or subsequent to the first day of the Reference Period and on or prior to the date of determination, as if such Disposition or Asset Acquisition (including the incurrence, assumption or liability for any such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock and also including any Consolidated EBITDA associated with such Asset Acquisition, inc
luding any cost savings adjustments in compliance with Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC) had occurred on the first day of the Reference Period.
In calculating the Leverage Ratio, the Consolidated Indebtedness of CCH II on such date shall not include Indebtedness incurred pursuant to paragraph (1) under the caption “—Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock” that is or was incurred in connection with the transaction for which the calculation is being made.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.
“Management Fees” means the fees (including expense reimbursements) payable to any Parent pursuant to the management and mutual services agreements between any Parent of CCH II and CCO or between any Parent of CCH II and other Restricted Subsidiaries of CCH II or pursuant to the limited liability company agreements of certain Restricted Subsidiaries as such management, mutual services or limited liability company agreements exist on the Issue Date (or, if later, on the date any new Restricted Subsidiary is acquired or created), including any amendment or replacement thereof, provided, that any such new agreements or amendments or replacements of existing agreements, taken as a whole, are not more disadvantageous to the holders of the Notes in any ma
terial respect than such agreements existing on the Issue Date and further provided, that such new, amended or
replacement management agreements do not provide for percentage fees, taken together with fees under existing agreements, any higher than 3.5% of CCI’s consolidated total revenues for the applicable payment period.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof or taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (including amounts distributable in respect of owners’, partners’ or members’ tax liabilities resulting from such sale), in each case after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and an
y tax sharing arrangements and amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness.
“Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:
(1) as to which neither CCH II nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
(a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness);
(b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise; or
(c) constitutes the lender;
(2) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the Notes) of CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity; and
(3) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the Capital Stock or assets of CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
“Note Guarantee” means the unconditional Guarantee by any Parent of the Issuers’ payment Obligations under the Notes.
“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages, Guarantees and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness, in each case, whether now or hereafter existing, renewed or restructured, whether or not from time to time decreased or extinguished and later increased, created or incurred, whether or not arising on or after the commencement of a case under Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors (including post-petition interest) and whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such case.
“Parent” means CCH I, CIH, Charter Holdings, CCHC, Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC, CCI and/or any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the foregoing 100% of the Capital Stock of which is owned directly or indirectly by one or more of the foregoing Persons, as applicable, and that directly or indirectly beneficially owns 100% of the Capital Stock of CCH II, and any successor Person to any of the foregoing.
“Parent Guarantor” means any Parent that executes a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, and their respective successors and assigns.
“Permitted Investments” means:
(1) any Investment by CCH II in a Restricted Subsidiary thereof, or any Investment by a Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II in CCH II or in another Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II;
(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;
(3) any Investment by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:
(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II; or
(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, CCH II or a Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II;
(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with the covenant described above under the caption “— Repurchase at the Option of Holders — Asset Sales”;
(5) any Investment made out of the net cash proceeds of the issue and sale (other than to a Subsidiary of CCH II) of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) or cash contributions to the common equity of CCH II, in each case after the Issue Date, to the extent that such net cash proceeds have not been applied to make a Restricted Payment or to effect other transactions pursuant to the covenant described under “— Certain Covenants — Restricted Payments” (with the amount of usage of the basket in this clause (5) being determined net of the aggregate amount of principal, interest, dividends, distributions, repayments, proceeds or other value otherwise returned or recovered in respect of any such Investment, but not to exceed the initial amoun
t of such Investment);
(6) other Investments (which Investments shall not be used for the payment of dividends or distributions with respect to Equity Interests of CCH II or for the repayment, prepayment, purchase, defeasance or other retirement of indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes) in any Person (other than any Parent) having an aggregate fair market value when taken together with all other Investments in any Person made by CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries (without duplication) pursuant to this clause (6) from and after the Issue Date, not to exceed $650 million (initially measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value, but reducing the amount outstanding by the aggregate amount of principal, i
nterest, dividends, distributions, repayments, proceeds or other value otherwise returned or recovered in respect of any such Investment, but not to exceed the initial amount of such Investment) at any one time outstanding;
(7) Investments in customers and suppliers in the ordinary course of business which either
(A) generate accounts receivable, or
(B) are accepted in settlement of bona fide disputes.
(8) Investments consisting of payments by CCH II or any of its subsidiaries of amounts that are neither dividends nor distributions but are payments of the kind described in clause (4) of the second paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption “— Certain Covenants — Restricted Payments” to the extent such payments constitute Investments;
(9) regardless of whether a Default then exists, Investments in any Unrestricted Subsidiary made by CCH II and/or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with the proceeds of distributions from any Unrestricted Subsidiary; and
(10) any Investment by CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries so long as the proceeds of such Investment are used to pay Specified Fees and Expenses.
“Permitted Liens” means:
(1) Liens on the assets of the CCOH Group securing CCOH Group Indebtedness and related Obligations;
(2) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with CCH II; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with CCH II and related assets, such as the proceeds thereof;
(3) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition thereof by CCH II; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition;
(4) Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(5) purchase money mortgages or other purchase money Liens (including, without limitation, any Capitalized Lease Obligations) incurred by CCH II upon any fixed or capital assets acquired after the Issue Date or purchase money mortgages (including, without limitation, Capital Lease Obligations) on any such assets, whether or not assumed, existing at the time of acquisition of such assets, whether or not assumed, so long as
(a) such mortgage or lien does not extend to or cover any of the assets of CCH II, except the asset so developed, constructed, or acquired, and directly related assets such as enhancements and modifications thereto, substitutions, replacements, proceeds (including insurance proceeds), products, rents and profits thereof, and
(b) such mortgage or lien secures the obligation to pay all or a portion of the purchase price of such asset, interest thereon and other charges, costs and expenses (including, without limitation, the cost of design, development, construction, acquisition, transportation, installation, improvement, and migration) and is incurred in connection therewith (or the obligation under such Capitalized Lease Obligation) only;
(6) Liens existing on the Issue Date and replacement Liens therefor that do not encumber additional property;
(7) 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 concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor;
(8) statutory and common law Liens of landlords and carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, suppliers, materialmen, repairmen or other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate legal proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and for which a reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made;
(9) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security;
(10) Liens incurred or deposits made to secure the performance of tenders, bids, leases, statutory or regulatory obligation, bankers’ acceptance, surety and appeal bonds, government contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other obligations of a similar nature incurred in the ordinary course of business (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);
(11) easements, rights-of-way, municipal and zoning ordinances and similar charges, encumbrances, title defects or other irregularities that do not materially interfere with the ordinary course of business of CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(12) Liens of franchisors or other regulatory bodies arising in the ordinary course of business;
(13) Liens arising from filing Uniform Commercial Code financing statements regarding leases or other Uniform Commercial Code financing statements for precautionary purposes relating to arrangements not constituting Indebtedness;
(14) Liens arising from the rendering of a final judgment or order against CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that does not give rise to an Event of Default;
(15) Liens securing reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit that encumber documents and other property relating to such letters of credit and the products and proceeds thereof;
(16) Liens encumbering customary initial deposits and margin deposits, and other Liens that are within the general parameters customary in the industry and incurred in the ordinary course of business, in each case, securing Indebtedness under Hedging Obligations and forward contracts, options, future contracts, future options or similar agreements or arrangements designed solely to protect CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from fluctuations in interest rates, currencies or the price of commodities;
(17) Liens consisting of any interest or title of licensor in the property subject to a license;
(18) Liens on the Capital Stock of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;
(19) Liens arising from sales or other transfers of accounts receivable which are past due or otherwise doubtful of collection in the ordinary course of business;
(20) Liens incurred with respect to obligations which in the aggregate do not exceed $50 million at any one time outstanding;
(21) Liens in favor of the trustee arising under the Indenture and similar provisions in favor of trustees or other agents or representatives under indentures or other agreements governing debt instruments entered into after the date hereof;
(22) Liens in favor of the trustee for its benefit and the benefit of holders of the Notes, as their respective interests appear; and
(23) Liens securing Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, to the extent that the Indebtedness being refinanced was secured or was permitted to be secured by such Liens.
“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used within 60 days after the date of issuance thereof to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund, other Indebtedness of CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that unless permitted otherwise by the Indenture, no Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary may be issued in exchange for, nor may the net proceeds of Indebtedness be used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or refund, Indebtedness of CCH II; provided further that:
(1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of (or accreted value, if applicable) plus accrued interest and premium, if any, on the Indebtedness so extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus the amount of reasonable expenses incurred in connection therewith), except to the extent that any such excess principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) would be then permitted to be incurred by other provisions of the covenant described above under the caption “— Certain Covenants — Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.”
(2) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date no earlier than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded; and
(3) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes on terms at least as favorable to the holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
“Plan of Reorganization” means the Plan of Reorganization of Charter Communications, Inc., et al. dated March 27, 2009 and confirmed by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York on November 17, 2009.
“Preferred Stock,” as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which, by its terms, is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.
“Productive Assets” means assets (including assets of a Person owned directly or indirectly through ownership of Capital Stock) of a kind used or useful in the Cable Related Business.
“Qualified Capital Stock” means any Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Stock.
“Rating Agencies” means Moody’s and S&P.
“Refinancing Specified Parent Indebtedness” means, with respect to Specified Parent Indebtedness, new Indebtedness incurred by a Parent to refinance (a) such Specified Parent Indebtedness or (b) Refinancing Specified Parent Indebtedness in respect of such Specified Parent Indebtedness; provided that while such new Indebtedness is outstanding, the Specified Parent Indebtedness being refinanced (if it had remained outstanding) would continue to qualify as Specified Parent Indebtedness.
“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
“Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Series A Preferred Stock” means the 15% Series A Preferred Stock of CCI issued pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, including any Series A Preferred Stock issued, or deemed issued pursuant to the terms thereof as they exist on the Issue Date.
“Significant Subsidiary” means (a) with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person which would be considered a “Significant Subsidiary” as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and (b) in addition, with respect to CCH II, Capital Corp.
“Special Interest” means special or additional interest in respect of the Notes that is payable by the Issuers as liquidated damages upon specified registration defaults pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.
“Specified Fees and Expenses” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Plan of Reorganization.
“Specified Parent Indebtedness” means Indebtedness incurred by a Parent whose proceeds are contributed to CCH II (whether as an equity investment or in the form of an exchange for Indebtedness of CCH II) and used to benefit the business of CCH II and its Restricted Subsidiaries and not used directly or indirectly to pay a dividend from CCH II; provided that CCH II shall, within 5 business days of such incurrence, deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate specifying such Indebtedness as “Specified Parent Indebtedness” and disclosing the use of proceeds therefrom.
“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which such payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such Indebtedness on the Issue Date, or, if none, the original documentation governing such Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:
(1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which at least 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof) and, in the case of any such entity of which 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock is so owned or controlled by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person, such Person and its Subsidiaries also have the right to control the management of such entity pursuant to contract or otherwise; and
(2) any partnership
(a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person, or
(b) the only general partners of which are such Person or of one or more Subsidiaries of such Person (or any combination thereof).
“Treasury Rate” means, as of the applicable redemption date, the yield to maturity as of such redemption (or deposit) date of the 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 (or deposit) date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market date)) most nearly equal to the period from such redemption (or deposit) date to November 30, 2012; provided, however, that if the period from such redemption (or deposit) date to November 30, 2012, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded U
nited States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of CCH II that is designated by the Board of Directors of CCH II as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a board resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:
(1) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;
(2) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with CCH II or any Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to CCH II or such Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of CCH II unless such terms constitute Investments permitted by the covenant described above under the caption “— Certain Covenants — Investments,” Permitted Investments, Asset Sales permitted under the covenant described above under the caption “— Repurchase at the Option of the Holders — Asset Sales” or sale-leaseback transactions permitted by the covenant described abov
e under the caption “Certain Covenants — Sale and Leaseback Transactions”;
(3) is a Person with respect to which neither CCH II nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation
(a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or
(b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results;
(4) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of CCH II or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(5) does not own any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II.
Any designation of a Subsidiary of CCH II as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be evidenced to the trustee by filing with the trustee a certified copy of the board resolution giving effect to such designation and an officers’ certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by the covenant described above under the caption “— Certain Covenants — Investments.” If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of CCH II as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such
date under the covenant described under the caption “— Certain Covenants — Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” CCH II shall be in default of such covenant. The Board of Directors of CCH II may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation shall be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation shall only be permitted if:
(1) such Indebtedness is permitted under the covenant described under the caption “— Certain Covenants — Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock,” calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and
(2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence immediately following such designation.
“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the board of directors or comparable governing body of such Person.
“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:
(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying
(a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments 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
(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
“Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary” of any Person means a Restricted Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding common equity interests or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person and/or by one or more Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person.
IMPORTANT UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
General
The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the new notes by a person who acquires new notes pursuant to this exchange offer. Except where noted, the summary deals only with the new notes held as capital assets within the meaning of section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and does not deal with special situations, such as those of broker-dealers, tax exempt organizations, individual retirement accounts and other tax deferred accounts, financial institutions, insurance companies, holders whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, or persons holding new notes as part of a hedging or conversion transaction or a straddle, or a constructive sale. Further, the discussion below is based upon the p
rovisions of the Code and Treasury regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof, and such authorities may be repealed, revoked, or modified, possibly with retroactive effect, so as to result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. In addition, except as otherwise indicated, the following does not consider the effect of any applicable foreign, state, local or other tax laws or estate or gift tax considerations. Furthermore, this discussion does not consider the tax treatment of holders of the new notes who are partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or who are former citizens or long-term residents of the United States.
This summary addresses tax consequences relevant to a holder of the new notes that is either a U.S. Holder or a Non-U.S. Holder. As used herein, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of a new note who is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, either an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes created in, or organized in or under the laws of, the United States or any political subdivision thereof, an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or a trust the administration of which is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or that w
as in existence on, August 20, 1996, was treated as a United States person under the Code on that date and has made a valid election to be treated as a United States person under the Code. A “Non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of a new note that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, not a U.S. Holder or a partnership or other pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that holds the new notes generally will depend on such partner’s particular circumstances and on the activities of the partnership. Partners in such partnerships should consult their own tax advisors.
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH REGARD TO THE APPLICATION OF THE TAX CONSIDERATIONS DISCUSSED BELOW TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS, AS WELL AS THE APPLICATION OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN, ESTATE, GIFT OR OTHER TAX LAWS, OR SUBSEQUENT REVISIONS THEREOF.
United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders
Exchange Offer
Pursuant to the exchange offer holders are entitled to exchange the original notes for new notes that will be substantially identical in all material respects to the original notes, except that the new notes will be registered and therefore will not be subject to transfer restrictions. Accordingly,
(1) no gain or loss will be realized by a U.S. Holder upon receipt of a new note,
(2) the holding period of the new note will include the holding period of the original note exchanged therefor,
(3) the adjusted tax basis of the new notes will be the same as the adjusted tax basis of the original notes exchanged at the time of the exchange, and
(4) the U.S. Holder will continue to take into account income in respect of the new note in the same manner as before the exchange.
Payments of Interest on the New Notes
Subject to the bond premium rules discussed below, interest on the new notes constitutes qualified stated interest and will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary income at the time such interest is accrued or actually or constructively received in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Bond Premium
If a holder has a tax basis in a new note immediately after the new note is acquired that is greater than the stated redemption price at maturity, the holder has acquired the new note with “bond premium.” A holder may elect to amortize such bond premium over the life of the new note to offset a portion of the stated interest that would otherwise be includible in income. Such an election generally applies to all taxable debt instruments held by the holder on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election applies, and may be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. If a U.S. holder does not make this election, such U.S. holder must include the full amount of each interest payment in income as described in “Payments of Interest on the New Notes” above.
;The U.S. holder will receive a tax benefit from the premium only in computing gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition or retirement of the note. Holders that acquire a new note with bond premium should consult their tax advisors regarding the manner in which such premium is calculated and the election to amortize bond premium over the life of the instrument.
Effect of Optional Redemption on Yield to Maturity
At any time prior to November 30, 2012 we may redeem up to 35% of the new notes upon the occurrence of certain Equity Offerings. Computation of the yield and maturity of the new notes is not affected by such redemption rights if, based on all the facts and circumstances as of the date of issuance, the stated payment schedule of the new notes (that does not reflect the equity offering event) is significantly more likely than not to occur. We have determined that, based on all of the facts and circumstances as of the date of issuance, it is significantly more likely than not that the new notes will be paid according to their stated schedule.
We may redeem the new notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after November 30, 2012 at redemption prices specified elsewhere herein plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. The Treasury Regulations contain rules for determining the “maturity date” and the stated redemption price at maturity of an instrument that may be redeemed prior to its stated maturity date at the option of the issuer. Under such Treasury Regulations, solely for the purposes of the accrual of original issue discount, it is assumed that an issuer will exercise any option to redeem a debt instrument only if such exercise would lower the yield to maturity of the debt instrument. Because the exercise of such options would not lower the yield to maturity of the new notes, we believe that we will not be presumed under these rules to redeem the new no
tes prior to their stated maturity.
Sale, Redemption, Retirement or Other Taxable Disposition of the New Notes
Unless a non-recognition event applies, upon the sale, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a new note, the U.S. Holder will generally recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the amount of cash and the fair market value of other property received in exchange therefor and (2) the holder’s adjusted tax basis in such new note. Amounts attributable to accrued but unpaid interest on the new notes will be treated as ordinary interest income as described above. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in a new note will generally equal the purchase price of the new note (or the original note exchanged therefor) increased by any market discount, if any, that the U.S. Holder elected to include in income and decreased by any bond premium amortized by the holder and the amount of any payment
on such new note other than qualified stated interest.
Except as discussed below with respect to market discount, gain or loss realized on the sale, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a new note will be capital gain or loss and will be long term capital gain or loss at the time of sale, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition, if the new note has been held for more than one year. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
Market Discount
The resale of new notes may be affected by the impact on a purchaser of the market discount provisions of the Code. For this purpose, the market discount on a new note generally will be equal to the amount, if any, by which the adjusted issue price of the new note immediately after its acquisition exceeds the amount paid for the new note. To the extent a U.S. holder had market discount on an original note, the U.S. holder will have market discount on a new note exchanged therefor. Subject to a de minimis exception, these provisions generally require a U.S. Holder who acquires a new note at a market discount to treat as ordinary income any gain recognized on the disposition of such new note to the extent of the accrued market discount on such new note at the time of disposition, unless the U.S. Holder elects to include accrued market di
scount in income currently. In general, market discount will be treated as accruing on a straight line basis over the remaining term of the new note at the time of acquisition, or at the election of the U.S. Holder, under a constant yield method. If an election is made, the holder’s basis in the new notes will be increased to reflect the amount of income recognized and the rules described below regarding deferral of interest deductions will not apply. The election to include market discount in income currently, once made, applies to all market discount obligations acquired on or after the first taxable year to which the election applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service.
A U.S. Holder who acquires a new note at a market discount and who does not elect to include accrued market discount in income currently may be required to defer the deduction of a portion of the interest on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry such new note.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Backup withholding and information reporting requirements may apply to certain payments of principal and interest on a new note and to certain payments of the proceeds of the sale or redemption of a new note. We or our paying agent, as the case may be, will be required to withhold from any payment that is subject to backup withholding tax at a rate of 28 percent if a U.S. Holder fails to furnish his U.S. taxpayer identification number (“TIN”), certify that such number is correct, certify that such holder is not subject to backup withholding or otherwise comply with the applicable backup withholding rules. Unless extended by future legislation, however, the reduction in the backup withholding rate to 28 percent expires and the 31 percent backup withholding rate will be reinstated for payments made after December 31, 2010. Ex
empt holders (including, among others, all corporations) are not subject to these backup withholding and information reporting requirements.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a U.S. Holder of the new notes will be allowed as a refund or a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
United States Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders
Exchange Offer
The exchange of original notes for the new notes pursuant to this exchange offer will not constitute a taxable event for a Non-U.S. Holder.
Payments of Interest
Subject to the discussion of information reporting and backup withholding below, and assuming that the DTC’s book-entry procedures set forth in the section entitled “Description of the Notes — Book-Entry, Delivery and Form” are observed upon issuance and throughout the term of the Notes, the payment to a Non-U.S. Holder of interest on a
new note will not be subject to United States federal withholding tax pursuant to the “portfolio interest exception,” provided that:
(1) the interest is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States;
(2) the Non-U.S. Holder (A) does not actually or constructively own 10 percent or more of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of CCH II Capital Corp entitled to vote nor 10 percent or more of the capital or profits interests of CCH II, LLC and (B) is neither a controlled foreign corporation that is related to us through stock ownership within the meaning of the Code, nor a bank that received the new notes on an extension of credit in the ordinary course of its trade or business; and
(3) either (A) the beneficial owner of the new notes certifies to us or our paying agent, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a U.S. Holder and provides its name and address on Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or a suitable substitute form) or (B) a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds the new notes on behalf of such Non-U.S. Holder in the ordinary course of its trade or business (a “financial institution”) certifies under penalties of perjury that such an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or W-8IMY (or suitable substitute form) has been received from the beneficial owner by it or by a financial institution between it and the beneficial owner and, in case of a non-qualified intermediary, furnishes the
payor with a copy thereof.
If a Non-U.S. Holder cannot satisfy the requirements of the portfolio interest exception described above, payments of interest made to such Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to a 30 percent withholding tax, unless the beneficial owner of the Note provides us or our paying agent, as the case may be, with a properly executed (1) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or successor form) providing a correct TIN and claiming an exemption from or reduction in the rate of withholding under the benefit of a income tax treaty or (2) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI (or successor form) providing a correct TIN and stating that interest paid on the new note is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively connected with the beneficial owner’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Non-U.S. Holder of a new note is engaged in a trade or business in the United States and interest on the new note is effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business, and, where an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment or, in the case of an individual, a fixed base in the United States, such Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such interest in the same manner as if it were a U.S. Holder (that is, will be taxable on a net basis at applicable graduated individual or corporate rates). In addition, if such Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, it may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30 percent of its effectively connected earnings and profits for that taxable year unless it qualifies for a lower rate
under an applicable income tax treaty.
Sale, Redemption, Retirement or Other Taxable Disposition of New Notes
Generally, any gain realized on the sale, redemption, retirement or other taxable disposition of a new note by a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax, unless:
(1) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by such holder of a trade or business in the United States, and, where an income tax treaty applies, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained in the United States or, in the case of an individual, a fixed base in the United States, or
(2) in the case of gains derived by an individual, such individual is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met.
If a Non-U.S. Holder of a new note is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, gain on the taxable disposition of a new note that is effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business and, where an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment or, in the case of an individual, a fixed base in the United States, generally will be taxed on a net basis at applicable graduated individual or corporate rates.
Effectively connected gain of a foreign corporation may, under certain circumstances, be subject as well to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30 percent or a lower applicable income tax treaty rate.
If an individual Non-U.S. Holder is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition of the Note and is nevertheless a “Non-U.S. Holder”, such Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30 percent (or a lower applicable income tax treaty rate) on the amount by which capital gains allocable to U.S. sources (including gain, if such gain is allowable to U.S. sources, from the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of the Note) exceed capital losses which are allocable to U.S. sources and recognized during the same taxable year.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
When required, we or our paying agent will report annually to the Internal Revenue Service and to each Non-U.S. Holder the payment of any interest, regardless of whether withholding was required, and any tax withheld with respect to the interest. Copies of these information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement of the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides.
Certain Non-U.S. Holders may, under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations, be presumed to be U.S. persons. Interest paid to such holders generally will be subject to information reporting and backup withholding at a 28 percent rate unless such holders provide to us or our paying agent, as the case maybe, an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN (or satisfy certain certification documentary evidence requirements for establishing that such holders are non-United States persons under U.S. Treasury regulations) or otherwise establish an exemption. Unless extended by future legislation, however, the reduction in the backup withholding rate to 28 percent expires and the 31 percent backup withholding rate will be reinstated for payments made after December 31, 2010. Backup withholding will not apply to interest that was subject to the 30 percen
t withholding tax (or at applicable income tax treaty rate) applicable to certain Non-U.S. Holders, as described above.
Information reporting and backup withholding will also generally apply to a payment of the proceeds of a disposition of a new note (including a redemption) if payment is effected by or through a U.S. office of a broker, unless a Non-U.S. Holder provides us or our paying agent, as the case may be, with such Non-U.S. Holder’s name and address and either certifies non-United States status or otherwise establishes an exemption. In general, backup withholding and information reporting will not apply to the payment of the proceeds from the disposition of the Notes by or through a foreign office of a broker. If, however, such broker is (i) a United States person, (ii) a foreign person 50 percent or more of whose gross income is from a U.S. trade or business for a specified three-year period, (iii) a “controlled foreign corporation
” as to the United States, or (iv) a foreign partnership that, at any time during its taxable year, is 50 percent or more (by income or capital interest) owned by United States persons or is engaged in the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, such payment will be subject to information reporting, but not backup withholding, unless such broker has documentary evidence in its records that the holder is a Non-U.S. Holder and certain other conditions are met, or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a holder of the new notes will be allowed as a refund or a credit against such holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
A broker-dealer that is the holder of original notes that were acquired for the account of such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities, other than original notes acquired directly from us or any of our affiliates may exchange such original notes for new notes pursuant to the exchange offer. This is true so long as each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in exchange for original notes, where such original notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of new notes received in exchange for original notes where
such original notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that for a period of 180 days after consummation of the exchange offer or such time as any broker-dealer no longer owns any registrable securities, we will make this prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. All dealers effecting transactions in the new notes will be required to deliver a prospectus.
We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of new notes by broker-dealers or any other holder of new notes. New notes received by broker-dealers for their own account in the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the new notes or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any such new notes. Any broker-dealer that resells new notes that were received by it for its own account pur
suant to the exchange offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of such new notes may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, and any profit on any such resale of new notes and any commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act of 1933. The letter of transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.
For a period of 180 days after consummation of the exchange offer (or, if earlier, until such time as any broker-dealer no longer owns any registrable securities), we will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the letter of transmittal. We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the exchange offer and to our performance of, or compliance with, the exchange and registration rights agreement (other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers) and will indemnify the holders of the notes (including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the new notes offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for the Issuers by Kirkland & Ellis LLP, New York, New York.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of CCH II, LLC and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 (Successor Company) and 2008 (Predecessor Company) (collectively, the Company), and for the one month ended December 31, 2009 (Successor Company), the eleven months ended November 30, 2009 (Predecessor Company) and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2008 (Predecessor Company) have been included herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, appearing in our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2009 included herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
The audit report covering the December 31, 2009 consolidated financial statements refers to the adoption of AICPA Statement of Position 90-7, Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code (included in FASB ASC Topic 852, Reorganizations), effective as of November 30, 2009, and Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—An Amendment of ARB No. 51 (included in FASB ASC Topic 810, Consolidations), effective January 1, 2009.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
The indenture governing the notes provides that, regardless of whether they are at any time required to file reports with the SEC, the Issuers will file with the SEC and furnish to the holders of the notes all such reports and other information as would be required to be filed with the SEC if the Issuers were subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act.
While any notes remain outstanding, the Issuers will make available upon request to any holder and any prospective purchaser of notes the information required pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act during any period in which the Issuers are not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. This prospectus contains summaries, believed to be accurate in all material respects, of certain terms of certain agreements regarding this exchange offer and the notes (including but not limited to the indenture governing your notes), but reference is hereby made to the actual agreements, copies of which will be made available to you upon request to us or the initial purchasers, for complete information with respect thereto, and all such summaries are qualified in their entirety by this reference. Any such request for the agreeme
nts summarized herein should be directed to Investor Relations, CCH II, LLC, Charter Plaza, 12405 Powerscourt Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63131, telephone number (314) 965-0555.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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Page
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|
| |
|
|
|
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Audited Financial Statements
|
|
|
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
|
|
F-2 |
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008
|
|
|
F-3 |
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the One Month Ended December 31, 2009, Eleven Months Ended November 30, 2009 and Years Ended December 31, 2008, and 2007
|
|
|
F-4 |
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Member’s Equity (Deficit) for the One Month Ended December 31, 2009, Eleven Months Ended November 30, 2009 and Years Ended December 31, 2008, and 2007
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|
|
F-5 |
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the One Month Ended December 31, 2009, Eleven Months Ended November 30, 2009 and Years Ended December 31, 2008, and 2007
|
|
|
F-6 |
|
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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F-7 |
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Manager and the Member of
CCH II, LLC:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CCH II, LLC and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 (Successor Company) and 2008 (Predecessor Company), (collectively, the Company) and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in member’s equity (deficit), and cash flows for the one month ended December 31, 2009 (Successor Company), the eleven months ended November 30, 2009 (Predecessor Company), and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2008 (Predecessor Company). These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits 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. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of CCH II, LLC and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 (Successor Company) and 2008 (Predecessor Company), and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the one month ended December 31, 2009 (Successor Company), the eleven months ended November 30, 2009 (Predecessor Company), and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2008 (Predecessor Company), in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, CCH II, LLC’s ultimate parent, Charter Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including CCH II, LLC (collectively, Charter), filed a petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code on March 27, 2009. Charter’s plan of reorganization became effective and Charter emerged from bankruptcy protection on November 30, 2009. In connection with its emergence from bankruptcy, Charter adopted fresh-start accounting in conformity with AICPA Statement of Position 90-7, Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code (included in FASB ASC Topic 852, Reorganizations), effective as of November 30, 2
009. Accordingly, the Company’s consolidated financial statements prior to November 30, 2009 are not comparable to its consolidated financial statements for periods after November 30, 2009.
As discussed in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements – An Amendment of ARB No. 51 (included in FASB ASC Topic 810, Consolidations).
/s/ KPMG LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
March 29, 2010
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in millions)
| |
|
Successor
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
| |
|
December 31,
2009
|
|
|
December 31,
2008
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT ASSETS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
512 |
|
|
$ |
953 |
|
|
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$11 and $18, respectively
|
|
|
247 |
|
|
|
221 |
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
831 |
|
|
|
1,197 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
depreciation of $94 and $7,191, respectively
|
|
|
6,797 |
|
|
|
4,959 |
|
|
Franchises, net
|
|
|
5,272 |
|
|
|
7,384 |
|
|
Customer relationships, net
|
|
|
2,335 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
951 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
Total investment in cable properties, net
|
|
|
15,355 |
|
|
|
12,420 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
|
147 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
16,224 |
|
|
$ |
13,764 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
|
$ |
756 |
|
|
$ |
980 |
|
|
Payables to related party
|
|
|
219 |
|
|
|
232 |
|
|
Current portion of long-term debt
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
1,045 |
|
|
|
1,282 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LONG-TERM DEBT
|
|
|
13,252 |
|
|
|
14,174 |
|
|
LOANS PAYABLE – RELATED PARTY
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
DEFERRED MANAGEMENT FEES – RELATED PARTY
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
|
|
|
275 |
|
|
|
695 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TEMPORARY EQUITY
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
203 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEMBER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(303 |
) |
|
Member’s equity (deficit)
|
|
|
1,414 |
|
|
|
(2,787 |
) |
|
Total CCH II member’s equity (deficit)
|
|
|
1,414 |
|
|
|
(3,090 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
225 |
|
|
|
473 |
|
|
Total member’s equity (deficit)
|
|
|
1,639 |
|
|
|
(2,617 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and member’s equity (deficit)
|
|
$ |
16,224 |
|
|
$ |
13,764 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-3
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars in millions)
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Successor
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
One Month
Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
Eleven Months
Ended
November 30,
|
|
|
Predecessor
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2009
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REVENUES
|
|
$ |
572 |
|
|
$ |
6,183 |
|
|
$ |
6,479 |
|
|
$ |
6,002 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)
|
|
|
244 |
|
|
|
2,651 |
|
|
|
2,792 |
|
|
|
2,620 |
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
118 |
|
|
|
1,276 |
|
|
|
1,401 |
|
|
|
1,289 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
122 |
|
|
|
1,194 |
|
|
|
1,310 |
|
|
|
1,328 |
|
|
Impairment of franchises
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
2,163 |
|
|
|
1,521 |
|
|
|
178 |
|
|
Asset impairment charges
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
Other operating (income) expenses, net
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
(38 |
) |
|
|
69 |
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
488 |
|
|
|
7,246 |
|
|
|
7,093 |
|
|
|
5,454 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from operations
|
|
|
84 |
|
|
|
(1,063 |
) |
|
|
(614 |
) |
|
|
548 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
(68 |
) |
|
|
(816 |
) |
|
|
(1,064 |
) |
|
|
(1,014 |
) |
|
Change in value of derivatives
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(62 |
) |
|
|
(46 |
) |
|
Loss due to Plan effects
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(353 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
Gain due to fresh start accounting adjustments
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
5,501 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
Reorganization items, net
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(588 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
Other income (expense), net
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(34 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
(71 |
) |
|
|
3,742 |
|
|
|
(1,136 |
) |
|
|
(1,094 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
2,679 |
|
|
|
(1,750 |
) |
|
|
(546 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax benefit (expense)
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
(20 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated net income (loss)
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
2,640 |
|
|
|
(1,710 |
) |
|
|
(566 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less: Net (income) loss – noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
(22 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) – CCH II member
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
$ |
2,666 |
|
|
$ |
(1,723 |
) |
|
$ |
(588 |
) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-4
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(dollars in millions)
| |
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Member’s
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Total CCH II
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
| |
|
Equity
|
|
|
Comprehensive
|
|
|
Member’s
|
|
|
Noncontrolling
|
|
|
Member’s
|
|
| |
|
(Deficit)
|
|
|
Income (Loss)
|
|
|
Equity (Deficit)
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
Equity (Deficit)
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PREDECESSOR:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE, December 31, 2006, Predecessor
|
|
$ |
1,552 |
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
1,553 |
|
|
$ |
449 |
|
|
$ |
2,002 |
|
|
Distributions to parent company
|
|
|
(1,195 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(1,195 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(1,195 |
) |
|
Changes in fair value of interest rate agreements
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(123 |
) |
|
|
(123 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(123 |
) |
|
Other
|
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
|
(588 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(588 |
) |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
(573 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE, December 31, 2007, Predecessor
|
|
|
(245 |
) |
|
|
(123 |
) |
|
|
(368 |
) |
|
|
464 |
|
|
|
96 |
|
|
Distributions to parent company
|
|
|
(819 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(819 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(819 |
) |
|
Changes in fair value of interest rate agreements
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(180 |
) |
|
|
(180 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(180 |
) |
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
|
(1,723 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(1,723 |
) |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
(1,714 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE, December 31, 2008, Predecessor
|
|
|
(2,787 |
) |
|
|
(303 |
) |
|
|
(3,090 |
) |
|
|
473 |
|
|
|
(2,617 |
) |
|
Changes in fair value of interest rate agreements
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
|
2,666 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
2,666 |
|
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
2,640 |
|
|
Amortization of accumulated other comprehensive
loss related to interest rate agreements
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
Elimination of Predecessor member’s deficit and
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
|
|
|
121 |
|
|
|
251 |
|
|
|
372 |
|
|
|
(447 |
) |
|
|
(75 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE, November 30, 2009, Predecessor
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUCCESSOR:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuance of new equity
|
|
|
1,408 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
1,408 |
|
|
|
222 |
|
|
|
1,630 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE, November 30, 2009, Successor
|
|
|
1,408 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
1,408 |
|
|
|
222 |
|
|
|
1,630 |
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BALANCE, December 31, 2009, Successor
|
|
$ |
1,414 |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
1,414 |
|
|
$ |
225 |
|
|
$ |
1,639 |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-5
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in millions)
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Successor
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
One Month
Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
Eleven Months
Ended
November 30,
|
|
|
Predecessor
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2009
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) – CCH II member
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
$ |
2,666 |
|
|
$ |
(1,723 |
) |
|
$ |
(588 |
) |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows
from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
122 |
|
|
|
1,194 |
|
|
|
1,310 |
|
|
|
1,328 |
|
|
Impairment of franchises
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
2,163 |
|
|
|
1,521 |
|
|
|
178 |
|
|
Asset impairment charges
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
Noncash interest expense
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
Change in value of derivatives
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
62 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
Loss due to effects of Plan
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
353 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
Gain due to fresh start accounting adjustments
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(5,501 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
Noncash reorganizations items, net
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
114 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
(47 |
) |
|
|
12 |
|
|
Noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
(26 |
) |
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
Other, net
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from
acquisitions and dispositions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
(52 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(33 |
) |
|
Prepaid expenses and other assets
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
(385 |
) |
|
|
(21 |
) |
|
|
29 |
|
|
Receivables from and payables to related party, including deferred management fees
|
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
195 |
|
|
|
562 |
|
|
|
1,218 |
|
|
|
1,122 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
(108 |
) |
|
|
(1,026 |
) |
|
|
(1,202 |
) |
|
|
(1,244 |
) |
|
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
Other, net
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
73 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
(111 |
) |
|
|
(1,043 |
) |
|
|
(1,210 |
) |
|
|
(1,173 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings of long-term debt
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
3,105 |
|
|
|
7,877 |
|
|
Repayments of long-term debt
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
(53 |
) |
|
|
(1,179 |
) |
|
|
(6,628 |
) |
|
Repayments to related parties
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(115 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
Payments for debt issuance costs
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(42 |
) |
|
|
(33 |
) |
|
Contributions
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
Distributions
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(819 |
) |
|
|
(1,195 |
) |
|
Other, net
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
5 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from financing activities
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
938 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
(481 |
) |
|
|
946 |
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period
|
|
|
472 |
|
|
|
953 |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
32 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
|
|
$ |
539 |
|
|
$ |
472 |
|
|
$ |
953 |
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH PAID FOR INTEREST
|
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
887 |
|
|
$ |
1,027 |
|
|
$ |
980 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noncash contributions from parent company related to
exchange of CCH II notes
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
1,151 |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
Distribution of new CCH II notes to CCH I
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
101 |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-6
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
|
1.
|
|
Organization and Basis of Presentation
|
Organization
CCH II, LLC (“CCH II”) is a holding company whose principal assets at December 31, 2009 are the equity interests in its operating subsidiaries. CCH II is a direct subsidiary of CCH I, LLC (“CCH I”), which is an indirect subsidiary of Charter Communications, Inc. (“Charter”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CCH II and all of its subsidiaries where the underlying operations reside, which are collectively referred to herein as the “Company.” All significant intercompany accounts and transactions among consolidated entities have been eliminated.
The Company is a broadband communications company operating in the United States. The Company offers to residential and commercial customers traditional cable video programming (basic and digital video), high-speed Internet services, and telephone services, as well as advanced broadband services such as high definition television, Charter OnDemand™, and digital video recorder (“DVR”) service. The Company sells its cable video programming, high-speed Internet, telephone, and advanced broadband services primarily on a subscription basis. The Company also sells local advertising on cable networks.
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Effective December 1, 2009, the Company applied fresh start accounting which requires assets and liabilities to be reflected at fair value. The financial information set forth in this report, unless otherwise expressly set forth or as the context otherwise indicates, reflects the consolidated results of operations and financial condition of CCH II and its subsidiaries for the period following November 30, 2009 (“Successor”), and of CCH II and its subsidiaries for the periods through November 30, 2009 (“Predecessor”).
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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. Areas involving significant judgments and estimates include capitalization of labor and overhead costs; depreciation and amortization costs; impairments of property, plant and equipment, intangibles and goodwill; income taxes; contingencies; and fresh start accounting. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2009 presentation.
|
2.
|
Emergence from Reorganization Proceedings and Related Events
|
On March 27, 2009, the Company, its parent companies, and certain affiliates (collectively, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Bankruptcy Court”) to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”). The Chapter 11 cases were jointly administered under the caption In re Charter Communications, Inc., et al., Case No. 09-11435. On May 7, 2009, the Company filed a Joint Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan") and a related disclosure statement (the “Disclosure Statement”) with the Bankruptcy Court. The Plan was confirmed by order of the Bankruptcy Court on November 17, 2009 (“Confirmation Order”), and became effective on November 30, 200
9 (the “Effective Date”), the date on which the Company and its parent companies emerged from protection under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.
As provided in the Plan and the Confirmation Order, (i) the notes and bank debt of Charter Communications Operating, LLC (“Charter Operating”) and CCO Holdings, LLC (“CCO Holdings”) remained outstanding; (ii) holders of approximately $1.5 billion of notes issued by CCH II received new CCH II notes (the “Notes Exchange”); (iii) holders of notes issued by CCH I received 21.1 million shares of new Charter Class A common stock; (iv) holders of notes issued by CCH I Holdings, LLC (“CIH”) received 6.4 million warrants to purchase shares of new Charter Class A common stock with an exercise price of $46.86 per share that expire five years from the date of
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
issuance; (v) holders of notes issued by Charter Communications Holdings, LLC (“Charter Holdings”) received 1.3 million warrants to purchase shares of new Charter Class A common stock with an exercise price of $51.28 per share that expire five years from the date of issuance; (vi) holders of convertible notes issued by Charter received $25 million and 5.5 million shares of preferred stock issued by Charter; and (vii) all previously outstanding shares of Charter Class A and Class B common stock were cancelled. In addition, as part of the Plan, the holders of CCH I notes received and transferred to Mr. Paul G. Allen, Charter’s principal stockholder, $85 million of new CCH II notes. The Plan resulted in the reduction of the principal amount of the Company’s debt by approximately $708 million a
nd its parent companies’ debt by approximately $7.5 billion, reducing the Company’s parent companies’ consolidated interest expense by approximately $830 million annually.
The consummation of the Plan was funded with cash on hand, the Notes Exchange, and net proceeds of approximately $1.6 billion of an equity rights offering (the “Rights Offering”) in which holders of CCH I notes purchased new Charter Class A common stock.
In connection with the Plan, Charter, Mr. Allen and Charter Investment, Inc. (“CII”) entered into a separate restructuring agreement (as amended, the “Allen Agreement”), in settlement and compromise of their legal, contractual and equitable rights, claims and remedies against Charter and its subsidiaries. In addition to any amounts received by virtue of CII’s holding other claims against Charter and its subsidiaries, on the Effective Date, CII was issued 2.2 million shares of the new Charter Class B common stock equal to 2% of the equity value of Charter, after giving effect to the Rights Offering, but prior to issuance of warrants and equity-based awards provided for by the Plan and 35% (determined on a fully diluted basis) of the total voting power of all new capital stock of Charter. Ea
ch share of new Charter Class B common stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into one share of new Charter Class A common stock, and is subject to significant restrictions on transfer and conversion. Certain holders of new Charter Class A common stock (and securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable therefore) and new Charter Class B common stock received certain customary registration rights with respect to their shares. On the Effective Date, CII received: (i) 4.7 million warrants to purchase shares of new Charter Class A common stock, (ii) $85 million principal amount of new CCH II notes (transferred from CCH I noteholders), (iii) $25 million in cash for amounts previously owed to CII under a management agreement, (iv) $20 million in cash for reimbursement of fees and expenses in connection with the Plan, and (v) an additional $150 million in cash. The warrants described above have an exercise price of $19.80 per share and expire seven year
s after the date of issuance. In addition, on the Effective Date, CII retained a minority equity interest in reorganized Charter Holdco of 1% and a right to exchange such interest into new Charter Class A common stock. On December 28, 2009, CII exchanged 81% of its interest in Charter Holdco, and on February 8, 2010 the remaining interest was exchanged after which Charter Holdco became 100% owned by Charter (the “Holdco Exchange”) and ownership of CII was transferred to Charter. The warrants and common stock previously issued to CII were transferred to Mr. Allen in connection with the Holdco Exchange and transfer of CII’s ownership to Charter. In connection with the Plan, Mr. Allen transferred his preferred equity interest in CC VIII, LLC (“CC VIII”) to Charter. Mr. Allen has the right to elect up to four of Charter's eleven board members.
Fresh Start Accounting — Upon the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy, the Company adopted fresh start accounting. This resulted in the Company becoming a new entity on December 1, 2009, with a new capital structure, a new accounting basis in the identifiable assets and liabilities assumed and no retained earnings or accumulated losses. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements on or after December 1, 2009 are not comparable to the consolidated financial statements prior to that date. The financial statements for the periods ended prior to November 30, 2009 do not include the effect of any changes in the Company’s capital structure or changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities as a result of fresh start accounting.
The Company selected December 1, 2009 for adoption of fresh start accounting. Accordingly, the results of operations of the Company for the eleven months ended November 30, 2009 include reorganization items of $588 million and a pre-emergence loss of $353 million primarily resulting from the exchange of $1.5 billion of old CCH II notes for new CCH II notes in accordance with the Plan. In addition, the Company recorded a pre-tax credit to earnings of $5.5 billion resulting from the aggregate changes to the net carrying value of its pre-emergence assets and liabilities to record their fair values under fresh start accounting.
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
Fresh start accounting provides, among other things, for a determination of the value to be assigned to the equity of the emerging company as of a date selected for financial reporting purposes. In the disclosure statement related to the Plan, the reorganization value of Charter was set forth as approximately $14.1 billion to $16.6 billion, with a midpoint estimate of $15.4 billion. Reorganization value represents the amount of resources available for the satisfaction of post-petition liabilities and allowed claims, as negotiated between the Debtors and their creditors. Reorganization value, along with other terms of the Plan, was determined after extensive arms-length negotiations with the Company’s and its parent companies’ creditors. The value was based upon expected future cash flows of the business after eme
rgence from Chapter 11, discounted at rates reflecting perceived business and financial risks (the discounted cash flows). This valuation and a valuation using market value multiples for peer companies were blended to arrive at the reorganization value. Reorganization value is intended to approximate the amount a willing buyer would pay for the assets of Charter immediately after the reorganization.
The valuation analysis relied predominantly on the discounted cash flows (“DCF”) analysis and the comparable company analysis. While a precedent transaction analysis was performed, the reliance on such methodology for purposes of determining the reorganization value was minimal. The precedent transaction analysis is based on the enterprise values of companies involved in public merger and acquisition transactions that have operating and financial characteristics similar to Charter. Due to factors including, (i) the market environment is not identical for transactions occurring at different periods, and (ii) circumstances pertaining to the financial position of the company may have an impact on the resulting purchase price, less reliance is applied to the precedent transaction analysis.
A more detailed explanation of the DCF analysis and comparable company analysis is discussed below.
The basis for the DCF analysis was the projections published in the Plan. These five-year projections were based on management’s assumptions including among others, penetration rates for basic and digital video, high-speed Internet, and telephone; revenue growth rates; operating margins; and capital expenditures. The assumptions are derived based on Charter’s and its peers’ historical operating performance adjusted for current and expected competitive and economic factors surrounding the cable industry. The DCF analysis was completed using discount rates ranging from 10.5% to 11.5% based on Charter’s cost of equity and after-tax cost of debt and perpetuity growth rates of 2.5% - 3.5%. The reorganization value and the resulting equity value are highly dependent on the achieve
ment of the future financial results contemplated in the projections that were published in the Plan. The estimates and assumptions made in the valuation are inherently subject to significant uncertainties, many of which are beyond its control, and there is no assurance that these results can be achieved. The primary assumptions for which there is a reasonable possibility of the occurrence of a variation that would have significantly affected the reorganization value include the assumptions regarding revenue growth, programming expense growth rates, the amount and timing of capital expenditures and the discount rate utilized.
The valuation also utilized a comparable companies methodology which identified a group of publicly traded companies whose financial and operating characteristics were similar to those of Charter as a whole; examined the trading prices for the equity securities of such companies in the public markets; added the aggregate amount of outstanding net debt for such companies (at book value and at current market values); and noncontrolling interest less the market value of unconsolidated investments. A range of valuation multiples was then applied to the projections to derive a range of implied enterprise values for Charter as a whole. The multiples ranged from 5.0 to 6.0 depending on the comparable company.
Based on conditions in the cable industry and general economic conditions, the mid-point of the range of valuations was used to determine the reorganization value. Under fresh start accounting, this reorganization value, as adjusted for assets owned by its parent companies, was allocated to the Company’s assets based on their respective fair values. The reorganization value, after adjustments for working capital, is reduced by the fair value of debt and other noncurrent liabilities with the remainder representing the value to the member.
The significant assumptions related to the valuations of the Company’s assets in connection with fresh start accounting include the following:
Property, plant and equipment — Property, plant and equipment was valued at fair value of $6.8 billion as of November 30, 2009. In establishing fair value for the vast majority of the Company’s property, plant and
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
equipment, the cost approach was utilized. The cost approach considers the amount required to replace an asset by constructing or purchasing a new asset with similar utility, then adjusts the value in consideration of all forms of depreciation as of the appraisal date as described below:
|
·
|
Physical depreciation — the loss in value or usefulness attributable solely to use of the asset and physical causes such as wear and tear and exposure to the elements.
|
|
·
|
Functional obsolescence — a loss in value is due to factors inherent in the asset itself and due to changes in technology, design or process resulting in inadequacy, overcapacity, lack of functional utility or excess operating costs.
|
|
·
|
Economic obsolescence — loss in value by unfavorable external conditions such as economics of the industry or geographic area, or change in ordinances.
|
The cost approach relies on management’s assumptions regarding current material and labor costs required to rebuild and repurchase significant components of the Company’s property, plant and equipment along with assumptions regarding the age and estimated useful lives of the Company’s property, plant and equipment.
Intangible Assets — The Company identified the following intangible assets to be valued: (i) franchise marketing rights and (ii) customer relationships.
Franchise marketing rights and customer relationships were valued using an income approach and were valued at $5.3 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively, as of November 30, 2009. See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for a description of the methods used to value intangible assets.
Long-Term Debt – Long-term debt was valued at fair value using quoted market prices.
The adjustments presented below are to the Company’s November 30, 2009 balance sheet. The balance sheet reorganization adjustments presented below summarize the impact of the Plan and the adoption of fresh start accounting as of the Effective Date.
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
REORGANIZED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
| |
|
November 30, 2009
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Reorganization
|
|
|
|
|
Fresh Start
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Predecessor
|
|
|
Adjustments
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
Adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
Successor
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT ASSETS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
1,034 |
|
|
$ |
(588 |
) |
(2 |
) |
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
|
|
$ |
446 |
|
|
|
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
26 |
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts
|
|
|
272 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
272 |
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
1,353 |
|
|
|
(562 |
) |
|
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
791 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
4,788 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
1,996 |
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
6,784 |
|
|
|
Franchises, net
|
|
|
5,210 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
62 |
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
5,272 |
|
|
|
Customer relationships, net
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
2,355 |
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
2,363 |
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
883 |
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
951 |
|
|
|
Total investment in cable properties, net
|
|
|
10,074 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
5,296 |
|
|
|
|
|
15,370 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS
|
|
|
128 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
(91 |
) |
(10 |
) |
|
|
37 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
11,555 |
|
|
$ |
(562 |
) |
|
|
|
$ |
5,205 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
16,198 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES NOT SUBJECT TO COMPROMISE:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
|
$ |
1,287 |
|
|
$ |
(579 |
) |
(3 |
) |
|
$ |
(1 |
) |
(10 |
) |
|
$ |
707 |
|
|
|
Payables to related party
|
|
|
246 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
(10 |
) |
|
|
236 |
|
|
|
Current portion of long-term debt
|
|
|
11,741 |
|
|
|
(11,671 |
) |
(4 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
13,274 |
|
|
|
(12,248 |
) |
|
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
|
|
1,013 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LONG-TERM DEBT
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
13,765 |
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(502 |
) |
(10 |
) |
|
|
13,263 |
|
|
|
LOANS PAYABLE – RELATED PARTY
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
|
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
|
|
|
177 |
|
|
|
36 |
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
66 |
|
(10 |
) |
|
|
279 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES SUBJECT TO COMPROMISE
(INCLUDING AMOUNTS DUE TO RELATED
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PARTY OF $25)
|
|
|
2,863 |
|
|
|
(2,863 |
) |
(6 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TEMPORARY EQUITY
|
|
|
195 |
|
|
|
(195 |
) |
(7 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEMBER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Member’s equity (deficit)
|
|
|
(5,171 |
) |
|
|
877 |
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
5,702 |
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
1,408 |
|
(8)
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
(251 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
251 |
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
Total CCH II member’s equity (deficit)
|
|
|
(5,422 |
) |
|
|
877 |
|
|
|
|
|
5,953 |
|
|
|
|
|
1,408 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
455 |
|
|
|
66 |
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(299 |
) |
(11 |
) |
|
|
222 |
|
|
|
Total member’s equity (deficit)
|
|
|
(4,967 |
) |
|
|
943 |
|
|
|
|
|
5,654 |
|
|
|
|
|
1,630 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and member’s equity (deficit)
|
|
$ |
11,555 |
|
|
$ |
(562 |
) |
|
|
|
$ |
5,205 |
|
|
|
|
$ |
16,198 |
|
|
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
Explanatory Notes
|
|
(1) Represents amounts recorded on the Effective Date for the implementation of the Plan, including the settlement of liabilities subject to compromise and related payments, the issuance of new debt and repayment of old debt, distributions of cash and the cancellation of Predecessor’s membership units.
|
|
|
(2) Cash effects of the Plan:
|
|
Contribution from parent
|
|
$ |
51 |
|
|
Payment of Charter Operating interest rate swap termination liability
|
|
|
(495 |
) |
|
Payment to CII
|
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
Payment of accrued interest on reinstated debt
|
|
|
(93 |
) |
|
Escrow amounts reclassed to restricted cash
|
|
|
(26 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
(588 |
) |
This entry records contributions from the Company’s parent company and the payment of certain bankruptcy obligations on November 30, 2009. Cash of $26 million reclassified to restricted cash represents amounts held in escrow accounts pending final resolution from the Bankruptcy Court.
|
|
(3) Represents payment of the Charter Operating interest rate swap termination liability and accrued interest on reinstated debt and the reclassification of $9 million of certain other liabilities previously classified as subject to compromise.
|
|
|
(4) Represents the reclassification of $11.7 billion of debt from current to long-term as part of the reinstatement of the debt and new CCH II notes issued in connection with the following:
|
| |
|
Principal
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Amount
|
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
|
New CCH II notes issued in exchange for old CCH II notes and accrued interest
|
|
$ |
1,681 |
|
|
$ |
1,993 |
|
|
New CCH II notes issued to CCH I noteholders (subsequently transferred to Mr. Allen)
|
|
|
85 |
|
|
|
101 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New CCH II notes issued
|
|
$ |
1,766 |
|
|
$ |
2,094 |
|
|
|
(5) Represents the reclassification of $36 million of other long-term liabilities previously classified as subject to compromise.
|
|
|
(6) Represents the disposition of liabilities subject to compromise paid or reinstated at emergence:
|
|
Accrued interest ($136 paid, $214 exchanged)
|
|
$ |
350 |
|
|
Other accrued expenses (reinstated)
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
Deferred management fees—related party (paid)
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
CCH II notes repaid
|
|
|
976 |
|
|
CCH II notes exchanged
|
|
|
1,467 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
$ |
2,863 |
|
|
|
(7) Represents the transfer of Mr. Allen’s preferred equity interest in CC VIII to noncontrolling interest at fair value.
|
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
|
|
(8) Reconciliation of reorganization value to determination of equity:
|
|
Total reorganization value
|
|
$ |
15,400 |
|
|
Less: Assets owned by parent companies
|
|
|
(204 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Total reorganization value – CCH II
|
|
|
15,196 |
|
|
Less: Working capital deficit (excluding debt)
|
|
|
(152 |
) |
|
Other long term liabilities (excluding taxes)
|
|
|
(68 |
) |
|
Loans payable – related party
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
Fair value of debt
|
|
|
(13,333 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Member’s equity
|
|
|
1,630 |
|
|
Less: Noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
(222 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Total CCH II member’s equity
|
|
$ |
1,408 |
|
|
|
(9) As a result of the Plan, the following adjustments were recorded to members’ equity.
|
|
Loss due to Plan effects
|
|
$ |
(353 |
) |
|
Noncash contributions from parent company related to exchange of CCH II notes
|
|
|
1,151 |
|
|
Distribution of new CCH II notes to CCH I
|
|
|
(101 |
) |
|
Cash contribution from parent company
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
CC VIII preferred equity adjustment (see explanatory note 7)
|
|
|
129 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
$ |
877 |
|
|
|
(10) The following table summarizes the allocation of the reorganization value to CCH II’s assets at the date of emergence as shown in the reorganized consolidated balance sheet as of November 30, 2009:
|
|
Reorganization value – CCH II
|
|
$ |
15,196 |
|
|
Less fair value of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
(6,784 |
) |
|
Franchises
|
|
|
(5,272 |
) |
|
Customer relationships
|
|
|
(2,363 |
) |
|
Other noncurrent assets
|
|
|
(37 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
(14,456 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Excess of reorganization value over assets
|
|
|
740 |
|
|
Deferred income taxes resulting from allocation
|
|
|
211 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Reorganization value of CCH II assets in excess of fair value (goodwill)
|
|
$ |
951 |
|
Liabilities were also adjusted to fair value in the application of fresh start accounting resulting in the reduction of long-term debt by $502 million based on market values of CCH II’s reinstated debt instruments as of November 30, 2009. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements. In addition, deferred tax liabilities of $211 million were recorded in accordance with accounting guidance regarding reorganizations and income taxes.
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
|
|
(11) The adjustments required to report assets and liabilities at fair value under fresh start accounting resulted in a pre-tax gain of $5.5 billion, which was reported as gain due to fresh start accounting adjustments in the consolidated statement of operations for the eleven months ended November 30, 2009. The following is a summary of the adjustments to member’s equity as a result of fresh start accounting adjustments.
|
|
Gain due to fresh start accounting adjustments
|
|
$ |
5,501 |
|
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
(98 |
) |
|
CC VIII preferred equity held by CCH I fair value adjustment
|
|
|
299 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
$ |
5,702 |
|
|
|
(12) Represents the elimination of accumulated other comprehensive loss.
|
|
3.
|
|
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities at purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates market value. Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of money market funds and commercial paper.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Additions to property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, including all material, labor and certain indirect costs associated with the construction of cable transmission and distribution facilities. While the Company’s capitalization is based on specific activities, once capitalized, costs are tracked by fixed asset category at the cable system level and not on a specific asset basis. For assets that are sold or retired, the estimated historical cost and related accumulated depreciation is removed. Costs associated with initial customer installations and the additions of network equipment necessary to enable advanced services are capitalized. Costs capitalized as part of initial customer installations include materials, labor, and certain indirect costs. Indirect costs
are associated with the activities of the Company’s personnel who assist in connecting and activating the new service and consist of compensation and indirect costs associated with these support functions. Indirect costs primarily include employee benefits and payroll taxes, direct variable costs associated with capitalizable activities, consisting primarily of installation and construction vehicle costs, the cost of dispatch personnel and indirect costs directly attributable to capitalizable activities. The costs of disconnecting service at a customer’s dwelling or reconnecting service to a previously installed dwelling are charged to operating expense in the period incurred. Costs for repairs and maintenance are charged to operating expense as incurred, while plant and equipment replacement and betterments, including replacement of cable drops from the pole to the dwelling, are capitalized.
Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line composite method over management’s estimate of the useful lives of the related assets as follows:
|
Cable distribution systems
|
7-20 years
|
|
Customer equipment and installations
|
4-8 years
|
|
Vehicles and equipment
|
1-6 years
|
|
Buildings and leasehold improvements
|
15-40 years
|
|
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
|
6-10 years
|
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
Asset Retirement Obligations
Certain of the Company’s franchise agreements and leases contain provisions requiring the Company to restore facilities or remove equipment in the event that the franchise or lease agreement is not renewed. The Company expects to continually renew its franchise agreements and has concluded that substantially all of the related franchise rights are indefinite lived intangible assets. Accordingly, the possibility is remote that the Company would be required to incur significant restoration or removal costs related to these franchise agreements in the foreseeable future. A liability is required to be recognized for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The Company has not recorded an estimate for potential f
ranchise related obligations, but would record an estimated liability in the unlikely event a franchise agreement containing such a provision were no longer expected to be renewed. The Company also expects to renew many of its lease agreements related to the continued operation of its cable business in the franchise areas. For the Company’s lease agreements, the estimated liabilities related to the removal provisions, where applicable, have been recorded and are not significant to the financial statements.
Franchises
Franchise rights represent the value attributed to agreements with local authorities that allow access to homes in cable service areas acquired through the purchase of cable systems. Management estimates the fair value of franchise rights at the date of acquisition and determines if the franchise has a finite life or an indefinite-life. All franchises that qualify for indefinite-life treatment are tested for impairment annually or more frequently as warranted by events or changes in circumstances (see Note 6). The Company concluded that substantially all of its franchises qualify for indefinite-life treatment.
Customer Relationships
Customer relationships represent the value attributable to the Company’s business relationships with its current customers including the right to deploy and market additional services to these customers. Customer relationships are amortized on an accelerated basis over the period the relationships are expected to generate cash flows.
Goodwill
The Company assesses the recoverability of its goodwill annually, or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The Company performs the assessment of its goodwill one level below the operating segment level, which is represented by geographical groupings of cable systems by which such systems are managed.
Other Noncurrent Assets
Other noncurrent assets primarily include other intangible assets as of December 31, 2009 and deferred financing costs and other intangible assets as of December 31, 2008. Costs related to borrowings are deferred and amortized to interest expense over the terms of the related borrowings. All prior deferred financing costs were eliminated as part of fresh start accounting.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets to be held and used for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Such events or changes in circumstances could include such factors as impairment of the Company’s indefinite life assets, changes in technological advances, fluctuations in the fair value of such assets, adverse changes in relationships with local franchise authorities, adverse changes in market conditions or a deterioration of operating results. If a review indicates that the carrying value of such asset is not recoverable from estimated undiscounted cash flows, the carrying value of such asset is reduced to its estimated fair value. While the Company believes that its estimates of future cash
flows are reasonable, different assumptions regarding such cash flows could materially affect its
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
evaluations of asset recoverability. No impairments of long-lived assets to be held and used were recorded in 2009, 2008, and 2007; however, approximately $56 million of impairment on assets held for sale related to cable systems meeting the criteria of assets held for sale was recorded for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Gains or losses related to derivative financial instruments which qualify as hedging activities were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). For all other derivative instruments, the related gains or losses were recorded in the statements of operations. The Company used interest rate swap agreements to manage its interest costs and reduce the Company’s exposure to increases in floating interest rates. The Company’s policy is to manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates by maintaining a mix of fixed and variable rate debt within a targeted range. Using interest rate swap agreements, the Company agreed to exchange, at specified intervals through 2013, the difference between fixed and va
riable interest amounts calculated by reference to agreed-upon notional principal amounts. At the banks’ option, certain interest rate swap agreements could have been extended through 2014. The Company does not hold or issue any derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. Upon filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the counterparties to the interest rate swap agreements terminated the underlying contracts and upon emergence from bankruptcy, received payment for the market value of the interest rate swap as measured on the date the counterparties terminated. The Company does not hold any derivative financial instruments as of December 31, 2009.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues from residential and commercial video, high-speed Internet and telephone services are recognized when the related services are provided. Advertising sales are recognized at estimated realizable values in the period that the advertisements are broadcast. Franchise fees imposed by local governmental authorities are collected on a monthly basis from the Company’s customers and are periodically remitted to local franchise authorities. Franchise fees of $15 million, $166 million, $187 million, and $177 million for the one month ended December 31, 2009, eleven months ended November 30, 2009 and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively, are reported in other revenues, on a gross basis with a corresponding operating expense.
60; Sales taxes collected and remitted to state and local authorities are recorded on a net basis.
The Company’s revenues by product line are as follows:
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Successor
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
One Month
Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
Eleven Months
Ended
November 30,
|
|
|
Predecessor
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2009
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Video
|
|
$ |
288 |
|
|
$ |
3,180 |
|
|
$ |
3,463 |
|
|
$ |
3,392 |
|
|
High-speed Internet
|
|
|
127 |
|
|
|
1,349 |
|
|
|
1,356 |
|
|
|
1,243 |
|
|
Telephone
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
|
652 |
|
|
|
555 |
|
|
|
345 |
|
|
Commercial
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
407 |
|
|
|
392 |
|
|
|
341 |
|
|
Advertising sales
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
227 |
|
|
|
308 |
|
|
|
298 |
|
|
Other
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
368 |
|
|
|
405 |
|
|
|
383 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
$ |
572 |
|
|
$ |
6,183 |
|
|
$ |
6,479 |
|
|
$ |
6,002 |
|
Programming Costs
The Company has various contracts to obtain basic, digital and premium video programming from program suppliers whose compensation is typically based on a flat fee per customer. The cost of the right to exhibit network programming under such arrangements is recorded in operating expenses in the month the programming is available
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
for exhibition. Programming costs are paid each month based on calculations performed by the Company and are subject to periodic audits performed by the programmers. Certain programming contracts contain incentives to be paid by the programmers. The Company receives these payments and recognizes the incentives on a straight-line basis over the life of the programming agreement as a reduction of programming expense. This offset to programming expense was $2 million, $24 million, $33 million, and $25 million for the one month ended December 31, 2009, eleven months ended November 30, 2009 and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, the deferred amounts of such economic consideration, included in other long-term liabilities, were $3
6 million and $61 million, respectively. Programming costs included in the accompanying statements of operations were $146 million, $1.6 billion, $1.6 billion, and $1.6 billion for the one month ended December 31, 2009, eleven months ended November 30, 2009 and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs associated with marketing the Company’s products and services are generally expensed as costs are incurred. Such advertising expense was $20 million, $230 million, $229 million, and $187 million for the one month ended December 31, 2009, eleven months ended November 30, 2009 and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
Multiple-Element Transactions
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into multiple-element transactions where it is simultaneously both a customer and a vendor with the same counterparty or in which it purchases multiple products and/or services, or settles outstanding items contemporaneous with the purchase of a product or service from a single counterparty. Transactions, although negotiated contemporaneously, may be documented in one or more contracts. The Company’s policy for accounting for each transaction negotiated contemporaneously is to record each element of the transaction based on the respective estimated fair values of the products or services purchased and the products or services sold. In determining the fair value of the respective elements, the Company refers to quoted market prices (where availab
le), historical transactions or comparable cash transactions.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company recorded $1 million, $26 million, $33 million, and $18 million of option compensation expense which is included in general and administrative expenses for the one month ended December 31, 2009, eleven months ended November 30, 2009 and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following weighted average assumptions were used for grants during the years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively; risk-free interest rates of 3.5% and 4.6%; expected volatility of 88.1% and 70.3% based on historical volatility; and expected lives of 6.3 years and 6.3 years, respectively. The valuations assume no dividends are paid. The Company did not grant stock options in 2009.
Income Taxes
CCH II is a single member limited liability company not subject to income tax. CCH II holds all operations through indirect subsidiaries. The majority of these indirect subsidiaries are limited liability companies that are also not subject to income tax. However, certain of CCH II’s indirect subsidiaries are corporations that are subject to income tax. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of these indirect subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities and expected benefits of utilizing net operating loss carryforwards. The impact on deferred taxes of changes in tax rates and tax law, if any, applied to the years during which temporary differences are expected to be settled, ar
e reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period of enactment (see Note 19).
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
Charter, the Company’s indirect parent company, is subject to income taxes. Accordingly, in addition to the Company’s deferred tax liabilities, Charter has recorded net deferred tax liabilities of approximately $93 million related to their investment in Charter Holdco which is not reflected at the Company.
Segments
The Company’s operations are managed on the basis of geographic operating segments. The Company has evaluated the criteria for aggregation of the geographic operating segments and believes it meets each of the respective criteria set forth. The Company delivers similar products and services within each of its geographic operations. Each geographic service area utilizes similar means for delivering the programming of the Company’s services; have similarity in the type or class of customer receiving the products and services; distributes the Company’s services over a unified network; and operates within a consistent regulatory environment. In addition, each of the geographic operating segments has similar economic characteristics. In light of the Company’s sim
ilar services, means for delivery, similarity in type of customers, the use of a unified network and other considerations across its geographic operating structure, management has determined that the Company has one reportable segment, broadband services.
4. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts is summarized as follows for the years presented:
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Successor
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
One Month
Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
Eleven Months
Ended
November 30,
|
|
|
Predecessor
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2009
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, beginning of period
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
18 |
|
|
$ |
18 |
|
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
Charged to expense
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
120 |
|
|
|
122 |
|
|
|
107 |
|
|
Uncollected balances written off, net of recoveries
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(116 |
) |
|
|
(122 |
) |
|
|
(105 |
) |
|
Fresh start accounting adjustments
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(22 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance, end of period
|
|
$ |
11 |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
18 |
|
|
$ |
18 |
|
On the Effective Date, the Company applied fresh start accounting and as such adjusted its accounts receivable to reflect fair value. Therefore, the allowance for doubtful accounts was eliminated at November 30, 2009.
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
|
5.
|
Property, Plant and Equipment
|
Property, plant and equipment consists of the following as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:
| |
|
Successor
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
| |
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cable distribution systems
|
|
$ |
4,762 |
|
|
$ |
7,008 |
|
|
Customer equipment and installations
|
|
|
1,597 |
|
|
|
4,057 |
|
|
Vehicles and equipment
|
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
256 |
|
|
Buildings and leasehold improvements
|
|
|
273 |
|
|
|
439 |
|
|
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
|
|
|
168 |
|
|
|
390 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
6,891 |
|
|
|
12,150 |
|
|
Less: accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
(94 |
) |
|
|
(7,191 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
$ |
6,797 |
|
|
$ |
4,959 |
|
The Company periodically evaluates the estimated useful lives used to depreciate its assets and the estimated amount of assets that will be abandoned or have minimal use in the future. A significant change in assumptions about the extent or timing of future asset retirements, or in the Company’s use of new technology and upgrade programs, could materially affect future depreciation expense. In 2007, the Company changed the useful lives of certain property, plant, and equipment based on technological changes. The change in useful lives reduced depreciation expense by approximately $81 million and $8 million during 2008 and 2007, respectively. On the Effective Date, the Company applied fresh start accounting and as such adjusted its property, plant and equipment to reflect fair value and adjusted re
maining useful lives for existing property, plant and equipment and for future purchases.
Depreciation expense for the one month ended December 31, 2009, eleven months ended November 30, 2009 and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007 was $94 million, $1.2 billion, $1.3 billion, and $1.3 billion, respectively.
6. Franchises, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Franchise rights represent the value attributed to agreements or authorizations with local and state authorities that allow access to homes in cable service areas. Franchises are tested for impairment annually, or more frequently as warranted by events or changes in circumstances. Franchises are aggregated into essentially inseparable units of accounting to conduct the valuations. The units of accounting generally represent geographical clustering of the Company’s cable systems into groups by which such systems are managed. Management believes such grouping represents the highest and best use of those assets.
As a result of the continued economic pressure on the Company’s customers from the recent economic downturn along with increased competition, the Company determined that its projected future growth would be lower than previously anticipated in its annual impairment testing in December 2008. Accordingly, the Company determined that sufficient indicators existed to require it to perform an interim franchise impairment analysis as of September 30, 2009. As of the date of the filing of its parent companies’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Company determined that an impairment of franchises was probable and could be reasonably estimated. Accordingly, for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded a preliminary non-cash franchise impairment charge o
f $2.9 billion which represented the Company’s best estimate of the impairment of its franchise assets. The Company finalized its franchise impairment analysis during the two months ended November 30, 2009, and recorded a reduction of the non-cash franchise impairment charge of $691 million.
The Company recorded non-cash franchise impairment charges of $1.5 billion and $178 million for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The impairment charge recorded in 2008 was primarily the result of the
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
impact of the economic downturn along with increased competition while the impairment charge recorded in 2007 was primarily the result of an increase in competition.
On the Effective Date, the Company applied fresh start accounting and adjusted its franchise, goodwill, and other intangible assets including customer relationships to reflect fair value. The Company’s valuations, which are based on the present value of projected after tax cash flows, resulted in a value for property, plant and equipment, franchises, and customer relationships for each unit of accounting. As a result of applying fresh start accounting, the Company recorded goodwill of $951 million which represents the excess of reorganization value over amounts assigned to the other assets. See Note 2.
The Company determined the estimated fair value of each unit of accounting utilizing an income approach model based on the present value of the estimated discrete future cash flows attributable to each of the intangible assets identified for each unit assuming a discount rate. This approach makes use of unobservable factors such as projected revenues, expenses, capital expenditures, and a discount rate applied to the estimated cash flows. The determination of the discount rate was based on a weighted average cost of capital approach, which uses a market participant’s cost of equity and after-tax cost of debt and reflects the risks inherent in the cash flows.
The Company estimated discounted future cash flows using reasonable and appropriate assumptions including among others, penetration rates for basic and digital video, high-speed Internet, and telephone; revenue growth rates; operating margins; and capital expenditures. The assumptions are derived based on the Company’s and its peers’ historical operating performance adjusted for current and expected competitive and economic factors surrounding the cable industry. The estimates and assumptions made in the Company’s valuations are inherently subject to significant uncertainties, many of which are beyond its control, and there is no assurance that these results can be achieved. The primary assumptions for which there is a reasonable possibility of the occurrence of a variation that would significant
ly affect the measurement value include the assumptions regarding revenue growth, programming expense growth rates, the amount and timing of capital expenditures and the discount rate utilized. The assumptions used are consistent with current internal forecasts, some of which differ from the assumptions used for the annual impairment testing in December 2008 as a result of the economic and competitive environment discussed previously. The change in assumptions reflects the lower than anticipated growth in revenues experienced during 2009 and the expected reduction of future cash flows as compared to those used in the December 2008 valuations.
Franchises, for valuation purposes, are defined as the future economic benefits of the right to solicit and service potential customers (customer marketing rights), and the right to deploy and market new services, such as interactivity and telephone, to potential customers (service marketing rights). Fair value is determined based on estimated discrete discounted future cash flows using assumptions consistent with internal forecasts. The franchise after-tax cash flow is calculated as the after-tax cash flow generated by the potential customers obtained (less the anticipated customer churn), and the new services added to those customers in future periods. The sum of the present value of the franchises' after-tax cash flow in years 1 through 10 and the continuing value of the after-tax cash flow beyond ye
ar 10 yields the fair value of the franchises. Franchises increased $62 million as a result of the application of fresh start accounting. Subsequent to finalization of the franchise impairment charge and fresh start accounting, franchises are recorded at fair value of $5.3 billion. Franchises are expected to generate cash flows indefinitely and as such will continue to be tested for impairment annually.
Customer relationships, for valuation purposes, represent the value of the business relationship with existing customers (less the anticipated customer churn), and are calculated by projecting the discrete future after-tax cash flows from these customers, including the right to deploy and market additional services to these customers. The present value of these after-tax cash flows yields the fair value of the customer relationships. The Company recorded $2.4 billion of customer relationships in connection with the application of fresh start accounting on the Effective Date. Customer relationships will be amortized on an accelerated method over useful lives of 11-15 years based on the period over which current customers are expected to generate cash flows.
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, indefinite-lived and finite-lived intangible assets are presented in the following table:
| |
|
Successor
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
| |
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
| |
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
|
|
|
Gross
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
|
|
| |
|
Carrying
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
Carrying
|
|
| |
|
Amount
|
|
|
Amortization
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Amortization
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Franchises with indefinite lives
|
|
$ |
5,272 |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
5,272 |
|
|
$ |
7,377 |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
7,377 |
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
951 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
951 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
68 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
$ |
6,223 |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
6,223 |
|
|
$ |
7,445 |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
7,445 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finite-lived intangible assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Franchises with finite lives
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
$ |
9 |
|
|
$ |
7 |
|
|
Customer relationships
|
|
|
2,363 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
2,335 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
Other intangible assets
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
| |
|
$ |
2,396 |
|
|
$ |
28 |
|
|
$ |
2,368 |
|
|
$ |
87 |
|
|
$ |
50 |
|
|
$ |
37 |
|
Franchise amortization expense for the Predecessor represents the amortization relating to franchises that did not qualify for indefinite-life treatment including costs associated with franchise renewals. Franchise amortization expense for the eleven months ended November 30, 2009, and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007 was $2 million, $2 million, and $3 million, respectively. Amortization expense related to customer relationships and other intangible assets for the one month ended December 31, 2009, eleven months ended November 30, 2009, and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007 was $28 million, $5 million, $5 million, and $4 million, respectively. During the eleven months ended November 30, 2009, the net carrying amount of indefinite-lived franchises was reduced by $9 million related to cable a
sset sales completed in 2009.
The Company expects amortization expense on its finite-lived intangible assets will be as follows.
|
2010
|
|
$ |
337 |
|
|
2011
|
|
|
311 |
|
|
2012
|
|
|
285 |
|
|
2013
|
|
|
259 |
|
|
2014
|
|
|
233 |
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
943 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
$ |
2,368 |
|
Actual amortization expense in future periods could differ from these estimates as a result of new intangible asset acquisitions or divestitures, changes in useful lives and other relevant factors.
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
7. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:
| |
|
Successor
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
| |
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable – trade
|
|
$ |
102 |
|
|
$ |
86 |
|
|
Accrued capital expenditures
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
Accrued expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
|
|
|
88 |
|
|
|
193 |
|
|
Programming costs
|
|
|
270 |
|
|
|
305 |
|
|
Franchise related fees
|
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
60 |
|
|
Compensation
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
80 |
|
|
Other
|
|
|
138 |
|
|
|
200 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
$ |
756 |
|
|
$ |
980 |
|
Long-term debt consists of the following as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:
| |
|
Successor
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
| |
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
| |
|
Principal
|
|
|
Accreted
|
|
|
Principal
|
|
|
Accreted
|
|
| |
|
Amount
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
CCH II, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 10.250% senior notes due September 15, 2010 |
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
1,860 |
|
|
$ |
1,857 |
|
|
10.250% senior notes due October 1, 2013
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
614 |
|
|
|
598 |
|
|
13.500% senior notes due November 15, 2016
|
|
|
1,766 |
|
|
|
2,092 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
CCO Holdings, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 3/4% senior notes due November 15, 2013
|
|
|
800 |
|
|
|
812 |
|
|
|
800 |
|
|
|
796 |
|
|
Credit facility
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
304 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
Charter Communications Operating, LLC:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.000% senior second-lien notes due April 30, 2012
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
1,120 |
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
|
|
1,100 |
|
|
8 3/8% senior second-lien notes due April 30, 2014
|
|
|
770 |
|
|
|
779 |
|
|
|
770 |
|
|
|
770 |
|
|
10.875% senior second-lien notes due September 15, 2014
|
|
|
546 |
|
|
|
601 |
|
|
|
546 |
|
|
|
527 |
|
|
Credit facilities
|
|
|
8,177 |
|
|
|
7,614 |
|
|
|
8,246 |
|
|
|
8,246 |
|
|
Total Debt
|
|
$ |
13,509 |
|
|
$ |
13,322 |
|
|
$ |
14,286 |
|
|
$ |
14,244 |
|
|
Less: Current Portion
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
Long-Term Debt
|
|
$ |
13,439 |
|
|
$ |
13,252 |
|
|
$ |
14,216 |
|
|
$ |
14,174 |
|
On the Effective Date, the Company applied fresh start accounting and as such adjusted its debt to reflect fair value. Therefore, as of December 31, 2009, the accreted values presented above represent the fair value of the notes as of the Effective Date, plus the accretion to the balance sheet date. However, the amount that is currently payable if the debt becomes immediately due is equal to the principal amount of notes. As of December 31, 2008, the accreted values presented above generally represented the principal amount of the notes less the original issue discount at the time of sale, plus the accretion to the balance sheet date.
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
The exchange of CCH II debt described below resulted in a loss due to effects of the Plan of approximately $353 million for the eleven months ended November 30, 2009, included in the Predecessor company’s consolidated statements of operations. See Note 2.
CCH II, LLC Notes
On the Effective Date, CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp. issued approximately $1.8 billion in total principal amount of new 13.5% senior notes. Existing holders of senior notes of CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp. (“CCH II Notes”) exchanged $1.5 billion principal amount of their CCH II Notes plus accrued interest for $1.7 billion principal amount ($2.0 billion fair value) of new 13.5% Senior Notes of CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp. (the “New CCH II Notes”). CCH II Notes and accrued interest that were not exchanged were paid in cash by Charter in an amount equal to $1.1 billion. The notes were thereafter transferred to Charter and cancelled.
The New CCH II Notes are senior debt obligations of CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp. The New CCH II Notes rank equally with all other current and future unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of CCH II and CCH II Capital Corp. The New CCH II notes are structurally subordinated to all obligations of the subsidiaries of CCH II, including the CCO Holdings notes and credit facility and the Charter Operating notes and credit facilities.
At any time prior to the third anniversary of their issuance, CCH II will be permitted to redeem up to 35% of the New CCH II Notes with the proceeds of an equity offering, for cash equal to 113.5% of the then-outstanding principal amount of the New CCH II Notes being redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest. At or any time prior to the third anniversary of their issuance, CCH II will be permitted to redeem the New CCH II Notes, in whole or in part, at 100% of the principal amount outstanding plus a “make-whole” premium calculated based on a discount rate of the Treasury rate plus 50 basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest. On or after the third anniversary of their issuance, the New CCH II Notes will be subject to redemption by CCH II for cash equal to 106.75% of the princi
pal amount of the New CCH II Notes being redeemed for redemptions made during the fourth year following their issuance, 103.375% for redemptions made during the fifth year following their issuance, 101.6875% for redemptions made during the sixth year following their issuance, and 100.000% for redemptions made thereafter, in each case, together with accrued and unpaid interest.
In the event of specified change of control events, CCH II must offer to purchase the outstanding CCH II notes from the holders at a purchase price equal to 101% of the total principal amount of the notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.
CCO Holdings Notes
The CCO Holdings notes are senior debt obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. They rank equally with all other current and future unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. The CCO Holdings notes are structurally subordinated to all obligations of subsidiaries of CCO Holdings, including the Charter Operating notes and the Charter Operating credit facilities.
The issuers of the CCO Holdings 8 ¾% senior notes may redeem all or a part of the notes at a redemption price that declines ratably from the redemption price of 102.917% to a redemption price on or after November 15, 2011 of 100.0% of the principal amount of the CCO Holdings 8 ¾% senior notes redeemed, plus, in each case, any accrued and unpaid interest.
In the event of specified change of control events, CCO Holdings must offer to purchase the outstanding CCO Holdings senior notes from the holders at a purchase price equal to 101% of the total principal amount of the notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.
Charter Operating Notes
The Charter Operating notes are senior debt obligations of Charter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. To the extent of the value of the collateral (but subject to the prior lien of the credit
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
facilities), they rank effectively senior to all of Charter Operating’s future unsecured senior indebtedness. The collateral currently consists of the capital stock of Charter Operating held by CCO Holdings, all of the intercompany obligations owing to CCO Holdings by Charter Operating or any subsidiary of Charter Operating, and substantially all of Charter Operating’s and the guarantors’ assets (other than the assets of CCO Holdings). CCO Holdings and those subsidiaries of Charter Operating that are guarantors of, or otherwise obligors with respect to, indebtedness under the Charter Operating credit facilities and related obligations, guarantee the Charter Operating notes.
Charter Operating may, at any time and from time to time, at their option, redeem the outstanding 8% second lien notes due 2012, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, plus the Make-Whole Premium. The Make-Whole Premium is an amount equal to the excess of (a) the present value of the remaining interest and principal payments due on an 8% senior second-lien note due 2012 to its final maturity date, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate on such date plus 0.50%, over (b) the outstanding principal amount of such Note.
On or after April 30, 2009, Charter Operating may redeem all or a part of the 8 3/8% senior second lien notes at a redemption price that declines ratably from the initial redemption price of 104.188% to a redemption price on or after April 30, 2012 of 100% of the principal amount of the 8 3/8% senior second lien notes redeemed plus in each case accrued and unpaid interest.
In March 2008, Charter Operating issued $546 million principal amount of 10.875% senior second-lien notes due 2014, guaranteed by CCO Holdings and certain other subsidiaries of Charter Operating, in a private transaction. Net proceeds from the senior second-lien notes were used to reduce borrowings, but not commitments, under the revolving portion of the Charter Operating credit facilities.
The Charter Operating 10.875% senior second-lien notes may be redeemed at the option of Charter Operating on or after varying dates, in each case at a premium, plus the Make-Whole Premium. The Make-Whole Premium is an amount equal to the excess of (a) the present value of the remaining interest and principal payments due on a 10.875% senior second-lien note due 2014 to its final maturity date, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate on such date plus 0.50%, over (b) the outstanding principal amount of such note. The Charter Operating 10.875% senior second-lien notes may be redeemed at any time on or after March 15, 2012 at specified prices. In the event of specified change of control events, Charter Operating must offer to purchase the Charter Operating 10.875% senior second-lien notes
at a purchase price equal to 101% of the total principal amount of the Charter Operating notes repurchased plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon.
High-Yield Restrictive Covenants; Limitation on Indebtedness.
The indentures governing the CCH II, CCO Holdings and Charter Operating notes contain certain covenants that restrict the ability of CCH II, CCH II Capital Corp., CCO Holdings, CCO Holdings Capital Corp., Charter Operating, Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., and all of their restricted subsidiaries to:
|
|
·
|
pay dividends on equity or repurchase equity;
|
|
|
·
|
sell all or substantially all of their assets or merge with or into other companies;
|
|
|
·
|
enter into sale-leasebacks;
|
|
|
·
|
in the case of restricted subsidiaries, create or permit to exist dividend or payment restrictions with respect to the bond issuers, guarantee their parent companies debt, or issue specified equity interests;
|
|
|
·
|
engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and
|
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
CCO Holdings Credit Facility
The CCO Holdings credit facility consists of a $350 million term loan. The term loan matures on September 6, 2014. The CCO Holdings credit facility also allows the Company to enter into incremental term loans in the future, maturing on the dates set forth in the notices establishing such term loans, but no earlier than the maturity date of the existing term loans. However, no assurance can be given that the Company could obtain such incremental term loans if CCO Holdings sought to do so. Borrowings under the CCO Holdings credit facility bear interest at a variable interest rate based on either LIBOR or a base rate plus, in either case, an applicable margin. The applicable margin for LIBOR term loans, other than incremental loans, is 2.50% above LIBOR. The applicable marg
in with respect to the incremental loans is to be agreed upon by CCO Holdings and the lenders when the incremental loans are established. The CCO Holdings credit facility is secured by the equity interests of Charter Operating, and all proceeds thereof.
Charter Operating Credit Facilities
On the Effective Date, the Charter Operating credit facilities remain outstanding although the revolving line of credit is no longer available for new borrowings and remains substantially drawn with the same maturity and interest terms. The Charter Operating credit facilities have outstanding principal amount of $8.2 billion at December 31, 2009 as follows:
|
·
|
a term loan with a remaining principal amount of $6.4 billion, which is repayable in equal quarterly installments aggregating in each loan year to 1% of the original amount of the term loan, with the remaining balance due at final maturity on March 6, 2014;
|
|
·
|
an incremental term loan with a remaining principal amount of $491 million which is payable on March 6, 2014 and prior to that date will amortize in quarterly principal installments totaling 1% annually; and
|
|
·
|
a revolving credit facility of $1.3 billion, with a maturity date on March 6, 2013.
|
The Charter Operating credit facilities also allow the Company to enter into incremental term loans in the future with an aggregate amount of up to an additional $500 million, with amortization as set forth in the notices establishing such term loans, but with no amortization greater than 1% prior to the final maturity of the existing term loan. Although the Charter Operating credit facilities allow for the incurrence of up to an additional $500 million in incremental term loans, no assurance can be given that additional incremental term loans could be obtained in the future if Charter Operating sought to do so.
Amounts outstanding under the Charter Operating credit facilities bear interest, at Charter Operating’s election, at a base rate or LIBOR (0.26% as of December 31, 2009 and 1.46% to 3.50% as of December 31, 2008), as defined, plus a margin for LIBOR loans of 2.00% for the revolving credit facility and for the term loan. The current incremental term loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 5.0%, with a LIBOR floor of 3.5% or at Charter Operating’s election, a base rate (3.25% at December 31, 2009) plus a margin of 4.00%. Charter Operating has currently elected the base rate for the incremental term loan.
The obligations of Charter Operating under the Charter Operating credit facilities (the “Obligations”) are guaranteed by Charter Operating’s immediate parent company, CCO Holdings, and the subsidiaries of Charter Operating, except for certain subsidiaries, including immaterial subsidiaries and subsidiaries precluded from guaranteeing by reason of provisions of other indebtedness to which they are subject (the “non-guarantor subsidiaries”). The Obligations are also secured by (i) a lien on substantially all of the assets of Charter Operating and its subsidiaries (other than assets of the non-guarantor subsidiaries), and (ii) a pledge by CCO Holdings of the equity interests owned by it in Charter Operating or any of Charter Operating’s subsidiaries, as well as intercompany obligations owing to it
by any of such entities.
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
Credit Facilities — Restrictive Covenants
Charter Operating Credit Facilities
The Charter Operating credit facilities contain representations and warranties, and affirmative and negative covenants customary for financings of this type. The financial covenants measure performance against standards set for leverage to be tested as of the end of each quarter. Additionally, the Charter Operating credit facilities contain provisions requiring mandatory loan prepayments under specific circumstances, including in connection with certain sales of assets, so long as the proceeds have not been reinvested in the business. The Charter Operating credit facilities permit Charter Operating and its subsidiaries to make distributions to pay interest on the subordinated and parent company indebtedness, provided that, among other things, no default has occurred and is continuing under the Charter O
perating credit facilities.
The events of default under the Charter Operating credit facilities include, among other things:
|
|
·
|
the failure to make payments when due or within the applicable grace period,
|
|
|
·
|
the failure to comply with specified covenants, including but not limited to a covenant to deliver audited financial statements for Charter Operating with an unqualified opinion from the Company’s independent accountants and without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception.
|
|
|
·
|
the failure to pay or the occurrence of events that cause or permit the acceleration of other indebtedness owing by CCO Holdings, Charter Operating, or Charter Operating’s subsidiaries in amounts in excess of $100 million in aggregate principal amount,
|
|
|
·
|
the failure to pay or the occurrence of events that result in the acceleration of other indebtedness owing by certain of CCO Holdings’ direct and indirect parent companies in amounts in excess of $200 million in aggregate principal amount,
|
|
|
·
|
Mr. Allen and/or certain of his family members and/or their exclusively owned entities (collectively, the “Paul Allen Group”) ceasing to have the power, directly or indirectly, to vote at least 35% of the ordinary voting power for the management of Charter Operating on a fully diluted basis,
|
|
|
·
|
the consummation of any transaction resulting in any person or group (other than the Paul Allen Group) having power, directly or indirectly, to vote more than 35% of the ordinary voting power for the management of Charter Operating on a fully diluted basis, unless the Paul Allen Group holds a greater share of ordinary voting power for the management of Charter Operating, and
|
|
|
·
|
Charter Operating ceasing to be a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of CCO Holdings, except in certain very limited circumstances.
|
CCO Holdings Credit Facility
The CCO Holdings credit facility contains covenants that are substantially similar to the restrictive covenants for the CCO Holdings notes. The CCO Holdings credit facility contains provisions requiring mandatory loan prepayments under specific circumstances, including in connection with certain sales of assets, so long as the proceeds have not been reinvested in the business. The CCO Holdings credit facility permits CCO Holdings and its subsidiaries to make distributions to pay interest on the CCH II notes, the CCO Holdings notes, and the Charter Operating second-lien notes, provided that, among other things, no default has occurred and is continuing under the CCO Holdings credit facility.
Limitations on Distributions
Distributions by Charter’s subsidiaries to a parent company for payment of principal on parent company notes are restricted under the indentures and credit facilities discussed above, unless there is no default under the applicable indenture and credit facilities, and unless each applicable subsidiary’s leverage ratio test is met at the time of such distribution. As of December 31, 2009, there was no default under any of these indentures or credit facilities. However, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries did not meet their applicable leverage ratio tests based on December 31, 2009 financial results. As a result, distributions from certain of Charter’s subsidiaries to their parent companies would have been restricted at such time and will continue to be restricted unless those te
sts are met.
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
Distributions by Charter Operating for payment of principal on parent company notes are further restricted by the covenants in its credit facilities.
Distributions by CCO Holdings and Charter Operating to a parent company for payment of parent company interest are permitted if there is no default under the aforementioned indentures and CCO Holdings and Charter Operating credit facilities.
In addition to the limitation on distributions under the various indentures discussed above, distributions by the Company’s subsidiaries may be limited by applicable law, including the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, under which the Company’s subsidiaries may only make distributions if they have “surplus” as defined in the act.
Liquidity and Future Principal Payments
The Company has a significant amount of debt, and its business requires significant cash to fund principal and interest payments on its debt, capital expenditures and ongoing operations. The Company has funded its cash requirements through cash flows from operating activities, borrowings under its credit facilities, proceeds from sales of assets, issuances of debt and equity securities, and cash on hand. Upon filing bankruptcy and continuing under the Plan as consummated, Charter Operating no longer has access to the revolving feature of its revolving credit facility and will rely on cash on hand and cash flows from operating activities to fund its projected operating cash needs. As set forth below, the Company has significant future principal payments beginning in 2012 and beyond.
0;The Company continues to monitor the capital markets, and it expects to undertake refinancing transactions and utilize cash flows from operating activities and cash on hand to further extend or reduce the maturities of its principal obligations.
Based upon outstanding indebtedness as of December 31, 2009, the amortization of term loans, and the maturity dates for all senior and subordinated notes, total future principal payments on the total borrowings under all debt agreements as of December 31, 2009, are as follows:
|
Year
|
|
Amount
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
$ |
70 |
|
|
2011
|
|
|
70 |
|
|
2012
|
|
|
1,170 |
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2,185 |
|
|
2014
|
|
|
8,248 |
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
1,766 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
$ |
13,509 |
|
|
9.
|
Loans Payable – Related Party
|
Loans payable-related party as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 consists of loans from Charter Holdco to Charter Operating of $13 million.
Temporary equity on the consolidated balance sheets represented Mr. Allen’s 5.6% preferred membership interest in CC VIII, an indirect subsidiary of CCH II, of $203 million as of December 31, 2008. Mr. Allen’s CC VIII interest was classified as temporary equity as a result of Mr. Allen’s ability to put his interest to the Company upon a change in control. On the Effective Date, Mr. Allen’s 5.6% preferred membership interest was transferred to Charter and is now classified as noncontrolling interest. See Note 2 and Note 11.
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
11. Noncontrolling Interest
Noncontrolling interest represents Charter’s 5.6% membership interest and CCH I’s 13% membership interest in CC VIII of $225 million as of December 31, 2009. As of December 31, 2008, noncontrolling interest of $473 million represented only CCH I’s 13% membership interest in CC VIII. As discussed above, on the Effective Date, Mr. Allen transferred his 5.6% membership interest to Charter. Noncontrolling interest in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations represents the 2% accretion of the preferred membership interest in CC VIII plus approximately 18.6% of CC VIII’s income, inclusive of Mr. Allen’s previous 5.6% membership interest accounted for as temporary equity as of December 31, 2008.
12. Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The Company reports changes in the fair value of interest rate agreements designated as hedging the variability of cash flows associated with floating-rate debt obligations, that meet effectiveness criteria in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007 was $1.9 billion and $712 million, respectively. Comprehensive income for the one month ended December 31, 2009 and eleven months ended November 30, 2009 was $6 million and $2.7 billion, respectively.
13. Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company used interest rate swap agreements to manage its interest costs and reduce the Company’s exposure to increases in floating interest rates. The Company’s policy is to manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates by maintaining a mix of fixed and variable rate debt within a targeted range. Using interest rate swap agreements, the Company agreed to exchange, at specified intervals through 2013, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to agreed-upon notional principal amounts. At the banks’ option, certain interest rate swap agreements could have been extended through 2014.
Upon filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the counterparties to the interest rate swap agreements terminated the underlying contracts and, upon emergence from bankruptcy, received payment of $495 million for the market value of the interest rate swap agreements as measured on the date the counterparties terminated plus accrued interest. The Company does not hold any derivative financial instruments as of December 31, 2009.
The Company’s hedging policy does not permit it to hold or issue derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes. The Company did, however, have certain interest rate derivative instruments that were designated as cash flow hedging instruments. Such instruments effectively converted variable interest payments on certain debt instruments into fixed payments. For qualifying hedges, derivative gains and losses offset related results on hedged items in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company formally documented, designated and assessed the effectiveness of transactions that received hedge accounting.
Changes in the fair value of interest rate agreements that were designated as hedging instruments of the variability of cash flows associated with floating-rate debt obligations, and that met effectiveness criteria were reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The amounts were subsequently reclassified as an increase or decrease to interest expense in the same periods in which the related interest on the floating-rate debt obligations affected earnings (losses).
Certain interest rate derivative instruments were not designated as hedges as they did not meet effectiveness criteria. However, management believes such instruments were closely correlated with the respective debt, thus managing associated risk. Interest rate derivative instruments not designated as hedges were marked to fair value, with the impact recorded as a change in value of derivatives in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
As of December 31, 2008, the Company had outstanding $4.3 billion in notional amounts of interest rate swap agreements outstanding. The notional amounts of interest rate instruments do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties and, thus, are not a measure of exposure to credit loss. The amounts exchanged were determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the contracts.
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
The effect of derivative instruments on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations is presented in the table below.
| |
|
Year Ended December 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Successor
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
One Month
Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
Eleven Months
Ended
November 30,
|
|
|
Predecessor
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2009
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in value of derivatives:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss on interest rate derivatives not designated as hedges
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
(62 |
) |
|
$ |
(46 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss on interest rate derivatives
designated as hedges (effective portion)
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
(9 |
) |
|
$ |
(180 |
) |
|
$ |
(123 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount of loss reclassified from
accumulated other comprehensive loss
into interest expense, reorganization
items, net or gain due to fresh start
accounting adjustments
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
279 |
|
|
$ |
(76 |
) |
|
$ |
10 |
|
14. Fair Value Measurements
Financial Assets and Liabilities
The Company has estimated the fair value of its financial instruments as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 using available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment, however, is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company would realize in a current market exchange.
The carrying amounts of cash, receivables, payables and other current assets and liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.
The estimated fair value of the Company’s debt at December 31, 2009 and 2008 are based on quoted market prices.
A summary of the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s debt at December 31, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:
| |
|
Successor
|
|
Predecessor
|
| |
|
December 31, 2009
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
| |
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
|
Fair |
|
|
|
Carrying |
|
|
Fair |
| |
|
|
Value |
|
|
|
Value |
|
|
|
Value |
|
|
Value |
|
Debt
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CCH II debt, Predecessor
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
|
$
|
2,455
|
|
$
|
1,051
|
|
CCH II debt, Successor
|
|
|
2,092
|
|
|
|
2,086
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
CCO Holdings debt
|
|
|
812
|
|
|
|
816
|
|
|
|
796
|
|
|
505
|
|
Charter Operating debt
|
|
|
2,500
|
|
|
|
2,527
|
|
|
|
2,397
|
|
|
1,923
|
|
Credit facilities
|
|
|
7,918
|
|
|
|
8,000
|
|
|
|
8,596
|
|
|
6,187
|
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
The Company adopted new accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures on its financial assets and liabilities effective January 1, 2008, and has an established process for determining fair value. Fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If such valuation methods are not available, fair value is based on internally or externally developed models using market-based or independently-sourced market parameters, where available. Fair value may be subsequently adjusted to ensure that those assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value. The Company’s methodology may produce a fair value that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values, but the Company believes its methods are appropriate and consistent with other
market peers. The use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value estimate as of the Company’s reporting date.
The accounting guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements, based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date, as follows:
|
·
|
Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
|
|
·
|
Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
|
|
·
|
Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
|
Interest rate derivatives were valued at December 31, 2008 using a present value calculation based on an implied forward LIBOR curve (adjusted for Charter Operating’s credit risk) and were classified within level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. The Company’s interest rate derivatives were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis and totaled $411 million and had a weighted average interest pay rate of 4.93% at December 31, 2008.
The Company’s long-term debt was adjusted to fair value on the Effective Date. Debt instruments with a fair value of $9.8 billion were classified as level 1 within the fair value hierarchy and debt instruments with a fair value of $3.5 billion were classified as level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
Nonfinancial Assets and Liabilities
The Company adopted new accounting guidance effective January 1, 2009 with respect to its nonfinancial assets and liabilities including fair value measurements of franchises, property, plant, and equipment, and other intangible assets. These assets are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis; however they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence that an impairment may exist. During 2009, the Company recorded an impairment on its franchise assets of $2.2 billion and reflected its franchises, property, plant and equipment, customer relationships and goodwill at fair value based on applying fresh start accounting. The fair value of these assets was determined utilizing an income approach or cost approach that makes use of significant unobservable inputs.
Such fair values are classified as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 6 for additional information.
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
15. Other Operating (Income) Expenses, Net
Other operating (income) expenses, net consist of the following for the years presented:
| |
|
Successor
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
| |
|
One Month
Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
Eleven Months
Ended
November 30,
|
|
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2009
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Gain) loss on sale of assets, net
|
|
$ |
1 |
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
$ |
13 |
|
|
$ |
(3 |
) |
|
Special charges, net
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
(44 |
) |
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
(14 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
$ |
4 |
|
|
$ |
(38 |
) |
|
$ |
69 |
|
|
$ |
(17 |
) |
(Gain) loss on sale of assets, net
(Gain) loss on sale of assets represents the (gain) loss recognized on the sale of fixed assets and cable systems.
Special charges, net
Special charges, net for one month ended December 31, 2009 primarily includes severance charges. Special charges, net for the eleven months ended November 30, 2009 primarily includes gains related to favorable litigation settlements. Special charges, net for the year ended December 31, 2008 includes severance charges and settlement costs associated with certain litigation, offset by favorable insurance settlements. Special charges, net for the year ended December 31, 2007, primarily represents favorable litigation settlements offset by severance associated with the closing of call centers and divisional restructuring.
|
16.
|
|
Reorganization Items, Net
|
Reorganization items, net is presented separately in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and represents items of income, expense, gain or loss that are realized or incurred by the Company because it was in reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
Reorganization items, net consisted of the following items:
| |
|
Successor
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
| |
|
One Month Ended
December 31, 2009
|
|
|
Eleven Months Ended November 30, 2009
|
|
|
Penalty interest, net
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
351 |
|
|
Loss on debt at allowed claim amount
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
Professional fees
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
167 |
|
|
Paul Allen management fee settlement – related party
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
Other
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
18 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Reorganization Items, Net
|
|
$ |
3 |
|
|
$ |
588 |
|
Reorganization items, net consist of adjustments to record liabilities at the allowed claim amounts and other expenses directly related to the Company’s bankruptcy proceedings. Penalty interest primarily represents the 2% per annum penalty interest paid on the Company’s debt and credit facilities while in bankruptcy, and the incremental amounts owed on the credit facilities as a result of the requirement to pay the prime rate plus the 1% per annum applicable margin instead of the election to pay LIBOR. While in bankruptcy, Charter Operating and CCO Holdings were not able to elect LIBOR on credit facilities but paid interest at the prime rate plus the 1% per annum applicable margin
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
plus 2% per annum penalty interest. Post-emergence professional fees relate to claim settlements, plan implementation and other transition costs related to the Plan.
|
17.
|
|
Other Income (Expense), Net
|
Other income (expense), net consists of the following for years presented:
| |
|
Successor
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
| |
|
One Month
Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
Eleven Months
Ended
November 30,
|
|
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2009
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CCO Holdings notes redemption
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
(19 |
) |
|
Charter Operating credit facilities refinancing
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
CCH II tender offer
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
Gain (loss) on investment
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
Other, net
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
2 |
|
|
$ |
(10 |
) |
|
$ |
(34 |
) |
In July 2008, CCH II completed a tender offer, in which $338 million of CCH II’s 10.25% senior notes due 2010 were accepted for $364 million of CCH II’s 10.25% senior notes due 2013, which were issued as part of the same series of notes as CCH II’s $250 million aggregate principal amount of 10.25% senior notes due 2013, which were issued in September 2006. The transactions resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.
In April 2007, CCO Holdings redeemed $550 million of its senior floating rate notes due December 15, 2010 resulting in a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $19 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.
In March 2007, Charter Operating refinanced its facilities resulting in a loss on extinguishment of debt for the year ended December 31, 2007 of approximately $13 million.
18. Stock Compensation Plans
In accordance with the Plan, Charter’s board of directors adopted the Charter Communications, Inc. 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2009 Stock Plan”). The 2009 Stock Plan provides for grants of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, performance units and performance shares, share awards, phantom stock, restricted stock units and restricted stock. Directors, officers and other employees of Charter and its subsidiaries and affiliates, as well as others performing consulting services for the Company and its parent companies, are eligible for grants under the 2009 Stock Plan.
Prior to the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy, Charter had stock compensation plans (the “Equity Plans”) which provided for the grant of non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, performance units and performance shares, share awards, phantom stock and/or shares of restricted stock, as each term is defined in the Equity Plans. Employees, officers, consultants and directors of Charter and its subsidiaries and affiliates were eligible to receive grants under the Equity Plans.
Under the Equity Plans, options granted generally vested over four years from the grant date, with 25% generally vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date and ratably thereafter. Generally, options expired 10 years from the grant date. Restricted stock vested annually over a one to three-year period beginning from the date of grant. The performance units became performance shares on or about the first anniversary of the grant date, conditional upon Charter's performance against financial performance measures established by Charter’s management and approved by its board of directors as of the time of the award. The performance shares became shares of Class A common
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
stock on the third anniversary of the grant date of the performance units. In 2009, the majority of restricted stock and performance units and shares were voluntarily forfeited by participants without termination of the service period, and the remaining, along with all stock options, were cancelled on the Effective Date.
The Plan included an allocation of not less than 3% of new equity for employee grants with 50% of the allocation to be granted within thirty days of the Company's emergence from bankruptcy. In December 2009, Charter’s board of directors authorized 8 million shares under the 2009 Stock Plan and awarded to certain employees 2 million shares of restricted stock, one-third of which are to vest on each of the first three anniversaries of the Effective Date. Such grant of new awards is deemed to be a modification of old awards and will be accounted for as a modification of the original awards. As a result, unamortized compensation cost of $12 million was added to the cost of the new award and will be amortized over the vesting period. As of December 31, 2009, total unrecognized compensation remaining to
be recognized in future periods totaled $72 million.
A summary of the activity for Charter’s stock options for the eleven months ended November 30, 2009 and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, is as follows (amounts in thousands, except per share data). No stock options were granted in 2009. On the Effective Date, all remaining stock options were cancelled.
| |
|
Predecessor
|
|
| |
|
Eleven Months Ended
November 30,
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
| |
|
Shares
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Price
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Price
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding, beginning of period
|
|
|
22,044 |
|
|
$ |
3.82 |
|
|
|
25,682 |
|
|
$ |
4.02 |
|
|
|
26,403 |
|
|
$ |
3.88 |
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
$ |
1.19 |
|
|
|
4,549 |
|
|
$ |
2.77 |
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
|
(53 |
) |
|
$ |
1.18 |
|
|
|
(2,759 |
) |
|
$ |
1.57 |
|
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(22,044 |
) |
|
$ |
3.82 |
|
|
|
(3,630 |
) |
|
$ |
5.27 |
|
|
|
(2,511 |
) |
|
$ |
2.98 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding, end of period
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
|
22,044 |
|
|
$ |
3.82 |
|
|
|
25,682 |
|
|
$ |
4.02 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average remaining contractual life
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 years
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7 years
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options exercisable, end of period
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
|
15,787 |
|
|
$ |
4.53 |
|
|
|
13,119 |
|
|
$ |
5.88 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average fair value of options granted
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
0.90 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1.86 |
|
|
|
|
|
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
A summary of the activity for Charter’s restricted Class A common stock for the one month ended December 31, 2009, eleven months ended November 30, 2009 and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, is as follows (amounts in thousands, except per share data):
| |
Successor
|
|
Predecessor
|
| |
One Month Ended December 31,
|
|
Eleven Months Ended
November 30,
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
| |
2009
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
| |
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Weighted
|
| |
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Average
|
| |
|
|
Grant
|
|
|
|
Grant
|
|
|
|
Grant
|
|
|
Grant
|
| |
Shares
|
|
Price
|
|
Shares
|
|
Price
|
|
Shares
|
|
Price
|
|
Shares
|
Price
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding, beginning of period
|
--
|
$
|
--
|
|
12,009
|
|
$
|
1.21
|
|
4,112
|
|
$
|
2.87
|
|
3,033
|
$
|
1.96
|
|
Granted
|
1,920
|
$
|
35.25
|
|
--
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
10,761
|
|
$
|
0.85
|
|
2,753
|
$
|
3.64
|
|
Vested
|
--
|
$
|
--
|
|
(259)
|
|
$
|
1.08
|
|
(2,298)
|
|
$
|
2.36
|
|
(1,208)
|
$
|
1.83
|
|
Cancelled
|
--
|
$
|
--
|
|
(11,750)
|
|
$
|
1.21
|
|
(566)
|
|
$
|
1.57
|
|
(466)
|
$
|
4.37
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding, end of period
|
1,920
|
$
|
35.25
|
|
--
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
12,009
|
|
$
|
1.21
|
|
4,112
|
$
|
2.87
|
A summary of the activity for Charter’s performance units and shares for the eleven months ended November 30, 2009 and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, is as follows (amounts in thousands, except per share data). No performance units or shares were granted in 2009. On the Effective Date, all remaining performance units and shares were cancelled.
| |
Predecessor
|
| |
Eleven Months Ended
November 30,
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
| |
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
| |
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
|
Weighted
|
|
|
Weighted
|
| |
|
|
Average
|
|
|
|
Average
|
|
|
Average
|
| |
|
|
Grant
|
|
|
|
Grant
|
|
|
Grant
|
| |
Shares
|
|
Price
|
|
Shares
|
|
Price
|
|
Shares
|
Price
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding, beginning of period
|
33,037
|
|
$
|
1.80
|
|
28,013
|
|
$
|
2.16
|
|
15,206
|
$
|
1.27
|
|
Granted
|
--
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
10,137
|
|
$
|
0.84
|
|
14,797
|
$
|
2.95
|
|
Vested
|
(951)
|
|
$
|
1.21
|
|
(1,562)
|
|
$
|
1.49
|
|
(41)
|
$
|
1.23
|
|
Cancelled
|
(32,086)
|
|
$
|
1.81
|
|
(3,551)
|
|
$
|
2.08
|
|
(1,949)
|
$
|
1.51
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding, end of period
|
--
|
|
$
|
--
|
|
33,037
|
|
$
|
1.80
|
|
28,013
|
$
|
2.16
|
19. Income Taxes
CCH II is a single member limited liability company not subject to income tax. CCH II holds all operations through indirect subsidiaries. The majority of these indirect subsidiaries are limited liability companies that are not subject to income tax. However, certain of the limited liability companies are subject to state income tax. In addition, certain of CCH II’s indirect subsidiaries are corporations that are subject to income tax.
For the one month ended December 31, 2009, eleven months ended November 30, 2009 and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, the Company recorded deferred income tax expense and benefits as shown below. The income tax expense is recognized through increases in deferred tax liabilities and current federal and state income taxes primarily related to fresh start accounting and differences in accounting for franchises at the Company’s indirect corporate subsidiaries and limited liability companies that are subject to income tax. The
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
income tax benefits were realized through decreases in deferred tax liabilities of certain of its indirect subsidiaries attributable to the write-down of franchise assets for financial statement purposes and not for tax purposes. The tax provision in future periods will vary based on current and future temporary differences, as well as future operating results.
Current and deferred income tax benefit (expense) is as follows:
| |
|
Successor
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
| |
|
One Month
Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
Eleven Months
Ended
November 30,
|
|
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2009
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current expense:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal income taxes
|
|
$ |
-- |
|
|
$ |
(1 |
) |
|
$ |
(2 |
) |
|
$ |
(3 |
) |
|
State income taxes
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current income tax expense
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(8 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred benefit (expense):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal income taxes
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
State income taxes
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
(16 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(32 |
) |
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
(12 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total income benefit (expense)
|
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
(39 |
) |
|
$ |
40 |
|
|
$ |
(20 |
) |
Income tax expense for the eleven months ended November 30, 2009 included $71 million of deferred tax benefit related to the impairment of franchises. Income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2008 included $32 million of deferred tax benefit related to the impairment of franchises. Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 includes $18 million of deferred income tax expense previously recorded at the Company’s indirect parent company. This adjustment should have been recorded by the Company in prior periods.
The Company’s effective tax rate differs from that derived by applying the applicable federal income tax rate of 35% for the one month ended December 31, 2009, eleven months ended November 30, 2009 and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively, as follows:
| |
|
Successor
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
| |
|
One Month
Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
Eleven Months
Ended
November 30,
|
|
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2009
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statutory federal income taxes
|
|
$ |
(5 |
) |
|
$ |
(938 |
) |
|
$ |
617 |
|
|
$ |
199 |
|
|
Statutory state income taxes, net
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(98 |
) |
|
|
40 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
Losses allocated to limited liability companies not subject to income taxes
|
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
972 |
|
|
|
(610 |
) |
|
|
(228 |
) |
|
Valuation allowance reduced (used)
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax benefit (expense)
|
|
$ |
(4 |
) |
|
$ |
(39 |
) |
|
$ |
40 |
|
|
$ |
(20 |
) |
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
The tax effects of these temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2009 and 2008 for the indirect subsidiaries of the Company which are included in long-term liabilities are presented below.
| |
|
Successor
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
| |
|
December 31,
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net operating loss carryforward
|
|
$ |
88 |
|
|
$ |
97 |
|
|
Other
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total gross deferred tax assets
|
|
|
121 |
|
|
|
99 |
|
|
Less: valuation allowance
|
|
|
(31 |
) |
|
|
(60 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets
|
|
$ |
90 |
|
|
$ |
39 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment and other
|
|
|
(170 |
) |
|
|
(36 |
) |
|
Indefinite life intangibles
|
|
|
(133 |
) |
|
|
(182 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
(303 |
) |
|
|
(218 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net deferred tax liabilities
|
|
$ |
(213 |
) |
|
$ |
(179 |
) |
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. Due to the Company’s history of losses, valuation allowances have been established except for deferred benefits available to offset certain deferred tax liabilities that will reverse over time.
As of December 31, 2009, the Company had deferred tax assets of $121 million, which primarily relate to net operating loss carryforwards of certain of its indirect corporate subsidiaries and limited liability companies subject to state income tax. These net operating loss carryforwards (generally expiring in years 2010 through 2028) are subject to certain limitations. A valuation allowance of $31 million exists with respect to these carry forwards as of December 31, 2009.
No tax years for Charter or Charter Holdco, the Company’s indirect parent companies, are currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Tax years ending 2006 through 2009 remain subject to examination. Years prior to 2006 remain open solely for purposes of examination of Charter’s net operating loss and credit carryforwards.
20. Related Party Transactions
The following sets forth certain transactions in which the Company and the directors, executive officers, and affiliates of the Company are involved. Unless otherwise disclosed, management believes each of the transactions described below was on terms no less favorable to the Company than could have been obtained from independent third parties.
In connection with the Plan, Charter, Mr. Allen and an entity controlled by Mr. Allen entered into the Allen Agreement, pursuant to which, among other things, Mr. Allen and such entity agreed to support the Plan, including the settlement of their rights, claims and remedies against Charter and its subsidiaries. See Note 2.
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
Charter is a party to management arrangements with Charter Holdco and certain of its subsidiaries. Under these agreements, Charter and Charter Holdco provide management services for the cable systems owned or operated by their subsidiaries. The management services include such services as centralized customer billing services, data processing and related support, benefits administration and coordination of insurance coverage and self-insurance programs for medical, dental and workers’ compensation claims. Costs associated with providing these services are charged directly to the Company’s operating subsidiaries and are included within operating costs in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Such costs totaled $21 million, $220 million, $213 million, and $213 mill
ion for the one month ended December 31, 2009, eleven months ended November 30, 2009 and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively. All other costs incurred on behalf of Charter’s operating subsidiaries are considered a part of the management fee and are recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expense, in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The management fee charged to the Company’s operating subsidiaries approximated the expenses incurred by Charter Holdco and Charter on behalf of the Company’s operating subsidiaries in 2009, 2008 and 2007.
Mr. Allen or his affiliates own or have owned equity interests or warrants to purchase equity interests in various entities with which the Company does business or which provides it with products, services or programming. Among these entities are Digeo, Inc. (“Digeo”), and Microsoft Corporation. Mr. Allen owns 100% of the equity of Vulcan Ventures Incorporated (“Vulcan Ventures”) and Vulcan Inc. and is the president of Vulcan Ventures. Ms. Jo Lynn Allen was a director of the Company until the Effective Date and is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Vulcan Inc. and is a director and Vice President of Vulcan Ventures. Mr. Lance Conn is a director of the Company and was Executive Vice President of Vulcan Inc. and Vulcan Ventures until May 2009. &#
160;The various cable, media, Internet and telephone companies in which Mr. Allen has invested may mutually benefit one another. The Company can give no assurance, nor should you expect, that any of these business relationships will be successful, that the Company will realize any benefits from these relationships or that the Company will enter into any business relationships in the future with Mr. Allen’s affiliated companies.
In 2009, Charter reimbursed Vulcan Inc. approximately $3 million in legal expenses.
9 OM, Inc. (formerly known as Digeo, Inc.)
Mr. Allen, through his 100% ownership of Vulcan Ventures Incorporated (“Vulcan Ventures”), owns a majority interest in 9 OM, Inc. (formerly known as Digeo, Inc.) on a fully-converted fully-diluted basis. However, in October 2009, substantially all of 9 OM, Inc.'s assets were sold to ARRIS Group, Inc., an unrelated third party. Ms. Jo Lynn Allen was a director of Charter until the Effective Date and is a director and Vice President of Vulcan Ventures. Mr. Lance Conn is a director of Charter and was Executive Vice President of Vulcan Ventures until his resignation in May 2009. Charter Operating owns a small minority percentage of 9 OM, Inc.'s stock but does not expect to receive any proceeds from the sale of assets to the ARRIS Group, Inc.
In May 2008, Charter Operating entered into an agreement with 9 OM, LLC (formerly known as Digeo Interactive, LLC), a subsidiary of 9 OM, Inc., for the minimum purchase of high-definition DVR units for approximately $21 million. This minimum purchase commitment is subject to reduction as a result of certain specified events such as the failure to deliver units timely and catastrophic failure. The software for these units is being supplied under a software license agreement with 9 OM, LLC; the cost of which is expected to be approximately $2 million for the initial licenses and on-going maintenance fees of approximately $0.3 million annually, subject to reduction to coincide with any reduction in the minimum purchase commitment. The Company pu
rchased approximately $19 million and $1 million of DVR units from 9 OM, LLC under these agreements in 2009 and 2008, respectively.
On June 30, 2003, Charter Holdco entered into an agreement with Motorola, Inc. for the purchase of 100,000 digital video recorder (“DVR”) units. The software for these DVR units was being supplied by Digeo Interactive, LLC under a license agreement entered into in April 2004. Pursuant to a software license agreement with Digeo Interactive for the right to use Digeo's proprietary software for DVR units, the Company paid approximately $2 million, $1 million, $2 million in license and maintenance fees in 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
The Company paid approximately $1 million and $10 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively, in capital purchases under an agreement with Digeo Interactive for the development, testing and purchase of 70,000 Digeo PowerKey DVR units. Total purchase price and license and maintenance fees during the term of the definitive agreements were expected to be approximately $41 million. The definitive agreements were terminable at no penalty to Charter in certain circumstances.
21. Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
The following table summarizes the Company’s payment obligations as of December 31, 2009 for its contractual obligations.
| |
|
Total
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
2012
|
|
|
2013
|
|
|
2014
|
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contractual Obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital and Operating Lease Obligations (1)
|
|
$ |
98 |
|
|
$ |
22 |
|
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
$ |
17 |
|
|
$ |
14 |
|
|
$ |
11 |
|
|
$ |
14 |
|
|
Programming Minimum Commitments (2)
|
|
|
371 |
|
|
|
101 |
|
|
|
104 |
|
|
|
110 |
|
|
|
56 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
Other (3)
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
|
325 |
|
|
|
18 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
819 |
|
|
$ |
448 |
|
|
$ |
142 |
|
|
$ |
130 |
|
|
$ |
73 |
|
|
$ |
12 |
|
|
$ |
14 |
|
|
|
(1) The Company leases certain facilities and equipment under noncancelable operating leases. Leases and rental costs charged to expense for the one month ended December 31, 2009 and eleven months ended November 30, 2009 and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, were $2 million, $23 million, $24 million, and $23 million, respectively.
|
|
|
(2) The Company pays programming fees under multi-year contracts ranging from three to ten years, typically based on a flat fee per customer, which may be fixed for the term, or may in some cases escalate over the term. Programming costs included in the accompanying statement of operations were $146 million, $1.6 billion, $1.6 billion, and $1.6 billion, for the one month ended December 31, 2009, eleven months ended November 30, 2009 and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively. Certain of the Company’s programming agreements are based on a flat fee per month or have guaranteed minimum payments. The table sets forth the aggregate guaranteed minimum commitments under the Company’s programming contracts.
|
|
|
(3) “Other” represents other guaranteed minimum commitments, which consist primarily of commitments to the Company’s billing services vendors.
|
The following items are not included in the contractual obligation table due to various factors discussed below. However, the Company incurs these costs as part of its operations:
|
|
·
|
The Company rents utility poles used in its operations. Generally, pole rentals are cancelable on short notice, but the Company anticipates that such rentals will recur. Rent expense incurred for pole rental attachments for the one month ended December 31, 2009, eleven months ended November 30, 2009 and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, was $4 million, $43 million, $47 million, and $47 million, respectively.
|
|
|
·
|
The Company pays franchise fees under multi-year franchise agreements based on a percentage of revenues generated from video service per year. The Company also pays other franchise related costs, such as public education grants, under multi-year agreements. Franchise fees and other franchise-related costs included in the accompanying statement of operations were $15 million, $161 million, $179 million, and $172 million for the one month ended December 31, 2009, eleven months ended November 30, 2009 and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
|
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
|
|
·
|
The Company also has $124 million in letters of credit, primarily to its various worker’s compensation, property and casualty, and general liability carriers, as collateral for reimbursement of claims.
|
Litigation
On August 28, 2008, a lawsuit was filed against Charter and Charter Communications, LLC (“Charter LLC”) in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin (now entitled, Marc Goodell et al. v. Charter Communications, LLC and Charter Communications, Inc.). The plaintiffs seek to represent a class of current and former broadband, system and other types of technicians who are or were employed by Charter or Charter LLC in the states of Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri or California. Plaintiffs allege that Charter and Charter LLC violated certain wage and hour statutes of those four states by failing to pay technicians for all hours worked. Although Charter and Charter LLC continue to deny all liability and believ
e that they have substantial defenses, on March 16, 2010, the parties tentatively settled this dispute subject to court approval. The Company has been subjected, in the normal course of business, to the assertion of other wage and hour claims and could be subjected to additional such claims in the future. The Company cannot predict the outcome of any such claims.
On March 27, 2009, Charter filed its chapter 11 Petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. On the same day, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., (“JPMorgan”), for itself and as Administrative Agent under the Charter Operating Credit Agreement, filed an adversary proceeding (the “JPMorgan Adversary Proceeding”) in Bankruptcy Court against Charter Operating and CCO Holdings seeking a declaration that there have been events of default under the Charter Operating Credit Agreement. JPMorgan, as well as other parties, objected to the Plan. The Bankruptcy Court jointly held 19 days of trial in the JPMorgan Adversary Proceeding and on the objections to the Plan.
On November 17, 2009, the Bankruptcy Court issued its Order and Opinion confirming the Plan over the objections of JPMorgan and various other objectors. The Court also entered an order ruling in favor of Charter in the JPMorgan Adversary Proceeding. Several objectors attempted to stay the consummation of the Plan, but those motions were denied by the Bankruptcy Court and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Charter consummated the Plan on November 30, 2009 and reinstated the Charter Operating Credit Agreement and certain other debt of its subsidiaries.
Six appeals were filed relating to confirmation of the Plan. The parties initially pursuing appeals were: (i) JPMorgan; (ii) Wilmington Trust Company (“Wilmington Trust”) (as indenture trustee for the holders of the 8% Senior Second Lien Notes due 2012 and 8.375% senior second lien notes due 2014 issued by and among Charter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. and the 10.875% senior second lien notes due 2014 issued by and among Charter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp.); (iii) Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (“Wells Fargo”) (in its capacities as successor Administrative Agent and successor Collateral Agent for the third lien prepetition secured lenders to CCO Holdings under the CCO Holdings credit facility); (iv) Law Debenture Trust Comp
any of New York (“Law Debenture Trust”) (as the Trustee with respect to the $479 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.50% convertible senior notes due 2027 issued by Charter which are no longer outstanding following consummation of the Plan); (v) R2 Investments, LDC (“R2 Investments”) (an equity interest holder in Charter); and (vi) certain plaintiffs representing a putative class in a securities action against three Charter officers or directors filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas (Iron Workers Local No. 25 Pension Fund, Indiana Laborers Pension Fund, and Iron Workers District Council of Western New York and Vicinity Pension Fund, in the action styled Iron Workers Local No. 25 Pension Fund v. Allen, et al., Case No. 4:09-cv-00405-JLH (E.D. Ark.).
Charter Operating is in the process of amending its senior secured credit facilities which it expects to close by March 31, 2010 and upon the closing of these amendments, each of Bank of America, N.A. and JPMorgan, for itself and on behalf of the lenders under the Charter Operating senior secured credit facilities, has agreed to dismiss the pending appeal of the Company’s Confirmation Order pending before the District Court for the Southern District of New York and to waive any objections to the Company’s Confirmation Order issued by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. On December 3, 2009, Wilmington Trust withdrew its notice of appeal. On March 26, 2010, the Company was informed by counsel for Wells Fargo that Wells Fargo intends to
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
dismiss its appeal on behalf of the lenders under the CCO Holdings credit facility. Law Debenture Trust and R2 Investments have filed their appeal briefs. The schedule for the securities plaintiffs to file their appeal briefs has not yet been established. The Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the appeals.
The Company and its parent companies are party to lawsuits and claims that arise in the ordinary course of conducting its business. The ultimate outcome of these other legal matters pending against the Company or its parent companies cannot be predicted, and although such lawsuits and claims are not expected individually to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, such lawsuits could have, in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
Regulation in the Cable Industry
The operation of a cable system is extensively regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), some state governments and most local governments. The FCC has the authority to enforce its regulations through the imposition of substantial fines, the issuance of cease and desist orders and/or the imposition of other administrative sanctions, such as the revocation of FCC licenses needed to operate certain transmission facilities used in connection with cable operations. The 1996 Telecom Act altered the regulatory structure governing the nation’s communications providers. It removed barriers to competition in both the cable television market and the telephone market. Among other things, it reduced the scope of cable rate regulation and encouraged additional competiti
on in the video programming industry by allowing telephone companies to provide video programming in their own telephone service areas.
Future legislative and regulatory changes could adversely affect the Company’s operations, including, without limitation, additional regulatory requirements the Company may be required to comply with as it offers new services such as telephone.
22. Employee Benefit Plan
The Company’s employees may participate in the Charter Communications, Inc. 401(k) Plan. Employees that qualify for participation can contribute up to 50% of their salary, on a pre-tax basis, subject to a maximum contribution limit as determined by the Internal Revenue Service. For each payroll period, the Company contributed to the 401(k) Plan (a) the total amount of the salary reduction the employee elects to defer between 1% and 50% and (b) a matching contribution equal to 50% of the amount of the salary reduction the participant elects to defer (up to 5% of the participant’s payroll compensation), excluding any catch-up contributions. The Company made contributions to the 401(k) plan totaling $1 million, $7 million, $8 million, and $7 million for the one month ended December 31, 2009, eleven
months ended November 30, 2009 and years ended December 31, 2008, and 2007, respectively.
Effective January 1, 2010, the Company’s matching contribution will be discretionary with the intent that any contribution be based on performance metrics used in its other bonus and incentive plans. The discretionary performance contribution will be made on an annual basis (instead of on a per pay period basis). Each participant who makes before-tax contributions and is employed on the last day of the fiscal year will receive a portion of the discretionary performance contribution, if any, on a pro rata basis. The Company will divide each participant’s before-tax contributions for the year (up to 5% of eligible earnings, excluding catch-up contributions) by the total employee contributions (up to 5% of eligible earnings, excluding catch-up contributions) for the year to determine each participant’s s
hare of any discretionary performance contribution.
23. Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 810-10, Consolidation – Overall (“ASC 810-10”), which provides guidance on the accounting and reporting for minority interests in consolidated financial statements. ASC 810-10 requires losses to be allocated to noncontrolling (minority) interests even when such amounts are deficits. This guidance included in ASC 810-10 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008.
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
The Company adopted this guidance included in ASC 810-10 effective January 1, 2009 and applied the effects retrospectively to all periods presented to the extent prescribed by the standard. The adoption resulted in the presentation of Mr. Allen’s previous 5.6% preferred membership interest in CC VIII as temporary equity and CCH I’s 13% membership interest in CC VIII as noncontrolling interest in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets which were previously classified as minority interest. On the Effective Date, Mr. Allen’s 5.6% preferred membership interest was transferred to Charter.
In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 105-10, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles – Overall (“ASC 105-10”). ASC 105-10 is intended to be the source of GAAP and reporting standards as issued by the FASB. Its primary purpose is to improve clarity and use of existing standards by grouping authoritative literature under common topics. ASC 105-10 is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Company adopted ASC 105-10 effective September 30, 2009. The Codification does not change or alter existing GAAP and there was no impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In August 2009, the FASB issued guidance included in ASC 820-10-65 which states companies determining the fair value of a liability may use the perspective of an investor that holds the related obligation as an asset. This guidance included in ASC 820-10-65 addresses practice difficulties caused by the tension between fair-value measurements based on the price that would be paid to transfer a liability to a new obligor and contractual or legal requirements that prevent such transfers from taking place. This guidance included in ASC 820-10-65 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after August 27, 2009, and applies to all fair-value measurements of liabilities required by GAAP. No new fair-value measurements are required by this guidance. The Company adopted this guidance included in ASC 820-10-65 ef
fective October 1, 2009. The adoption of this guidance included in ASC 820-10-65 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
24. Parent Company Only Financial Statements
As the result of limitations on, and prohibitions of, distributions, substantially all of the net assets of the consolidated subsidiaries are restricted from distribution to CCH II, the parent company. The following condensed parent-only financial statements of CCH II account for the investment in its subsidiaries under the equity method of accounting. The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company and notes thereto.
CCH II, LLC (Parent Company Only)
Condensed Balance Sheet
| |
|
Successor
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
| |
|
December 31,
2009
|
|
|
December 31,
2008
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
Receivable from related party
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
Investment in subsidiaries
|
|
|
3,280 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
Loans receivable from subsidiaries
|
|
|
239 |
|
|
|
227 |
|
|
Other assets
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
13 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$ |
3,526 |
|
|
$ |
249 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND MEMBER’S EQUITY (DEFICIT)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
$ |
71 |
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
2,092 |
|
|
|
2,455 |
|
|
Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
813 |
|
|
Member’s equity (deficit)
|
|
|
1,414 |
|
|
|
(3,090 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and member’s equity (deficit)
|
|
$ |
3,526 |
|
|
$ |
249 |
|
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
Condensed Statement of Operations
| |
|
Successor
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
| |
|
One Month
Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
Eleven Months
Ended
November 30,
|
|
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2009
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
$ |
(16 |
) |
|
$ |
(233 |
) |
|
$ |
(246 |
) |
|
$ |
(238 |
) |
|
Loss due to Plan effects
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(351 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
Reorganization items, net
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(38 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
Other, net
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
Equity in earnings (losses) of subsidiaries
|
|
|
22 |
|
|
|
3,288 |
|
|
|
(1,473 |
) |
|
|
(350 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
$ |
2,666 |
|
|
$ |
(1,723 |
) |
|
$ |
(588 |
) |
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
| |
|
Successor
|
|
|
Predecessor
|
|
| |
|
One Month
Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
Eleven Months
Ended
November 30,
|
|
|
Year Ended
December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2009
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss)
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
$ |
2,666 |
|
|
$ |
(1,723 |
) |
|
$ |
(588 |
) |
|
Noncash interest expense
|
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
Loss due to effects of Plan
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
351 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
Noncash reorganization items, net
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
Equity in (earnings) losses of subsidiaries
|
|
|
(22 |
) |
|
|
(3,288 |
) |
|
|
1,473 |
|
|
|
350 |
|
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
271 |
|
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
Other, net
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from operating activities
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(249 |
) |
|
|
(251 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions from subsidiaries
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
1,072 |
|
|
|
1,447 |
|
|
Investment in subsidiaries
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(51 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from investing activities
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(51 |
) |
|
|
1,072 |
|
|
|
1,447 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions to parent companies
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(836 |
) |
|
|
(1,195 |
) |
|
Contributions from parent
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
Payments for debt issuance costs
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
-- |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flows from financing activities
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
51 |
|
|
|
(823 |
) |
|
|
(1,195 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
-- |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
$ |
6 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
5 |
|
CCH II, LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008, AND 2007
(dollars in millions)
25. Subsequent Events (Unaudited)
On March 31, 2010, Charter Operating and its affiliates closed on a transaction to amend and restate its senior secured credit facilities to, among other things, allow for the creation of a new revolving facility of $1.3 billion, the extension of maturities of a portion of the facilities and the amendment and restatement of certain other terms and conditions. Upon the closing, each of Bank of America, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent and retiring agent, respectively, for itself and on behalf of the lenders under the Charter Operating senior secured credit facilities, agreed to dismiss with prejudice the pending appeal of the Company’s Confirmation Order pending before the Bankruptcy Court and to waive any objections to the Company’s Confirmation Order issued by the Bankruptcy Court.
On April 14, 2010, CCO Holdings entered into an agreement to sell an aggregate of $1.6 billion principal amount in two tranches of senior notes due 2018 (the “2018 Notes”) and senior notes due 2020 (the “2020 Notes”). Also on April 14, 2010, CCO Holdings announced that the 2018 Notes would be priced at 7.875% for $900 million of notes and the 2020 Notes would be priced at 8.125% for $700 million of notes. The sale of the 2018 Notes and 2020 Notes is expected to close on April 28, 2010. The net proceeds of this issuance will be used to finance the tender offers for any and all of CCO Holdings’ outstanding 8.750% senior notes due 2013 ($800 million aggregate principal amount outstanding) and any and all of Charter Operating's outstanding 8.375% senior second lien notes due 2014 ($770 mi
llion aggregate principal amount outstanding).
Completed letters of transmittal and any other documents required in connection with surrenders of original notes for conversion should be directed to the exchange agent at the address set forth below.
The exchange agent for the exchange offer is:
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
Corporate Trust Operations
Reorganization Unit
101 Barclay Street, 7 East
New York, New York 10286
Attn: Mr. Randolph Holder
Facsimile Transmission: (212) 298-1915
Confirm by Telephone: (212) 815-5098
Any requests for assistance in connection with the exchange offer or for additional copies of this exchange offer prospectus or related materials should be directed to the information agent at the address or telephone numbers set forth below. A holder may also contact such holder’s broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the exchange offer.
The information agent for the exchange offer is:
Global Bondholder Services Corporation
65 Broadway — Suite 404
New York, New York 10006
Attn: Corporate Actions
Banks and Brokers call: (212) 430-3774
Toll-free (866) 470-3700
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Indemnification Under the Limited Liability Company Agreement of CCH II
The limited liability company agreement of CCH II provides that the members, the manager, the directors, their affiliates or any person who at any time serves or has served as a director, officer, employee or other agent of any member or any such affiliate, and who, in such capacity, engages or has engaged in activities on behalf of CCH II, shall be indemnified and held harmless by CCH II to the fullest extent permitted by law from and against any losses, damages, expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by or in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding arising out of or incidental to such indemnifiable person’s acts or omissions on behalf of CCH II. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no indemnification is available under the limited liability co
mpany agreement in respect of any such claim adjudged to be primarily the result of bad faith, willful misconduct or fraud of an indemnifiable person. Payment of these indemnification obligations shall be made from the assets of CCH II and the members shall not be personally liable to an indemnifiable person for payment of indemnification.
Indemnification Under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act
Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act authorizes a limited liability company to indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever, subject to such standards and restrictions, if any, as are set forth in its limited liability company agreement.
Indemnification Under the By-Laws of CCH II Capital
The bylaws of CCH II Capital require CCH II Capital, to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, to indemnify any person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he is or was a director or officer of CCH II Capital or is or was serving at the request of CCH II Capital as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity or enterprise, in each case, against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith.
Indemnification Under the Delaware General Corporation Law
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, authorizes a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believ
ed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. In addition, the Delaware General Corporation Law does not permit indemnification in any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses, which such court shall deem proper. To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a
corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to above, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter, such person shall be indemnified against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred by such person. Indemnity is mandatory to the extent a claim, issue or matter has been successfully defended. The Delaware General Corporation Law also allows a corporation to provide for the elimination or limit of the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director
|
(i)
|
for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders,
|
|
(ii)
|
for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
|
|
(iii)
|
for unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions, or
|
|
(iv)
|
for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. These provisions will not limit the liability of directors or officers under the federal securities laws of the United States.
|
Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Schedules.
Reference is made to the Exhibit Index filed as part of this Registration Statement.
Financial Statement Schedules
Schedules not listed above are omitted because of the absence of the conditions under which they are required or because the information required by such omitted schedules is set forth in the financial statements or the notes thereto.
Item 22. Undertakings
The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that:
(1) Prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with respect to the reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form.
(2) Every prospectus: (i) that is filed pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and is used in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.
The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities, other than the payment by the registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the registrants in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding, is asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrants will, unl
ess in the opinion of their counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by them is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Saint Louis, State of Missouri, on April 21, 2010.
CCH II, LLC,
Registrant
By: CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.,
Sole Manager
By: /s/ Kevin D. Howard
Senior Vice President - Finance, Controller and
Chief Accounting Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated below.
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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| |
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/s/ Michael J. Lovett
Michael J. Lovett
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President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director (Principal Executive Officer)
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April 21, 2010
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/s/ Eloise E. Schmitz
Eloise E. Schmitz
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Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
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/s/ Kevin D. Howard
Kevin D. Howard
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Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
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*
Eric L. Zinterhofer
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Director
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W. Lance Conn
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Director
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Darren Glatt
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Director
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Bruce A. Karsh
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Director
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John D. Markley, Jr.
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Director
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William L. McGrath
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Director
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David C. Merritt
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Director
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Christopher M. Temple
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Director
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Robert Cohn
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Director
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* By: /s/ Richard Dykhouse__________________
As Attorney-in-fact
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Exhibit
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Description
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2.1
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Debtors’ Disclosure Statement filed pursuant to Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code filed on May 1, 2009 with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York in Case No. 09-11435 (Jointly Administered) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on August 6, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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2.2
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Debtors’ Joint Plan of Reorganization filed pursuant to Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code filed on July 15, 2009 with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York in Case No. 09-11435 (Jointly Administered) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on August 6, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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3.1
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Certificate of Formation of CCH II, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of CCH II, LLC and CCH II Capital Corporation filed on March 24, 2004 (File No. 333-111423)).
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3.2**
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Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of CCH II, LLC, dated as of November 30, 2009.
|
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3.3**
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Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of CCH II Capital Corp. dated effective November 30, 2009.
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3.4
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Amended and Reinstated By-laws of CCH II Capital Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of CCH II, LLC and CCH II Capital Corporation filed on March 24, 2004 (File No. 333-111423)).
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4.1
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Indenture relating to the 13.50% Senior Notes due 2016, dated as of November 30, 2009, among CCH II, LLC, CCH II Capital Corp. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, NA (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No. 000-27927)).
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5.1*
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Opinion of Kirkland & Ellis LLP regarding legality.
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10.1
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Indenture relating to the 8-3/4 % Senior Notes due 2013, dated as of November 10, 2003, by and among CCO Holdings, LLC, CCO Holdings Capital Corp. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Charter Communications, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K filed on November 12, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
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10.2
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Indenture relating to the 8% senior second lien notes due 2012 and 83/8 % senior second lien notes due 2014, dated as of April 27, 2004, by and among Charter Communications Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to Amendment No. 2 to the registration statement on Form S-4 of CCH II, LLC filed on May 5, 2004 (File No. 333-111423)).
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10.3(a)
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Indenture relating to the 10.875% senior second lien notes due 2014 dated as of March 19, 2008, by and among Charter Communications Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. and Wilmington Trust Company, trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report filed on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on May 12, 2008 (File No. 000-027927)).
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10.3(b)
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Collateral Agreement, dated as of March 19, 2008 by and among Charter Communications Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., CCO Holdings, LLC and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the quarterly report filed on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on May 12, 2008 (File No. 000-027927)).
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|
Exhibit
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Description
|
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10.4(a)
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Restructuring Agreement, dated February 11, 2009, by and between Charter Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover Committee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on February 13, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.4(b)
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Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated July 30, 2009, by and between Charter Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover Committee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.4(c)
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Second Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated September 29, 2009, by and between Charter Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover Committee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.4(d)
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Third Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated October 13, 2009, by and between Charter Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover Committee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.4(e)
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Fourth Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated October 30, 2009, by and between Charter Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover Committee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.4(f)
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Fifth Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated November 10, 2009, by and between Charter Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover Committee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(f) to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 31, 2009 (File No. 333-111423)).
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10.4(g)
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Sixth Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated November 25, 2009, by and between Charter Communications, Inc. and certain members of the Crossover Committee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2(g) to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 31, 2009 (File No. 333-111423)).
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10.5(a)
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Restructuring Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2009, by and among Paul G. Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on February 13, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.5(b)
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Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated July 30, 2009, by and among Paul G. Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.5(c)
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Second Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated September 29, 2009, by and among Paul G. Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.5(d)
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Third Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated October 13, 2009, by and among Paul G. Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on
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|
Exhibit
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|
Description
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| |
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November 9, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)). |
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10.5(e)
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Fourth Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated October 30, 2009, by and among Paul G. Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on November 9, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.5(f)
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Fifth Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated November 11, 2009, by and among Paul G. Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(f) to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 31, 2009 (File No. 333-111423)).
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10.5(g)
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Sixth Amendment to Restructuring Agreement, dated November 25, 2009, by and among Paul G. Allen, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3(g) to the registration statement on Form S-1 of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 31, 2009 (File No. 333-111423)).
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10.6
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Commitment Letter, dated February 11, 2009, by and among Charter Communications, Inc., CCH I LLC, CCH II LLC, Charter Communications Operating, LLC and certain members of the Crossover Committee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on February 13, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.7
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Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2009, by and among Charter Communications, Inc. and certain investors listed therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.8
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Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2009, by and among CCH II, LLC, CCH II Capital Corp and certain investors listed therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.9
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Exchange Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2009, among Charter Communications, Inc., Charter Investment, Inc., Paul G. Allen and Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.10
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Lock-Up Agreement, dated as November 30, 2009, among Charter Communications, Inc, Paul G. Allen and Charter Investment, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.11
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Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of November 30, 2009, among Charter Communications, Inc, Charter Investment, Inc. and Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.12
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Second Amended and Restated Mutual Services Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2003 between Charter Communications, Inc. and Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5(a) to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 5, 2003 (File No. 000-27927)).
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10.13
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Amended and Restated Management Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2003, between Charter Communications Operating, LLC and Charter Communications, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 5, 2003 (File No. 333-83887)).
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| Exhibit |
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Description |
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10.14
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Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2010, among Charter Communications Operating, LLC, CCO Holdings, LLC, the lenders from time to time parties thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 6, 2010 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.15
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Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement made by CCO Holdings, LLC, Charter Communications Operating, LLC and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, dated as of March 18, 1999, as amended and restated as of March 31, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 6, 2010 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.16
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Credit Agreement, dated as of March 6, 2007, among CCO Holdings, LLC, the lenders from time to time parties thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on March 12, 2007 (File No. 000-27927)).
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10.17
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Pledge Agreement made by CCO Holdings, LLC in favor of Bank of America, N.A., as Collateral Agent, dated as of March 6, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on March 12, 2007 (File No. 000-27927)).
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10.18
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Charter Communications, Inc. Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 21, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.19†
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Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Michael J. Lovett and Charter Communications, Inc., dated effective as of February 1, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on April 13, 2010 (File No. 001-33664))
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10.20(a)†
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Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Eloise E. Schmitz and Charter Communications, Inc., dated as of July 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on August 5, 2008 (File No. 000-27927)).
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10.20(b)†
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Amendment to Employment Agreement of Eloise Schmitz, dated November 30, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on December 4, 2009 (File No. 000-27927)).
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10.21†
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Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of Marwan Fawaz, dated February 23, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 of the annual report on Form 10-K of CCO Holdings, LLC and CCO Capital Corp. filed on March 30, 2010 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.22†
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Charter Communications, Inc. Value Creation Plan adopted on March 12, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on May 7, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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10.23
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Summary of Charter Communications, Inc. 2009 Executive Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on May 7, 2009 (File No. 001-33664)).
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|
10.24
|
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Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K of Charter Communications, Inc. filed on February 12, 2010 (File No. 001-33664)).
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12.1*
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Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
|
| |
Exhibit
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|
Description |
| |
21.1** |
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Subsidiaries of CCH II, LLC
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| |
23.1* |
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Consent of Kirkland & Ellis LLP (included with Exhibit 5.1).
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| |
23.2* |
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Consent of KPMG LLP.
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24.1** |
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Power of attorney.
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| |
25.1* |
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Statement of eligibility of trustee.
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| |
99.1* |
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Form of Letter of Transmittal.
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* Document attached
** Previously filed
† Management compensatory plan or arrangement