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TABLE OF CONTENTS
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2009
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
52-1494660 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
10706 Beaver Dam Road
Hunt Valley, Maryland 21030
Telephone: (410) 568-1500
(Address, including zip code and telephone number, including
area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
David D. Smith
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
10706 Beaver Dam Road
Hunt Valley, Maryland 21030
Telephone: (410) 568-1500
(Name, address, including zip code and telephone number,
including area code of agent for service)
Copies to:
Jeffrey B. Grill, Esq.
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
2300 N Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 663-8000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public:
From time to time following the effective date of this registration statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o
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. ý
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. o
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. o
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. o
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. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):
Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer ý | Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Smaller reporting company o |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered(2) |
Amount to be Registered |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit |
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price |
Amount of Registration Fee |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Debt Securities | |||||||||
Guarantees of Subsidiary Registrants(5) | |||||||||
Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value | |||||||||
Depositary Shares(3) | (1) | (1) | (1) | ||||||
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value | |||||||||
Warrants | |||||||||
Total | $500,000,000 | (1) | $500,000,000 | $19,650(4) | |||||
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANTS
Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter |
State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization |
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number |
Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant's Primary Executive Offices |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WCGV, Inc. |
Maryland | 52-1836393 | 10706 Beaver Dam Road Hunt Valley, Maryland 21030 (410) 568-1500 |
|||||
Sinclair Acquisition IV, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-1947227 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WLFL, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-1911462 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Media I, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-1742771 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WSMH, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-1952880 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Media II, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-1313500 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WSTR Licensee, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-1958895 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WGME, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-2050323 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Media III, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-1836394 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WTTO, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-1836391 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WTVZ, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-1903498 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WYZZ, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-1959155 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
KOCB, Inc. |
Oklahoma |
73-1021304 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WDKY, Inc. |
Delaware |
61-1250982 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WYZZ Licensee, Inc. |
Delaware |
52-1959631 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter |
State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization |
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number |
Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant's Primary Executive Offices |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KLGT, Inc. |
Minnesota |
41-1706187 | 10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Television Company II, Inc. |
Delaware |
52-2091286 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WSYX Licensee, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-2100995 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WGGB, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-1976547 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WTWC, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-2149163 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Communications II, Inc. |
Delaware |
04-3289279 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Holdings I, Inc. |
Virginia |
54-1637082 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Holdings II, Inc. |
Virginia |
54-1781478 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Holdings III, Inc. |
Virginia |
54-1834835 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Television Company, Inc. |
Delaware |
58-1719496 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Television of Buffalo, Inc. |
Delaware |
22-2997498 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Television of Charleston, Inc. |
Delaware |
57-0856686 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Television of Nashville, Inc. |
Tennessee |
62-0948016 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Television of Nevada, Inc. |
Nevada |
88-0299238 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Television of Tennessee, Inc. |
Delaware |
62-1663615 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter |
State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization |
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number |
Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant's Primary Executive Offices |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sinclair Television License Holder, Inc. |
Nevada |
04-3404381 | 10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Television of Dayton, Inc. |
Delaware |
25-1462963 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Acquisition VII, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-2202776 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Acquisition VIII, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-2202775 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Acquisition IX, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-2202774 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Acquisition X, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-2202779 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Montecito Broadcasting Corporation |
Delaware |
33-0773615 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Channel 33, Inc. |
Nevada |
88-0233278 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WNYO, Inc. |
Delaware |
65-0617241 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
New York Television, Inc. |
Maryland |
52-2261453 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Properties, LLC |
Virginia |
54-1781481 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Properties II, LLC |
Virginia |
54-1896557 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
KBSI Licensee L.P. |
Virginia |
54-1762871 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WMMP Licensee L.P. |
Virginia |
54-1816156 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WSYT Licensee L.P. |
Virginia |
54-1717683 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter |
State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization |
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number |
Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant's Primary Executive Offices |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WEMT Licensee L.P. |
Virginia |
54-1794615 | 10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WKEF Licensee L.P. |
Virginia |
54-1762869 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WGME Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2149851 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WICD Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2149843 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WICS Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2149853 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
KGAN Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2149845 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WSMH Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2115781 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WPGH Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2115755 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
KDNL Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2115752 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WCWB Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2203568 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WTVZ Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2115761 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Chesapeake Television Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2115731 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
KABB Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2115751 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WLOS Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2115696 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
KLGT Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2117084 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter |
State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization |
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number |
Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant's Primary Executive Offices |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WCGV Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2115785 | 10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
KUPN Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2115754 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WEAR Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2117080 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WLFL Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2115786 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WTTO Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2115688 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WTWC Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2149854 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WGGB Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2149857 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
KOCB Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2115783 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WDKY Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2115782 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
KOKH Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2203569 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WUPN Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2203571 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WUXP Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2203570 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WCHS Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2115763 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Finance, LLC |
Minnesota |
41-1996699 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Birmingham (WABM-TV) Licensee, Inc. |
Maryland |
90-0209556 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter |
State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization |
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number |
Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant's Primary Executive Offices |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Raleigh (WRDC-TV) Licensee, Inc. |
Maryland |
25-1761433 | 10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
San Antonio (KRRT-TV) Licensee, Inc. |
Maryland |
23-2930453 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WVTV Licensee, Inc. |
Maryland |
51-0350913 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WUHF Licensee, LLC |
Nevada |
75-2975838 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WMSN Licensee, LLC |
Nevada |
75-2976030 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WRLH Licensee, LLC |
Nevada |
75-2976002 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WUTV Licensee, LLC |
Nevada |
75-2975851 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WXLV Licensee, LLC |
Nevada |
75-2975864 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WZTV Licensee, LLC |
Nevada |
75-2975977 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Television Group, Inc. |
Maryland |
55-0829972 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
KFXA Licensee, LLC |
Nevada |
26-2161390 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
San Antonio Television, LLC |
Delaware |
43-2067983 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair NewsCentral, LLC |
Maryland |
01-0723291 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WFGX Licensee, LLC |
Nevada |
27-0086509 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WRDC, LLC |
Nevada |
56-2319367 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter |
State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization |
I.R.S. Employer Identification Number |
Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant's Primary Executive Offices |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KOKH, LLC |
Nevada |
03-0507160 | 10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
KDSM, LLC |
Maryland |
55-0829966 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
KDSM Licensee, LLC |
Maryland |
52-2115766 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Communications, LLC |
Maryland |
55-0829979 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
Sinclair Programming Company, LLC |
Maryland |
54-2095223 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WDKA Licensee, LLC |
Nevada |
20-4154259 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WNYS Licensee, LLC |
Nevada |
20-4154219 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WRGT Licensee, LLC |
Nevada |
01-0735535 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WTAT Licensee, LLC |
Nevada |
03-0472770 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WNAB Licensee, LLC |
Nevada |
20-3179769 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
|||||
WVAH Licensee, LLC |
Nevada |
04-3702038 |
10706 Beaver Dam Road |
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities, in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 9, 2009
Prospectus
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
$500,000,000
Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares,
Class A Common Stock and Warrants
We, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., may from time to time offer, in one or more series, separately or together, the following:
We will offer our securities in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time we offer such securities.
Our Class A common stock is listed for trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market's Global Select Market under the trading symbol "SBGI."
When we sell a particular series of securities, we will prepare a prospectus supplement describing the offering and the terms of that series of securities. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement as well as the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus before you purchase any of the securities offered hereby.
We may offer our securities directly, through agents we may designate from time to time, or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents or underwriters 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 such class or series of the securities.
You should consider the risks associated with the securities offered by this prospectus. See "Risk Factors" on page 2.
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 , 2009.
i
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission using a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell:
either separately or in units, in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of those securities. We will offer our securities in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time we offer such securities. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus together with the additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."
The registration statement that contains this prospectus (including the exhibits to the registration statement) contains additional information about Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. and the securities offered under this prospectus. That registration statement can be read at the SEC's Internet site or at the SEC offices mentioned under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."
In this prospectus, the words "Sinclair," "we," "our," "ours" and "us" refer to Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise. The term "you" refers to a prospective investor.
1
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Please see the risk factors described under the caption "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, and any amendments thereto, on file with the SEC, which is incorporated herein by reference, and in any subsequent annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement. The risks and uncertainties we have described are those we believe to be the principal risks that could affect us, our business or our industry, and which could result in a material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operation or could cause the market price of our securities to fluctuate or decline. However, additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may affect our business operations and the market price of our securities.
This prospectus contains and incorporates "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Any statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases like "anticipate," "estimate," "plans," "projects," "continuing," "ongoing," "target," "expects," "management believes," "we believe," "we intend," "we may," "we will," "we should," "we seek," "we plan," the negative of those terms, and similar words or phrases. We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about our business and the industry in which we operate as of the date of this prospectus. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that cannot be predicted, quantified or controlled and that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. Statements in this prospectus and in documents incorporated into this prospectus, including those set forth below in "Risk Factors," describe factors, among others, that could contribute to or cause these differences.
Because the factors discussed in this prospectus or incorporated by reference could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
2
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. You may read and copy any document that we have filed at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Our filings are available to the public at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Our Class A common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market's Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "SBGI." You may inspect our reports, proxy statements and other information at the NASDAQ Stock Market, One Liberty Plaza, 165 Broadway, New York, New York 10006. In addition, we maintain a website that contains information about us at http://www.sbgi.net. The information found on, or otherwise accessible through, our website is not incorporated into, and does not form a part of, this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the SEC.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement (of which this prospectus is a part) on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to our securities. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules thereto, certain parts of which are omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to in, or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement are not necessarily complete and, where that contract is an exhibit to the registration statement, each statement is qualified in all respects by the exhibit to which the reference relates. Copies of this registration statement may be examined at the SEC's Public Reference Room and copies may be obtained therefrom upon payment of prescribed fees. This registration statement is also available to you on the SEC's website.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Any statement contained in a document which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus is automatically updated and superseded if information contained in this prospectus, or information that we later file with the SEC, modifies or replaces this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents we filed with the SEC:
We are also incorporating by reference additional documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934, from the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of this registration statement, and any filings between the date of this prospectus and the termination of the offering of the securities described in this prospectus. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed above or filed in the future, that are not deemed "filed" with the SEC, including our compensation committee report and performance graph (incorporated by reference into the Annual
3
Report on Form 10-K) or any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or certain exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.
You may request a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, except the exhibits to such documents (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in such documents), at no cost, by writing or calling our offices at the following address:
Sinclair
Broadcast Group, Inc.
10706 Beaver Dam Road
Hunt Valley, MD 21030
Attention: David B. Amy
4
SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC.
We are a diversified television broadcasting company that owns or provides certain programming, operating or sales services to more television stations than most other commercial broadcasting groups in the United States. As of December 31, 2008, we owned, provided programming and operating services pursuant to local marketing agreements (LMAs) or provided (or were provided) sales services pursuant to outsourcing agreements to 58 television stations in 35 markets. We refer to these 58 stations as "our" stations.
We have a mid-size market focus and 43 of our 58 stations were located in television designated market areas (DMAs) that rank between the 13th and 75th largest in the United States. Our television station group is diverse in network affiliation: FOX (20 stations); MyNetworkTV (17 stations); ABC (9 stations); The CW (9 stations); CBS (2 stations) and NBC (1 station).
We broadcast free over-the-air programming to television viewing audiences in the communities we serve through our local television stations. The programming that we provide consists of network provided programs, news produced locally, local sporting events and syndicated entertainment programs. We provide network produced programming, which we broadcast pursuant to our agreements with the network with which the stations are affiliated. We produce news at 18 stations in 12 markets, including two stations where we produce news pursuant to a local news sharing arrangement with a competitive station in that market. We have 14 stations which have local news sharing arrangements with a competitive station in that market that produces the news aired on our station. We provide live local sporting events on many of our stations by acquiring the local television broadcast rights for these events. Additionally, we purchase and barter for popular syndicated programming from third parties.
Our primary source of revenue is the sale of commercial inventory on our television stations to our advertising customers. Our objective is to meet the needs of our advertising customers by delivering significant audiences in key demographics. Our strategy is to achieve this objective by providing quality local news programming and popular network and syndicated programs to our viewing audience. We attract our national television advertisers through a single national marketing representation firm which has offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Atlanta. Our local television advertisers are attracted through the use of a local sales force at each of our television stations, which is comprised of over approximately 350 account executives company-wide.
We are a Maryland corporation formed in 1986. Our principal offices are located at 10706 Beaver Dam Road, Hunt Valley, Maryland 21030. Our telephone number is (410) 568-1500 and our website address is http://www.sbgi.net.
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Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of securities for one or more of the following:
Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds in marketable short-term, interest-bearing securities.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
The following table shows our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated:
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Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
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2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||||||
Consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges |
(b) | 1.42x | 1.48x | 1.59x | 1.57x | |||||||||||
Consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends(a) |
(b) | 1.42x | 1.48x | 1.55x | 1.51x |
For the purposes of computing these ratios, earnings have been calculated by adding fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest) to income before taxes and extraordinary items. Fixed charges consist of interest costs, whether expensed or capitalized, and amortization of debt expense and discount or premium relating to any indebtedness, whether expensed or capitalized. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges was computed by dividing our earnings by fixed charges.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following is a general description of the debt securities that we may offer from time to time. As used in this prospectus, "debt securities" means senior and subordinated debentures, notes, bonds and other evidences of indebtedness that we may issue under the applicable indenture. Our senior debt securities and our subordinated debt securities will be issued under separate indentures, both of which are incorporated by reference herein. We may also issue debt securities under a separate, new indenture other than the current indentures. If that occurs, we will describe any differences in the terms of any series or issue of debt securities in the prospectus supplement relating to that series or issue. The following summaries of certain provisions of the indentures and the debt securities are not complete and the summaries are subject to the detailed provisions of the applicable indenture. You should refer to the applicable indenture for more specific information. In addition, you should consult the applicable prospectus supplement and supplemental indenture for particular terms of our debt securities. We refer to the "senior indenture" and the "subordinated indenture" as the "indenture."
For purposes of this section of the prospectus, references to "Sinclair," "we," "our" or "us" refer only to Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. and not any of its current or future subsidiaries.
General
Our debt securities will be unsecured obligations of Sinclair unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement. The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to the extent and in the manner set forth in the subordinated indenture to all of our senior debt (as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement), including any senior debt securities. See "Subordination." We are a holding company that presently conducts our business through our subsidiaries. Most of our operating assets and the operating assets of our consolidated subsidiaries are owned by our subsidiaries and we rely primarily on dividends from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations for payment of principal and interest on our outstanding debt obligations and corporate expenses. Accordingly, the debt securities will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries, and holders of debt securities should look only to our assets for payments on the debt securities, unless the debt securities are guaranteed by our subsidiaries as described in any prospectus supplement. The debt securities may be guaranteed by some or all of our subsidiaries, in which case the guarantees will, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, (i) rank equal in right of payment with all other unsecured senior obligations of our subsidiaries with respect to guarantees of senior debt securities, and (ii) rank subordinate in right of payment to all unsecured senior obligations of our subsidiaries and rank equal in right of payment to all subordinated obligations of our subsidiaries with respect to guarantees of subordinated debt securities. The guarantees will be effectively subordinated in right of payment to all secured indebtedness of our subsidiaries to the extent of the value of the assets securing the indebtedness.
The indenture will not limit the aggregate amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture, as it applies to any series of debt securities, will not limit the incurrence or issuance of our other secured or unsecured debt, whether under the indenture, any other indenture that we may enter into in the future or otherwise.
We may, but need not, designate more than one trustee in connection with the indenture, each with respect to one or more series of debt securities. Any trustee under the indenture may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of debt securities, and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to such series. If two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of debt securities, each of those trustees will be considered a trustee of a trust under the indenture separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee. Unless this
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prospectus states otherwise, a trustee will only be permitted to take action with respect to the one or more series of debt securities for which it is trustee under the indenture.
The following summaries set forth certain general terms and provisions of the indenture and our debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to the series of debt securities being offered will contain further terms of the debt securities of that series, including the following specific terms:
(1) the type and title of the debt securities;
(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;
(3) the maturity date or dates of the debt securities, or the method of determining the date or dates;
(4) the interest rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) of the debt securities, or the method of calculating the rate or rates;
(5) the date or dates from which interest, if any, will accrue or the method by which the date or dates will be determined;
(6) the date or dates on which interest, if any, will be payable and the related record date or dates;
(7) the place or places where principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable or at which debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange;
(8) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies if other than in United States dollars (including currency unit or units) in which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, the debt securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option;
(9) our obligation, if any, to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or upon the happening of a specified event or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies if other than in United States dollars (including currency unit or units) in which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, such debt securities shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(10) the denominations of the debt securities;
(11) the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities may be denominated and/or the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable and whether we or the holders of the debt securities may elect to receive payments in respect of those debt securities in a currency or currency unit other than that in which those debt securities are stated to be payable;
(12) if the amount of principal of, or any premium or interest on, the debt securities may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula or other method, the manner in which the amounts will be determined;
(13) the amount that we will pay the holder if the maturity of the debt securities is accelerated, if other than the principal amount;
(14) provisions, if any, granting special rights to the holders of the debt securities upon the occurrence of the events as may be specified;
(15) any addition to, or modification or deletion of, any event of default or any covenant specified in the indenture;
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(16) the circumstances, if any, under which we will pay additional amounts on the debt securities held by non-U.S. persons in respect of taxes, assessments or similar charges;
(17) whether the debt securities will be issued in registered or bearer form or both;
(18) the date as of which any securities of the series and any temporary global security representing outstanding securities shall be dated, if other than the original issuance date of the series of debt securities;
(19) the forms of the securities and interest coupons, if any, of the series;
(20) if other than the trustee, the identity of the registrar and any paying agent;
(21) the application, if any, of the means of defeasance or covenant defeasance as may be specified for the debt securities;
(22) whether the debt securities are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more temporary or permanent global securities and, if so, the identity of the depositary or its nominee, if any, for the global security or securities and the circumstances under which beneficial owners of interests in the global security may exchange the interests for certificated debt securities to be registered in the names of or to be held by the beneficial owners or their nominees;
(23) if the debt securities may be issued or delivered, or any installation of principal or interest payable, only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions in addition to those specified in the indenture, the form of any certificates, documents or conditions;
(24) if other than as provided in the indenture, the person to whom any interest on any registered security of the series shall be payable and the manner in which, or the person to whom, any interest on any bearer securities of the series shall be payable;
(25) if other than as provided in the indenture, any definition to be used for the series of debt securities, including, without limitation the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary" to be used for that series;
(26) in the case of the subordinated indenture, the relative degree to which debt securities shall be senior or subordinated to our other series of debt securities, and to our other indebtedness, in right of payment, whether the other series of debt securities and other indebtedness are outstanding or not;
(27) whether the debt securities are guaranteed and, if so, the identity of the guarantors and the terms of the guarantees (including whether and the extent to which the guarantees are subordinated to the other indebtedness of the guarantors);
(28) the terms, if any, upon which we may be able to redeem the debt securities prior to their maturity including the dates on which the redemptions may be made and the price at which the redemptions may be made;
(29) the terms, if any, upon which the debt securities may be converted or exchanged into or for common stock, preferred stock or other securities or property;
(30) any restrictions on the registration, transfer or exchange of the debt securities; and
(31) any other terms not inconsistent with the terms of the indentures relating to the debt securities or which may be required or advisable under the United States laws or regulations or advisable (as we determine) in connection with marketing of securities of the series.
The terms of each specific series of debt securities being offered in the prospectus supplements shall be established (1) by the resolution of the board of directors, (2) by action taken pursuant to a
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resolution of the board of directors and set forth, or determined in a manner provided in, an officer's certificate (as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement) or (3) in one or more supplemental indentures.
Debt securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. Material U.S. federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any of the debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The general provisions of the indentures will not afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we are involved in a highly leveraged transaction, restructuring, change in control, merger or similar transaction, which may adversely affect holders of the debt securities.
Denominations, Interest, Payment, Registration, Transfer and Exchange
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities in registered form will be issued in denominations of U.S. $1,000 or any integral multiples of U.S. $1,000, and debt securities in bearer form will be issued in denominations of U.S. $5,000 or any integral multiples of U.S. $5,000. Where debt securities of any series are issued in bearer form, the special restrictions and considerations, including special offering restrictions and material U.S. federal income tax considerations, applicable to any of the debt securities and to payments in respect of and transfers and exchanges of the debt securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Debt securities in bearer form will be transferable by delivery.
If the purchase price of any of the debt securities is payable in one or more foreign currencies or currency units or if any debt securities are denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units or if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any debt securities is payable in one or more foreign currencies or currency units, the restrictions, elections, material U.S. federal income tax considerations and other information with respect to the issue of debt securities and the foreign currency or currency units will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If any index is used to determine the amount of payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any series of debt securities, material U.S. federal income tax, accounting and other considerations applicable thereto will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, payments in respect of the debt securities will be made in the designated currency at an office or agency maintained for that purpose, that we may designate from time to time, except that, at our option, interest payments, if any, on debt securities in registered form may be made (i) by checks mailed to the holders of debt securities at their registered addresses or (ii) by wire transfer to an account maintained by the holders of the debt securities entitled thereto as specified in the register for the applicable debt securities. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, each payment in respect of the debt securities shall be considered to have been made on the date the payment is due if there shall have been sent to the trustee or paying agent by wire transfer (received by no later than the business day following the due date), or the trustee or paying agent otherwise holds, on the due date sufficient funds to make the payment. Unless otherwise indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement, scheduled payments of any installment of interest on debt securities in registered form will be made to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.
Payment in respect of debt securities in bearer form will be made in the currency and in the manner designated in the prospectus supplement, subject to any applicable laws and regulations, at paying agencies outside the United States that we may appoint from time to time. The paying agents outside the United States, if any, initially appointed for a series of debt securities will be named in the
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prospectus supplement. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agents, except that, if debt securities of a series are issuable in registered form, we will be required to maintain at least one paying agent in each place of payment for the series and if debt securities of a series are issuable in bearer form, we will be required to maintain at least one paying agent in a place of payment outside the United States where debt securities of the series and any coupons appertaining thereto may be presented and surrendered for payment.
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities in registered form will be transferable or exchangeable at an agency we maintain for the purpose that we may designate from time to time. Debt securities may be transferred or exchanged without service charge, although we may require a holder to pay any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.
Merger, Consolidation or Sale
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, each indenture will provide that we shall not, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, consolidate with or merge with or into any other person or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any person or group of affiliated persons, or permit any of our subsidiaries to enter into any such transaction or transactions if the transaction or transactions, in the aggregate, would result in a sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition of all or substantially all our properties and assets on a consolidated basis to any other person or group of affiliated persons, unless at the time and after giving effect thereto:
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Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, each indenture will provide that any guarantor will not, and we will not permit any guarantor to, in a single transaction or series of related transactions merge or consolidate with or into any other corporation (other than with us or any other guarantor) or other entity, or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets on a consolidated basis to any entity (other than to us or any other guarantor) unless at the time and after giving effect thereto: (a) either (1) the guarantor shall be the continuing corporation or (2) the entity (if other than the guarantor) formed by the consolidation or into which the guarantor is merged or the entity which acquires by sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition the properties and assets of the guarantor shall be a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the trustee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, all of the obligations of the guarantor under the debt securities and the indenture; (b) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing; and (c) the guarantor shall have delivered to the trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, an officers' certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that the consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or disposition and the supplemental indenture comply with the indenture, and thereafter all obligations of the predecessor shall terminate.
Certain Covenants
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any material covenants in respect of any series of debt securities.
Events of Default
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, each indenture will provide that an event of default with respect to the debt securities of a particular series will occur under the indenture if:
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the outstanding debt securities of the series; or (b) there shall be a default in the performance or breach of the provisions described in "Merger, Consolidation or Sale;"
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official of Sinclair, any guarantor or the restricted subsidiary or of any substantial part of their respective property, (y) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors or (z) admits in writing our or their inability to pay such debts generally as they become due, or (e) we, any guarantor or any restricted subsidiary takes any corporate action in furtherance of any of the actions in this clause (9).
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, each indenture will provide that if an event of default (other than as specified in clauses (8) and (9) of the prior paragraph) shall occur and be continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series outstanding may, and the trustee at the request of the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series outstanding shall, declare all unpaid principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on, all of the debt securities of the applicable series to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders of the debt securities of the applicable series); provided that so long as our bank credit agreement is in effect, the declaration shall not become effective until the earlier of (a) five business days after receipt of the notice of acceleration from the holders or the trustee by the agent under our bank credit agreement or (b) acceleration of the indebtedness under our bank credit agreement. Thereupon the trustee may, at its discretion, proceed to protect and enforce the rights of the holders of the applicable debt securities by appropriate judicial proceeding. If an event of default specified in clause (8) or (9) of the prior paragraph occurs and is continuing, then all of the debt securities of the applicable series shall become and be immediately due and payable, in an amount equal to the principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date the debt securities become due and payable, without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder. The trustee or, if notice of acceleration is given by the holders of the debt securities of the applicable series, the holders of the debt securities of the applicable series shall give notice to the agent under our bank credit agreement of the acceleration.
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, each indenture will provide after a declaration of acceleration, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series, by written notice to Sinclair and the trustee, may rescind and annul the declaration and its consequences if (a) Sinclair has paid or deposited with the trustee a sum sufficient to pay (1) all sums paid or advanced by the trustee under the indenture and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the trustee, its agents and counsel, (2) all overdue interest on all debt securities of the applicable series, (3) the principal of and premium, if any, on any debt securities of the applicable series which have become due otherwise than by the declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at a rate borne by the debt securities and (4) to the extent that payment of the interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate borne by the debt securities; and (b) all events of default, other than the non-payment of principal of the debt securities which have become due solely by the declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, each indenture will provide that the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the applicable series outstanding may on behalf of the holders of all of the debt securities of the applicable series waive any past default under the indenture and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any debt security, or in respect of a covenant or provision which under the indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each debt security outstanding.
Unless specified otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, each indenture will provide that the we are also required to notify the trustee within five business days of the occurrence of any default. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we are required to
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deliver to the trustee, on or before a date not more than 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter and not more than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a written statement as to compliance with the indenture, including whether or not any default has occurred. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the debt securities unless the holders offer to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred thereby.
The Trust Indenture Act contains limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become our creditor or a creditor of any guarantor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received by it in respect of any of the claims, as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions, provided that if it acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate the conflict upon the occurrence of an event of default or else resign.
Reference is made to the prospectus supplement relating to each series of debt securities that are original issue discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of the maturity of a portion of the principal amount of the original issue discount securities upon the occurrence of an event of default and the continuation thereof.
Modification and Amendments
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, modifications and amendments of the indenture may be made by us, any guarantor, and the trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected by the modification or amendment; provided, however, that no modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of all series affected by the modification or amendment affected thereby:
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Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, modifications and amendments of each indenture may be made by the trustee and us without the consent of the holders to:
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of a series may waive compliance with certain restrictive covenants and provisions of the indenture with respect to that series.
Subordination
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the payment of principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on any subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment, as set forth in the applicable subordinated indenture, to the prior payment in full of all senior debt (as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement), whether outstanding on the date of the subordinated indenture or thereafter incurred.
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Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, during the continuance of any default in the payment of any designated senior debt (as the term is defined in the applicable prospectus supplement) no payment (other than payments previously made pursuant to the provisions described under "Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance of Indenture") or distribution of any of our assets of any kind or character (excluding certain permitted equity interests or subordinated securities) shall be made on account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, the subordinated debt securities or on account of the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition of, the subordinated debt securities unless and until the default has been cured, waived or has ceased to exist or the designated senior debt (as the term is defined in the applicable prospectus supplement) shall have been discharged or paid in full in cash or cash equivalents or in any other form acceptable to the holders of senior debt.
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, during the continuance of any non-payment default with respect to any designated senior debt pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated and after the receipt by the trustee and us from a representative of the holder of any designated senior debt of a written notice of the default, no payment (other than payments previously made pursuant to the provisions described under "Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance of Indenture") or distribution of any of our assets of any kind or character (excluding certain permitted equity or subordinated securities) may be made by us on account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, the subordinated debt securities or on account of the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition of, the subordinated debt securities for the period specified below (the "payment blockage period").
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the payment blockage period shall commence upon the receipt of notice of the non-payment default by the trustee and Sinclair from a representative of the holders of any designated senior debt and shall end on the earliest of (1) the first date on which more than 179 days shall have elapsed since the receipt of the written notice (provided the designated senior debt as to which notice was given shall not theretofore have been accelerated), (2) the date on which the non-payment default (and all non-payment defaults as to which notice is given after the payment blockage period is initiated) are cured, waived or ceased to exist or on which the designated senior debt is discharged or paid in full in cash or cash equivalents or in any other form acceptable to the holders of designated senior debt or (3) the date on which the payment blockage period (and all non-payment defaults as to which notice is given after the payment blockage period is initiated) shall have been terminated by written notice to us or the trustee from the representative of holders of designated senior debt initiating the payment blockage period, after which, in the case of clauses (1), (2) and (3), we shall promptly resume making any and all required payments in respect of the subordinated debt securities, including any missed payments. In no event will a payment blockage period extend beyond the 179 days from the date of the receipt by us or the trustee of the notice initiating the payment blockage period. Any number of notices of non-payment defaults may be given during the 179-day period; provided that during any 365-day consecutive period only one payment blockage period during which payment of principal of, or interest on, the subordinated debt securities may not be made may commence and the duration of the payment blockage period may not exceed 179 days. No non-payment default with respect to designated senior debt which existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of any payment blockage period will be, or can be, made the basis for the commencement of a second payment blockage period, whether or not within a period of 365 consecutive days, unless the default has been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, if we fail to make any payment on subordinated debt securities when due or within any applicable grace period, whether or not on account of the payment blockage provisions referred to above, the failure would constitute an
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event of default under the indenture and would enable the holders of the subordinated debt securities to accelerate the maturity thereof. See "Events of Default."
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, each indenture will provide that in the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization or other similar case or proceeding in connection therewith, relative to us or our assets, or any liquidation, dissolution or other winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or any assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other marshalling of our assets or liabilities, all senior debt must be paid in full in cash or cash equivalents or in any other manner acceptable to the holders of senior debt, or provision made for the payment, before any payment or distribution (excluding distributions of certain permitted equity or subordinated securities) is made on account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the subordinated debt securities. By reason of the subordination, in the event of liquidation or insolvency, our creditors who are holders of senior debt may recover more, ratably, than the holders of the subordinated debt securities, and funds which would be otherwise payable to the holders of the subordinated debt securities will be paid to the holders of the senior debt to the extent necessary to pay the senior debt in full in cash or cash equivalents or in any other manner acceptable to the holders of senior debt, and we may be unable to meet its obligations fully with respect to the subordinated debt securities.
To the extent provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, any guarantee of subordinated debt securities by a guarantor will be an unsecured subordinated obligation of the guarantor, ranking on an equal basis with, or senior in right of payment to, all other existing and future indebtedness of the guarantor that is expressly subordinated to "guarantor senior debt" (as defined in the applicable indenture). To the extent provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, indebtedness evidenced by the guarantees will be subordinated to guarantor senior debt to the same extent as the subordinated debt securities are subordinated to senior debt and during any period when payment on the subordinated debt securities is blocked by designated senior debt, payment on the guarantees will be similarly blocked.
Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, each indenture will provide that we may, at our option, at any time, elect to have our and the obligations of each of the guarantors (if any) and any other obligor upon the debt securities discharged with respect to the outstanding debt securities of an applicable series ("defeasance"). The defeasance means that we, each of the guarantors (if any) and any other obligor under the indenture shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the outstanding debt securities of the series, except for:
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with respect to the debt securities of the applicable series. In the event covenant defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment, enforceability of any guarantee, bankruptcy and insolvency events) described under "Events of Default" will no longer constitute an event of default with respect to the notes.
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, in order to exercise either defeasance or covenant defeasance,
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Global Debt Securities
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more fully registered global securities. Each registered global security will be registered in the name of a depositary or a nominee for the depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement, will be deposited with the depositary or nominee or a custodian therefor and will bear a legend regarding the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer thereof and any of the other matters as may be provided for pursuant to the applicable indenture. In that case, one or more registered global securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding debt securities of the series to be represented by the registered global security or securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive certificated form, a registered global security may not be transferred or exchanged, except as a whole between the depository and its nominee or successor, or except in the circumstances described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any portion of a series of debt securities to be represented by a registered global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Upon the issuance of any registered global security, and the deposit of the registered global security with or on behalf of the depositary for the registered global security, the depositary will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer system the respective principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the registered global security to the accounts of institutions ("participants") that have accounts with the depositary. The accounts to be credited will be designated by the underwriters or agents engaging in the distribution of the debt securities, or by us if we directly offer and sell the debt securities. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a registered global security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the depositary for the registered global security or by its nominee. Ownership of beneficial interests in the registered global security by persons who hold through participants will be shown on, and the transfer of the beneficial interests within the participants will be effected only through, records maintained by the participants.
So long as the depositary for a registered global security, or its nominee, is the owner of the registered global security, the depositary or the nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt security represented by the registered global security for all purposes under each indenture. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in the registered global security must rely on the procedures of the depositary and, if the person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which the person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture. We understand that under existing industry practices, if we request any action of holders, or if an owner of a beneficial interest in a registered global security desires to give or
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take any instruction or action which a holder is entitled to give or take under the indenture, the depositary would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take the instruction or action, and the participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through the participants to give or take the instruction or action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners holding through them.
Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, payments with respect to principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in the name of the depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered global security. We expect that the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security, upon receipt of any payment of principal or interest in respect of the registered global security, will immediately credit participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the registered global security as shown on the records of the depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the registered global security held through the participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities in bearer form held for the accounts of customers or registered in "street name," and will be the responsibility of the participants. Neither the respective trustees nor us nor any of our agents shall have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial interests in any registered global security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial interests.
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, if the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary of the registered global security and if we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue debt securities in certificated form in exchange for the registered global security. In addition, unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we, in our sole discretion, may at any time determine not to have any of the debt securities of a series represented by one or more registered global securities and, in the event, will issue debt securities of the series in certificated form in exchange for all of the registered global securities representing the series of debt securities. The debt securities of a series may also be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more bearer global securities that will be deposited with a depositary, or with a nominee for the depositary, identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any of the bearer global securities may be issued in temporary or permanent form. The specific terms and procedures, including the specific terms of the depositary arrangement, with respect to any portion of a series of debt securities to be represented by one or more bearer global securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Convertible Debt Securities
The terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities are convertible into shares of our Class A common stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such terms will include:
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Reference is made to the section captioned "Description of Common Stock" for a general description of shares of our Class A common stock to be acquired upon any conversion of debt securities, including a description of certain restrictions on the ownership of shares of our Class A common stock.
Notices
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, notices to holders of registered debt securities will be given by mail to the addresses of the holders as they may appear in the register.
Governing Law
Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indentures, the debt securities and any guarantees will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
Trustee
The trustee for each series of debt securities will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each indenture will contain certain limitations on the right of a trustee thereunder, as our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any claim as security or otherwise.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of a series (or if more than one series is affected thereby, of all series so affected, voting as a single class) will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy or power available to the trustee for the series.
In case an event of default shall occur (and shall not be cured) under any indenture relating to a series of debt securities and is known to the trustee under the indenture, the trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by the 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 his own affairs. Subject to these provisions, no trustee will be under any obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable indenture at the request of any of the holders of debt securities unless they shall have offered to the trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it.
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DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
The following is a general description of the preferred stock that we may offer from time to time. The particular terms of the preferred stock being offered and the extent to which such general provisions may apply will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. The statements below describing our preferred stock are in all respects subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of our articles of incorporation and our bylaws.
Our authorized capital stock consists of 500,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 140,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 205,000,000 shares of excess stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of December 31, 2008, we had no shares of preferred stock outstanding.
General
Under our articles of incorporation, our Board of Directors may from time to time establish and issue one or more series of preferred stock without stockholder approval. Our Board of Directors may, subject to the express provisions of any other series of preferred stock then outstanding, alter the designation, classify or reclassify any unissued preferred stock by setting or changing the number, designation, preference, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption of such series. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power, dividend rights and other rights of holders of common stock. Preferred stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable.
The prospectus supplement relating to any preferred stock offered under it will contain the specific terms, including:
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Rank
Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, our preferred stock, of a particular series, being issued will, with respect to dividend rights and rights upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, rank:
Dividends
Subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding stock or series of stock and unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, our holders of preferred stock of each series will generally be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our Board of Directors, out of our assets legally available for payment, dividends (in cash, in kind or in other property if expressly permitted and described in the applicable prospectus supplement) at such rates and on such dates as will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each such dividend shall be payable to holders of record as they appear on our share transfer books on such record dates as shall be fixed by our Board of Directors.
Dividends on any series of preferred stock may be cumulative or non-cumulative, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Dividends, if cumulative, will be cumulative from and after the date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. If our Board of Directors fails to declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of preferred stock for which dividends are noncumulative, then the holders of such series of preferred stock will have no right to receive a dividend in respect of the dividend period ending on such dividend payment date. We will have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for such period, whether or not dividends on such series are declared payable on any future dividend payment date.
If preferred stock of any series is outstanding, we will not pay or declare a full dividend on a series of parity or junior preferred stock or common stock unless:
If dividends are not paid in full (or if a sum sufficient has not been set aside for full payment), then dividends for both that series and any parity series will be declared pro rata. Therefore, the amount of dividends declared per share of both series will maintain the same ratio that accrued dividends per share of each series bear to each other. Accrued dividends will not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if such shares of preferred stock do not have a cumulative dividend. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable for any dividend payment or payments on preferred stock of such series which may be in arrears.
Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, unless we have paid, or declared and set apart a sum sufficient to pay the then current dividend (including dividend payments in arrears if dividends are cumulative) for a series of preferred stock, we will not declare dividends (other than in
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Class A common stock or preferred stock ranking junior to the preferred stock of such series as to dividends and upon liquidation) or pay or set aside for payment or declare or make any other distribution upon shares of the common stock, junior stock or parity stock as to dividends or upon liquidation. Additionally, we shall not redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such shares) any shares of common stock, junior stock or parity stock as to dividends or upon liquidation. However, we may convert or exchange those shares into junior stock as to dividends and upon liquidation.
Redemption
If so provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, any series of our preferred stock will be subject to mandatory redemption or redemption at our option, in whole or in part, in each case upon the terms, at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in such prospectus supplement.
The prospectus supplement relating to a series of our preferred stock that is subject to mandatory redemption will specify:
If the redemption price for our preferred stock of any series is payable only from the net proceeds of the issuance of our capital stock, the terms of such preferred stock may provide that, if we have not issued capital stock or to the extent the net proceeds from any issuance are insufficient to pay in full the aggregate redemption price then due, such preferred stock shall automatically and mandatorily be converted into the applicable class or series of our capital stock pursuant to conversion provisions specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We cannot redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of a series of preferred stock unless:
The foregoing shall not prevent the purchase or acquisition of preferred stock of such series pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to holders of all outstanding preferred stock of such series.
If fewer than all of our outstanding preferred stock of any series are to be redeemed, we will determine the number of shares to be redeemed. We may redeem the shares on a pro rata basis from the holders of record of those shares in proportion to the number of those shares held or for which redemption is requested by the holder (with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional shares) or by lot in a manner we determine.
Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of record of preferred stock of any series to be redeemed at the address shown on our share transfer books. Each notice shall state:
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If fewer than all of the preferred stock of any series are to be redeemed, the notice mailed to each holder shall also specify the number of shares of preferred stock to be redeemed from each holder. If notice of redemption of any preferred stock has been given and if we have set aside the funds necessary for such redemption in trust for the benefit of the holders of any of our preferred stock so called for redemption, then from and after the redemption date dividends will cease to accrue on the preferred stock, and all rights of the holders of the redeemable shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price.
Liquidation Preference
Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, then, before any distribution or payment will be made to the holders of any shares of common stock or any other class or series of preferred stock ranking junior to the preferred stock in the distribution of assets upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us, the holders of each series of preferred stock will be entitled to receive out of our assets legally available for distribution to stockholders liquidating distributions in the amount of the liquidation preference per share (set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement), plus an amount equal to all dividends accrued and unpaid (which shall not include any accumulation in respect of unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods if such preferred stock does not have a cumulative dividend). After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distributions to which they are entitled, the holders of preferred stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. In the event that, upon any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up, our available assets are insufficient to pay the amount of the liquidating distributions on all our outstanding preferred stock and the corresponding amounts payable on all shares of other classes or series of our capital stock ranking on a parity with the preferred stock in the distribution of assets, then the holders of the preferred stock and all other such classes or series of capital stock shall share ratably in any such distribution of assets in proportion to the full liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.
If liquidating distributions shall have been made in full to all holders of preferred stock, our remaining assets will be distributed among the holders of any other classes or series of capital stock ranking junior to the preferred stock upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, according to their respective rights and preferences and in each case according to their respective number of shares. For such purposes, our consolidation or merger with or into any other corporation, trust or entity, or the sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of our property or business, shall not be deemed to constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us.
Voting Rights
Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of our preferred stock will not have any voting rights.
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Conversion Rights
The terms and conditions, if any, upon which any series of preferred stock is convertible into shares of our Class A common stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such terms will include:
Book-Entry Preferred Stock
The preferred stock of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such series. Global securities may be issued in either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or permanent form. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of preferred stock will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such series.
Registrar and Transfer Agent
The registrar and transfer agent for the preferred stock will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
The following is a general description of the depositary shares that we may offer from time to time. The particular terms of the depositary shares being offered and the extent to which such general provisions may apply will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
General
We may issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fractional interest of a share of a particular series of a class of our preferred stock, as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will deposit shares of preferred stock of each series represented by depositary shares under a separate deposit agreement among us, the applicable depositary and the holders from time to time of the depositary receipts. Generally, each owner of a depositary receipt will be entitled, in proportion to the fractional interest of a share of the particular series of shares of preferred stock represented by the appropriate depositary shares, to all the rights and preferences of those shares of preferred stock (including dividend, voting, conversion, redemption and liquidation rights). As of December 31, 2008, we had no depositary shares issued and outstanding.
The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the applicable deposit agreement. Immediately following our issuance and delivery of our preferred stock to the depositary, we will cause the preferred stock depositary to issue, on our behalf, the depositary receipts. Upon request we will provide you with copies of the applicable form of deposit agreement and depositary receipt.
Dividends and Other Distributions
The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the preferred stock to the record holders of the applicable depositary receipts in proportion to the number of depositary receipts owned by such holder.
In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the appropriate record holders of depositary receipts. If the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, then it may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds to the record holders.
Withdrawal of Shares
Generally, if a holder surrenders depositary receipts at the corporate trust office of the preferred stock depositary (unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption), the holder will be entitled to receive at that office the number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock and any money or other property represented by the depositary shares. Holders of depositary receipts will be entitled to receive whole or fractional shares of the related preferred stock on the basis of the proportion of shares of preferred stock represented by each depositary share as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Thereafter, holders of such preferred stock will not be entitled to receive depositary shares for the preferred stock. If a holder seeks to withdraw more depositary shares than are available, then the preferred stock depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing such excess number of depositary shares.
Redemption of Depositary Shares
Whenever we redeem preferred stock held by the preferred stock depositary, the depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the appropriate number of depositary shares, provided we shall have paid in full to the depositary the redemption price of the preferred stock to be redeemed plus an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends (except, with respect to noncumulative shares of
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preferred stock, dividends for the current dividend period only) to the date fixed for redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the redemption price and any other amounts per share payable with respect to the preferred stock specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the amount redeemed will be selected by the depositary by lot.
After the date fixed for redemption, the depositary shares called for redemption will no longer be outstanding. All rights of the holders will cease, except the right to receive money or other property that the holders of the depositary shares were entitled to receive upon such redemption. Payments will be made when holders surrender their depositary receipts to the depositary.
Voting of the Underlying Preferred Stock
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of shares of preferred stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the applicable depositary receipts. Each record holder of depositary receipts on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock) will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of shares of preferred stock represented by such holder's depositary shares. The depositary will vote in accordance with such instructions, and we will agree to take all reasonable action that may be deemed necessary by the depositary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from voting to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the depositary receipts holders.
Liquidation Preference
In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, each holder of a depositary receipt will be entitled to the fraction of the liquidation preference accorded each share of applicable preferred stock, as set forth in the appropriate prospectus supplement.
Conversion of Preferred Stock
Our depositary shares, as such, are not convertible into shares of our Class A common stock or any of our other securities or property. Nevertheless, if so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the depositary receipts may be surrendered by their holders to the depositary with written instructions to the depositary to instruct us to cause conversion of the shares of represented preferred stock into whole shares of Class A common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, and we will agree that upon receipt of such instructions and any amounts payable, we will convert the depositary shares utilizing the same procedures as those provided for delivery of shares of preferred stock to effect such conversion. If the depositary shares are to be converted in part only, one or more new depositary receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted. No fractional shares of Class A common stock will be issued upon conversion, and if such conversion will result in a fractional share being issued, we will pay an amount in cash equal to the value of the fractional interest based upon the closing price of the Class A common stock on the last business day prior to the conversion.
Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement
We and the depositary may, at any time, agree to amend the form of depositary receipt and any provision of the deposit agreement. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary receipts will not be effective unless that amendment has been approved by the existing holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares.
We may terminate the deposit agreement upon not less than 30 days' prior written notice to the preferred stock depositary if a majority of each class of preferred stock affected by the termination consents to the termination, whereupon the depositary will deliver or make available to each holder of
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depositary receipts, upon surrender of the depositary receipts held by such holder, such number of whole or fractional shares of preferred stock as are represented by the depositary shares evidenced by such depositary receipts.
In addition, the deposit agreement will automatically terminate if:
Charges of Preferred Stock Depositary
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the deposit agreement. In addition, we will pay the fees and expenses of the depositary in connection with the performance of its duties under the deposit agreement. However, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of depositary receipts will pay the fees and expenses of the depositary for any duties requested by such holders to be performed which are outside of those expressly provided for in the deposit agreement.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary
The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so. We may at any time remove the depositary. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary, which must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and, as in the case of the original preferred stock depositary, must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
Miscellaneous
The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts any reports and communications from us, including our annual reports and Exchange Act filings, which are received by the depositary with respect to the related preferred stock. The holders of depositary receipts shall have the rights to inspect the transfer books of the depositary and the list of holders of depositary receipts as provided in the applicable deposit agreement or as required by law.
We, as well as the depositary, will not be liable if either of us is prevented from or delayed in, by law or any circumstances beyond its control, performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and those of the depositary under the deposit agreement will be limited to performing our respective duties in good faith and without negligence, gross negligence or willful misconduct, and neither of us will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding relating to any depositary receipts, depositary shares or shares of preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely on written advice of counsel or accountants, or information provided by persons presenting shares of preferred stock represented by depositary receipts, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent to give such information, and on documents believed to be genuine and signed by a proper party.
If the depositary shall receive conflicting claims, requests or instructions from any holders of depositary receipts, on the one hand, and us, on the other hand, the depositary shall be entitled to act on our claims, requests or instructions.
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The following description of our two classes of common stock sets forth certain general terms and provisions of each class of common stock. In this prospectus we are only offering for issuance our Class A common stock to which any prospectus supplement may relate, including a prospectus supplement providing that Class A common stock will be issuable upon conversion of our debt securities or our preferred stock or upon the exercise of our warrants to purchase Class A common stock. The statements below describing each class of common stock are in all respects subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws.
General
Our authorized capital stock consists of 500,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 140,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 205,000,000 shares of excess stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of February 26, 2009, we had 46,376,653 shares of Class A common stock outstanding and 34,453,859 shares of Class B common stock outstanding. All issued and outstanding shares of common stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
The rights of the holders of the Class A common stock and Class B common stock are substantially identical in all respects, except for voting rights and the right of Class B common stock to convert into Class A common stock.
The following descriptions of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, and any description of our Class A common stock in a prospectus supplement, may not be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Maryland General Corporation Law, the actual terms of our articles of incorporation and our bylaws, each as amended and/or restated from time to time.
Class A Common Stock
Voting Rights
Each holder of our Class A common stock is entitled to one vote per share. The holders of all classes of common stock entitled to vote will vote together as a single class on all matters presented to the stockholders for their vote or approval, including the election of directors, except as otherwise required by Maryland General Corporation Law. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors.
Dividends
Subject to the rights of our outstanding preferred stock, if any, which may be hereafter classified and issued, holders of Class A common stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. All holders of our common stock shall have identical rights to receive any dividends or distributions, and no dividends or distributions shall be paid on any shares of Class A common stock unless the same is paid on all shares of our common stock.
Preemptive Rights
Holders of shares of our Class A common stock do not have any preemptive rights.
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Redemption Rights
Our shares of Class A common stock are not subject to redemption by operation of a sinking fund or otherwise.
Liquidation Rights
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of Sinclair, after the payment of debts and liabilities and subject to the prior rights of the preferred stockholders, if any, and the rights of the holders of our Class B common stock, the holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to receive any of our assets available for distribution to our stockholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares held by them.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our Class A common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
Listing
Our Class A common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "SBGI."
Class B Common Stock
The rights of the holders of our Class B common stock are identical with those of our Class A common stock in all respects, except for voting rights and the right of Class B common stock to convert into Class A common stock. Further, in any merger, consolidation or business combination, the consideration to be received per share by the holders of the Class A common stock must be identical to that received by the holders of the Class B common stock, except that in any transaction in which shares of a third party's common stock are distributed in exchange for our common stock, the shares may differ as to voting rights to the extent that the voting rights now differ among the classes of common stock.
Voting Rights
The holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share except in certain circumstances described below. The holders of all classes of common stock entitled to vote will vote together as a single class on all matters presented to the stockholders for their vote or approval except as otherwise required by Maryland General Corporation Law.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to only one vote per share, voting as a single class with the holders of our Class A common stock, with respect to any proposed: (a) "going private" transaction; (b) sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets; (c) sale or transfer which would cause a fundamental change in the nature of our business; or (d) merger or consolidation of our Company in which the holders of our common stock will own less than 50% of the common stock following the transaction. A "going private" transaction is defined as any "Rule 13e-3 transaction," as that term is defined in Rule 13e-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, between us and (1) any of the controlling stockholders, as defined below, (2) any affiliate, as defined below, of the controlling stockholders or (3) any group of which the controlling stockholders are an affiliate or of which the controlling stockholders are a member. An "affiliate" is defined as the following: (i) any individual or entity who or that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under the common control of the controlling stockholders; (ii) any corporation or organization (other than us or one of our majority-owned subsidiaries) of which any of the controlling stockholders is an
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officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of 10% or more of any class of voting securities or in which any of the controlling stockholders has a substantial beneficial interest; (iii) a voting trust or similar arrangement pursuant to which the controlling stockholders generally control the vote of the shares of common stock held by or subject to any trust or arrangement; (iv) any other trust or estate in which any of the controlling stockholders has a substantial beneficial interest or as to which any of the controlling stockholders serves as a trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; or (v) any relative or spouse of the controlling stockholders or any relative of the spouse who has the same residence as any of the controlling stockholders.
Conversion
Except for transfers to a permitted transferee, generally related parties of David D. Smith, Frederick G. Smith, J. Duncan Smith or Robert E. Smith, whom we refer to as the "controlling stockholders," any transfer of shares of Class B common stock held by any of the controlling stockholders will cause the shares to be automatically converted to Class A common stock. Any conversion of our Class B common stock into our Class A common stock shall be at a one-to-one ratio, and the Class A common stock issued upon any such conversion shall be deemed to be fully paid and nonassessable.
If the total number of shares of common stock held by the controlling stockholders falls to below 10% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding, all of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock automatically will be classified as Class A common stock. Holders of our Class B common stock may, however, pledge his shares of class B common stock pursuant to a bona fide pledge of such shares as collateral security for any indebtedness due to the pledge without causing an automatic conversion into Class A common stock, so long as such shares may not be transferred to or registered in the name of the pledge unless such pledge is a permitted transferee. In the event of a foreclosure or other similar action by a pledge who is not a permitted transferee, such pledged shares of Class B common stock shall be converted automatically, without any act or deed on the part of Sinclair or any other person, into shares of our Class A common stock as above provided.
In addition to the above conversion terms of our Class B common stock, each holder of our Class B common stock has the right to convert his shares at any time into our Class A common stock.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our Class B common stock is Thomas & Libowitz, P.A.
Listing
Our Class B common stock is not listed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system.
Certain Provisions of Maryland Law and Our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
The following summary of certain provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and our articles of incorporation and bylaws is not complete. You should read the Maryland General Corporation Law and our articles of incorporation and bylaws for more complete information.
Limitation of Liability of Directors and Officers. Our bylaws also provide that each director shall perform his duties in good faith and with such care as an ordinarily prudent person in like position would use under similar circumstances. In performing his duties, each director shall be entitled to rely on information, opinions, reports or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, in which case prepared or presented by: (a) one or more officers or employees of ours whom the director reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented; (b) counsel, certified public accountants or other persons as to matters which the director reasonably believes to be
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within such person's professional or expert competence; or (c) a Committee of our Board of Directors that has been duly designated upon which such director does not serve as to matters within its designated authority, which Committee such director reasonably believes to merit confidence. Our bylaws provide that a director shall not be considered to be acting in good faith if he has knowledge concerning the matter in question that would cause such reliance described above to be unwarranted. A director who performs his duties in compliance with the foregoing shall have no liability by reason of being or having been a director of ours.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Our articles of incorporation and bylaws require us to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law. Under current Maryland law, we will indemnify (i) any director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of a proceeding to which he was made a party by reason of his service in that capacity, against reasonable expense incurred by him in connection with the proceeding and (ii) any present or former director or officer against any claim or liability unless it is established that (a) his act or omission was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (b) he actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or (c) in the case of a criminal proceeding, he had reasonable cause to believe that his act or omission was unlawful. In addition, our articles of incorporation and bylaws require us to pay or reimburse, in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding, expenses incurred by a director or officer to the fullest extent provided by Maryland law. Current Maryland law provides that we shall have received, before providing any such payment or reimbursement, (i) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by us as authorized by Maryland law and our bylaws and (ii) a written undertaking by or on his behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by us if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct was not met. Our articles of association and bylaws also permit our Board of Directors to provide indemnification, payment or reimbursement of expenses to any of our employees or agents in such capacity. Our articles of incorporation also provide that no amendment thereto may limit or eliminate this limitation of liability with respect to events occurring prior to the effective date of such amendment.
Meetings of Stockholders. Our bylaws provide for an annual meeting of stockholders to elect individuals to the Board of Directors and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. Special meetings of stockholders may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, a Vice President, the Secretary or any director of the Board of Directors upon the request in writing of the holders of a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast with regard to the business to be transacted at such special meeting and such request shall state the purpose of purposes of the special meeting. Business transacted at all special meetings of stockholders shall be confined to the purpose or purposes listed in the notice of such special meeting.
Voting as a Separate Class. Under Maryland General Corporation Law, the holders of common stock are entitled to vote as a separate class with respect to any amendment of our articles of incorporation that would increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of the class, increase or decrease the par value of the shares of the class or modify or change the powers, preferences or special rights of the shares of the class so as to adversely affect the class.
Business Combinations. Maryland General Corporation Law prohibits us from entering into "business combinations" and other corporate transactions unless special actions are taken. The business combinations that require these special actions include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in certain circumstances, an asset transfer or issuance of equity securities when the combination is between us and an "interested stockholder" (as defined below). An interested stockholder is:
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We may not engage in a business combination with an interested stockholder or any of its affiliates for five years after the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. We may engage in business combinations with an interested stockholder if at least five years have passed since the person became an interested stockholder, but only if the transaction is:
Stockholder approval will not be required if our stockholders receive a minimum price (as defined in the statute) for their shares and our stockholders receive cash or the same form of consideration as the interested stockholder paid for its shares.
This prohibition does not apply to business combinations involving us that are exempted by the Board of Directors before the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. It is anticipated that our board of directors will exempt from the Maryland statute any business combination with the controlling stockholders, any present or future affiliate or associate of any of them, or any other person acting in concert or as a group with any of the foregoing persons.
Control Share Acquisitions. The Maryland General Corporation Law provides that "control shares" of a Maryland corporation acquired in a "control share acquisition" have no voting rights unless two-thirds of the stockholders (excluding shares owned by the acquirer, and by the officers and directors who are employees of the Maryland corporation) approve their voting rights.
"Control Shares" are shares that, if added with all other shares previously acquired, would entitle that person to vote, in electing the directors
Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is entitled to vote with stockholder approval. A "control share acquisition" means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.
If this provision becomes applicable to us, a person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition could, under certain circumstances, compel our Board of Directors to call a special meeting of stockholders to consider the voting rights of the control shares. We could also present the question at any stockholders' meeting on our own.
If this provision becomes applicable to us, subject to certain conditions and limitations, we would be able to redeem any or all control shares. If voting rights for control shares were approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquirer were entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders could exercise appraisal rights and exchange their shares for a fair value as defined by statute.
The control share acquisition statute does not apply to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or to acquisitions approved or exempted by our articles of incorporation or bylaws.
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Foreign Ownership
Under our articles of incorporation and in order to comply with rules and regulations administered by the Federal Communications Commission, or the FCC, we are not permitted to issue or transfer on our books any of our capital stock to or for the account of any Alien, as defined in our articles of incorporation, if after giving effect to the issuance or transfer, the capital stock held by or for the account of any Alien or Aliens would exceed, individually or in the aggregate, 25% of our capital stock at any time outstanding. Pursuant to our articles of incorporation, we will have the right to repurchase any shares of our capital stock owned beneficially by an Alien or Aliens at the fair market value to the extent necessary, in the judgment of the board of directors, to comply with the foregoing ownership restrictions. Our articles of incorporation also provides that no Alien or Aliens shall be entitled to vote, direct or control the vote of more than 25% of the total voting power of all of the shares of our capital stock outstanding and entitled to vote at any time and from time to time.
Our articles of incorporation also provide that no Alien shall be qualified to act as an officer of our Company at any time and that no more than 25% of the total number of directors of our Company at any time may be Aliens. Our articles of incorporation give our board of directors all powers necessary to implement and administer the foregoing provisions.
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We may issue warrants for the purchase of common or preferred stock. If we offer warrants, we will describe the terms in a prospectus supplement. Warrants may be offered independently, together with other securities offered by any prospectus supplement, or through a dividend or other distribution to stockholders and may be attached to or separate from other securities. We will issue the warrants under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as shall be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. A warrant agent would act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants of a particular series and would not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of such warrants.
The following are some of the warrant terms that could be described in a prospectus supplement:
37
We may sell the securities being offered by this prospectus in one or more of the following ways from time to time: (1) through underwriters or dealers; (2) through agents; (3) in "at the market offerings" to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market or securities exchange or otherwise; (4) directly to purchasers; or (5) through a combination of any of these methods of sale. Any such underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of the offered securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Underwriters may offer and sell our securities at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. We also may, from time to time, authorize underwriters acting as our agents to offer and sell our securities upon the terms and conditions set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement. In connection with the sale of our securities, underwriters may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of our securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell our securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.
Any underwriting compensation we pay to underwriters or agents in connection with the offering of our securities and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the offered securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the our securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification against and contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize dealers acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase our securities from us at the public offering price set forth in such prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in such prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate principal amount of securities sold pursuant to contracts shall be not less or more than, the respective amounts stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions, and other institutions, but will in all cases be subject to our approval. Contracts will not be subject to any conditions except (i) the purchase by an institution of the offered securities covered by its contracts shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States to which such institution is subject and (ii) if the offered securities are being sold to underwriters, we shall have sold to such underwriters the total principal amount of our securities less the principal amount thereof covered by contracts.
Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with and perform services for us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.
The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any such securities.
If underwriters or dealers are used in the sale, until the distribution of the securities is completed, the SEC rules may limit the ability of any such underwriters and selling group members to bid for and
38
purchase the securities. As an exception to these rules, representatives of any underwriters are permitted to engage in certain transactions that stabilize the price of the securities. Such transactions may consist of bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities. If the underwriters create a short position in the securities in connection with the offerings (in other words, if they sell more securities than are set forth on the cover page of the prospectus supplement) the representatives of the underwriters may reduce that short position by purchasing securities in the open market. The representatives of the underwriters may also elect to reduce any short position by exercising all or part of any over-allotment option described in the prospectus supplement. The representatives of the underwriters may also impose a penalty bid on certain underwriters and selling group members. This means that if the representatives purchase securities in the open market to reduce the underwriters' short position or to stabilize the price of the securities, they may reclaim the amount of the selling concession from the underwriters and selling group members who sold those shares as part of the offering. In general, purchases of a security for the purpose of stabilization or to reduce a short position could cause the price of the security to be higher than it might be in the absence of such purchases. The imposition of a penalty bid might also have an effect on the price of the securities to the extent that it discourages resales of the securities. We make no representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the securities. In addition, the representatives of any underwriters may determine not to engage in such transactions or that such transactions, once commenced, may be discontinued without notice.
The validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.
The consolidated financial statements of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. appearing in Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.'s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2008 (including the schedule appearing therein), and the effectiveness of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
39
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
Set forth below are the amounts of fees and expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) we will pay in connection with the offering of our securities. All amounts set forth below, with the exception of the SEC Registration Fee, are estimated.
SEC Registration Fee |
$ | 19,650 | |||
Printing and Engraving Expenses |
100,000 | ||||
Accounting Fees and Expenses |
50,000 | ||||
Legal Fees and Expenses |
150,000 | ||||
Trustee fees and expenses |
25,000 | ||||
Rating Agency Fees |
15,000 | ||||
Miscellaneous |
15,350 | ||||
Total |
$ | 375,000 | |||
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Our articles of incorporation and bylaws require us to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Maryland law. Under current Maryland law, we will indemnify (i) any director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of a proceeding to which he was made a party by reason of his service in that capacity, against reasonable expense incurred by him in connection with the proceeding and (ii) any present or former director or officer against any claim or liability unless it is established that (a) his act or omission was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (b) he actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services; or (c) in the case of a criminal proceeding, he had reasonable cause to believe that his act or omission was unlawful. In addition, our articles of incorporation and bylaws require us to pay or reimburse, in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding, expenses incurred by a director or officer to the fullest extent provided by Maryland law. Current Maryland law provides that we shall have received, before providing any such payment or reimbursement, (i) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by us as authorized by Maryland law and our bylaws and (ii) a written undertaking by or on his behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by us if it shall ultimately be determined that the standard of conduct was not met. Our articles of association and bylaws also permit our Board of Directors to provide indemnification, payment or reimbursement of expenses to any of our employees or agents in such capacity. Our articles of incorporation also provide that no amendment thereto may limit or eliminate this limitation of liability with respect to events occurring prior to the effective date of such amendment.
Our bylaws also provide that each director shall perform his duties in good faith and with such care as an ordinarily prudent person in like position would use under similar circumstances. In performing his duties, each director shall be entitled to rely on information, opinions, reports or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, in which case prepared or presented by: (a) one or more officers or employees of ours whom the director reasonably believes to be reliable and competent in the matters presented; (b) counsel, certified public accountants or other persons as to matters which the director reasonably believes to be within such person's professional or expert competence; or (c) a Committee of our Board of Directors that has been duly designated upon which such director does not serve as to matters within its designated authority, which Committee such director reasonably believes to merit confidence. Our bylaws provide that a director shall not be
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considered to be acting in good faith if he has knowledge concerning the matter in question that would cause such reliance described above to be unwarranted. A director who performs his duties in compliance with the foregoing shall have no liability by reason of being or having been a director of ours.
The following exhibits, as noted, are filed herewith, previously have been filed, or will be filed by amendment.
Exhibit No. | Description | ||
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1.1 | Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities*. | ||
1.2 |
Form of Underwriting Agreement for Equity Securities*. |
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3.1 |
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. (Incorporated by reference from Registrant's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998). |
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3.2 |
Amended By-Laws of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. as further amended by the First Amendment to the Amended By-Laws of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., dated October 30, 2007. (Incorporated by reference from Registrant's Report on Form 8-K filed on March 6, 2009). |
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4.1 |
Specimen Certificate of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Registrant (Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-90682) |
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4.2 |
Senior Indenture, dated as of May 10, 2007, between Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. (Incorporated by reference from Registrant's Report on Form 8-K filed on May 11, 2007). |
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4.3 |
Form of Subordinated Indenture. |
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4.4 |
Form of Debt Security (included in Exhibits 4.2 and 4.3). |
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4.5 |
Form of Warrant Agreement*. |
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4.6 |
Form of Certificate for Preferred Stock*. |
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4.7 |
Form of Deposit Agreement and Depositary Receipt. |
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5.1 |
Opinion of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP regarding the legality of the securities being registered. |
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12.1 |
Statement of Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges. |
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23.1 |
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. |
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23.2 |
Consent of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1). |
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24.1 |
Power of Attorney (contained on the signature page hereto). |
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25.1 |
Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under the Senior Indenture (filed on May 3, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein). |
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25.2 |
Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under the Subordinated Indenture*. |
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(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 Securities and Exchange 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) herein 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 Securities and Exchange Commission by the undersigned 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:
(i) 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
(ii) 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
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statement to which the 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 prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(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) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than for 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 of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(d) 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 in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
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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 Hunt Valley, State of Maryland, on March 9, 2009.
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SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP, INC. |
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By: |
/s/ DAVID D. SMITH |
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GUARANTORS: |
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WCGV, INC. |
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SINCLAIR ACQUISITION IV, INC. |
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WLFL, INC. |
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SINCLAIR MEDIA I, INC. |
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WSMH, INC. |
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SINCLAIR MEDIA II, INC. |
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WSTR LICENSEE, INC. |
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WGME, INC. |
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SINCLAIR MEDIA III, INC. |
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WTTO, INC. |
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WTVZ, INC. |
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WYZZ, INC. |
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KOCB, INC. |
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WDKY, INC. |
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WYZZ LICENSEE, INC. |
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KLGT, INC. |
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SINCLAIR TELEVISION COMPANY II, INC. |
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WSYX LICENSEE, INC. |
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WGGB, INC. |
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WTWC, INC. |
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SINCLAIR COMMUNICATIONS II, INC. |
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SINCLAIR HOLDINGS I, INC. |
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SINCLAIR HOLDINGS II, INC. |
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SINCLAIR HOLDINGS III, INC. |
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SINCLAIR TELEVISION COMPANY, INC. |
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SINCLAIR TELEVISION OF BUFFALO, INC. |
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SINCLAIR TELEVISION OF CHARLESTON, INC. |
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SINCLAIR TELEVISION OF NASHVILLE, INC. |
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SINCLAIR TELEVISION OF NEVADA, INC. |
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SINCLAIR TELEVISION OF TENNESSEE, INC. |
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SINCLAIR TELEVISION LICENSE |
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SINCLAIR TELEVISION OF DAYTON, INC. |
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SINCLAIR ACQUISITION VII, INC. |
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SINCLAIR ACQUISITION VIII, INC. |
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SINCLAIR ACQUISITION IX, INC. |
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SINCLAIR ACQUISITION X, INC. |
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MONTECITO BROADCASTING CORPORATION |
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CHANNEL 33, INC. |
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WNYO, INC. |
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NEW YORK TELEVISION, INC. |
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BIRMINGHAM (WABM-TV) LICENSEE, INC. |
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RALEIGH (WRDC-TV) LICENSEE, INC. |
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SAN ANTONIO (KRRT-TV) LICENSEE, INC. |
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WVTV LICENSEE, INC. |
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SINCLAIR TELEVISION GROUP, INC. |
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SINCLAIR PROPERTIES, LLC SINCLAIR PROPERTIES II, LLC |
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KBSI LICENSEE L.P. WMMP LICENSEE L.P. WSYT LICENSEE L.P. |
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By: |
Sinclair Properties, LLC, General Partner |
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WEMT LICENSEE L.P. WKEF LICENSEE L.P. |
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By: |
Sinclair Properties II, LLC, General Partner |
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WGME LICENSEE LLC |
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By: |
WGME, Inc., Member |
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WICD LICENSEE, LLC WICS LICENSEE, LLC KGAN LICENSEE, LLC KFXA LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
Sinclair Acquisition IV, Inc., Member |
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WSMH LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
WSMH, Inc., Member |
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WPGH LICENSEE, LLC KDNL LICENSEE, LLC WCWB LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
Sinclair Media I, Inc., Member |
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WTVZ LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
WTVZ, Inc., Member |
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SAN ANTONIO TELEVISION, LLC SINCLAIR NEWSCENTRAL, LLC CHESAPEAKE TELEVISION LICENSEE, LLC KABB LICENSEE, LLC WLOS LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
Sinclair Communications, LLC, Member |
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By: |
Sinclair Television Group, Inc., Member of |
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KLGT LICENSEE, LLC SINCLAIR FINANCE, LLC |
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By: |
KLGT, Inc., Member |
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WCGV LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
WCGV, Inc., Member |
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KUPN LICENSEE, LLC WEAR LICENSEE, LLC WFGX LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
Sinclair Media II, Inc., Member |
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WLFL LICENSEE, LLC WRDC, LLC |
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By: |
WLFL, Inc., Member |
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WTTO LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
WTTO, Inc., Member |
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WTWC LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
WTWC, Inc., Member |
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WGGB LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
WGGB, Inc., Member |
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KOCB LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
KOCB, Inc., Member |
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WDKY LICENSEE, LLC KOKH, LLC |
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By: |
WDKY, Inc., Member |
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KOKH LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
KOKH, LLC, Member |
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By: |
WDKY, Inc., Member of KOKH, LLC |
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WUPN LICENSEE, LLC WUTV LICENSEE, LLC WXLV LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
Sinclair Television of Buffalo, Inc., Member |
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WUXP LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
Sinclair Television of Tennessee, Inc., Member |
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WCHS LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
Sinclair Media III, Inc., Member |
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KDSM, LLC |
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By: |
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., Member |
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KDSM LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
KDSM, LLC, Member |
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By: |
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., Member of KDSM, LLC |
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SINCLAIR COMMUNICATIONS, LLC SINCLAIR PROGRAMMING COMPANY, LLC |
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By: |
Sinclair Television Group, Inc., Member |
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WDKA LICENSEE, LLC WNYS LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
Sinclair Properties, LLC, Member |
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WRGT LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
Sinclair Television of Dayton, Inc., Member |
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WUHF LICENSEE, LLC WMSN LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
Sinclair Television Company, Inc., Member |
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WRLH LICENSEE, LLC WTAT LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
Sinclair Television of Charleston, Inc., Member |
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WNAB LICENSEE, LLC WVAH LICENSEE, LLC WZTV LICENSEE, LLC |
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By: |
Sinclair Television of Nashville, Inc., Member |
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By: |
/s/ DAVID B. AMY |
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints each of David B. Amy and David R. Bochenek as his attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments or post-effective amendments to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith or in connection with the registration of the securities under the Securities Act of 1933 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary in connection with such matters and hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact and agent or his substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated.
SIGNATURE
|
TITLE
|
DATE
|
||
---|---|---|---|---|
/s/ DAVID D. SMITH David D. Smith |
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) | March 9, 2009 | ||
/s/ FREDRICK G. SMITH Fredrick G. Smith |
Director and Vice President |
March 9, 2009 |
||
/s/ J. DUNCAN SMITH J. Duncan Smith |
Director, Vice President and Secretary |
March 9, 2009 |
||
/s/ ROBERT E. SMITH Robert E. Smith |
Director |
March 9, 2009 |
||
/s/ DANIEL C. KEITH Daniel C. Keith |
Director |
March 9, 2009 |
||
/s/ MARTIN R. LEADER Martin R. Leader |
Director |
March 9, 2009 |
||
/s/ LAWRENCE E. MCCANNA Lawrence E. McCanna |
Director |
March 9, 2009 |
||
/s/ BASIL A. THOMAS Basil A. Thomas |
Director |
March 9, 2009 |
||
/s/ DAVID B. AMY David B. Amy |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) |
March 9, 2009 |
||
/s/ DAVID R. BOCHENEK David R. Bochenek |
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (principal accounting officer) |
March 9, 2009 |
Exhibit No. |
Description | |
---|---|---|
1.1 | Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities*. | |
1.2 |
Form of Underwriting Agreement for Equity Securities*. |
|
3.1 |
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. (Incorporated by reference from Registrant's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998). |
|
3.2 |
Amended By-Laws of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. as further amended by the First Amendment to the Amended By-Laws of Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., dated October 30, 2007. (Incorporated by reference from Registrant's Report on Form 8-K filed on March 6, 2009). |
|
4.1 |
Specimen Certificate of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Registrant (Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-90682) |
|
4.2 |
Senior Indenture, dated as of May 10, 2007, between Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. (Incorporated by reference from Registrant's Report on Form 8-K filed on May 11, 2007). |
|
4.3 |
Form of Subordinated Indenture. |
|
4.4 |
Form of Debt Security (included in Exhibits 4.2 and 4.3). |
|
4.5 |
Form of Warrant Agreement*. |
|
4.6 |
Form of Certificate for Preferred Stock*. |
|
4.7 |
Form of Deposit Agreement and Depositary Receipt. |
|
5.1 |
Opinion of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP regarding the legality of the securities being registered. |
|
12.1 |
Statement of Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges. |
|
23.1 |
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. |
|
23.2 |
Consent of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1). |
|
24.1 |
Power of Attorney (contained on the signature page hereto). |
|
25.1 |
Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under the Senior Indenture (filed on May 3, 2007 and incorporated by reference herein). |
|
25.2 |
Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 under the Subordinated Indenture*. |