Gray Media, Inc S-3ASR, filed Apr 30, 2021
Gray Media, Inc (GTN)
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 30, 2021
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Gray Television, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
| Georgia | 58-0285030 | |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
4370 Peachtree Road, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30319
(404) 504-9828
(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)
James C. Ryan
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Gray Television, Inc.
4370 Peachtree Road, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30319
(404) 504-9828
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
Copy to:
Mark L. Hanson, Esq.
Jones Day
1221 Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 400
Atlanta, Georgia 30361
(404) 521-3939
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Table of Contents
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
| Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | |||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
|
| ||||||
| Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered |
Amount to be Registered (1) |
Proposed Maximum |
Amount of Registration Fee (1) | |||
| Common Stock, no par value |
||||||
| Class A Common Stock, no par value |
||||||
| Preferred Stock, no par value |
||||||
| Debt Securities |
||||||
| Guarantees of Debt Securities (2) |
||||||
| Warrants |
||||||
| Units (3) |
||||||
|
| ||||||
|
| ||||||
| (1) | An unspecified aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be issued at indeterminable prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee. |
| (2) | Guarantees of debt securities issued by the registrant may be provided by one or more of the registrants named in the table of additional registrants included on the inside facing page. Guarantees will be issued without additional consideration. Pursuant to Rule 457(n) of the Securities Act, no registration fee is required for the guarantees of debt securities to be registered. |
| (3) | Each unit will be issued under a unit agreement and will represent an interest in a combination of any two or more of the securities being registered under this registration statement or debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury obligations. |
The registrant and co-registrants hereby amend this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant and co-registrants shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Securities Act, may determine.
TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS
| Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter (1) |
State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization |
Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number |
IRS Employer Identification Number | |||
| WVLT-TV, Inc. |
Georgia | 4833 | 58-2256206 | |||
| Gray Media Group, Inc. |
Delaware | 4833 | 04-3314494 | |||
| Gray Television Licensee, LLC |
Delaware | 4833 | 51-0376603 | |||
| Tupelo Honey Raycom, LLC |
Delaware | 4833 | 45-3985734 | |||
| Raycom Sports Network, Inc. |
North Carolina | 4833 | 56-2058765 |
| (1) | The name, address and telephone number of each of the additional registrant’s agent for service and of each additional registrant’s principal executive office is: James C. Ryan, 4370 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30319; telephone (404) 504-9828. |
Table of Contents
PROSPECTUS
GRAY TELEVISION, INC.
Common Stock
Class A Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Guarantees of Debt Securities
Warrants
Units
We may offer and sell from time to time the following securities in one or more offerings, and in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of our offerings: (i) our Common Stock, no par value; (ii) our Class A Common Stock, no par value; (iii) our preferred stock, no par value; (iv) warrants to purchase securities; (v) debt securities; (vi) guarantees of debt securities; and (viii) units that include any combination of the foregoing securities.
We will provide the specific terms and amounts of the securities and their offering prices in one or more supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you decide whether to invest in any of these securities.
Our securities may be offered directly, through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents, underwriters or dealers are involved in the sale of any of our securities, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them, will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. None of our securities may be sold without delivery of the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of those securities.
We have two classes of common stock: Common Stock and Class A Common Stock. Our Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GTN.” Our Class A Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GTN.A.” On April 28, 2021, the last reported sale price for our Common Stock was $20.21 per share and the last reported sale price for our Class A Common Stock was $18.75 per share. None of the other securities that we may offer under this prospectus are currently publicly traded.
Investing in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors set forth or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and our periodic reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” on page 7 of this prospectus, before making any decision whether to invest in any of the securities described in this prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities, or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is April 30, 2021
Table of Contents
| ii | ||||
| 1 | ||||
| 2 | ||||
| 3 | ||||
| 4 | ||||
| 6 | ||||
| 7 | ||||
| 8 | ||||
| 9 | ||||
| DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES |
13 | |||
| 21 | ||||
| 22 | ||||
| 23 | ||||
| 23 | ||||
| 23 | ||||
i
Table of Contents
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, sell any amount of securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may include a discussion of any risk factors or other special considerations that apply to those securities. The prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change the information in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and in a prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement. You should read the entire prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” before making an investment decision.
You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including any information incorporated by reference. No one is authorized to provide you with information different from that which is contained, or deemed to be contained, in the prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. We are not making offers to sell securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document in which the information is contained or other date referred to in that document, regardless of the time of sale or issuance of any security.
Unless otherwise specified or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this prospectus to “Gray,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Gray Television, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Georgia, and its consolidated subsidiaries.
ii
Table of Contents
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Gray furnishes and files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available to the public on the SEC’s Internet website at http://www.sec.gov. Those filings are also available to the public on our corporate website at http://www.gray.tv. The information contained on, our accessible through, the SEC’s or our website, other than the documents identified as incorporated by reference into this prospectus, is not part of or incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
1
Table of Contents
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future documents that we file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) (1) after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement and (2) after the date of this prospectus until the offering of the securities is terminated. We do not, however, incorporate by reference into this prospectus any documents or portions thereof that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of our Current Reports on Form 8-K after the date of this prospectus unless, and except to the extent, specified in such current reports.
| • | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 (“2020 Form 10-K”), filed on February 25, 2021; |
| • | the portions of our proxy statement for our 2021 annual meeting of shareholders incorporated by reference into the 2020 Form 10-K, which proxy statement was filed on March 25, 2021; and |
| • | our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 1, 2021 (except to the extent that information therein is furnished and not filed with the SEC), February 24, 2021, February 25, 2021 (except to the extent that information therein is furnished and not filed with the SEC) and April 29, 2021. |
Any statement contained in a document all or a portion of which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified will not be deemed to constitute a part of this prospectus, except as so modified, and any statement so superseded will not be deemed to constitute a part of this prospectus.
The information related to us contained in this prospectus should be read together with the information contained in the documents incorporated by reference. We will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into those documents. Requests should be directed to:
Gray Television, Inc.
4370 Peachtree Road, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30319
(404) 504-9828
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
2
Table of Contents
This prospectus includes, and any prospectus supplement may include, industry data regarding station rank, in-market share and television household data that we obtained from periodic reports published by comScore, Inc. (“Comscore”). Industry publications generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. We have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources nor have we ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon therein, nor do we expect to do so in the future.
3
Table of Contents
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
From time to time, including in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, we make and may make “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal and state securities laws. Disclosures that use words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “will,” “may” or “should” and similar words and expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements, as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect our then-current expectations and are based upon data available to us at the time the statements are made. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. All forward-looking statements in, and incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, are qualified by these cautionary statements and are made only as of the date of this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement and we undertake no obligation to update any information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement, as the case may be, or to publicly release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur, or that we become aware of, after the date of this prospectus or the applicable prospectus supplement, as the case may be. Any such forward-looking statements, whether made in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or elsewhere, should be considered in context with the various disclosures made by us about our business. These forward-looking statements fall under the safe harbors of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. The following risks, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements:
| • | we have substantial debt and the ability to incur significant additional debt, which could restrict our future operating and strategic flexibility and further expose us to the risks of financial leverage; |
| • | the agreements governing our various debt and other obligations restrict, and are expected to continue to restrict, our business and limit our ability to take certain actions; |
| • | our ability to meet our debt service obligations on the notes and our other debt will depend on our future performance, which is, and will be, subject to many factors that are beyond our control; |
| • | our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our annual debt service obligations to increase significantly; |
| • | the novel coronavirus disease and its related diseases (“COVID-19”), and the resulting global pandemic, has had and is expected to continue to have an adverse impact on our business; |
| • | we are dependent on advertising revenues, which are seasonal and cyclical, and may also fluctuate as a result of a number of other factors, including any continuation of uncertain financial and economic conditions; |
| • | we are highly dependent upon a limited number of advertising categories; |
| • | we intend to seek to grow through strategic acquisitions, and acquisitions involve risks and uncertainties; |
| • | we may fail to realize any benefits and incur unanticipated losses related to any acquisition |
| • | we purchase television programming in advance of earning any related revenue, and may not earn sufficient revenue to offset the costs thereof; |
| • | we are highly dependent on network affiliations and may lose a significant amount of television programming if a network terminates or significantly changes its affiliation with us; |
| • | we are dependent on our retransmission consent agreements with multichannel video programming distributors and any potential changes to the retransmission consent regime could materially adversely affect our business; |
4
Table of Contents
| • | we are subject to risks of competition from local television stations as well as from cable systems, the Internet and other video providers; |
| • | we may incur significant capital and operating costs, including costs related to our obligations under our defined benefit pension plans; |
| • | we may be unable to maintain or increase our internet advertising revenue, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results; |
| • | recently enacted changes to the U.S. tax laws may have a material impact on our business or financial condition; |
| • | cybersecurity risks could affect our operating effectiveness; |
| • | certain stockholders or groups of stockholders have the ability to exert significant influence over us; |
| • | we are a holding company with no material independent assets or operations and we depend on our subsidiaries for cash; and |
| • | we are subject to risks and limitations due to government regulation of the broadcasting industry, including Federal Communications Commission (the “FCC”) control over the renewal and transfer of broadcasting licenses, which could materially adversely affect our operations and growth strategy. |
The foregoing list of important factors does not include all such factors, nor necessarily present them in order of importance. We urge you to review carefully the information under the heading “Item 1A-Risk Factors” in our 2020 Form 10-K and in the other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement for a more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected by the Company.
5
Table of Contents
We are a television broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that is the largest owner of top-rated local television (“television” or “TV”) stations and digital assets in the United States (“US”). We currently own and/or operate television stations and leading digital properties in 94 television markets that collectively reach approximately 24% of US television households. During 2020, our stations were ranked first in average all-day ratings in 70 markets, and ranked first and/or second in 86 markets, as calculated by Comscore’s audience measurement service. We also own video program production, marketing, and digital businesses including Raycom Sports, Tupelo-Raycom, and RTM Studios, the producer of PowerNation programs and content.
Gray Television, Inc. is a Georgia corporation. Our executive offices are located at 4370 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30319, and our telephone number at that location is (404) 504-9828. Our website address is http://www.gray.tv. The information contained on our website, other than the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, is not a part of or incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
6
Table of Contents
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making any decision whether to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference into this prospectus from our 2020 Form 10-K and our periodic reports filed from time to time with the SEC, as well as those to be contained in or incorporated by reference into any applicable prospectus supplement. You should also refer to the other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, including our financial statements and the related notes incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Please also read carefully the section above entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
7
Table of Contents
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include capital expenditures, meeting working capital needs, refinancing indebtedness and possible acquisitions. We have not allocated a specific portion of the net proceeds for any particular use at this time. Specific information concerning the use of proceeds from the sale of any securities will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such securities.
8
Table of Contents
The following section describes the general terms and provisions of our capital stock and is based upon our amended and restated articles of incorporation (“Articles of Incorporation”) and our bylaws (“Bylaws”), each of which have been publicly filed with the SEC and are incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and applicable provisions of law. The description is not complete and is intended only as a summary, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. You should read the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws for the provisions that are important to you.
We are authorized to issue 245,000,000 shares of all classes of capital stock, of which 25,000,000 shares are designated Class A common stock, no par value (“Class A Common Stock”), 200,000,000 shares are designated common stock, no par value (“Common Stock”), and 20,000,000 shares are designated “blank check” preferred stock for which our board of directors has the authority to determine the rights, powers, limitations and restrictions, all as set forth more fully below.
Our authorized shares of capital stock are generally available for issuance without further action by our shareholders, unless such action is required by applicable law or the rules of the stock exchange on which our securities may be listed or traded. If the approval of our shareholders is not required for the issuance of shares of capital stock, our board of directors may determine to issue shares without seeking shareholder approval.
Common Stock and Class A Common Stock
Shares Outstanding; Listing
As of April 28, 2021, we had 88,632,523 shares of Common Stock and 7,171,019 shares of Class A Common Stock outstanding. Our Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GTN.” Our Class A Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GTN.A.”
Rights Generally; Voting Rights
The rights of our Common Stock and Class A Common Stock are identical, except that our Class A Common Stock entitles the holder to ten votes on all matters on which shareholders are permitted to vote and our Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters on which shareholders are permitted to vote. Under our Bylaws, a majority of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote constitute a quorum at a meeting of shareholders. Under our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, unless otherwise required by Georgia law, action by our shareholders is taken by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of votes cast, except for elections of directors, which are determined by a plurality of the votes cast, at a meeting of the shareholders at which a quorum is present. Holders of Common Stock and Class A Common Stock may not cumulate their votes in the election of directors.
Dividends
The holders of Common Stock and Class A Common Stock are entitled to dividends when and as may be declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefore and, upon liquidation, to a pro rata share in any distribution to shareholders.
Other Rights
Neither holders of Common Stock nor Class A Common Stock have any preemptive rights or conversion rights or other subscription rights. Neither our shares of Common Stock nor Class A Common Stock are subject to any redemption or sinking fund provisions, nor are they convertible into any of our other securities. All issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock and Class A Common Stock are fully paid and nonassessable.
9
Table of Contents
Pursuant to our Articles of Incorporation, if any person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 100% of the then issued and outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock (such acquisition making such person or group a “Significant Shareholder”), and such Significant Shareholder does not immediately after such acquisition beneficially own an equal percentage of the then issued and outstanding Common Stock, such Significant Shareholder must, within a 90-day period, commence a public tender offer to acquire from all other holders of Common Stock all of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by them, and must acquire all shares validly tendered. The offer price for any shares of Common Stock required to be purchased by a Significant Shareholder under our Articles of Incorporation is the greater of (i) the highest price per share paid by the Significant Shareholder for any share of Class A Common Stock or Common Stock (whichever is higher) in the six month period prior to becoming a Significant Shareholder and (ii) the highest closing price of a share of Class A Common Stock or Common Stock (whichever is higher) on the New York Stock Exchange (or such other quotation system or securities exchange constituting the principal trading market for either class of common stock) during the 30 calendar days prior to becoming a Significant Shareholder.
If a Significant Shareholder fails to make an offer as required to purchase shares validly tendered and not withdrawn, such Significant Shareholder shall not be entitled to vote any shares of Class A Common Stock beneficially owned and acquired by such Significant Shareholder after the date that exceeded such Significant Shareholder’s comparable percentage of Common Stock unless and until the requirements above are complied with or unless and until all shares of Class A Common Stock which would require an offer to be made, are no longer owned by such Significant Shareholder.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. is the transfer agent and registrar for our Common Stock and Class A Common Stock.
Preferred Stock
Our board of directors is authorized, without shareholder approval, to establish out of our authorized 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, one or more series of preferred stock, having such relative rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any series of the designation of such series, as our board of directors shall determine without further vote or action by the shareholders. Pursuant to such authority, the board of directors has previously designated 1,500,000 shares of preferred stock as Series A Preferred Stock. As of April 28, 2021, there were 650,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. All remaining authorized shares of preferred stock are available for future issuance as shares of one or more series of preferred stock.
You should read the applicable prospectus supplement for the terms of any preferred stock offered thereby. The terms of the preferred stock set forth in such prospectus supplement may include the following, as applicable to the preferred stock offered thereby:
| • | the designation of the series of preferred stock, which may be by distinguishing number, letter or title; |
| • | the number of shares of such preferred stock offered, the liquidation preference per share and the offering price of such preferred stock; |
| • | the dividend rate or rates of such shares, the date on which dividends, if declared, will be payable, and whether or not such dividends are to be cumulative and, if cumulative, the date or dates from which dividends shall be cumulative; |
| • | the amounts payable on shares of such preferred stock in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up; |
| • | the redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for the shares of such preferred stock; |
10
Table of Contents
| • | the terms and amount of any sinking fund or analogous fund providing for the purchase or redemption of the shares of such preferred stock, if any; |
| • | the voting rights, if any, granted to the holders of the shares of such preferred stock in addition to those provided by Georgia law or our Articles of Incorporation; |
| • | whether the shares of preferred stock will be convertible into shares of our Common Stock, Class A Common Stock or any other class of our capital stock and, if convertible, the conversion price or prices, any adjustment thereof and any other terms and conditions upon which such conversion shall be made; |
| • | any other rights, preferences, restrictions, limitations or conditions relating to the shares of preferred stock as may be permitted by Georgia law or our Articles of Incorporation; |
| • | any listing of such preferred stock on any securities exchange; and |
| • | a discussion of federal income tax considerations applicable to such preferred stock. |
The specific terms of any preferred stock to be sold under this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. If so indicated in such prospectus supplement, the terms of the preferred stock offered may differ from the general terms set forth above. The preferred stock offered will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable.
Anti-Takeover Provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws and Georgia Law
Certain provisions in our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and Georgia law may encourage persons considering unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover provisions to negotiate with the board of directors rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts. These provisions could delay or discourage certain types of transactions involving an actual or potential change in control of us or our management (including transactions in which shareholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over the then current prices) and may limit the ability of shareholders to remove current management or approve transactions that shareholders may deem to be in their best interests and, therefore, could adversely affect the value of our securities.
Board of Directors
Our Bylaws provide that the number of directors shall be between 3 and 15, and shall be fixed by our board of directors from time to time. Under our Bylaws, shareholders have the power by majority vote at any meeting to remove a director. Our Bylaws also provide that any vacancy occurring on the board of directors may be filled by an affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors though less than a quorum of the board of directors, and that any vacancy on the board by reason of an increase in the size of the board of directors shall be filled by an affirmative vote of a majority of the board of directors. These provisions may deter a shareholder from seeking to remove incumbent directors and simultaneously attempting to gain control of our board of directors by filling the vacancies created by this removal with its own nominees.
Shareholder Action Without a Meeting
Under the Georgia Business Corporation Code, unless a company’s articles of incorporation specify otherwise, any action that could be taken by shareholders at a meeting may be taken, instead, without a meeting if a consent in writing is signed by all the holders of outstanding shares entitled to vote on the action or, if so provided in the articles of incorporation, by the holders of outstanding shares entitled to vote on the action having voting power to cast not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize the action at a meeting at which all shareholders entitled to vote were present and voted. As our Articles of Incorporation do not expressly provide for shareholder action by less than unanimous written consent, our shareholders may not act upon a matter except at a duly called meeting or by unanimous written consent, thereby limiting the ability of our shareholders to take actions which may be opposed by our board of directors.
11
Table of Contents
Advance Notice of Requirement for Shareholder Proposals and Director Nominees
Shareholders seeking to have a proposal included in a Company proxy statement for an annual meeting of shareholders, or otherwise considered at such meeting, including a proposal for the election of a director nominee, must comply with certain advance notice requirements under the rules and regulations of the SEC. These requirements are generally contained in our proxy statement for our most recent annual meeting of shareholders, and relate to the timing by which we must be notified of such proposal. These limitations may have the effect of precluding shareholder business at an annual meeting if the proper procedures are not followed and may discourage or deter a third party from otherwise attempting to recommend individuals to our board of directors or obtain control of us.
Preferred Stock
As discussed above, our Articles of Incorporation authorize the issuance of preferred stock in one or more series. Undesignated preferred stock may enable our board of directors to render more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt, and to thereby protect the continuity of our management. The issuance of shares of preferred stock may adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock. For example, any preferred stock issued may rank prior to our common stock as to dividend rights, liquidation preference or both, may have full or limited voting rights and may be convertible into shares of common stock. As a result, the issuance of shares of preferred stock may discourage bids for our common stock or may otherwise adversely affect the market price of our common stock or any existing preferred stock. In some instances the preferred stock could be issued and have the effect of preventing a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt that the board of directors opposes.
Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
Under Georgia law, our board of directors may amend or repeal any provision of our Articles of Incorporation, except any provision declared to be amendable only by the shareholders. Our Bylaws expressly authorize the alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new bylaws by a majority vote of the shareholders at any regular or special shareholder meeting. Our board of directors is also authorized to amend or repeal any provision of our Bylaws under Georgia law.
12
Table of Contents
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES
This section describes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities we may issue pursuant to this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a prospectus supplement. The debt securities of any series may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and may have the benefit of guarantees by one or more of our subsidiaries.
We will issue any debt securities under one or more indentures to be entered into between us and the trustee named in the indenture. The indenture is subject to any amendments or supplements as we may enter into from time to time which are permitted under the indenture. We will file the definitive indenture, when executed, as well as any amendments or supplements thereto, as exhibits to a Current Report on Form 8-K or a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
We have summarized select portions of the debt securities, the guarantees and the indenture below. The following summary does not purport to be a complete description of the indenture, the debt securities or the guarantees, and is subject to the detailed provisions of, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the indenture, including any terms deemed to be a part thereof by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act”). You may obtain a copy of the indenture as described below under “Where You Can Find More Information.”
General
We may issue debt securities under the indenture, from time to time, in one or more series, with the same or different terms. All debt securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time, and unless otherwise provided, a series of debt securities may, subject to certain conditions, be reopened, without the consent of the holders of outstanding debt securities, for issuances of additional debt securities of that series or to establish additional terms of that series of debt securities (with such additional terms applicable only to unissued or additional debt securities of that series). The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors or in one or more supplemental indentures.
We will describe the particular terms of each series of debt securities we offer, as well as any modifications or additions to the general terms of the indenture, in a prospectus supplement relating to the offer of those series of debt securities, including some or all of the following terms:
| • | the title and ranking of the debt securities (which title shall distinguish such debt securities from all other debt securities we issue), including, as applicable, whether the debt securities are convertible or exchangeable for other securities; |
| • | any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities; |
| • | if other than 100% of the aggregate principal amount, the percentage of the aggregate principal amount at which we will sell the debt securities; |
| • | the date or dates, whether fixed or extendable, on which we will pay the principal on the debt securities; |
| • | the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which the debt securities will bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest will accrue, the interest payment dates on which we will pay any such interest, the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and the record dates for the determination of holders to whom interest is payable; |
| • | any provisions relating to the issuance of the debt securities at an original issue discount; |
| • | the place or places where the principal of and interest on the debt securities will be payable and where the debt securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange; |
13
Table of Contents
| • | whether we may, at our option, redeem the debt securities, and if so, the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities, in whole or in part, at our option, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise; |
| • | if other than 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities which will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date thereof or provable in bankruptcy, or, if applicable, which is convertible or exchangeable in accordance with the provisions of the debt securities or resolution of our board of directors or any applicable supplemental indenture; |
| • | whether the debt securities will provide for the payment of additional amounts in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge; |
| • | any obligation we may have to redeem, purchase or repay the debt securities or to offer to purchase or repay the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or other provision or at the option of a holder of debt securities, and the price or prices, at which, and the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which the debt securities will be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to any such obligation, including the terms or method of payment thereof if other than cash, and any provision for the remarketing of the debt securities; |
| • | the denominations, including U.S. dollars, euros or pounds sterling, in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof; |
| • | whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities, and if so, the form of the debt securities, including the legends required by law or as we deem necessary or appropriate; |
| • | any obligation we may have to permit the conversion or exchange of the debt securities into common stock, preferred stock or other capital stock or property, or combination thereof, and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion will be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period, the provisions for conversion or exchange price or rate adjustments and any other provision relative to such obligation, and any limitations on the ownership or transferability of the securities or property into which holders of the debt securities may convert or exchange the debt securities; |
| • | if other than the trustee under the indenture, any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or any other agents with respect to the debt securities; |
| • | if the debt securities do not bear interest, the applicable dates required under the indenture for furnishing information to the trustee regarding the holders of the debt securities; |
| • | any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the events of default, covenants or other provisions with respect to the debt securities, whether or not such events of default, covenants or other provisions are consistent with the events of default, covenants or other provisions set forth in the indenture; |
| • | if the amount of payments of principal of, and make-whole amount, if any, and interest on the debt securities may be determined with reference to an index, the manner in which such amounts will be determined; |
| • | whether the debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the global form of one or more debt securities and if so, the depositary for such debt securities, the circumstances under which any such debt security may be exchanged for debt securities registered in the name of, and under which any transfer of debt securities may be registered in the name of, any person other than such depositary or its nominee, and any other provisions regarding such debt securities; |
| • | whether the debt securities, in whole or in specified part, will be subject to defeasance or covenant defeasance and, if the debt securities may be defeased in whole or in specified part, the covenants, events of default and other provisions that will cease to be applicable upon such defeasance and any provisions to permit a pledge of obligations other than government obligations or other arrangements to |
14
Table of Contents
| satisfy the requirements for defeasance and, if other than by a resolution of our board of directors, the manner in which we may elect to defease the securities will be evidenced; |
| • | if the debt securities are to be guaranteed by any guarantors, the names of any guarantors of the debt securities and the terms of the guarantees including any deletions from, or modifications of or additions to, the provisions in the indenture related thereto; |
| • | whether the debt securities are to be secured by any property, assets or other collateral and, if so, a general description of the collateral and the terms of any related security, pledge or other agreements; |
| • | whether the debt securities are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and, if subordinated debt securities, the provisions related to such subordination; and |
| • | any other terms or conditions upon which the debt securities will be issued. |
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue debt securities in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of $2,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, and interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. If any interest payment date or the maturity date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, then the payment will be made on the next Business Day without additional interest and with the same effect as if it were made on the originally scheduled date. “Business Day” means any calendar day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York, New York or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the trustee will act as paying agent and registrar for the debt securities under the indenture. We may act as paying agent or registrar under the indenture.
Covenants
Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any restrictive financial covenants, including, among others, covenants restricting us or any of our subsidiaries from incurring, issuing, assuming or guarantying any indebtedness secured by a lien on any of our or our subsidiaries’ property or capital stock, or restricting us or any of our subsidiaries from entering into any sale and leaseback transactions.
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets
The indenture will permit a consolidation or merger between us and another entity and/or the sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition by us of all or substantially all of our property and assets, provided that:
| • | either (a) we are the surviving corporation or assignee or (b) the entity formed by, or surviving, any such consolidation or merger (if other than us) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made (if other than us) is an entity organized or existing under the laws of a U.S. jurisdiction, provided that if we or such other successor entity is not a corporation, there will be a co-issuer of the debt securities that is a corporation; |
| • | the entity formed by, or surviving, any such consolidation or merger (if other than us) or the entity to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made (if other than us) assumes all our obligations under the debt securities and the indenture pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the trustee; |
| • | immediately after the transaction, and giving effect to the transaction, no event of default under the indenture exists; and |
| • | we have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the transaction and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with the transaction, the supplemental indenture, |
15
Table of Contents
| comply with the indenture and that all conditions precedent to the transaction contained in the indenture have been satisfied. |
After any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of our properties or assets in a transaction in accordance with the indenture, the successor entity formed by such consolidation or merger or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made will succeed to, and be substituted for us in the indenture, and may exercise every right and power of ours under the indenture with the same effect as if such successor entity had been named as the company in such indenture.
Modification and Waiver
Under the indenture, certain of our rights and obligations and certain of the rights of the holders of the debt securities may be modified or amended with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities affected by the modification or amendment. Without the consent of each holder of debt securities affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not (with respect to any debt securities held by a non-consenting holder):
| • | reduce the principal amount of debt securities of that series; |
| • | reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any debt security of that series; |
| • | reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any debt security of that series; |
| • | alter or impair the right to convert at the rate or upon the terms provided in the indenture; |
| • | make any of the debt securities payable in money other than that stated in the debt securities of that series; |
| • | impair a holder’s right to sue us for the enforcement of payments due on the debt securities of that series; or |
| • | if any debt securities of a series are guaranteed by the guarantee of any guarantor, a release of such guarantor from any of its obligations under such guarantee, except in accordance with the terms of the indenture. |
Notwithstanding the preceding, under the indenture, the holders of at least a majority of the total principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of all holders of the debt securities of such series:
| • | waive compliance by us with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture; and |
| • | waive any existing or past default under the indenture, except (a) a default in the payment of the principal of, or any premium or interest on, any debt securities of such series; or (b) a default under any provision of the indenture which itself cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holders of each outstanding debt security of such series. |
We and the trustee may amend the indenture without the consent of any holder of debt securities with respect to specific matters, including, but not limited to:
| • | to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the trustee as security for the debt securities, or any guarantees endorsed thereon or attached thereto, any property or assets; |
| • | to add to the covenants or events of default such further covenants, restrictions, conditions, provisions or events of default as the board of directors may consider to be for the protection of the holders of the debt securities; |
16
Table of Contents
| • | to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture; |
| • | to provide for the assumption by a successor person; |
| • | to evidence and provide for successor trustees; |
| • | to add, change or eliminate any provision affecting only debt securities not yet issued; |
| • | to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualification of an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; |
| • | to conform the indenture to the provisions set forth in the description of the securities in the applicable prospectus supplement; and |
| • | to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder. |
Events of Default
Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, “event of default” under the indenture will mean, with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:
| • | failure to pay interest on any debt security for 30 days after the payment is due; |
| • | failure to pay the principal of, or any premium on, any debt security when due, either at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise; |
| • | failure on our part to comply with any other covenant or agreement in the indenture that applies to the debt securities for 90 days after we have received written notice from the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities then outstanding affected by the failure to comply in the manner specified in the indenture; |
| • | certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to us; or |
| • | any guarantee by any guarantor which is a significant subsidiary (or a group which together would constitute a significant subsidiary) for any reason ceasing to be, or for any reason being asserted in writing by us or such guarantor not to be, in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent contemplated or permitted by the indenture or by terms of such series of debt securities. |
If an event of default occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, except that, if the event of default is caused by certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the entire principal of all of the debt securities will become due and payable immediately without any act on the part of the trustee or holders of the debt securities. If such a declaration occurs, the holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series can, subject to conditions, rescind the declaration.
The indenture will require us and any guarantor to file an officers’ certificate with the trustee each year regarding compliance with the terms of the indenture. Upon becoming aware of any default or event of default, we will be required to deliver to the trustee a statement specifying such default or event of default.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series so affected (with each series treated as a separate class) 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 has occurred and is continuing, the trustee will be required, in the exercise of their respective power, to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person 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
17
Table of Contents
powers under the indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities, unless such holder has offered to the trustee reasonable written security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture
The indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all debt securities of any series that have been issued thereunder, when:
| • | either: |
| • | all debt securities of that series that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed debt securities that have been replaced or paid and debt securities for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to us, have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or |
| • | all debt securities of that series that have not been delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and we have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the holders thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the aggregate indebtedness on the debt securities not delivered to the trustee for cancellation for principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any, on, the debt securities to the date of maturity or redemption (provided that no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing and such deposit will not breach any other instrument by which we are bound); |
| • | we have paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it in respect of such securities of such series under the indenture; and |
| • | we have delivered irrevocable instructions to the trustee under the indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the debt securities of that series at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be. |
In addition we must deliver an officers’ certificate and opinion of counsel to the trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.
Defeasance of Certain Covenants and Certain Events of Default
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect with respect to any debt securities of any series either:
| • | to defease and be discharged from all of our obligations with respect to such debt securities, which we refer to as defeasance; or |
| • | to be released from our obligations with respect to such debt securities under such covenants as may be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, and any omission to comply with those obligations will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to such debt securities, which we refer to as covenant defeasance. |
We must comply with the following conditions before the defeasance or covenant defeasance can be effected:
| • | we must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities of such series, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable government securities, or a combination thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest, if any, on, the outstanding debt securities of such series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and we must specify whether the debt securities of such series are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date; |
18
Table of Contents
| • | we must deliver to trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of such debt securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, to be effected with respect to such debt securities and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, had not occurred; |
| • | no default or event of default may have occurred or continue with respect to debt securities of such series 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 granting of liens to secure such borrowings); |
| • | such defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the indenture and the agreements governing any other indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced) to which we are a party or bound; |
| • | we must deliver an officers’ certificate to the trustee stating that the deposit was not made with the intent of preferring holders of the series of debt securities being redeemed over our other creditors with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any of our creditors or others; and |
| • | we must deliver an officers’ certificate and opinion of counsel to the trustee, stating that all conditions precedent relating to the defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with. |
The accompanying prospectus supplement may further describe any provisions permitting or restricting defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to the debt securities of a particular series.
Global Debt Securities
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, each debt security offered by this prospectus will be issued in the form of one or more global debt securities representing all or part of that series of debt securities. This means that we will not issue certificates for that series of debt securities to the holders. Instead, a global debt security representing that series will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a securities depositary and registered in the name of the depositary or a nominee of the depositary. Any such depositary must be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act.
Guarantees of Debt Securities
The debt securities of any series may be guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries. However, the indenture will not require that any of our subsidiaries be a guarantor of any series of debt securities and will permit the guarantors for any series of guaranteed debt securities to be different from any other series of guaranteed debt securities. As a result, a series of debt securities may not have any guarantors and the guarantors of any series of guaranteed debt securities may differ from the guarantors of any other series of guaranteed debt securities. If we issue a series of guaranteed debt securities, the identity of the specific guarantors of the debt securities of that series and the terms and conditions of the guarantee will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
A guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such guarantor is the surviving entity) another entity, other than us or another guarantor, unless:
| • | immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no default or event of default exists; and |
| • | the entity acquiring the property in such sale or disposition or the surviving entity is an entity organized or existing under the laws of a U.S. jurisdiction and expressly assumes all the obligations of that guarantor under its guaranty; and |
19
Table of Contents
| • | we have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate and opinion of counsel stating that the merger, consolidation or transfer and supplemental agreements, if any, comply with the indenture. |
The guaranty of a guarantor will be released:
| • | in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, or all of the capital stock, of that guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, to an entity that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) us or a subsidiary; provided such sale, merger or consolidation is made in accordance with the terms of the indenture; or |
| • | upon defeasance or covenant defeasance in accordance with the indenture. |
Any guarantor not released from its obligations under its guarantee will remain liable for the full amount of principal of, premium on, if any, interest, if any, on, the debt securities of such series.
The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any series of guaranteed debt securities may specify other terms of the applicable guarantees.
Further Issues
Unless specified otherwise with respect to a series of debt securities in a prospectus supplement, we may from time to time, without notice to or the consent of the registered holders of a series of debt securities, create and issue further debt securities of any such series ranking equally with the debt securities of the corresponding series in all respects (or in all respects other than the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such further debt securities or except for the first payment of interest following the issue date of such further debt securities). Such further debt securities may be consolidated and form a single series with the debt securities of the corresponding series and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as the debt securities of the corresponding series.
Notices
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will give notices to holders of the debt securities by mail at the addresses listed in the security register.
Governing Law
The indenture and the debt securities (and any guarantees thereof) will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.
Regarding the Trustee
We have not selected a trustee under the indenture. Disclosure regarding the trustee will be provided in an applicable prospectus supplement or amendment hereto.
20
Table of Contents
General Description of Warrants
We may issue warrants for the purchase of our Common Stock, Class A Common Stock, preferred stock, debt securities or any combination of these securities. Warrants may be issued independently or together with other securities and may be attached to or separate from any offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between a warrant agent and us. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not have any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants. In connection with any warrants, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with one or more underwriters or other investors pursuant to which the underwriters or other investors will agree to purchase any securities underlying such warrants that remain unpurchased upon the expiration of such warrants.
The following outlines some of the general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may issue from time to time. Additional terms of the warrants and the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The following description, and any description of the warrants included in the applicable prospectus supplement, may not be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and provisions of the applicable warrant agreement, which we will file with the SEC in connection with any offering of warrants.
The applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants exercisable for debt securities will describe the terms of those warrants, including:
| • | the title of the warrants; |
| • | the offering price for the warrants, if any; |
| • | the aggregate number of the warrants; |
| • | the designation, number or principal amount and terms of our Common Stock, Class A Common Stock, preferred stock, debt securities or any combination thereof, purchasable upon exercise of such warrants; |
| • | if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities, if any, with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security; |
| • | if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and any securities issued with the warrants will be separately transferable; |
| • | the principal amount and price of each underlying security that may be purchased upon exercise of a warrant; |
| • | the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants commences and expires; |
| • | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
| • | whether the warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form; |
| • | information relating to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| • | the material terms of any standby underwriting agreement entered into by us in connection with any warrants; |
| • | if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; |
| • | anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any; |
| • | redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to the warrants; and |
| • | any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants. |
21
Table of Contents
We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other classes of securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time or at any time before a specified date or occurrence. The units may be issued under unit agreements to be entered into between us and a unit agent, as detailed in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the units being offered.
To the extent appropriate, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any units offered thereby, including the following:
| • | the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be held or transferred separately; |
| • | a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units; |
| • | a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units; |
| • | a discussion of material federal income tax considerations, if applicable; and |
| • | whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form. |
22
Table of Contents
MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
A summary of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations for persons investing in the securities offered by this prospectus may be set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement. Any such summary will be presented for informational purposes only, however, and will not be intended as legal or tax advice to prospective investors. Prospective investors in securities are urged to consult their own tax advisors prior to deciding whether to invest in the securities.
Unless otherwise indicated in a supplement to this prospectus, the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Jones Day, Atlanta, Georgia and, with respect to certain matters under North Carolina law, by Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A., Charlotte, North Carolina. If legal matters in connection with particular offerings of the securities in the future are passed upon by counsel to the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, such counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The consolidated financial statements and the related consolidated financial statement schedule of Gray Television, Inc. as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020 and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Gray Television, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 have been audited by RSM US LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report thereon, incorporated herein by reference, and have been incorporated in this Prospectus and Registration Statement in reliance upon such report and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
23
Table of Contents
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
Set forth below are the expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, to be incurred by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereby.
| SEC registration fee |
$ | * | ||
| Legal fees and expenses |
(1 | ) | ||
| Printing fees |
(1 | ) | ||
| Accounting fees and expenses |
(1 | ) | ||
| Trustee’s fees and expenses |
(1 | ) | ||
| Miscellaneous |
(1 | ) | ||
|
|
|
|||
| Total |
$ | (1 | ) | |
|
|
|
| * | In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 497(r) under the Securities Act, the registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee for the securities offered by this prospectus. |
| (1) | These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time. |
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Georgia Registrants
Gray Television, Inc. (”Gray”) and WVLT-TV, Inc. (“WVLT-TV”) are incorporated in Georgia.
Section 14-2-851 of the Georgia Business Corporation Code (the “GBCC”) generally provides that a corporation may indemnify a director (including a former director and including a director who is or was serving at the corporation’s request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity) against liability incurred: (i) in a civil proceeding (a) if, in the case of conduct in such director’s capacity as a director, the conduct was in good faith and reasonably believed by such director to be in the best interests of the corporation, and (b) if, in all other cases, the conduct was in good faith and was at least not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; and (ii) in a criminal proceeding, the conduct was in good faith and the director had no reasonable cause to believe such conduct was unlawful. GBCC section 14-2-851(d) provides that a corporation may not indemnify a director in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, except for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding if it is determined that the director has met the relevant standard of conduct under GBCC section 14-2-851, or in connection with any proceeding with respect to conduct for which such director was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received by such director, whether or not involving action in such director’s capacity as a director.
GBCC section 14-2-852 generally provides for mandatory indemnification against reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defending an action to which the director was a party because he or she was a director of the corporation.
GBCC section 14-2-853 generally provides that a corporation may, under certain circumstances, advance funds to pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is a party to a proceeding because he or she is a director of the corporation.
GBCC section 14-2-854 generally allows a court, upon application by a director, to order indemnification and/or advancement of expenses if it determines that the director is entitled to indemnification under the GBCC
II-1
Table of Contents
or it determines that indemnification is fair and reasonable even if, among other things, the director has failed to meet the statutory standard of conduct provided under GBCC section 14-2-851. However, the court may not order indemnification in excess of reasonable expenses for liability to a corporation or for receipt of an improper benefit.
GBCC section 14-2-855 generally provides that a corporation may not indemnify a director under GBCC section 142-851 unless authorized by GBCC section 14-2-851 and either (i) a committee of disinterested directors, (ii) special legal counsel, or (iii) disinterested shareholders have determined that indemnification is permitted in a specific proceeding because the director has met the relevant standard of conduct.
GBCC section 14-2-856 generally permits a corporation’s articles of incorporation or bylaws or a contract or a resolution approved or ratified by a corporation’s shareholders to authorize a corporation to indemnify a director against claims to which the director was a party, including claims by a corporation or in its right (e.g., shareholder derivative action). However, a corporation may not indemnify the director for liability to the corporation or if the director is subjected to injunctive relief in the corporation’s favor for (i) any misappropriation of the corporation’s business opportunities, (ii) intentional misconduct or knowing violation of the law, (iii) unlawful distributions or (iv) receipt of an improper benefit.
GBCC section 14-2-857 generally permits a corporation to indemnify an officer (including a former officer and including an officer who is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity) to the same extent as a director. A corporation may indemnify an officer who is not a director to a further extent by means of the corporation’s articles of incorporation, bylaws, board resolutions, or by contract. However, a corporation may not indemnify an officer for liability arising from conduct involving misappropriation of the corporation’s business opportunity, intentional misconduct or knowing violation of the law, unlawful distributions, or receipt of an improper benefit. An officer who is not a director is also entitled to mandatory indemnification and may apply for court-ordered indemnification.
GBCC section 14-2-858 generally permits a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of its directors and officers against liability incurred by them in their capacities or arising out of their status as our directors and officers, regardless of whether the corporation would have the power to indemnify or advance expenses to the director or officer for the same liability under the GBCC.
Article 7 of Gray’s Articles of Incorporation generally provides that the liability of each director to the Company or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of duty of care or other duty as a director shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. However, to the extent required by applicable law, this provision does not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for (i) any appropriation, in violation of his duties, of any business opportunity of the Company; (ii) any acts/omissions involving intentional misconduct or a knowing violation or law; (iii) any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit; or (iv) certain liability set out in GBCC section 14-2-832.
Article XIV of Gray’s Bylaws generally provides for indemnification of and advancement of expenses to directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Article XIV also provides that indemnification and advancement of expenses shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, trustee, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such person.
Article VII of WVLT-TV’s Articles of Incorporation generally provide that director liability shall be eliminated or limited to the full extent permitted by the GBCC.
Article XIV of WVLT-TV’s Bylaws generally provides for indemnification of directors and officers under similar terms as the Bylaws of Gray Television, Inc.
II-2
Table of Contents
Delaware Corporate Registrant
Gray Television Group, Inc. (“GTG”) is incorporated in Delaware.
With respect to indemnification of officers and directors, the General Corporate Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”) section 145 provides that a corporation will have power 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 (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he 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 attorney’s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Under this provision of the DGCL, the termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, will not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.
Furthermore, the DGCL provides that a corporation will have power 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 or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he 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 attorney’s fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification will be made in respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person will have been adjudged to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought will determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such court will deem proper.
Article IX of GTG’s Certificate of Incorporation generally provides that the corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to the fullest extent provided by DGCL section 145 all individuals that it shall have power to indemnify. GTG’s certificate of incorporation further states that indemnification and advancement of expenses shall not be exclusive of any other remedies that an indemnified individual may have.
Article XI of GTG’s Certificate of Incorporation generally provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, no director shall be liable personally liable to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director.
Delaware Limited Liability Company Registrants
Gray Television Licensee, LLC (“Gray Licensee”) and Tupelo Honey Raycom, LLC (“Tupelo Honey”) are limited liability companies organized in Delaware.
Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act provides that, subject to the standards and restrictions, if any, as are described in its limited liability company agreement, a limited liability company may, and shall have the power to, indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever.
II-3
Table of Contents
The Certificate of Organization of Gray Licensee provide that Gray Licensee is manager-managed. The Limited Liability Company Agreement of Gray Licensee provides that a board of directors shall collectively act as the company’s manager. With regard to indemnification, the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Gray Licensee generally provides that Gray Licensee shall indemnify and advance expenses to managers, board members, and officers of the company to the fullest extent permitted by law. The agreement further provides that no managers, board member, or officer shall be indemnified against liability for intentional misconduct, knowing violation of the law, or any transaction in which the individual received an illegal or prohibited personal benefit.
The Certificate of Organization of Tupelo Honey provide that Tupelo is manager-managed. The Limited Liability Company Agreement of Tupelo Honey provides that a board of directors shall collectively act as the company’s manager. With regard to indemnification, the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Tupelo Honey generally provides that Tupelo Honey shall indemnify and advance expenses to managers, board members, and officers of the company to the fullest extent permitted by law. The agreement further provides that no manager, board member, or officer shall be indemnified against liability for intentional misconduct, knowing violation of the law, or any transaction in which the individual received an illegal or prohibited personal benefit.
North Carolina Registrant
Raycom Sports Network, Inc. (“RSNI”) is organized in North Carolina.
Section 55-2-02 of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act (the “Business Corporation Act”) enables a corporation in its articles of incorporation to eliminate or limit, with certain exceptions, the personal liability of a director for monetary damages for breach of duty as a director. No such provision is effective to eliminate or limit a director’s liability for (i) acts or omissions that the director at the time of the breach knew or believed to be clearly in conflict with the best interests of the corporation, (ii) improper distributions as described in Section 55-8-33 of the Business Corporation Act, (iii) any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit or (iv) acts or omissions occurring prior to the date the exculpatory provision became effective. The articles of incorporation of RSNI do not include the elimination or limitation of any personal liability of a director’s liability under the Business Corporation Act.
Sections 55-8-50 through 55-8-58 of the Business Corporation Act permit a corporation to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents under either or both a statutory or nonstatutory scheme of indemnification. Under the statutory scheme, a corporation may, with certain exceptions, indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation who was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to any threatened, pending or completed legal action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative because of the fact that such person was or is a director, officer, agent or employee of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. This indemnity may include the obligation to pay any judgment, settlement, penalty, fine (including an excise tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan) or reasonable expenses incurred in connection with a proceeding (including counsel fees), but no such indemnification may be granted unless such director, officer, employee or agent (i) conducted himself or herself in good faith, (ii) reasonably believed (1) that any action taken in his or her official capacity with the corporation was in the best interests of the corporation or (2) that in all other cases his or her conduct was not opposed to the corporation’s best interests, and (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Whether a director has met the requisite standard of conduct for the type of indemnification set forth above is determined by the board of directors, a committee of directors, special legal counsel or the shareholders in accordance with Section 55-8-55 of the Business Corporation Act. A corporation may not indemnify a director under the statutory scheme in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation in which a director was adjudged liable to the corporation or in connection with any other proceeding in which a director was adjudged liable on the basis of having received an improper personal benefit.
In addition to, and notwithstanding the conditions of and limitations on, the indemnification described above under the statutory scheme, Section 55-8-57 of the Business Corporation Act permits a corporation to indemnify,
II-4
Table of Contents
or agree to indemnify, any of its directors, officers, employees or agents (and any person who, at the request of the corporation, is or was serving as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporations, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (which would include subsidiaries of the corporation)) against liability and expenses (including counsel fees) in any proceeding (including proceedings brought by or on behalf of the corporation) arising out of their status as such or their activities in such capacities, except for any liabilities or expenses incurred on account of activities that were, at the time taken, known or believed by the person to be clearly in conflict with the best interests of the corporation. The bylaws of RSNI do not provide for any such indemnification, nor are there separate indemnification agreements in place between RSNI and its directors and officers.
Sections 55-8-52 and 55-8-56 of the Business Corporation Act require a corporation, unless its articles of incorporation provide otherwise, to indemnify a director or officer who has been wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which such director or officer was, or was threatened to be, made a party because he is or was a director or officer of the corporation. Unless prohibited by the articles of incorporation, a director or officer also may make application and obtain court-ordered indemnification if the court determines that such director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to such indemnification as provided in Sections 55-8-54 and 55-8-56 of the Business Corporation Act.
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
INDEX
II-5
Table of Contents
| * | To be filed prior to or in connection with the first offering contemplated by such agreement as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. |
| ** | To the extent applicable, to be incorporated by reference from a subsequent filing in accordance with Section 305 (b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. |
II-6
Table of Contents
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement;
(2) That, for the purpose 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;
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering;
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(A) each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B) each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or
II-7
Table of Contents
prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; and
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes, for any offering in which the securities to be registered are to be offered to existing security holders pursuant to warrants or rights and any securities not taken by security holders are to be reoffered to the public, to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.
(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
(1) for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b) (1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and
(2) for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus 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.
(e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Act.
II-8
Table of Contents
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
II-9
Table of Contents
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Atlanta, State of Georgia, on this 30th day of April, 2021.
| GRAY TELEVISION, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ James C. Ryan | |
| James C. Ryan | ||
| Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned directors and officers of Gray Television, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), hereby constitutes and appoints Hilton H. Howell, Jr. and James C. Ryan, and each of them, as the true and lawful attorney-in-fact or attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for each of the undersigned and in the name, place and stead of each of the undersigned, to sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 one or more Registration Statement(s) on Form S-3 relating to the registration for sale of the debt and/or equity securities of the Company, with any and all amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto, including pre-effective and post-effective amendments or supplements or any additional registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, with full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever required, necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, hereby ratifying and approving the act of said attorneys and any of them and any such substitute.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Name |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Hilton H. Howell, Jr. (Hilton H. Howell, Jr.) |
Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Donald P. LaPlatney (Donald P. LaPlatney) |
President, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director |
April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ James C. Ryan (James C. Ryan) |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Jackson S. Cowart, IV (Jackson S. Cowart, IV) |
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) |
April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Richard L. Boger (Richard L. Boger) |
Director | April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ T. L. Elder (T. L. Elder) |
Director | April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Luis A. Garcia (Luis A. Garcia) |
Director | April 30, 2021 | ||
Table of Contents
| Name |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Richard B. Hare (Richard B. Hare) |
Director | April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Robin R. Howell (Robin R. Howell) |
Director | April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Paul H. McTear (Paul H. McTear) |
Director | April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Howell W. Newton (Howell W. Newton) |
Director | April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Sterling A. Spainhour, Jr. (Sterling A. Spainhour, Jr.) |
Director | April 30, 2021 | ||
Table of Contents
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Atlanta, State of Georgia, on this 30th day of April, 2021.
| WVLT-TV, Inc. | ||
| By: | /s/ James C. Ryan | |
| James C. Ryan | ||
| Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned directors and officers of WVLT-TV, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), hereby constitutes and appoints Hilton H. Howell, Jr. and James C. Ryan, and each of them, as the true and lawful attorney-in-fact or attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for each of the undersigned and in the name, place and stead of each of the undersigned, to sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 one or more Registration Statement(s) on Form S-3 relating to the registration for sale of the debt and/or equity securities of the Company, with any and all amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto, including pre-effective and post-effective amendments or supplements or any additional registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, with full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever required, necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, hereby ratifying and approving the act of said attorneys and any of them and any such substitute.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Name |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Hilton H. Howell, Jr. (Hilton H. Howell, Jr.) |
Executive Chairman (Principal Executive Officer) |
April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ James C. Ryan (James C. Ryan) |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Jackson S. Cowart, IV (Jackson S. Cowart, IV) |
Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Assistant Secretary |
April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Donald P. LaPlatney (Donald P. LaPlatney) |
Director | April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Kevin P. Latek (Kevin P. Latek) |
Director | April 30, 2021 | ||
Table of Contents
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Atlanta, State of Georgia, on this 30th day of April, 2021.
| GRAY MEDIA GROUP, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ James C. Ryan | |
| James C. Ryan | ||
| Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | ||
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned directors and officers of Gray Television Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby constitutes and appoints Hilton H. Howell, Jr. and James C. Ryan, and each of them, as the true and lawful attorney-in-fact or attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for each of the undersigned and in the name, place and stead of each of the undersigned, to sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 one or more Registration Statement(s) on Form S-3 relating to the registration for sale of the debt and/or equity securities of the Company, with any and all amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto, including pre-effective and post-effective amendments or supplements or any additional registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, with full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever required, necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, hereby ratifying and approving the act of said attorneys and any of them and any such substitute.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Name |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Hilton H. Howell, Jr. (Hilton H. Howell, Jr.) |
Chief Executive Officer and Director |
April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ James C. Ryan (James C. Ryan) |
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Principal Accounting Officer) |
April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Donald P. LaPlatney (Donald P. LaPlatney) |
President and Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director |
April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Kevin P. Latek (Kevin P. Latek) |
Director | April 30, 2021 | ||
Table of Contents
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Atlanta, State of Georgia, on this 30th day of April, 2021.
| GRAY TELEVISION LICENSEE, LLC
| ||
| By: | /s/ James C. Ryan | |
| James C. Ryan | ||
| Treasurer | ||
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned directors and officers of Gray Television Licensee, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), hereby constitutes and appoints Hilton H. Howell, Jr. and James C. Ryan, and each of them, as the true and lawful attorney-in-fact or attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for each of the undersigned and in the name, place and stead of each of the undersigned, to sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 one or more Registration Statement(s) on Form S-3 relating to the registration for sale of the debt and/or equity securities of the Company, with any and all amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto, including pre-effective and post-effective amendments or supplements or any additional registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, with full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever required, necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, hereby ratifying and approving the act of said attorneys and any of them and any such substitute.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Name |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Hilton H. Howell, Jr. (Hilton H. Howell, Jr.) |
Executive Chairman (Principal Executive Officer) |
April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ James C. Ryan (James C. Ryan) |
Treasurer Chief Accounting Officer) |
April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Donald P. LaPlatney (Donald P. LaPlatney) |
Director | April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Kevin P. Latek (Kevin P. Latek) |
Director | April 30, 2021 | ||
Table of Contents
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Atlanta, State of Georgia, on this 30th day of April, 2021.
| TUPELO HONEY RAYCOM, LLC
| ||
| By: | /s/ James C. Ryan | |
| James C. Ryan | ||
| Treasurer | ||
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned directors and officers of Tupelo Honey Raycom, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), hereby constitutes and appoints Hilton H. Howell, Jr. and James C. Ryan, and each of them, as the true and lawful attorney-in-fact or attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for each of the undersigned and in the name, place and stead of each of the undersigned, to sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 one or more Registration Statement(s) on Form S-3 relating to the registration for sale of the debt and/or equity securities of the Company, with any and all amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto, including pre-effective and post-effective amendments or supplements or any additional registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, with full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever required, necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, hereby ratifying and approving the act of said attorneys and any of them and any such substitute.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Name |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Cary Glotzer (Cary Glotzer) |
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ James C. Ryan (James C. Ryan) |
Treasurer Chief Accounting Officer) |
April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Hilton H. Howell, Jr. (Hilton H. Howell, Jr.) |
Director | April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Donald P. LaPlatney (Donald P. LaPlatney) |
Director | April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Kevin P. Latek (Kevin P. Latek) |
Director | April 30, 2021 | ||
Table of Contents
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Atlanta, State of Georgia, on this 30th day of April, 2021.
| RAYCOM SPORTS NETWORK, INC.
| ||
| By: | /s/ James C. Ryan | |
| James C. Ryan | ||
| Treasurer | ||
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned directors and officers of Raycom Sports Network, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the “Company”), hereby constitutes and appoints Hilton H. Howell, Jr. and James C. Ryan, and each of them, as the true and lawful attorney-in-fact or attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for each of the undersigned and in the name, place and stead of each of the undersigned, to sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 one or more Registration Statement(s) on Form S-3 relating to the registration for sale of the debt and/or equity securities of the Company, with any and all amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto, including pre-effective and post-effective amendments or supplements or any additional registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, with full power and authority to do and perform any and all acts and things whatsoever required, necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, hereby ratifying and approving the act of said attorneys and any of them and any such substitute.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Name |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Hunter Nickell (Hunter Nickell) |
Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ James C. Ryan (James C. Ryan) |
Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) |
April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Donald P. LaPlatney (Donald P. LaPlatney) |
Chairman | April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Hilton H. Howell, Jr. (Hilton H. Howell, Jr.) |
Director | April 30, 2021 | ||
| /s/ Kevin P. Latek (Kevin P. Latek) |
Director | April 30, 2021 | ||
Exhibit 4.1
GRAY TELEVISION, INC.
AND EACH OF THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO
INDENTURE
Dated as of [ ], 20[__]
[ ]
Trustee
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||||
| ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE |
1 | |||||
| Section 1.01 |
Definitions | 1 | ||||
| Section 1.02 |
Other Definitions | 4 | ||||
| Section 1.03 |
Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act | 4 | ||||
| Section 1.04 |
Rules of Construction | 5 | ||||
| ARTICLE 2 SECURITIES |
5 | |||||
| Section 2.01 |
Form and Dating | 5 | ||||
| Section 2.02 |
Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series | 5 | ||||
| Section 2.03 |
Execution of Securities and Guarantees | 8 | ||||
| Section 2.04 |
Authentication and Delivery of Securities | 8 | ||||
| Section 2.05 |
Registrar and Paying Agent | 9 | ||||
| Section 2.06 |
Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust | 9 | ||||
| Section 2.07 |
Holder Lists | 10 | ||||
| Section 2.08 |
Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest | 10 | ||||
| Section 2.09 |
Transfer and Exchange | 11 | ||||
| Section 2.10 |
Replacement Securities | 13 | ||||
| Section 2.11 |
Outstanding Securities | 13 | ||||
| Section 2.12 |
Treasury Securities | 13 | ||||
| Section 2.13 |
Temporary Securities | 14 | ||||
| Section 2.14 |
Cancellation | 14 | ||||
| Section 2.15 |
CUSIP Numbers | 14 | ||||
| Section 2.16 |
Book-Entry Provisions for Global Security | 14 | ||||
| Section 2.17 |
Form of Conversion Notice | 15 | ||||
| ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT |
15 | |||||
| Section 3.01 |
Applicability of Article | 15 | ||||
| Section 3.02 |
Election To Redeem; Notice to Trustee | 15 | ||||
| Section 3.03 |
Notices to Trustee | 15 | ||||
| Section 3.04 |
Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed or Purchased | 16 | ||||
| Section 3.05 |
Notice of Redemption | 16 | ||||
| Section 3.06 |
Effect of Notice of Redemption | 17 | ||||
| Section 3.07 |
Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price | 17 | ||||
| Section 3.08 |
Securities Redeemed or Purchased in Part | 17 | ||||
| Section 3.09 |
Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption | 18 | ||||
| ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS |
18 | |||||
| Section 4.01 |
Payment of Securities | 18 | ||||
| Section 4.02 |
Maintenance of Office or Agency | 18 | ||||
| Section 4.03 |
Reports | 18 | ||||
| Section 4.04 |
Compliance Certificate | 19 | ||||
| Section 4.05 |
Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in Office of Trustee | 19 | ||||
| Section 4.06 |
Paying Agents | 19 | ||||
| Section 4.07 |
Calculation of Original Issue Discount and Other Amounts | 20 | ||||
| ARTICLE 5 SUCCESSORS |
20 | |||||
| Section 5.01 |
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets | 20 | ||||
| Section 5.02 |
Successor Corporation Substituted | 21 | ||||
| ARTICLE 6 DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES |
21 | |||||
| Section 6.01 |
Events of Default | 21 | ||||
| Section 6.02 |
Acceleration | 22 | ||||
-i-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
| Page | ||||||
| Section 6.03 |
Other Remedies | 22 | ||||
| Section 6.04 |
Waiver of Past Defaults | 22 | ||||
| Section 6.05 |
Control by Majority | 23 | ||||
| Section 6.06 |
Limitation on Suits | 23 | ||||
| Section 6.07 |
Rights of Holders to Receive Payment | 23 | ||||
| Section 6.08 |
Collection Suit by Trustee | 23 | ||||
| Section 6.09 |
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 24 | ||||
| Section 6.10 |
Priorities | 24 | ||||
| Section 6.11 |
Undertaking for Costs | 25 | ||||
| ARTICLE 7 TRUSTEE |
25 | |||||
| Section 7.01 |
Duties of Trustee | 25 | ||||
| Section 7.02 |
Right of Trustee | 26 | ||||
| Section 7.03 |
Individual Right of Trustee | 26 | ||||
| Section 7.04 |
Trustee’s Disclaimer | 26 | ||||
| Section 7.05 |
Notice of Defaults | 26 | ||||
| Section 7.06 |
Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Securities | 26 | ||||
| Section 7.07 |
Compensation and Indemnity | 27 | ||||
| Section 7.08 |
Replacement of Trustee | 27 | ||||
| Section 7.09 |
Successor Trustee by Merger, etc | 28 | ||||
| Section 7.10 |
Eligibility; Disqualification | 28 | ||||
| Section 7.11 |
Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company | 28 | ||||
| ARTICLE 8 LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE |
29 | |||||
| Section 8.01 |
Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance | 29 | ||||
| Section 8.02 |
Legal Defeasance and Discharge | 29 | ||||
| Section 8.03 |
Covenant Defeasance | 29 | ||||
| Section 8.04 |
Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance | 30 | ||||
| Section 8.05 |
Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions | 31 | ||||
| Section 8.06 |
Repayment to Company | 31 | ||||
| Section 8.07 |
Reinstatement | 31 | ||||
| ARTICLE 9 AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER |
32 | |||||
| Section 9.01 |
Without Consent of Holders of Securities | 32 | ||||
| Section 9.02 |
With Consent of Holders of Securities | 33 | ||||
| Section 9.03 |
Compliance with Trust Indenture Act | 34 | ||||
| Section 9.04 |
Revocation and Effect of Consents | 34 | ||||
| Section 9.05 |
Notation on or Exchange of Securities | 34 | ||||
| Section 9.06 |
Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc | 35 | ||||
| Section 9.07 |
Effect of Supplemental Indenture | 35 | ||||
| ARTICLE 10 GUARANTEES |
35 | |||||
| Section 10.01 |
Guarantee | 35 | ||||
| Section 10.02 |
Limitation on Guarantor Liability | 36 | ||||
| Section 10.03 |
Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms | 36 | ||||
| Section 10.04 |
Releases | 37 | ||||
| ARTICLE 11 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE |
37 | |||||
| Section 11.01 |
Satisfaction and Discharge | 37 | ||||
| Section 11.02 |
Application of Trust Money | 38 | ||||
-ii-
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
| Page | ||||||
| ARTICLE 12 SECURITY |
39 | |||||
| ARTICLE 13 MISCELLANEOUS |
39 | |||||
| Section 13.01 |
Trust Indenture Act Controls | 39 | ||||
| Section 13.02 |
Notices | 39 | ||||
| Section 13.03 |
Communication by Holders of Securities with Other Holders of Securities | 40 | ||||
| Section 13.04 |
Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 40 | ||||
| Section 13.05 |
Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 40 | ||||
| Section 13.06 |
Rules by Trustee and Agents | 41 | ||||
| Section 13.07 |
No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders | 41 | ||||
| Section 13.08 |
Governing Law | 41 | ||||
| Section 13.09 |
No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements | 41 | ||||
| Section 13.10 |
Successors | 41 | ||||
| Section 13.11 |
Severability | 41 | ||||
| Section 13.12 |
Counterpart Originals | 41 | ||||
| Section 13.13 |
Table of Contents, Headings, etc. | 41 | ||||
-iii-
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
| Trust Indenture Act Section | Indenture Section | |||
| 310(a)(1) |
7.10 | |||
| (a)(2) |
7.10 | |||
| (a)(3) |
N.A. | |||
| (a)(4) |
N.A. | |||
| (a)(5) |
7.10 | |||
| (b) |
7.10 | |||
| (c) |
N.A. | |||
| 311(a) |
7.11 | |||
| (b) |
7.11 | |||
| (c) |
N.A. | |||
| 312(a) |
2.07 | |||
| (b) |
13.03 | |||
| (c) |
13.03 | |||
| 313(a) |
7.06 | |||
| (b)(1) |
7.06 | |||
| (b)(2) |
7.06; 7.07 | |||
| (c) |
7.06; 13.02 | |||
| (d) |
7.06 | |||
| 314(a) |
4.03; 4.04; 13.02 | |||
| (b) |
N.A. | |||
| (c)(1) |
13.04 | |||
| (c)(2) |
13.04 | |||
| (c)(3) |
N.A. | |||
| (d) |
N.A. | |||
| (e) |
13.05 | |||
| (f) |
N.A. | |||
| 315(a) |
7.01 | |||
| (b) |
7.05; 13.02 | |||
| (c) |
7.01 | |||
| (d) |
7.01 | |||
| (e) |
6.11 | |||
| 316(a) (last sentence) |
2.12 | |||
| (a)(1)(A) |
6.05 | |||
| (a)(1)(B) |
6.04 | |||
| (a)(2) |
N.A. | |||
| (b) |
6.07 | |||
| (c) |
2.08 | |||
| 317(a)(1) |
6.08 | |||
| (a)(2) |
6.09 | |||
| (b) |
2.06 | |||
| 318(a) |
13.01 | |||
| (b) |
N.A. | |||
| (c) |
13.01 | |||
N.A. means not applicable
| * | This Cross-Reference Table is not part of this Indenture |
INDENTURE dated as of [ ], 20[__] among Gray Television, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), the Guarantors (as defined herein) and [ ], as trustee.
WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the issuance from time to time of its debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (the “Securities”) to be issued in one or more Series (as defined herein) up to such principal amount or amounts as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and to provide, among other things, for the authentication, delivery and administration thereof, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, each of the Initial Guarantors (as defined herein) has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture in order to provide for a Guarantee (as defined herein) by such Initial Guarantor of such Series of Securities (as defined herein) as to which such a Guarantee has been made applicable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid indenture and agreement of the Company and each of the Initial Guarantors according to its terms have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE:
In consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Securities by the Holders (as defined herein) thereof, the Company, the Initial Guarantors and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Securities as follows.
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01 Definitions.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means 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. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.
“Agent” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
“Board of Directors” means:
(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;
(2) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors of the general partner of the partnership or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;
(3) with respect to a limited liability company, the manager or managers, managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof; and
(4) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.
“Capital Stock” means:
(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and
(4) any other interest 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, but excluding from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Common Stock” includes any stock of any class of the Company that has no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and which is not subject to redemption by the Company.
“Company” means Gray Television, Inc., a Georgia corporation, and any and all successors thereto.
“continuing” means, with respect to any Default or Event of Default, that such Default or Event of Default has not been cured or waived.
“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” will be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 13.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.
“Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Securities in global form, or any successor entity thereto.
“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.02 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Securities, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Government Securities” means securities that are: (1) direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged; (2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, which, in either case under clauses (1) and (2) of this definition, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuers thereof; or (3) depository receipts issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Securities or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such U.S. Government Securities held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Security evidenced by such depository receipt.
“Guarantee,” when used with respect to the Securities of any Series, means a guarantee of such Securities of such Series by a Guarantor of such Securities of such Series as contemplated by Article 10.
“Guarantors” means the Initial Guarantors and any other Person who shall have become a Guarantor under this Indenture pursuant to Section 2.02 or 9.01(h), in each case, until a successor Person shall have been substituted for such Guarantor pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, at which time references to such Guarantor shall mean such successor Person; or until such Guarantor shall have been released in accordance with Article 10; provided that the term “Guarantor,” when used with respect to the Securities of any Series, means the Persons who shall from time to time be the guarantors of such Securities of such Series as contemplated by Article 10.
-2-
“Holder,” “Holder of Securities” or other similar terms means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Securities Register.
“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.
“Initial Guarantors” means Gray Television Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Gray Television Licensee, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company and WVLT-TV, Inc., a Georgia corporation.
“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on such payment for the intervening period.
“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, Executive Vice President or Vice President of such Person.
“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed on behalf of the Company or Guarantor, as applicable, by two Officers thereof, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the Company or Guarantor, as applicable, that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof.
“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or the Trustee.
“Original Issue Discount” with respect to any Security, including an Original Issue Discount Security, has the same meaning as set forth in Section 1373 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as in effect on the date hereof, or any successor provision, and the applicable regulations of the U.S. Department of the Treasury promulgated thereunder.
“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the stated principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity.
“Preferred Stock” includes any stock of any class of the Company that has a preference over Common Stock in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.
“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
-3-
“Security” or “Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture, or, as the case may be, Securities that have been authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
“Series” or “Series of Securities” means a series of Securities.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and
(2) any partnership or limited liability company of which (a) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise, and (b) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa77bbbb).
“Trustee” means [____________________________], until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving thereunder.
“United States” means the fifty states constituting the United States of America, its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdictions as of the date of this Indenture.
“Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
Section 1.02 Other Definitions.
| Term |
Defined in Section |
|||
| “Authentication Order” |
2.04 | |||
| “Covenant Defeasance” |
8.03 | |||
| “Event of Default” |
6.01 | |||
| “Global Security” |
2.02 | |||
| “Legal Defeasance” |
8.02 | |||
| “Paying Agent” |
2.05 | |||
| “Registrar” |
2.05 | |||
| “Required Filing Dates” |
4.03 | |||
| “Securities Register” |
2.09 | |||
Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.
The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“indenture securities” means the Securities;
“indenture securityholder” means a Holder of a Security;
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;
-4-
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and
“obligor” on the Securities of any Series and the Guarantees means the Company and any Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Securities of any Series and the Guarantees, respectively.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.
Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(2) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(3) “including” means “including without limitation”;
(4) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and
(5) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.
ARTICLE 2
SECURITIES
Section 2.01 Form and Dating.
The Securities of each Series and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form (not inconsistent with this Indenture) as shall be established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, and any Guarantee by any Guarantor endorsed on or attached to any Security issued pursuant to this Indenture shall be substantially in such form (not inconsistent with this Indenture) as shall be established by or pursuant to a resolution of such applicable Guarantor’s Board of Directors and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate of such Guarantor, or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto (the provisions of which shall be appropriate to reflect the terms of each Series of Securities and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legend or legends, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto, as may be required to comply with any law or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto, or with any rules of any securities exchange or to conform to general usage, all as may be determined by the Officers executing such Securities as evidenced by their execution of the Securities).
The definitive Securities and any Guarantee endorsed thereon or attached thereto shall be printed, or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the Officers executing such Securities as evidenced by their execution of such Securities and, if any such Guarantee is executed by a Guarantor, by the Officers of such Guarantor executing such Guarantee, as evidenced by their execution of any such Guarantee.
Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, there shall be no requirement that any Security have endorsed thereon or attached thereto a Guarantee or a notation of a Guarantee, but such a Guarantee or notation of a Guarantee may be endorsed thereon or attached thereto as contemplated by this Section 2.01.
Section 2.02 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
-5-
The Securities may be issued in one or more Series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series:
(1) the title and ranking of the Securities of the Series (which title shall distinguish the Securities of the Series from all other Securities issued by the Company), including, as applicable, whether the Securities of such Series are convertible or exchangeable for other securities;
(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series pursuant to Sections 2.09, 2.10 or 2.13 or Article 3);
(3) if other than 100% of its aggregate principal amount, the percentage of the aggregate principal amount at which the Securities of the Series will be offered;
(4) the date or dates (whether fixed or extendable) on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;
(5) the rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable, the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and the record dates for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable;
(6) any provisions relating to the issuance of the Securities of the Series at an Original Issue Discount;
(7) the place or places where the principal of and interest on Securities of the Series shall be payable and where Securities of the Series may be surrendered for conversion or exchange (if other than as provided elsewhere in this Indenture);
(8) whether any of such Securities are to be redeemable at the option of the Company, and if so, the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the Series may be so redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise;
(9) if other than 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date thereof pursuant to Section 6.02 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 6.09, or, if applicable, which is convertible or exchangeable in accordance with the provisions of such Securities or the resolution of the Board of Directors or the supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Securities are issued;
(10) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the Series or to offer to purchase or repay the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or other provision or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the price or prices, at which, and the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation (including, without limitation, the terms or method of payment thereof if other than cash), and any provision for the remarketing of the Securities;
(11) if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the Series shall be issuable;
-6-
(12) whether the Securities of the Series will be certificated and, if so, the form of the Securities, including such legends as required by law or as the Company deems necessary or appropriate;
(13) whether Securities of the Series provide for the payment of additional amounts in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge;
(14) the obligations, if any, of the Company to permit the conversion or exchange of the Securities of such Series into Common Stock, Preferred Stock or other Capital Stock or property, or combination thereof, and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion shall be effected (including, without limitation, the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period, the provisions for conversion or exchange price or rate adjustments and any other provision relative to such obligation) and any limitations on the ownership or transferability of the securities or property into which Holders of the Securities may convert or exchange the Securities;
(15) if other than the Trustee, any trustees, authenticating or Paying Agents, transfer agents or registrars or any other agents with respect to the Securities of such Series;
(16) if the Securities of such Series do not bear interest, the applicable dates for purposes of Section 4.01 hereof;
(17) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company, or any other provisions whether set forth in this Indenture or otherwise with respect to Securities of the Series; whether or not such Events of Default or covenants or other provisions are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants or other provisions set forth herein;
(18) if the amount of payments of principal of, and make-whole amount, if any, and interest on, the Securities of the Series may be determined with reference to an index, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
(19) whether the Securities of such Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the global form of one or more Securities (a “Global Security”) and in such case, (a) the Depositary for such Securities, which Depositary must be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; (b) the circumstances under which any such Global Securities may be exchanged for Global Securities registered in the name of, and under which any transfer of such Global Securities may be registered in the name of, any Person other than such Depositary or its nominee, if other than as set forth in Section 2.16; and (c) any other provisions regarding such Global Securities which provisions may be in addition to or in lieu of, in whole or in part, the provisions of Section 2.16;
(20) whether the Securities of the Series, in whole or in specified part, will not be defeasible pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03, or both such Sections, and, if the Securities may be defeased, in whole or in specified part, pursuant to either or both such Sections, (a) the covenants, events of default and other provisions that will cease to be applicable upon such defeasance and (b) any provisions to permit a pledge of obligations other than Government Obligations (or the establishment of other arrangements) to satisfy the requirements of Section 8.04 for defeasance of the Securities and, if other than by a resolution of the Board of Directors, the manner in which any election by the Company to defease the Securities will be evidenced;
(21) if the Securities of the Series are to be guaranteed by any Guarantors, the names of any Guarantors of the Securities of such Series (which may, but need not, include any or all of the Initial Guarantors) and the terms of the Guarantees of the Securities of such Series, including any deletions from, or modifications of or additions to, the provisions of Article 10 or any other provisions of this Indenture in connection therewith;
-7-
(22) whether the Securities of the Series are to be secured by any property, assets or other collateral and, if so, the applicable collateral; and
(23) whether the Securities of the Series are senior securities or subordinated securities, and, if subordinated securities, the provisions related to such subordination.
(24) any other terms or conditions upon which the Securities of the Series are to be issued.
If the Securities of any Series are to be guaranteed by any Guarantor pursuant to Article 10, there shall be established in or pursuant to one or more resolutions of such Guarantor’s Board of Directors and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate of such Guarantor, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of such Securities, the terms of the Guarantee by such Guarantor with respect to such Securities, which terms may differ from those set forth in Article 10.
All Securities of any one Series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination, except as provided in the immediately succeeding paragraph, and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such resolution of the Board of Directors or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time, and unless otherwise provided, a Series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such Series or to establish additional terms of such Series of Securities (which additional terms shall only be applicable to unissued or additional Securities of such Series).
Section 2.03 Execution of Securities and Guarantees.
At least one Officer must sign the Securities and, if any Guarantee is to be endorsed on or attached to any Securities, and if such Guarantee provides for the execution thereof by the applicable Guarantor (it being understood and agreed that any such Guarantee may, but need not, provide for execution by the applicable Guarantor), such Guarantee, for the Company or such Guarantor, as applicable, by manual or facsimile signature. Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any such reproduction of any such signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Security or any Guarantee that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee. If an Officer whose signature is on a Security or any Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time a Security or any Guarantee, if any, is authenticated, the Security or any Guarantee will nevertheless be valid. A Security or any Guarantee will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Security or any Guarantee has been authenticated under this Indenture.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate any Securities or any Guarantees, if any. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities or any Guarantees, if any, whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company.
Section 2.04 Authentication and Delivery of Securities
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any Series, together with, if the terms of such Securities provide for the endorsement thereon or attachment thereto of any Guarantees by any Guarantors, such Guarantees endorsed thereon or attached thereto and, if such terms so provide, executed by such Guarantors, to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities with any such Guarantees endorsed thereon or attached thereto, to or upon the written order of the Company or such Guarantors, signed by any Officer of the Company, and if applicable, such Guarantors (in “Authentication Order”). In authenticating such Securities appertaining thereto, with any such Guarantees endorsed thereon or attached thereto, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities and Guarantees, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:
(1) a certified copy of any resolution or resolutions of the Company’s Board of Directors or any Guarantor’s Board of Directors authorizing the action taken pursuant to the resolution or resolutions delivered under clause (2) below;
-8-
(2) a copy of any resolution or resolutions of the Company’s Board of Directors relating to such Series or any resolution or resolutions of each applicable Guarantor’s Board of Directors relating to such Guarantor’s Guarantee, in each case, certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company or Guarantor, as applicable;
(3) an executed supplemental indenture, if any;
(4) an Officers’ Certificate of the Company setting forth the form and terms of the Securities of such Series as required pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.02, respectively, and prepared in accordance with Sections 13.04 and 13.05;
(5) an Officers’ Certificate of each applicable Guarantor setting forth the form and terms of such Guarantor’s Guarantee of such Series as required pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.02, respectively, and prepared in accordance with Section 13.04 and 13.05;
The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities under this Section if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such Securities may not lawfully be issued by the Company, or, if the terms of such Securities provide for the endorsement thereon or attachment thereto of any Guarantees by any Guarantors, that any such Guarantee may not lawfully be made, or if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture in a manner not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.14, together with a written statement (which need not comply with Sections 13.04 and 13.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 2.05 Registrar and Paying Agent.
The Company will maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange pursuant to Section 2.09 hereof (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Securities may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar will keep a register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to any Global Securities.
Section 2.06 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
The Company will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders of the Securities of any Series or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, the Securities of any Series and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of any Series all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Securities of any Series.
-9-
Section 2.07 Holder Lists.
The Trustee will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA §312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company will furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA §312(a).
Section 2.08 Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest.
The Securities of any Series shall be issuable in definitive registered form without coupons and in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.02. In the absence of any such specification with respect to the Securities of any Series, the Securities of such Series shall be issuable in denominations of $2,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, and interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Securities of any Series shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plan as the Officers of the Company executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof.
Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, shall bear interest from the date and shall be payable on the dates, in each case, which shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.02.
Interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any interest payment date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the payment of such interest.
The term “record date” as used with respect to any interest payment date (except for a date for payment of defaulted interest) shall mean the date specified as such in the terms of the Securities of any Series, or, if no such date is so specified, if such interest payment date is the first day of a calendar month, the close of business on the fifteenth day of the next preceding calendar month or, if such interest payment date is the fifteenth day of a calendar month, the close of business on the first day of such calendar month, whether or not such record date is a Business Day.
Any interest on any Security of any Series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any interest payment date (called “defaulted interest” for the purpose of this Section 2.08) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered Holder on the relevant record date by virtue of his having been such Holder; and such defaulted interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or clause (b) below:
(a) The Company may elect to make payment of any defaulted interest to the Persons in whose names any such Securities (or their respective predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such defaulted interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such Series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such defaulted interest in respect of Securities of such Series which shall be not more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such defaulted interest and the special record date thereof to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Holder at his address as it appears in the Security register, not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such defaulted interest and the special record date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such defaulted interest in respect of Securities of such Series shall be paid to the Person in whose names such Securities (or their respective predecessor Securities) are registered on such special record date and such defaulted interest shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (b).
-10-
(b) The Company may make payment of any defaulted interest on the Securities of any Series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of that Series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Any defaulted interest payable in respect of any Security of any Series which is not a Security shall be payable pursuant to such procedures as may be satisfactory to the Trustee in such manner that there is no discrimination as between the Holders of Securities and other Securities of the same Series, and notice of the payment date therefor shall be given by the Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Company, by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in New York, New York.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.08, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
In the case of any Security which is converted into Common Stock or Preferred Stock after any regular record date and on or prior to the next succeeding interest payment date (other than any Security whose maturity is prior to such interest payment date), interest whose stated maturity is on such interest payment date shall be payable on such interest payment date notwithstanding such conversion, and such interest (whether or not punctually paid or duly provided for) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on such regular record date. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of any Security which is converted, interest whose stated maturity is after the date of conversion of such Security shall not be payable.
Section 2.09 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Securities.
(1) The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other office or agency designated pursuant to Sections 2.05 and 4.02 being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Securities Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed “Registrar” for the purposes of registration and transfer of Securities as herein provided.
(2) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Securities of any Series at an office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Sections 2.05 and 4.02 for such purpose, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of such Series of any authorized denominations, of a like aggregate principal amount.
(3) At the option of the Holder, Securities of any Series may be exchanged for other Securities of the same Series, of any authorized denominations, of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities of such Series to be exchanged at such office or agency, and upon payment, if the Company shall so require, of the charges hereinafter provided. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
(b) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.
-11-
(1) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Securities upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.04 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.
(2) No service charge will be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Security for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.09 and 9.05 and Article 3 hereof).
(3) The Registrar will not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.
(4) Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall (if so required by the Company, any applicable Guarantor or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
(5) All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange will be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture and the applicable Guarantees, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
(6) Neither the Registrar nor the Company will be required:
| (A) | to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of notice of any redemption of such Series under Article 3 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day the notice of such redemption is sent to Holders; |
| (B) | to register the transfer of or to exchange any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part; or |
| (C) | to register the transfer of or to exchange a Security between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date. |
(7) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Security, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Security and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
(8) The Trustee will authenticate Securities in accordance with Section 2.04 hereof.
(9) Any Holder of a Global Security shall, by acceptance of such Global Security, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Security may be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Holder of such Global Security (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the Security shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.
(10) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.09 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.
-12-
Section 2.10 Replacement Securities.
If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security, the Company will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate a new Security of the same Series, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder thereof that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Security.
Upon the issuance of any substitute Security, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith. In case any Security which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become mutilated or defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated or defaced Security), if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and to the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee such security or indemnity as any of them may require to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.
Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Company and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Securities duly issued hereunder.
Section 2.11 Outstanding Securities.
The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Security effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.11 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.12 hereof, a Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser.
If the principal amount of any Security is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date, purchase date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue interest.
Securities discharged pursuant to Article 11 or with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Section 8.02 or 8.03, to the extent such Securities are not reinstated pursuant to Section 8.07 will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue interest.
Section 2.12 Treasury Securities.
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of such Series have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities of such Series owned by the Company or any Guarantor, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any Guarantor, will be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities of such Series that the Trustee knows are so owned will be so disregarded.
-13-
Section 2.13 Temporary Securities.
Until certificates representing the Securities are ready for delivery the Company, and, if applicable, any applicable Guarantors, may prepare and execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate and deliver temporary Securities for such Series (printed, lithographed, typewritten or otherwise reproduced, in each case in form satisfactory to the Trustee). Temporary Securities of any Series may be issued in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Securities of such Series but with such omissions, insertions and variations as the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Temporary Securities may contain such reference to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Security shall be executed by the Company, and, if applicable, any applicable Guarantors, and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities. Without unreasonable delay the Company, and, if applicable, any applicable Guarantors, shall execute and shall furnish definitive Securities of such Series and thereupon temporary Securities of such Series may be surrendered in exchange therefor without charge at each office or agency to be maintained by the Company for that purpose pursuant to Sections 2.05 and 4.02, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities of such Series a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same Series of authorized denominations.
Holders of temporary Securities will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 2.14 Cancellation.
The Company at any time may deliver Securities of such Series to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Securities of such Series surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else will cancel all Securities of such Series surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will destroy canceled Securities of such Series (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the destruction of all canceled Securities of such Series will be delivered to the Company. The Company may not issue new Securities of such Series to replace Securities of such Series that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.15 CUSIP Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
Section 2.16 Book-Entry Provisions for Global Security.
(a) Any Global Security of a Series initially shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depository or the nominee of such Depository, (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as Custodian for such Depository and (iii) bear any required legends. Members of, or participants in, the Depository (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depository, or the Trustee as its Custodian, or under the Global Security, and the Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Security.
(b) Transfers of any Global Security shall be limited to transfers in whole, but not in part, to the Depository, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in the Global Security may be transferred or exchanged for definitive Securities in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depository. Definitive Securities shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Security only if (i) the Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for the Global Security and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (iii) the Company so elects in its sole discretion.
-14-
(c) In connection with any transfer or exchange of a portion of the beneficial interest in any Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b), the Registrar shall (if one or more definitive Securities are to be issued) reflect on the Securities Register the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the Global Security in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Global Security to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one or more definitive Securities of like tenor and amount.
(d) In connection with the transfer of an entire Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b), the Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depository in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of authorized denominations.
(e) The Holder of any Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any person, including Agent Members and persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities of such Series.
Section 2.17 Form of Conversion Notice.
The form of any conversion notice for the conversion of Securities into shares of Common Stock, Preferred Stock or other securities of the Company shall be in substantially the form included with the applicable form of Securities as shall be established pursuant to Section 2.02.
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
Section 3.01 Applicability of Article.
Securities of any Series which are redeemable before their stated maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified, as contemplated by Section 2.02 for Securities of any Series) in accordance with this Article 3; provided, however, that if any provision of any such Security shall conflict with any provision of this Article 3, the provision of such Security shall govern.
Section 3.02 Election To Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
The right of the Company to elect to redeem any Securities of any Series shall be set forth in the terms of such Securities of such Series established in accordance with Section 2.02. In the case of any redemption of Securities of such Series prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities of such Series or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.
Section 3.03 Notices to Trustee.
If the Company elects to redeem Securities of any Series pursuant to this Indenture or the terms of the Securities of any Series established pursuant to Section 2.02 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee, at least 15 days (or such shorter period as the Trustee consents to) but not more than 60 days before the redemption date of any redemption permitted hereunder, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth:
(1) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;
(2) the redemption date;
(3) the principal amount of Securities of any Series to be redeemed; and
(4) the redemption price (or, if not then determinable, the formula pursuant to which the redemption price shall be determined).
-15-
Section 3.04 Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed or Purchased.
If less than all of the Securities of any Series are to be redeemed or purchased in an offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee will select Securities of such Series for redemption by such method as may be specified by the terms of such Securities of such Series or, if no such method is so specified, by such method as the Trustee shall deem appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal amount of Securities of such Series, unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange or depositary requirements.
In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Securities of any Series to be redeemed or purchased will be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption or purchase date by the Trustee from the outstanding Securities of such Series not previously called for redemption or purchase.
The Trustee will promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities of such Series selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Security selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Securities of such Series and portions of such Securities selected will be in multiples equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such Series. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities of any Series called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of such Securities called for redemption or purchase.
Section 3.05 Notice of Redemption.
(a) Subject to Section 3.05(b) below, at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Securities of any Series are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Securities of any Series or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Articles 8 or 11 hereof.
The notice will identify the Securities or portions thereof, if applicable, to be redeemed and will state:
(1) the redemption date;
(2) the redemption price (or, if not then determinable, the formula pursuant to which the redemption price shall be determined);
(3) if any Securities of any Series is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Security to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued upon cancellation of the original Security;
(4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(5) that Securities of any Series called for redemption, if held in physical form, must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(6) that such redemption is pursuant to the mandatory or optional sinking fund, or both, if such be the case;
(7) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Securities of any Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
(8) the paragraph of the Securities and/or Section of this Indenture or applicable supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Securities of such Series called for redemption are being redeemed; and
(9) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities.
-16-
(b) Notice of any redemption of any Securities of any Series may be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of a corporate transaction, at the Company’s discretion. If such redemption or purchase is so subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption or purchase may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date, or by the redemption date as so delayed without requiring an additional advance notice. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.
(c) At the Company’s request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption to Holders in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the redemption date (or a shorter period as agreed to by the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in Section 3.05(a).
Section 3.06 Effect of Notice of Redemption.
Subject to Section 3.05(b), once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.05 hereof, Securities of such Series called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Securities of such Series or portions thereof, called for redemption.
Section 3.07 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.
On or prior to the redemption or purchase date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of, accrued interest, if any, on all Securities of such Series to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will return to the Company, no later than five days after any redemption date, any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of, accrued interest, if any, on all Securities of such Series to be redeemed or purchased.
If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities of such Series or the portions thereof called for redemption or purchase, any Guarantees endorsed thereon or attached thereto shall cease from and after the date fixed for redemption to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture, and the Holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Securities or Guarantees except the right to receive the redemption price and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption. If a Security is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Security called for redemption or purchase is not so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Securities of such Series and in Section 4.01 hereof.
Section 3.08 Securities Redeemed or Purchased in Part.
Upon surrender of any Security redeemed in part only, the Company, and, if the terms of such Security provide for the endorsement thereon or attachment thereto of any Guarantee by any Guarantor and such terms provide for the execution of such Guarantee by such Guarantor, such Guarantor, will execute and the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Security together with any such Guarantee endorsed thereon or attached thereto, equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Security surrendered.
-17-
Section 3.09 Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption.
Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for selection for redemption if they are identified by registration and certificate number or other identifiable means in a written statement signed by an authorized Officer of the Company or any Guarantor (which is not required) and delivered to the Trustee at least 40 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may be given as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by, either (a) the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, or (b) an entity specifically identified in such written statement directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be.
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
Section 4.01 Payment of Securities.
The Company will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, the Securities of each Series in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such Series established pursuant to Section 2.02 hereof and this Indenture.
Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
So long as any of the Securities remain outstanding, the Company will maintain the following for each Series: an office or agency (which may be the office of the Trustee or any affiliate of the Trustee, or the Registrar or any co-registrar): (a) where the Securities may be presented for payment; (b) where the Securities may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as provided in this Indenture; and (c) where notices and demands to or upon the Company or any Guarantor in respect of the Securities or of this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof.
Section 4.03 Reports.
So long as any Securities are outstanding, whether or not the Company is then subject to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company will furnish to the Holders or cause the Trustee to furnish to the Holders (or will file with the SEC for public availability) the annual reports, quarterly reports and other periodic reports which the Company would have been required to file with the SEC pursuant to such Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Company were so subject, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations (including any extension periods contemplated by such rules and regulations) (the “Required Filing Dates”) by which the Company would have been required so to file such documents if the Company were so subject.
The Company will also, in the event the filing of such documents by the Company with the SEC is not permitted by the SEC (i) within 15 days of each Required Filing Date, (a) transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities, as their names and addresses appear in the Securities Register, without cost to such Holders, and (b) file with the Trustee copies of the annual reports, quarterly reports and other periodic reports which the Company would have been required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act if the Company were subject to such Sections and (ii) promptly upon written request, supply copies of such documents to any prospective Holder.
All such reports will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with all of the rules and regulations applicable to such reports. The Company will at all times comply with TIA §314(a).
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company will not be deemed to have failed to comply with any of its agreements under this Section 4.03 for purposes of clause (3) under Section 6.01(a) until 90 days after the date any report hereunder is required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to this Section 4.03.
-18-
Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.
(a) The Company and any Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, the Securities of such Series is prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
(b) So long as any of the Securities of such Series are outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 10 Business Days of any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
Section 4.05 Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in Office of Trustee.
The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.08, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to each Series of Securities hereunder.
Section 4.06 Paying Agents.
Whenever the Company shall appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any Series, it will cause such Paying Agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.06:
(a) that it will hold all sums received by it as such Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such Series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any Guarantor or other obligor on the Securities of such Series) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such Series or of the Trustee, and upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and upon the written request of the Trustee, pay over all such sums received by it to the Trustee,
(b) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any Guarantor or other obligor on the Securities of such Series) to make any payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such Series when the same shall be due and payable, and
(c) that it will give the Trustee notice of any change of address of any Holder of which it is aware.
The Company will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such Series, deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.
If the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent with respect to the Securities of any Series, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such Series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such Series a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.
Anything in this Section 4.06 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge with respect to one or more or all Series of Securities hereunder, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust for any such Series by the Company or any Paying Agent hereunder, as required by this Section 4.06, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.
-19-
Anything in this Section 4.06 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 4.06 is subject to the provisions of Sections 8.05 and 8.06.
Section 4.07 Calculation of Original Issue Discount and Other Amounts.
The Company shall promptly, at the end of each calendar year, calculate the Original Issue Discount accrued on outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and shall determine whether the amount of Original Issue Discount qualifies for the de minimis exception rule as set forth in Section 1273(a)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. If such calculated amount does not qualify for the de minimis exception rule, then the Company shall subsequently file with the Trustee no later than January 15th of each calendar year (a) a written notice specifying the amount of Original Issue Discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on outstanding Securities as of the end of such year and (b) such other specific information relating to such Original Issue Discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets.
(a) The Company shall not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:
(1) either:
| (A) | the Company is the surviving corporation or assignee; or |
| (B) | the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made (if other than the Company) is an entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia; and, if such entity is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Securities that is a corporation organized or existing under any such laws shall also be added; |
(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made (if other than the Company) assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Securities of such Series and this Indenture pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; and
(3) immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
(b) In addition, the Company will not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of the properties and assets of it and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person.
(c) This Section 5.01 will not apply to any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and its Subsidiaries or (1) any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into one of its Subsidiaries for any purpose or (2) with or into an Affiliate solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction.
-20-
Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted.
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made (in each case if not the Company) shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the Company), and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, the Securities of such Series except in the case of a sale of all of the Company’s assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof.
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01 Events of Default.
In case one or more of the following events of default (unless it is either inapplicable to a particular Series or it is specifically deleted from or modified in the instrument establishing such Series and the form of Security for such Series) shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to any Series of Securities (an “Event of Default”), that is to say:
(1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest, if any, on, any Security of such Series;
(2) default in the payment when due (at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium on, if any, any Security of such Series;
(3) failure by the Company to comply with any of the covenants or agreements (other than a covenant or agreement in respect of the Securities of such Series a default of whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with) of the Company in this Indenture or the Securities of such Series for 90 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all Series then outstanding affected by such failure to comply;
(4) the Company:
| (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, |
| (D) | makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or |
| (E) | generally is not paying its debts as they become due; |
(5) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
-21-
| (A) | is for relief against the Company; |
| (B) | appoints a custodian of the Company; or |
| (C) | orders the liquidation of the Company; |
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;
(6) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Guarantee of a Guarantor which is a significant subsidiary (as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X) of the Company (including any group of subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a significant subsidiary) is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor which is significant subsidiary of the Company (including any group of subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a significant subsidiary), or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor of the Company (including any group of subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a significant subsidiary), denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Guarantee; or
(7) any other Event of Default provided in the supplemental indenture or resolution of the Board of Directors under which such Series of Securities is issued or in the form of Security for such Series.
Section 6.02 Acceleration.
In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or (5) of Section 6.01 hereof, all outstanding Securities of such Series 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 aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such Series may declare all the Securities of such Series to be due and payable immediately.
Upon any such declaration, the Securities of such Series shall become due and payable immediately.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such Series by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of all of the Holders of all the Securities of such Series, rescind an acceleration and its consequences hereunder, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of principal of, premium on, if any, interest, if any, on the Securities of such Series that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.
Section 6.03 Other Remedies.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, the Securities of such Series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of such Series or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of any Securities of such Series or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of any Securities of such Series in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding Securities of any Series by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Securities of such Series, waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, the Securities of such Series (including in connection with an offer to purchase), which may be waived with the consent of each Holder of the Securities so affected; provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding
-22-
Securities of each Series so affected may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, the Securities of such Series that resulted from such acceleration. In the case of any such waiver, the Company, any applicable Guarantors, the Trustee, and the Holders of the Securities of such Series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.05 Control by Majority.
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of each Series affected (with each Series treated as a separate class) may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of the Securities of all Series so affected or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.
Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.
No Holder of any Securities of such Series so affected may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of such Series unless:
(1) such Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;
(2) Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of each Series so affected make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(3) such Holder or Holders offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;
(4) the Trustee does not comply with such request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and
(5) during such 60-day period, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of each Series so affected do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request.
A Holder of any Securities of such Series may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of Securities of such Series or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of Securities of such Series.
Section 6.07 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of any Securities of such Series to receive payment of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, such Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.
If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium on, if any, interest, if any, remaining unpaid on, the Securities of such Series so affected and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
-23-
Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Securities of each Series so affected allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of such Series), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that such Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any such Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of such Series or the rights of any such Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.10 Priorities.
If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;
Second: in case the principal of the Securities of such Series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall not have become and be then due and payable, to the payment of interest on the Securities of such Series in default in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest is permissible by law and has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest specified in such Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;
Third: in case the principal of the Securities of such Series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall have become and shall be then due and payable, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon all the Securities of such Series for principal and interest, with interest upon the overdue principal, and (to the extent that payment of such interest is permissible by law and that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest specified in the Securities of such Series; and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such Series, then to the payment of such principal and interest without preference or priority of principal over interest or of interest over principal, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Security of such Series over any other Security of such Series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and accrued and unpaid interest; and
Fourth: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Securities of such Series pursuant to this Section 6.10.
-24-
Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of Securities of each Series so affected pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such Series.
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise such rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(1) the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;
(2) the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(3) the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01.
(e) No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders of Securities of any Series, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee reasonable written security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
(f) The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
-25-
Section 7.02 Right of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.
(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.
(f) The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders of Securities of any Series unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security satisfactory to it against the losses, liabilities and expenses that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
Section 7.03 Individual Right of Trustee.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities of any Series and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee (if this Indenture has been qualified under the TIA) or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.
Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.
The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities of any Series, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities of such Series or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Securities of such Series or any other document in connection with the sale of the Securities of such Series or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.
Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.
If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee will mail to Holders of Securities of any Series a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it becomes aware of the Default or Event of Default. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, any Securities of such Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Securities of such Series.
Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Securities.
(a) Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Securities of any Series remain outstanding, the Trustee will mail to the Holders of the Securities of such Series a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA §313(a) (but if no event described in TIA §313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also will comply with TIA §313(b). The Trustee will also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA §313(c).
-26-
(b) A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Securities of such Series will be mailed by the Trustee to the Company and filed by the Trustee with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Securities of such Series are listed in accordance with TIA §313(d). The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when the Securities of such Series are listed on any stock exchange.
Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.
(a) The Company will pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
(b) The Company and any Guarantors will indemnify the Trustee against any and all losses, liabilities or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and any Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, any Guarantors, any Holder of Securities of any Series or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith. The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Company or such Guarantor will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.
(c) The obligations of the Company and any Guarantors under this Section 7.07 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
(d) To secure the Company’s and any Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee will have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of, premium on, if any, interest or Special Interest, if any, on, the particular Securities of any Series. Such lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
(e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(4) or (5) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
(f) The Trustee will comply with the provisions of TIA §313(b) to the extent applicable.
Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.
(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee with respect to one or more or all Series of Securities and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.
(b) The Trustee may resign with respect to one or more or all Series of Securities in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such Series may remove the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such Series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to one or more or all Series of Securities if:
(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;
-27-
(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
(3) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting or performing the services of the Trustee hereunder.
(c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason with respect to one or more Series of Securities, the Company will promptly appoint a successor Trustee with respect to such Series of Securities. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such Series may appoint a successor Trustee with respect to such Series of Securities to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
(d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to such Series of Securities.
(e) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder of Securities of such Series who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to such Series of Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(f) A successor Trustee with respect to such Series of Securities will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to such Series of Securities. The successor Trustee will mail a notice of its succession to Holders of Securities of such Series. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held with respect to such Series of Securities by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers or sells all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act will be the successor Trustee.
Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.
There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof or the District of Columbia that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.
This Indenture will always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA §310(b).
Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
The Trustee is subject to TIA §311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA §311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA §311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
-28-
ARTICLE 8
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Company may at any time, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Securities of any Series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.
Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company and each of any Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Securities of such Series (including any Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and any Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the outstanding Securities of such Series (including any Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Securities of such Series, any Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:
(1) the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities of such Series to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, such Securities of such Series when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;
(2) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities of such Series under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof;
(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s and any Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and
(4) this Article 8.
Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.
Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, (a) the Company and each of any Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants, events of default and other provisions as set forth in the terms of the Securities established pursuant to Section 2.02 for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities of such Series as are specified in the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company or any Guarantor or supplemental indenture establishing such obligations or covenants with respect to the outstanding Securities of such Series, and (b) the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 6.01(3) with respect to such obligations and covenants established pursuant to Section 2.02 with respect to such Securities of such Series for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities of such Series as are specified in the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company or any Guarantor or supplemental indenture establishing such obligations or covenants, by Section 6.01(6), or by Section 6.01(7) to the extent specified in the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company or any Guarantor or supplemental indenture establishing such event as an Event of Default shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case, with respect to such Securities of such Series, on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”). Upon the effectiveness of Covenant Defeasance with respect to such Securities of such Series, the Securities of such Series will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders of Securities of such Series (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants,
-29-
events of default or other provisions, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Securities of such Series will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Securities of such Series and any Guarantees, the Company and any Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified elsewhere herein, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities of such Series will be unaffected thereby.
Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:
(1) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such Series, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, the outstanding Securities of such Series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Securities of such Series are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;
(2) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:
| (A) | the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or |
| (B) | since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, |
in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such Series 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 an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such Series 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 shall have occurred and is 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 any similar concurrent deposit relating to other indebtedness), and the granting of liens to secure such borrowings);
(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture and the agreements governing any other indebtedness being defeased, discharged or replaced) to which the Company or any of the Guarantors is a party or by which the Company or any of the Guarantors is bound;
(6) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of Securities of such Series over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others; and
-30-
(7) the Company 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, as the case may be, have been complied with.
Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Securities of such Series will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities of such Series and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of such Series of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such Series.
Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Section 8.06 Repayment to Company.
After the Securities have been paid in full, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Company any excess money or securities held by them.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, any Securities of such Series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Securities of such Series will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Section 8.07 Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s and any Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of such Series and any Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, any Securities of such Series following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities of such Series to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
-31-
ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Securities.
Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, without the consent of any Holder of any Securities of any Series, the Company, each Guarantor, if any, and the Trustee for the Securities of any and all Series may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA), in form satisfactory to such Trustee, for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the Trustee as security for the Securities of one or more Series, or any Guarantees endorsed thereon or attached thereto, any property or assets;
(b) to evidence the succession of another entity to the Company, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor entity of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company or such Guarantor herein and in the Securities or the Guarantees of such Guarantor, as the case may be;
(c) to add to the covenants and/or Events of Default of the Company or any Guarantor such further covenants, restrictions, conditions, provisions and/or Events of Default as the Board of Directors, applicable Guarantor’s Board of Directors and the Trustee shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of Securities of any or all Series and, if such additional covenants and/or Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all the Series of Securities stating that such covenants and/or Events of Default are being added solely for the benefit of such Series, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all Series of the Securities stating that such Events of Default are being added solely for the benefit of such Series); provided , that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition, provision and/or Events of Default such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such an Event of Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such Series or any Guarantees endorsed thereon or attached thereto to waive such an Event of Default;
(d) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture; or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture or under any supplemental indenture which shall not materially and adversely affect the legal rights of the Holders of the Securities;
(e) to establish the form or terms of Securities of such Series and any Guarantees endorsed thereon or attached thereto, as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.02;
(f) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than the one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 7.08;
(g) to delete, modify or add any of the provisions of this Indenture, provided that, except as otherwise contemplated by Section 2.02, any such deletion, modification or addition shall become effective only when there is no Security of any Series outstanding created prior thereto which is entitled to the benefit of such provision;
-32-
(h) to add any Person as an additional Guarantor under this Indenture, to add additional Guarantees or additional Guarantors in respect of any outstanding Securities under this Indenture, or to evidence the release and discharge of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Guarantees of any Securities and its obligations under this Indenture in respect of any Securities in accordance with the terms of this Indenture (none of which require existing Guarantors to execute such amendment);
(i) to secure, or, if applicable, provide additional security for, any Securities or Guarantees and to provide for matters relating thereto, and to provide for the release of any collateral as security for any Securities or Guarantees; or
(j) to amend or supplement any provision contained herein, which was required to be contained herein in order for this Indenture to be qualified under the TIA, if the TIA or regulations thereunder change what is so required to be included in qualified indentures, in any manner not inconsistent with what then may be required for such qualification.
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02(b) hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and any Guarantors, as applicable, in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee will not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section may be executed without the consent of the Holders of any of the Securities at the time outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.02.
Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Securities.
Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Securities and any Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of all Series affected by such supplemental indenture (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase thereof), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, the Securities of such Series, except a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, the Securities of such Series resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities of such Series or any Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such Series affected by such Default or Event of Default (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Securities of such Series). Section 2.11 hereof shall determine which Securities of such Series are considered to be “outstanding” for purposes of this Section 9.02.
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Securities of such Series as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02(b) hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and any Guarantors, as applicable, in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.
It is not necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities of such Series under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
-33-
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company will mail to the Holders of Securities of such Series affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such Series then outstanding affected by such noncompliance waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture, the Securities of such Series or any Guarantees. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Securities of a Series held by a non-consenting Holder):
(1) reduce the principal amount of Securities of such Series whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Securities of such Series;
(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Securities of such Series;
(4) alter or impair the right to convert at the rate or upon the terms provided in the Indenture;
(5) make Securities of such Series payable in money other than that stated in such Securities of such Series;
(6) impair a Holder’s right to sue the Company for the enforcement of payments due on the Securities of such Series; or
(7) if any Security of any Series is Guaranteed, release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under any Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Securities of such Series will be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.
Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.
Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, consent to it by a Holder of Securities of such Series is a continuing consent by such Holder and every subsequent Holder thereof or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder of a Security or subsequent Holder thereof may revoke the consent as to its Security if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder of such Series of Securities.
Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities.
The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Security, together with any Guarantees endorsed thereon, thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Securities of such Series may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate a new Security, together with any Guarantees endorsed thereon, that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.
Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Security, together with any Guarantees endorsed thereon, or attached thereto, will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
-34-
Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.
The Trustee will sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) will be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 13.04 hereof, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.
Section 9.07 Effect of Supplemental Indenture.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions hereof, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company, any Guarantors and the Holders of Securities of each Series shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
ARTICLE 10
GUARANTEES
Section 10.01 Guarantee.
(a) Any Securities of any Series that are to be guaranteed by the Guarantees of any Guarantors, if any, shall be guaranteed by such Guarantors as shall be made in the form and on the terms established pursuant to Section 2.02 with respect to the Securities of such Series in accordance with this Article 10. The Persons who shall initially be the Guarantors of the Securities of any such Series may, but need not, include any or all of the Initial Guarantors and may include any and all such other Persons as the Company may determine; provided that, prior to the authentication and delivery upon original issuance of Securities that are to be guaranteed by a Person that is not an Initial Guarantor, the Company, the Trustee and such Person shall enter into a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 9.02 whereby such Person shall become a Guarantor under this Indenture.
(b) Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors, if any, hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Securities of such Series or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:
(1) the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, the Securities of such Series will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, the Securities of such Series, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders thereof or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and
(2) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of such Securities of such Series or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.
(c) Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors, if any, will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor, if any, agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.
(d) Any Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Securities of such Series or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Securities of such Series with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor. Any Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Securities of such Series and this Indenture.
-35-
(e) If any Holder of Securities of such Series or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, any Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or any Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full force and effect.
(f) Any Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Any Guarantor further agrees that, as between any Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders of Securities of such Series and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by any Guarantors for the purpose of this Guarantee. The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders of Securities of such Series under the Guarantee.
(g) No Guarantee by any Guarantor of any Security, whether or not such Guarantee is or is to be endorsed thereon or attached thereto, shall be valid and obligatory for any purpose with respect to such Security until the certificate of authentication on such Security shall have been signed by or on behalf of the Trustee.
Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability.
Any Guarantor of any Security, and by its acceptance of any Security, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and any Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of any such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of any such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.
Section 10.03 Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.04 hereof, no Guarantor, if any, may sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, other than the Company or another Guarantor, unless:
(1) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists;
(2) subject to Section 10.04 hereof, the resulting, surviving or transferee Person will be an entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia and such Person (if not such Guarantor) will expressly assume all of the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee; and
-36-
(3) the Company will have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental agreements (if applicable) comply with this Indenture; provided, however, that the foregoing will not apply to any such consolidation or merger with or into, or conveyance, transfer or lease to, any Person if the resulting, surviving or transferee Person will not be a Subsidiary of the Company and the other terms of this Indenture and Securities of such Series are complied with.
In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Guarantee endorsed upon the Securities of such Series and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person will succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the Guarantees to be endorsed upon all of the Securities of such Series issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee. All the Guarantees so issued will in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
Nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities of such Series will prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Company or another Guarantor, or will prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Guarantor.
Section 10.04 Releases.
(a) Notwithstanding Section 10.03, in the event of any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company, then the Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under the Guarantee, and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Person acquiring the assets will have no obligation to provide a Guarantee.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 10.03, in the event of any sale or other disposition of Capital Stock of any Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company and such Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company as a result of the sale or other disposition, then such Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Guarantee.
(c) Upon Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance in accordance with Article 8 hereof or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in accordance with Article 11 hereof, each Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under any Guarantee.
In the case of clauses (a) and (b) above, such sale or disposition or merger or consolidation shall be made in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture as established pursuant to Section 2.02 hereof. Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such sale or other disposition was made by the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee will execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Guarantee.
Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under any Guarantee as provided in this Section 10.04 will remain liable for the full amount of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, the Securities of such Series and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 10.
ARTICLE 11
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.
This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all the Securities of any Series that have been issued hereunder, when:
(1) either:
-37-
| (A) | all Securities of such Series that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Securities of such Series that have been replaced or paid and Securities of such Series for whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or |
| (B) | all Securities of such Series that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Company or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders thereof, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Securities of such Series not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal of, premium on, if any, interest, if any, on the Securities of such Series to the date of maturity or redemption; |
(2) in respect of subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 11.01, no Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such Series has occurred and is continuing on the date of the deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and any similar deposit relating to other indebtedness and, in each case, the granting of liens to secure such borrowings) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound (other than with respect to the borrowing of funds to be applied concurrently to make the deposit required to effect such satisfaction and discharge and any similar concurrent deposit relating to other indebtedness, and in each case the granting of liens to secure such borrowings);
(3) the Company or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it in respect of the Securities of such Series under this Indenture; and
(4) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Securities of such Series at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be.
In addition, the Company must deliver an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 11.01, the provisions of Sections 11.02 and 8.06 hereof will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 11.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
Section 11.02 Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities of such Series and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal, premium, if any, interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and any
-38-
Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of such Series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on, if any, any Securities of such Series because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities of such Series to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 12
SECURITY
In the event that Securities of a Series are to be secured, the supplemental indenture shall set forth terms of such security.
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 13.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA §318(c), the imposed duties will control.
Section 13.02 Notices.
Any notice or communication by the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:
If to the Company and/or any Guarantor:
Gray Television, Inc.
4370 Peachtree Road, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30319
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
With a copy to:
Jones Day
1221 Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 400
Suite 400
Atlanta, Georgia 30361
Attention: Mark L. Hanson, Esq.
If to the Trustee:
[ ]
[ ]
[ ]
Facsimile No.: [ ]
Attention: [ ]
The Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.
-39-
Any notice or communication to a Holder will be mailed by first class mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication will also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA §313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it will mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or a Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption) to a Holder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary for such Security (or its designee) pursuant to customary procedures of such Depositary.
Section 13.03 Communication by Holders of Securities with Other Holders of Securities.
Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA §312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA §312(c).
Section 13.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(1) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and
(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.
Section 13.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA §314(a)(4)) must comply with the provisions of TIA §314(e) and must include:
(1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and
(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.
-40-
Section 13.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 13.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.
No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantors under the Securities of any Series, this Indenture, any Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Securities of any Series by accepting Securities of any Series waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Securities of any Series. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.
Section 13.08 Governing Law.
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OF ANY SERIES AND THE GUARANTEES, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAWS PROVISIONS THEREOF.
Section 13.09 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
Section 13.10 Successors.
All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities of any Series will bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture will bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.04 hereof.
Section 13.11 Severability.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities of any Series and is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 13.12 Counterpart Originals.
The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.
Section 13.13 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.
The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
[Signatures on following page]
-41-
SIGNATURES
| Dated as of [ ], 20[__] | ||
| Gray Television, Inc. | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| Gray Media Group, Inc. | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| Gray Television Licensee, LLC | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| WVLT-TV, Inc. | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| Tupelo Honey Raycom, LLC | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| Raycom Sports Network, Inc. | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| [ ], as Trustee | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Exhibit 5.1
| JP017776 | April 30, 2021 |
Gray Television, Inc.
4370 Peachtree Road, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30319
| Re: | Registration Statement on Form S-3 Filed by Gray Television, Inc. |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Gray Television, Inc., a Georgia corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the authorization of the possible issuance and sale from time to time, on a delayed basis, by the Company of: (i) shares of common stock, no par value, of the Company (the “Common Stock”); (ii) shares of Class A common stock, no par value, of the Company (the “Class A Common Stock”); (iii) shares of preferred stock, no par value, of the Company (the “Preferred Stock”), in one or more series, certain of which may be convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock or Class A Common Stock; (iv) debt securities of the Company (the “Debt Securities”), in one or more series, certain of which may be convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock or Class A Common Stock; (v) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Class A Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities or any combination thereof (the “Warrants”); and (vi) units consisting of one or more of the securities described in clauses (i) through (v) above and which may include debt obligations of third parties (the “Units”), in each case as contemplated by the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 to which this opinion is filed as an exhibit (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “Registration Statement”). The Common Stock, the Class A Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, the Debt Securities, the Warrants and the Units are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities” and each, a “Security.” The Securities are to be issued from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). The Company’s obligations under the Debt Securities may be guaranteed (the “Subsidiary Guarantees”) by the Company’s subsidiaries listed on Annex A hereto (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) and Raycom Sports Network, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the “Other Guarantor” and, together with the Subsidiary Guarantors, the “Guarantors”).
In connection with the opinions expressed herein, we have examined such documents, records and matters of law as we have deemed relevant or necessary for purposes of such opinions. Based on the foregoing, and subject to the further limitations, qualifications and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
Gray Television, Inc.
April 30, 2021
Page 2
| 1. | The shares of Common Stock, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. |
| 2. | The shares of Class A Common Stock, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. |
| 3. | The shares of Preferred Stock, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. |
| 4. | The Debt Securities, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company. |
| 5. | The Warrants, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company. |
| 6. | The Units, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company. |
| 7. | The Subsidiary Guarantees of each Guarantor, when the Debt Securities are delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture (as defined below) and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, will constitute a valid and binding obligation of that Guarantor. |
In rendering the foregoing opinions, we have assumed that: (i) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, will have become effective (and will remain effective at the time of issuance of any Securities thereunder); (ii) a prospectus supplement describing each class and/or series of Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement, to the extent required by applicable law and relevant rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), will be timely filed with the Commission; (iii) the definitive
Gray Television, Inc.
April 30, 2021
Page 3
terms of each class and/or series of Securities will have been established in accordance with the authorizing resolutions adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof), the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles of Incorporation”) and applicable law; (iv) the Company will issue and deliver the Securities in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and any Securities that consist of shares of capital stock will have been authorized and reserved for issuance, in each case within the limits of the then remaining authorized but unissued and unreserved amounts of such capital stock; (v) the resolutions authorizing the Company to issue, offer and sell the Securities will have been adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors (or an authorized committee thereof) and will be in full force and effect at all times at which the Securities are offered or sold by the Company; (vi) all Securities will be issued in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws; and (vii) any Indenture, Warrant Agreement (as defined below) or unit agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and will constitute a valid and binding obligation of each party thereto other than the Company.
With respect to any Securities consisting of Preferred Stock, we have further assumed that the Company will issue and deliver the shares of Preferred Stock being issued and delivered after the filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia of articles of amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, approved by us, establishing the designations, preferences and rights of the class or series of Preferred Stock being issued and delivered.
With respect to any Securities consisting of any series of Debt Securities and the Subsidiary Guarantees, we have further assumed that: (i) one or more indentures, approved by us, relating to the Debt Securities and the Subsidiary Guarantees (each, an “Indenture”) to be entered into between the Company, the Guarantors and one or more entities selected by the Company to act as trustee (each, a “Trustee”) will have been authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, each Guarantor and the applicable Trustee and will have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939; (ii) all terms of such Debt Securities not provided for in the applicable Indenture will have been established in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and reflected in appropriate documentation approved by us and, if applicable, executed and delivered by the Company, the Guarantors and the applicable Trustee; and (iii) such Debt Securities will be executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture.
With respect to any Securities consisting of Warrants, we have further assumed that (i) the warrant agreement, approved by us, relating to the Warrants (the “Warrant Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and an entity selected by the Company to act as the warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”) will have been authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Warrant Agent, and (ii) the Warrants will be authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Warrant Agent in accordance with the provisions of the Warrant Agreement.
Gray Television, Inc.
April 30, 2021
Page 4
With respect to any Securities consisting of Units, we have further assumed that each component of such Unit will be authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable (to the extent applicable) and will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company or any third party (to the extent applicable) as contemplated by the Registration Statement and the applicable unit agreement, if any.
For the purposes of our opinion set forth in paragraph 7 above, we have further assumed that: (i) the Other Guarantor is a corporation existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; (ii) the applicable Indenture and the Subsidiary Guarantee (a) have been authorized by all necessary corporate power of the Other Guarantor and (b) have been executed and delivered by the Other Guarantor under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; and (iii) the execution, delivery, performance and compliance with the terms and provisions of the applicable Indenture and the Subsidiary Guarantee by the Other Guarantor do not violate or conflict with the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, the provisions of its articles of organization or bylaws, or any rule, regulation, order, decree, judgment, instrument or agreement binding upon or applicable to the Other Guarantor or its properties.
The opinions expressed herein are limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer and fraudulent conveyance, voidable preference, moratorium or other similar laws and related regulations and judicial doctrines from time to time in effect relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and by general equitable principles and public policy considerations, whether such principles and considerations are considered in a proceeding at law or equity.
For purposes of our opinions insofar as they relate to the Guarantors, we have assumed that the obligations of each of the Guarantors under the Subsidiary Guarantees are, and would be deemed by a court of competent jurisdiction to be, in furtherance of its corporate purposes, or necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the business of the respective Guarantor and will benefit the respective Guarantor, directly or indirectly.
As to facts material to the opinions and assumptions expressed herein, we have relied upon oral or written statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others. The opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws of the State of New York, the State of Georgia, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, in each case as currently in effect, and we express no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction.
Gray Television, Inc.
April 30, 2021
Page 5
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to Jones Day under the caption “Validity of Securities” in the prospectus constituting a part of such Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
| Very truly yours,
/s/ Jones Day |
Gray Television, Inc.
April 30, 2021
Page 6
Annex A
| Name of Subsidiary Guarantor |
State of Incorporation or Organization | |
| WVLT-TV, Inc. |
Georgia | |
| Gray Media Group, Inc. |
Delaware | |
| Gray Television Licensee, LLC |
Delaware | |
| Tupelo Honey Raycom, LLC |
Delaware | |
NAI-1517918411v2
Exhibit 5.2
April 30, 2021
Gray Television, Inc.
4370 Peachtree Road, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30319
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have served as North Carolina local counsel to Raycom Sports Network, Inc., a North Carolina corporation (“Raycom”). We furnish this opinion in connection with the preparation of an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed today by Gray Television, Inc. (“Gray”), Raycom and other registrants with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Registration Statement relates to the issuance and sale from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 of the General Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated under the Securities Act, of the following securities: (i) shares of common stock, no par value, of Gray; (ii) shares of Class A common stock, no par value, of Gray; (iii) shares of preferred stock, no par value, of Gray, in one or more series, certain of which may be convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock or Class A Common Stock; (iv) debt securities of Gray (the “Debt Securities”), in one or more series, certain of which may be convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock or Class A Common Stock; (v) the Subsidiary Guarantees (as defined below); (vi) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Class A Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities or any combination thereof; and (vi) units consisting of one or more of the securities described in clauses (i) through (vi) above and which may include debt obligations of third parties, in each case as contemplated by the Registration Statement to which this opinion is an exhibit. Gray’s obligations under the Debt Securities may be guaranteed (the “Subsidiary Guarantees” and, together with the Debt Securities, the “Securities”) by one or more of Gray’s subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”), including Raycom (such guarantees by Raycom, the “Raycom Guarantees”).
The Securities are to be issued pursuant to one or more indentures with respect to the Securities (together with any supplemental indenture thereto, the “Indenture”), to be entered into by and among Gray, a trustee to be named in the Indenture and the other parties thereto. The Securities are to be issued in the form set forth in the Indenture. The Indenture may be supplemented, as applicable, in connection with the issuance of each such series of Securities, by a supplemental indenture or other appropriate action of Gray creating such series of Securities.
This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act. A copy of this opinion letter is also being provided to Jones Day, counsel assisting Gray in the filing of the Registration Statement, with the understanding that Jones Day will rely upon this opinion letter in providing its opinion in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act.
In rendering the opinions expressed herein, we have reviewed such matters of law and examined original, or copies certified or otherwise identified, of the Articles of Incorporation of Raycom, as amended, and the Bylaws of Raycom (collectively, the “Governing Instruments”), a Certificate of Existence regarding Raycom from the North Carolina Secretary of State dated April 30, 2021, and such other documents, records, agreements and certificates as we have deemed necessary as a basis for the opinions expressed herein. In such review, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents and certificates submitted to us as originals or duplicate originals, the conformity to original documents and certificates of the documents and certificates submitted to us as certified, photostatic, conformed, electronic or facsimile copies, the
| ROBINSON, BRADSHAW & HINSON, P.A. : robinsonbradshaw.com Charlotte Office : 101 N. Tryon St., Ste. 1900, Charlotte, NC 28246 : 704.377.2536 |
|
Raycom Sports Network, Inc.
April 30, 2021
Page 2
authenticity of the originals of such latter documents and certificates, the accuracy and completeness of all statements contained in all such documents and certificates, and the integrity and completeness of the minute books and records of Raycom to the date hereof. As to all questions of fact material to the opinions expressed herein that have not been independently established, we have relied, without investigation or analysis of any underlying data, upon certificates and statements of public officials and representatives of Raycom. To the extent that Raycom’s obligations will depend on the enforceability of a document against other parties to such document, we have assumed that such document is enforceable against such other parties.
The opinions set forth herein are further subject to the following assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions being true and correct at the time of delivery of any Securities to be offered and sold under the Registration Statement:
(a) the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) shall be effective under the Securities Act, and the applicable Indenture shall have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended;
(b) a prospectus supplement describing such Securities shall have been prepared, delivered and filed with the Commission in accordance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder;
(c) such Securities shall be offered, issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner described in the Registration Statement and the applicable prospectus supplement;
(d) all necessary corporate action shall have been taken to authorize the issuance of such Securities, including the Raycom Guarantees, and any other securities issuable upon conversion, exchange, exercise, redemption or settlement thereof, and to establish the terms thereof, so as not to violate any applicable law, result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon Gray, Raycom or the other Guarantors party thereto or conflict with any requirement, restriction or order imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over Gray, Raycom or the other Guarantors party thereto;
(e) a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to the issuance and sale of such Securities (the “Underwriting Agreement”) shall have been duly authorized, validly executed and delivered by Gray, Raycom, the other Guarantors of such Securities, if any, and the other parties thereto;
(f) such Securities shall have been delivered in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Underwriting Agreement upon receipt by Gray of the consideration therein provided, which consideration shall be lawful;
(g) all necessary corporate action shall have been taken by Gray, Raycom and each of the Guarantors party thereto to authorize, designate and establish the terms of such Securities in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture so as not to violate any applicable law, and such Securities shall not include any provision that is unenforceable;
(h) the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Gray, Raycom, the other Guarantors party thereto and the Indenture trustee,
Raycom Sports Network, Inc.
April 30, 2021
Page 3
(i) any required supplement, amendment or modification to the applicable Indenture (a “Supplemental Indenture”) shall have been executed and delivered by Gray, Raycom, the other Guarantors party thereto and the Indenture trustee;
(j) forms of such Securities complying with the terms of the Indenture and evidencing such Securities shall have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture; and
(k) in the case of any Indenture, Supplemental Indenture, Underwriting Agreement or other agreement or instrument pursuant to which any Securities are to be issued, there shall be no terms or provisions contained therein that would affect the validity of any of the opinions rendered herein.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to all the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
| 1. | Raycom is a corporation validly existing under the laws of the State of North Carolina. |
| 2. | The Raycom Guarantees will, when issued, have been duly authorized by Raycom. |
The foregoing opinions are limited to the laws of the State of North Carolina, and we are expressing no opinion as to the effect of the laws of other jurisdictions. This opinion is limited to the matters stated herein, and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated herein.
We are members of the Bar of the State of North Carolina and do not purport to be experts in the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of North Carolina and the federal laws of the United States of America.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus that is included in the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.
| Very truly yours,
ROBINSON, BRADSHAW & HINSON, P.A. |
|
/s/ Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A. |
| cc: | Jones Day |
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 and related Prospectus of Gray Television, Inc. of our reports dated February 25, 2021, relating to the consolidated financial statements, the financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Gray Television, Inc., appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Gray Television, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2020.
We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in such Prospectus.
/s/ RSM US LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
April 30, 2021